Dear Editor:

I am tired of reading these alarmist letters to the editor submitted by Steven B. Johnson to the Union Tribune, Gay & Lesbian Times and elsewhere. These letters twist statistics and give the impression that gay people are all diseased, drug addicted nymphomaniacs.

If it is Johnson’s motive to convince county officials to provide higher funding levels for programs that educate regarding drugs and promote condom use, he should use another tactic.

Publishing letters like these, especially in the “straight” newspapers, simply serves to denigrate the reputation of all gay people and promote hostility toward the gay community.

Brent Montejo

Dear Editor:

I am at a loss to understand why Nicole, and perhaps others, continue to treat mayoral candidate Steve Francis as a viable candidate for our community’s consideration. Everyone who attend The Center’s candidates forum should have received an eye-opening revelation of Mr. Francis when he dismissivley avoided a question regarding his stance on same sex marriage with “I believe in civil unions... now, back to that tax question.” It does not matter that the mayor has little, if any, power over the marriage issue. However, it matters A LOT that this guy apparently thinks this issue is not worthy of an opinion. How utterly disrespectful to sneer at this issue before an auditorium full of LGBT voters. I, for one, intend to pass over this empty suit and vote for a candidate who, at the very least, can look me in the eye and attempt to explain why it’s okay for LGBT citizens to be denied the same rights and privileges as anyone else. For people in our community to continue to treat Mr. Francis as a suitable candidate after that stunt simply defies belief.

Ted Roberts

Dear Editor:

When I am reading or listening to commentary about Bush and the Republicans that is produced by some of the gay community, I can’t help but disagree with the usual slanderous liberal ideology.

In some comments it is stated that the right lied to go to war in Iraq and played dirty during the 2004 presidential race. The many accusations of Bush’s motives make me wonder who is playing dirty and lying, especially since many of these indictments have been proven false.

Some ask where are all the liberal leaders, the obvious and accurate truth is that liberal leaders have tried, and failed to get into office. If the majority of the government is Republican, then maybe it is telling us that the Left needs to readjust its beliefs and stop whining like society’s self-anointed super victims. Gay liberal leaders have raised millions of dollars from us to blindly align ourselves with a Democratic Party that has turned its back on our legislation and policy proposals in California, Indiana, Maryland and Louisiana during the past 30 days.

What has Howard Dean done to stop liberal Blue States like California and Maryland besides his lavish campaign to become the nation’s class clown? What has Howard Dean done to stop Democrats from going into Red Bush States and saying they are against gay marriage? All we hear is name-calling directed at the Republicans and barely a word of protest when our Democratic friends take our money to get re-elected across the country but abandon us when we need their votes.

If government officials are corrupt, or dishonest, then the loser must have been worse, or the Democrats would have been in the majority. How much gay corruption in managing funds and organizations for the AIDS epidemic or ineffective national campaigns must we tolerate before we realize that we might be more corrupt than the GOP? At least some of our strongest GOP critics sit on committees that allocate money for AIDS and they faithfully vote for more money each year without trying to get one word of praise from the gay community.

There has to be a reason why more than half of America is Republican. I believe that the apparent explanation is that, like the Whig, or Federalist Parties, the Democratic Party is out of date.

Let’s face it people, not every gay person is left-wing or liberal.

Matthew Veritas Tsien

Dear Editor:

I write in response to Nicole Murray-Ramirez, and her statements about me in her column, Conversations with Nicole, in the July 7 and 14 issues of your paper.

I have never been a political fence-sitter. Early endorsements are crucial for a candidate running for office, especially from members of her own party and more so in a race with a short time span. That is why I encouraged Senator Kehoe and Councilmember Atkins to endorse Frye in her campaign for Mayor. I applaud Kehoe for endorsing Frye in writing on July 16. I still wonder where Councilmember Atkins’ endorsement is...

In her July 14, 2005 column, Murray-Ramirez writes:

“As she was always planning to do in her own time, state Senator Kehoe, the highest ranking GLBT state official from San Diego, has endorsed Donna Frye for mayor.... Mr. Campbell, a true gentleman would apologize. We are all waiting after your attack on Senator Kehoe.” In Senator Kehoe’s written endorsement, she writes: “After careful thought and discussion with many San Diegans, I am proud to announce that I endorse Donna Frye for Mayor of San Diego.”

I don’t know who the “We” is in Murray-Ramirez’s request that I apologize. I didn’t realize she speaks for a coalition of people or that she’s a spokesperson for Senator Kehoe. And, as Kehoe confirms in her written endorsement quoted above, it does not sound to me like she was going to endorse Donna Frye “as she was always planning to do in her own time,” Ms. Murray-Ramirez. It sounds to me like she was doing what politicians do—discuss options with constituents, strategize, then make a decision. You are right, Ms. Murray-Ramirez, I am a gentleman. And I am not apologizing to satisfy you because no one but you has taken umbrage.

In her June 23, 2005 column, Murray-Ramirez writes:

“Councilmember Toni Atkins won’t endorse in primary In a major setback for Donna Frye, the only council member that supported her for mayor in the last election has withdrawn that endorsement. Many times Toni Atkins publicly addressed Frye as the “truly elected mayor,” but now there are no such high praises. Rumors are that Atkins will endorse Jerry Sanders if he makes it out of the primary, which many feel he will. State Senator Chris Kehoe has, at this time, still not endorsed Donna Frye, either.... Our two other elected GLBT officials have endorsed Jerry Sanders.”

Here’s the thing. My challenge to Kehoe and Atkins about why they were withholding their support for Donna Frye is legitimate political discourse. Now that Kehoe has endorsed Frye proves that political endorsements are crucial. Nicole Murray-Ramirez, when you write: “Your letter, sir, is what is a disgrace”, be certain of one thing—free speech is still alive and thriving and I will continue to write letters to this and other papers. If you find them a “disgrace”, then don’t read them. But, rest assured, I will continue reading your column.

David Harrington Campbell