Letters to the Editor — LGBTQ issues, Dallas housing, student loans, public schools

Stonewall Democrats respond

Re: “Dallas County chooses sides in transgender debate — Commissioners should stay out of medical disputes,” Sept. 23 editorial.

We, the Stonewall Democrats of Dallas, feel compelled to respond to the recent editorial addressing the resolution passed by the Dallas County Commissioners in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

We praise the Dallas County Commissioners in their resolve to stand up for LGBTQ+ rights and defend the health care and right to self-determination of all residents in Dallas County. Gender-affirming health care is lifesaving.

LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. According to the Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, roughly half of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered suicide in the past year. This is a health crisis.

Additionally, we take issue with the notion that this resolution divides the Dallas County LGBTQ+ community. The LGBTQ+ movement has always thrived on unity and mutual support. From the very beginning, transgender activists stood alongside gay men and lesbians during the Stonewall uprising, which sparked the modern gay rights movement.

Throughout the AIDS crisis, it was the full spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community, including transgender individuals, who stood shoulder to shoulder with gay men, providing care and advocacy when many were abandoned by society. This solidarity has only strengthened over the decades as we collectively championed marriage equality.

While we acknowledge differing opinions within our community regarding certain issues, we must remember that our history is rooted in unity and mutual respect. We stand firm against any division that seeks to undermine our collective progress. We stand firmly with the transgender community in their struggle for lifesaving medical care and equal rights.

The Stonewall Democrats of Dallas Executive Committee

City Hall needs overhaul

Re: “Dallas adopts land plan — Outline passed after two years of drafting, months of community meetings,” Thursday news story.

Thank you to Mayor Eric Johnson and council members Carolyn King Arnold, Jesse Moreno and Cara Mendelsohn for supporting single-family neighborhoods. Every type of housing has its place, but not all in the same place. Strong neighborhoods are the backbone of the city. We pay taxes, we vote, we raise our families here. We purchased homes with the understanding that certain zoning protections came with that purchase. What other city promises will now be broken?

The culture at City Hall needs an overhaul. Recent stories about a failed lead removal program, failure to hold landlords accountable for substandard living conditions, failure to maintain city-owned properties (999 Technology Blvd. and at 711 S. St. Paul St., for recent examples) and permitting problems suggest a need for change.

We will have an election next May where we will have the opportunity to elect representatives who will support strong neighborhoods and the residents of the city of Dallas. Will your representative have your best interest at heart or their own interests? Vote and make your voice heard.

Laurie Johnson, Dallas

U.S. a great nation

Re: “We do not have a nation that’s dying — Despite what one presidential candidate says, our economy and generosity are alive and well. I see it every day,” by Peter Johnson, Sept. 22 Opinion.

I enjoyed Johnson’s opinion giving a positive view of America. I feel exactly the way he does. It certainly counters the dark dystopian and false view of our nation that Donald Trump keeps telling us about every day during his rally speeches. It is so depressing.

We need to be uplifted, and Johnson has done just that. We have a great nation no matter what the candidates tell us.

Richard Bach, Garland

Bankruptcy rights bipartisan

Students are losing on predatory student loans. Both parties should be fighting to return bankruptcy rights to student loans. This is a bipartisan issue. All other loans (mortgages, cars, unpaid taxes, etc.) have bankruptcy rights and consumer protections and student loans should be no different.

There are nearly 4 million Texans paying $8 billion to the Department of Education each year. How do politicians like U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, and Rep. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, sleep at night?

Representatives of Texas should be fighting tooth and nail to get bankruptcy rights restored. Texas should support students and education. It’s important!

Jacque Abron, Midlothian

Texas and education

Public schools, as I see it, have three main functions: education, socialization and providing inclusivity for students. Texas ranks in the bottom half of states in education. Gov. Greg Abbott’s fixation on school vouchers will only help the wealthy while ignoring lower-income families, some of whom can barely afford school clothes and supplies. Will there be a maximum income for those receiving assistance?

Our “rainy day fund” would be better used to increase teacher salaries and improve the infrastructure for our public schools.

Including Christian teachings and posting the Ten Commandments is not inclusive of all faiths. Commandments 1-4 relate to the Judeo-Christian God, ignoring the gods of other religions. Good luck teaching Commandment 7 to young kids. Why not post Commandments 6, 8, 9 and 10, along with the Golden Rule?

Teaching only Christian values is demeaning to non-Christians. Should we also teach from other religious texts? I’m a Christian, but I also respect other faiths.

Why not set aside some classroom time each week to address bullying and conflict resolution? Teach kids how to live with each other peacefully. Maybe we could prevent future violence in our schools.

Vivian Bush, Ovilla

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