Ihe Empty Qoset NEW YORK STATE'S OLDEST GAY NEWSPAPER A 'week in Washington ... Show^ing all the faces of AIDS By Michele Moore related iUness and the quilt size has increas­ studs, pearls, gUtter and even a 100-ycar old ed ftom 1,920 to 8,288 panels. For each per­ quilt and a Buddhist's safihon robe. Thursday, Ocrlober 6 son represented by a quilt panel, three others I'm glad to see in thc piess packet a note IO a^jn.: I attend a press conference on the have died. about the use of langiaagc in reporting about Names Project AIDS Memorial QuUt, which Friends and relatives of those who have AIDS, suggesting that media representatives wUl be displayed on the EUipse behind thc died have used every conceivable material use thc term **pcople with AIDS" rather than White House this weekend on the first an­ "victims'* or "patiente.** niversary of the National March on "Thc term 'victim' dehumaniBes people Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. with AIDS by emphasizing their deatl»

Several people speak to the media, including rather than their strength in Uving with k-> Openly gay Rochestar City Council Clcvc Jones, thc San Francisco man who AIDS," thc sheet says. "Many people fed thsrt member Tim Mains was one of about 250 founded the project in the summer of 1987, the term 'victim* itwites a statisdcal afq>toach people who took part in a rally torMichae l and a mother whose young son, a to AIDS, and denies the individtiallty of each Dukakis and other Democratic can­ hemophiliac, died of AIDS-related iUness. person who has lived — and died — with didates, held on Oct. 8 at Village Gate The speakers announce that several quilt AIDS. More than that, the use of Viaim* Square in Rochester. panels, each of which depicts the name of creates thc false impression that People With This year's election recommendations someone who has dies of AIDS-related ill­ AIDS are distinct from everybody else. In a from the Rochester Lesbian and Qay ness, will be donated to the Smithsonian In­ very real sense, wc arc aU Uving with AIDS. Political Cauous are on page 2. stitution. "... referring to some people with AIDS photo by Doug Meszler Since its display at the March on Wash­ as innocent victims* implies that ocfaer peo­ ington last October, the quUt has been ple with AIDS are guilty. Moral judgments touring the country and has been "displayed on AIDS compound thc widespread State & local as the centerpiece of locally-coordinated discrimination that is faced by Pet^le With educational and fund-taislng campaigns," AIDS and by the people who love and care nc^rs briefs the Names Project booklet says. More than for them. Furthermore, encouraging the a miUion people have viewed the quilt, and presumption that People With AIDS arc the displays have raised more than 1450,000 moraUy 'different* impales the effecdveness Gay Alliance seeks for local AIDS service efforts. The Names Proiect AIDS Quilt. of efforts to educate thc pubUc about ways The Names Projea is planning another na­ photo by Robert Dardino to protect themselves from AIDS.'* nominations for officers tional tour; it has received inviutions from and item to creat quilt panels: burlap, silk, The Gay AUiance of Genesee Valley is more than 20 cities to bring the quUt for taffeu, clear vinyl, leather, lame, flags, ban­ Friday, October 7 seeking nominees for next year's board of display. The Project is also looking for a per­ ners, bed sheets, jeans, shower curtains. Bar­ 11 a-m.: Faces of AIDS, a show of blac*:- directors. Candidates arc needed to run for manent home for thc quUt. bie doUs, creination ashes, stuped arumals, and-white photographic portraite of people photographs, sequins, lace mink, buttons, president, vice president, secretary, treasurer In the last year, the booklet says, more Washington^ contiaued on pistge 5 and seven representacive-at-laige seats. than 20,000 Americans have died of AIDS- feather boas, corsets, merit badges, dresses. All officers serve a one-year term beginn­ ing Jan. 1. Nominees' fiames must be submit­ ted to thc nominating committee by Nov. 9- For more infonnation, call thc Gay Alliance Activists seize control of the FDA at 244-8640 or write: Nominating Commit­ tee, GAGV, 713C Monroe Ave., Rochester, NY 14607. By Martin Hiraga Oct. II was a turning point in the battle against AIDS! On that day 175 angry AIDS Dining for Dollars activists were arrested in a civU disobedience action against the Food and Drug Ad­ raises $40,000 for AIDS ministration headquarters in RockviUe, Md. The third annual "Dining for DoUars" I was proud to be there with 1,500 other event, in which individuals hold fund-raising activists to voice our common demand, dinner parties, raised morc than 140,000 for "Release the treatments!** We went to thc local AIDS-related work. FDA demanding the release of 130 AIDS Thc Oct. 22 fund-raiser, sponsored by drugs waiting for approval. Until now only Helping People With AIDS, ended with AZT has been approved for use against AIDS. 'Late Night Cruise,** an evening of entertain­ Our feelings were best described in a ment at Midtown Plaza. poster we plastered all over Washington, D.C, that read, "The govemment has blood on its hands. One AIDS death every half Conference on AIDS hour.* The demonstration included a legal and chemical dependency picket, a media group and waves of affinity "Double Jeopardy: AIDS and Chemical groups that did civU disobedience. Every af­ Dependency," a cotiference for human ser­ finity group had a plan to "Seize control of vice professionals, wUI be held Nov. 17 and the FDA.* * Street theater was thc order of thc 18 at Sunrise HUl Inn, 6108 Loomis Road in day. Canandiagua. The first arrest vk^as made at 6:45 a.m. at Workshops will cover topics including the IWinbrook subway station, near thc FEK teaching safer sex pfictices, family issues, buUding. A New Yorker was aUegedly spray AIOS acthrfat FanI Eggan eeMing InfectaMe pentamidine, a drug ueed to «wl Al^ minorities, dealing with AIDS dementia, painting "Silence - Death*' and "The FDA related iilneaaea, durfng the demonatratlon at the Food and Drug AdmMatrali^ ethics, legal issues, the respotise of chemical has blood on its hands** on the station walls Members off ACT UP New ¥Mfc Oty eoW Mother drug thet the RM haaii't wpiovu dependency treatment programs to the when a phalanx of Metro poUce tackled him ed foraal e in the United Statea (rtght). Membets or the PISO (People with Immune epidemic, counselii^ strategies and spiritual to the ground and trounced him. Wlien they System Oieoidefs) Caucus. hichKlIng Martin Himga, stand In the bsdvwnd. issues. finaUy let him up he had a bloody nose and photo by Ubby PMsaring The registration fee is $ 50 for one day and a grained shoulder. is sold in the United States at prices equal ''We're PISD; we're gonna selac control; $90 for both days. For more information caU My affinity group the PISD (Persons with to a king's ransom.' we*re pissed!'* was picked i^ by the wtiole the Rochester Area National CouncU on Immune System Disorders) Caucus, had 24 We were the first to cross police barriers crowd. AlcohoUsm at 473-6750. men and women ftom aroim4 the country. to post our barmer, "Federal Death Ad- FDA^ ctmtinued oa page 13 The group included people with AIDS minlstradon** on the FDA waUs. Our chant. (PWAs), people with AIDS-related conq>lex Demonstrators arrested in (ARC), those who are positive for the hiunan inamunodcflency virus and those with NYC march against violence chronic viral fttlgue syndrome — an Immtme A Sept. 26 demonstration in New Yotk Ci­ system disorder that affects lesbians ty against mtl-gay aiKl lesbian violence turn­ dispffoportlonately. ed Into a mardl that resulted In the disrup­ Af every point during the acdon the PISD tion of traffic, two anests and a sit-in at a Caucus was theie to '*iq> tbe ante." Our fitst police pcednct. action caught die attention offuolonatpfess I About 75 people, dumth^ **Out of the as we sold deztran sulfstte, an anti-vlfal, and bars sfid into tbe stneeu!** took part in the penumldlne, a drug used against spontaneous three-hour march thiough pnciraiocystls, to each other Greenwich Village. Dextran is an Illegal dmg In this country, PoUce arvested two demonstfators after though It has been tested and approved for Newa BrieA, caadnmed oo page 3 over-the-counter sale In Jaqsan. Pmianridine •Oi. 2 THE EMPTY CLOSET November 1988 Editorial Gay Political Caucus election recommendations By Members of the Rochester Lesbian bottom of the minority barrel. including Stie CoweU and Rochester City up S 100.000 in AIDS education money aikd Gay Political Caucus CoiuicU member Tim Mains, plunged into because they was beUeved die aUocation was With the elecdon days away, let us as les­ President her campaign vigorously. Slaughter's oppo­ utmecessary. bians and gay men vote fbr candidates who Thc Rochester Lesbian and Gay Political nent, Fred Eckert, was an outstanding Quattrociocchi is recommended with will help insure our agenda. Because some Caucus has found Massachusetts Gov. homophobe, and many believed that Louise reservatiotis. candidates would wiUingly roU back the Michael Dukakis "highly recommended*' for showed personal compassion for the fuU State Assembly clock on civU righte, it is imperative that we the office of president. In part this recom­ breadth of htunanity. 130th Distiict: Democratic Monroe vote and that we convince as many others mendation comes from comparing him to Those concerned about Slaughter's ap­ Coimty Legislator Irene Gossin, a Democrat, as we can to support thc candidates who are the alternative, but it is also the result of a parent political homophobia quickly com­ is nmning for thc seat held by RepubUcan WiUing to stand up for all of us. record that should please lesbians and gays plained, rightfuUy so, when she voted for an Robert King, who has been extremely con­ Presidential elections tend to draw more and their friends, famiUes and supporters. amendment to last year*s AIDS funding biU servative and intolerant on gay issues. King people to the poUs than do local elections, WhUc the Reagan-Bush administration has that prohibited safer sex brochures targeted voted for the bias-related violence biU, after but because so many people arc concerned done Utde or nothing as the spector of AIDS at gay men. speaking adamenUy against it, otily after he about the negative aspects of this campaign, grew into the nation's number one health The amendment, proposed by arch con­ learned that the other Rochester-area more might stay home than have normally. crisis, Dukakis was acting. The govemer was servatives WiUiam Danriemeyer (R-Calif.) in assembly membets supported the l^islation. Wir must not let that happen. the first chief executive to send AIDS infor­ the House and Jesse Hehns (R-N.C.) in the Gossin has been a better friend of the gay The presidential race has generated mation to every household under his Senate, prohibited federal money from be­ community. She responded favorably to thc disinterest among a large portion of thc elec­ jiuisdiction. Massachusette spends more per ing spent on literature that "pro­ caucus survey and has received its torate, but when the records of the two ma­ AIDS patient than any other state in the motes . . . homosexuaUty.** The measure pass­ endorsement. jor party candidates are considered, the union. Dukakis and Jesse Jackson joined ed the Senate with two dissenting votes 131st District: The cauc^us has developed forces to insure that a strong plank on AIDS choice becomes one of the most important (Moynihan and V5fciker), and the margin was a working relationship with Democrat Gary was written into the Democratic platform. we wiU ever have to make. nearly as bad in the House. Proud. He has supported thc gay and lesbian Dukakis* pledge to address the health This year. Helms and Darmemeyer tried community*s struggle for bias-related crisis, expand research and protect thc civU again, but this time. Slaughter and an over­ violence and civU rights initiatives in thc The next-president righte of people with AIDS and ARC stands and the Supreme Court whelming number of her coUeagues staved state legislature, but the caucus continues to in stark contrast to Bush*s calls for off the attack. She voted against aU the have problems with his stands on public The next president wiU have the oppor­ "widespread testing** and contact tracing. tunity to appoint up to three Supreme Court damaging amendments, and in her role as health and related areas such as HIV testing Bush has refused to endorse the President's deputy whip, kept tabs to help insure thc for marriage licenses. justices. Commission recommendation that the civil Justices Marshall, Brennan and Blackmun, solid majority we enjoyed. Proud is capable of great legislative leader­ rights of people with AIDS or ARC or who ship, but he continues to ignore the advice all in their SOs, are the three remaining are HIV-positive should be protected. Slaughter is also a co-sponsor of Barney liberals on the bench. Wlien thc Georgia Frank's (D-Mass.) immigration reform legisla­ of leading pubUc health and AIDS public sodomy law was upheld by the Supreme George Bush describes gay rights as tion that would remove the immigration scr- policy specialists and to push for punitive Court last year in a 5-4 decision, each of "special privileges** and therefore opposes vice*s authority to bar people from entering and regressive legislation that would slow them voted to overturn the law. federal gay rights protections. Dukakis, on the country or becoming citizens because of the fight to control thc spread of AIDS. As If three more conservative, anti-abortion the other hand, would "sign a gay righte biU their sexual orienution. She was a co- chair of the State Administrative RegiUations justices are added to the court, they wiU join afone was placed on my desk.'* But actiotis sponsor of thc Civil Rights Restoration Act Review Commission he has done great work the three justices placed on the bench by speak louder than words. and the Hate Crimes Statistics BUI, both of in protecting individuals against thc power Ronald Reagan, forming a body that will re­ When Elaine Noble was elected to thc which passed the House this year. Slaughter of state bureaucracies. But he does not see main conservative well into the 21st century. Massachusetts State Assembly in 1974, she has taken aggressive positions on more any inconsistency in wanting to unleash Since George Bush supported the nomina­ became the first openly gay person to win money for AIDS. Frank, Congress's only these bureaucracies against people who are tion of Robert Bork, wc have an inkling of elective office in the nation. Her colleagues member to voluntarily come out of the potentiaUy quite iU and suffering from what type of justices he will place on the threatened to bar the state house door, and closet, describes Slaughter as "a real asset.'* massive discrimination on many other bench. seven of them drafted a resolution that bar­ She responded to thc Rochester Lesbian fronts. and Gay Political Caucus questionnaire, but Thc Supreme Court is normaUy out of thc red Noble from taking her seat. Thc newly- Proud's opponent. Republican Jerome her RepubUcan and Conservative opponente limelight of electoral politics, yet it can have elected governor, Michael Dukakis, dissuad­ Britner, offers no improvement, so this year did not. The caucus bcUcves Slaughter a profound impact on public policy. When ed her homophobic coUeagues. lb insure his the caucus recommendends Proud with shotdd be rewarded for her positive posi­ thc court became increasingly conservative intentions were clear, the govemer visited reservations. tions, and rates her "highly recommended." near iV\c end of thc laist century, ^wc got thc Noble often in her early days of service. Thc 132nd District: The caucus had a rare but PJcssy vs. Furgeson decision that sanctified suppon she felt at having the governor or pleasant surprise: both RepubUcan incum­ Jim Crow segregation laws for nearly 75 his wife, Kitty, at her arm was an early indica­ State Senate bent Audre "Pirmy** Cooke and her oppo­ years. tion not only of his personal fairness, but 53nl District: Thc unchaUenged incum­ nent, Monroe County Legislator Joseph In the next several decades, our highest also his personal strength. bent. Republican Paul Kehoe, has shown no Morellc, a Democrat, support the gay and court wUI no doubt be asked to rule on a support for the lesbian and gay community lesbian community. Thc caucus has endors­ scries of increasingly homophobic laws that U^. Senate and therefore has received no recommenda­ ed both candidates. are now being debated in state legislatures Incumbent Democrat Daniel Patrick tion from the caucus. 133fd District: David Gantt, who has around the country: quarantines for people Moynihan has proven himself a friend and 54th District: Incumbent Democrat John been a dedicated supporter of the communi­ with AIDS and AIDS-rehued complex (ARC); dedicated supporter of gay causes, and he Perry supported the bias-related violence biU ty and a leader in thc fight for gay civU state-maintained liste of those who are HIV- is highly recommended. and the comprehensive civil righte biU, and rights, has received a highly recommended positive; increased penalties for adult con­ wiU continue to be a friend of the gay com­ rating. sensual homosexual sex; refusal to include VS, House of Representatives munity. The caucus gives him a highly 135th District: RepubUcan James F Nagle lesbians and gays when gathering evidence 29th & 32nd Coi^resslonal Districts: recommended rating. is nmning against the Right to Life Party can­ of hate-related violence; and expanding the The two incumbente, RepubUcan Frank Hor­ 5$th District: Democrat Ralph Quat­ didate, Diane Kninlc. The caucite has made definition of "pornography.** ton of the 29th District and Democrat John trociocchi is open to dialogue. He believes no recommendation. A conservative court could sanction some J. LaFalce of thc 32nd District have receiv­ that govenuncm is too big and that there are 137th District: IncumbCfU RepubUcan R. scary policies. The wrong ;4>poimments may ed recommendations with reservations too many laws, and argues that many laws Stephen Hawley is reconimcnded with reser­ end the hopes of seeing Hghte guaranteed in because of their sometimes shaky stands on are unenforceable and unneeded.The vations. He supponed the bias-related our lifetimes. Michael Dukakis has a record gay rights and their overall ability to be challenge for the gay and lesbian communi­ violence biU and has been receptive to the of appointing jurists based on merit, and he educated on gay and lesbian issues. ty is to convince him that, although laws caucus* communications. has shown the sensitivity to insure that many 30th Congressional District: When banning discrimination will not stop pre­ Family Court Judges of them have been women and minorities. Louise Slaughter served in the State judice, they wUI let people know that it is Republican Anthony Bonadio and In the past month, the Supreme Court Assembly, she left the chambers when thc wrong to discriminate. Democrat Joan Kohout attended the atmual decided on ite own to review the Voter gay rights bill came to a vote in 1983. Two Quattroctocchi's opponent, Ralph Gay Cornmunity Picnic this summer and are Righte Act. Further assaulte on the civU righte years ago, this caused some gay and lesbian Espositt), served as Deputy County Executive hig^y recommended. RepubUcan James Hen­ front should concem the lesbian and gay activiste to hesitate in endorsing or working under Lou Morin. Esposito and others in the dricks is recommended based on his respcHue community, which currently resides at the for her election to Congress. Other activiste, administration were responsible for holding to the caucus* survey.

r T The Empty Ctoset is publiihed eleven dmes a year Advertiaing Pulley: The Empty Closet does not (Decenber sad Januaiy combined) fey die Empty Cloaei print advertisements that contain nude drawings or Picas ftM-(h e Gqr AOiaiice of Geneaee \hlky. inc. Appnn- photographs, nor does it prim advertising that sug­ iiiimi IJ 3900 copies cf each issue an distribmed duriof gests that the person pictured in the ad is for sale or ithe fint «celc of the month fay mail in a plain sealed, that you will "get" that particular person if you IheEmi Qoset UKclopt. 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Design services for The opinions of columnists nnd other con^ material not camera-rcndy are availaUe for an addi- trlbotiiig writers am tbdr own «Mi do nnt a Renew! tiooAl fee. neccaaully iHlcct the eoUcctlvc attitude of the For further information, pleaae wrrite to Empty Gny AUIuioe of Gencsoe VaUey or the Bmpty In a pk3in bro^^ envetope, please send me o or>e year, eleven Issue subscrtptkxi of Cloaet Press, 713 Monroe Aw., Rochester, NY 14607, Cloeet. the Empfy Closet to the name and address bek>w. Enclosed Is a $8 check or mor>ey or call (716)244-9030. order ($10 for outskie the USA). The Afi^My Clo«*f is the ofikial publicatioo of the Gay Alliance of Genesee ^Wley. inc. aa stated in the •by-laws of that orfanisatioa. Its purpoae is to inform Nome the Rochester fsy oommuntty abont local and na* tional s>y-<^l*t«d nevvs and events; to provkte a iionim for ideas and creative vMirk from the local s«y Bdllot: .comnranity; to help promote leadership m toe oom- nwmlty:andiiobeapartofaiiatipnalnetvwirkofles- bira said gay publicattons thai eachansf ideea and seek locduesle. Hgt ol our purpose is to mainfin a middle posi­ Return to: tion vdth respect lo the entire comniunity. Vfe must OmphkaL be careful to preaent aU viewpoints ia a way that E.C. PraMM2^713 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 lahea into nnnaldsrittnn the views of aB—women, m •sen* nwae of color, young and okt and thoae from itfrt^J vrtow walks 9f Itie. Novwnbw 1988 THE EMPTY CLOSET 3 Editorial ^_ Take the test, confront the lies about AIDS By Martin Hln^a ing exacdy that. too wUling to bury you. Some of them wiU enemies* sails. AU of us have AIDS by now. If we don*t Why take the test? For thc hiture, your bury you in their memories. Others wiU bury Confrom the lie that says only certain have it coursing through our bloodstreams, futurc. No matter what the result of the test, you with cures. groups of people can get AIDS. First, con­ we at least have it on our minds. Nearly aU change your sexual and drug behaviors so There aie those who wiU want you to take front the lie that says if you are white, of us have suffered from the infectious op­ you arcn*t endangering yoiuself or ypur part­ AZT. Others wiU want you to try every alter­ heiCTosanial or a lesbian you won't get AIDS. portunism that surrounds the disease on ners. But more than that, if you ire HIV- native treatment available in the United Second, confront it with the tmtfi that ss^, both the New Right and the sectarian Left. positive then start now to work with your States and some that aren't avaUable. ••|t isn't who you ate, but what you do that Fighting AIDS is risky. It means eicposing physician on health care issues. If you are Whatever you do, make sure you have com­ puts you at risk." ourselves to the truth. The truth about negative, keep yourself healthy and don*t plete information about the treatments you Confrom the lie that says gtyvemmentaad ourselves. take risks. take, and always work with your physician private industry are doing everything in dieir The truth is, denial runs deep throughout What's so risky about taking the test? The on treatment issues. power to stop AIDS. Conftxmtdteat lie with our communities. Some of us deny that wc New Right and others in the community Remember, physicians are consultants on the question, "If government is doteg can get the disease, so wc continue to put who ate honestly concerned would liice to health care. The final decision rests in the everydiing in its powct; then why is only one ourselves at risk. Others of us deny people make your test results pubUc That's the bad hands of ttieir patiem, you. The oldest cUche out of 130 AIDS drugs af^HOvaed for use? with AIDS their right to struggle for life, by nevi^. The good news b that right now only In AIDS prevention and treatment applies Confront the Ue that says AZT is the only continuaUy claiming that wc have to take you can make that information public. here: "Education is the only cure.** treatment option for people with AIDS. Con­ desperate measures because himdreds arc dy­ Keeping your test results, and even the £tct One way to fight AIDS on a personal level front it by participating in the o^erknencai ing. And others deny the existet^e of the that you took the test, private may be crucial. is to Hght AIDS in the community. Work for drugs buyer's clubs. Donate drugs to others many opportunists who see in AIDS the Balance the need you feel to tell others your organizations that are fighting AIDS. Raise if you don't need them. <^ance to bash lesbiuis and gay men. HIV status with how much you would trust funds with Helping People with AIDS, Most of aU, confront the lie diat safs, For many of us the first risky step is to take those people with your job, your housing volunteer with AIDS Rochester or 'AIDS 'victims' arc those other folks.**Con ­ the HIV antibody test. Let's be honest, lik­ and your life. demonstrate with ACT UP front it with the truth that says, "'I am a per­ ing the test is scary. It forces us to face up ll^Uing your physician your ststus is worth Conversely, one of thc most effective ways son with AIDS. I have it in my heart and in to some of our behaviors that were once for more than telling your latest boyfriend to fight AIDS in thc community is on a per­ my mind!** When someone a^ if you have pleasurable, but might endanger our health or girlftiend. Your physician is bound to sonal level. It is also one of the riskiest ways AIDS, say, **Yes, and I am proud to fight it now. 'Wcc the test anyway. But take it at the keep your status to herself, but yoiu* friend to fight the epidemic. with my brothers and sisters who are sick!*' anonymous testing site, and whatever the is bound to tell thc whole world. Confront the Ues about thc epidemic every result, never teU anyone except someone you Once you test positive for thc HIV, there time you hear them. Confrontation takes would trust with your life. You may be do­ are some in the community who may be aU guts and it takes the wind out of our Gannett should stop editorial gay-bashing Tm tired of Gannett *s editorial page outrageous. scalpel-wielding abortionists. (I believe every publish this nationally-syndicated gay-bxshing. Not only did the pages contain the usual woman should have the right to safe abor­ homophobic trash. If thc editors of thc local At least once every t^^ro weeks lacely, the hate-fiUed diatribe from Thomas — who not tion, but that is anocher issue.) daUies truly believe they must nm these c

