SEPTEMBER 3, 1993 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

11

COMMUNITY FORUM

Continued from facing page

Dancin' in the Streets '93 was a great disappointment for me. Thanks to the insensitivity and poor planning of the organizers, what began as a day of joyful celebration and caring became a day of bitterness and broken promises.

Ted W. Scalia, Member Cleveland City Country Dancers and the Rainbow Wranglers

Local autonomy is part of the UCC

To the Editors:

Your editorial, "Who are our Friends" [August 6], implying that the United Church of Christ cannot be trusted, was troubling.

Since all UCC congregations, judicatories and the denomination's biennial national meeting, the General Synod, are autonomous, the UCC exists through covenantal relationships. Like all UCC social policies, those supporting lesbian-gay concerns have been authorized by the votes of thousands of clergy and lay delegates to successive UCC General Synods since 1973. Each General Synod speaks only for itself, yet there is resolute continuity in UCC social policies on most issues. Local churches are free to embrace, struggle with, or reject any UCC social policy. We live in this tension, all the while knowing that prophetic social justice leadership requires steadfastly working to create a future that, at times, some local churches (and some lesbian, gay and bisexual people) cannot see or embrace.

Often frustrating and easily misunderstood by people stuck in hierarchal thinking, local church autonomy is cherished in the UCC. Because of it, an ignorant minister in Massillon can offer laughable sexual reorientation sessions while, in Cleveland, Liberation United Church of Christ is creating a dynamic, new spiritual home for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and our families and friends.

Rev. Bill Johnson

Addressing AfricanAmerican issues

To the Editors:

I read with interest the editorial [Who are our friends?] on August 6th regarding just who the community should trust in our struggle for equal rights.

It would seem that the editors think that most people or groups have an ulterior motive in aligning themselves with our struggle, or maybe a hang-up about having parallels drawn. If this is the case, I think the lesbian and gay community is just as guilty.

I especially find it interesting that some lesbians and gay men act as if they do not understand the reluctance of the AfricanAmerican community to be aligned to their

cause.

Why wouldn't the African-American community want to be aligned with lesbians and gays? After all, according to "some leaders," gays and lesbians are the "Niggers of the 90's" (I still cannot believe Newsweek printed that).

Granted, there are some parallels that can be drawn from the two groups' struggle for acceptance, but I am sure I do not need to remind anyone that the length and depth of second class citizenship for African-Americans is more extensive.

The lesbian and gay community is so quick to liken itself to African-Americans' struggle for equality, but how many of us have given thought to the fact that traditionally, African-Americans have not been very accepting of homosexuality, and have even gone as far as to suggest that the homosexual lifestyle was something the white man forced on the black man (like a disease). Likewise, the black church cannot preach enough hellfire and damnation to its congregation concerning lesbians and gays.

As African-Americans, we are very protective of the modest gains we have made. The thought of someone seating themselves next to us at the table, ready to share our hard won piece of the pie, both frightens and angers us.

As an African-American gay man, I find it sadly amusing that in this community where we all should be trying to work together, some lesbians and gays are still looking down their noses at us and most organizations still have not effectively incorporated our help (how many African-Americans work at the Chronicle, and is their input valued or set aside because some of you just do not get it?). On the other hand, having one or two African-Americans in your organization and expecting them to be the voice of the community will not work either.

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On any given day, most of the people How a sign can beget Contest won on merit

reading this paper can get up, get dressed, and go about their day without being "oppressed" (funny how this has become a buzzword). The only way you will be "oppressed" is if you choose to disclose your sexual orientation. I am not suggesting that anyone remain closeted, but in addition to my gay issues, I am also waiting for my African-American issues to be addressed.

As an African-American, I am used to being stroked. From the president who needs my vote, to the lesbian and gay community that needs my warm body to show that it's all inclusive, I am included as a number, not a person with feelings. While I have come to expect such treatment, I will also force these groups to deal with me in a respectful manner. If we are asking others to include us, shouldn't we start by including each other? As an African-American gay man, I ask you, who are our friends?

Name withheld

Speak out-Come out

To the Editors:

I agree with the editorial, "We need a take-charge attitude" [August 20]. I learned a long item ago that everything we eat, sleep, and breathe is decided directly or indirectly at the ballot box. Our community needs to move forward in pushing for equal rights for all Americans. Our Community Center can be a focal point for such a thrust.

Much ire is raised with mention of our Center involved in the political arena. Certainly the Center must avoid being linked to candidacies, but that does not preclude speaking to the issues of the day. The Center needs to be in the forefront of the public relations milieu, being quoted every day in both print and broadcast media. What better way to reach the closets of our brothers and sisters who don't know about the existence of the Center and its programs? What better way for them to learn how to make a difference not only for themselves but for our entire community?

The Chronicle continues to serve as a voice of our community. It is doing an evenbetter job of getting timely news to those of us who might otherwise miss some things. It continues to pressure its readers to work for due process; it serves as a watch-dog for all of us. Keep the heat on ...

