Aug. 7, 2002
All publications Front Page Nightspots Blacklines En La Vida Out! Resource Guide Current WCT Issue	LETTERS Halsted development Ald. [Bernie] Hansen's appalling lack of respect for the GLBT community is fully revealed in his recently reported refusal to protect the North Halsted district from his developer pals, who would like nothing more than to replace long-established, gay-oriented businesses with pricey new condos. Hansen, it seems, thinks that protection of the Halsted strip amounts to "discrimination against straight people." I fear that the good alderman has been spending too much time in the hot Arizona sun. Back here in Lakeview, we know that the Halsted conflict is not between gay and straight, and shame on Hansen for trying to divide this community. In fact, this is a conflict between those who respect the unique character of a very special street, and those who want to make a fast buck at the expense of that uniqueness. And it's very clear whose side Ald. Hansen is on. Hansen has asked: "Why should … Halsted Street be any different than any other street? Why should I do anything different? Why should there be special laws?" Why, Ald. Hansen? Because the entire community, gay and straight, recognizes that North Halsted is very, very special. Why? Because Mayor Daley recognized it was special when he invested our tax dollars in a streetscape that draws people to North Halsted from all over: people who spend money supporting businesses in Lakeview and the employees who work in them. Why? Because just like Greektown and Chinatown, the diversity represented by the Halsted district is a community asset to be cherished and protected. The Lakeview community is not going to sit idly by while our heritage and our future are sold out in exchange for more over-priced condos. Any more questions, alderman? Rick Ingram, Lakeview HBHC A few days ago I read an article [in] Windy City Times, Vol. 17, no 45. This article was titled "HBHC Loses Women's Program Director." I would like to let you know the concern that rose in me as a Puerto Rican, Chicago-born, lesbian of color. Allow me to quote some of the statements that raised my concern: "The Howard Brown restructuring effectively removes the agency's Women's Program from the organizational chart." "Our dedication to the lesbian and bisexual women's community in Chicago has never been stronger. We will continue to offer the same range and breath of primary care and mental health services to women." Their program that is supposed to address women's health issues is terminated and yet the agency states it will still be serving the women stronger? Now, help me here! How can that be possible? History has been the best marker in human events, it has also given us a mirror to look back and reflect about our past. I am making the decision to voice my concerns because I have seen the mirror of HBHC before and it seems as if nothing has changed! I'm writing from my own perspectives and my own "inquietudes." Juanita "Juicy" Crespo Concerned lesbian of color   Reflections I am utterly dumbfounded at the bloodthirsty hate-mongering Lana Yael Peck passes off as an editorial in your July 31 issue. Ms. Peck swoons over George W. Bush's belligerent and dictatorial demands that he can pick and choose who will be permitted to lead the Palestinian people. She cheers on the wholesale slaughter of the Palestinian people at the hands of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, about whom even the Israelis themselves have misgivings. Ms. Peck rightly decries the killing of innocent civilians at the hands of Palestinian suicide bombers, but then gleefully celebrates the killing of Palestinian civilians (on several orders of magnitude the number of Israeli casualties)...men, women and children Ms. Peck categorically dismisses as "suicide bombers in-training." "Israeli forces," as Ms Peck writes, have indeed been "slicing through Palestinian towns and villages in the West Bank." They have also been slicing through Palestinian bodies and homes. Outrageously, Ms. Peck disregards any question of justice for Palestinians or consideration of principles of human rights as raised by critics of Israel's war with America's support, as she blithely declares, "In my mind, as far as both [the] UN and the EU are concerned, who cares what they think? As long as the President [sic] got his strong message across, [they] will have no choice but to support the United States." Such uncompromising one-sidedness defies comprehension. There is one ray of hope to come out of seeing Ms. Peck's vitriol reprinted by the Windy City Times. Ordinarily, such outright extremist arch-conservative opinions are encountered by the LGBT community only when they're counter-protesting us or deriding us safely from the bastions of right-wing outlets, such as FoxNews which Ms. Peck cites. To see such reactionary jingoism featured in one of our own community newspapers could be viewed as a rapprochement across the spectrum of opinion. Perhaps in return, the American Spectator may extend an invitation to an LGBT columnist to appear within its pages. Until that materializes, if Windy City Times has any interest in journalistic fairness at all, it should provide editorial space to balance out Ms. Peck's racist bile. Hosting a regular column by Chicago Anti-Bashing Network's Andy Thayer would be a good start. Benjamin Iglar-Mobley, Oak Park   Lana Y. Peck responds: Thank you for your comments on my article. Perhaps it would be an interesting idea if you would want to represent