The phobe's English

To the Editors:

I am writing to bring to the attention of your readers a matter concerning Roget's Super Thesaurus by Marc McCutcheon and published by Writer's Digest Books (an imprint of F & W Publications, Inc.) in Cincinnati. The edition I mention is a first edition and has a 1995 copyright.

GAY PEOPle's ChroNICLE AUGUST 29, 1997

COMMUNITY FORUM

THE OPEN PRAIRIE by Joe Noover

Ellen 5 EMMY

NOMINATIONS.

I DUNNO,

CAN WE

GET THE CHASTITY BELT KEY

FROM YOUR PRODUCER?

WANNA

COME TO MY PLACE

AND SEE

MY EMMY NOMINATIONS?

AND STILL CAN'T GET LAID.

Glovertic

In consulting this volume, I looked up some words including homosexual. The entries are as follows. The book uses a star to indicate a slang term:

"homosexual n. gay man, gay woman, lesbian, invert, bisexual, transsexual, *faggot, *queer, *fruit, *dyke, *fairy, *fay, *Nancy boy, *pansy."

For homosexual as an adjective, it lists "gay, lesbian, *queer, *faggy, *flaming, *bent, *fruity, *kinky, *light on one's feet, *limp-wristed, *pink, *swish, bisexual, transsexual, inverted."

Next, I turned to the entries for fag, and of course sissy, which read:

"fag n. Sl. homosexual, *gay boy, *faggot, *fairy, *fem, *twinkletoes.

"sissy n. weakling, *woos, *woosy, *wimp, *candy ass, *pansy, coward, *chicken, *cream puff, *fancy-pants, *pantywaist, effeminate man, *homo, homosexual, *gay boy, *faggot."

bookstore. Then write F & W Publications, Inc. at 1507 Dana Avenue, Cincinnati Ohio, 45207, or call 800-289-0963 to express your

concerns.

Rick Bansh Fremont, Ohio

Then, I read the entries for sodomize and Changes in the FBI

sodomy which were:

"sodomize v. engage in anal intercourse, engage in bestiality, engage in a perverted sex act, *cornhole, *ream, *go Greek."

"sodomy n. anal intercourse, bestiality, abnormal intercourse, deviated sex act, pederasty, perversion . . .

After reviewing these two entries, I checked pervert. That entry, along with sadist, masochist, and pedophile among others, included sodomist.

Further, the thesaurus does nothing to further understanding of the word bisexual, listing as synonyms “*swinging both ways," **AC-DC," and "hermaphroditic."

Finally, and as a way to compare, I looked up entries for Jew, African-American, Mexican, even straight, which included in its entry words like "unbent, undeviating, pure, honest, trustworthy, sincere." Not one of the above mentioned included pejorative terms in their entries. After further review, it was clear that the author of this thesaurus, Marc McCutcheon, took the time to weed out words which would have offended women, ethnic groups and people of color.

I contacted F & W Publications in Cincinnati and discussed this with an employee, who responded very abrubtly with a comment like, "Every thesaurus contains errors.'

But this is a first edition published in 1995 by a company whose purpose is to promote writing. In writing, people use words which have meanings whether they be connotations or denotations. I wonder if Writer's Digest has ever done an article or any writing for a gay or lesbian magazine.

I encourage gay and lesbian people to consult this work in any public library or

To the Editors:

I have come to believe that often times there is opportunity in many of the crises in our lives. Crises can motivate us to change the way we view our world, or even more, to change the world.

Recently the gay and lesbian community experienced a crisis, as Andrew Cunanan became one of the most wanted people in America. I think we handled this situation fairly well, but many, including

the FBI, have stated that the FBI could

have done more during its investigation to

reach out to our community. Such a public

admission by the FBI is unusual, and perhaps indicative of the changes in the FBI and in their relationship with us.

As a gay man and career FBI agent, I can attest to recent changes in the FBI regarding gays and lesbians. The FBI now has a number of openly gay and lesbian agents and support personnel (some are in Supervisory positions), and the bureau hires openly gay and lesbian applicants for these positions.

During the Cunanan investigation, the special agent in charge of the San Diego FBI office spoke of assigning an FBI agent as a permanent liaison to the gay and lesbian community. We are also discussing other ideas and approaches with the FBI, which might help all of us in the future.

This is an opportunity for us to take the initiative and reach out to the FBI with our ideas, recommendations, or complaints. Request that the agent in charge of your city's FBI office appoint a permanent liai-

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Email:

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son to our community. Contact FBI Director Louis J. Freeh at FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., and request that he adopt this liaison program nationwide and undertake other measures to improve the FBI's relationship with us.

This moment in time affords us an excellent opportunity to take the lead and create positive changes. Our community, the FBI, and the entire country will benefit from our actions.

Frank Buttino

San Diego, California

After 20 years in the FBI, Frank Buttino was fired in 1989 for being gay, and sued the agency for discrimination. The FBI added gays to its non-discrimination policy in 1994. Buttino is now retired.

Boys under 5 can accompany moms

To the Editors:

I am writing to clarify an error that appeared in the brochure for the Ninth Annual Ohio Lesbian Festival, which will be held September 6 at Frontier Ranch in Kirkersville, east of Columbus.

The brochure erroneously printed that boy children between the ages of 2 and 9 would not be allowed to accompany their parents into the main festival area, but would be required to stay in the kids' tent under the supervision of a child care coordinator.

The brochure should have said that this policy applies to boys between the ages of 5 and 9. Boys under five may accompany their parents throughout the day at the main festival site.

We apologize for any confusion this, may have caused.

Peg Bell, Promotions Coordinator Ohio Lesbian Festival Kirkersville, Ohio

GAK PEOPLES CHRONICLE

Volume 13, Issue 5

PUBLISHIN

BAY PEOPLE'S

KVIR

A DECADE

ARONICLE

Published by

KWIR Publications, Inc. ISSN 1070-177X

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