Page 2 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE December, 1989

DITORIAL

White boys: What's their problem?

What is it about "white boys"?

Are they so threatened by their minority status on this planet that they view intimidation, harassment, oppression and violence as their only means of remaining a distinct and separate culture from the rest of the world?

You'll find the most obvious outburst of this perspective in hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, the Aryan Nation, and the Skinheads. Less blatant but equally as effective are the more "acceptable" groups that include Operation Rescue (read: Bully), Accuracy in Media, and the Liberty Foundation (better known as the Moral Majority). These terrorist groups consist of, you guessed it, "white boys". From the leadership on down.

"White boys" all around the country band together to do their damnedest to show their hatred for women, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, the poor... And, of course, lesbians and gays.

Case in point: National Coming Out Day, last October 11. As gays and lesbians throughout the country took their "next step," these "white boys" rushed to show the country that they'll do everything they can to keep this country from accurately reflecting the rich mix of cultures, races, ethnic origins, and sexuality that is the reality in this country and of which we should be proud.

In Akron University's student newspaper, the Buchtelite, a group of "white boys" who creatively called themselves the "Frat Rats," posed proudly for a photo in the student newspaper while

painting a message on the campus "Rock" (you know, the big rock that exists on just about every college campus painted daily with the wisdom of the day).

As described by an editorial in the Buchtelite, "a group of brain-dead freshmen took it upon themselves to obliterate the [pink triangle painted on the Rock by the Gay/Lesbian Student Resource group.] In broad flourishes, and in front of curious mid-day onlookers, they left their intellectual dictum: 'No fags and dykes at Akron U.'"

Similarly "collegiate" activities took place at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) near Toledo. A group of gay and lesbian students spent the evening before National Coming Out Day drawing pink triangles in chalk all over the BGSU campus.

The triangles caught the attention of a group of "white boys". These boys were obviously more creative and intelligent than those at Akron University. They offered a variety of messages, not limiting the denial of lesbians and gays to merely BGSU.

These boys spent the evening slinking through campus. crossing out the triangles and leaving behind such words of wisdom as "Kill the Queers."

But these boys didn't limit themselves to sexual orientation. They won the 'Most Ignorant' and 'Industrial Backsliding' awards hands down with "Down with Dikes." It seems that they not only want to rid the world of gays and lesbians, but they also have an aversion

GUEST EDITORIAL

to flood control.

One of the legacies left to us by Ronald "Evil Empire” Reagan was campuses brimming with hate-filled conservatives who finally found a comrade in the fight against justice with Ronnie and his Band of Merry (White) Men. They did their best to set back the hard-won civil rights of the black community, pregnant women, gays and lesbians, and the rest of this country's oppressed.

The reality is that these campus pranksters these "boys" who are able to expel their hatred only in supportive groups-grow up to become a part of Ronnie's Band, the KKK, Operation Bully, and various groups with agendas that include the prevention of lesbians and gays being like human beings.

It's not that women or minorities aren't capable of hatred or violent acts. But look around. Do lesbians, gays, Hispanics, or any other oppressed group, go around spray painting “kill the breeders" over billboards depicting heterosexuals? Do we burn crosses in front of the homes of white families? Do we spend our Thursday evenings down in the Flats, catcalling at the non-gay couples?

The United States is a melting pot, and we all need to be willing to work beyond our own hatred, our own racism, and our own homophobia and educate others so we can spend less time trying to end the "boys" warped war.

Massachusetts rights bill only a beginning

David LaFontaine, Lobbying Director, Bradely Carlson

Andrew Held, Lobbyist, Massachusetts Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights

Passage of the Massachusetts lesbian and gay civil rights bill is perhaps the single greatest victory for the gay rights movement in 1989. Massachusetts joins Wisconsin, becoming the second state in the nation to pass comprehensive civil rights legislation for gays and lesbians. Key to success in Massachusetts was a groundswell of public support that convinced undecided legislators and overwhelmed opponents. The Massachusetts victory is emblematic of a nationwide movement that is building momentum to spark a chain of gay rights victories in coming years.

The March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights on October 11, 1987 marked a turning point in the nationwide gay rights movement. Never before had the gay community witnessed its own strength in such numbers. As a result, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators

LETTERS

Homosexuals Anonymous

To the Editor:

Regarding Steve Hurt's impressions [in November's issue] of Cleveland's Homosexuals Anonymous meetings:

1. The article sounded like an expose, but HA in Cleveland is old news. I attended several meetings four years ago.

2. Group dynamics are unique to each chapter. Group turnover and the back-

brought home with them a new sense of empowerment. The emerging strength of the gay and lesbian community is changing the face of our struggle for equal rights. This year's Massachusetts victory dramatically illustrates this change.

