Dear Editor,

I must reply to Dennis Mayer, M.D.’s letter for several reasons.

Dennis, I know you intimately as you have operated on me twice. During my contacts with you, you shared your coming out story, how your grown children refer to your lover as “mommy queerest”, etc. If I recall you have been in San Diego for a few short years establishing your practice.

I am very shocked that a licensed physician would ever wish any human being something as devastating as Alzheimers. Additionally I am amazed that an intelligent person who would defame an individual (Nicole Murray-Ramirez) for their history when in-fact you were still making babies and attempting to practice heterosexuality.

At the very least you owe Nicole a public apology and more acts of contrition than ever the pope can prescribe for you.

I have known Nicole 29 years and would be the first to tell you “he is less than perfect”, as we all are. In Nicole’s column he refers to the body bag incident and I want to expand on that. While serving on the Civil Service Commission, Mayor O’Connor requested that I go to Tijuana to see what our city could do to help with the HIV/AIDS crisis. When I returned the following day I had to give a report that frankly I cried through most of. The prime request was for body bags as the Public Mortuary would not pick-up any deceased person who died from HIV/AIDS compilations without a body bag. The Public Mortuary would supply the bag for $125.00 (in many cases 3 months income). What Nicole did not tell you that, within 72 hours we returned not only with the body bags, but with $1,000 raised by Nicole and an appointment to the County AIDS task force for a Tijuana activist who was trying to help citizens of his city. Dennis, there are 10,000 more stories of Nicole’s selfless devotion to the HIV/AIDS crisis, as well as the survival of his own community. Please release whatever self-hate/anger you may have and understand your attempted surgery of a reputation was wrong and an enormous mistake…

Hon. Al Best, Ph.D.

President, Ret.

San Diego Civil Service Commission

National Association of Civil Service Commissioners

Dear Editor,

Over a year ago, I was raked over the proverbial coals in Nicole Murray-Ramirez’ column because I didn’t share his opinion about a donation to the San Diego Symphony.

Now it seems that Mr. Murray-Ramirez’ latest target (I can only guess how many there have been since me) is Dr. Dennis Mayer who apparently had the misfortune to be the last dissenting opinion of HBO’s production of “Angels in America” to be published in G<.

OK ... the “Alzheimer’s” and “servicing sailors” comments were definitely hitting below the belt, but Mr. Murray-Ramirez’ response (read “tirade”), hardly constitutes “conversation” per the title of his column.

How ‘bout you change the title to “Pontifications from Nicole”? Not as pleasant-sounding, but at least it’s honest.

David A. Thaler

North Park

Dear Editor,

It has come to my attention that the Wherehouse store (music and video) in Uptown is being closed by the new owner of Wherehouse Entertainment, Transworld Entertainment Corporation. I do not believe that this company understands the importance of this store to our community, and I would like to encourage the editors and readers of the Gay and Lesbian Times to contact them and let them know how much this store means to Hillcrest.

The staff at this store and their management have always supported our community, through their support of our Pride festival, local artists, and neighborhood charities and activities.

The store is not gone yet, and I hope that a show of support from customers, neighbors, friends, and business partners can have an effect on the business decision the new owners have made.

I would encourage everyone who does not want to see our Wherehouse disappear, to call, write, email, and fax Transworld and let this corporation know what one store means to the residents, visitors, and consumers of Hillcrest. Here’s the info: Transworld Entertainment Corporation, 38 Corporate Circle, Albany, NY 12203. Phone 518-452-1242. Fax 518-862-9519.

Jim Herrington

San Diego

Dear Editor,

Cheers and Jeers to the renovated Center. Cheers to the timely renovation process. As our community grows it’s nice to see that the Center is growing as well, but I have to ask: in what direction is The Center headed and with whom in mind? On first approach the new building is not very inviting with the wall surrounding the entrance. Once inside the changes are profound. The main hall is quite impressive. It would have been refreshing to see some sort of event taking place. Next it was on to the library. Another great space, but nothing said –– grab a book, sit down and stay awhile. The colors are drab, and it lacks its own computer station. However in a separate space the new computer lab was brimming with excitement (although upon leaving I had the impression those people were employed by the Center). I was cordially told that there is a senior room in case there is no available space in the other lab. The room that looked more like a walk-in closet was empty, dark, and had a huge table blocking easy access to the one computer.

I was gravely disappointed to find a beautiful portrait of Queen Eddie, who was loved by the community, dismissed to some hall where no one can see her. Are they ashamed of her? Move that beautiful portrait where people can see it. Queen Eddie deserves more –– more so than the wall of political embarrassments.

Jeers to the decentralization of the community. I am entirely dismayed at how a once thriving hub of the gay community has become so decentralized. I remember before the great face lift, there used to be meetings held upstairs, support groups and the like. And now I find that our community’s most basic needs have been forwarded outside the community. Two vital areas are HIV testing, and our Gay Youth. On the massive reception station I found a 3x5 index sized flyer –– which was barely noticeable –– about HIV testing. I learned that HIV testing is now being done in North Park. At what cost? I have never seen a banner flying from The Center, which alerts people about HIV testing or AIDS services. Instead that same nasty Bingo banner has been hoisted atop every building The Center has occupied. Apparently The Center doesn’t have space or time to handle HIV testing or AIDS services. Out of sight, out of mind!

Secondly, are our Gay Youth. They are vanquished to a building on Fourth Avenue. When I was first coming out I had problems with family and friends. I often ran away from home. In my small town we didn’t have a place where I could find comfort and strength. Finding peers then was paramount and having a centralized Community Center would have been ideal. Here we have the valuable space to assist gay youth and yet we move them to an isolated building costing the gay community thousands of dollars. Out of sight, out of mind!

The new building is great for fund-raising and showcasing a pretty face, but it does little to encourage and unite. I didn’t feel welcomed. I left there feeling lost and empty. I saw money flowing through like a sieve and a lot of valuable space wasted. What has happened to our Center? Things have been changing in our community, and I have to wonder who speaks for me. This face-lift, like most, removed the blemishes and scars. I wonder if others have a similar sense of loss?

Sincerely,

Tim Slusser