State University of New York College at Buffalo - Buffalo State College Digital Commons at Buffalo State The aM deline Davis Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, The iF fth rF eedom Transgender Archives of Western New York
10-1-1975 Fifth rF eedom, 1975-10-01 The aM ttachine Society of the Niagara Frontier
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Recommended Citation The aM ttachine Society of the Niagara Frontier, "Fifth rF eedom, 1975-10-01" (1975). The Fifth Freedom. 26. http://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/fifthfreedom/26
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PUBLICATION OF THE BUFFALO GAY COMMUNITY OCTOBE R 1975
PeopleThe ForgotTIME £%%*-■> -%^ % !<■■ »: """ , v f _ ci # i#\ -/ £
\ ca"B During the first week of September, millions of people across the country were ex- pressing reactions ranging from heartening joy to shocked revulsion. The occasion? S:l A PROTOTYPE BOMBER? 6 TIME magazine's cover - with an imposing photo of Air Force RESTRUCTURING THE SEXES 7 T/Sgt. Lenny Matlovich and the big, bold words "I AM A HOMO- HEPATITIS THE NEW YD? 8 SEXUAL" . My first reaction was, THE RUNNING COMEDY 10 "Wowi The National Gay Task LONGEST Force must've pulled off a YOU AND ERA major tour de force." But that 14 reaction was short lived, as I finished reading the cover BODY BEAUTIFUL 15 story. A confusing presenta- tion of token positive ges- IN RESPONSE / PROFILE 17 tures, interlaced with lan- guage designed to titillate middle America's homophobia, EDITORIAL/MAILBAG. .4 ENTERTAIN the article to be faulted - is as much for its errors in omis- MENT.. 12 POETRY.. 18 SHORT sion as those of commission. TIME sensationalized SHOTS.. 20 CLASSIFIED..23 those aspects gay life of STH FREEDOM: 2000. COLLECTIVE which ignorant moralists are Circulation STAFF: Benji, Greg fond of pointing to as totally Bodekor, Dorm Holley, Grant King, Heather Koeppel, Don Michaels, representative of our life- Jayme Spyridon, Mickie Williams, Dane Winters, John Yanson. King style, while failing to in- COVER: Grant CONTRIBUTORS: Rawson C. Crawshaw,lll, clude sufficient, valid evid- Madeline Davis, Brian MacArthur, S.O.S. Writers Collective, ence that documents the exis- Stephen J. Vogel. MAILING ADDRESS: Box 975, Ellicott Station, 14205. STH is tance of an overwhelming ma- Buffalo,N.Y. FREEDOM published at 1350 Main St., jority of gays who defy rigid Buffalo,N.Y. 14209, Phone (716) 881-5335, and printed by classification. October Graphics, 1207 Hertel Aye., 8uffa10,N.Y.14216. Permis- Indicative of sion required for reproduction of material. DEADLINE: 10th of TIME's Advertising treatment is one of the story each month. rates on request. Vol. 5, #8. sections titled "The Gay Cul- ture: Fast and Loose." The title sets the tone, as TIME rambles on about bars being custom tailoring in suede and leather for those "looking for action" clothing bags sandals accessory items and representing "a sexual - - - marketplace." The writers of the TIME article obviously used the August '75 issue of Human Behavior - which con- HUetttotott %tathtv& tained a well-written article 77 Allen Street • Buffalo, New York 14202 on gay bars - as a source of reference. But, TIME care- 882 -5633 fully omitted one valuable con- clusion made by Human Behav- imported ior on just what role gay bars featuring : candies do play: "Most predominantly herbal teas and imported bulk coffee or exclusively homosexual peo- ple still do not go to bars... The need to search out and be with one's own kind," and not the need for sex, "is the most fundamental reason for the ex- istence and increasing popular- ity of different gay bars State Photo Shop which are at present the major social institutions where peo- ple can be honest about an im- FILM WEEKDAYS portant aspect of human sexual 585 POTOMAC and emotional nature." 10—6 Lesbians are given a CAMERAS BFLO.N.Y. 14222 token few paragraphs, but the 716-885-4007 SATURDAY thrust of the article revolves nnnnrßO , un around gay males. Whether PROCESSING 10-4 CONT. P. 5 EDITORIAL We, the editorial collec- use of censorship. To do sion that comes to our atten- tive of the sth Freedom, feel otherwise would not only close tion, even if it comes from that Charles Hope's letter all avenues for discussion and within the community. (elsewhere Any in this issue) best learning, but would say, in form of sexism that our read- represents one particular re- essence, that our viewpoints ers present to us, an have becomes sponse we recieved from are the only ones worth read- important issue. It our readers. is our re- His letter re- ing. sponsibility to our to flects an readers opinion that perhaps Censorship implies that present these incidents, and stems from a only one misunderstanding viewpoint should be all (or at least a representa- of our editorial policy. We permitted, to the exclusion of tive sample of) responses to now hope to clear up any mis- others. We constantly com- them. It is to conceptions of our other unrealistic any plain (and rightly so) of the say that only straights need readers may have. censorship, lack of understand- to deal with these problems. Freedom ing, and bad The sth is an press gays re- We open forum It believe that debate, magazine. is ceive elsewhere (see TO OUR even when it extends our to to radi- policy print any arti- READERS on coverage we re- cal disagreement, is an essen- cle, which is both intelli- ceived in TIME). Should we tial part of expression, gently and reasonably pre- then turn around thus to ignore and the title: sth Freedom. We sented, and which deals with censor those within and with- could not be a and out collective some aspect of the gay commun- the gay community, who con- believe otherwise. This maga- ity. In keeping with this tinue to deal with us, but zine is your magazine. We are policy, we, as a collective, seek to point out our faults? anxious to publish thoughts have an obligation to keep an It is foolish to say, absolute- and ideas that reflect the gay open mind on all issues, re- ly, that gays do not harass community as a whole, as well gardless of our personal views, straights that sexism and as those who deal with the gay even if some of these issues racism, on-any level, do not community on a regular basis. seem negative to the community. exist in the gay community. This,however, is impossible If a problem exists (or seems As a publication by (and without feedback from you, our to) it cannot be ignored. for) the gay community, we can- readers. We are waiting to Therefore we try to avoid the not ignore any form of oppres- hear from you. FROM OURMAILBAG Dear sth Freedom: I read it (or rather, saw the time, taking showers and sleep- You can't imagine how sur- photo) in Gay Community News. ing together, the other half prized I was when I was told Credit where credit is due! cruising around those by friends at G.A.A. here that in tight In love, sexy uniforms "someone who looked - and getting a lot like Jim Saslow,N.Y.C. paid it, too. mean, mc" was on the cover of some for I • sarge, I'm gay, and late- magazine from Dear well, Buffalo! Friends, ly been hearing I thought you might want I've that In connection with Lenny lots gay to hear from mc, as I am there're of men in in Matlovich's case, and other today's Army, maybe 10-2 fact the prototype for current 0%, the civil rights and lib- more inside than out maybe, balletic fairy your on "Chris- erties cases involving gay and the topher Street '75" cover (Sep- in that brass knows but people the armed forces, doesn't do anything about it. tember issue). The year be- to make I'd like "a modest pro- I read in this one magazine, fore in the Boston Gay Pride posal" that young gay - men for instance, how Parade, I was dressed in a and women who have they're hip no desire to going on similar, black outfit, and got or intention to serve in what's on and off the the bases, yet they tell the photographed by local network military go as individuals to MP's not to, bust or even take TV doing an absolutely gauche their local Army, Navy, Air "tour jete". Force, or recruiting names of any of the hundreds Marines of soldiers, of every rank, Anyway, it's really and give the on nice office soldier they see every night in every to see my little private fan- duty something the like follow- of the bars tasy adding something to our ing one gay near every rap: military installation in whole, collective gay culture, (In instance, young this this a amazing thru the medium of your maga- man is sarge, country. Well, the speaking) "Look, just the zine. Thanks for giving mc I really want to join Army sounds like the Army kind of life for my an opportunity to contribute finally give greatest because it'd mc of guy, and to all of us. It's really a the to kind I'm really chance become a real to join. moving honor... man you know, gung-ho Please, a "man among sarae, puleeeze." The slogan, by the men."