Montrose Activity Center NEWSLETTER ·4Eltgtuuj De L~ Ad- ·1Jati E~,W'~~~ January 1'990 "1-- Issue 17

Montrose Activity Center NEWSLETTER ·4eltGtUuJ de L~ ad- ·1JatI e~,W'~~~ January 1'990 "1-- Issue 17

The Montrose Activity Center is a non profit 501c3 organization whose purposes arc to increase understanding of social, racial and sexual minorities, and to en- courage acceptance and tolerance of alternative lifestyles so that together the citizens of the City of Houston and the State of Texas may work in the spirit of peaceful cooperation to build a better society. Tpe organization acts as an umbrella to other organizations. 11AC, PO Box 66684, Houston, TX 77266-6684.

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.~. _1__ ill: . ...-~ __ ~~~~~:; • '~THE EVENT" Finding a 'VOice through theater a special

by Robert Hurwitt at the end of the tunnel. Gays and lesbians in his gay and lesbian drama anthology performance of from The San Francisco Examiner became part of a larger group of people "Out Front." John Vaccaro's Playhouse of' Edward Albee's "I can't imagine whatit must've been , who were beginning to find their voices, the Ridiculous, which opened in 1966, and like then," a local gay writer in his 30's like the civil rights movement." its spinoff, Charles Ludlam's Ridiculous Who's afraid of said, commenting on the play, "Black Cat' s Said veteran Bay Area actor, director Theatrical ComPany, reveled in freewheel- Tale," at Theatre Rhinoceros. "I'm not sure and author Dean Goodman: "Just as many ing outrageousness that drew heavily on Virginia Woolf? I want to." young people can't imagine their parents drag and camp. to benefit the Kimberly Brown's play, premiered in a ever having sex, Stonewall made them In San Francisco, drag performers were Tale Spinners Theater production at the aware thathomosexuality was a partoflife. moving out of the clubs and onto the semi- Montrose Activity Center Rhino last January, was set in 1951 at the Out of that awareness grew the gay theater legitimate stage. "Darling! I started it," Building Fund Black Cat, a North Beach bar that show- companies like Theatre Rhinoceros here said A.J. Esta, who staged the first two cased one of San Francisco's leading drag and the Glines in New York." "SIRlebrity Capades" in 1965 and '66. Ten years ago the Montrose Activity Cen- ,. queens, Jose Sarria. It chronicled the events Other leading figures in San Francisco's Fund-raisers for the gay Society for Indi- ter was conceived as the nucleus of a Gay that led to a landmark state Supreme Court gay theater scene think Stonewall's role vidual Rights, the shows were full-out drag & Lesbian Community Center. Perhaps decision: that a bar could not be closed just has been overstated. "It was a catalyst for revues. you know us better by some of our other because its patrons were gay. people in New York," says 'Dan Curzon, Esta, who is writing a history of Bay names: Gay & Lesbian Pride Week, Names ___ L r ...l_...J .LL_ T"" .•. T"'I"_ .~'-... 11 .,_ r 111 •• °.11 PrnlPf"t Unl1C'tnn n.,.r,'!lIu Jb T p(.!hl~n l-ll<"n~n _ 2'" ;id,~~;;;ti-~;;';heplay,"BlackCal's Said veteran Bay Arc; actor, director TheatricaICom"jxmy,revelcdinfreewhccl- . .' . Tale," at Theatre Rhinoceros.''I'm not sure and author Dean Goodman: "Just as many ing outrageousness that drew heavily on Virginia Woolf? I want to." . . young p~ple can't imagine their parents . drag and camp.. to benefit the Kimberly Brown's play, premiered ma ever havmg sex, Stonewall made them In San Francisco, drag performers were .. Tale Spinners Theater production at the aware that homosexuality was apartoflife. moving out of the clubs and onto the semi- Montrose Activity Center Rhino last January, was set in 1951 at the Out of that awareness grew the gay theater legitimate stage. "Darling! I started it," Building Fund Black Cat, a North Beach bar that show- companies like Theatre Rhinoceros here said A.J. Esta, who staged the first two cased one of San Francisco's leading drag and the Glines in New York." "SIRlebrity Capades" in 1965 and '66. Ten years ago the Montrose Activity Cen- queens, Jose Sarria. It chronicled the events Other leading figures in San Francisco's Fund-raisers for the gay Society for Indi- ter was conceived as the nucleus of a Gay that led to a landmark state Supreme Court gay theater scene think Stonewall's role vidual Rights, the shows were full-out drag & Lesbian Community Center. Perhaps decision: that a bar could not be closed just has been overstated. "It was a catalyst for revues. you know us better by some of our other because its patrons were gay. people in New York," says 'Dan Curzon, Esta, who is writing a history of Bay names: Gay & Lesbian Pride Week,Names Brown's play didn't make the sequence who co-founded the Earnest Players with Area drag theater, followed up with an all- Project Houston or Gay & Lesbian Hispan- . of events clear, but it did evoke an era that Turner in 1977, the same year the Rhino male drag production of Clare Boothe ics Unidos. But the activities we sponsor must have seemed like a foreign country to was founded - and whose free-wheeling Luce's "The Women" and two showcases are steps toward realizing that ORIGI- much of its audience. The 1950s were a comic revue, "The Sex Show," predated - "Ready or not, It's Me" and "It's Me NALDREAM. time when a bar could be raided it two men both groups. Again" - for comic queen Michelle Now we are taking the next step, ... the or two women were seen to touch each "I think the time was right People were (Michael Gerry). By the time Stonewall creation of a dedicated "Building Fund." other, when same-sex pickups were caused looking at the black movement and the made news, San Francisco was into an era (PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 3) for arrest. women's movement and thinking, 'Why of all-male musicals: "Marne," "Hello Homophobia is still, to a degree, the law not me?'" Dolly" and so on. of the land ~ but a court decision like the He added: "Personally, I think 'The boys "It seemed like no big deal to come out 19{7'1lfS ISSV.'E recent one ordering the U.S. Army to re- in the Band' was more influential." at the time," Esta said. "When you worked enlist an openly gay soldier would have "Boys," Mart Crowley's off-Broadway with SIR you were already stating the fact A Brother's Dream 2 been unimaginable to the closeted lesbian hit about a gay men's birthday party ,opened that you were gay." That was a far cry from We cannot know another's grief. as officer in Brown's "Black Cat." two years before Stonewall. Though itsoon the mood when he arrived here in 1956 and deeply personal as love and pain, I can- Nor could she have imagined the explo- came to be heavily criticized for its stere- began working with the Actor's Work- not measure my own against the sorrow sion of gay and lesbian theater that has otypical portraits of gay men, it played a shop. of my brother's friends who must won- der every day which among them will be made gay characters commonplace on the major role in opening up the stage to gay Ties to hippie scene next. American stage in the '80s. themes - for gay and straight audiences. Founders HerbcrtBlau and Jules Irving, Photos of GIL Couples 4 To a large degree, the current openness 'Darling! I started it' Esta says, were so afraid of their company dates from Stonewall-from the protest of As such, it was part of a long slow being tainted in the public mind that they Calendar of Events 5-6-7 Jose's drag sisters in New York over a raid process that stretched back to the 1920s didn't even acknowledge they knew some Freedom & Attitude 8 on a bar. and was about to come of age. In some members of the ensemble were gay. How- Dallas Loses an Activist 9 ''The sense of freedom that we experi- ways the theater was ahead of the gay ever, he added, "Herb did write a play In Dallas, the death of Allan Calkin leaves thecommunitypoorer andgrayer enced was amazing," says playwright Dan liberation movement - in the developing called 'Telegraph Hill' in which one of the and a liulc less hopeful. AI died Sunday Turner, who came out while a theater stu- sympathy for gay characters in mainstream characters was a gay man based on one of ofliver failure at the age of 50. surely the dent at the University of Iowa, not long plays, in the celebratory flamboyance of our actors." gentlest political activist any of us ever. after Stonewall. - performers like Jose Sarria, who staged The openness that flowered a decade knew. "You hardly ever saw gay characters drag mini-operas at the Black Cat, and in later had as much to do with the rise of the 21.06 is not just for Men 9 before Stonewall and most gay stories were the new generation of playwrights nur- hippie scene as it did with drag shows and Gay Theatre is not Surving 10 tragic - the gay person would commit tured off-off Broadway. gay liberation, says composer Richard The ultimate goal of gay theatre is toput suicide or something," Turner said. "A gay Lanford Wilson, Robert Patrick, Doric "Scrumbley" Koldewyn, who moved here itself out of business; when gay charac- situation couldn't end happily." Wilson, AI Carmines and other widely from Riverside in 1966. "There was a huge , ters and subject matter are accepted and discussed as readily as one's hair color "It was difficult being a lesbian actress produced gay writers of the '70s and '80s gay tribe that evolved in the Summer of or occupation, there will be little need in 1967," said director and playwright Adele got their starts in the early '60s at off-off Love," he says. "It even included straight for gay companies topoint up the worth Prandini. "There were no roles or plays. Broadway venues like Caffe Cino and the people." and individuality of gay people. Then suddenly you felt you could see light Judson Poets Theater, as Don Shewey said see Voice through Theater page 3 The Gay Fireside Companion 11 Montrose Activity Center N E w s LET ,T E R Page: 2 JaJ January 1990 -.i 1

