Ihe Empty Closet NEW YORK STATE'S OLDEST GAY NEWSPAPER Local Alliance conducts picnic survey The Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley, and controlling alcohol use in the picnic For morc information, call the Gay Alliance news briefs through the efforts of thc its Center Direc area. They are looking for morc feedback on at 244-8640; leave a message if no one is in tor, Susan McNair, circulated a written survey past picnics and help with this year's event. the office. BeneHts raise in March and April on the annual Gay Com munity Picnic. quilt money The survey was mailed to all Gay Alliance Picnic Surrey Results members and was available at the Alliance By Jeff Kost and in local lesbian and gay bars. Surveys are A: Has attended picnic 1 year The R(K*hester Quilt Cummittctr, which is still coming in, but 68 of them had been B: Has attended 2-4 years spon.Horing the focal May 20-22 visit of the returned by April 12. The data in thc accom C: Has attended 5 Names Pn>iect AIDS Memorial QuJlt, ha^i panying sidebar Is based on those 68. or more years received S4.5
THE IMPTY CLOSET May 2, 1989 t % ' ft » '* » 't •f t • f», •> t^-t'*" r> »»r *t, »»»
May 2, 1989 THB EMPTY CLOSIT Editorial Letters
Life Inside The Empty Claset man was cruised by a cop outside the Missouri and Virginia that night, threatened nominated my Christmas party for Best J^^ restn>om. Anyone who doesn't run away at with jail. For some of us. our jobs were at Theme Party at the *88-'89 Rochester Bar By Mk^cIe Moorc month's issue. fice work, Uke photographs, write book Mt^ !H ir^^ Fight back the hint of public sex is subject to arrest. This stake, for some our lovers, for some our Awards. I was surprised to hear I had been (Id Most of the mf>nths Tve worked on the In March — in thc middle of finishing thc reviews, stuff envelopes and bundle papers fcfenMiT2.1989 is a law against being gay. wives. How many had friends to go with nominated and very pleased to have won. Empty Closet — for almost two years now word processing for the April issue, of course for bulk mailing, pick up material from the C166<^ uaaoo against police And what is it that we think is so terribly them, a community to support them? This 1 wish to extend a sincere thanks ftom the —' I've been so busy trying to get the paper — our computer broke down (a result of thc typesetter, deliver papers to bars and stores, wrong about sex in a bathroom? Consensual is something men kill themselves over. kids who reside at Hillside Childrens* Center together and published on time, I haven't dust, no doubt). At least I can honestly say word process articles and work on long-term entrapment sex between gay men in a restroom is Who is expendable? Whom do wc write who received all of the fine gifts donated at had time to write editorials. But several it's never dull around here. projects. Wc always need help with the criminal; sexual harassment against women off? When is it our turn? thc C^hristmas party. With your help, 343 readers have mentioned that they're in But working with the £C's many paper. To the Editor: on the streei is business as usual. What is go Over 6tM) men have now been arrested at wonderful gifts and $240 in cash (used to terested in hearing about what*s been hap volunteers, who give generously of their I'm planning to continue to write for the M\' sisters from thc United Fruit Company ing on here? the Vinoe Lombardi Service Area. At $80^ purchase a color TV for their education pening at the papcr lately time and effort, has made the job easier. EC, as time allows, as a volunteer, and Vd like Mr *^^h^^^a^^^^^^a^:"- (a small activist gn^up of gay men from You want to ask these cops, "What drew a whack. New Jerse>' has made a half million center) was collected. The big news is that Tve resigned from thc Most of them work on the paper not only to help coordinate efforts for future issues Boston) and I were on our way home from you to this line of work?" It's a question dollars, arresting gay men. Many of you have informed me that you editor*s position, effective July 1. Tve en- because they like to write or word process as much as 1 can. Some of our writers have the AIDS actions in Washington, D.C. last worth asking. Here's another one: How Wc want to stop this. If you've been en really enjoyed shopping for these gifts, to }oyed working on the papcr for the last 22 or paste up pages, but also because they want been interested in working on topics such ^^SPP": October, still coming down from the civil many men make their living as queer trapped at the Vince Lombardi and are in help brighten the holiday season for children months. It*s been a great challenge to take to contribute to Rochester's gay, lesbian and as gay and lesbian prisoners, spons and disobedience that morning at the Food and bashers? What does the existence of terested in u civil suit, contact Lambda Legal with no parents or with no home life. You a good newspaper and develop It into a bet bisexual community. athletics in thc gay community, lesbian and Drug Administration. We stopped at the government-funded queer bashing tell us Defen.se. 66(> Broadway. New York, NY can be surc that this year's Christmas party ter one. Unfortunately, with a publication like the gay Jews, women's alternatives to patriarchal Vince Lombardi Service Area on the New about the world we live in? U)()I2. or Ciay and Lesbian Advocates and will be collecting for this heartwarming Other aspects of the job have been EC, no number of volunteers is ever enough. spirituality, poor gays and class in the gay '^^ Jersey Tlirnpike for gas and a piss. Three of us go to my trial; traffic violations Oefenden* (GLAD), PO Box 218. Boston. MA cause again. challenging, too. Since Nov. 1, the EC and A couple of our most experienced, loyal community, and lesbian and gay media. Call 1 went into the restroom; as I was washing and a judge making bad jokes. Well, he's a 02112. We'd also like to hear what happen Thanks for your help at Christmas and for Gay Alliance offices have moved twice, in layout and pasteup volunteers have resign us if you're interested in writing, taking '^*^^9S^^^^^^f f%s^^^B my hands to leave. I saw two men cruising jerk, but maybe he won't be too bad with ed to you, and anything that happens about my award. You make mc feel great. late January, construction in the room next ed in order to concentrate on their paid photographs or being interviewed on these me in the mirror. Both were good looking thc sex cases. the civil suit. Lewis Drake, Rochester door covered our endre office with a fine work. V(^'ve had a hard titne replacing them, issues. — in their 2()s, short hair, jeans, flannel Guess again. So spread the word: if yoii're heading coat of drywall compound dust. so we'd appreciate help from anyone with We welcome contributions of all kinds, shirts, work boots. One was standing at the "1 see this happened at thc Vince Lombar north on the New Jersey turnpike, don't wait As we were about to go to press at the end layout and pasteup experience. And if you and we encourage those who have sugges The cover of thc February issue. urinal beating off, the other was leaning di Service Area. We've had over 400 cases till the last service area before thc Geoi:gc of February, our typographer, Mark Boyer of don't have experience, we'll train you. tions or criticisms to write letters to the against the back wall groping himself and out of that one men's room." And thc three Washington Bridge to stop for gas and a piss. Blue Heron lype & Design, said our printer, We also desperately need writers to help editor We enjoy reading even critical letters, If you want to read more about women moaning at mc. Wild! I went up to the urinal; of us realize this judge knows it's entrap We re signing this letter as a group because Wfelcome to Copco Publishers, had refused to print thc with news reporting and features. We*re in because they let us know someone is trading Democrats, or gay lawyers, or drag shows, the one against the wall leaned over trying ment, and is happy to go along with it. gay oppression and sex-phobia affect us all paper again because some of their workers vestigating the idea of starting a student in thc paper and reacting to its contents. or lesbian musicians, or leathermen — write to watch mc take my cock out, and then ''It gets tt> the point where normal peo — not all of us can be out at>out being ar Lesbian Action had objected to the February issue's ternship program, so if you know any col Here's the sermon: When I write "we," I about it, ask a friend to write about it, uke came over to the urinal next to me. ple can't use the restroom." Who's going to rested for public lewdness. "obscene" cover graphic and content. Boyer, lege writers who might be interested, give mean thc volunteer staff members and 1, but photographs or at least call and ask us to try The>' both began to jack off, one on each believe he actually said that? Jon Autlello, Bruce Goldsteiii* Jerensy Coalition who has always been friendly, helpful and them our number. 1 got my start as an EC in 1 also mean "you." One ofthe most difficult to cover thc subject in an upcoming issue. side. I was getting turned on. But it was all Seven men arraigned that night. "Do you Grainger, Stephen Harrington^ Abe extremely easy to work with, took the paper tern, and look where I am today! (OK, so aspects of the editor's job is ensuring that Thc Empry Closet office number is happening too quickly, and they seemed to have children? Well, then, do you have Ryi>eclc, Danny Schulta: and Read ^(^ever, To the Editor: to a printer in the Syracuse area. We'll write maybe that's not inspiring. . .) the paper represents as many of the diverse 244-9030. If I'm not here, leave a message. be hiding their cocks. It seemed weird, and nieces or nephews? How would you feel if Boston. The Rochester Lesbian and Gay Political more about the situation with Copco in next The paper also needs volunteers to do of groups in the community as possible. Thanks for reading! anyway, the Fruits were waiting for me. Thc your nephew saw what happened in that The above men are membets of United Caucus welcomes and supports the two of them stared at my cock as I button mens room?" Fruit Company. The gnmp can be reached R(K*h(rster Lesbian Action Coalition (RLAC). ed my jeans and turned to leave. Out of the And how do we answer? How do we ar Box VFC, GCN. 62 Berkeley St., Boston, Progrtrss requires our entinr community's at NAMBLA: Boy-lovers are not child abusers corner ofmy e>'e 1 noticed them nt>d to each answer this judge accusing us of what we've MA 02116. tention and energies; mixed and separate other. "Oh, shit! Fag bashers!" 