• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Comics!: • ■ • page6 ■ • • • ■ • • • • • • • • • • • • • ■ ■ ■ ■ Larkin' s Murderer Still at Large; Police Ask Help ByJEFFELUS stolen auto was recovered in the Atlanta area, Managing Editor Smith said, and police believe the suspect may Two months after Vernon Lester Larkin was still be' in that vicinity. found brutally murdered in the blood-spat­ "We found Vernon's car in Atlanta. We're tered living room of.his Hickory Valley apart­ not sure of the whereabouts of the suspect, but ment, Metro police continue to search for the he may still be there," Smith said. man suspected in the slaying. Other police sources said they believe the Metro Homicide Det. Mike Smith said au­ man calling himself Bubba or Bubbie "may thorities are continuing the search for the tran­ have lost himself in the gay community in sient last seen with Larkin prior to his death. Atlanta." "We're still trying to run down some leads in Police sources privately have S?-id that there the case," Smith said. "Larkin was last seen at _ may be members of the Nashville gay commu­ the Jungle Lounge in the company of a man nity who have information pertinent to the who called himself Bubba or Bubbie. We be­ case, but are reluctant to come forward. lieve him to be a transient who was staying at Smith, who believes the suspect may sup­ the Union Mission." port himself by hustling, said the man may Larkin, a Nashville computer operator, was have had other contacts with others in this area found gagged and bound, lying between a before or after Larkin's slaying. cocktail table and a sofa in his apartment "If anybody has had a problem with anyone . around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 7. who fits the description, we hope they will The body of the 30-year-old Larkin was contact us. If they had contact with this man, if found by officials at the Knolls apartment he beat them up, or threatened them, we hope complex, following a phone call from Larkin's they will give us that information," Smith said. mother who had been unable to reach her son Smith praised the management of The for several days. Jungle for their cooperation in the investiga­ Larkin had last been seen leaving The tion. The lounge was used as the site for a liho are they? Where are they from? What do they want? Get all the low-down on Professor I. B. Gettindowne and Jungle, located at 306 Fourth Avenue South, "Crimestoppers" reenactment which has aired Cathartic Comics Diva and the Brown Bomber on page 6. -ORAWING PROF. 1.8. GETIINOOWNE the previous Sunday with the suspect. locally on television. Police said they are searching for a man with "I think if anyone connected with The a stocky puild who is about 5 feet 11 inches tall Jungle, or who frequents the bar, had any "They (the public) may have forgotten pers at (615) 74-CRIME (742-7463). and weighs around 170 pounds. He is de­ information about the crime they would have about it, but we haven't. We never forget," a Larkin had moved into the Knolls apartment scribed as having medium brown hair which already come forward. They were familiar with police source said. last February. At the time of this death, Larkin covers his ears and hangs into his face, dark Vernon and have done everything possible to Smith urged anyone with information re­ was employed as a computer operator for eyes, a mustache and tatoos on both arms. help us," Smith said. garding the Larkin case or who think they may Kelly Services, a temporary agency, and was The suspect is also believed to have stolen Because the murder occurred in early Sep­ have had contact with the suspect to call his on assignment to Southwestern Company on Larkin's 1988 dark blue Mustang, with the tember, public interest in the incident may office at (615) 742-7560. If they wish to remain Elm Hill Pike. • Tennessee license plate number JXB-995. The have waned, authorities concede. anonymous, he suggested they call CrimestO(>- Gay/Les College's Prez Visits Tennessee By DEBORAH BURKS and Sydney. The school was founded by the book is to further the liberation of gay and Staff Writer Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Com­ lesbian people who have. been affected by The president of the Metropolitan Commu­ munity Churches (UFMCC) to train lay and Christian oppression. When questioned about nity Church's (MCC) Samaritan College was in clergy ministers for service to the church. her choice, as a lesbian, to be Christian, Booth­ Nashville last week and conducted the However, that idea is changing. Boothman man admitted that it was "not a logical choice" Wednesday chapel service at the Vanderbilt said that her plan and vision are to expand but explained some of her connections to Divinity School. At the invitation of the Samaritan into a full