Two Views on Sex Abstinence Week

* Abstinence week? Puleez! Costa Mesa Mayor Sandra L. Genis’ declaration is not anti-gay. It is anti-reality and anti-compassion, and about as aware as Marie Antoinette’s declaration, “Let them eat cake,” in response to the starving French peasants who had no bread.

The mayor of Costa Mesa appears to be on a roll, missing the boat yet again with her flagrant misapprehension of the AIDS epidemic.

Attacking the red ribbon, which symbolizes awareness of this health crisis and solidarity with those suffering from AIDS, and washing out the “blood” by substituting a white ribbon is a perfect example of how many of our so-called leaders have put their heads in the sand and allowed the death toll to mount unabated.

Mayor Genis, if you don’t know how to respond to this overwhelming world crisis, just say so. Ignorance is not a crime, but acting out of ignorance, especially in public office, can have disastrous consequences. There are several AIDS services organizations in Orange County that would provide you with valuable information, or you could attend the seventh annual “HIV/AIDS on the Front Line Conference” to be held this month in your fair city.

I hope you will not choose to abstain from information yourself.

MADELYNN RIGOPOULOS

Huntington Beach

* I write in response to your article (“Abstinence Statement Criticized as Anti-Gay,” March 2) reporting Costa Mesa City Council’s declaration of Abstinence Week. I, too, support the belief that sexual activity be delayed until marriage.

The only “safe sex” is within the confines of a monogamous relationship. I applaud Mayor Genis and her City Council’s willingness to stand on the truth.

KERI COMER

Irvine