1 thought — always l>een taught was shameful? How do organizations can work very effectively in the issue of sexual abuse is so distorted and By Anonymous cluded in the sexual minorities category. In the words of Martin NiemoUer: "In I knew there'd been something wrong. As I we answer this judge who could put us in Rochester. blown out of proportion today. All child sex The North American Man/Boy Love How many people remember thc pre- Germany they first came for thc Communists hurried toward the door they hurried after the Bergen County Jail for six months? How initial contact with an RLAC organizer in is not abuse and/or molestation. Ttiank you, Association (NAMBLA) celebrated its 10th Stonewall days? I don't because I wasn't in and I didn't speak up because I wasn'c a me. "Sir. Sir!" 1 felt a hand on my shoulder. do wc answer when wc know we've done dicates they have a similar philosophy, and birthday in December 1988. Thc group's an Look at the way the media and the volved in the gay and lesbian movement Communist. Then they came for the Jews, "You're under arrest." nothing wrong? thc RLCiPC looks forward to supporting joint nual three-day conference, held in San Fran authorities hysterically handled the "kiddie then, but I've read a lot and talked to others and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Rocliester What is it that's illegal here? PubUc sex? Some mouth the words the judge wants as well as separate efforts. cisco Nov. 11-13, was well-attended, and in sex club'' at thc Western New York who were thc "queers," "queens," "butch Then they came for the trade Is this really a law against pulling out one's to hear, some on the verge of tears. And most Anne Polcras, Rochester cluded speakers from outside thc group's Children's Psychiatric Center in January dykes," "fairies" and "faggots" — not out unionists. . Then they came for mc — and Bar A^irards penis in front ofa urinal? We found out later, both at once. membership, discussion groups and 1988. and proud. It was a bad time for all. Let's by that time no one was left to speak up." many of the men who've been arrested just To the Editor: Pokras is a tnember of the Rtichester Les elections. take a stroll down memory lane. We, men arrested in a bathn>om for public A state watchdog agency uncovered 15 in Society has a convoluted irrationality stayed in the restroom too long. At least one lewdness, came from Massachusetts and i would like to thank all ofmy friends who hian atid Cay Political Caucus. NAMBLA representatives have also attend stances of sex between patients, age 5 to 12, Stonewall Inn was thc bar in Greenwich toward minors and sex mixing, whether ed the annual conferences of thc Intema and lal>cled all the incidents "abuse." News Village that catered to drag queens^ hustlers with other young people or with adults who ttonal Lesbian and Gay Association; stories and state mental health officials con and gay teens (read: minoni), the least accep love them. Too many people who are afraid NAMBLA and other pedophile groups from demned the facility's staff members, some table of the most despised sexual minorities of their own sexuality — sexual conser Hey! Have you heard the Gay around the world are members of the of whom knew about the sex play and said of their day — despised not only by vatives, if you will — want to impose upon association. NAMBLA contingents have rais it was consensual. According to Clarence J. heterosexuals, but also by thc "regular fag everyone their own sterile, anti-sex morality. Community Picnic is Sunday, July 16, •Antiques (maybe) • Valuable items ed their banners high in the New York City, Sundram, Chairman ofthe State Commission gots ' Many young people know^ they are gay this year? It is? Well, that's a good day for San Francisco and Washington, D.C. gay of Quality Care for the Mentally Disabled, Let us remember that all "respectable" even before puberty, but they have no place • Items to be loved pride marches. New York, Los Angeles, St. the incidents "basically involve(d| oral, anal gays are where they are today because of, to go in thc gay and lesbian communtty. Thc me. What's it going to cost? It's still $10. Louis and San Francisco have NAMBLA and vaginal intercourse and other forms of among others, boy-lovers and their boys. community has not only segregated these • Coiiectibies • Precious things chapters. sexual activity." They had the guts to finally take a stand for kids, but also abandoned them. They get no Isn't that great! For you, maybe, but I don't Thc group has been infiltrated and in If is obvious that this speaks well for the all fairies, to end the bashing, police harrass support. Children are being beaten and are know if I can swing it! Well, I heard if you vestigated by the FBI, and who knows who .sexual imagination of these young patients. ment and raids. dying in our jails today. else. The FBI found nothing when it in Minors must be fully empowered by law But isn't it funny? — wc boy-lovers Which is sicker — the above two contact them (by June 1) you can do a vestigated and will not find anything today, to make these choices, to be able to say yes benefited the least from thc movement that paragraphs, the destruction and napalming work exchange. Wow! That's an idea. I wish because everything is open and above-board. or no to anyone, regardless of whether it these riots spawned. of young people and fighting the kids in NAMBLA is a political and educational means preferring thc same or opposite sex, And a look into homo history shows that Palestine or Nicaragua; or loving kids, nur it was accessible in other ways also. I heard Fundraiser for Men's Group of ttie Gay Alliance of^ganization designed to change the laws, or the same or another age group. There can the precursor to thc contemporary gay turing them, letting them be in society all they're working on that, too! That's fantastic! I can't wait to not break them. be no liberation to say yes if there is no movement started with boy-love groups in that they can be? May 20 —10 am to 5 pm The book A Witchhunt Foiled details thc liberation to say no — to be able to differen Germany in the late l8(K)s. As a letter-writer in the November 1988 tell my friends- Tell'em to get their tickets in advance, too. processes the government used in its unwar tiate between real abuse and consenting ge Gays and lesbians shouldn't kid "NAMBLA Bulletin" said: ". .1 have too 33 Culver Rd ranted vilification of NAMBLA and the nuine love. themselves for a minute that things can't long wondered about the amnesia that most Why not wait, you know, to see if it rains? Well, there's a lot of organization's tinal vindication. This book Many people are open-minded enough to revert to "the good old days." Look around, people have regarding their own sex play expense involved, and rain or shine, it's the biggest event and others arc available through NAMBLA grasp the logic of the NAMBLA mission state read thc newspapers, watch the 6:00 news, and sexual experiences that they had as and gay bookstores. ment and goals found on the inside front see and hear what the Bible-thumpers, right- children. Thc vast majority of peopte can of the year. A successful picnic really benefits the We're Still Accepting Donations! Sex with minors is not thc single, all- cover of the monthly bulletins (a few copies wingers and middle-of-the-road conser not rcfnember. . ." Alliance and us. That's true. I guess I'll plan to send them a encompassing scope of man/boy fove that are available in thc library of the Gay AlUance vatives — Jerry Falwell, Ed Meese, Ronald For Information Call 442-5117 the uninformed think it is. NAMBLA stands of Gcncscc Valley, 713 Monroe Ave.) and not Reagan and Dan Quayle and their ilk — are The author's name has been withheld by SASE and a check. Do you think we could request some up and speaks out for thc empowerment of condemn without knowing. It is too bad doing, slowly, methodically, to all. request. different cuisine and less beer? From what I understand, the all young people — boys and girls — in all others, as lesbians and gay men, cannot ex areas of society and their lives, not just thc tend their own dislike of homophobia to a The Empty Gout is ptMithed deven times a year Advertising PoUcy: Tbe Bmpt^ Cloaet does not food is going to be great and there are going to to chenci' sexual aspect. How many of you reading this general hatred for all bigocry. (December and January combined) by the Empty CkMet print advertiaements that contain nude drawings or free areas. That sounds grand, but what do you suppose we'll have nothing more than sex in any of your All of us who subscribe to what the Emp Press forth e Q^ AUiance of Geneiee Wley, Inc. Appnn- photographs, nor does it print advertising that sug w T relatiotiships — whether they're man/man, • imaiely 3500 copies of each issue are disdibuied during gests that the person pictured in the ad is for sale or ty Closet and other such publications — and !tfae first week of die mondi by mail in a plain sealed that you will "get" that particular person if you do there? It sounds like they have some fun things I I woman/woman or man/woman? It's no dif gay rights and civil rights organizations — envelope. The publicatioo of dke name or phcnmt»apli of patronize the establishment advertised. ferent in a minor/adult relationship. believe in, must sund together. There should any penon or ogpniimion in aiticks or advertising is not Advertisements tlvat are expUcitly sexist, racist or planned. Like what? I can't say yet; you'll have to wait I I NAMBLA also has members who are be no bigotry, especially toward other sex an indication of the sexual or affectional orientation ageist will be refused; advertisements from organiza J IheEm Qoset I tioas or businesses that are sexist, racist, ageist or until more arrangements are made. Aw, come one. Ibll me ual minorities. Yes, even boy-lovers are in of that person or the members of that organization. icerophilcs — women who love girls — some Por pubUcation, submit news itema, letters, stories, anti-gay will also be refused. i I of whom write for the group's publications. poetry and art by mail or in person to the Bmpty Cloaet something (whine)! Awright, they're I'm not saying these things so you like us ofHce by die 17di of die month. Design services for The opinions of columnists and other con- i I better, or to push the sexual aspect aside and moiterial not camera-ready are available for an mddi- trtbtttlnf writers- are their own end do not trying to set up some workshops. Is Yes, I want to D Subscribe! HELP tional fee. neccssmlly reflect the collective attitude of the i I deny it. This is not a ploy m cry to hide our Fbr further inforttation, please write to Bmpty Gay AlHantcc of Genesee Valley dr-tbe Empty that right? I could get into doing one I "perceived by the general public" intentions WANTED: Cloaet Press. 