Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing the article about the OYA Fringe situation in your latest WANZeGRAM.

As the only OYA board member who stepped down upon the OYA Board's requested resignation of John, I am so glad that John is receiving the appreciation and credit he deserves for all he has done for OYA.  I met John, still in high school, at OYA (which was then called GALIXY).  It was my first time going to group (and meeting gay people, believe it or not), and it was his night at group to volunteer as a facilitator.  John came at a time in my life when my religious upbringing made me not just afraid and ashamed of my homosexuality, but feeling very alone and unwanted.  Over the past decade that I have known John, he became more than just a friend and mentor; he became an important part of my chosen family.  He is, and always will be. the older brother that I never had.

When John asked me to join the board of OYA, I really felt this was my chance to give back to the group that gave and taught me so much. Sadly, as you know, the events that transpired then and now showed me that the adults involved now have very little interest in the well-being and growth of the youth, but rather in collection of donations and "pats on the back" for themselves.  When John was asked to resign from the Board of Directors, there was absolutely no question in my mind - any board that would belittle the value and experience of a person like John (regardless of any disagreements that may occur - which SHOULD happen on a board) CERTAINLY would not value my knowledge or opinion.  Our community is so lucky to have people like John Sullivan, who not only stand up for what is right and good, but are the first ones to put time and energy into getting the job done.  We need more John Sullivans.  We need fewer people hiding behind boards and registered letters -pretending to put their resources to work for the betterment of our community.

Chris Yakubchik

Dear Chris,

 

Thank you so much for taking to time to share your first-hand knowledge of John Sullivan's dedication and effectiveness with regards to OYA, and specifically to you, as an individual.

 

I am very pleased to share your letter with our subscribers.

 

I hope you will consider serving on the board of a newly invigorated OYA.

 

The board obviously needs people like you.

 

Best,

WANZIE

Wanzie,

Re: Jen & Rick

 

You had me ready to donate to these two, who I don't know, but your last tirade about the church was, as usual, in bad taste, and the last straw. You still haven't learned when you go too far. Shame on you.

Sent in by someone who chose not to sign their name

Dear No Name,

 

Shame on me?

 

I'm simply a messenger. I didn't go too far. I didn't go far enough. I didn't write what I wrote about the Church for the hell of it. And I didn't write one word that isn't factual. I wrote what I sincerely feel as a result of very real and serious infractions and breeches of faith perpetrated by the church. I am outraged by the Catholic Church.

 

Shame on me?

 

Shame on the priests who molested the children. Shame on the church that systematically protected these villains. Shame on the Pope who knew all along and directed the American Catholic Bishops to do all they could to keep these sinful violations of humanity a secret until the statute of limitations ran out; because that's what REALLY happened.

 

Shame on me?

 

If speaking and writing the truth, regardless of how unpleasant it may be, is going "too far," then I hope to never "learn" to behave differently.  If calling attention to horrible abuses of power and office is in "bad taste," then I hope never to simply behave in a manner persons such as yourself deem to be in good taste. And may I ask you - just how injurious does the Catholic Church have to become...exactly how many crimes does this institution need be party to, before you decide the Church has played "the last straw?"

 

Shame on ME?

 

Shame on YOU for not sharing my outrage!

 

And shame on you for allowing something I wrote to provide you an excuse for not helping out two completely unrelated people in need.

 

How very Christian of you.

 

Sincerely,

Michael Wanzie
Two time WAVE Award Winner -
"ORLANDO'S FAVORITE SPIRITUAL LEADER"