GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

JULY 8, 1994

EDITORIAL

Stonewall 25: The time for parties is over

With Stonewall 25 and Gay Games IV now behind us, it's a good time to take a few minutes away from the 3 by 5 glossies to ask ourselves: Was it worth it?

To many people, one more celebration so quickly after last year's March on Washington was one celebration too many. Sure, the historical significance surrounding Stonewall was unavoidable. But didn't we say everything we needed to say back in Washington?

And what about the extreme right? Anti-gay legislative battlefields are springing up all over

the country. Shouldn't we focus our energies instead on fighting these threats to our freedom?

Will the radicals take time off from campaign-

ing against us while we spend time celebrating a victory that is hardly won?

are in the opera house.

The Games also provide safe, open space for lesbian and gay participants to compete comfortably without the excess baggage of fear and worry. Nancy Pokorny, a Cleveland silver medalist in the 1500-meter race, knows those aren't just words. More important to her than the medal she won was the simple freedom to hug her girlfriend after the race. In all the events she had ever run, she had never done that before.

We must take the disgust and anger that fueled a rag-tag rebellion 25 years ago and harness it to our awakened, revitalized pride as we enter a fullscale revolution

Valid as these concerns are, the benefits gained from the Gay Games and Stonewall 25 far outweigh the arguments that could be made against them.

To a world that has long assumed that gay men and athletics are incompatible, the Games showed that gay and lesbian athletes are out there competing every day, whether they know it or not. When a popular figure like Greg Louganis comes out at the Games, "gay" and "athlete" take shape as a tangible living person, one more face that proves we're as capable on the playing field as we

Rights are for all, including the Kian

To the Editor:

In addition to these loftier aims, practical, longrange benefits can also be felt. Let's not forget the spending power that in turn fueled the New York economy, a useful tool towards gaining wider acceptance. Rest assured that the effect

of 450 million queer dollars spent in two weeks was not lost on New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani, a Republican not always a friend to our community.

Stonewall 25 also presented another tailor-made opportunity for getting our message out to the wider public. With the media success of the March on Washington still recent and fresh, it would have been unthinkable for Stonewall coverage to regress beyond the strides made last year. A successful, widely-covered Stonewall celebration that shows more than just drag queens in feathers

is another part of the maturation process of our movement. Maybe we're getting our message through after all.

A massive coming together like Stonewall 25 or the March on Washington also serves to unite a community that must constantly struggle to connect. Distance still separates many of our sisters and brothers from one another, leaving some to struggle in solitude, unaware of the potential community out there. AIDS has taken its share of our leaders, friends and lovers, while the confines of the closet continue to claim others. Too many people who should have, did not make it to Stonewall 25. How many won't make it to Stonewall 50?

Yet, as necessary as the celebrations were, the time for parties is over. A long year in the media spotlight now gives way to the real battle ahead: fighting the extreme right and their militant campaign to deny our rights and existence. We must take the disgust and anger that fueled a rag-tag rebellion 25 years ago and harness it to our awakened, revitalized pride as we enter a full-scale revolution.

If we fail to show that queer people come in all colors, shapes and genders, that we are as much a part of them as they are part of us, then we're left with nothing more than a trail of expensive parties while the clock keeps running down. We must re-learn the legacy of Stonewall every day. Only then will there come a time when acceptance and community are celebration enough.

Keep the flame of Gay Games IV and Stonewall 25 burning in your heart.

And plan on sticking around. We'll need a few heroes in the battle ahead.

COMMUNITY FORUM

The ACLU of Ohio recently advertised the involvement of prominent Cincinnati attorney Scott Greenwood in our defense of the Ku Klux Klan's right to display a "Cross for Christmas" in that city. Greenwood, who is gay, successfully argued the right of the Klan to display their symbol alongside a Christian creche and a Jewish menorah. Unfortunately, the fact that Greenwood is gay has caused a misunderstanding between the gay and lesbian community in Ohio and our organization.

Criticism of the ACLU has taken one of three forms: that we should not defend hateful organizations like the Klan at all; that advertising the involvement of a gay attorney in a defense of the Klan would have a negative impact on efforts to build coalitions between the gay and lesbian and African-American

communities; or that such an advertisement is insulting to the many gay men and lesbians who actively oppose racism and homophobia. The first view is a criticism of the mission of the ACLU and of the importance we attach to the First Amendment. It is our hope that the gay and lesbian community understands our commitment to the protection of the civil liberties of even the most despised citizens or groups in society.

