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[Sub-Series] Newsletters & Publications > Tom Neal Newsletters > Tulsa Family News
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Gay Students Start
LGBT Scholarships
NORMAN, Ok - The Oklahoma Lambda Intercollegiate
Coalition (OLIC) has announced the creation of
the Oklahoma Lambda Youth Scholarship which they
claim is the first such program in Oklahoma. The
Coalition is an umbrella network of Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, and Transgender student groups from Oklahoma
colleges and universities.
According to OLIC spokespersons, Kent Doss of the
University ofOklahoma andMandy Whitten, the President
of University of Central Oklahoma Gay Alliance
for Tolerance and Equality (GATE), the purpose of the
scholarship is to promote pride in youth activism and
foster leadership at Oklahoma college campuses.
Oklahoma high-school graduates who intend to remainin
the state throughout their college careers will be
eligible for the $1,000 award. Applicants will be selected
according see OLIC, p. 3
Tulsa ChamberAdds
"Sexual Orientation"
TULSA - The Tulsa Metro Chamber, which recently
changed i ts namefrom the MetropolitanTnlsaChamber
of Commerce, also has revised its non-discrimination
policies to add the term "sexual orientation" to more
traditional statues like race, religion, age, national origin,
sex (gender), etc.
According to Michael Hightower, media spokesperson
for the organization, the .addition of "sexual orientation"
waspart ofacomprehensivereview ofChamber’s
internal policies. The Bank of Oklahoma’s Human
Resources Dept. conducted this effort for the Chamber.
This revision is part of a trend on the part of businesses
to attract employees by committing to fair hiring
practices. According to the Human Rights Campaign, a
Washington based civil right group, 494 of the Fortune
500 companies have added "sexual orientation" to their
policies. Anumberof majorTulsaemployers,including
American Airlines, Kimberly-Clark, AEP/PSO, Dollar/
Thrifty Auto Group, and others have done the same.
Kerry Lewis, president-elect of Tulsa/Oklahomans
for Human Rights (TOHR) expressed surprise and
applauded this Chamber move. TFN publisher Tom
Neal noted "as one of the few openly Gay members of
the Chamber, I am really proud to.see the organization
welcome us. We need to support them in return."
DIRECTORY P. 2
EDITORIAL P. 3
US & WORLD NEWS P, 4
HEALTH NEWS P. 6
ENTERTAINMENT P. 8
GAY STUDIES P. 10
¯ Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual + Transgendered Tulsans, Our Families + Friends
TMM’s Exclusion of
i oGfayDs iDscelriibmerinataetiAocnt ¯ Pastor Says "Sexual Orientation" Was ¯
Added But TMM Board Never Told
¯ TULSA - While the incident, a KKK visit, to which a local ¯
"diversity" statement sought io i’~spond is well past, the state-
" merit continues to brew controversy. Tulsa Metropolitan Minis-
" try, an "interfaith" religious organization issued a statement
-.¯ which defined Tulsa’s "diversity" as being composed of race,
religion andethnicity, without mentioning sexual orientation.
¯ Earlier, it appeared that the failure to mention "sexual orienta-
¯ tion"mighthavebeenanoversightbasedontheKKK’ s historical ¯
¯ attacks primarily on Jews and Blacks. However, in a return call
to the Tulsa Family News, the Rev. Russell Bennett of Fellowship
Congregational Church, UnitedChurch of Christ, stated that
¯ he participated in themeeting to draft the statement, and specifically
he called for the inclusion of "sexual orientation" in the
: statement. Bennett noted that he heard no objections to his
¯ request, and he said that he expected that "sexual orientation"
¯ would be included.
: Perry Simons, executive director of the Jewish Federation
¯ attended the meeting at Fellowship Congregational Church with
: Nancy Day of the National Conference for Community and
Justice, Dr. Sandra Rana, representing Tulsa’s Muslim commu-
: nity, the Rev. Clark Shackleford of Sand Springs, as well as
¯ Bennett. Andwhile Simmons says he does notrememberBennett
." calling for adding "sexual orientation," Simons says he feels he
¯ shouldhave raised theissue. Simons noted that Dr. Rana took the
¯ notes of what he described as a "stream of consciousness"
¯ discussion.
; However, the Rev. Radford Rader of College Hill Presbyterian
¯ and a-member of the T!VIM executive boardstated that the
¯ executive board never saw a version see TMM, p. 11
Michigan Elects First Gay Rep.
¯ LANSING, Mich. (AP)- Newly dected state House Rep: Chris ¯
Kolb heads to Lansing in January as the state’s first openly Gay
." lawmaker, but he said he has a lot more he wants to tackle than
¯ simply civil rights for Gay-people. Kolb, 42, admits his role is
; important, but it’s not his only focus. "I don’t wear it on my
: sleeve. I am who I am, but I don’t bring itinto every discussion,"
¯ he said of his sexual orientation. "It’s not my one and only ¯
crusade in life."
: The election of Kolb, a Democrat from Ann Arbor, puts
¯ Michigan among 22 states that have an openly Gay man or ¯
Lesbianin their legislatures. TheAnnArborcity councilman first
¯ got interested in politics after receiving his bachelor’s degree in
.. natural resources from the University of Michigan in 1982. He
¯ started with local government, distributing campaign literature
¯ and knocking on doors for candidates. After serving as aprecinct
¯ captain and secretary of the local Democratic Party, he won an
¯ open seat on theAnnArbor City Councilin 1993. Eventually, he ¯
became mayor pro-tern.
2 " Working on the Democratic-controlled council with former
." Ann Arbor Mayor Ingrid Sheldon, a Republican, has already
¯ helped Kolb learn to forge bipartisan alliances, a key skill in the
¯" state Legislature. Sheldon admits she and Kolb were competitors,
but said he never made his sexual orientation an issue. "You
¯ do not think ofhimas being the stereotypical Gay person inAnn
Arbor," Sheldon said. "He’S a regular person the way you or I
." would want to be relating to a person."
Kolb said he will work at improving the state of civil and
human rights in Michigan,but he’s also interested in tackling
¯ education and environmental issues. He wants to work on legislation
that would make it illegal in Michigan to fire employees
¯ based on their sexual orientation, something already prohibited
¯ in 11 states. "I’mnotkiddingmyself as to howfar theLegislature
will be able to be moved," he said. "But civil and human rights
: are along struggle."
¯ Kolb will be one of 14 new Democrats and seven Republicans
¯ to begin their first two-year state House terms inJanuary. He will
be seated across the aisle see Michigan, p. 3
I TOHR Celebrates
20 Years of Se.rvice
Only MCC Is Older ,n State
¯ TULSA- Itwas a different world then. Therewas no ¯
Will and Grace, few Gay or Lesbian images in print
¯ or on the airwaves, HIV was not yet discovered, and
¯ what was later called AIDS was just beginning to be
seen in New York City and San Francisco. The
¯ Stonewall Riots had only ocurred 10 years before,
¯ Gay people were still subject to arrests and harass-
" ment in most of the US, and world.
¯ In Oklahoma City, community activists began a
group calledOklahomans forHumanRights (TOHR).
¯ Tnlsans joined that group and then formed a Tulsa
; branch. This group lead by three Tulsa attorneys,
¯ Dennis Neill, Bob Inglish andMikeGreen and others ¯
later created Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights,
¯ Oklahoma’s 2nd oldest organization after Tulsa’s
¯ Metropolitan Community Church United.
¯ Twenty years later, the world has changed. Tulsa
¯
has support groups in the public schools for Lesbian
¯ and Gay young adults, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and
Transgenderedpeople are verymuchvisibleinAmeri-
¯" can media and society butTOHRis still here provid-
¯ ing community services as at the beginning with all
volunteer, staffing and not that many dollars.
¯ Longtime TOHRmember and former boardmere- ¯
ber Jonathan Stanley remembers being a member as
¯ early as 1980 or 1981, adding that he recalls Bob
¯ Inglish as president and meeting in a small upstairs
¯ room in Stonehorse, a building now known as the ¯
Consortium. A particularly vivid memory of those
¯ early days was the controversy whenTOHR rented a
¯ city pool for an event and cityofficials had the pool
¯ drained because Gay p_eopl_e_had, used. it..This was in
the very early days of AIDS when the disease was
associated exclusively with Gay men and little was
known about HIV transmission.
¯ During these years,TOHRhas provided a commu-
¯ uity information telephone line, civil rights advo-
¯ cacy, anonymous HIV anti-body testing (eventually
¯ with paid staff and HIV education outreach workers
¯ - a program which has spun off as the H.O.P.E.
¯ Testing Clinic), and for the last several years, a
¯ community center. The Center was in the Brookside
¯ neighborhood was first known as the Pride Center
¯ and featured a 5x8’ flag which flew over the building ¯
until it was repeatedly stolen. Now the Center is
¯ known as theTulsa Gay Community Services Center
: and has relocated to 21st & Memorial (2114 So.
¯ Memorial), ironically sharing a wall with one of ¯
Tulsa’s oldest Lesbian bars, TNT’s.
," However, TOHR president Greg Gatewood and
; the proposed new officers, Kerry Lewis, president,
¯ 1st v.p. Vance Reed, 2nd v.p. Don Glass, secretary ¯
Curtis Evans, and treasurer Beth Persac, are hoping
¯ the current location will be a short-term one. TOHR
¯ has announced a capital raising campaign, the Pyramid
Project, to purchase a permanent commtmity
." center.
." According to Gatewood, the Project has in hand ox
: in pledges and grants, $65,000 of their goal ot
¯ $250,000. And the organization has set up legal
restrictions such that all gifts to the Pyramid Projec!
¯ arerestricted to that useonly. Also, thoserules (whicl:
¯ were reviewed by outside legal counsel and CPA’s" ¯
restrict overhead expenditures to a maximum of
¯ and all labor for the project is volunteer.
: Gatewood notes that the organization is setting uI
web sites for TOHR and the Pyramid Projec
¯ (www.tohr.org and www.pyramidproject.org) whicl
¯ they expect to be available in mid-December.
." To celebrate the 20th anniversary of TOHR, th~
¯ group will hold a Holiday reception and silent auctiol
: on Dec. 10th from 4-7pm, see TOHR, p.
Tulsa Clubs & Restaurants
*Chasers, 4812 E. 33
*CW’s, 1737 S Memorial
*Club Cherry Bomb, 1926 E. Pine
*Club Vortex, 2182 S. Sheridan
Polo Grill, 2038 Utica Sqtmre
*St. Michael’s Alley Restaurant, 3324-L E 31st
*The Star, 1565 Sheridan
*Rene~ades/Rainbow. Rooni, 1649.S. Main
*TNT’s, 211,4 S. Memorial !
*Tool Box, 1338E! 3rd "
712-2324
610-5323
583-2119
835-2376
744-4280
745-9998
834-4234
58523405
660-0856
584-1308
*The ’Yellow Brick Road Piab; 2630 E. 15th 749-1563 ’
Tulsa Businesses, Services, & Professionals
Assoc. in Med. & Mental Health, 2325 S. Harvard
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 8620 E. 71
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 5231 E. 41
Body Piercing by Nicole, 2722 E. 15
*Borders Book~ ’& Music, 2740 E. 21
*Borders B0oks’ 8~ Music, 8015 S. Yale
Brookside JeWelry, 4649 S. Peoria
*CD Warehri~,:3807C S. Peoria
*Cheap Th~ills,~::2(~iOE. 1 lth
743-1000
250-5034
665-4580
712-1122
712-9955
494~2665
743-5272..
746-0313
295"-5868
Cherry St. Ps,yEtirthdt~py, 1515 S. Lewis 58’1-0902, 743=4117
Community’CI~ihiiig~’Kerby Baker . " 622-0700
Tim Daniel, At~tonie~ 352-9504, 800-742-9468’
*Deco to Discoi" 3212 E. 15th 749=362Q.
Doghouse 6n-.Brr0kside, 3311 S. Peoria 744-5556
*Elite Boules-& Vi~t~0S, 821 S. Sheridan 838-8503
Encompass,Travel," I3161H N. Memorial 369=8555
Ross Edwar~l:Sal6ii i 584~0337, 712~9379
Events Uniimited;; 507S. Main
¯
5920460
Floral Design-S~dioi~3404 S,. Peoria " " 744~9595
Four Star ImpOrt.AutOmotive, 9906 E. 55th P1. ’ 610-0880
Cathy Furlong;PhiD.~ 1980 Utica Sq..Med. Cir.- 628-3709
Gay & Lesbian Affordable Daycare 808~8026
*Gloria Jear;’~ .Gourmet Coffee, 1758 E. 21st" 742-1460
Learme MTG’rO~s~’En~i~ance &financial pl,.~a~.ng. 459~9349
Mark T. Ha~by~A’ttOrney
*Sandra J. I~ll,M~S;Tsychotherapy, 2865 ~i ~kelly745:74427414101T
*Internafiol~al T~urs...... 341:6866
Jacox Aniraal Cliifie, 2732 E. 15th .... 712-2.750
*Jared’s Antlques;"1602 E. 15th - - 582-3018
David KauSk~y~:~otmtry Club Barbering 747-0236
The Keepers; HoUsekeeping & Gardening 582-8460
*Ken’s Flowers; ’1635 E. 15 599-8070
Kelly Kirby, CPA, 4021 S. Harvard, #21C -’ 747-5466.
*Living A~tSpaee; 308 South Kenosha 585-1234
*Midtown Theater, 319 E. 3rd 584-3112~
Mingo Valley’Flowers, 9720c E. 31 663-59341
*Mohawk Music, 6157 E 51 Place 664-2951
Puppy Pause: IF,1060 S. Mingo 838-7626
*The Pride StOre............... 743-4297
Rainbowz’0~ the River B+B, POB 696, 74101 747-5932
Richard’s Carpet Cleaning ....... 834:0617-
Teri Schutt, Rex Realtors 834~7921, 747-4746
Scribner’s Bookstore, 1942 Utica Square ...... 749-~6301
Paul Tay, Car’Salesman 260-7829
*Tulsa Comedy Club, 6906 S. Lewis 481-0558.
Venus Salon, 1247-S: Harvard 835-5563
Fred Welch, LCSW, Cotmsding 743-1733
*Wherehouse Music, 5150 S. Sheridan 665-2222
*Whittier News Stand, 1 N. Lewis 592-0767
www.gaytulsa.org - website for Tulsa Gays &Lesbians
Tulsa Agencies, Churches, Schools & Universities
AIDS Walk Tulsa, POB 4337, 74101 579-9593
All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria 743-2363
Black & White, Inc. POB 14001, Tulsa 74159 587-7314
Bless The Lord at All Times Christian Center, 2207 E. 6 583-7815
B/L/G/T Alliance, Univ. of Tulsa United Min. Ctr. 583-9780
Chamber of Commerce Bldg., 616 S~ Boston 585-1201
*Chapman Student Ctr., University of Tulsa, 5th P1. & Florence
Church of the Restoration UU, 1314 N.Greenwood 587-1314
*Community of Hope Church, 2545 S. Yale 747-6300
*Community Unitarian-Universalist Congregation 749-0595
Council Oak Men’s Chorale 748-3888
*Delaware Playhouse, 1511 S. Delaware 712-1511
918.583.1248, fax: 583.4615
POB 4140, Tulsa, OK 74159. e-mail: TulsaNews@earthlink.net
Publisher + Editor: Tom Neal
Writers + contributors: James Christjohn, Karin Gregory, Barry
Hensley, J.-P. Legrandbouche, Lamont Lindstrom, Esther
Rothblum. Mary Schepers, Hughston Walkinshaw
Member of The Associated Press
Issued on or before the 1st of each month, the entire contents
of this publication are protected by US copyright 1998 by
~oL~/:~,~Nt~v~ and may not be reproduced either in whole
or in part wi~out written permission from the publisher.
