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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE December, 1989

Pentagon report says gays OK in military

"I Want YOU," the old Uncle Sam military recruiting slogan, may one day include gays and lesbians if a recently surfaced, pro-gay military report is any indication.

A new report ordered by the Department of Defense concludes that the American military should reexamine its homophobic policy and consider ending anti-gay and lesbian discrimination.

The half-inch thick report, called "Nonconforming Sexual Orientations and Military Suitability," was commissioned by the DOD and executed by the Defense Personnel Security Research and Education Center (PERSEREC). PERSEREC is the Pentagon's special research and analysis institute that supports DOD peronnel security programs. One of its top riorities is to evaluate existing criteria for personnel security determinations.

Theodore R. Sarbin, Ph.D., and Kenneth E. Karols, M.D., Ph.D. authored the report.

The unclassified study, dated December 1988, surfaced recently in a New York Times article after it was made available by Reps. Gerry Studds, D-Mass., and Patricia Schroeder, D-Colo.

The U.S. Armed Forces has long held that gays and lesbians who engage in homosexual conduct in the military-or who have a "propensity" to engage in homosexual acts-threaten "discipline, good order and morale."

The report urges the military to end its ban on gays and lesbians. Citing changes in American society's acceptance of homosexuals, the report states the government will most likely be forced to

reexamine its anti-gay policies.

"Under prevailing social conditions, a public admission of homosexuality carries less stigma than in earlier times, and is no legal bar to most employment," states the report.

"Our studied conclusion is that the military services will soon be asked by the courts or the Congress to reexamine their policies and practices regarding recruitment and retention of men and women whose sexual interests deviate from the customary."

However, the Pentagon has since rejected the report, calling it wasteful, flawed, offensive and exceeding its mandate.

Gay and lesbian activists were not

surprised that the military is now vehemently distancing itself from its own commissioned report.

Peri Jude Radecic, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force lobbyist and representative to the Military Freedom Project, said that credit for increased scrutiny of military policy should go to Rep. Gerry Studds. Studds has worked diligently to guarantee equality for gays and lesbians in the military, and was primarily responsible for making the new report public.

The release of the report coincidentally came at the same time as a new Gallup poll showing increasing acceptance of gays and lesbians by the public. The poll, as reported on October 25 in the New York Times, shows among other things that 71 percent of the people surveyed believe homosexuals should have "equal rights in terms of job opportunities." Sixty percent said gays and lesbians would be appropriate in the military. ▼

U4ia apologizes, changes policy and mgt.

by Carlie Steen

For lesbians attempting to enter the dance club U4ia, it's been a roller coaster ride of dress codes, denials, and policy changes. The ride is over, at least according to Joseph Costa, one of the seven owners of the club.

This all comes in the midst of rumors that U4ia has closed. In fact, U4ia has closed temporarily to deal with problems with the liquor license that had been carried over from the previous owners.

"There were enough problems that the cleanest thing to do was to close," Costa said. The club is expected to reopen within the next month.

Costa feels the difficulties with the liquor license came at the right time. "I'm glad it happened when it happened," said Costa. "It's given all of us a second chancea window of opportunity to correct the problem."

The "problem" was discrimination against women. U4ia's dress code, requiring women to wear dresses and skirts, has enabled the club to keep out a significant number of women since it opened in late August. Costa said the

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dress code "obviously was an attempt by management to discourage lesbians. It is discrimination, no doubt about it." He admits that the dress code has had interesting results. "The collection of women I saw at U4ia I have not seen anywhere in the city," he said.

Costa has been involved with U4ia since its inception. He heard the owners of Gabriel's, the previous club at that location, were looking for buyers, and began approaching others as potential partners. Even then he knew there would be some type of a dress code. "I wanted to have a place that was a little more grown up than most of the places in the city," he said.

Unfortunately, the dress code applied only to women. When Costa saw advertisements mentioning the dress code he knew there was a problem. "It was a mistake on my part to have let it occur." Costa was unaware of co-owner Hank Berger's previous comment stating the dress code would remain as it was.

"I know it wasn't Hank's intention to discriminate against anyone,” he said. As both a gay man and a Cuban, Costa said he understands prejudice. "I have been

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discriminated against because of the two things," he said.

Community outrage including protests at the club and an editorial by the Chronicle made Costa jump into a more visible role of ownership them he had previously assumed.

The original policy Costa had in mind was a ladies' night, but the management at the time turned down the idea. "I wanted to have a night for women," he said. "I'm going to do that." Costa has hired a women manager and an allwomen crew for Friday night. He also plans to bring in national women's acts "at least once a month" and has hired Brynna Fish of Bluefish Productions to secure the acts.

"The intention was not to create this kind of division in the community," Costa said. Costa willingly takes part of the blame for the policies and actions of U4ia. "If I am at fault it is because I did not set my foot down as say, "This is how it's going to be."" As the only gay owner, "I have to have more of a voice. I have to be the go-between." He promises that no more policies will be set without going through him first.

A dress code policy will remain, Costa said, but it will be for both men and women. He also promises that the club will be mixed at all times.

To insure his promises will be kept, Costa said, a few changes have been made. "Management has been thrown out," for one. Costa is also making some changes to benefit the gay and lesbian community by promising to sponsor at least four benefits per year for a variety of community organizations.

Costa understands the hesitancy of the community to believe anything U4ia management says, due to the various mixed messages that have come before. "I know the community is insulted, as they should be," concurred Costa. He believes the changes will speak for themselves.

Among other changes in the club due to the community outrage will be a change in the women's bathroom decorations. These had been described by some as outrageous, sexist and promoting rape. Costa did not seem to understand why the pictures of penises and women were offensive to lesbians but agreed to change them. ▼

Men's Chorus to perform

by Brian DeWitt

The North Coast Men's Chorus will celebrate the holidays on Sunday, December 17 with their second annual holiday concert, "A Festival of Carols."

The concert will feature a wide range of music, from secular to traditional, and from classical to humorous, on a holiday theme. The performance will include three pieces by gay composer Mark Riese, and two pieces will be sung by the Chamber Chorus.

This year, for the first time, the chorus will be accompanied by an 18-piece orchestra. "This will add a special flavor to the performance," said chorus director Robert Bellesario.

The performance will be sign language interpreted, as are all Chorus ap-

pearances.

The North Coast Men's Chorus, Cleveland's only gay men's singing group, was founded two years ago by Rick Fuller, who led the organization until his death last June. The Chorus has two full-length concerts each year, the other one being in the spring, as well as other appearances. Membership is open to all men.

Lakewood Civic Auditorium is located at Franklin Avenue and Bunts Road in Lakewood. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $7 in advance, $9 at the door, and are available at the LesbianGay Community Center, Body Language, many area bars, and from any Chorus member.▼

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