Jan.lFeb.1993 THE AMERICAN GAY & LESBIAN

Volume 11, Number 1 ATHEIST Educating the Lesbian and Gay Community since 1983

THE CROSS AND THE KLAN other than the - which piqued the AGLA has been trying to rid its hometown crowd to frenzy. Ah, a cross is a cross is a cross, you streets and roadways of small roadside crosses 1 for say! After all, it was the Christian heat season and what years. When the city of Cincinnati , Ohio, gave permis- more appropriate icon by which to observe the season sion to members of the Ku Klux Klan to erect an 8-foot than a cross? wooden cross in the plaza of a downtown city park Shortly after members of the Klan placed the during the Christian "heat season" of Christmas, city cross next to the menorah, passers-by began defacing officials could not prevent citizens from tearing down the cross. Police arrested several people for defacing the Christian torture symbol. It was a beautiful sight to the cross, including a 23-year-old Cincinnati woman. see citizens gleefully stomping on a cross, to say the City workers eventually removed the damaged cross least. However, the citizens and the city officials because they said it posed a hazard because of its missed the whole point: neither a cross nor a menorah exposed nails and splinters. Children also played on it nor any other religious symbol should have been as it lay on its side. displayed on city property at all. The Klan won a city permit to erect the cross The brouhaha would never have started had on Fountain Square by using the same so-called "reli- the city of Cincinnati followed the First Amendment gious- freedom" argument that a Jewish group had used and kept state and church separate by not allowing any to get permission to display the 18-foot menorah. Klan religious symbols to be displayed on public property in officials said the cross would honor Christ for the the first place. Instead of the usual manger scene in Christian holiday. commemoration of the birth of the mythical Christ, however, a Jewish group received permission from city officials to place a display of a menorah in a Contents downtown square to observe Hanukkah. This, of course, was done under the interest of "faimess" in our supposed Judeo-Christian culture. TheCross Be The Klan 1 Since the city had already violated the First J.C. Was Black! 2 Amendment by allowing the display of one particular IRSvs. TheChurch 3 religious symbol, it could not, then, very well deny Family Values 101 4 permission to another religious group when it sought to Pedophiles in NM 5 display its symbol, a Christian cross. Had the group RCCSeHlesAbuse Case 6 been, say, the Salvation Army seeking to display its Preacher Infects Kids 7 cross, citizens would have, without a doubt, acted Perry'sMarriage Spectacle 7 positively and welcomed the display with smiling, The Open Forum 8 palliated faces. It was not that it was a cross which the citizens of Cincinnati were irate over (oh, if only that Barbra Streisand 11 were true!). Nay, it was the symbol's sponsor - none Book Review 12

American Gay & Lesbian Atheists page # 1 The cross was made of four-by-fours painted is not historically accurate," claims the controversial white. At the top was a sign which contained the trite minister who blasts other black Catholic congregations biblical verse: "John 3: 16: For God so loved the world for continuing to display "white images" of Christ. that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever Hey, we'd like to tell you, Stallings, that you're believeth in Him would not perish but have everlasting spinning your wheels - or dragging your skirts to be life." more precise. 1.C. was neither black nor white! There At the bottom was another sign printed with the is no historical evidence for the existence of such a disclaimer: "This cross is dedicated to our Messiah by personage. But, we will concede that Stallings is private funds and is not sponsored by public funds." partially correct! Had there been such a person as J.C; Such a disclaimer is required by city officials in order it is quite likely his skin color would have been black. that the city may not be held liable for violating the Certainly he would not have been the fair-skinned, principle of separation of state and church which it blue-eyed blonde as he is so often portrayed in those knows it is clearly violating. Otherwise, the disclaimer lovely stained-glass windows. How fitting! The white, would not be necessary. This is one case, however, racist Ku Klux Klanners (and other fascist, racist, where the erection of a white cross on public property fundamentalist types like Falwell, Robertson, et. al.) caused a storm of controversy. Now, if only AGLA are worshipping a mythical black man! could generate such a reaction over the white iron Three years ago, Stallings broke from the crosses dotting the roadways and by-ways of Houston !2 Vatican after a 15 year association and founded the Two groups of about 200 protested at the site of African American Catholic Congregation. Stallings' the cross, with members chanting and carrying signs. splinter sect is more in line with modem-day Catholics The Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth who identified himself as a former civil rights worker in Birmingham, Alabama, THE called the ordinary-looking white cross "a false cross at .A/.~.... AMERICAN best, representing division, meanness and madness." GAY & LESBIAN ~ Well put, Rev! That's precisely how we Athe- ATHEIST ists view all crosses. But, the city of Cincinnati and its Dedicated to the memory of Mark P. FranceschInI people didn't seem to understand that neither the Klan's whose dedIcation made thIs publlcatlon possIble The American Gay & Lesbian Atheist is published monthly by American cross nor any other cross that may have been sponsored Gay Atheists, Inc., a non-profit, non-political 501(c)(3) educational by any other group, nor the Jew's menorah belonged on foundation whose purposes are to promote a positive image of Gay men and Lesbian women who are Atheists; to promote and advance the tax -supported, city property in the first place. (The New scientific concept of materialism; and to educate the public generally and York Times, 12/22/92) Gay men and Lesbian women specifically, in regard to human sexuality and the value of human interpersonal relationships.