university for gay men and Christianity. Raised a Southern Presbyterian, Women's Concerns office, the Rev. Sherre lesbians. Boothman left the denomination when her Boothman visited Nashville following the "There is a need to educate people about Texas congregation refused to offer Spanish­ MCC Gulf-Lower Atlantic District conference working and serving the gay and lesbian language services. The Presbyterians' stand on in Knoxville. community," she noted at the Divinity School's homosexuality also contributed to her deci­ Boothman, a native of Texas, has served Women's Lunch. "Expanding our facility to a sion to withdraw from the church. Samaritan College for over five years, first as university will. enable us to do this and thus, "I didn't go back to church until I attended Dean. Samaritan, founded in 1970, is a senior liberate gay people through education." an MCC service in Houston," Boothman re­ college in Los Angeles. The institution offers In addition to running Samaritan College, calls. "Wh~n I walked in, I knew I was home.• bachelors degrees in theology and in human Boothman has been completing her book, Boothman said that the presentation of the services, both with emphasis on meeting the From Apologies to Celebration: The Journeys of material in her book is unique. needs of the gay and lesbian community. a Lesbian Feminist Christian, which she dis­ "Most gay and lesbian Christian literature Over 400 students are now enrolled at the cussed with those attending the luncheon. has been presented in the apologetic tradition college, including those at branches in London According to Boothman, the goal of this continued on page 3 2 Dare November lS-24, 1988 BACKSTREET l!!tBJjl■•a•t EMBASSY TRAVEL Vintage and Alternative MEMPHIS We Clothing And Accessories Mondays EVillts Plllal1 (Gay Alcoholics Anonymous) Open meeting. Memph is Lambda Centir. 8pm. tn!o 9()1 2n-9459. Saturday, November 19 specialize Tllalksgllllll Dl ■•r Nashville CARES dinner for Tuesdays board, staff, volunteers and clients. Info 615 385-1510. in personal 1'111•1• (Gay Alcoholics An0!1)'TT10US) Open meeting. Memphis Lambda Center. 5:30 and 8pm. Info 901 2n-9459. ;· service. Thursday, November 24 615 320-5202 Wednesdays ,_?I THANKSGIVING DAY ~# TN Toll Free 800 548-1031 l'lle•i• (Gay Alcoholics Anonymous) ·~4t Open meeting. Memph is Lambda Center. 8pm. Info 901 2n-9459. Thanksglllng Dlnmr Metropolitan Community Parkview Towers 207 ALouise Awn IE Church, 13115th Av North, Nashville. Turkey 210 25th Avenue North, Suite 115 f { Thursdays provided, bring covered dish. 2pm. Info 615 320-0288. Nashville, TN 37203 ~ f Behind Friday's l'-fW (Parents and f riends of Lesbians and Gays) rJ Nashville, TN 37203 Support group. St .klhn's Episcopal Churth, 322 SGreer . 1st Thu isday only. Thanksglllng Dlnmr Black and White Men Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, Sat 10am-2pm Info 9()1 761 -1 4-44. 615 329--3537 Plll•i• (Gay Alcoholics Anonymous) Together, Memphis. Reservations. Info 901 327-3753. Open meeting. Memph is Lambda Center. 5:30pm. Info 901 2n-9459. Thanksglwing Dlnmr Memphis Gay Coalition. At lllhl Ille U11rt (Women's Alcoholics Anonymous) Meeting . Memph is Lambda Center. 8pm. ln!o 901 276-7379. Aid to End AIDS Committee offices, 689 Melrose. Turkey provided, bring covered dish. 4-6pm. Info 901 Fridays 324-GAYS. l'lle•I• (Gay Alcoholics Anonymous) Open meeting. Memph isLambda Centir. 5:30 and 10pm. Into 901 2n-9459. Saturdays Sunday, November 27 The well~adjusted Twilit .. .._. (ACOA) HAl!VEY M·u REMEMBRANCE DAY Open meeting. Memphis Lambda Center. Noon. btfo 901 276-7379. ,....,. (Gay Alcoholics Anonymous) Open meeting. Memphis Lambda Center. 8pm. Into 901 2n-9459. Monday, November 28 woman. Sundays Aid to End AIDS Committee (ATEAC). Open ....... LifwQ•• meeting. 689 Melrose, Memphis. 7pm . Info 901 458- Sunday School, 9:30am. Worship seivice, 11am. Info 901 327-4145. - lllhl Ille U11rt (Women's Alcoholics Anonymous) AIDS. A woman's body needs attention from someone who knows women's bodies. Meeting . Memphis Lambda Center. Noon . Info 901 276-7379. l'lle•I• (Gay Alcoholics Anonymous) Dr. Deborah Kowalski knows women's bodies. Open meeting. Memph is Lambda Center. 8pm. Info 901 2n-9459. Tuesday, November 29 Natural health care for menstrual pain, fatigue, PMS, osteoporosis, stress and back pain. P-FLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) And, of course, it's drug-free. Naturally. Open organizational meeting of new Nashville chapter. NASHVILLE Location to be announced. 7:30pm . Info Jean Floyd, Complimentary consultation. Insurance accepted. Mondays 615 662-0332. Dr. Deborah Kowalski• Chiropractic Physician• 108 Harding Place• 352-1234 llalo,llleCAIIES AID&ARC Support Group. 6:30pm. HIV Education Support Group. 6pm. family­ Support Group. 6:30pm.