SHE’S NO SISSY

Newt Gingrich equates being gay or lesbian to alcoholism, President Clinton waffles on promises made to the lesbian and gay community, Mel Gibson continues his homophobic rhetoric in “Braveheart” and the Advocate votes Madonna its top Sissy of the Year (Pop Eye, June 25)?

The editor of the national lesbian and gay magazine’s justification for the award as being in jest is absurd, because Madonna has presented lesbian erotic images and then later said in an English magazine that she is “firmly” heterosexual. Madonna has been ambiguous about many things, including her sexuality, as part of her mystique. Two things she is very firm about is her support for the lesbian and gay community and doing something about HIV/AIDS.

It was just a disgraceful marketing ploy designed to sell more issues while pinning a very undeserved title on a woman who, questioned on “Nightline” about her same-sex video kiss, asked why extreme violence is acceptable in the media and same-gender affection is not.

I will be bypassing the Advocate for more knowledgeable gay publications such as Genre or BLK.

SHAWN GRIFFIN

West Hollywood