- mean, way, I I I'd be surround- This sort of thing might took from the carried placard ed by all those fine upstand- give the soldier on duty some- by an unidentifiable dyke in ing macho thousands types, by thing to think about. (By the the 1974 Worcester, Massachu- of gorgeous hunks oops, I way, it's more or less what setts (I was) naked- half think it Parade. mean "ideals" - the many young men, gay and 4 MAILBAG, cont. The reasons given was that it was deemed necessary that I be straight, used to say to the separated from another inmate, physical and psychological ex- who is also gay and just hap- pens to be my aminers for Selective Service, 'lover', so the real reason left to the in order not to be is drafted. imagination. This But in this case, of course, is not an isolated it would be entirely volun- incident. The admini- stration has several I 1 5 S:1 A PROTOTYPE BOMBER? NO! S-l is...A BILL: News out of Milwaukee was the "To codify, revise, and reform first major gay publication to by DON MICHAELS title 18 of the United States warn of the perils of this Code; to make appropriate a- bill (which at the time was acts, as is the case in so mendments to the Federal Rules S-1400), and rightly so. Scat- many local laws. Everyone's of Criminal Procedure; to tered throughout S-l are up- affected by this one! So when make conforming amendments to wards of 30 provisions which does one "solicit" (ask)? After criminal provisions of other endanger the forward strides you're home and behind closed titles of the United States made in civil liberties in re- doors? Presumably by that time Code; and for other purposes." cent times. Through obscure, the asking stage is over with! (italics ours) shifty language various sec- Among the most alarming Better known as the "Crim- tions of S-l yield tremendous features of S-l are the pro- power government to inal Justice Reform Act of to the that the gov- arbitrary capri- visions would arm 1975," S-l is a monstrous, 753 exercise and with extensive power that ernment page bill that's soon to come cious control over those to stifle and intimidate move- before the U.S. Senate for de- would dare criticize its ac- ments, such as ours, that agi- engage liberation. S-l is the first tions or in "unaccept- tate for social change and attempt to revise the U.S. able" behavior. equal justice. The sections for the of Criminal Statutes since the Save omission on wiretapping extend the gov- late 1800's. These statutes a statute on consensual sodomy, ernment's power to such an ex- codify your behavior and mine the "Sex Offenses" section tent that wiretaps could be just of on about everything imag- falls short an enlightened used for harrassment and whole- inable from attacking a for- approach. (After studying sale spying. Sections dealing other of eign power to sex offenses. sections S-l, the sus- or destruc- that's with the "overthrow And where we come in! picion arises that the omis- tion of the government" and S-l's section on consensual sodomy pro- "sex sion of "physical of a offenses" surprise for scriptions simply interference" holds a was a gross government function are so us all. Its strong feature oversight the of ill- is on parts defined that even the most that it would remove, complete- and Klein- mssrs. Mitchell basic rights any of constitutional ly, penalties for consen- dienst.) Its language in de- are subject to sual so abuse. And in sodomy. Having a Federal fining sex 'offenses' is the dealing ambiguous that produces section with "riot Criminal Code that excludes it offenses" a gathering of 5 or proscriptions apprehension of much lee- on consensual too more persons could be charged sodomy would serve as a strong, way for arbitrary interpreta- with rioting under a defini- for tions law enforcers. Age positive model penal codes by tion that is so open-ended on the state level. It would of consent is set at 16, and serve as leverage that's always an issue open to that arbitrary enforcement additional become the rule. for gay activists seeking to debate (Hawaii recently could well goes and on, ad repeal their state laws govern- changed age of consent to S-l on its And the most alarm- ing private, sex 14, patterning after Model nauseum. consensual ing thing about this whole acts. For all and pur- Penal Code recommendations); intents bill is it might pass the it would that the and, in rape and sexual as- that poses seem It be coming up gay community should be rally- sault, that proverbial 'he' Senate! will soon for consideration. It is ing around S-l urging person is still exempted if and dangers to their living and too fraught with Senators to support it. in a "husband wife" rights to But, not happening situation. our constitutional that's on the amending process and there's good reason for- The sections on "Dissem- rely it. It The section on "Sex Offenses" inating Obscene Material" and to right all the wrongs. takes up slightly more than 3 on "Disorderly Conduct" are must be defeated. As gays, we pages. The other 750 pages filled with naive assumptions constitute a community of would make a shambles of our about the make-up of society, people seeking equal rights, nation's Bill of Rights! as well as language that is so justice, and freedom from op- The history of S-l traces vague as to make both sections pression. Our gains have been back to 1966, when then Pres- patently absurd and impossible accomplished through long, ident Johnson appointed a com- to apply to real situations. hard-fought battles. But we off mission to recommend reform of The obscene materials section cannot afford to balance the U.S. Criminal laws. In incorporates the worst of the S-l's encroachments on our 1971 the commission issued its most recent Supreme Court de- civil liberties with what final draft, which was then cisions, leaving the defini- would surely prove to be an generally accepted by both lib- tion of what is "obscene" up empty gain. eral and conservative groups to that of the "average person, We must stress the impor- as being a decent compromise. applying contemporary commun- tance of YOU letting your Sen- But then the Nixon administra- ity standards." (Will the ators and Representatives know tion's "Bobbsey Twins of law real "average" person please that you're opposed to this and Order" John Mitchell and stand up?!) The disorderly bill. Write or call your Sen- Richard Kleindienst- got hold conduct offenses are so open ators (in New York - Javits of it, revised it to-their re- to individual interpretation, and Buckley), referring to S-l. pressive tastes and submitted as to make them ludicrous. In (In the House of Representa- it to the Senate, where it has this section soliciting for tives the bill numbers to re- undergone little revision "a sexual act...in a public fer to are HR 333 and HR 3907). since and stands now as Senate place" is an offense that ap- S-l will be up for con- Bill 1. plies to all. No distinction sideration in the Senate very Nearly 2 years ago, GPU is made for "deviate" sexual CONT. P. 22 6 REVIEW by STEPHEN J. VOGEL RESTRUCTURING THE SEXES or DEEPER INTO MYRA as she says, "no irrelevant prerequisites as an attractive film was made in Hollywood", wife, a set of terriers, a and the pullulating loins of Chinese catering service, and men had yet to engulf our un- a home in the San Fernando dernourished planet with the Valley. But of course, in last fatal wave of hungry Myra must revolt against progeny. time, creature of complacency, In both novels her plan this for saving Hollywood is and in doing so she stages a essen- suitably tially reactionary, a return spectacular comeback. to the to the L.B.Mayer dream factory Trying summarize of MYRON almost as dif- of Andy Hardy movies and 'For- plot is ties service comedies, like ficult as extricating a live mastodon from La Brea Tar Myra's favorite, FOUR JILLS the Suffice it to that AND A JEEP. Her design Pits. say for act rescuing the human race, how- through an of fictional ever, though no less grandiose, legerdemain Myron is transpor- is far more radical in its in- ted in space from his living- tentions, entailing, as it room, where he had been watch- does, "the reduction of world ing the umpteenth re-run of population through a complete MGM's SIREN OF BABYLON to the Gore Vidal, in an act of change in man's sexual image". Hollywood set of the film, and, deiform benevolence, has re- "In MYRA BRECKINRIDGE this in time, from 1973 to 1948, the suscitated his great satirical vast socio-psychological con- year of the filming. creation, Myra Breckinridge, cept could be reduced to the Alice-like, he encounters lost to the world since the simple formula: "bugger the a number of curious characters, final chapter of the 1968 studs". And, indeed, in the mostly hapless TV viewers of novel which bears her illus- single, memorable instance the film, like himself, who trious name. Those who read where it was applied, with the came to the SIREN set in the that popular work, or saw the aid of a large dildo, this same mysterious fashion. Among literal-minded and heavy- formula proved highly satis- them are a male hairdresser handed film version (which factory. In MYRON the plans named Maude and a randy cook only a film-freak like Myra for the restructuring of the called Whittaker Kaiser, who herself could love) will re- sexes go even farther, and in- bear a strange (and surely co- call that the voluptuous volve the transformation of incidental) resemblance to transsexual (nee Myron Breck- the aforementioned studs into Vidal's literary and video ri- inridge) , whose stated goal what Myra calls "fun-loving vals, Truman Capote and Norman was to save from extinction sterile Amazons", through the Mailer. both Hollywood and the human skillful use of the surgeon's While trying to find a way race, met with an untimely scalpel and massive doses of to return to his beloved home and unseemly end. The victim estrogen. When Myra schemes and year, Myron experiences a of a hit-and-run accident she aims for the stars. series of mental "black-outs" which undid most of what Scan- Myra's plans, however, during which Myra returns to dinavia's finest surgeons had are endangered by her detested take control of his physical labored to create, the power- doppelganger, Myron Breckin- form. ful and provocative Myra once ridge"! Myron, having gained The rest of the book is a again became the meek and un- ascendency over the other half series of alternating, first- assuming Myron, due to the of his split personality fol- person accounts of the twin surgical intervention of one lowing the accident, proceeded, protagonists' struggles to gain Doctor (formerly