GAYS EARNED PRIDE BUT ADDICTS STILL GET NO RESPECT

Reading the articles in the Straight concerning the gains and
problems still facing the LGBT community ["Gay bashing still
unreported", July 30-August 6] reminded me of back when the movement
was in its infancy and I was in a group that was working to bring an
end to the drug war.

In 1974, people still called gays names with impunity, and drug
addicts were considered the scum of the earth. Now gays have pride
parades and addicts still struggle to be thought of as human beings.
Smokers and addicts are the only groups left that some people feel
free to belittle and treat like they are less than human. I still
work for the day that every person is treated as a human being, with
their right to exist going unquestioned.

Terry McKinney

Vancouver