Sunday's letters: Father is proud of gay son's success, small firms rely on online ads
Of gay son, ‘I could not love him more’
It is appalling to read continuously negative comments about those identified as “gay.”
My 60-year-old son is gay. He has a bachelor’s degree from Tulane, a CPA license from the state of Louisiana and CLM (Certified Legal Manager) certification from the Association of Legal Administrators. He is also a past president of the New Orleans Association of Legal Administrators.
He is the chief financial officer of a large and prestigious law firm in New Orleans.
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As a teenager, his mother’s death at 40 and the challenge of being unable to freely embrace his identity led him to alcoholism and drug abuse. He eventually went to Alcoholics Anonymous and has been drug- and alcohol-free for years.
He and his partner of many years lead an exemplary life in an upscale section of New Orleans, and his partner is the neighborhood's homeowners association president.
I would accept my son’s character and morals over virtually any politician (and especially Gov. Ron DeSantis), most Christians and all people of intolerance – and I could not love him more.
A gay person is who you are, not what you become. A true Christian finds reasons to love, not reasons to hate.
Richard H. Wolf, Venice
The holiest of weeks for Christians
Palm Sunday, April 2, marks the beginning of Holy Week for about 2.3 billion Christians around the world. This commemorates the day Jesus entered Jerusalem to shouts of “hosanna” from people waving palm branches.
Ironically, a few days later, he would be carrying his own cross along the Via Dolorosa to Golgatha, where the Romans would crucify him.
This day became known as Good Friday, not because there was anything good about such suffering, but because the Christian Bible states that it was God’s plan for a sinful world.
The body of Jesus was laid in a borrowed tomb and sealed with a large stone. And yet, on the third day the tomb was empty.
As the prophets predicted in Old Testament Scripture, Jesus was resurrected from the dead and returned to his father.
Jesus taught his followers that “no man can come to the father except through me.” For two millennia, the cornerstone of Christian belief is that if you confess that Jesus is the son of God and you turn from your sin and ask him to enter your heart, you will have eternal life in Heaven.
This good news is the reason that Easter Sunday is now celebrated as the holiest day in Christianity.
Janet Kerley, Bradenton
Letters connected writer to world
I’m writing to let you know that one of your letter writers, Susan Ward-Steinman, died in January. I know hundreds of people send letters to the Herald-Tribune, but my guess is you will recognize my mother’s name since the paper published more than 65 of her letters.
In my view, she consistently presented a well-reasoned, liberal viewpoint on political and social matters, cutting through political double-talk to speak to core issues, identify hypocrisy and apply common sense – often with a good sense of humor.
Over the 20 or so years that she contributed to the letters section, she received threatening phone calls and hate mail, neither of which bothered her. If anything, she was gratified that her letters were being read by the public and considered important enough to warrant threats and hate.
For my part, I’d like to thank the Herald-Tribune for publishing so many of her letters. Her last years became increasingly circumscribed by COVID and profound hearing loss, so having her letters published was one of the very few ways she was able to feel valued and connected to the world.
Jenna S. Ward, Savannah, Georgia
Small businesses depend on digital tools
Across the state and nation, small businesses have noted the importance of digital tools like social media and e-commerce sites in their business models. In fact, 80% of small businesses reportedly use digital advertising to maintain their business models.
It remains more important than ever for our state leaders to support small businesses, not threaten their access to the tools they need.
Yet that’s what Senate Bill 262/House Bill 1547 could do.
It could prevent small businesses from using these critical tools to expand their reach to customers and limit their ability to promote themselves.
If you are a small business with a limited budget that can only afford to advertise online using free or low-cost tools, bills that remove the opportunity for small businesses to succeed aren’t good economic policy.
Access to digital tools matters, and I hope our state leaders continue to support the small businesses that make our communities vibrant and unique.
George McGuire, co-owner, Glass Crafters Stained Glass, Sarasota
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Father proud of successful gay son, prolific letter writer to the end