713 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, Cloaet. I D Renew! to molest unconsenting little people. I'm or call (716)244-90)0. myself. Do you think I could? Why not I merely prcsentit^ the facts. m a pMn ttoem •riMstope. plaaam mrxi ooneyKir, Hie Bmpty Cioaet is the official publication of the call the Gay Alliance and tw Empty Ciosflit IcftM fvsrrw orwi ockMa tyaUCNi, EnclOMd Is o $6 check or mon«y I Sure, some people take advantage of 1 Editor of the Emjxy Closet. Gay Alliance of Geneaee >Uley. Inc. as slated in the Oldar (910 tor ouWd» Ihe USA). minors and even htut them. The majority of by-laws of that organi»tkm. Its purpoae Is to infonn I Part-time, salaried position find out? I guess I will. I can't wait to I !:• these adults ate hetcrosexuai sickics. No true the Rochester gay oommunity about local and na I boy-lover or giri-lover wotdd knowingly workif^ with volunteers in editing* tional gay-relatod news and events; to provide a hear more details about what will be I foma lor ideas aad creative vKwk from the local gay BdHor: Ncame hurt someone chey love, or even do anything production and distribution of .community; to help promote leadership in tbe oom' happening thew. (Whisper) It's I a young person hadn*t conseiued to. munHy; and to be a part of a national network of lea- Thac is the key word: consensual. There paper. Send resume and editing bten and gay pubbcatkMis that eachangc ideas and probably too much to ask for more T.R? I I seek to educate. HArlowByseeU is an enormous dilferefmce between cotisen- and/or writing samples to: GAGV, • r^ of our purpose is to maintain a middle poa^ Well, I bet they have that covered, I I sual and non-consensual sex. NAMBLA is op Personnel Committee, 713-C tioo vrith respect to tbe entire community. Vfe muat Gmphtea; posed to any and all coercion and sexual be careful to present all viewpoInu In a way that SMMCsqial t€Xiu (teehee). I'm gonna write some I I abuse. Monroe Ave., Rochester NY 14607. take* into conaideratkin the vfews of all—nvomen, lypeaettfaup Return to: mea, tboee of color, yovng and old. and thoae from Downtowner Publications letters, right now, and tell my friends I One of NAMBLA's main objectives is yarloos watfeifif Hie. I E.C. Pmn, 713 Monroe Avenue^ RochaBter, NY 14607 8 changing cbe age-^f-consem laws, because what's cookin'! I An THI IMPTY CLOSfT May 2, 1989 May 2, 1989 THC IMFrY CLOSIT State and local news Local artists march on Washington By Deborah Nels^I ting up and maintaining abortion clinics in to us. i said we were Hxing Renquist right In January a group of local women got that conservative state* She had been involv now and turned around. Thousands demonstrate against NYC AIDS policies together to form an informal supportAUscus- ed in the heyday of thc women's movement "They're from Life magazine," he said. I sion/work group in which we could address and recalled the other marches and turned to our group and said, "W^rk fiister!" police personnel who strip searched and reptoductive "freedom rides'* in which she'd We got the puppet back together and NEW VORK — About 3.000 ACT UP membeis aiso criticized Koch for Court appearances for those arrested are concerns important to each of us. in our en cutting S20 milli- for more than 5.000 homeless pet^lc with department conducted unauthorized strip hratality we saw around usr, locaUy and fioticcd that every stop had added morc peo testing the city*s AIDS policies and the ad HIV-related illnesses and dismantling city- seatches of about 30 of the women arrested. munity News, Boston; New Mwir Titnes, Ehd- globally, and had each had had difficulty in ple to our entourage. The subway cars were Finally the announcement came that the ministration of Mayor Edward Koch. funded drug use treatment programs. The women said police officers also sub ly News, New York. the art world as a woman. now full of women and men, dressed in march had begun. Wc cheered, and, because Koch, who faces a tough le-election cam jected them to verbal abuse regarding gays, We wanted to create a place where we white and carrying all manner of signs and the marchers were moving alphabetically by The three-hour demonstration was thc state, made our trips to the Porta-Janes. We kugest ever staged by ACT UP. Civil disobe- paign this summer, has called ACT UP **a lesbians and AIDS. could work on individual pieces and flags. bunch of fiwcists" and condemned their ac According to police department regula- possibly create a collective work of art that Most people got off a stop before us. We waited a long time and finally got into line dicfKre actions closed down thc exits and en to step off. trances to the nearby Brooklyn Bridge three tivism in the past. But at a news confierence tiotis, strip searches should be conducted on woidd address these concerns. stayed on to meet up with the rest of the times during the early moming rush hour in City Hall hours after the demonstration, ly when thc initial pat-down search creates r - Since we all came together from varying Rochester delegation at Rep. Louise But something was wrong; we were About 200 demonstrator were dragged from Koch said, 'Members of ACT UP who arc a "reasonable" belief that drugs or weapons 1 disciplines (visual, written and performance Slaughter's ofUce, where an ample spread of waiting too long. An announcement was thcj^enc by the police, arrested and bused demonstrating in City Hall Park today arc might be hidden. In those cases, thc officer arts) as well as different political and donuts, coffee and orange juice fortiHed us made that a group of antt-abortionists had to several different precincts around the ci concerned and committed people. And as must get permission from a precinct desk of Michele Tb£any personal angles, we were sure xp have a for our upcoming trek. Slaughter said blocked the march route and could not be ty to be processed. thc mayor of a city that does more than any ficer or other commander to conduct a strip ntmiber of viewpoints for our creative women her age knew what life had been like dislodged. Vi;^ were going around them! The facilitators quickly herded everyone to the At a ptess ccmference held .shortly after thc other city or state to serve the needs of those search and the search must be recorded in endeavors, yfh llbund that we aiso had a com before legalized abortion and they would do Ed.D. N.C.C. new route, but in the process we all lost our demonstration began, ACT UP member Ann with AIDS and to prevent its spread to the log books. mon viewpoint that, when distilled, created all they could to make sure we never had to delegations. Northrop said, "Mtt're here at City Hall others, I understand their frustration and A police spokesperson said that a a rich and powerful voice — sometimes go through it again. their anger." preliminary inquiry confirmed that the humorous and playful and other times We became not a group of counties or because we're angry, because we're dying At 10 a.m. everyone started for the Cynthia \^m Ness, Laorsi Ibrlaoo (Inside and the mayor won't do what he has to do.'* The demonstration, "Target City Hall," women were subjected to unauthorized strip discordant and strident — ihat mirrored not Washington Monument, where the march NOW chapters or coUeges, but a great crowd Northn>p, an AIDS educator of adolescents, was organized in a wave structure to enable searches in two precinas and that charges only women's common voice but that of would begin. W^ waited until everyone had of all different kinds of people, with the puppet). Lamia Marks, Deborah Nelsel, accused the Board of Education of not do individual affinity groups to create their own would be brought against the attendants for OfEeis: hidividual • Couple other groups of people also. left and set up our puppet outside so we same message said in different ways, Patty McHugh and tbeir "inillamBclin- ing enough to educate young people about civil disobedience actions. The groups led violations of thc regulations. Thc inquiry Family • Group Counseling ' It came into play when we decided as a could walk him over to the monument. The Wc mingled with these colorful people qnlst'* at thc April 9 March oa AIDS. the charge onto the streets shutting down also revealed that four of thc attendants had group to become involved with the April 9 security guards, who had given us a hard with all kinds of slogans: JANE, an ll^uliliiKton. Photo by Gretchen Vbn Ness to persons living a gay» March on U^shington for reproduaive rights ACT UP member Michael Nesline, a the roads leading to and coming off thc been conducting strip searches of all female time when we'd attempted to enter the undetground clinic in Chicago that perform Brooklyn Bridge. prisoners at police headquarters. lesbian or bisexual lifestyle and the Equal Rights Amendment sponsored Capitol building carrying a large plastic bag ed abortions before they were legalized. A Ellerbee's speech. She told of her son's reac registered nurse at Bellevue Hospital, said thc by the National Organization for women. We Thc CHER? (Concerned