News of Interest to the Lesbia�/Gay Community FREE! Volume 5, Number 6 Memphis, Tennessee June, 1984 ACLU PLEDGES SUPPORT- FOR GAYS by John Stilwell liberties. Other sources of income a lot of support from the·ACLU ACLU will have a speaker at the In Aoril '84. Ric Sullivan was include an annual junk sale, indi- in terms of research into laws Gay Pride Rally on June 30, and elected as the President of the vidual contributions and most and discrimination and lobbying Sullivan will encourage board Board of Directors of the West important, memberships. support," Sullivan said. In the members and members at large to Tennessee Chapter of the ACL U Last year, due to cash flow upconingyear he is stressing that attend the rally as a showof sup­ which is one of many chapters problems, there was serious con- we "continue to maintain and re- port for the local Gay rights which make up the state affiliate. sideration given to closing the lo- establish close ties with other or- movement. According to Sullivan, "Our cal ACLU office here in Mem- ganizations in the community , Sullivan said, "I would like to primaryre sponsibilityis of course phis, which provides the chapter . that have very similar goals to thank the Memphis Gay Commu­ to work for civil li�erties in the with financial, clerical, and inves- - ours, including the MGC and nity and especially Gaze and the : West Tennessee area. Another tigative support. However, Sulli- N.O.W. The ACLU of West Tenn- MGC for all the support they've very importantresponsibility is to van assured Gaze that due to fund essee has long had a very close given the ACLU over the past meet the chapter's commitment to raising and contributions from relationship with the MGC and I years. I would like to see us con­ the state budget." The main members, the financial situation would like to see that that con- tinue to have a very warm work­ source of funding is the annual had stabilized and he looked for- tinues and even expands, I would ing relationship with the MGC!" Bill of Rights Dinner, an event ward to continue working closely like to see us try to have some For more information or to be­ which honors and celebrates the with Associate Director, Bill sort of cooperative education- come a member or to discuss existence of the Bill of Rights. Johnson. maybe through some sort of legal possible violations of civil rights, Each yearan individual ishonored "The ACLU has gotten a lot of forum or workshopsor something contactthe ACLU at 81 Madison, at the dinner for substantial con­ support from the Memphis Gay like that." Suite 1606, Memphis, 38103 or tributions to cause the· of civil Coalitionand theMGC has gotten In keeping withthis policy, the call 621-9876. Gay Candidates Announce GAY PRIDE WEEK Campaigns BWMT W eenie Roa8t Saturday, June 23 5:00p.m. by Allen Cook the constitution of the state of Tennessee an amendment to in­ Overton Park Picnic Area Two openly Gay candidates sure that persons' civil rights are seeking elective positions in all -Bring Your Buns and Weenies- are protected." In addition, he the state of Tennessee. says he work for securing Citizen activist Milo Guthrie will legislation alloWing a · state lot­ GAY PRIDE PICNIC of Woodbury, Tennessee has en­ tery, a change in Section 14 of Sunday, June 24 2:00 p.m. - til tered the 6th congressional race the state constitution (which pro­ as an independent candidate and 3050 Chisca Ave. hibits interracial marriage), sup­ J.B.H. Elmore is running for the port raising the drinking age to (Off Semmes between Park and Southern) state representative District 10 21, and support a "moment of Pot Luck Picnic-Bring your favorite dish­ race. silence" in the schools. Guthrie, who campaigned for BBQ Pit available for cooking - Elmore is employed at the the state legislature in 1982, is a West Side Market in Morristown, Fun, Fellawship Song! printer and also works as an � Tennessee. environmental educator and is a self-taught botanist. His cam­ GAY SWITCHBOARD BENEFIT paign emblem is a goat, which Wednesday, June 27- 10:30· p.m. has been a synbol of rural poli­ George's tical activism since the Populist movement of the 1890's. Proceeds Go to Support the Switchboard Guthrie indicated that he was "disappointed in the lack of GAY PRIDE RALLY substantive debate" among the Saturday, June 30 7:00p.m. various other candidates who offer a "uniform appearance �d Court Square - Downtown similar views." Guthrie will cam­ Get revved up with Gay Pride paign against nuclear weapons before the River Ride! and against U.S. interven�ion in Central America, and for civil liberties and reproductive