PRO-PRYOR

It would be unfair to let Bob Sherman’s letter last Sunday stand as the last word on Richard Pryor’s performance at the Hollywood Bowl 18 years ago. Richard was always contrite and upset at his chemically induced behavior that night and 10 years later made an impassioned public apology at a benefit he headlined for Van Ness House, a gay/lesbian drug/alcohol rehabilitation center in Hollywood.

I was the writer of both benefits, and I don’t believe Richard is the gay community’s enemy.

BRUCE VILANCH

Los Angeles

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As someone who raises funds to support AIDS organizations in my community, I am appalled when members of the political/religious right imply that AIDS is God’s judgment on gays for sexual immorality. Sherman’s apparent satisfaction with Richard Pryor’s physical afflictions is equally unpalatable.

Furthermore, anyone familiar with Pryor’s work knows that he has consistently lobbed verbal hand grenades at just about everyone--including African Americans. If he is such a vicious homophobe, why did he appear at a benefit for gay and lesbian rights?

I don’t know where Richard Pryor is going when he dies, but I hope I go there too. At least it won’t be boring, smug or self-righteous.

SUSAN A. HEMBREE

Long Beach