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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE April, 1990

April, 1990

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE Page 11

9th lesbian-gay conference April 28

The Kent Gay-Lesbian Foundation is hosting the Ninth Annual All-Ohio Lesbian-Gay Conference at the Kent State Student Center Saturday, April 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The conference features nine. separate workshops (see below) and New York author Sarah Schulman as the guest luncheon speaker.

Though this is the first year KGLF is offering the All-Ohio Conference, it isn't

Kent spring conference. Acto Dolores Noll, KGLF faculty advisor from 1972 to 1986, the spring conference was established informally in 1972 with the appearances on campus of Barbara Gittings and Frank Kameny, two pioneers of the movement.

again next year, said Lori King, this year's conference co-ordinator and coprogram director of KGLF.

She said this is the first year that KGLF will offer pre-registration and a buffet lunch (see registration information).

"Lesbian and gay activists, artists, educators and sympathizers from all over Ohio are offering their expertise and experiences as conference panelists which appeal to a variety of tastes," King said. "Many of us have concerns, ques-

Other guest speakers have included tions, hopes and experiences to share. I strongly urge you to consider being a part of this monumental day."

Howard Brown, founder of the National Gay Task Force (and a native of Ravenna), Bruce Voeller, Jean O'Leary, and Ginny Vida, also of NGTF; Karla Jay, Rita Mae Brown and Brian McNaught, who is speaking at Kent State April 26 (see story this page).

Case Western Reserve University has been sponsoring the All-Ohio conferences since 1981 and is expected to host it

Panelists will be featured in the conference program at the registration desk the day of the conference.▼

The 9th Annual All Ohio Gay Lesbian Conference

Faith in the Future

Kent State to celebrate

Gay Heritage Week

A spectacular celebration of gay heritage is expected to bring hundreds of Ohioans to Kent State University during Gay Heritage Week, April 23 through 28. The Kent Gay Lesbian Foundation is hosting national speakers, an all-campus variety show, a gay heritage rally at the plaza of the Student Center, and the AllOhio Lesbian-Gay Conference.

"Our goal for the week is to inform the KSU community of the history and culture of lesbians and gays, as well as educate all non-gay students," explained Michael McKee, co-program director of KGLF. "We want to highlight the impact lesbians and gays have on American culture, and what we have contributed."

Members of KGLF plan to chalk the campus Sunday evening April 22 with lesbian and gay historical names and pink triangles, and paint the "Rock" in an effort to get people thinking about what's going on and to introduce the topic of gay heritage week. McKee said, "We want to get people asking questions, then we'll have the answer.".

Another facet of education featured that week will involve the Daily Kent Stater newspaper, which will run factual blurbs about lesbian and gay heritage throughout the week. The blurbs will focus on the history of pink triangles, the Stonewall riots, and the beginning of gay liberation.

The other events include:

Wednesday, April 21: Heritage. Speakers Rally, Noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Student Center Plaza Thursday, April 22: Brian McNaught presentation at the Student Services Center Auditorium, 8:00 p.m. Free

to everyone.

Friday, April 23: Gay Heritage Variety Show, Kent State Rathskeller, (basement floor of student center) 8:00 p.m.-midnight (Live band beginning at 10:00 p.m.) Saturday, April 24: The Ninth Annual All-Ohio Lesbian-Gay Conference, KSU Student Center, third floor, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. $10 for students, $15 for non-students (sliding scale). Registration includes lunch buffet.

One hope of the KGLF officers is that the week will help unhappy, closeted gays come out of the closet within themselves, along with affirming that homosexuals can be happy, productive and successful, according to Lori King, the other co-program director for KGLF.

"Since I have been totally out of the closet, I have become so outgoing and productive, because I have removed those undeserving hurdles the straight society seems to keep putting up," she said.

"I want to prove to apathetic people that education and believing in a cause can do positive things for themselves and the rest of the gay community," King added. "It'll take more than one or two brave, desperate souls to change the oppressed world we're living in. I hope to meet hundreds the week of April 23 through 28."

For more information, contact the KGLF office at 216-672-2068.▼

Sarah Schulman to speak at conference

Sarah Schulman

Manhattan resident Sarah Schulman is an appropriate speaker for the Ninth Annual All-Ohio Lesbian-Gay Conference, not only because she has written four books, ranging from detective story to hopelessness and AIDS, but because she is an aspiring political figure.

Her books include The Sophie Horowitz Story; Girls, Visions, and Everything After Delores; and her most recent book, published by E.P. Dutton, People in Trouble.

From the beginning, Schulman says, the point of writing has been to illuminate levels of social complexity and to show what's real, in defiance of the way certain realities are not supposed to be discussed in polite society-what she calls "the known fact masquerading as a

secret."

People in Trouble features an artist named Kate, her husband Peter, and her lover Molly, but they aren't alone. In Schulman's New York City, people in trouble face hopelessness, poverty and drug addiction; they face AIDS, persecution, and death; they face-or. deny their own failures to develop a

meaningful response to the suffering around them.

Through Schulman's experiences of working with Womannews and writing and producing plays with actress Robin Epstein, and growing up in Greenwich Village and the Upper East Side, she will bring to the conference a fresh look at truth, politics and art.

She will speak at the Kent State Student Center Hub at 1:45 p.m. on the day of the conference, and will also be a panelist on the Gays in Arts workshop at

noon.