rights. ANNUAL RIVER RIDE The sixth congressional seat is Saturday, June 30- Boards 8:30 being vacated by Albert Gore, Jr. who is running for a Senate seat. The last two River Rides were advance sell-outs- J.B.H. Elmore is seeking a So buy your tickets early- Don't take a chance! state representative seat. He says, "I shall work to change or add to MILO GUTHRIE Editorials appearing in Gaze represent only the opinions of the Gazin authors unless otherwise indicated. BAR OWNERS GET A BUM RAP - "•. taurants in Memphis and Nash­ through this paper and see how reprehensible. that advertising rev­ many Gay professionals advertise. In my opinion, the only person ville. Eliminate . enue and the remainder of the ad Theseare the folks who are truly m a pos1tlon to criticize is that four ripping off the Gay community. person who was active when the by John Stilwell revenue might pay for a paper to eight pages long. They have specialized skills which struggle for civil rights began more we need but they won't make them­ than 15 years and has remained When referring to Abe Plough's Some will argue that such adver­ ago selves known to us. They won't let active to the present day. And that ecent homophobic statements, I tising doesn't contribute to the Gay � community because the advertisers us keep our money in the Gay com­ person doe� not exist in our com­ said, "being Jewish, he ought to be munity. Instead, by their closet­ munity. more sensitive about discrimina­ are getting some benefit from the money they spend. Hopefully, peo­ mindedness, they force us to go out­ So, let's get off the backs of the tion." When referring to Eddie ple arepatronizin g the bars because side for professional services to Gay bar and restaurant owners. At Murphy's antics, I said, "being of the ads. And why shouldn't they people who may not be as under­ this point in time, they are doing Black, he ought to be more sensi­ expect something for the money standing or as sympathetic to our more for us than the entire Gay tive about discrimination." they spend? Aren't they, like all needs. That,friends, is not only in­ community is doing for itself. It was quickly pointed out to of us, trying to make a living? considerate, but irresponsible and_ me that just being Black or Jewish The complaintmost often leveled doesn't endow one with a special at the bar oV'tllers is that they are sensitivity to discrimination unless bec ming wealthy off the Gay com­ that individual has personally ex­ _ � MGC WANTS YOU! perienced it and has had to fight muruty but not giving anything bac -to that community. ("They're for his/her rights. � not functionwith only a few people nppmg_ us off!"). But think about The Memphis Gay Coalition has With thisinsight, I feel compelled working at it.,. that - They provide a safe place been holding monthly meetings for to come to the defense of a much­ The MGC is in a financially for us to meet, entertainment of about the last five years. However, maligned group in our community­ many people are unaware that such stable condition, but moremembers the Gay restaurant/bar owners. For various sorts, and food and liquid are needed for it to realize its po­ refreshment (both alcoholic and meetings areopen to the entire Gay some bizarre reason, folks seem to tential. While the Coalition has non-alcoholic) and for that the pa­ community. think that because a person ownsa about 30-40 dues-paying members, trons pay them. Isn't that how a "The purpose of the Coalition " Gay establishment he/she has- a according to .Allen Cook, curredt about half a dozen or so assume the responsibility to be more political business is run? Besides, the last responsibility for most of the func­ time I hit a straight bar most of facilitator, "is to provide a basic �d to funnel- more money back framework in which the individual tions. mto the Gay community than any­ the mixed drinks were running at "Something else that people $2.50 and draft beer was $1 a canwork." For example, in the past one else. the Coalition has provided a speak­ don't realize is that you don't have Bullshit! glass. Who's ripping off whom? to be a member to participate." said Sure maybe they could do more ers bureau, operated a radio pro­ In the_ first place, you are able to Cook. "Very often people come to gram, undertaken voter registration read this paper because of the or funnel more money back into the meetings to see what it's like the Gay community but why single drives and provided various other advertising of Gay bars and res- - services for the Gay and we've gotten a lot of good ideas them out? There Gay doctors, community.