At a recent public forum for candidates to fill the 3rd District Congressional seat of Northern New Mexico, which was held in Farmington, Benny Shendo Jr. took his turn to ask Ben Ray Luján a question that implied Luján is gay. Shendo later issued a written statement … asking why Ben Ray had not told his parents that he is gay. Ben Ray Luján has stated previously that he is not gay.
A person’s sexual orientation is private and irrelevant to public life. If someone wishes to keep their sexual orientation a secret, it is up to them. Period. The issue of homosexuality has nothing to do with running for public office and the question should never have been asked. To ask the question at a public forum is simply meant to embarrass one’s opponent and appeal to the hate of the homophobes.
Benny Shendo also called for a public forum between himself and Ben Ray Luján where, presumably, Ben Ray will be able to present evidence that he is not now, nor ever has been, a member of the homosexual community. This is just like the McCarthy hearings in the 1950s where public figures were required to prove that they were not members of the Communist Party.
It is apparently Shendo’s position that Ben Ray appearing in public with a woman is deceit when he has not proved that he is in fact heterosexual.
This is all a smoke screen for folks to focus on, instead of the issues that really matter to the public such as food, health and education. Just like the race card — why is it even brought up? Beyond that, a later written explanation and backtracking by Shendo to say that the question “was intended to support young GLBT people who are struggling with this issue” is doubly disgusting.
Who appointed Shendo the sexual-orientation police officer in this campaign?
Robert Jones
Las Vegas

We are cosponsoring this event at Rio Grande Hall in Taos at 7 pm Saturday April 19

Here is the Synergy Fest Press Release (for more details, see our calendar page):

\\\"Join us at Melody Park on the NMHU campus in Las Vegas for Synergy Fest 2008! Sponsored by the New Mexico Solar Energy Association, this fun and informational weekend kicks off with a free rock concert, Friday, April 25 from 3pm to 7pm. The main event is on Saturday, April 26 from 11am to 6pm and offers something for everyone, with live music on two stages, great food, arts, activities, and presentations of renewable energies and sustainable living. The popular Sunshine Kids Village offers games and activities for kids of all ages. Entry is only $3 for adults and free for kids. Bring a blanket and some sunscreen and spend the day! For more info, go to www.synergyfest.com or email us at synergyinfo@gmail.com.\\\"

Bob, Betty, Julie, and Others,

Thank you for getting the Las Vegas Issues Forum underway. I'm sure folks will use it wisely, respectfully, and for the betterment of our community. I'm looking forward to it.

For those who want more information, go to:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/lasvegas-issues/

Thanks.