Gay Pride Event

* Re “Conservatives Scorn Gay Pride Festival,” May 21.

Again, knowing what’s best for the rest of us, some conservative and religious leaders are taking a stand against the Simi Valley gay pride festival, which they claim will erode the area’s “deep moral values.”

I, too, was concerned that such deep-rooted principles as prejudice, intolerance and hatred toward another group had worn off since the Rodney King trial.

BILL GEIGER

Simi Valley

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* “Because there was no room for them in the inn,” the Bible says that Mary delivered the Christ child in a manger.

The self-proclaimed innkeepers of Simi Valley--Russ Hopkins, a member of the Simi Valley and Moorpark Republican Assemblies and Pastor Dennis Chapman of Calvary Baptist Church in Simi Valley--would have us believe that the Simi Valley “inn” is also full.

Does the homophobic fear of these local conservatives and church leaders take up all the space in Simi Valley? Is there no room for the teachings of Jesus: love, tolerance, compassion and acceptance that all men are brothers?

Or is it perhaps that Mr. Hopkins and Pastor Chapman are full only of themselves?

MARC WILDE

Ventura

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* In your article about the gay pride festival organizer, Paul Waters referred to “ . . . several established gay and lesbian organizations, such as the United Church of Christ . . . .”

The United Church of Christ is not a gay and lesbian organization. Paul should know that; he has visited our church. Your reporter should know that; he has interviewed a number of our church members and previously wrote a fair and helpful article about us.

We are an open and affirming church, which means that we welcome people without regard to sexual orientation, and we affirm people of all sexual orientations as children of God and made in God’s image. As such, therefore, we are an integrated church, not a gay and lesbian church.

In this spirit we are participating in the Gay Pride Festival. Come and visit our booth; we’ll be glad to talk with you.

FRANK A. JOHNSON

Co-pastor,

United Church of Christ

Simi Valley