IN Step • LesBiCay Wisconsin's Community Newspaper • Founded in 1984 October 29, 1998 • Vol. XV, Issue XXII • $2.95 outside of Wisconsin SECTION ONE: NEWS: Budget Shortfall at ARCW, full story on page 3 Politics: Action Wisconsin's Voters Guide PLUS: The Latest Dish • Qups E Quotes • Legally Speaking and Much More! SECTION Q: INTERVIEW: Sir Ian McKellen PLUS:Fun?Game • len Benka • Gordon Parks Retrospective • REVIEW:Pleasantville The (lassies • Ethan Green • Keepin' IN Step with lame • The Guide 11. Before you cast your vote on a November &dm **- GET AIL THE FACTS... Access the ACTION WISCONSIN A Congress for Human Rights 1998 GIRT VOTER'S GUIDE ailableat mudlexeci iv The only gay voter's guide to survey all the Wisconsin candidates for Governor, U. S. Senate and House of Representatives Read the candidate's views in their own words Unbiased information - not political pundit's "spin" Printed copies also available at selected GIBT-friendly locations throughout Wisconsin Can't access the Internet and can't find a copy? Contact ACTION WISCONSIN A Congress for Human Rights P.O. Box 342 • Madison, Wisconsin 53701-0342 (608) 283-3251 V [email protected] Grand Opening Set Shortfall Leads to Cutbacks at ARCW for Milwaukee by William Attewell According to internal ARCW memos obtained by IN Step, a effect of the IN Step Staff hiring freeze initiated in August of this year will remain in until Jan. 1, 1999. Other cost cutting measures outlined in an Community Center Milwaukee — A 4% decrease in revenue for 1998 and a pro- Aug. 14 memo include a freeze on the purchase of office equip- Center of Milwaukee — Two years of planning, jected deficit for 1999 has caused the AIDS Resource ment and supplies, program service provider, to 10 town hall meetings, 150 volunteers and Wisconsin (ARCW), the state's largest AIDS materials, and marketing. Addi- measures, including the 250 members later, the Milwaukee Les- implement a number of cost cutting tionally, ARCW's management bian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Commu- permanent elimination of seven administrative positions, in order staff saw a temporary reduction in nity Center will welcome the LGBT com- to avoid budget deficits. salary for the remainder of 1998. with HIV and AIDS. We will munity, allies and public officials to its "Our commitment is to people "I am determined that ARCW anything to assure we will Grand Opening Ceremonies on Tuesday, not let them down, and I will do avoid the mistake of other agen- HIV/AIDS community," Nov. 10, 1998 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. always meet our commitment to the cies that have incurred a deficit Resource Center "Community centers are the engine of Doug Nelson, executive director of the AIDS and taken years to recover," The our liberation. Milwaukee deserves a of Wisconsin, told IN Step. Aug. 14 memo from Nelson reads. eliminated was based strong safe home for its LGBT communi- The decision on which positions to be "Because of ARCW's diversified position would impair ty," said Carmen Vasquez, Director of on a functional assessment of whether the base of funding from the public Nelson. Among Public Policy at the Lesbian and Gay. services and programs to clients, according to and private sectors, we continue to Community Services Center of New York. be in a strong financial position Nelson "From the heart of the New York Center, ARCW executive director, Doug now and in the future." we extend our best wishes and congratula- "Our programs and services will Nelson indicated to IN Step that a number of factors were tions on your new home," Vasquez added. not be affected." responsible for the current shortfall. According to Nelson, AIDS Sheila Zelenski, Milwaukee LGBT Walk totals were down $130,000 in 1998. Additionally, private Community Center co-president said, sector and corporate donations also shrunk by 3.5%. "We invite the local community, allies and the positions eliminated are the Regional Director for the North- "We are in the midst of a change in the dynamics of AIDS our brother and sister centers across the east Region, the Director of Volunteer Resources for the South- funding," says Nelson. "But we have prided ourselves on sound country to join us as we celebrate this his- east Region and the Deputy Director of Community Relations. financial management." toric milestone. It is truly a significant ARCW currently has 130 employees. Nelson told IN Step that the agency has seen an increase in moment we can all take pride in sharing." "The reductions in force will ensure that ARCW abides by individual gifts and donations and expressed optimisim that "We have been motivated throughout the highest standards of cost effectiveness. Our administrative ARCW would increase