~ CHATTANOOGA ~ CLARKSVILLE ~ KNOXVILLE ~ MEMPHIS ~ NASHVILLE ~ TRJ-CITIE~ ~ Volume3, Number 26 Tennessee's Lesbian & Gay. Newsweekly June 29, 1990 IIIIIIII II Ill llll 11111111111111111 i-111111111111111 IIIIIIIII II II II I I I rl II IIIII IIIIIIII II II IllI Ill II I I I I I IIIIIIIIIIIIII II IIIIIII II I I I I I IIIII IIIIIIII IIll II I Ill II I I I I I I I I I I IIIIIIIII Ill llJIII Nashville's 1989. Memphians show pride: records shattered Organizers say 150 attend GayFest; Capital city parade, ·rally River Ride termed a success by VICTORIA MIKLOSKY that the lack of media attention, attract 700+ revelers Staff Writer coupled with the picnic area's byJEFFELIJS proximity to Mud Island's crowded Editor Pride Week activities wrapped beach area might have contributed up in Memphis with the GayFest to the poor attendance. Sunny skies, a temperature in the mid-80s, the Picnic on Sunday,June 24, bringing Although there were no incidents presence of keynote speaker Harry Britt and advance to a close what one Memphis Gay of harassment, the sight of unsus­ pc; blicity combined, organizers say, to make Coalition member ca,lled a "well- peeling beachgoers passing Nashville's 1990 Pride parade and rally the most supported" celebration. ' through the picnic tent was not an successful in recent history. Th~ events, organized by the uncommon one. An estimated 500 people took part in the parade, Memphis Pride Week Committee One participant, who refused to which stepped off from Fannie Mae Dees Park and and the Memphis Gay Coalition give his name, said, "I went to most continued to Cent~nnial Park, site of the rally, where included the 10th annual River Ride of the events both last year and this approximately 200-250 other revelers greeted their with entertainer Joyce Cobb and a year and I find myself coming back arrival with cheers. weeklong gay/lesbian'expo and art not so much for the events them­ Last year's event attracted some 500 people, while exhibition at the Memphis Gay and selves but to be with friends for the the 1988 festivities drew around 350. Lesbian Community Center. sense of community." _ ❖ This year's march was marred only by the presence The picnic, held at Mud Island, a of a handful of protestors, including Mel Perry, a tourist stop on·the Mississippi River, Eaststate events fundamentalist minister from Madison who has been attracted an estimated 150 people present at each of the three marches, and five members who were treated to buffet style · called successful of a local skinhead organiZation who were escorted Harry Britt, president of the board of supervisors of the city of San barbecue, lemonade and the music by CURTIS BAUS and KAREN MAmlS from Centennial Park as the rally got under way. Francisco, delivered the keynote address at last SabJrday's Pride of local band Harmony Gold. While characterzing attendance Sta.lfWriten' ❖ Continued on page 6 Rally in Nashville's Centennial Park. - DARE PHOTO BY KIM JENIONS as "expected," MGC member Vincent Astor expressed frustration First-ever lesbian/gay Pride at the cancellation of scheduled events in Knoxville and the second BIV testing in Tennessee: entertainment by the Lambda Men's annual Pride Picnic in Chattanooga Chorus under what he termed were judged successful by event Is confidential and anonymous testing really that? "suspicious circumstances." organizers in the two East Termes­ by JACKI MOSS from region to region, both confi­ individual's information and test is "They wimped out on us," said see communities. Sta.If Writer dential and anonymous testing are kept strictly confidential. It doesn't Astor. • And that's an unadulterated - An estimated 45 people turned options to our clients," Fortune even circulate within the depart­ fact.· out Sunday for the picnic at Reports from all over .the country said. ments. It is very confidential," Other participants called the gay Chattanooga's Warner Park, said are surfacing that show a trend Each clinic is under state policy to Fortune explained. showing "spotty" and speculated ❖ <;ontinued on page 13 among people who are at risk for inform people who wish to be "In both types of testing, we contracting the human immuno­ tested of the option of confidential assign ·a unique number to the deficiency virus (HIV) that causes or anonymous testing and to person's case and this is what goes AIDS refusing to be tested because explain to the complete under­ on the Jab slip and this is what the there is a fear of public exposure. standing of the client what each individual has on his card to find out Early detection of the virus is means in a pre-test interview. All the results of the Jest, so his name is extremely important for someone state HIV test sites are also free. not even given to the lab," he noted. who tests positive, so that they may Fortune said that sometimes the "To our knowledge, there has take advantage of early treatment to state will hold testing in sites other" never been any incident with -:- Family Album ... increase the