March on D.C. Signals Start of Gay Politics
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GAzE is published monthly by and tor the Memphis Lesbian/Gay Community. And it's FREE! Vol. 1, No.1 FOCUSING ON THE LESBIAN/GAY COMMUNITY December, 1979 March On D.C. Signals Start Of Gay Politics · Between 50 thousand and 200 mother. Professional groups such as sonally, the lobbyists did talk to top shows a friend a picture of his or her thousand Gays and their supporters "Gays in Medicine" marched with legislative aides of Senators Baker spouse, it is considered sharing. (official estimates varied greatly) others holding signs reading "End and Sasser and Representatives When a Gay person shows a picture . marched on .Washington, D.C. on Gay Oppression . , Ford and Beard. Ford's aide reported of his or her lover, it is called Sunday, October 14 in the firsL Opposition to the March, however, that Ford is aware and supportive of flaunting." national demonstration for the civil found its way to the nation's capitol. bill H R-2074 to amend the Civil The realization of double stan rights of Lesbians and Gay men. One anti-homosexual group held a Rights Act. Beard's aide responded dards that lead to repression on an Though virtually ignored by the prayer session in the office of to the presence of the lobbyists by emotio�al level was emphasized by national and local media, the event Representative Larry McDonald (D saying "Well ...I'm shocked." He local marchers. From a practical drew delegations from all fifty states G A). The prayer group, led by anti also indicated homophobia in regard standpoint, some, like Bill, think the and several countries. The weekend Gay crusader Jerry Falwell, declared to Gay /Lesbian teachers. Indecisive most important-aspect of the March saw Gay people not only marching, October 14 a "national day of prayer opinions were expressed by aides to for Memphians was "to make our but· attending workshops, enjoying for homosexuals,'' During the Baker and Sasser. Neither were legislators realize that Memphis has concerts, and lobbying on Capitol March, a lone counter-marcher stood aware of legislation concerning Gays a large and politically influential Hill. holding a sign tqat read ''Repent or "(presently in Congressional com Gay/ Lesbian community." This Workshops, awareness meetings Perish.'' mittees). awareness is considered by activists . and open houses were in progress Praise for the March, its im The Memphis delegation to the to be the cornerstone of the new Gay from Thursday until Monday, plications and the future of Gay March brought back a "spirit of political movement of the 1980's. October 11-15. The National Third politics were the themes of the post political and social awareness about The first National March on World Lesbian/Gay Conference was March rally on the grounds of the being Gay," according to Bill Washington for Lesbian and Gay <1" .ing i cnj .eti i , t , ,e. t. ak re J h!'e.t , delE- Ptf' from Mern s. Rights has fueled the political with the March. Awareness meetings included San Francisco Supervisor Commenting on his personal movement, and it has been and open houses were held by such Harry Britt, who replaced slain realization of "just how oppressed speculated by March organizers that supportive groups as Parents and Supervisor Harvey Milk; Troy Gay people really are," Bill recalled a second one will be held before the Friends of Gays and the Perry, founder of the Metropolitan the words of a speaker at the post 1980 presidential election. e Metropolitan Community Church. A Community Church; Eleanor Smeal, March rally: "When a heterosexual Saturday night concert, featuring president of the National the Great American Yankee Organization for Women; and Freedom Band from Los Angeles, Representative Ted Weiss (D-NY), a Church Group Harasses MCC founder Troy Perry, en sponsor of House bill HR-2074 to tertainer Robin Tyler and others, . amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to Suburban Bookstore was held at the Sylvan Theater near include homosexuals. Entertainment the Washington Monument. included rock singer Tom Robinson Members of Raleigh's Broadmoor complained further to Mesler's Sunday's briefing for marchers on and singers Meg Christian, Holly Baptist Church have removed The employer and to the home office of the Washington Mall began at 10 Near and Robin Tyler. Joy of Lesbian Sex and The Joy of Waldenbooks. May threatened in his a.m. and the March was underway Marchers carried the cause of Gay Gay Sex from the bookshelves of conversations "to mobilize the some two hours later. Marchers were rights to their Congresspeople on Walden books at Raleigh Springs community.'' orderly and enthusiastic as they Monday. About thirty Tennesseans Mall. According to Walden books May's letter to Waldenbooks' chanted, sang, carried banners and (the Tennessee