Nurse) in the final chapters of the control of the poor, mangled Mengers. Sic transit Myra, or earlier book, to recover, with body which they unwillingly so it seemed. Dr. Menger's help, the essen- share, and to silence forever Five troubled years, two tial of what Myra's Scandana- the other, unwanted half. It's beleagered administrations, vian operation had previously DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE in one lost war and an impending cost him. When we meet him Hollywood of 1948, except that depression later, Myra re- again, in the later novel, in the Stevenson book at least turns in MYRON to continue half a decade has passed and both characters could agree on her crusade to restore the Myron has settled into a life one thing-wearing men's world to its Golden Age, circa of perfect Nixonian Normalcy, clothes. In MYRON Myra favors 1935-45. It was the era when, acquiring in the process such CONT. P. 22 7 another form that's somewhere between the two. Yet another HEPATITIS form results in permanent liver damage and if left un- treated ■" could result in death. THENEWVD? DOWN HOLLEY There are, however, drugs available to halt the course of this Hepatitis is hardly new, Hepatitis A is a more type of viral hepa- nor is it strictly a venereal acute condition, meaning it is titis. disease, but it i_s on the in- of short person How common are these duration. The of crease, especially in the gay is infected, and after a rela- forms the disease? It is not known. It is estimated community. Many people are tively short (about a month) that perhaps .5% (5 out of asking why it has recently incubation period, certain every 1,000) of the spread and are wondering how blood levels rise rapidly and general to it. (supposedly healthy) popula- avoid the person becomes sick. The what is tion are chronic of Exactly hepatitis? remain high for carriers levels a time, hepatitis B. It is esti- It is not one specific disease, then rapidly fall back to also nor- mated incidence the but the name of a condition in gay mal. It is associated with male population could be ten that could have several differ- epidemics, is ent causes. Hepatitis means transmitted times that amount, or even usually by (anal)-oral more. Research and literally of the fecal is sketchy "inflamation routes or by contaminated food. and can be caused by satistics of this sort can liver" While major outbreaks of hepa- certain chemicals, drugs (in- never be exact anyways, but it titis A are rare in developed is known that gay men cluding alcohol) and viruses. countries where is are a is sanitation very "high risk" group for It this last type, viral there to good, continues be hepatitis B. hepatitis, that is causing all occasional small outbreaks, Exactly how hepatitis B the concern, and is the type often due an to infected food is spread is not known, but most people mean when they say handler contaminating and food the of the "hepatitis." infecting large of identification numbers hepatitis B antigen just 8 The symptoms of hepatitis people. If you know you've years ago is now were first described about been exposed hepatitis it possible to A, to more the 2,500 years ago, but became shot of accurately trace it a gamma globulin may modes of lessen the transmission. It is known as infectious hepatitis severity or elimin- now known that the virus can only in the nineteenth century ate the disease entirely, but be in virtually all body Little has been learned about only if you get the shot be- fluids, including saliva, the disease until very recent- fore you show any symptoms. nasal secretions, semen or va- ly. Research in the last ten Hepatitis B is a differ- ginal secretions, as well as years has answered many ques- ent disease. It is differ- in the blood, urine and fecal tions about viral hepatitis, entiated from "A" by the exis- matter. It is not known con- but in the process has raised tence of a substance in the clusively wheather there is new ones. Because so much has blood, hepatitis B antigen enough of the virus in these been learned recently, there (part of the hepatitis B virus) fluids to infect someone. It is a great deal of inaccurate and also by the course of the would certainly be question- and contradictory information disease. Although hepatitis B able ethically to infect some- on the subject. Even a doctor can be acute and resemble hep- one with these fluids to find who doesn't have direct con- atitis A in the course and out. tact with the academic commun- length of disease, it usually Evidence taken from peo- ity is apt to have some mis- is of much longer duration. ple who contract the disease information. In order to get Blood levels tend to rise much points to a venereal mode of accurate, reliable information more slowly, peak longer, and transmission, in addition to myself, I contacted the Hepa- take much longer to return to the already recognized fecal- titis Study Center at Child- normal, meaning the person re- or anal-oral route and from ren's Hospital. This group of mains sick longer. The incuba- contact with infected blood. researchers are studying the tion period (the time between body's response to the hepa- being infected and the appear- titis virus and possible modes ance of the first symptoms) CONT. NEXT PG. of transmission. varies from one to six months Viral hepatitis can be and depends on the amount of one of two types: type "A" or the original infection and the type "B". You might have way it was transmitted. heard them referred to as in- Unlike hepatitis A, hepa- ROOMETTES o PVT. DRESSING ROOMS o LOCKERS fectious and serum, respective- titis B infection can result SAUNA & SHOWERS LOUNGES ly. These names were derived in diseases other than ordin- from the early misconception ary hepatitis. These include that "serum" hepatitis was chronic liver diseases, and a Iciminu/ transmitted only by contact: healthy carrier state. A per- with contaminated serum or son with a chronic form of the blood. It is now known that disease may have a mild case both types both/. are infectious - of hepatitis, or have reoccur- both can be transmitted by ing attacks of the disease, 600 BAYSTREET TORONTO routes other than contact with and may remain contagious for BESIDE THE BUS TERMINAL contaminated or infectious years. A disease-free carrier blood. The two types differ may never show any signs of ALWAYS OPEN in how the body reacts to the the disease at all, yet pos- virus and the nature of the sibly be contagious for long resulting disease. periods of time. There is 8 HEPATITIS, con't. ignorance can. Get a blood test, educate your friends and THOUGHTS lovers, and urge them to get Men are more likely than women blood tests, too. It is hoped by brian macarthur to get hepatitis, and gay men that through a better educated are more likely to get it than population, we can help de- With communication we non-gay This may be men. crease the incidence of hepa- share all the things that make caused by: the body's immune titis. Also, if we can demon- us ourselves we laugh, we could be bet- responses - women strate the need for a hepati- cry, we love, -we hate, and able combat the we ter to disease; tis clinic, the county might become what is truly ourselves by a venereal mode of trans- be willing to provide for that through the people we meet and mission men, especially gay need. the things we do. Without men, are-statisticly more (I peo- each other, we are not our- it wish to thank the likely to get YD; may be ple the selves, for we must have each that male at Hepatitis Study gay sex is a more Center other to be each one. We "efficient" at Children's Hospital > must way to transmit whose technical and editorial have conflicting points of the disease; or it could by a assistance was invaluable in view so that we can see an en- combination of any or all of the preparation of this arti- tire spectrum of possiblities these factors. That there is cle. ) we can explore, thereby dis- a venereal mode of transmis- covering ourselves. By recog- sion of hepatitis is not ser- nizing that we are individuals, iously doubted. Proving it we can accept, and therefore and discovering exactly how BLOOD TESTS absorb all those many things it is spread venereally is dif- that make up this world. When ficult, and serious ethical FREE OF CHARGE we lose the ability to accept questions are raised in any one another as that would individuals, we study attempt exper- AT people so concerned imental become a venereal transmission. with conformity that we close Avoiding is hepatitis B a THE HEPATITIS STUDY CENTER our minds, thus difficult even more heightening problem, CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL our fear of witnessing human complicated than avoiding or variety. We lose the possible and preventing syphilis gonor- Contact Karl Beutner, benefit of a viewpoint that rehea. If you are healthy you 878-7312 or 878-7623 could widen ours. We need to are less apt to contract the see, to discover, and to learn disease, so good nutrition, OR more. about Open- and Think it. enough sleep especially mindedness. good personal hygene will go a The Gay Community long way in avoiding hepatitis. Center Healthy carriers may be the 881-5335 primary factor in the present increase in cases of hepatitis B. Get your blood tested reg- ularly, and urge your friends to. There is no permanent hep- atitis clinic here in Buffalo, bruce sirkus but the Hepatitis Study Center ■■IM is willing to take tests free jewelry designer of charge at this time. Con- W^H tact Karl Beutner, 878-7312 or 878-7623, or call the Gay Com- munity Center, 881-5335. If you do get hepatitis, buffalo, n.y. don't panic. It's a serious 7 Iff rm v r disease, but rarely fatal. BE ■ pi gold & silver SURE TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP. Avoid