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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE December 18, 1992

Entertainment

When We Say CELEBRATE

We Mean It

The Spiritual Community of Emmanuel MCC cordially invites you, your loved ones, family and friends to celebrate God's goodness with us during the holiday season.

Holly Jolly Spiritual Fun Holiday Concert

Sunday, December 20, 1992, 10:45 a.m. Come hear our new Choir as they sing the Christmas story and many traditional holiday favorites. You'll laugh, cry and leave with a warm heart. The New Choir has a great day of wholesome fun planned for you, your loved ones, family and friends. After the concert we'll have egg nogg and home made Christmas treats. Join us for the fun.

Starting Sunday, January 10, we will be adding an evening Sunday Service at 6:30 pm

The New Emmanuel: We're Not Just A Church We're Cleveland's Spiritual Community for Lesbians & Gays

10034 Lorain Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44111 216/651-0129

The Best Solution to Holiday Stress

THE MASSOTHERAPY PROFESSIONALS LORNA RICHMAN L.M.T. LICENSED BY OHIO STATE MEDICAL BOARD

Treatment designed to meet your needs

relief for pain and stress sports massage. Reiki

Gift Certificates Make A Great Holiday Gift!

Heights Medical Building

2460 Fairmount Blvd. at Cedar Rd. in Cleveland Hts. 721-0001

Take The Plunge!!!

Be Yourself on a Gay Adventure RSVP Cruise

FLITE II TRAVEL, INC.

Call Cindy for Information on our Special Group Departures • Carribean March 7, 1993

Mexican Riviera March 27 & Nov. 20. 1993 Greek Isles September 6, 1993

23611 Chagrin Blvd. Beachwood, Ohio

Give the Gift of Travel for the Holidays! Ask About Travel Gift Certificates!

(216) 464-1762 (800) 544-3381

Honor Bound:

A Gay American Fights for

the Right to Serve His Country by Joseph Steffan

Villard Books/Random House 245 pages. $22.50 hardcover.

Reviewed by Eric Sellen

"Headline news" sells books. Sometimes it's a matter of savvy timing, other times it's little more than happenstance. Sometimes the author is the news, while at other times his or her story is peripheral to the main event. Joseph Steffan is all of these things--smart, lucky, news, peripheral--and selling books.

In April 1987, Joe Steffan was kicked out of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, six weeks short of graduation. Like so many other gay men and lesbians ousted from the U.S. military during the past half century, Steffan had been repeatedly judged not merely competent to serve, but had been chosen again and again for increasing command responsibility throughout his four years at Annapolis. At the time of his dismissal, he was serving as one of his class's six battalion commanders, with direct responsibility for 800 of his class-

mates.

Then, quite literally at the eleventh hour, Steffan was dismissed for following the Academy's honor code, under which he felt compelled to admit his homosexuality to a commanding officer's direct question. Not exactly "coming out" under fire, but very nearly, and with his life's dreams passing quickly before his eyes.

Steffan later sued the Navy for reinstatement and won much publicity when the presiding judge, who was clearly pre-disposed to rule in favor of the Navy, repeatedly referred to Steffan as a "homo" in court.

So much for topicality. How's the book? Earnest and well written. Surprisingly compelling. And only a tad disappointing. Most compelling for some readers--certainly for me--was how capably Steffan makes a case for wanting to serve in the military. While acknowledging certain de-humanizing as-

pects to the role (and some terrible misuses of power over subordinates, especially sexual harassment of women), time and time again Steffan makes serving in the military seem distinguished, honorable, necessary, agreeable, and fulfilling. For those of us who can't quite imagine willingly enlisting under any circumstances, this is remarkably persuasive writing.

In other parts of the book, some readers will find Steffan's earnest forthrightness and occasionally naive idealism to be misplaced or unconvincing. Others, however, will quickly identify with this "stiff, pressed shirt" component of his character, especially when reminded that Steffan's military uniform was a direct continuation of an earlier uniformity--his upbringing among god-fearing, white, family-valued, heterosexual, small-town Minnesotans. His parents' slow coming to terms with their son's sexuality is a poignant combination of angst, rejection, and compassionate acceptance, coupled with a whole series of closet doors (for him and them).

Those hoping or looking for steamy sexcapades in the barracks should read another book. Sex is not the story here. Indeed, one gets the impression that Steffan, now 28, has not yet had sex with anyone (including himself). But one of the unique aspects of Steffan's dismissal from the Naval Academy was the absence of charges for sexual misconduct; he was dismissed only because he said he was homosexual, not because he had engaged in gay sex. And at least one reason there's almost no sex in this book is because Steffan's case is still pending on appeal in the federal courts.

Joe Steffan's is one of several personal stories made public that have helped bring us to the eve of lifting the ban on gays and lesbians in the U.S. military, as promised by President-elect Bill Clinton. We can hope therefore, all things staying on track, that Steffan's court appeal will soon be "thrown out" for all the right reasons.▼

Commitment Vows

I perform ceremonies outside the traditional fold with sincere respect for each couple who love, honor &

cherish each other.

Please call Rev. Renee Goodman 216/247-2772

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