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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Lesbian Conference

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national organization. Asked what the organization will be, conference coordinator Mary Lu Lewis shrugs. "I don't know. Deciding that is the purpose of the conference." The only expectation Lewis admits to is that it will be an advocacy organization. "It's a very, very exciting notion, having an advocacy organization around lesbian issues. The visibility will improve our opportunities for increasing our civil rights."

Is it true that the performers will not be paid? What about presenters and other conference workers?

Performers, speakers and presenters at the conference will not be paid. NLC explains this in a press release, saying that this decision was based on principles that "prescribe a forum where all lesbians are equal, where the contributions we have for each other's lives are not measured by the standards of an hierarchical, classist society."

Crone says this was not always the plan. She explains that, in part, this decision was a result of the commitment to make all NLC events free to registered participants. Crone hopes that, in lieu of paying performers, "the showcase will encourage lesbians who are seeking national exposure to take part."

"We definitely will not have any stars," says Lewis, adding that the conference will draw "lesbians who are excited about having a national stage to perform on, rather than women with name recognition. But then entertainment is not our real focus."

More than 30 performers sent press packets and tapes to conference organizers, but most have not yet responded after their follow-up contact-which included the information that performers were not being paid.

What is the conference budget? How much has been raised so far? How many women are expected to attend, and how many have registered so far?

The total projected budget for the conference is $470,000. According conference fund-raiser Bridget Collins, a little over $100,000 has been raised in the past two years. She says, "We are looking for $360,000 from registration fees."

Conference organizers orginally projected that 5,000 women would attend, but that number has been officially reduced to 3,000. Not everyone agrees. "I think they will be surprised. More than 5,000 will attend," says Collins. She bases her optimism on the response, so far, from lesbians with disabilities. These women, who must plan ahead, have already made housing reservations in numbers greater than anticipated.

As of early March, about 500 women had registered for the conference.

Talk on the street says that the decision not to pay performers results from fundraising difficulties. Is there a chance the conference will not be held?

Lewis and Collins both resoundingly assert that the conference will take place.

April, 1991

"We are looking at possibilities for cutting down on some of the location and space costs," Lewis says. Organizers also recognize that cost will be one of the most difficult areas for lesbians attending the conference, especially those coming from other cities.

How have the fund-raising programsDollar-a-Dyke and Brothers for Sistersdone so far?

According to Collins, Dollar-a-Dyke has only raised a few hundred dollars, but "it has been fun." The NLC office has received single dollar bills with notes from rural towns all over the country, "where you know there is one lesbian who has heard about the conference." There is a Bahamian dollar that can't be spent tacked to the bulletin board in the office; it is nonetheless appreciated, she says.

Brothers for Sisters has been a little more successful (but then gay men aren't saving up to pay the registration fee). “Gay men have been very generous," says Collins, adding that, in Birmingham, Ala., a group of female impersonators did a drag show and donated the proceeds. The exact amount raised? Not available.

How will NLC organizers make the conference a safe place for all lesbians to explore our diversities? Will we feel accepted for our differences, or will some of us be made to feel that we are not "politically correct" enough? Is the conference going overboard to be inclusive?

Lewis admits that "the concept of inclusivity seems to almost breed exclusiveness." But Lewis and Crone both insist that the conference can only be as diverse and effective as the lesbians who attend.

As Crone suggested, "If they're eating white flour and sugar, then they should bring a banner saying so and create a space for women who eat white flour and sugar." The point Lewis and Crone both stress is that all lesbians are encouraged to participate and make the conference their own.

What about the sacrifices some of us are being asked to make? How serious is environmental illness, and why shouldn't I wear my perfume, or smoke, or drink at the conference?

"The conference has taken upon itself the concern to provide as much safety for lesbians with disabilities as possible, with the hope that other lesbians will be willing to accommodate for this period of time,' says Lewis.

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She and other conference organizers reiterate that lesbians with disabilities have typically been excluded, whether intentionally or not, by the "temporarily

able-bodied."

Concerns about extreme physical reactions to chemicals in the air came up at the March on Washington. "Because of the march being outdoors, many were able to get involved in activism for the first time," says Lewis.

Following the march, lesbians living with environmental illness were involved in the planning stages of this conference. Organizers are particularly proud that lesbians are on the forefront of dealing with this issue. "One goal of the conference is

education," Lewis emphasizes.

How will the conference support lesbians in practical ways, specifically on issues like lesbian mothers, lesbians who have chosen traditional religions and are proud of their spiritual heritage, and lesbian relationships and sexuality?

According to Lewis, a lesbian rabbi will be conducting two workshops at the conference, one specifically on religion. There will also be at least one workshop for Catholic lesbians. Other workshops confirmed: lesbian and bisexual dialogue; safer sex for lesbians; baby dykes; midwifery; and goddess rituals.