sexual contact with "■ others until your blood tests accessories are negative. Sterilize your dishes (bleach in the wash water should do it) and be careful about clothes, towels, etc. There is absolutely no need to physically isolate The eer et avoid [^%^W yourself or to physical contact, avoid f as long as you kissing and sex (or any other open: 2? jreenfield $L contact with your body fluids). Hepatitis is NOT some- can meats thing you only get from closed monday^^^^^^lmca^ shooting up with dirty needles, or even by having sex with someone who does. It is pos- sible to get it from anyone you have sex with, and it is probable they did not know co ee they had it when they gave it V- ff house:frL J'-JCy to you. Knowing more about the disease can't hurt, but 9 cause I was the only black in the company. Since I was the LONGESTRUNNING THECOMEDY only black (which meant I had IN AMERICAN HISTORY by BENJI a deep-rooted hate for whites), I was considered the best per- son for the job. Senior Men perience for anyone going into are not supposed to have any the military, particularly the friends in that at any time Navy(with which I am well ac- they may have to give out shit quainted) . Though quite de- jobs, and believe mc there structive in a mental sort of were many such details (clean- way, I was sort of impressed ing walls and floors with a with the reception we recei- toothbrush, etc.). Other re- ved on our first day. On ar- sponsibilities included march- riving we were greeted by a- ing the men to chow, teaching nother recruit, who having them to drill, teaching them been fed into the "male mac- to fold their clothes proper- hine" , was obviously on some ly, giving them their mail, and sort of ego trip. He had only most important, making each been there five weeks but he sure man was in "his" own rack kinda gave us the impression that at lights out. I from the last he had been in the Navy a exempted myself one. helluva lot longer. He was a a of typical redneck (they tend to I must give point stay in and go on to become information here about the lifers) who reminded mc of all caste system (class system, it's all the same) the those "superjocks" you meet in in Navy. high school and college sports It determines very much how who give the impression of be- you get along in the Navy and ing a supercool dude. You know, if you follow the rules, the John Wayne type who lets you're all right, at least in nothing faze them in the their (Navy) eyes. The Navy When I first started to least. He came down like he in divided into groups and you write this article, it was was altoghter and we were no- can belong in one or many: to be about "what it was like thing . As I remember, the officers, enlisted men (pukes to be a gay male in the mili- first thing he said to us was as we were sometimes called tary",but I soon came to rea- "Hello wimps". Yep, we were by officers), rated, non- that lize a lot more was in- wimps and we didn't get to be rated, black (or any minority), volved. Not only was it opp- a "maggot" until our fifth white, male, female redneck ressive to be a gay male in week in bootcamp. My under- and on and on and on. The list the military, but to be black, standing is that these labels can be endless. young, old, female and even were supposed to somehow in- Now it is against milit- more so...male. The military still in the labeler a feeling ary tradition (more like law) is a fantastic institution of being superior and we re- for any officer to be seen in in the respect that it places cruits were supposed to feel the company of an enlisted man so much emphasis on the male like Shit. BOY, DID WE FEEL (unless he is so high near the macho image (racism, sexism, LIKE SHIT. Then he went into top he might as well be an of- classism, etc. not far be- this whole rap about how we ficer) outside of any setting hind) . were in the Navy now and es- other than duty. To go out Rather than write about cape was useless, there being socializing with an enlisted my whole four years spent in armed guards around the camp. man is unheard of. If a black the (Navy), would were to marry it would service I These guards get brownie a white very few ripples (that rather write about my three points for every recruit they cause being vogue since it reflects months spent in bootcamp and catch going AWOL (Absent with- how liberal the military can the experiences I had there. out Leave). be) but help us all if an of- Although bootcamp did not rep- After being greeted, in- ficer should marry an enlisted resent all of the experiences and spected, put-down insulted, man or woman. I was to encounter in the com- given the gov't, stamp it we were And believe it or not, ing years, was pretty in- of approval, at least temporar- dicative of the attitudes that even the enlisted men have ily. Next we were to be given their own caste system. People exist throughout the military our roles/places in the com- machine. Some in rates E-l to E-3 were non- people, those pany. Now this is the process had their shit rated personnel. They are the who in one whereby each man's status in before all ones who always get shit de- sock, quit the the company was to be decided bullshit down tails. The next group, E-4 to macho came on on no other criteria other Those who had E-9, are considered rated, them. "smarts", than size, color, age and were too dumb to meaning they have enough skill like myself, looks. Very democratic and out then. No, had in their particular field that get we to somewhat discriminatory. If prove they don't have to do shit de- to ourselves that we you had some experience like tails but stick to improving were men and could stick it the you get in glee club, to themselves vocationally. Now out. As they (father Sam) be P.O. Of- religious (Petty the fun part: not only told us, it was only the sis- ficer) did , Drilling...Senior Man, the rated not with sies who quit and I sure should have consider- socialize etc. I the non-rated, but an E-4 did enough didn't want to be a sis- ed myself lucky in that got I not socialize with an E-5 and sy. I wanted to be a "man" to be Senior Man (SM). Oh, I (chuckle, chuckle). didn't get it because I had Bootcamp is a memorable ex- experience in drilling but be- CONT NEXT PC 10 LONGEST COMEDY, cont. there was a very large out- the men. Fucking is the one break of warts and insanity an E-5 did with most used. Everything was not socialize among recruits before they took an E-6 and the fucking fucking bed, fucking on up line. If the doors off their hinges. - you lucky to be maggot, fucking food, fucking were enough on Why, I heard some people even a ship and everything. If something got the ship large went blind and others had to enough, you bet a to you - you fucked it. A lot can monkey's start shave their crank that there would have learning to of great military minds oper- hands. Does all this sound been separate places for you ate on that principle. If the to eat as well. familiar? fucking got to you, you passed No looked at I could go on and but one anyone it on to the person below you. on else the Most it would get to the point of in John. were After all, shit rolls downhill. of being ridiculous. Blacks afraid being accused of nat- If you want to learn all hung ural with blacks, rated with responses and/or coming the wrong things about what it rated, to the realization we officers in their own closets, that may takes to be a man(?), go to not measure up against fel- etc. If you could find a our bootcamp. After all, it is group, you stayed with it. low recruit. We didn't even the longest running comedy in Alright, now we are dare touch one another. "TOUCH" the history of America. marched to chow. This turned was forbidden (at least until out to be my favorite time of the fifth week). the day. There we are march- The fifth week! Strange CPjf 3801 N. Ocean Blvd. ing, in a very high schoolish things happened the fifth week. 11 M «MM«iM*t « FRI.OCT.3IST-STH ANNUAL I SISTERS OF— HALLOWEEN PARTY I SDPPUO atthe AT THE CENTER I m9£\K K nil Center $I=oo admission I SINGLES ONLY Cat wCLr IJVInwC snacks all day,dancing,beer 40c jtfl an SUN. 23 7:3opm NOV. ~ PROCEEDS TO NEW YORK,ONTARIO X?U IS B1" LEATHER CLUB,MATTACHINE SOCIETY H WOISAENSWW DANCE jjL c AND BUFFALO CHILDRENS HOSPITAL. ■ I \ ™ FRI. DEC. 5 10pm J F p _ TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM CLUB MEM- V B J ° LESBIAN & MILITARY«- T ?