The article, "Thurmond aide dies of AIDS" in the "News Briefs" section of the August 20 edition is yet another example of the need to come out of the closet. The article clearly supports the adage that someone who knows a gay person is more likely to be tolerant and supportive than someone who does not have such acquaintanceship. I urge you to run another editorial in support of coming out, citing how this aide's coming out to South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond led him to increase his support of AIDS funding.

Going public was one of my better moves. Each one of us who comes out adds legitimacy to our cause, both in credibility and visibility. I have not received any negative feedback from speaking out about lifting

"The Ban."

Jack Power

gay-bashing

Following is a letter sent by the Maryann Finegan Project to signmaker Russell Sysack, in response to his August 20 letter claiming the homophobic billboard he put up in June did not encourage violence:

Dear Mr. Sysack:

The Maryann Finegan Project confronts violence and homophobia through victims' assistance, law enforcement training and education. [During the week of August 16] we testified at a hearing on hate crimes to the Ohio Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission.

It is through these efforts, and correspondence such as this, that we seek to end antilesbian and gay violence and harassment. Those who vandalized your sign are not "people with whom [I] associate," as you

To the Editors:

I write in response to Lisa Rose's allegations that the Hot Boxer Shorts Contest was "rigged" [Forum, August 20]. It was not. Why would I, the three members of Dyke Ellington Productions, and the panel of judges, jeopardize our integrity and reputation for a contest that was organized for.fun?

I am honestly upset by this accusation and genuinely hurt by the insults Lisa and her nine friends made. It was a contest that required attitude. I fulfilled these requirements and won on my own merit.

To set the record straight, yes, one of the members of Dyke Ellington is my partner, and only one of the judges knew me. I thank the women of Cleveland who supported me through this slanderous ordeal and for their continual support at future Clitty Cat Clubs. Ms. Hot Boxer Shorts

assert. Also, for the record, the LesbianWhy rig the contest?

Gay Community Service Center and its programs like the MFP are not affiliated with the Gay People's Chronicle, which you imply by saying, “It is your group and its little tabloid that encourage violence..."

This distinction is important because it points to a dangerous tendency to lump all persons in a minority group together. This kind of stereotyping dehumanizes individuals-I become an effeminate caricature like the man on your sign, not a person with a family, career, thoughts or feelings. "Gays" and "fags" are bashed, not victims who the perpetrator sees as human beings.

Other specific things on your sign that encourage violence:

Jeffrey Dahmer and "Homo Stew." Why the picture is there is unclear to me, except to equate lesbian and gay persons to a mass-murdering cannibal. A more hateful or violence-baiting image is hard to imagine.

"Sashaying with the sodomites." Equating lesbians and gays to the citizens of Sodom implies that we all deserve a fate of sudden death.

"Condom on the bedpost" and "everything you wanted to know about deadly gay sex." Persons with HIV, or perceived to be HIV-positive, are frequent victims of harassment and violence. Ryan White's grave continues to be vandalized. The highest transmission rate of HIV is not in the gay community.

Of course a sign with "Jeffrey Dahmer, sodomites, and deadly gay sex" instills a feeling that lesbians and gay men are not to be treated as persons, deserving at least the dignity not to be bashed.

You said that your sign is meant as a criticism of Buck Harris' Gay 90's radio show. Your message starts out that way, but quickly turns into a hateful tirade culminating in your Dahmer drawing. I acknowledge that your sign is Constitutionally protected, and have not proposed that it is illegal. That something is legal doesn't justify its existence. If I could prove to your satisfaction that your sign encouraged a brutal gay-bashing, would you remove it? Ed Boyte Maryann Finegan Project Coordinator

To the Editors:

In response to the August 20 letter by Ms. Lisa Rose:

First, to say the contest was "rigged" requires saying the four women (the judges) were dishonest. Knowing them, I can assure you of their integrity. All are prominent women within the community and their reputations speak well for them. Also, three of the four did not know the winner, nor were they aware of her relationship to me.

Second, think, Lisa, why would we want to "rig" the contest? Are you alleging that our integrity can be bought for a dinner and breakfast? Rather than be grossly offended and assume you are, I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you did not think things through that far.

Lastly, Ms. Rose, please keep in mind that one girl's cup of tea may not be your own. Please be respectful of your sisters by not slandering and insulting them when they have the courage to share with you. If you do not like parts of the show, look for parts you do like. Or, more constructively, perhaps you might like to suggest something that you would like (call the Clitty Cat hotline: 321-6295). Or, more constructive and courageous would be to volunteer to go up on the stage yourself! This is how we build community, through participation.

Aside from all this, your worship for "the purple-haired" dyke is highly laudable and in fact encouraged! That's the spirit we try to evoke (and the woman happens to be a real nice person)!

Well... now that we once again have a better idea of what [Clitty Cat Club] is trying to do I'll see you all at the next CCC, Saturday, October 23, at Ohio City Oasis. Cheetah (Mommy Dearest) Dyke Ellington Productions

The Chronicle encourages everyone to write and express your opinion about the community or the paper. Please be brief. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity. We will print your name unless you specifically ask us not to. Send letters to the Chronicle at the address on the facing page. or fax to 216-621-5282 (24 hours). Include your address and phone number so we may contact you to verify the letter.