Publication of a name or photo does not indicate a person’s
sexual orientation. Correspondence is assumed to be for
publication unless otherwise noted, must be signed & becomes
the sole property of, T.oLu~./:~.’.. N~. Each reader is
entitled to 4 copies of each. edition at distribution
-points. Additional copies are available by calling 583-1248.
¯ *Democratic Headquarters, 3930 E. 31 742-2457 ¯
Dignity/Integrity of Tulsa - Lesbian & Gay Catholics’&
¯ Episcopalians, POB 701475, 74t70-1475 " ~ 355-3140
~Fellowshipcongreg.Church, 2900 S. Harvard 747-7777
¯¯ -*FreeSpiritWomen’sCenter, callforloeation&info: 587-4669
Friend For A Friend, POB 52344, 74152 " " 747-6827
¯ Friends in UnitySocial Org., POB 8542, 74101 582-0438
: HIV ER Center, 4138 Chas. Page Blvd. 583-6611
¯ *Tulsa C.A.R.E.S., 3507 E. Admiral 834-4194 ¯
HOPE,-HIV Oiitreach, Prevention, Education 834-8378
¯ *HouseoftheHoly SpiritMinstries;1517 S. Memorial 224-4754
¯ *MCC United, 1623 N. Maplewood 838-1715 ¯
NAMES Project, 3507 E. Admiral PI. - , 748-3111
¯ NOW;Nat’l Org. for Women, POB 14068, 74159 365-5658
¯ " ,OK Spokes Club (bicycling), POB 9165, 74157
*OSU-Tuls~
seefrom anumber oflawmal~ers who signed
a letter earlier this year asking the state
Department of Education to invesugate
Grand Haven High School for allowing Gay
speakers to talk to students about being Gay
during "Diversity Days."
House Speaker-elect Rick Johnson, RLeRoy,
and~GOP Rep. Valde Garcia ;o_.[
DeWitt were two. of the nine. staie House
members who signed the iletter. Both,say,
they wi!l not have_any problems worki,r~g
with Kolb. The House will retain its 58-52
Republican majority when the new session
starts. "I don’t agree with the philosophies
of the Democratic Party, but that doesn’t
mean I don’t work with Democrats," Garcia
said. "Just because I don’t approve of his
lifestyle doesn’t mean I can’t work with
him."
¯
Kolb’s experience in government and
: ability to handle himself well even when
! others disagree with him will help him in
¯ Lansing, said Jeffrey Montgomery, executive
director of the Detroit-based Gay rights
¯ group Triangle Foundation. "He’s been
¯ aroundmany,many,,ch~lenging situations,"
.: Montgomery said. He s going to be able to
: handle ahar;dful ofignorantlegislators very
¯ easily."
¯ While Kolb believes the media makes a
¯ bigger deal about his election than anyone
: else, he knows his role~is important. He says
¯ the ultimate benefit of his election is as an
¯ example to members of the Gay community.
"Any young person, regardless of their
; sexual orientation, whohears about this will
¯"- .t~-.G, POB 52800, 74152
." ~*Planned Parenthood,1007 S. Peori~a
....tMme-’Timers, P.O: B.ox52t 18, 74152 --
R;A:L N:; Regional AIDS Interfaith Network -
¯Red.Rock Mental Center, 1724 E. 8
St. Aidan’S Episcopal Church, 4045 N. Cincinriati
" StTDu~stan’sEpiscopal, 5635 E. 71st
.*St: Jerome’s Parish Church; 205 W. King
¯ *TulsaArea United Way,- 1430 S..Boulder
~-*TNAAPP (Native American men), Indian.Health Care. 582-7225
¯ Tulsa County Health Department, 4616 E. 15 ....... 595-4105
.......~.,2Confideufial HIV Testing -by appt. on Thursdays ionly "
:.~.Tulsi!O!d.a.T0rH,.t!m.an Rights, c/o The Pride Center 743-4297
"..- ~.U.L.S.A.iTulsa Uniform/Leather Seekers Assoc. 298-0827
- .2 T~s~a City Hall, G~0und Floor Vestibule
;.... Tiii~ii CommUnityCoil~ge Campuse~
~ *TulsaGay Community Center, 21st & Memorial 743-4297
; Unity Church of Clirigtianity,3355 s. Jamestown 749-8833
"BARTLESVILLE
"-B~fl~svill~Piibllc Library, 600S=. Johnstone 918-337-5353
TAHLEQUAH ..........
¯ Stonewall League, call for information: 918-456-7900
49-490t ¯ "’ realiz.e..that ~ere’s a world of opportunity,"
587 76?4.... he said..,~oo often, that s not the message
our community and others hear." . - , _.
749-4195
584-2325
425-7882
492-7140
582-3088
583-7171
¯ Tahlequah Unitarian-Universalist Church
¯ ~Country AIDS Coalition, POB 1570
¯ EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS ¯
Autumn Breeze Restaurant, Hwy. 23
¯
Jim & Breut’s Bistro, 173 S. Main
¯ DeVito’s Restaurant, 5 Center St.
¯ Emerald Raiiabow,45 &l/2 Spring St.
¯ MCC of the Living Spring
¯ Geek to Go!, PC Specialist, POB 429
¯ Old Jailhouse Lodging, 15 Montgomery
¯ Positive Idea Marketing Plans- ¯
Sparky’s, Hwy. 62 East
¯ White Light, 1 Center St.
¯
JOPLIN, MISSOURI
¯ Spirit of Christ MCC, 2639 E. 32, Ste. U1.34
918-456-7900
918-453-9360
501-253-7734
501-253-7457
501-253-6807
501-253-5445
501-253-9337
501-253-2776
501-253-5332
501-624-6646
501-253-6001
501-253-4074
417-623-4696
* is where you can find TFN. Notall are Gay-owned butall are Gay-friendly.
Memorabilia from the years will be on display
as well as auction items from artists and
¯ merchants such as Antiquaries inTulsa, P.S.
, Gordon, DavidHoot, T.A. Lorton, Kathleen
¯ Pendergrass, Rand’s Art & Antiques, Mary
¯
Schepers and others. Curt & Marj’s Cater-
" ing will offer refreshments as may other
¯ Tulsa restaurants.
¯" On Dec. 1 lth, TOHR and PFLAG, Par-
¯
cuts, Families and Friends of Lesbians and
¯ Gays will hold their annual joint Holiday
potluck dinner at the Center at 7pm. The
: entree will be provided as will soft drinks
." and tableware. Attendees should bring veg-
¯ etables, salads and desserts and may call ¯
743-4297. to know which of those to bring..
¯ Gatewood also notes that planning for
¯ next year’s Diversity Celebration 2001,
¯ which includes the Parade, a post-parade ¯
¯ Festival and ablack-tie dinnerwill continue
a mid-January meeting. The precise date
¯ will be announced later, t 7pro. The entree-
¯. will be provided as will soft drinks and
tableware. Attendees should bring veg-
¯ etables, salads and desserts and may call the
¯ Center at 743-4297 for which of those to
¯ bring.
Gatewood ~so notes that planning for
¯ next year’s Diversity Celebration 2001,
." which includes the Parade, a post-parade
¯ Festival and ablack-tie dinner will continue
~ a mid-January meeting¯ The precise date
¯ will be announced later.
World AIDS Day
by Chris Labonte, semorpolicy advocate
Human Rights Campaign
As we commemorate the first World AIDS Day of the
21st Century,itis important to bothcelebrate our achievements
over HIV and AIDS and work vigorously to ensure
there will be continued success in thcfuture. With success
in treatments, we risk the danger of resting on our laurels.
Instead,:we :mus~ rededicate ourselves to building upon
these victories anff creating a future without HIV and
AIDS. ~People with the diseas~e live longer and healthier
lives yet the number of those’whbar¢ newly infected in
our country each year remains steady at 40,000.
The.new barrier to treatment andprevention is complacency.
It comes from a variety of places and appears in
many forms. New highly active antiretroviral therapies
have contributed to the welcome steep decline in AIDS
deaths in our nation. Media and advertising campaigns
for these therapies signal that one can live and should live
a robust and long life - you can go rock climbing, ski
down the highest mountain, and continue to do fulfilling
work. While all of this is true, they fail to mention that
these therapies require years of medication, multiple
dtses of pills each day - sometimes with possible side
effects- and all at a great expense.
This somewhat slanted view of our treatment success
may contribute to our prevention failure. Although gay
¯ and bisexual men hage made strides in reducing the
percentage of HIV infections attributed to male-to-male
sexual contact, men who have sex with men still account
for approximately 40percent ofnew infections each year.
By not recognizing the tree costs ofHIV infection, young
gay and bisexual men are engaging in risky behavior;
such as intentional unprotected anal andoral sex.Arecent
study suggests that the more optimistic memwere about
the new treatments, the less likely they were to use safe
sex precautions or limit their number of sexual parmers.
Moreover, existing health ~disparities among commm
nitieS of color tuake treatments particularly out.of reach
for them. For the first time, the numbek Of gay men fromcommunities
of color - African Americans, Latinos,
Asian Pacific-Islanders, Native American. and others -
outnumber the number of white gay and bisexual men in
new AIDS cases, according to the Centers for Disease
Control, the federal agency :primarily responsible for
prevention of HIV/AIDS. Prevention is also particularly
concerning with communities of color, where young gay
and bisexual men of color are often confronted with both
homophobia and racism. We must address this situation
immediately and offer prevention strategies targeted to
the unique needs of gay and bisexual men of color so they
¯ can also benefit from treatments available to others. We
also cannot ignore strategies that we know have been
successful in reducing HIV transmission in the past. Far
too often, policy makers ignore proven science to score
political points at the expense of peoples’ lives. Needle
exchange programs and abstinence are two of the most
vivid examples: Successful risk reduction programs also
save money on future treatment costs.
The CDC has set forth an ambitious goal to reduce new
HIV infections inour nation. In addition, the independent
and science-based Institute ofMedicine recently released
areport, "No Time to Lose," that supported the use of cost
effective methods of reducing HIV transmission, including
needle, exchange programs. A recent study from .the
Heury.J. Kaiser Family Eotmda_tign~f.o_und that p.arents
think schools should have more comprehensive sexual
education curriculum and cover topics that are not generally
covered, such as sexual orientation. Effective prevention
methods deserve support - both financial and
political support-from Congress, the administration, the
public health community, and other impacted communities.
We must strive to continue to find even better
treatments, furthe~ reduce the number HIV infections,
provide additional assistance to nations around the globe
and develop a vaccine within a reasonable time frame.
These goals are attainable. In a nation as wealthy and
creative as ours, we should expect nothing less.
¯ Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry: Gay People Need Not Exist
¯ by Tom Neal, editor &publisher ¯ committee process and edited out that inclusion. Because
It might come as quite a surprise to you to learn that there " of their and their organization’s past involvement in acts
are no Gay people in Tulsa. There are no Gay bars, no Gay " of anti-Gay discrimination, it looks like Dr. Sandra Rana
churches, no Gay households, no Gay parents, no Gay kids ¯ and Nancy Day of the National Conference for Commu-
- you get the idea. : nity and Justice wereresponsible.TMM’s executive board
At least that’s the message that Tulsa Metropolitan " never saw an inclusive version.
Ministry (TMM) is putting out. While"cel- This does not excuse the executive
ebrating" Tulsa’s "diversity" specifically,
claiming to "... support each other’s right
to live and prosper in this great community.
¯ ." TMM. somehow managed t3 "disappear"
Gay Tulsans.
Wehave long known that some groups in
TMM are deeply prejudiced against Lesbian
and Gay persons. Usually these people
are identified as Tulsa’S Muslim community,
some of Tulsa’s Black churches and
Tulsa’s Orthodox Christian commumty.
No matter how repugnant their views are
to us, morally and theologically, wehave to
¯ support their constitutional right to hold
: those views. But usually their objections
are to.-us having those basic civil rights
protections which they enjoy themsdves.
They want for it-to continue to be legal for
us to be firedfrom ourjobs, or thrown out of
our homes or have our children taken from
us. They have objected to characterizing
assaults on us as hate crimes, even if the
"... apologlsts for
TMM ma~e the
excuse that Gay
Tulsans have
to be sold out in order
to appease the Muslims,
or the Blaeh
churches
or the Orthodox.
Gay people are ashed,
again and again, year
after year, to go along
because some good
comes out of it..."
board. In this city, and in this time, it is
very hard not to know that Gay and Lesbian
people exist. But their oversight lacks
the malice of deliberate exclusion.
Many apologists for TMM make the
excuse that Gay Tulsans have to be sold
out in order to appease the Muslims, or the
Black churches or the Orthodox. Gay
people are asked, again and again, year
after year, to go along because some good
comes out of it.
But this statement goes too far. It demands
that we collaborate in the denial of
our own existence. And those.who sign it
knowing better, knowing thatTMM’s "diversity"
statement is profoundly a lie, are
no less collaborators with evil than those
who kept silent in the face of Nazi horrors.
TMMhas long tolerated a double standard.
Gay people are asked to recognize
that Tulsa Muslims and others are "funda-
¯ mentalists" and we are asked to tolerate
same act is a hate crime when they are the target.
: Butthey hadn’t before soughtto deny our very existence.
This is largely a symbolic act but in some ways, it is more
~ powerful than the others. Even when our fundamental civil
¯ rights are denied, we are atleast acknowledged as existing.
¯ Ironically, part Of the impetus for this "diversity" statement
was a visit by a particularly virulent part.of the Klu-
Klux Klan. Traditionally, theKKK’s principle targets have
b~nJews andBlacks.But as Gay and Lesbian people have
become more visible, we have been included very explicitly
in Klan hatred. This Klan visit was-no.exception. And
while the Klan did not forget us, Tulsds "do-gooder"
hypocrites pretend that we don’t exist.
Now not all of TMM’s members take this position.
Russell Bennett of Fellowship Congregational Church
sought to add sexual¯ orientation to TMM’s "diversity"
statement. But ina deeply disturbing and shameful action,
one or two commi ttee members appear to have violated the
to three equally weighted categories; community leadership,
scholastic merit, and financial need.
This year,the scholarship selection committee is .comprised
of a student representative from five of OLIC
campus organizations, and five OklahomaGLBT community
leaders..The chair-person of this year, selectiOn committee
is Whitten. The organizers add that applications will
be available Dec. 1st from our OLIC organizations, at the
Oklahoma City and Tulsa Gay Commlmity Centers and
online at www.geocides.’com/okolic/. Applications will be
due on Feb. 15,2001 and the winners will be announced in
late March.
Also, the Oklahoma ]mmbda IntercJall:egiate C0aii~0~
hold a fundraising reception in Tulsa Oli December 2’ls(
from7 - 10pm at thehome ofRick and Susan Doss in Tulsa.
Funds raised by this event will be used for the Oklahoma
Lambda Youth Scholarship. RSVP to 405-325-4452. A
donation of $25 is suggested.
The goals of the Oklahoma Lambda Intercollegiate
Coalition are:
I. Raising awareness of GLBT youth ~ssues within our
community, schools, and society;
II. Sharing information and resources in an effort to
provide the best possible programming for sponsoring
organizations;
their bias agaanst us even as Muslims, Jews, Christians,
and. Unitarians somehow manage to respect each other.
White supremacist groups, like the Christian Identity
movement and .others who use theology much like the
Muslims do to justify their prejudice, are not welcomed
into.TMM. Buta special place is carved outfor anti,Gay
prejudice,
It is finally too much. And it is time that good people
who know better stand up for their neighbors and friends
and families, ff this means that Tulsa cannot support its
real diversity, then at least we’ll be telling .the truth.
Muslim Tulsans might have to acknowledge that they
cannot object to anti-Muslim bias while oppressing Gay
Tulsans. Black Tulsans ought to know better..And Jewish
Tulsans mightneed to do for Gay people what was done
for them by non-Jews in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s,which is
to be vocally and visibly advocates for civil rights.