SAY WHAT! Don Sanders National Director J.C. WAS A MAN OF COLOR? Dominic Florio National Vice-President According to the Rev. James Stalling there is Doug McNeil Arizona Coordinator no doubt that 1. C. was black. "There's no question Editor-in-Chief Don Sanders about it," says Stalling, leader of a dissident Catholic Contributors Terry Tryon, Alan Ridgeley movement and who hosted a conference on the debate Distribution Arch Andrus, Frank Parsley & Leslie Perez recently in Washington, D.C. "Christ was a man of Printing American Atheist Press, Inc. color. He was born in a region and oflineage that would Copyright 1993 by American Gay Atheists, Inc. All rights reserved. undeniably define him as a man who had black blood in Reproduction in wholeor in part without written permission is prohibited. his veins," Stallings said. Try and tell that to those cats who displayed that cross in the downtown square in Mailing Address P.O. Box 66711 Houston, 77266-6711 Cincinnati! Telephone & FAX (713) 862-3283 Stallings' "Black Christ/Black Church" cam- Manuscripts submitted must be typed, double-spaced, and accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. The editor assumes no responsi- paign - a series of conferences in the next several bility for unsolicited manuscripts. All submissions are subject to editorial months - will culminate with an Easter Sunday con- revisions for reasons of space considerations and clarity. All contribu- vocation in which white images of Christ will be tions are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect any official positions of American Gay Atheists, Inc. replaced with black ones. "We're hoping to establish that the portrayal of Jesus as a white man with Aryan glpa Affiliate Member: features, blonde hair, blue eyes and a thin nose and lips GAY AND LESBIAN PRESS ASSOCIAIDN

American Gay & Lesbian Atheists page # 2 since its considers abortion and birth control matters of Promises giving condoms to teenagers in public schools? (Vio- conscience. He eliminated confessions, ordains women lates Exo. 20:12, Col. 3:5. See also Rom. 1: 28 - 32) ... The Bible warns us to not follow another man in his sin, nor as priests and does not require priests to be celibate - help him promote sin - lest God chasten gs, (See Deut. not that a requirement of celibacy means anything to 13, JeI. 23, Prov. 4:14; 11:21; 16:5; I Tim. 5:22) priests anyway! Not unlike many other in his profes- sion, it has been reported, but unconfirmed, that Stallings At the bottom of the ad, in smaller type-size also has engaged in sexual trysts with members of his were these words: "This advertisement was co-spon- own sex, especially those of teen-age years. (USA sored by The Church at Pierce Creek, Daniel J. Little, Today, 12/11/92) Senior Pastor, and by churches and concerned Chris- tians nationwide. Tax-deductible donations for this AMERICA'S ACCEPTED CULT advertisement gladly accepted (emphasis added). The Christ cult anchors its belief system to the Make donation to: The Church at Pierce Creek. Mail claims of a carpenter's wife nearly 2,000 years ago that to: PO Box 132-SVS, Binghamton, NY 13903-0132. she had been impregnated by God (foregoing the sexual Reports claim that this ad was finally enough to act, of course), producing thereafter a child who sought rattle the bureaucrats at the Internal Revenue Service to and demanded recognition as the "Son of God," claim- open an investigation of political activity of the church. ing to have been sent to Earth to "save mankind." The fact that the church sought "tax-deductible" dona- Celebrants of the Christ cult periodically eat a biscuit or tions to help defray the cost of a blatantly political ad wafer, claiming that it is the flesh of the cult's founder, should be enough to warrant revocation of the church's and drink a sip of wine or grape juice, claiming that it tax-exempt status without any formal investigation. is his actual blood. Yum, yum! Nothinglikeindulging The IRS also is reportedly auditing the Vir- in a little ritualistic cannibalism/vampirism to get the ginia-based Christian Coalition, an outgrowth of the old motor started. Many cult members have been unsuccessful 1988 presidential campaign of the Rev. convicted of sexual crimes and have killed in the name Pat Robertson. The coalition bills itself as a tax- of their god. Praise Jesus! exempt, non-partisan organization. However, the group has its roots imbedded in political activities and among WHO'S CRAZIER? other things, targeted local political races, fielded del- THE VICTIMS OR THE PERPETRATOR? egates at the 1992 Republican National Convention and "If you want to get mad at somebody, get mad opposed equal rights legislation for women and gays in at God!" exclaimed TV evangelist Robert Tilton, various elections throughout the country. weary of having lawsuits filed against him by former The main opposition to the extension of equal followers who claimed to have paid him to revive dead rights for lesbians and gays remains the nation's churches relatives. and their religious political institutions. The Depart- ment of the Treasury and its gestapo-like Internal IRS INVESTIGATES POLITICAL Revenue Service can do all the nation's citizens a favor MEDDLING BY CHURCH GROUP by revoking the tax -exemptions of such religious orga- According to a recent report in the USA Today nizations which involve themselves in politics and newspaper, direct religious involvement in the political legislation. (USA Today, 10/30/92; 12/02/92) arena is responsible in the winning of 40 per cent of state and local races they were involved in this year. 3 HETEROSEXUAL VALUES OF 1992 With more and more frequency and with more and more 1. 20 Cincinnati Bengals were accused of blatancy, religious groups are entering the political arena. Such an participating in or attending the rape of a fan. example could be found in the October 30, 1992, edition of USA 2. One New York Met was accused of expos- Today in which The Church at Pierce Creek in Binghamton, New ing himself to three fans. York, bought a full-page ad denouncing Governor Bill Clinton as a 3. 36 women were assaulted at the Navy's sinner who is unfit to be president. In part the ad stated: Tailhook convention. 4. There were Widespread reports of perverted "Did you know that Governor Bill Clinton ... priests. Supports abortion on demand? (Violates Exo. 20: 13, Lev. 20: 1 - 5) 5. Hundreds of New York City cops closed Supports the homosexual lifestyle, and wants hom~sexuals to have down the Brooklyn Bridge to yell racial epithets. special rights? (Violates Exo. 20:14, Lev. 20:13. See also Rom. 6. The birth of Oregon's prodiscrimination 1:26,27)

