VOLUME 11, #16 V Jul 30-Au ust 12, 1998 V Issue 262 Give the People Light and they will find their own way. Wisconsin Li • ht —..../ IIII V • In This ISIWWWWW SW MD 1 iffewswit INIWWWIT . Issue... II """ .0 ---- 111 SWIWIEW W WI ININIWW, Ammo 'MEW Packers Apologize for Reggie Parents, Families and Friends Page 2 of lesbians and Gays Wisconsin's Favorite DJs Tell All 120-735-1025 SPOTLIGHT SECTION Page 16 Homosexuality Is Not A Family Value. It Is A Sin. "NEW" Appleton Tidbits From Titletown Page 5 Madison Pride Madison Weekend Recap Page 13 Milwaukee ate Someo and lov Color Photos Pages 14-15 Paratille001111koilLailossaibp Election Coverage or more informations call: (414) 299-9198 Page 8 "Unforgettable" An Exclusive Wisconsin Light Report Private Ryan Page 19 BATTLE OF THE BILLBOARDS by Bill Meunier Elna Hickson, of PFLAG Milwaukee. doing all the work for the signs. Vojcsik, Wisconsin Light has learned that PFLAG Hickson said that PrideFest is a critical time whose 25-year-old son, Marc, is Gay, told chapters in Milwaukee and the Fox Valley for families with Gay and Lesbian children, Wisconsin Light that she wanted to make will be erecting 10 Gay positive billboards because a number of them choose that time to other parents of Gay and Lesbian children within the next month. Coming on the heels tell their parents of their sexual orientation. become aware of PFLAG. of the anti-Gay billboard controversy in the The Milwaukee billboards will convey a Vojcsik says, "It's high time for the City of Madison area, the PFLAG signs seem almost simple message, "Someone you know and Milwaukee to get a little wake up call." She certain to escalate the public debate over love is Gay" plus the PFLAG-Milwaukee says that she wants people, who are wrestling homosexuality. hotline number. The signs are intended to with issues surrounding a Gay or Lesbian PFLAG-Milwaukee's signs will go up in make those who have Gay or Lesbian family family member, to realize that help is avail- five locations on or about August 3. "We members aware of the group and its services. able. "When you reach out to people, usually wanted to put them up for PrideFest," said Hickson credits Brigette Vojcsik with doors open up and about 25 people are Please see Billboards, Page 12 2 V Wisconsin Light V July 30-August 12, 1998 Packer President Apologizes For Use of Packer Uniform in Reggie State NeWS Briefs APPLETON billboards condemning homosexu- ality. GALAXY followed in step with previous White Ad GLEEDA To Consider week's events in Madison. Support for the vigil came from across the Packer President Bob March 25 of this year, White appeared before Disbanding Washington DC — state. Supporters included State Senator Brian apology to Elizabeth the Wisconsin State Legislature. During his The membership of the Gay & Lesbian Harlan sent a letter of Rude, Rep. Mark Meyer, UW-La Crosse's White compared Gays and Lesbians to Education and Economic Development Birch, Executive Director of the Human Rights speech, Chancellor Kuipers and La Crosse Mayor John cheaters and backstabbers." White's Alliance, Inc., GLEEDA, will consider dis- Campaign, HRC, after a picture of Packer "liars, Medinger. None of these leaders were able to anti-Gay speech contained remarks that other minority banding the eight-year-old organization during player, Reggie White appeared in an attend the event personally, but all sent letters groups also found to be offensive. their annual meeting, August 12, at Liberty Hall newspaper ad. of support, which were read during the vigil. run in the July On April 2, White faxed a letter of apology in Kimberly. The full page ad which was Representative Meyer's letter said, "[I] Washington Times. White also to the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel. His fax According to GLEEDA President, Tim 21 edition of The would like to pledge my support in the fight in full uniform in an earlier ad placed made it clear that he was apologizing to anyone Persinger, repeated appeals for members to appeared against anti-Gay hostility and violence." USA Today. After that he may have offended except for members of become active in the leadership of the organi- in the July 15 edition of Medinger of La Crosse stated, " I am zation have gone largely ignored. Persinger Mayor against anyone noted that the burden for project planning and opposed to discrimination • WPMAr. /MY 17. Ji440 ttlit because of their sexual orientation...violence be 01100 1001 14 Z 40,00 execution has fallen almost completely on the be rejected as a crime group's three Executive Board members, and against any person must we must denounce it