Gays: Sheriff Block’s Participation in Parade

Christopher Street West and the city of West Hollywood have arrogantly announced the participation of Sheriff Sherman Block in this year’s Gay Pride Parade on Sunday. Sheriff Block, who rules over one of the most notoriously homophobic institutions the gay community has ever encountered.

West Hollywood has looked the other way when it comes to equal rights for gays and lesbians on their own streets.

Only after an initiative in 1992, which collected 47% of the vote, did Sheriff Block implement any community-policing programs in this city or adhere to any of the recommendations of the Kolts Commission study, which determined overt discrimination toward gays and lesbians. Only after Sheriff Block came close to losing West Hollywood and after losing two other contract cities this past year is he even willing to be seen in this city.

If certain members of the City Council could pry their lips off Sheriff Block’s hiney long enough to realize the total hypocrisy involved by his participation in this year’s parade, we could then celebrate our basic human rights with pride.

JOHN UNDERWOOD

West Hollywood