American Gay & Lesbian Atheists page# 3 Measure 9, which would have legalized not hiring (FL) gay-rights ordinance in 1990. Mr. Reed notes, homosexuals. however, that their success could not have been achieved 7. Similar measures in Colorado, Maine, without the help and influence of Catholic parishes. and Alabama were implemented. With the big wins in Colorado and Tampa against gay- 8. The hate and Third Reich flavor of the entire rights, it is likely that such battles will be repeated 1992 Republican convention was clearly demonstrated. across the country - in every city and area which have 9. The military continued its ban on homo- laws and executive orders prohibiting discrimination sexuals so as not to throw cold water on its heterosexual against persons based upon sexual orientation. There antics. are currently 19 such states and more than 100 cities or 1O.There was a 31 percent rise in nationwide counties, and each is a potential battleground for the violence against gays. (Spy magazine, 1/93) Let's look right-wing fascists. at more heterosexual values during 1992. Unlike Jerry Falwell's now-defunct Moral Ma- jority, which specialized in fund-raising and getting u.s. RELIGIOUS media attention, the Christian Coalition and its allies ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF 1992 are willing to perform the tedious work that actually U.S. Christians have reason to be proud of their elects people to office. accomplishments during 1992. It was during this past Reed estimates that 5,000 Christian Coalition year that more and more of them adopted homosexual- members have received political training at the group's ity as their major pariah. Inadvertently, we gays and headquarters in Virginia Beach, Va., and says he hopes lesbians have helped filled their direct -mail coffers to train 5,000 to 10,000 more within a year at new more than any other subject, including the abortion training centers to be opened around the country. The issue. We have also acted as a catalyst for their whole idea, he says, is to elect evangelical Christians to successful political grass-roots organizing and suc- school boards and state legislatures. "That's where the cesses. According to most accounts, evangelical Chris- future is," he says. "That's where the decisions on gay tians comprise as much as 20 percent of the voting rights, on abortion, on drugs and street crime will be population. In the past presidential election, this group made." was Mr. Bush's most loyal supporters, winning about Hey, it's time we wake up and smell the coffee 61 percent of their vote. It is estimated that Mr. Perot beforewesmellourflesh! (TheWaIlStreetJournal, 11/ took another 15 percent of their vote, while Mr. Clinton 25/92) received approximately 23 percent. The Christian Coalition's Pat Robertson conceded that the state of the FAMILY VALUES 101: nation's economy diverted many of his followers and WHIPPED, TIED AND 'HOME ALONE' led them away from Mr. Bush. Mommy, daddy, two children, a pet or two, a However, in other areas and upon other mat- house in the suburbs and two cars in the garage. This ters, the fundamentalist (Protestant and Catholic) showed comprises the idyllic setting of a home which is syn- strong cohesiveness. In Colorado, voters approved, by onymous with the notion of "family values" of which a margin of 54 percent, an amendment to the state we have heard so much of late. This pastoral hetero- constitution that prohibits legal claims of discrimina- sexual scene could not make Dan Quayle more proud tion by homosexual citizens and rescinds anti-discrimi- and could not better describe the Schoos of suburban nation laws in three cities. And in Tampa, Florida, Chicago whose children, a 9-year-old girl and her 4- voters repealed an ordinance that prohibited discrimi- year-old sister, were left alone at home while Mr. and nation against lesbians and gays. Mrs. Schoo vacationed in Acapulco for 9 days. Even though Measure 9, a measure to alter The children were discovered alone after a tub Oregon's constitution to allow discrimination against in their home overflowed, causing an electrical short gays and lesbians, was defeated, candidates backed by that set off a smoke alarm. The girls first called 911, Christian organizations won 40 percent of the 500 races then ran to a neighbor's house. The Schoos have been they entered. A significant number of these candidates charged with child abandonment and cruelty to chil- were supported by Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition. dren, both felonies, and child endangerment, a misde- According to Ralph Reed, the Christian meanor. Coalition's 31-year-old executive director, the group's According to the girls, their loving hetero- first major victory was the defeat of Broward County's sexual parents disciplined them with a "special" belt

American Gay & Lesbian Atheists page # 4 with beads attached to it. One of the girls also told the standard maximum for the charge of indecent police that ropes and locks were used to restrict the two liberties. In imposing the sentence, Thurston County sisters in their bedrooms when they were punished by (W A) Superior Court Judge Robert Doran said Roscow their parents. Gee, but they're so lucky to be reared by had abused his position of trust as a coach and school heterosexual parents! (The Houston Chronicle, 1/09/ principal. 