Homosexuals Ex Several of thc women who underwent a filled with poles, chains and a paper mache group of women dressed in black, their tion to her going on the march. He was sur metn>politan hospital system is in a state of came up with a central theme we wanted to amining Reality!) affinity group was the first strip search said they intended to file ball, now came out and joked with us good- backs painted in fluorescent paint: "NO prised to find that a lot of his high school crisis and accused the Koch administration's address and created a visual image/perfor gn>up to break through the barricades and lawsuits and complaints with the Civilian naturedly ribbing each other about the pup MORE NICE GIRLS!" An Irish setter roUed and college friends, whom she knew as Mit- AIOS policies ofbeing criminally negligent. mance piece that would communicate that block traffic exiting thc bridge. It took police Complaint Review Board. Koch announced pet s likeness to each other. by in a red wagon, her sign reading, "Mother zy and Jody and Buffy and Bill, would also Bellevue can*t even provide enough pajamas theme and spark debate about the issue. for patients, Nesline said, much less proper about 15 minuies to remove the at an April 11 press conference that charges ADJUSTABLE FEES It was like a float in a parade — as soon of 9 for Choice" We even spied a delegation be going. She said she was proud that the medical care. demonstrators and clear the roads. had been filed against three of thc four Because Roe vs. Wade established that a as people saw us, their faces lit up. Many from Alaska. "Me Generation" was findit^ s^n the 458-0533 state could not institute a law based on the people stopped to take our picture, and we On the route, a few punks raced down the causes with which she'd grown up, and end concept that life begins at conception, an encouraged them to get in on the act by hav sidewalk in the other direction, shouting to ed her speech with, "You've come a long way, Buffy!" Newsbricfs continued from p^M^c 1 overturning of Rowe vs. Wade would mean ing their photo taken with the puppet, his the marchers, "Free Barbara Bush!" Barbara The letter was printed on the letterhead before 1949. that a state couid make iUegai any form of giant stuffed hands resting patronizingly on Bush had actively campaigned for reproduc Our group quietly rode back to our car contn>lled apartment he shaicd with his of thc Office ofthe Mayor and contained the —Reported in thc Democrat & Chronicle reprochic^ive or birth control that occurs their heads. tive rights until her husband's presidential and tumbled in. We had affixed a sign to the lover. seal of New York City. after coiK:eption — such as the Pill or the Wc reached thc MaU and checked with a platform became more visible; now she is back, "Honk if you're going to D.C," and —Jim Whclan in the Washington Blade, "A.I.D.S. is not caused by Haitians, or by RJD — as well as abortion, therefore limiting facilitator to find thc Rochester delegation. mute on the subject. we got quite a few toots on our way out of Washington, DC. intravenous drug users," the letter said. "It greatly a woman's control over her reproduc We took a deep breath and started to A man held a sign: "If men are nor for town. I felt as if the march were following is caused by gays, and by gays alone. There Ongoing Lesbian Support Group - please call if interested tive sysiem. shoulder our way through the crowd. Before women's rights, they can fuck themselves." us home. Only one thumbs-down from a Ithaca battered lesbians project is no cure other than to stop the gays. Our group wanted to symbolize thc ser we knew it, people were parting the way for His girlfriend's sign read, "M.y uterus is not sourpuss fellow — we just laughed. begins offering services Homosexually |sic| must be outlawed, or Ruth M. Williams. M.S. Ed. vitude of compulsor>' pregnancy ihat an us, staring, laughing, pointing up and ask a national resource." We also eiK:ountered We rolled back into Rochester about 5 ITHACA — The Project for Battered Les else death will spread like wildfire." COUNSELOR overturning of/Joe vs. Wade would induce, ing us where we were from. the Menopausal Women Nostalgic for a.m., almost 24 hours since we had begun Koch said in a statement that the letter was bians sponsored by the Tompkins County Offers: so we created a giant puppet of Chief Justice We were about a third of the way across Choice, the Mormon Grandmothers for our odyssey that moming. Fortunately my Task Force for Baiteird Wbmen has begun "vicious, malicious and intended to harm mc William Renquist — the most threatening of the Mail when thc photographers finally Choice, Pregnant by Choice and many girlfriend, homebound due to work con several services specificaUy for lesbians. politically." On March 27, he asked the Individualized Counseling • Couples I the current justices to the standing of Roc caught up with us. Suddenly we were sur Catholics for Choice. straints, had glued herself to thc TV on Sun Five lesbians completed advocacy training Manhattan District Attorney's office to in Consulting • Group Facilitation vs. Wade — to which we, in mock pregnan rounded by snapping cameras and kneeling The right-to-life groups had their signs and day and videotaped thc march and us. Wc last fall and attended two workshops on bat vestigate the distribution of the lertcr. cy, "chained" ourselves. We were concern- photojournalists. It felt like a whirlwind; all slogans too, but the police and facilitators were on Cable News Network "Headline tering that included personal accounts from New Yi}rk Times, reported in the Proficient in Sign Language — Adjustable Fee ed that the image would appear gruesome I remember is peering through my sunglasses kept us apart and their impact was sorely News" and on two Rochester stations. two formerly battered lesbians and discus Washington Blade, Washington, DC. or distasteful. But the puppet looked at their orange press passes to see where they lessened by the mob of us giving more con It gave us a perspective on the march that sions of issues conceming domestic violence 423-1669 Vor TTY humorous and so did wc, so it appeared as were from: Philadelphia Inquirer, New York vincing, creative arguments. The pro-lifers we missed being involved in it, much the and lesbians. Governor calls for light-hearted and funny as we felt about it. Times.. Long Island Newsday, UPI. Boston looked small and pitiful, a sad and angry vh^y one misses things when attending a The task force is interviewing six ap rebuilding of state AIDS lab We had fun with it and we wanted everyone Globed. handful next to our joyous, sufging energy. football game instead of watching it in the plicants for lesbian safe homes, households ALBANY — The laboratory where New else to have fun, too! 1 would have loved to have captured that We had decided before we started that living room. But this was much better in that would pn)vide confidential emergency York state does most of its AIDS work is "ob The ^vc of us and "Renquist" arrived in moment with my own camera, rhem taking when we reached the Hall of Justice we person. shcltcr for lesbians and their children in solete, deteriorating and incapable of Wuhington and parked at the Metro station pictures of us, but wc didn't expect such would step out of the march and stand on The march was the most exciting event crisis situations. Thc task force also spon meeting modern federal standards for in Bethesda. Md. media attention and were taken aback. They the steps; we thought our "Renquist" would I've ever been involved in. We were glad we sored a ip-wcek support group, beginning biosafety." according to Gov. Mario Cuomo. We got onto the train and immediacely met called out questions: "Where are you from?" look at home there. We hadn't realized the had created art for the event, not only in February, for battered and formerly bat The Associated Press reported recently — and we answered, "ftochester, New Vork! delegation from ACT-UP (AIDS Coalition to because it got us noticed but also because teted lesbians. Another lO-wcek session will a wpman in her 50s or 60s from that workers at the New Scotland Avenue Massachusetts who was instrumental in set- Home of Susan B. Anthony!" Unleash Power) had commandeered the no one else had done so. Not only did our begin In June. steps. As we stepped out ofthe march, they Laboratory, built in 1917, must contend with Ut had missed the celebrities but the Con action illuminate a concem of women's bn>kcn elevators and sinks, peeling paint and ''Being ciccepted in emhusiasttcally called us over, led us to the For more information, call the hotline at gressmembers had begun speaking. Slaughter rights, but it also comributed to our own and exposed wires. center of the top of the steps and started (607)2r7-5000 or the task force office at spoke and our delegation cheered. Several everyone else's enjoyment and satisfaction (607)277-3203. treatment Jbr who I tvas^ shaking their fmgers, chanting, "SHAME! "Potholes line the driveway leading to che gray-haired, blue-suited CongnEy^B^ agsoke — not to mention increasing media attcmion three-story brick building, where computers SHAME! SHAME!" —Outlines, Ithaca WELLESLEY fervently about "drawing a line in ttte'C^- and debate in a creative and light-hearted sit alongside equipment rusted with ;^e," the nuide it easier Jbr nte to gress" to make sure reproductive rights were We chanted also, but soon I found 1 could way. Koch criticixcs Associated Press reported. accept my disease.'' CENTER protected. not chant anymore. 