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editorial
Letters to the Editor
Published Thursday, 16-Oct-2008 in issue 1086
“Today we face a political emergency in the Queer community. The defeat of Proposition 8 by all legal means available is our immediate priority. NOTHING – not even the Presidential election – is more important.”
Dear Editor:
Rex Wockner’s article “Polls flip on California marriage, Gays losing now” (October 9) doesn’t mention the scariest aspect of the new polls showing anti-marriage Proposition 8 ahead: the gain of support occurred almost entirely among young voters (ages 18 to 34). Before this poll, marriage equality advocates had always assumed that the youth were on our side; that even if today’s cohort of voters was against same-sex marriage, the bigots would slowly die off and eventually there would be a clear majority on our side as young people, raised in an atmosphere of live-and-let-live acceptance of Queer people, entered voting age and replaced them.
Well, as on so many issues the Left sat on its hands and hoped, and the Right put their noses to the grindstone and organized. An October 10 dispatch on the Christian Newswire by Trish Teves [http://www.protectmarriage.com/article/traditional-marriage-initiative-makes-gains-with-young-voters] boasts that the Yes on 8 forces have set up a special Web site to appeal to youth directly, iProtectMarriage.com, which “directs users to MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and BlueChowder, encouraging young people to register to vote, get informed about Prop. 8, and tell their friends to vote Yes on 8.” As a result, according to the SurveyUSA poll, voters 18 to 34 are now MORE likely than older voters to support Proposition 8 – 53 percent in favor to 39 percent opposed.
Today we face a political emergency in the Queer community. The defeat of Proposition 8 by all legal means available is our immediate priority. NOTHING – not even the Presidential election – is more important. Passage of Proposition 8 will kill the chances of same-sex marriage anywhere in the U.S. outside of New England forever – or at least long enough that no one now living will see it. The future of Queer equality will be far better if Proposition 8 is defeated and John McCain is the next President than if it passes and Barack Obama is the next President.
Accordingly, the Queer community nationwide in the U.S. should divert ALL its resources into a massive campaign to raise a war chest capable of matching that of the Proposition 8 supporters and defeating this initiative at the polls while there is still a chance to do so. Proposition 8 is the deal-breaker, the vote that will determine whether or not marriage equality for same-sex couples EVER becomes a reality in the United States. Our opponents understand that and are acting accordingly. Are we?
Mark Gabrish Conlan
Publisher, Zenger’s Newsmagazine
“I find [Barack Obama’s] statement [on same-sex marriage] to be idiotic, but more thoughtful, compassionate, and caring than any Republican politician. Basically, the religious and social connotation means that we are still second class citizens.
Dear Editor:
Obama supports 10 out of the 11 issues facing the LGBT community. I am glad, thankful, and appreciative that his campaign has grown to see these issues as important for the progression and equality of couples and families. The one issue he does not support is gay marriage. He states “that marriage has religious and social connotations.” Well ... the LGBT community holds connotations of religious beliefs and social standing and success! We all should pride ourselves in that. I find his statement to be idiotic, but more thoughtful, compassionate, and caring than any Republican politician. Basically, the religious and social connotation means that we are still second class citizens. If Obama sees the social connotation of a black person unable to get on bus because of race or sitting in the back of the bus because of race or sitting anywhere on the bus because he or she is human. Then, he should support and move the LGBT community to be treated equally regardless of any connotation!
Michael Wilger
“It has become clear that the GLT spins stories to support Todd, but you are doing a huge disservice to the community by not revealing some critical facts.”
Dear Editor:
In light of your District 3 endorsement of Todd Gloria, I am extremely disappointed in your apparent oversight of some vital information. It has become clear that the GLT spins stories to support Todd, but you are doing a huge disservice to the community by not revealing some critical facts. All I had to do was look at the city’s registered lobbyist list and Todd’s donation list. Dont you believe that the people should know he took money from Walmart lobbyist Lou Wolfsheimer, Sunroad lobbysist Mitch Berner, CCDC chair under federal investigation, Nancy Graham and on and on. And if he only took 17 percent of his money from developers, as he claims (and his campaign has bragged about how much money they have) couldn’t he have said no to some of these people? Couldnt he have said no the President of Manchester, Perry Dealy or the 9 high ranking members of Epsilon Systems, a company contracted w/ Manchester Navy Complex and building missiles for this war. I want to know, Dont you guys care?
