Shocked at SF Pride’s decision on migrant
I am shocked by SF Pride’s refusal to name Andry Jose Hernández Romero an honorary grand marshal of the San Francisco Pride Parade. [“SF Pride defends decision not to honor gay deported migrant,” April 15] Romero was kidnapped in San Diego by the Trump regime, illegally deprived of due process rights, and dumped in a brutal gulag in El Salvador. Hernández Romero’s story is a travesty of American justice and a national embarrassment.
It seems SF Pride prefers a small “forum” on what has become a global example of cruel homophobia and denial of civil and constitutional rights in action.
Of course, Cleve Jones and Nicole Murray Ramirez are right – on their intentions, the substance, the merits, and the symbolism. We all know that. We can say it out loud.
I remember them well over the years. I am pained to speak up now.
SF Pride is part of an international movement. It has noble and courageous beginnings. Be proud of our hard-fought success. It belongs to all of us. Own it.
The comment about “preferred method of protest” is a hollow deflection. It masks an underlying issue.
Questioning what Jones and Murray Ramirez, two of our community’s gay pioneers, have done to protest anti-trans violence is sad and undeserving. They’ve both paid more than their respective dues. They deserve our gratitude and respect, not misplaced resentment.
Resent President Donald Trump, not our gay pioneers.
It is revealing though. It rings as a guarded accusation without honor for the courage of our movement and the elders whose shoulders we stand upon.
A misguided accusation of inaction does not make it so. In the face of the Trump regime reversing generations of progress, it is a lost opportunity.
And, it is a form of internalized homophobia.
Since when is a letter or a small meeting equivalent or better than a public televised parade down Market Street?
Why not do both?
Clearly a cheering supportive audience at one of the largest LGBTQ Pride parades in the world has value.
An audience of 1 million with media, participants, and viewers of all ages and stripes (television, news, cable, and a variety of news reporters and tourists from all over the world) is invaluable.
Pride parades are about LGBTQ affirmation, protest, publicity, and mobilization. It is their very nature and essence.
To the executive director of SF Pride: you have been entrusted with a high-profile leadership position in the LGBTQ community. It’s not too late. Stand up against homophobia and tyranny.
Make progress. Do better. Don’t let anger blind you to the rest of the LGBTQ community’s struggles. This is when we join together and speak with a loud chorus. That is LGBTQ leadership. Join the rest of us. We’ll lift, defend, and carry you too.
Terry Leftgoff
Cathedral City, California
Trump’s dolls
Bay Area Reporter readers should be reassured by President Donald Trump telling us that his tariffs are nothing for us to worry about.
It just means that some little girl might get two dolls for Christmas instead of her usual 30 dolls.
I guess this means that Trump will have to get by with just one inflatable doll this Christmas.
John Caton
Oakland, California
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