A Brother's Dream by

by Barbara Lazear Ascher Vietnam. The deaths from drunk driving. sibling, he said, grievous in itself, is also a from The New York Times Numbers don't touch .our hearts. starling reminder of our own mortality. I It could have been a parade of soldiers, My parents, well know in their commu- suppose it's not dissimilar to the time in wounded and near other battle. They stared nity, broke through those barriers of denial' youth when we first learned of our origins ahead with eyes from which all joy had by making it clear, in their son's prominent and began to understand, if they made me, been banished. obituary, that the cause of Bobby's death then they can make another. After that we They had marched in too many funeral was AIDS. Not "pneumonia" or "heart became the nervous sentinals of our terri- processions, they had watched as disease attack" or "respiratory failure," or other tory. When a sibling dies, the absolute dismissed courage and defiantly claimed causes of death we now see in obituary certainty of death replaces the cherished their friends. The day, three months ago, columns when we read about single men illusion that maybe we'll be the excep- they marched in a New Orleans jazz fu- dying in their prime. ' tions. When a sibling dies, death tugs at our neral for my brother, Bobby, dead of AIDS The letters of sympathy began to come own shirt tails. There's no unclasping its at 31. in immediately. "Thank you for being presistent grip. "You too," it says. "Yes, Irode with my sister, mother and father, honest about Bobby's illness. My best even you.", and my brother's companion, George, in a friend's son has AIDS." When. you me new to grief, you learn mule-drawn wagon, ahead of the parade of My brother was a wild that there's no seconl,guessing~·it. It will friends, and behind the musicians, old black have its way with you. Don't be fooled by :~~ men who knew the route and the music by thing. The confines of our the statistics you read: Widows have one mu~ bad year; orphans three. Grief doesn't read heart. New England homes could lec! The street was' closed for the occasion, schedules. ~., 20'1 not contain him. lie kept One morning, three weeks after Bobby The citizens were shuttered inside cool ca~ interiors away from the fireball that is New flying into windows. Re- died, I arose feeling happy and energetic. ml~ Orleans' August sun. The day was ours, the leased, he flew south to Well, now, I thought, I guess we've taken owe streets were ours. The sun beat down on us care of that. Wrong. The next morning I diss alone. We, in the cart, sat as still as stones. warmth, to a landscape large was awakened by a, wail I thought was co~ George cradled a carved wooden box enough to absorb his exu- coming from the storm outside until Ireal- per: that looked like an ornate bird house - the ized it was coming from me. to ~ house of ashes that had been my brother's berance. Grief will fool you with its disguises. COl~ bones. "When my cousin died of AIDS, it was Somedays you insist that you 're fine, you're Rut Still as stone we rode through the streets a family secret, and that robbed us of the just angry at a friend who said the wrong yeru of New Orleans as jazz rose up around us, opportunity to mourn and be supported in thing. One day Iwept into the lettuce and sue! and the old men played "The Old Rugged our grief." peaches at our local market when an ac- Stre Cross" to lead us to the church. If we "My best friend in college, captain of quaintance approached to scold me for my dau ..•'..--~'I...--_ ..•1...•~, _ '---•...u-1I_· __ ~"" •."....,rI ;0 o.a A1A~h~ulA~c\f~flo.urc!A ",~ht:\t_h interiors away from the fireball that is New nymg into wmdows. xe- died, I arose feeling happy and energetic. Orleans' Augustsun. The day was ours, the leased, he flew south to Well; now, I thought, I guess we've taken streets were ours. The sun beat down on us care of that. Wrong. The next morning I Ow alone. We, in the cart, sat as still as stones. warmth, to a landscape large was awakened by a wail I thought was dis. George cradled a carved, wooden box enough to absorb his exu- coming from the storm outside until Ireal- Cor that looked like an ornate bird house - the ized it was coming from me. per house of ashes that had been my brother's berance. Grief will fool X-9Jl with its disguises. to I bones. "When my cousin died of AIDS, it was Somedays you insist that you're fine, you're coll Stili as stone we rode through the streets a family secret, and that robbed us of the just angry at a friend who said the wrong RUl yea of New Orleans as jazz rose up around us opportunity to mourn and be supported in thing. One day I wept into the lettuce and and the old men played "The Old Rugged our grief." peaches at our local market when an ac- suc St71 Cross" to lead us to the church. If we ' "My best friend in college, captain of quaintance approached to scold me for my moved, if we cried, we might never stop the football team, a Rhodes scholar, just stand in an old battle. Of course, we both dati crying. It was better to be still. died of AIDS." assumed that she was responsible for my IntI I My brother was a wild thing. The con- It became' clear from the letters that tears. If you would like to get a free copy or 1 fines of our New England homes could not AIDS was coming home. AIDS had come We cannot know contribute to help pay for this newsletter, you may do so in a tax deductible giftto the SUCt contain him. He kept flying into windows. to Donna Reed America, to.F~ther.Knows another's grief, as deeply Released, he flew south to warmth, to a Best America. AIDS was killing kids who . above,address: ject. landscape large enough to absorb his exu- once wore Mickey Mouse Club caps and personal as love and pam, I berance. To sympathetic souls who held wrote mash notes to Annette Funicello. cannot measure my own sign him when exuberance failed. When we first learned of Bobby's ill-. f m '_ Name II A friend who volunteers at the Gay ness it seemed incomprehensible that this against the sorrow 0 y fina Men's health Crisis tells me, "You would could be happening to our baby brother. brother's friends who must Address drar be surprised how many families first learn My sister and I began ajoumeyinto paraly- wonder every day which inge that their son or brother is gay at the same sis. There were days when It seemed we . nece time they learn he had AIDS. They get a had to concentrate on putting one foot in among them wIll be next. City the! phone call that their son or brother was gay, front of the other if we were to walk at all. You learn that you can cry and stop and is fa and his openness had enabled my parents to Ifwctravelcdmorethanacouple ofblocks, laugh and even follow a taxi driver's then share the happiness he and George were we were exhausted for the rest of the day. commands to "Have a nice day," and then thee finding together, to know and accept that in State ZIP We were hungry, we weren't hungry. cry again. You learn that there is no such with a careless world, love is precious whatever We made chocolatechipcookiesand choco- thing as crying forever. Three months ago ing s the pairing. But there is no accepting that late brownies and didn't cat them. We I was certain that I would never be happy Home Phone rials one's child is doomed. opened and closed the refrig.erator d~or, again. I was wrong. thca We are not alone in our anger, grief and looking for something that might cushion 'Grief is like the wind. When it's blow- seric disbelief. The horizon in filling up with the pain, fill the chasm that was opening ing hard, you adjust your sails and run Work Phone ness parents burying young sons. Fewer and from within. before it. If it blows too hard, you stay in the but s fewer of us are allowed the smug certainty N~-~ I realize that this was the begin- harborrclose that hatches and don't take K that AIDS has nothing to do with our Iives. ning-efgricf which starts in the stomach, - "callS'.'Whenit'sgentle,yougosailing,have must have wondered, as they marched plish Soon, each of us will have a.child, brother, yawn.ing like the gaping mouth in M~ch' s a picnic, take a swim. ' through the streets of New Orleans, which abou friend, friend of a friend, a distant relative painting, "The Scream." But what d~d we _ You go wherever it takes you. There are of their.families would sit one day in, the com] who is doomed. know, our beloveds had not yet died, I no bulwarks to withstand it. Should you mule-drawn cart. I shy away from the limit Until recently, the statistics have insu- began to understand that grieving is like erect one, it will eventually tire of the game magnitude of my brother' sown grief when, mus: lated many of us. We've read that the risk walking. The urge is there, but you need a and blow the walls in. upon being diagnosed, he heard the final corn] group comprises homosexuals, bisexuals guiding hand, you need someone to teach We cannot know another's grief; as click of a door as it closed on possibility. singl and intravenous drug users. If we didn't fit you how. .. deeply personal as love and pain, I cannot A friend of mine said of her son when he cast. in the categories, we said, "Well, I'm safe," ' I went to speak WIth a WIse and trusted measure my own against the sorrow of my died at 30, "He, was just beginning to look steac and turned the page. To number fatalities is minister at my church who warned that brother's friends who must wonder every out at the world and make maps." So was Irnpr to depersonalize them. The body count.in there were bad times ahead. The death of a day which among them will be next. Who my brother. Then there was no place to go. face. Montrose Activity Center NEWSLETTER January 1990 Page: 3 990 from Voice through Theater page 1 "The Cockettes came out that," he adds. "They were gay and they were part of the "THE EVENT" whole hippie thing, the drug thing and the tribal thing." The Cockettes, Koldewyn among them, ~ u4tdt tuue ~ fJItdeu ~) made their debut on New Year's Eve 1969. "We just got dressed up and danced to a Rolling Stones song at the Palace,'; Koldewyn said. "We didn't even think of it The Board of Directors of the as drag. Drag queens were at Finocchio's. "-.--MONTROSE ACTIVITY We had beards and mustaches and wore women's clothing. It was theater of sexual CENTER role confusion." and The Cockettes and their successors - the more polished, if slightly less outra- MR. EDWARD ALBEE geous Angels of Light - didn't treat gay themes in theirmusical extravaganzas. "We cordially invites you to took it for granted," -Koldewyn said. "I spend an evening with knew I was gay but that's not how Idefined myself. There was so much else to talk George and Martha about, to have fun with. Stonewall and gay liberation just went along with everything January 6, 1990 else in my life, which was opening up and opening up." Saturday evening Influence of gay lib For others, in the theatrical mainstream, Performance: 7:30 PM ovies the new openness presented problems as ects well as opportunities. "Gay lib and clos- drag eted theater did not mix, not at all," said istic Dan Turner, who came out in Iowa only to ALLEY write be advised to be discreet as an apprentice at THEAT~E 35 the Dallas Theatre Center, one of the atic nation's major repertory companies. ~f an That was true of public image in San 615 Texas Avenue cing Francisco too, despite the fact that several ikely of the American Conservatory Theatre's Houston, Texas 77002 ueed -leaders - including founder William Ball and his successor as artistic director, Ed " r Hastings - were fairlY-l2uen uersonally _ Wtitten.and.Directed ..hxEdward.Albee ••.••.•6-- ,,,.,.4 ¢ tile 'new openness presented problems as OVles well as opportunities. "Gay lib and clos- fleets eted theater did not mix, not at all," said drag Dan Turner, who came out in Iowa only to ALLEY ilisuc be advised to be discreet as an apprentice at THEAT~E write the Dallas Theatre Center, one of the th 35 nation's major repertory companies. matic That was true of public image in San 615 Texas Avenue of an Francisco too, despite the fact that several ucing of the American Conservatory Theatre's likely Houston, Texas 77002 .leaders - including founder William Ball Juced and his successor as artistic director, Ed Hastings -:- were fairly open personally Written and Directed by Edward Albee about their homosexuality. Of the Bay rgay Area's many smaller companies, only the anies '. San Francisco Mime Troupe - already ~{' , their committed to presenting a racially and Yes, spend an evening in the HOME of Albee's brilliant, biting and bitchy couple as a fund raiserto bring sexually balanced ensemble - made a a NEW HOME to Houston. The proceeds from THE EVENT will be used to start a building fund to open his is point of including openly gay actors. a Gay and Lesbian Community Center in Houston. e; all "Many actors were uncomfortable with ough gay lib," Turner said. "Some were. gay, THE EVENT is proud to have as its Honorary Chairman:·MR. EDWARD ALBEE. ~ has some were married and gay - and they writ- were frightened. That first year in Dallas, a ~nifi- lot of closeted gays wouldn't even say Fora hello to me. And there came a point after IS no Stonewall where gay artists began to start rious Name: _ their own groups. It became a political. other Do not mail, call 522-2204 thing: You couldn't be gay and out and Address: -'--_ they political and be part of a theater that wasn't Ticket Categories y are City: _ gay." arch o $250 (the Homeowner) special recognition at THE uion, In New York, playwright Doric Wilson EVENT, one of the best scats in the house, and State, Zip: --'- _ founded The Other Side of Silence, the first a wine and cheese reception with Mr. Albee* loing Category of Ticket(s): _ 's the ongoing gay company, early in 1974; John from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Alley's 4th floor crna- Glines established the Glines two years Board Room. Number of Tickets & Amount: _ later. In the Bay Area, lesbians led the way, o $100 (the Visiting Relative) choice scaling and in its o Master Card o VISA cd by also in '74, with Lilith (a feminist company reception, . rragc for straight women and lesbians) and Adele o $50 (the Neighbor) seating and reception. Card Number: _ cmrc Prandini's It's Just a Stage. o $25 (the Guest) seating only. Expiration, Date : ----:~"',------igo's Though there had been several inde- o $? (the Distant Cousin) unable to attend, but-would pendent male gay productions earlier in the .pon- like to make a donation. Signature; ---"7""------ian's decade - including Dean Goodman's hts a highly regarded "Special Friends" at the w' ~fore Encore and Curzon's "Sex Show" - it Gay wasn't until '77 that the first male compa- R.S.V.P. by calling 522-2204 or $25.00 tickets can be purchased at Inklings, 1846 nh a nies formed. They burst on the scene in a )()ra- creative explosion. Richmond, Lobo, 1424-C Westheimer (at Windsor) or Say Cheese, 3926 Westheimer ynot Turner and Curzon' s new Earnest Play- Your tickets are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Co-Chairs for THE EVENT: Joe Watts and C. Williams. .oing . ers found themselves sharing space at the Ice a see Voice through Theater page12 Montrose Activity Center N E w s LET T E R Page: 4 January 1990 Janu

