Page 10

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

December, 1990

Should the word queer be part of a group's name?

Conclusion of the story, begun in November's issue, of the creation of "Queer Nation" direct-action groups in many cities.

by Carrie Wofford

Taking a title like "Queer Nation" is a difficult issue for some groups particularly in cities where members of Queer Nation represent a broad spectrum of ages and political alliances. More moderate voices in the communities often oppose the use of a term which historically has been used to denigrate gay men and lesbians.

For instance, Ann Sanders, the Boston mayor's liaison to the gay and lesbian community, has come out strongly against the group's appropriation of what has traditionally been an anti-gay slur. One of the organizers of Queer Nation-Boston, Gary Daffin, was himself against the use of queer but was willing to go along with the popular senti-

ment.

"Even the big mainstream... organizations [NGLTF, GLAAD-NY, NYC Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project, Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights] have all come out in support of us," one of Queer Nation-New York's founders, Alan Klein, told us. "Some of the political caucuses, too-they've all been helpful... and supportive of the activities of Queer Nation as long as they are nonviolent." Larger organizations have in particular supported the Take Back the Night marches and anti-violence patrols.

But Alice Foley, a 58 year-old lesbian who is not part of an organization, and who has been out since the 1950's, disapproves of the group's name: "We worked real hard for years to have people not call us `queer'." In the '50's, gay bashing-including murderwas often excused because "he's just a queer, only a queer, what else do you expect with a queer". "I have no desire to go back to that. I've been there. I didn't like it." Foley worries that using such terminology gives people permission to call us queer.

In contrast, writer Warren Blumenfeld believes that "we disarm homophobes by taking away their weapons" when we use the word queer. Blumenfeld, author of Looking at Gay and Lesbian Life, and the forthcoming Backfire: How Heterosexism Harms Heterosexuals, was taunted with the word "faggot" at a recent Queer Nation demonstration.

Blumenfeld says he responded "Yes, you're right. I am." The man was stunned, he reports. Blumenfeld, who co-produced the documentary film Pink Triangles about gay men in Nazi concentration camps, explains, "We've reclaimed the pink triangle, which was the ultimate symbol of our oppression, and we've turned it around and used it as a symbol of empowerment... we're neutralizing these terms and then going beyond that by using them as terms of empowerment." Blumenfeld said that after 20 years of gay liberation work he "cried tears of total, unadulterated relief and pride and joy..." at his first Queer Nation march by purging the destructive tapes in his head which called him 'queer.'

Byron Rushing, a heterosexual Massachusetts state representative from a traditionally gay neighborhood, has been a long-time African-American civil rights activist; first in the 1960's and later with the Rainbow Coalition. Rushing observes that minority groups are constantly changing their names as a way of maintaining an upper hand. He points to the switch from Negro to black, a word which had negative connotations in the 1960's and then to African-American in more recent years, to support the notion that members of oppressed groups need to have some control over their names, and therefore, their treatment.

At many college campuses the word queer is enjoying increasing popularity, particularly at schools like University of CaliforniaSanta Cruz, where "queer is the word, basically," replacing gay-lesbian, reports student Cate Corcoran, who has facilitated meetings of Queer Nation-San Francisco. For some younger activists, queer seems to incorporate their diversity as many come out as bisexual or transgender. In contrast to older city groups, bisexual has been incorporated into

the title of most campus gay and lesbian groups as well.

This may incorporate a growing trend towards radicalism among young people who face a less exclusionary world as the obstacles to coming out are being cleared by older activists. This trend was witnessed this summer at the New Pacific Academy in San Francisco, the first school for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender activists under the age of 30, people who used queer and other inclusive terms (like LesBiGay), and who took for granted that street activism would be the most reasonable course for highlighting racism in Castro bars and exclusion of gay men and lesbians at the Sixth International AIDS Conference.

Surely, also, a trend towards radicalism is demonstrated by the increasing numbers of "twenty-something" people creating Queer Nation chapters across the country and doubling membership rosters of ACT-UP.

Queer Nation-Providence remained nameless for nearly two months while debating the queer title, even as they continued meeting and demonstrating against state congressional representatives who had voted against a recently defeated gay rights bill. According to member Richard Bradley, the decision to adopt the name of "Queer Nation" came about when those who opposed the name (and had even opposed discussions on using the name) were swayed by a Village Voice cover story on Queer Nation-New York, and by reports of Queer Nation-Boston.

