WeHo worries

I would like to comment on the clash between “blacks and Hispanics” and the gay men of West Hollywood [“Which Way, WeHo?” May 28]. I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that West Hollywood essentially caters to white gay men. And to a lesser degree, white lesbians. There is not much racial diversity among the largely gay population in West Hollywood. I think if you would have just clearly noted that in your story, it would explain the two-way ignorance scenario: ignorance of straights toward gays (black, Hispanic or white) and ignorance of white gay men toward ethnic minorities. Neither group is an angel here.

TANYA HANEY

Los Angeles

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AFTER seven miserable years living as a gay black man in “WeHo,” I found Michael Haibach’s remarks very telling (“full of people not from the area -- blacks and Hispanics”). Gay West Hollywood, with all of its so-called liberal consciousness, is a narrow-minded, bigoted, racist neighborhood, and often I felt like a rabbi lost in the center of Baghdad.

DARRYL GAINES

Santa Monica

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I read your story and found it rather dichotomizing. Why can’t we just all live together without all this prejudice? I’m a gay man and I live in the city of West Hollywood, and I love it because it is diverse, not gay! It’s articles like yours that make people think we should all be pigeonholed and have labels. “Live and let live” -- let’s not keep stirring the pot! Next time maybe you could write an article that headlines “West Hollywood city of Tolerance and diversity where ALL are welcome.” The Sunset Strip is West Hollywood by the way! And it is very straight! So what’s new?

LIONEL PERALTA

West Hollywood