^ E Jfflr U SUN. DEC. 7 7:3opm 1 £°- I IF,RST1 F,RST ANNUAL / X open to all WL it jkSnf^ ™ action elsewhere I @*£s/i |0 Many will agree Buffalo needs more bars, it will help Mm It// g. everyone's business.. .The Flair Lounge at 629 Main St. near Chippewa, a yet nameless- /2Z& HIL Ksf/riPll^>^ bar Main — at and Hertal, tM and Meyerhoffer's on South Elmwood are the newest tries f"|JftS» ...all small neighborhood I// ' bars...each may be nice for j-» a quiet B/feV tCI/lf****. iCtf I drink but certainly will offer no alternative BVsnf»9i/55t iß3Sr*' I to "Buffalo's favorite nite spot"... Rumor has it,how- I ever, that Buffalo may have a new favorite nite spot... H It's described as a super bar every bit as big and ll^lCsiltK^B action packed as many other cities offer...The maybe " opening date could be spring. Let's hope... Overheard: 'V^|G*B a Bath owner from another large city make some nasty X9^H remarks about Buffalo area baths and returned home to M I study the possibility of opening a new Bath in this M Wmm\\ MMmM area...Of course,the biggest block to any alternatives this mMmJ^M in city is our self-appointed moralists in City IV M V^V Hall and the Police Dept...but after the Hibachi Room M W beat the legal shit out of the local State Liquor M Authority,we may find that their bark is worse than k%% Bfc I their bite...The Studio Arena and the Century Theatre te Wj I have, announced some super theatrical fare and the Gay jB W Center is willing to get group rates for people so Wf look MM W Mmmlmt over their publicity and call the Center and tell M W A\ W us what you would like to see. We'll try to it. arrange m\\ W MM**** MM W When Buffalo people decide to spend a weekend out of town it MM W MmW MM W seems they always go to Toronto or Rochester. . . L\\ IB Wkm W why not try Cleveland or Akron in Ohio? Cleveland's L\\ LB W (ft I only three hours away by the thruway and Akron is M W sjf I another forty-five minutes from there...Ohio bars are jS W W i open 'till 2:3oam and if you're 18-21 you can only M Wf^ drink beer...in Cleveland is the Bayou Landing at 1012 M W J* Sumner Aye. at East 9th St it's open at Bpm seven M W 3 B days a week...this is the super disco bar of 0hi0... L\\ W it holds 700 people and has a fantastic light show M and the latest music. Features weekend shows such as M (ft upcoming Charles Pierce MMMmmms Show,Roxanne Russell,Michael A\ m W In Greer and Sex Inc. It also has two plush quiet rooms M m\\\ W Q) with bar, a game room and soon to open on the first A\\ mj £* floor,a shopping mall...this is a huge place with super W friendly people. There's a $2.00 cover charge every Jfe nite. The best bet in Ohio...Also in Cleveland: the Six AM J? Twenty Club at 620 Frankfort, jukebox music, large dance *V , floor,English carriage house interior. A place to talk W but not to meet new people... Twiggy' sat 2537 St. Clair V % '' Aye... live disco... and the Rainbow" Room at 2211 East Jm\\\ 9th 5t.... for a bath try Cleveland's Club Bath, open hours, L\\ '**(ft 24 you must have a membership. $3.00 for a locker A mMMMm, l*» and $5.00 for a room...it's small,no extras,but is S good W to crash the nite if nothing else...ln Akron you'll B W find the American Hotel&Restaurant at 412-19 Kenmore A\ W Blvd. Open at 9pm Mon.-Sat. and 11pm on Sun...it's W medium BW fa Mm* large sized and packed on weekends, super friendly M W MM Mf m\\ Wtfi $1.00 cover charge every nite. best bet in Akron.... JB [AM WAM WJEf opening soon is the Eagle's Nest Room to enlarge the A\ [ M W*V American Hotel's capacity...Also in Akron: the Hayloft A W^ at 77 N. Adams St. friendly bar... small dance f100r... W\.X no cover... Satan's at 899 Sallington St a women' s -4M V^ bar. ..fairly large, jukebox,no cover...Toronto and A\ W £* Rochester are still plugging away with an additional B | I bar in Toronto. .. still worth the trip... call the Center for AM A W«W specific addresses... Hear tell that Montreal still 188 VA) swings but the city fathers are "cleaning it up" for |B the Ifeta* MW I Olympics. . .only time will tell what that will mean IB I&hI |a ...gay athletes need a nite out too,you know...See you I™ BO "elsewhere" MM YOUARE"ERA" in many areas, and are often used too slowly. (8) ERA is unimportant to the Gay Community. Rawson FALSE. ERA will open the by C. CrawshawJll doors to more and better legis- lation toward the equality of transvestites and transsexu- all citizens, regardless of als. sexual orientation. (2) Even though New York (9) ERA will provide con- State ratified ERA in 1972, it stitutional protection needed is important to vote in the to end inconsistancies of the coming election. courts in case by case delib- TRUE. In 1972, New York erations based on sex. ratified ERA to the U.S. Cons- TRUE. The courts are titution. In 1974, the N.Y. often too slow, and sometimes State Legislature gave first too reticent to deal properly passage to an ERA to the New with sexual discrimination. York State Constitution. The (10) It is unimportant proposed ERA would add a Sec- for mc to vote - other people tion 13 to Article One of the will do it. State Constitution: FALSE. Do not depend on "Equality of rights under others to do your work. the law not or shall be denied Now, you ask, how by the of does abridged State New this concern mc? If you are any York or subdivision there- Gay, it means you have the of on account of sex." opportunity to take one step (3) ERA needs only the forward in the fight against ratification by two-thirds of sexism, something we all run the states to become a federal up against on one level law. or another. Vote for ERA. It FALSE. of Three-fourths may be more important than There seems to be some the states must ratify ERA you think! of misunderstanding in our com- within a period seven years munity about the Equal Rights So far, only 33 states have Amendment (ERA). We feel we ratified ERA. (4) have the obligation to pre- ERA will undermine the American sent the issues to our readers, family structure STUDENT GROUP this is particularly important, by forcing women into the la- bor market. as the ERA comes to the people FORMED for vote in this FALSE. ERA only guaran- November's working elections. The decision you tees that a spouse (man or woman) For the first time in its make on this vote could be has a duty to support spouse history the State College at more important than you think. the who runs Buffalo has a gay student First of all, what is the the home, as a compensation of his her group. The Student Alliance for Rights Amendment? It or duties. Equal Gay Equality (SAGE) was formed says simply: ERA will also change the divorce laws. in early September by concerned Sec. I: Equality of Alimony will be based on who can better afford students, with the support of rights under the law shall not the student government. be denied or abridged by the payment, and who is more re- sponsible for problems, whe- SAGE has a table in the United States or by any state ther the man or the Student Union every Tues. & on account of sex. woman. and (5) The New York State Thurs., 11AM-3PM is making Sec. II: The Congress plans for getting speakers, shall have power to ERA could be in effect by Jan- the en- films, library and on-campus force by legislation, the pro- uary Ist, 1976. social events. For further in- visions of the article. TRUE. Whether or not the national amendment receives formation contact Alan Schle- Sec. Ill: The amendment singer at 882-6898. shall take effect two years the required amount of states behind after the date of ratification. it, the passing of the quite State ERA would guarantee that Many people are not it sure of what will happen if would take effect in New ERA is ratified. Read and York in 1976. answer the following true- (6) ERA will not invali- false statements. Then see date present laws protecting jP les livres how your answers compare with women against rape and sex the facts. crimes. (1) ERA will force sexual TRUE. In fact, sexist integration of public rest- assault laws would be expanded rooms and sleeping facilities. to cover both sexes. Statu- FALSE. In 1965, in the tory rape laws would also be case of Griswold vs. Connecti- extended to cover the sexual abuse of by i >4|j 885-2697 1 cut, the Supreme Court guar- minors either men anteed the right of privacy to or women. (7) is not needed be- the individual. However, ERA ERA will not force the separation cause previous legislation co- 156elmwoodaye. vers women's of sexes in public restrooms. rights. laws have Thus, it would end hassles of FALSE. Present failed to reach discrimination 14 BODY BEAUTIFUL See America* Find a friend* BY S.O.S WRITERS'COLLECTIVE Body Beautiful - what they do something and in the does that mean to a dyke? We process they get healthier." know as women that if Holly- "In general, my image of wood, videoland and Madison myself was (used to be) that I Avenue had their way all wo- was small in height, pretty men would have the body of weak and I dressed to play up Raquel Welch, the face of An- that image of the 'little girl' gie Dickenson and the mental- (quite a contradiction when ity of Charo. In videoland all the time I wished I had no hetero fantasies mold the mass and standards of breasts didn't get my per- beauty to exclude iod!). from Since I came out my women races other than self-image changed radically Caucasian and then they - zero I don't think of nyself as down on tall, fat, short, being small anymore and I def- skinny. Whatever you are too initely see myself as much of will make the "17" strong. you Where I used to cultivate a year old Janice lan sings kind of fragile, thin image I about. now see my body as more under Girdles, rollers, paint- my control and I'm constantly ing your face with make-up, amazed at what my body can do ironing your hair, fighting for mc (mentally and physical- off fat attacks - they are all ly) and how much stress it can devised to try and make women endure. A good example is: look like the of cover Seven- I used to be proud of my bony teen magazine. Well, a lot of arms with the thin shoulders lesbians have found that they and the elbows that stuck out AVAILABLE AT YOUR are beautiful without having through my shirts. Now I get FAVORITE BAR-BOOKSTORE- to conform to "Covergirl's a lot of satisfaction out of BATH*ORMAIL ORDER* conception of beauty." Free- looking at my biceps and think- SEND $5.00 + SO< POSTAGE ing ourselves from these het- ing about moving refrigera- TO ABOVE ADDRESS ero-stereotypes is helping us tors. have . . " to more positive images "I feel that my body as of our bodies. it is now is something very the Recently Writer's special to mc. I take care of canvassed Collective members it the best way I know how. I of Sisters of Sappho to find admire both men and women who out how feel they about their take care of their bodies." bodies. Here's what some of "My body is becoming them had to say: - it is in the process of join- "new ideas in men's "When I first came out I ing with my mind and feelings. fashions" saw myself trapped in a shell I am beginning be (closet to comfort- 1) that was dark and able with the physical sides