Christine Mann
“Every time victims of violent crime get an initiative on the ballot, our opponents drag out the same of argument: It Costs Too Much! … blah, blah, blah.”
Dear Editor:
Thank you for your endorsement of Prop 9. It really means a lot to see a voice of reason after reading the Stepford Wives editorials. Every time victims of violent crime get an initiative on the ballot, our opponents drag out the same of argument: It Costs Too Much! … blah, blah, blah.
Victims are really upset that Prop 9 is a political issue. We don’t understand why the Democrat Party and unions oppose us, but we do have theories. We fit every demographic of California society. We are more representative of the citizenship then the Parties or unions will ever be. And we vote!
Your endorsement will help us pass Prop 9 by 65+ percent. Thank you.
Genelle and Jack Reilley
“An outright [beach alcohol] ban is another infringement of our right to enjoy our beaches and parks.”
Dear Editor:
I am extremely annoyed at your endorsement of Proposition D, the ban on alcohol at San Diego Beaches. You obviously never visit the beaches on a regular basis. I go to Ocean and Pacific beaches no less than 20 times a year. I have never seen a melee or violent or outrageous behavior. The one incident you refer to that happened last summer was due more to bad police judgment than overconsumption of alcohol.
A better solution would be to outlaw beer in kegs or restrict drinking on public holidays. An outright ban is another infringement of our right to enjoy our beaches and parks. Please reconsider your endorsement.
Roger Ramsey
 Letters Policy
The Gay & Lesbian Times welcomes comments from all readers. Letters to the editor longer than 500 words will not be accepted. Send e-mail to editor@uptownpub.com; fax (619) 299-3430; or mail to PO Box 34624, San Diego, CA 92163. To be printed, letters must include the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number for verification. All letters containing subject matter that refers to the content of the Gay & Lesbian Times are published unedited. Letters that are unrelated to the content of the publication will be published at the discretion of the editorial staff.
David Reid & Neil Loden
says:
Please consider this.
Oct 17, 2008 3:48 PM
Someone Hire Christine
says:
Does Christine Mann have a job; or does she just sit around and type comments in the Letters to the Editor section of the GLT all day? Gosh, I wish I had that kind of time on my hands!
Oct 17, 2008 4:15 PM
THANK U CHRISTINE
says:
Way to GO Christine Mann and Gloria Johnson! Thank you for the time of
looking up the REAL truth of the back room deals with Todd Gloria and
Nicole! People like the Manchester Group that HATE gays are only giving
money to people that feel will support there cause in my opinion. Shame on
any gay that would vote for Todd Gloria after seeing the list that gave him
money. It sickens me to see the list of people that gave Todd money.
SHAME!
Oct 17, 2008 9:05 PM
Dylan Shaw
says:
Re: Someone Hire Christine
Oct 18, 2008 7:21 AM
Alan Katz
says:
Local Clergy fervently opposes the passage of Prop 8
Oct 20, 2008 9:02 AM
Ed Fink
says:
Hi. I will be voting for Todd Gloria for District 3 on November 4. I live
in the district, but not in Hillcrest. I'm in the Teralta West neighborhood
(that's in City Heights for folks that don't know). I'm hopeful for
redevelopment along El Cajon Blvd between the 805/15. That's my
neighborhood and I want someone who has a relationship with the developers
so that we get a business district back, and maybe a main street feel for
this stretch of El Cajon Blvd Yes, Gloria has received donations from
developers. That means they have an ear. It also means that he has their
attention as well, which is important to me and my neighborhood. I have
never met Mr. Gloria but I have seen him at planning meetings, police
updates, etc in my community. I believe Todd Gloria will be much more
present to the needs of my neighborhood in District 3.
Oct 20, 2008 9:18 PM
Melissa Athens
says:
Thank you Christine.
Oct 21, 2008 8:15 AM
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