September, 1983 Volume 4, Number 9 Memphis, Tennessee theirs is the safest blood. Histori­ cally, Lesbi.ans have the lowest inci­ dence of sexually transmitted disease Falwell Visits Memphis and they are the one group of indivi­ duals least likely to contract AIDS." In early August Jerry Falwell, uals depraved and an abomination and leader of the Moral Majority, visited claims that AIDS is the wages for Stilwell called Falwell's remarks is an the Bluff City as a part of his na­ their sins. "ludicrous". He said, "AIDS Gay community has tionwide campaign against AIDS. He Asked to comment on Falwell's ap­ epidemic and the prevent its has called for increased funding for pearance in Memphis, Memphis Gay Coa­ already taken steps to as the AIDS research but it is his call for lition member John Stilwell said, "We spread. Almost as devastating of "radical action" to "discriminate a­ can use all the money Falwell can disease itself is the epidemic discrimination that gainst· the persons who are known to raise for research but we don't need hysteria and promoting." be the high risk groups," which has Reagan or Falwell and his 'program of people like Falwell are identified Gays and Lesbians disturbed. discrimination' to help us stop the The only positively in­ Falwell has accused Reagan and spread of AIDS. The Gay community is means of transmission is through a victim other government officials of negli­ taking care of its own through educa­ timate sexual contact with gence because they have taken no pre­ tion and an intelligent and sensitive or carrier. education provided to the ventive measures to stop the spread approach to the problem. Bars and "Through of AIDS. Falwell blames this inaction bath houses across the country have Gay community by the Gay community, on their fear of Gay and Lesbian vot­ recognized their responsibility and changes in attitudes and lifestyles ing blocs and the result of alienat­ have started offering alternate acti­ have already resulted in a decrease ing that large group of voters. Fal­ vities which reduce the possibility in the rate the disease is spread­ it became well said that if sterner measures of the spread of disease." ing," Stilwell said. "When might were not taken, within a year, "We're Stilwell said the fact that Les­ known that blood transfusions of transmission, going to have an epidemic that's out bians have not had any. incidence of be a possible means of control, involving thousands, not AIDS shoots the theory of "God's re­ Gay men were urged to refrain from hundred's." venge" but unfortunately, they are donating blood and the marked de­ Falwell's "radical action" calls unfairly lumped together with Gay men crease in blood donations indicates for the mandatory closing of all bath in the new wave of discrimination they have responded." houses and calls for blood donors that is sweeping the country because The Red Cross has determined that "to fill out extensive questionaires of the ignorance and fear that is be­ the possibility of contracting AIDS has latched on to AIDS and the irra­ is one in a on penalty of perjury, detailing ing reinforced by the inflammatory through blood transfusion tional fea·r and hysteria it has their health and sexual proclivi­ remarks of people like Falwell. million. caused to garner support for his on­ Stilwell said, ties." Re is also calling for firm In con�lusion, going program tci- discriminate-ag�iu"s-t been carrying on a guidelines for health care workers "In fact," Stilwell said, "blood "Jerry Falwell has and isolate Gays and Lesbians from and Lesbians who deal with victims. donation centers should be reaching campaign against Gays the mainstream of society. Frankly, is an opportunist and Falwell continues to call homosex- out to the Lesbian community since for years. He we don't need his kind of help." Protesters Liaison Between MGC Disrupt AGLRF and AID Atlanta -- -- Film for GPW Established list so we �ill receive the most up­ FAYETTEVILLE(A ansas Gag Writes)-­ I'm concerned, they've got·no rights" to-date information as soon as it is � A taped replay at the Paris Adult and thumped his Bible to show the ba­ available. Gay Pride Week in Fayetteville was Theatre on Summer of the Memphis,Gay sis for his statement. The Coalition has placed an initial disrupted 1ast month when a group Coalition's AIDS benefit, Old Hash, calling itself Anti-Gays of Arkansas In response to the protesters, an order for 15 stands at $25 .00 each originally staged · at circuit Play­ which will be enough to cover all the picketed a documentary film shown at officer of AGLRF wrote a press state­ house for a SRO audience, raised an bars, Club South.