AFS Cinema
Austin Cannot Tolerate Hate Politics
RECEIVED Wed., June 8, 2005
Dear Editor,
Over the last days, many Austinites have been smeared in leaflets and e-mails being distributed across Austin. The targets of these missives have one thing in common: support for Margot Clarke for City Council. The hate-filled, homophobic rhetoric is something we haven't seen in Austin campaigns in decades. It shouldn't be tolerated.
There is one great way to send a message that these tactics may work in Tom DeLay's district or in Warren Chisum's district, but not in Austin: Vote for Margot Clarke!
I've spent a lot of my life working for my community. I'm a long way from being “a radical gay activist.” I just happen to be a gay man who cares deeply about the environment, social equity, fiscal responsibility, and much more. And that's why Margot Clarke is my choice.
Send 'em a message: vote.
Over the last days, many Austinites have been smeared in leaflets and e-mails being distributed across Austin. The targets of these missives have one thing in common: support for Margot Clarke for City Council. The hate-filled, homophobic rhetoric is something we haven't seen in Austin campaigns in decades. It shouldn't be tolerated.
There is one great way to send a message that these tactics may work in Tom DeLay's district or in Warren Chisum's district, but not in Austin: Vote for Margot Clarke!
I've spent a lot of my life working for my community. I'm a long way from being “a radical gay activist.” I just happen to be a gay man who cares deeply about the environment, social equity, fiscal responsibility, and much more. And that's why Margot Clarke is my choice.
Send 'em a message: vote.
Glen Maxey
Former state representative
Current rather moderate gay citizen
Former state representative
Current rather moderate gay citizen
[News Editor Michael King responds: We are normally reluctant to run specifically "pro/anti" candidate letters in "Postmarks," but former Rep. Glen Maxey's letter is in response to a piece of widely circulated anti-Clarke hate-mail written by Robert Morrow, which also attacks Maxey by name, as follows: "Margot Clarke's three main constituencies are 1) environmental extremists 2) socialists 3) radical gay activists like Glen Maxey who has a huge role in Clarke's campaign." Morrow's letter is indeed disfigured by homophobic rhetoric that shouldn't be tolerated, and we believe Maxey has long since earned the right to a public response.]