The Empty Closet welcomes letters. We sion is understandable, but sUence is inex­ without the support ofour elected officials. representative who will work with us and wili puhlish only your name or a pseudonym cusable for any of us who have had insight Wc have to take the responsibility to elect for us. and your city or town, but please include into the true nature of who the unborn representatives who not only understand the Ptease help us fight for a bctttrr communi­ your real name and an address or telephone chUdren really are. They sharc a common severity of this epidemic, but who are com­ ty and a more responsive and caring govem­ number fbr verification purposes. Wfc may bond with you and me. We're put aside mitted to putting an end to it. ment. Please vote for Louise Slaughter. edit letters for clarity or length. because we're seen as mosdy insignificant in Wc have to re-elect Congresswoman Susan Cowell, Tim Mains, Jeff BaHilte, terms of worldly status and importance. Louise Slaughter. Louise is one of the Bill Valenti and Ibny Greene, RochesttM' Science has proven that various mUestoncs strongest proponents of AIDS funding in the of unborn children's Uves exist. Within 24 house. She proves it with her vote. In the .-J / days of life, their hearts begin to beat. It is past two years Louise: speak out our mistake for letting them go forgotten. * Voted for an increase in AIDS funding to Sometimes 1 dream that if ordy aU of the lit­ 12.2 biUion for Fiscal Year *89- This includes Friends, families de unborn chUdrcn could appear in physical 51.3 bilUon for research and edtication and in defense of and spiritual form all together on a huge $800 miUion for treatment. stage with their mothers and fothers as au­ •Most recendy, voted for the AIDS Federal should also dience, and sing in unison their beautiful Policy Ace, which provides a $400 miUion the unborn unheard song, I wonder how many of us increase -n the FY *89 budget for AIDS would have reversed our devastating deci­ counseling and testing. This bUl passed the come out lb the editor: sions to rid ourselves of the most defenseless House after being stripped of all negative lb the Editor: As a woman who is deeply interested and of us aU. Daimemeyer amendments. Oct. 11 was National Coming Otu OTcy for concerned with human welfore, values and Yes, we aU have a right and obligation to •Supported and voced for thc bill exten­ gay and lesbian people. It is important that dignity, and being a minority in this com­ stand up with pride for who and what we ding by six months the federal funding pro­ gay and lesbian people come out of die mimity, it seetns, I'd like to ask a question, are, but let us not abandon the very last biit gram for the experimental treatment drug, closet, but it is equally importam that one I have deeply weighed in my conscience not least of us. Let us see them for who they AZT, which is b^ng used extensively in AIDS parents, reladves and friends of homosexuals for quite some time. If you also consider tndy are. Let us remetnber the chUdren. Let research at Strong Memorial Hospital. (This come out of the closet also. yourself a humanist within your own heart, us aUow their song to be sung. funding was initiaUy granted as a one-Ume • There are over 20 mUlion gay people in stop and think for a moment. I>oona Marie Kearney, Rodieater only aUotment.) America today. AU of these people have Why does there have to be such a con­ •Co-sponsored the CivU Rights Restora­ friends and families who love and respect spicuous sUence from those of us who arc tion Act of 1987. Under this law, persons them and who arc in some way affected hy ourselves minority, whether, we are women, with AIDS are given full civU rights protec­ the discrimination of thdr gay loved ones. gay or lesbian, handicapped, criminals, im­ Slaughter has tions as people with a handicapped Gay people are ccMisidcfed a minority, and migrants or any oppressed group of in­ condidon. indeed they are. But gay people have parents, dividuals scorned by society, when we can Wc are otie of many communities that siblings, friends and associates. If each cme overlook what we once were? good record make up Louise Slaughter's consdtuency. Wc of them would stand up to acktiowlcc^ We are so wiUing to stand up with pride are, however, a pcywerful minority when we thdr gay loved ones, aU of America would and raise our voices agaitist all animosity and stand uniced arul speak with one voice and violation of our human rights, and jusdy so, on AIDS issues one heart. It is imperative that we dect a Psureaia, contiaued on page 4 whUe we, of aU people, can tiun our heads and fotget the least acknowlec^ed of us aU tb tiie Editorx — the rights of the unborn chUd. Anodier day. .. another tiilld.. . another Somedmes I fed I stand akme in this plight £riend... another grave. AIDS. within our conununity, although I know I We must stop this rampant devastation of must noc. Perlu^M it is |ust that many of us our society. The Empty Closet are afraid of H>^ikhig out fbr this cause for Though we, as a commimity, do IHX own fear of further oppfession and ridicule this crisis, we are the most aware -* of the Is AtfeHsbto #!••• among those of us who are aiicady minori­ depth

ParcMxta, continued from page 3 being challenged by groups of angry gay ac­ This is significant because Joe MorcUe's realize that the nuyority of us are affected dvists. The most recent bdng last month opponent. Republican State Assembly­ by discrimination of homosexual people. when he was confronted by demonstraters woman Pirmy Cooke, was in a posi­ Morelle supported tion to influence her feUcyw RepubUcrans in Gay people are in the minority but it is the at a $10,000 a plate fundraiser. (>bu know the Coimty L^islature. Either she was majority of us who love them. hot many poor and working class people unable or imwilling to excn such leadership. As parents of gay chUdren we wam to say, were present at SIO.OOO a plate.) The anti­ civil rights "We lc»ve our gay chUdren and wc are pro­ gay bigotry of the Reagan, Bush, Quayle Joe MorcUe is not only a peison who ud of them. They deserve to be treated like campap is wcU known to us. But we should stands for the ideals we beUevc in but one who has demcmstrated that he <:an get the the kyving, healthy, ptochicdve human bdngs not let this h(x>dwink us into thinking the legislation job done. they are." Dukakis-Bentsen ticket is any better Dick Behnke, HUton The position of ^9l^rkers Ubrld Party is lb the Editor: I urge aU my firiends to support Joe MorcUe that whichever of the big business candidates This year the voters in the 132nd Assembly so we can have a state assemblyman who Behttke is the tiirector of the Rtxhester becomes presidem, racism wiU stiU be there, District have the opportunity to elect a wiU help enact dvtt righu lej^slaticm so chapter of Aurmcs and Frietttis of Lesbians women's oppression wiU stiU be there, les­ representative who wiU combine compas­ cfesperately needed today. and Gays. bian and gay bashing wiU stiU be there, sion with competciKe Joe Morelle has pro­ Bill Benet, Wtoehetttttr homclessness wiU stiU be there, and Star ven his abUity to be an effective leader on Wus wUI StiU be there. Elecdons dcm't the important issues feeing our sodety. Beaet is the Mafority Leader of tbe Montoe change things for us. The otdy way fbr les­ When I sought to have dvU rights legisla­ Ctnmty Ltigishmre. Major parties bians and gays to break thc chains that op- tiem in Mcmroe County which would have ptess us and others is through miUtam strug­ prohibited discrimination against gay and gle in our communities, our homes, our lesbian citizens, Joe MorcUe was a strong offer nothing to schools, our churches, our union halls and supporter of that legislation and helped to the streets. This is where histofy is made, not buUd the 12 Democratic votes we were able A local i^otographer is looking for peo­ through the farce of a Wdl Street-Pents^on- to gain. Unfortunately, 15 votes were ple coping with AIDS who aie wflUng to par­ gays, lesbians controUed elecdon whose candidate and needed. ticipate in an photo essay about AIDS and poUtical parties don't speak for the vast ma­ The important thing to understand is that how scxriety is dealing with the social im­ lb the Editor: jority of the American people. all 12 of those votes were from the plications of the disease. AU responses wiU Another presidential election campaign is Donald B. Ziegler Jr., Rochester Democratic side of thc aisle. Thc be kept confidential. CaU 654-9129, ask for upon us again and we as lesbians and gay Ziegler is the chairperson ofthe Lesbian Republicans were unable to come up with Michael and leave name and phone number. men can be forgiven if wc are confused as and Gay Focus of the iocal Workers World a single person wUUng to support that to where we stand with either major can­ Piarty. legislation. didate. Ndther George Bush or Michael Dukakis say anything relevant to the lesbian and gay community. Neither has spoken out in favor of extending the 1964 civil rights act to include lesbian, gay or bisexual peo­ ple, ending anti-gay violence, the rights of lesbian and gay people, or supporting the rights of people with AIDS to affordable health care and an end to discrimination. To vote for Michael Dukakis, as the group erhc7\uenuepub Lesbians And Gays for Dukakis suggests, because he is better than Bush, doesn't say much for their candidate. Mains and Apuz­ zo say Dukakis is "educable.'* Well, lesbian 522 Monroe Avenue 244-4960 and gay aaiviscs in Massachusetts have been trying to educate the Duke for aU these years with little apparent success. In fact, Dukakis can't gp ainy^/Y\cTc in Mais%:Lcbusetts ivithout ADD SOME WARMTH TO YOUR HOME EVERY THURSDAY DANCING 10:30 pm-2 am

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News Bficis, continued £roni page 1 ward Koch to a revamped dty Himian Rights tested positive for HIV antibcxUes, that it Commission. rdiised to treat. the march had heen goitig on for a short They are David V(^krtheimer, director of The ccmunission said the decision uphdd while. Michael Petrelis was charged with the New Ycytk Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence the right of people with AIDS to reedve disotderly conduct and released about an Piojecrt and a member t^the (k7vemor*s "Bisk health care, regardless of "irrational fears hcMir later. Jeff Gates was chaiged with Force on Bias-Related Violence, and Marie and prejucUce.** cUsoiderly conduct and two adcUticmal ^niscm, director of the Ms. FOundaticm for The dental clinic. Northern Di^>ensary, misdenieaoois. A poUce officer also hrou^t M^mien and a member of the board of cUrec- violated dty law last year when it refused second degree assault chaiges against Gates. tCMS of Lambda Legal Defense and Educration to provide treatmem to thc two men, C^eoige Gates has denied the chaiges. Fund. Whitmore and David Whittacie. The clinic Betfdls and Gates are members of the New Koch restructured the commissicm in the admitted It refused to treat them but claim­ Ifork City chapter of the acrtivist group ACT wake of charges that the agency tacked the ed the refusal was justified by legitimate UP (AIDS CoaUtion to Uideash Power). money and staff to properly enforce the ci­ mecUcal and financial reasons. Expert liie dcmonstracois remained ouuide the ty's anti-discrimination laws. He replaced aU testimony at a hearing flowed that the dinic 6th Precinct untU 2 a.m., when lawyers an- but two members of the old commission, ccmld treat thc two men, using infection- ncmnced that Gates had been taken to cen­ which also had two opeidy gay members. ccmtrol techniques, and that they posed no tral booking to await arraignment. The case —Hie Acfvocaie threat of contagion to the dentists, a member has heen adjourned, pending a routine grand of the commissicm said. jivy Investigation. —The Advt>cate —Gay Cottunutiity News, Boston Lesbian, gay appointed Dentists discriminated, to rights commission Bulletin Thc New York City Human Rights Com­ Board Loc:«l feminist activist Ramona San- commission ndes toTOlli demonstrating at the workshop mission ordered a Greenwich VUlage dental •Ginny Vida, the editor of Our Right to IWo open gays were among 13 people cliiUc to pay $47,000 to two longtime pa­ "Effective Confrontation Techniques tor recentiy named by New York City Mayor Ed­ tients, cme who has AIDS and one who has Love: A Lesbian Resource Book, is inviting Women" at SUNY Brockport on Oct. 4. lesbian photographers to submit photos of The «MNksh<»p was one of a weeMcmg lesbians for the revised version of the book, series held at the begiiming <»f October an anthology of lesbian writing and photos. to address the issue off vtolence against Photos must be black and white. women. The week ended with a Tito Photographers wiil receive $35 for each Back the Night march and rally on photo published. Write: Ginny Vida, Editor, campus. 473- Our Right to Love, 45 Plaza St. No. 1-G, photo by Doug Meszler 5570 Brooklyn, NY 11217, or call (718)789-0391. THC e^r/MATC /# F-AE^/ 1>0NT LtT VOUR \>\N^Y ET/ )5E^TAUItANT^,MX^,A>T> i HOUfE/OF ALL iiZ&.UE't<£ THE K^T Ifi W

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This ad was designed and paid for with private funds for your political benefit. Assemblyman I RLGPC's I Review ofthe Candidates I GARY PROUD I PRESIDENT Dukakis (D) HR U.S. SENATE Moynihan (D-L) HR I CONGRESS 29th Horton (R) RR I 30th Slaughter (D) HR I 32nd LaFalce (D-L) RR I ST. SENATE 53rd no recommendation I 54th Perry (D) HR I 55th Quattrociocchi (D) RR I ST. ASSEMBLY 130th C3o8sin(D) HR 131st Proud (D) RR I 132nd Ck>oke(R) R I Morelle (D) R 133rd C}antt(D) HR I 134th Robach (D-C) RR I 135th no recommendation 137th HawIe^(R) RR I HE WORKS I FAMILY COURT BonidiUo (R-D) HR I Kohout (D) HR for YOU! Hendricks (R) R I HR = Highly Recommended I R = Recommended Friends of Gary Proud — R. Gekoski, TYeasurer RR s Recommended with Reservations I dip and tv» dip and aave dip and sav» dip and JI • IME EMPTY CLOSET Novgrnter 1988 Newsfronts mt

sion of the bUl gained unardmous approval of Allegiance, school prayer, abortion, the Rep. Julian Dixon (D-Calif.) proposed an from the JucUciary Conunittee, but never death penalty and gun control, says, amendment that would have allowed Jnstice Department: made it to the floor. *'(Dukakis) want to give gays and lesbians religious institutions to disavow homosex­ Helms informed the Senate Majority special i»rivil^^ under the CivU Rights Act." uaUty but not aUow the instituticms to refuse FWAs protected Leader that he was ready to fight the biU on In a photocopied insert, the Bush cam­ funds, services or use of faciUties. Local the floor to get certain ametidments. Sen. paign charges that Dukakis *'supports the representative Louise Slaughter voted for the firom discrimination Paul Simon (D-IU.) tried to negotiate with right of homosexuals to be foster parents, amendment. John LaFalce voced against it, Helms to get the bill to the floor, but Helms and vetoed a bUl that would have boimed it." and Fraidc Honon was not present for the Department, formally aban- vote. its controversial view that people staUed. The Bush ijoaUing was the "'flrst salvo in AIDS xfc not ccyvered by federal anti- In late October Helms delivered to Simon the direa-maU (efforts of the) campaign," ac­ The city has been withholding tax-exempt laws, said on Oct. 6 that a law a fbur-part amendment: **The homosexual cording to the Chicago THbune. bonds from Georgetown University untU the brwriiifc ciKriminadon against the hancUc3^>- movement threatens the strengths and thc —Rex 19(tockner in Outlines, Chicago CathoUc institution compUcs with the crity's prt>itct5 people with AIDS and those survival of the American famUy as the basic himsan rights law by providing cc]iial benefits have tested positive for antibcxUes to unit of society. State laws prohibiting fbr two gay student otgarUzations on human immunodeficiency viniS; which sodomy should by enforced. Thc federal campus. Escs thc disease. goverament shotdd not provide discrimina­ C^ activist Frank Kamcmy said the Con­ Tbe SuMpaetne Coun — reiecting thc Justice tion protections on the basis of sexual orien­ Chicago group gressional votes were one of the W^hington, Dipartn^nt's previous position — nded last tation. School curricultmis should not con­ registers thousands D.C. gay community's *'gloomiest year that a 1973 law barring the federal done homosexuality as an acceptable moments." government and recipients of federal funds lifestyle in American society/' of new voters ^Lisa M. Keen in thc Wushittgton Blade, hmm discriminatii^ against thc hancUcaq^>ed Peri Jude, a lobbyist for the National Gay Washington, D.C. cancnds to those with contagious diseases and Lesbian Tiisk Force who has been sach as AIDS. pushing for the bill's passage, called Helms' CHICAGO — Impact, a local lesbian and action "one ofthe most disgusting amend­ gay political action committee, had Thc Justice Department not only accepted registered 10,000 new voters by late that view but said thc law also protects those ments I think Vve ever seen.'* —Lisa M. Keen, the Washington Blade, September and plaimed to register another iaiected with HIV. The Supreme Court's 10,000 by the close of lUinois' registration Scandal rocks decision had left open the question of Washington, DC. period in early October. whether the law covered HIV-positive peo­ San Francisco ple, although all the lower courts consider­ The project has been the most successful ing the matter ruled that it did. voter registration effort in the state and has AIDS agency NOW Conference caused several politicians to take notice. In Jean McGuire, executive director of thc thc recent defeat of the lesbian and gay rights AIDS Action CoimciK described the decision ordinance in the Chicago City Council, as '^ reiteration of what already has been con­ on lesbian rights San Francisco's once-acclaimed Shanti several opponents switched their votes, in­ firmed by Congress and the courts" but said Project, an AIDS service agency, plunged Kt also irprescnts "an important movement attracts 1,000 cluding Edmund Burke, who said he voted deeper into scandal in September, beginning ia the posture of an administration which for the ordinance on the strength of new les­ with a noisy three-hour Health commission has been slow, at best, to respond to the About 1,000 women attended "Empower­ bian and gay voters on the rolls. hearing at which city commissioners attack­ demands of this public health crisis." ment Through Action," a national lesbian An Impact spokesperson said the project ed the project's sex policies. rights conference sponsored by the National wiU begin coordinating a computeri2cd voter The commission limited Shanti's funding The opinion gives legal force to guidelines database, which will eventuaUy contain instituted this year that federal agencies Organization for Women in San Diego Oct. to four more months. After the hearing, 30,000 names, to do mailings and improve should not discriminate against workers who 7-10. Shanti Dirccrtor Jim Geary was put on 30 have AIDS or test positive for HIV; it adopts Thc conference featured about 40 get-out-the-vote efforts for candidates days paid leave of absence and a broad interpretation of the anti­ workshops on topics including lesbian favorable to gay issues. demonstrators protested for three days out­ discrimination law for the Department of families, sexuality, working together on —Gay Community News, Boston side the Project to demand Geary's ilring. Health and Human Services and other agen­ divisive issues and promoting rights legisla­ Shanti has been criticized for its policy of cies charged w^ith enforcing the law; and — tion. The workshops resulted in a scries of allowing employees and volunteers to have although it is not binding on courts — it of­ resolutions that state goals for lesbian sexual relations with clients as long as there fers a new weapon to plaintiffs in private members of NOW and for ail lesbians. Congress votes is not a direct professional relationship bet­ discrmiuiation suits. Resolutions for lesbian famUies caU for set­ ween the client and the volunteer or staff A<:tmft Aa&t&tant Atiomey General Douglas ting up support for Icsbfans ^vith children, for discrimination • member. C^cary put thc policy into^place in W. Kmiec said his office concluded that HW providing legal support in custody battles 1986, replacing eariier poUcies forbidding aU infection is covered by the anti- and recognizing domestic partnerships. Job in Washington, D.C. sexual relations with clients. cfiscrfmination law based on medical equity resolutions call for getting job Shanti's problems began last April when evidence gathered by the surgeon general benefits for domestic partners and protec­ Congress voted Sept. 30 to withhold all the city Human Rights Commission began diac infection with HIV constitutes "physical ' tions for lesbians and gay men in employer funds to thc city of Washington, DC unless an investigation of the agency after allega­ flDpairmem. non-discrimination clauses. the City CouncU repeals or amends certain tions were made that Shanti had The Oct. 6 opinion did not touch on the Some of the other resolutions urge provisions of its human rights and AIDS in­ discriminated against minorities and women hK^er ^KStion posed by President Reagan: women, heterosexual and lesbian, to work surance laws by Dec. 31. and had had a poUcy of nepotism in hiring. wlKther, as thc President's Commission on together for women's rights and lesbian The House and Senate passed thc city's ap­ In thc course of the investigation charges of AIDS rrccMnmended, a new federal law is rights, to help eradicate poverty among les­ propriations bUl and its amendments to financial mismanagement, sexual harassment •ceded that would prohibit AIDS-based bians and to improve media ponrayal of aUow religious educational institutions to of employees and thc existence of a cult-lUce ion by private employers and lesbians. discriminate a^^dnst gays and lesbians and to atmosphere at Shanti have shaken the agen­ NOW's first national lesbian conference, allow unrestricted use by insurance com- cy and thc gay coimnunity. Under tbe opinion, the HIV-positive per- held in 1984. drew only 350 women. parUes of the AIDS antibody test. —Charles Uncbacger, Oudines, Chicago protected against discrimination Lesbian activist Bormie Berger said about is able to perform the duties of two-thirds of the women at the 1988 con­ |ah aad docs not constitute a cUrect ference were from southern California and tn thc health or safety of others/* that there was not a significant number of W^shlx^ton Post women of color Activists said they hope to do more outreach to a broad range of WELLESLEY women for the national conference they are Michele lb£uiy Hehns stalls plaiming, which has been etukirscd by NOW. CENTER —The Washington Blade, Washington, 442-2986 Ed.D. N.C.C. Coi^ressioiial bill DC. on hate crimes Bush mailing Individual^ family, couple and Offers: Inciividtial • Couple As the leoth Congress finished its session in rural Texas group counseling for ia late Ocaober. anti-gay Sen. Jesse Helms (R- gay, lesbian and bisexual Family • Groiq> Counseling NLC.) tcxjfc his paning shcH at thc gay and les­ gay-baits Duke persons in alternative to persons living a gay, hian cematufiity. lesbian or bisexual U&slyle Apparently dead now is thc Hate Crimes %iriBrir^ bil, which woidd have required the Republican presidential candidate George Jnstice Department to collect data on crimes Bush's statewide **Tcxas Victory '88" cam­ gays and other minorities. The paign has gay-baited Democratic cancUdate was imroduced by Rep. John Con- Michael DtUtakis in a 300,000-piece maUing yas;Mh\pH X MMlteal Arts Psychotherapy AsMdatas Individualized Counseling • Couples Nationally Certified Counselor offers Consulting • Group Facilitation individual, coupies Proficient in Sign Language — Adjustable Fee and group counseling and support. 423-1669 Vor TTY 4090 Medical Arts Building • 277 Alexander St. NovembsrISSS THE EMPTY CLOSET 7 ^