1 was overwhelmed. I Yet, although no one else had iiurluded art inuMlalent AIDS letter The facility, which conducts nearly It was enlightening; in an alternative or could now look oul on the march, eight in their involvement, the sheer numbers of NEW YORK — Mayor Edward Koch in late 750.000 AIDS-related tests a year, is thc 442-2986 progressive environment, you leam to lanes of people, body to body, streaming people streaming down the streets of March assailed a letter, printed on City Hall world's busiest AIDS testing laboratory. unilaterally distrust and fear older, white down the streets of Washington, all of them Washington — women and men, young and letterhead stationery and distributed in the Cuomo h^ asked the state legislature to men in power. I had never heard a man like looking up and seeing our giant Renquist old, plain folks and celebrities and politi city, that calls for outlawing homosexuality spend S75 million to rebuild the lab aiul six The disease of chemical dependence affects every seg Lesbiaii & Gay standing on the steps of the Hall of Justice, cians from all over the country and the as a cure for AIDS. other buildings at thc five-acre site, all built that speak out so vehemently in protection ment of the American population. For each human being Therapists offer of me and my rights. All right; some of my his giant aiTns spread, surrounded by peo world — and converging to speak out, to be who suffers from the condition, the roots of the illness are individual, couple & rights. I was still impressed. ple screaming "shame, shame, shame." I took heard and seen for something in which they traced in every aspect of the life experience. For the gay or We decided to make our way down to the a picture of them looking at us, but I wanted believe, was a moving and exciting group counseling in a speakers' stage at the front of the Mall — a a picture from their viewpoint I think I'll experience. lesbian patient, the same is true. always have one in my mind. WHITE Addressing the needs discreet setting. lot more cameras were down there, and by Our art coUective was encouraged by the of gay, lesbian & That's why, at Conifer Park, we treat the whole person ... now we were gettiiig a little more savvy. We Wc stepped again into the sea of people, response to our first work, and we are work treat every person with dignity, respect and understand made our way through the people in the which finally led the way to the Capitol ing on other pieces that reflect elements of bisMcual individuals where the speakers were winding down. By women's lives. ing ... and include in treatment, a focus on those special crowd* many of whom had been looking & tlieir families Barbara Debes. M.S., C.A.S. down at the st:^ and hadn't seen us earlier this time it was 4:50 p.m. We were joyful but We look forward to presenting a longer, issues that can impact the person's potential for recovery. The papanazzi went wild again, but we had exhausted. more involved piece in early June. Keep your ASSOCIATES Horace Lethbridge, M.A. For the gay or lesbian patient, that means the provision a problem: a slight design flaw had our pup Finally we dismantled our buddy Bill and eye out for us in the hiture, and don't be too Kathleen Vernam, A.C.S.W. pet's center pole poking through his papcr had something to eat and drink. We hadn't shy to get involved in what you believe in. Providing individual, couple & family therapy of effective, clinically developed treatment for chemical mache head. Wt brought him down and had anything more than crackers since the \bu can contribute simply by showing up dependence, presented in a stigma-free environment. An started a quick patch-up job with the first- sptrad at Slaughter's, but we had been rtding and being counted. Sometimes it is only Alcoholism & Sexuality & environment where all involved — from counseling pro aid kk we had fbrtuitousiy brought with us. on the eneigy of a half million people. together that our voice is heard, and then fessionals to housekeeping staff — respond caringiy and A map tapped mc on the shoulder and said Most of the celebrities had gone home or it is the richest. It is notjthe-soloist's, but the co-dependency issues gender-related concerns supportively. a reporter and phocographer wanted to talk back to their hotels, but we caught Linda choir's voice, that is carried by the wind. Relationship problems Call u$ anytime. We unders$tand. And we care. Joan C Bimii^ M.S. Ed. N.CC William KcUcy, CSW, CAC TIMOTHY SCHAPP, M.S. ED., NCC CfedsnMed Alcohoitm CouoMlor Credentialed Alcoholism Counselor Medical Arts Psychotheiapy ASSOCMM Certified Sex Therapist Conifer Park i (716) 38M071 Nationally Certified Counselor offers INSURANCE REIMBURSABLE 150 Glenridge Road individual, coupies Scotia, NY 12302 y^^ for lesbians and group counseling and support. (518)399-6446 Also available: 496 White Spruce Blvd. 272-7210 Inside NY 1-800-265-2235 Medical Arts Building • 277 Alexander St. Individual and family counseling, in your home or mine •:'i^4
TNI IMPTY CLOSIT May 2, 1989 Moy 3, 19«« TNI HMPTY CLOSIT
Newsfronts Survey, contintted from page 6 according lo a report issued in February In intn>diK-ed a bill which would add semial the city's Human Rights Commission. oricmtation to thc hair crimes l^islation the Congressional hase^rimcs biU« which re anal and oral Intercourse, and Darman was prohibit Verhoef from entering the country, gay men. said to be ptessured by Rep. William Dan The commission is resp«msible for enfor Texas senator pa.*(sed a year ago. quites the Justice Department to gather she said, has placed the U.S. position in Karin S. Schwartz, GLAAD's assistant nemeyer (R-Calif.) and others to undercut cing the city\s AII>S and sexual orientation "l*he two bills are tied together.** Jochum doubt. tlirector, told Dannemeyer in a March 20 let statistics on violent crimes against a host of what they saw as an attempt by gay activists anti-discrimination ordinances. The number says HIV-positives said. '*The hate crimes t>ill shcnvs the need UN examines Norton's decision was reversed by an im ter that the wording of a puMic service an minority groups^ iiKrluding g?tys and led>lans. to use the sur\'ey to document the size of the of complaints investigated last year was 126. for the civil rigttts NU and ciraics an ogipor* migration judge one day later, and Wrhoef nouncement he offered to tape on the —Lou Chibbaro Jr. in the Wiahii^ton lesbian and gay population in America. down frt>m the previous year's M6. tunity lo talk ahout what's happening." Blade, Washington, DC- should be killed US detention was released after posting S 1.500 for a group's behalf suggests that gays and lesbians A coalition of groups working on AIDS "The report illu.strates that municipal anti Equal Titnes, Minneapolis, frpurtcd in the $10,000 bond. His detention in three Min are le$$ moral and less ethical than issues met on April 13 to set strategy on how discrimination protections can be an effec Washington Blatle, Washingttm. D.C. nesota jails was protested by gay and lesbian heterosexuals. About 4i> demimstrators gathered on thc of Dutch PWA to preserve the sur\'cy as it is currently writ tive mechanism for addres.sing and reducing steps of the State Capitol in Austin. Texas. ot\ rights and AIDS activists, Congressmembers Dannemeyer, one of Congress*' most ten and persuade Sullivan not to tamper with prejudice and bigotry on the basis of .sexual and officials with the Dutch Parliament. outspoken opponents of gay rights, sem Administration March 10 to pn>test a senator's statement that Repercussions over the April 2 decision by it. orientation and AIDS." said Lawrence Mar WHO, an arm of the United Nations, has GLAAD a script for a television or radio an people testing positive for AIDS antibodies Lf.S. immigration officials to detain a Dutch —Lisa M. Keen, the Washington Blade, tin, chair ofthe commission. adopted a policy of not holding meetings in nouncement he said could not be changed should be killed. visitor with AIDS at a Minneapolis airport to revise Washington, DC. Thc commission reported fcA^er com countries that screen travelers for AIDS. or edited. Sen. Carl Parker, the sponsor of a bill that Bulletin spread to Washington and Cieneva in late plaints against larger employers, many of Among them are the Soviet Union, Iraq and In the script, Dannemeyer states, "My wcHlId allow police to pn>secute people who April as officials with the Bush administra whom have dexeloped AIDS-related person Saudi Arabia. public stand in afHrmation of thc heterosex sex survey kmiwingly spread the virus for attempted tion and the World Health Organizatton said Discrimination nel policies with the help of the commis Board Dam said WHO officials are hoping to per ual ethic is well known" and '*one homosex murder, was asked at a committee hearing they were hM>king into the matter. Health and Huttian Services Secretary sion. But complaints involving small suade U.S. immigration authorities to ual Ofganization recently labeled me *pub!ic
THE IMPTY CLOSET May 2, 1989 JMoy 2, 1989 THI •MPTY CLOf IT AIDS update Gay Alliance ^ Herbal treatment increases PWA's energy By Aaron Cohen of extreme abdominal cramping, diarrhea function). Tm also aware of my continued report is reason for continuing optimism. Frotn tbe President: New faces, hard iirork limited energy level, which still requires fre- Whether taking hypericin will add to the ac and consequent weight loss (1 have lost near By Claire **Chic" Parker ly 30 pounds in the past three to four quent rest periods and cautiousness about tual amount of time left for mc In this worid stitution and by-laws, gather input, revise afloat wie must do a >'early memhenthip drixe Buddy was also one of thc founding TTIC Empty Closet received a copy ofthe The Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley has ftaiowing letter Cohen, a person with AIDS months, going from 203 to 175). But these overextending my reserves and resources. is nt« nearly as important as my ficclit^ more again and ha\'e the board pass the documems and encourage current itiemhers to remain fathers of AIDS RtKhester When that tiny conditions pttrvailcd in much the same man However, the mere fact that I am able to like a functioning human being in whatever been facing many issues lately. This year and distribute them to the Ciay Aliiance members. Any
IO THE EMPTY CLOSET May 2, 1989 May a, 19S9 THI WttOTt CLOSST 11
San Francisco Eagle: A Cay Bar in Time Concert: Canadian singer Ferron with 8:30 pm. $10. $25 indudes reception Rochesfer AIDS Interfaith Network of Change" and *'Househoki Misap Kevin Zoernig. State Theater, 109 W. with the cast. (716)878.3005. See "Art- MONDAY WEDNESDAY (GRAIN). 235-3112. SUNDAY MAY propriations." Visual Studies Workshop, State St, Ithaca. 8 pm. $10-$18. sign notes" for more information. 15 31 Prince St., 8 pm., free. 442-8676. 31 JUNE lar>guage interpreted by Sherry Hicks. Community dance after concert. The Gay Allhince of Genesee FRIDAY Empty Closet advertising deadline. Gay AMance off Genesee Valtey an SATURDAY Concert: Rochester Gay Men's VsHcy
