14

ONICLE

July 17, 1992

Homosexuality is... nothing to be ashamed of, no vice, no degradation, it cannot be classified as an illness; we consider it to be a variation of the sexual function. --S. Freud

Letter to an American mother, 1935

What She Missed

WHILE WE WERE OUT

A brief look at some of the news from the five months we were out of publication:

Texaco to PBS: no support for non-traditional TV

Texaco, the long-time corporate underwriter for PBS's Great Performances arts series, ended its support as of June 10th. The Lost Language of Cranes, a BBC/ WNET adaptation of David Leavitt's novel about the parallel coming out of a gay father and son, was screened by company officials prior to their announcement. Cranes was set to air June 24 on Great Performances. Texaco denied charges by Out in Film, an association of lesbian and gay film professionals, that it acted to avoid supporting an explicitly gay-themed drama. The oil giant said its move was based on "a review of both the current and future direction of the series" that found it moving away from "traditional and classical works." Earlier this season Great Performances broadcast Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane and Company, which included homoerotic dance scenes and a moving interview with choreographer Jones about the AIDS-related death of his lover and "one true companion," Arnie Zane.

To express your comments, write to James W. Kinnear, President & CEO, Texaco, Inc., 2000 Westchester Ave., White Plains, NY 10650, fax: 914-253-7753. Also, praise Great Performances for its inclusion of gay-themed works. Write Jac Venza, Executive Producer, Great Performances, WNET, 356 W. 58th Street, New York, NY 10019.

Alan Bell seriously injured

Los-Angeles-BLK magazine publisher Alan Bell was seriously injured in an automobile accident near Oceanside, California on the morning of April 12. Bell sustained multiple abrasions and broken bones when his car was struck head on by a vehicle which had swerved into oncoming traffic. Publication of BLK magazine will be suspended until a new editor can be found to replace Bell, who had been doubling as both publisher and editor. BLK is a monthly African American lesbian and gay news magazine. His company also publishes Black Lace, Blackfire and Kuumba, lesbian, male and poetry periodicals respectively, whose editors do not anticipate interruption of their regular publishing schedules.

Aging gays conference

San Francisco was the site hosting a groundbreaking conference on issues of concern to aging lesbians and gay men, on June 22 at the Hotel Nikko. It was sponsored by the American Society on Aging, a San Francisco-based national association of professionals in the field of aging, and co-sponsored by the National Association of Lesbian and Gay Gerontologists.

The conference, "Diversity with a Difference: Serving Three Million Aging Gays and Lesbians," brought together older gay men and lesbians, researchers on gay and lesbian aging issues, representatives of facilities providing health care and social services to the aging population and gays and lesbians of all ages who wish to learn about being old and gay.

Congratulations to What She Wants, Cleveland's feminist monthly, on their move to a new, larger, tabloid format. All of us at the Chronicle wish you good luck.

NABWMT annual convention

The National Association of Black and White Men Together (NABWMT) held its 12th annual convention in Dallas, Texas during the week of June 22-28. NABWMT is a nationally known, gay multi-racial, multi-cultural organization committed to fostering supportive environments wherein racial and cultural barriers can be overcome and the goal of human equality realized. To these ends it engages in activities that deal with the social inequalities that are found in Racism, Sexism and Homophobia.

P-FLAG PSA

(Washington, DC) In a groundbreaking public service announcement (PSA) currently being aired on television stations across the country, members of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG) gather to proclaim their love for all their family members, according to Tom Sauerman, Parents FLAG Executive Director.

Starring 45 P-FLAG family members of all races and ages, the PSA evokes the impression of a giant photo of a warm and diverse "family," with voice-overs of parents recalling the experience of coming to terms with having a lesbian, gay, or bisexual family member. It invites viewers to call a computerized voice-mail system (8004-FAMILY) which provides the numbers of local P-FLAG helplines in over 270 communities. The helpline messages are taped in both English and Spanish. The PSA is intended to serve as a strong statement to right-wing religious and political groups as well as to more typical traditional American families that P-FLAG families are whole, loving, healthy, and productive.

Partnership rights legal victory in NYC

A five judge panel of the New York State Appellate Division unanimously ruled that the denial of health care benefits to domestic partners of lesbian and gay employees of the New York City School system may violate civil rights laws prohibiting sexual orientation and marital status discrimination. The teachers' victory in Gay Teachers Association v. The New York City Board of Education represents the first time that an appellate court has recognized that gay and lesbian employees may present legal claims of discrimination when employment benefits that are given to spouses are denied to unmarried partners.

In its brief order, the Appellate Division, First Department stated that "given the current state of the law regarding discrimination in this area of family relationships...we find that the trial court properly denied the municipal defendant's motion to dismiss." The order was referring to the decision of the state's highest court three years ago which ruled that a gay couple should be considered as family for purposes of rent controlled housing.

Ex-Navy officer urges Congress to end military ban on gays

A retired lieutenant commander of the U.S. Navy, who is an Episcopal clergyman, testified before Congress to demand an end to the military's ban on gay and lesbian service members. On behalf of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, The Reverend Canon Charles E. Wood called the expulsion of gay and lesbian service members "outright discrimination and a waste of taxpayer dollars."

