RITA MAE BROWN TO SPEAK

America's most controversial Lesbian author. Rita Mae Brown, will speak at Kent State University April 21, at 8:00 p.m. Her appearance is sponsored by the Kent Gay Liberation Front as the opening event of their fourth annual spring conference.

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Ohio East Gay News

Rita Mae is best known for her novel, Rubyfruit Jungle, the story of a sexually healthy human being, who happens to be a Lesbian, growing up in a sick culture, that of America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, as long as you are not queer, non-white, poor, handicapped, or female. The protagonist, Molly Bolt, tells her own story from childhood to college graduation. Rubyfruit Jungle (whose title is the best Lesbian zap ever), sold 70,000 copies as originally published by Daughters, Inc. That makes it the best selling book in U.S. history published by a small press. It has recently been republished by Bantam Books, and may soon reach the bestseller lists, and may become a movie.by Iris, Inc.

Rita Mae is also the author of four other books: two volumes of poetry, The Hand that Cradles the Rock, and Songs to a Handsome Woman; another novel, In Her Day, and a collection of political essays, Plain Brown Wrapper.

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In a speech at the Gay Community Center in Philadelphia, she spoke directly to the men in the audience: a generation of men fought against war and racism, but this is Vietnam for Women. Women are being raped and dying in the streets and gay men are making jokes about it. We've gotta fight for each other, because rights on the books, which don't even exist yet, don't mean shit on the streets... we have to learn that we are all one. And it's going to take years... it'll take all our lives. See yourself as Moses, because you are. You're probably not gonna live to see the Promised Land, but honey, you damn well better get your ass out in the desert."

We can't be sure what Rita Mae will choose to say at Kent, State, but to say the least, it should be interesting.

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What She Wants is to hear from our readers about what they're doing. There's a lot going on in the Cleveland women's community and elsewhere; each of us is involved in a slightly different sphere. When you attend a cultural event, participate in a political event, or think of a new way of putting things together, we'd like to hear about it. There's nothing fancy about writing: write us a letter, a paragraph, whatever you feel you can handle. We can work together on making a finished product of it. But when you find something interesting, remember: What She Wants wants to know. The deadline for the June issue will be May 3rd. Please submit your materials to: WSW, clo Cleveland Women's Council, p.o. box 18472, Cleveland Heights 44118.

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Six Steps Down

Yvonne Wanrow to Appear in Cleveland

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Yvonne Wanrow is coming to Cleveland. Native American woman was convicted of murder for shooting a known child molester who broke into her house in the early hours of the morning, drunk, and attempted to attack one of her children. Yvonne was on crutches in a cast with a broken leg at the time.

The week before her arrival here, a group of people will go to Mayor Kucinich and request that he proclaim Anti-Violence Against Women Week. On May 18, Wanrow will attend the annual meeting of the WomenSpace Coalition, and on May 19 she will be speaking to students at Cleveland Marshall Law School.

On Saturday, May 20, at 1:30 p.m. in. the Kiva Room at Cleveland State University, Women Together (which provides services for battered women) and the Rape Crisis Center will hold a speak-out for women who have defended themselves against violence. Women who have fought off violent assaults of any kind and would like to testify at the

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speak-out, please call either MaryJo Ginty (961-4422) or Jeanne Van Atta (391-3912). Yvonne will moderate the speak-out.

On May 21, there will be a wine and cheese reception for Yvonne at the home of Lynn Rosewater, 2821 Kersdale Road, Pepper Pike. Tickets will be $10, $25, $50 and $100. The proceeds will go to the Gold Flower Defense Committee and to Women Together.

(LNS)--Yvonne Wanrow still faces another trial, even though her murder conviction was overturned in 1977 by the Washington State Court of Appeals and the State Supreme Court. The state is now retrying her, this time on first degree murder charges.

Wanrow's lawyers appeared in court in Olympia, the state capitol, March 13 to challenge the legality of the murder statute under which she was convicted.

Supporters were also there, filling the courtroom during the hearing and crowding the street outside.

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What She Wants has rescheduled production to the second weekend of every month. Copy should be handed in by the first of every month so that we can discuss and edit collectively at our editorial meetings. Articles are much easier to read if they are printed or typed. Please leave material in our mailbox (second floor of the White House, 2420 S. Taylor Rd. at Scarborough, Cleveland Heights) or mail to: WSW, c/o Cleveland Women's Counsel, P.O. Box 18472, Cleveland Heights, 44118.

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Before and after the session, Native Americans conducted ceremonial dances on her behalf.

Wanrow, a Colville Indian, was convicted in 1973 of second degree felony murder and first degree assault by an all-white jury for fatally shooting William Wesler and wounding his companion. Wesler, a repeated child molester, was drunk and incoherent when he broke in at 5 a.m. and threatened to molest Wanrow's children and nephew. Wanrow shot Wesler as he lurched toward her 3-year-old nephew on the couch.

In the state's current retrial attempt the prosecution is pursuing a highly unusual tack: instead of "manslaughter," Wanrow is charged with felonious assault, during which a murder occurred. This "felony murder" charge is more severe and doesn't require the state to prove premeditation was involved. The court will issue its decision on the defense motion challenging the felony murder charge within several months.

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