10 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE AUGUST 30, 1996

COMMUNITY FORUM

Kolbe defiled mountain

To the Editors:

The recent stories about Rep. Jim Kolbe's (R-Ariz.) outing only mention his vote against same-sex marriages.

In fact, Kolbe's own Dec. 12, 1995 rider destroyed funding for an American Indian AIDS prevention program and inserted a clause to withhold cultural, religious, and environmental protection laws that protected a sacred Apache mountain, Mt. Graham. Kolbe promoted these exemptions so the University of Arizona telescopes could desecrate this sacred mountain. I am an openly gay candidate who ran in the Democratic primary in the district of Rep. Ralph Regula, R-16 (Canton), the Interior Appropriations committee chairman. Regula and Kolbe conspired to sneak the rider in at the last minute.

The Congressional Record reads: "Amendment No. 178: Deletes Senate language requiring the Indian Health Service to prepare a report on HIV-AIDS prevention needs, and inserts in lieu thereof a provision which allows the construction of a third telescope on Mt. Graham, in Arizona..."

Kolbe sold out the AIDS-afflicted Indian community and replaced it with a rider allowing Kolbe's U of A pals to desecrate a sacred Apache mountain. Kolbe erroneously claimed the homophobic and racist aspects of his rider were coincidence, and the HIV study costly. In fact, he intentionally waited many months to inject his "coincidence" at the final 1995 joint House-Senate conference. It was no coincidence. The irony of this non-coincidence is that the AIDS study cost was minuscule compared to the billions in grazing subsidies, be-

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unteers who spent months planning. In conjunction with Candidates' Night Out, Stonewall sent surveys to nearly 125 individuals seeking office. Results of the surveys will be compiled and published in our 1996 Voters Guide in early October. To receive a voters guide, please call Stonewall Akron at 330-849-1520.

Hopefully, Candidates' Night Out 1996 was effective in educating potential officeholders that a government of the people, by the people and for the people does indeed include gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, too.

Christopher Hixson for Stonewall Akron

low-cost timber sales, and coyote killing for Survived class of 1961

private ranchers in the Kolbe/Regula bill.

Every U.S. university has rejected or abandoned this U of A outrage against human rights, the environment and due process. Only foreign partners remain.

Outing is likely for legislators who pursue homophobic, racist agendas.

Eric Resnick Canton

Thanks for night out

To the Editors:

Stonewall Akron would like to thank all the people who made our Candidates' Night Out 1996 such an enormous success. Over 100 people turned out to the University of Akron Martin Center on August 22 for our election year forum featuring candidates for local, state and federal office. Guests were treated to a cash bar, informational tables from gay, lesbian and bisexual organizations, and a twohour forum during which the candidates presented their platforms and took questions from the audience.

Stonewall Akron wishes to thank NEO Visions for their help in securing the Martin Center, the Gay People's Chronicle for media sponsorship, the Human Rights Campaign and all other organizations who promoted the event to their members, the candidates and participants, and all the Stonewall Akron vol-

The following letter was sent to North High School, in the Cleveland suburb of Eastlake. Dear Faculty:

I am a survivor of the class of 1961. I have just received my final reminder that my class reunion is August 17. My reflection on high school is filled with bitterness and pain. You see, I was the "fruit of my class." I was the kid they called "queer." I didn't know how to defend myself against such taunts. My biggest fear was that what they called me might have been true.

It was so important to me that I "prove" myself as a heterosexual that school meant nothing to me. What I wanted was to be accepted by my peers. I wanted to be the kid that other kids wanted to sit with at lunch. I wanted to not feel so isolated and alone. It took me 30 years to accept the fact that I am a homosexual. You see, my classmates recognized my sexuality before I did. Sadly, with their recognition came prejudice, hatred, and ridicule. My fear is that in 35 years not much has changed. That is why I am writing to you.

What is the school's responsibility in regards to the problems a gay teen faces? I believe that some kind of acknowledged support system should be made available. The guidance counselors should be sensitive to gay teen problems and be able to help these students realize their highest academic potential. I also feel that the entire faculty should be

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given sensitivity training in regards to gay teen orientation, so that their religious beliefs or old cultural ignorance is replaced by newer, more significant, data.

Is it not the school's responsibility to educate its students to appreciate diversity and fight prejudice?

I cannot help but reflect on "what might have been" if just one teacher or counselor would have taken me under his or her wing and helped guide me. I was a very bright student in elementary school. My passion for literature and art inspired me to read hundreds of books and dream of writing or acting when I grew up.

Those dreams were replaced with anxiety and fear of who I was. My grades in high school were mediocre. I realize now I was "lost in the shuffle." Coming from a lowincome factory-working family, the thought of sharing my anxiety over what was happening at school was inconceivable. I wanted what the kids at school were saying about me to not reach my parents' ears. I was ashamed of what they were calling me and didn't want them to know. I understand the despair that must enter the hearts of those gay teens who feel there is no one to talk with, and commit suicide. How many teen suicides are gayrelated? The most recent estimates are 30 percent.

I understand that the fear of acknowledging gay teens and supporting them is to condone their behavior. What you must understand is that a gay person's behavior is not for you to condone or condemn. It just is. Hatred and prejudice is what must be condemned.

Web Site: http://www.visi.com/~oprairie

Email: oprairie@visi.com

I understand that in the near future a mother will be able to tell through testing if the fetus she is carrying is gay. She would then have the option of aborting. Would the world be a better place without gays? Considering the history of those recognized as gay from the past, I believe our world would suffer a great loss.

Will I be going to my class reunion this month? No, I have put the past behind me and have a fulfilling life. This letter is a plea for support for those gay students who are trying to learn and make some sense out of their lives. James T. Allen, Class of 1961 Cleveland

GAMPHORES CHRONICLE

Volume 12, Issue 5

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