RON

December

letters tothe editor

We're not 'former' skinheads

To the Editors:

I received a copy of the December 3 Chronicle today, and was rather dismayed at the front page article "Pride parade returns to the Queen City."

My wife and I have been working with the Pride Parade 2000 committee here in Cincinnati for the past few months, helping with the organization and in particular with the artwork.

I was very excited to hear that the committee had received some press, and then I read the article. There are a couple of facts that need to be cleared up.

Kerry and I were listed as "Kerri and Jason Dru," when in actuality we are Kerry Wickstrom and Jason Dul. (We're married, but we've kept our last names.)

We were also described as "former skinheads." The first issue with this statement is that Kerry has never been a skinhead. The second issue is that it implies that being a skinhead would preclude someone from working with the Pride parade.

I am a skinhead, and have been involved in pro-unity, anti-racist, and anti-homophobic organizations such as Anti-Racist Action for the past 11 years.

Both Kerry and I would greatly appreciate a correction of these facts, so as not to cause any confusion and distress.

Thank you, and see you at the parade. Kerry Wickstrom and Jason Dul Cincinnati

The incorrect names were taken from a Pride committee release, and the skinhead information was given to us by a Pride organizer. The Chronicle regrets the errors.

Methodist case based on UCC service

To the Editors:

I join with people of faith everywhere who grieve at the defrocking by the United Methodist Church of so fine a Christian minister as the Rev. Jimmy Creech.

For the sake of historical accuracy, however, I wish to note that the ceremony which he was accused of conducting was, in fact, a commitment service held at the United Church of Christ of Chapel Hill, N.C. The two men joined in covenant are members there, and the officiant was the Rev. Jill

Edens, co-pastor of that congregation.

Given that this was a UCC ceremony, held in a UCC church with a UCC clergywoman officiating, and Rev. Creech was a guest participant, the action of the United Methodist Church is even more offensive.

In the United Church of Christ, we respect the pastoral judgment of our clergy to determine how, and for whom, they will officiate at commitment services for couples of whatever gender.

This respectful freedom is vital to the UCC, which remains strongly committed to the full and equitable inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the life of our church and in society.

Rev. Bill Johnson, Ed.D. Minister for LGBT Concerns United Church of Christ Cleveland

Where will this bridge lead us?

To the Editors:

I write in response to Michael Alvear's Speak Out column of December 10, "ENDA, as is, helps the transgender cause. ." I find it insulting and spuriously argued in many ways, but I hope to pass over those aspects and specifically address (perhaps indirectly) the question, "Why do so many of us prefer nothing than a bridge to something?" he asks.

Hadn't we better ask where the bridge he wants us to cross will lead us?

A progressive queer political movement must include transgendered people as well as gay men and lesbians-not to mention queer people of color, queer youth and elders, working-class queers, and bisexuals. Though gays and transgendered people have significantly different experiences in many ways, the overlap between sexuality and gender (among other things) makes it legitimate and even necessary to see the struggles of gay men and lesbians and of transgendered people and other queers as not being separate.

Alvear compares transgendered people to "the starving sending back the appetizer because they couldn't get all the dinner courses served at the same time." But this is a very disingenuous metaphor: Since when have the transgendered (or the starving) been invited to the banquet? The transgendered haven't been offered any

GAY PEOPLE'S

Chronicle

Subscriptions make fabulous holiday gifts! Order one today!

26 Issues for $30.00 or 52 Issues for $60.00

If you'd like to receive the Chronicle first class mail, $43.00 for 26 Issues or $86.00 for 52 Issues

Enclosed is my check for $

Issues

appetizers; they, and queers in general, are still being asked to be thankful for whatever scraps the straight and acceptably-gendered people in power throw on the floor for them, when they should have every right to eat at the table with everyone else.

