Thank you Rip for giving me a
moment to say a few words. As
most everyone knows by now, there is to be a boycott of the HRC dinner here in N.O. this year. Unless something happens to change the plans.
This boycott is being called because of HRC's non inclusion of Bi-sexual and Transgender people in there [sic] mission statement and language.
Being the leader of the local active tg support group (we do not presume to speak for all tg people in N.O.), I wish to take this time to state that the Gulf Gender Alliance will support and participate in this boycott. I also wish to take this time to thank all those in the Lesbian, Gay, Tg communities for their support and dedication to the rights and freedoms of all people. Not finding any need to draw lines, of find because gt's. [sic]
May I take a second to say a bit about the GGA? The GGA is a local Tg support group that is open to any and all who preceive [sic] themselves as being tg. My feelings of all, includes those of our sisters and brothers that are the entertainers, and working girls. We host an open formun [sic] type meeting at the Lesbian Gay Community Center New Orleans every third Saturday of the month, at 5pm til. To give everyone a chance to discuss current issues effecting all of us. And just a gab session.
Our (the GGA) current concern is hate crimes commited [sic] against any TG person. This formun [sic] will give us a chance to talk about this major problem.
Thank you for your time and this space. Sincerely Yours,
--Crystal Little, President: Gulf Gender Alliance N.O.
Dear Editors,
In one recent issue of a local paper, there was mention of a meeting at the Metropolitan Community Church, with regard to transgender issues. The use of the MCC does not surprise me.
The meeting was little publicized, and no advance announcement was made or circulated, in the real gay community. This was, I am sure, so one specific group could control the entire meeting. But a vast majority of gay queens, and yes, even true transexuals, were not represented at all, in any form. After reading the brief, very brief, article, it was apparent that an intent was to keep the local New Orleans queens, and transexuals, out of the meeting.
One group in particular claims to represent the New Orleans queens, and for years has misled the rest of New Orleans into believing they have any say for a true gay queen. An example of the way this group responds to the gay cross dressers, is holding meetings such as this, and excluding the gay queens.
I think if anyone bothered to talk to us queens, they would find we object strongly to being represented by closeted straights, half phony, half between, "I don't know what I am's."
Maybe it is about time that the queens who cross dress and the true transexuals should get together, and form our own organization. This way we can get the recognition and acceptance we deserve.
It is about time that these straight cross dressers, and these phony transexuals learn to keep their collective nose out of an area they have no real idea what it's all about. It's time these phony "I don't know what I am's" stop trying to tell the real queens, and transexuals, what is good or bad for us.
Let's go girls, and take back our streets, and clubs, away from these groups, and their misbegotten ideas of who and what we are. [sic] Sincerely,
--Mae Dae, a long time resident of New Orleans and sick of the phonies.
Dear Editor,
Out & About, the gay travel newsletter, has called for a boycott of the Grand Cayman Islands following their government's decision to ban gay & lesbian tourists. Please call the Grand Cayman Island Tourism Office (on their dime) at 800.346.3313 and tell them what you think about their government turning away gay tourists. Even if you weren't planning on a Caribbean vacation, every call to the Grand Cayman's tourism board costs them money. 500 calls would effectively erase what an average couple might spend in a week's vacation!! Explain why you are calling and be polite-800 number holders sometimes get your home address and phone number.
Remember that a boycott is not an angry or vengeful act, but a tool. At the other end of the telephone will be employees and residents of the Grand Cayman Islands, but not the person(s) directly responsible for the ban on gay tourism. Yours truly,
--Mark Haile
Dear Editor,
I just wanted to take this time to personally thank you for your help in regards to the Spiritual retreat of Nov. 15 and 16 at the Landmark Hotel. Your kind and generous assistance in helping us promote Mary Carroll Moore's book, How to Master Change In Your Life, proved invaluable in getting the word out to the community regarding the seminar and events surrounding it.
The seminar was a huge success, due to the diligent cooperation of our community and the assistance your staff extended us in publicizing the retreat and Mary Carroll Moore's book. We do have tentative plans for a similar event in November of this year as well. It is hoped that with the same level of dedication, commitment and enthusiasm we can once again enjoy a successful retreat. We look forward to working with you once again regarding interviews and ads. Sincerely Yours,
--Tom Carter, New Orleans Eckankar Media Representative
Dear Sirs:
I read the letter to the editor from Mr. James Swire, Community Bar Health Educator, with much interest. He reminds us that HIV is still out there and therefore unsafe sex is still as unsafe as ever. And yet in spite of all the warnings we have heard for over a decade, my friends still tell me there is activity going on the back rooms of bars here in New Orleans. Not only that, but it is being said that there has been a resurgence of high risk behavior nationally, particularly among younger gay men.
Perhaps the extent to which risky behavior continues in our community can be better understood in the context of addiction. Calling the behavior "stupid" or "immoral" does nothing to address the problem. This is why I am writing to ask for your help: to let others know that there are twelve step meetings here in New Orleans which address this problem.
Sex Addicts Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who meet to recover from acting out sexually compulsive or destructive behavior. Sex Addicts Anonymous is not allied with any other organization. It is founded on the 12 steps of recovery as practiced by other 12 step programs. There are no dues or fees for membership and there are meetings available. For more information call 504.364.5055.
--David G., C/O Gulf Coast Region Intergroup, P.O. Box 791186, New Orleans, LA 70179
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