Letter to the Publishers and Editors of City Beat, Gay San Diego, LGBT Weekly, San Diego Gay & Lesbian News:

As a progressive I believe San Diego is on the cusp of one of the most important civil-rights moments ever to occur in San Diego, the election of a gay mayor.

As an individual who is personally dedicated to the cause of equality, I cannot help but be overwhelmed at the possibility that San Diego could become a leader in the nation for a standard of quality that can be set in city government regardless of a mayor's sexual orientation.

I believe that all progressive and LGBT members of our community understand the importance of making sure a mayor is seated who is not just gay friendly, but gay as well. Let’s send a shockwave to anti-gay organization such as the National Organization for Marriage and the reparative therapy clinics that falsely teach that gays are simply less and incapable of personal success but can be "cured."

If you know me personally, you know that I have chosen to support Carl DeMaio for mayor. I know that as Americans the most important thing we can express is our ability to state our opinions freely. I respect a person’s choice for mayor. But it also is important to express our opinions with integrity.

I once again am confused and puzzled by recent attacks against DeMaio alleging that he is "not gay friendly."

That is so odd since DeMaio is openly gay, in a committed relationship with Hale Media publisher Johnathan Hale, participates in the annual San Diego Gay Pride Parade, attends numerous gay charity events and supports full equality.

Recently, some local publications have attacked DeMaio for being "anti-gay" because of certain endorsements that he has received from personalities who in the past have expressed anti-gay verbiage, even though they now proudly support a gay candidate for mayor. Shouldn’t this be viewed as a positive change, not a dividing line?

Certain publications have also attacked DeMaio for receiving financial donations from certain individuals who supported Proposition 8. Yet every single Republican mayoral candidate has received financial contributions from individuals who supported Proposition 8, but that important information has not made print. Why are these publications singling out DeMaio?

On this issue of importance to the LGBT community, there has been ZERO coverage or attacks on other candidates, except for DeMaio. This simply is unethical and wrong.

Why no outcry that Nathan Fletcher recently received endorsements and $2,500 in financial contributions from Mitt Romney, his wife Ann and their son Joshua?

Yes, the same Mitt Romney who promises that he will support a constitutional ban on gay marriage.

Yes, the same Mitt Romney who has donated tens of thousands of dollars to the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), which the Southern Poverty Law Center labels an anti-gay hate group.

Yes, the same Mitt Romney who has donated thousands of dollars to “gay cure” clinics.

I am calling on all LGBT and progressive publications to cover ALL mayoral candidates and highlight their LGBT record fairly and squarely, not personally. Why is one LGBT publication pushing Fletcher, for example, when he has a spotty record in support of LGBT issues? Such as his vote against recognizing out of state same sex marriages and his vote against Harvey Milk Day.

Isn't it odd that an LGBT publication would not support either gay mayoral candidate? Or the fact that that LGBT publication and another alternative weekly are misleading their readers on Fletcher's voting record on LGBT issues?

The most progressive thing we can do is be honest, plain and simple. If you do not like DeMaio for his financial plans or pension reform, state it plain. Do not cloud the message by calling a proud gay man, who is making national headlines for being a historical gay candidate, as being anti-gay. It's a bald-faced lie.

San Diego progressives deserve better.

We are all leaders in training and we are all in this together for the fight for equality. My opinion is my own: One of a veteran, a student, an activist in my community and, most importantly, someone who believes in the power of a unified progressive community.

Thank you for your time.

Respectively,

Sean Sala
San Diego




Rachel Maddow and Wayne Benson of Truth Wins Out report that organizations that Romney supports — particularly MFI — work to undermine equal rights for gays and lesbians, scare parents about the indoctrination of children into homosexuality, and even promote discredited and harmful ex-gay therapy.

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