Letters: Seeking No Shelters

Maggie St. Clair

Burbank

Letter of the Week

As a reader of L.A. Weekly and a member or ally of the LGBT community I am writing to say that I am appalled at the lack of coverage of this year’s Los Angeles gay-pride events (including Christopher Street West festival and parade, two Dyke Marches and Trans-Unity Pride). The only mention of gay pride in the corresponding L.A. Weeklywas surrounding the headlining act, Joan Jett, whose picture graced two of your pages. Within these two write-ups on Joan Jett, there was one reference to the CSW Web site and a single sentence about gay pride (a silly line about assless chaps). San Francisco’s Guardian, Portland’s Mercury and N.Y.’s Village Voice had gay pride on their covers and a breakdown of the weekend’s events on several pages inside the publication. The L.A. Weekly’s lack of acknowledgment for such a huge community event is absolutely astounding. Your failure to acknowledge our struggles and celebrations as Angelenos and members of the LGBT community is completely unacceptable. It is my sincere hope that in the years to come the L.A. Weeklywill rethink its priorities and alliances.

We heard from more than a dozen readers expressing these sentiments almost verbatim. —Editor

O, Canadians

As a Canadian, loather of rats, and lover of funny, short nonfiction, allow me to (1) deliver a gallon of (metaphorical) grade-A Quebec maple syrup to Gustavo Arellano for being able to distinguish between friendly Hosers and militaristic, narcissistic, racist Yankees [Ask a Mexican, June 22–28], and (2) offer some excellent (similarly metaphorical) Ontario sharp Cheddar, a bottle of ice wine and the Stephen Leacock Award to Shari Albert for her thigh-slapping piece on the roof rat that drove her to a drunken bed and the ditching of her principle regarding not killing other beings [“Rats, I Say!” June 22–28]. You guys know how to make a Canuck feel proud and LOL at the same time. Good writers you got there, even if they are .?.?. oh no! .?.?. Americans.

Neil Flowers

Los Angeles

The third-to-last paragraph in Christine Buckley’s essay “From Hunter to Hunted” [June 29–July 5] is as follows: “I tell Cohen that maybe he should take a break, get away somewhere low-key, like Thailand, or, okay, not Thailand, how about Canada? There aren’t that many people enslaved in Canada, are there?”

Even though the line was meant to be slightly humorous, I think it would be beneficial to examine why Canada has fewer sex slaves than other places such as the U.S. It’s not that people are nicer in Canada. There are plenty of greedy jerks up there who would be willing to exploit anyone for profit. I believe it comes down to the law. In Canada, prostitution is not illegal — solicitation is. This may seem like a minor detail, but it does more to protect sex workers. Since prostitution is a bigger risk in California, it’s more underground and criminals get involved, making the business a lot less safe. Since it’s already dangerous, fewer people are interested in the work and it’s less of a step to use underage workers or even illegal aliens. In Canada, escort agencies are very careful about whom they hire in terms of right to work and age. It’s such a large, legitimate industry that the demand for illegals is lower. I bet that Nevada has fewer sex slaves than California for the same reason.

Shawn Bordoff

Hollywood

Staff Writer

The L.A. Weekly has an immediate opening for a full-time staff writer. We’re looking for an experienced journalist who understands the difference between magazine-style reporting and the hurried fact finding of daily papers. Candidates should have a solid background in news. If your copy is as much a pleasure to read as it is well researched, we want to hear from you. We offer competitive salaries and benefits. Send your best clips, a résumé and a cover letter to:

L.A. Weekly Editor Laurie Ochoa

C/O Pandora Young

6715 Sunset Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90028