It’s time now for this change.
¯ III. Supporting a Queer youth movement to impact the
: politics of our state and nation;
¯ IV. Providing resources to the Oklahoma GLBT youth
¯ community including political and health education, a ¯
safe social environment, and an opportunity to cultivate
: leadership skills, and;
¯ V. Fostering the conception and growth of new GLBT
: student groupsacross Oklahoma.
¯ For more information, contact, Oklahoma Lambda In-
¯- tercollegiateCoalition 900Asp,OMU, P,m. 363,Box 169,
Norman OK 37019-4058 or telephone to.405-325-4452.
¯ www.geocities.com]okolic
i Stout Wins Okla.Mr.Leather
: T.U.L.S. A~ (Tulsa Uniform Leather Seekers Associa-
¯ .ti.’9fa):held the annual Oklahoma Mr. Leather contest
"! ~ O.cto~b_dr 20-22 at the Silver S’t~tr in Tulsa. Four Contestants
from the state competed in c~ate~ories that included inter,
view, streetwear, physique and full leather image. Seven
judges from the US and Canada judged the contestants.
International Mr. Leather 2000 Mike Taylor was among
the distinguished panel. Contestants were Jason Pelkey of
Tulsa, Jim Stout of Ramona, Stephen Scott of OKC-Mr.
Sooner State Leather 2000, and Mark Goins of Tulsa-Mr.
Tulsa Leather 2000.
The weekend event began with a tour of the local clubs
and Tulsa’s Gay Community Services Center. The interviews
were Saturday morning and the rest of the contest
was held that night. Stephen Scott was first runner-up.
Scout Troop Defies
National Anti-Gay Ban
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A second Rhode Island
Scout troop is defying the national organization’s ban
on homosexuals, Members, leaders, and parents from
Boy ScoutTroop 28 have sentaletterto the Narragansett
Council of Boy-Scouts saying they will ignore the
policy. The troopjoins Cub Scout Pack 88, which sent
a similar letter, The Providence Journal reported.
~
.The national policy is root~,in a 1910 oath that Says
Scofi~- ~’.st ke~p~el~s-~ ,.ni0ralty straigl~t:~’iThe
’ !. b~via’g tlplldld~y!th~ Siipr~aid CourtthisS~er,but
’"about ~:d~ozen~ trbb~ ~at~oflwlde have stud thaiwill
The leaders of Pack 28 said the words "morally
straight" have nothing to do with sexual orientation.
....’The oath didnotmean to banhomosextmls but to keep
.....on the straight and narrow and do what is right," said
Y"Allen M. Dennison, an assistant scoutmaster with
Troop 28, who has four sons in Scouting. Our assessment
of whatis right is that everyone be included, and
" that includes Gay leaders and Gay Scouts."
..... The Narragansett Council will forward the letter
fromTroop28to theBoy Scouts ofAmericaheadquar-
’ ters in Irving~ Texas, as it did with the letter from Pack
88, said state ¢o,.u~,ci! Spokesman David Preston.
Pack 88hash theard from the national Boy Scouts
regarding its status and calls to the Boy Scouts of
America were not returned. Officially, troops that
" ignore Scouting rule~ Will have their charter revoked.
To date, however, the Boy.Scouts of America has not
revoked thecharter of a troop or council for ignoring
.the banon Gays.
The ban made news inRhode Island last year, when
a 16-year-old Eagle Scout filed a complaint with the
Rhode Island Human Rights Commission saying he
was denied a job at a Scout camp because he is Gay.
Maryland Can Ban "
Anti-Gay Discrimination
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gov. Parris Glendening~s
:plan to add Gays to Maryland’s anti-discrimination
law likely would not violate the First Amendment
guarantee of free exercise of religion, according to the
state attorney general’s office.
Assistant Attomey General Kathryn M. Rowe issued
the four-page legal opinion this week at the
request of-Delegate Sandy,I. Rosenberg, who is expected
to use it to counter religious-based arguments
-.. against the proposed legislation. "I did this so we
would have a:.iegal opinion on the matter instead of
rhetoric that is not precise," Rosenberg said. "In an
- issue as emotional as .this, everybody should do their
best not to misstate the law."
Rosenberg asked for the opinion after a representative
of the Diocese ofWilmington testified against the
governor’s plan at a public heating in Salisbury.The
diocese includes Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
The hearing was conducted by a commission ereated
by the governor to solicit testimony about discrimination
against Gays, Lesbians, bisexuals and
transsexuals "The teaching o.f the Catholic Church and
societal tradition does not accept homosexuality as a
legitimate lifestyle," the diocese said in a position
paper presented at the hearing.
Thepositionpaper alSO said the proposed legislation
"significantly and Wrongfully encroaches (on) the
First Amendment, free-exercise rights of religious
institutionsand ofpersons whose actions are dri-ven by
their religious beliefs."
In her opinion, Rowe said there wasprecedent for
laws with "the incidental effect of burdening certain
religious practices" - as long as the laws do not single
out one religion. There is also precedent suggesting
that the hiring of ministers would be exempt from the
proposed bill, Rowe said.
: Navy Ends Harrassment
: of Former Seaman ¯
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)-A former midshipman who
: resigned from the U.S. Naval Academy amid accusa-
¯ tious ofhomosexuality won’thave to repay the govem-
~ ment for his education, the Navy has ruled/The deci-
¯ sion means that Tommie Watkins, 25, will not have to
." reimburse the Navy the $86,000 that covered his train-
. ing and tuition, plus interest.
i
Watkins, president of his classand an aspiring Navy
~ ~pil0t; ~s~id bewas pres’sured to. resign ~and did so
~ ~ beeau~e he feared ht~mophobia ’would preve~t him
~- fromreceiviffga fair trial:’After leaving, he acknowl-
-" edged being Gay. Officer trainees who drop out or are
¯ expelled during theirjtmior or senior years are required
¯ by Pentagon policy to repay the government for their
¯ education, either ~in cash or through enlisted service.
¯ The Navy’s Board of Correction of Naval Records
." said last year that he was a victim 6f,"error and
¯ injustice," and recommended the academy waive the
." payment. That decision was overruled in March by
." Carolyn Becraft, the assistant secretary ofthe Navy for
¯ manpower. Watkins sued, and on the day of the dead-
: line for the Navy to respond, his lawyer got word of the
: reversal.
." Watkins, who works in Miami as the project director
¯¯ for an AIDS and HIV ministry, called the decision
¯ "long overdue and totally justified." "It’s kind of
ironic, because the Navy says its core values are honor,
¯ courage and commitment," he said. "It seems like I had
_. to exhibit those qualities to win this case.’"
¯ Officials from the Naval Academy declined to com-
." ment on the decision.
¯ Iowa Order Banning Anti-
Gay Bias to Be Reviewed
¯ DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - It’s up to a Polk County
¯ district ,judge to rule on the legality-, of Gov. Tom ¯
Vilsack s’ci~il-rights order. District Judge Glenn Pille
heard lawyers’ arguments about the order during a
¯ recent hearing.
¯ Vilsack issued an executive order in September
1999, forbidding discrimination against Gays, Lesbi-
¯ ans and Transexuals in state government employment.
: The move sparked a legislative debate. Conservative
¯ legislators were particularly angry that the order ap- ¯
plies to Transsexuals. A majority of lawmakers voted
¯ to repeal the order, but Vilsack vetoed the legislation.
¯ Twenty-three legislators led by Republican Senate
¯ Majority Leader Stewart Iverson, challenged the order
¯
in a lawsuit filed in July. They said that Vilsack
¯ overstepped his authority and thathe, in effect, rewrote
¯ the law. ¯
Vilsack has said he is carrying out a state law
¯ providing equal opportunity in state employment to all
: persons. Iowa Deputy Attorney General Julie Pottorff
¯ represented Vilsack at the hearing. She said the dispute
¯ is a legal question, and that Vilsack acted within his
¯ auth6rity ensuring that legal protections apply to all
¯ executive branch employees. ’°-l’his is no more than a ¯
¯ political disagreement," Portorff told Pille.
Des Moines lawyer Mark McCormick is represent-
" ing the legislators and a former state employee. He
¯ argued at the hearing that the order infringes on the ¯
constitutional separation of powers and said "The
¯ governor has no power by- ~xecutive order to create
~ ¯ law." -
: Vatican in Tizzy About
¯ "Fake Marriages"
¯ VATICAN CITY (AP) - The Vatican has blasted
¯ lawmakers for givinglegal recognition to so-called"de
~ facto" unions - including those between Gays - and
¯ said attempts to allow adoption by Gays were "a great
danger." A 77-page document made public in Novem-~
Community
Unitarian Universalist
Congregation
at Community ofHope
2545 South Yale, Sundays at 1 lam, 749-0595
A Welcoming Congregation
HOUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Sun. Worship, 10:45 am, Sunday School, 9:30 am
Wed. Bible Study, 7 pm, Sunday Eve. Service, 6pm
¯ 1517 S. Memorial, 628-0802, Info: 224-4754
The Open Arms Project
Young Adult Support Group
Outreach Program Thurs. Nights
Meet Others in a Safe Enviroment
Call for meeting times and place:
918-584-2325
Mingo Valley Flowers
9413 E. 31st St., Tulsa 74145
918-663-5934, fax: 663-5834, 800-~.4-5934
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(918) 743-9559
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The Pride Store
21st Street & Memorial
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.743-.GAYS (743=4297)
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ber by The Pontifical Council for the Family was built
heavily around similar denunciations over the last few
years by Pope JohnPattl II.
Italian Gay groups, stung over the summer by the
Vatican’s moves to try to block Gay pride events in
Rome, denounced the latest pronouncement on homosexual
unions.
The Vatican’s council on family matters also presented
a proposal to make sex crimes against children,
including "sex tourism" exploitation, crimes against
humanity. But .the bulk of the positions ,pr.esented.
hammered away at unions betwb.en Gays as well as
legal recognition for.~tmm.arried hetgcosexual~couple~.
While not citing any particular, .country, thd .,Vatica.n,.
spoke of ’~great concern" aboutlawiiaakers’ efforts "in
many countries with an ancient Christian tradition" to
give legal status to unmarried couples.
Earlier this month, Germany.granted legal recognition
to Gay couples, following similar moves.ove~ the
1~ decade by other Western European countries.
" De facto unions ~e the result.of private behavior
andshoul’d remain 0ni~e pri~at~ 1,ev_el ," . the Vatican
said. It described as a ~erious sign, of.the-contempo,~
rary br0~tkd0wn in the s0dal an~ ~oral.conscilence,
political eftbrts tO give institutionalstatus to delfacto
couples. It Said attempts to legalize thead0ption of
children by Gay. ~Q~ple,s .added ’!an elemen_t.of ~reat
danger." - ..
NY Town offers: Benefits
GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) -The Gr.eenburgh Town
Board voted un’aJaim6u~ly" tO ’offer health-be]aefits to
same-sex domestic partners 0f municipal workers.
"We want to treat all our employees as if they’re
valuable to us," said Supervisor Paul.Feiner.
New Yoj~k ~stiite,. Ne~: Yori~ City;._a~nd/~Ve’stchester
CounU,.plus several ~orporation~,~.rpv.id¢~sach:benefits
to homosexual couples. Of Westchester s-municipalities,
only. Eastchester has..acted before
Greenburgh.
Under the measure;, which goesinto effect JnJanu-
..ary, an uumarried,.town, employee who.says-in an
affidhvit that he or she has hadan exclusive relationship
for a year can extend medical.and dental coverage
to\the partner. - " . )_
Phelps at Phillips Exeter
EXET.ER, N.H. (AP) - An anti-Gay ch~ch group
opposed to Phillips ExeterAcadem~~ s p0!~gy .alirwing
homosexuals to be dorm parents protested outside the
school recently, v~aving.signs with messages .that included:
’q’hank GodforA!DS." About adoZenfol!owers
of the Rev. Fred Phelps of the Westboro B.aptist
Church of Topeka~ Kan., ~rrivedat ~eS~hob’i~r’rund
noon after making similar demonstrations in’Ve~ont
and Maine earlier.
The, ,church members, oppose a measure Phillips
Exeter truste~.,S approved in May that al!0ws.Gay and
,,I~,.sbian faculty and staff to serve as dormitory parents.
’ it’s destroying the fabric0fthis nation~ the~r~ls/.hat
this nation ,does have," s,aid Sam Pheligs~Roper’~ the
Rev.Phelps grandson.".It saslippeDi~lopestraightto
hell and that’s where this.country is’headed. This is a
ing match toward the end, when a group of University
of New Hampshire students arrived to denounce the
church group.
"Relax! It’sjust sex," one student shouted. "I preach
God’s word." "You preach hate." But that’s an accusation
Phelps’ followers don’t deny. They maintain
that God hates homosexuals and will destroy any
society that condones homosexual behavior. ’q’he
Christian belief is rooted not only in the love of God,
but also the hate of God. You can’t have one without
,the. 9~er.,’~’. . .Pt!_dps-Roper said. "That is definitive.
Th,e~ is~no.question, that Gq~t!ha,t~s, p~9..p!e.]’, ,,
-~~W.~[bggQ Baptist ,O~,ur..ch ~s. ~gu,t 2Pq i~im~ers.
. They have picketed~a~ ~e fun~91s of. homosexuals,
including that of Matthew Shepard,.a Gay man.who
was brutally beaten and tortured in Wyoming in Octo~
ber 1998. "He’s in hall. And everyone else who.lives
daat lifestyle will likely be in he!! with him unle{s.they
repent," Phelps-Roper said. "Of ~.course, he could.have
repented, but there’ s a snowball’, s, chance of tha~;happening."
_.
¯ The Rev. Phelps did not attend, the demonstr.a_.tion.
~ His grandson said Phelps,:was .geeded back at his
¯¯ c,,h.t~h tominister But Phe!ps~Roper.saidthe growing
acceptance of homosexualit~ made,:their message to
¯ iEx~ter all the more importan.t. ’;7~..’s.isimportant ~tuff.
¯ This is a ,matter of life and ~death,’:etemRy h~-re,"
phelps-Roper said. "When G.0~as said something is
: ~.abomination, you don’t mes~.~ith it."
¯ Representatives of 14 churches from the region
¯ j6i]aekl the university students.i0PPosing Phdps? fol-
19wers. They said that thoug~flaey:don’t all agree on
¯ the moral status of homosexu~fity, they univers~ally
oppose Phelps’ message.
."While we recognize their, right, to express their
p,ersonal views freely concermngAcademy policy and
: ~e subjectin general, we take,~.trong exception to/heir
¯ rhe.t.ori9and signs denigrati.ng0~r~eighbors,,, the,Rev’
¯
¯ DanielWeaver of theExeterUnitedMethodistChurch
said: ~’We wholcheartedly agree:thathatr’ed, expressed
¯ or implied, as well as the adVo~icy br promotion of
¯ haff~lis anathema. It is certaird:y notitt the spirit of the
¯ v0~b~dsOf Jesus, ’Love your°neiIgl~bor~ as yourself."’
¯ Accused Murderers of
" Gay Man to Stand Trial
FAIRMONT, W.Va. (AP) =T.w,o,teen-agers will stand
: trial ear)y next year for the murder of a Gay black man
from.Marion County, a judg.e., ruled~ in November.
: David Allen Parker, whose lawyers may argue a di-
: minished .capacity defense;,is ser~ to stand trial in
¯ Becldey on Jan. 16. His co-defendarit, Jared Wilson.
¯ will l!0t be tried until February...... ¯
Par~er, 18, ofGrantTownan~tWilson, 18, ofFairview
: ar~’charged with first-degree.murder in the July 4
° beating death of Arthur "J.R." Warren. Police say the
teens pummeled the 26-year,old acquaintance with
: their fists and feet, then ran over him four times with
] Parker’s car to disguise his injuries as a hit-and-run.
