Screaming Tom

Concerning "War Over Words: Uproar Over Alvear":

It took me a while to digest this mostly because I was surprised to see it come up again.

I was living in Atlanta when this column came out in Southern Voice and was shocked thinking Michael Alvear has crossed the line. But then I remembered Alvear is Chris Crain's best friend - and Chris Crain is the executive editor of Southern Voice and Impact (and now the Blades and Houston Voice with Genre Magazine coming soon). Crain has given Alvear a platform to write these columns and get them in the mainstream LGBT community. Don't get me wrong, I have a lot of respect for Crain and think he does a great job.

Which brings us to Norm Kent. Frankly, I don't think Alvear is the bad guy here because he has a right to write whatever he sees fit - good or bad. Alvear's goal has always been shocking people and stirring up a debate in the community. He does that well - be it attacking African-Americans, lesbians or transgender people. (I don't normally read his column but read the fall-out afterwards.) But Norn Kent is the owner and editor of a major LGBT publication in South Florida and it was his decision then (and now) to print the column when the only other person willing was Chris Crain.

And Norn Kent has complete control over what he publishes. I have lived in Fort Lauderdale for the last 5 months and after reading Express for a short time I do know Kent is a conservative Republican who loves to print pro-war and pro-GOP stories in his paper (no gay connection). And his "apology" for reprinting the column is flimsy at best. Yes, we are a varied community with many voices. And no, there is no censorship involved here. A publication usually reflects the beliefs and ideas of the editor and it was Kent's decision to publish the column - twice. There is no First Amendment right that Alvear's column has to be printed in a publication even if he is yelling "fire" in a public area. I manage several Internet newsgroups and, trust me, there's a lot that doesn't get through to the list. It's call editorial control.

I can overlook the release of the column in Southern Voice and I'm guessing they knew they were taking a risk. SoVo lived. But I cannot understand why Norn Kent would publish the column the first - and second - time when no other pubilcation would. What was the purpose?

As for the censuring - good luck! Alvear loves the attention and it builds his reputation. I'm guessing Express is loving this, too. But censuring someone - whatever that means - is pretty useless. Express is the only real game in town as is most LGBT papers in most towns. (Yes, I know there is a TWN in South Florida) So you take it or leave it when it comes to LGBT coverage in a city. Our "voice" is usually the voice of the editor.

The only acceptable answer here from Norn Kent is to drop Michael Alvear's column from his paper and issue a front page apology. A lame excuse and cries of free speech does not cut it here and obviously the LGBT community in South Florida is deeply offended.

Norm Kent, do the right thing!

Tom Dempsey
Fort Lauderdale, FL

PS to the South Florida community - I am an expert at boycotts. Email me if you need help. Just showing Alvear's column to a few choice advertisers (including the Marlins) would raise a few eyebrows.

posted by Tom Dempsey @ 7/13/2003