supervisor and informed him of his were tKM married at the time, the coun nd­ cUscovery. ed that Elden was cmly able to sue to recover Since then, Gfobescm said, he has been damages for the injuries he sustained dur­ Resources for Ex-cop sues st4>)ected to persistem harsissment from ing the accident. other officers. Once he found a pubUcity Judge Stanley Mosk, writing for the ma- over anti'gay photo of die htte gay actor RcKk Hudscm that jc^itf, stated that * 'the state's interest in pro­ disabled gays coworkers had inscribed, **1b Mitch —Love, moting marriage is inhibited" if immarried discrimination i Rock Baby** attached to his locker. cohabitants are granted the same rights as Here Is an addition fo the lisr of flcsoucces Grobeson said he was promoted twice and married persons." on tlisabled lesbiaas, gays attd l^sexuais LOS ANGELES — A former poUce depart­ received several ccmunendations for his Judge AUen Broussard, the cmly dissenter, published in tbe September ¥mptj Closet- mem aetgcaot who said he resigned from the work during his seven-year career with the wrotie that the other judges had ignored "che Article force beouue and-gay harassmem made him department. reaOity of our evolving social fabric and thc fear for his Ufe has filed a $5 miUion lawsuit He said he met iiuUviduaUy with the ci- corresponding accommcKlations made in •"By and About ^X^micn With Disabitities: against the department, claiming it ty*s mayor; the poUce conunission presick»it, both statutory and decisional law." An Interview with Mafsha Saxtcm, C:o-Editor ctlscrimitiated s^ahist him because he is gay. a poUce lieutenam and three craptains in an •—San Francisco Sentittel, reponed in Thc of Witb Wittgs** Gay Ctmtmunity News, MitcheU Grobeson, 29, said the harass­ attetapt to stop the harassmem before he left Vfitstin^tHi Blade, ^^hington, D.C. Sept. 25, 1988. GCN, 62 Berkeley St., tnent included an incident in which he the force hut none of his con^>laints were Boston, MA 02116. received a package labeled **AIDS Survival investigated. Kit'* M work and occasions in which other A poUce department spokesperson would BcM>ks ofitcers refused to give him backup help not comment on the lawsiUt but said the •All Things Are Possible, Yvonne Dtiffy when he recpicsted it during Ufc-threateiUng department has a nonctiscrimination policy Wew Tvould ipirear and Connie J. GUI, 1981. A.J. Garvin. $895- situations. that covers sexual orientaticm, rcUgicm and For disabled women who wam to leam mote The suit, filed Sept. 2^, also claims that ethnicrity. buttons for about their seaniaUty. ccyworkers p<»^uaded a poUce detainee to —The Advocate • 77ie Crippled Libetation Frottt Marching make fitlse charges against Grobeson. In ad­ gay/lesbian vote Band Blues, Lorenzo W. Milam, 1984. Mho cUtion to the financrial damages, thc suit and Mho. $995. Autobiogrs^>hy. • GIMP: Gutsy imperfet:t Maximizing seeks to bar funher discrimination against More than two-thirds of people identify­ gay men by the depanment. Potential, Al Mann with David A. WiUis, ing themselves as gay or lesbian would be 1985. Al Mann Associates, 7G Knights Grobeson said the harassment began in Arsonist's fire "ashamed or embarrassed" to wear a button 1984 shortly after he and a companion were Bridge, Foughkeepsie, NY 12603. Personal that said "Gay and Lesbian Vbte," according story of a bisesnial man who has cerebral stopped by a member of the Los Angeles burns gay center to a recent poU. Coimty SherifTs depantnent outside a IKdsy. Ofthe 1,015 panicipants in the survey, 53 •With Wings, edited by Marsha Saxton pc^Kdar West HoUywood restaivant with a in London percem said they would sometimes have predominandy gay c^Ucntcle. During a search and Florence Howe, 1987. Feminist Press, reservations about wearing the button, 13 New York, NY. f 12.95. Also available from of Grobeson*s bclongiags, thc officer found A large pan of the London Lesbian and percent said they would frequently have GiobeMm*s poUce identification, then began Recordings for the BUnd. Anthology by and Gay Centre*s first floor was destroyed in reservations and 2 percent said they would about women with dtsabiUties. to go through Grobeson*s waUet and per­ August in che third arson attack on the always feel uncomfortable. The rest of thc scmal pfaone book to try to determine building in three months. req>ondents, 32 percent, said they would whether Grobeson was gay. Grobeson said Hie fire burned most of the women-only never feel uncomfortable wearing the National ofyanlaqitlons the officer then caUed a poUce department space, but the tmUding's special fiteproofing button. •Disabled People's Liberation Front, 10 EUec St. No. 309, Dorchester; MA 02122. prevented the fire from reaching dancers in The poU, conducted for Gay and Lesbian the basement disco. (617)825-7704. Activist group with lesbian Voia^ a New >brk City-based poUtical group, and gay members. Damages were estimated at about $8,500. was distributed to 23*810 members of lesbian Fire department investigators said the blaze and gay organizations between October 1987 •Larnbda Rescmrce Center for thc BUnd, Gays Can was arson. 3225 North Sheffield, Chicago, IL 60657. and July 1988. (312)274-0510. Recordings of books for les­ Capital Gay, England, reported in —77ie Advocace CTttCUoes, Chicago. bians and gays. Be Christians! •Naticmal Ccmimittee to Free Sharon Bulletin Board Kowalski, 1725 17th St. NW, Rocmi 515. Open Arms Metropolitan Washtogton, DC 20009- (202)667-3415- * Lavender Law, the National Confierence on Organizing group working for self- Community Church California court: Lesbian and Gay Legal Issues, wUl be held determinaticm for Kowalski, a disabled Nov. 12-13 at Ck>lden Gate Law Schcx>l in San lesbian. INVITES YOU Francisco. A legal conference on AIDS will Sunday 6:00 pm unmarried couples take place on Nov. II at the San Francisco •Project cm VCtMnen and DisabiUty. cA> Of­ t fice of Handicapped AfhUrs, One Ashbunon Social time after service don^t biave riglits War Memorial Building. Place, Boston, MA. (800)322-2020 (V/TDD). 243 Rosedale The conference is being organized by gay •Rccordit^ for the BUnd, 215 East 58th SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a ruling that bar associations across the country and will St., New \brk. NY 10012. (212)557-5720. (comer Monroe) could have broad implications for lesbian include workshops and seminars on estate planning, employment discrimination, AIDS, •Womyn's BraiUe Press, PO Box 8745, and gay couples, the California Supreme Minneapolis, MN 55408. (612)872-4352. Reverend Cathy Elliott Coun decided last monch that because "the CivU disobedicmce, sodomy law reform, and 271-8478 state has a strong interest in che marriage miUtary and immigration policies. Registra­ Books on taq>e and in Braille. rdaticxiship;* urmiarricd couples shotild noc tion fees will be on a sliding scale based on have the same rights as married couples. inccmie and wiU range from S30 to $90- Ncwrietter •The DisabUity Rag, PO Box 6453. A Gay Positive Church Thc 6 to 1 decision came in a case in FOr more information, write: Bay Atea Syracuse, NY 13217. $9-12 per year; $6 low- which Richard Elden stied for reparations for Lawyers for Individual Freedom, PO Box income Bi-monthly natJcmaJ publication. For AU People the emotional stress he suffered when his 1983, San Francisco, CA 94101, or call Specify prim or cassette cape ecUtion. **defiu:to spouse," Linda Eberling, was kill­ (415)431-1444. J ed in an automobUe accidem. Since they

Roman Catholics - Episcopalians NAYIM Other Gay Christians Join Us! XOfACEXfX ? Dlgnlty-Integrtty/Rochester is an ecumenical organization open to everyone who wishes to worship in a pleasant, ncm-threatenlng atmosphere. We invite you to join us for cmr weekly celebration of A Giottp for Jewish Gays the Eucharist, followed by a scTcial hour, or or^ of our many ^p>ecial W'ELCOM'Ei and Lesbians events such as a pot luck supper, picnic, retreat, etc. A Roman Catholic mass Is c:elebrated each Sunday of the month, except for *Desee VaHey 'Si^ r,f MEETINGS- 1st Thursday eocti montti Potiuck at 6:30 Business mtg. after dignity*integrlty ^7 rochester Contact Pat Moron 244-d963 • <••-.. JU -...

-THE EMPTY CLX>SET Nov«mber1988 NO¥»nibf 1988 THE EMPTY CLOSET 9 AIDS update Gay Groups

either through cUrect payment or via and older, held its annual meeting in held at 7:30 p.m. cm Thiursday, Nov. 3- For Experts discuss medicine, law, morality and AIDS membeiship in the Gay All^mce September. roore information caU Bob H. at 442-7185. She also stfcssed the importance of good about legal ilssu« ^J*"*?*^,^^?^?'"- Men's Group Ss_ r TlWtfsaA a _Krola ,k to c:are for them any more, Zettelmaie_ . . r sai. d. ^ _. , _ j' ..-^_ . * «^ clucUn-K^.t giM» confidentiaUtl issues connectey of individualsd to AID*^ HIV Om^a's new presidem outlined the goab On December 2-4, Out & About wUl make She mentioned ocher questions: how do relationships between pec^Ie with AIDS and By HofMce Lethbridge Dr. Ann Zettelmaier, a fellow in psychiatry status, HIV testing as a concUticm for cfnploy- he and the new board wcHdd try to achieve its annual trek m Ibronto. Accommodations PWAs and health care workers face death? their health care providers. Doctors must The Men's Group of the Gay Alliatice of at the UoiTersity of Rochester, summed up ment and insurance coverage, and who can during the coming year: to attempt to ex­ at Catiu^ Guesthouse help to make the tbe spirit of activism and urgency at the How do PWAs deal with guUt, fear of pain, guard against any biases they may have about Genesee \Uley has been sponsoring exciting Dignity- pand membership ftom about 90 to 125 with weekend affordable. Members are urged to loss of abiUty to work and love? gays, intravenous drug users and prostitutes, make decisions for PWAs if they arc no events this faXL, and members expect more seminar ^'Mecticine, Law and MoraUty Fbcus longer able to do so for themselves. a plan to eventuaUy have a membeiship of make reservations eariy. The cost of the Zetteknaier said PWAs* denial of their il­ Clements said. in November and December. In October a cm AIDS** when she said, **If you're not part New York state iaw provides for a proxy Integrity more than 200, and to expand activities. weekend for member is $35 and for lness is healthy to a certain degree After they American society's "weUness kick" is not panel of three men shared their ciq>eriences ofthe soluticm, you're part of the problem.* * to make mecUcal and other decisions for Omega is planning a public relaticms ef­ nonmembers 940, based on double The seminar was held at Sx. Mary's have started to receive proper health care, dohig PWAs any gcxxl, she said — it Uiduces in coming out at work, and Cray Alliance Members of the Itochester gay and lesbian diose who are unable, she said. A proxy may Fic^dent Bob Owens spoke about the \ocaX, fort to counter-attack thc idea many in the cxrcupancy. Hospital on Jidy 16. It was ^>onsored by the they shotUd stop thinking about AIDS and guUt and encourages people with AIDS to cxmimunity and their frietids, famiUes and gay ccmimunity have that the oiganization Out & Abcnit is open to aU gay men and be a lover who is t>etter able than famUy stale and naticmal r^ts gays do and don't childfcn are invited to cdetxate the Eudiarist ho^pitai and by the Catholic Physician's referring to themselves as PWAs, she said. see their HIV infecticm as self-inflicted. PWAs is for wrinkled old fogies sitting in rocking lesbians in the Rochester area. The group's members to make decisions for the PWA. have, and what we're doing about it. with Dignity-Int^rity every Sunday at 5 GuUd of St. Bernard's Institute. And AIDS brings up questiotis of hones­ may also become depressed about their de­ chairs waiting, for their Social Security $5 armual membership fee ccyvers the cost ty, trust and fear of rejection that have no creasing abUity to work. Greenlaw urged PWAs to put their wishes in­ Our social Sunday at Letchworth State Park pm. Stt St. LukeVSt. Simcm Cyrene, 42 South Tbe seminar began with statisticrs: this to writing while they are able, t>ec:ause if they checks. of mailings and enables members to par­ year, more than 700 babies wiU be bom in­ easy answers, she said. How and when do Thc second half of the conference focus­ ^^^ ^oggy iu^cl crowded, but colorfiU. Nine Rtzhugh St. dcm't give such a power of attorney to their men en|oyed dinner in nearby PortageviUe For more information, write: PO Box 887, ticipate in a wide variety of activities, in- fected with the human immuncxleficiencry PWAs teU their sex partners about their HIV ed on confidentiaUty and religion. Marvin D-I is a community of wcMshippers gather­ Rochester, NY 14603. chidit^ hiking, camping and skiing. designated proxies, the PWA's family because the irm was fuU at Lc^tchworth. ing in a loving assembly to support people virus (HIV); it is estimated that one in every sutus, even if they're using safc sex prac­ Mich, a professor at St. Bernard's Institute, To receive a free newsletter or more infor­ tices? What is a counselor's responsibiUty members are entitied under the law to make On Nov. 6 at 8 pm. a panel of lawyers wiU as they make their faith journeys. D*I tries 200 Americans is infected with HIV; 50 to said rcligious faith is dynamic enough to face maticm about the group's activities, caU Ibm when a PW^ is not honest with sex parmets? decisions. teU us how wc can protea ourselves in a to nurture each incUvidual's sfMrituaUty, 100 miiUon people in the world wiU have ChaUenges such as AIDS. Faith, he said, or Bob at 235-9066. ChaUenges us to lcK>k at our high-risk Greenlaw was foUowed by Keith, a variety of areas, foUowed by a question and centered around the Utuigy. Our celetMations Parents FLAG AIDS by 1991. 28-year-old man who had tested positive for Morehouse discusses hospices behavior, and chaUenges thc government's answer session. On Nov. 13 our social plan foUow the Roman Catholic tracUtion on thc Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays HIV in March 1986 and had fuU-blown AIDS is a mystery brunch at noon and a show at first three Sundays of each month and the Early tfeatment is essential Zettelmaier was followed by Dr. WiUiam slow response to thc epidemic and reUgious wiU hold its mcmthly discussion and shar­ by May 1987. (Editor's no^: Keith died in the Strasenburgh Planetarium at 2 p.m. Episcopalian tradition on the fourth Simday. Dr. WiUiam Valenti, an AIDS expert from Morehouse, a general practitioner and figurcrs who condemn gays and PWAs. ing meeting on Sunday, Ncjv. 27 at 2:30 p.m. Breaking founder of a local group that encourages He said the Catholic teaching that August 1988) Details will be armounced at the Nov. 6 Our music worship includes organ, piano, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 17 South Fitz­ the Untversity of Rochester (UR) who recent­ meeting. On Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. wc wiU have and a folk group. ly announced that he wiU open a private gays to "convert" to heterosexuality, who homosexuaUty is a sin must be tempered at Before he became iU, Keith said, he was hugh St. athletic and cUd backstage work at C^^a speakers from Parents and Friends of Les­ tlie Ice practice treating people with AIDS, was spoke about the need for an AIDS hospice thc local level with compassion. This On Ncnr. 13, designated by the Episcopal Parents FLAG is forming a committee to Women new to thc lesbian community in Rochester. teaching is "not infallible" and is "rcfor- Theatre. He wanted to work instead of ap­ bians and Gays, a self-help organization that Church as Common Day of Prayer for AIDS, plan its next **Coming Out to Your Parents" more optimistic. Dire predictions about provides support, information and contaa sometimes have it rough. Coming out pro­ AIDS might prove wrong, he said, if those Those who plan hospices must take into mable," Mich said. plying for food stamps and Social Security, we wiU |oin with ochers across the country workshop For more information on the but his illness forced him to reduce the hours for gays and lesbians and their relatives. vokes many emotions, experiences and most at risk for AIDS are tested and those account differences between individual PW\s Michael Macaluso, the leader of the local in prayers and petitions that wiU focus on committee or other Parents FLAG aaivities thoughts, including, *'Do I really want to be he worked at Sibley's. who are HIV-positive receive treatment early. and between PWAs and other hospice resi­ anti-gay group Citizens for a Decent Com­ lb cclebnue thc Thanksgiving hoUdays we those whose Uves have been touched by the and services, call 392-4796. a lesbian?" During this new phase, many les­ **I reaUy and truly do believe that dents Morehouse said. Elderly hospice resi­ munity, protested from the audience, Mich Keith's friends and his mother provided WiU have a progressive dirmer in three disease. The group has just published a new bians feel isolated. a good support system, but five or six ofhis technology and medicine can rise to the oc­ dents have been raised with different values replied that the policy is not the last word homes on Thanksgiving evening, Wednes­ On Nov. 20 D-I wiU have a special Mass of brochure designed by Libby Post of the New Lesbian Resource Center (LRC) has a sup­ casion," Valenti said. than most PWAs, & groups of PWAs — moth­ and does not rank with that of Christ's friends had died from AIDS-related causes day, Nov. 23. Tbere wiU be an overnight trip Thanksgiving, foUowed by our traditional York Sute Lesbian and Gay Lobby. Call the port group for women who are '^breaking to Ibronto the weekend after Thanksgiving, Testing and early treatment would also ers & their babies, gay men, IV drug users and divinity. He dismissed the belief that AIDS after their funUies had rejected them. Many Thanksgiving potluck, including aU the fix­ above number to obtain copies. the ice," to provide a safe space to share Nov. 26 and 27. DetaUs wiU be provided at save the health care system money, he said, those who contracted HIV through blood is heavenly retribution for gays, caUing thc people believe PWAs have gotten what they ings. Everyone is welcome thoughts and feelings with others in a similar meetings and with our November/December k makes more sense to give AZT, the only transfusions — are quite different from each idea a **very primitive understaneUng of asked for, he said. PWAs are not immune On Nov 27 we wiU begin otu* Uturgical place. It will be a time for answering ques­ newsletter. drug 2^^roved for sale by the Food and Drug other God's activities" that fails to explain the from this blaming, Keith said; he and his year with the first Sunday of Advent. The tions — '*What*s women's music?" '*What Administration to treat AIDS, to those who Morehouse said confidentiality must be spread of AIDS in Africa, where many roommate went through a peroid of blam­ Men's Group is a standing committee of theme will be "Recognizing thc ChUd in Out & About is a radical lesbian?" "Can you recommend are HIV-positive rather than to wait until considered. Will needed pubUcity about the heterosexuals have the disease. ing each other after both of them tested the Gay Alliance and a vital regrouping of Ourselves.'* Out & About, the lesbian and gayjouting some good literature?" they have full-blown AIDS, he added. hospice's location lead to hostility from the In a later question-and-answer session, positive for HIV antibocUes. the Gay Brotherhood, which was inaaive D-I is a Uturgical church. It incorporates group of the Genesee Valley, is sponsoring An introduaory meeting of Breaking thc Valenti crecUted the introduction of AZT neighborhood, or violence? Macaluso criticized the speakers for not in­ Keith stressed the importance of HIV for several years. the mysteries of Christ with each person's a hike from Seneca Park to Lake Ontario Ice wUI be held on Monday, Nov 7 at 7:30 less than two years ago with improving thc Hospice rules must strike a balance bet­ sisting that gays should admit responsibiU­ testing and of honesty in deaUng with sex Thc group meets at 8 p.m. on thc first and daUy life through the experiences of thc along the Genesee River Gorge on Nov. 6. p.m. at the Gay Alliance of Genesee Vdley, chances of people with AIDS (PWAs) to live ween strictness and freedom, he said, giv­ ty for AIDS. "My chUdren wiU be paying for partners. He had been sexually aaive since third Sundays of each month and holds a Ututgical calendar (Advent, CZhristmas, Lcm, The hike is free. 713 Monroe Ave. The group, which will be productive lives. ing examples from the House of Hope, a this for a long time," he said. ;^e 13 and had used IV drugs, but had social event on che second Sunday. Easter, Pentecost, and OrcUnary Time). The group wiU hold a general member limited to eight participants, will meet for Many PWAs who are receiving AZT hospice in Houston.- individual personaUties denied the possibility of HIV infeaion. Thc average attendance at each meeting meeting at 7:30 p.m. on lUesday, Nov. 22 at five additional sessions. A IIO donation will through outpatient treatment at Strong must be respected; conflicts due to race, AIDS and the law Other PWAs should teU their parmers if they is 35, and thc average attendance at each thc Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley, 713 be requested for the five-session series. Memorial Hospital are "healthy and work­ religion, sexuality and gender must be Rochester attorney Jane Greenlaw spoke are seropositive, he said. social is 12. OMEGA Monroe Ave. A meeting for those interested For more information, call the Gay ing, and living their lives quite weU," he said. resolved in house meetings; sex, drugs and The group welcomes new gay or bisexual Omega, an organization designed to meet in cross country and downhill skiing wUI be Alliance at 244-8640. 'We just don't see people with these multi- pets are banned; and visits are regulated to men. Thc annual membership fee is $5, the needs of gay men and women 35 years pic infections any more." protect PWAs from diseases. V-aOcnti dcscritoed HIV as a coixtinuum that Morehouse said he prefers religious spon­ should not be divided into stages such as sorship of hospices. Churches, especially BiiMtagFHid HIV-positive, AIDS-related complex and Catholic churches, have taken the lead in Sharing brings comfort, AIDS. Thc symptoms arc similar in each founding hospices, he added. understandir^g arvd stage, he said. '7^C^^O^-'f^€UKHt^Kd He said the church is experienced in deal­ gro>A^... The doctor said he believes stressing issues ing with thc poor and the sick, with fear and roup We are seeking 100 people, of discrimination against those with HIV resentment. Thc church can forgive businesses and groups to ck>nate discourages people from being tested for an­ "foolishness" and "transgression," GENERAL CONTRACTORS tibodies to the virus. $100 or more each, to help Morehouse said. He urged the church not to financ^e downpayment and clos­ Valenti and a coUeague from the UR, Dr. avoid these chances to minister or to ing cx>sts for our new gay com­ Stephen Scheibel, described some of the op­ "secularize" itself to serve PWAs. portunistic infeaions that attack the im­ In a later question-and-answer session, Renovatfon Specialists munity center. mune systems of PWAs, and drugs and Morehouse defended his view that hospices treatments that may be used to treat these should not require "sexual re-orientation," • oak handrailing systems • custom drywall work 'SA A Fbunders Club plaque will be infections. or conversion to heterosexuality, fcrtit that it engraved with members' names, Psychological and social issues should be offered to gay PWAs. Colleen • kitchens • bathrooms 90es lei if they wish, and placed in our Dr. Ann Zettelmaier, in her discussion of Clements, a UR assisunt professor of • whirlpools • roofing riew center. "Psychosocial Aspects of AIDS," said AIDS psychiatry, replied that 50 percent of a gay • skylights Ifforday^®' ^'rsf and has affected all of American society's person's sexuality is biological. • replacement windows Send check payable to the GAGV systems, forcing us to deal with issues con­ Building Fund. ceming insurance, overcrowded hospitals, AIDS and ethics Parents-FIAG. public health care and psychiatric care. Clements spoke about AIDS from an Free Estimates Fully Insured P.O. Box 926 a ^e and Call 244-8640 and leave a We tend to blame these and other pro­ ethical perspective. She said PWAs can be us­ Hilton, NY 14468 nt ti.Z^ me—age If you wish to loom blems entirely on AIDS, she said, but thc real ed to advance others' social and poUtical (716) 865-0120 ^ca//. ®"' *'^e to Z issue is society's treatment of the poor and agendas—including pro or anti-gay rights, sex Office: 546-1280 < "Wtirni how you c:an help. Pager: 955-1643 (716) 392^796 the imderprivilcgcd. Thc problem of pro­ education and health care — but it should be . viding health care for the poor is becoming remembered that PWAs are people and more obvious because members of our should not be seen only in terins of AIDS- mobile society don't have extended families related goals. Is drinking DOUBLE J EOPARDY: E.D.G.E. AIDS AND CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY AIDS a problem Of Rochester... a tv\ro-day conference iiCC^-.^: y-^yy-j^^y^Mi''>i>iJcjdii^ii5^ ,:;;'^>:;-Ji;+.; .i" ;:.;;x:ii:_^;iy>;w>: in your life? November 17-18, 1988 DONT JUST WORRY ABOUT IT AA c:an help. A Communication 8:30-4:30' CAIX Call 232-6720, 24 hours a day. and Support Group Sunrise Hill bm Or come to Gay AA at St. Luke's Church formed BY and FOR 6108 Loomis Road on Thursdays at 8:30 pm. Canandaigua, Nev\r\brk 423-8081 Disabled/Handicapped Sign language inlerpreied. Keynote addresses, VMOilshops and issues forums Collect calls accepted last meeting of ttie month. GAY MEN and WOMEN wiU feature nationally-known speakers and experts including Larry Siegel, MD, LeClair BisseU, MD, Mel Pohl. MD. Jackie Nudd Counseling and HIV antibody testing For gay women only: and WUfiam Valenti. M.Q services are provided free and anonymously Mondays at 8:30 pm. Cost: $50/day; $90/both days by an experienced counselor For gay men only: 271-5494 Sponsored by: AIDS Ihsk Force ofthe (feahh Association; Sundays at 8:30 pm AIDS Rochestet; bic; Conifer Paric; Day Break Akoholism lleatxnent .•:<:/y^.:M^.iw: c^^s^yi^y.^ •C'^y^-:., •>:Vi,:r:^-:r:;iW^::.o;i:-:^<2L;;;*i:::ii;;X;s:;- OR Facility; Mental Heakh Association; National Associatkin of Social Qay Al-Anon ^^ikers; National CotmcU on Alcoholism • Rochester Area. '- ' •^'^' N ^ •'. H,. ,(fh '. ,. I •, ... Sahjrdays at 7 pm 381-0739 For info: 473-6750 Unitarian Church i * • • • '. > fc* . * r THE EMPTY CLOSET Nowwntar 1988 • «• />*•.. A\>. tUWs Wo¥amber t988 THE EMPTY CLOSET 11

