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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE February, 1990

Gayla reunion held in Cleveland

by Kevin Beaney

Gay men from across the country arrived here on Friday night, January 12, to begin a long weekend of socializing, hugging and remembering with their Cleveland brothers. This was the start of Gayla 11.5, a mid-year reunion for those who attended any of the past 11 Gayla conferences at Ferry Beach, Maine.

Gayla is a gay men's conference held for one week each summer, using the camp facilities provided by the Ferry Beach Park Association in Saco, Maine, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association. The conference attracts a diverse group, approximately 40 percent of which are UUA members. According to Roger White, one of the six coordinators for the 1989 and 1990 Gayla weeks, "this is a special time for any gay

Census

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during any of the 1990 census development hearings, asked that any question be included to quantify the number of men in the U.S. who have engaged in homosexual activity during the past ten years. Although domestic partner bills have cropped up in cities all over the country, no legislator asked that the census determine how many couples might be covered by such legislation.

Although lesbian and gay leaders might naturally find this same type of information useful, none has ever testified before a census or congressional hearing to urge that such information be collected through the census.

Two years ago, when the census bureau was still preparing the question-

Mars

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inspirational sources inside and outside the theater.

Christmas on Mars was inspired by "a red Christmas tree," he says (but don't go looking for one on stage; he's shaped that original vivid image for his own dramatic purposes as a dramatic artist). He wanted to explore Greek classical techniques in a contemporary play and does so with this one. Where the Greeks used an almost empty stage, he uses an empty apartment. The Greeks were fond of messengers as a dramatic device, Kondoleon uses individuals as their own messengers, giving recognition to necessary economies demanded by our contem-

man, regardless of age, religion or background. Over the years, we have grown from 11 to more than 150 participants, ranging in age from early 20's to octogenarians. People come from California, Georgia, and Canada, as well as a very large representation from the Cleveland area. During the week, attendees learn to grow as gay men through workshops, grieving circles, social events and personal experiences. The effect of the conference has been powerful enough to encourage winter weekend reunions. This past summer, one-third of the 150 attendees came from this area, so the membership decided to hold the winter event in Cleveland."

The Gayla 11.5 reunion was in the planning stages since September with the committee arranging for the housing of

naire, NGLTF's then-executive director Jeff Levi expressed skepticism about the usefulness of the "Unmarried Partner" designation.

He and others expressed concern that, since few lesbians and gay men would identify themselves as such on a census, the number would appear much smaller than the actual population. That, they said, would create political problems for movement leaders who have to convince legislators that lesbians and gays are a significant percentage of the population.

Reprinted with permission from the Washington Blade.

porary lives. And on and on.

It is a play we will do well to see. It is a genuine cross-breed of styles, and it shows how we cope with ways we meet our basic needs, with ways we deal with fundamental things in our lives. Things like happiness, loneliness, emotional blackmail-in short, it is an accurate reflection of the way we live. Kondoleon has given us a play not, a telegram, and all indications are that it will give us a highly rewarding night at the theater.

Christmas on Mars is at the Cleveland Public Theater from January 25 to February 17. Call 631-2727 for reservations.

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more than 40 visitors, along with several social events. More than 100 persons attended at least one of the meals, meetings and dances that filled the schedule through Monday afternoon. A Lolly the Trolley was chartered to provide the visitors with basic sightseeing. Helpful Cleveland Gayla men, along for the ride, pointed out the gay landmarks that the driver failed to mention.

The program included a meeting on Saturday morning at the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Rocky River. There, the reunion committee recreated some of the Ferry Beach atmosphere, including trees, boardwalk, pictures and smells to provide a full sensory visualization of the 1989 summer conference. Doug Fagan, one of the reunion coordinators, provided the narration.

In addition to the rememberances of the past, four of the conference coordinators briefed the group on the plans for Gayla 1990. Later that evening, a dinner and dance was held at the First Unitarian Chrch in Shaker Heights. After some of the local Gayla talent reprised their acts, the group was treated to several songs sung by representative members of the North Coast Men's Chorus.

