Dear GLT,

After reading the Math Teacher of the Year interview with school board candidate

Kevin Beiser, it brought back my own experience in 1986 as the only gay man to ever run for this office. Back then no gay had won anything in San Diego. Neal Good was also running that year (as only the second to do so) for city council and, like me, he was a trailblazer for Gays. Though neither of us won, Chris Kehoe - - with the help of re-districting and broad community support - - broke the un-winnable streak seven years later as the first elected to the city council from this community. Now, if elected, it will be Beiser’s turn to make history. If so, we can rejoice in knowing how far we’ve come.

Thank You,

John Primavera

I have never Known of anyone to break BOTH arms while patting themselves on the back, but portantino may very well need help wiping his ass given the multiple fractures he sustained in last weeks Publishers Point. In my opinion, we have a group of people who do nothing but continually congratulate themselves and their buddies in all those non-profits providing “services” the community.

I would ask how much of the $1,000,000 donated went towards outrageous salaries, huge bonuses and Cadillac benefits, but then I would get no answer. The SD Pride Organization has yet to conduct their “outside” audit, there has been no further updates of the alleged fraud at Auntie Hellen’s, and yet the “awards” keep coming and we are asked to respect an entire system controled by “self aggrandizing,” nepotistic, egocentric persons in a position of trust” in this community.

Dan McCarthy

Since Ken Mehlman’s coming out last week, we have seen numerous opinions from those who are outraged at his silence and active role in some of the anti-gay rhetoric from 6 years ago. They decry his hypocrisy, espouse his cowardice and are incredulous that he now wishes to speak up and become an ally. To those who hold these opinions and to all the gay community, I challenge those who have never remained silent to speak the first criticism.

At one time or anohter; even currently in our day-to-day lives, we have all remained silent when confronted by or exposed to intolorence, anti-gay rehoritic or insensitivity. It may have been something said or done by a family member, a stranger or co-worker and we did or said nothing to correct them or raise their conciousness. At times, we even “straight-wash” or coach our own language so we do not create an uncomfortable conflict or conversation; telling ourselves, it’d be too much trouble. Make no mistake; this passive action and activity is just as damaging, dangerous and destructive as the active acceptance that Ken Mehlman engaged in. We all become guilty of promoting the “rehotric” when we do nothing to contradict it. At times, when there is real physical danger involved, keeping silent is neccesary, but all to often in situations where this danger does not exist, we pass on correcting and confronting intolerance. When we do, we give a pass to the offending persons. We give a pass to let them think that their words, opinions, jokes, etc. are okay. After all, no one is saying otherwise, so you must agree. Remember, silence equals consent.

Should we not be upset over Ken Mehlman’s damaging involvement in being part of a policy that has set us back years in our quest for equality? No. We do have cause be upset, angry and hurt over it. But we should also look at those three fingers that point back at ourselves when we point the fingers at others who don’t speak up. We should make an effort in our own lives to speak up more than we do; strive to speak up every time we encounter someone or something that impedes us from true equality.

We should also realize that we cannot change what has been. We have no time machine to go back and fix it and make it right. We can only change what lies ahead of us. No matter how upset we may be with ken Mehlman, that will never get us closer to the equality we seek. The only thing that can get us closer is accepting every ally we can no matter how late or by what means they arrive at the game. You can’t deny that we need to make more allies than we do enemies.

Patrick Hunter