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We
All Want the Same Thing
To
the Editor:
As
electoral board representatives from the SUNY Albany Pride
Alliance, we feel it necessary to clarify the several mistakes
in your newspaper’s article on our group’s civil marriage
event [“With This Sticker, I Thee Wed,” Newsfront, March 25].
We feel that these mistakes are quite significant because
they misrepresent our event’s purpose considerably. We were
not “‘marrying’ pairs of same-sex students . . . as a demonstration
of support for same-sex marriages in New York State.” The
use of the term “couples” in the article is also incorrect.
Our event was targeted toward everyone. We were not seeking
out only same-sex students, and certainly not only same-sex
couples. In fact, in none of our advertisements and on none
of our posters were the words “same-sex” or “couples” used.
Our purpose was to have students and faculty publicly affirm
that they recognize marriage as a civil right that should
be equally available to all citizens of this country. Additionally,
those who took vows acknowledged that the proposed marriage
amendment would be the first amendment to the Constitution
to limit rights. It was crucial to us that the large number
of heterosexual participants be represented, to specifically
show that this issue is pertinent to people outside the gay
community. The event was well-received and had an impressive
turnout. We greatly appreciate the media attention that you
provided us with; however, so as not to counteract our success,
we needed to point out the inaccuracies in the article.
Kira
Brady and Derek Schoonmaker
SUNY
Albany Pride Alliance
Albany
Ashley
Hahn replies:
I misrepresented your event by saying the people “married”
were same-sex couples. The use of the word “couple,” however,
was not intended to mean a romantic relationship, but rather
just pairs of people. Similarly, I never said the participants
in the ceremonies were in fact gay, but simply of the same
sex. I recognize this misconstrued your intent, and apologize
for any resulting confusion.
Where’s
Your Tolerance?
To
the Editor:
The
letter to the editor from Sammie Fantroy Jr. [Letters, April
1] was both offensive and factually incorrect. In a lame attempt
at humor, the writer complains about being held up for 30
minutes while disabled passengers are loaded or unloaded.
I have used CDTA buses several times and disabled people are
loaded and unloaded in much less time than this.
It is disappointing that the writer has so little tolerance
for the disabled. Would Metroland print a letter from
another ignorant person complaining that there were too many
minorities on the bus? I certainly hope you would show better
judgment.
William
Manion
Fort
Edward
A
Separate Reality
To
the Editor:
To
Linda Reeder: Did you not get the gist of my letter to the
editor or are you so blinded by ignorance that you didn’t
understand it [Letters, April 1]? First and foremost, I happen
to live in low-income housing and have a racially mixed son.
I was not differentiating between black, white or religious,
or anyone for that matter. Price Chopper serves themselves,
not the community where I live. If they did, they would carry
items that would serve their patrons, which they don’t. They
would also hire people that were knowledgeable and professional,
which they don’t. Upon walking into the Watervliet store you
are confronted by this. It is all too real for us “high class”
citizens. It has nothing to do with race, so let’s not make
it a racial issue, Ms. Reeder. It has to do with poverty and
classism. Let’s call a spade a spade. If you lived closer
and had to shop were we do, you might have encountered this.
It’s disheartening when filth and despair are the only things
on sale there. And let’s not talk about the “good” governor.
My friend who is a single mother of two has to quit her job
because she cannot get assistance for day care and cannot
afford to pay a babysitter. That’s reality for us, Linda,
something you might not know about, but Glenmont is a far
cry from the economically depressed section of Watervliet
we reside in.
Sheri
Turton
Watervliet
Metroland
welcomes typed, double-spaced letters (computer printouts
OK), addressed to the editor. Or you may e-mail them to: metroland@metroland.net.
Metroland reserves the right to edit letters for length; 300
words is the preferred maximum. You must include your name,
address and day and evening telephone numbers. We will not
publish letters that cannot be verified, nor those that are
illegible, irresponsible or factually inaccurate.
Send
to:
Letters, Metroland, 4 Central Ave.,
4th Floor, Albany, NY 12210
or e-mail us at metroland@metroland.net.
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