Dear Editor:

The article Living for Today: Young and Positive, quotes Adam Fisher, 21, as saying:

“There were too many emotional issues with being sero-opposite,” says Fisher, who continues to date only HIV-positive men. “I tried really hard to understand why someone wouldn’t want me just because I was negative. So, basically, I decided I would just become positive.”

The article continues: Fisher is unflinching – and unapologetic – in his decision, and says he went to a lot of trouble to become positive. Drugs, bathhouses and sex parties were part of his normal routine. He would get tested every few months to make sure.

Being a gay man, I am aware of daily descrimination, in some cases, overt, in others, extremely blatant. Given Mr. Fisher’s comments and behavior, is it any wonder that, not only basic respect is a struggle for the gay community, the chances of defeating the arguments of the religious right and their ilk, only become that much more difficult?

George Schicker

Dear Editor:

I have read Conversations With Nicole for 20 of the 30 years he claims to be “san diego’s most read gay columnist.” He continues to be aloud to hide his editorial and commentary in the social section, as a gossip column. We then hear, “If you don’t like what you read… Don’t read it!” He represent this community having “confidential” and “off the record” luncheons with politicians, city officials and business executives. He gets paid to advertise his own gigs and promote his own agenda causing one to question if cronyism is indeed alive and well way west of D.C.

On Saturday evening at approximately 6:00, Mr. Ramirez Murray returned a phone call I had made. (One would think he would have had a swanky cocktail party to attend.) Having never spoken to him before, I had an expectation of a calm, charm school educated, politically polished community representative. Instead I got a nearly hysterical individual spouting off about being city commissioner and knowing the chief of police. He refused to answer but one of my questions hanging up rudely and abruptly.

I have made my opinion quite clear. I believe the gay community has not done enough to police it’s own and demand responsible behavior from those in the adult industries. Mr. Ramirez also made it quite clear, he was unavailable for even a discussion.

I’ll wait for your next editorial expressing confusion regarding the rising infection rates in our community.

Kevin McCarthy

Dear Editor:

Many Gay activists mockingly ask an important question that is rarely answered honestly in the gay press.

What have Log Cabin Republicans accomplished with their loyalty to the GOP?

In the evolution of gay rights, the Republican Party has proven capable of making a place at the table for gay people, and stopping or opposing destructive legislation toward gay people.

In 1974, conservative GOP icon Ronald Regan opposed a California state amendment to outlaw the firing of homosexuals in public schools. The amendment failed with Reagan’s help. Had the amendment passed, it would be legal to fire any public school employee for being gay.

In his retirement, the 1964 GOP Presidential nominee Barry Goldwater spoke out in support of gays in the military. “You don’t have to be straight to shoot straight,” he famously said.

In 1996, Presidential Republican nominee Robert Dole returned a $25,000.00 contribution check to the Log Cabin Republicans. For several years now, Robert Dole now gives an annual $25,000.00 personal check to a New York-based disability group for PWAs.

The Massachusetts Supreme Court majority in support of gay marriage was made up ENTIRELY of Republican appointees to the bench who were appointed by Republican governors. A fact that has little or no prominence in gay media coverage. Why? Does it not fit into the bias of many gay writers?

Passage of the Connecticut civil unions law was primarily led by Republican Governor Jodi Rell. Across the country most gay writers were very muted in underscoring the Republican Governor’s partisan identity.

In Ohio, the Republican Governor, GOP Attorney General, GOP U.S. Senators George Voinovich and Mike Dewine and the Columbus area GOP Congresswoman Deborah Pryce- the fourth ranking Republican in the U.S. House all publicly opposed state amendments to outlaw gay marriage.

State Legislators in Michigan, Kansas, Minnesota, and Idaho opposed for the record amendments denying gay marriage. None of the gay friendly Republicans were defeated for re-election.

Several Republican Congresspersons from South and Central Florida voted to support federal hate crimes legislation; repeal “Don’t Ask,Don’t Tell”; and have received local awards for their efforts in AIDS advocacy.

At the same time, traditional gay activists need to realize that not all is well in the Democratic Party of Inclusion. John Kerry pollsters determined that 45% of his voters voted AGAINST gay marriage, including 60+ percent of Hispanics, African-Americans and labor union households—pillars of the Democratic Party.

Gay activists must not allow themselves to be uninformed ideologues: all venomous emotion, and little substantive research knowledge except for ghetto propaganda. Nor can they make themselves feel better by pretending that gay legislation can pass without GOP support. Historical land mark legislation requires large numbers of votes from both parties.

Gay Democrats, get a grip. Get the facts!

Bob Ruyack & Matthew Tsien

Florida Gold Coast Log Cabin Republicans