93) The judge said evidence showed the 1986 molestation cited in the charge was a small part of a two- A DESPERATE LETTER TO SANTA and-a -half- year pattern of sexual contact with the youth, OR A FAMILY VALUES HOAX? then 12 years old. A letterto Santa, signed "Thad," in which a boy Rossow taught sixth grade and coached the asks that he be taken to heaven to save his unemployed boys' basketball team at the Tacoma Central Lutheran parents money, is believed by two handwriting anal ysts Christian SchooL According to the charge, Rossow to be a possible hoax. Both analysts say the letter does molested the boy after giving him whiskey while on a not appear to have been written by a child. camping trip. The writing includes a mixture of capital and lower-case letters of several styles, including some that Moses had a press agent named Sam. Whenhe look like a cursive script. The analysts say it is not and his people got to the Red Sea, Moses calledfor Sam likely that a child would use a mix of letter styles. and asked, "Where are the boats?" In the letter Thad asks for food for his mother "Oh, I'm sorry, Moses," Sam said. "I forgot to and ajob for his father. "Can you bring me too heven?", order the boats." the letter asks. "Mom and dad would not have to by "You idiot!" Moses exclaimed. "Whatdoyou things for me no more. That would make them happy. want me to do - raise my staff and ask God to part the We got candils. A city man took the lights away. It Red Sea?" looks like we don't live heer no more. We do." "Hey, boss," Sam said, "if you can do that, I The letter comes from Port Angeles, Washing- could get you two pages in the Old Testament." ton, a depressed timber town of approximately 63 miles northwest of Seattle. (The New York Times, 12/18/92) NEW MEXICO WANTS TO GET RID OF PEDOPHILE RETREAT MORE FAMILY VALUES, It seems that some citizens of the state of New EPISCOPAL STYLE Mexico want to rid their state of the Roman Catholic Rev. Wallace A. Frey, the nation's highest- Church's so-called treatment center for its numerous ranking Episcopal priest, recently resigned his ministry priests who have been accused of sexual improprieties. after being accused of sexually abusing young male The center is called the Servants of the Paraclete and members of his congregation. is located in Jemez Springs. Frey was rectorofSt. David's Church in DeWitt, Although New Mexico has only one-half of New York, and was vice president of the church's house one percent of America's population, it has 20 percent of deputies, a policy-making body. Last year, he of America's pedophile priests. 4 headed a national committee that examined the church's According to records, it seems the center is position on sexual orientation, sexuality, and the priest- causing New Mexico to have an unusually high share of hood. sexual abuse cases. Authorities are currently investi- Bishop Joslin, who announced Frey's resigna- gating seven current and former New Mexico priests for tion, said the allegations were made by fewer than ten alleged sexual improprieties, some dating back to the male adults and one teenager. Frey has made no 1960s. In all but one case, the accused priests were comment. (The Advocate, 11/17/92) treated at the Jemez Springs center. The latest allegations center on Rev. David THOSE LUSTY LUTHERANS Holley, who was "treated" for pedophilia in 1971. A former Tacoma, Washington, church-school Holley is 65 and now retired and living in Denver. principal has been sentenced to 28 months in prison for Holley is the subject of a lawsuit accusing him of child sexually molesting a student six years ago in a state sexual abuse. The number of plaintiffs in the suit now park. number to. Holley also faces allegations that he The penalty for John P. Rossow, 39, is double molested youths while assigned to parishes in Massa-

American Gay & Lesbian Atheists page# 5 chusetts between 1960 and 1972. The lawsuit in New River, Massachusetts agreed to a financial settlement Mexico also alleges that Holley exploited children in for each of 68 people who were sexually abused as pornographic pictures and films during the 1970s when schoolchildren during the 1960s by Father James Por- he served at St. Jude Mission Church in Alamogordo, ter. NM. The 68 people are among more than 100 men The diocese of El Paso, which oversaw St. and women in five states who say they were abused by Jude's in the 1970s has refused to comment on the case. the former priest. Porter is also facing charges that he Pasternack maintains that pedophilia is not curable and engaged in sexual misconduct with a baby sitterin 1987 that priests were assigned to New Mexico communities in the state of Minnesota. Porter also faces a criminal after treatment at the Servants of the Paraclete. trial in southeastern Massachusetts on charges of sexu- Perhaps the most infamous of the many ally abusing 32 men and women in the Fall River area. pedophile priests to have "graduated" They are part of the group of 68. The former priest also from the Jemez Springs treatment resort is James faces separate civil lawsuits brought in Minnesota and Porter, the former priest accused of having abused New Mexico by the people who say he abused them. It dozens of people in Massachusetts, Minnesota and is expected that more of Porter's victims may come New Mexico. He was convicted last month of molest- forward. (The Houston Chronicle, 12/04/92) ing a 15-year-old baby sitter in 1987. Pasternack wants the 45-year-old retreat, lo- "But, ah, I, I, could take, I could take five ta ah ... to ... cated in the mountain village 50 miles northwest of ah, ah, 1 say nine hundred thousand, maybe even a Albuquerque, closed. However, the Rev. Liam Hoare, million, ah ... 1 could take that and invest it and 1 the ranking priest at the center, claims it serves priests wouldn't have to work another day in my life (laugh)." with various problems. The center makes claims that - Rev. TJ. Jemison, according to the transcript of a fewer than 6 percent of its residents are there because of tape recording presented into evidence before a federal pedophilia. grand jury on July 23. Jemison, president- of the Pasternack said sexual abuse by priests has National Baptist Union, is accused of perjuring himself persisted for decades in New Mexico, with many of the when he denied offering a bribe to Desiree Washington victims Hispanic. More than one-third of New Mexico's to drop rape charges against Mike Tyson. (Crime Beat, 1.5 million residents are Hispanic, and most are Catho- 11/92) lic. The church has played a significant role in the state's history since the first Spanish exploiters arrived in the 16th Century. Catholic churches and missions SEX SURVEY SHOWS have been and are the focal point of many communities HETEROSEXUALS NOT CAUTIOUS and Indian pueblos. The largest sUlVey