Re “Gay nightlife getting squeezed” (news, Oct. 28):

I can’t believe Southern Voice broke out this old saw again. Don’t you ever get tired of playing the same old tune at the expense of new and better music? There’s so much going on in Atlanta that you choose not to cover, but y’all and those damn bars—who cares?! Get over it, already!

With lesbians in city government like Cathy Woolard and Anne Fauver, the interests of gay men have always been sold down the river. Apparently it’s not enough to have homosexuals “sitting at the table” in public office. They have to be of both genders since they can’t see beyond their own lives.

Why didn’t you interview District 6 challenger Steve Brodie, who’s been promising the gay community that he would help extend bar hours if elected? How do you think the neighborhoods around the bars would feel if they knew that?

I’m not sure Steve Brodie tried to have it both ways on bar closing hours, but I am sure that Anne Fauver only sees things one way: the way the mayor tells her to see them. I would rather have an independent, albeit inexperienced, representative than a puppet on a string.

The sound you hear is not dance music coming from a relocated and re-energized Backstreet, it’s Vicki Vara whining while she counts her money from the sale of the property. It was Vara’s refusal to change, her stubbornness not to bend, that caused Backstreet to disappear from Atlanta’s gay social scene. Vara failed to leverage the tremendous power from developers coveting her land. She could have easily brokered a deal for Backstreet to become the catalyst for the renaissance of Underground Atlanta. Yes, the bar wouldn’t be pouring 24/7 anymore, but the city was willing to discuss extending operating hours to 6 a.m. She held all the cards and let a judge bust her hand.

How to lose a‘win-win’ race
Re “Council District 2 race a win-win for gay voters?” (news, Oct. 28):

Ben Fierman isn’t raising money for his campaign? Sounds like some other first-time candidates who, without a real platform, resort to “gimmicks” to get attention. To be a successful councilperson, you have to be a successful candidate.

Why in the world would Georgia Equality endorse the only candidate in the District 2 race who won’t go on record supporting the return to later bar hours? Because G.E. is far more interested in currying favor with who it thinks will win than with representing gay Atlantans.

G.E. endorsements split gay voters
Re “Gay candidate challenges Georgia Equality endorsements” (news, Oct. 28):

Keisha Waites was clearly angry, and she might even be feeling some degree of desperation as election day looms, but that is no excuse for Chuck Bowen’s comments. He should have addressed Waites’ assertions by simply reiterating the reasons for G.E.’s endorsement of Derrick Boazman. There was no need to make it personal. His decision to take the “low road” only served to diminish the stature of Georgia Equality and Bowen’s effectiveness as its spokesperson.

Georgia Equality needs to be commended for solid endorsements this year. Gay endorsements get more difficult and more complicated every year. It’s no longer “enough” to be gay: You need to be a community leader with roots in the district; you need to have some chance of winning; and you need to have some working knowledge of the issues important in the race. I’m thrilled more gay candidates are running. Now who’s going to start grooming these folks before they toss their hats in the ring so they’ll stop embarrassing us?

Much thanks to Georgia Equality for weathering a totally unnecessary media storm over their endorsement of Atlanta City Councilwoman Anne Fauver. It takes guts to stand up and do the right thing.

Congrats to Kathleen Womack, who received the AJC’s endorsement for Sandy Springs City Council. The significance of this, and hopefully her victory, so overshadows the Fauver-Brodie tussle. A gay person being elected in Atlanta District 6 is a big yawn. An openly gay person with a kid being elected outside the perimeter is something of significance.

Buckle up, AAA, for a bumpy ride
Re “AAA Club South won’t treat partners as spouses” (news, Oct. 28):

Thanks for this article. I am an AAA South member, and I will be looking for a new auto club when my term expires because of this policy. If every gay member of the AAA wrote a letter and did the same, it wouldn’t take long for the policy to be changed. Get your family members to do the same, and it would be even more powerful. I am starting to think that companies get away with treating us as second-class citizens because we let them.