· and 4 Adult thea­ the Fayetteville Public Library. The ment which stated, "We (AGLRF) are additional $113 for the Coalition's word Is Out', tres. An ini�ial printing of 5000 film, w-as sponsored by tax-paying citizens who are entitled AIDS fund bringing the current total to our basic human rights which are brochures will cost $495.35. The bro­ AGLRF. About 60 people, Gay and to $2434 .22. chures distributed to the bars will straight, came to see the film de­ guaranteed in the First Amendment of New York and Atlanta were both con­ the Constitution, We have the right be replenished as necessary. Anyone spite the protesters, press and live tacted to get the most current infor­ to assemble in a public facility and w�shing to receive the brochure may TV cameras. mation and pamphlets to distribute in p�ck them up free at the locations The protesters, all 6 of them, car­ the freedom of speech. We are showingr the Memphis area and to get a speaker Word Is Out, mentioned or may send a stamped-self­ ried posters which read, "God did not the film, in honor of for a proposed symposium for local addressed envelope to The Memphis Gay create Adam and Steve, nor Gays and Gay Pride Week. The film is a docu­ physicians. The problem with printed AIDS." mentary which was originally shown on Coalition, P.O. Box 3038 , Memphis, TN materials is that they are usually 38173-0038 . Their leader, Don Robison, 21, of PBS-TV. We invite the protesters and outdated by the time they are ready . In reques;ing a speaker for a sym­ Lincoln, who is single and unemploy­ press to view this educational film for distribution and must constantly posium for local physic1Cans,-both-New ed, stated is his press release that with us in a peaceful manner." be updated. (Between the first meet­ Robison York and Atlanta referred us back to his group is "made up of Christian, is currently circulating ing to discuss a brochure for distri­ Dr. Linda Pifer, a researcher at U.T. concerned parents whose primary goal petitions that call for unspecified bution and a second meeting two weeks is to help re-establish the moral anti-Gay legislation.He said "that the later, the original ·brochure had been who spoke to a group of about 40 fiber in our state and nation." The petitions have been distributed in replaced with a more up-to-date and people at the program meeting on Aug­ release said the group's purpose is the Fayetteville, Prairie Grove and more comprehensive brochure.) ust 15. She gave a slide presentation Lincoln to "get legislation on the ballot to areas plus "we've got some The Memphis Gay Coalition has esta- and spoke about some of her own abolish Gay activities in the State below Little Rock and we're going to ·blished a liason with AID Atlanta. We theories on AIDS. of Arkansas." J!lail some to the Jonesboro area." are currently their west-most distri­ The Coalition is also trying. to ob­ According to a story by Kay Al­ "When we've got enough signatures, bution point and we have been charged tain a one-hour tape from Atlanta on bright in the •Northwest Arkansas we're· going to take them to the legi­ with distributing information to AIDS. When it is available, the tape Times, '�hen questioned further about slature and get something done," he Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi. will probably_ be scheduled for airing - possible legislation, Robison indi­ said. Robison did not have an esti­ AID Atlanta has specially designed on Views From iO% · and at a Coalition cated that he wanted to restrict mate as to how many signatures he bad display stands for AIDS information program meeting. homosexuals from meeting in public at the moment, commenting, "We've brochures. The Coalition has received The most current statistics we have places" · and from "flaunting their really only started this five days a­ unrestricted permission to reprint on the AIDS epidemic indicate there lifestyle to the world." Robison's go when I saw that ad," (advertising any information received from Atlanta are 1922 reported cases (847 of those father, Ralph, asserted "as far as the fHm). and we have been put on their mailing in New York) and 743 deaths. Editorials appearing in Gaze represent only the opinions of the Gazi authors unless otherwise indicated. But let's face it. I mean I'm a ers,1let us never forget that the little slow, but it's finally sinking government responded only after it Learning From AIDS in. Look guys--for all our glitter became aware that non-Gays could get AIDS. So NOW they panic--Headlines-­ food, then they would put out a call and "buying power," when push comes TV Reports--Sympathy (for non-Gay for Lesbian blood donations and flock to shove we're at the bottom, rock victims) and, of course, MONEY.