on human sexuality in the "Particularly in the rural and poorer areas of the since the Kinsey report in 1948 and the state, Hispanics tend to be submissive to Anglo author- first ever to concentrate on behavior related to the risk ity figures, especially priests," Pasternack says. "To- of sexuall y transmitted diseases 5 shows the following: gether, it's a recipe for disaster." The Archdiocese of Santa Fe is paying coun- *Seven percent of respondents said they had had mul- seling fees for more than a dozen victims or relatives of tiple sex partners in the previous year. victims of priest sexual abuse. It also has established *Among heterosexual adults with two or more sex a nationwide toll- free hot line for people to report abuse partners in the last five years, 31 percent were at some by clergymen. (The Houston Chronicle, 1/03/93) level of risk of contracting HIV, the virus believed to cause AIDS. RCC SETTLES WITH 68 PEOPLE *People with multiple sexual partners are more likely to ABUSED BY PRIEST be male, African-American or white (in comparison to It is somewhat ironic that an institution which Hispanic), unmarried, highly educated and young adults. rails against human sexual misconduct from premarital Whites and blacks were essentially the same in the sex to simple masturbation, from the use of condoms to number of sexual partners. the graveness of homosexuality should be settling the *Women and low-income people were most likely to largest sexual abuse case on record. But that is precisely have risky sexual partners and about 71 percent of what happened in December when the Diocese of Fall those with such partners reported not using condoms.

American Gay & Lesbian Atheists page # 6 (The Detroit News, 11/13/92) his adventures. After using a box of condoms supplied by a local health department, his wife said he used no MAN WITH AIDS VIRUS protection. "They gave it [AIDS] to me. I'm going to SENTENCED FOR SEX give it back to them," Brown allegedly told his wife. A man convicted of attempted murder for Brown sang and played the piano at the Fair knowingly exposing a 17-year-old girl to the virus that Oaks Community Church in Roseburg, where his mother causes AIDS was sentenced recent! y to over nine years is the minister, and he is a lay preacher. in prison. The case was seen as a test of existing laws According to police reports, Brown has mo- to prosecute those who knowingly or deliberately ex- lested at least 9 neighborhood children, and possibly pose others to HIV. A number of states are considering more. One 8-year-old boy claims that Brown had or have passed laws to cover that situation. repeatedly shown him pornographic movies, given him Before his sentence to 65 months in prison, vodka and drugs, and had oral and anal sex with him. Alberto Gonzalez, 28, said, "I feel it was an extreme None of the children has tested positive for AIDS at this racial vendetta. I was a guinea pig." Judge Ancer time, but all test results are not back, and negative test Haggerty of Multnomah County Circuit Court (Or- results are inconclusive due to the fact that it can take six egon) denied any racial or judicial prejudice, but added months or longer for development of antibodies to the that he was unsure if Mr. Gonzalez would be medically virus. So the families must wait in agony as a result of capable of serving his entire term. the actions of the good-looking, fair-haired, smiling, The girl, who testified she had unprotected sex clean-cut pedophile preacher with whom they entrusted with Mr. Gonzalez in 1990, has tested negative for their children. (The Detroit News, 11/29/92) presence of antibodies to the AIDS virus. (The New York Times, 12/01/92) FUNDAMENTALISTS INVADE LIBRARIES; LA Y PREACHER WITH AIDS STEAL GAY BOOKS TRIES TO INFECT CHILDREN Alyson publications reports that its line of A 30-year-old lay preacher from Roseburg, children's books, Alyson Wonderland, has come under Oregon, who has been confirmed to carry the AIDS attack by right -wingers, who have specifically targeted virus has been charged with 26 counts of attempted Daddy's Roommate by Michael Willhoite. murder and sexual abuse of neighborhood children. According to an Alyson spokesperson, the Boys and girls told police that Adam Brown, a book has come under fire at six libraries in Olympia, good-looking man with blonde hair and a trim beard, WA; Springfield, OR; Roswell, NM; Goldsboro, NC; had abused them repeatedly between May and Septem- Ft. Myers, FL; and Harrisburg, PA. All six libraries ber of 1992. One 5-year-old boy said Brown collected have refused, thus far, to bow to pressure of the censors. "the white stuff that came from his weenie" and smeared Publisher Sasha Alyson says there is "an orga- it into a scratch on the boy's arm. Children said Brown nized movement by the right wing to check them [the told them not to tell and threatened them with knives, books] out and 'forget' to return them." Alyson is scissors and matches. countering this tactic by offering free copies of Daddy 's Brown allegedly grew up in a very religious Roommate and Johnny Valentine's The Duke Who household. After graduating from Roseburg High Outlawed Jelly Beans to the first 500 libraries that School, he joined the Marines and married his wife, request them. (Lambda Book Report, Nov/Dec 92) Nancy, in 1982. The two became the parents of two daughters whom he has also allegedly sexually abused. TROY PERRY ENDORSES Approximately four years ago, Brown told his MARCH ON WASHINGTON wife that he was gay, that he always had been, but that The Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the Universal his conservative Christian background had taught him Fellowship of the Metropolitan Community Churches that homosexuality was a sin. After coming out to his (MCC) , has once again conceded to make a spectacle of wife, Brown started going to gay bars and having himself along with potentially hundreds of followers indiscriminate sex. Approximately six months later, he who will involve themselves in the emulation of the tested positive for HIV. patriarchal and heterosexist institution of marriage at Depressed and angry, Brown stopped his the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian/Gay Equal sexual activity for about two months, but then resumed Rights.

