Dear Editor:

You should really start a page dedicated to things that Nicole either takes out of context or, worse, quotes that you don’t check before you print.

In Issue 892 in Nicole’s column I am quoted by “him” as saying that I “knew being gay was a sin.” In another dose of nonsense I took the time and watched the tape of both the segment that played Monday night that he “quotes” and the one that re-played before my appearance on Tuesday and both of them were identical. The exact quote with regard to homosexuality and sin was, “I know that acting on the on the impulses of homosexuality is sinful.”

First, what Nicole did was paraphrase and you, as editors, should be responsible enough to check on what your people write (for your grammar class next week, perhaps you should outline when quotation marks are used and when they are not). Second, what he attempted to quote was taken completely out of context and it is devoid of any theological basis whatsoever.

I did not say that being gay was a sin – far from it; in fact I was very careful not to say that. I choose my words carefully when it comes to this issue and one would think that Nicole would do the same, but he doesn’t. He misquotes and mischaracterizes what I (and other people) say, but the editors never seem to check to make sure that what you are printing is true. I challenge anyone to find a tape or transcript (they’re available online and the audio is posted at my website) where I ever said what Nicole quoted me as saying.

The only thing true in Nicole’s blather about me was the part where he talks about his connection to the numerous businesses in this town from which he derives significant pleasure and income. I am being careful also not to note as true his position on boards and commissions as safe because they’re not – and anyone can check with the powers that be about whether or not they are.

As to his knowledge of Judaism, not the kind taught in gay friendly temples that take the Torah and twist it to divine from it some alternative sliding scale of sin regarding behavior – he’s just wrong. Maybe he actually thinks that dressing up like a Catholic nun makes him one – whatever the case: there is no mainstream religion that doesn’t say that acting on the impulses or urges of homosexuality is not sinful. Playing a good Catholic and talking about how he goes to church on this holiday or that is not what counts – the doctrine of the religion is what matters and what Nicole said is simply not true.

I notice that Nicole still hasn’t addressed his phone number being listed in his column in order for men interested in dancing nude to call if they’re interested, I suppose we’ll still have to wait on that. My idea of a corrections page for Nicole would be good, though, as it will fill some space every week as it seems that Nicole just can’t get it right.

Steve Yuhas

Dear Editor:

Bill Brittingham is a good writer. I want to make that clear, so there isn’t confusion about the criticism of your Jan. 27, G< feature “Hillcrest Then and Now.”

Perhaps it was a miscommunication during the assigning process. Maybe it was the story angle. But in this day and age, the read was particularly peculiar in that the editor, author or both felt the interviewees needed to be identified by fictitious names. This is not a testament to the neighborhood.

There must be dozens if not hundreds of members of the gay, straight and lesbian communities who would willingly go on record to discuss their living, working and social-life experiences in Hillcrest – then and now.

The feature was an example of a lost opportunity to extol the neighborhood’s good points and pitfalls culled from insightful interviews conducted with well-known, longtime members of the community as well as newcomers. Perhaps as CityFest approaches, you can revisit this topic and do it justice.

Lee A. Schoenbart

Dear Editor:

Most personal trainers are nothing more that male escorts to inflate the already giant egos of the pretty boy types. “Oh Look, I have a personal trainer, and you don’t, I’m so much better than you.”

They are not trained in any physiological studies, they are merely hired by the gym to swindol the clients out of more money to put in the coffers of the gym. It has very little to do with health.

I stand in support of Mr. Vanucci. So-called “personal trainers” have no academic background, and are self styled, I’m thinking of one right now that works at a certain gym in the beach area.

Recently there was an article about the trainers at a chain gym that injured a “client” because he pushed the client beyond what he was able to bear.

These “personal trainers” have no background in physical-therapy, they are not trained in anatomy, and injury prevention, they are not trained period, and should be taken with a grain of salt. Most are on a commission from the gym they are employed at and make money when they are able to dupe an unsuspecting client into more “training sessions”

Beware of Personal trainers.....ask for their credentials....demand to see them.

Remember, Eric, this my opinion, so don’t send me any more hate mail, then block your address so I cannot answer you. Nuff Said.

Ron Mason

Dear Editor:

The GLT often runs an ad for the paper (issue 892, page 50) showing two women that you call Mildred and Agnes. These women are actually Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the founders and leaders of the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Miss Anthony and Mrs. Stanton gave more than fifty years of their lives fighting to gain the vote for women. They used civil disobedience and sometimes went to jail, they went on hunger strikes and became physically ill, they marched and picketed in trying to achieve their goal. I know that the GLT means no disrespect to Women’s History with this ad. However I do wonder if a picture of Harvey Milk (Maybe calling him Bernard) would be used in such a manner.

BTW, I’d guess that Susan and Elizabeth would probably enjoy reading the GLT.

Gloria Johnson