AMM Rocimaler Fifth Annual Dinner, Gay Men's Group meeting: speakers giDup for gay/les­ WEDNESDAY Mapledale F^ House, 1020 Maple from F^rents and FrierKb of Lesbiarts TUESDAY SATURDAYWEDNESDAY biaS5SSS2n CathoUcs andS Episoopafans . Mass, Awe.. 7:30 pm., $25. Cash bar, 6:30 and Gays. GAGV tounge, 8 pm. WEDNESDAY SUNDAY St. LukeVSt. Simon Cyrene Chdrch, 16 pm. Speaker Dr. Mervin Sl^erman. 244-8640. NOVEMBER 42 S Fitzhugh St., 5 pm. Eplscx)p8l cftrector of American Fbundatton for 23 27 U group for gays/lesbians over Church's Common Day of Prayer for Laabian ReacNNco Canter social roHfihuuic Sodal sponseml by Gay Ngamem of GMMMC ViHey AIDS Research. Reservattons by Nov. Men's Groaip progressh« Thanksgiv­ 35, board of directors meeting, AIDSL night, GACV bunge, 7:30 pm. PMenls and Frienda off Lesbians TUESDAY Omega, group for gays/lesbtans over board meeting, GAGV kxinge, 7 pm. 10. 232*3580. MONDAY ing dinner at 3 mervi>ers' homes, even­ Eptecopal Diocesan House, East Ave.. 35, Friends Meeting House, 41 244-8640. RodwsterBiacmMi Women's Net­ ing. 244-8640. . John Dignity-iniegrity^ 9>'oup for gay/les­ 10 6 Amwml •nmnhigMng Pinner spon- Bosweirs lecture "Lepers Anctent and 25 bian Catholtos and Episcopalians. Ad­ Empty Closet deadline for articles^ let­ sored by Omega, group fbr les­ Nayim, group for gay/lesbian Jews. HIItt from Seneca PM to Lake Ontario MONDAY Modem: The Parallel Treatment of Play: "Breaking the Code" Shipping vent Mass. "Recognizing the Chikl in SATURDAY ters to the editor, etc. 244-9030. bians/gays over 35. Friends Meeting Hanukkah parlv^ Call for informatfon: WEDNESDAY ak>ng Genesee River gorge, sponsored Leprosv^ 'he Plague and AIDS^" the Dock Theatre, St. John Fisher College, OurseK^s," St. Luke's Chunii, 17 S Fi^ House, 41 Westminster Rd.. 4-10 pm, 442-3363. by Out & About gay/lesbian outing 12 14 varied historical response of the church 3690 East Ave.. 8:15 pm. 385-8400. zhugh St., 5 pm. 2 group 235-9066. Conierence: "Double Jeopardy: AIDS $5. Reservattons by Nov. 12. to catastrophic health issues. Thini RochMter NCf UP (AIDS Coatitton Deadline for reservattons for Omega and Chemkad DepertderKv^'* cor4erer>ce Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs St. at East Play: "Breaking the Code." See Nov. Cenfer meeting, to Unleash Power) meeHng, GAGV annual Thanksgiving dinner. See Nov. for human service pnsfossJorurfs, Sunrise Ave.. 7:30 pm-9 pm. 25. CAGV lounge, 7:30 pm. 244-8640. Men** Group meeting: "Legal Rights fourtge. 7 pm. 442-3519. and Problems in the Gay Community;" 19 for details. Hill Inn, 6108 Loomis Rd.. Canan­ SATURDAY OUTSIDE daigua, 8:30 am-4:30 pm. $50/d^; S U WD AY M '*Men Reconsider Feminism." panel of laMyers discusses legal issuer $90 for 2 days. 473-6750. TUESDAY Jociy Asburv; University of Rochester. GAGV k>unge, 8 pm.. 244-8640. 20 26 Rush Rhees Ubraiy Welles-Brown Rm.. SUNDAY TUESDAY 22 Overnight trip to Ibronlo; sponsored 7:30 pm. 275-4111. DiS*My4n*e9ri^ group for gay/les­ by Men's Group 244-8640. ROCHESUR 15 bian Catholks »KI Episcopalians. Mass Out & About, gay/lesbian outing 13 FRIDAY of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving potluck group, general membership meeting, MONDAY Play: "Breaking the Code." See Nov. Rochester Lesbian and Gay GAGV lounge. 7:30 pm. 235-9066. Gay Men's Group social: nnySlaiy supper, St. Luke^S'St. Simon Cyrene 25. Political Caucus meeting, GAGV 18 Church. 42 S. Fitzhugh St.. 5pm THURSDAY THURSDAY brunch, noon; trip to Strasenburgh k>unge, 7 pm. 244-8640. Third Presbyterian Church Gay and Planetarium, 2 pm. 244-8640. Conference: **Double Jeopardy: AIDS 3 and Chemical Dependency." See Nov Lesbian Support Group meeting, rap Bisexual Men's Group meeting. Film; "Maurice,'' University of 17. Fabrics & Findings Arts festival: "Ways in Being Gay/* Out 9k About, gay/iesbian outtng session. Third Presbyterian Church, 4 PJEC office. Genesee Co-Op, 713 DECEMBER 3-weeks of art works by and about gays Meigs St. at East Aue.. 7:30-9 pm. f^hester. Strong Auditorium. 3:30 and group, meeting lo discuss cross coun­ Monroe Ave., 7:30 pm. Jack, Nayim, group for lesbian/gay Jews, and fesbians, Hallwalls Contemporary 2716513. 7:30pm. 2755911. try and downhilf skiing. GAGV lounge, 244-7191. worship service. Temple B'rith Kodesh SATURDAY Arts Center. 700 Main St., Buflalo^ Nov. 7:30 pm. 442-7185. 3-19. $5 per program. See Arts Talk for Breaking the Ice, support group for 2131 Elmwood Ave. 442-3363. RIG WAREHOUSE Empty Closet advertising deadline. complete schedule. women new to thc lesbian community, 3 Entpty Closet staff meeting. EC office, 244-9030. Genesee Co-Op^ upstairs, 7:45 pm. GAGV lounge, 7:30-9:30 pm. Group Coffeehouse Social sponsored by will meet for 6 consecutive weeks. Play: 'The Lady Dick*' by lesbian Discussion of topics, stories, photos for Omega, group for gays/lesbians over playwright Holly Hughes, First Street December issue. 244-9030, 244-8640. 35, Friends Meeting House. 41 « Playhouse, 423 First St., Ithaca, Nov. Westminster Rd., 7-11 pm, $1 donation. 3-20, $8. See Arts Talk for details. FRIDAY "SPECIAL GUEST Rally to prepare for the pre-election cf- SIXTH ANNUAL A TREASURE-PACKED WAREHOUSE OF ONGOING kx\, with speaker Virginia Apuzzo, New STAR'' FASHION FABRICS AT CLOSE-OUT PRICES Vbrk stale governor's liason to the les­ bian and gay community. Open Arms Remnants • Piece Goods • Mill ends • Decorator Fabrics • Foam IJMlles ReciMfUm Club, monthly THIiRCnAV Custom Made Upholstery • Draper>' • Slipcovers Metropolitan Community Church, 243 Rosedale St., 8 pm. Shop at Home • Free Decorator Service ( ROCHESTER BROCKPORT 50 Anderson Ave. 461-2820 outdoor events. 244-8640. a • Ga!i—Sy Environnvenf)i 1 J , 1/ Rochestert rI Corner N. GoOdnuui 80 Climon St. 637-9187 "Donna fOn Ihp Canal) hukAaxt Couples Croups monthiy Center for Independent Living, 464 S LH CUnton /Wc,, 7 pm. 381-0739. Second social events. 244 8640 EDGE (EdiK:aHng Hie Disabled in arxi fourth Thurvlays. S_ U NDAY Cay Alcoholics Anonyesoas, St. Nicole" leebian Wrffters Groupv 2 pm. Luke's Church, 17 S Frtzhugh St., 8:30 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH WINTER FITNESS IS EASY- 473-1573. Fourth Sunday. pm. 232-6720. IMSiiHy/iirteoHty, St Luke's-St. Rochesier HHtot\em\ Bowling and on a BIACKBURN SNfion Cyrene Chunch, 17 S Fitzhugh Sociel^ 8:30 pm. W14y811. LILAC BALLROOM St., 5 pm. 328-9758. BRUNCHES SERVED ROCHESTER RIVEaSi WIND TRAINER! UntveisHy «»f Rochesier Gsy mnd\ SUNDAY "Tiffany" 0|MMi Arwe MetrepoiHaat Com- Lesbiau AieclsHon, UR River Cam- mmm^CkmnAk^ 243 Rosedale St.. 6 pusw McAors Hatf, Rm. 418. 9 pm. NOOfT- 3 PM jCONVEhtTtON C^ In stock, from *149 to *179. pm. 271-8478. Business meeting. Come in for a demo todciy! AdrTiis8i^i\$1S.00 IMNpsMy off lliMJMtsler Gay MMI LUNCHES SERVED "Love" toiiin Aataclatluw, UR River cam- MONDAY - FRIDAy CROSSCOUNTRY SKI RENTALS pu^ MefiM Hj^l, Rm. 418, 7 pm. 11:30 - 2:30 Gviiilft & pfesemations. FRIDAY «8 £?v »20 Friday thru Monday W g N DAY , mmftmHmmSmmmt^mm •nil iiiipiHi I Gay wmA Lesbian Ovamatotrs FROowHeeieRs Anonynwns, Unitarian Chmch, 220 S. Winton Rd.* 7 pm. Denise, DINNER SERVED BICVCI^ SHOP AND PERSONAL FITNESS CENTER iS0§:, WMMII** Alcoholics 482-5822. AtONDAV - THURSDAY 1149 Culver Road • 473-3724 SlLuhi^sChiach^nS 5:00 - lO:00 Hours: Mon. thru Sat. 10-4 • Wad. 10-6 • Tues.. 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12 THE EMPTY CLOSET No¥»mbT 1988 NovMTibor 1988 THE EMPTY CLOSET 13 FDAf continued iSrtxni pa^e 1 thought the slide show was incredible, failure to approve new treatments for AIDS. sat down as a group, huddled near a steam The poUce refused time and again. Then The poUce told the rest of tlie detainees althot^ I know I leacted that way because So £u: the government has apptoved only The "Livid Lesbians" foUowed us, chant­ grating to keep warm. There we waited for they started moving the bus out. We shouted that unless tbe tibree of US left, oone <^ them ACTION = LIFE I bad taken part in last year's march. The one drug, AZT. ing "Lesbians are here? Loud and clear!" the traditional first and second "leave or be to our comrades on the outside to block the could leave. The police department's real in­ nuuch was so incredible, anything that When wc arrive, legal ofganiascrs are "Fofget Me Not," friends of PWAs who arrested" warnings from the poUce. bus untU the poUce met our demand. Our tent was getting more and more apparent — that in a few years I will be standing here evokes memories of it has to be neariy as discussing possible charges for those ar­ have died, joined us behind the barricades, They promised that if we walked with friends were more than wilUng to obUge. tlicy were trying to isolate tbe "weakest" ac­ WM^iingtoa conthMued from viewing panels I've created for friends and powerful. rested. They e:q>ect thc Momgomery County too. tiicm to the waiting buses we wouldn't be They shouted, "You block the dn^, we tivists ftom the group in an efibrt to in­ psigc 1 acquaintances who are now HIV-positive. As I watched the show, I did something Police to chaige those who sit in with a dvil By 7:30 a.m. afflnity groups were circling handcuffed or separated from our group. block the bus!" and sat down in the road. timidate us. with AIDS smd AIDS-related complex, opens I (eel as if I'm condemning them to death I hadn't let myself do at the march last year penalty that carries a smaU fine. Those who the buUding, either trying to get in or to They aUowed us to walk but tried to forcibly Once the bus was blocked, we began The PISD Caucus responded to the poUce at the American Red Cross, near thc Ellipse by thinking this. I know they are Uvitig with because I had fidt silly and embarrassed, and enter the FDA building will be on federal block entrances so FDA wo^cers couldn't get separate us from each other. ernest negotiations for an interpreter At last, by figuratively lockii^ arms and supporting where the quilt will be displayed. AIDS, and that positive thoughts and feel­ because it's easier to do this in the dark at prc^>erty and will probably be chaiged in. Folks were spilling out onto the streets, During the arrest and ID process we were the police aUowed an inrerpreter from the the three neediest members. We kept press­ Photographer Jim Wigler spent more than ings can only help them. But I can't stop the movies than in the sunlight outside the with a federal crime. blocking traffic and making a general mess, handcuffed. The flrst four of us were crowd onto tlie bus, but they refused to pay ing our demands and refusing to leave untU two years traveling across the country, talk­ fearing their dying, as I stand looking at this White House — I cried. And as I had at the aU trying to get arrested. separated from the group and put onto a dif­ him. "Why should we pay for one person's tbey were met. Since thc PISD Caucus ing to and photogratphing people afifecced by sea of names of the dead. inarch, 1 felt grateful that I had a friend next Tuesday, October 11 The poUce refused to arrest anyone. They ferem bus. Another group of three, inchiding communication need?" was their rationale. created the heaviest medical burden on the thc epidemic. Thc project was originally 1 p.m.: A few miles away at a local junior to me who knew what I was going through. 6 a.m.s I've been staying in a church con- said we'd made a deal to be arrested in front a PWA with an infusion shunt, were rough­ "Keep the bus blocked," we shouted to police, they were more dian glad to meet our commissioned by thc San Mateo, Calif. ofthe buUding. No deal had ever been struck ed up and nearly separated from the group. our friends. When the police flnaUy but demands. Why it took them five liours to get County Board of Supervisors. The exhibit Clockwise from below: Police arresting demonstrator at FDA pro­ with the poUce. It amazed me how those The worst part of the ordeal was the folsely agreed to have a paid interpreter at to that point is stUl beyond mc. will travel with thc Names Project AIDS test. OfHcer at right is holding plastic ties used to handcuff who think they have authority could so twist gloves. The poUce had all taken AIDS sen­ the detention center, we urged our friends Back at the FDA, four acrivists from the Memorial Quilt on its next national tour. demonstrators. the truth. sitivity training. \^ every cop with whom to let the bus move. Wr slowly made our way Los Angeles chapter of ACT UP (AIDS CoaU­ Ail kinds of people ate here — young and Another protester Photo by Libl>y Pickering. Thc PISD Caucus hoisted Peter Staley, a I had contact was wearing surgical gloves. toward the Montgomery County PoUce tion to Unleash Power) broke a window and old; Black, white. Latino, Asian, Native; men "Judge U.S. Harlot" and other activists at demonstration at New Ybyk activist with ARC, onto the roof The SWAT team members they caUed in wore Academy, where the police had set their gym got inside the buUding. Mass ACT OUT and women; working class and middle class. Health and Human Services building on Oct. 10. Photo by Robert of the FDA buUding's front entrance. He un- fluorescent orange asbestos gloves. (I guess up as a detention center climbed onto a iet^ over another door and There's a priest and an athiest. There's a Dardano. furied liie "SUence » Death" banner and they heard we were flamers.) At the detention center a meinber of the did a Uttle dance up there tmtU the poUce 39-year-old man who's been living with Volunteers folding up the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt taped it onto the front windows. The smoke We endured our initial processing and PISD Caucus needed to use a restrocmi. Since came to arrest them. One affinity group AIDS for 5 3UK1 a half years. at dusk. bombs he set off did not please anyone, were shoved onto a bus. Throughout aU of she has had an Ueostomy and her body pro­ climbed on t«^ of a bus and reftised to come There's a smiling man who describes his Opposite page, top: A view of the quilt from the Washington especially those of us under the roof. this the police insisted on speaking to us as cesses through a plastic bag, most of the of- down. The police had to arrest them and struggle with Pneumocystis carinii Monument. The PISD Caucus spent half an hour a group. Because I'm hard of hearing and flcers were happy to let her use a restroom drop them thiough an emergency hatch in­ pneumonia. He's died since the photo was Bottom: The candelight march to the Lincoln Memorial to waiting for the police to arrest us. When they needed an interpreter, ail negotiations were with running water. to thc bus. taken; black ribbons on the upper comers remember those who have died of AIDS-related illness. Photos by wouldn't, we decided to crawl under the going on over my head. Of course, the police But she ran into a woman cop on a power The police got a Uttle violent when one of their photos indicate thc 28 PWAs who David Emlen. barricades they had placed in front of the weren't going out of their way to make com­ trip. The offlcer not only refused to allow affinity group tried to approach the building have died. WHO doors. Four of us were anested immediately. munication any clearer thc demonstrator to use a restroom with run­ from thc side. As one offlcer tried to prevent Thc PWAs' ages range from 20 to 57. As ITie rest of us passed the barricades over My afflnity group began to demand that ning water, but also made my co-activist an activist from getting into the buUding 1 look at the photos and accompanying our heads until we were aU behind them. Wc an interpreter be brought on board the bus. hand her bag to a nurse who was forced to through a side door, he actually helped the autobiographical notes, I Hnd myself careful­ GOT empty and clean it. The cop humiliated my cause by shoving the demonstrator through ly noting everyone's age. Why?, I ask myself friend, and so angered the nurse that she a plate glass window. — is the death of a younger person more refused to retum to duty. Amazingly, Peter Staley, who had climb­ tragic than that of .^n older person? As we entered the detention center, the in­ ed onto the roof of the front entrance, was A smiling 20-ye ir-old woman says she PLACEBO terpreter who had volunteered at the FDA able to negotiate his way out of arrest. He hopes her parents will write to her from to come aboard the bus was denied access. told the police climbing onto the roof to ar­ England, because now more than ever, she No other interpreter was in sight. I decided rest him that if they touched him he would needs ihem to stand by her. A 20-ycar-old not to cooperate with the police until an in­ "come down spitting." man has the angriest face in the whole terpreter was provided. Up to this point, I The window-breakers from Los Angeles, exhibit. If I DIE Of StiU didn't know what the charges against us the only ones to actuaUy enter the building, He says he lost 35 pounds in less than two were. My affinity group decided they would were let go on only a loitering chaige. Only weeks in thc hospital: **The hardest thing is I not cooperate either until the police provid­ the first man arrested, thc New Yorker with seeing myself melt away and disappear'' AIDS ed an interpreter and paid for his services. the spray paint, was charged with anything Quite 2 few people are positive and op­ T After four hours, three of us were told we more than loitering: misdemeanor destruc­ timistic; many are extremely appreciative of would have to cite out — leave the deten­ tion of pubUc propeity. the support the gay community has given tion center with our tickets. The police had I came away from the action feeling the them. But a 36-year-old man's comment DROP MY BODV decided they could no longer handle thc power of working with others for thc same makes me particularly angiy and sad: "I special needs of a woman needing a cause. Our message did get out. The whole can't somehow visualize myself as a 50-year- restroom rather than a port-a-potty, a PWA nation heard our demand for equal treat­ old queen, so maybe AIDS is a godsend." ONWSTEPS with an infusion shunt or a hard of hearing ment for aU people with AIDS, and heard What self-hatred he must feel, 1 think to person with a need for an interpreter So we from PWAs who are fully alive and fighting myself, that he would rather die than grow 'W Of THE EDA were told to leave. for their lives. old \ A cave aftjcr noting a comment tiy JoYin Mosman, 26: "Thc Chinese symbol for cr.sis' is the same as the one for opportuni­ ty* Voon: As I walk past the Ellipse on my v..\y to thc Smithsonian, 1 watch Names Pro­ ject volunteers prepare for tomorrow's quilt display. They unload from tmcks hundreds, Ivlorelle for Assembly maybe thousands, of copies of books about the quilt. Others are begiiuiing to set up the five miles of white canvas walkways that go bet­ ween blocks of quilt panels. Dozens of can­ vas rolls sit on the Ellipse's perimeter, along with several two-foot-high wooden spools of purple thread. The volunteers all wear white. 7;30 p.ni.: The weekend's Intemationai high school, ACT NOW (AIDS Coalition to Monday, October 10 Washington continued from slowed down a bit. More than 100 people Gay and Lesbian Film Festival begins at the Network, Organize and Win), an otganiza­ 4 p.m.: ACT NOW holds a demotistration page 13 had been arrested. Police and demonstrators Biograph Theatre in Georgetown. Because tion of AIDS activist groups from around the at the Departmem of Health and Human Ser­ holding a "die-in" in the street, climbing on­ had broken a plate-glass window and two I'm a movie junkie, I spend most of my week country, is holding a national teach-in on vices to protest the government's AIDS to the roois over the entrances, sitting on top glass doors, and at least six protesters had here. I was lucky to have arrived in the city AIDS activism, i stay only long enough to policies. About 400 people attend the pro­ of police buses, setting off smoke bombs, gotten inside thc building. just in time to catch the end of the Asian Film say hello to a few friends from Rochester and test, a mock trial of the Reagan hanging "Furious Dyke Administration" The action went on until 4:30, and by the Festival, including work by independem I don't attend any of the workshops, but it administration. banners on the windows, entering the end, about 175 pet^lc had been arrested. Asian American and Asian Canadian lesbian becotnes obvious to me within a few minutes The demo begins with a few songs, buUding through broken windows, burning The demonstration was sucessful in preven­ and heterosexual vtromen fllmmakers. that the building is alive with people who followed by a skit by the Boston street Ronald Reagan in efflgy and blocking en­ ting FDA employees from entering the 77ie Outsitlets provides a nice segue from have taken their anger about the epidemic theater group United Fruit Company. Four trances, buses and roads. buUding, and the mainstream media from one fllm fest to the other. It's a Ikiwanese and put it to work. members of the group, wearing mustaches, ference center with members of the New When I left six hours later, the action had around the country covered the action. film about several young gay men who have beards and dresses, talk about sodomy — 'Vbrk City chapter of ACT UP. The Ughts go been thrown out of their families' homes Sunday, October 9 "sex not for procreation, but for pleasure" on and people start gating ready at 5 a.m. and go to live with an older gay man and his 9 p.m.: A Ninth of October Rally to com­ — pretend to perform sexual acts and sing I foU over and try to go back to sleep until landlady. memorate the Hrst anniversary of the Na­ old pop songs with new lyrics that poke fim someone wakes me again at 6. tional March on W^hington for Lesbian and at those who reject anything but hetero sex. * Are you getting up?" The tone is sUghtly David A. Bischoping Saturday* October 8 Gay Righu is held in Dupont Circle, hean Then master of ceremonies Sue Hyde, of exasperated. "You're going to miss the ac­ ID a.m.: I go to see the Names Project of the D.C. gay community. About a thou­ ACT NOW and thc National Gay and Lesbian tion." Richard Fenwick Quilt. It is a beautiful sutuiy day, and the sand people arc listening to speakers when Tuk Force, introduces the judge for the I take the Metro — thc D.C. subway — and Ellipse is not too crowded yet. People I arrive. mock trial. "Judge U.S. Hariot." Her real arrive at 7:30, just as Metro poUce officers CONTRACTORS wander slowly over the canvas walkways, The speakers urge those in the audience name is Carol Leigh and she is a prostitute are arresting a man from New York City for some taking photos, some looking for par­ to contact their Congrcss members to pro- and a member of COYOTE (CaU OfiF Your ^>ray painting a message about the FDA on Older HomB Specialists Joe Mordle and Tim Mains share a moment during the campaign. ticular panels with names of loved ones, ttst the Sept. 30 vote to withhold all funds Old Tired Ethics), a prostitutes' rights the station walls. A few minutes later the some crying, some writing on the rainbow to Wuhington, D.C. until the City Council Ofganization. Leigh is wearing a bright red demonstfators start walking the couple of Design • Drywall • Painting fabric panels reserved for vicwets* messages repeals or amends provisions of its himian feathered hat and a gown made from an blocks to thc FDA buUding. On the way Carpentry • Decks and the names of those who aren't rights and AIDS insurance laws that protect American flag. there, they plaster "SUence m Death" and fcpiesented yet on thc quilt. gays and PWAs from discrimination. "There is no defense attorney, because "The govenunent has blood on iu hands' Roofing & Gutters "The difference between Pinny Cooke and The quilt is so enormotis, I don't know 9x50 punut Afker a day of ACllng UP and there is no defense for this sort of neglect!" sdckers on anything that doesn't move (By Additions wfaoe to walk, what to look at. I wander on­ fllm fefliing, 1 arrive Oate, as always) at Pdr she aimounces. ACT NOW members in the now, anything in the metropolitan Joe Morelle is the difference between a to one of che walkways and look at panels. Love and for Liie: A Multi-Itaage Slitie crowd chant, "History wili recall, Reagan ^KMiingion area that doesn't move has a few Some are more aesthetically appeaUng than PtesetitadtMontbeMaxchon VfMtlngtonby and Bush did nothing at all!" and the trial stickeis on it.) friend and an advocate. As part of the ochcn, but chey'fc all beautiifiil, because they leading lesbian photographer JEB Ooan E. b^ins. Fifteen poUce can and six poUce buses and Repairs to full replacement each represent a person, a life. Biren). Tbe slKyw includes perfbrmances by 8 pjak»t After a wonderful dinner at an vans are lined up in fnxu of the buUdii^. Any size Jot>8 at all democratic majority in the State Assem­ After a while it becomes overwhelming, Black gay writers W^iyson Jones and Essex Ethiopian restaurant, my firiends and I go to The demonstrators get rigitt to woric -•- Free estimates libd almost like an ouuider because I don't HemphiU, intcfprcted in s^ language by a local church fbr tbe last planning meeting picketing, chanting slogms, throwing Uttle Call & leave message bly, Joe will be able to do so much more know tuxytme whohaa died. I feel fortimate Martin Hiraga of Rochester. for the ACT NOW civil disc»bcdleiice action pink triangles, Icaflctthig cars in the park­ chat I doo't yet have ataey friends with "full­ The slide show included hundreds of at the Food and Drug Administfation in ing lot. sitting in In fiom of the doofs, for us." Tim O. Mains, Rochester Qty Council blown'' AIDS, but I can't stop thinkii^, as photos taken by JEB and more than a dozen RockviUe, Md. tomorrow. Wuhington continued on 325-1198 I look at doosens, hundreds of tptUt panels. other lesbian and gay pbotographeis. I The demonstiattMS wiU protest the FDA's page 13 14 THE EMPTY CLOSET Nowwilxr 1988 Novwnbar 1M8 THE EMPTY CU>SET 15