At Home with Themselves: Lesbian, Equal Gay and Lesbian Couples Access Project

Photographs of gay and lesbian coupled a way we're all androgynous. The couples Each year, numerous Houston area half assessed to each parent. on view at Houston Center for Photogra- are often beautiful together-and also lesbians lose custody of their children Kim must pay the first $2,500.00 in- phy frightening. We are all capable of feeling simply because they are lesbian, or be- stallment by January 15 or be held in was fi: The Houston Center for Photography the way they do," remarks Sohier of her and tal cause they can't afford thousands of contempt of court. Two more $2,500.00 ; announces "At Home with Themselves: work. She discovered that once the stere- dollars in legal fees. payments are due in May and Septem- "But Gay and Lesbian Couples," a compelling otypes are shelved, "a couple is a couple." Lesbians in other large cities have es- ber. Neither Kim nor her immediate it?", I photographic exhibition of gay and lesbian Shoierinterviewed each couple, and many tablished fund-raising organizations to family can afford the court-ordered fees. don't photographs are accompanied by one-page couples in their homes. The exhibition will meet this critical problem. We think it's LEAP will sponsor events private be on view in the main gallery, 1441 W. edited transcript from the interview. the la~ time Houston lesbians respond to this throughout the year to help Kim and I Alabama, Houston, from January through She began photographing gay and les- comm need. other lesbians. We would like to invite February 4, 1990. The opening reception bian couples about four years ago. And this in dev • LEAP (Lesbian Equal Access you to meet Kim at LEAP's first fund- 1 will be Friday,January 5, from 6:00to 8:00 project was supported from 1987-89 by a individ Project) is designed to provide area les- raising event. Enjoy an evening of fun at PM. Sage Sohier will be at HCP for the major MassProductions Grant from the bians with equal access to fair custody Bacchus and dance to the sounds of opening, and will gave a gallery talk on Massachusetts Council on the Arts and trials and justice, regardless of ability to Houston's own DJ Cherry Wolf. That's Saturday, January 6 at 12 Noon. For more Humanities, administered by the Photo- Un information call HCP at 529-4755. graphic Resource Center in Boston. pay. 4-7 PM, Sunday January 7, admission is seeJ These black and while photographs Sage Sohier, of Brookline, Massachu- • LEAP's formation was $3. All proceeds will pay these court- ent reveal the emotional, psychological, and setts, is a graduate of Harvard-Radcliff prompted by the staggering $7,500.00 ordered fees and will not pay for Kim's personal attorneys, Connie Moore and IS s physical dynamics that exists in relation- College, where she recci ved her B.A. magna court - ordered fee assessed to Kim Jor- I ships. They also give an intimate revela- cum laude in 1976. She has received sev- dan. Kim is fighting for the custody of Debra Hunt. ~Oj tion of the way in which humans deal with eral other prestigious awards, including her two children, ages 10 and 12. The Please help us fight for Kim's chil- SIZ~ father is seeking sole custody based on dren. We appreciate your generous do- adversity-through joining strengths in individual artist's grants from the Artists' mOJ love. The power of the photographs lies in Foundation/Boston, MA (1979), the Na- Kim's sexual orientation. Kim has won nations and look forward to seeing you at their emotional honesty, an honesty that tional Endowment for the Arts (1980/1), the first court battle to retain temporary Bacchus on January 7. transcends the relative and speaks in a the Guggenheim Foundation (1984/5), and custody. But the court has appointed an Donations to support LEAP may be language that is universal. the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and attomey to represent the children and sent to: LEAP, P.O. Box 300788, Hous- ''The subject matter is gripping to me. In Humanities (1989). awarded this attorney $15,000.00 in fees, ton, TX 77230. H.,

byMo from 1 Sage Sohier tenderly documents the gay Aus mil, badlloaicanel ...... ~ . . tion of the way in which humans deal with eral other prestigious awards, including her two children, ages 10 and 12. The Please help us fight for Kim's chil- adversity-through joining strengths in individual artist's grants from the Artists' father is seeking sole custody based on dren. We appreciate your generous do- love. The power of the photographs lies in Foundation!Boston, MA (1979), the Na- Kim's sexual orientation. Kim has won nations and look forward to seeing you at their emotional honesty, an honesty that tional Endowment for the Arts (1980/1), the first court battle to retain temporary Bacchus on January 7. transcends the relative and speaks in a the Guggenheim Foundation (1984/5), and custody. But the court has appointed an Donations to support LEAP may be language that is universal. the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and attorney to represent the children and sent to: LEAP, P.O. Box 300788, Hous- "The subject matter is gripping to me. In Humanities (1989). awarded this attorney $15,000.00 in fees, ton, TX 77230.

Sage Sohier tenderly documents the gay' and lesbian experience from The Boston Globe. shelved, "a couple is a couple." around or drum up affections for curious congn ''The subject matter is gripping to me. In Sohier admits that some of these images straight eyes. ("I try to take the scene a way,I were all androgynous. The couples project the fantasies of her subjects. The Micke somewhere else if we fall into conven- thatw are often beautiful together - and also project "is a play being acted for a camera." tional stereotypes.") Lesbians make love nation1 frightening. We are all capable of feeling At times these black-and-white photo- on a bedroom floor like any other couple WaS the way they do," says Sage Sohier of her graphs, some enriched by excerpts from who has abandoned the love nest of a bed. i new work-in-progress. interviews, raise issues about the project in terests The world she depicts has some kinki- them ai Two men are posed on a couch. One general. Is what is true and vivid for the j ness in it, some S&M, but as one editor of Barbar wears only polka-dot boxer shorts, his head photographer's eye indeed true for the world Drummer magazine explains in one of the resting in the lap of his fully dressed friend. she depicts? Does Sohier's own sexual him. A excerpted interviews, when he and his lover ington He reaches up and playfully tugs the tie preference inhibit her rendition of this get dressed up in leather and chains "it's above him. In another photograph, a' world? How does she trade on the tradi- ityand more for the people out there - we're Washi younger woman touches the abdomen of a tional alliance betwcengay men and straight creating a fantasy for them." Clearly, pregnant older women, while a daughter women? Why do the portraits of men seem mentat Sohiers subjects for the most part control tactics from a former marriage plays nearby. In a more varied and interesting than those of the ways they appear before us. They are third, a man hugs his aged mother with one women? Som assertive about their sexual preference. Washi arm, while another man clasps his extended Perhaps the emblematic image in the- Some have been male prostitutes, others hand. show is that of a young black man in a tank there's: parents. As a group, they appear dedicated in the ~ Gay and lesbian couples at home with top, eyes closed, arms lovinly wrapped to their partners: monogamous, loyal, forth- themselves and with a sensitive heterosex- about an older white men. It is as moving in right. . approve of his mother's lifestyle. that C~ smart! ual photographer are the subjects of Sage its open trust and expression of affection as Sohier gains an added dimension by Schier's approach to this project is as won't 1 Sohier. Touching - whether in love- the im'age of the "man tugging the tie is including family figures along with the intelligent as it is thoughtful. She allows making, in domestic embraces or while" , convincing in its playful whimsy. In both her people to express themselves without say, sUI couples. Gently sardonic, she depicts life his law'~ consoling a despairing AIDS patient - is images, one of the men is somewhat de- as a soap opera with the son and lover fanfare. With the casual inclusion of a Sohier's focus. She has photographed more tached from but defined by the central ac- basset hound's head, or an armless manne- law at 1 comforting the aged mother. Devotion of ain'tHl than 100 couples thus far in New England, tion, a familiar device in Schier's legerde- .children is portrayed in an image of two quin, or painting of a nude woman over a ~ California, New York, Washington, D:'C. main': man's bed, she draws attention to the do- best SJLU doctors whipping up a pancake breakfast, one ev and Key West. What she has discovered in Sohier succeeds because she seems to watched by an adoring young daughter. mestic complexities of her subjects' lives. her work-in-progress, sponsored by the bring to her project no homophobic biases. The dominant mode of this new body of Yale I However, Sohier undercuts any naivete Tell Photographic Resource Center and sup- There is nothing sleazy in .her interest. about her subject matter with the acknowl- work is narrative. Its inherent strength Texas ~ ported by the MassProductlons program of Stereotypes are avoided or denied. Men in edgment by one lesbian that her lover's 2- springs from a delicate feminine sensibil- the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and , her pictures may slip into bathing suits for ity that can register the tender emotions and underes year-old son may some day have to face in Austi Humanities, is that once the stereotypes are a Gay Pride Parade, but they don't sashay down his adolescent friends who will dis- raw edges of human life)" Montrose Activity Center NEWSLETTER January 1990 Page: 5 January· Ca i e n da r U

13 Weoriesday 1 Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus at Metropolitan Multi- Service Center, 1475 West Gray, 7:30 PM, Call 521-1000 for more information. 14 Thursday I Gay/Lesbian Parents Support Group meets various lo- cations, to share what it is like to be be a parent, children are welcome. Also for those who are interested in becom- ing parents,ca1l666-1616 for more information. The group meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays. 3 Weoriesday Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus at Metropolitan Multi- Service Center, 1475 West Gray, 7:30PM,Ca1l521-1000 for more information. 14 Thursday I Gay/Lesbian Parents Support Group meets various lo- cations, to share what it is like to be be a parent, children are welcome. Also for those who are interested in becom- ing parents,ca1l666-1616 for more information. The group meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays. Is Friday I "At Home With Themselves: Gay and Lesbian Couples," a compelling photographic exhibition of les- bian and gay couples in their homes. The work by Sage Sohier will have an opening reception at the Houston Center for Photography main gallery, 1441 West Alabama from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Show will be from January 5 through February 4, 1990. 16 Saturday I The Event The MontroseActivity Center cordially invites you to spend an evening with George and Martha and Edward for a special benefit performance of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf'?, As directed by the author,7:30 PM, Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Avenue, tickets $25 to $250, call 522-2204 for more information. $25 tickets available at Say Cheese, 3926 Wcsthcimcr, Inklings, 1846 Richmond or LOBO 1424-C Wcsthcimcr, 17 Sunday I The Women's Group meets at 10:00 AM, Karen Baird, will speak on Socialist Feminism: what it is, where it has been aria where iris going. How does it compare to other strands of feminist thought.? Dance \0 benefit LEAP, Cherry Wolf will be special DJ for a dance benefitting LEAP (Lesbians Equal Access Proj- ect), a new fund for Houston area lesbian mothers in- volved in custody battles. The first benefit will be 4:00 - 7:00 PM at Bacchus. Admission is $3. I Montrose Activity Center I Montrose Activity Center NEW S LET T E R Page: 6 January 1990 -Jm January Ca i e nd a r