MayS, 19S9 TNI IMPTY CLOSIT 13 12 THI IMPTY CLOSIT May 2, 1989 Tife Natnes Project AIDS Memorial Quilt: Arts Talk \ir<>enlfio in N#»iiir Yhrk r#»1ehrjitlfia llfr in Rfirhe^fer I ^ooic briefs: AIDS, feminist film and fiction WW%^^K^MMMXL -UJ. iH^vV JVrXJm.n W^J.V^LrX^l'li'J.AJlfim AJiA^ AAM, M^\JK0'AAK0^^%\^A • By Mlchele Moorc bohom in Vienna unand became ;a& refugeitrfugeee frofn>mm abiHiahiHii i thesthc*»ee charactercharacterss aass h hee wnHwnHce ahouahoutt alall l oof fth thee worworik c inin th thee collection c< , but Rafkin the Hol * • Ji - • •' V;-*- •*• •• .^ A ^ -rt'.'^t. "..• h -/V. L .'..>^.-:'i--v ..h --^•% 14 n» IMPTY CLOSIT May 2, 1989 Men's Chorus concert iPirill make a big splash Ibrri White, who currently starts in the of Choruses, is an example of "healing new Broadway musical Xftlcome to the music" designed to evoke the inner enetgy Club, will join thc Rochestef Gay Men's of thc listener. Choru$ on June 3 and 4 for its Summer Pops Thc concerts will be Saturday, June 3 at Concert. "Makin' a Big Splash!" 8 p.m., and Sunday, June 4 at 4 p.m. at Xerox White has starred on Broadway in the Auditorium. Tickets are $7 in advance and musicals Bamum and Ain'r Misbehavin\ but $9 at the door and are available at Parkleigh, local theater fans remember her as one of the 215 Park Ave.; Village Green, 766 Monroe Sisters of Hoboken in the Rochester produc Ave; and Paul's Grocery, 644 Monroe Ave.; tion of thc musical comedy Nunsense Jerry or by calling the Chorus Line at 235-2473 Algozer, producing director of the (leave your name and phone number). Downstairs Cabaret, will again choreogiaiph The concerts will be sign language inter the concert. Algozer was the director of preted, and thc auditorium is wheelchair Nunsense, the longest running show in accessible. Rochester history, and directed the chorus' "Makin' a Big Splash" is made possible 1987 pops concert, "The Men and the Moon with public funds from thc New York State and a Lady." CouncU on the Arts and the decentralizadon Royalty (specifically, queens) and sons of program administered by Arts for Greater the sea give the show its splash. The chorus Rochester. will perform "There is Nothing Like a Queen/' a parody of Rodgcis and Hammers- Choras Chairperson Ted Lyon (center) and Vice-Chairperson Jon tein's "There is Nothing Like a Dame," and More chorus news llemplin (right) present check Co AIDS Rochester Director Jackie Nudd (1). the Rochettes will dance **On the Good Ship AIDS Rochester donation Lollypop," during which the chorus will Thc chorus donated * 1,700 to AIDS largely to sales of the chorus' Umited-edition transform the Xerox Auditorium stage into Rochester's Shared Housing Project at the fifth anniversary commemorative poster. Uravcl Fund thc "S.S. Lollipop." end of March. The posters, designed by local artist Stephen Thc chonis is still raising money for its White will join the fun with "You Have The donation, from the chorus' AIDS Moskowitz, sold out quickly at last year's June 29 trip to Vancouver, British Columbia Cast Your Shadow on thc Sea" and selections Assistance Fund, will benefit the local spring concert. The chorus also cominued and Seattle, Wash, for thc national Gay and from thc musical Once Upon a Mattress, and residence for homeless men with AIDS, its tradition of depositing $1 from each Lesbian Association of Choruses Choral she and the chorus will end with the show- which was established in November by AIDS I>ecembcr holiday concert ticket sold into Festival. stopping "Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Rochester and Facilities for Group Homes of the fund. Through a benefit performance of Forever Boat " Rochester. Thc facility provides independent Plaid at the Downstairs Cabaret and fundrais The chorus will also premiere two new shared housing, with no staff supervision, LUac Festival ing parties hosted by supporters, the chorus works. "Street Sounds" was written by for up to six men with AIDS or AIDS-related The Gay Men's Chorus was invited, for thc has raised $3,500 of thc $5,500 it needs to chorus accompanist Mark WiUiams and is complex, or who are HIV positive. second year, to sing at the armual Lilac send all its members to thc conference. But the closing piece of his coUection, Three Since staning the AIDS Assistance Fund Festival The free performance will begin at thc conference cost is $750 per chorus Songs from The Shropshire Lad by A. E. three years ago, the chorus has raised almost 6 p.m. May 17 at Highland Pailc, and will in member, so donations to the IVavel Fund are Housman, "Home," composed by Janice *3,500 for local AIDS service organizations. clude previews of a few selections from thc still needed. Call the Chorus Line at Giteck for the Gay and Lesbian Association This year the fund has grown steadily, due chorus' summer concert. 235-2473 for more information. social action," a statement from Visual of six avant-garde works, "Contemporary the company membcf?, all of whom are HIV Studies Workshop says. "Political raUies and Women Filmmakers," on Saturday, May 6 at infected,and to reflect new ideas and events. Artnotes fundraising events for (people with] AIDS 8 p.m. "This is our way of saying that wc arc stiU Visual Studies to show have become the themes of the SutKlay after New >^rk City filmmaker Katy Martin wiU kicking,' founder Nick Pippin says. "Wt stiU photographer** gay documentary work noons at the Eagle." give a lecture on the films following the have a means uf contributing. The ho^word Ph€>tographcr Doug Ischar's projects The Household Misappropriations deals with screening. is empathy, not sympathy" San Francisco Eagle: A Gay Bar in Time of thc private aspects of gay life. The screening will begin at 8 p.m. at Thc May 11 show is a benefit for Benedict Change and Household Misappropriations Ischar helped organize the first gay panel Pyramid, located at VUlage Gate Square, 274 House which offers transitional housing ser ^v ill be on display at Visual Studies at the Society for Photographic Education's North Ooodman St. Tickets are $2 for vices on Buffalo's ^vest side, and other ser Workshop from May 5 to July 28. 1988 conference. He is an active tneml»er of Pyramid members and $4 fbr non-members. vices, to people with AIDS and their famUies. In The San Francisco Eagle, a color the Ofganization, and his work has appeared CaU 461-2222 for more infomiation. The performance, which is sponsored by doctmientary project« Ischar attempts to in such publications as Afteritnage, SPOT Benedict House and Buffalo State College, preserve the history of a gay public space and Ttn-Eight. PWA theater group will begin at 8:30 p.m. at RockweU Hail threatened by AIDS and reaction to thc Visual Studies is open Monday through to perform in Buf&do auditorium at the college, 1300 Elmwood disease. Men have gathered on Sunday after Frid^^r, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, noon The New York-City based PWA Theatre Ave. noons to socialize and cruise for more than to 5 p.m. Admission is free. An opetung Woricshop will perform AIDS Alive, an in Tickets are $10 and are available at the 20 years at the Eagfe, one of the few remain reception will be held on Friday, May 5. For terwoven scries of vignettes deri\xd from thc Rockwell Hall box office or by calling ing gay bars in the San Francisco's south of more information, call 442-8676. lives of Americans with HIV infection, on (716)837-3005. $25 Tickets arc also available; Market area. Thursday, May 11 in Buffalo. the price includes an after-performance recep "Tbday's gatherings arc marked by the loss ^I^mcn filmmakers' work The show is continually reworked to in tion with the cast. Ticket costs are tax of thc sensual nature of gay public life and to be shown at Pyramid corporate changing circumstanced among deductible the increasing necessity for political and Pyramid Arts Center will show a program v\ * " Beam's Thinks Ifs Time These IWo Stopped Fighting At Lunch If your noon meal has turned into a batde between time and taste latdy, here's a delicious way to enjoy a win-win situation. Beam's offera an intelligent agoxla crf homemade soups, sandvckl^ specialties, like our executive-«tyle seaftxxl croissaftt. And our,^^ 166AndcewsSt. (Gorxier el St. Pud St.) makes lundi time management a tasty reality. * i3ar4W6, faaettfathwiB 'Ry lundiat Beam's tfiis week—it's'a satisfyingCDnduskHi to your seardi for excellence. Lunch: M-F ll:3(V.2:3ff Maya, 1989 THI UMPTY CLOSBT 15 :oUy Hughes: Sapphic Supervixen comes to Rochester By "fikiik Dooney two anecdotes that brought her to theater demands as an art form are as Idiosyncratic York state, the Lady Dick was presented in # Itsd this Bibulous aqyerience that and then to writitig for thc theater. The as any one person's sexual needs. Ithaca in November. She has performed at dfouylir Joe Ituo theater I was imorkitig on episodes aie told and retold with insouciaiu In the narrative of Wjrid Without End, Hallwalls gaUery in BulValo sevend tiincs and tbe set erew fiar Tbe Sound of Music. I was freshness whenever she is introduced to a Hughes descrR>c9 a binge of heterosexual in spent a month-long residency there last fall fust watching it and / was really cat^t up new audience. Like Oscar Wilde, she can tercourse prompted bj' the loss of her teaching a course in writing for wMk the speetacie. it was sabeatHiM. dine out for a momh on a good scory. niother. While flagrante delicto with a co> performaflcc. These Ottle IMs we tecrutitxt fmm a com- Hughes is currendy making the rounds worker from her office job, Hughes For someone whose start might be called tntmity center appeared as the Hm Thipp with a new story, presented in the form of wonders, "Doesn't he realize he's porking casual and whose career seems circumstan- tasr^. They had tHH been reaUy rehearsed performance art. Thc new work, World the pre-eminent lesbian playwright of this tial, Hughes' setting herself up as a writer