10 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE MAY 6, 1994

EDITORIAL

Move toward the light

The longer that attention is focused on sexual minorities-whether it's a debate over gays serving in the military, controversy over two lesbians kissing on TV, or an intensive crusade to eliminate any so-called "special rights"-the more urgent it is that we have a clear understanding of who we are and what we must do to survive.

Some gay writers have recently suggested that the struggle for the rights of sexual minorities should not be equated with the African-American civil rights movement, that a better model is the struggle of Jewish peoples. There are striking parallels: the small percentage of Jews (0.3 percent of the world's population according to the 1992 Encyclopedia Britannica Book of the Year), the centuries of religious persecution, the racial neutrality.

Along with the comparisons, there are also some differences.

Unlike Jews, who as a people have a fierce sense of survival and self-righteousness, the majority of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgenders avoid the issue and hide their light under a bushel basket. Where's our identity? What percentage of the population are we? Who knows?

The number most quoted is that gays are ten percent of the population (based on an incorrect interpretation of the landmark

Kinsey survey results), but there's no definitive measure. American radical right fundamentalists suggest our numbers are more like one or two percent-implying that we're not worth the trouble of being treated equally. There are several holes in that argument, of course. Even if gay people accounted for just a fraction of a percent of the U.S. population, the intent of the Constitution was to protect the smallest minority from the abusive will of the majority. The other fact that threatens the "one percent" argument is a large gathering such as last year's March on Washington. Between 750,000 and 1 million lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people were there. And for every one person there, probably at least ten stayed home because they couldn't be seen or couldn't afford it. So we are a "legitimate" minority.

When are we going to embrace our sense of dignity and self-preservation? Mirroring the great Silent Majority, the bulk of the gay populace remains silent, on the sidelines, fearful, in the closet. The number of activists working for the rights of sexual minorities is pitifully small, toiling against both the pressures of the opposition and the lethargy of their constituency.

The struggle for the equal rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people

SPEAK OUT

requires all our efforts. It's not just the activists who can win this battle. No matter how closeted you are, no matter how much you dislike activism, you can help yourself and the cause.

How? Vote for gay-supportive candidates. Write or call your elected officials and urge them to support legislation that helps us. Call and thank TV stations when they run programming that shows gays and lesbians in a positive light. Donate money to gay organizations. All of these actions do not compromise the secret of your orientation; your position is that you are in support of equal rights.

Volunteer time to gay groups and causes. Write letters to newspaper editors about equal rights. If you hear a homophobic joke or comment, express your displeasure.

But most of all, learn to accept yourself. Study your history and herstory. Come out to one person (and don't just wait for National Coming Out Day). The more people who find that gay men and lesbians are comfortably in their midst, and don't serve as a threat, the more allies we will have.

We all have a deep-seated fear of being ridiculed, of being persecuted. How long do you intend to live that way when it can be eradicated? Come out from under the bushel basket. Your light belongs where it can be

seen.

Warriors and angels need applause

by Vera Carp

It's that time of year again when some recognition needs to be given out for the people who are working in the trenches for you and me, to make this a more gay and lesbian friendly world. These are the people you don't hear about, they aren't necessarily up front everywhere so I often think they need a little applause too. So, here goes. I will probably miss a couple of your favorites and I admit my knowledge of the womyn's community is limited but I'll do the best I can. Let's start with the Warriors:

To John Corlett for his undying efforts to get candidates to say what their stands are on gay and lesbian issues. (And his infamous candy apple red sofa.)

To Howard Epstein and Gregg Levine, for opening their home for a closer look at the people who represent us and for remembering good politics begins with each of us willing to make a commitment.

To Jeannine Petti who trains those hotline volunteers and who has a commitment to making the Lesbian and Gay Community Center just that, a community center. Jeannine put together a wonderful two-day training seminar for hotline volunteers.

To Joe Carroccio and Marcos Rivero for fighting the good fight at ACT UP, fearing no one. Joe has been flying to D.C. to meet with Sen. Metzenbaum about sponsoring the AIDS Cure Act in Congress on May 10. Watch for the ACT UP bus ads.

To Kenny, Christo, Pat, Danielle, Wendy, Rich, Rick, Barry, Alan and on and on, the ACT UP kids who stand in demonstrations in the rain and snow, who march and chant, and for showing their commitment by showing up at City Council Meetings to let the council know they are a presence.

To Gil Kudrin and his lover Michael for Night Sweats and T-Cells and for wearing HIV+ T-shirts to let the world know that "Yes Virginia there are people with AIDS right here and you know them!"

And now some angels:

To Karen Williams who keeps us laughing and who is a star.

To Buck Harris, who continually puts his neck out both financially and politically for our community and who is as close to a movie star as we get. Thanks for the radio, Buck, and for bringing all those interesting people for us to argue with and listen to.

