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Culture wars

It is interesting that Larry Kramer thinks the idea of a postgay culture is silly ["Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow," March 30]. It seems to me it is Kramer who is silly for lamenting the death of an activist culture that is now irrelevant to most young gays. I know many who are disgusted with gay culture and are tired of accepting it because it is gay--as if that excused immodesty, vulgarity, promiscuity, rampant drug and alcohol use, mindless consumerism, perpetual adolescence, etc. Kramer will continue to feel burned out as long as he closely identifies with and pins his hopes on a culture that is itself burned out. Gay culture must accept part of the blame for the way AIDS ran rampant among gay men. Some of us are willing to admit that and are tired of those who refuse to.

Jim Humphreys, via the Internet

Like Kramer, I occasionally get weary trying to make the world a better place for gays. However, his pessimistic statement that "many things never change" sounds like so much whining. We've whittled the number of gay-only sodomy laws down to less than a half dozen, 11 states and more than 200 cities have civil fights laws, a sizable chunk of the Fortune 500 provide domestic-partner benefits, and teenagers coming out can find support on TV, the Internet, and possibly even from a school club. Things are changing, Mr. Kramer, just open your eyes and look around.

Mike Silverman, Lawrence, Kan.

When I was a kid my parents had this old hippie friend who could talk only about how "the revolution died" and how much he missed the '60s. As the years went by, he became more and more ridiculous. I'm afraid Kramer may be heading toward the same destiny. While I greatly respect his role in the gay movement, his effusive essay only underscores a desire for stasis and the perpetual "life is awful" dissatisfaction that characterizes the ACT UP mentality. That sort of attitude is great for activist icons but is ultimately insufferable and tiresome for anyone with his feet on the ground and more than one issue to worry about. I don't think Kramer is angry that we've forgotten the dead; he's angry because we've forgotten him.

Will Huer, New York, N.Y.

The change in our fight for freedom has evolved from front-page news and united protest to its next logical step, the one where it can do the most to change the bigotry against us: our individual communities. I sense Kramer misses the galvanizing events of the original freedom movement, but I feel the real work is now occurring in the trenches with those we meet and deal with day to day. We've learned that legislation can't give us what we must give ourselves; laws may protect us from some but not until everyone knows who those laws speak about. That is why the next step in our revolution is coming out in quiet, unpublicized moments to our straight communities.

Morgan Burton Johnson, Medford, Ore.

"I didn't want to become an old fart," writes Kramer. But ya have, Larry, ya have. And it isn't the years. Your idyllic rural bliss leaves too much time for memories and not enough opportunity for action.

Bob Roehr, Washington, D.C.

Kmetko from the get-go

It's heartening to know there are sensible guys like Steve Kmetko out there ["Steve Kmetko's True Hollywood Story," March 30]. And, Steve--no offense to Greg [Louganis]--if I saw you and Greg walking down the street, I'd climb over my own mother to meet you.

Jimmy Toulson, West Hollywood, Calif.

When I first saw Kmetko on Los Angeles TV a few years back, I thought he was a babe then. As a 50-year-old gay man with a 30-year-old lover, I deal with some of the same insecurity and ego issues he discussed in your excellent interview with him. Louganis may be the hero (and deservedly so) that people want to get their hands on, but Steve is still a babe. His devilish boy-next-door good looks and sparkling intellect make him a hero to us guys who have lived enough to really know how to live.

Jack West, Seattle, Wash.

And the winner isn't ...

Bruce Steele and Anne Stockwell's myopic, parochial analysis of the Oscar contenders was, generally speaking, embarrassing ["Third Annual Gay Guide to the Oscars," March 30]. And, specifically, lines like "the evil straight men do" are just plain stupid. If a phrase like that regarding gay people appeared in any publication, The Advocate--quite justly--would be all over the editors for their bias and lack of respect. Why didn't the editors exercise that kind of judgment regarding this narrow-minded piece in their own magazine?

Oh, and claims of Christopher Marlowe's writing prowess have been greatly exaggerated.

John Andert, Provincetown, Mass.

Moving and shaking

I thought the Hollywood issue was really good ["75 Star Players," March 30]. It's exciting to be part of such a vibrant and growing community.

Craig Zadan Storyline Entertainment Culver City, Calif.

Family matters

It's always interesting to read about right-wing homophobes' gay relatives, like Candace Gingrich and Phyllis Schlafly's son ["Bigotry Is Thicker Than Blood," March 30]. But Bill Ghent, who wrote about Jerry Falwell's relative Brett Beasley, got their relationship wrong. If Falwell's mother was Beasley's great-aunt, then Brett and Jerry are not second cousins but first cousins once removed. Brett would be second cousin to Falwell's children, and Brett's father is first cousin to the Reverend Falwell.

Is it only we Southerners who understand the intricacies of family relationships?

Andrew Reed, Asheville, N. C.

Why is Beasley surprised that his coming out causes almost no reaction from Falwell? By his own admission, the two have almost no relationship and minimal interactions. If he thought his coming out would have an effect on Falwell, he must be even dumber than his more famous cousin.

Kevin Slavin, San Francisco, Calif.

If Beasley is so out and proud, why did he use the name Gordy Miller when he posed nude for Men?

Peter Zangardi, Collegeville, Pa.

The only thing that was upsetting was Beasley's form of coming out. Instead of making a political move, he chose to be photographed in the nude, which is exactly what Falwell thinks of our culture: exhibitionists.

Johnny Zych, Mountain View, Calif.