The following is an email from Jim Nimmo
(Posted 5-30-02)

Dear Mr. Humphreys:
It was with deep disappointment that I learned of the continuing obfuscating tactics being used by your administration in denying Cimarron Alliance another opportunity to exercise their First Amendment right of free speech in a public forum.  Although the Gaylord Media/Entertainment Empire, to which you are beholden, won't cover this issue, word is out about the homphobic, bigoted plan of litigious segregation you have in mind for the gay/lesbian equality movement in Oklahoma City.

The co-sponsors Peace House and Pride Network Inc, were denied a permit to hang banners this year in observance of Gay Pride Month in June.  The official letter was dated May 8, yet Peace House and Pride Network Inc did not receive the letter until May 23, outside the appeal period described in the letter and banner ordinance, thus denying any chance for the applicants to appeal the denial according to the letter of the law.  I ask did your administration observe the spirit of the law in a positive way, fair to all parties; or rather did you take the attitude of a card shark, and depend on the gullibility of the sucker?  This delaying tactic deployed by your office will assuredly be used to substantiate Cimarron Alliance's lawsuit that the current banner ordinance impedes the exercise of free speech in a public forum and is unconstitutional.  Taxpayer money will be wasted trying to impose your religious scruples in a public forum.  But lawsuits matter little to you, as you have said publicly you're sued all the time, but let me add that it isn't your money that pays the settlement. 

As an elected official of Oklahoma City you swore an oathto your god to uphold the ordinances of Oklahoma City and by extension, the laws of Oklahoma, and by further extension, the Constitution of the United States, including the Bill of Rights and its First Amendment right of free speech and separation of state and church.  As a private citizen you are free to express any view you wish to hold; however, you may not legally blend your religious views with your implementation of city ordinances.

Last year you utilized your official position as mayor to sponsor a religious convention in Oklahoma City, you even appeared as a guest speaker.  In short, you were officially advocating a social message that religion is good for Oklahoma City.  After Cimarron Alliance backed your administration into a corner of your own making, and compelled you to honor the contract allowing Cimarron Alliance to hang banners in 2001 on city utility poles, you found that you were unable to share free speech for any other social advocacy message and re-wrote the banner ordinance to exclude a view that you and your masters cannot stomach--Gays and Lesbians are full and equal citizens of the United States and are guaranteed the same rights of free speech which you easily and willingly give to yourself, but deny to others.

During the past twelve months banners have been displayed honoring African-American heritage and equality.  Is this subject not promoting social advocacy?  Why do you exclude the gay rights movement from its like-minded campaign for equality which is guaranteed by the Constitution not as a whim to be dispensed by political puppets such as yourself but as a right of citizenship, no question asked?

Why do you have this animosity towards gays/lesbians?  When did a gay man or woman ever directly harm you or a member of your family?  Why are you still a prisoner of the racist/homphobic time capsule of your father and grandfather?  Why do you publicly link the gay equality movement that has people such as Coretta Scott King speaking out for gay rights, with the KKK and Aryan Nation skin-heads?  Are these your own feelings that have developed from personal experience or are you aping the attitudes of the Bull Conners and George Wallaces of the Civil Rights movement?  These icons of racism also used religious fervor and ignorance to keep racial segregation legally enforced but as you know, such views can no longer be made civil law.  Jim Crow laws have become shabby landmarks on the road of equality, and though your and your handlers's bigoted actions do not rise to the national infamy of a Jesse Helms or Strom Thurmond, you will yet become a pot-hole on this same road. 

You claim a great religiosity so you won't mind if I close with some religion.  You may think yourself shielded by the Gaylord Empire and therefore invincible, but you can't serve two masters.  It's either your oath of office or the Gaylord Empire.

James Nimmo
2406 NW 59 Street
Oklahoma City, OK  73112
843-3651