LETTERS

AFH Yes, United Way No

I'm not sure if you are aware of this issue or not, but I definitely wanted to express my concerns. I am on the mailing list of AIDS Foundation Houston. Just this week, I received a solicitation from AFH to attend their World AIDS Day Luncheon where Jacqueline Martin of the United Way will be honored. I am forwarding a copy of the letter that I sent to Mr. Michael B. Mizwa, CEO AIDS Foundation Houston. I know I am not the only GLBT person who is disturbed by this revelation.

Edward A. Lane, LMSW

Burton, Texas

Here is my letter:

Dear Mr. Mizwa,

Congratulations on reaching the milestone of 20 years of public service. I applaud the work that your organization has done, and I will continue to support that work. I have volunteered with AFH for many years and have made many donations to your organization. I plan on continuing to help out whenever I can. As a matter of fact, I have a large donation of toys set aside for the Red Ribbon Toy Drive.

However, I do need to let you know of my disappointment that you are honoring the president of the local United Way. I do not know Ms. Jacqueline Martin personally, nor do I know anything of her work. I do know that the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast continues to provide support to organizations such as the Salvation Army and the Boy Scouts of America, two organizations that choose to practice discrimination against gay people. I cannot and will not support discrimination in any form. When Ms. Martin stands up to these discriminatory organizations, then I will support her receiving an award. I hope that Houston's GLBT community expresses its concerns that you are awarding an individual and an organization that openly condones discrimination.

I wish you and AFH continued success in all of the good works that you do.

Sincerely,

Edward A. Lane, LMSW

OutSmart contacted Michael Mizwa, AIDS Foundation Houston chief executive officer, and invited him to respond to Mr. Lane's letter.

Over the past 20 years as we have served the Houston HIV/AIDS community, we at AIDS Foundation Houston, Inc. (AFH) have always believed that an individual's right to choose should be honored and respected at all times.

Although we are disappointed that our choice to honor Jackie Martin is one that some individuals in the GLBT community choose not to support, we respect these individuals for making their choice clear to us at AFH.

Our decision to honor Jackie Martin is based on her personal contributions to the HIV/AIDS community throughout her career. Twenty years ago, Jackie Martin was quick to understand that HIV/AIDS affects not only individuals, but families and communities. Over the years, Ms. Martin has helped a variety of service providers understand and even embrace the importance of supporting HIV/AIDS through public service programs.

Michael B. Mizwa

Chief Executive Officer

AIDS Foundation Houston

OutSmart Down Under

Man, I just found out about your website and am so glad I did!

I'm an ex-Houstonian who's lived in Australia since 1981, and being able to keep up with the scene there via OutSmart is so cool. Maybe the names don't always ring a bell with me (although NOBODY would ever not know who Carolyn Farb is!), but it's great to find out what all is happening in Houston from our own perspective. It's kind of like visiting there for a few minutes.

Keep up the great work, folks. You have readers from all over!

Mike Brown

Australia

And for Dessert...

Dear OutSmart Readers: I am thrilled and honored to know that you have voted Dessert Gallery as your favorite dessert place in Houston! ["Gayest & Greatest," October] We just celebrated our seventh anniversary, and we couldn't have done it without you! I appreciate your continued support through the years, and I look forward to seeing you soon.

Sara Brook

Owner, Dessert Gallery

Houston

CORRECTIONS

The Thunderpuss duo of Chris Cox and Barry Harris performed on August 3 at South Beach, not Rich's Houston, as we erroneously stated ["Letters," November]. The correct address for the Houston Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus website ["News Briefs," November] is www.hglpc.org.