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To the Editors:
As one of the founding members of the D.C. chapter of PFLAG, I would like to
state that I do not agree with the statements by PFLAG, the National Gay & Lesbian
Task Force and other gay groups that the New Jersey governor was “courageous” for
coming out. (“Gov.
McGreevey resigns,” Web news, Aug. 13)
Sure it is difficult to be in the closet and to come out, but he only did
it because he was forced to because of the threat of being blackmailed.
I am absolutely appalled that a political figure would place a lover on the
state’s payroll at a $110,000 yearly salary, and I can’t help wondering
what exactly the job entailed. In brief, James McGreevey is a scumbag!
Not only has he possibly destroyed the lives of two women and two children,
but he also shames the office of governor. His crime is not being gay, but
rather being a coward, liar and opportunist.
Although I have always been an advocate for gay rights, I think that the gay
community, especially PFLAG, must realize that gay people are just like everyone
else — good and bad.
That is the only way to achieve equality.
Silver Spring, Md.
To the Editors:
Re: “EMILY’s List founder assailed over FMA nod” (news, Aug.
13):
Torie Osborn, whom I mentored, criticizes me for saying “shame” on
Ellen Malcolm of EMILY’s List, for supporting a South Carolina candidate
who says she favors an anti-gay amendment to the Constitution.
Torie said, “There is a childish pleasure that one takes in pointing
out personal contradictions, but [they’re] ill timed and petty.”
Well, then, shame on Torie. Asking multi-millionaire, influential lesbians
and gay men to not support those who oppose our civil rights is hardly “childish.”
We have demanded nothing from these gay leaders; not giving money to our enemies
is the least they can do. EMILY’s List should have sat this one out.
Malcolm’s support of a candidate who favors the anti-gay Federal Marriage
Amendment is not merely a “personal contradiction,” it is acquiescing
to the right wing’s central campaign against gay rights, the prohibition
of marriage equality, and with it our claim to equal citizenship in this country.
When Torie Osborn dismisses a civil rights issue like equal marriage rights
as “petty,” it is an insult to our entire community. For her to
dismiss demands for marriage rights as “ill timed,” the day after
California annulled the marriages of 4,000 plus lesbian and gay couples (including
hers), it is a further insult to our community.
The Federal Marriage Amendment is about more than just marriage equality.
This battle is about whether LGBT people will not be official second-class
citizens.
It is long past time that we demanded accountability from both our leaders
and politicians of both parties.
Executive Director
DontAmend.com
Los Angeles
To the Editors:
Re “Three
gay men attacked in Rehoboth,” news, Aug. 6:
I was surprised to read that Mark Aguirre, the gay Rehoboth Beach city commissioner,
does not consider the recent attack in Rehoboth a gay bashing.
The three assaulted men said they were in their car when the verbal abuse began
and remained so until the perpetrators kicked the vehicle. While there were
a variety of responses available to them, it’s important to remember
that defending yourself is not a crime, nor is standing up to combative and
aggressive bigots.
Aguirre seems to believe all the individuals were intoxicated and this somehow
diminishes the severity of the incident. If this is so, many visitors and residents
at beach communities should be aware that their rights on a weekend night are
different than a weekday afternoon.
The three gay men who were assaulted said they did not initiate the verbal
abuse, were not the first to approach in a threatening manner, did not throw
the first punch and did not bring pipes to the crime scene.
If the drag queens at Stonewall taught us anything, it must be that we won’t
stand idly by while our rights are compromised, while our freedoms are questioned
and while our elected public officials and police officers blame us for crimes
committed against us.
Washington
To the Editors:
Chris Crain’s editorial (“ENDA
Gets trans-jacked,” Aug. 13)
not only misses the mark; it is aimed ...
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