Letters to the Editor / March 31, 2006

Letter writer ‘myopic’
Re: Gaybourhood vision ‘unnecessary,’ March 14 Since Mr. Harrison wants feedback on the above letter, may I point out that there are a couple of other areas in the city which may not have been designated officially as “special areas,” Chinatown for one. What is your attitude on this? Perhaps you find that Asians are more acceptable? Elsewhere in the March 14 issue there is another article dealing with this subject which puts forth a very valid point. As a rule, gays and lesbians usually do not have children and therefore have higher discretionary income. They also, to generalize, appear to be better dressed than most of the rest of us, they have better taste on the whole. What’s to be upset about? In Toronto, where I lived for 15 years, Church Street has definitely been “adopted” as a gay/lesbian area. Church Street always had good restaurants, where those of us who are straight always felt welcome. There was also, of course, Chinatown and Little India which I frequented on a regular basis for the type of things you wouldn’t normally find in other areas. Yes, I do think you are not only homophobic and bigoted but myopic as well. As far as I can see, having a gay/lesbian area on Bank Streetcan only improve what is now, as you pointed out, a very unpleasant street. A.M. White, The Driveway

Letter writer ‘myopic’

Re: Gaybourhood vision ‘unnecessary,’ March 14
Since Mr. Harrison wants feedback on the above letter, may I point out that there are a couple of other areas in the city which may not have been designated officially as “special areas,” Chinatown for one. What is your attitude on this? Perhaps you find that Asians are more acceptable?
Elsewhere in the March 14 issue there is another article dealing with this subject which puts forth a very valid point.
As a rule, gays and lesbians usually do not have children and therefore have higher discretionary income.
They also, to generalize, appear to be better dressed than most of the rest of us, they have better taste on the whole. What’s to be upset about?
In Toronto, where I lived for 15 years, Church Street has definitely been “adopted” as a gay/lesbian area.
Church Street always had good restaurants, where those of us who are straight always felt welcome.
There was also, of course, Chinatown and Little India which I frequented on a regular basis for the type of things you wouldn’t normally find in other areas.
Yes, I do think you are not only homophobic and bigoted but myopic as well.
As far as I can see, having a gay/lesbian area on Bank Streetcan only improve what is now, as you pointed out, a very unpleasant street.

A.M. White,
The Driveway

Opinion‘worthless’
Re: Gaybourhood vision ‘unnecessary,’ March 14 Letter writer David Harrison asks, ”Why can’t gays/lesbians just go about their business quietly and unassumingly?” Mr. Harrison says there are no ”Straight Pride” days and, in reference to being homophobic and bigoted, admits,”maybe I am.” Mr. Harris is very opinionated for someone so lacking in understanding of the issues. I am sure us gays and lesbians will be quite content (elated even) to go about our business ”quietly and unassumingly” when we can do so without harassment, discrimination and the threat of violence. In the meantime, uninformed homophobes should keep their worthless opinions to themselves. Mike Boulet, Goulbourn Street

Opinion‘worthless’

Re: Gaybourhood vision ‘unnecessary,’ March 14
Letter writer David Harrison asks, ”Why can’t gays/lesbians just go about their business quietly and unassumingly?”
Mr. Harrison says there are no ”Straight Pride” days and, in reference to being homophobic and bigoted, admits,”maybe I am.”
Mr. Harris is very opinionated for someone so lacking in understanding of the issues.
I am sure us gays and lesbians will be quite content (elated even) to go about our business ”quietly and unassumingly” when we can do so without harassment, discrimination and the threat of violence. In the meantime, uninformed homophobes should keep their worthless opinions to themselves.

Mike Boulet,
Goulbourn Street

Ballistic missile defence untenable
Re: Harper has opportunity to push Canada off the military fence, Feb. 24 Any stroller in Hyde Park, London, is aware that to approach a soapbox is to invite the controversial. However Kathryn Carlson should study up before she advocates Canada adhering to any form of ballistic missile defence. First of all, it is technically a non-starter now and for a long time to come. A distinguished MIT professor made this quite clear in an Ottawa lecture on the subject. Second, if she were to look at the geography, Canada is right in the middle of where this conflagration would take place, i.e. the Great Circle Routes between the U.S.A. and the likes of North Korea, Iran, China, Russia, you name it. Third, the cost is prohibitive. If the US can’t afford the $200 billion and counting in Iraq, it sure can’t afford a fail-safe system. And if it is not the latter what is the point? Colin Old, Albert Street

Ballistic missile defence untenable

Re: Harper has opportunity to push Canada off the military fence, Feb. 24
Any stroller in Hyde Park, London, is aware that to approach a soapbox is to invite the controversial.
However Kathryn Carlson should study up before she advocates Canada adhering to any form of ballistic missile defence. First of all, it is technically a non-starter now and for a long time to come.
A distinguished MIT professor made this quite clear in an Ottawa lecture on the subject.
Second, if she were to look at the geography, Canada is right in the middle of where this conflagration would take place, i.e. the Great Circle Routes between the U.S.A. and the likes of North Korea, Iran, China, Russia, you name it.
Third, the cost is prohibitive. If the US can’t afford the $200 billion and counting in Iraq, it sure can’t afford a fail-safe system. And if it is not the latter what is the point?

Colin Old,
Albert Street