Too damn bad that the entire populace of Eureka Springs can't be as accepting of all people as is the town's art community.

Recent animosity towards gays in Eureka Springs has come from some of its most prominent business and church leaders. This is especially true in reference to the sorry ass «They're coming to your town» film. I am shocked and very disappointed to find out how some of those «smiling, how are you» folks feel about their homosexual neighbors. Almost made me want to move after more than twenty years of living, loving, creating, and enjoying being here. But HELL NO, I am not budging. It is my town too!

To you sons-of-bitches who think that I am hurting your poorly run businesses, and that I am going to hell, a pariah, should stay in my closet, type of guy, you've got another think coming. My heels are dug in. And no, those heels are not spiked. They are New Balance.

I now know who my friends are and I am even more appreciative of my brothers and sisters in art. I have NEVER felt hateful animosity from them. I naively felt that was true concerning the community at large. Little did I know.

And to you bigots, I reiterate that I will not take blame for YOUR shortcomings and succumb to your efforts to push me down or push me away. I will take my rightful place in the community and I will support all who seek to do the same. Hate destroys. Loving hearts win in the end.

And oh yes, while you are trying to suppress gay folk in an ill directed effort to make money, I will keep making art. After all as we learned in the film, gays are drawn to beauty and ART.

Added note: Tonight January the 22nd, there will be a reception showcasing Eureka Springs artists. The honored guests are the directorial staff of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the executive editor of In Style magazine. Although the reception is by invitation only, the public may see the works on display at the Bank Of Eureka Springs (highway branch) through this Friday January the 25th during regular business hours. We are building bridges.

And, this is the day after Martin Luther King Day. I still get a chill when I hear him say, «I have a dream….» I deeply believe in King's philosophy of nonviolence. I am still hoping that his desire to achieve «equality for ALL people» will come to fruition.

We shall overcome someday.

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