IN Step • LGBI Wisconsin's Community Newspaper • Founded in 1984 Tune 17, 1999 ' Vol. XVI, Issue XII • $2.95 outside of Wisconsin SECTION ONE: NEWS: Hearing for Milwaukee D.P. Registry Set PLUS: Danny Glover to Head AIDS Walk * ARCW Opens Madison Office Quips and Quotes • Paul Berge Cartoon • Straight Answers• David Runyon • letters • The Latest Dish sEcriolv Q: PREVIEW: iili#h Tai= z??? PLUS: THE 100 TOP GAY NOVELS ART REVIEW: Randy lames 'Butch-O-Matic • INK: Tipping the Velvet S =P Ethan Green • The (lassies •The Calendar • Keepin' IN Step with Jamie • The Guide Watch Out Martha Stewart! Christopher Lowell has... 4 ..,, ,44441, '4;4 / See Ow Inteiview in Section Q! a". Danny Clover to Lead 999 AIDS • Walk Page 2 IN Impersonator Charles Pierce Dies Los Angeles — Charles Pierce, proba- Milwaukee D.P. Registry Hearing Set For June 24 bly the country's best-known female imper- Milwaukee — Members and allies of Milwaukee's LGBT businesses to provide benefits to registered couples. However, sonator, has died of cancer at the age of 73. community are urged to attend a June 24 Common Council companies that offer domestic partner benefits to their employ- Pierce, who entertained with vivid por- hearing to show support for a proposed domestic partnership ees and customers could use the registry to independently veri- registry ordinance. The Council's Judiciary and Legislation trays of Mae West, Bette Davis, Tallulah Committee will hear testimony from supporters and opponents Bankhead, Joan Crawford and Jeanette Mac- of the legislation and will vote to determine whether or not to "Our community must mobilize Donald, gained mainstream attention as what support the ordinance. "Our community must mobilize to attend this hearing," to attend this hearing." else — a professional female impersonator said Patrick Flaherty, co-chair of the Domestic Partnership Task — in the film version of Torch Song Trilogy. Force. "This is the best opportunity we have to show the wide- fy committed same-gender relationships. Some Milwaukee Pierce was especially noted for his sharp spread community support that exists for the registry." Oppo- companies, including Wells Fargo (formerly Norwest), have wit and his gift at rendering the women he por- nents of the registry are expected to turn out in full force. indicated that they would use the registry to verify domestic In addition to attending the hearing, supporters of the reg- partnership. trayed because of what he once described as his istry are asked to call the Common Council at (414) 286-2221. The Judiciary and Legislation Committee hearing on the "plastic face" which allowed him to take on Callers can leave a message for their alderperson asking him or domestic partnership registry ordinance will take place in Room uncanny facial resemblances to his characters. her to vote in favor of the ordinance. 301-B at City Hall, 200 E. Wells Street. The hearing will begin The Domestic Partnership Registry Ordinance would allow at 9:00 a.m. and may last for several hours. Supporters are asked Chicago Judge same-gender couples to publicly pledge their commitment to to plan to attend for however long they can. each other by voluntarily registering their relationship with Mil- Contact the Domestic Partnership Task Force at (414) 225- Reassigned for waukee's City Clerk. All costs of the registry would be paid by 1621 for more information about the registry and hearing. the couples through a $30 registry fee. Bias in Lesbian The ordinance would not require the city or Milwaukee Adoptions Chicago — The Illinois Appellate Court formally rebuked Cook County Judge Susan Danny Glover to Lead McDunn for anti-gay bias in an adoption case involving lesbians. After the appeals court's decision, Chief 1999 AIDS Walk Wisconsin Judge Donald O'Connell relieved McDunn of her Milwaukee — Actor and social because of an unwarranted and danger- courtroom duties and assigned her to a non- activist Danny Glover will lead this year's ous complacency. I will challenge the judicial job in a municipal court judge's offices. 10th anniversary AIDS Walk Wisconsin people of Wisconsin to walk with me and In making the reassignment of McDunn, by serving as its honorary chair. Glover is to work harder to defeat AIDS." slated to help recruit walkers throughout The executive director of the AIDS Judge O'Connell said it was necessary "to the summer and will attend the state's Resource Center of Wisconsin praised promote public confidence in the integrity largest AIDS fundraiser on Sunday, Sep- Glover's commitment. "He's a powerful and impartiality of the judiciary and to tember 12 in Milwaukee. advocate," said Doug Nelson. "He's seri- Glover is well known for his leading ous about AIDS, he's correct that AIDS ensure the perception and reality of the high- roles in the recent movie Beloved in which complacency is a big problem, and