18. Monday I 114 Sunday I 117 Wednesday , I ~ Montrose Activity Center, board meeting, 7:00 PM, at The Women's Group meets at 10:00 AM. at the First Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus at Metropolitan Multi- Par the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, 1475 West Gray, Unitarian Church, 5210 Fannin. The speaker will be Sister Service Center, 1475 West Gray, 7:30PM, Call 521-1000 mee business will include discussion on the formation of TEAM Ada Edwards from the Shrine of the Black Madonna. for more information. Election of officers and various wq timi Houston and wrap-up of "The Event", call 529-1223 for The Women's Reading Group will discuss our favorite board members. more information. poems by women authors. Group meets at 4:00 PM at Festival for Women's Safety and Well-Being, In rc- Te~ 19Q American Gay Atheists meet at 7:30 PM at 4 Chelsea. member's home, for location and information call Kathy sponse to increasing violence, women are taking action. A at 664-7438 or Cicely at 522-9837. committee of the Women's Group of the First Unitarian Ri~ infd 19 Tuesday I Sweet Savage Chocolate, A 40th Birthday Celebration in Church is planning a festival/rally for July 1990 to honor of Deborah Bell. Bring chocolate and a donation for celebrate women's right to well-being. Changing attitudes Wilde 'n' Stein Radio, discussion about Gay and Lesbian KPFf in support of Lesbian/Gay programming. Everyone about violence is the first step toward creating a safer [] community, 9:00PM to 11:00 PM, KPFf 90.1 FM. Harry is invited, 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Ovations, 2536 Times Blvd. world for women and children, A planning meeting will be AnI Livesay, formally with AIDS Foundation Houston, now @ Kirby - Cash bar and Jazz. held at 7:00 PM in the Women' s Room at the Church, 5210 case management training for AIDS Demonstration Grant, Fannin @ Southmore. Everyone interested in participat- federal a new grant to serve the Houston metropolitan area. ing (orchanneling anger into action) is welcome. For marc [] Gay Fathers meet at Dignity Center, 3217 Fannin, 8:00 115 Monday I information call Jacsun Shah at 529-7329. wi1 PM. For more information call 522-6766. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday PW A Coalition meeting, Metropolitan tvIulti-Scrvice 118 Thursday I ~j Center, 1475 West Gray, 7:30PM, call 522-5428 for more PM ,110 Wednesday I Gay/Lesbian Parents Support G roup meets various lo- information. ~ Gay/Lesbian Political Caucus Board meeting at 900 cations, to share what it is like to be be a parent, children Lu~ Lovett, 7:30 PM, call 521-1000 for more information. are welcome. Also for those who are interested in becom- The~ ll:l Women's Network, Montrose Counseling Center, 900 ing parents,ca1l666-1616 for more information. The group PI~ Lovett, 2nd floor, 7:00 PM, Recreating Your World, Often meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays. the intensity of life can be overwhelming. In this experi- mental evening , participants will explore simple and 119 Friday I immediate techniques to create the life you want and Deadline for items to be included in the January edition of . deserve. This experience will be facilitated by Satya the Montrose Activity Center NEWSLETTER, write to Khalsa, a therapist in private practice who works with Box 66684, Houston, TX 77266-6684, or call 529-1223. NLP, meditation and yoga., call 529-0037 for more information .. Donation requested, no one turned away if unable to pay. 121 Sunday I Gay/Lesbian Hispanics Unidos (GLHU) meet at Dignity The Women's Group meets at 10:00 AM. at the First '. O. __ .L.__ ~.rL".!:J_'1::' ":._i~ ••.-!:7_~~_I"\...D:a._"'~L::!-.._n---...J:.nC\~L:tT~T....T_T~tC _ Unirarian.Church.fiz.IOsliannin ...'IhupJ:aker will be Dr. mo:

i C~~~I MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT I 1 2 3 4 5 6 .~~- I ----- ••-. ••-. -M •••_•••.J I 30 .••• __ io. ___ ~_ I 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Thursday Full Moon 111 I 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 29 30 31 113 Saturday I I 28 1 2 3 Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby board meets in Austin, call 512-474-5475 for more information. 16 Tuesday 1 I Lesbian/Gay Democrats of Texas (LGDT) board meets Wilde 'n' Stein Radio, discussion about Gay and Lesbian in Austin immediately following the LGRL meeting, call community, 9:00 PM to 11:00 P~, KPFf 90.1 PM. 681-4855 for more information. [3

supporters of the MAC NEWSLETTER

~~fl· ~~ HOUStOl1 Area ACSW, CSW-ACP RAY HILL NOW Pesky, Contemptuous Troublemaker Individuals, Couples 713-364-3843 Families, Grops Box 66554 713-523-6969 Women's Issues Houston, Texas 77266 Box 66351, Houston, TX 77266-6351 Montrose Activity Center NEWSLETTER :0 January 1990 Page: 7 January Ca.Le n da r

121 Sunday Cont 1 128 Sunday I 1 June20-24, 1990 1 o Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (pFLAG) The Women's Group meets at 10:00 AM at the first Sixth International Conference on AIDS, theme will be Ii- •o meet for discussion of "Religion and Homosexuality - Unitarian Church, 5210 Fannin, Shelly Vuschner, R.N. a "AIDS in the Nineties: From Science to Public Policy." What the Bible Says", call 952-2525 for information on midwife in private practice will speak. Conference qrganizers are working to design .a program s time & location. Atheist Open House with American Gay Atheists and that emphasizes presentation of the highest quality science Team Houston, the organization committee for the the Houston Chapter of American Atheists at #4 Chelsea on AIDS, considers the implications of scientific advances e- 1990 Gay Games in Vancover will hold a fund raiser at Place from 2:00 - 5:00 PM. Video showings, literature and on AIDS for public policy, and closely examines the Riches, 2401 San Jacinto, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, for more books available for sale, refreshments and camaraderie. complex interaction between science and political activ- r information call 520-0838. ism as they relate to AIDS. For more information: Univer- o sity of California, Box 1505, San Francisco, CA 94143- ~s 130 Tuesday I 1505 or 415-550-0880. fr 122 M?nday I Wilde 'n' Stein Radio, discussion about Gay and Lesbian ~ Anniversary of Roe v, Wade community, 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM, KPFf 90.1 FM. ~o 1 July 18-22, 1990 I t- The Third International Lesbian and Gay Health I C 123 Tuesday I 131 Wednesday I Conference and Eight National AIDS porum. Co-spon- Wilde 'n' Stein Radio, discussion about Gay and Lesbian Lesbian/Gay Pride 1990 Meeting, planning for the 1990 sored by the National Lesbian and Gay Health Foundation community, 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM, KPFf 90.1 FM. events 7:00 PM, Dignity Center, 3217 Fannin, upstairs, and The George Washington University. For more infor- Gay Fathers meet at Dignity Center, 3217 Fannin, 8:00 call 523-2575 for more information. . mation: NLGHF Programming Committee, 1638 R Street, PM. For more information call 522-6766. NW, Washington, DC 20009. Luncheon celebration of anniversary of Roe v. Wade at 13 February I The Houstonian, 111 N Post Oak, featuring Linda Elerby Heart Strings an upbeat two act musical review produced 11:30 AM sponsored by the public affairs department of by the Design Industries Foundation for AIDS (DIFFA). Planed Parenthood of Houston, $35, call 522-6363 for The local production is co-sponsored by DIFFA/Houston more information. and Bering Community. Service Foundation. The "Eve- ning of Hope for the Healing of AIDS," is designed to 124 Wednesday I educate audiences and inspire investment in our nation's response to AIDS. Tickets are $25 to $250 and are avail- Women's Network, Montrose Counseling Center, 900 able at Ticketron, 546-1709. Lovett, 2nd floor, 7:00 PM, Incest - Healing the Wounds. Participants will view the film, "Why, God? - Why me?", followed by a discussion of reactions and feelings. An 117 February 1 o atmosphere of confidentiality and emotional safety will be EPAH "Leather and Lace" party benefitting the Mon-' ir~ maintained by experienced therapists. Survivors and their trose Counseling Center and the Assistance Fund, location ;....- fa.r.n..!llalC\v~d_c.n~~_ra.....''1u;lll!at:na...lnl~_!lo.C...:r!~Afr-.!.l_1_n_£ro.t:n_b~1_n.(J' __ !:t:!."I:'-A ~ _.J The Houstonian, 111 N Post Oak, featuring Linda Elerby Heart Strings an upbeat two act musical review produced 11:30 AM sponsored by the public affairs department of by the Design Industries Foundation for AIDS (DIFFA). ~pr- Planed Parenthood of Houston, $35, call 522-6363 for The local production is co-sponsored by DIFFNHouston more information. and Bering Community Service Foundation. The "Eve- ning of Hope for the Healing of AIDS," is designed to o 124 Wednesday I educate audiences and inspire investment in our nation's response to AIDS. Tickets are $25 to $250 and are avail- lof Women's Network, Montrose Counseling Center, 900 able at Ticketron, 546-1709. to Lovett, 2nd floor, 7:00 PM, Incest - Healing the Wounds. t3. Participants will view the film, "Why, God? - Why me?", followed by a discussion of reactions and feelings. An 117. February I o atmosphere of confidentiality and emotional safety will be EPAH "Leather and Lace" party benefitting the Mon- lst • maintained by experienced therapists. Survivors and their trose Counseling Center and the Assistance Fund.location ir, female loved ones are welcome (please refrain from bring- TBA. he - ing non-adult children). call 529-0037 for more informa- ~ty tion ..,Donation requested, no one turned away if unable to pay. I March 22-25, 1990 I Southeastern Conference for Lesbians and Gay Men, Ck Pride Awards Committee meets at the Astrovillage the oldest regional conference in the nation is now in its ~r- Hotel, Kirby Dr.@ S. Loop., Business includes selecting 15th year. Workshops already scheduled are on sodomy Ip, speakers for the event and the beginning of the process to laws and the effect of AIDS on society. Also covered will Ire choose award recipients. [g, be topics concerning the conference theme "Working to he Strengthen our Southeastern Communities." For more he 126 Friday New Moon I information:SECLGM, Box 28863, Raleigh, NC 27611- he 8863 or 919-833-1209 ay The Goy & Lesbi:an I April 12-15, 1990 . I M Second Annual Gulf Coast Women's Festival, in Gulfport, Switchboard Houston Mississippi, call 601-896-6453 or 601-896-3196 for in- o 529-3211 formation. o.

