I enjoyed the lively crafted article in the June 14 issue “Pride in P.T.”

But I am uncomfortable with a quote as a rally speaker. Since I came out in 1975 I’ve been about the work of gay and lesbian civil rights activism. I was quoted, though, as saying I was for many years silent, but that it’s time to speak out.

This was unsettling. It implies I was somehow ashamed or apologetic about being same-sex oriented when that is the furthest thing from the truth. Since childhood I’ve always been comfortable with my sexual orientation but upset at the injustice of discrimination, harassment and cruelty from the larger community toward minorities, be they people of color, ethnic, disabled or homosexual.

It’s been encouraging to witness in my lifetime social justice progress for the marginalized, but our work is not done. Let’s not be lulled into complacency, because a heterosexist reign of terror, abuse and violence still exists.

In some areas of our country, gay and lesbian teenagers are still being coerced into religious “conversion therapy” to “heal” them of homosexuality while transgendered men and women may be victims of beatings and homicide. And GLBT teens continue to suffer the highest percentage of youth suicides in the U.S.

In Third World countries, GLBT people are regularly beaten, jailed and more often than not murdered immediately if believed to be homosexual or transgendered.

Many thanks and high praise to parade organizers Susan Brittain, Share DeWees, Emilia De Souza and Julia Cochrane. And gratitude to our “straight but not narrow” allies from [Unitarian Universalist] and Trinity Methodist and others who marched and rallied with us.

Our inclusive community spirit of good cheer, hope and courage rolled back the darkness of fear and the light of love sparkled and danced.

LINDA ROHRS

Port Townsend

Editor’s note: See a correction on the story in question on this page.