Arts Talk Satufday, Nor* 12,8 puiBus Holly Hu^ies, AU events begin at 8 p.m. and cost $5 unless otherwise noted. Series passes to aU "^Kirid Without End," perfonnance; Ron D- Ar tno tes 15 events cost $30. For more information, M-Key, "Makif^ Love with the Door Open," caU 854-5828. Tbe schedule: performance. GeVa's £ditl!i Stein: a haunting, passionate play Little to ahow l*w oiE^eaite some viewers. The films are not rated but can Thtttvday, Nov. 3s David Roche, **Why 11 pan.: The Dance of AU Pemiasiotts, "a Nov. 30 through Dec 6, the Littfe Theatre be considered "strong R." The theater wiU I Am Not a IVanvesdte," performance; Une-ni^ dance-o-iaina." $3; fice widi ticket By Maria Sdpionc representative tem the Holocaust Commis­ ed throughout the play under the direction making of it. Uoiores Sutton's performance wiU show Matador andLaw ofDe^re, 1986 chaige separate admi^ons or a discoimt for Rochester's Larry Champoux, **A Short stub from 8 p^m. show. Why does an earty 20th-century German sion, arriving at Aushchwitz to convince thc of Lee Sankowidi. Sankowich and Giron let as Frau Stein is exceptional. and 1987 films by director Pedro Almodovar; both. For more information, caU 232-4699. History of Fear," performance; Ellen ^iio, Sunday, Nov. 13s "A Queer King of Film: Jewish woman, Edith Stein, who has a doc­ Carmelite nuns to remove the cross and the no one off the hook in their search for the But Edith Stein was not a coward. She can­ who has been caUed the John ^C^rteis c^ new videotape; participants in Holly Selections fiom the Second Annual New torate in phUosophy and is an ardent dedication to Iferesa Benedicta of the Cross truth about Edith Stein. not be bulUed into denying her own ex­ Spanish cinema. Bnlfolo arts center features Ht^hcs' worksht^, **E-Z Performance Art." York City Lesbian and Gay Ejq>efimental feminist, become a cioistered CarmeUte nun, that has been placed at the entrance. We flist see Scein after she has just return­ istence, and she shows this in her dealings Law of Desire, the theater's newsletter work by lesbians and gays •3. Film Festival; Lypsinlea, drag performance. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross? ^W^smann, played by Ron Paber; pleads with ed from nursing the sick and wounded of with Kart Heinz, a young Nazi who throu^ says, has *'a gender-bendiiig pretzel of a plot HaUwaUs Contemporary Arts Center, 700 Friday, Nov. 4: Hm Millei; excerpts from Monday, NOT. l4t Jim Hubbard, The answeis, and diere are more than one, the prioress of the convent to consider what Wotid War 1. She is rense in her mother's his good luck and dramatic talents finds [in which) the central figure is a femous gay Main St. in Buffalo, wiU sponsor a three- '*Some Golden States,** performance; Eileen "Homosexual Desire in Minnesota" and are explored in Arthur Giron's drama, Etiith it means to have this death camp dedicated house, not sure of her next step in life. The himself in charge of re-inventing thc church film director whose sister Q>layed with flam­ week festival of performance, fiction, Myles, ^'Leaving New Yoik," performance; otber films. Stein, currently playing at G^ Theatre. to ajewish woman who converted to Chris- funUy is celebrating Purim, ajewish hoUday to fit the Fuehrer's agenda. boyant zest by Almodovar fevorire Carmen theater, poetry, music, dance, painting, Sarah Schulman, reading from her novel Thufsday, Nor. 17: "Other Countries: Giron's intricate plot is deep and layered. danity when millions of Jews were murdered commemorating the Biblical hero Esther, Heinz haunts Stein. He is everything she Maura) used to be his brother untU their sculpture, film and video by and about gay Ai%er Dolores. Black Gay Vbices," readers and performers The fragments of Stein's life from 1919 to there. and Stein has written a play for die occasion. despises; he is Haman.^ But her king demands fether ordered a sex change." The film is part men and lesbians Nov. 3-19. The fiist festival Satufday, Ntw. 5, 9 pan.: "Ways in Be­ fiom Other Coimtries writers' coUective in 1942 are portrayed s^^ainst a stark, severe set Many others died there and acknowledg­ In Stein's play. Esther has given herself in that she love her enemies. Heinz' presence fentasy, pan murder inystery and part erotic of its kind in the Buffelo area, *'W^ in Be- ing Gay" gadlery installation opens, 4th floor. New York City. — two perpendicular iron gratings against ing them does not mintmire the genocide marriage to King Asahuerus so she can save is a torture to her, for.his goal is to lure her comedy ii^ Gay" wiU feature artists f^rom nine cities Wotk by gay male artists ftotn five cities. Saturday, Nov. 19: Alison Rooney's "Rab­ blackness ait a cross suspended in titne. This enacted against Jews, the prioress replies. thc Jewish people from the extermination out of the convent as his wife. At the end Thc Little's managers wam that both films in the United States and Canada, including Free. Continues through Dec. 17. bit Plantation," a black comedy with WOW set directs our attention to the chaiactcis, for The play opens with this conflict, which is planned by the evil general Haman. This is she is bitterly defeated by him because she are meant to be shocking and wiU offend Rochester 11 PLm.: Undel Gum, "How to Make Cafe performers Kare Stafibid and LiUian they alone provide color, emotion and not easily settled because it is not between the ultimate sacrifice and Esther is che hero. cannot love him spirituaUy Yet there is a tno­ Friends," film; AUce B. Theatre: A Lesbian KUlian. movement. right and wrong, but between right and Stein does not want to play the part of ment of sweet revenge when this evU youi^ and Gay Theatre for AU People, "Attack of 10:30 p.m.: "Fruit N'Fiier: lesbian and gay Aryan is reduced to tears be<:ause he too is The show begins with Saul Wrismann, a right. The tension initiated here is maintain- Esther, but finaliy ber mother makes her do V %• the Zombie Back-Up Singers," late-night stand-up comedy, including Reno, Sara it by reminding Edith that she can do personaUy defeated — he has grown to love UoyoMsly sleazy..-A/modoVar JS the happiest^ cabaret. Cytron, Jaffe Colien and Danny MdKlUiams. anything. Stein dons the head cloth and is what he hates. most enterfammg hedonist m film todayl" SniKlay, Nov. 6: C. Carr. Village \k}ice visibly pained by the weight of her respon­ Heinz, portrayed by Matthew Cowlcs, is critic "Great Moments in Spectating: Queer Ithaca theater features Lonely prisoner seeking to hear from sup­ sibUity — a responsibUity which, like first introduced to thc audtence as Jesus -Enrique Fernandez, VILLAGE VOICE TIC I Theater, Ronald Reagan, and the Great Wall lesbian detective spoof CLASSIFIED portive friends. Please write to A. King, Esther's, is life-long. Christ in a reUgious pageant. He af^>ear$ real of China" ulk. Free. First Street Playhouse wiU continue its 036275, S-3-16, Florida State Prison, PO Box Stein marries Christ (the King) to save her but then we realize he is just an actor who DONT MISS THIS jfl j\ Monday, Nov. 7: Representatives of New "Art for thc Fearless" series with lesbian 747, Starke, FL 32091. All responses TADOR ADVEm-ISING people. Her induction as a Carmelite nun is would use this powerful disguise to over­ YOU'LL KICK YOURSELF VL NEW YEAR York City ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to playwright HoUy Hughes' 7?»e Lady Dick, a answered. a dramatic scene; she is dressed by the other power women. He is a prisoner in a German Nov 30 - Dec 6 Only! Llnleash Power), discussion of guerilla street humorous detective spoof. The play wiU run The Empty Closet will not accept sisteis in her wedding gown and is married jaU, convicted of "fornication with a Jew." theater actions at the Food and Drug Ad* at the theater, located at 423 First St. in classified ads by mail urdess they ate accotn- to Jesus. Stein's relationship to the cross is The Nazis bcUeve him rehabiUtated and wish ministration and elsewhere. Ithaca, on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:15 p.m. patiied by a ttame and telephone nutnber Real Estate Far Rent charged with sexual eneigy from this point to use his powers. Thursday, Nov. 10: Dennis Cooper, fic­ and Sundays at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 4-20. The tiuttiber will not be publishtrd, but we on. She begs the pope for a condemnation Heinz is clearly thc Anti-Christ to Stein's tion reading; Bud Jennings, fiction reading; On Saturday, Nov. 5. the show wiU include will call to cotifirm that the ad was placed 360 Hayward Ave: Completely rehabbed of the Nazis and their genocide against the Christ, the male to her female, the physical Keegan & Lloyd, "Passing on the Right. . ", a performance by New York City stand-up by the person who tnailed it. Victorian with real charm and character: Jews, but does not get it. She is ;q>pealing to to her spiritual and the evU to her good. i:i:i:-:^^ performance. comic Lisa Kron. Tickets are $10. There wiU Wt accept petsotial atls, but the advertiser magnificent foyer, natural trim, oak staircase, her husband for protection. Cowles* performance was so moving, I Friday, Nov. 11: Steve Griffith, In Another be a half-price preview of the play on Thurs­ must use his or her own box number or ad­ tin cciUng. $64,900 Theresa McElwee portrays Stein, from her could not applaud his curtain caU because Lifetime (I am ajortlanaire. Part IV: "Semi- day, Nov. 3. dress. Wr publish personal ads from realization of her role as Esther through the he was stiU Karl Heinz to me. -.•::m Hard," performance; Bruce Benderson, fic­ I'ickets for the play are available at the prisoners. Ifyou have a problem with a pen 79 Diem Street: Cozy little house with sur­ ultimate end in the gas chamber at The duaUsm between Stein and Heinz is tion reading; Craig R.L. Keller, poetry door for 18; $7 for seniors. For reservations, pal, let us know. The Empty Closet cannot prisingly laigc rooms. Very wcU maintained Auschwitz, with dignity and defiance. intensified by the Ughting techniques. Heinz reading. caU (607)273-4226. be held responsible for any fitiancial Itiss or and nicely decorated; beautiful back yard, McElwee never reduces Stein to a caricature. visits Srein daUy at the convent but because physical injury that may result from any assumabic mortgage. $49,900 She keeps the character multi-dimensional CarmeUtes are cloistered, they speak through ^•jt— correspotidence and painfuUy human. It is just this multi­ a waU. A diagonal gash of darkness teats the .^\ 637 French Road: BeautifuUy remodeled dimensional elemem that makes the sub-plot stage into two pieces and whUe only the two To our valued customers who helped us make this another Groups fonniAg 3 bedroom Brighton condo; central air, new of Esther not totaUy satisfying. of them stood on thc bare stage, they cacist kitchen, finished basement, garage, pool. Giron accurately shows us the Germany in mutually exclusive worlds. successful Halloween Women's cross country logging group Private end unit £uxs canal. Immaculate con­ wtiere it would be tempting fbr a Jew to pass The other clue to Stein's conversion that Fangs fbr the Business & Merci Boo Crew. forming. Great way to condition for the up­ dition. $88,500 as a Christian. Anti-Semitism, while extreme Giron has planted in this intrigue is Stein's Separately, or see both for a discount m Be sure to visit us for Christmas toys, stocking coming winter season. If you're interested, in thc Nazis, is also present among the strong sen.se of self. She is amazed co find 240 East Ave - 232-4699 please caU Donna at 442-6399 Mon.-Fri. 654 Oanoo Aairexkuct Bca«itiful stained g^ss CanncUtes. When Stein appUes for admis­ that people go to church to pray when there stuffers & Santa suit rentals. windows, wall-to-wall carpet, 4 bedrooms, sion to thc order, one nun invokes a is no sei^icc. The idea that she could have 2 fuU baths, nice foyer, enclosed porch, fenc­ stereotype of rich Jews as a reason for a personal relationship with God is deeply KING SALES / COURT JESTER Help ^ITanted ed yard. $54,900 refusal. appealing to her. Giron plants doubts about Stein's ultimate At the end of the play, the CarmeUtes agree 46 Sager Drive — 442-8922 Coordinator sought: Progressive, multi- AU offered by issue organization seeks part-time coor­ sacrifice in the scene with her mother when to remove her name and tbe cross from the DANCE Off Culver — Between East & University dinator for TV Dinner, a monthly cable pro­ Peggy Felt — 461-9200 she is leaving for the order. Frau Stein ac­ entrance of Auschwitz. In reality thc gram. Media experience helpftil, not re­ cuses Edith of being anti-Semitic These CarmeUtes have moved their convent out of quired. Pay S6,000-$7,000. Start around Jan. moments are saturated with simultaneous thc camp and into a neighboring town, and 2. Send letter and resume by Nov. 15 to: Qmitctiell love and hate — a mother's recognition of thc Catholic Church has bcatined Ibresa ALLOY Metro-Act, 50 N. Plymouth Ave., Rochester, herself in her daughter's strength and power Benedicta of the Cross. NY 14614. picarswMi jr Jnc> but true disdain for the use her daughter is Btiitb Stein is a haunting and passionate 3 realtor play that reveals complexity within com­ Sat. Nov. 12, 8 pm — $9 PfOfessicMial coi^le with school-age chUd plexity, provides no answets and forces us seek part-time housekeeper. Negotiable to ask many questions. Young, innovative, and hours and wages. Brighton area. CaU eves, A question Stein asks her friend Hannah 385-4496. B-O-O-K-S affer Hannah's husband has died has remain­ exciting modern dance 'Being accepted in Room in Genesee Co-Op: For classes, lec­ ed with me: **How do we keep the people tures, dance, etc On regular ongoing basis, we love from dying?" treaintentjbr tvholtvasy Personal once or twice weeldy or monthly for your Whetiier this query is Uteral. metaphoric ntade it easier for ttte to exclusive use. "Sunken Room" upstairs. 300 or both, -Edith Stein's life was a quest for thc answers. This malccs her story universal. » Peach sq. feet. For more info: Sharon, 271-5920; accept ttty disease. March 5, 1996-Scpt. 22, 19SS Susan or Maigie, 271-5183; Nancy, 244-5719. Tlie Merry Edith Stein nms diroiigA M>f^ 20atG^i Apartments for rent, 1 and 2 bedroom, Theatre, 75 WofftM>uTy Blvd. Perfbnttant^es Wfe woiUd like to thank all those who ex­ off-street parking, laige yard. Atlantic Ave. itegin at 8 p.m. Tliesday tlurouffii Thursday, pressed their compassion and concern dur­ near Winton. 482-0841. 8:30p.m. Friday, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and Widow^ The disease of chemical dependence affects every seg­ ing the recem death of our friend Mary Beth. VIDEO 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunttty. Tickets are $13-23. ment of the American population, for each human being Thank you for sharing our sorrow. Por tnore infortnation call the box office at by Franz Lehar Liz andJuUe, 658-2035. 254-0558. Roonunates Wanted 232-1363. who suffers from the condition, the roots of the illness are REMTALS Sat. Nov. 19, 8 pm — J20 traced in every aspect of the life experience. R>r the gay or Henrietta, off W. Henrietta Rd. To share lesbian patient, the same is true. BcfidcaevottS BBS of WNY: Meet new house, own room. Male preferred. CaU even­ The Entpty Cloaet would like to The world's favorite operetta friends/lovcfs! OnUne CHAT with otber users ings after 9:30. 427-2957. apt^t9gi»e So hee AUyn of Batavia for That's why, at Conifer Park, we treat the whole person ... St private mailbox. Set modem 2400 baud running a pcesonal advertisement in hla name in oi«r Ocsober daaaiflcd section* treat every person with dignity, respect and understand­ max./8 data bits/1 stop bItMo parity. $20 per Male sccits roommate for spacious a^iart- 633 Monroe Ave. ing ... and include in treatment, a focus on those special yeat (716)773-6224. 24 hrs,/day. System mcnt in ScottsviUe Off-street parldng, laun­ Mr. AUyn did not pimce the ad, and we password: MTCLOSET. dry, hirnished. Prefer non-smoker, grad or (1 block weat of Oxfioid) are issning a rcttactlon. If anyone haa issues that can impact the person's potential for recovery. med studem. professional. Availal>ic alxMit information abcNit tMa or other In­ LIZ STORY 473-8110 cidents of misnae of classified nds, For the gay or lesbian patient, that means the provision Wtomaa looking for Ms. Right. 1 am 29, Nov. 15. $225 plus half utUities. 889-3684. of effective, clinically developed treatment for chemical easy-going; I like outdoor activities, bowl- please caU the BC tu 244*90^0. PIANO ii^ romantic times. Ilea markets, conversa­ Gay male hofncowner looldng to share 3 dependence, presented in a stigma-free environment. An tion and fun. I live in a smaU rural town and bedroom Colonial, eastside ne^hborfiood, Fri. Nov. 25, 8 pm — $14 environment where at! involved — from counseling pro­ am getting lonely. Serious replies wUl be off-street parking, male or female, must be I PET TAXI fessionals to housekeeping staff — respond caringiy and aoswcird. Please be discreet. Nancy. 127 Lin­ non-smoking, no drugs, quiet atmosplierc, ] AND CARE From Windham Hill Records to RCA, supportively. coln St- ^PSiyland. NY 14572. studentt OIC, availalilc Nov. 1. latmdry and SERVICE kitchen faciUties inchided. $235. CaU Story's music is magic! Londr Mscxul looking for IHcndship I 482-9710. Call us anytime. Wc understand. And we care. am openHododed on aU diiiigs. i am 6 ft. taU, bhieeycs, brown bah; 175 Iba. M^^ our Mendship will become somccWng great. Sitnmtion* wanted .jSafc> Nazareth Colleee S^TwSdkcr 055322-1505. Awn Parte Macwne law sOMUsnt on year's leave prior N^jy ArtsCenter Conifer Park Cof^ooal to«i«ioii. IH> BOK UOO, Ai^ to second year desires part-time legal ex­ 150 Glenridge Road s> park, FL 33825-1100. perience Flexible hours. Anne, 442-8272. 15S Piaasde ad / RocbMMr/ISSSS Scotia, NY 12302 OibofnhKinr BOX OFFICE: 586-2420 (518)399-6446 Inside NY 1-800-255-2235 16 THE EMPTY CLX>SET Nowmnber 1988 Columnists Orowitig up at tlie Capitol By Eric BcUsnann my perception of the significance of thc Charles Bronson, then stiU using his given ed strip shows. These movies featured thc ChUdhood Saturdays were q>ecial because movies and the sacrifices properly required name, Buchinski. likes of Tempest Storm and LiU St. Cyr, wc went to the Cq>itoI Theater. My mother of art. Had the Legion of Decency or any similar­ fomous in their day and legendary now. and I would walk the 10 blocks from our As I grew older I continued to go, now ly concerned ait>lter of moral standards paid These were not just strip shows; they were house. alone, to the Capitol. No doubt aUowitig a a vi^t to thc Capitol, they would have at least filmed buriesque and recorded wonderful If we ever saw anything but a Roy Rogers seventh grader to go off to a matinee afibrd- ^itten their tickets* vahie worth. Thc action vaudcviUe routines, thc best of which were movie, 1 don*t remember it. Roy Rc^rs was ed my mother a bit of welcome privacy. >^ wasn*t on the screen, however. bizarre performances by white minstrels in cheerful and rdaxed. I hardy kniew any adiUt it was my emerging independence, an odd A demimondaine, not necessarUy dtawn black face seated In tiers playing men. My lone elemcniary sciiool teacher, Mr. sei^e of dislocation and habit that directed by cinema, gathered at the tbeaten The men's tambourines. Schrader, would not appear untU sixth giade me each Saturday. And I loved the dark. room, reached by a tong descending fUght My youdi was spem, when not puffing FaU rwo years later. The men at chureh were old My mother had no clues that the Capitol of stairs, was beyond a smoking lounge. Malls in the lounge, stashing away esoteric and severe. was changing. No longer a neighboibood There one sought refuge during thc second trivia lUce a gay Univac Ibday Vm able to end Roy Rogers rescued people; he was brave. movie house, it sat on die edge of a stretch showing and boring passages, or immediate­ a conversation in seconds. 'Was this when I When he sang with the Sons of the Pioneeis, of tenements, sleazy clothing stores and ly if one wished to cruise. Cruise was an odd began to ruin social skills by gathering ki- I endured it as an obtigatory brief segment. brighUy lit bars that opened early. The word under the circumstances. One stood formation and eaq^crienccs no one else knew Gabby Hayes was unbearable and Dale Evans Capitol was shabby, sliding toward stone StiU. No one ^>oke, most smcdced. Men ofor would care to hear about? At any rate, a cipher. NaturaUy, I despised Gene Autry. disrcputabiUty. It was not cleaned often and eyed one another, waited, dreamed. Eyes 1 got a kick out of these shows. Tve always Roy Rogers, nee Leonard Grant from stank of popcorn. En^oyees no longer wore flickered alert at the footsteps of new ar­ been an easy target for popular an. somewhere in Ohio, had almond-sha^>ed, not uniforms. FamiUes, even fractured ones, did rivals. One always watched the urinals for The Capitol went dark. TV did it in and quite All-American eyes that twinkled not attend. a glimpse, a feeble parallel of thc ccstacy of since we didn't even own one, I had no com- nonetheless, and was my Hrst cinema crush. Now the Capitol featured John Wayne, Jeff the showers at thc Charlotte beach pUcity in thc theater's death. Where did all First crushes are fascinating and, I think, Chandler as Cochise and lots of Republic bathhouse during the summer. You must the patient exhibitionists and idle smokers a revealing psychological indicator of life*s Studio pictures with Vera Rhuba Ralson. 1 remember there was then a great absence of go? I went to jum'or high. future obsessions. Suave adults may met the sUnky ladies of countless "B** fdms: visual erode stimulants co a young queen: no The Capitol came to life about 15 yeais shamefiiUy deny early absoibtion with Bom- Mara Corday. Marie Windsor, Adclc Jcrgcns. VCRs. no Honcho, only Scaliest Dan the later; briefly resurrected as a sman restaurant ba and the Jungle Boy or Johnny VC^HsmuUer; Sometime during the theater's decline they Muscle Man on some kids' TV show. run by two canny male lovers. The while today I cringe at the living nightmare showed Birrer Rice, one of thc new films that Caution verging pn inenia characterized unrecognizably remodeled space decotated of Roy and Dale pitching fundamental hooey failed to earn approval from thc Legion of the lounge. I can only recall 'watching, in dark wood, green walls and framed prints on cable TV, I caimot deny my past. Decency (others included Stronaboli and TTic uneasy with occasional eye contact, waiting suggested a traditional men's club. Thc Moon is Blue). for a ceUuioid dream to materialize. Roy restaurant within the shcU of the old Capitol Just try to converse insightfully with a Thc ob|ection to Birrer Rice hinged, I Rogers did not arrive, nor did TUrzan. One was again the locus, at certain hours, for twinkie who came to grips with his identi­ think, on the Italian peasants', notably practiced assessii^ men, how they walked, discreet watching and waiting. ty in thrall with TV's Superman or Beaver's Sylvana Mangano's, faUure to wear brassieres. how they stood. Hardness was the ideal. The For a whUe it was rather popular at lun­ brother. It will be a shallow chat. Small Had I paid closer attention to the sexual im­ old, short or fa were dismissed without pity. chtime and was upon occasion booked for suburban screens breed bland ardor. I fell in plications contained in the contrast of I was determined and lacking con^Ktssion, stylish privare dinners. When I fkiaUy went, iove in the dark at the movies. Mangano's ambiguous masque-like face and another victim of internalized homophobia unaware that it was beyond its heyday and One indicator ofmy rapt absorption with her voluptuous figure or to the intense which demanded that all objects worthy of shordy to close, I tried in vain to see through Roy*s movies was my explanation of the eneigy of her co-star Vittorio Gassman, 1 attention betray no him of being ciueer. Bare­ walls to where the candy counter had once villan's death. At nine 1 hypothesized that the might have inched toward a subtler and ly beyond chUdhood with Utde concem for stood, to the sloping aisles chat ended with filmmakers went to the local prison and richer awareness of passion. But breasts what might come next, I cruised with a cold the screen and Roy laiger than Ufe in black solicited from the permanently incarcerated under sweaty cotton shirts moved me not a eye and heart. Time uught me, of course and white, and to the door that descended a volunteer who would be privU^ed to real­ whit. that any man would do. to the men's lounge, my flrst daricened room. ly die in front of the camcrra by faUing off I bought into thc objectification of the Before U died, the Capitol resorted to fUm­ a cliff or being shot or trampled. A fairly in­ male body, especiaUy that of Burt Lancaster genious solution for a tot and indicative of in Apache, which featured a spectacular I TARA A faerie tale (Uicktail LoungB By Aqualune Shortly after, she and the other woman When 1 was in college, a friend turned 21, stopped inviting me along with them 153 Liberty Pole Way (716) 232^719 went to his mother, asked for his inheritance (though 1 had introduced them). I wondered Frankly, my dear, we do give a damn! and got it. He traveled to North Carolina to if they were shocked by my exposed desire 50 hours weekfy of Happy Hour purchase a farm. Mikel feU in love with the and were shunning mc. first farm he looked at and bought it the Years later I found out my two conser­ same day. He named it Running Waxet. vative, boy-crazy friends had had an affair • Happy Hour daily noon-7 pm, Sundays'til 8 pm Through the years, whenever I felt heart­ and hadn't told me because they were afiraid sick or lonely I would travel up to the moun­ / would be shocked. This sad talc of • "On TSMrt Day first Monday of aach month tains and spend a few days at this special misunderstanding and estrangement would spot. Mikel did not mow the grass, and not have happened at Running Water. VS^ wUdflowcrs grew as high as the porch we sat should have gone up there more often. • "Sing-Along" Fri. and Sat. nights 10 pm-2 am on. Mikel finaUy sold the place and came back He did not tamper with the flow of thc to town to find a lover. He and 1 signed a • Sunday 1-8 pm "Beulah" Spadals. Hot Buttand three creeks that ran across his place, except lease for a laige, crumbling, old mansion and Rum, Hat Cinnamon Oder, Daiquiris, MuddM to divert a ponion of one through the sink moved a group of fnends in. in his kitchen before it was aUowed to re­ Naturally, we left the sweeping front yard Old Fashioneds & Hot Intemationai Coftaas join its source further downstream. There unmowed. Only problem was, our landlady, Check our monthly bulletins for specials at the bar was no shut-off valve, so the sound of run­ a proper old Southern dame, Uved in the ning water was always heard throughout the mansion next door Just about the time all cabin. This sound was heard everywhere one the spring flowers were in full bloom, she wem on the land. decreed they be cut. So Mikel let down his Clothing was definirely optional and sex­ long golden hair, put on his best gyring dress ual orientations various. Here, where even — a floral chiffon — and went out to kiss the glass was aUowed to grow and flower, aU the flowers goodbye. Our landlady saw Serving Rochester I felt free to blossom too. him. Enough said. BACHEIPR Since 1973 It could be disconcerting coming back A few years later, when leaving a violent from Running W^uer to the more structured relationship, I naturaUy thought of Rtmning environment of the city. Sometimes I would Wuer as a place to go to heal. Mikel gave me Home of the fotget which taboos to observe where. thc name of the new owner, Ron Lambe, I had two women friends in the city I kept who was editor of RFD: A Gay Men*s Coun- Rochester Rams! tiying to get up to the mountains with me. tryjoumal. Ron told me to come r^ht on vp. 1066 Main St. East 32&e930 One, the more conservative, finaUy came, I was the only woman there, but 1 found and she seemed to open up before my eyes. myself in the midst of Goddess worshippers, Slie wanted to return. But before that. radical fineries — sistets in tbe truest setise •CT—cthii^ happened diac disrupted our ofttie wocd. I was given the non-jtidgmental comlbrtable friendship. accepunce I so desperately needed at that Weekly Speeialsl Thc odier woiBan« to whom I was very at- time and pictity of hugs. Tbey had books on **rTtr^. was spendiitg tbe idgbt with me tbe Goddess chat I had had trouble finding DAILY SPeaAL: oooeud aaked me bow &r I wanted our In feminist bookstores. Sillcwood Books has THURSDAY: fiiiadiiiip to ga I was excited, hoping sbe tliem, thot^.) '3 for 2" from 1-7 flMam wliat I thoiitht she meant, and l ask­ I decided I was a female fiuarie. If there Dom. Beer/Wine, & ed tai; ''ikm do fou mean?" coold be a scraigfat male CKfic ^ aod chere MONIkAY: Schnapps — Si — 10-2 mtHUn't amtmet. and try as I miglic, I was ooe — why not a female feerte? Rock N Roll CD Night 8-2 ooMid iBt her loaay aodiiat disc: I couldn't Please tmdemand oiy hisiory. At age seven 8ATURI»AY: amm mtt hem m ptem dte utatmr iutthet I had declared it was my Cam ID be God. My wmm ilMiiirtill a 11H^ int her ifi happen- mloMef fiilher had cacp^doed so me thac God TUeSOAY: '2 for V from 3-9 cd i#he wnMi *CMK what ahe flMaat. So '2 for r from 10-2

