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society. Homosexuality is not universally discussed in the black working class or "under class" communities, any more than it is in other comparable communities, but by the same token, it is no more despised either.

The black church in the past has generally been quiet about homosexual members. Homosexuality has been preached against, especially in fundamentalist churches. Black churches, however have traditionally depended upon homosexuals to provide services such as choir directors, pianists, organists, as well as preachers. Those individuals also play important roles in the social life of the church. More

recently, openly gay and lesbian ministers have acquired pulpits and are actively proclaiming God's love

for all.

Now, in the midst of crisis, mainline churches are getting involved in health education programs and services to people with AIDS. Most notably the National Council of Churches has established a Minority Task Force on AIDS. In other cities AIDS projects are appealing to black churches in order to involve them in

of Gay Peoples Chronicle

BLACKS AND HOMOPHOBIA

community education and are receiving favorable responses from several congregations. In other cases, mainline churches are holding memorial services for the dead, as well as prayer services for the living. These events certainly indicate that the black church is beginning to see the necessity of putting "God's Work" above fears of sick and dying individuals. We can only tudes of other black organispeculate about the attizaions, though it is probably fair to suggest that homophobia is certainly present. It is, however, unfair to suggest that it is getting worse or is any worse than in the society at large.

To claim that blacks are not responding to the needs of minority individuals with AIDS may be partially true. But that is essentially a reflection of our divided society. Once again the poor and the "outsiders" have been disproportionately affected by a ravaging disease and it seems everyone is blaming the lack of black participation in the healing process on homophobia.

Perhaps one day the full impact of the Kerner Commis-

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sion report will be realized: we have constructed two societies, one white and affluent, the other black and less affluent. This situation guarantees blacks will almost always be without necessary information that would guarantee particpation and decision-making. As long as we live where a president says he wants a color-blind society and suggests getting to that point by immediately dismantling Affirmative Action, we must know that blacks will not be at the forefront of major social issues. The money for combating AIDS, like other social programs, is in white hands, which has an impact on people's perceptions of the disease, white and black. Of course, so does homophobia, since the high est risk group for AIDS is gay men. But, homophobia is nothing new; it has been discussed in relationship to all elements of American society since the beginning of the gay struggle for human rights. Why are blacks suddenly more homophobic than whites?

Homosexuality is certainly one of the most misunderstood social phenomenona of this or any generation, but

June 1986

to say that in the face of the AIDS crisis, blacks have demonstrated greater homophobia is mainly a figment of some fertile imaginations. It is difficult, if not impossible, for the entire notion needs to be thinking man to accept. The sociologically investigated, especially if it's going to be continuously reiterated as gospel.

We as blacks tend to live in many worlds, although it. We have been tragically whites seem not to realize defined as possessing common behavior patterns and common thought processes, suggesting we are all the same. These ideas have been circulated consciously and unconsciously. It is well past straight. I am sure that time for setting the record black people love their gay and lesbian chidren as much as white people and all other groups love theirs. Perhaps a little more, but cerrun, AIDS or no AIDS, the tainly no less. In the long black community will come through. I have no doubt about that

[Reprinted in abridged form from the National Association of Black & White Men Together newsletter.]

Ray Burton and Linus Herrell celebrated the second anniversary of Body Language on May 10.

The Chronicle was--to our regret--unable to photograph the celebration.

At left, Linus displays an album showing that Body Language tries to meet all tastes. The photograph at bottom left carries the same message. Besides a wide variety of sex toys, Body Lanquage is an excellent source for gay and lesbian books and albums.

Below, Linus displays another kind of merchandise. This photograph may draw indignant telephone calls and lose us some subscribers but remember that leather men include more Ph.D.'s than any other segment of gay male society.

QUEER

WALLMAN