¯ The assault allegedly began after ~Warren told others
¯" about a sexual relationshiphe claimed to have had with
: Parker.
~ Circuit Judge Rodney Merrifield said he will likely
message that they need." ¯ rule within 10 days whetherjurors at thetrials will hear
~ ~..m,,d~nts, at .tl],e neari~y,22Q=ye~o!d pri~vate ,high : the teens’ confessions. Defenselawyers argue sheriff’s
Schorl: apparently ~v~r~fi t irit~Stc;d~j~"h~g it~ ¯ deputies inappropriately obtained the statements the
Many students and faculty members_wore x~row- :, gtay, 9.t" Lhe_.murd,er,;an accusatton, the deputies have
colored pins, a symbol of support for homosexuals ¯ denied on the Witness ;/arid
Judy Quirm, spokeswoman for Phillips Exeter, said " Prosecutors say Warren’s DNA showed up in evithe
school’s roughly ’1,000 students decided not to
attend the~demonstration; and instead .-organized a
diversity celebration in another part of the campus.
"The values of inclusion and diversity have been
hallmarks of Phillips Exeter Academy since its formding,"
she said in a written statement. "The fact an
objection to these principles is what brings this group
to Exeter is indeed regrettable "
The otherwise peacefifl protest erupted into a shout-
: dence samples taken from the interior, exterior and
: undercarriage of Parker’s car, as well as on wood
: paneling and molding from the house where the bea~-
¯ ing began.
: Parker’s attorneys, Rebecca Tate and Stephen Fitz.
¯ also asked the judge for a delay so they could hire ~.,
~ expert to study their client for a possible diminished
o capacity defense strategy.
Bayer Seeks New
AIDS Treatments
BERLIN (AP) - Bayer AG, Germany’s
biggest drugmaker, said Tuesday it will
join the search fornew AIDS treatments as
part of a shakeup of its drug research
activities: The Leverkusen-based company,
best-known for developing aspirin,
will look for substances effective against
resistant viruses, said Wol,fgang Hartwig,
head of research in’Bayer s pharmaceuti- :
cal busine.ss group. The company declined
to specify:how muchit will invest in AIDS
research. In 2000, it budgeted a total of 1
billion euros ($845 million) for research
and development.
Bayer said it expects to identify the first
substances suitable for precliuical HIV
testing within two years. Pharmaceutical
research will in the future be focused on 13
fields, including seeking new treatments
in urology, Alzheimer’s dementia and
Parkinson’ s disease. Bayer saidit will stop
its research activities for osteoporosis, fibrosis
of the liver and stroke.
Key Protein in
AIDS. Virus Found
WASHINGTON (AP) - A protein that
does housekeeping chores inside cells plays
a key role in spreading the AIDS virus to
other cells of the body, researchers report.
In studies appearing in the Proceedings of
the National AcademyofSciences (PNAS),
researchers say that _HIV, the AIDS’virus,
uses a group of proteins, called
proteasomes, to assemble new viral partitles
and to spread those new particles.to
uninfected cells.
Ulrich Schubert of the National Institute
of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
(NIAID) said test tube studies show that
blocking the action of the proteasome proteins
can reduce the spread of HIV infection
by about 98%. Schubert, the first
author of one study in PNAS, cautioned
that the research was conducted only in
test tubes and it is not known if the
proteasome inkibitors would work against
HIV in humans. "We would never inject
this drug into an HIV-infected person because
we do not know what would happen,"
said Schubert.
Theproteasome inhibitors will be tested
in monkeys before any human tests are
considered, and those animal studies could
take months, he said.
Dr. Jonathan W. Yewdell, a NIAID researcher
and a co-author of the study, said
that althoughinhibitingproteasome shows
promise as a strategy for treating HIV, "it
is possible that it may not have any effect
at all." He said the proteasome function is
essential for healthy cells and that a drug
thatblocks thatfunction could affect every
cell in the body. "It is possible that the
HIV-infectedcells will be more sensitive
or that there are effects against the virus
before" the healthy cells are affected, said
Yewdell.
Yewdell and Schubert said cancer researchers
are experimenting with
proteasome inhibitors for the treatment of
prostate cancer and early studies have
shown no side effects in cancer patients.
The drug, however, has not been used in
HIV-infected patients, they said.
Proteasome’s job inside the cell is to
identify and destroy old or unneeded proteins.
Another PNAS study, by researchers
at Pennsylvania State University, suggests
that amolecule calledubiquitinplays
akeyroleinhow viruses use theproteasome
function in a cell to make new viral partitles.
Still another PNAS study, by researchers
from the Dana-Farber Caneer Institute,
Harvard Medical School and the University
of Padua in Italy, also demonstrates
that ubiquitin plays a role in HIV particle
formation.
HIV spreads its infection inside thebody
by forcing white blood cells, called CD4s,
to make new viral particles. These partitles
are released from the cells and can
then infect other cells, spreading the infection
throughout the body.
The final part of this virus-making proeess
is called budding. During budding, a
new viral particle wraps itself in a membrane
from the surface of the infected cell
and completes its development. When the
budding process is completed, the virus
particle is released and can then attach to
an uninfected CD4 cell and continue to
spread the infection.
The researchers found that HIV uses the
proteasome molecules, particularly
ubiquitin, to complete the assembly of a
new viral particle at the cell membrane.
When the pro.teasome action is blocked,
HIV particle formation is crippled, they
found.
"Inhibiting proteasome causes fewer
viruses to detach from the cell and what
viru~ is madeis notas good," saidYewdell.
Proteasome is most active in the budding
phase of making a new HIV viral
particle. It is different from protease, an
enzyme that helps the HIV virus assemble
precursor proteins into active proteins.
Some HIV drugs, called protease inhibitors,
work by blocking the action of the
protease enzyme.
Power
Connect.
Public Service Compa~ny of Oklahoma
Customer Service.is Nb~Available 24
Hours A Day, Seven Days A Week.
These days, traditional 8-5 business hours
aren’t always convenient. So PSO has made it
easier than ever for you to contact us.
Our Customer Service Center operates 24/7
offering around-the-clock answers to your
questions - and better access to service.
Now it’s easier for you to inquire
about your monthly electric bill.
Or report a power outage. Or
arrange to have your
power turned on or
off. Our professionally
trained, friendly and
knowledgeable customer
service representatives are
standing by to serve you.
All, day, every day.
To provide faster response
to your needs, we have listed
our toll-free numbers below.
¯ Leftover Medicines
Help in Haiti + More
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - The jar of
AIDS medications that Moses Alicea
plucked from among pill bottles and vials
spilled across the table were bound for the
dump - worthless in the United States. But
in Haiti, where the lifesaving drugs will be
sent, they are priceless. The medications -
about $20,000 worth of protease inhibitors
that can suppress HIV and prevent
progression of AIDS - will be sent to the
Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation to
help people who would otherwise never
receive the treatment.
At the root of the salvage effort is the
vast gulfbetween availability of the medications
in affluentcountries tike the United
States and developing countries like Haiti.
"This is importantbecause there’s peqple
living with HIV who can’t get the meds
like we do," said Alicea, 36, who gave his
ownleftoverAIDS medications. "ffI can’t
use them, somebody else can. There’s alot
of stuffoutthere that’ sjustbeing dumped."
Some 95% of the more than 33 million
people with HIV and AIDS in the world
are in poor countries, according to the
World Health Orgamzation. In those regions,
the so-called drug "cocktails" -
Clip And Save "
p I I I I I I--I I I I III
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TOLL-FREE SERVICE
Customer Services: 1-888-216-3523
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Public Service Company of Oklahoma
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Medical
Excellenc.e And
Compass.lonate
Care S nce
1926.
a ¯ ST. JOHN MEDICAL CENTER
q P Medical Excellence-Compassi’onate Care
whichcan costupwardof $20,000 per year
in the United States -are about 30 times
the average monthly income and far out of
reach for most people, according to the
group Doctors Without Borders.
The issue of global drug acess has becomeheated.
Protesters doggedVice President
A1 Gore last year about drug prices in
Africa, and the issue is apriority for institutions
like the World Health Organization
that are trying to combat the disease.
Clients of the group Cambridge -Cares
About AIDS are collecting the drugs from
friends and family members - even from
their own medicine cabinets. Most of the
donated drugs are left over when a person
with AIDS switches drug regimens because
of debilitating sitle effects. Since
last December, the group has delivered
some $200,000 worth of medications to
Parmers in Health, a Boston-based organization
with a clinic in Haiti which distributes
them to people with AIDS and HIV.
Partners in Health executive director
Dr. Jim Yong Kim said between 50 and
100 people in Haiti are regularly receiving
the medications gathered by the Cambridge
group. But there’s an enormous
unmet need that this effort cannot even
begin to solve without global attention -
and a global solution- to the drug crisis, he
said. "This is now an absolute disaster and
an absolute crisis," Kim said. "It’s a moral
problem, but it’s also an economic and
political problem.’"
TheWorld Health Organizationhas protocols
for donated drugs. But the organization
does not have separate guidelines for
AIDS medications, which generally involve
complex daily regimens of 15 to 20
different pills that require close medical
supervision. And the medication supply
must be consistent, because interrupting
the regimen can result in the HIV virus
becoming resistant to treatment.
Only a handful of groups send unused
AIDS drugs overseas. Kim said agencies
like his are "writing the book" on salvaging
AIDS drugs. There is no agency overseeing
the practice, no way of knowing
how common it is or whether groups are
adhering to WHO guidelines for drug donations,
according to Michael R. Reich,
acting chair of the Department of Populationand
International Health at the Harvard
School of Public Health.
But he said that while donations will
never fill the need for drugs in poor countries,
this effort highlights the problem.
"Troubling questions arise from gaps in
access," he said. "Haiti is a country with
extraordinary needs for good drugs, and
donations provide a mechanism for trying
to address the gap."
James Russo, spokesman for the Partnership
for Quality Medical Donations, an
organization composed of drug companies
and non-govemmen.tal organizations
thatTdistribute free drugs o~¢erseas, said it
is a"perfecfly reasonable and understandable
and decent thing to do."
Such donations may not technically be
legal, because the recipient is not the person
for whom the drugs were prescribed,
he said. But if the drugs are properly used
and distributed, thenpublichealthbenefits
override such legal issues. "The fact that it
needs doing is, to me, a tragic observation
about the state of public health policy," he
said. "Nothing but good can come from
¯ something like this."
¯ Sitting beside Alicea, Katherine Gaynes,
: 54, takes a thick marker and strikes from a
¯ bottle the name of the original patient, the
¯¯ doctor who made the prescription and the
pharmacy that filled it so the pills cannot
¯
be traced back to the original recipient.
¯ She said the huge overseas need for medications
frustrates her, but she’s glad she’s
¯
been able to do some good. "If the rest of
¯ the world doesn’t get better, then it doesn’t
; get better for us," she said. .
¯ Rise in HIV in Gays
And Natives Feared
¯ TORONTO (AP) - New numbers on HIV
infections in Canada point to a worrying
: trend away from safe sex in some segments
of the Gay community and a steep
¯ increase of infections among FirstNations
¯ people. The number of new infections
¯ amongmenwho have sex withmenjumped
¯ by 30% from 1996 to 1999, according to
¯ the latest report on HIV and AIDS preva-
¯ lence issued by Health Canada. The hum-
: ber of new infections among Aboriginal
¯ Peoples rose 91% over the same period.
: Some headway hadbeen made over that
: time in cutting the number ofnew cases of
_" HIV infection among injected drug users,
¯ the report said, noting the number of new
: cases declined 27% last year over 1996.
¯ "But no sooner did we do that than Gay
: men are starting to rebound again," Chris
¯ Archibald, Health Canada’s chief of HIV/
¯
AIDS epidemiology and surveillance, said
: from Ottawa on Thursday.
¯ Before 1996, Health Canada reported a
¯ steady drop in the number of new cases of
¯ HIV among Gay men, the population most
ravaged by HIV and AIDS. Gay men accounted
formore than 80% ofnew cases in
: 1981-83; by 1996, they made up less than
¯ a third (30%) of new cases of HIV infection.
Archibald said the upward trend has
¯ VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -
." A group of health-care advocates and in-
. jection drug users is aiming to make
Vancouver the first city in North America
to offer addicts a safe site to inject drugs.
¯ Whether the facility is a"hole in the wall"
¯ or a comprehensive health center will be
." determined by funding, says the Harm
." ReductionActionSociety, whichreleased
¯ its pilot project proposal last month.
." The society would like to have support
¯ from all levels, "but let’s get this straight,
we are going to do it," said board member
Dean Wilson. "One way or another, there
¯
will be such a facility or facilities," said
Ross Harvey, the executive director of the
¯ B.C. Peoples with AIDS Society.
The society would like to have a facility
¯
open before Valentine’s Day. The group,
¯ formed earlier this year, recently sent con-
¯. sultants to Frankfurt,Germany,where they
visited five sites set up in 1994. The city
¯
released proposal recently that included a
¯ safe-sites proposal,butMayorPhilipOwen
¯ rejected the idea, saying it would be a
magnet for drug addicts.
¯ also been reportedin the United States and
." the Netherlands.
Vancouver Looks
At Injection Site
sung. And the lyrics aren’t too bad, either.
He’s been performing since he was 6,
and appeared in the film "Latin Boys Go
To Hall" singing a song
"... Siegfried and Roy
have never been involved
..m ~r~ming
an.i.~.ii.a.lk. i"n the’ ir h,2ves.
They mold things around
the personality
of their animals."
And maybe, if the rest of.
us learned’ thattriek -
love ~hOUt
the ne~ for~.e~ntrol -
we’d h~ve better
ofhis owncomposition.
He’ s played some ofthe
most resi~ected venues
in NYC to critical acdaini.
’ ~
He ~is also named
by HXmagazine as one
of the ten hottest menin
NY. Judging from the
press photos, I’ll second
that. He’s currently
working with song-
.writer DesmondChilde,
knowi~ for being a
’ hitwriter forRickyMar-
.... ~ tin,Ch~,.and Ma~10nna.
He’il surprise you.
YOu’.dnever .guess he
was anice.Jewish bpy
relationships as well . frOmNew York - he~s ---got: that ~0ul sound
by Jim Christjohn, entertainment editor
Merry Yule and Winter Solstice, everyone!
This year has moved fast - hard to
believe we’ll be starting
a new millennium
soon. Hope everyone
h~ a ha~pp.y hoR.day.
~. ~- ~l~a ’frijOl, ~-Jim~
’ Brf~l~iffa~ ~rbtflrh~:t~o
Tut~d D~em6~r~5~il fdt
a a romantic ,evening bf
musicandfun. Ifyou’ve
?iaot seen his show be-
7~ore, .or
~ ing, it s well worfla it.
i?And he’s:iher~ ~ith
¯" ~onny oshioiia,’W~Ch
~’should
7~I’11 miss John Trbnes, a
i, family m.-..~~m~l~ ,~ho
~’ was here~th
year, but"J~bgt Doimy
does a grea~jdb ~i~the
songs. Ji~ can~take a
huge thOt~.~d make
. it seem
" room, and :he’s gOkgcous to boot - very
handsom~],~,Sf;.~tl~6~:~;i~uals are as good as
’the musi.~;.ye~, ~I,know...you really
" didn’t exp~t ~e t
without .mgn,ti.0~ngl something like that,
did you?.~tf!~y!~mmended; especially
as an earl~’. Yule gift for that sigfiffieant
other. 596~7111:fo fix.