The second and third views demand a more thorough answer. First, note that it was not the intent of the ACLU to offend or insult the gay and lesbian community or its members. Rather, we intended to display our, and Mr. Greenwood's, deep commitment to the Bill of Rights, and the obligation that commitment demands from us to defend organizations like the Klan.

Second, realize that this case was not for us a political issue. When we defend a client or litigate a case, we are concerned with violations of his or her civil liberties. While a certain amount of anger or discomfort may result in

society at large or in a segment of society, like the gay and lesbian community, as a result of a case that defends the rights of those who stand against society or such a segment, the constitutional rights of that client outweigh that anger and discomfort. While it is unfortunate that the ACLU's defense of the Klan may have slowed the process of coalition-building between two minority communities, our obligation is to the individual or group we repre-

sent.

Third, Mr. Greenwood is an excellent lawyer, who is continuing the tradition in which we find Jewish lawyers like David Goldberger defending the Nazis in Skokie, or AfricanAmerican lawyers like Anthony Griffin defending the Klan in Texas.

Community Forum

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Volume 10, Issue 1

Publisher: Martha J. Pontoni Business Manager: Patti Harris Managing Editor: Charlton Harper Associate Editor: Brian De Witt Reporters & Writers: Doreen Cudnik, Barry

Daniels, John Graves, Charlton Harper, Martha J. Pontoni, 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.

The Gay People's Chronicle is copyrighted under federal law. Any reproduction of its contents is prohibited unless permission is obtained.

Any material submitted for publication will be subject to editing. The Chronicle cannot guarantee return of any such materials unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

The Gay People's Chronicle is not responsible for claims made by advertisers. We reserve the right to reject advertising which is unsuitable for our publication.

P.O. Box 5426 Cleveland, Ohio 44101 216-621-5280 Fax 216-621-5282

Next Chronicle comes out

Friday, July 22

The Gay People's Chronicle is published every other Friday, except the first January issue. Display ad and article deadlines are 10 to 12 days before an issue comes out. Call for specific dates and times. Calendar, Classified, and Personal deadlines are earlier, and are shown in each of those sections. Advertisers:

Call 216-621-5280 (fax 216-621-5282) for rate sheets and information. Or, write the Chronicle at P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, Ohio 44101.

Subscriptions:

Subscriptions are 13 issues for $25.00, and 25 issues (1 year) for $40.00, sent in a plain envelope. (For faster first-class delivery, add $6.50 for 13 issues, 12.50 for 25 issues to cover extra postage.) Mail check or money order with your address to the Chronicle, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, 44101.

It is our hope that the gay and lesbian community, as well as others in society, will realize that by defending to the best of our abilities abhorrent groups and individuals in their constitutionally guaranteed liberties, and by using the best lawyers of whatever sexual orientation in that defense, the ACLU is protecting the rights of all Americans.

Christine Link Executive Director ACLU of Ohio

The Chronicle encourages everyone to write and express your opinion about the community or the paper. Please, however, keep letters constructive, and avoid name-calling and personal attacks. Please be brief. We reserve the right to edit letters. We will print your name unless you specifically ask us not to. Address letters to the Chronicle, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, Ohio, 44101, or fax to 216-621-5282 (24 hours). Include your address and phone number so we may contact you to verify the letter.

You Can Have the Gay People's Chronicle Delivered Right to Your Door!

Don't Miss a Single Issue

13 Issues for $25.00 or 25 Issues for $40.00

If you'd like to receive the GPC first class mail (faster service), $31.50 for 13 Issues or $52.50 for 25 Issues.

Selling Your Car?! ...Motorcycle...Boat...Camper?

Cleveland G.P.C. or

Name

Enclosed is my check for $ __

Address

City

State

Columbus G.P.C.

for

Issues

Zip

Send coupon with payment to: GPC, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, Ohio 44101

Advertise In

110000

The Gay People's Chronicle Classifieds!

Only $10. for the first 25 words & $5. for each additional 15 words for each issue your ad appears in!

With a readership of 30,000, someone is bound to buy that "Bucket of Bolts" or that "Lean Mean Street Machine" you're selling!

Send your ad to Chronicle Classifieds, Box 5426, Cleveland, Ohio 44101. All ads MUST include payment. Call 216/621-5280 for more information