FREE! News Of Interest To The Lesbian/Gay Community Vol. 1, No. 5 Memphis, Tennessee April, 1980 Meeting Draws Support From Region Keynote Speakers Announced For Conference MEMPHIS--An April 5th Leonard Matlovich. Writer and done today and tomorrow in the Gay The Conference theme will be regional planning meeting for publisher Barbara Grier, who wrote rights movement. "Aware and Active," reflecting the Conference '80, the Fifth Annual for years under the name "Gene Various workshop topics were tone of the Lesbian/Gay movement Southeastern Conference of Damon," is co-founder of Naiad discussed briefly, and topics fo r in the 1980's. The theme and logis­ Lesbians and Gay Men, brought Press, the largest Lesbian-feminist workshops will be drawn to a large tics of the Conference are geared to people together from all over the publishing company in the country. extent from evaluations of previous be non-exclusionary in nature. Southeast to help plan and organize Lea Hopkins, written about in the SE Conferences. Free space and Two local fu ndraisers have been Essence the Conference, which will be held April issue of Magazine, is spontaneous workshops will occur announced for Conference '80. A August 1-3 at the Rivermont. author of Tm No t Crazy, Just also. Films will be shown "variety show" will be held April 24 The Planning Committee Different. Leonard Matlovich, well­ throughout the Conference. A dance (Thursday) at the Pendulum, 92 N. · decided on three keynote speakers -­ known for his discrimination and a concert will be held, but Avalon, and a yard sale has been Barbara Grier, Lea Hopkins and difficulty with the U.S. Air Force, performers have not yet been scheduled for Saturday, May 3, from will speak about what needs to be announced. 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 155 N. Bellevue (rain date, May 10). Anyone wishing to donate articles for the May 3rd yard sale may FM-1 00 Invites Response deliver them to 155 N. Bellevue or call the Gay Switchboard, 726- GAYY (7 p.m.-1 a.m. nightly). A To DJ's Remarks recent fu ndraiser at The Listening Room raised about $100 for the Conference. MEMPHI S - -In a locally problems, needs and interest of FCC Broadcast Complaint Division The cost of Conference '80 could unprecedented move, WMC FM-100 significant elements within their about the Ron Jordan show on FM- be as much as $10,000, planners say. · has offered members of the Tennes­ broadcast service areas. In 1976, a 100, and TGCHR's mediacommittee Conference organizers in other see Gay Coalition for Human Rights list of 19 community elements was believes that numerous complaints Southeastern cities will sponsor ., -- . - ' �r. Memphi:.. the u1Jp0��t.u:ty t� esta Hs. e i u .in h(' b 1\1: --- Risers alsO:. "" oet:u .ceceivedOffer s h .a) n - - 1·ecord rebuttals to DJ Ron Jordan's community. The TGCHR in contributed to the response from the have ttom .rt�•attta; - stereotypical characterizations of Memphis recently contacted the station. Chapel Hill, L ou isville , New "Bruce Puce" and "Ben Gay." Orleans, Huntsville, Nash ville, Jordan has recently caused Clarksville, Athens (GA) and concern among area Gays by telling Buses· To Leave From Memphis others. "fag jokes" on the air. (Recently, .Jordan said, "Do you know what they call a Gay bar with no tables ERA March On Chicago and chairs? -- A fruit stand.") WMC's actions may have resulted in part from the March 12 meeting in washington of the Federal Communications Commis­ sion in which broadcasters were ordered to listen to all groups that are significant elements within their service areas, including Lesbians and Gays and the handi­ capped. Acting on a petition filedin 1977 by the National Gay Task Force and 143 Gay organizations from all 50 states, the Commission ruled that broadcasters must listen to the concerns of Gay organiza­ MEMPHIS--Buses are being tions to determine what community ,,,,,. needs should be addressed in pro­ sponsored from Memphis to the .··: ..... ·.