If yo~J;~:i’6bidiag for nifty gffties of an
entertaiifi~ s0~t,’I have a few recomme,n,-
dations: Fir~ oifth~’list is "Chicken Run’,
just outOgDVD~dVHS. TheDVDis the
preferencehe~e, due to the fun extras they
threw ina~d the".claance to see the film as
it was preSgntetion screen, instead of only
half the.p.ivRtr¢fformatted to fit your TV)
on the VHS version. There’s two documentaries
9n ..tal.ent and how they made.
those chickens ttm; and it’s fun to see thecast
men~!~erswfiose ,v,oices you hear. And
it is so eff.~ecti~e.you I1 never eat chicken
pot pies again:-’ Favorite line: Ging,er
Chickefi,.:~.’.fig’ to explain why they re
having ~toi~i~aS escaping the chicken
farm/pfi~on"~to g doubting member of the
flock, says’ Do’you know what the problem
is? ~[]ie:fe~i~S.. aren’t just ’round the
farm, they’reuphe~e-in yourheads !" The
other chick~ep!ies,"Aw, give it up, ducks.
There’s.amillion toone chance we’ll ever
get out of her,e:, Ginger, mustering up thelast
bit of hope she has (All done with the
eyes), rep!iles, "Well . . there’s still a
chance then." And then there’s Nick and
Fletcher, a pair of rats who have a rather
mteresturg relataonship... And that s al
I’ll say about that, except I am surprised at.
a: c"ertai.n::’a:c"t.lw.?s~t2m. :t~o:,w~n; w;~ho~ di¯ dN, O""T"~fi.1re
~ff a s~i-ies:.6fl6tters aboi~t Gay i~dople"
being represented as rats... Even though
they’re really cute rats, in that rat-like
way, and help the chickens to escape.
A new artiste on the Gay scene, Ari
Gold, has a new CD out, and unlike many
artists capitalizing on the "I’m Gay and
out, so even if I suck, you should still buy
my stuff", it’s actually a really good CD,
filled with dance grooves and soulful ballads
that are slickly produced and well
down. He deserves our
Support, because he dell,v~rs.the goo~s:
Mostpr6moCDsfrom Gayarfists ’end
UPas coastdts 6tmini-frisb.ees. This one’s
akeeper. Great for dancing and romanc¯
ing, I give-it fivesnaps. He’ sgot awebsite:
WWW.ARIGOLD.COM
¯ For those~vith.cabl~;~the’Americanized
¯ ,)ersion of the British series "Queer as
~ ’ .F01k" begins airing On Sh0w~me Decem-
~ her 3rd. For.those Without c,],,ble, fihd a
¯ ’ friend that has ~it,; The~iow delivers a
:" Slice of.gffy life~th~t’ ~ ~corn~ellitag, ~pto-
,)ocative, and unlike any showyou’ll see.
For 22 riveting episodes, these unforgettable
men.andw0in~nr~veal tfiemselves -
i:eally reveal themselves - as no TV characters
ever have." Well,Iknow some folk,-
who are queer, who~ve seenthe original
British series, and if it’ s kept intact and not
Americanized todeath, it sh.ould be good.
: Happyw~ffChing!
.... " Open now is a duo offeline proportions
¯ ."in "Siegfried and Roy: The Magic Box."
i Now, I wonder if .we get to find out just
.*. :Who has that’magi box? "Siegfried and
: ’Roy: The Mhgic B6~" i~an’iMAX biopic
¯ ~Which includes’their Las V~gas a~t~ well
¯ as abiographical storyin-azstory ofhow
.’- the two men met .-as-boys in war-tom
¯ Germany, combining a love of magic,
’ ~animals, and each other to become the
." "world’S greatestillu~R~nistS."
¯ Anthony Hopkins Narrates the story of
¯ the two boys who meet on a cruise ship ¯
(oh, the fodder for puns that provides) and
~ form "a differen,,t kind of i~agic act using
¯ exotic .snimals, .: an~" als0 ~"forni ~an~ .ex-
¯ -ty.~me|y lohg ~erm ~-ela~o~s~i~. oli, the
~° :jokbs that come tomind. So much material
¯ to work with, so little space.
¯ Actually, they have my admiration and
¯ all due respect. To work and live together ¯
as long as they have and not to have killed
" each other in the process, and to have
¯ remained together, is no easy task. I have
¯ heardthem speakofthat, andhow attimes,
. you just wanna kill your parmer, but un-
" derneath it all is the love that keeps you
¯ working together - see Amuse, p. 10
GIFTS
OF T!tI
S ASON!:
COUNCIL OAK
WISHING YOU A
JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON &
A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR
PLEASE JOIN
TULSA OKLAHOMANS FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS
AS WE
CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS.{
HOLIDAY RECEPTION
HONORING TOHR’s 20TH ANNIVERSAF~Y
&
SILENT AUCTION
AN ~,.RT, AHTIQUES & FINE DINING.SHOWCASE
SUNDAY, DECEMBER | 0
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
TULSA GAY COMMUNI’~Y
SERVICES CENTER
2114 S MEMORIAL
PARADE OF LIGHTS
Come celebrate the spirit of the holiday season
at the AEP-Public Service Company of Oklahoma
Christmas Parade of Lights, Satu rday, Decem ber
9, downtown Tulsa at 6 p.m. View parade floats
up close, Friday, DecemberS, at the HolidayFest
(Brady Arts District) from 7 - 9 p.m.
PUBLIC
SERVICE
COMPANY OF
OKLAHOMA®
by Karin Gregory
GEls, have you ever had that Gay male
friend who does everything with you? A
Will to your Grace?AJack to your Karen?
The oneman-for some of you, theONLY
man - to whom you’d tell your secrets?
Who is warm, caring, loving,
a great listener, and in
many cases,has betterfashion.
sense than you? The
one man you can talk to all
night long? That guy who
will, even across the miles,
allow you to cry on his
shoulder about your girlfriend?
And you still remember
your own tearstained
shoulders from
when he knocked on your
door at 3 a.m. Most ofus, if
we’re lucky, have a guy
who would be the perfect
partnerforapolitically correct"
family value" couple
if he became a woman and
we became a man.
ButI’m nottalking about
him here. This is another Gay man who
possesses none ofthe abovequalities. Sure,
he can be a nice guy- whenhe wants to be.
And he DOES have better fashion sense
than I, although that’s no stretch. Butwhile
I embracedmy.Gayness before embracing
another woman, he did his embracing, and
whatever rise (eeeewww!) earl~, on, and
never really learned to enjoy being Gay.
"How sad," you might say. Don’t feel
sorry for him. Especially when you find
out where I’m spending my days lately.
Great house, DirecTV, MUCH cleaner
thanmy place, and the perfect party home.
I had become - how shall I say? - financially
non-existent and couldn’t pay my
rent (sounds like a musical, doesn’t it?).
My friend - let’s call him Vincent - offered
to put me up in his house for a few
months. OK, let’s talk realism. He was
looking for someone to help him with the
house payments. I would get oneroom and
a bathroom, as opposed to my car. Most
people in my situation wouldjump at this
arrangement. Although it .would save me
$400, the cost in psycffiatric visits overmy
lifetime would soon absorb the savings.
Let’s just say that we were the other"Odd
Couple." Picture a much more obsessive/
compulsive, anal retentive Felix Unger,
who is also emotionally constipated, and
you have Vincent. You’re not where I am
now, and I hope you never are. Let me tell
you how I got here through a progression
of nightly entries.
¯DAY ONE - Got to Vincent’s house
about 10:45 tonight after work. I can already
tell our work schedules are going to
conflict as he made a great show of"having"
to be up this late. This was HIS idea,
remember. He showed me the alarm system.
God, it feels like Fort Knox in here,
motion detectors and all. He also gave me
an extra key and garage door opener. It all
feels so official. This IS just a trial run,
after all. I’m relegated immediatdy to my
room, as small as a nun’s cell. He said I
could have one piece of furniture, but
there’s no room for anything else. i’ve
¯ been calling and calling my girlffien.: all
: night, getting nothing but a busy sig:m!
: That makes me anxious and frightenex~, se
: I tall Vincent what’s going on, hoping to
¯¯ get some sympathy. While I try to hug ¯ : : ~, : :, "ra.m,.~.com.p~,.a~ps.....Oh
"...G~gr~|s,. ,halve you no," in’d very pugquttbhe
of voi~qe; his~us~tml t0ne. He e erMd Gay pU s n< "ar0 a.me
male friend whodoes VERY gingerlg: try’ing to
everythln~ with you?
A Will to
your Grace?
A Jack to
your Karen?
The one man - for
some of you, the
ONLY man - to
whom you’d tell
your secrets?.. ?’
much me as little as possible,
as if I’m a Lesbian
leper. After he leaves, I get
into the closet (I thought
I’d left that for good!) so as
not to wake him, and call
my friend Jim. He gives
me a bigger hug over the
phone from Tulsa than I
got from Vincent. I pull
out my CD player and listen
to Melissa Etheridge
(who else?). Somehow it
makes me feel dominant.
DAY TWO - After dedaring
thatmy alarm woke
him from the other side of the house, he
leaves. Now I can walk aroundlike I want.
Ooops! I forget that he leaves the kitchen
blinds open. Well, his neighbors will just
be confused. They thooght they were living
near a Gay man!.Oa my way to work,
I find my girlfriend has called to let me
know she’s all right, which should put me
at ease, but the thought of having to live
with Vincent depresses me. It already feels
like I’m giving upmy life to live according
to his schedule. WhenI arrive at his house,
I’m in less than a pleasant mood. Anger
sets in when I realize that I forgot to tape
"Will and Grace." It doesn’t help that
Vincent goes on andon abouthow this was
the funniest episode he’s ever seen. "Did
youtapeit?" I askhopefully, already knowing
the answer. "No, I was home to watch
it," he says, cleaning up the kitchen in a
"don’t youdaremake amess" way. Selfish
bastard! This further proves my point that
when a man asks you into his life, for
whatever reason, he really means, "I want
to live my life as I always have, with no
compromises. You’ll just be around when
andif I need you." NowonderI’m Gay! He
woulddrive Pat Buchanan’s wife to Lesbianism.
I pop my popcorn (the only thing
I’ve had since noon today), and the only
thing allowed to me. I once again listen to
Melissa, who has a strangeway ofempowering
me. I fall asleep, dreaming of using
a stun gun on Vincent repeatedly.
DAY THREE-Today’s finally Friday,
and I might be allowed to watch some TV
tonight. I’m fine all day until I enter
Vincent’s abode. We’re eating pizza, and
he’s buying, an obvious splurge. But we
disagree on TV programming, so he
watches something in his room while I
have the living room all to myself to watch
a Beatles special. I’ve figured out one
thing - never trust anyone who hates the
Beatles. It’s positively UnAmerican! Another
night of silence until he comes into
the living room to switch channels so he
can watch the news. seeLesbian,p.11
by Lamont Lindstrom
"Gifts make slaves just as whips make
dogs," or so says one bit of Native American
wisdom. Keep this in mind during the
upcoming holiday orgy of giving and receiving.
Grits aremorethan
just tokens of affection.
They are’als0 ~gminde~s of
obligati’On ahdl du~. Giging
is politiCak ~Pd]~h~ps~ I
give you a present because
°I like you. Butifyou accept
mypresent,you also accept
that you are indebted to me
- at least until you can pay
me back.
Ihad, once, a studentfrom
Saudi Arabia whose father
was in the rug trade. "I’m
contacting my father," he
told me near the end of the
term. "I’d like to give you a
carpet." Oh no, I thought,
visions of Baluchis and
Kilims dancing inmy head.
How amI going to g~vehim
the "D" that he deserves?
Luckily, he presented me
with a cheap synthetic
prayer rug decorated,with
garish neon cameIs, worth
only a few dollars down at
yourlocal bazaar. I wasn’t that muchii~’his
debt after all, and I graded him down with
a lighter heart.
l~erhaps we all have had an experience
of over-receiving. Somebody g~ves us
something that is waytoo much. What can
he have in mind? What does he want in
return?A pesky acquaintance surprises us
with afine leatherjacket. But what does he
expect?A closer friendship?A date? Need
we give it up?
The fancy anthropological word for gift
giving is "reciprodty." I give something
to you, and you give something back to
me. Such exchange can be balanced or
imbalanced. Either way,. this says something
about power. If we engage in prolonged,
imbalanced gift giving, we find
ourselves in an enduring relationship of
inequality. Those fine presents have made
us into dogs and slaves.
Parents, for instance, give a lot more to
children thanchildren giveto parents. This
exchangeimbalancefuels parental authority.
Few morns and dads hand their children,
on their 18th birthdays, a bill for
$186,000. Ratherthan reciprocating the
exact dollar cost of raising us, we repay
parents in obedience. "As long as you live
inMYhouse, you’ll do what I say!" Those
gifts come with strings. .
To avoid, obligfiroh~ we must balance
gift giving. Only balanced exchange cre:
ates equality. If some one gives us a holiday
present, we feel pressured togive a
present in return. Failure to reciprocate
means either that we don’tmind shouldering
this debt and its obligations, or that we
want to break things off altogether. Does
morn send out the family’ s holiday cards?
What does she do when someone fails to
reciprocate? Cross him off the list!
Sometimes exchangeimbalancepersists
¯ for years, however. My dentist sends me a
¯ Christmas card annually. Butdo I sendone
¯ back? Nope. In this case, I amrude enough
¯ to take without giving. But I understand
¯" the deal implied by this imbalanced exchange~
I take my mouth
around to his office every
six months.
My friends in the South
Pacific go to huge efforts
to raise and give away pigs
just to get their neighbors’
pigs in return. If would be
far easier for all villagers
to eat their own pigs. But
what of us? .We are madcap
enough to enrich the
Post Office every December
by mailing, around a
blizzard of Christmas
cards. I send out about 60
each year, and in return I
receive 60 back. But if I
really am so desperate for
cards to clutterupmymantelpiece,
why don’t I just
keep those that I buy? I’d
save a 10t on postage that
way.
My island friends are
fanatic giftbalancers. They
keep exact records of how
] many pigs, baskets, and mats they receive
¯¯ so that they can give the same in return.
Butthey sometimes over-give- just alittle.
¯ This iitfleextra gift, which al~O must be
"... Perhaps we all
~have had an experhne¢
of over-reeelvlng.
Somebody gives us
something that is way
too much. What can
he have in mind?
What does he want in
return? A peshy
aeq~intanee surp~ses
us ~th a fine l~ther
~aeket. But w~t
does he expect?
A closer friendship?
A ~te? Need we
give it up... ?"
repaid at some point, keeps the :relationship
moving along.
Balanced exchanges celebrate the fact that
we are still investing in the relationship.
Youremain important to me. Butif I amto
stay your equal, I need to give you about
what you give me. I am embarrassed if I
return too little OR ff I return too much.
Imbalance in either direction implies either
that I don’t care about us as much as
you do, or that I am trying to obligate you.
Given the importance of exchange balance,
it is perverse that we remove price
tags and wrap presents. It’s a bit of a game.
We see through these pretenses that "it’s
the thought that counts." As experienced
givers, we are pretty good at striking a
balance despite the absence ofprice tags or
the concealment of gift-wrap. When a
friend drops off a gaily-wrapped present
for you, shake that box! Make a mistake in
what you give back and it could be the
doghouse for you!
Lamont Lindstrom teaches anthropology
at the University of Tulsa.
and frommurdering each other. They have
also managed to survive a business that
chews you up and spits you out.
It’s easy to makejokes at their expense,
but you know, there is a magic there, that
they’ve been able to survive that business
- andremain together, whenI’m sure there
were many times it wouldhavebeenmuch
easier to split under the pressure.
see Amuse, p. 11
Timothy W. Daniel
Attorney at Law
An Attorney who will fight for justice
& equality for Gays & Lesbians
Domestic .Partnership Planning,
Personal Injury, Criminal Law & Bankruptcy
1-800-742-9468 or 918-352-9504
128 East Broadway, Drumright, Oklahoma
Weekend and evening appoinlrnenls are available.