a voice for the Palestinian people. Just for your own information, after losing the loved ones in the bloodshed, I well justify my bloodthirst. As far as the question for justice for the Palestinian people...they well deserve the justice. While traveling in Israel, I have met Palestinians who are great people, want peace, and do what they can. But, nevertheless, you are right. I have not made too many comments about the Israelis slashing through the West Bank. I will do my best to be more sensitive. Thanks for your reply, again. Windy City responds: We have a wide range of columnists, including writer Mubarak Dahir, who is gay and Palestinian. We try to allow our writers and letter writers a wide forum, and especially make sure we have a range of viewpoints...Dahir very often writes from a gay Palestinian perspective (and letter writers have decried his positions). Susie Day recently had a column we received many letters on which was perceived as anti-Israeli. If you read our paper over a several month period of time, you will see we have provided space for many different views, and we have been attacked from many different sides for running the "other" side. We also cover CABN every time they do events, including their recent forum on these issues (where columnist Mubarak Dahir was flown in to speak).	Letters below: HBHC Reflections Response Going to the chapel Serving Blacks
		Going to the chapel While it is commendable that candidate Rod Blagojevich publicly supports domestic partnership rights, it is most unfortunate that he refuses to support the legalization of gay marriage. This is not surprising considering that he is the only Democrat who has yet to attend any public forum in the gay community. Since he is supported by many Republicans and has the election virtually assured, perhaps the candidate figures he can ignore us. Gay marriage is no longer a new issue but has become the bedrock of our struggle for equality. While the candidate's position might have seemed quite progressive 10 years ago, today it is quiet insulting. When Peter Fitzgerald pushed his draconian "Defense of Marriage Act" through the Illinois State Legislature, Rep. Blagojevich voted "present." Such laws as DOMA provide a license for homophobes to commit violence against gay and lesbians. Is that what Mr. Blagojevich voted "present" on? Or did he vote "present" on denying our right to visit a dying loved on in the hospital, our right of inheritance, our right to adopt children? This letter is no endorsement of Jim Ryan, or Mr. Ryan's abominable position on gay issues. We will be voting for Rod Blagojevich in November, but intend to educate him on the issues of gay marriage. We encourage everybody in the community to do the same. Mr. Blagojevich talks with pride about his family's rise from immigrant status and poverty, extolling the virtues of American democracy and equality, but somehow that equality just doesn't seem to apply to us. It is frustrating that some Democratic leaders in our community seem to be sugarcoating Rod Blagojevich and isolating the candidate from the issues. Jeff Graubart & Craig Teichen   Serving Blacks Brothers of the Open Door is a group of African American Same-Gender Loving Christian Men who are the Men's Ministry of Church of the Open Door. We have observed the activities of two prominent "gay owned and operated" organizations who receive public monies and accolades for services within, to and for the Gay Community. We are seeing more of the same when it appears the Gay Community is not necessarily inclusive or sensitive to the Black Gay Community and the underserved populations on the South and West Sides of Chicago. Howard Brown "established" the Harambee Wellness Center at the Church of the Open Door for two years without any responsible advertisements and/or community outreach. Horizons, in like manner, established a South Side office in the Hyde Park Bank Building with only sporadic hours two days a week. This was done without any real direction for the program mission and office function. Recently, Horizons discharged the only African American male program staff providing case management services in their youth program which serves a population of 95% African American Gay Youth. This person had been working with this program for approximately one year and a half and had established relationships with the youth who attended the program. Events such as these raise some serious considerations for the Black Gay Community. 1. Do we as gay people of color have a right to have services in our communities from agencies that receive public monies specifically for that purpose? 2. Are we entitled to the same quality in service delivery in our communities as the brothers and sisters of the other color? 3. Will we stand by and let these predominantly white gay organizations continue to use addresses in our communities to secure funds for which they otherwise would not be eligible, without demanding returns? 4. If these organizations are going to take our tax dollars and donated funds to not provide services, then can we come together and secure these funds to provide the much needed services in our underserved populations? 5. Are not gay youth of color entitled to the same services and quality of services as other gay youth? As an African American Christian Same-Gender Loving Organization, we seek after truth and justice as we affirm our identities. All we ask is our fair share in equitable services. Brothers of the Open Door
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