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HEALTHWISE:

BY MARK LEHMAN-

Gay Peoples Chronicle

That's what friends are for...

May 1986

Recently I was able to partake in a great life experience--attending the National Lesbian and Gay Health Forum in Washington, D.C.

Of all the workshops I attended at the conference, I feel that one of the more meaningful ones was entitled "Unlearning Our Fear of AIDS." It dealt with the fears that we (as care-givers to PWA's) have regarding AIDS itself.

One by one, people shared very gut-level feelings they had and finally I found the need to share my major fear. With tears, I found myself saying that I could not imagine saying goodbye to so many people with whom I have loved and laughed. Not only family, but friends--gay friends; people who have been more like brothers to me throughout these past 11 'post-closet" years. I had

never felt such friendship until I emerged into gay life. All those past college and high school years are not fond memories of great camaraderie, just years of wishing I could have a circle of friends like myself.

Now, as a hospital worker who is working with PWA's, it has become more evident that these friendships are the best therapy, the best discharge plans available.

Fortunately, I have seen many good friendships withstand the tragedy of AIDS; but I have also seen many friends pull away and find excuses for not visiting. I am not one to judge. We each must react to situations in our own way. But here is a to chance show your strength, your love, and your devotion to that dying friend--a chance to show others and yourself that being GAY is OK and that we

Why I Hate Straight People

By HARVEY FIERSTEIN

What really gets me chewing bricks is when someone dares assume that I'm heterosexual.

Now, this obviously is not an everyday occurrence. In fact, I can go for days, even weeks, without being so identified. But every so often an ignoramus wanders out of the backwoods and my blood pressure soars in disgust.

For example, I'm in a cab minding my own business, contentedly leafing through the new Lillian Vernon gift catalog, and the driver starts to make seemingly harmless conversation. I say "seemingly" because conversation is usually two-sided, and I know all too well that as soon as I grunt out a word the guy's gonna comment

on

my voice: "Whaddya got laryngitis?"

Whereupon I'11 say something like: "No. This be my voice."

Now, I'm already pissed. First because I hate talking to strangers; second,

..

because I hate explaining about my voice; and finally

because I know this the end of the ride. No matter how intently I study the Bunny Potholders in the catalog, I know the driver is thinking of something to say about my voice to make me forgive him for thinking had a cold.

"You got a real interesting voice there. Very sexy. Bet you get a lot of pussy with it."

Now, a remark like that would be enough to make me stiff the jerk even if I were heterosexual, but for this know-nothing to assume that just because I'm a terrific-looking guy with an incredibly sexy voice I therefore am heterosexual... #?$@%$&@! (★?@!

And it gets worse! Cause then I am forced to put down my catalog and, as calmly as possible, explain that I am à perfectly well-adjusted, out-of-the-closet, militant (if not currently practicing) homosexual. This boredom so dispensed, I return to the Rabbit Tea Cozy on

are in this for each other-a chance to validate our chosen lifestyle so that our friends, acquaintances, or even strangers can feel supported in their last days! Their deaths should not be in vain!

In Cleveland, fortunately, our number of PWA's is few in comparison with other cities. We have the luxury of having more support by families and friends available, and a smaller chance of burnout of those caregiv-

ers.

Still, however, we find limited' support of the Health Issues Taskforce, and also poor attendance at community-based functions to raise funds.

There are no governmentbased organizations to care for our fellow Cleveland PWA's. It is only through the volunteer efforts of many that any support is provided. I realize that our

page 73 and await the inēvitable. "You wouldn't do those things if you had a woman, he remarks: "You ever had a woman?" "You ever

I.

"No," say have à man?" This sends the asshole into a fiery blush and a peal of giggles. (On occasion it's been a fiery temper and a peal of abuses.) This is when I take a deep breath and begin my final monologue all about how difficult it is for any gay to come to terms

with himself. How straights just accept the common, while gays are no less courageous than Christopher Columbus as they examine themselves without and within to find new continents of feelings, new galaxies of understanding. I explain that gay men and lesbians, no matter how lowplaced or high-positioned, are ten times braver than any heterosexual for daring to be themselves in a world hungry for scapegoats. I pummel the fool with facts of qay contributions to so-

but for

our

free time is limited, this does not account the lack of financial support from Cleveland's gay Community. We need to show our support and strength. We need to know that we are fighting together, or else the battle and all that we have achieved over the years will be lost.

So I ask: take time, make the effort to see what you are doing for our community, our friends, and our PWA's. We need each other now. We need the chance to say that our time spent together is one of supportive care and concern. Please recall those words of Dionne Warwicke's AIDS Benefit song: "That's what friends are for, and let others see it, feel it, and hear it!

Mark Lehman is Member-atLarge of the Health Issues Taskforce.

ciety and the sciences. name names from politics, history, Hollywood. I tell sad tales of persecution and misrepresentation. I cover blackmail, entrapment, harassment, and disowning. And as I arrive at my destination I leave the turkey with no doubt that gays and lesbians are more noble in every sense than any heterosexual that ever lived. I also leave him with a big tip. (Positive reinforcement. See Pavlov.) And I go off toward a brighter tomorrow knowing that the next time I get into that sponge-brain's car he will assume that I'm gay. that the next Maybe even even he guy's gay. Maybe will be gay.

P.S. The above commentary should not be construed as a statement about all heterosexuals, the majority of whom are nice, well-meaning human beings, but rather as an example of the unthinking few who use being a part of th majority as a license for piggery. Thank you.

P.P.S. My mother made me add that.

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