As Seen On Oprah
Wireless E-Mail
Send and receive Internet mail
Exchange wireless notes
Receive information updates
Chat privately
Only $99.99, Motorola T900 2-Way
. after $50 mail-in rebate
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Click on the pager icon. Rep. Ruid 0429895
IGTA member
Call 341. 6866
International
Toursformoreinformation.
Fresh Start
Seeking men & women to help with
,expansion in the area. Mustbe independent,
goal-oriented; have a great attitude
and excellent people skills.
Call 663-5323.
Country Club Barbering
Custom Styling for Men & Women
David Kauskey
3310 E. 51st, 747-0236, .T,ues.-Fri., 8-5:30, Sat. 8-5pm
ody
Tulsa’s only
professional
body-piercing
College Hill
-Presbyterian Church
In response to God’s Love,
College Hill Presbyterian Church
is a community of God’s people
called to tell others the
Gospd of-J~sus Christ
through worship,
- service, and evangelism.
To nurture our faith, we gather for
worship, prayer,
study and fellowship.
Trusting in a living~ loving God,
we seek to become a compassionate
voice for peace and justice.
Our congregation welcomes all
persons who respohd in trust and
obedience to God’s grace
in Jesus Christ, and desire to become
part of the membership and ministry
of Christ’s church.
Membership is open:.to all people
regardless of race, ethnic origin,
worldly condition, marital status, or
sexual orientation.
Sunday Worship 1 lam-
712 S. Columbia Ave., 592-5800
(Ohe block west of Delaware and the
University of Tulsa Campus)
This without saying a word to me. After -
seeing how the candidates STILL can’t "
decide this election, I put on my pajamas. "
That’s all, I swear. When I come out at ¯
9:20, the TV is turned off, along with the ¯
lights. My dorm mother has declared my
curfew. One thought goes through my "
head - I’m going to kill him; I’m going to ¯
kill him; I’m going to kill him. Big kitchen
knives flash through my mind. I go to bed "
at 9:20, again listening to Melissa. She’s "
giving me the wrong kind of strength, :
think.
DAY FOUR- This is the last day, but I "
have to spend it with HIM. I see my stu- ¯
dents at my Saturday class, knowing this :
will probably be the last time I teachi I’ve ¯
made up my mind as I arrive at Vincent’s. "
He ignores me, as usual, while he watches ¯
gymnastics on TV, laughing for some tea- ¯
son. Hewon’t laugh forlong. Even though ~
I hate the color and look bffd in it, orange :
jumpsuits will be my style for the next 20
years. Hey, they let you write,letters~in ¯
prison. Ev~nLestian~olumns, I veheard. :
"Goodbye Vincent!" 5" by Karin Gregor
#2238769480, Cell BlockH ¯
ofthe"diversity" statement whichincluded :
"sexual orientation," saying he wouldhave :
noticed its inclusion. ¯
In response,’sev~al ~gregation have
commi~ted to re=examining their endorse:
ment of the document? College Hill Pres- ¯
byterian Church and’ Fellowship Congre- "
gational Church will’bring the.issue back
to theirgov.ernmg boards. ,Andsomemere- "
bers of MCC~United, Tulsa s Metropoli: ¯
tan Community Church, members of
predominatelyLesbianand Gay denomi- "
nation, are concerned about their church’s ¯
endorsement of a statement which does
not acknowledge the existence of Lesbian -"
and Gay persons. :
The welcoming committee of Community
Unitarian-Universalist Congregation ¯
has drafted a letter to TMM saying, "we
erred in our endorsement of this state- "
ment"because thefailure toinclude sexual ¯
orientation is in conflictwith the values of ¯
the congregation and the letter further says ,"
that they wilt not endorse any future state- "
ments which are not inclusive. ¯
Other groups such as Holland Hall ¯
School, the Episcopal Diocese of Okla: "
homa, and the Eastern Oklahoma :
Presbytery -: Presbyterian Church USA, ¯
have been asked to explain their support :
for a statement which is not compatible .
with their policies. In the case of the Episcopal
Diocese and. Holland Hall School, :
staff and religious leaders were not sure if ¯
the organization’s names had been used "
with permission. ¯
Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights :
(TOHR), the state’s oldest civil rights or- ¯
ganization has discussed the issue at a "
recentboardandmembershipmeeting and
president, Greg Gatewood stated that he ¯
would seek a meeting with Rana and Day :
to request an explanation of the exclusion
of "sexual orientation" from the state- ¯
ment. Further action on the part of the
organization will vary depending on their
responses.
Other congregations which signed the
"diversity" statement, like the city’s Episcopal
parishes and its Unitarian-Universalists
congregations, all of whom have
histories of being fair to Lesbian and Gay
Tulsans are also being asked to consider
withdrawing their support for the statement
because of the failure to include
"sexual orientation."
And they’ve remained incredibly successful
throughout the years andups anddowns
that showbiz life provides. Living with
someone 5 years is a major feat, much less
working with them as well. And even in
relative anonymity, it’s hard enough. To
have survived and remain together as long
as they have - 43 years - is a major feat.
FYI, Royis 5 years younger thanSiegfried.
About the biographical aspects of the
film, Roy says "It’s ~way~ a difficult step
to open yourself up beeauge ~ou make
yourself very vulnerabl~. That fneans you
have to let your guard down andeveryone
has access to you." Scary iild~gd. The
cameras were allowed full access to the
home and grounds of theirestate’. He goes
on to say "I have to say;~it’s~ been pretty
good to do it. It goes way badk" to when I
was a boy. I had a catching smile, but in
reality I was a loner. I wa~ n0t too good
with people. As a mattel: offact, I didn’t
trustinpeople. I trustedmy animals more."
I can relate to that.
The interesting thing is that,-aozording
to producer Bernie Yuman,’"Roy has a
bond with these animals whereby there’s
no force. Force createsforce. There’s alot
of love. There’s a lot of.voice intonation
and camaraderie - and a lot of meat - but
affection and conditioning, Roy’s never
trained an animal, and Siegfried and Roy
have never been involved.in, training ammalsin
their lives. Theymoldthings around
the personality of their animals." And
maybe, if the rest of us learned that tricklove
without the need for control - we’d
have longer lasting relationships .as well.
Food for thought. And so, for all the nasty
S&Rjokes I could make, I find I reallyjust
have too much respect for what they’ve
accomplished to make them.
In the film, you get behind the scenes
visits to their home - which is like designer
overkill, given their taste_~or opulence.
And you get to see their private
wildlife sanctuary, where they live with
and raise the white tigers used in the act.
Their love of the animals is evident.
It’s filmed in 3-D, so you’ll be able to
see Siegfried and Roy up close and personal.
Numerous digital techniques were
used to recreate the Europe of their childhoods.
As for the magic shots, they were
specifically filmed uncut as master shots,
so that the audience would no that no
camera tricks were used. Andrew Dunlap,
who plays young Roy, was also in the all
male version of "Importance of Being
Earnest," which was interesting to note.
Also playing is Fantasia 2000 and 3D
Mania: Encounter in the 3rd Dimension;
71st and Highway 169.
Healing
E
E ECT IIII
AIDS Memorial Quilt
re.n.esS
World AIDS Day Candlelight Memorial March
Friday, December 1st, 6:30pm
Tulsa Civic Center Plaza, 5th & Denver
The NAMES Project Quilt Opening, 8pm
This advertisement is donated by Tulsa Family News. TFN appreciates the opportunity to support this showing of the Quilt, and The NAMES Project.
Original Format
The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
newspaper
periodical
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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[2000] Tulsa Family News, December 2000; Volume 7, Issue 12
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation toward Tulsa’s Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual communities.
Description
An account of the resource
Tulsa Family News was a monthly newspaper; No. 1 issued December 1993-January 1994. The final issue available was published in September 0f 2001 (Volume 8, Issue 9).
The newspaper brings up important, evolving topics of marriage, Pride, TOHR, HIV/AIDs, events, advice, and politics all at the local and national level.
This document is available in searchable PDF attached. It is also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
Creator
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Tulsa Family News
Source
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https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/24
Publisher
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Tom Neal
Date
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December 2000
Contributor
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James Christjohn
Karin Gregory
Barry Hensley
J.P. Legrandbouche
Lamont Lindstrom
Esther Rothblum
Mary Schepers
Hughston Walkinshaw
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Tom Neal/Tulsa Family News
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Tulsa Family News, November 2000; Volume 7, Issue 11
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English
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newspaper
periodical
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Tulsa(Oklahoma)---newspaper
Tulsa---Oklahoma
Oklahoma---Tulsa
United States Oklahoma Tulsa
United States of America (50 states)
Identifier
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https://history.okeq.org/items/show/607
2000
AIDS drugs
AIDS research
aMUSEments
anti-discrimination laws
arts and entertainment
Bayer
Boy Scouts
businesses
Catholic Church
Chris Kolb
Christmas
churches
Fred Phelps
gay bashing
Gay Studies
Gilcrease Museum
harassment
hate crimes
HIV
HIV testing
holidays
injection site
Jim Christjohn
Karin Gregory
Lamont Lindstrom
military inclusion
Murder
NAMES Project
Native Americans
Oklahoma Lambda Youth Scholarship
Oklahoma Mr. Leather
Openarms Youth Project
Partner Benefits
performing arts
Raging Lesbian
Red Cross
Red Rock Tulsa
restaurants
Tom Neal
Tulsa Family News
Tulsa Metro Chamber
Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry
Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights
Tulsa Uniform Leather Seekers Association
Westboro Baptist Church
World AIDS day
-
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/6b7e676bb8ca66b2d4d4e77ec98183bb.jpg
70277c751b7608bff4b6a6a9ebd57143
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/a3ba05665eee0d1b153fdde340f774b0.pdf
6e78e6b1fae615e50dacbb10ea0a31df
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[Sub-Series] Newsletters & Publications > Tom Neal Newsletters > Tulsa Family News
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Deputy Police Chief To
Speak At TOHR, Nov. 14
TULSA (TFN) - Tulsa Deputy Chief of Police Bobby
L. Busby will be the featured speaker at the Nov.
meeting of Tulsa Oldahomans for Human Rights
(TOHR) at the Gay Community Services Center at 21st
&Memorial.The meeting begins at 7:30pm. Topics for
discussion with the ChiefBusby will include expanding
Tulsa’s "diversity" training for new police recruits and
for in-service training to include sexual orientation as
wall as rate and etlmicity. Also on the agenda will be
discussion of recent police visits to local Gay and
Lesbian_nightclubs. All are invited to attend.
TOHR will also hold a new volunteer orientation on
Nov. 9th at 7pm at the Center. Center organizers also
held an openhouse for thenew facility in October. They
note that about 80 people attended the event including
a substantial number of visitors in town for a leather
event. TOHR also hosted a Feastfor,~riends dinner
with raised over $1,000 for The NAMES Project.
Hate In Vermont
BROOKFIELD, Vt. (AP) - Mark Hackett was
thunderstruck when he looked at the fence facing property
he owns on Vermont Route 14. "Exaente the Fag,"
it declared, its message clear despite the misspelling.
Hackett, who is Gay, rents the property to two families,
one of whom has been feuding with the property
owner next door on whose fence the hate message was
spray-painted. Although Hackett as landlord has been
only peripherallyinvolved in the neighborhood dispute,
its message was obvious to him.
"It’s clearly there for me to see.., the message to my
tenant was,’ Seehow yourlandlordlikes that,’ "Hackett
said. "I just think the ’Take Back Vermont’ message is
making it OK to say stuff like that. I don’t have a
problem with people voting Democratic or Republican
or supporting any candidate they want... But you start
seeing that stuff around the state and it’s not about
politics, it’s about hate."
And it is happening more and more around Vermont
in this heated and polarized campaign season. In
Burlington, the Outright Vermont office has taken to
locking its doors and taking other security precautions
after two differentmen walked into the office on Oct. 13
and threatened to kill a staff member. "The first one
basically asked her what she was going to do to eliminate
herself, then told her if she didn’t eliminate hersdf
he would," see Vermont, l~. 2
DIRECTORY P. 2
EDITORIAL P. 3
US & WORLD NEWS P. 4
HEALTH NEWS P. 6
ENTERTAINMENT P. 8
GAY STUDIES P. 10
¯ Servin Lesbian Ga Bisexual + Transg~n~er_ed ~ul__Fa~s_, ~r Fa~ili~.~ Friends
: Gays Excluded From
i Tulsa’s "Diversity"
¯ Metropolitan Ministry Lauds Local Mix
: But Sees On!y Race, Religion + Ethnicity
¯ NEWS ANALYSIS ~- When is "diversity" not diverse? Only in
¯ Tulsa where "do-gooder" organizations, like Tulsa Metropolitan
¯
Ministry (TMM), the National Conference on Community and
¯ Justice (NCCJ), and others can sin~ the praises of interfaith
¯ tolerance andunderstandingwhile excluding or ignoringLesbian
¯ and Gay Tulsans, regardless of faith.
In this case,TMMissued a"Statement in Support ofDiversity"
¯ which defines diversity only in terms of race, ethnicity and
¯ religion. TMM’s newexecutive director theRev. StephenCranford ¯
stated that he did not know if the omission was deliberate.
However, TMM staff said that the text of the statement was
written by TMM board president, Dr. Sandra Rana, who is a
leader in Tulsa’s Islamic community. Members of Tulsa’s Is-
" lamic community have made hostile remarks towards Gays on
¯
several occasions, most recently when a Muslim representative
¯ at a NCCJ Trialogue on Marriage said that his society would
¯ murder any Gay men who attempted to marry each other. Dr.
’ Rana did not respond to messages left about the "Statement in
¯ Support of Diversity".
TMMhas a history of mostly ignoring Lesbian and Gay issues
¯ with one notable exception: the support of an amendment to ¯ Oklahoma’s hate crimes statute whichTulsa Representative Don
: Ross introduced in the legislative session prior to last year’s.
¯ Radford Rader, pastor ofCollegeHill Presbyterian Church, an ¯
officially welcoming congregation of Lesbians and Gay men and
¯ member of the TMM executive board, responded that the state-
" ment was meant to address racial and ethnic diversity because of
¯ the coming of the KKK. It was written right before the incident ¯
¯ at the Jewish cemetery. Rader stated that he did not feel that the
exclusion was deliberate.
see TMM, p. 9 ¯ Gay Grandmothers Just
Want to See Grandkids
TULSA (TFN) - It’s a sad story when families get caught up in
¯
homophobia and prejudice. It’s common when couples separate
after one or the other parent realizes that they are Lesbian or Gay.
¯ And when thelegal systemgets involved, often the Gay parent ¯
loses, though around the US and evenin Oklahoma, courts cases
." are holding that Lesbians or Gay men are not ipso facto bad
¯ parents. But when grandparents are involved, it’s even more ¯
difficult because the law defers almost completely to parents.
¯ That’s where two Tulsa women, Julene and Schrie, find
¯ themselves. Both were once married to men and have children ¯
fromthose relationships.
¯ Some of those kids have no problem with their Lesbian moms.
¯ And one of them didn’t have a problem with them, when she
¯ needed free babysitting and before she was married to a man ¯
who’s areligious fundamentalists. Now the daughter and the son-
¯ in-law who says he’s the head of the house find that "it’s in the
¯ best interest of the kids" that the kids not see their grandmother
¯ or her partner who’s just as close. ¯
Legal experts hold out little hope, and even if there were
¯ grounds for a court case, judges andjuries in Oklahoma are often
¯ .not sympathetic. But this does not deter friends of the women ¯
¯ who praise them for their kindness and support to their friends and employees when they find themselves in need.
¯ The women own a local dub out on Garnett which while it is
not a Lesbian or Gay oriented venue has patron who are remark-
" able supportive of the pair.
¯ Bar employee, Tummy Peevyhouse, was particularly outspo-
¯ ken in her concern for her friends and employers, as was also a
¯ bar patron, Tommy Clown. Frustrated by the limitations offered
by the legal system, Peevyhouse’s response was if the law allows
¯ this [situation], then the law needs to be changed.
