AIDS day denial

As a long-time AIDS activist and someone who carefully follows HIV coverage in the press, I did my usual verification of this year's reporting on Dec. 1 (World AIDS Day) in our local cultural media. I was amazed at the total lack of content concerning the epidemic in the world, in Canada, in Montreal and, especially, in the gay community.

I could not help but wonder if, finally, the virus has won the war. Have we gays, who always preached that silence = death, given up?

However, this total silence in our local, supposedly progressive media was broken by one very remarkable commentary in the Mirror by Matthew Hays entitled "Whatever happened to the crisis?" [Nov. 30] Hays' article very correctly identifies the problem that reigns in postmodern gay society: denial. His discussion was thought- provoking and reflective of the anguish that many feel but few can express.

On behalf of the many, many gay men who do care about the future of our community, who do love their fellow gays, who live in fear that we will once again experience the cycle of death and destruction that we knew from 1983 to 1995, I wish to thank Hays for yelling "fire" when he smelled smoke.

In a time when it is no longer fashionable to talk about HIV and us, the gays, Hays presented an accurate and compelling portrait of where we are.

--Michael Hendricks

Sound Check beef

I recently went through your music directory ["Sound Check," Nov. 30]. Question: Where did you guys get your information? This year I noticed names like Kwite Sane, Don Smooth, DJs True Blue, Smokey, Quest, Groove and more, were missing and these are no small fries in the urban scene. Now, are you just going over the top or is it really a lack of knowledge?

Furthermore, why are club MCs so overlooked? I thank God for my love of music, cause if it wasn't for that, I would lose my mind and patience. I've been in the scene for close to 11 years as a writer/performer/promoter/club MC. The name is Jay Soul, I'm sure you've heard or seen the name as I've even been in some of your older and more recent issues.

Please rectify these oversights. I mean, I've been around, hell, I've been the MC to everything that as been hot in the last six years, if not more. Thank you for your time and I hope to get some kind of satisfying explanation.

--The Mont Real original, Jay Soul

More beef

Now just what gives, Montreal Mirror? I followed all the rules and entered myself into your comprehensive, indispensable list of Montreal musicians and yet still my name is nowhere to be found come press time! Why the personal attack? Nicholas Common demands a recount!

My main man Blowhole is going to take you to the ruffhouse if things don't get straightened out, and that's gospel. Please get back to me on this one, so I can spread my word throughout the city. This is a big kink.

-- Nicholas Common

[Ed.'s response: the Sound Check music directory is made up of information we receive from people who fill out the ballots and send them to us. If they don't contact us, often they'll be left out.

Also, due to our e-mail having been down for a short period of time, we lost a number of ballots. In order to include them, we will be printing an extra addition to Sound Check next week.

To all the people who were left out last week, please send in your info, including music style, number of members, year founded, name and format of recordings, contact name, address and telephone number, to listings@mtl-mirror.com.]

Up with People

I just wanted to say that I'm glad to see Chris Barry is writing the new People column. I've followed Barry's career, both as a musician and a writer, for nearly two decades, and think his twisted perspective will make a good addition to the Mirror. One question: Is there any talk of a 39 Steps reunion?

-- Rob Tay