-;_.:.; gramming. National March for ERA Ratifica­ .... The Commission ruled that tion in Chicago on Saturday, May "· stations are not obligated to seek out 10. At least one bus, and sponsors Gay or handicapped groups. These are hoping for more, will leave from - or other significant community Memphis State University at 8 p.m. groups must make themselves on Friday, May 9, and will return on known to a broadcaster. The broad­ Sunday at 11 a.m., and the cost will Local organizers are urging all caster then decides whether the be $40. Any additional cost will be push for passage of the ERA by the who can to reserve a space on the element is signific'ant in the minimal because lodging will not be Illinois legislature. bus -- women and men. Donations community. Once a broadcaster needed. Reservations may be made The marchers will assemble at 9:30 a.m., May 10, on Columbus and sponsors for others are needed decides that the Gay community, for by calling the ACLU at 521-9875or Drive between Monroe and Jackson to ensure a significant showing example, is significant in its service NOW at 458-1661. of the Streets and will march south on from the Memphis area. Local NOW area, the situation will be obligated The push for passage crucial one Columbus Drive to the Roosevelt contact, Betty Irwin, emphasizes to contact representatives of the ERA in Illinois is a left 10 Drive en d of Grant Park. A rally will the importance of Illinois as a "key Gay community in future ascertain­ because only 24 months are · more states. be held at the Old Band Shell Area state" in ratifying the Equal Rights ment surveys. acquire passage by 3 fr o·n following the March. Participants Amendment and urges local support The FCC requires broadcast Buses will be carrying people Chicago �o are urged to dress in �hite. of the March. license holders to ascertain the all across the nation to 0 (ifiZirtG � A DangerOLis--��� .Situation By Bill Johnson This editorial started out to be fu rther official abuse and titled "B arbara Vandemark's harassment -- and all because you Memphis" and was to criticize the were in the wrong place at the wrong tactics used by a neighborhood time. group to save their neighborhood And the beat goes on. Last week fr om "deterioration" by attempting while having breakfast at the Dutch to close a bar and restaurant Pancake House, I overheard two catering to a Gay clientelle. men at the table next to mine talking But I changed my mind. It is about the "porno-ring" recently useless at this point to fu rther uncovered in the Memphis area elaborate on the use of homophobia involving men and ·adolescent boys. as a tool against the Gay The conversation turned immediate­ community; we all know that the ly to "queers" and how we are threat of the word homosexual can always raping little boys and round up homophobics to rally · murdering them. (Lesbians are an around any flagpole. And we all entirely different story with that know the problems we face. type of mentality because they too any supposed injustice. Memphis with Robert Loves, too many of It is impossible to number the frequently enjoy the fa ntasy of two Judge Robert Love believes that a whom believe that Gay is guilty, ways they can trap us. Most Gay women "doing it" with each other.) I person in his court is guilty until regardless. people cannot stand up and fight was reminded of a friend's story of proven innoc�nt. What a trio they (I was smarter than I thought back; the threat of job loss prevents being confronted with the question, make! when, in the sixth grade, I refused to that. It is devasting to plead a case "Don't you feel guilty about John Would Howard Baker be in pledge allegiance to the flag of a to a homophobic judge; "queer" is a Gacy?" to which he replied, "No, do office if he had a male lover? How republic that proclaimed "liberty sentence that passes all others. And you feel guilty about Charles would Robin Beard feel if he were and justice for all." Believe me, there it can tear your soul out to hear a Manson?" Gay, had been arrested in a Gay bar was neither liberty nor justice for me police officer stand up in court and Senator Howard Baker believes for "public drunkeness" after two after that.) tell blatant lies about you -- you that Gay rights matters should be .club sodas, and then face in court a Whenever homophobia is used remember that officer, the one who "dealt with on an individual basis." judge who just happened to be one of to injure our Lesbian sisters. and threw you into the back of that Representative Robin Beard the men I overheard in the Dutch our Gay brothers, no matter how squad car yelling "faggot" and believes that Lesbians and Gay men Pancake House last week? And the "liberal" the users may claim �o be, a �a� �way to a destiny of have legal channels and recourse for judicial system is full to the brim very dangerous situation is created. ... Until we are able to be ounselvesin ' .. the light of day rather than the way­ others would have us be, there is no liberty for us. Until we are protected A 6-Month Anniversary By Marcia Kearn ... by the laws of the United States, there will be no justice for us. The situation is becoming more and The Memphis Chapter of the TGCHR is responsible, also, fo r county mayors, the city council more dangerous.