American Gay & Lesbian Atheists page # 7 profit, bulk postal rate, it is subject to postal inspection Dear AGLA: to ensure that all pieces in a mailing are exact. Thank My deepest sympathy and condolences on the you for your concern and warm comments. tragic loss of your beloved partner and best friend, Mark Franceschini. Although I never had the privilege and Dear AGLA: pleasure to meet him, the story of his life and works in We are now receiving The American Gay & the Oct/Nov AG&LA were a moving tribute to a good Lesbian Atheist. This letter is to extend a heartfelt and noble Gay Atheist who courageously fought against thank-you for your generous support. this myth-ridden homophobic world. Copies of your publication will be displayed Although there is no after-life, Mark can live and added to our permanent collection. This helps us to on in our memory and actions. Therefore, attached is a preserve our heritage and emerging history/herstory. check for $ to AGLA in tribute to Mark and Once again on behalf of the Stonewall Library to help ensure that the fine organization he helped to & Archives, thank you. build will continue onward as he would have wanted. Allen Naismith, President, Stonewall Library You have my complete support and respect. & Archives, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Enclosed are some newspaper and magazine articles for your interest and information. Also en- Dear AGLA: closed is a copy of a letter I recently sent to the St. Louis Of all the horror stories I have heard about the Post-Dispatch to fight the hateful, homophobic/igno- contemporary Roman Catholic Church, none is worse rance of the fascist fundamentalists and Catholic church than the grotesque facts which you shared with readers in this area. Unfortunately, the Post-Dispatch declined of The AG&LA newsletter pertaining to the circum- to print it. Use it in any way you wish. Once again, my stances of Mark Franceschini's death. Your grief, most sincere sympathy for your loss. justifiable hatred and rage spill out of every line like Best Regards, V.J.B., St. Louis, MO blood seeping from a raw wound. As for me, I have to confess that, as I read this ghastly account, I was slowly filled with a creeping feeling of physical nausea. But, of course, the worst was not even there, and how much you may not even suspect because of your lack of familiarity with Roman Catholic practices. .00'· ' In fact, I am not sure myself, so what follows is third- Jt:o A• r hand theorizing: Persons who have not been "reconciled" to the AGA, Inc. \ AGLA National Office Roman Catholic Church usually can not be interred in P.O. Box 66711 a Catholic cemetery - particularly in the case of a Houston, TX n26&6711 publicly-known apostate like Mark Franceschini. It (713) 862-3283 was therefore necessary - before the family could get the ashes into the mausoleum - to present "evidence" of recantation and/or reconciliation. This would be the AGA, Inc. \AGLA Arizona purpose of the surreptitious visit [of the priest] to the Dl3 North Central Avenue hospital during your absence. (And the real meaning of Suite 121-211 the Memphis priest's cryptic hint.) Phoenix, AZ 85012-2r03 The techniques are well known! The words of the moribund victim are unnecessary. The priest may simply read out a formula for recantation/reconciliation Dear AGLA: and ask the patient to move his eyelashes ifhe agrees (or Enclosed please find a $ donation even not to move them if he agrees!). Reconciliation in return for your prompt printing of this letter. Ihave having been thus effected, extreme unction may pro- a matter in which I would like your assistance. ceed with subsequent interment in "holy ground." Fill Iwill be moving to Phoenix in February, and in the details yourself. will need to rent a room. I am 19-years-old and Sincerely, D.R.W., NY dependable. I have been at least agnostic all of my life, and came to my senses by deciding on devout atheism

American Gay & Lesbian Atheists page# 9 after reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Having Yes, AGLA will be conducting a "breakout" meeting at AGLA in Phoenix was a prime reason I have chosen to the annual Convention of American Atheists being held move there. I hope I will meet many people who will in Sacramento during the weekend of April 9 - 11, awaken my mind after its long slumber in this small 1993. The officers of AGLA look forward to meeting, town. socializing and working with you during that weekend. Any Phoenix members who may need a room- mate in February, or who have info, please write to: A MEMORY OF MARK Jason Schilz, 1555 Monte Vista #109, Las Cruces, NM by Alan Ridgeley 88001. Mark Franceschini inspired love, affection, and admiration, for he had an attractive, gracious spirit. Dear AGLA: When I needed help, he was there to help me. Though I would like to express my condolences for the I lusted for his physical beauty, it was that generous loss of Mark Franceschini. 