Letters to the Editor	Letters Archive

Guide Elected Bush?

When I first read your article endorsing Nader ["Make Your Vote Count," November 2000], I was stunned and appalled, but not overly concerned. I was about to leave on a long vacation and didn't really give it much thought.

But now, considering the large readership that you have in Florida, it is just possible that your publication may be one of the prime reasons that we are going the have Bush for president. Just think how many gay people read your publication and how many votes went to Nader that might have gone to Gore.

View our poll archive

Congratulations! Gay rights will be set back decades, women may loose their right to choose, we will have an ultra conservative supreme court probably for an indefinite future and God help the environment since Bush certainly won't.

I could go on and on but let's face it, anyone with a fifth grade education knew that a vote for Nader was a vote for Bush. Sure, in some states like Massachusetts, it didn't really matter but in states like Florida it certainly did. By endorsing Nader, the damage that you have done is beyond belief. My disgust and anger with your publication is beyond words. How could you be so stupid?

Chuck Anzalone
Provincetown, Massachusetts

More on the Dick Army

In your editorial ["Join the Dick Army," September 2000] you tell us the truth is a complete defense. That is Anglo-Saxon common law. Dick Armey's comments may be true. It is also true he intended them to be offensive. Then you tell us that Joe Lieberman is no Liberace ["Who Is Joe Lieberman," September 2000].

It makes me wonder how many Jews voted for Hitler.
defannin@zoomtown.com

Dick Armey's musing that Barney Frank would want to join a "dick army" is a question only Barney can answer; we weren't debating the truth of the statement, but rather suggesting that gay folks should examine why it's so easy to label a male's interest in dick as "offensive."

And we would, of course, never urge any one to vote for Hitler... or Bush... or Gore... or Joe Lieberman.

Appreciates Book Pan

Thank you Dawn, for your review of Husband Hunting Made Easy ["Dogs, Not Ladies," December 2000]. One quick browse through that sanctimonious little flip-book at my local gay bookstore made me want to puke! Your review was the perfect antidote!

Matt
mmfinn@ix.netcom.com

Coverboy Tweaks His 'Happy Bone'

Well, I always enjoy shots of hot men in print and video, but until I saw the December 2000 Guide cover [available at www.guidemag.com], I had not thought of this source for get off guys.

I guess Todd tweaked my happy bone just right and made covermen more interesting. Made me wonder how many readers get off with the coverman each month. Imagine all the heat and joy generated by these monthly icons all around the world. Thanks, Todd, babe.

Loren Fay
Lvfay@aol.com
Albany, New York

"Puke"? Puke!

Having read Dawn's item "Puke" [October 2000], I continue to be surprised at the number of so-called gay and gay-friendly people who appear to believe that the primary qualification for being queer is the desire to fuck anything (of the same sex) that moves.

I'd expect this sort of characterization from Jerry Falwell, but not from Dawn Ivory. Dare I admit that I'm happy with my monogamous relationship? Dare I admit that, if marriage were legal, I'd be in line for my blood test? Dare I admit that I actually read and (gasp!) enjoy Hero magazine. Dare I suggest that Dawn needs diversity training so she can begin to deal with the reality that not all us fags are the same. If promiscuity is your thing, Dawn, more power to you. Alas, it's just not for me.

Tom Lockwood
tal55@yahoo.com

Appreciates Pre-Stonewall Materials

In your September 2000 article "A Pre-Stonewall Catalog", you show an old ad for 100 Naked Rebels by Hajo Ortil. Is this still available by mail order? If not, is it possible to view any of his work and or where? Also of the pre-Stonewall material, are there any collector or publishers who would be happy to display and or make available for purchasing any of this early material?

Kurt
via the internet

Punching Ortil's name into the search engine www.google.com, we got six hits. There seems to be a web site where some of his images are posted. In addition, the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives in Toronto has Ortil's Young Savages. Sadly, some of Ortil's work, preserved at the Brongersma archive in the Netherlands, seems to be among the works that will be destroyed by the Dutch government in their shocking seizure of the collection. Background can be found in our archives. Rare book and erotica dealers may have works by Ortil. Hope this helps.

Pre-Stonewall Gay Life 'Not so Bad'

Thank you for a delightful essay on the flowering of gay culture in the mid-1960s ["A Pre-Stonewall Catalog"; September 2000]. Maybe there's a connection to our current adoration of things associated with "Mid-Century Modern."

Twenty years ago, while helping an older friend with a move, I came across his splendid collection of physique magazines, pulp novels, and the Manhattan Review of Unnatural Acts. Things weren't so bad back then after all, I thought.

Your article also brought to mind a comment by A.J. Rowse, the English historian. In an interview shortly before his death in the late 1980s he observed that historians are well aware of the continual presence of gays and lesbians throughout history, only most choose to ignore the information.

Jeff Cronin
Pasadena, California

Diver Looks "Dicklicious" in Speedo

[Regarding Dawn's item "New Modesty," November 1999], I can only approach this subject from the springboard of my own experience: Hell yes, I was damn uncomfortable wearing a Speedo when I was seven! That's only because my father and every other older guy on the beach had what I thought at the time were small animals packed into theirs.

What I had in terms of endowment at that age didn't even approach what I saw poolside in both size and scope. But at seven, I thought I was alone in my dilemma. No other seven-year-olds seemed to care. Today, however, at three times that age, my hormones have thankfully kicked in to high gear. No more self-doubt on my part.

I wear Speedos partly because I have to for competitive diving. But mostly because I'm proud of my gym freak body tone. Your fat content has to be in the single digits for a guy to get all puffed up and cocky, looking hot in what amounts to the male version of a string bikini.

I love the feel of it on smooth wet skin, and, as I've noticed, so do other guys. There is a code guys use poolside to signal their interest. If a guy gives me a raging boner, I'll let him know by constantly stroking and adjusting it in front of him as I glance over in his direction. It's completely cool because springboard action shifts my suit after every dive, so playing with my dick seems totally natural. Of course, all this has to be accomplished before platforms, or you can just forget about it. Also, the full body suit makes flirting almost mute. But for now, it's a great way to get interest and stares from hot older guys and Speedo freaks. That's how I met my Daddy (read: not my father), because when asked what first attracted him to me, he replied, "Among many other amazing attributes, you look positively dicklicious, hot, sexy, and totally fuckable in a tight red Speedo." I admit one thing has never changed: my curious penchant for hot older guys in small swim suits. But I guess that's what a Speedo can do to a seven year old. And now, I defy anyone to come up with a better opportunity for a horny, uninitiated diver from the Midwest to gain experience and meet older men, other than his swim coach. Yours in Spandex,

Marcoco
marcoco@iopener.net

Too Many Letters

Thank you for publishing my ads. I got many letters. But I have found my man here and I decided to live with him forever, so I think there is no use to print my ad in The Guide any more, coz I will not answer to this multitude of letters.

M.D.
Sombor, Yugoslavia

Thank you very much from the depth of my heart. I was very happy to receive your magazine in which is my advertisement. In the Ukraine there is a very hard (painful) situation for gays. We do not have simple legal rights. The Ukraine is cut off from the whole world. I have not had work for five years. I know it's not your problem, but thank you very much for your help. I only need good friends. Good words. No more.

B.P.
Novoyawdrowski, Ukraine

Sex Positive

Your editorial stance, politically and sexually, is right on with the personal beliefs and convictions we hope we bring to our business. We're damned happy and proud to be sex positive and in business, advertising in and offering your excellent magazine. We've expanded every year since opening, due to demand. Keep up the great work!

D. McDowell, E. McAllister,
P.W. Kelley
The Chute
Phoenix, Arizona