-'Wf^'T^-^-'-^'^' NowMiibM' 1988 THE EMPTY CU>8ET 17 A Journey: Wrapped up in goodness By Asiawim Mayt>e 1 was asking myself the wrong kinds powerless to trust what is inside of creationyblessing. I do not believe I entered I was lingering in bed this last Sunday of questions. Maybe my train of thoughts had themselves, making them helpless. this world as a **sinner** but as a creature in mtwning, half awake and half asleep, when led me in the wrong direaion. I noticed the Mayt»e this is the whole purpose of a doc­ the image of God, wrapped from tny first I heatd Canadian geese over the house. It basis for aU my questions was tfiat / was trine that uses original sin. It leaves a per­ moments in the blanket of God*s love. was a cool, crisp, stmny momii^ and these somehow wrong and / was basicaUy a bad son wide open to be told what to do, how I trust my feelings and thoughts, q>irituali- beaieis of autimm's bounty seemed to have person. to think and how to live. The poweriess per­ ty and sexuaUty, body and soul. I have to wanted to make sure everyotie heard their Instamly I became angry. I resented beii^ son becomes controUed by those who think trust what's In roe; not to would be less than distinct message. Their honkii^ made me put into a position in which I had to ques­ they have aU the answers and are anxious to living what I was created to be. I listen at­ wam to burrow further under the covers to tion my existence as to whether it was good gain power over others. This concept tentively to the voice deep inside me and keep out thc in^^ending cold that is aU too or bad and do mental somersaults over justi­ perpetuates guUt, self-doubc and distrust of that's wben I undeistand the goodness that famUjar to us in Rochester. fying my feelings. Maybe tbe question was one*s inner feelings. extends to me from God. I am whole and This cool weather ofken reminds me ofmy not whether I was good or bad — could it The relationship I have with the God I I am good. days at coUege when I had to get up early be possible that society's accepted assump­ have come to know is much voo loving to I recendy attended my new nephew's bs^ and walk to the canq>us Ubrary to do tions about gayness could be completely be based on original sin theology. She has tism with |oy and delight. I was a Uttle hesi­ homework. I remember one particular mor­ wrong instead? God knows, whole societies too much eros and too much love, and tant, though, about the purpose of what we ning walk in the cool rain. On that mom- have been wrong before when it comes to deUghts in the creations She has made. My had gathered foe: Was the purpose of this ing, I was struck with an important revela­ attitudes toward groups of pet^e it con- theology is based on ''original btessing*' and evcm to "save" or to celcbcaie? lb my relief, tion, so to speak, that changed my percep­ sideis undesirable. is caUed creation-centered SpirituaUty. the enqyhasis was on wekoming my nephew tions of myself. I heard myself say, **But 1 am a good per­ God is love. God loves wfaat She has into the fiunUy of Ufe and It became a It was a difflcult time for me because I was son." I repeated this over and over to myself. created and that love is unconditional, send­ cefebratlon of a new member of our com­ in thc midst of struggling with my gayness. The struggle in me seemed to be qitieting ing forth earthy, rich blessings to aU thac municy. This is how I view t>aptism — as a I was often preoccupied, had a hard time down a bit as I started to trust myself and is created by God. Creation is desirable, welcome celebraticm and a verification of concentrating on my work and was very Msteti to mysetf. I felt right. I was right. I am which means it is a blessing. A blessing each person as a bfessing loved by God. anxious and confused. a good person. From now on, this was go­ signifies an investment, an involvement, Now I no longer struggle with the issue I considered myself a piactical peison. I ing to be my basic premise. with that which is being blessed, lb bless is of whether or not I'm gay. I am gay and this, didn't Uke taking the time to figure this sex­ At this point in my life, I feel iU at ease to put a part of the giver of tbe blessing imo because it comes from GCKI, is a blesst^. My uaUty thing out. I was angry and felt I was with the idea that, from the moment 1 was the receiver of the Messing. The receiver and responsibUities lie in continuing the bless­ being robbed of precious time in order to bom, 1 was sinful and my Ufe would be a giver enter into a special relationship ings my existence has initialed. My existence solve this. I wanted a quick and easy solu­ continuous struggle to wipe away any sin I together is good because it fiows fiom God and the tion to my sexual identity. somehow inherited from God knows where God's love exists in every creation. All of struggle that challenges me no longer is a As I walked up the biH to the Ubrary, my in order to win the prize of God knows creation flows from this single, loving source question of *'keeping my soul clean** but of thoughts were going back and forth on this what. and is therefore, blessed — from each tiny how to continue the blessings that flow issue as if out of control. Each step brought lliLs is not how I have come to know what atom in the wet, oozy eanh to every unique through me to others. more and more anxiety. Then a feeling of life is and how I have played out my life This and beautiful human being. On and on bless­ As I remember that last Sunday moming panic started to settle over mc. I had to stop idea seems to deny too many beautiful things ings flow — through, from and into in bed, 1 felt some comfort in snuggling right there in the rain, and get back control that are possible in life and sccpis to pit the everything. under the blanket. With a sense of security of my insides. I wondered if anyone was wat­ different parts inside of me sgainst each I could not have entered this beautiful and warmth wrapped around mc I felt good. ching me. other (body versus soul, spiritual versus sex­ worid a big, fsit blotch of existence but as a Questions flooded my brain. Was 1 sick? ual, physical versus psychological, thoughts Vffas I perverted? Worse yet, was I an cvU per­ versus feelings). It makes no sense to me that son? Had I done something sinful in the past God would start off creating something in Bisexual men: to deserve punishment for this burden of direct opposition to God. homosexuality? If I was a homosexual, then This concept of original sin, if taken too where did I fit in with the rest of society, far as many churehes have done, works by or didn't I fit in at aU? What was my role con­ thc notion of divide and conquer. It divides Coming out is easier sidering aU the things I heard a homosexual up the insides of a person, pitting one's was and did? I felt chopped up inside. Tears thoughts against one*s feelings, one's mixed with the raindrops on my foce. spirituality against one's sexuaUty and one's in my o^vn backyard Then a little spark deep inside me tit ub body against one's soul. It confuses and and offered some hope for an explanation. preoccupies people, rendering them By Jack Bradigan Spula instance, 'while I vfas talking to some young National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, made men 1 felt a surge of cmbarrassfnent when mc surprise myself* You sec, I've been "out" I thought they were reading my message — in Rochester for quite a while now. And I've and then guilty relief when I realized thc been fairiy public about it. But 1 discovered, messages I wore on my shin were hidden by or at least was reminded, that I've got a long my coat. way to go. Harv«ry Milk was right: it's only by com­ I discovered it's a lot easier to wear a ing out and coming out and coming out that "Bisexual Pride" button around the Genesee thc barriers wiU faU. But how hard the pro­ Co-Op than in, say, high schools, where I cess is* ofien go as a military/drafi counselor When Noc knowing what else to say right now, I'm not on my own turi I find myself more ru end by aimouncing the next Bisexual defensive. I worry more about being singl­ Men's Group meetings: Ibesday, Nov. 15 at ed out as a "queer" Almost against my wUl 7:30 p.m. at the PJEC office at the Genesee I make adjustments in what I say to strangeis Co-Op, 713 Monroe Ave.; and Dec. 13 at a in order to get them to like me. place to be announced. Please be assured STATE STREET So I got a C + for Coming Out Day. I wore that the group is not a coming-out cn masse; my button with pride, just as it said. But I aU our meetings and discussions are con­ didn't broach the subject with anyt>ody who fidential. For information caU 244-7191 and -PUB- might have needed to hear about it. In one ask for Jack.