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The following underwriters have helped support the cost of the Montrose Activity Center NEWSLE1TER Keystroke Printcx Plus 1st Anniversary Birthday this space available 713-524-4365 Saturday, January 13, 9 PM to get your work out to the community call "Your Full Service Printer and Copy Center" Tower Theater 529-1223 FAX (713) 524-7587 for more. information 1201 Westheimer 1617 West Alabama Geo "Jim" Crary, Jr. 785-9258 Houston, TX 77006 Owner Montrose Activity Center NEW S LET T E R Page: 8 January 1990 --Jan-u Freedom Attitude By Jeff Campbell from The Center Fold of Central by Ron Mohring Florida from Gay Lesbian Student Association Newsletter They are out there, hiding in the of The University of Houston. shadows and snooping into the lives of others. They are voyeurs - peeping toms - the Radicals who think that The man boarding the bus wears a gay rights t shirt their business is minding your busi- and a pink flower behind his ear. His body is tense, ness. saying both "I am" and "I know you don't want meto be." They are never far away,just hiding The seat beside you is empty and he sits down, in dark, wet places waiting for another opportunity to surface when they be- smiling quickly, shyly. You look away. What can you do? lieve you are vulnerable. And they are dangerous. They hide themselves You can smile back. You can talk with him. behind names that in other circum- You can tell him the flower is pretty. You can even stances represent goodness and whole- ask his name. someness; Family, God, Decency, Community. But make no mistake, The woman in front of you is trying to get into the bar, what they seek andwhat they represent but the doorman is demanding to see three ID's. is CONTROL. You have been here before. You know the man, and you know In the recent surfacing from the gloom of their depths, the first target of such procedures is not used for anyone who is not a woman. their attack was "pornographic publi- You are silent. Women have their own bars. What can you do? cations." Perhaps "Playboy" arid "Penthouse" are not your choice in You can walk up and say that the woman is with you. magazines, perhaps not even "National You can say that the bar is discriminating against her Geographic," but neither are they por- and that you don't like it. You can even say it loudly, nographic. Whether or not you buy or so others will hear. ~ read them is the business of no one other than yourself. Someone at dinner starts telling an AIDS joke. He knows Because these nervy, nosy people begin their salivating at films and you have a friend who just died. You know that he jokes publications, many of their critics because he can't admit he's afraid. You are hurt and lightly dismiss their actions as censor- insulted, but your other friends are laughing, and what ~lUUUl U.l UICll UC;l-'Ul~, UICt .1.11~LLQ15'"'t. VJ. -- .•••...1.•.-~. -~- -- - -,. 0- - ~ their attack was "pornographic publi- pursuits is parasitic and very, very You are silent. Women have their own bars. What can you do? cations." Perhaps "Playboy" and temporary. Everyone in our widely "Penthouse" are not your choice in dispersed gay community in the You can walk up and say that the woman is with you. magazines, perhaps not even "National Orlando area has an opportunity to aid You can say that the bar is discriminating against her in preserving their freedom; serving Geographic," but neither are they por- and that you don't like it. You can even say it loudly, nographic. Whether or not you buy or actively with Gay Lesbian Commu- ,"~ . so others will hear. read them is the business of no one nity Services at ''The Center" 0'[ with '- Joy Metropolitan Community Church other than yourself. Someone at dinner starts telling an AIDS joke. He knows Because these nervy, nosy people will give you an opportunity to assist you have a friend who just died. You know that he jokes begin their salivating at films and your community and to help defend publications, many of their critics your hard. earned freedoms. because he can't admit he's afraid. You are hurt and lightly dismiss their actions as censor- Becoming active with an organiza- insulted, but your other friends are laughing, and what tion will not make you a public figure ship. Censorship is not their goal; full can you do? and total control over the lives of all nor give you more publicity than you feel you can afford. It will reinforce who disagree with their narrow view of You can say how you feel. You can ask them not to make life is their goal. We will be fugitives in your community, for in numbers there such comments again. You can even get up and leave. the social order they wish to create. is strength. Put your voice in The Center You don't have to go back, ever. It is important to understand these or Joy MCC or both and help defend are the same people who burned your freedoms. Fighting the whole war A woman was raped in your apartment building." "witches" at the stake in the 18th cen- over and hoping to win is far more tury. In the 1940's and 1950's, these difficult than standing watch and stay- A teacher was fired for being gay. are the people who ordered lobotomies ing free.z, A boy cried in school because someone called him a nigger. performed on homosexuals and others You brother says all a lesbian really needs is a good fuck. r------, Your mayor says the solution to AIDS is to shoot the queers. Unfortunately, this newsletter must pay foritself. MAC needs your financial Your mother says her neighbor in a dirty Jew. help to preserve this community resource. Please consider becoming a MAC sup- porter by making a donation in one'of the categories listed below. What can you do?

LEVEL AMOUNT You can stand up. You can speak. Name: You can even shout if you want to.A 0 Booster $20 Organization: Listing in Newsletter 0 Contributor $60 Address: 3 Listing in Newsletter ·t, . 0 Supporter $120

6 Listing in Newsletter < City: Team Houston .J\ Underwriter: 0 Individual $180 your connection to the State, ZIP: 12Listing in Newsletter 0 Business $300 HomePhone: 12Listing in Newsletter Gay Games 1990 0 Patron $1000 more information upcoming WorkPhone: 0 Benefactor $5000 L~ __ -_- __ --_------~ Montrose Activity Center NEWSLETTER o January 1990 . Page: 9 21.06 The so-called "Sodomy" law is not just about men

by Charlotte Taft "Deviate sexual intercourse means any 21.06 don't cause those feelings, but they constitution, might be interpreted to pro- . from The Women's Alternative Times contact between any part of the genitals of certainly reinforce both our own internal- teet private sexual conduct. I want you to know why I am one of the one person and the mouth or anus of an- ized self-hatred, and the hatred and fear of It may take years to see.the outcome of several plaintiffs in the Texas Human Rights other." A violation of this statute is a "Class .others toward us. this case, known as Morales et al vs. The Foundation's lawsuit against section 21.06 C misdemeanor" punishable by a "fine not You may be aware that 21.06 was de- State of Texas. In the meantime, we must 1- of the Texas Penal Code. A few days ago I to exceed $200." One of the. wonderful clared unconstitutional, but was then rein- remember that, although changes in the iI was riding with a woman friend of mine things about Texas is that it's not subtle. In stated by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals law can give us a formal "right," we can't b and talking about 21.06. When she said, Texas it is not illegal to have sex with an at the request of a homophobic District depend on that alone. It takes our honesty "But that doesn't apply to women, does animalin private, but it is illegal to have sex Attorney. The lawsuit, Baker v. Wade, and courage to create the change in atti- with an adult of the same gender. it?", I realized that lots oflesbians probably which was designed to challenge 21.06 to tudes and opinions that make a climate in The fact is that section 21.06 of the . the United States Supreme Court, was lost don't know that, in Texas, much of our which we will be free to acknowledge who private consensual sexual activity is against Penal Code provides an excuse for any when the court refused to consider it; while we are without fear. Our work is about the law. Section 21.06 states: "A person business, organization, agency, or individ- at the same time upholding a Georgia law unlearning our old childhood messages commits an offense if he (or she) engages ual to discriminate against gay men and in which a man was arrested in his home for that we are notenough. It is about dreaming in deviate sexual intercourse with another lesbians in whatever ways they choose. In private consensual sexual conduct. In that of another kind of world and then living in individual of the same sex." Dallas there was a recent case in which a case,Bowers v.llardwick, the United States that world right now. Our sense of our own Although the current woman sought to be a member of the police Supreme Court made it clear that it can sec department. When she answered honestly no privacy rights for homosexual conduct. power comes, in part, from our taking United States Supreme Court that she was a lesbian, she was denied So, with all that, why would we file another action on our own behalf. If you arc a seems to have lost sight of the employment because the police depart- lawsuit? lesbian or a gay men, your positive action entire concept of privacy there ment doesn't hire criminals! Often the Although the current United States toward your own freedom. If you arestraight effects of having such a law reinforces our and want to live ina world that doesn't lead is some sense that the Texas Supreme Court seems to have lost sight of socialized thoughts that, as lesbians and the entire concept of privacy (look at the with hatred and fear, this is a place to put Constitution, which empha- gay men, we are afraid we could be discov- disintegration of the concept of a woman's your money where your mouth is. To con- sizes the rights of individuals ered. Almost all of us have, at one time or private right to decide about abortion, for tribute to the case or learn more about it, more than the federal another, felt afraid and ashamed of who we example), there is some sense that the Texas please contact: Texas Human Rights Foun- are. For some of us the shame and fear are Constitution, which emphasizes the rights dation, 2201 N. Lamar # 203, Austin, TX constitution. ongoing and can be relentless. Laws like of individuals more than the federal 78705 or 512-479-THRF.A. Houston wins with an activist - Dallas loses one

by Molly Ivins too. In fact, it may be a little easier in energy there. his companion Peter Brooks. I remember from The Dallas Times Herald Washington. He liked helping the people right around when some anti-gay crusaderreferred to Al Austin - Good news from Houston, The reason so many Texas congressmen him. He was concerned about Dallas, Texas, as "the gray Rasputin" or some such thing bad news from Dallas and the usual ZO_Q- sink like stQnes~in.J2.C~is~thaLw_e_ken andjts_neililiborhoods_andjt