¯ Meanwhile, the grandmothers just wait and have faith that as ¯
their grandsons reach legal maturity, they will reassert them-
" selves and come to see them on their own.
HEAR the Quilt
World AIDS Day- Dec, 1
¯ Council Oak Men’s Chorale Benefit
¯ TULSA-The fifth andlargestdisplay ofTheNAMES
Project will behddat tbeTulsa Conventi,o,.n Centeron
¯ on December 1 - 3. The event entitled, HEAR The Quilt" will open with student tours during daytime
¯ hours on World AIDS Day, Friday, December 1.
The opening ceremonies for the general public for
¯
"HEAR The Quilt" will be proceeded by the tradi-
] tionalWorldAIDS Day candlelightmarch.Themarch
¯ will begin at the Courthouse Plazajust west of 5th and
¯ Denver at 6:30, Friday evening.Marchers are encour- ¯
aged to bring organizational banners andbells; candles
¯ will be provided. Parking is available at the Conven¯
tion Center garage. The march will follow a short
¯ route through downtown Tulsa and will return to the
convention center for the Quilt’s opening at 8pro.
This display of the Quilt will feature 188 sections
¯ of the Quilt, each twelvefeet square. The display will
, be free and open to the public. Organizers note that
¯
the Quilt has the power to teach, to touch hearts, and
¯ to change minds.
In conjunction with the "HEAR The Quilt" Dis-
" play, the Council Oak Men’s Chorale under the
¯ direction of Rick Fortner will perform at Hope Uni-
¯ tarian Church, 8432 South Sheridan Road, Tulsa on
: Saturday evening,December2 atT:30pm. Admission ¯
is free, with a suggested $10 donation. Proceeds will
¯ benefit the NAMES Project Tulsa Area Chapter.
There also. will be an interfaith worship service
(coordinated by Reverend Cathy Elliott, pastor of
MCC United Church) to be held at the Quilt display
¯ on Sunday, Dec. 3at 9:30am.
¯ For more information, call (918) 748-3111 or send
e-mail to info@TulsaQuilt.org ¯ Maine To Vote Again
On Gay Civi,I Rights
¯ HALLOWELL, Maine (AP) - Maine’s latest refer-
" endum on civil fights for Gay citizens resurrects
¯ familiar arguments on both sides, but this time propo-
¯ nents have polished the proposal and picked up a
¯ potentially influential ally. In wirming support from
the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, backers
have sought to buttress an exemption for religious
¯ institutions. They have also sought to counter claims
¯ that the measure would award anything special or
¯ endorse specific sexual behavior.
Last time around, the Catholic church sat out the
¯ dection debate, saying it could not support a law
¯ enacted by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Angus
¯ .King because of ambiguities in its language. The
¯ enacted measure was repealed in February 1998
¯ before it ever took effect by a rare "people’s veto"
¯ referendum vote. The outcomein that special election
: was 51% for repeal and 49% against.
~ This time, with numerous other matters on state
¯ ballots expected to produce a bigger voter turnout,
¯ approval of Question 6 would again expand the ¯
Maine Human Rights Act. The proposal would in-
" dude the category of"sexual orientation" in a list of
¯ groups protected against discrimination in the areas
¯ of employment, housing or access to public accom- ¯
modations and the extension of credit. The new
version, however, approved by the Legislature and
signed by the governor in April, is more limited than
the repealed law. "We’ve repeatedly said work needs
to be done to clean up the language," says Catholic
diocesan spokesman Marc Mutty. "And we did that."
Besides the religious exemption, the new version
specifies thatno change in affirmative action requirements
is intended and see Maine, p.3
Tulsa~Clubs & Restaurants
*Chasers, 4812 E. 33
*CW’s, 1737 S. Memorial
*Club Cherry Bomb, 1926 E. Pine
*Club Vortex, 2182 S. Sheridan
Polo Grill, 2038 Utica Square
*St. Michael’s Alley Restaurant, 3324-L E. 31st
712-2324
610-5323
583-2119
835-2376
744-4280
745-9998
*The Star, 1565 Shelida~, 834-4234 ~
*Renegades/Rainbow Room, i649 S~. M~in 585,3405
*TNT’s, 2114 S. Memorial §~920836
*Tool Box, 1338 E. 3rd
~
1584-1308
*The Yellow Brick Road Pub, 2630 E. 15th 749-1563
Tulsa Businesses, Services, & Professionals
Assoc. in Med. & Mental Health, 2325 S. Harvard
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 8620 E. 71
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 5231 E. 41
Body Piercing by Nieole, 2722 E. 15
*Border~ Books & Music, 2740 E.21
*Borders Books & Music, 8015 S. Yale
Brookside Jewelry, 4649 S. Peoria
*CD Warehouse, 3807c S. Peoria
*Cheap Thrills, 2640 E. llth
Cherry St. Psychotherapy, 1515 S. Lewis
Community Cleaning, Kerby Baker
Tim Daniel, Attorney 352-9504, 800-742-9468
743-1000
250-5034
665-4580
712-1122
712-9955
494-2665
743 -5272
746-0313
295-5868
581-0902, 743-4117
622-0700
749-3620
744-5556
838-8503
369-8555
712-9379
592-0460
744-9595
610-0880
628-3709
808-8026
742-1460
459-9349
744-7440
745-1111
341-6866
712-2750
582-3018
747-0236
582-8460
599-8070
747-5466
585-1234
584-3112
663-5934
664-2951
838-7626
743-4297
747-5932
834-0617
834-7921, 747-4746
749-6301
260-7829
481-0558
835-5563
743-1733
665-2222
592-0767
*Deco to Disco; 3212 E. 151h
Doghouse on Brookside, 3311 S. Peoria
*Elite Books & Videos, 821 S. Sheridan
Encompass Travel, 13161H N. Memorial
Ross Edward Salon 584-0337,
Events Unlimited, 507 S. Main
Floral Design Studio, 3404 S. Peoria
Four Star Import Automotive, 9906 E. 551h P1.
Cathy Furlong, Ph.D., 1980 Utica Sq. Med. Ctr.
Gay & Lesbian Affordable Daycare
*Gloria Jean’s Gourmet Coffee, 1758 E. 21st
Leanne M. Gross, Insurance & financial planniug
Mark T. Hamby, Attorney
*Sandra J. Hill, MS, Psychotherapy, 2865 E. Skelly
*International Tours
Jacox Animal Clinic, 2732 E. 151h
*Jared’s Antiques, 1602 E. 15th
David Kauskey, Country Club Barbering
The Keepers, Housekeeping & Gardening
*Ken’s Flowers, 1635 E. 15
Kelly Kirby, CPA, 4021 S. Harvard, #210
*Living ArtSpace, 308 South Kenosha
*Midtown Theater, 319 E. 3rd
Mingo Valley Flowers, 9720c E. 31
*Mohawk Music, 6157 E 51 Place
Puppy Pause II, 1060 S. Mingo
*The Pride Store
Rainbowz on the River B+B,POB 696, 74101
Richard’s Carpet Cleaning
Teri Schutt, Rex Realtors
Scribner’s Bookstore, 1942 Utica Square
PaulTay, Car Salesman
*Tulsa Comedy Club, 6906 S. Lewis
Venus Salon, 1247 S. Harvard
Fred Welch, LCSW, Counseling
*Wherehouse Music, 5150 S. Sheridan
*Whittier News Stand, 1 N. Lewis
918.583.1248, fax: 583.4615
FOB 4140, Tulsa, OK 74159. e-mail: TulsaNews@earthlink.net
Publisher + Editor: Tom Neal
Writers + eontributom: James Christjohn. Karin Gregory, Barry
Hensley, J.-P. Legrandbouche. Lament Lindstrom. Esther
Rothblum, Mary Schepers, Hughston Walkinshaw
Mem~ber of The Associated Press.. ~ _ ~ ~ ,
Issued 0ffor,befot~ th6 1 ~t of~ each month,~entire contents
Of this publicatioxi are protected by US 6opyright 1998 by
To/.~/:k~,,~ N~and may not be~ptoduce~ eitherin whole
or in part without written permission from the publisher.
Publication of a name or photo does not indicate a person’s
sexual orientation. ~orrespondence is assumed to be for
"pi~blication unless otherwise noted, must be signed & becomes
the sole property of TM-~/c¢,,,,~... Nv~,. Each reader is
entitled to 4 copies of each edition at distribution
points. Additional copies are available by calling 583-1248.
¯ *Democratic Headquarters, 3930 E. 31 742-2457
Dignity/Integrity of Tulsa - Lesbian & Gay Catholics &
¯ Episcopalians, POB 701475, 74170-1475 355-3140
¯ *Fellowship Congreg. Church, 2900 S. Harvard 747-7777
¯ *Free SpiritWomen’s Center, call for location&info: 587-4669 ¯
Friend For A Friend, POB 52344, 74152 747-6827
¯ Friends in Unity Social Org., POB 8542, 74101 582-0438
HIV ER Center, 4138 Chas. Page Blvd, 583-6611
¯ *Tulsa C.A.R.E.S., 3507 E. Admiral 834-4194
HOPE, HIV Outreach, Prevention, Education 834-8378
¯ *HouseoftheHoly SpiritMinstries,1517 S. Memorial 224-4754
¯ *MCC United, 1623 N. Maplewood 838-1715 ¯
NAMES Project, 3507 E. Admiral P1. 748-3111
¯
NOW, Nat’l Org. for Women, POB 14068, 74159 365-5658
¯ OK Spokes Club (bicycling), POB 9165, 74157
¯ *OSU-Tulsa ¯
PFLAG, POB 52800, 74152 749-4901
¯ *Planned Parenthood, 1007 S. Peoria 587-7674
¯ Prime-Timers, P.O. Box 52118, 74152
¯ R.A:I.N., Regional AIDS Interfaith Network 749-4195 ¯
*Red Rock Mental Center, 1724 E. 8 584-2325
: St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 4045 N. Cincinnati 425-7882
¯
St. Dtmstan’,s Episcopal, 5635 E. 71st 492-7140
¯ *St. Jerome s Parish Church, 205 W. King 582-3088
*Tulsa Area United Way, 1430 S. Boulder 583-7171
¯ *TNAAPP (Native American men), Indian Health Care 582-7225
~ Tulsa County Health Department, 4616 E. 15 595-4105
¯ Confidential HIV Testing - by appt. on Thursdays only ¯ Tulsa Okla. for Human Rights, c!o The Pride Center 743-4297
: T.U.L.S.A. Tulsa Uniform/Leather Seekers Assoc. 298-0827
¯ *Tulsa City Hall, Ground Floor Vestibule
; *Tulsa Community College Campuses
¯ *Tulsa Gay Community Center, 21st & Memorial 743-4297
¯ Unity Church ofChristianity,3355 S. Jamestown 749-8833
.. BARTLESVILLE
¯ Barflesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone 918-337-5353
¯ TAHLEQUAH
: Stonewall League, call for information: 918-456-7900
¯ Tahlequah Unitarian-Universalist Church 918-456-7900
¯ Green Country AIDS Coalition, POB 1570 918-453-936~3
¯ EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
www.gaytulsa~.org - website for Tulsa Gays & Lesbians : Autumn Br~,eeze Restaurant, Hwy. 23 501-253-7734
T,,t~ ^~-~.A~=~~ Cha;-bh~i; ~:chOOIS&~. Universities "- Jim &Brent s Bistro 173 S. Main 501-253~7457
A!~r~ ~Xrr~t+~,~~r~tT~ 7’h~:~ [-’ ~ ’~ ~ ~ :~ "~~-95~....~eVito~s’R~S~L -5 Ce~ter~ St.’’ t. ~ ..... ,. ,: 1, ~ ~,1-~53~
~1 So~sU~Ch~ch, 2952 S. Peofia 743-2363 : ¯~dR~nbow, 45 ~!~ Spnng ’St: .....5.01.2.5.3 ~5
Black & ~te, ~c. ~B 1~01, T~sa 74159 5~-7314 ¯ MCC of ~e ~ving Spring 501-253-9337
Bless The Lord at All Times Christian Center, 2207 E. 6
B/.L/G/T-Alliance, Univ, of Tulsa United Min. Ctr.
Chamber of Commerce Bldg., 616 S. Boston
*Chapman Student Ctr., University of Tulsa, 5th P1.
Church of the Restoration UU, 1314 N.Greenwood
*Community of Hope Church, 2545 S. Yale
*Community Unitarian-Universalist Congregation
Council Oak Men’s Chorale
*Delaware Playhouse, 1511 S. Delaware
583-7815
583-9780
585-1201
& Florence
587-1314
747-6300
749-0595
748-3888
712-1511
Geek to Go!, PC Specialist, POB 429 501-253~2776
Old Jailhouse Lodging, 15 Montgomery 501-253-5332
Positive Idea Marketing Plans ....... 501-624-6646
Sparky’s, Hwy. 62 East 501-253-6001
White Light, 1 Center St. 501-253-4074
JOPLIN, MISSOURI
Spirit of Christ MCC, 2639 E. 32, Ste. U134 417-623-4696
* is where you can find TFN. Not all are Gay-owned butall are Gay-friendly.
said Keith Elston, executive director of the
group dedicated to Gay and Lesbian youth.
"The other one was much more blunt that he
was going to ’kill fags.’ "
Burlington police are investigating the
incidents, but there have beenno arrests and
cOauretffUiglhatbVoeurtmtro~nntgh.at9s pbregcvoidme~e .msauf.ec.hty mt°oir.tes
staff, volunteers and especially its clients.
From tasteless bumper stickers to graffiti
on highway pavement, it’s apparently become
socially acceptable in the political
climate of 2000 to use derogatory terms for
Gays and Lesbians that once were considered
epithets. There have been scattered but
persistent reports at schools across the state
about anti-Gay incidents and harassment.
On the pavement of the road approaching
the Champlain Bridge near Fort~i~conderoga
inNew Yorksomeonerecently spray-painted
in large white letters "FAGS," with arrows
pointing over the bridge into Vermont.
"How much more explicit can you be
about creating an aura of fear for day-to-day
life?" said Lynne Bond, a psychology professor
at the University of Vermont who has
studied Gay and Lesbian issues.
Vermont’s new civil unions law, granting
most of the rights and benefits of marriage
to same-sex couples, clearly has prompted a
broad public discussion about the lives of
Gays and Lesbians. There are deeply held
beliefs about the morality - or some would
say immorality - of homosexuality. But
before the civil unions debate, those beliefs
were rarely expressed in langnage that’s so
offensive to Gays and Lesbians.
"It seems to me that some people, have
broken out of the social constraints of civility
that I think people were honoring during
thelegislativeprocess," said BethRobinson,
the Middlebury attorney who argued the
lawsuit that led to civil unions.
People who oppose civil unions say
they’ve been unfairly maligned becausejust
they don’t agree with the law. They complain
that they’ve been described as bigots,
hate-mongerers and homophobes. They say
that their ’Take Back Vermont’ signs and
other political placards havebeen knocked
over, defaced with Gay symbols and stolen.
"I think there have been ugly incidents on
both sides," Republican gubernatorial candidate
Ruth Dwyersaid atadebatein Lyndon
Center last week.
Still, it once was eousidered ill-mannered
at best to use such terms as fag and dyke aad
queer in civil conversation. The anger over
civil unions appears to have erased that
unwritten rule in Vermont, at least for the
time being. And that makes many Gay and
Lesbian Vermonters feel as if they’re under
attack, even if it’s a small minority of civil
union opponents who:are behind the hate.
