Letter to the Editor

Letters written by you to the editor

To the Editor:

I applaud your recognition of community members (Echo Magazine Hall of Fame, Oct. 13). Far too often people are not given appropriate thanks for their work on behalf of the rest of us. That is exactly the reason for this letter.

While you chose to recognize two couples, you overlooked someone who has spent many long hours working on behalf of the Phoenix LGBT community — Paul Roark. While Paul is the quieter of the two (Jimmy Gruender's spouse) he has been arrested several times in the same protests as his partner. He has walked for marriage equality, served on the Phoenix Pride board, and on regional Pride boards, worked with Human and Equal Rights Organizers (H.E.R.O.), picketed, stood, chanted and worked as hard as anyone, including his partner.

I believe Echo did a disservice to itself, its readers and, most importantly, to Paul Roark, by failing to recognize his work on behalf of the Phoenix LGBT community. It is my hope that you will acknowledge that Paul should have been included, and that people in the community have the opportunity to celebrate one of its own heroes — Paul Roark.

I am a personal friend of Paul, and while he would never speak up about this matter, I know he will continue to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.

The Rev. Brad Wishon
Spiritual Discovery Center
Phoenix

Letters policy

Echo Magazine welcomes letters to the editor commenting on timely issues in the news.

Letters should be submitted by e-mail to editor@echomag.com with Letter to the Editor in the subject line or sent to Editor, Echo Magazine, P.O. Box 16630, Phoenix, AZ 85011-6630.

Letters must include the writer's full name and hometown and, for verification purposes, a phone number and e-mail address. Letters should be no more than 200 words and will be edited for clarity and publication style.