SUNDAYS BiUnes continued irom page 16 a^o che loggers had passed through. was fids; and everyone knows turn-about is A couple of weeks after the snow, electric 3for2-4:00-10PM fair play, so when was my turn? A reluctance blue butterflies were aUghting on purple MONDAYS to stay within the boundariers assigned me flowexs, canopies of them risen up beneath seems to be an inherem aspect of my nature. the trees. Then the trees leafed out so the COMEDY I recognized that gay men, even Goddess shape of the land was no longer visible, and SI^OWELL (Sl^Vithjuice) 6:00TILL 10:00 worshippers, need ^>ace of their own, so I OIK was lost in a sharply-tUted sea of green. had thc sense to refrain from pfodaiming my What a place to meditate! One was natural­ TUESDAYS sdf-diacovered fseriness too insisaendy, but ly disoriented. 600 GENNY DRAR / $1«> MILLERS I knew it was there. Running WaMer provided the external en- 6:00 na 10:00 The first time I saw Ruiming ^Mcr was vifonmcnc for my internal acceptance to about the time of year it is now. Wt were grow and flourish. I don't know how much WEDNESDAYS wallting down the din n>ad cliac led to cbe of it was the fieopfe wlio happened ro be emruice when we came to a dip carpeted there and bow much ofit was the abiUty of $l°o BUD & MILLER LITE in leaves so brilliam they didn't kxik real. thac place to attract that kind of people. 6:00 TILL 10:00 They looked more litoc pieces of bcand i^ew But there h was OK w be akme. It was OK THURSDAYS constmction paper cue ouc by scboolkids to want a relationship and to be alone. It was and scattered abouc. Thry made che earth even OK ro miss an abusive partner and ro Sl°oLABATTS, 12 HORSE, PABST DRAR look gaudy, Uke an ovcr-decofased Hallo­ moum tbe passing ofa leladcmsfaip most 6:00 TILL 10:00 ween parey. peopfe could noc undcffsiand my reasons for Att ol nqr memoftes of Running tVter have being in. Ic was OK for me ro fed wfaac I feh FRIDAYS chis surreal qualicy. My last scay chere Is and ro do whac I needed ro do for myself in 3 for 2-7:00 TILL 10:00 anoiiief good case in potat. otder robeal. ft was in die aprlagfiaae. 1 goc cfaere wfaen Wfaac is die qoaUty of Ifaanning IMer chac SATURDAYS cfae earth was base amt 1 faad cfae cfaance to mafaea it so special? I tfaink dds is an impor­ $ 1~ WELL (S l^wlth juice) NOON TILL 6«) waicfa cfae flKNUMinsldecovcrupwlifea laie tant qacstlon. Tfali equality aeems ro be com* MOW. Tfais acccncuased tfae oonaoma of die mon roaU tfae places In wfaicfa I faave fefa 3 lor 2Si/Mftiy« ond Fddoys only laod bencacfa cfae creca. Iliad never seen die nqrsdf ac home, and ro aD die peopfe witfa FOR MEN ONLYI .—.—..i-^- PLfhfTYOF FREE RAnONG cnie sfaape of tfae Maid before; at lc bad always wfaom I faave felc at faome It is tfae qualltr been faidden by cfae fotta^c Also vIsMe were of acc^tance fbr eacfa penon or tfali^ as it Thanksgiving wMrtc it mM's wM»k. IN REAR MON ttvu FRI ofr^r 5:30 cfae rewMMints of a much dUferenc forest. isamSmltdeaiealiselfrobe. Wfaen cfae Sundcv thru WMlnMday. IlM fksl drink is SAT&SUNottdoy Huge stunapa dotted cfae mountainside, aad gtaia and tfae farooka are allowed ro define on MHc#'s _»i^»«—i«—«-^——— if one looked dosdy, one could see a ghoac ifatmsclvesv maybe tfaae matoea it easier for 139 STATE STREET • ROCHESTER, NEWYORK 14614• 546-1314 fotcst of ciecs many cfanes cfae siK of cfaoae people ro do cfae tame. faring now* wkfa wkfe open spaces beneath May tlilt tome day be potti4r for I cverytMio Hetted Be> 16 THE EMPTY CLOSET NovwnlMr 1988 NovMiiiMr 1988 THE EMPTY CLOSET 17 Colmnnists A Journey: Wrapped up in goodness 9y Anawim Maybe I was asking myself thc wrotig kinds powerless to trust what is inside of creation/blessing. I do noc believe 1 entered I was lingering in bed this last Sunday of questions. Maybe tny train of thoi^ts had themselves, making them helpless. this world as a **sinner" but as a creature in Growing up at the Capitol led me in the wrong direction. 1 noticed the Maybe this is thc whole purpose of a dtx:- the image of God, wrapped from my first morning, half awake and half asleep, when ed strip shows. These movies fe^ttured die tntytnents in the blanket of God's love. By Eric BcUmann tny perception of |he significance of the Charles Bronson, then stiU using his given I heard Canadian geese over the house It basis for aU my questfons was that / was trine that uses original sin. It leaves a per­ UlKS of Tfcmpcst Srorm aod LiU S«. Cyc; was a cool, crisp, suimy moming and these somehow wrong and / was basicaUy a bad son wide open to be told what to do, how I trust my feelings and thouglits, spirituali­ Childhood Saturdays were ^lecial because movies and the sacrifices properly required name, Buchinski. fasDons in thcU: day and l^endary now. we went ro the Caq>irol Theater. My mother of an. Had the Legion of Decency or any sUnUar- bearers of autumn's bounty seemed ro have person. to think and how to live. The powerless per­ ty and scniality, body and soul. I have to These were not just strip shows; they were wanted ro make sure everyone heard their Insiamly I became angry. I resented bdng son becomes comroUed by those who think trust what's in me; not to would be less than and I would walk the 10 blocks from our As I grew older I continued to go, now ly concerned arbiter of moral standards paid filmed burlesque and recorded wooderfkil house. alone, ro the Capitol. No doubt aUowing a a visit to tlic Capirol. they would have at least dittinct mestaipe: Tfaeir honking made me put inro a position in which I had ro ques­ they have all the answers and are anxious to living what I was created to be. I listen at­ vaudeviUc routines, cfae besc of whi* were wane ro burrow ftutlier under the covers ro tion my existence as to whether it was good gain power over others. This concept tentively to thc vtrice deep Inside me and If we ever saw anything but a Roy Rogers seventh gratfer to go off ro a matinee afford­ gotten dieir tickets* value worth. The action bizarre performances by white mfaistrelt in wasn't on the screen, however. keep ouc cbe inqiMEnding cold chat is aU too or bad and do mental somersaults over justi­ perpcttiates guilt, self-doubt and distrust of that's when I untSerstand tbe goodness that movie, I don't remember it. Roy Rogers was ed my mother a bit of welcome privacy. Ifct black face seated in tiers playing one's inner fcclii^s. eattcnds to me ftotn God. I am whole and dheerfiil and rdaxed. I barely knew any adult it was my emerging independence, an odd A demimondalne, not necessarily drawn ftmriliar ro ut in llodietcet. fying my feelings. Maybe the question was tambourines. not whether I was good or bad — could it The relationship I have with the God I 1 am good. men. My lone elementary sdiool teacher, Mr. sense of dislocation and habit that directed by cinema, gathered at the theatec Tbe men's My yoodi was ^M»t« wfaen not puffing Pan 114s ccx>l weacber ofien reminds me ear untU sixth grade me each Saturday. And I loved the dark. room, reached by a long descending flight dtf» at college when I had ro get tip early be possible that sodety's accepted asstimp- have come to know is much too loving to I recently attended my new nephew's bap- MaUs in the loun^ ttaahlog away eaotolc and waft to tfae camput Ittmuy ro do tions about gayness could be completely be based on original sin theology. She has tism with )oy and delight. I was a little hesi* two years larer. The men at chureh were old My mother had no dues that the C2^>irol of stairs, was beyond a smoking lounge. trivia Ifte a gay umvaclbday rm aMe to end and severe. was changing. No longer a ndghboriiood There one sought refuge during the second faomewQclu I lemopaber one particular inor- wrong instead? God knows, whofe sodeties too much eros and too much love, and tant, though, about the purpose of what we a conversation insecbtids. Wte dds wfaen I piag waft In the cool tain. On diat mora- have been wrong before when it comes ro delights in the creations She has made. My had gathered for. Was thc purpose of this Roy Rogers rescued people; he was brave. movie house, it sat on the edge of a stretch showing and boring passages, or immediate­ began ro min todal tldUs tay g^herifig fai- ly if one wished to cruise. Cruise was an odd tagft I vest aifuAwrtai saa Impottam levela- accicudes toward groups of people it con­ theology is based on ''original blessing** and evem to "save" or to cekteate? tb nxy relief, When he sang with the Sons ofthe Pioneers, of tenements, sleazy clothing stores and fbrmackm and espcrleoite no one elte knew siders undesirable. is called crearion-centered spirituality. the eiEqpfaasis was on wckofnlng my nephew I endured it as an obligatory brief segment. brightiy Ut bars that opened early. The word under the circumstances. One stood ttoat, to rosfMak,^hat dianged my percep- of or woukl care ro heal: about? Ac aoycat^ 1 heard myself say, **But I am a good per­ God is love. God loves what She has into thc funUy of life and It became a Gabby Hayes was unbearable and Dale Evans Capitol was shabby, sliding toward stone StiU. No one j^>oke, most smoked. Men 1 ftotjMak^Ut of tfaeae tfaowa. Vve alwasrt CappBE'. Ot^-a^RMBu eyed one another, waited, dreamed. Eyes lwas son." I repeded this over and over ro myself. created and that iove is unconditional, send­ celebration of a new meniber of our com­ a cipher. NaturaUy, I despised Gene Autry. disreputabUity. It was not cleaned often and art. munity. This is how I view baptism — as a Roy Rogers, nee Leonard Grant from stank of popcorn. Employees no longer wore flickered alen at thc footsteps of new ar­ jBJ tif mgHwg witfa my gayness. The struggle in me seemed to be quietii^ ing forth earthy, rich blessings to ail that time down a bit as I started ro trust myself and is created by God. Creation is desirable, welcome celcbrarion and a verincation of somewhere in Ohio, had almond-sbs^^ed, not uniforms. FamiUes, even fractured ones, did rivals. One always watched the urinals for each person as a blessing loved by God. quite All-American eyes that twinkled a glimpse, a feeble paiaUel of thc ccsucy of listen to myself. I felt right. I was right. I am which means it is a blessing. A blessing not attend. signifies an investment, an involvement, nonetheless, and was my first cinema crush. Now the Capitol featured John \5^yne, Jeff the showers at the Charlotte a good person. From now on, this was go­ Now I no longer struggle with the issue with that which is being blessed, lb bless is of whether or not Tm gay. I am ^y and this, First crushes are fascinating and, I think, Chandler as Cochise and lots of Republic bathhouse during the summer, pefson. I ing ro be my basic premise. remember there was then a great tfaitscx- At this point in my Ufe, I feel iU at ease to put a part of the giver of the blessing into because it comes from God, is a bicssii^. My a revealing psychological indicator of life's Studio pictures with Vera Rhuba Ralson. I the receiver of the blessii^. The receiver and responsibilities lie in continuing the bless­ future obsessions. Suave adults may met the slinky ladies of countiess "B** films: visual erotic stimulants to a young qw Looking foTa'gjft Idtlwas with the idea that, fiom the moment I was VCRs, no Honcho, only Sealtcst D order ro bom, I was sinful and my life would be a giver enter into a ^special relationship ings my existence has initiated. My existence shamefiiUy deny eariy absorbtion with Bom- Mara Corday, Marie Windsor, Adclc Jcrgcns. together. is good because it flows from God and thc ba and the Jungle Boy or Johnny WcismuUer; Sometime during thc theater's decline they Muscle Man on some kids' TV show ^^^ to make your politically correct sohi- continuous struggle to wipe away any sin I Caution verging pn inertia characteti^ somehow inherited from God knows where God's love exists in every creation. All of struggle that challenges me no longer is a while today I cringe at thc living nightmare showed Bitter Rice, one of the new films that question of **keeping my soul clean** but of of Roy and Dale pitching fundamental hooey fiuled to earn approval from thc Legion of thc lounge. I can oiUy recall watcfiimg fashion statement my in order to win the prize of God knows creation flows from this single, loving source what. and is therefore, blessed — from each tiny how to continue the blessings that flow on cai>le TV, I cannot deny my past. Decency (others included Strotnboli and The uneasy with occasional eye contaa, waUo] on chis through me to others. Moon is Blue). for a ceUuloid dream to materialize. -Wtiar^ once and for all? Inought This is not how I have come to know what atom in the wet, oozy earth to every unique Rogers did not arrive, nor did Ikrzan. 0n< feeUng of life is and how I have played out my life. This and beautiful human being. On and on bless­ As I remember that last Sunday moming Just try to converse insighthilly with a The objection to Bitter Rice hinged, I ings flow — through, from and into twinkie who came to grips with his identi­ think, on the Italian peasants', notably practiced assessing men, how they wallpd rostt^ idea seems to deny too many beautiful things in bed, 1 felt some comfort in snuggling how they stood. Hardness was thc ideal. lEfa control that are possible in life and seepis to pit the everything. under the blanket. With a sense of security ty in thrall with TV's Superman or Beaver's Sylvana Mangano's, faUure ro wear brassieres. and warmth wrapped around me, 1 feltgood . brother. It will be a shallow chat. Small Had I paid closer attention to the sexual im­ old, short or fa were dismissed without«; was wat- different parts inside of me against each I could not have entered this beautiful suburban screens breed bland ardor. I fell in pUcations contained in thc contrast of I was detcrmiried and lackirig con^iassmc other (body vcisus soul, spiritual versus sex­ world a big> fat blotch of existence but as a love in the dark at the movies. another victim of internalized homoph^ IWte I sick? ual, physical versus psychological, thoughts Mangano's ambiguous masque-like fiice and versus feeUngs). It makes no sense to me that One indicator of my rapt absorption with her voluptuous figure or to the intense which demanded that aU objects worth(|;* an evU per­ attention betray no him of being queer. " in the past God would start off creating something in Roy's movies was my explanation of the eneigy of her co-sur Vittorio Gassman, 1 direct opposition to God. Bisexual men: villan's death. At nine I hypothesized that thc might have inched roward a subticr and ly beyond chUdhood with Uttie conccj biuxfen of filmmakers went to the local prison and richer awareness of passion. But breasts what might come next, I cruised with a I, then This concept of original sin, if taken too solicited from the permanently incarcerated under sweaty cotton shins moved me not a eye and heart. Time taught me, of coill ^of society, far as many churches have done, works by Coming out is easier a volunteer who would be privUeged to real­ whit. that any man wotdd do. ^_ rofecon- the notion of divide and conquer. It divides ly die in front of the camera by fidling off I bought into the objectification of thc Before it died, the Capitol resorted to fm lal up the insides of a person, pitting one's a cliff or being shot or trampled. A fairly in­ Ibars thoughts against one's feelings, one's male body, especiaUy tfiat of Bun Lancaster nti genious solution for a tot and indicative of in Apadie, which featured a spectacular :e. spirituality against one's sexuaUty and one's in my o^wn backyard Ilc4> ^body against one's soul, tt confuses and preoccupies people, rendering them By Jack Bradigan Spula ii^stance, while 1 was talking to some youtv^ lon. National Coming Out Day, Oct. U, made men I felt a surge of embarrassment when [ mc surprise myself? You sec, I've been "out** 1 thought they were reading my message — in Rochester for quite a while now. And Tve and then guilty relief when I realized thc been fairiy public about it. But 1 discovered, messages I wore on my shirt were hidden by A faerie tale Go or at least was reminded, that Tve got a long my coat. way to go. Harvey Milk was right: it*5 only by com­ By Aqualune Shortly after, she and thc other woman I discovered it*s a lor easier to wear a ing out and coming out and coming out that When I was in college, a friend turned 21, stopped inviting me along with them 153 Liberty "Bisexual Pride" bunon around the Genesee the barriers will fall. But how hard thc pro­ went ro his mother, asked for his inheritance (though I had introduced them). I wondered F^nkly, ## Co-Op than in, say, high schools, where 1 cess is! and got it. He traveled to North Carolina to if they were shocked by my exposed desire 50 ko^w often go as a milatary/draft counselor. When Not knowing what else to say right now, purchase a farm. Mikel fell in love with the and were shuiming me. I'm not on my own turf I find myself more I'll end by aimouncing the next Bisexual first farm he looked at and bought it the Yeaxs later I found out my two conser­ • Happy Hoar Posters defensive. 1 worry more about being singl­ Men's Group meetings: Ibesday, Nov. 15 at same day. He named it Running Water. vative, boy-crazy friends had had an affair ed out as a "queer.** Almost against my will 7:30 p.m. at the PJEC office at the Genesee Through the years, whenever I felt heart­ and hadn't told mc because they were afraid 18x24 1 make adiustments in what I say to strangers Co-op, 713 Monroe Ave.; and Dec. 13 at a sick or lonely I woiUd travel up ro the moun­ / would be shocked. This sad tale of • TknTShkt in order to get them to like roe. place to be announced. Please be assured tains and spend a few days at this special misunderstanding and estrangement would TREET So I got a C -i- for Coming Out Day. I wore that the group is not a coming-out en massc; spot. Mikel did not mow the grass, and not have happened at Running Water. We • "Slrtg^lonij^ my button with pride, just as it said. But 1 all our meetings and discussions are con­ wUdflowcrs grew as high as the porch wc sat should have gone up there more often. The Rdbfili^AlDS Coition didn't broach the subiect with anybody who fklential. For information call 244-7191 and on. Mikel finaUy sold the place and came back TaUmmh Power might have needed to hear about it. In one ask for Jack. He did not tamper with the flow of thc ro town to find a lover. He and I signed a • Sunday f-0 UP three creeks that ran across his place, except lease for a large, crumbling, old mansion and Rum, Hot SUNDAYS Bilines continaed ftona page 16 a^o the loggers had passed through. to divert a portion of one through thc sink moved a group of friends in. OUFashi was fidr, and everyone knows turn-about is A couple of weeks after the siKnv, electric in his kitchen before it was aUowed ro re­ Naturally, we left the sweeping front yard 3 for 2-4:00-IOPM Check our monthl fidr play, so when was my turn? A reluctance blue butterflies were alightii^ on purple join its source funher downstream. There unmowed. Only problem was, our landlady, MONDAYS to stay within the boundariers assigned me flowers, canopies of them risen up beneath was no shut-off valve, so the sound of run­ a proper old Southern dame, Uved in the seems to be an inherent a^»ect ofmy nature the trees. Then the trees leafed out so the ning water was always heard throtighout the mansion next door. Just about the time all COMEDY I recognized that gay men, even Goddess shape of the land was no longer visible, and cabin. This soimd was heard everywhere one the spring flowers were in foU bloom, she LL ($l»wlth juice) 6:00 TILL 10:00 woishlppcrs, need space of their own, so I oqe was lost in a sharply-tilted sea of green. went on the land. decreed they be cut. So Mikel let down his had the sense to refrain frcMn piochUming my What a place to meditate! One was natural­ Clothing was definitely optional and sex­ long golden hair, put on his best spring dress TUESDAYS sdf-discoveied faeriness too insistently, but ly disoriented. ual orientations various. Here, where even — a floral chiffon — and wem out ro kiss GENNY DRAR / $ T» MILLERS I knew it was there. Running Wtter provided the external en­ the grass was aUowed ro grow and flower, aU the flowers goodbye. Our landlady saw The first time I saw Running Water was vironmem for my internal acceptance to I felt free to blossom too. him. Enough said. 6:00 TILL 10:00 about the time of year it is now. Wt were grow and flourish. 1 don't know how much It could be disconcerting coming back A few years later, when leaving a violent WEDNESDAYS walking down the dirt road that led to the of it was the people who haf^pened to be from Running Wuer ro the more structured relationship, I naturaUy thought of Running entiance when we came to a dip carpeted there and how much of it was the abiUty of environment of the dty. Sometimes I would Wuer as a place ro go ro heal. Mikd gave me $1« BUD & MILLER LITE in leaves so brilliam they didn't look real. that place to attract that kind of people. fofget which taboos ro observe where. the name of the new owner. Ron Lambe, [ochester Rams! 6:00 TILL 10:00 They looked moce like piicces of brand new But thete it was OIC to be akme. It was OK I had two women fiiends in the dty 1 kept who was ediror of RFD: A Gay Men*s Coun­ 1065 Main St. East 32&«930 construction paper cut out by scboolkids to waat a relarionship and to be alone. It was crying ro gec up ro che moimcains with me. try Jt^nrrtal. Ron rold me ro come right on up. THURSDAYS and scattered about. They made the earth even CMC to miss an dmsive partner and to One. the more conservative, finaUy came, I was the only woman there, but I found SlooLABATTS, 12 HORSE, PABST DRAR look gaudy, Uke an over-decoiated HaUo­ moum the passing of a nslationahi^ moat and sbe seemed ro <^»cn up before rrty eyes. myself in the txMst of Goddess wofsbippeis, 6:00 TILL 10:00 ween party. people could not mulerstand my reasons for Sbe wanted ro retum. But before that, radical faeries — sisters in the truest sense All of my memories crf Running Wteer have being hi. It was OK for me to fed wiurt I feh something happened that disrupted our ofthe word. I was given the non-judgmental Weekly Specials! FRIDAYS this surreal quality. My last slay there Is and to do what I needed to do for myself In comfortabfe friendship. acceptance I so desperately needed at chat another good case In point. otder to heal. Tfae other woman, ro whom I was very at- time and plenty of hugs. Tbey had books on 3 for 2 ^7:00 TILL 10:00 It was In tlw sprtagtiiDc I got tbcie when What la the quality WELL (Sl^Vith juice) NOON TILL 6:00 snow. Tbis acccntmied the cooioucs of thc mon to aU tlie piacea in wliich 1 have felt tpf-mnt wfaat I tboughc she meam, and I ask­ I decided I was a female faerie. If chere MOHDAY! Schnapps — $1 — 10-2 3tor 2 Sundoyi and Fridoys only bnd beneath the tvccs. I had never seen tfae myself at hotne, and to afl tbe people with ed bci; "Hcyw tio you mean?" could be a stralgltt mafe fiKrie ^ and cfaere tme shape ofthe tend bcftme. as it had always whotn I have leh at hotne: It ia the quaUty wat ime — why noc a female faerie? Rock N Roll CD Night 8-2 FOR MEN ONLYI _.._— PUNVf OF FREE PARKtlG She didn'c answci; and cry as I m^hc, I IN REAR been hkfclen by tbe Ibih^ Also vlsUe wctc of acceptance for each person or thii^ aa It coidd get her ro tay nochhi« else. I couldn't Please undeiscand my hittory. Ac age seven SATURDAY: Ihonksgivhig wmak h mWt wMk. the If mtuimi of a much diitettcta foneat. faandaaltdMneaiiaelftobe. When the I had declared it was my cum ro be God. My MON Ihnj FRI an«f 5:30 fimue out faow ro pcett tfae matter furtfaer TUESDAY: '2 for r from 3-9 9und€gfnuuyimdin&adaf.i»^MIdiWkh SAT ft SUN all day Huge stumpa dotted the moimcaiiiskle, aod gtaaa and the brooka are allowed to define wSoid ^MOlntety terrifying faer if I teqipen- inf*»ifftrrf»h^******'*r'^***^^*"***^'**^*^ tf one looked cloaely, ooe could aee a ghoat tfaunaeives, maybe that makea It easier for ed to be wnx^ about wfaat tfae meam. So '2 for r from 10-2 foflcat of ticcs many Ghnca die alae of thoae people to do die same VSC hcMh lay dieic; buffed 111 tifeoce mUncs^ continued tm page 17 139 STATE STREET • ROCHESTER, NEW VORK 14614 • 546-1314 Uving now, with wkle open q^acea beneath fttay Uiia aotne day be poaaMe for I 16 THE EMPTY CLOSET Novmnber 1988 Nowmntor 1988 THE EMPTV CLOSET 17 Coluinnists A Journey: Wrapped up in goodness By Anawim Maybe I was asking myself the wiong kinds powerless to trust what is inside of creation/blessing. I do not believe I entered Growing up at tlie Capitol 1 was lingering in bed this last Sunday of questions. Maybe my train of thoi^ts had themselves, making them helpless. this worid as a "siruier" but as a creature in ed strip shows. These moi4es fe^uted thc moming, half awake and half asleep, when led me in the wrong direction. I noticed thc Maybe this is the whole purpose of a doc­ the image of God, wrapped from my first By Eric Bellmann my perception of ttic significance of the Charles Bronson. then stiU using his given Ukes of Ibmpcst Storm and liU St. Cyc; I heard Canadian geese over thc house. It basis for aU my questions was that / was trine that uses original sin. It leaves a per­ moments in tbe blanket of God's love. Childhood Saturdays were ^>ecial because movies and the sacrifices properly required tiame, Buchitiski. somehow wrong and / was basicaUy a bad fomous in thdr day and legendary now. was a cool, crisp, sunny moming and these son wide <^>en to be told what to do, how I trust my feeliiv and thoughts, spirituali­ we went to the C^itol Theater. My mother of art. Had the Legion of Decency or any similar­ peison. These were not just strip rtiows; they were bearers out gayness could be completely be based on original sin theology. She has tism with |oy and delight. I was a little hesi­ trivteUkeagay Univac Ibday rmaMe to end and severe. was changing. No longer a ndghborhood There one sought refuge during thc second hpwc work^ 1 lemcpber one particutar mor- wrong instead? God knows, whole societies too much eros and too much love, and tant, though, about tbe purpose of what we a conversation In seconds. Waa this irtien I Roy Rogers rescued people; he was brave. movie house, it sat on the edge of a stretch showing and boring passages, or immediate­ jUBg w^im. Jtaft Ae kbtH tain. On that mora- have been wrong bdore when it comes to delights in the creations She has made. My had gathered for. Was the purpose of this bqEpm to ruin socbd idi^ by Sadietifv in­ When he sang with the Sons of the Pioneers, of tenements, sleazy clothing stores and ly if one wished to cruise. Cruise was an odd ~fftitl^'4'$i^^ ^ inq»onam reveta- attitudes towaid groups of people it con­ theology is based on "original blessing" and event to "save^* or to celebraoe? lb my relief, formadon »d eipcricnidfcs no oneetae knew I endured it as an obligatory brief segment. brightly lit bais that opened early. The word under the circumstances. One stood otal changed my percep- siders imdesirable is called creation-centered spiritttality. the emphasis was on welcoming my nephew Gabby Hayes was unbearable and Dale Evans Capitol was shabby, sliding toward stone StiU. No one ^>okc, most smoked, jauetohcar about? At any rate; I heard mysdf say, "But I am a good per­ God is love God loves what She has into the Cunily of life and it became a a cipher. Naturally, 1 despised Gene Autry. disreputability. It was not cleaned often and eyed one another, waited, dream for n&e because I was son." I tcpeatcd this over and over to myself. created and tbat love is imconditional. send- celebtatlon of a new mefid>er of our com­ Roy Rogeis, nee Leonaid Grant from stank of popcorn. EII^^oyecs no longer wore fUckered alert at the footsi widi my gayness. The struggle in me seemed to be quictii]^ ii^ forth earthy, rich blessings to all that munity. This is how I view baptism — as a somewhere in Ohio, had almond-sh:^>ed, not uniforms. Families, even fractured ones, did rivals. One always watched _^^_ J, had a hard time down a bit as I started to trust myself and is created by God. Creation is desirable, welcome celebration and a verification of quite All-American eyes that twinkled not attend. a glimpse, a feeble parallel of­ lay woric and was very listen to myself. I felt right. I was right. I am which means it is a blessing. A blessing each person as a blessir^ loved by God. nonetheless, and was my first cinema crush. Now thc Capitol featured John Wiyne, Jeff the showers at the Ch; a good peison. From now on, this was go­ sigrdHes an investment, an involvement, Now I no longer stru^le with the issue First crushtrs are fascinating and, I think, Chandler as Cochise and lots of Republic bathhouse during the si IdiTa practical person. I ing to be my basic premise with that which is being blessed, lb bless is of whether or not I'm gay. I am gay and this, a revealing psychological indicator of life*5 Studio pictures with Vera Rhuba Ralson. I remember there was then e time to f^pue this scz- At this point in my life, I fed iU at ease to put a pan of the giver of tbe blessing into because it comes from God, is a blessing. My futurc obsessions. Suave adults may met the slinky ladies of counUess "B" tiltns: visual erotic stimulants to a raa angry and fdt I was with the idea that, fiotn the moment I was the receiver of the Messing. Tbe receiver and responsibilities lie in continuity tbe bless­ shamefully deny eariy absoibtion with Bom- Mara Corday. Marie Windsor, Adele Jcrgcns. VCRs, no Honcho, only Klouatifne In order to bom, I was sinful and my life would be a giver enter into a special relationship ings my existerKre has initiated. My existence ba and the Jungle Boy or Johnny Wrismullcr; Sometime during the theater's decline they Muscle Man on some kids' a qnldc and easy solu- continuous struggle to wipe away any sin I together. is good because it flows from God and the while today 1 cringe at the living nightmare showed Bitter Rice, one of thc ticw films that Caution verging pn inei leittity. somehow inheriurd from God knows where God's love exists in every creation. All of struggle that challenges me no longer is a of Roy and Dale pitching fundamental hooey failed to cam approval from thc Legion of the lounge. 1 can only tdU to the Ubrary, my in order to win the prize of God knows creation flows from this single, loving source question of "keeping my soul clean" but of on cable TV, I cannot deny my past. Decency (others included SttotnboU and 77ic uneasy with occasional eye back and forth on this what. and is therefore, blessed — from each tiny how to continue the blessings that flow Moon is Blue). for a ceUuloid dream to . Each step Inought This is not how I have come to know what atom in the wet, oozy earth to every unique through me to others. Just try to converse insightfully with a The objection to Bitter Rice hinged, I Rogers did not arrive, nor \ Then a feeUng of life is and bow I have played out my life This and beautiliil human being. On and on bless­ As I remember tbat last Sunday moming twinkie who came to grips with his identi­ think, on the Italian peasants*, notably practiced assessing men, h< Orde, nuw. ana never b(^ .rio Gassman, I attention betray no him ofi Silence = Death sinful in the past God ^rould start oif creating something in XL L M S $ 10 00 Bisexual men: viUan's death. At nine I hypothesized that the might have inched toward a subtler and ly beyond chUdhood with Read My Lips $ for this burden of direct opposition to God. XL L M S $ 10.00 filmmakers went to the local prison and richer awareness of passion. But breasts what might come next, I ci (2 men kissing) $ ahomoscxual, then This concept of original sin. if taken too Read My Lips solicited from the permanendy incarcerated under sweaty cotton shirts moved me not a eye and heart. Time uught XL L M S thc rest of society, $ 10.00 $ far as many churches have done, works by a volunteer who would be privileged to real­ whit. that any man would do. was my role cx)n- Coming out is easier (2 women kissing) the tiotion of divide and conquer. It divides ly die in front of thc camera by Calling off I bought into the objectification of thc Before it died, die Capitol hcaid a homosexual up the insides of a person, pitting one's a cliff or being shot or trampled. A fairly in­ male body, especially that of Burt Lancaster Posters Each Quantity Cost tip Inside 'Veass thoughts against one's feelings, one's genious solution for a tot and indicative of in Apache, which featured a spectacular on my face spirituality against one's sexuality and one's in my oivn backyard Silence = Death $ 10 00 The Government has blood on its hands $ Jaoo $ Inside me lit \^ -body against one's soul. It confuses and $ for an explanation. preoccupies people, rendering them By Jaick Bradigan Spula instance, while I ^vas talking to some young Buttons National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, made men 1 felt a surge of embarrassment when Silence = Death $ 1.00 mc surprise myselfl You sec, Tve been "out" I thought they were reading my messa^ — $ in Rochester for quite a while now. And I've and then guilty relief when I realized the Subtotals been fairly public about it. But I discovered, messages I wore on my shirt were hidden by or at least was reminded, that I've got a long my coat. A faerie tale Plus SI 50 per shirt/poster shipping and handling $ way to go. Harvey Milk was right: it's only by com­ By Aqualune Shortly after, she and the other woman I discovered it's a lot easier to wear a ing out and coming out and coming out that When I was in college, a friend turned 21, stopped inviting mc along with them I^tsL^jmiQssd $ "Bisexual Pride" button around thc Genesee the barriers will tall. But how hard the pro­ went to his mother, asked for his inheritance (though I had introduced them). 1 wondered Co-Op than in, say, high schools, where I cess is* and got it. He traveled to North Carolina to if they were shocked by my exposed desire Your name _ often go as a military/draft counselor. When Not knowing what else to say right now, purchase a farm. Mikel fell in love with thc and were shunning me. Your street address I'm not on my own turf I find myself more ru end by aimouncing the next Bisexual first farm he looked at and bought it the Years later I found out my two conser­ ony. State, Zip defensive. I worry more about being singl­ Men's Group meetings: Ibesday, Nov. 15 at same day. He named it Running Wuer. vative, boy-crazy friends had had an affair ed out as a "queer" Almost against my will Your home phone (must accompany each order) 7:30 pm. at thc PJEC office at the Genesee Through the years, whenever I felt heart­ and hadn't told me because they were afraid I make adiustments in what I say to strangers Co-op, 713 Monroe Ave.; and Dec. 13 at a sick or londy 1 would travel up to the motm­ / would be shocked. This sad tale of in order to get them to like me. place to be announced. Please be assured tains and spend a few days at this special misunderstanding and estrangement would VFE STREET So I got a C •(- for Coming Out Day. I wore tbat the group is IKX a coming-out en masse; spot. Mikel did not mow the grass, and not have happened at Running Wuer. We my button with pride, |ust as it said. But 1 all our meetings and discussions are con­ wildflowcrs grew as high as the porch we sat should have gone up there more often. Send to: Rochester ACT UP didn't broach the subject with anybody who fidential. For infonnation call 244-7191 and on. Mikel finally sold the place and came back Please allow POBox 63004 -PUB- might have needed to hear about it. In one ask for Jack. He did not tamper with the flow of the to town to find a lover. He and I signed a four to six weeks three creeks that ran across his place, except lease for a large, crumbling, old mansion and Rum, Rochester. New York 14623 for delivery SUNDAYS Bilines continued frotn page 16 ago the loggers had passed through. to divert a portion of one through the sink moved a group of friends in. Oki in his kitchen before it was allowed to re­ Naturally, wc left the sweeping front yard 3for2-4:00-10PM was fair, and everyoiK: knows turn-about is A couple of weeks after the snow, electric join its source further downstream. There unmowed. Only problem was, our landlady, Check our m< £ftlr play, so when was my turn? A reluctance blue butterfUes were aUgbting on purple was no shut-off valve, so the sound of run­ a propcrr old Southern dame, lived in thc MONDAYS to stay within the boundaricis assigned me fiowers, canopies of them risen up beneath ning water was always heard throughout the mansion next door. Just about the time all COMEDY seems to be an inherent aspect ofmy nature. the trees. Then the trees leafed out so tbe cabin. This sound was heard everyvt^icre one the spring flowers were in full bloom, she I recognized that gay men, even Goddess shape of the land was no longer visible, and went on the land. decreed they be cut. So Mikel let down his $1«»WELL ($125withiuice) 6:00 TILL 10:00 worshippers, need space of their own, so 1 off^ was lost in a sharply-tUtcd sea of green. Clothing was definitely optional and sex­ long golden hair, put on his best sprii^ dress TUESDAYS had ttie sense to lefirain from pfodaiming my What a place to meditate! One was natural­ ual orientations various. Here, where even — a floral chiffon — and wem out to kiss self-discovered faeriness too itnistcntly, but ly disoriented. the grass was aUowed to grow and flower, aU the flowers goodbye. Our landlady saw 60C GENNY DRAFT / Sl^* MILLERS I knew it was there. Running Watet provided the external en­ I felt free to blossom too. him. Enough said. 6:00 Tia 10:00 The first time I saw Rutming Wantt was vironmem for my internal acceptance to It could be disconcerting coining back A few years later, when leaving a violent about the time of year it is now. We were grow and flourish. I don't know how much from Running Water to the more structured relationship, I naturaUy thought of Running WEDNESDAYS walking (fown the din road tbat led to tbe of it was the people wbo happened to be envirotiment of the dty. Sometimes I would Water as a place to go to heal. Mikd gave me Home of the $l°o BUD & MILLER LITE emrance when we came to a dip carpeted there and how much of it was the abiUty of fOfget which taboos to observe where. the name of the new owner, Ron Lambe. in leaves so brilUant tbey didn't fook real. tbat place to attract that kind of people. Rochester Rams! 6:00 TILL 10:00 They looked moce like pieces of brand new But there it was C^ feob e alone. It was OK I had two women firiends in the dty I kept who was editor of RFD: A GayMen*s Coun­ 1065 Main St. East 32&«930 trying to get up to the mountains with me. try Journal, Ron told me to come right on up. THURSDAYS cofistructicm paper cut out by scboolkids to waitt a relationship and to be akme. It was One, the tnore conservative, AnaUy came, I was the only woman there, but I found and scattered about. They made tbe earth even OK to miss an abusive partner and to and she seemed to open up before my eyes, myself in the midst of Goddess worshippers, Sl«»LABAnS, 12 HORSE. PABST DRAFT look gaudy, Uke an over-decoiatcd HaUo­ moum tbe passing of a relationship most ^ic wanted to return. But before that, radical faeries — sisters In the truest setise 6:00 TILL 10:00 ween party. people could not understand my reasons for something happened that disrupted our trf the word. I was given the ncm-judgmcntal Weekly Specials! AU (>f my metnortcs of Running WMer bave bciiig In. It was OK for me to fed wfaat I lidt comfortable friendship. acceptance I so desperately needed at that FRIDAYS diis surreal quaUty. My last stay tbere is and to do wbat I needed to do for myself in The other woman, to whom I was very at- time and plenty of hi^. Tbey had books on 3 for 2-7:00 Tia 10:00 anotbcr good case in point. otder to bcal. tncted, was spending thc night with me the Goddess that I had had trouble findii^ DAILY SPEaAL: ft was in the sprifltfiime: I got tbere wlien What is tbe quality of Runniag ItMer that once and asked me how fat I wanted our In feminist bookstoiea. (Silkwood Books has THURSDAY: SATURDAYS tbe earth was baie and 1 had che ctttacc IO makes it so special? I think this is an inqior- '3 for 2' from 1-7 waicfa the mouniinildi etnet vp witfsa iaie tant question. Tliis

