Dear Editor:

I am troubled by the tone and scope of your editorial, “DeMaio’s relationships of convenience”.

Given the feature you had planned, I think it was fair and necessary to explain why Councilmember Gloria was interviewed, and Councilmember DeMaio was not. The points that politicians should keep their word and should allow broad press access are also important. Unfortunately, these valid issues seemed somewhat lost in the noise of the other unprofessional and personal attacks.

Referencing the Councilmember’s personal or romantic life in such a specific manner (“…he and his new beau”), seemed a needlessly invasive way to drop an extra name into the editorial for gossip value. Your attack on the information gathering of your own columnist, Mr. Murray-Ramirez, (“Only if throwing back drinks while cruising together…) was a similarly cheap shot, and went far beyond what might be needed to point out the difference between a column and an in-depth interview.

I take the most exception to your general point about Mr. DeMaio’s “convenient” affiliations with District 3. Many of the times I have seen the Councilmember in District 3, my home district, he has been encouraging participation in fundraisers for San Diego Pride, seating patrons for Dine Out for Life, or rounding up and donating baskets for the Easter Egg Hunt. I have also seen him at charity events outside of District 3. I don’t know whether these activities help or hurt Mr. DeMaio politically in District 5, but they have certainly been to the benefit of District 3 residents, the LGBT Community, and San Diego. To devalue his commitment and aid to these organizations by assuming they represent nothing more than that “his personal life has blurred the boundaries of representation” is a blatant character attack unworthy of your publication.

Sincerely,

Joel Trambley

Dear Editor:

With regards to last weeks Editorial, here what I would like to say:

Come on people; let’s take a time out here. Perhaps people on both sides are just guilty of being human and over stepped boundaries. Does this mean we need to put all this energy into creating discord in our community?

There is a thing in our great nation called “Freedom of Speech.” Sometimes this gets us fired up and that is a natural reaction, but let’s be responsible on all sides and take the higher road.

Life is a journey of making choices and right now we can either decide to give this story more legs than it really needs or practice some genuine humility and forgive each other and work this out. There is nothing wrong with spirited debate and positive conflict resolution, but it’s the choices we make that determine our experience and destiny.

The Gay & Lesbian Times has served our community for over two decades, in good times and bad, they have been there for us. I am sure if one did some research, he or she would find unending support for our LGBT community and organizations. I am also confident that Michael Portantino has given our community thousands of dollars and countless hours of his time and support over the years.

Our history further demonstrates politicians have also been there to help our community and they are partly responsible for the freedoms we enjoy today.

As for Nicole love him or not, he is another one who has more than paid his dues in our community. No he is not a SAINT, just a human being who also sometimes gets ahead of himself

We need each other so let’s remember, divided or alone we fail but United We Stand and true forgiveness here is the higher road.

Let’s forgive and get on with celebrating San Diego Pride!

Frank Lechner