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Feedback: April 20
In life, and later after his death, Frank Kameny was supported by many who volunteered to make his later years safer and more comfortable

Re: āKameny estate drops lawsuit against two activistsā (news, April 12)
Some of the misbegotten litigation surrounding Dr. Kamenyās estate has been dismissed, as reported.
In life, and later after his death, Frank Kameny was supported by many who volunteered to make his later years safer and more comfortable, as well as to honor his lifeās work forever. This was achieved largely by preserving his intellectual legacy within two leading American institutions, the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian. After he passed, many volunteered as well to show him respect and to memorialize his achievements including our mayor, our chief of police, members of the D.C. City Council and several members of Congress.
In the end, that is what really matters.
Just imagine if some of the needless legal expenses, after Frankās death, instead could have been dedicated while he was alive to keeping his furnace operating in winter, his toilet flushing, his property taxes paid (to avoid near-risk of losing his home), his phone working, his cab vouchers in hand, his light and utilities bills up to date and healthy food put on his table.
Oh, thatās right. Caring friends, community leaders and several of our elected officials volunteered their help for those needs. And thatās what really matters too. āBob Witeck
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Clarifying the record on Mexican homophobia case
Court judgment challenged as accusations of discrimination disputed


(This is a response to a story published Jan. 18 by contributor Armando Ocampo Zambrano)
I brought to the attention of the Washington Blade that no court decision exists in the terms set out by Armando Ocampo Zambrano in the interview published in the Blade on Jan. 18, 2019.
Ocampo untruthfully stated that āhe became the first Mexican to win a lawsuit due to homophobia against one of the most powerful law firms in the countryā; such statement as the result of a judgment issued on Sept. 5, 2018 by the High Chamber of the Federal Court of Administrative Justice, which Ocampo falsely brags as a judgement against Chevez Ruiz Zamarripa y CĆa., S.C. (āChevezā) condemning it for acts of discrimination.
The firm represents the interests of Chevez in the lawsuit that resulted from the complaint/legal action filed by Ocampo with the National Council to Prevent Discrimination alleging several facts that Ocampo claims happened on November 2015, in which he and partners of Chevez participated; Ocampo considered them to be discriminatory and therefore filed the complaint.
Council, by decision issued on Jan. 26, 2017, concluded that Chevez was not liable for discriminatory acts affecting Ocampo.
Ocampo filed legal action for the annulment of Councilās decision of Jan. 26, 2017 with the Federal Court of Administrative Justice; this Court annulled Councilās decision ordering it to re-issue same considering certain evidence provided by the parties.
Chevez and Ocampo, both, contested the judgment through Amparo lawsuits, to be decided by the Seventh Collegiate Tribunal for Administrative Matters of the First Circuit, which will decide on the validity and legality of the Judgment, which obviously as of today is not final and conclusive.
The above statement by Ocampo in the interview is totally and absolutely false because of the following two reasons:
1. There is no court decision issued by any Mexican court/authority that concludes that Chevez was found guilty of acts of discrimination against Ocampo.
2. The judgement has been challenged by Ocampo precisely because Chevez was not found liable for acts of discrimination against Ocampo.
Chevez also challenged the judgment considering that CouncilĀ“s decision issued on Jan. 26, 2017 is correct and impeccable, not being legally correct that the High Chamber of the Federal Court of Administrative Justice annuls CouncilĀ“s decision.Ā
Luis Alfonso Cervantes MuƱiz is an attorney licensed in Mexico by the Escuela Libre de Derecho, and founding partner of Cervantes Sainz, S.C.