On Sunday morning, the group went to breakfast at a restaurant in the Flats and, following several hours of free time, got together at the West Shore UU Church again for a Country Tea Dance. That evening, two Cleveland members opened their homes for an open house,

feeding those who were still in town. From 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., 20 of the group had an enjoyable time roller skating.

Most of the visitors left between Sunday evening and Monday afternoon, carrying with them the memories and mementos of the reunion. According to Fagan, "the committee was very successful in creating a weekend where our brothers could renew their spirit in a loving and safe environment. The Cleveland people who hosted all the guests were the key to making this weekend possible. Everyone I spoke to enjoyed the chance of spending several days with someone that they may not have known very well before. The sharing and spirit of Gayla took place, which was what the reunion was all about."

The popularity of the Gayla conference filled the Ferry Beach camp to capacity in 1989, and is expected to do so again in 1990. Roger explained that, "the group grew mostly by word of mouth. We had no outside publicity last year. People who go are usually overwhelmed the first year but almost always want to come back. Of course, they tell their friends. That's how the Cleveland representation got to be so large. Word travelled fast in this community each time a group of us returned from our week in Maine."

Those interested in more information or who want to be placed on the waiting list can pick up an application at the Lesbian-Gay Community Services Center or contact Roger White at 961-1110.

A history of the Games

by K. D. Mahnal

From a shaky and humble San Francisco Castro street beginning to an exploding international venue, Celebration '90: Gay Games III and Cultural Festival will be the largest international sporting and cultural event ever held in North America. Vancouver, British Columbia will host the eight day extravaganza August 4 to 11, 1990, and anticipates 9,000 participants and 10,000 spectators.

The Gay Games were conceived by former U. S. Olympic decathlete, Dr. Tom Waddell in 1980. The first Gay Games, Challenge '82, hosted by San Francisco, drew 1,300 athletes from 179 cities for competions in 17 sports. In the midst of a confusing, hectic and very short planning period of two years plunged the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). Two weeks before the opening ceremonies the USOC obtained a court injunction to block the Games organizers from using the word Olympics. Programs, signs and souvenir items all had to have the offending word removed or blacked out. Thousands of dollars worth of merchandise had to be destroyed. Ironically, this homophobic action, which went to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1987, probably guarateed the Games a permanent place in gay and lesbian culture. "The USOC persecution drew our own community together and attracted mainstream pres interest we could have never bought." stated Dr. Waddell.

In 1982, Vancouver bid to host the 1986 Gay Games, but Dr. Waddell wanted San Francisco to host the Gay Games twice, to refine them. Vancouver, determined to host this event some day, returned from San Francisco in 1982 and formed the Metropolitan Vancouver Athletic and Arts Association (MVAAA).

The 1986 Gay Games hosted by San Francisco drew 3,482 participants from 259 cities, competing in 17 sporting events. At the closing ceremonies, Vancouver's dream was realized as Dr. Waddell presented the Games flag to the bid committee of Betty Baxter, Richard

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Dopson, Barry McDell, Bill Raymond and Mark Mees. Dr. Waddell had realized his personal dream that the Games would become international just a year before his death in 1987 of complications of AIDS.

"Boldness, rather than brains," states McDell is how Vancouver became the Games host city. "When we were preparing our bid, we knew our community was at least a generation behind San Francisco's in organizational experience, to say nothing of available money, so we simply decided what a winning proposal would contain, said we had it and went blindly ahead believing we would have four years to put everything in place," explains McDell. The MVAAA, a registered non-profit society, will be management agency for Celebration '90.

Registration is currently in progress and fees are $54 per athlete, per event; the deadline is May 31, 1990. Celebration '90 will feature 27 sporting events and numerous cultural activities. The Games cornerstone principle is one of inclusion; any person, of any age, race, ability or sex may attempt any event.

The Gay Games also offers membership in the Celebration '90 Club, an organization with over 3,000 members from 17 countries. For a minimum yearly fee of $10, members receive a quarterly newsletter and information on the Games▼

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