Philadelphians chose to take on a new name, "Queer Action," following concerns from about half its membership that the Queer Nation name "resonates like other kinds of nationalisms." Philadelphians also wanted an independent identity. Although for weeks. members tossed around a number of different names, queer was always a part of the name. Member Ted Faigle reports that the name Queer Action was finally chosen because it would sufficiently resemble Queer Nation enough to grant them name recognition from the media and public.

Internal Divisions

Queer Nation is beginning to encounter rough times as different cities try to create their own decision-making processes. Internal divisions have surfaced already in most of the groups, as individuals with differing interests attempt to unify.

Ego seems to have sprung up only in Philadelphia, where one individual has spoken for the group-stating as fact ideas and opinions which the rest of the group had never discussed. David Gurst wrote letters to Au Courant and Outweek on behalf of Queer NationPhiladelphia without the group's knowledge

or consent.

Gurst announced a July 4, 1991 "Convention of Queer Nation" in Philadelphia, and declared that the group operated under "13 Colonies" of actions, including joining the Republican Party and conservative churches. In an August 28 discussion on "Who Sets the Agenda?," members of Queer Nation described Gurst's ideas as "bizarre," and his actions as out of line.

"It's tough getting an agreement," acknowledges Bill Bradley of Providence, where the 25 members have disagreed over such issues as where to meet (some members are adamantly against meeting in a bar which has offered them space); the nature of the group, including whether to focus exclusively on fighting for a gay rights law; and how confrontational to be "half [the members] don't want to be associated with [the actions of] ACT UP... [like] destroy[ing] billboards."

People have walked out of meetings, but so far Providence has been able to reach agreement on all of their actions. Using a very informal process, they continue discussion until they agree. "When all else fails we get a consensus on whether to put it to a vote." Similar situations prevail in Philadelphia and Los Angeles, where small size and unstructured meetings allow for everyone to express an opinion and arrive at some agreement, without the necessity for strict votes or consented decisions. It may be easier, however, for a group of 20-25 to spend time discussing

individual ideas until they agree than it is for groups the size of Boston and San Francisco, where hundreds of people cannot each have time to speak.

In Boston and San Francisco, members continuously express frustration with the amount of time spent in discussions of issues as opposed to the planning of actions, and there is widespread disagreement over how to conduct meetings and how to define what the group's purpose should be.

Meetings in San Francisco have at times seemed paralyzed by tense discussion over process and issues, although their actions continue to be successful and well-attended. Whereas in Philadelphia, members agreed that they would be able "to come to an easy agreement about how to run the group (consensus vs. majority vote)," a proposal that San Francisco operate by consensus ended with only eight of the full 150 members remaining in their fifth week. While those eight decided the group ought to run by consensus, others left to march through Castro Street following an attack on one of their members.

"If somebody had done something it [the attack] wouldn't have happened. All these people left frustrated. All these new people were disillusioned," said Miguel Gutierrez, the person who interrupted the meeting to announce the Castro Street march.

The following week's meeting, however, with the consensus process in place, seemed over-structured to some. When a new member asked what "transgender" meant, he was told that questions were not allowed at that point in the meeting. An argument ensued with some calling for less rigidity, and others calling for "the process" to be followed. Further proposals were offered-including one that every disbursement of $25 or more must have consensus-but were blocked or vetoed in the consensus process.

San Francisco seemed mired in their new process as disagreements over specifics of a proposed anti-violence march led to the blocking of even an endorsement of the idea of the march. "I don't want to see Queer Nation die because of fucking process," said Gutierrez, who is involved in the anti-violence group.

However, San Francisco differs from other cities which have suffered similar divisiveness

such as Boston-in that actions continue to take place at least weekly, and in recent weeks, tensions appear to have eased. The last meeting of San Francisco was "very smooth, organized, empowering, and fun. Can you believe it?" asks Kelly Dermody, who had called for the formation of Queer Nation-Oakland/Berkeley in order to escape San Francisco's problems.

QUEER NATION: DEAD ON ARRIVAL announced a flyer handed out at Boston's September 5 meeting. In it, individuals calling themselves Direct Action Queers United To Defeat Obstructionist Process Sissies call the meetings "Boston's premier direct inaction organization," because of the "self-help" style discussions on coming out and sexism, and because the meetings were overrun by "process queens and lesbos" who should "get the fuck out."