Chase Brexton Health Care (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)
Chase Brexton not an exemplary provider
Re: āWhere is Chase Brexton growing?ā (Op-ed by Nate Sweeney, Oct. 28)
I read Nate Sweeneyās op-ed with a mixture of anger and incredulity. Sweeneyās desperate appeal in defense of Chase Brexton conveniently glosses over a recent, well-documented pattern of irresponsible, unethical, and potentially illegal behavior at the beleaguered Baltimore institution that was once a beacon for the LGBTQ community.
āAn exemplary LGBTQ provider and resource for our communitiesā does not fire five beloved staff members with outstanding service records (four of them openly gay, like Sweeney), as Chase Brexton did in August in a blatant attempt to retaliate against staff involved in organizing a labor union.
An exemplary LGBTQ provider does not deprive the community of hardworking, dedicated professionals who specialized in HIV/AIDS and LGBT care and were integral to the programs and services Sweeney boasts about.
An exemplary LGBTQ provider does not censor online commentary and ignore patient and community feedback, as Chase Brexton did when it took great pains to literally block out patients protesting outside the recent Charm Ball Fundraiser.
An exemplary LGBT organization doesnāt stifle employee voices, inform healthcare professionals they are only worth the number of patients they see, and disrespect its staff by hiring union busters to attempt to intimidate them into submission. Tell me Mr. Sweeney, what does your employee survey say now, after the despicable events of August of this year?
An exemplary LGBTQ organization isnāt captained by an arrogant, irresponsible board of directors that validates the status quo despite staff issuing a clear vote of no-confidence in the current CEO ā a board that by all accounts demonstrates an astounding lack of basic LGBT literacy and has zero representation from transgender individuals.
No, Mr. Sweeney, these days Chase Brexton Health Care is far from an exemplary LGBTQ organization. Your words fall flat and canāt change the sad reality that an organization with deep roots in the gay community has been commandeered by myopic, vindictive āleadershipā that values profit over patient care and has shown a callous indifference towards LGBTQ people, their health, and their history.Ā āMarion Goldstein, Baltimore
Support CAMP Rehoboth

CAMP Rehoboth (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
I retired recently to Rehoboth Beach from Vermont and my transition was smooth, in large part, due to CAMP Rehoboth. Our Coastal Community is blessed with the good works, services, resources and multiple community programs provided by CAMP Rehoboth. For more than 25 years now CAMP Rehoboth has genuinely āCreated A More Positiveā Rehoboth, with room for all. Please join me in showing our appreciation as a community in the coming winter months by attending one of the CAMP Rehoboth Chorus events. The CAMP Chorus truly is an asset in which Rehoboth, Sussex County and all of Delaware can take great pride.
Please mark your calendars: āYule Love It,ā Saturday, Dec. 10, 7 p.m. Epworth UMC $20. āCome Fly with Me!ā Epworth UMC, $25 Friday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m.; Jan. 28Ā at 7 p.m.; Jan.Ā 29Ā at 3 p.m. And DelTechĀ C.C. GeorgetownĀ $25, April 2Ā at 3 p.m. Tickets on sale in December atĀ HYPERLINK “http://www.camprehoboth.com” www.camprehoboth.com. āHerb Russell, Rehoboth Beach
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Beyer a longtime LGBT rights supporter
His ‘evolution’ consistent with many leading politicians


Don Beyer (Photo public domain)
The following was submitted as a letter to the editor in response to āBeyer changed position on same-sex marriageā (news, March 19).
I was surprised to see the Blade single out Don Beyer as someone who has changed his position on gay marriage since 1997. Letās be honest ā a vast number of Americans have changed their position on gay marriage since 1997, and that is something that should be applauded, not criticized.
The truth is, like many of our friends and family, coworkers and neighbors, Don has evolved on this issue. In fact, Don evolved long before many of our current Democratic leaders. In 2003, Don endorsed Howard Deanās presidential campaign in a primary in which Dean and no other candidate was in favor of gay marriage.
In 2006, when several Virginia Democrats joined Republicans in their crusade to ban gay marriage in the Commonwealth, Don personally contributed significantly to the effort opposing the Defense of Marriage Act referendum in Virginia.Ā In doing so, he bucked many in his own party and even the majority of Virginia voters. Ā Don came to the conclusion that it was the right thing to do well before many others, including many in the Democratic Party.
When my partner and I decided to start our own family in 2002, Don and his wife were among the first of our friends, gay or straight, to offer to help us. They have been unwavering advocates in the community for our family, which now includes two children, and we believe Donās experience and perspective will be critical to addressing the unique issues we face going forward.
President Obama, Vice President Biden, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and nearly every Democratic elected official in Virginia has progressed on this issue, and ultimately, thatās what matters.
From prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment and elsewhere, to supporting the inclusion of sexual orientation-based crimes in hate crime statutes, Don has been a strong advocate for LGBT rights.Ā To try to paint him as anything otherwise is disingenuous and misleading; it also does a disservice to the people of Virginia.
I realize that in a crowded Democratic primary field we look for points of differentiation among the candidates. This isnāt one of them. āMark C. Lowham
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