ENDA, if it excludes the transgendered part of the queer community, is a table scrap. The transgendered, and all queers, are being asked to choose between dignity and (for some, at least) survival. And while I can't blame those who choose survivalI think the blame lies with those offering us this choice Alvear accuses those who struggle to preserve their dignity (or who demand the right to both) of “immorality" and "corrosive selfishness." This is inflammatory and transphobic rhetoric.

A truly inclusive queer movement will make progress slow, perhaps, but then I think that acceptably-gendered gay men and lesbians must recognize that their acceptable gender is, in our society, a form of privilege. A non-inclusive ENDA translates this privilege into startlingly concrete form: Acceptably-gendered gay men and lesbians get their civil rights before other queers do.

To judge from Alvear's column, acceptably-gendered gay men and lesbians want to keep telling the transgendered, "We'll fight for your rights as soon as we pass ENDA."

After that, perhaps it'll be, "We'll fight for your rights as soon as we legalize gay marriage." (Will these privileged, acceptably gendered queers who've separated themselves from the transgendered this way really be fighting for transpeople's rights once they make it "over the top," or will they just put themselves in the benevolent position of deciding what they think is best for the transgendered whether the transgendered like it or not?) And something else after that? Why should they have to wait?

No wonder the transgendered are standing up for their own rights, demanding to be included now instead of accepting the gay men's and lesbians' rather patronizing invitation to ride along on their coattails at a discreet distance, of course.

Queers who value a truly progressive political movement should see the passage of a bill which includes only certain queers as a hollow victory at best. David Wright

442

Oberlin

GAY PEOPLE'S

Chronicle

Volume 15, Issue 25

ISSN

Publisher: Martha J. Pontoni Business Manager: Patti Harris Editorial Board: Brian DeWitt, Christine Hahn, Patti Harris, Martha Pontoni

Associate Editor: Brian DeWitt

Staff Writers: Denny Sampson, Michelle Tomko Reporters & Writers:

1070-177X

Doreen Cudnik, Mubarak S. Dahir, John Graves, Mark J. Huisman, Kaizaad Kotwal, M.T. Martone, Jeffrey Newman, Kirk Read, Eric Resnick, Bob Roehr, Harriet L. Schwartz, Rex Wockner, Andrea Wood, Jeff Woodard, John Zeh

Art Director: Christine Hahn

Advertising Manager: David A. Ebbert National Advertising:

Rivendell Marketing 212-242-6863 David A. Ebbert 800-426-5947

The Gay People's Chronicle is dedicated to providing a space

in the Ohio lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender 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 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people 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 216-631-8646 or Toll Free: 800-426-5947 Fax: 216-631-1052

E-mail: chronide@chronohio.com www.gaypeopleschronicle.com www.develand.com/community/gay

Letters to the Editor

The Chronicle encourages everyone to write and express your opinion about the munity or the paper. Please,

constructive, and avoid nameand personal

We reserve the right to edit letters. We will print your name unless you specifically us not to

Letter must include a street address verification only. They can

be sent via U.S. mail or fax to the addresses in the masthead above, or by E-mail to letters@chronohio.com.

Subscriptions

Subscriptions are $15 for 13 issues, $30 for 26 issues (half year) or $60 for 52 issues (full year), sent third class in a plain envelope. For faster first-class delivery, add 50€ par issue to cover extra postage: $21.50 for 13 issues, $43 for 26 issues, and $86 for 52

ISSUBS

Mail check or money order with your address to Chronicle Subscriptions, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland Ohio 44101. To use Mastercard or Visa, include your signature, card expiration date, and your

it appears on the card.

for.

Name

Address

City

Phone (

Mastercard Name on card

Visa

Card #

State

Zip

Check or Money Order Enclosed

Order your subscription ONLINE!!

www.gaypeopleschronicle.com It's quick and easy!

MasterCard

Exp. Date:

If paying by Mastercard or Visa,

fax this form to 216-631-1052

VISA

or call 216-631-8646, toll free, 800-426-5947. Send filled-out form with payment to: Gay People's Chronicle, P.O. Box 5426, Cleveland, Ohio 44101