In Massachusetts, prior to 1987, a quiet, insider lobbying strategy kept the gay rights bill alive, but failed to convince key legislators of its overwhelming public support. At the end of the 1987 legislative session, shortly after the March on Washington, the bill suffered its fifteenth consecutive defeat. That year, the bill passed the House and won a majority in the Senate, but was killed in committee. This unjust defeat triggered a massive demonstration. Chants of more than 600 protestors rang throughout the State House, and 14 people were arrested when they chained themselves to seats inside the Senate Gallery.

The power unleashed by this demonstration transformed the public perception of the community as a political force and brought the voice of the lesbian and gay community at large to the State House. In the years following the 1987 demonstration, street activism, in the form of passionate rallies and angry

ground of participants will affect them. The national support organization, HAFS, offers training in these issues, but not all group leaders take it. I agree that ignoring any participant is unacceptable. 3. HA is not a threat to the gay community, except to those that fear the very existence of such an organization. HA does not solicit participants. Individuals must seek out HA; hence the phone listing.

4. Mr. Hurt protected his own anonymity very well. However, by print-

protests, became a core part of the lobbying effort.

The high visibility tactics employed by organizations such as the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights brought the issue to the public eye. Extensive media campaigns drew front-page headlines and secured gay rights endorsements from public figures and the local media. The encouraging effect of this publicity drew new supporters out of the closet. Realizing the strength of our numbers, thousands of people took action at the grassroots level, contributing to letter-writing campaigns and constituent lobbying.

In 1989, the gay rights bill became an unstoppable people's initiative. A statewide polled showed 68 percent support for the bill among Massachusetts voters. Grassroots activists, building on groundwork already laid, garnered majority in both houses and overwhelmed powerfully placed opponents. The visibility of a unified gay community made the difference.

Public support will also be vital to preserving the Massachusetts gay rights law. Gay rights opponents are currently trying to organize a last-ditch effort to

ing the location and time of the meetings, he violated the privacy of the host and those who wish to participate.

5. Many of the difficulties Mr. Hurt cited are not unlike the ones I have read of the early years of Alcoholics Anonymous.

6. I do not recall the idea of dismissing gay friends as a policy of HA on a national basis. Perhaps this was a recommendation of an individual in the meeting.

Doug S.

gay people's

HRONICLE

Vol. 5, Issue 6.

Founded by Charles Callender 1928-1986

Published by KWIR Publications Co-Owners:

Robert Downing Martha J. Pontoni

Editor-in-Chief:

Martha J. Pontoni Associate Editors:

Carlie Steen, Brian DeWitt. Sports Editor:

K.D. Mahnal Reporters & Writers:

Martha J. Pontoni, K.D. Mahnal, Dora Forbes, Don S., Faith Klasek, Robert Laycock, Douglas Braun, Susan Tabell, Steven Hurt. Columnists:

Antone Feo, Fern Levy, Joe Interrante.

Art Director:

Christine Hahn

Artists:

Pat Hughes, Tom Zav, Dawn Fritz.

Assistants to the Editor: Dan Postotnik, Dave Volk. Distribution Chief:

Robert Downing Database Consultant: Jim Barcus

The Gay People's Chronicle is dedicated to providing a space in Cleveland's lesbiangay community for all women and men to communicate and be involved with each other. This means that every Chronicle, to the best of our ability, will be equally dedicated to both men's and women's issues,as well as issues that affect all of us. Striving for this balance will not only provide the community with a forum to air grievances and express joys, but will also help all of us achieve this balance in our lives.

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place gay rights on a statewide referendum. If the opponents succeed, the progay rights majority will be crucial to defeating the repeal initiative. Gay issues are not new to Massachusetts voters, most of whom have realized that basic civil rights protections for lesbians and gay men are long overdue.

The psychological and symbolic impact of passage of the bill in Massachusetts will strengthen the fight for gay rights in other areas of the country, helping those states that are at a crossroads in their own civil rights strugContinued on Page 19

Bahamian repression

To the Editor:

I want to share with you the following article from the October 31, 1989 issue of the Voice in London, England. It is a weekly that comes out every Tuesday in London and is perhaps the biggest selling black newspaper there.

I feel the folks who choose the Bahamas [for vacation] should be aware Continued on Page 3