Letters to the Editor	Letters Archive

Feedback on September 11

Bush backer

You should all get off your silly political agenda with the President and be damn glad he's in the White House right now, and not that pathetic Al Gore. We'd be fucked right now with a "president" Gore trying to do anything about the terrorist attacks. Count your blessings, and rally around our president at this crucial time.
blow4fun99@aol.com

Dissent and skepticism are civic virtues; when dissent is silenced and "unity" enforced, mischief (or worse) is guaranteed. Free expression and vigorous debate are never opponents of just causes, and those who demand loyalty are not true patriots. In any case, rest assured that we are certain that our contempt for President Gore would indeed probably exceed our concerns about President Bush; but history teaches us not to look for leadership from politicians on war and peace matters­ they all exploit such tragedies for short-term self interest; Reagan/ Bush/ Clinton/ Bush all have proved willing to kill for perceived political advantage.

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Also hears jackboots

Your article The Coming Police State [October 2001] is one of the most fantastic pieces on the horrendous agenda of the "New World Order." It's not often that a gay magazine has the courage to write about a such matters.
T. D.
Toronto, Ontario

Thanks for your note. Let's hope Canada doesn't disappear into the US "security perimeter"....

Violence needed?

Since the horrific events of September 11th, I have read a good number of editorials urging a "non-violent" response on the part of the US, but I've yet to see anyone who endorses this position offer a practical policy to go with it.

How is it possible to root out a world-wide terrorist network without resorting to some degree of violence? No sane person wants to employ nuclear weapons or launch a scorched-earth campaign against every nation known to be harboring terrorists. But I see nothing ethically suspect in employing special forces whose mission is to kill known terrorists in their strongholds. Dismantling the worldwide web of terrorism is simply not a mission that lends itself to half measures. I hasten to add that using military force does not preclude diplomatic efforts (including a re-evaluation of our support of corrupt, repressive, and decadent regimes such as those in Saudi Arabia and Egypt) to address the root causes of the resentment felt toward America by many inhabitants of the Middle East. However, simply mouthing pious platitudes that eschew "violence" adds nothing of value to the debate.
G. L. Kriewald
zeus4ganymede@yahoo.com

Cuban condolences

My sincere condolences because of the attempts against the United States last September 11 in the Twin Towers where died a lot of innocent people.

Believe me I am so sorry, and I don't want more death in there. We want peace. No more terrorism, please.
A Cuban who loves you all,
G. M.
San German, Cuba

Prayers from Indonesia

As I heard news from TV about World Trade Center and Pentagon tragedy. It make me sad. I condemn this act and hope people who responsibilities will soon arrested.

As a Moslem, I learn that Allah teach us to life peacefully with other and never harm for any reason. I heard that after the tragedy some American attack Moslems, especially Arabic people. I understand their pain, but this is not fair.
A. T. H.
Indonesia

Poz guy fears US policy

September 11 has, of course, meant heightened security at border crossings. This is likely to mean more and more prolonged searches of individuals' baggage, whether entering by plane, train or automobile.

America has a long-standing law on the books denying entry to non-Americans with HIV. Failure to disclose one's HIV status is punishable by law.

Should my anti-HIV meds be found in a luggage search, it's game over and I'm either detained on the spot or turned back (and flight insurance doesn't cover such sudden changes of plans).

As we all examine ways to keep our nations safer in light of the horrific events of September 11, I wish American AIDS activists would address this needless Congress-sanctioned discrimination that has been going on for years.
K. C.
Toronto, Ontario

Sex Worker with MBA

I just finished reading Selling Sex: Working it in Toronto by Joseph Couture [August, 2001] and was disappointed.

Why is it that even in a gay magazine, articles focus only on escorts with rough backgrounds, uneasy present-existences, and questionable futures? As a professional escort myself I am very proud my career. My background is in administration which I left because I became tired of the long hours and exhaustive time spent in airports. A stellar resume combined with my MBA would have guaranteed me a solid future in the corporate world, but I can make just as good of an income without the long hours and stresses that are a part of that life.
Evan Teed
evan@f-ckme.org

Deciding who has "rough backgrounds, uneasy present-existences, and questionable futures" involves guessy judgment calls, but one-third of Couture's article was devoted to a prostitute few would say fits that bill.

