Dear Editor:

Well once again Nicole has put himself in a position where he feels like he must come across like the spokesperson for our community. His rantings to the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is yet another example of how out of touch he is.

I am a person who has been dealing with HIV/AIDS for over 15 years and was absolutely thrilled that the Sisters were at this years AIDS Walk. The have a very unique way of getting a message out while being fun and entertaining as well. With AIDS cases still rising and people still dying. I for one am deeply grateful to the Sisters for all the do and strongly encourage them to ignore Nicole’s misguided attempt at grandstanding and to keep doing exactly what they are doing. They are making a difference in my life and many others as well. I cannot say the same of Nicole. Shame on you Nicole you should pay more attention to what the Sisters are doing for all of us and less time buffing up your own tired image.

Ron Mosher

Dear Editor:

I’m unsure why your Social columnist Nicole Murray-Ramirez is so, shall we say, anti-social or drag-phobic to single out the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for appearing at the San Diego AIDS Walk.

My hope is that Nicole would consider using the gift of free speech in a social column to uplift the community rather than to admonish anyone except maybe those who continue to persecute gays, lesbains, bisexuals and yes, even trans folk. “Trans people” or even better “Intersex” is a bit more inclusive than the transsexual term Nicole used in the peice. Amongst the many things trans and intersex people teach us is that it is what’s on the inside more than the garments that count. I believe Dr. Martin Luther King implored us all the measure the content of one’s character rather than the color of one’s skin.

Race, gender and social class are amonst the important and critical issues that I see the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence involved in. Here’s hoping that Nicole will rise to the occasion of finding new ways to serve the community just as the Sisters seem able and willing to do.

While queer activists statewide fight for all our equal and human rights to live and love who we choose without fear of losing our children, our homes our jobs, businesses and even our lives it would be thrilling to see education and understanding about what makes us the same rather than noting a perceived social faux pas.

One last idea from Ru Paul - “You are born naked - the rest is drag.”

Benji Holmann

Dear Editor:

A little respect, if you please, for the devil.

I am daily amazed at the ungrateful attitude most crystal addicts adopt toward crystal. You never hear anything nice about it anymore. It’s as if they cannot get enough of what has robbed them of material, social, psychological, physical, financial, and finally spiritual health.

This is clearly blaming the solution for the problem, don’t you think?

And is anybody having fun with it anymore? Does it infuse us with the capacity and skill-set for meaningful sexual communion….like it used to….for days…until raw flesh and lapses in consciousness drew the merriment to a blistering yet slobbery close.

Are we more attractive and less insecure then we were before we discovered the chemical shortcut to both of these?

I don’t think crystal has much more to contribute. In fact, as solutions go, probably does deserve the disparagement that we spit at each other for doing it…while doing it. Perhaps the doing it part is the problem and another solution should be considered. How about not doing it? Maybe we should give that a try.

Or….at least adopt a more respectful attitude toward that which we will make such sacrifices, and excuses, to keep. Just because it didn’t solve the problem doesn’t mean it isn’t doing the job it was chosen to do.

Derrick Harrison Hurd