Schulman said she is looking forward to speaking at Kent State because of the changes gay and lesbian student activists have struggled for since she graduated from college 11 years ago.

"Certainly any political activism for lesbian and gay rights then was done underground," she recalled. "It's a big change-to get funding to build a political movement on campus. And it's only because so many students have been out on campus that those changes have been made."▼

The Ninth Annual All-Ohio Lesbian Gay Spring Conference

April 28, 1990

Registration

310 Lounge 9:00 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.

Opening Remarks

KSU Hub 9:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Pride 90 Kick-off

KSU Hub 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Family Concerns

Love, commitment, adoption, marriage. These are some of the topics to be discussed emotionally, and legally, in this often-neglected aspect of our lives. Room 317, 10:40 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.

People of Color

There is no doubting the pathetic division between gays and straights, and black and white. In this workshop, people of color unite and reach out to all races, colors, cultures and orientations. Room 313, 10:40 a.m. to 11:50 a.m.

Gays in the Arts

Needing positive outlets to express ourselves, homosexuals have always

been deeply rooted into the art world: film makers, painters, writers, actors, and the list goes on... Meet some of the people who have ventured into their own creative world. Room 317, Noon to 1:10 p.m.

Rules of Religion

Religion seems to be the most powerful and detrimental force used against the gay community to evoke guilt, shame and change. Learn the truth about the homosexual references in the Bible and

the endless individual interpretations of those references, from qualified ministers and religious experts. Room 313, Noon to 1:10 p.m.

Lunch

KSU Hub 1:15 to 1:45 p.m.

Sarah Schulman Guest Speaker

KSU Hub 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.

Military Matters

Every branch of the Armed Forces of the United States bars homosexuals from its ranks, ROTC included. Learn about the most famous court battles nationwide, and what ROTC is deservedly facing. 3:00 to 4:10 p.m.

Brian McNaught to speak at Kent

Brian McNaught

Renowned author, lecturer and educator Brian McNaught will be speaking at the Kent State Student Services auditorium on Thursday, April 26, at 8:00 p.m. McNaught has written the book On Being Gay-Thoughts on Family, Faith, and Love. He is also the subject of a critically acclaimed video, A Conversation with Brian McNaught-On Being Gay.

He is an educational consultant, certified by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists, and has lectured at more than 30 colleges and universities. McNaught also served as the Mayor of Boston's Liaison to the Gay and Lesbian Community from 1984 to 1984.

McNaught said he is looking forward to coming to Kent State because of the opportunity to work with the Student Life administrators, to raise the consciousness of lesbians and gays, and to reach out to heterosexual audience's who are so often uncomfortable with homosexuality.

He has written a syndicated column in the gay press for 12 years, and authored

articles for numerous publications. The Catholic Press Association recognized his journalistic skills when it presented McNaught with its award for Best Magazine Article of the Year.

The lectures given by McNaught are geared towards both homosexuals and heterosexuals, discussing society's attitudes toward the gay community. Often he addresses the difficulties faced by young people who choose to come out and possibly lose family support in their struggle for acceptance. According to the educator, "Like other forms of prejudice, negative feelings about homosexuality tend to be replaced with acceptance and comfort when we have the opportunity to get the facts and to make a personal connection." McNaught points out to his audiences that, "sometimes, strong negative feelings about homosexuality result from us not being sure about our own sexuality. This changes as we get to know, accept and trust our feelings. Then, the way other people live their lives doesn't seem to pose such a threat."

McNaught last spoke at Kent State five years ago, during the construction of the gymnasium annex on the site where the four students were killed on May 4, 1970. Now, he will be on campus during the construction of the May 4 Memorial by Taylor Hall.

"Kent State was in the limelight when I graduated from college in 1970," he recalled. "Personally, it was a heavy experience because I was also a student protesting war in Vietnam. For everyone my age, Kent is significant in our lives. It's something we will always remember."▼

Registrant #1

Name. Address

Phone

Registrant #2

Name

Address

Phone.

Bisexuality

Are bisexuals "caught" in the middle between attractions to men and women, or is this misunderstood orientation genuinely able to love both genders? These questions will be addressed in the workshop. 3:00 to 4:10 p.m.

Student Activism

Students play major roles in making positive changes in our oppressed society, as future leaders, litigators, activists, lobbyists. In this workshop, students will share their achievements, hopes, dreams and goals to make our country closer to a coexistent society. Room 317, 4:20 to 5:30 p.m.

Pride 90 Kickoff

The Kent Gay Lesbian Foundation is proud to present this 30 minute kick-off of the Lesbian-Gay Pride '90 campaign drive. Meet the leaders behind the scenes and catch the spirit!

(This workshop will immediately follow the conference opening address in the Hub at 10:00 a.m., and is open to all conference participants).

-Pre-Registration_ Pre-Registration Deadline April 23, 1990

Registration

A) Conference Registration Student w/ Valid ID..........$10.00 Without Lunch..........$5.00 Non-Students: $15.00 Sliding Scale ($10.00 Minimum)

B) Check One of the Following OL will attend, please reserve my lunch

I will attend, but will not have lunch

I will not attend but can contribute

C) Total Amount included

Make checks Payable to:

Kent Gay/Lesbian Foundation Box 17 Kent Student Center Kent State University Kent, Ohio 44242