stiffling...Coming out meant of myself. It is not so much for caring my body as a part 'the other,' to be of criticized, mc, not destroying it by evaluated... The major obsta- overeating, eating junk, cle that I find in accepting drinking coffee, smoking... myself are the standards set When get depressed take it I I by people around mc. I feel a out my The on body. struggle lot of pressure to fit a phys- my is to unify mind and body ical mold at times." and not have them fighting self-confidence each other." Developing and pride in our bodies, unify- "I'm not a classy dresser ing body and mind is a strug- the of or image body-beautiful gle. But because of the and common I felt oppressed because feeling we as lesbians have not attractive. re- I was My experienced we can support each actions were always to make my other. Who needs Cosmopolitan? body strong and functional. I'm My self-image is positively positive since I got out of the hetero status syndrome of adorning and enhancing." S UPPORT "One thing I really like about my body are my muscles, which have been developing OUR over the past 5 years since I "■' started doing Karate. I think muscular women are beautiful because their bodies are obvi- ADVERTISE RS ously more than ornaments; 15 THE CUTTING BLOCK | "Here to create your new hair style" located in the Birds of a Feather Boutique at THE SAMPLE ™ personalized service Wm for men and women" 1 MS. RAE CHAPMAIi Originator of rhe'SCORPIO CUT" 1631 Hertel Avenue • 836-1234 ext. 125 • call for an appointment , Tue . Wed . Sat 10-6 Thu 11-8:30 Frilo-8:30 Ml CAROUSEL FLDU/ERS *$*¥ 4216 Clinton Sl ttf I j£gJEgfc, West Seneca, New York 14224 , N i tes&Holidaysy 675-2074 835-9 yy 10am-9pm 15°/odiscount when you mention this ad \\ 16 port it...and we hope that you IN RESPONSE in turn will support us also. Next issue I see an arti- PROFILE: You've asked for respon- cle with the ludicrous title ses to your magazine what we DO GAY MEN RAPE LESBIAN WOMEN? (readers) like and dislike.- I thought the entire article BOBBIPREBIS Voila- was absurd and once again won- On the whole I really dered where the editors were (Note: On August 31,1975 like your magazine and look hiding - what then was the at Womansday festivities in forward to it - it's interest- purpose of this article? To Delaware Park, Bobbi Prebis ing, informative, and current. engender anger between the was cited by the local chap- However, in the last few is- lesbians and gay men? I ters of the National Organiza- sues I've read a few articles should hope not - but then why tion of Women as a "Woman of that have annoyed mc and left the slurs on men? the Year" for her many years work mc wondering where your edi- Again, I find this arti- of in the Gay and Woman's cle with few tors were when the F.F. went dealing a wrong- movements. We are all grate- to press. doers but essentially repri- ful for her energies and are I've assumed that the manding us all (gay men). Why very proud of her.) weren't the purpose of your publication culprits re- To live at the intersec- proached the time? was for the benefit and enjoy- at There's tion of two powerful forces, present ment of the gays. By and a guard and people and to be touched by each, can there to have large I think it is both of supervise. I be both illuminating and con- never before been of these. But fail to under- aware fusing. Bobbi stated that she I this problem never have stand all the put-downs you've - I had thought all of her life, seen it when I go to the been coming up with lately. Cen- that she was part of a small, ter nor had Firstly, believe it was I previously select group of individuals I heard of it. Then this big, three issues back when you who were fated (or cursed as appears printed from officious article in she was severely warned) to be an article a man the F.F. like there's an epi- who works in boutique on lovers of their own sex and to some Once again the gays Allen Throughout his demic. experience a small portion of Street. (reserved for males only letter he chastised gays, and this joy and a large amount of pain time) get from a (to mc) sounded very condes- the shaft because of it. She was not publication presumably for cending and haughty. aware that either "gayness" or their enjoyment. re- I do not doubt that gays I really "womanness" was something of sented her thoughtless and have indeed hassled or annoyed ig- which to be proud. They ex- him in his store. There are norant statements like "MOST isted within her and she with- some people who are obnoxious, men have a rape mentality." in them. Thinking about her Who she Who and some gays, of course, fall is anyhow? is place in society as a woman this Goddess? into this catagory. However, omnipotent and as a Lesbian only caused I'm sure the gays who were Frankly, I really don't give discomfort. She chose, in- a fuck who she is bothering poor, defense- or what she stead, to ignore the issues this thinks less little man were few in but I do care what's and replaced them with a fran- - And number. As for myself and printed in your magazine. tic search for satisfaction don't be every one of my gay friends, I see anything to and acceptance in a world that none of us had even heard of gained by printing articles considered her inferior at that down his store, he received put gays (of either best. until directly indirectly. an page of free adver- sex), or In 1969, a group of harr- entire Then in tising in your magazine with the last issue assed and outraged Gay people his rude letter. this is again touched on by got together in Buffalo to pro- Paula her "ramble That he was piqued, I can Battaglia in test their pariah status and she adds understand. That he was angry #3" wherein a few to build some sense of purpose choice enough to write a letter to terms like "animalistic within the severely splintered men" and "male ego" both you (who had nothing to do - Gay community. Bobbi attended terms being used negatively with the incident) I can al- by those early meetings and found, her. most understand. That you for the first time, a budding I fail to understand why chose to print his letter I sense of pride in what she was such things printed by a honestly CANNOT understand. are and in what she had to offer. staff who Dane Winters says would like to know She also found an anger that I really are "lay people in the field the reasoning behind publish- had been carefully suppressed, of gay betterment". loved ing letter. felt if I rising to the surface. "Maybe his I as articles like THIS IS the Freedom was scolding reading it was just the right timing, Fifth NOBLE and GEARING TO for being naughty. ELAINE but those few people who be- us GAY both of which I thought your publica- NEEDS, were came the core of the Matta- excellent and a real boost to tion was for the enjoyment of chine Society were energetic morale. Each of them made gays not for the satisfac- my and dedicated people who - feel and vibrant tion of irate "straights". mc happy and learned quickly that together to be gay unlike these I have heard enough straights proud - was the only way we could ac- others which putting down gays must I were depressing complish anything. "I found - and rude. also find in the F.F., of in those gatherings, an awaken- it I'm trying to all places?! not say ing." She was excited, full that the entire gay community If this was an attempt on of ideas and energy; high on is without fault...doubtless your part to show the straight turning the world inside out. it isn't. But the problems community how "fair" and "cool" After five years of work caused a few should be you can be please don't for- by only in Mattachine, Bobbi has - dealt with individually and get about us gays. Remember learned that,"Our dreams usu- not thrown at the whole gay us? We're the ones who want community in reproach. the Fifth Freedom and who sup- CONT P. Sincerely, Charles Hope 22 17 POETRY untitled Once, I could still see he sweat around your eyes ou put your wet mouth to my ear nd whispered Come again?" and oh god thendid just that. for a favorite workswoman untitled On warm nights you drink sherry and chocolate cream Listen, beautiful! then carve women and wood This year, fall will definitely into elaborately gentle designs come gold against the brown of And when my skin a particularly fine violin but I see your eyes are diamond-black begins to take shape and so waterfalls have impressed themselves or an especially sweet woman on your color scheme. screams your name That's all right. your dusty fingers I can get into blue-gold get hot and sticky — if you can feel that golden-blue and you moan, is what you want. just a little. Understand? BY MICKIE WILLIAMS untitled untitled The memory of your tongue in A way down by the river my mouth WOMAN MUST PRESERVE HER DIGNITY a poetess rests her feet. had scarcely died out HOWEVER HOPELESS, BECAUSE SHE HAS NOTHING she spit her images before I found myself ELSE TO CLAIM out on paper long enough ago lie-ing IN A MAN'S WORLD. to know they're not real. on someone else's silk sheets SISTERS, NOW IS THE TIME so she curves herself But while she licked TO REACH onto a tree limb whipped cream WE'VE GOT A FEMALE EARTH to test the art of being high. from my breasts UNDER OUR BACKS, then she sings old blues I fantasized SO WE CAN'T GO DOWN for herself and the water (my thighs were wet) ONLY BACK TO OURSELVES all afternoon. about you AND UP. you with pollen on your lips. memo: to arrogant artists It's cool that you're creative cause tears bring smiles (and other corny untitled but pertinent They asked her why stuff.) she loved to dance. I repeat, She felt: it's cool My hips emit perfect rays that sometimes people of molasses brown give you special privilege recalling the beauty of my skin maybe My arms and legs