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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE March, 1990

The Book Store

by Bob Downing

What comes to mind when you hear "gay bookstore"? I am often surprised at the knowing smiles or raised eyebrows when I say, "The first place I head in a new city is the gay bookstore". I'm sure my old friends have visions of a gaudily lit place with sticky floors, which is raided from time to time. Gay literature has come a long way from the time when it was only available in "adult" bookstores.

New York and San Francisco have had gay bookstores for 20 years or more. Most large cities in the U.S. now have establishments that feature exclusively gay literature: Oscar Wilde Memorial

Book Shop in New York, Walt Whitman in San Francisco, the Unabridged Bookstore in Chicago, Lambda Rising in Washington, D.C., Glad Day in Toronto and Chosen Books in Detroit.

In Cleveland we have two book stores where good gay literature is available. Body Language, and the West 25th Street Bookstore. Both have a good selection of gay reading and can order any book you wish from the smaller gay publishing houses.

From time to time I would like to tell you about some of the books that are available. I tend to be an indiscriminate reader, I like most everything I read. If I do not like it I figure I must not understand it and that some one else will.

YOUR PERSONAL SPACE

by Antone Feo

Female Sexual Disorders

Albeit women are just as likely to develop a sexual disorder as men, they are less apt to seek professional assistance. This may be a result of our society teaching them to assume a victim's role or they may believe that nothing can be done to rectify their situation. Others may deny that a problem exists, or they may be too embarrassed to talk to their doctor or they may attempt to minimize the importance of their sexual feelings or lack thereof.

Some women suffer from a sexual disorder which inhibits their desire to engage in any form of sexual activity. These women report that they do not have fantasies, thoughts or sexual desires. Similar to the above, some women have a complete aversion or avoidance of any type of genital sexual contact with a sexual partner.

Women with a sexual desire disorder typically lack sexual feelings and have a low or non-existent desire to engage in sexual activity. Others experience sexual activity as a "womanly chore," an ordeal one must endure in silence. Still others find the prospect of engaging in sexual activity disgusting, repulsive and dirty. Most of these women are unable to reach

an orgasm.

Women with this disorder frequently are not interested in changing their situa-

tion and seldom present themselves for treatment. Typically, their mate or significant other recognizes that a problem exists and requests more intimacy. Arguments generally ensue and promises to increase sexual activity are made. Without professional intervention, these promises are often short-lived and the basic problem soon returns. Parenthetically, many women with this disorder have experienced some form of sexual abuse or incest. In response to same, they attempt to disown or block out feelings associated with their genitalia, sexual feelings and fantasies.

Some women have sexual desires but have difficulties maintaining a high state of arousal. Characteristically, they are unable to attain or maintain the lubrication-swelling response of sexual excitement until completion of the sexual activity. Or they may not be able to experience a sense of sexual excitement and pleasure during sexual activity. These women experience pain and discomfort at any attempts at sexual activity.

Research has estimated that approximately 15 percent of all women have never achieved an orgasm. Support for this figure is obtained from the fact that Inhibited Female Orgasm is the most often presented complaint by women seeking professional assistance.

An orgasm is a bodily reflex similar to a knee jerk or the blinking of the eye lid. With the proper type of stimulation and the correct environment an orgasm should be easily attained. If no physical

Therefore I will try not to critically review these publications but just tell you what they are about and the names of the author and publisher so you can order them and do your own critique.

One young author, Larry Duplechan, has published two books. His first is Eight Days a Week, published in 1985 by Alyson Publications. This is a very funny book, fast moving and quotes heavily from the lyrics of '60s music. This book is a very readable gay love story. Duplechan's second novel, Blackbird, was published in 1986 by St. Martins press in their "Stonewall Inn Edition" series. It is just as funny and readable as Eight Days; a coming out story of a young black man in the South in the early '80s.

problem exists, the etiology of this disorder is oftentimes psychological in nature. A woman can inhibit her sexual reflex by trying too hard to attain same. The harder she tries, the more difficult the task becomes. The act which was originally designed to produce pleasure, is now a chore requiring work.

Other factors which may interfere with the female orgasm include inadequate stimulation, fatigue, poor health, and unresolved sexual conflicts. Some psychological states such as depression, anxiety, fear or tension can disturb this process. A woman may believe that only men should have an orgasm, or they experience guilt and embarrassment associated with their body. Some women do not climax because they fear that they will lose control over their body or they do not trust their partner.

Some women attempt to rectify their problem by faking an orgasm. For the moment they appear "normal" to their partner but the facade is short-lived. Soon she may become angry and resentful at her partner and dissatisfied with her own self. Because relationships survive in an honest environment, such dishonest acts erode any attempt for future relationship growth. The relationship is doomed to suffer.