by Molly Ivins too. In fact, it may be a little easier in energy there. his companion Peter Brooks. I remember ~;. from TheDalias Times Herald Washington. He liked helping the people right around when some anti-gay crusader referred to Al Austin - Good news from Houston, The reason so many Texas congressmen him. He was concerned about Dallas, Texas, as "the gray Rasputin" or some such thing bad news from Dallas and the usual zoo- sink like stones in D.C. is that we keep and its neighborhoods and its environment of the local Democrats. "Well!" humphed logical phenomena here in the state capital. electing people who are severely average and its poor folks and empowering people AI, with a very swishy toss of his silver From Houtex, Mr. Washington will go to begin with. Face it, it tookBill Sarpalius and the political process and education and head (AI was never swishy). "Gray in- to Washington. State Sen. Craig Washing- an hour and a half to watch 60 minutes cultural opportunities. He was wise and deed!" ton won the special election to fill the when he was still in Amarillo. And no one kind and sensible and he appreciated the Al had been diagnosed as having the congressional seat of his beloved friend ever claimed Solomon Ortiz was going to political process (albeit finding it frequently AIDS virus over a year ago and had made Mickey Leland and all Texans can be proud -be the Martin Luther King of his people maddening). He differed with other gay- his peace with the fact that he would not that we're sending such a class act to the back when he was in Corpus. rights activists in Dallas in that he was far live a long life. But when his liver began to nation's capital. I remember trying to convince colum- more open to compromise and coalition go as a result of a long-ago siege of hepa- Washington will not only serve the in- nist David Broder when Barbara Jordan than those who preferred to make their titis, his reaction was a sort of sardonic, terests of his own district, he will transcend points more dramaticall y and then go down "Good Lord, if it's not one thing, it's an- them and become a national leader, as did in flames. Al Calkin know the value of other." Peter Brooks said, "We knew we Barbara Jordan and Mickey Leland before commentary getting half a loaf. And how hard it is to do. were going to lose him, but we thought we had more time." him. Ata time when progressives in Wash- first went to Washington that she was He worked as hard as anyone I've ever ington are behaving with a degree of timid- something special,and he gently suggested known, but could enjoy life as well. He lie should have died hereafter; ity and confusion that is inexcusable, Craig that home-state partisanship might be in- loved opera and good food and political There would have been a time/or such I Washington brings not only his commit- flating my estimation of her ability. He was stories and his family and his friends and a word.): ment and his vote, but a sense of lcgislati ve wrong and has long since admitted it. Texas tactics and strategy second to none. .politics may well be the toughest league Sometimes home folks in politics go to there is. Especially, I'm sorry to say it's A personal rememberance Washington and sink without a trace, so still true, if you're not white. So I think we by Annise Parker He was outspoken in his pragmatic disdain there's a theory that it's harder to stand out are quite safe in expecting great things for the- quixotic gesture. But Al knew the I was very saddened to learn of the death in the "big leagues." People will tell you from Craig Washington. value of the metaphoric "carrot and stick." of AI Calkin. Though Al was intimately in- that Craig Washington may have been a In Dallas.. the death of Allan Calkin He was not afraid of displaying his own volved in the politics of Dallas and its gay smart guy in the Texas House, but that leaves the community poorer and grayer considerable political clout and he was community, his concern and influence cov- won't be worth much in the majors. They and a little less hopeful. Al died Sunday of never afraid of a good fight. ered Texas. say, sure Craig Washington was No.1 in liver failure at the age of 50, surely the Al and I shared a political philosophy his law school class, but after all, he studied gentlest political activist any of us ever I served with Al for many years on the and were usually allies. But we had our law at Texas Southern University and that knew. I suppose all of us who were his boards of the Lesbian/Gay Rights Lobby share of strident disagreements. Even in ain't Harvard, right? He may have been the friends feel the same way - we were so and the Lesbian/Gay Democrats of Texas. _ disagreement he, was gracious, and in de- best student at Prairie View A&M, but no lucky to have known him. Al Calkin was We also saw each other at conferences and feat generous, a rare trait in out commu- one ever claimed Prairie View was any gay, and he worked hard for gay rights and political conventions. Wemadeitapointto nity. Yale University, and so on. for gay causes, but he was more than that, always try to sit together at meetings, see- He had excuses to retire from the fray; Tell you one thing I know for sure about he was truly a community activist as well. on ding each others motions and often the broken hip, the chronic hepatitis, AIDS. Texas politics: It's a tough game, widely He was a delegate to the national Demo- impatient at the pace of the proceedings. But he cared too much to quit. He always underestimated. Anyone who's a standout cratic Convention in 1984 and 1988, buthe Al was criticised for his belief that fulfilled his commitments. He will be in Austin is going to be one in Washington, preferred local politics and put most of his compromise is better than confrontation. missed)" Montrose Activity Center NEW. S LET T E R Page: 10 January 1990 Gay Theatre Is Not Surviving w by Terry Helbing At first glance one might think the re- theatre can't possibly achieve the produc- done so quite admirably, with benefits of tri from Gay Life. Leisure. Love and Living cent success of Torch Song Trilogy has tion values of Broadway and Off-Broad- all sizes and descriptions, from New York's for the Contemporary Gay Male only changed things for the better. It's way shows, which have budgets of hun- Gay Night at the Circus at Madison Square m Gay theatre is not surviving. How can I definitely made gay subject matter more dreds of thousands of dollars. Instead of Garden to a neighborhood street fair. People say that, you ask? After all, at this writing viable; New York's major resident compa- appreciating and enjoying a different and are "benefitted out." Worthy as the cause (June, 1985), Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song nies now select at least one play each important kind of theatre experience, many of gay theatre may be, people can support Trilogy hasjustcompleted a multiple- Tony- season that contains a gay character or a theatregoers still expect a big-budget pro- only so many such causes before they Award-winning three-year run on Broad- gay subplot. No doubt they hope to cash in duction. A reviewer exhibited this attitude overload. ,w] way; the Jerry Herman-Harvey Fierstein- on the current trendiness and commercial when he dismissed a gay theatre company's The Success of Torch Song Trilogy and ro Arthur Laurents musical adaptation of La success of gay material. Small gay compa- production because audience mem bers had other plays has encouraged the writing of Cage aux Foiles has been running for two nies and independent gay producers suffer to walk across the stage to get to the public more material with gay themes, but this too years,also collecting several Tony Awards; as a result. restroom. Somehow this made the entire is a mixed blessing. While gay companies th~ g~ William M. Hoffman's play about AIDS, The ultimate goal of gay theatre is to put operation not worthy of serious considera- may be receiving more scripts, most who As Is, has just moved to Broadway from.the itself out of business; when gay characters tion. Most Off-Off-Broadwa'y theatres are write plays can't be called playwrights; thi Circle Rep, garnering critical acclaim and and subject matter are acceptedand dis- lucky to have bathrooms. This elitist out- they're not versed in the exigencies of awards; and Joseph Papp's Public Theatre, cussed as readily as one's hair color or look fails to consider the quality of work writing for the theatre. They wisely follow ~~ m)! which for almost a decade virtually ig- occupation, there will be little need for gay being done onstage. the maxim, "Write about what you know," ab~ companies to point up the worth and indi- Paying $40 for a ticket doesn't guaran- nored the idea of gay theatre, has practi- and too often the cathartic plays that result lib1 viduality of gay people. That time has not' tee the viewer a good show, as anyone who cally become a, gay showcase this past may be cheaper for the author than seeing els season, producing Albert Innaurato's arrived; in fact, we arc far from it. But the attends Broadway regularly can attest, but a therapist, but don't work very well as oJ>1 Coming of Age in Soho and Larry Kramer's current acceptance of gay material may be paying $1 0 for a ticket at many gay theatres theatre pieces. They usually imitate what Inl impassioned agitprop AIDS play, The a passing trend, like disaster movies or doesn't diminish the quali ty by three-q Liar- they see or what has been successful, so Normal Heart. youth-oriented dance films are for Holly- ters. gay companies receive many scripts which ------So how can gay theatre not be surviv- wood. The success of the two major AIDS The ultimate goal of gay informresemblescreenplaysforTVmovies ing? While commercial gay plays are en- plays, while clearly concerned with gay .. or sitcoms; and the subject matter reflects :l et~ people and issues, is actually a response to theatre ISto put Itself out of the Broadway successes: trilogies, drag joying unprecedented success, the small Da a serious crisis and not indicative of lasting companies that have been the vanguard of business; when gay charac- queens, AIDS. If writers are unrealistic be. change. the gay theatre movement for the past few ters and subject matter are about writing for the thea~e, the~ write the years are greatly reduced in number, and • . unproduceable plays=-scripts WIth 35 na1 those that remain are experiencing hard How do gay theatre companies suffer at accepted and discussed as characters and 15 sets written in cinematic times. In part the very success of recent the hands of Broadway success? Theatre- . readily as one's hair color style-simply not within the realm of an 1 plays is contributing to their difficulties. goers who wish to view gay plays don't . . Off-Off-Broadway company's producing 1 Fra have to go to a gay theatre when they can or occupation, there will be abilities. Unknown gay writers aren't likely of Plays with major•gay characters or se~ gay material allover town. The ticket little need for gay compa- ~o com~ out of nowhere to be produced 1 leal themes (like Marlowe's Edward II) have pnces of Off-Broadway companies, com- . t . t th h immediately on Broadway. (anc 1..•.•.••..•.•. ...J .l £__ L ...lI ...1__ L'" 1; l.: __ A ••.: ••• 1:_:.~A A:MM'.:M~.'--=.M __ ~ nIeS 0 pOIn up e wort _ _ Ha: So how can gay theatre notre surviv- wOOCl~Tne:;uc-c-ess-onneLWUTImJor--ft1-DJ [lie ummare goaror-gay --··--.-.·-...·---~-----.-·.-.-.~----r--;r-~ ing? While commercial gay plays are en- plays, while clearly concerned with gay . . or sitcoms; and the subject matter reflects joying unprecedented success, the small people and issues, is actually a response to theatre IS to put Itself out of the Broadway successes: trilogies, drag ete companies that have been the vanguard of aseriouscrisisandnotindicativeoflasting business; when gay charac- queens, AIDS. If writers are unrealistic D~ about writing for the theatre, they write tx:; the gay theatre movement for the past few change. ters and subject matter are years are greatly reduced in number, and unproduceable plays-scripts with 35 tb those that remain are experiencing hard How do gay theatre•companies suffer at accepted and discussed as characters and 15 sets written in cinematic times. In part the very success of recent the hands of Broadway success? Theatre- readily as one's hair color style-simply not within the realm of an plays is contributing to their difficulties. goers who wish to view gay plays don't Off-Off-Broadway company's producing have to go to a gay theatre when they can or occupation, there will be abilities. Unknown gay writers aren't likely Plays with major•gay characters or see gay material allover town. The ticket little need for gay compa- to come out of nowhere to be produced immediately on Broadway. themes (like Marlowe's Edward II) have prices of Off-Broadway companies, com- nies to point up the worth been produced for hundreds of years; but bined with limited discretionary income, it's simpler to describe contemporary gay means that even the most avid theatregoers . and individuality of gay Given this changed•atmosphere for gay theatre from two watershed events in the can see just so many plays. Furthermore, people theatre, what can the handful of companies recent past, each of which coincided with a with so many cultural events competing for remaining nationally do to ensure their Funding is so scarce for struggling gay similar sociological occurrence in the one's attention and dollars, many rely on continued survival? companies that they can't (and should not) broader gay movement. The first was the word-of-mouth or the opinion of major Find more high-quality scripts. This is invest outrageous sums of money in trying appearance of Mart Crowley's The Boys in critics before seeing a play. not a problem endemic to gay theatre; all to appease expensive tastes. A limited the Band, which moved to Off-Broadway As a result, while there is a core audi- theatres face the problem of finding enough number of wealthy people are willing to in 1969 and ran 1,000 performances. While ence who will attend an ongoing gay good material. Modem gay culture has invest their money in gay theatre and get a some would decry Crowley's negative company, God bless 'em, the company been in existence so short a time that writ- tax write-off. As with all theatre there is so depiction of gay male stereotypes, the play . must prove over and over again to the ers haven 'thad a chance to create a signifi- little chance of any return on the invest- can be viewed as a historical record of the general public that a particular play is a cant body ofliterature for the theatre. For a ment that speculators would have much late 50s and early 60s. More importantly, it "hot" item. With many major daily news- long time gay writers felt there was no better chances for a return in the stock brought gay theatre outofthe closet. At the papers unwilling to attend gay theatre it's place for their plays to be given serious market or at the gambling tables. Meridian same time the Stone wall Riots launched difficult to get the message out to the pub- production consideration, so why bother Gay Theatre-which I co-founded-has the modem gay movement, and as a result lic, and quality productions often go un- writing them? Lesbian authors felt they received grants from the New York Slate of these two events hundreds of gay plays seen. had even less than no chance, so they are Council on the Arts and the New York City would be produced Off- and Off-Off- Many of the people on the mailing list of further behind gay male writers. Torch Department of Cultural Affairs; San Broadway for the next ten years, often at gay theatre companies are not regular Song has helped to change the situation, .Francisco's Theatre Rhinoceros has re- fa newly-formed theatre companies through- thcatrcgoers, but like to attend an occa- and gay theatre companies have been doing ceived money [rom the National Endow- out the country, dedicated exclusively to sional gay event as an alternative to. the their share as well. Meridian sponsors the mcnt Ior thc Arts and their city's Hotel Tax gay plays. . bars and discos, and do not feel much annual Jane Chambers Memorial Interna- Fund; but in both cases these grants cover The other significant event was the commitment to gay theatre. Most gay men tional Gay Playwriting Contest, now in its only a small fraction of overall operating favorable critical reception in 1981 to -bclicve it's important for the gay commu- sixth year (it was previously sponsored by expenses. Gay theatre companies don't have Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song Trilogy. nity to have cultural institutions like a the Gay Theatre Alliance), to encourage the option of seeking private corporate The four-hour epic had been playing to J»orus, marching bands, or theatres. Un- the writing of new gay plays; and Theatre support as do their straight counterparts. empty housesOff-Off-Broadway until Mel .•less such approval is put into practice by Rhinoceros in San Francisco and Chicago's It's difficult to imagine Xerox or IBM Gussow's unprecedented rave review in buying tickets, those cultural institutions Lionheart Gay Theatre have also spon- rushing to lend financial aid. the New York Times began a shower of can't continue to exist. ' sored playwriting contests. Meridian's ~ Many who heat of the plight of gay critical accolades that helped the play move The success of Torch Song Trilogy and staged reading series give playwrights a theatres say, "Why don't you sponsor a to Broadway in June, 1982, and win Tony other gay plays has created audience ex- chance to see their works performed before benefit?" Because our government has been Awards for its author-star in 1983. About pectations difficult for gay theatre to meet. an audience, and Theatre Rhinoceros Gay so unresponsive to the desperate straits of n the same time the dread spectre of AIDS Most gay productions in New York City Writers Workshop functions as both a the gay community during the AIDS crisis c began killing hundreds of gay men and are classified as Off-Off-Broadway the- support group for the writers and labora- with their resounding lack of funding for permanently changing their social and atre, but audience perception frequently tory fornew writing. These efforts may not research and patient care, the gay commu- e political lives. After these two events gay ignores one of those "Offs." On shoestring bear fruit tomorrow, but their ongoing nity has had to make up the slack. We have theatre never again would be the same. budgets and in small theatre spaces, gay presence will help gay writers produce a Mon tro se Ac ti vi ty Center NEWSLETTER ~O January1990 , Page: 11