delegation to the Manager Cory Mesler, members of President Harry Hoffman resulted in enjoyed the support of people from March numbered between 100 and the church have been calling three or the removal of the books. Hoffman all walks of life. An elderly marcher 150) lobbied on Capitol Hill. four times daily demanding that the responded to May's letter with an carried a sign proclaiming that she Although no Senator or books be removed. apology and assurance that the was an "out-of-the-closet" grand- Representative was reached per- Some of the church's members books would be placed behind the visited Waldenbooks during the past counter. Hoffman then ordered Mr. several weeks and harassed the Mesler to remove the books from store's employees, but Mr. Mesler public display. Here WeAre! had stated that he would not remove· Local activists have contacted a book "just because someone asks" Hoffman, protesting his action. As the decayed decade of the like to advertise with us or send us a him to. Memphis Gay community leaders seventies slips away, we are proud to donation, please write to GAzE, P.O. Broadmoor claims that it suc are urging Gays to write letters of bring you the first issue of GAzE. Box 3038, Memphis, TN 38103. ceeded in having Goldsmith's at protest to: Harry Hoffman, Memphis' Gay community We are YOUR newspaper. If you Raleigh Springs Mall take Gay President, Waldenbooks 201 High newspaper is published by and for have articles, features, or news items oriented books from the shelves of its Ridge Road, Stamford, CT 06904. the Memphis Gay/ Lesbian com for us, please write. If you know of book department. After complaining Members of Broadmoor Church b munity. an organization or business that to Goldsmith's, Broadmoor says had been oycotting the store and GAzE is supported entirely by would like to be listed in our ''Gay that the book department manager writing letters to the Connecticut advertising and private donations. Memphis" directory, please let us removed the books and said that he home office of Waldenbooks . A Please remember us when you are know. The listing is free. If you know was "unaware" that the books were . spokesperson for the church reports looking for a charity; we believe it of any special events you would like on the shelves. Goldsmith's, that Broadmoor had contacted other M begins at home. (One dollar from listed in our "Coming Up!" section, however, has refused to talk with churches in the Northeast emphis each of our readers would keep us in let us know. It is also free. e GAzE about Broadmoor's claim. area urging them to join in the print for four months.) If you would Broadmoor Pastor Jack May, protest. after talking with Mr. Mesler, (cont. on page 3) tivists · having already "rocked the boat." Oppressive hatred, however, Tennessee grows and festers when left un Gazing confronted. We can no longer live under a sense of false contentment, Lobbies On for those who oppose our very Why Rock The Boat? existence_ (many of them actually Capitol Hill advocate the death penalty for "Why rock the boat?" is the Groups such as Christian Voice. homosexuals) are quietly gathering On Monday, October 15, still filled question often asked 6y non-activist Moral Majority, Religious Round arms. with the spirit generated by Sun Gays. Even those who have lost jobs table, and The National Christian We are not safe, inside the closet day's March, Tennesseans visited or suffered police harassment Action Coalition are organizing vast or out. Our oppressors have friends the offices of Representative Bill because of sexual orientation often numbers of conservative-thinking in local, state, and national Bonner, who represents the Nash condemn political activism. citizens in an effort to legislate government. Georgia's Represen ville area; Representative Robin But the direction our society is against Gay people. tative Larry McDonald has m Beard, whose district covers part of taking is reason enough for Gay Christian Voice and other anti troduced an anti-Gay bill in southern and most of East Mem activism. Jerry Falwell, whose anti homosexual mobilization groups are Congress. phis; Representative Harold Ford, Gay campaign surpasses even Anita planning an April, 1980 anti-Gay The Hitler-like methods used by whose district includes Memphis' Bryant's, raises $1 million a week demonstration in Washington. These these "Christian" groupies are center city; and Tennessee Senators through direct mail and television groups are expecting to draw over a devious beyond imagination, and Howard Baker and Jim Sasser. appeals to finance his oppressive million demonstrators, and their they can do us more harm than we It was apparent that most of activities. His supporters reach to expectations are not the least bit dare anticipate. Before we accuse our Tennessee's legislators have little every comer of the U.S.