Other activists, primarily lesbian feminists, feel there is not enough discussion on sexism. These women, as well as some men, met outside the group to discuss the underlying tensions over how militant to be and the "hideous tone" in the room which they called "gender-based," where men yelled at women in tense discussions. They will make specific proposals to the group to set aside time for discussions, such as a timed fishbowl discussion, where the whole group watches a few people hash out the issues.

This tension over consciousness-raising versus action is not new to Boston, where other queer groups, such as ACT OUT were known for long hours of battling over sensitivities. One of the women admitted that "I don't want [Queer Nation] to be about direct action. I define success as having a process to educate ourselves."

Indeed, in contrast to other cities, Boston has had very few actions, with only the Queer Art Brigade regularly visiting straight bars and plastering the city with graphic images of gay and lesbian sex acts. Rather than mirroring New York's 'working groups' for specific

actions, Boston has created a confusing network of committees: the "visibility comm tee" has been meeting to "define how to be different from the demonstrations committee." Attendance at Boston meetings dropped from nearly 300 people to just 61 in six weeks.

Part of the problem is that Boston does not yet have a way to make decisions. The "proc ess committee" has been meeting for near two months over whether to make decisions by majority-vote or consensus. Once that committee reaches an agreement, the larger group then would also have to come to some agreement or vote.

Looser structures bypass problem

New York and Toronto-the only other groups of equivalent size to Boston and San Francisco-have not had such difficulties.

"People vote with their feet," explains Queer Nation-New York founder Alan Klein Actions are not approved or endorsed by the group at large. Rather, people either go to an action or not depending on whether they agree or disagree with it. Toronto also oper ates without a veto power over actions and with majority votes on subjects like their

name.

New York and Toronto have avoided decisions such as whether to incorporate, or to get a bank account for their income from t-shirts Instead, they have "been able to do every thing guerrilla-like" so far, according to Klein. Additionally, when Queer Nation meets (only twice a month in New York) they focus on actions-past, present and futurewith little time for other issues.

"I'm impressed with the way people wer really sticking together-listening respect fully," member Janis Purdy said of their sec ond public meeting of September 10, at tended by 140 people. "The meeting went so smoothly, [and] we agreed on very major issues. We were just all on the same wavelength and ready to go."

On September 5, New York passed by a majority vote a procedure for meetings to incorporate both those who want discussions and those who do not. Any discussion on at action or a process is limited to 15 minutes with time extended only by a vote. Klein suggested that New York's "fast pace" as well as their "fear [that] the floor would veto more radical actions" led to their action orientation. For instance, a vote to meet on Rosh Hashanah led not to a long discussion over cultural sensitivity, but to the formation of a Jewish group which hopes to educate. Queer Nation in the future.

STONEWALL RIOTS

Meetings run smoothly, with individuals standing up to suggest a direct action they are planning (such as demonstrating at the Canadian Embassy or having a picnic as visibly queer people at a conservative religious group's gathering), and then the room divides up, as people choose which action to work on. Although volunteers facilitate the group by passing microphones around, there is no one in charge of the group; no action can be stopped by the group, and individuals can do almost anything they want in the name of Queer Nation.

Klein explains, "We wanted a [structure] where everyone had an equal amount of individual initiative." This was partly in reaction to the bureaucracy of committees which he and others experienced as ACT UP members. Klein feels that with a decentralized power base more people are coming forward as organizers and that people "are not burning out as fast."

A Queer Nation clearing house

New York is also coordinating a contact list of Queer Nation chapters across the country, serving as a sort of clearing house. For Mike Snell, who is still trying to found a Detroit chapter of Queer Nation, notice of phone "zaps" run by other cities is as close as he and his group have come to direct action. Snell praised the coordination, "In a real quick manner, [they can] mobilize us" all over the country.

"This is possibly the most exciting thing since activism started with AIDS. I can't believe it. It's great!" said Klein. "I think this movement will grow and is growing incredibly fast. It's definitely struck a nerve." Regarding the differing shapes Queer Nation is taking in San Francisco, Boston, and Philadelphia, Klein offered, "it really is something that will grow in a grassroots manner, and, like ACT UP, will have local flavors... but the issues across the country are extremely similar."

A group calling itself Outraged has formed in London, England. Organizer Keith Alcorn attended the original New York meetings in April, and brought back many of the Queer Nation ideas and philosophies. Klein of New York reports that Outraged is intentionally organized very much like Queer Nation-New York, with a similar mission of fighting homophobia and lesbian and gay invisibility through direct action.

Klein concludes, "this new wave, combined with ACT UP is really going to give us a lot of power."▼

THE LESBIAN GENE

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Awards

Continued from page 2

tees, moral support, allowing me to bounce ideas off him, and for all those talks over split orders of fried mozzarella.