To Todd and Clay who threw the "Come Play with Clay" party and raised over $1800 for six different AIDS service organizations, everyone from ACT-UP to the AIDS Housing Council. Watch for this party as an auction item at the Garden Party.

To Michael Rowe who continually comes through with the smartest little cocktail parties and who raised beaucoup bucks for several organizations who needed the money now and desperately.

To Linda Malicki, the smiling face at the Lesbian and Gay Center who talks on two phones at once while waving to someone walking by and who knows the answer to just about every question, including "Where's Judy?"

To John Nolan, for all you do, and I mean all of it... and because when I was diagnosed he was the first and only person who asked me how I was doing!

To Joan Organ, Chairwoman of the Board of the Center, for standing up for what she believes in even while being yelled at and abused way to go sister! Joan deserves a dozen roses for what she and the Center board have accomplished this year.

To Calvin Stokes for bringing a little heaven through his voice and music to the Liberation UCC congregation. God bless Calvin. He is also on the board of the Center and trained for the Hotline... Walk the walk Calvin.

To Martha Pontoni for keeping Charlie alive and providing this community with issues, news and opinions we can sink our teeth into. Thanks to Kevin, Patti and

Charlton too.

To Keith Sutton, a courageous friend and the past president of Stonewall. The Stonewall dinners have become the politically correct place to be. Ask state Attorney General Lee Fisher if you don't believe me, or John Nolan.

To the North Coast Men's Chorus who continually bring us liberation through their music and voices. Next, the Flirtations! How do you do the things you do?

To Ed Magiste who works for Lakewood's Department of Human Services, Division of Health, and who is committed to bringing care to the sick, service to the public and education to everyone about this nasty disease. Ed cares for the HIV spectrum client but also the caregivers who are so often forgotten.

To Chrisse France, Director of Education for HIT, the woman who brings us the HIT newsletter, for maintaining a cool head in the tidal wave of changes that have washed over HIT this past winter. Thanks for staying, we need stability!

To Paul Zeitzew, the new owner of Body Language who titillates us with erotica, brings us good gay and lesbian reading as well as art films and who is so personable you just want to buy something! Thanks Paul for your stand on No! to NAMBLA, and reaching out to the lesbian community, they need erotica too.

To my good friend Michael Readinger who is vice president of the HIT board, for his work on the AIDS Walk, his ability to network the world, his willingness to listen, and his total commitment to fighting this disease. Oh yeah, interviewing, interviewing and more interviewing.

To Bill Green for saying yes to opening his home to yet another benefit, for counting money every year at Dancin' and for being pleasant through the whole thing.

To Melissa Ross who has most likely raised more money for AIDS and AIDS service organizations than any other enter-

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Volume 9, Issue 22

Publisher: Martha J. Pontoni Business Manager: Patti Harris Managing Editor: Kevin Beaney Production Manager: Brian DeWitt Reporters & Writers: Kevin Beaney, Doreen

Cudnik, Barry Daniels, John Graves, Charlton Harper, Joseph Morris, Martha J. Pontoni, Mike Radice, Timothy Robson

Akron-Canton: Paul Schwitzgebel,

Jerry Kaiser

Art Director: Christine Hahn Sales Manager: Patti Harris Account Executives: David A. Ebbert, Doreen Cudnik

The Gay People's Chronicle is dedicated to providing a space in the Ohio lesbian-gay community for all of its members to communicate and be involved with each other. This means that every Chronicle, to the best of its ability, will be equally dedicated to both men's and women's issues, as well as issues that affect the entire community. This balance will provide lesbians and gay men with a forum to air grievances and express joys.

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Addendum

Joe Carroccio's commentary on "The Origin of AIDS, or How did we get into this mess?" in the April 22 issue relied in part on information from two books: AIDS and the Doctors of Death, and Queer Blood: The Secret AIDS Genocide Plot. Both are authored by Alan Cantwell, M.D. and published by Aries Rising Press in Los Angeles.

The Cleveland Lesbian-Gay Community Service Center's column in the April 22 issue mentioned a new discussion and support group but failed to include the name: "Partners and Friends of Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors." Call the Center at 522-1999 if interested.

tainer this side of Chicago. Who does her numbers in fab dresses, in the rain, who begs people to stay at Dancin' even though the weather was inclement, and who gets the community to GIVE, GIVE, GIVE.

To David Newmarker whose charm and finesse turned what could have been a very bad taste into a delicious meal at That Place.

To Joe Artle, Paul Swire, Bobby Kornowski, Greg Cannedy and Cindy Rosticil for facing Dancin' every year with zest and enthusiasm when all others have been out of ideas.

To Paul Hamlin from whom all things flow, thanks for the help this year, ACT-UP thanks you, HIT thanks you, and Zak thanks you.

To Patti M., who carries the word from sea to shining sea. Be strong sister, tell 'em

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