that numerous Board vacancies have gone against humanity, and Certainly no one can lirawrlan open abate kntoSmialhebavior unfilled for almost two years. from the mountaintops. against a person A proposal to meld GLEEDA into Green defend a violent action Bay's Positive Voice organization will be intro- because of their sexual orientation!" hopeful we duced during the meeting. Under the proposal, Senator Rude remarked, "I am Positive Voice would provide prorated mem- are able to send a message to all concerned cit- all of berships for GLEEDA members. GLEEDA's izens that La Crosse cares for and accepts bank balance would be transferred to Positive our citizens." micro- Voice following the dissolution of the organiza- The vigil was followed by an open tion. phone speak out, which lasted until the Ilpm only Current GLEEDA members not wishing to park closing. The event was illuminated said join Positive Voice would receive prorated by candlelight, which those in attendance evening. refunds on their membership dues. According created a remarkable ambiance for the to GLEEDA Treasurer, Marty Brown, Positive There were no protesters. Voice would assume responsibility for a For the most part, the local media ignored number of GLEEDA's successful annual the event. Although all local news organiza- events, such as the New Year's Eve tions were contacted and asked to provide cov- Dinner/Dance. erage five days in advance of the vigil, only one Members unable to attend the annual TV station chose to do so. Its report contained meeting have been asked to submit their com- comments about the anti-Gay billboards in ments and ideas in writing to GLEEDA. The Wisconsin. The La Crosse Tribune failed to evening will begin with dinner at 6:30pm fol- provide any coverage of the event despite sev- lowed by the meeting at 7:30pm. — Wisconsin eral phone calls asking them to do so, which Light Northeast Wisconsin Bureau was especially disturbing to the event's orga- nizers. — Wisconsin Light La Crosse Bureau GREEN BAY In defense of Seventh Annual Gay Guernsey Pageant Set for free speech. August 8 Editor's note: Below is the letter sent by the One of five hard working contestants will be &rent coninwas by Reggie Mite, 'Peru Led.; and reconfing artists //nee and Debbie Blintz-ardor:4bl* Mayor of La Crosse to GALAXY, a Gay and named the "Head of the Herd" in the Seventh Lesbian Youth organization in that City. It was bwnot.oatal behvniur at a lie Are* bug& a tidakuove fifharsb tangtwefirm bomorxua,taakists, Annual Gay Guernsey Fundraising Pageant at read at GALAXY'S Candlelight Vigil held in media pandas, and men a 141bin Hewe spoiennan...Thty btror branded aristian minister and Za's on Saturday, August 8. solidarity with Madison's LBGT community, pm,fictballidayer Rfgzie [Mk at 'ignoram,"'"ithri‘C and "Ivakuyare The Pageant, which raises money to provide which had been attacked by anti-Gay bill- I tolgassa began gin Ws Imam el has sweet XklatOadWitni,165.,sd=2,1!assit 4t financial assistance to Brown County clients of itfOkb knt ,r4sead Ara; ?Re boards and a spate of Gay bashings. nper.nrzt a, MtM *Ire INt, knew 4<wrst sway perm or in.+ ARCW, is the culmination of a series of fund m..*3+1,,, +.4. 40. M..trra..shavess—MA4m., •MIt..INsw.ana;usiria. raising events which began with the Guernsey tx,, asse!e'Pu. 1, ,Keeent kAhrlw e.« work pi4ev Dear GALAXY; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, 9.^7, Gala kickoff show at Napalese Lounge on July People and Allies of the Gay t.s.,?rut, afin boa Oka< b. Transgender 51.4.4 r4e t,Cf., eskat Asidet hat a &a sa 3. That show featured the introduction of the Community: and heftewma *`.ilo asdik Jog Smog %sr ewes tinsel met es asatorwme. ady.ry W'orS tod floss reel idixp five candidates who are representing the city's I regret that a family commitment will pre- eke, fne a trotteMo.1%6ox ton.f.s.th Mr. 444.1,44 , ele led/SWIM ire Ile tuseseae at adios Gay bars, as well as live musical and female vent me from attending the Candlelight Vigil .0.44 a.r 44,*4 ix ZOCO ' , art Ywt. Ph 1,4107 t, *to* wirk 4,4 Ip efiktax*SlotemfccIct<LCa.Mthkrted..iostak,t6sit AsIMM ;4 M.,. impersonation acts. ••ileAr, aced ro *41 rid 41 ate NO.< H, freeng was that is taking place the evening of Sunday, Matr. kw?. < r....k..1Thter* 44444, 4444444 44, hddrode uccontudoh. M. bat Iv: 6,Tb x2,1 Mati 10221 kt Over the last few weeks candidates have tt..62 <SM5et ,at rt. Ivati•e,x; io.4.0. 6.14.1se44.4 its voca .Aicha wh7 cenc re a, 41. etiixilaa, July 19th in Riverside Park. I understand that 44Mtvits. vs. art.ap been selling hats, candy, "cow eggs" and other 44.40.1i4,44.4` 4W41.