time between infection than the standard clinics, such as anyone's test confidentiality. In fact, Our photographers cover last and the onset of symptoms. bars. it is policy that after the test, within According to John Fortune, • As Jong as the testing is a part of a couple of months, all records are Saturday's Pride festivities. director of counseling and testing our program, we offer both destroyed." Centerpiece, page 8. services of the Tennessee AIDS confidential and anonymous Under certain circumstances the Program, the state has specific testing," Fortune said. state is required to only give confi­ policies regulating its test sites. "Anonymous testing is one in dential HIV tests. When the tests are -:- Summer fibn releases: Generally most clinics that are which the person being tested may requested by the Family Planning public health testing sites and are use an identity other than his or her Clinic, Tuberculosis Clinic, the Alda misses with 'Betsy's Wedding,' but.'Milo and free come under those policies. own. This may be a pseudonym or Sexually Transmitted Disease Otis' is a charmer! Persistence of Vision, page 12. "All the sites operated by the fictitious naqies-whoever the Clinic, social services agencies, Tennessee Department of Health client wishes to be on the form is legal departments or legal orders or offer both confidential and anony­ what ~e place on it," he said. for psychological purposes, often -:- Shaw yaur pride, America! mous testing for HIV. Although "Confidential testing uses the only confidential testing is offered. Bef ore it's too late. Gaybriefs, page 14. there are some slight differences client's correct name and the ❖ Continued on page 6 2___________ ________________ _.;._e!tJ _____________________ ..:...._ J U___ N E 2 ---'--- 9, 1 9'--'- 9 - 0 ll~~IMII _1 IJ~l~lllllli~• II ·' 'Ml~.11~11• .... m I ITTI rn'I I I I -:- Friends, neighbors and networks Memphis Nashville • Agape New Life Church Wednesdays: Bible study,7pm . Sundays: Sunday School , 9:30am; • Affirmation Meeting for lesbian and gay United Worship services, 11am & 7pm. Info (901) 276- Methodists. 4th Wednesday, ?pm. Info (615) 254- 1872. 7628. • Coffaahousa Produced by Feminist Productions. • Al-Anon Closed meeting. MCC, 13115thAve North. Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community Center, 1291 Tuesdays, 6:30pm. Madison. 3rd Friday only, 8pm . $2 donation. Info • Alcoholics Anonymous Program Study Group (901) 276-0844. Meeting, Belmont United Methodist, 2007 Acklen • Gay Alternative Hour Radio show, WEVL-FM 90. Ave. Fridays, 7:30 pm. Mondays, 6-?pm . • Alternatives (Alcoholics Anonymous} Closed Chattanooga • GayRap Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community meeting for lesbians & gay men. 131 15th Ave Center, 1291 Madison. 3rd Monday, 7pm. Info North . Thursdays, 8pm. - (901) 324-GAYS. • Being Maating Gay & Lesbian Co-Dependents •-Into the Light (Women's Alcoholics Anonymous) · Anonymous. Thursdays, MCC , 13115th Av North , Meeting . Memphis Lambda Center, 241 North 6:30pm. · _ Cleveland. Thursdays, 8pm; Sundays, noon. Info • Daf$pring Christian fellowship. Tuesdays 7pm. • Chattanooga CARES Closed support group. Mon­ (901) 276-7379. - Info (615) 664-3891. days, 6:30pm. Info (615) 266-2422. • Lambda Man's Chorus Memphis Gay & Lesbian • Gay & Lesbian Switchboard Operates 7-11pm. • Gay/LeSblan AA Open meeting. Unitarian Church, . Community Center, 1291 Madison. Tuesdays, (615) 297-0008. 3224 Navajo Dr. Thursdays, 8pm; No-smoke meet­ 7:30pm. Info (901) 324-GAYS. • Gay/ Lesbian Addictions Anonymous Meeting, ing Saturdays, 7pm. • Memphis.Gay & Lesbian Community Center Belmont United Methodist Church, 2007 Acklen . • Lesbian & Gay CoDA Co-Dependents Anonymous. Wednesdays: Anonymous, confidential HIV testing Wednesdays, 8pm . Reflections, Harrison. Sundays,12:30pm. Info by Shelby Co. Health Dept., 5-?pm . 3rd Saturday: • lncastSurvivois Anonymous First Church Unity, .· (615) 267-7824. Board meeting, 1:30pm , 1291 Madison. Info (901) 5125Franklin Rd. Thursdays: Closed women's mtg , • Metropolitan Community Church Worship ser­ 324-GAYS or 454-1411 . 6:30pm. Saturdays: Open mtg, 5:30pm. Sundays: vice, 3224 Navajo Dr. Sunday~, 6:30pm. ~ Memphis Gay Coalition 1st Monday: Business Closed men's & worn :n's mtg , 6pm . meeting, Rm A, Memphis Public Library, Peabody & • Lambda Group Closed Alcoholics Anonymous Maclean. Info (901) 324-4297. meeting for gay men & lesbians, Unitarian Church, Clarksville • P·FLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) 1808 Woodmont Blvd. Mondays, 8pm. Tri-Cities Support group. St. John's Episcopal Church, 322 S • Lesbian Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACOA) Greer'. 1stThursday only. Info (901) 761-1444. Belmont United Methodist Church, 2007 Acklen • Phoenix (Gay Alcoholics Anonymous) Open Ave. Thursdays, 7:30pm. meetings. Memphis Lambda Center, 241 North • MAGNET (Married & Gay Network) Support group Cleveland. Mondays, 8pm; Tuesdays, 5:30 & 8pm; for married gay men.