110st my lover in May, and spirit I most admired: the spirit which prompted him to can understand the pain that you feel. We both know reject the Roman Catholic Church with its infamous there are no words that can take that pain away. I only history of stifling individual freedom and rational choice. hope that time can make it less for you. Therefore, it was particularly painful to those And, as I'm sure you know, the AA Conven- of us who loved him to discover the betrayal by his tion is coming to Sacramento in April 1993. I am parents at his life's end. By willfully ignoring Mark's working on the committee here in Sacramento to help stated choice and forcing upon him the last rites of a organize it, and working as the liaison between our religion he abhorred, they supported a church noted for group here and the office in Austin. I hope that you and persecuting gay people and indeed all people who AGLA are,also planning on being a part of the Conven- choose a path outside Catholicism. They rejected his tion and want to offer my assistance in any way that I choice and spirit and instead followed the stale teach- can. ings of the theologians who insist that" salvation through c.r., Sacramento, CA the church takes precedence over all ~ consider- Editor: Thanks for the extension of courtesy. ations." I met Mark's parents and found them to be AMERICAN loving and concerned about him, so I do not think they GAY & LESBIAN committed this act of treachery from malice - rather they did it because they had been brainwashed from ATHEISTS birth by a ruthless, self-serving Catholic tradition . •••••••••• SUPPORTER ApPLICATION Nonetheless, they remain guilty of a gross betrayal of Pu:AsE 01ECI( ONE their son's spirit. They chose to conform to the ortho- NEw SlFPoRrER 0 dox tradition of totalitarianism, which states that par- R9£WAL 0 ents own their children - body and soul- and may use and abuse them, as well as love them. It is this NAME: •111 AOORESS: Arrr. #:, _ egotistical herd mentality, taught by most religions, CITy: STATE: __ ZIP :, _ that kills the spirits and violates the bodies of millions TELEPHONE:_L-J _ of children everywhere. Shame on them all! It is the duty of those who loved Mark - his $12 STUOENT'/PWA $18 SENIOR' $24 REGULAR extended family - to protect against such denial offree $36 CoUPLE $75 SUSTAINING $150 BENEFACTOR choice. Can we eventually persuade humanity to $300 CORPORATE $500 LIFE abandon its rotten habit of violating mind, body, and spirit? Certainly not as long as religion flourishes, alas ·PHOTOCOPY OF I.D. OR PROOF OF AGE REQUIRED MAKE YOURalECK OR M.O. PAYABLETO AGA INC. with the support of the very people it cynically exploits. MAIL TO : P.O. Box 66711, HOUSTON, TX 77266·6711 Not as long as we put our destiny in the hands of the religionists, a choice which Mark abhorred. May his spirit of free choice flourish as long as we live and Signature breathe! All contributions are tax deductible except for $12 annually. This reflects the cash value placed on The AG&LA Newsletter by the IRS. Bravo Marco!

American Gay & Lesbian Atheists page# 10 AIDS ISN'T OUR DEADLIEST VIRUS - young people, all of us who valued ourselves enough to HATE IS demand that our voices be heard, all of us who cherish by Barbra Streisand common decency and common sense revolted and out- The moral immune system of this country has organized, out-financed and out-thought those who been weakened and attacked, and the AIDS virus is a despise what is best about this country - our cultural, perfect metaphor for it. The malignant neglect of the racial and religious diversity. past 12 years has led to the breakdown of our country's I feel we are entering a time of healing. Finally, immune system, environmentally, culturally, politi- we will have a president whose agenda is compassion- cally, spiritually and physically. ate and caring and who I think realizes that the most What's happened these last 12 years is that cost-effective thing to do is spend money on AIDS bigotry was legitimized. Rules were made by and for research and patient care with the same sense of urgency white, Christian, heterosexual males. All the rest of us that has been devoted to the military budget or bailing were left out. And a disease that has infected far more out the failed savings-and-loans. He said that "AIDS heterosexuals than homosexuals throughout the world policy can now be made based on sound scientific and was dismissed as a gay disease with that official, public health principles - not on panic, politics and homophobic wink - implying that those deaths didn't prejudice. " matter. Now that the Cold Waris over, it's time to stop I will never forgive my fellow actor Ronald living with the paranoia of what if and start facing the Reagan for his refusal to even utter the word AIDS for reality of what is. What is, is a real crisis in education, seven years, and for blocking adequate funding for in health care, in the economy. What is, is the need for research and education, which could have saved thou- a nation to feel secure. sands of lives. Then came George Bush, once the But how can we feel secure when our teen- moderate, who, in a Faustian bargain, allied himself agers are not being educated about AIDS - when, with the same primitive, gay-bashing, immoral minor- according to the World Health Organization, by the ity. year 2000 most new HIV infections may be found in I sat and watched the Republican convention in women? And they also estimate that, by then, the utter disbelief. How could the Patrick J. Buchanans and figures could reach a staggering 40 million people the Pat Robertsons, presuming to be spokespersons for infected - 10 million of them will be orphans. God, spew such doctrines of divisiveness, intolerance In 1986, I saw a play by Larry Kramer called and inhumanity? Who is that God? "The Normal Heart." Set against the beginning of the A lot of us of different political outlook came AIDS epidemic, it's about everybody's right to love. together that week. The radical right linked the issues The main character, Ned Weeks, founded the for us and reminded us of how much was at stake as Gay Men's Health Crisis, only to be thrown out because Buchanan branded the