its fund-raising revenue in 1999. He also this two year process by the support we and fund-raising costs are going to be lean and mean. Our pro- indicated a commitment to grow the AIDS Walk back to dollar have received from Milwaukee's LGBT grams and services will not be affected," Nelson added. levels achieved in previous years. community," said Neil Albrecht, Center According to Nelson, the force reduction will save ARCW "I hope that the gay community is reassured by what we are co-president. "The efforts of many dedi- $300,000 in 1999. While other cost-cutting measures imple- doing to avoid a deficit without reducing our service level, says cated volunteers now come to fruition. mented earlier will assure that ARCW does not run a deficit in Nelson. "It is what the community expects of us." Hundreds of people are coming forward 1998. ARCW's budget for 1998 is $8.5 million. to tell us `This is great, this is what the community needs, thank you,— said Albrecht. decision to come out because of what hap- The Grand Opening will be an oppor- Candace Gingrich Supports State pened. And other people begin to under- tunity for the community to explore the stand when they know someone who is gay. new facility, meet the Center Board of Then it was time for the endorsement directors, and welcome public officials and Democrats at Milwaukee Rally talks, and the crowd, about 100 or so, local personalities. In addition, representa- filled the two rooms and pressed around tives from LGBT community social and Braun," she said. the impromptu stage. service organizations will be on hand with On this tour her appearances are coor- John Griffiths of the Human Rights information about their organizations. dinated by the Democratic party, and she League, made the introductions. First off Albrecht noted, "The formation of will spend the last three days before the Julia La Loggia, owner of the bar, wished to this Center will benefit the community in election in Madison working for Tammy state her own endorsement of Jon. Richards countless ways, including the expansion of Baldwin. But her main job is as manager in his bid for an Assembly seat. Next came supportive services for people newly out, of the national Coming Out Project for the HRL endorsement for Ed Garvey, run- youth services, and the establishment of the Human Rights League. ning against Tommy Thompson. one central access point for community "You don't come out one day a year," Garvey recounted a tragic incident members to learn about or become she said earnestly, "because every day of which, he said, changed his life. involved with other LGBT organizations." our lives we face coming out or not. Two of his Jewish friends, and their The new facility supports the Center's "Of course, Coming Out Day, the two children, were bludgeoned to death mission to provide a home for organiza- Conduce Gingrich. Photo: Dorothy Austin 10th anniversary, is pretty big. In San by a fanatic from the Aryan Nation. That tions, businesses, culture and diversity, Francisco we had thousands turn out, and forever changed his outlook, he said. advocate for and provide programs and by Dorothy Austin Ellen DeGeneres was there. Then Garvey declared that his long services to meet the needs of our commu- of the IN Step Staff "But we have to work at change all and uphill campaign had its good side. "I feel lucky, because through family nities and educate the public and our Milwaukee — Candace Gingrich, 32, the time," she said emphatically. support and friends, we have had a won- communities about our lives. nationally known gay activist and half-sis- She spoke of the agonizingly slow pace derful experience in going all over the "This Grand Opening has been made ter of Newt Gingrich, was devoting her of the social change which lesbians, gays, state. And we're talking about the joy ... of possible by the many pioneers in our com- energy in the last few days before the elec- bisexuals and transgendered persons need. munity taking back democracy from those who paved the way for this per- tion to getting out the vote. "The change ... is glacial," she said. She who manent have the big checkbooks. home," said Albrecht. Albrecht She plainly enjoyed her mission, her recalled a quote from Dr. Martin Luther, added Garvey that historically, this is the third chats with like-minded peers, and urged Jr. King, to the effect that change does not objected vigorously to attempt to form a center Thompson's recent for Milwaukee's her colleagues in the LGBT community happen overnight, but we must work as if statement that dese- LGBT cration of the flag community. In the 1970's, the Gay to work for candidates friendly to gay and it does. should be included in People's Union opened a site on Milwau- lesbian issues.