Caucuses will be formed to represent older lesbians, lesbians of color, lesbians with disabilities, lesbians in recovery, Catholic lesbians, and others.

Aside from the fact that it is being held in a city, how is this conference different

from a festival?

"We're turning it around to focus on learning, planning, sharing and politics, with entertainment being secondary," says Lewis.

If there is a surplus of money at the end of the conference, where will the money go? If there is a deficit, how will it be paid?

According to Lewis, the NLC is an ongoing, nonprofit organization that will continue to exist after the conference, as a national lesbian organization, and will be responsible for whatever expenditure or raising of funds is appropriate.

For registration information, call the NLC at 404-373-0000

This article originally appeared in Southern Voice, of Atlanta.

Mix Drinkery open on Detroit, was welcomed by neighbors

by Kevin Beaney

Early March saw the opening of a new gay bar in town, the Mix Drinkery at 9208 Detroit Avenue. Partners Gary Wilson and Marty Leppla put together a formula for a relaxed neighborhood bar that seems to be working.

The spacious room, satellite TV, bowling and video games let people relax and get to know each other without pretensions. They named the bar "Mix" to let people know that everyone was welcome, and so far the men and women who have stopped by are pleasantly surprised. In fact, one group of lesbians found it hard to believe that the male owners would welcome them. According to Wilson, who along with Leppla has beer. a local bartender for many years, the biggest threat to a bar's success is an owner who gets in the way. To him the customer really makes the place what it is, and he's trying to keep the atmosphere relaxed and fun.

During the negotiation stage, Wilson and Leppla got considerable support and encouragement from the neighborhood's councilman, Ray Pianka. The bar previously in that location was a "redneck" type hangout with a bad reputation, including out-of-town drug dealers. Concerned neighbors attended hearings but, instead of opposing the opening of a gay bar, were relieved to hear the plans and the experience of the partners. So far there has been nothing but signs of welcome from the community.

Rather than ignoring the new place in town, Over the Rainbow, just a short distance west on Detroit, welcomed them to the neighborhood.

Wilson pointed out that the location is not as bad as some people may think. The problems with the former bar came in from outside of the area. There was only trouble and undesirable elements when the street filled up with outsiders' cars. It wasn't the locals who were causing any problems, and in fact it was the locals who wanted the old bar out of there.

At Councilman Pianka's suggestion the new club has a Cleveland policeman on duty seven days a week, secure parking, and an electronic card key entry system for its members, so the owners feel there is plenty of safety provided for the patrons.

The location is convenient for people to stop by on their way home from downtown, and it's near several other gay bars. On a few days in March, patrons were walking back and forth between Mix and Over the Rainbow. As the weather gets warmer, more people will be doing that, Wilson prophesized, taking advantage of the neighborhood and its new bar.

Once inside, either with a member card or by being buzzed in, you can enjoy snack food provided during the cocktail hour. They're preparing to offer a menu of evening food that can be ordered from their full kitchen. Mix opens at noon every day and they bring in a deejay on Friday and Saturday nights for dancing, "but it's not a disco," says Wilson. He personally selected the CDs for the jukebox, most of them from his own collection, and takes pride in the music selection which caters to gay tastes. There's been country dancing demonstrations on Tuesday nights, too, courtesy of the Cleveland City Country Dancers.

As a gay owned and operated bar, Mix is also dedicated to helping the community by hosting benefits and fundraising events for any legitimate organization. A recent example was on St. Patrick's Day, just two weeks after they opened, when the day's proceeds were donated to Kamana House, a group home for people with AIDS.

One of their early customers gave the club its slogan: “If you can't have fun here, you're no fun at all!" In addition to fun and entertainment, Mix is setting a high standard for hospitality and community involvement that promises to attract customers and generate a lot of repeat business.

Eighth Annual GAY/LESBIAN/BISEXUAL CONFERENCE

OF THE OHIO MEADVILLE DISTRICT OF THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION Sponsored by the Western Reserve UULGC MAY 24-26

At the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church 20401 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River

Workshops, Worship, Social Events, Meals and Keynote Speaker-Rev. Scott Jones from Medford, Mass., will speak on ``BISEXUALS: Bridges or Roadblocks to Acceptance?"

FOR BROCHURE AND INFO PLEASE CALL: EVELYN: 651-5054 JERRY: 871-4675

SPECTRUM

Therapy and Consultation Services

RANDY THOMAS GEARHART, M.S.S.A., CAC Individual, Couple and Group Therapy

Madison Square Medical Building 15644 Madison Ave., Suite 211 Lakewood, Ohio 44107

(216) 521-8844