Pro Bono. (reader forum).

Just got my new issue of The Advocate with Chastity Bono on the cover ["Chastity: Writing From the Heart," July 9]. I read her new book last weekend, and it was a page-turner. I knew very little about her before reading her latest book. Then I had to go out and pick up Family Outing--also a good read and quite useful to anyone who thinks they might be gay.

Chastity's very attractive, but more important, she appears to be very intelligent and down-to-earth. She seems to me like the buddy you can sit out on the front porch with and talk about anything and everything into the wee hours of the morning. She strikes me as ah interesting soul, and I would love to see more about, and from, her.

Debbie Hyatt, Grapevine, Tex.

I'm a 32-year-old cancer survivor, now in my first year of remission. As I read your interview with Chastity, and not knowing this woman at all, I came across a comment about her being there for Joan and how everyone else either turned a blind eye or just made those infamous "How's everything going?" calls. I was in awe, knowing I'd been on the other end as the cancer patient. Thank God Joan had the chance to thank you, Chastity--you're really fortunate you had the chance to hear those words from her mouth. I also thank you. If it weren't for people like you, a lot of people would be deathly lonely. Just like Joan, I also told my best friend to go away until it was over; I didn't want to cause anyone any pain. Yet she did not go away, and I don't know what I would have done without her. Chastity, your sense of compassion means a lot to so many people.

Tammy Abare, Brea, Calif.