concerns of women, gays, mi- he was too loud, too aggressive, too accusatory, too norities and Democrats as un-American. How dare he angry. call us un-American! Months later, discouraged, disheartened, sick When Buchanan thundered: "We stand with of fighting his friends as well as his enemies, sick of the George Bush against the amoral idea that gay and stupidity, worn down, he faces his lover who's dying of lesbian couples should have same standing in law as AIDS. And his lover looks up at him and says: "Please married men and women," I wondered: Who is Pat learn to fight again. Don't lose that anger. Just have a Buchanan to pronounce anybody' s love invalid? How little patience and forgiveness - for yourself as well." can he deny the profound love felt by one human being After his lover dies, Ned cries out: "Why didn't I fight for another - a love that all too often takes them to the harder! Why didn't I picket the White House all by bitter end, holding each other in hospices and hospitals myself if nobody would come?" all over this nation? We're filled with hope right now that some The far right finally went too far. The country day, somehow, we will see an end to this human looked straight into the face of hate and the majority of tragedy. But let us vow, if need be, to picket the White the people said "Enough!" Enough racism, enough House all by ourselves - until somebody comes. sexism, enough gay-bashing, name-calling and dis- crimination - enough extremism. Barbra Streisand isa director, producer, actress and singer. This article is an excerpt of remarks she made during November 1992 in Los And we elected new leaders. Women, gays, Angeles. Jews, people of color, working people, old people,

American Gay & Lesbian Atheists page # 11 BOOK REVIEW gramming , Don Sanders hopes to retire as the voice of by Terry Tryon Dial-A-Gay-Atheistandis working with Doug McNeil of Phoenix in an effort to relocate the popular line there. The Cure by Frank T. Wydra (Dell Publishing Com "It is my desire to infuse some new style and substance pany, 1992; ISBN: 0-440-21158-1; 441 pages, paper into the service and thereby increase its call counts and back) interest," says Sanders. I found The Cure, billed as "a chilling medical At this time, the Houston service is temporarily thriller," to be formulaic, the characters wooden, their out of service until such time as it can be reestablished motivations unconvincing and the basis of the fictional at its new home in Phoenix. The service's new number story absurd. Coupled with using what the author will be published in future issues of The AG&LA. Press supposed his readers would consider sexual deviance to releases will also be prepared and sent announcing the establish villainy, the claim to the contrary only high- service's new home and number. lights the hypocrisy rather than obviates the homophobia. Disgusting, depressing, silly. Why is it impor- FOOTNOTES tant? There are better thrillers. There are also more 1 Mothers Against Drunk: Drivers (MADD), in alliance with accurate pictures of AIDS. Help! officials of Harris County, erect white iron crosses alongside street corners and roadsides to mark locations of drunken driving fatalities. The crosses are built and erected by county workers at THE AG&LA ESTABLISHES the taxpayers' expense. NEW PUBLISHING SCHEDULE Beginning with the current issue, The AG&LA will assume a regular publishing schedule of 6 issues 2 During February 1992,AGLA instigated "Operation Cross Out" in which garbage bags were placed and tied over the white iron per year rather than its former 12-issue-per-year sched- roadside crosses throughout Harris County in order to call public ule. Because of a heavier work load at the national attention to their presence. offices of AGLA, no other viable alternative could be reasonably coordinated. 3 From a report by People for the American Way. Itis vitallyimportantthatreadersofTheAG&LA 4 Statistics according to Bruce Pasternack, who represents 39 continue to send newspaper and magazine clips which clients in sexual abuse lawsuits against former priests. they feel might be of interest to others. Although the newsletter production schedule is being halved, all 5 A telephone survey of 10,000 randomly selected American other aspects of the organization are being maintained. heterosexuals between the ages of 18 and 75, married and single, There is also hope for acceleration of new projects, living in major cities and in rural areas. dependent upon the involvement of more individuals who wish to see the organization flourish and prosper. Your tax-deductible donations are vitally important to the continued well-being of this unique and essential CLASSIPHONE organization. New York's Best Talking Classifieds DIAL-A-GA Y-ATHEIST IS LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME For over 12 years, Dial-A-Gay-Atheist has 970-2525 been maintained at the national office of AGLA and has $3.50 per call been programmed by national director Don Sanders. Adults Only There were also efforts in the past couple of years to expand the service to Chicago and New York City with FREE Ad Line (212) 308-2525 Don Sanders programming those two new lines on a weekly basis as well. Because oflack of proper funding by callers and the increased work load upon the pro- grammer, the two new lines were disconnected after about a year of operation. There was no lack of calls, "All religions die of one disease: that of being found however. out." -- Due to the burden of 12 years of weekly pro- John Morley

American Gay & Lesbian Atheists page # 12