Screaming Tom

What an interesting, convoluted response from Norm Kent. I appreciate all the thought that went into it.

Yes, Norm, you have editorial freedom to print whatever you want but some things cross the line of good taste. Michael Alvear's column had no redeeming social value and only caused hurt. I did not agree with your decision to reprint the column and others agree. Actually, I find the Express to be a very good paper and enjoy reading it every week. Occasionally, I scratch my head about content being relevant to the LGBT community.

Boycotts are a legal and sometimes an effective tool for change. It worked against Dr. Laura and Michael Savage. I was involved in both and would do it again. I am very involved with the LGBT community and usually fight injustices I see occurring. One reason I do so is because most people are indifferent or don't know how. My fights are the community's fights and we are always on the same page.

I did find your characterization of me unfair and unfounded. You do not know me and to throw some of the garbage out that you did is very unprofessional. Of course, I do have opinions and have the activist training to make things happen in our community. I see your reprinting of Alvear's column as wrong but it was not my decision. By the way, we are talking about the Express and not Southern Voice here. SoVo had their own reasons for printing the column that have nothing to do with you.

In the end, you response was vicious and uncalled for, and only shows the public what type of person you are. And it has no bearing on that I'm about to say.

I will no longer be boycotting Express. Frankly, I jumped into this as a knee-jerk reaction to a terrible injustice to the community. But Express is a very small paper and I do not have the energy or inclination to continue. Frankly, it's not worth my time.

I appreciate the many emails of encouragement.

Tom Dempsey

posted by Tom Dempsey @ 7/20/2003