Letters to the Editor - March 22 2006

The Gateway

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I commend you, CL, for being so trans-positive in your article about Scott Turner Schofield (“I changed my sex. Now what?” March 16). Sadly, albeit unwittingly, you also contributed to the problem of queer femme invisibility. When Holman writes that KT used to seduce ultra-feminine girls because “boyish lesbians are considered the ‘gateway drug,’” he implies that ultra-feminine women need to be seduced into lesbianism, and that ultra-feminine women are not, on their own, lesbians.

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I OBJECT! We queers who identify as femmes are many. And as queer femmes who revel in our femininity, we face much of the same discrimination Schofield and other trans folks face from so-called “radical feminists” who shun us for our too-feminine gender presentation. Oh, the tangled web we nonconformists weave. I am and remain a hot queer femme chick on my hot gender-queer boi’s arm.

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-- Aly Stealey, Atlanta

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Editor’s note: The passage to which Stealey refers actually is a quote from Schofield.

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Answer me this

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Since I don’t get many chances to hang out with the estimable likes of Randall Terry, and am persona non-grata with all Operation Rescue-like groups, I’m hoping you can help me out (Fishwrapper, “Holy warrior,” March 16).

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I admit that I tend to think too much and that I have a problem with newly coined groups and stuff, but I am not usually so plagued as I am with this new group, “the unborn.” I seem to recall, from some science class inflicted upon me in my past, information about the properties of materials and matter, but nothing about the unborn. I mean, are the unborn floating around us at all times? How do I avoid colliding with them or stepping on them and somehow end up killing some? I truly do not want to run further afoul of the right-to-lifers by committing such a dastardly crime. I’m kind of a klutz and tend to bump into things that do have weight and occupy space.

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Perhaps you know the answers to these troubling questions. If not, can you please find out the answers for me from the extremely knowledgeable Mr. Terry? I really need some help with this. And could you also ask him, given the fact that he has aborted his already born (reference: his ex-wife’s statement regarding nonpayment of child support), how he can, in good conscious, so loudly proclaim his concern for the unborn?

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-- Liz Kincaid, Charlotte

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It’s not automatic

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I am generally opposed to tinkering with the Constitution, but the story of Mario, Laura and Roberto clearly demonstrates the need to amend the Constitution so that children born in America of illegal immigrants are not automatic citizens (News & Views, “Health care tricky for legal children of illegal parents,” March 16). Times have changed dramatically since the late 18th century.

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Tell Mario that while Roberto is a citizen, entitled to the benefits accompanying such status, Roberto’s demand for those rights, while blatently disregarding the immigration laws of this country, is somewhat unseemly. And if he is unwilling to seek needed medical treatment for his son because “he might get in trouble,” he’s not much of a father.

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-- Tim Hewett, Tucker

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Alyssa Abkowitz is protecting criminals. She is concealing the last names of illegal Mexicans who live in Athens. She is aiding and abetting these criminals who have made a conscious decision to leave their homeland and break into the USA without going through the proper channels that other immigrants must go through. These criminals have decided they are above U.S. law, above international law and go from one nation to another without guilt and without documents. They are individuals who know that, once their children are born in the USA, they and their children can get all sorts of free, taxpayer-funded goodies like food and schooling, and above all, free medical care — medical care that costs each of us who pays taxes, each of us who works all day, each of us who struggles to put food on our tables LEGALLY. Illegals don’t care about us, though. All they care about is themselves. Taking from us. Bleeding us dry.

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Illegal Mexicans are the most selfish creatures on earth, yet Alyssa Abkowitz protects them and paints them as saints. As martyrs. As people we should pity.

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The state of Georgia knows exactly what it is doing. Make it tough for illegals to live here and hopefully they will move out of our state. Mario and Laura have a choice — they can leave if they don’t want to live here. Just like they left Mexico.

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-- Jack Franco Handmacher, Norcross

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So many choices

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No wonder everyone respects you. You have a generous way of “spreading the word.”

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Each week, I eagerly anticipate the arrival of your fine publication. I swiftly grab a fresh copy mere moments after delivery and hurry back to my desk to peruse the latest adventures of Hollis Gillespie, the culinary and philosophical recommendations of Cliff Bostock, and the learned pronouncements on our fair town by Doug Monroe.

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Quickly I am educated about the injustices that abound around this great region of our nation by John Sugg, while Andisheh Nouraee graciously allows me to vicariously attend parties and events throughout the metropolitan area.

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However, you have peaked in your quest of more than a quarter-century for great entertainment values. What deals!

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Your latest edition is a veritable paragon of gastro-economic delights. The rapturous advertising insert for a chain of “gentlemen’s clubs” will have all mankind forsaking fraternal lodges, clubhouses and halls forevermore.

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The mind indeed boggles at the prospect of where to begin.

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Should one first partake of close to a pound-and-a-half of succulent beef for $6.75, or is the “double your pleasure” Tuesday special offering two steaks of 16-ounce weight for $5 a better beginning?

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BUT WAIT!

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Here’s a 1-pound T-bone with fries for only $4.75.

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Decisions, decisions.

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BUT WAIT! Another abode offers a “brass pole competition” with its under $7 chunk of cow. And you can get in free with a concert event ticket. (Save those Atlanta Symphony stubs.)

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BUT WAIT, there’s still MORE!

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Grab your gal and head south to another club. A contest awaits! Your secretary, girlfriend or wife could win a complimentary boob job.

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OH! Be still my beating heart.

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Thank you, gentlemen. This was truly one of the best promo inserts I have ever seen. You have done a great service to your many readers. It has provided much discussion in the office.

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I trust you will continue to convey these succulent communications for the edification and enlightenment of your entire readership. Thanks once again for your kindness.

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-- Vic Lambert, Decatur