he est standards of conduct." he costarred with Oprah Winfrey, in Steven will be a terrific motivator for the 10th McDunn had tried to block three separate Spielberg's The Color Purple, the Academy anniversary AIDS Walk." adoptions involving Award-winning Places in the Heart and in Nelson added that HIV infection lesbian parents by delay- the mega-hit Lethal Weapon film series, in rise in Wisconsin and rates continue to Donny Glover ing reviews of the cases and ignoring state which he costarred with Mel Gibson. that the protease inhibitor drug therapy child care agencies that had recommended Throughout his career he has been a that was extending the lives of many, are Breakfast and the opening ceremony, and the adoptions be approved. strong advocate for human rights and now, regrettably, failing for up to one half will kick-off the expected 10,000 walkers helping youth. of the people with HIV and AIDS taking during a red ribbon cutting with other She also took the extraordinary step of "I come to the AIDS Walk for the the drug treatments. Wisconsin dignitaries. He follows a distin- contacting an anti-gay organization and invit- serious purpose of intensifying the fight "As a celebrity who is committed to guished list of honorary chairs including ed them to intervene legally in the case. AIDS, Danny Glover will inspire walkers Bette Midler, Vice President Al Gore and Immediately after the formal rebuke, the for this phenomenal event," Nelson said. Tipper Gore and Earvin "Magic" Johnson. "I come to the AIDS "He will bring a powerful message espe- To register for AIDS Walk Wisconsin, appeals court also promptly used its authority cially for communities of color where the call (800) 348-WALK, or register online to approve all the adoptions and apologized Walk for the serious AIDS epidemic is intensifying." at www.arcw.org. Bus transportation will for what it called an "inexcusable injustice" Nelson added that with the African be provided to the AIDS Walk from all purpose of intensify- American state of AIDS emergency, parts of the state. Pledge walkers will gain the women hod experienced in the courts. which was declared in 1998 by the Con- free admission to the Indian Summer fes- ing the fight against gressional Black Caucus, a portion of tival which is also being held on Summer- Black Pride AIDS Walk proceeds will be earmarked fest grounds the day of AIDS Walk. AIDS in Wisconsin." for minority community-based organiza- Festival Draws tions providing AIDS services. In total, at Record Numbers against AIDS in Wisconsin," Glover said. least 17 Wisconsin benefiting agencies "I worry that a new generation of Ameri- will be recipients of AIDS Walk funds. Washington — Organizers estimated can youth are at high risk for HIV Glover will speak at the AIDS Walk that some 25,000 people turned out during the 9th annual Black lesbian and Gay Pride Festival in the nation's capital over the Memorial Day holiday weekend — doubling Dane County Moves Toward Domestic Partnerships last year's record. by Mike Leon fairness. LGBT couples of the same sex in a committed rela- The event drew Mayor Anthony Williams, of the IN Step staff tionship deserve health care benefits. Leadership on this issue is coming from all quarters, as well it should," said Supervisor who earlier had proclaimed "Black Lesbian Madison — In an atmosphere of tepid opposition and Tom Powell representing the 5th District. widespread calls for basic fairness, Dane County appears poised and Gay Pride Weekend" in the District. Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk's domestic partner- Mayor Williams addressed the crowd and hip initiative has aroused opposition from some conservatives, "Domestic partnership coverage is just a later stayed for a tour of booths and exhibits. but it is comparatively gliding through the hoops on the Coun- question of basic fairness, LGBT couples ty Board. - One of the newest groups participating in Reflecting a friendly political climate toward LGBT rights, this year's festival was a PFLAG (Parents & of the same sex in a committed relation- most observers here expect the initiative to pass the full Coun- Friends of Lesbians and Gays) for African- ship deserve health care benefits..." ty Board easily. The cost to the county is expected to be slight as only a American parents. The new PFLAG group is small fraction of the county's full-time employees are expected to extend health insurance coverage to same sex couples as part informally called For Those We Love and is to utilize domestic partnership health care coverage. of union contracts to be negotiated later this year. aimed at offering a more comfortable environ- The Personnel and Finance Committee voted 4-2 on June ment for black parents to participate in PFLAG. 14 to offer the domestic partnership coverage to same sex cou- ples, and not unmarried heterosexual couples.