:{::

,II: The Gay Fireside Companion Gay and Lesbian

by Leigh Rutledge ral Quotations - Why this third book? No hate mail, but some odd propositions Switchboard The Gay Fireside Companion is an en- Essentially.] had so much material left of marriage and even a question on my dick joyable and informational collection of facts over from my years of scavenging and size. I tried to be as polite as possible, Houston that together paint a picture of what it hoarding material, that it made sense to put especiallywiththeunder-twenty-onecrowd means to be gay in this time and place - together this final volume which took me who wrote the most personal letters about how far we have come and haw far we have about a year to put together. their abused lives. Some of those were.'- The Gay and Lesbian SwitchboardHous- yet to go. How did you get started on these an- heartbreaking. Especially from the teen- ton . Since his first book, The Gay Book of thologies in the first place? agers who are so desperate for positive • has an all-volunteer staff Lists, was published just two short years I grew up, as I think most gay people do, images. That kind of letter is emotionally • receives no state funding because they ago, Leigh Rutledge has become the ac- somewhat isolated. And although I wasn't satisfying for me to answer because I feel I feel that would condone homosexu- knowledged expert on gay trivia. Surpris- consciously aware of this; I kept looking am helping them the way I wanted to be ality ingly, being an expert on contemporary for answers to those basic questions all gay helped at their age. And perhaps just as • phone counsels and lends a strong I gay culture doesn't require living in New people have: Why am I like this, are there important, their problems inspire the out- supportive ear to the future of our York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. others? I was raised in a household where rage which continues to fuel my work. community,ourgay and lesbian youth i!:ii Chicago-born and California-raised, Rut- any sexual topic was forbidden. So when I What about some criticism that these • is the only service organization pro- ledge is now tucked away on a ranch a graduated from high school and went on to quotes and the odd pieces of information viding Teletype service to the gay [: hundred miles south of Denver which he college, there was lots of information on are basically trite, trivial, and don't ad- and lesbian hearing-impaired and works with his lover of twelve years. In gay subjects and I just started to squirrel it dress deeper questions which the gay com- their friends ~ii addition to caring for horses, cows, goats, away. Although, frankly, in college there munity needs answered? We are now seeking operating funds for ~.~. two dogs, and twenty-one cats, Rutledge wasn't all that much being honestly taught That's so much nonsense! My three thccoming months-seeking them because !::=: ~~t must also groom an ever-expanding col- about the contributions gays made to his- books aren't trivial in the sense of dismis- we do not have them and we desperately r:r~ lection of books and clippings. Rutledge's tory. For instance, it was reluctantly taught sive. We as gay people have had to put up' need your help. I:: 20' by 4' walk-in closet is lined with file that Christopher Marlowe was a probable with a bad rap for a long time and it's good Due to the current AIDS crisis and the cabinets and bookshelves which are brim- homosexual, but not that his play Edward to have ammunition from literary and sci- financial drain on funds it has caused in our ming with gay trivia. Ironically, Rutledge II is based on a real, homosexual king of entific sources to use against the homo- community, our funds have been drying owes his vocation to his mother's virulent England. phobes. Besides, these are fun as well as up. If we are not able to obtain the funds we disapproval of his homosexuality. After he And so, because of this "conspiracy of informative. We should be able to have need, we will be forced to hang up our i come out to her she began taping newspa- silence" you wrote ihese books? small bites to chew on in addition to the phones permanently. lii!1 per clippings on hepatitis and rectal cancer Well yes. I looked around, saw a need heavier tomes which try to explain it alL It only takes about $800 a month to keep to the dashboard of his car. In addition to for correct and fun information on gay How do you think AIDS has affected gay our phones "On-line." Donations of $100, collecting trivia and caring for his animals, history, and wrote them. And it worked: and lesbian assimilation? $50, $25, or any amount you can give will Rutledge has spent much of the last eleven The Gay Book of Lists was the top gay I honestly think AIDS hasn't affected help immensely. The Switchboard is a years writing articles and book reviews for publication in 1988. the community too much in terms of as- 50lc3 tax -exempt charity, so all donations such national magazines as Christopher Did you catch any flank from the gay similation. American has a problem of are tax-deductible. Street, The Wilson Library Bulletin, Man- press? dealing with sexuality in general. On a If you need more information, just give I date. and In Touch. -'--~ __ ~ ~.o.a.at:\.t~l\I;_CrJ~_tJ_;_n~_'1./_l_t_b_T~d_ll:.CIronn/~.l_!.1..t_h_rp-A :I •..•.~'-"O"'O.4_ ••.I..•.~1I--'--h1' _ 1C1 V~~ W 111.'-'11aJ.'" UI.J.JU- I1Vll1V~';;AUaJ, UUL IIVL uta&. 1110>}.1.la,1 L,;.,U"YW{ U "''''''.au."". '" w ••••.• u.u.u ..•....•,.• .L.HJ ••.•.•. u .•.....I.LU.] uuu .>'-' .•.- tmancial drain- orffu,fds if1i~ CauSC<11n our ming with gay trivia. Ironically, Rutledge II is based on a real, homosexual king of entific sour~es to use against the homo- community, our funds have been drying owes his vocation to his mother's virulent England. phobes. Besides, these are fun as well as up. If we are not able to obtain the funds we disapproval of his homosexuality. After he And so, because of this "conspiracy of inform~tive. We shoul~ be a~l~ to have need, we will be forced to hang up our come out to her she began taping newspa- silence" you wrote these books? small bites to chew on In addition to the phones permanently. per clippings on hepa~itis andrecta1.~ancer Well yes. I looked around, saw a need heavier tomes w~iCh try to explain it all. Itonly takes about$800amonth to keep to the dashboard of his car. In addition to for correct and fun information on gay How do you thinkAlDS has affected gay our phones "On-line." Donations of $100, collecting trivia and caring for his animals, history, and wrote them. And it worked: and lesbian assimilation? $50, $25, or any amount you can give will Rutledge has spent much of the last eleven The Gay Book of Lists was the top gay I honestly think AIDS hasn't affected help immensely. The Switchboard is a years writing articles and book reviews for publication in 1988. the community too much in terms of as- 501c3 tax -exempt charity, so all donations such national magazines as Christopher Did you catch any flank from the gay similation. American has a problem of are tax-deductible. Street, The Wilson Library Bulletin, Man- press? dealing with sexuality in general. On a If you need more information, just give date, and In Touch. Nope. All of the reviews were favor- recent "Nightline w~thTed Koppel,:' three 'Usa call at529-3211. Our mailing address Interview with Leigh Rutledge by Dale able. And I received a tremendous amount people were discussing gay sexual nghts. I is: GLSH, Box 66591, Houston, TX 77266- Reynolds. of mail out of them. Over four hundred became really angrily at how mealy- 6591. Our hours are 4:00 PM to midnight r I : You have already published two very letters and every one of which I answered. mouthed the s?-called lib.eral. was. The daily. e I successful books on non-fiction gay sub- Were there any hate pieces, or strange oth~r two panehsts.were being ng~teously What the Switchboard does for you jects-TheGayBookofListsandUnnatu- letters? ann-gay, but the liberal kept saying that • Offer telephone counseling about while he didn't agree with the ways gays your problems had sex, we all had to keep an open mind in • Provide the latest information avail- significant body of work. .. Reach out creative.ly to the commun~ty. dealing ,;Vit~ the diseas~ itself. ~nd I\.. able regarding AIDS Mounthigh-qualityproductions.Severe G~y theatre companies .have been domg thought, Sh~t!E:en ourfnends don tsup- • Give medical and legal information financial limitations shouldn't be a hin- this for years, but a reminder never hurts. port our basic nghts to sexual freedom. & c 1 . c ." relerra s drance to high-quality work. Imagination, The idea is to produce plays in .an already They apo 1ogize lor our very existence. • P id . I . C • b . . d ficti . dditi roVI e time y mtorrnauon a out ~) ingenuity and a lot of elbow .grease is rent-pald.sltuationtohelpkeepcosts own. Are you a tenon wnter tn a itton to . 1 & liti 1 ts i th 1 '. socia po I ica even In e es- necessary for gay companies to produce For the past decade, theatres have been these anthologies? bi & 't . . .., Ian gay commum y the best work possible, but the gay network producing Doric Wilson sTheWestStreet No, not really, aIthough I have had some T II t th H t is famous, so companies should use it. .to Gangan dS treet T'heater m.". environmennu>,,1" short Iiicuon. pub I'IShcd in. severa I gay • boe newcomersh I b' 0& e I"ous hon area their best advantage. No doubt someone in. pro ductiucuons=-m. bars duriunng theierr. ear 1y magazmes,... including CI'irtstop her S·treet. aProvidut teesT T YIan .gay.•. he h ereh . k d . ff k h N I d tho d I' . h d • rovi c . . , services lor t c ear- the cast or crew knows someone wh0 tnc c evenmg 0 -pea ours. ot on y oes IS An m trymg my an at a non-gay ... d (529-".223) With. someone who runs an anuque. coI th- I"irrut expenses, It., s aIso a goo d way to nove I,but I don 'ft cc1I haveanyt h'mg to say mg imparrc ,1 . mg. store 'or fabnc. shop, so necessary mate- reach gay audiences. that may not usua IIy to the community.. which isn. ,talready being. . • Talk.' to you about whatever ISon your. rials can be produced inexpensively,. . I G ay goto thet hcatrc.Ineatre. n sornesome ciciucs.gay theatre Sale.. I mmd . . theatre companies. must take themselves companies. haye aI'igne d themse Ives wu. h Finally,. are you comfortable living... In All calls arc confidential. seriously if their audiences ate to. Serious- the local gay community center. While this such a small city? r------, nessof intent will no~ solve all pro?lems, can ca~se scheduling ~d logistical.prob- Yes, I am. We're about a hundred mlles I 'The Gay and Lesbian I but at I~st ~hecommitment should show. lems, It can also provld~ a rec,~gmzable south of.Denverand altho.ug~both mYi.lver I'" '. I" , .Keepltsl~ple. One su:e way toacc?~- locale as mea.ns of attracung ~udICnc~s. In and I miss .some of the blg-Clt~ auracuons I SWItchboard I ~' ed phsh professional work IS to be realistic New York CIty some p:oducers have do- (we both like the theatre and It would be . - Box 66591 I :h about the capabilities of one's theatre nated proceeds from entire runs of plays as good to have access to more eclectic Flvl I . he company. If your staff and acting pool is benefits for the Gay Man's Health Crisis, radio stations), we don't miss smog or I Houston, TX 77266-6591 I re limited don't try to produce a multi-set which helped publicity. Don't be afraid to heavy traffic But it can be difficult. Take I P"'l~ h··1 h I . ' . . . . . ,ease e p us out so t at we I n, , musical - extravaganza. For beginning try some unusual strategies. books, for mstance, Recently, I went into I ' . al companies, do an evening of one-acts or a • my local Waldenbooks, which is a 'large I can contmue to.serve I f· single-set, full-length play with a small These suggestions may not save strug- chain', to try andfind the new Ayn Rand I the commumty. I he cast. It's better to start small and achieve gling companies but they can serve as a biography, a Solzhinitsyn novel from some L .J )k steady, respectab Ie growth th'an to set springboard for those with the will, stam- years ago, and, believe. It,. VaIIey 0if the ------as impressive-sounding goalsandfall on your ina and energy to produce gay theatre in the Dolls. The clerk had never heard of any to I need to get to a big city at least twice a o. face. 1980's)" thoseauthors;notevenJacquelingSusann! year. Montrose Activity Center NEW S LET TE R Page: 12 January 1990