are you need license extensions of my aura to deal with the suffering and the tips of my breasts such perception flush with each turn brings. around the pulse I have created (Although at times by whipping my body into its I think own wind. you give yourselves airs.) They asked her why she loved to dance. But there are people She thought: who see as clearly The earth is a circle as you do woman forms a ninety degree angle but don't have to it when she stands upright their own special She denies the horizontal line (maybe "magic") from which life gives birth way of saying it. Therefore I bend, in rhythm, That's a kind as an offering against of anguish too my sacrilege. but I don't hear you They asked recognize it her why and you should she loved because it's to dance. a crime She said: to hurt without Because it makes mc feel good. a voice Parents Mrs. Betty Fairchild, founding member of Parents of Gays, is seeking manuscripts that show correspondence between gay people of all ages and their parents and others. The SHOTSSHORT book envisioned will be a sympathetic and realistic Matlovich Loses First Round presentation of the variety and scope of per- sonal experiences, problems, and feelings of Leonard Matlovich has been T/Sgt. given various family members in dealing with the (less a general than honorable) discharge for presence of gay sexuality. In addition, short being gay in the military. Matlovich took the essays or poems directly dealing with parent/ stand at his review board and hearing gay child/family relationships will be of in- announced his refusal to "contract to be celi- terest. Address to: Betty Fairchild, 3700 bate, not to practice homosexuality" while Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. serving in the Air Force. The Air Force had 20016. implied that Matlovich's remaining in the military depended on his abstaining from "prac Gay Cancelled ticing" his homosexuality. Like Keith, Matlo- Congress vich vows to appeal his discharge all the way Rafael A. Cruet, president of Comunidad through federal courts, in order to challenge de Orgullo Gay, reports that the proposed Sec- the military's anti-gay regulations. ond International Gay Rights Congress sched- uled for 1975 in San Juan will not take place. Gay Saves Ford He complains that the Congress which was sup- posed to remain in Edinburgh until transferred Gays and the military made additional been and that news when ex-Marine Oliver Sipple saved Pres- has completely dissolved San gays ident Ford's life by knocking the gun out of Juan "have so much work to do locally that not the work Mrs. Moore's hand as she shot at Ford. In we do have time to in an in- level." subsequent news articles lauding Sipple's ternational A Latin American Gay Con- is tentatively action, the implication was made that Sipple gress, however, scheduled for and be had from was gay and that was a probable reason for the April 1976, information may Sr. Cruet, Apartado Puerta White House not having extended an 5523, deTierra, official San Juan, Puerto (Integrity) "thank you" for his bravery. However, the Rico 00906. publicity of Sipple's homosexuality nas naa an adverse effect on relations with his family Official Comes Out and friends, and caused Sipple considerable moved the anguish. At last report, Sipple has filed a Deeply by troubles of T/Sgt. Matlovich, the Harris multi-million dollar lawsuit against the San Lenny County, Texas (Houston) Francisco Chronicle for unauthorized state- Comptroller publicly announced his ments concerning his sexual orientation. homosexuality and was subsequently fired. Gary J. Van Ooteghem- anticipated the outcome, Boycott however, noting that the step he took was some- thing he has been The Gay Media Coalition (GMC), totaling "toying with" for a long more than 35 gay and feminist organizations, time. "I feel like a hypocrite promoting my- is calling for a boycott of the Village Voice. self as a heterosexual when in fact I was a The weekly Voice has long been criticized by homosexual," he commented. Ooteghem's plans the gay community. GMC is urging people to for the future include working closely with stop buying the Voice, to cancel subscriptions the National Gay Task Force to lobby for gay and to stop all advertising. (The Advocate) rights. He expresses the hope that "Those of us who are gay who are prominent in business, Erie County Copout education, or government will come alive and The Erie County Librarians Association re be counted. It might have a domino effect. came cently negotiated a new contract with Erie If enough prominent citizens forward, we'd have chance of our case to County (which includes Buffalo). One of their a good selling the (Source:Advocate) demands was enumeration of an anti-discrimina- public." tion clause. In addition to the standard age, race, religion, sex, etc., the Association Marxist Plot wanted the words "sexual preference." However El Caudillo, a magazine put out by the in the final contract, "sexual preference" was Argentine Ministry of Social Welfare, recently omitted. It's been reported that during a published an article entitled, "Put an End to meeting between the Association and the County Homosexuals," which denounced homosexuality as Peter Wax, the County's labor negotiator flat- a "Marxist plot" and called for the internment ly stated, "We are not going to give you peo- of gays in work camps. The article also ple preferential sex." After the laughter called for the formation of street brigades to subsided, the Association's representative re- "Go out and comb the streets and hunt down torted, "And certainly not on library time." these characters who dress like women, speak and think In letter to Madeline Davis an Erie like women, like women." The arti- a - cle County librarian and past president of Matta- concluded,"Put them in jail, or kill them." (NewsWest) chine the Librarians Association's former president,- Robert M. Gum, advised that the County was adamant about not including sexual Fifth Defeat preference in the written contract. However, he added,"the Association's negotiators feel The New York City gay civil rights bill that we do have a clear understanding with the suffered defeat number 5 in its long and con- county", that there would be no discrimination troversial history. Intro 554 failed in com- "on this basis." We believe the gay community mittee by 3 votes, in the face of impressive might not have so clear an understanding! favorable testimony. Try, try, try again! 20 Kidnap Connection Rights Meeting In NYC FBI agents keeping reports are mum about On Monday, September 22nd, gay activists that there's connection with the New York a from around the state met with Werner Kramar- gay scene and the recent Samuel Bronfman 111 ski, New York State human rights commissioner. kidnapping. According to unpublished reports, It was impressed on the that there is a likelihood that Bronfman his commissioner firm met leadership from the administration was abductors in Uncle Carey Charlie's South, a Manhat- needed in order to achieve much needed rights tan gay club. Employees of the club have re- protection for gays. Mr. promised fused to talk to Kramarski anyone about the reports, in- personal support in the area of state legis- cluding CBS News and N.Y. the Post. FBI and indicated a to pursue agents began making a lation willingness connection, when they the possibility of an executive order from the found photos of male nudes in the Brooklyn Governor's office. Issuance of an executive apartment in which Bronfman was held captive. (NewsWest) order protecting gays in areas of state govern- mental jurisdiction was stressed as a positive first step in achieving comprehensive gay Honorable Copout rights protection statewide. Representing gays from various areas of the state, were: On 10th, Air Staff September Force Sar- Jean O'Leary and Bruce Voeller, National Gay gent Keith honorable Skip was given an dis- Task Force; Eleanor Cooper, Lesbian Feminist charge. Some time ago Keith had announced to Liberation (N.Y.C.); Ted Aldrich, N.Y. State a race relations class that he was gay. He Coalition of Gay Organizations lobbying con- immediately became subject to Air Force regula- sultant; Elaine Lafferty, Vice President of tions from prohibiting gays serving. The bulk Mattachine New York (City); Lynne Taylor, Cor- of testimony in Keith's seven-hour hearing was nell-Ithaca Gay Liberation; and Don Michaels, favorable, but the hearing officers declined President, Mattachine Buffalo. to deal with whether the military regulation was right or wrong. Instead, they issued a In recommendation for honorable discharge after Come Out Comix basing their deliberations around whether "Old, new, or non-dyke, you'll laugh out Keith was subject to the regulations. Keith loud" advised Carol Clement, writing in Major- plans to appeal the decision, with it winding ity Report about a new comic book for women. up in the Supreme Court, if necessary. Come Out Comix, by Mary Wings, "deals with all those hesitations and the excitement of that Sweet Goodbyes first gay party, after you've realized that, The Allendale Theater - one of Buffalo's yes, you're a dyke," writes Clement. Comix seedier skinflick houses has been closed hits the nerve centers of lesbian oppression down tight by the Sheriff's- Department. Auth- through humor and without the burdensome orities confiscated all the Allendale's pro- rhetoric used in other mediums. Come Out jectors, etc. as a result of unpaid fines. Comix is available for 75C (plus 15* postage) The closing is one of a long series of anti- from: Out and About, c/o A Woman's Place porno efforts by uptight area law ('morality') Bookstore, 1533 East Burnside, Portland, enforcers. But, no tears are being shed over Oregon 97214. Bulk