Dear Editor:

Why did anyone in our LGBT Community ever think that Arnold Schwarzenegger would have signed a bill that gives us equality in marriage or any other civil rights? And I hope that everyone also realizes that Jerry Sanders is the same kind of friend that Schwarzenegger is to us.

Gloria Johnson

Dear Editor:

Who’s the girly-man now? Schwarzenegger has shown by his act of cowardice that he doesn’t have the balls to do the right thing.

Steve van Keuren

Dear Editor:

Let me say up-front that I don’t intend to vote for either Sanders or Frye in the upcoming mayoral election. Call me hypersensitive, but I’ve had it negative campaigning. If the candidates won’t be civil, they won’t get my vote, even if that means my sitting the election out.

That said, I’m disturbed by reports I’ve received of Frye campaign signs being repeatedly stolen from supporters’ private property and replaced with Sanders signs. San Diego’s current difficulties stem from dishonesty and corruption among her officials. In that light, does the Sanders campaign really think that engaging in theft and violating private citizens’ First Amendment rights demonstrates that their candidate has the moral character appropriate for San Diego’s next mayor?

Rev. Keith W Ramsey

Dear Editor:

As I hear stories on the controversy of same sex marriages I can’t help thinking how this brings us back decades. Does anyone remember African Americans having to fight for their rights because some said they don’t deserve the same as whites, black and white marrying, women’s right to vote. The constitution and the bill of rights pertain to everyone and not just a select few. By letting this law pass even at the state level is discriminating against a group of people. This is not what those before us fought for and intended by these rights afforded to us by the constitution. If this law passes you are condoning the right to discriminate. Some point out domestic partner agreements . As I see it the only difference between this and a legal marriage is the wording on different papers and being able to declare our love in an open ceremony that others and the government recognizes. I finish with the words of my daughter at the age of 13, “if you are lucky enough to find someone to love and who loves you what difference does it make whether it’s a man or woman.”

Tammy Quaco

Dear Editor:

Persistently I try to dispel the myths that surrounds people of “difference”. This letter is but one more attempt in my long series of letters to you. If but one of your staff reads it and is given pause to consider these words, I will have made my mark. If more people pause to consider these words, all the better.

Like so many idealistic dreamers, it has been a life long aspiration to make a contribution to leaving the world a better place than I found it.... a paradise more peaceful and inhabitable than the world I experienced.

That all people of “difference” tend to be marginalized by majorities has been a farce history has played out throughout the ages. Yet, if not for our differences mankind would still be in the stone age. Conversely, if not for our prejudices, mankind would be much more advanced. What is “different” is not a threat but rather an opportunity to learn and move forward. That man views differences with intolerance and prejudice is indeed a shameful waste of talent which squanders the potential advancement of humanity and its collective body of knowledge.

I can’t help but wonder what discoveries, cures, deeds, inventions and services have been denied the world by such foolishness. Imagine how many contributions have been lost simply because “different” minorities have been marginalized and deemed unworthy of equal treatment by the “perfect” majority. How many “different” doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses, architects, builders, stylists, soldiers, generals, admirals, pilots, contractors, designers, factory workers, bankers, landscapers, florists, farmers, shop keepers, inventors, industry giants, business owners, religious leaders, sports figures, engineers, ranchers, scientists, authors, dancers, singers, playwrights, actors, government officials, civil servants, etc. etc. have contributed less than their potential merely because mankind was intolerant and could not overcome its own prejudices.

With respect to GLBT minorities, it is my hope that one day, the world at large will know the untold stories of these courageous and loving humans of “difference”, their devoted relationships of 25, 50, 60 years, the unsung heroes, their communities and their families and their contributions to a better world. Perhaps the world will one day see that ignorance fosters an illusion of superiority that does not protect mankind but rather endangers it.

Each life begins with a purpose and each life is a gift to mankind. Those that are “different” hold a treasure of possibilities that mankind can hardly afford to ignore if it is to survive and thrive in peace. The greatest and most false illusion any of us can hold is that those like us are perfect and those unlike us are flawed.

William (Bill) E. Kelly