Dear Editor,

I just read issue #809 and was appalled by Nicole’s venomous and classless attack of, not only Mr. Grienenberger, but of anyone that disagrees with “It’s Majesty.”

Yes Nicole, we know you have been in the community for many decades. Yes Nicole, we know that you do a lot for the community. Yes Nicole, we know that you love tooting your own horn (God knows nobody else would want to do it). Yes Nicole, we know all of this because you make us all painfully aware with your tacky little article in the GLT.

But why all the venom? Are you not more professional than that? As it is your right to voice your opinion, it was Mr. Grienenberger’s right to voice his opinion as well. And he did so without using words like “moron” and “stupid.” I also find the Nazi insinuation in the way that you call Mr. Grienenberger “Herr” offensive. DO NOT deny it, as that is exactly what you were insinuating.

I did not hear Mr. Grienenberger calling you fat or stupid, or saying, “If she has one more face lift, she will be able to blink her lips,” giving that nasty mouth a rest.

The bottom line is that Mr. Grienenberger’s opinion, without doubt, has “hit the nail on the head,” prompting Nicole’s wrath. One word … “WHATEVER!” Bottom line is that your article is not worth wiping my bottom with. This is MY opinion.

Awaiting your wrath,

Michael F. Kelly

Hillcrest

[Editor’s note: The following is a copy of a letter sent to Shawn Ingram, director of development for The Center, which was also submitted to the Gay and Lesbian Times for publication.]

Dear Shawn,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this letter. I must request that the monthly contribution I pledge be suspended immediately. While I still support The Center’s general mission, I am greatly troubled by the decision of the governing board to require its members to suffer the indignity of a criminal background check or to sign a sworn affidavit that none is necessary.

It simply boggles the mind why an organization that is supposed to fight homophobia in all its subtle forms is so willing to accept as truth the harmful belief that gay people cannot be trusted around children. The Center Board’s action reinforces unfortunate and harmful stereotypes — this from an organization that is supposed to educate and enlighten.

Until yesterday, 13 states in this nation treated gay adults who engaged in private, consensual sexual activity as criminals. How can we possibly claim to fight for truth and justice when we so easily give ammunition to those individuals and groups who wanted nothing more than for us to disappear?

I can hear it now as Lou Sheldon or some homophobic leader in the boy scouts asserts: “Homosexuals are known child molesters, they even admit it by having to screen their own before they let them near children or even to serve on the board of the gay and lesbian center in San Diego.”

Well, whatever good The Center does, I fee like it just took two steps back. While my financial support is not substantial, I know of no other way to adequately express my genuine disappointment with this decision.

Sincerely,

Robert E. Oaks

Dear Editor,

Before we get all sweaty with gratitude at the U.S. Supremes for effectively striking down all state sodomy laws, let us be clear that it does not mean that the Bush Administration and the Court that installed it are suddenly GLBT friends and allies. To assume so would, first, mean that sodomy is the exclusive practice of homosexuals. Yeah, right. The legitimacy of sodomy laws was scant sacrifice for lulling the sodomites into political complacency. Fourteen other states had already dumped their sodomy laws, even our otherwise backward Arizona neighbors. The court decision is an important step, but it has only been taken as a result of hard-driven advocacy on the part of the GLBT community. Thanks go exclusively to our human rights leaders.

Tom Turner