Porn star...

I totally disagree [with your review of Sexpack Four: Porn Noir, October 2001]. How could even think or write that Chris Steele has been "faking" his top performances? His sexual drive is amazing.
Joseph Goodman
Highbury, New Zealand

...Chris Steele...

Your porn reviewer offered high praise for Sexpack Four: Porn Noir and Chris Steele's performance therein. But his assertion that Steele "has seemed to be faking it" in previous videos is a slap not only at Steele but at his legions of admirers. I have watched Steele a lot, and not once have I seen anything to indicate that a single move, gesture, or expression was anything but genuine.
Frank Lee
markfour@erols.com

... is a good top...

I have not seen Sex Pack Four yet, but everyone I know who has tends to agree with you that the "Training Hard" episode is the best. How can your porn reviewer say that Chris Steele seemed to be "faking it" in his other roles?
M. S.
texasmike1@hotmail.com

... really!

I've been a Chris Steele fan starting with his first video Uncle Jack in 1998. I think I've seen every one of his videos that have been released. Never once has the notion that he was faking anything in a scene crossed my mind. I don't understand what your reviewer could mean that Steele "seemed to be faking it."
Phillip Radtke
peradtke@earthlink.net

Always acts like lady

After reading A Disastrous Evening [September, 2001, wherein Lester R. Grubé advocates a tough line with drag queens] it seems like Lester has some issues/demons that he's dealing with. "Michelle" is probably like a lot of drag queens, but it's wrong to say that just because of one bad experience all queens are bad. I like to "dress up" now and then, and I can assure you that I always act like a lady.
normie333@cs.com

Pro circumcision

After reading the foreskin-restoration article Lost and Found [July 1999], I say you guys are foolish! It says in the bible a boy is supposed to be circumcised nine days after birth. That is also a medical need.
vickycouchpotato@aol.com

Actually, most penis mutilation occurs eight, not nine, days into life, a lousy introduction into being a boy....

Stop breeder bashing!

I just wanted to make a comment on your article about limiting "breeder" sex [A Modest Sexual Proposal, April 2001].

Without these "breeders," you/we wouldn't even exist as human beings. So many gays are still angry at their parents for the rejection that they feel, that they just want to project their parents out onto every heterosexual on the planet. As a result, we keep creating and re-creating our history-- the trauma we experienced with our parents-- onto and into the world, and continue re-creating the suffering that we experienced as children.
Douglas Philip Cyr
douglascyr@earthlink.net

Perhaps you overlooked Jonathan Swift's writings in all your graduate studies; even so, the date of the editorial might have clued you in that the piece was satirical....

Hi from Germany

The guidemag.com on-line magazine is a great work. I wish you and all others a happy new year!
a friend in Germany
utica@gmx.de

Anti-gay sites err

On various anti-gay web sites I have seen an article titled "The Overhauling of Straight America" published in The Guide magazine, November, 1987. Did you publish such an article?
Will McWhinney
yonder@chismahoo.com

We've gotten a number of inquiries like yours over the years. No such article ever appeared in The Guide. Nor has the supposed author ever written anything for us.

A Farting Mt. Rushmore?

I, who am a Scat guy, say: when ya gotta shit, ya gotta shit! Farts are a bonus. Let the fuck be long, as well as the erection.

Smooth, pliable buttocks are an adult's toy balloon. I am so taken with male buttocks that I propose a Mt. Rushmore that farts the hour for one and all to behold! Bring the family! Mozart (scat) would concur. I love his music! I worship farts!

Wars end! Love goes on! I smell farts till I die!
T. J. R.
Venice, California

Show him the money

Thank you for sending me your copies of the magazine. SSI and Section 8 does not give me money for your magazine. I need money. Very bad. I very desperite. You have to help me. I am on Section 8, they pay for my rent. Money is important to me. I am disability very much so. So if you want to help me, fine.
S. W.
Sacramento, California

Sorry, S.W., but, sadly, there are no federal programs that reimburse for subscriptions to The Guide.