18 THE EMPTY CLOSET November 1988 Eyeliner Battette letioux

By Babette LeRoux son with a presence and a voice? like to wear dresses — wcU. honey, you can will have to beg for a spotlight like I did. Bonjour, darlings! Where have I been? M: I've always been Mahogany. But as Miss foiget it! Strike three! Sometimes it works Pageants bave been fixed in tbe past. I can Don't ask. Rochester, people now view me as an ac­ to your advantage, but oftentimes it doesn't. remember one queen saying, "I'm witming How many nights a month do you attend complished feinale impersonator and they BL: How long have you been Rondretta? this pageant becaiise I know thc owner. "Ybu some pageam or contest, pay a cover chaige give me that respect. And I love it! The au­ RBs I came to Rochester after coUege at only show your gown and that's it!" And and drink tiU aU hours of the moming, and dience is always trae — if they accept you, the age of 20.1 observed tnany queens from sure enough, she won. 1 took drag, with my never know the contestants who perform­ you've made it. the old school — Vicki, Freddy, Ginger; Dana title as Miss Rochester, out of the basement. ed for you? Miss Babette has a spctrial treat BL: Y:>u have been quoted by a local col­ Carter (the oldest drag in the world, I diink I buUt them a dressing room, took them on for aU of you. It is my honor and pleasure tunnist as being ' *a black man trapped in a — she was in her 60s.) That was in 1974, 14 shows. I made many things possible that I've to introduce for the first time an "Eyeliner" white woman's body." Elaborate that for us. years. reaUy never gotten credit for. exclusive, interviews with Mahogany and M: I got my name from the movie BL: Any inspirations at that time? IWo functions in this city arc very impor­ Rondretta BUlingslea. Mahogany with Diana Ross. She, in the RB: Really not. There weren't smy Black tant to me: the Miss Rochester Pageant and movie, gave up everything for thc man she queens to relate to. Besides, honestly, they the gay picnic. They should both be fice. If Mahogany, Miss Rocfaester 1988 loved and she was a fashion designer; that's didn't want Black queens. I had to literaUy I was independendy wealthy, they would be. BabetteXeRoux: Do you feel yourself to something I've always wanted to be. I betieve beg to do my first show. I'd have one But charges for them now simply insure peo­ be a drag queen or female impersonator? thc same things too; I'd give up everything number, the last one. I needed more, and I've ple they wiU be held at places that maintain Mahogany: A female impersoruitor. A for the right person. What I never con­ been trying to get it ever since that time. the standards everyone expects. Drag has to man that puts on a dress and a wig and still sidered was tbe name Mahogany signified BL: What other titles do you hold? move ahead; wc can't have pageants in acts like a man is a drag queen. A female im­ something dark or black; to me it was a RB: Biggest bitch, most evU queen basements any morc! personator is someone who dresses the same woman with a true meaning of love. (laughter). After competing for many years BL; Do you think drag is "dragged out"? yet becomes the woman, walks like a woman BL: What personal thought would you now, I came through when female imper­ RB: Honey, it's dragged by a 16-inch and studies the whole character. There is like to leave everyone with as Miss Rochester sonation was a closed set; it w^s reaUy a chain! It's nice to do shows, but it's more like nothing masculine about her. 1988? sisterhood. If you didn't get to know so­ improv than entertainment. New queens get BLx When did you first become interested M: If you really try and you really believe, meone, it was extremely hard to get into it. to test themselves; old queens get to polish. in female impersonation? whether it's only fame in your own mind And these queens think they piay political And the audience gets bored. But unfor­ M: In 1979, in your living room! Your and in no one else's eyes, go for it! That's games now. These games are nothing, just tunately, I don't know how to get back the roommate at that time. Carmen, was the one what's going to make you happy. that, games. Coming up with queens that did respect and'^excitement of the old once-a- who did my make-up. "Vbu came home from work and 1 was getting ready in your living room. That was my first time in drag! BL: What was a modvation for you to stan female impersonation? M: Maya Douglas. I ivas and am a very close friend of hers. Wc grew up together and lived a few blocks apan. It was her in­ spiration that helped me become Mahogany It's taken mc a few years to develop my own personality but it was by her example that I staned female impersonation. BL: What other titles do you hold? M: Miss Backstreets, Miss Jim's, Miss Prom Queen and first runner-up for everything else. BL: What are your goals as Miss Rochester? M: My goal is co have a good time! I feel the Miss Rochester pageant has lost a lot of prestige and glory in past years. My goal is to have the biggest turn-out this year — at \cast IS contestants, the house packed •with people and provide the best pageant Rochester has ever seen. Mah€»gany BL: What do you believe makes a good Rondretta Billingslea, Miss Ebony 1988 female impersonator? BL: Who is RondretU BiUingslca? M: The way she walks; thc way she car­ RB: Rondretta is a peison created by Ron ries herself. You don't have to look like Billingslea, who went through a lot of Rondmtta BiiUngalea and Maya f}ouglaa Cheryl Tiegs, but you have to create an iUu­ changes to find out just who she was; she's sion, and it should be glitzy. You have to an underdog, she's thc type of person you it for the love of drag because they didn't month shows. stand out, being attractive but not offensive. can go to to find the tmth, she's someone get paid in those days. . .We got dressed in BL: How long wili there be a Rondretta BL: How long do you feel you will be a who can make you laugh or cry, she has a cars, in kitchens, and you couldn't walk in BiUingslca? female impersonator? double-cc^ed tongue, she's an entertainer and demand this or that. Or get this hotel RBi Thc longer 1 do it, the more it's a part M: Not that much longer. I'm 24 and the from the "old school" of dn^, she doesn't paid for you or get a drink tab. of mc. I have to entertain. I think I'U be 90 illusion of a true woman is balanced with believe in the word "no"; and spit and deter­ So, to think of a tide in those days — that's years old and I'll stUl put a dress on and if the look of a young boy. As I develop into mination has gotten her everything she is aU you did was think about it. A Black queen there Is one peison in that audience that says a young man, it wiU be harder to create a true now. She's basic! was lucky just to do a show. But I hold four "Rondretta, you crazy girl! Come over here. illusion of a woman. So, if 1 can't create a BL: You were once quoted as "a minori­ titles — Miss Rochester, Miss Upstate New Let's do a shot," I'U know I was able to make true iUusion, I won't do it at aU. It will be ty within a minority within a minority." York, Miss Ryans and Miss Ebony. And I'm one person's night and it'U be wonh it! a loss for me, but the reality is that I am a RB: I'm Black, I'm gay and I'm a female very proud of aU four of them! BL: Give a final word fbr my readers. man. impersonator. In today's society, these are BL: You have been close friends with Rob RB: I'd Hke to thank them all ~ for BL: How do you balance Sal, Mahogany, three strikes against you. I was raised in the Fox and Ibmmy Catone fbr many years. Have laughing at me, for laughing with mc It's businessman and lover every day? 60s and am originally from thc South. I've they been instrumental in your career and been great! I hoprc everyone keeps suppor­ M: It's relatively easy. First things come been exposed to separate bathrooms, success as Rondretta? ting the shows. Through aU of the pain, I first. Five days are for me, two days are for separate water fountains. I was taught being RB: I was introduced to them by Michael worked for everything honestly and no mat­ Mahogany. However, the two days for Black, you can succeed but you have to be Deek. Tommy was very famiUar with drag ter how corny this sounds, I did it for them, Mahogany determine the five days as mc — better than those around you. Being gay has for many years and I know I needed as well as myself; for something that they what I eat, the amount of exercise, what 1 its own stereotypic problems, as everyone guidance. I wanted to do things my way could be proud of. shop for, etc, knows. Society tends to be naturally originally. Being a Black queen, I wanted to In the words of my idol, "If they need mc, BL: How do you feel as a notoriety: a per­ homophobic; and when you teU tbem you dress Black. But Ibmmy and Rob convinc­ just caU me. No matter where they are, no ed me to take on a more white image — matter how fiu*."N o matter where they are, Diana Ross. ru always be there. TiU I can't put on a pair They also cunaUed my temper and at­ of heels, aU of them are stuck with me. titude, always offering suggestions, and IT'S EUCHRE XIME! developed me for many years. It's fimny, Acknowledgements and Addendtuns Three of our favorite bars and though, the year I won was the year I did Is there life after Friar's? Have many of you restaurants have joined everything I wanted to do, taking no sugges­ had the same problem of trying to find a bar together to provide a ploce for tions fiom either of tbem and ironicaUy win­ that gives you that ncigliborhood feeling yet Euchre fovefs to meet, play arxi ning. Wt laugh about that to this day. They're is contemporary? Look no more! Mike's State very dear friends. have fun enjoying the game Street Pub (formerly Mr. MUce's) is open BL: What do you want to do with the ti­ that they love b^t! f^y in one seven days a week, Sunday through Wednes­ de of Miss Ebony? day tiU midnight and Thursday through or more of the bors each vs^eek. AJV RB: I want to have a good time with it Saturday tiU 2 a.m. Owners Maryaim and Check with tfie individual bars because if I'm having a good time, the au­ Ron promised Miss Babette to show to see about ovoibb'lity. dience WiU too! I've always been known to everyone a great time, and in lionor of Miss BsiX3y YouRsavEsn be a comedy drag or, better phrased, a com­ Babette's luiending search for tbe rigfit man, ic. But Miss Ebony has to be serious too! I they have made Thanksgiving week Men's don't know what it wiU be or what I'U do. Night at MUce's. First drink for every man is AVENUE PUB TARA BLs You have been synonymous widi the on tbe house! Witb the money you'U save Miss Rochester pageant since your winning you can buy Miss Babette a drink! Eveiy SUNDAY - 2 pm Evwy SATURDAY 1:30 pm of the crown. Docs it create any undue stress Guh Prizmand Snacks I hope everyone had a great Halloween; Ccnh Prizes and Snaocs or pressure on you? Miss Babette sure howled. I know Buffido RB: Every year as the pageam approaches, WiU never be tbe same 40 SOUTH UNION it seems everyone wants to be your friend. lb my dariing, David: Ubrds can't exptess Poirrot ProducUons started so that a queen the foy I feel to have you back IUID my life. Every MONDAY - 7:30 pm would be able to oversee the pageants and Now if we could only find time! make sure every queen was treated fidriy. I FinaUy, we do hawe power. \b(cf Au Revoir. vowed that no queen, so long as I am in dtag, Je t'aimes.

-.m^mOf Nowmber 1988 THE EMPTY CLX>SET 19

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November 1, 1988 No. 198

NEW YORK STATE'S OLDEST GAY NEWSPAPER FREE

ACTION

The clock is ticking . . . Three Supreme Court justices will be at least 80 years old on Inauguration Day. If George Bush is elected, he'll appoint judges like Robert Bork—judges who don't believe in the Constitutional right to privacy. Judges who will vote against civil rights for lesbians and gay men. The clock is ticking . . . George Bush has stood by as more than 40,000 Americans have died from AIDS and violence against lesbians and gay men has tripled. The clock is ticking . . . Mike Dukakis fought for a bill in his state that protects the civil rights of gay men and lesbians. As President, he'll appoint judges who will A Week of protect the lives and rights of gay men, lesbians, and people with AIDS. And he'll increase funds for AIDS research, treatment, and education. The clock is ticking . . . nationai We ean elect our next president and shape the future. If wc don't, our time has already run out. It's time for a change AIDS events Vote Dukakis/Bentsen on ROW A, NOV. S. Paid for by the Dukakis/Bentsen Committee. Inc.