Letters

WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE

In my more than 20 years of activist work, I have participated in and observed many legislative battles. May I kindly suggest that our community's response to anti-lgbt measures be couched in terms of bias rather than hate? It is past time to stop labeling our opponents with that word. We need the support of fair-minded, straight allies, and our continued pounding of our opponents as hateful is outdated and in many cases untrue. However, there is no debate that any anti-lgbt measure reflects a bias against a group of people. That is the definition of discrimination. There is no place for bias or discrimination in a free and open society. This is a position that attracts allies rather than repels them.

Can we at least try to respond with less emotion and a higher intellect than our opponents?

Thank you to our community organizations for their thoughtful consideration of this suggestion.

Jeffrey Garrett

North Manchester, Indiana

(formerly of Houston)

BRAVO, WELCH

WOW! As I read about the Houston Ballet hiring Stanton Welch [“Dancing King” by D.L. Groover, February 2003], I realized Houston as a whole is fortunate to attract such an international talent. Even if Groover’s article had failed—and it did not—to portray Stanton Welch’s creativity, the photograph captured it in just the sparkle of his eyes. I also was happy to know that the Houston art community is receiving a replacement worthy of the retiring Ben Stevenson, who has been so instrumental in making our ballet known around the world and carrying on that reputation. But, most importantly to your readers, our gay and lesbian community should be extremely proud to have this man in our city. For those who missed the article, I repeat the final two paragraphs:

“He [Stanton Welch] also anticipates providing a permanent home for his partner, retired New York City firefighter Gene Walsh, who is currently undergoing intensive physical therapy after he suffered a crippling stroke two years ago.

“‘When you have someone severely disabled, being able to home care him and get him out of a hospital environment becomes your main drive in life. His whole environment is based on what I can create for him now, and that’s very important to me. Have a garden and a dog. To know the people at the shop down the road again. I’m looking forward to growing old.’”

Again, WOW! We have gained not only a talent, but a gay man who values a relationship with his partner that indeed is forever, in sickness or in health, for better or for worse. Houston has gained a true man—and a role model for all who seek true love and a sense of real commitment. Welcome, Stanton! And, please, never leave until all Houston gay men and women have learned the lessons of value that you and your partner can teach.

Gordon Bayless

Houston

Pam Francis took the photograph of Stanton Welch.

OUT OF TUNE?

I read with interest the recent editorial concerning the ongoing Houston

Symphony contract negotiations [“Out in the Arts,” January]. While I recognize the piece written by D.L. Groover represents a personal opinion, I would like to offer my services to answer questions regarding the issues of the contract talks.

Groover’s piece misstates the current financial position of the Symphony and the contract proposal of the Symphony Society. While his hyperbole is amusing, it’s dismissive of the sincere efforts of both board and musicians who wish to keep a world-class symphony in Houston.

Dave Kirk

Houston

Kirk is the spokesman for the Houston Symphony musicians.

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATION

In the January issue, we stated that Nixon Wheat will help underwrite the GQ Men of the Year awards. We included that detail in Wheat’s profile [in “People to Watch 2003”] based on information provided by the publicist who works for Wheat. In late February, Gentleman’s Quarterly publicity director Lisa Dellos informed OutSmart that Wheat is not involved, nor was he ever involved, in any way with the Men of the Year awards program or ceremony.

In the January “SceneOut,” the man pictured with owner and restaurateur Mary Jo Caya is Marc Strack, not Decorative Center owner Charles S. Cohen, as we indicated.

In “Queer Quotes” in January, we stated that Nell Carter died in February. The actress and singer died on January 23.

If you have any comments about this article, please email them to letters@outsmartmagazine.com.