Letter: Disrespect like a kick in the gut

EDITOR,
I felt a personal kick in the gut as I read Ali Spickler’s commentary (“Communication needed to ensure respect, safety,” Dec. 25) about being hit by an object thrown at her by young teenage boys. This may in part be due to a similar experience I had in Boulder Creek, where I and another woman were shouted at — “Lesbians, go home!” — when leaving a music venue one night. (For the record, I am straight and had quite long hair at the time.)
Or it may be because I met Ali once and liked her a lot, primarily because I admired her brave, and I think darn cute, butch “outness,” and partially because she is a very joyous person.
Currently, I feel rather sad because I have a lack of gay people in my life. This is partially due to living in this rather homogenous white and straight area, and partially because my best friend, who was lesbian, died last year.
Over the years, many wonderful gay people have enhanced my life. Working as a nurse in San Francisco during the height of the AIDS epidemic, I visited hundreds of “gay homes” and can vouch for how similar they are to us straight folks. They are normal people. People who deserve the respect of all — young and old.
The Santa Cruz area is known for its openness overall, but the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley areas could use a bit of work, in my humble opinion. I know others who feel the same way. This correlates with my Boulder Creek experience as a supposed lesbian.
So to Ali, I say, I am so sorry this happened to you, sweet sister. I hope that these teens will individually regret and contemplate their actions fully and that something “good” will come of this very unfortunate event.