Harvey Fierstein plays gay role on "Cheers"

Hollywood,-Harvey Fierstein, the three time Tony Award-winning playwright and actor, guest stars on Cheers in the episode entitled "Rebecca's Lover...NOT" It was telecast on NBC, Thursday, April 23, 1992. Fierstein guest stars as Mark Newberger, Rebecca's old high school flame, who after many years, makes a surprise visit to Cheers. Oblivious to Newberger's sexual orientation (he is gay), Rebecca attempts to rekindle the passion they once had.

Gays ruled out of NYC St. Pat Parade

New York--Organizers of the St. Patrick's Day parade discriminated against an Irish gay group by refusing it marching status as a unit last year but had a constitutional right to do it, a judge ruled shortly before the parade. Members of the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organization called for a boycott of this year's parade. A gay Irish group did march in Boston's parade, how-

ever.

Red Cross now tests for 2 HIV forms

The American Red Cross has begun testing all donated blood for a rare strain of the AIDS virus. The Red Cross blood services division for central Ohio now uses a new test that detects the well-known HIV1 and the more obscure HIV-2 strain.

Cleveland artists respond to AIDS

Health Issues Taskforce of Cleveland announced final plans for "Windows on an AIDS Free World: Cleveland Artists Respond to AIDS," a project to increase community awareness and raise needed funds for the service and education programs of Health Issues Taskforce. "Windows on an AIDS Free World" is the title and theme of a poster which includes original interpretations of the theme by twelve Cleveland-area artists.

Participating artists are: Anna Arnold, George Bowes, Donna Drozda, Mark Howard, Michael Loderstedt, Scott Miller, Christopher Pekoc, Dan Postotnik, John A. Sargent III, Lilian Tyrell, Garie Crawford Waltzer, and La Wilson. The poster was presented to the public at a benefit on May 6th at the Art at the Powerhouse Gallery in the Powerhouse/Nautica Complex (2000 Sycamore).

GLAAD protests "Basic Instinct”

GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, announced plans for a

national activation regarding the release of Carolco's Basic Instinct. “This is a film in which all the lesbian and bisexual women are portrayed as potentially homicidal,” commented Jessea Greenman, Co-chair of GLAAD-San Francisco Bay Area. "Our goal is to educate the public about how this film is hateful to women."

Hundreds of students push for gay rights in Washington

Washington, DC--On March 9th, over four hundred students from across the country met with their Congressional Representatives and U.S. Senators urging them to co-sponsor and support the Federal Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights bill and a Congressional Resolution urging the president to rescind ROTC's and the Department of Defense's discriminatory policy against lesbian, gay and bisexual people. The event was part of the United States Student Association's National Student Lobby Day.

While the National Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Student Caucus, an affiliate of the U.S. Student Association was the strongest force in lobbying members of Congress,

FREE TO EVERYONE

mostly non-gay students, many of which were student government presidents, executives and senators lobbied for the bills.

Lesbian feature film released

Portland, OR--Demi-Monde Productions completed post-production and released the lesbian feature film, Claire of the Moon, The world premiere was in Portland, Oregon on May 27th. Claire of the Moon, the only 35mm lesbian feature film slated for mainstream release in 1992, then began its run at Portland's award winning KION Cinemas. Subsequent premieres were scheduled during June and July in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.

Lesbian employment case victory

In a landmark decision for lesbian and gay rights, a federal court in Atlanta has refused to dismiss an employment case brought by a lesbian lawyer against the attorney general of Georgia, Michael Bowers. The case, Shahar v. Bowers, challenges Bower's firing of attorney Robin Shahar following his discovery that Shahar and her life partner had plans to engage in a religious marriage to one another. Rejecting the attorney general's motion to dismiss and request for immunity, the court emphasized that the plaintiff seeks to enforce "clearly established” constitutional rights.

Gay sheriff wins right to trial

Orlando, Fla.-In a precedent-setting lawsuit, a Florida jury ruled in favor of a deputy sheriff fired because he is gay. Orange County Sheriff Walter Gallagher was charged with violating Deputy Sheriff Thomas Woodard's constitutional rights, including his right to privacy under the Florida State Constitution. The jury rejected the Sheriff's claim that Woodard resigned voluntarily, and found that he was coerced into resigning following an investigation by the Sheriff into Woodard's sexual orientation and private life.

First New Jersey Gay Pride

Asbury Park, NJ--The First Annual New Jersey Gay Pride Parade was held on Saturday, June 6, at The Boardwalk in Asbury Park, sponsored by the New Jersey Lesbian and Gay Coalition. The parade celebrated the victories of the New Jersey gay, lesbian, and bisexual community in the last year. The event was a full day of activities topped off by a concert and fireworks. June is the traditional month for gay pride celebrations and New Jersey's parade was the earliest on the east coast.

Lesbian custody victory

Albuquerque, New Mexico--In a decision that looks other national court rulings in the eye and clearly moves away from their reliance on antiquated definitions for functional families, the New Mexico Court of Appeals ruled that a non-biological lesbian mother may be entitled to seek custody or visitation with the child she raised with her former partner of 14 years. It is the first appellate victory in the country in favor of recognizing a legal relationship between a non-biological lesbian parent and a child conceived through donor insemination.

Cracker Barrel drops lawsuit

Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund announced that Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores dropped its lawsuit against lesbian and gay activists whom the company had restrained from protesting at one of its restaurants in Tennessee. The restaurant chain had used the lawsuit to illegally prevent gay and lesbian activists who own