Obituaries

Craig Davidson

Craig Davidson, former and founding executive director of GLAAD, has died from complications related to AIDS.

Davidson became the first executive director of GLAAD in 1987, leaving his job as a lawyer with the firm of Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett to accept the position, which was initially unpaid.

In an interview published by the New York Daily News at that time, Davidson said: "As a lawyer, I have been observing a growing attack on our civil rights, reaching near-hysteria because of AIDS. I have always been involved with the gay rights movement, doing volunteer legal work. This was no longer satisfying to me. I had to do more."

Davidson served as GLAAD's executive director until his retirement in September 1990.

Davidson was the first nationally-known speaker to participate in Cleveland's Pride celebration, flying here in 1989 at his own expense to deliver a speech on the importance of anti-defamation work. He worked on getting a chapter of GLAAD set up in Cleveland.

Under Davidson's leadership, GLAAD grew to a five-member staff, experienced many dramatic programmatic successes and rapid budgetary growth, and developed a network of chapters in over 10 cities across the country.

Davidson also forged dozens of productive relationships between GLAAD

Scott Lago

Scott Lago, one of the founding members of the Names Project, and organizer of hundreds of displays of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, died July 30 of complications related to AIDS. He was 31.

Following the establishment of the Names Project in June 1987, Lago helped organize the Quilt's earliest displays, including the first San Francisco showing in the windows of Neiman-Marcus, and the inaugural Washington, D.C., display in October 1987.

His many contributions during the early stages of the project have evolved into lasting traditions that visitors to the Quilt can still see today.

In 1988, Scott was manager of the first national tour of the Quilt to 19 cities, which

Families are different.

Photo by Drew Cari

and media professionals in New York and other cities, creating a dialogue between the community and those who cover it that continues to broaden public understanding of lesbian and gay people. Last October, the Human Rights Campaign Fund recognized Davidson's accomplishments with the Visions and Victories Media Award.

Of the many individual campaigns that Davidson worked on, the one of which he was most proud was GLAAD's Media Guide to the Lesbian and Gay Community, which was published just before he retired. Distributed to more than 4,000 journalists across the country, the guide was the first major resource manual developed to help sensitize reporters to issues concerning their coverage of the lesbian and gay community and people affected by AIDS.

"Craig's work changed the way that the media thinks about the gay and lesbian community, and vice versa," said Mary Nealon and Dennis Lonergan, GLAAD/ NY's co-chairs. "While a lot of media reform remains to be accomplished, Craig's vision, intelligence and organizationbuilding skills laid the solid foundation on which GLAAD continues to build. Besides being a brilliant activist, he was also a true and generous friend who will be deeply missed."

Added Co-chair Mary Nealon, "His vision for a national organization is still being realized in the ongoing formation of the GLAAD/USA network. Thanks to Craig, GLAAD's mission is now shared by dedicated people nationwide."

Davidson was also active in numerous public-interest legal organizations, including serving as chair of the Council of New York Law Associates from 1987 to 1990.

Davidson is survived by his lover of 12 years, Michael Valentini; his parents, Donald and Jean Davidson of Bellevue, Wash.; and by his sister, Kathryn Davidson of Seattle.

included Cleveland's display in June at the Convention Center. In 1989, he organized the second cross-country tour, which brought the Quilt to several Canadian cities as well. His continuing work with the Names Project included displays in conjunction with the recent "Day Without Art."

Lago's passionate work, and his vivid eloquence, helped thousands of people all across the country to see the Quilt, share their loss and understand the effects of the epidemic. He can be seen in the video We Bring a Quilt as the unfolding trainer at the beginning of the film.

Donations in Lago's name can be made to the Names Project Foundation, 2362 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94114. A special display fund has been established in his honor. ▼

Here's a coloring book that

Families

coloring

book

name

address

city

reflects that diversity.

FAMILIES: A COLORING BOOK

by Michael Willhoite

(for ages 2 to 6)

$2.95 in bookstores, or return this ad with $4.00 (postpaid) to order by mail.

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September, 1991 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

OVEN PRODUCTIONS

Is Pleased to Present Two Very Exciting FallActs

A wildly funny, sophisticated commentator on the current social scene

KAREN WILLIAMS

with opening act

back by popular demand, Cleveland's own songwriter, musician, vocalist and longtime activist.

Page 7

The Radical Peggi Cella Saturday, September 14, 1991 8:00 PM

▼

Ford Auditorium Allen Memorial Library Euclid at Adelbert Case Western Reserve University

Please join Karen Williams for her workshop 'Healing & Humor'

Saturday afternoon 1:00-2:30

Unitarian Society, 2728 Lancashire Rd., Cleveland Heights Workshop price is $10.00

Ticket Information: $9.00 in advance $11.00 at the door ▾ $15.00 for concert & workshop, in advance only Ticket Outlets: Bookstore on W.25th▾ Rethreads, 2248 Lee Rd. ▾ Gifts of Athena, 2199 Lee Rd.

Coming Soon... Oven Productions &

PEABODY'S

DOWN UNDER

welcome back

TWO NICE GIRLS

Thursday, October 3, 1991 9:00 PM

Peabody's Down Under 1059 Old River Road

Tickets: $11.00 in advance & $12.00 day of the show Available at: Peabody's Down Under Record Revolution on Coventry Gifts of Athena 2199 Lee Rd. Bookstore on W. 25th and all Ticketmaster Locations

For More Information Call: 321-7799 or 241-2451

ALYSON PUBLICATIONS Dept. P-10, 40 Plympton St., Boston, MA 02118