A woman wishing to change this pattern of behavior must first get to know her own body and recognize her own sexual needs and desires. She must learn what forms of stimulation and fantasies give her the most pleasure. After she

A new publisher, Amethyst Press, has released their first two books. One, titled Music I Never Dreamed Of, is a well written, believable story by John Gilgun. Gilgun has written in the James White Review and in On The Line. This story is about an Irish Catholic youth coming to grips with his sexuality in the McCarthy era in the early '50s. It looks like it may be somewhat autobiographical. Great cover picture, although not, perhaps, for the coffee table. The second release by Amethyst is Horse and Other Stories. This is a collection of short stories by Bo Huston. Huston is a columnist for the San Francisco Bay Times. I am looking forward to more good reading from Amethyst. ▼

becomes comfortable with her own body, she then can sit her partner down and explain that she has been faking an orgasm. In the process she can tell her partner what she finds to be erotic and what is not.

Women may suffer from sexual pain disorders. That is, recurrent or persistent genital pain before, during or after sexual intercourse. Vaginismus is another pain disorder where the woman experiences recurrent or persistent_involuntary spasm of the musculature of the outer third of the vagina. This process interferes with any attempt at penetration.

If you suffer from any one of the above stated sexual disorders, there may be help for you. It is important that you speak honestly and frankly to your significant other or partner. This approach should enhance your relationship and create a building block for future personal and relationship growth. Do not let embarrassment or fear deprive you of learning to love yourself fully.

Once you have completed the above, you may wish to discuss your problems with your physician or gynecologist. If there are no physical problems, you may wish to seek the services of a therapist who specializes in homosexual relationships and sexual disorders. Such an individual can help you learn about your sexual needs and wants. They should help you unblock your process, resolve dysfunctional behavior and teach you new skills ▼

LESBIAN GAY Community

Service Center

OF GREATER CLE

This space has been donated to the Center by the Chronicle, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Chronicle staff or management.

by Robert Laycock

Membership Meeting. Anti-gay restrictions on artistic expression will be the topic of a forum at the Center's General Membership Meeting Tuesday March 6, at 7:30 p.m. "Culture Shock: Gagging Lesbian-Gay Art" will discuss government funding restrictions on the National Endowment of the Arts, initiated by rabid homophobe Senator Jesse Helms. Speakers will include representatives of Cleveland's artistic organizations and institutions.

The meeting will include reports on current Center activities and several bylaw changes will be proposed. There will be a 50/50 Raffle, door prizes, and refreshments, too. Everyone is welcome,

so come on down!

Living Room. The Living Room continues to offer the popular Art Expression program every Monday from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Massage continues also every Wednesday from 3:00-8:00 p.m., with a licensed massotherapist. Call the Living Room at 522-1998 for more information.

HIV/AIDS drug trials. The Living

Room has information available on current and upcoming drug trials for AIDS and HIV. Call or drop in anytime Monday through Friday from noon to 8:00 p.m., or Saturday between noon and 4:00 p.m.

True Love. Our thanks go to Kyle at the Surprise Floral & Gift Gallery at 10001 Denison Ave. Kyle has donated $5.00 to the Living Room for every dozen Valentine's Day roses sold.

Men in Touch. The next Men In Touch group meeting will begin with an open introductory session Tuesday, March 20, at 7:00 p.m. in the Living Room. Over 50 men have now participated in this popular program exploring male intimacy, sexuality and

communication. The group will meet for six weeks and will be limited to the same participants for this period.

March 20 is an open sign-up session, however, so if you're interested, just stop by and join us.

Gay Comics. Our Resource Center now has the comic book series for lesbian-gay youth, Tales of the Closet. The first four editions are available for $1.00 cach. The books are produced by the Hetrick-Martin Institute.

Speaking Out. The Center has been busy speaking out on homophobia and gay rights. Aubrey Wertheim, Bob Boone and Martha Pontoni appeared on WWWE-AM radio January 17. Only two non-fundamentalists called in during the talk show!

Dolores Noll and this writer, Bob Laycock, appeared on WFUN-AM radio in Asthabula County on January 31. This broadcast followed an earlier appearance by anti-gay Congressman William Dannemeyer hawking his homophobic book, Shadow in the Land: Homosexuality in America. Dannemeyer had refused to appear with us on-the-air at the same time.

Wertheim and Loretta Mikolaj of the ACLU spoke in February on anti-gay discrimination to 250 kids at Fairmount Temple.

It's A Stage. The Center's monthly sing-a-longs continue Saturday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m. This month we will sing the scores of Gypsy and Annie Get Your Gun. If you enjoy singing in the shower, you'll find this a lot more fun. And, the piano doesn't get as wet! Join us!

Body Language. The Center wants to thank Linus at Body Language for his donation of 15 folding chairs to the Center. We needed them! The Friday Night Raps and other meetings at the Center are getting larger and larger.

Lavender Elephant Sale. The Center will hold its second Lavender Elephant Sale during Pride '90 this year on June 16. We need volunteers now to price and organize stuff, we also need any donations of items you may have for the sale. Call the Center.

Help! It's not that we're messy, you understand, but we really could use some help cleaning up around the Center. If you're into dirt, give us a call. ▼