Doug Braun-interpreting for the hearing impaired at North Coast Men's Chorus concerts and the Pride celebrations one more time. And, for helping me put last-minute Pride '90 plans into action. Jerry Szoka-GayWaves engineering, D.J.-ing at Pride '89 and '90, work with the AIDS Housing Council, and putting up with my own brand of perfectionism. Jeri Zabarauskas-work on the Pride '89 and '90 Committees, Hotline work, and general community support, and for nudging me when it was time to shut my mouth wish she'd been around for that more often. Tom David Gianfagna-trail blazing, work with the GEAR Foundation and Eleanor Roosevelt Gay Political Club. Promoting a new consciousness by example.

Frances Dostal-staffing the "Frist Aid" (that's what the sign said) table at Pride '89 in the hot sun as if it were the best seat in the house, local organizing for the 1987 March on Washington, general community support, and holding and spreading around her uplifting attitude. Bob Laycock-GayWaves engineering, interviewing and organizing. Work with the Community Service Center, work with the Pride '89 and '90 Committees, convincing me I was wrong when I was wrong; for being steady, supportive, and calm. It is not true that we occasionally hold a mirror to his mouth to check for breathing.

Linda Malicki-former owner and operator of Another State of Mind Books (now of Nashville, Tennessee) for producing the first community business fair, and for having the nerve to laugh at me and then having the kindness to find a way to hide it. (It is the thought that

Page 11

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE John Beres education work with Health Issues Taskforce, Pride '90 committee work, sharing information, expertise, and complaining with me on cue, and for that double scotch just before I did not pull all my hair out. It is falling out quite nicely on its own, thank you. Zak Haley-work with Dancin' in the Streets, and for saying to me "Do you really think..." thus giving me the opportunity to expound. Jim Flynn-he know what for, as does Zak.

December, 1990 counts.) And, for being supportive, sharing, and a great guest. Jim Price (of Black and White Men Together) for general community work, organizing for the 1987 March on Washington, a lot of other stuff, and for never running out of something to sayand because of it imparting some valuable information. (I can't read everything, you know.) David Lansaw-Pride '89 and '90 ComImittee work, sharing his thought and matching sarcasm, and for not decking me when I thoughtlessly made cracks about Indiana.

Liz P.-Pride '89 Committee work, and work with Oven Productions, and for patiently explaining to me one-moretime.

Wade of the North Coast Men's Chorusfor work on Radio Free Lambda and consulting on GayWaves, and laughing at the dumb story and letting me play with his ponytail in public (nothing to be read into this). Doug Van Auken-unwittingly supporting me at a time when I very much needed it, and for his work with the State Advisory Committee on Gay and Lesbian Issues, and for feeding information to GayWaves. Keith Wigman-Pride '90 Committee work, and for supporting me in my belief that I am not crazy. Jerry Zak (Rita Del Rey)-general community support, benefit performance, for being the first performer to agree to appear at Pride '89 even though he did not know what he was getting into and assuming that I did. Linus Herrell-the late owner of Body

Language, for underwriting GayWaves, general community support, for the most interesting game of Trivial Pursuit that I have ever played, teaching me a few things, and being a wonderful GayWaves guest. A lot has been said by a lot of people. I am just happy that I said these things to him and not as an afterthought in a newspaper.

Susan Schnur-Pride '89 and '90 committee work, 1987 March on Washington organizing, for some interesting times at several marches and street demonstrations, and for liking my tofu and greenpea casserole (sometimes I wonder about her), and for believing. Bob Barnes formerly the executive director of Health Issues Taskforce-for making me aware.

Judy Constant-organizing for the 1987

March on Washington, being good company at other marches, public "yoitching" and attempting to set fire to a counter-protester's banner at the 1987 Columbus march. She has promised to let me know in advance the next time she does this so that I can get it on film. What are ya doing this June, Judy?

This is not an all-inclusive list of people who are deserving. Some may have been missed, but not through malice.

If any of the people who received my award feel that I have omitted some of their accomplishments or think that they have produced bigger things that I mentioned, please realize that I did not set out to write biographies. I could only have so much room in this newspaper, and that sooner or later you would have found out that I don't know everything anyway. One can only attempt to perpetuate an illusion.

Drew Cari was co-chair of the Pride '89 and '90 committees, and coproducer of GayWaves from 1985 to 1989. ▼

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