fyr'"kdelweiss" So wtt really tlid not know li^i£haiir £nd, is a break from thc style of her generation?" Thc question asked of a queer could seem audacious. But she believes that what these ktds were going t& do. And one previous work She will perform the piece audience is, how much perversion can you writing for performance should be made kki0ot^pfosti^ *'lSttelw^ss** and hearted. on Friday, May 12 at Pyramid Arts Center. admit to in yourself? easier for artists. Rig^tkttotbemlcropbtHte Whichcataeda Her first plays. The Lady Dick and TTic Hughes doesn't pretend to be a lesbian role "As terrified as people axe of performing, ct^lapee of the A^. ~> Wb// of Hominess, are crime movie spoofs model. She disdains thc idea that a fringe people arc more terriflcd of writing," she I wtts ttot a very good engineer, i wanted that have been l:a>cled "dyke noir" because segment should even need to create paper says, "People may not write every day but ID Ae a 5ailpiDr toe I cotfildh'f iSlgure our how of their funky lesbian undercurrent. heroes to assuage society at latge. She they tend to perform every day. Whenever to make the dtittgs i made stay up Attd when Dress Suits fbr Hire is a haunted and haun describes the horrors of saccharine stick- people extend themselves beyond the point the Alps starred collapsing it was ^rrihle ting fantasy set in a clothii^ store after hours. togetherness that masquerades as genuine of doing what they hedonistically want to because then everyone could see that the IVo women, perhaps lovers, perhaps sisters, community strength. do, that is a performance, in my point of Nazis and the nuns were the satne people. act out various roles with the aid of the "Last year a play of mine was produced view.* • Atid I thought, "Th/s is whar / waiir ro do garments racked around them. in New York City by a lesbian producer at As Hughes stretches her own act beyond for the rest of my life." Hughes has presented these works at a women's theater and that woman hasn't the constraints of the normal, a great deal WOW Cafe, a Lower East Side mecca of les paid me," she says. "She has done a lot of of humor finds its way into her scripts. The I starwd working at WOW Cafe as a bian culture. Her work there has been slimy things and I am on the verge of litiga humor is based on reporting what she sees waitress, this little hole in the wall on the typified by campy hijinlcs, double entendre tion with this lesbian who has a big name in the world around her. Lower East Side of Manhattan, and one day parody, sometimes surprisingly poignant as a producer at a legitimate off-Broadway "There are just some people who arc I found myself saying to someone (I was lyricism and lots and lots of lingerie. theater." humor impaired," she says. "You have to drunk and 1 started lying) that I had written In World Without End, Hughes explores She also tells of two male friends and sup hold up sigfis that say Jtist kidding!* Hey, a lot of pomo books with my girlfriend. her feelings and reactions to her mother's porters of her work, one gay and one laugh tracks, bring em back.** (Which we weregoing to do so it wasn^t real death. If it is a dance on a grave, it is a tango, heterosexual, who were prevented from ac Many audiences, gay and heterosexual, ly lying.) simultaneously sad, sexy, outrageous and companying her to a panel discussion on les might not get the joke. People re^x>nd to the Sq this person happened to be a producer. theatrical. bian drama at the Imemational W^men saintly, suffering characters of gay theater And she said, ' *Oh, I really want to do a les She sets hei^telf up in a boudcir chair; with Playwrights Conference in Buffalo last fali. with attitudes that range from "ho hum, biaa pomo movie. And I want you to write a glass of liquor nearby, looldng like a sur "It became a separatist situation and they anocher coming-out story" ro patent aggres- the screenplay/' vivor of an overly poUte party who, now that were asked to leave," she says. "I decided not skin. But if you're not looking for a hero, And I said, ' 'OCcoui^e.'' This was a classic thc company was gone, is going to sharc to make it an issue or that would've consum try HoUy Hughes' theater. case of relaxation of rhe inhibitions. some aide views. ed thc endre evem." So 1 wrote this script called The VfcU of In thc performance art field, where thc Hu^tes wotKlcrs how an artist should pay HoUy Hughs WiU perfom Wbrld Without Hominess. Aisd tbey loolced at the script and emphasis is almost always on concept, appropriate respect to the difgetenccs among Hnd at Pyramid Arts Center on Friday, May 12. were really horrified. Fitst of all because, of Hughes is noted for her apt acting. She never the peoples of thc worid, especially the dif Thc performance will be diiecied by Kate course, women don*tget homy so that was actuaUy step»5 out of playir^ herself. She ferences thsu have ranked people to thc Stafford, with original Uve music by Sharcm bad. And because of where it was set the pro- twirls the ice cubes in her glass, her speech lower strata of an allegedly classless socie fane Smith. It wiU begin at 8p.m. at Pyramid, tlucer said^ "This is ridiculous! These peo becomes more and more boosy, she tugs at ty. How does a privileged person such as located in Villa^ Gate Square, 274 North ple are having sex in an Italian restaurant. her satin — thc perfect bedroom raconteur. Hughes — who identifies herself as white, Goodman Street. This never happctisf" We get the impression that Hughes must upper middle class, sociaUy approved as an Tickets arc $4 fbr Pyramid membcfs and $6 1 thought it was tremendously erotic. have witnessed her mother this way many artist and, to a great degree, as a lesbian — for non-members. Reservations wiU be ac There was something about the lure of times. Hughes never portrays her mother, but approach the problem? She has no quick cepted. CaU 461-2222 for mote information. polyester and marinara sauce. she does effectively tepeat her. Thc case w^th solution. So we wound up staging it at WOW Cafe. which she does this is as startling as the Hughes is no stranger to this part of New And I couldn't believe it, standing backstage stories she tells. at WOW, that people wete coming to this Hughes describes her work as "queer fi^w ^nd laughing, i started to £efil that this theater." which should not be confused with was itomerbing that I could do to support my gay theater Gay theater seeks to handsome waitressing. ly present our lives, promodng the good im age and establishing role models, if not for As an apple fallitig from a tree iUuminated ourselves, then to ease the minds of _, Please ^ a basic law of physics for Sir Isaac Newton, heterosexuals. an enant lart from a child actor clarified (he Queer theater is showing off. It is danc joys of theater's artificial premise for Holly ing on the bed with only a towel, for Support^ Our Hutghcs. whoever might be watching — the partner, Httghes has been widely quoted for the the partners, the neighbors or thc dog. Its Aavertisers rRlDAY MAY, ^•::ir^ 8 /t. UPSTATE GALLERY ANTIQUES HOllY HUGHES Specializing in authentic antiques 16 Gardiner Pkrk, Rochester, NY 14607 262-2089 WORLD WITHOUT END Open Hies. - Sat. 10-4 IRRESISTIBI£ the Most Endmtti^ "New** Film in Town.** tmmumim»wtames MAY 17-23 ONLYI BAKER zfH/zain u s. ISUNCESS TAMTAM ^An^..^..k.«v -.««.^. ..^.3^vo^iu..wtn\wrmmttumvMaiMi.Tmu/^fmy*tt^ mm,*^ ~ •• (;.,-"r» .^.i^«""u' V 'J .',v p ,^ t^u^'. _ ;\- 16 THI IMPTY CLOSIT May 2> 1989 columnists Bilines: Sisters tell all (including Aqualune's f eal name) By Lynn received in my life to be bisexual. O: Yes, and for that time and place it was was. When I was about 15.1 came home from Remembering this made me start wonder fairly liberal. In college, when I began hav We used to have group exercises to help two weeks of summer camp feeling rather ing what other permissions I got along the ing close friends who were lesbian and gay, us leam more about communicating ^ith pu22led. I told my mother how I had really, way that allowed me to feel comfortable and then later when I got into a lesbian rela each other in a comniunity. During one of really liked a female counselor "That's about being bi. Then I began wondering tionship, I felt rto more fear about teUing him these exercises when it was time for this usual,** she told mc. "There were some older what permissions my sister had received. I than I did about telling Mother. Besides* I woman to talk individually with me, she told girls I admired very much, too." knew next to nothing about hec journey know that an essential quality of our Dad me that they both adinired me, and that the>' "But this is different. I feel towards her because 1 had left home when she was 13- dy is that he rc-evaluatcs his opinions each had something they wan^ to confess like I do, well, towards a boy when I have We began the following interview when periodically. to me. Her confession was that she had us a cru?ih on him. I get aU ttngly and shaky and 1 was home for Christmas, and have con L: Can you remember a time when you ed drugs in high school. have tn>ublc talking. Why is this?" tinued and refined it through subsequent began to sec same-sex relationships as more A few days later the guy actually made a This was in 1967 in thc deep South, and phone conversations and letters. healthy? formal appoitnmem to see mc. Sitting on thc I don't think I'd even heard of homosexuali My sister. Dot, is completing her doctorate D: It happened io two stages. Thc first oc couch, shaking and white, he confessed to ty. So I didn't feel threatened — just curious at Berkeley in the Held of feminist literary curred during my last couple of years in high mc that he was gay, and puzzled. criticism. My college background was school, when we had moved to another Everytime I think about this 1 realize again But my mother didn't seemed puzzled at drama. Her writing style is literary, mine town. I was in an oral interpretation class of that it*s one of the few times in my Ufe that all. She said, "I think that's quite normal, more oral. We resolved the conflict of styles really fun people. I always feel very good about v whenever 1 ttK). When we're adolescents we can have by acting in reverse ofour inclinations: she One guy was flamboyantly gay — silver t^member It —- because, in that split second, crushes on girls as well as boys. I remember talked;. 