rates are available. the Allendale's demise. Having been the scene of countless vice squad entrapments of defense- Irony less gay male the Allendale has been patrons, While Comptroller Ooteghem was being the source of untold anguish suffered by those fired in Houston, the city council in Austin, No amount of grief heaped upon the Allen- men. Texas added their city to the list of dale owners with whose complicity the vice growing - municipalities in the United States to afford squad entrapped at will would compensate for - employment protection for gays. By passing the unnecessary pain caused to others. a comprehensive equal employment ordinance on Women On Wheels July 10th, Austin became the first city in Tex- as and the 23rd in the U.S. to prohibit employ- A group of gay women announces what they ment discrimination against gays. (Advocate) think is the nation's first lesbian motorcycle club, The Sun Ray Beams Motorcycle Club of Analogy of the Year Award Miami - Fort Lauderdale. The women say they are striving for nationwide recognition and Gerald Hannon, writing on obscenity laws "invite lesbians from across the country to in the October Body Politic, offers this anal- join." The Club may be reached by writing to ogy for those who view participation in sexual its president, Janice Crane at: 1300 West acts with equanimity, but shudder in horror at Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida the consequences of looking at erotic material: 33312. "It is like expecting us to believe that though fine dining is a pleasurable and social- Aspirant Answers ly valuable experience, pictures of a well appointed table might provoke aberrant and Asked for his position on gay rights, hungry hordes to plunder the local deli." presidential aspirant Senator Henry "Scoop" Jackson (Dem., Washington) replied: "I am not about to give into gay liberation and codify into lav/ the business of homosexuality... It is Gay Activist Sues the beginning of a breakdown of society. It strikes at the heart of family life and I'm David Thorstadt, president of Gay. Activ- not about to encourage this sort of thing... ist Alliance, N.Y.C. has filed suit in N.Y. This is the way civilizations crumble. The County Court to challenge the constitutional- logical end of homosexuality is the end of the ity of the state's sodomy law. Thorstadt ad- human race." (GPU News) vises that details will be made available soon. 21 RESTRUCTURING, cont. out much of the novelty of its sider the importance of women, subject has faded, a victim of not only in terms of our spe- 'Fourties movie queen drag media exploitation, to which cial place in the Gay movement, whenever she takes over, while MYRA BRECKINRIDGE, unwittingly but our roles in society at Myron prefers macho cowboy out- or not, gave much of the impe- large." fits during his innings. And tus. No longer are transsex- 1971 was the year of her you thought Bridey Murphy had uality and camp movie mania, of introduction to Women's Libera- problems? of the type associated with tion. For a long time she dis- Though much hindered by Myron's favorite critic, Parker missed its participants as un- the other's presence, both Tyler, quite such exotic sub- washed, inexperienced college students of Myron and Myra implacably pur- jects. And, as a result, MY- whose knowledge living in the world lim- sue their separate goals. His RON suffers from a slight was so is to find a way off the set sense of deja vu. ited as to make their opinions and is to stay for- irrelevant to her life. "I hers there Yet even this factor ever, and thus acquire head was not listening. I didn't a should not deter the true fol- start saving want to hear. We intimidated on the still- lowers of the MYRA, functioning studio system and messianic each other. We were aliens in or the heretofore unconverted, each other's worlds." It took de-fusing the population bomb. from rejoicing in her latest the novel's ingenious many meetings, many discus- In manifestation. May she have sions and strangely enough, it conclusion each gets the comebacks as many as Gloria took the of ex- chance his goal,but obvious kind to achieve Swanson, whose triumphal return citement that of all succeeds and the other is part one in Sunset Boulevard she un- marches and demonstrations to fails—at least temporarily. doubtedly would consider a mild bring Bobbi to awareness. The last page of the book sug- prophecy of her own more glor- "Walking down streets Al- gests, however, that la guerre in ious destiny as savior of "The bany, New York City and Buf- and of the dcs Breckinridge nest pas Industry" recreator falo with my Gay sisters, I finie. With any luck, we can sexes. was struck by the sense of expect a continuation of their closeness and support, and be- saga in a few years' time. gan to listen." For a woman MYRON, like its predeces- A PROTOTYPE, cont. who had spent many years as a sor, is no great shakes as a male-identified Lesbian, the psychological novel. The char- soon - so get off that letter words and feelings expressed acters, even the brilliantly and/or phone call now! by women-identified women were conceived Myra/Myron, are as For Senator Javits or a revelation. "I was one of thin as celluloid. The studs, Buckley, send to: 110 East them. We were a part of each for instance, whom Myra picks 45th Street, New York, N.Y. other. Our differing back- for her crusade against pater- 10017. grounds, ages and experiences, nity are almost Platonic es- For Your Representative, combined in the realization of sences of machismo; consequent- send to: Cannon House Office a common bond of womanhood, a ly when she rides roughshod Building, Washington, D.C. bond that incorporated genera- over them there's no messy em- 20515. tions of oppression and a pathy to hinder our enjoyment striving for our rightful of their humiliation. place. The whole rather loose 80881 PREBIS, cont. Bobbi has worked with the structure of both books pro- Lesbian/Woman's movement in vides Vidal with the opportun- ally stretch far beyond our Buffalo since that time. She ity to show off his celebrated accomplishments." She has was a co-founder of the Sis- acerbic wit, as well as the also found this to be both nec- ters of Sappho and was active vast resources of his general essary and exciting. Bobbi with Radicalesbians and Les- knowledge, particularly his has worked in the organization bians Uniting. It has been immense stock of movie lore. in several capacities, includ- through association with Les- He seems to have seen every ing the Vice Presidency, Speak- bians with strong women's con- movie made during Hollywood's ers' Bureau, Health Committee, sciousness and Gay conscious- Golden Age, and knows the Counseling staff, and various ness that she has been able to names and mannerisms not only activities committees, and has solidify her personal views of the stars, but of the continuously maintained a and energize those views to featured players, as well. If place on the Board of Direc- aid in producing a viable Gay they had indexes these two tors. Board membership has women's movement in the city novels might serve as inexpen- been of special value to her, and the state. sive guides to Late Show because she has felt the im- Although she has expended viewing. portance of having women's time and effort, some of which At least Vidal forbears. views expressed in an organiza- has been understandably frus- in MYRON, from inserting so tion that could easily have trating, Bobbi says that she many of those carefully arti- become male-dominated. has been doubly rewarded for culated, mini-essays on poli- Bobbi was not always this in knowing that these tics, cinema and sex which aware of the need for women to efforts are helping to make a studded (no pun intended) the be heard. Her Gayness had been world that will be healthier pages of MYRA BRECKINRIDGE. obvious to her since childhood, and happier than the one in Consequently MYRON is less and through the newly formed which she has lived. "I am overtly didactic and more sat- Gay movement, she became more also grateful for having had isfying in its structure. aware and proud of her life- the privilege of being born at The only drawback to Gore style. But, "I had no concept the crossroads of two power- Vidal's returning to the same of the emotional and social fully striving groups - women source of satiric wit, however, differences between Gay men and Gays - my people." is that in the years since his and women. It was not until first Breckinridge book came 1971 that I even began to con- 22 $1 for 10 words or less. 10$ each add ' I word. Payment in advance. asdfdsafsadf(KLASmKItBID Send to sth Freedom, P.O. Box 975, Ellicott Sta., Buffalo N.Y. 14205. 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MATTACHINE SOCIETY OF THE NIAGARA FRONTIER Box 975 Ellicott Station, Buffalo, N.Y. 14205 Center located at 1350 Main (at Utica) 716-881-5335 - 2 to 10PM Meetings the first and third Sunday of the month at BPM SISTERS OF SAPPHO same information as above. Meets the second and- fourth Tuesday of the month at BPM. STUDENT ALLIANCE FOR GAY EQUALITY (SAGE) Buffalo State 1300 Elmwood Avenue Table in Union lobby 11AM to 3PM Tuesday and Thursday, or call Alan Schlesinger at the Center 716-881-5335. Albany CAPITAL DISTRICT GAY COMMUNITY COUNCIL Box 131, Albany 12201 518-462-6138 Center at 322 Hudson Avenue, hours 7-11PM daily Brockport BROCKPORT GAY FREEDOM LEAGUE Student Union, Brockport State College, office 716-395-2462 Meeting Wednesday 2-3PM, 227 Student Union subscribe Ithaca GAY PEOPLE'S CENTER 410 College Avenue 607-256-3729, 3-10PM daily Oswego GAYS FOR HUMAN LIBERATION Hewitt Union Building, send to: Oswego State College, 13126 FIFTH FREEDOM P.O. 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