A 'totally new' Lithuania

My name is Daivaras Urbonas and I represent gay club "Geroji viltis" from Lithuania, Klaipeda. A population of nearly 210,000 Klaipeda is Lithuania's main port and the third-largest town.

"Geroji viltis" is young gay club. We just begin to work. Maybe you know, Lithuania is conservative country. People look to us like eccentric persons. They hate us, want to put to prison. Here are little tolerant people. There isn't positive laws in Lithuania. So we are like in the underground here. About 40 members are in our club. Here are teachers, doctors, students, artists, architects. Our members overage age is 22-48 years. Our main goal is to give people a chance to meet, to be friends, to change information, to organize evening parties.

We deeply believe that this is something totally new in Lithuania. The only force that drives us is devotion and love. Lithuania is young republic. We became independence again after Soviet occupation ten years ago. The charity process takes the first steps in Lithuania. We rent premises and have some equipments and materials like computer with Internet connection, literatures, music library, but it's just little part. That is why we are asking your help.

Maybe you can help us with some used or needless materials: literatures, music (relax, ambient, dance, pop). Especially we need digital photo camera, then we can do photos in computer or used video camera. It's a big help to our club. If you can't do this, anyway maybe you can help for information about that.

We wish you all the luck in the world!
Daivaras Urbonas
"Geroji viltis," PO Box 581 5813
Klaipeda-13, Lithuania
geroji.viltis@centras.lt

New reader in Canada

I just received a copy of The Guide through a friend and I was very happy to get it. I enjoyed the articles and hope some day to order a subscription to it. I travel quite frequently and it would certainly be helpful. Thanks and keep doing what you do!
David Hewitt
Sault Ste. Marie
Ontario, Canada

Stupid slaves

I really enjoy your magazine for many reasons, but I have received three answers to my ad, #51232, "Slave Wanted," with no return address in the reply envelope. The last one was from Philip of Portland.

Perhaps the addition of "Be sure to include your return address inside the envelope with the ad number" would help clarify your "answering ads" instructions.

Master P.
ronsusa@netscape.net

Prisoner pleased with Guide

Guys, I just wanted to thank you for the service you are providing us in the gay community. You're wonderful!

I have found myself in a rather unsavory situation and I've lost my lover (and everything else), so I'm looking into your personals service. I've been lonely for too long and I'm tired of it.

Anyway, I just thought I'd write you a short note saying, "Thank you oh so much." I don't know about the rest of the world, but this boy is very grateful to you. Keep up the excellent work.
Paul
Ely State Prison
Ely, Nevada

Loves jacking off

Masturbation is a connection, a higher plane, a place with peace, gentleness and a spirit of visualization of your desires, passions and fantasy. A place where I can fly, I can feel, I can let go and dream. I may never experience in real life what I can see in my mind.
Jefferson P. Vance
getfit@execpc.com

You'll undoubtedly enjoy the results from our masturbation survey, sex solitaire. Happy whacking!

Loves uncut pingas

I love foreskin, especially on a Latin or Hispanic. Keep the foreskins strong. Jews and Muslims should be the only ones to circumcise. The rest can do whatever they want.

But when it comes to me liking an uncut dick, it must be Hispanic/Latino, no exceptions.
Howard Paul Shore
laxmrgoodbar@aol.com

You'll be pleased to know we oppose infant circumcision and want all guys to have the opportunity to enjoy their God-given dicks­ by themselves and with others! See "Stop Circumcision" at www.guidemag.com.

Discovers Montreal

Last June after reading your magazine, I decided to visit Montreal. Since than I had been to Montreal six times. I tell you this French Canadian men are hot. Thanks to great information, closeted gays like me had found place to be open. Keep up with your great job.
Andrew
Atlanta, Georgia
ag628@aol.com