1 wrote. surs on his stteaket^* cartings, queen man my attitude changed. I realized that what he I did. nerisms. He was having fun with it. He was needed right then was complete acceptance, "In fact, I remember one I had when I was Dot: I really can't come up with any also very smart. There was also a woman in and that complete acceptance from me tight older I had a crush on a college professor, speciflc thing that gave mc permission to be there who was very smart. I Uked her a lot then had to be something that was good. and actually changed my college major to bisexual. It was more in general attitudes. but had no physical attraction for her L: What about when you first started feel her field. Now that I think ahout it, that was In junior high school I knew about les They were rumored to be hotnosexual. My ing attracted to a woman? a pretty irresponsible reason to change onc*s bians. I felt a gut-level repulsion — reaction was that 1 liked them, and that the D; By that time — years later — the idea major, hut things turned out OK. equivalent to thc feelings I had toward peo rumor was a shame: *'Oh, that's too had, but ^^as no moral problem for me at all. Most "So don't worry ahout it. Yoiir feeltngs ple who drank. [Interviewer's note: people I don't want to think about it too much.*' of my friends were gay and lesbian so I M>und very healthy to me. And having a who drank any alcohol We were teetotallers. The second stage occurred when I was an sometimes felt like the odd one out crush on a woman now won't hinder you A few years earlier, drinking alcohol had undergraduate of Northwestern. I was get The first time 1 met a woman I was from falling in love with a man later on. It seemed to me an odd moral depravity that ting to know people who were involved in physically attracted to. . .was when people didn't hurt me" existed only in certain undisclosed locations. Covenant Community and in Fishcrfolk from around the campus had come in That was true. She and my father have a pn>bahly on the other side of town. Our un house. This was an interdenominational response to an ad wc had put out, to discuss beautiful relationship. I was at that point cle ate herring in wine sauce, but then again, group of liberal to radical people who were issues in feminist theology. Then there was beginning to realize beautiful relationships he wore a beard, too.| interested in social change. thc exhilaration of defying the world. It are actually unusual. I remember an interview Daddy gave a There was a woman who had lived in the meant wc were both tough, going hack and Although you could criticize her, if you local paper at that time. He was interview house for one year, since its inception, who forth on the el (elevated train) to feminist wished, for not recognizing the possibility ed in his capacity as minister, giving his stand was beginning to reaiiase she was in love with events in Chicago. of a permanent relaticmship between two on representative moral issues. When ques another woman. There was also a guy who There have been very few women I have women, it was the most comforting thing tioned about homosexuality, he gave the had always known he was gay. He was been attracted to, but when it happens it is she could have said to me at the time. It then-current view of thc Methodist church friends with a wotnan who had become very spontaneous. validated my feelings, granted them the that homosexuality was not a sin, but an attracted to him before she found out. They L: I experience my attractions as spon dignity of their health and laid the ground illness. were younger than I, and getting involved taneous, too. How would you say your in work for me icaing that easygoing friendship usually Between some men and me there was make love or anything else — grand relationships with men, it was with men reserved for another woman to be possible ^ always a wall. The intuitive understanding ovcrgencralization! who knew all thc techniques wotnen use on between us and a man. We've also opened was not there. The wall got in thc way of my But thc greater effort that 1 have to put into other women. up thc boundaries with our women friends, being bodily at home with them, even communication with men means I have to L: Wish I'd met them? opened up the possibiUty of physical in though they, like all the men I've dated more watch it when in a relationship with a man D: In describing where I am I would have volvement with them. than once, were very gentle. With others, the because my need to be loved cai> lead me in to draw two lines. On a line showing thc in It's frustrating to me to believe in the wall WAS eventually broken down so that by to doing all of the things that we feminists tuitive, psychological and intellectual bonds possibility of a relationship that embraces the time we actually made love, I felt com deplore — such as listening all thc time, Vve actuaUy formed so far, I am way over both of those lines you drew and not to have fortable with my own body. because it's easier and more quickly gets me on thc side of homosexuality. On a line been more successful yet in creating that The intuitive communication has never the responses that tell mc I am loved. Or I showing purely physical attraction I am with a man or a woman. But in even attemp been perfect. There has always been a little become the feminist teacher in the relation much farther over towards the side of ting to do that, with membeis of each sex, bit ofa communication barrier that doesn't ship. That becomes counterproductive for heterosexuality. Since in practice I can't we can't help but leam a lot more about our seem to exist between my woman friends both of us. separate those two, I'm not in the middle, own strengths and weaknesses. And in thc and me. I don't think this means my relation Since I've been in California, because of exactly, but not on either end, either. end, I think we'll be morc complete humans ships with women necessarily have more the demands of academic work, I've been L: ThiditionaUy, women were expected to for our attempts, if not for our successes. potential than my relationships with men. much less involved in women's groups. be much closer friends with other women, In fact, it's an illusion that the communica Whenever I'm in graduate women's groups weren't we? And our sexual connection was Dot liked my comment as an ending, so tion with women is coinpletc. Part of thc I feel a flood of relief, feel I've c<;me home. supposed to be with a man. But in our own we decided to leave it there. We'll keep you challenge of relationships is figuring out I'm StiH searching to lind that in a relation background, our parents are also each posted in thc event of future successes! symbolic ways of crossing that gap. ship — and at this point I don'i know yt,-- 1—1 111 Ji.. mtimmitmmmitf Maya, 1989 THI IMPTY CLOSIT 19 18 THI IMFrY CLOSIT May 2, 1989 orn In this month Gay Groups ^^m^m^m^tamtmmmmmmmtamammam^^ ^mmaam^mmmaimmmam^ammmm^ssma write Racism which conulns a quote from when a prt>-Nazi book attacked Hirschleld*s 1899 predicting a holocaust. He and Giese work in Beriin his bad health worsened, and D-l is a community of worshippets gather on Monday, May 15 at the Gay Alliance of like Monopoly and cards. agnus Hirsclifeld briefiy ran a sexual institute in Paris, but he left for Nice, where he later died. ing in a loving assembly to support peopte (Jenesee Valley, 713 Monroe Ave. Coffee will Gay men, lesbians and bisexuals are Youth group as they make their faith journeys. D-I tries be served at 7 p.m. and the meeting will welcome at coffeehouse. The $1 admission ly Thomas Krolak They were forerunners of Hit^hfcld, who Do yt>u know young people who feel to nurture each individual's spirituality, begin pr<)mptly at 7:30 p.m. The coalition charge includes the cost of snacks and **The signal for today's raid was a shrill in 1904 wrote thc book Berlin^s Third Sex, Wtmml Estate for Kent uncertain about where they fit into the social centered an)und the lituigy. Our celebrations will find a meeting place that can accom beverages. For more information, call impet blast, whereupon about 80 sttidents a description of his observations of the ci rd the premises, forcing an entry ty's gay Hfe. He studied cruising areas, gay Classified Kooflis for temu Lexin§iDn-E>ewey area. scene, who are uncertain whether to date follow the Roman Catholic tradition on the modate women with disabilities by June; 244 8640 boys or girls because they're attracted to the first three Sundays of each month and the coalition organizers apologize for the delay irough the doors and windows... In less aristocrats and working men, gay athletic With kitchen fodlities. Male non-smokei; same sex? Episcopalian tradition on the fourth Sunday. in finding an accessible space. ian an hour thc raiders had gathered about clubs and lesbians. (He wasn't admitted to quiet. 254-8551. a ton of books, pamphlets, photographs, lesbian parties but listened from nearby advertising Our music worship includes organ, piano, The next meeting's agenda includes Alpha is a safc place for 16- through rooms). 20-year-olds to socialize. No pressure is put and a folk group. finalizing the coalition's structure and en Bisexual Men :hafts and. . . slides, which they hauled Glaagow $t./Cora HlUt Newly-remodeled on young people to be straight, gay or D-l is a liturgical church. It incorporates couraging women to decide which commit jaway to the headquarters of the students* Hirschfeld had begun to edit the Scietuific- 1 or 2 bedrt>om upper apartment, carpeted, s • TUESDAY* May 2, 1989 "Spin the Wheel" No. 203 Different Drink Specials 4 Times Each Hour NEW YORK STATE'S OLDEST GAY NEWSPAPER FREE 10 PM-2 AM No Admission Charge • FRIDAY • Complimentary Hors D'ouevres at 1 AM 10 PM-2 AM No Admission Charge • SATURDAY* Complimentary Hors D'ouevres at 1 AM 10 PM-4 AM After Hours Dancing $2 Admission Charge i^A<»^ 251 Exchange Boulevard photo by Dan Larkin CALL 222-0225 FOR MORE INFORMATION A Quilt Piece ^ r -« -<* -= • •i li^—H ,tW il