Pigs have flown in Los Altos

You may remember a story I've posted about twice in the past two years: In this backwards little burg of nouveau riche Republicanism (where I grew up, when it was a farming town of yellow-dog Dem immigrant families, and where I live now because my Mom is still here), my old high school has a Gay-Straight Alliance. This in itself is amazing to me.

In 2004, the GSA proposed the city declare an annual Gay Pride Day. To make a very long story short, the council approved it -- then wimped out when the local homophobes (including the traitorous president of the merchants' assn., who is GAY, and a total ass) protested, and the council reversed its decision. (Here's just one of many news stories.)

In 2005, the kids were back -- and this time, got the slap in the face right up front.

I wrote letters, encouraged DU to write to the council (and many of you did, from all over the world), and lent my support at the city council meetings, along with a great band of Bay Area activists who spoke at the podium. (I didn't speak; after a fiery email exchange with the entire city council, my gut said that I would do the GSA more harm than good the moment the council heard my name).

The anti-gay brigades were out in full force both years -- and the comments this year were downright revolting.

To make a long story even longer... One of the biggest 'phobes in town is the publisher of the laughable rag that passes for a city "newspaper." I have written Mr. N repeatedly, knowing full well he would never publish a single letter from me -- and, true to form, he hasn't.

Yesterday, however, pigs flew in Los Altos. Heavens no, we are not getting a Gay Pride Day (and probably never will); what knocked me out of my socks was that the creepy little right-wing paper printed this letter:

Family week?

As part of a large and loving family, I could go along with Mayor Casas's proclamation of "Family Week" in Los Altos. Fine until you look just a bit deeper. When one recalls that our city council, and mayor, voted against a "Gay Pride Day" resolution just a few months earlier, this latest action smacks a bit of hypocrisy.

I recall an objection to the Gay Pride Day resolution along the lines of, "What about married couples' Pride Day?" So now, with the mayor's action, we actually have something close to that. Not sure we need it.

Families are hardly a minority under duress. As an aside, your article mentioned the tie-in with President Bush's "National Family Week" proclamation. Some would connect this with the religious right-wing agenda which opposes a host of behaviors, including contraception, women's choice, unmarried sex and same-sex marriage.

I'd rather not see Los Altos officially even close to that camp. But if any segment of our town needs understanding and support, it is the gay community. It is part of our larger family and deserves inclusion. This proclamation subtly but effectively does the opposite.

Ray Schuster, Los Altos

Ray Schuster, I don't know who you are, but I love you.

I wasn't aware of this "Family Week" bullshit, and you can bet now that I am, the city council is going to be hearing from me again.

The sum effect this has had on me is this: I am deeply grateful to people like Ray Schuster, and amazed (and delighted, and mystified) by the fact that his letter actually made print. But at the same time, all the old feelings of anger and frustration have resurfaced about the stupid, greedy, me-me-me newcomers who have turned my town into one of the few bastions of right-wing bigotry in the entire Bay Area.

Nevertheless, pigs have flown in Los Altos.

And what a wonderful letter it is. Really does show the hypocrisies of the Los Altos council.

If you want for me to write another letter to the council let me know and I will do it. :)