Pro-Log Cabin letters shouldn’t be printed
I have just finished reading letters to the editor in Dallas Voice (July 11) that were primarily pro-Log Cabin Republicans President Rob Schlein. I found it interesting how skewed these letters were. They were written either by other members of Log Cabin or Schlein’s personal friends. The letters didn't represent the people I talk to and know in the gay community at large.

Republicans in Texas are especially anti-gay, maybe some of the most anti-gay in the country. We’ve had a Republican-controlled Legislature and governor’s office going on 15 years. Look at the damage they have caused to us all.

Meanness and cruelty, like that practiced by Republican State Rep. Dan Branch and his likes, is simply not acceptable.

I don't know where you found this small bunch of people, but to print their letters with no counterpoint is very unattractive and unprofessional.

Your readers deserve better than this childish kind of whining by a bunch of selfish people defending their friend, who just stands for bad, selfish ideals — ideals that are just wrong and hateful. Shame on you for printing such a biased representation of what is a simple case of right and wrong. Schlein is simply wrong and his motives are selfish and destructive.

Move on and grow up. Now is the time to work for pro-gay candidates, who happen to be Democratic, and make this state and this world better. Haven't the past eight years of Republican control taught us anything? There is a difference between the two parties. Stop voting for the wrong one.



Remove your rack from Zen Salon, cancel our ads
A few months ago, after long-term disgust with having to read everything Dallas Log Cabin Republicans President Rob Schlein says, does, thinks and postulates, I wrote a letter to the editor that got published.

Apparently there were a whole lot of people who felt the same way, as I got positive feedback for weeks from many people.

Log Cabin represents a tiny portion of our community and a political party that has actively worked to halt funding for much-needed AIDS research programs, and social programs to help those in our community who were dying in droves.

I lived through the horrors of not only having to help my late partner and most of my friends fight to live, but also having to fight Republicans who didn't have the moral conscience or “family values” to help their fellow man.

Many of the current Log Cabin members wouldn’t even be alive today had the rest of the community not fought hard to get funding for the drugs that changed the face of the epidemic in the mid-’90s. And yet LCR continues to this day to support the very party that left the rest of us to die.

Republicans have blood on their hands. They are working hard to remove domestic partner health benefits wherever they can. Republicans are working overtime to overturn marriage equality that is finally taking hold after decades of struggle. Schlein and the LCR members give time and money to help get them elected.

With each issue of the Voice, we get to read in intimate detail about Log Cabin. Now they’ve coordinated a letter-writing campaign to show their support for Schlein, the LCR agenda, and “tolerance” for differing points of view.

Screw that. I've had it.

Remove your rack from my business, Zen Salon.

Cancel all current and future advertising.

You may have your agenda. I don’t have to promote it.



Parking analysis doesn’t factor in visitors
Re: Oak Lawn Committee President Michael Milliken’s recent letter concerning the impact of the Belmont Village retirement home on parking at Lee Park (Dallas Voice, July 4).

Milliken wrote: “Assisted-living residents need help in their daily lives. Most are no longer allowed to drive, and probably do not have cars. … So one-third of 210 is 70 and, using your own [John Gaulding’s] numbers, that equates to 1.89 spaces per independent living unit.”

Actually Gaulding used 1.2 spaces per unit for assisted living in a Dallas Voice article on June 27. Using Milliken’s figure, does that mean that 132 parking spaces will be constructed?

Milliken says “most” of the 140 tenants in assisted living will not have cars. But that doesn’t mean all. My parents lived in an assisted living facility at Westminster Oaks in Tallahassee, Florida. They had a car, as did many others in their building.

What no one has mentioned so far is that family and friends will visit those residents of Belmont Village who may not drive.

I would hope that Belmont Village will construct 84 spaces for senior adults (1.2 X 70 residents) and 86 spaces for assisted living residents (1.2 X 71 residents/visitors). The total would be 170 parking spaces, a modest increase from the original 132 parking spaces.



George Michael was ‘breathtaking’
Attending the George Michael concert on Sunday evening, July 13 was a breathtaking experience. His songs have touched my inner being.

He began by singing “Fast Love,” which deals with trying to rush into relationships, and he ended the the night with “Freedom,” which deals with celebrating the oneness in you and the fact that no one should discriminate against you based on who you love.

Michael’s songs deal with his past and present experiences with being gay and finding himself through the gift of music. One of my favorites is “Careless Whisper.” I believe that there are LGBT people who are still trying to find their true love fast through the Internet.

This was one of the best concerts that I have ever gone to. He motivated us to be who you are and celebrate! It was like going to church and getting pumped up.

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To send a letter

We welcome letters from readers. Shorter letters are more likely to be printed, as are those that address only a single topic. On some weeks we receive more letters than we can print. In that case, we print a representative sample. Letters are subject to editing for length and clarity, but we attempt to maintain the writer’s substance and tone. Include your home address and a daytime phone number for verification. Send letters to the senior editor, preferably by e-mail (editor@dallasvoice.com). Letters also may be faxed (214-969-7271) or mailed (Dallas Voice, 4145 Travis St., Third Floor, Dallas, TX 72504).

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These letters appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition July 18, 2008.