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Letters to the EditorThursday Apr 24, 2008 Boycott of P’town not out of bounds
I thought Jeff Epperly’s article regarding Barry Scott and recent events in Provincetown was very articulate and well thought out (See "Crossing the line in P’town," April 3).
However; the call for a boycott may seem hyperbolic and injurious to the rest of the community but I believe it reveals the extraordinary power and inspiration of one person’s struggle for justice. Perhaps, before the upcoming tourist season loomed so close, the community and those that enjoy Provincetown (I am a New Englander and familiar with the area) should have been a bit more vocal in expressing their concern for the blatant show of unnecessary and brutal force. If a police officer (especially in a small town) abuses one person, regardless of orientation, then the potential exists for anyone to become a victim.
Also, I find it quite suspicious that the town and the district attorney would continue to pursue a case against Barry Scott when the acting police chief was not offered his position on a permanent basis. As you point out in your article, under his tutelage several questionable incidences occurred. The part time summer staff of officers conducted themselves without fear of retribution and are an embarrassment to the profession. The decision makers are all behaving like a bunch of petulant children by refusing to take responsibility and drop the ridiculous charges.
Officials and city leaders have moved at an excruciatingly slow pace to resolve this and other matters involving brutality and intolerance towards the gay community. Why then shouldn’t Provincetown be subject to the scrutiny, shame, and revenue loss it now faces?
We live in a society in which the only time we become incensed or passionate is when a matter affects us personally or when monetary gain is possible. This show of unity, the desire to boycott, rises above the existing climate of malaise and apathy. Why would anyone want to spend their vacation dollars in a resort area where the police and the town "leaders" have such reckless disregard for the people they serve? How dare they continue to claim that they are a safe haven?
Finally, I can’t help but wonder how all of this would have played out if the police beating of Barry Scott (it was a police beating) had been caught on camera. Perhaps no party in Provincetown should be without one.
Thank you for your time.
Lori Di Costanzo
Nashville, Tenn.
Tax time sucks for married same-sex couples
I wanted to share some thoughts I’ve been having. I got a message from the HRC this morning (4/15/8) and was asked to fill out a letter to my congressperson. I usually ignore these, but I’ve been boiling for months about my taxes this year. I am married in Massachusetts to a woman named Jill Gibson. As well as being my wife, she is a partner of mine in my theater troupe. We share expenses, art, a home, inspiration, dreams, arms, love, a small business, and I can’t imagine being on this journey with anyone else, nor can I imagine being on any journey in my life other than the one I am on. Because the gender of my wife is similar to the gender of myself (the sex the same), I have to figure out my/our taxes three separate times this year (3 x Suck = smoke blowing out my ears and the fiery pits of hell lapping at my toes). The federal government doesn’t recognize my situation as "really married" (though having lived in both married and unmarried households in my lifetime, I truly can’t understand the reason why). I wanted to share the thoughts I shared this morning with my congresspeople with you. It seems to me that if we live in a country that won’t condone segregation or unequal treatment based on sex, then my marriage should fall under that protection, and really I am sick of the shit. Until our country stands behind all of it’s citizens and affords the same rights and privileges to all, we are living a lie. It is so easy to dismiss inequality when it doesn’t hit home, or tire of the fight when it has happened to you all your life. I am a woman who has had partners both male and female, and I have got to say: the message comes in loud and strong to someone who can pass and live a privileged life in the shadows, but I hope for more in my experience. I hope for more in the life of my family’s next generation. I hope for more in the lives of all the people that I love.
Below are the words I added to the ready-made letter. "Here I, Karin Webb, will veer off of the predetermined message for a moment: I believe it is unfair that not only must I do three times the work a straight married couple does simply because of the gender of my wife, but in doing the work of preparing my federal taxes, my wife’s federal taxes, and then re-figuring out those same taxes again for state filing, I am constantly being reminded that I am a lesser citizen based solely on the gender of the person I fell in love with and chose to make a life and family with. I, Karin Webb, am being federally denied actual currency - earned wages - for choosing to marry the person I feel most connected to. In a country that continually voices its support of family values - the values that keep families together and our national community strong, I believe I, and many other working Americans have been betrayed by the United States of America. Please hear my voice, and recognize that I speak through my love and passion for equality and freedom - the very rights this country was created in the name of. Thank you for listening."
This is a link you can use if you are interested in sending your own letter (not pressure, just a consideration for those who want to):
Karin Webb
Somerville
Corrections: In last week’s coverage of the legal proceedings against Provincetown DJ Barry Scott ("Barry Scott given copy of internal police investigation," April 17) Bay Windows incorrectly identified the judge who presided over the April 11 hearing. The judge was Orleans District Court Judge Gregory Williams. Also, the state police report on Scott’s arrest was provided to Scott by Barnstable County District Attorney Michael O’Keefe’s office, not the Provincetown Police Department.
Also, in last week’s Pressing the Flesh column, we incorrectly identified the park where state Rep. Angelo Puppolo held his fundraiser. The event was held at Forest Park in Springfield.
On top of that, in last week’s coverage of the House Ways and Means budget ("No increases for LGBT programs in budget," April 17), Bay Windows incorrectly stated that LGBT youth programs received $600,000 in the current fiscal year. The correct figure is $550,000.
To err is human.
Got something to say? We would love to hear from you! Letters to the editor can be emailed to letters@baywindows.com
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