from Voice through Theater page 3 leader, especially with its series of "AIDS Impact of AIDS to inspire some confidence in its ability to Gay Community Center with Alan Estes' Shows." AIDS, too, has exacted an enormous toll cope with its current problems. equally new Theatre Rhinoceros. Else- Few of the many gay companies of a on gay theater companies. The Angels' "Younger people have no idea of what it where, the Gay Theater Collective was decade ago have survived the '80s. Many inspirational leader Rodney Price suc- was like to be so repressed," Turner said. breaking ground with "Crimes Against were victims of the Reagan era's severe cumbed to the disease last year; The Rhino's "It: s been such a dramatic change in a very Nature," a collectively created set of auto- funding cuts. Others lost their raison d'etre dedicated founder Alan Estes died in 1984, short period of time. "A, biographical vignettes. as gay themes and characters began to be- as have several of its directors, designers "That was the big show," says Turner. come accepted in mainstream theater, no- and actors. The roster of AIDS casualties in "It had a sense of professionalism; gay tably with such Broadway hits as Harvey gay and mainstream theater is as long as it " QUOTABLES," theater became more serious after that. The Fierstein's "Torch Song Trilogy" and "La is distressing. " .: ,.'. ":~ , , . Angles and Cocketts were liberating in a Cage aux FolIes." Still, Theatre Rhino is thriving, both in ------KATE CLINTON, feminist/lesbian different way, but 'Crimes' moved into a Most of the first wave of its quality and in its subscribed audience- J confrontational theater that was changed 1 ". one of San Francisco's largest after ACT. humorist: "I consider myself more femi- with commitment." gay pays were commg "One of the most significant steps was nist than homosexual, more lesbian than Tn The gay theater movement continued to out" works chroniclinz or when Alan decided to open up the stage at gay. On the prism of isms, feminism for COI . 'b me is still the bright light from which the spr~d, natio~ally and internationally. By celebratina the new open- Rhino to works by and about women," 198." according to Shewey, the new Gay b Prandini says. "The two communities had rainbow arcs. It is a two-fold cultural cri- Theatre Alliance had 40 member compa- ness. "It was an important been pretty separate and Alan turned that tique that says that women are powerful nies in the United States and abroad. A stage to go through," Tumer around. and their power should be unleashed. 1980 catalog of gay plays listed more than ." b . . "I think it's because of lesbians and gay Feminism is not, however, a dialectic of 400 works, and the number has continued said. After all those SUlCI- men working together that Rhino has been .cithcr/ors, it is a profoundly optimistic to grow. da1 gay characters, it be- one of the few gay theaters to survive. And ethic of inclusively and coalition- Most of the first wave of gay plays were 1" 1 . when AIDS hit the community, it strength- building.And it is that ethic that has F "coming out" works, chronicling or cele- came a po inca act to wnte ened that bond." come to define the gay and lesbian byR~ brating the new openness. "It was an im- happy endings." Rhino further broadened its community movement today." from p,0rtant stage to go. t?fOugh," Turner sai~. ACT, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, the in 1987 with the appointment of Kenneth SALLY GEARHART, college pro- "I After all tho.s~suicidal ga~ characters, It Eureka, Magic and other theaters have pre- Dixon as its new artistic director. The only fessor and activist: "We're saying, we're ~~e a political act to wnte happy end- sented strongly gay plays, leading Dan African-American artistic director of a here to stay. We're here to make changes mgs. Corzon - whose "My Unknown Son" was nonblack company in the Bay Area, Dixon that are going to benefit every being in S?on, however, the playwright~ began recently staged in New York - to express isascommitted tochallenging racism within this society. We want to be an assump- turnl.ng to.other th~mes -: explo~Ing gay mixed feelings. "On the one hand, homo- the gay community as he is dedicated to tion in American life. Knowing we are re~atI,OnShlps=.increasingly since the sexuality is no longer taboo; on the other, continuing to build a strong gay company. here is the first step. And the more of us mid- 80s, the soc~ trauma wroug~t by I'm afraid we may be ~ The distance gay theater has traveled in that they know, the less they will hate AIDS. Theatre Rhino has been a national just a passing fad." 0 the two decades since Stonewall is enough us). ;------0" 0 -- r i : Free listing of community events in the : '. I ._A_~_ •••...& __ .~ ••• ~~~~:_.~._:.&_--. •. ~ _ .._._ .&__ _ I I~g ~.]U _ -- beCame a politlciiI act to wn(e'llappy end- sented strongly gay plays, leading Dan }-nncaTr-rUrreTICan---arnsn~~m£CC[' e nrsray: we,.~omaKccnanges ""4 ings." Curzon _ whose "My Unknown Son" was nonblack company in the Bay Area, Dixon that are going to benefit every being in Soon, however, the playwrights began recently staged in New York _ to express is as committed to challenging racism within this society. We want to be an assump- Tale, turning to other themes - exploring gay mixed feelings. "On the one hand, homo- the ~ay. commu~ity as he is dedicated to tion in American life. Knowing we are IWaJ relationships and, increasingly since the sexuality is no longer taboo; on the other, conunumg to build a strong gay company. here is the first step. And the more of us K Tale mid- '80s, the soc~l trauma wroug~t by I'm afraid we may be The distance g~y theater has traveled in that they know, the less they will hate AIDS. Theatre Rhino has been a nauonal just a passing fad." ~ the two decades since Stonewall is enough us.A. Rhin - - BlaC: ,------0- 0 -- easel quee that! Free listing of community events in the 0tl.l :><:&l decis ~o E-<~ < " becai Montrose Activity Center ~~@~~ Bi . ofe~ p~p...... p..~~;:J ;z;CIl 0 must Calendar 0;:J ::t:tl.l Z p.. tun~uecl' The main purposeof this newsletter is to provide information to the community. or ~ It is to serve as a network. For this to happen I need your help. If you are part of othel any community organization, please let me know when meetings, fundraisers, .•,+-. for~ special events are happening so that I can include them in this newsletter. At Hl present we are printing 2000 copies and sending out 700 of those directly to ofth people who have asked to be put on the list. You can 'get listings in the newsletter rece by calling me, Jack Valinski, at 529-1223 or write to the address on the side. enlis I been offie Send in by January 19 for the February issue: N -- t' Event: _ ~ -0 (j) 2 .•.... Organization: -'-_ o: .•.... C3 '"-. '"< t) Z Place: encee <: C/l ~ E-- ~ o l o ~ 1-0 Turn , c:l ;3: o:l ::: 0 C\ Address: _ -=L1l SU C\ dent - ,...... ; after "§" Z 0~ o:'" Description of event: _ ~ ::r: -0d C " -0 ro befo