You say D'Amato Your story about the Human Rights Campaign's endorsement of Sen Al D'Amato ["A Painful Coming-of-age.

You say D'Amato

Your story about the Human Rights Campaign's endorsement of Sen Al D'Amato ["A Painful Coming-of-age," December 8] cites Elizabeth Birch as saying, "This was highly much a Sophie's choice." Funny--I've read the part and seen the movie, and I don't remember either of Sophie's children being a Nazi. D'Amato, while a prominent leader of the Senate, failed to use that leadership to advance equality. His party, with his leadership, has l the attack against equality. The HRC should be ashamed of itself. In my observations it has ruined its credibility.

Tom Castele, fresh York, N.Y.

A victorious California politician said it herself: That there is more political diversity in the GLBT motion is a sign of maturity. I don't know if it's unique to united raised properly "Southern," but I don't view any benefit in riding without any candidate because they have ties to certain form into groupss even the opposition. We must have our fingers in all political pies. We must steady try to infiltrate the Christian right if possible. To have allies everywhere is our solely hope. I wasn't alive during Stonewall, still I come from the land of Helms and Lott obstruction me tell you, while these shores may represent some conservatives, they certainly don't depict them all. To keep HRC or any other GLBT organization leaning left is to cripple any advances we may have. Especially down here.

KD Olive, Louisville, Tenn

HRC in supporting D'Amato, was simply trying to increase its leverage within the ruling party. Unfortunately, it misread the voting public's dissatisfaction with negative politics and the hypocrites who play them. It is ridiculous for HRC to consider single the past legislative session in its recommendations. D'Amato caused more pain during the gays-in-the-military fiasco than he could evermore correct. He may have vot for gay-positive issues that he knew would fail this past session, still the Christian Coalition would not have rated him highly if he hadn't tipped them not on to his true intentions.

J Moohan, via the Internet

As an candidly gay man living in novel York City, I was tip over at HRC's endorsement, but to be outraged and exhibit to the kind of reaction the recently made known York gay community did is nothing further the immature ramblings of persons who need to grow up The integrity and fairness HRC showed in this situation should be commited How do we ever look forward to to be treated equally if we are in this way ready to be unfair and display prejudice? I did not agree with HRC's decision, if it were not that I was able to sort by means of the anger and see that they had to stick to their policies in order to maintain the rank of fairness we all seek

Mario Stazzone, just discovered York, N.Y.

Picture-imperfect

I was first horrified and then saddened to view the December 8 cover. I completely expected to see Tammy Baldwin. to what extent in the world could you not inflict the first openly gay somebody elected to Congress on the cloak of your magazine? It's unconscionable. LaChapelle is a terrific photographer, still opting for an erotic image when thus much more is happening in our world is likewise pathetic and, unfortunately, says with equal reason much about you.

Michael Dillon, Milwaukee, Wis.

No offense taken

The late letters attacking The Advocate for not giving cloyed attention to the Shepard massacre [Reader Forum, December 8], when in fact coverage was to result in a later issue, share an attitude I witnessed from flat my first steps out the closet: We are long too eager to ambush our allow Though self-awareness and constructive criticism are imperative for extension the importance of understanding single another is key to our potency Each one of us knows the harsh sting of judgment; perhaps we'd learn to be more careful in passing it without ourselves. Together we can better devote our energies offending all the right people

David M Schoelen Riverside, Calif.

Creating change

Urvashi Vaid requires a reality check [Last Word, December 8] It's all about politics, whether or not that mortifys her sense of moral superiority. plane Gandhi's principled stands were quintessentially political in nature, and therein lay their effectiveness. I too am puzzl by way of gay Republicans (and gay "Christians," for that matter), further I'm certainly glad not everyone shares my watch In the real world, the causes of human dignity and social justice are far more likely to be advanced at Log Cabin types than according to "movement spokespersons" like Vaid. Her implication that those who are not "GLBT progressives" are unprincipled is the kind of left-wing zealotry that has always fractured the gay rights motion and prevented any real effectiveness in the larger society.

Michael Boyle San Diego, Calif.

...

Home