~ : ~ ~P~@I’O~6*~[re~, frimtrated lthat
1 didn-t~get ~d~* ~ivil ~iOrls bill killed
Legislature, some of them have taken it.
upon themselves to link an ominous, mystical
Gay agenda to the civil union bill,"
- Elston.said. ’,’They’ve.been-falsely suggest~
ing that there s something in the civil unions
bill that requires the teaching of homosexuality
in schools. They’ve been foolishly
suggesting that Outfight teaches homosexuality
in the schools, that we’re distributing
pornography." see Vermont, p.3
World Watch:
News Not Covered in Our Daily
by Tom Neal, editor/gadfly/publisher
It’s old fashioned to place as much import on a daily
newspaper but then as a newspaper publisher and editor
of now seven years, I am somewhat committed to the
concept. Unlike the internet, radio and television, those
more ephemeral of media, the printed word, even on acid
filled newsprint leaves a legacy, a picture of where we are
and where we were, in a way that is more accessible and
probably more permanent.
This new and irregularly published column, like much
ofthis newspaper’s coverage, intends to bring to attention
things which otherwise might not get addressed.
Andwhile our daily newspaper, The Tulsa Worldis not
the worst newspaper in America, it does have some
foibles, some journalistic lapses which stem from its
parochial circumstances: a privately owned, smaller town
paper with a historically greater emphasis on coverage of
wealthy whites, rather than minority citizens and issues.
It’s better than it used to be but...
We are in the height of the United Way campaagn, and
as in years past, The Tulsa World is a major supporter of
TulsaAreaUnitedWay (TAUW). This is notintrinsically
a bad thing. TAUW does do much good for many. But
TAUW also funds organizations which engage in discnminatory
practices and itself may discriminate. There
are ongoing questions about the true percentage of funds
which go to services rather than administration.
Onemight think that The Wormwouldat least look into
these issues. But year after year, The World’s coverage of
United Way is a public relations flakmeister’s dream,
with shamelesslypromotional stories aboutTAUWfunded
agencies which nm during the United Way fundraising
campaign.
Canwedoubt thatifTAUWwere funding’~penly racist
or anti-semitic agencies that The World would write
about it? Despite claims of separation between the newsroom,
and advertising and ownership, The Worm has a
clear conflict of interest between its promotion of United
Way and its commitment to good journalism.
The World will change when they know that their
readers like you andme find their practices unacceptable.
Not to pickonJoe Worley, executive editor butultimately
he’s responsible for the decision to coddle Tulsa Area
United Way and its bad mannered (and in one case,
clearly lncohapetent) management. Joe’s ntunber is published
on page A-2 everyday. Let him know when The
World’s doing a good job of covering Lesbian and Gay
issues (overall, they’re doing better these days) but also
let him know what’s not working too.
’In the current, embittered political atmosphere, it is
difficult to counter such arguments. And so it feeds on
itself and results in slogans that once would have been
considered epithets being painted on a neighbor’s fence.
Although it’s unpleasant for many Vermonters, regardless
of their homosexuality, people who have been
involved said they will continue speaking out. "You have
to just keep on.telfing the truth, over and over again,"
El~n ~akl. !’Everyti~n~,thCy ~ylie~ ~a~bgut you,’yqq l~av¢
t~ exp0~e. ~em ~s [i~e~ on~!,Y0q ~aYq ~to ~t~lil,th~ .tnifl~
people hear that message."
"They Don’t Want Civil Rights, They Want Special Rights"
Early this morning, before I was really awake, or maybe
late last night drowsing with the television on, the history
channel was showing footage about the struggle Black
Americans had to end legal segregation. This part ofrecent
American history is a particular interest of mine but this
was mostly things I’d heard or seen before. But then there
was an image that caught my attention, one I’d never seen
before.
An old black and white image showed a white Southerner
marching with a placard Saying, "They don’t want
civil rights, they want SPECIAL rights!" And here I
thought that particular carnard wg~ newly minted to
mischaracterize the desire of Lesbian and Gay persons to
live our lives relatively unmolested, with a some semblance
of the same opportunities which non-Gay citizens
enjoy.
Perhaps I should not have been surprised. In the fight
over whether Lesbian and Gay Americans should serve
openly in defense of our country, almost word-for-word
rhetoric was trotted out to oppose Gays as was used to
oppose racial integration of the US military.
Prejudice, like taxes and death, is, it seems, fundamental
to the human condition, with Americans, like others,
occasionally transcending our biases. After many shameful
years of oppression, Americahas slowly set aside some
of its racism. But different prejudices, seeing a void, have
come forward.
In response, we can do several things. Many simply seek
to live their own lives, quietly, avoiding harassment as best
as possible. Others speak out as best they can. But all who
are citizens can vote, and after the election, can contact
those who are supposed to be representing us.
Of course, in Oklahoma, this is often an exercise in
frustration. Our elected federal leaders are nearly all dedicated
to attacking or restricting the rights of Lesbian-and
Gay citizens - and their staff are usually rude and arrogant.
But not to hold them accountable is to let them
assume that all agree with their prejudice.
Needless-to-say, in this election, if you are reading this
before Nov. 7th, please consider the difference between
the Republicans and the Democrats. As bad as the Democrats
may be in Oklahoma, on a national level, that party
has clearly talked and walked the talk. Positions for fair
treatment of Lesbian and Gay citizens are in the Democratic
platform and have been honored in action by the
national party, not perfectly, but under Clinton and Gore,
more than ever before.
Bush and the Republicans may have moderated some of
their anti-Gay, neo-nazi rhetoric (though not the Oklahoma
party) but this is the party which brought us years of
indifference to the HIV/AIDS crisis under Reagan, as well
as a documented hostility to addressing anti-Gay hate
crimes, let alone civil rights issues like employment, fair
housing, military service, legal recognition, of our relationships
and families, etc.
It’s not that I especially like Gore, or that Bush isn’t an
idiot, it’s just that given the choice, we have no choice.
This guy will be making the next Supreme Court appointments.
And decisions which have been crucial to our lives
(like Bowers v. Hardwick which said that straight oral sex
is constitutionally protected but the same act for Gays can
be a felony crime, Dale v. the Boy Scouts of America,
Colorado’s Amendment 2) have all been mostly narrowly
decided cases. Another Scalia, or Clarence Thomas, the
type of choices we’ve seen from Republican presidents,
would not bode us well.
Vote like your life depends on it- in many ways, it does.
-Tom Neal, editor & pubisher
that there would .be no. requirement for employers to
provide benefits for the partners of Gay and Lesbian
workers.
"The diocese has never been opposed to any of the
proposals," Mutty says. But he says changes this year not
only made it possible for the church to sign on as an
advocate, but were also aimed at making the measure
acceptable to a majority of people statewide.
Michael Heath of the Christian Civic League of Maine,
a leader of one of the major groups opposing the measure,
says the shift from neutrality to advocacy by the Catholic
diocese was a major setback. The prospect of a busy
balloting day is also a concern for opponents, he says. "If
there’ s a big turnout of voters, then a lot of sort ofimpulsive
voters are going to be there," Heath says, fretting that those
unfamiliar with details of the proposal may not appreciate
its impact.
Heath says the morality of homosexuality remains central
to the debate and that conferring rights with this
proposal could lead to further Gay demands. "It lays the
foundation for a lot of other things," Heath says.
Observers on both sides suggest much of the Maine
electorate appears-to have grown weary of the issue, which
in one form or another has occupied debate on public
policy for at least two decades. In 1992, the first local Gay
fights law was passed by the Portland City Council. Three
w.gr~s later, Maine~ vot.,¢,r~,~rejected a proposal to prevent
municipal and other government bodies.in the state from
passing laws barring anti-Gay discrimination.
In 1997, after years of legislative warring, a state civil
rights law was enacted. But just months later, the people’s
veto vote forced by opponents repealed that. "It was very
close the last time it went around. I know there’s been a lot
of work on both sides," says bakery worker Sara Wagner
in Hallowell. "I hope it passes." In a brief, streetside
interview, Wagner said her awareness of discrimination
facedby people sheknew ofmade the ballot questionmore
than an abstract matter of principle. "It has real life implications,"
she said.
Heath, in contrast, maintains the proponents’ claims of
acturd discrimination are specious. "It’s obviously not
widespread," he says.
Earlier this month, in response tO an inquiry by one of
the referendum bill’s leading legislative champions, Attorney
General Andrew Ketterer advised that ~at least the
threat of discrimination is real under existing statutes.
"The federal and state law, as currently written and interpreted
by the courts, do not prohibit the denial or termination
of employment, the denial of credit, the denial of
public acco~nmodation or the denial of housing because of
sexual orientation," Ketterer wrote.
The most recent campaign finance reports show that
supporters from the Maine Coalition for Equal Rights,
now known as YES on 6, reported donations of nearly
$260,000 and expenditures of $240,000.
The Christian Action League collected $37,500, but is
also opposing proposals on video gambling and doctorassisted
suicide. According to a recent poll by the Portland
research firm Critical Insights Inc., respondents favored
the referendum by 59% to 29%, with 11% undecided.
Question 6 on Maine’s ballot asks:
"Do you favor ratifying the action of the 119th
Legislature whereby it passed an act extending to all
citizens regardless of their sexual orientation the
same basic rights to protection against discrimination
now guaranteed to citizens on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex or national origin in the areas of employment,
housing, public~acco.ram~datipa~.a~d~cr~edi[ .and
where th~ a~t expregs’ly~s~te~
confers legislative approval Of, or sp~,i~ d’gtig tb;
any person or group of persons?"
¯ Okla. Reps. = Total Zeros
: Not that it should come as any surprise to anyone, but
¯ the Human Rights Campaign, HRC, reports in their
¯¯ scorecard for the 106thCongress thatOklahoma’s Representatives
and our Senators, Largent, Cobum, Watkins,
¯
Watts, Istook, Lucas, Nickles and Inhofe received total
¯ zeros on 10 questions about legislation of concern to Gay
¯ citizens. This is why voting matters, friends. - TFN
Scouts Fire Gay Man
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) - A Boy Scout
executive was stripped of his Eagle Scout status and
fired by the Boy Scouts of America National Council
10 days after he publicly admitted he is Gay, his
attorney said. Len Lanzi, Boy Scouts Los Padres
Council executive director, worked for the scouting
organization 14 years before he was terminated by
mail.
"We plan to pursue all legal remedies available to
him," said Lanzi’s attorney, Steven Serratori, whose
Century City firm specializes in employment law "I
think it’s fair to say that everybody is surprised at the
arrogance of the Boy Scouts," Serratori said. "To think
in this day and age that they think they can fire
someone based on their sexual orientation..." A U.S.
Supreme Court rnling last summer upholding the Boy
Scouts" right to exclude Gay members does not apply
to its employees, the lawyer said.
Lanzi, whose territory includes Santa Barbara and
SanLuis Obispo counties, is believed to be the highestranking
Boy Scout executive to publicly acknowledge
his homosexuality since the Supreme Court ruling in
June.
Los Padres Boy Scout boardmembers told the Santa
Barbara News-Press their options were limited because
of the national council’s policy on Gays. "We
could contradict the national Boy Scout policy, and
possibly risk the whole council being decommissioned,
orwecan go along with firing him," said Karl Eberhard
a member of the Los Padres Boy Scouts board. "I
maintain that the whole thing is completely idiotic," he
added.
Neighbors Don’t Mind
Alabama Ga " Nudists
WAVERLY, Ala. (AP) -h grovel road winds through
John Bales’ wilderness resort. It looks like any of the
paths leading to huntinglodge_s wherecountless Southern
men spend weekends this time of year. Then, you
come to the sign: "Clothing optional area."
This isn’t your ordinary, out-of-the-way spot in the
woods of east Alabama. Bales owns Black Bear Camp,
a 33-acre resort catering to Gay men who enjoy nature
au naturel.
Black Bear Camp isn’t for hunting. It’ s for socializing.
The clientele tends to be Gay men best described
as the rugged type: Many have beards and bellies and
would rather sit around the lodge watching football on
TV than go to a Gay bar. "Probably more than 50% of
our customers are married or divorced with kids,"
Bales said. "’We don’t get the flamboyant type."
There were rumblings when another clothing-optional
campground for Gay men opened near the south
Alabama town of Geneva a couple of years ago. A
Lesbian-operated retreat where guests wear clothes,
Camp Sister Spirit, drew heated protests in 1993 after
opening in rural Mississippi.
But Bales hasn’t heard any complaints from surrounding
Lee County or nearby Waverly, a town of
" h
160 people, many,of them elderly. I know my ne.l.g .-
bors. They know I mGay, and they know I opened ttus
place," he said. "There hasn’t been a problem with it."
Many residents don’t know the camp exists: Bales
doe’Sn’t adverd~ locally, and there are no signs indicatinglthat
a dbfhing-opti0nal resort for Gays is just
off busy U.S. 280. But people who do know about the
camp don’t seem concerned about what’s going on in
the woods north of Auburn. "If that’ s what turns them
on, let ’em go on," said Waverly town clerk DeLene
Cawley. "If I belonged to a nudist colony that’s where
I’d want to be."
A leader of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of Alabama
isn’t surprised by the lack of controversy. "As
long as there’s no loud music and people keep to
themselves I wouldn’t think people would have a
problem with it," said David White.
Bales, a 57-year-old math professor at Tuskegee
University, didn’t set out to get into the clothingoptional
resort business. He began buying land around
Little Loblockee Creek in 1982 and began building
1ears later with plans for the camp to provide a source
of income when he retires in 2009.
There’s bunk space for 24 in the 3,600-square-foot
lodge, whichhas a tin roof and all the comforts ofhome
plus some: Internet access, satellite TV, a hot tub and
an above-ground swimming pool with deck. Bales has
had as many as 30 customers on a weekend, but the
more typical crowd is six or seven.
"It was not my original intention to be clothingoptional,"
he said. "But shortly after I opened, I began
to get inquiries from clothing-optional groups asking
whether that was allowed. "It didn’t take me long to
realize that the remoteness and seclusion of the camp
made than a natural option and a good niche market to
enter."
With prices ranging from $8 for daytmae guests to
$40 a night for double occupancy bunks, Bales hopes
to break even this year as far as operating costs go. He
weeds out the occasional unannounced visitor just
looking for a good time. "No one wants to come down
here and have people who are looking at naked guys
and propositioning them for sex," he said. "That will
drive away my business.’"
Journalist Group Calls
For Partner Benefits
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Society of Professional
Journalists approved a resolution calling for
news organizations to provide benefits for domestic
parmers of their Gay and Lesbian employees. .
The measure was opposed by some SPJ members
who said the professional organization should not get
involved in employment matters such as benefits.
Delegates approved the resolution by a margin of 85 to
36 at SPJ’s national convention.
Sally Lehlman, SPJ’s diversity chair, said the resolution
would ensure that Gay and Lesbian journalists
are not treated "like second class citizens in the newsroom."
"It’s not about employment from our perspecfive.
It’ s about fairness and accuracy in content, which
emerges in part from fairness in the newsroom," she
said.
Mark Scarp, an editorial writer for the Scottsdale
(Ariz.) Tribune, and member of SPJ’s executive committee,
said the group should follow its precedent of
leaving employment issues up to unions. "I personally
support domestic partner benefits but I believe it qualifies
as an employer-employee relations issue," Scarp
said. "We’re a professional association and I felt it
wasn’t appropriate for us to make a determination on
such an issue."
A few years ago, SPJ comuussioned a survey on
reporters’ salaries, but would not get into trying to
persuade employers to improve pay, Scarp said.
Gay Couple Get
Abducted Child Back
CATHEDRAL CITY, California (AP) - A 10-yearold
boy abducted by his grandfather who accused the
child’s caretakers of promoting a Gay lifestyle has
been returned to the couple. Miguel Washington was
surrendered to authorilies by relatives in Pennsylvania
and returned to the home ofhis uncle, Paul Washington
Jr., and Timothy Forrester. "Right now he’s really
happy to be home," Washington Jr. said. "We’re absolutely
elated. Our family is united again."
An attorney for Paul Washington Sr. and Sandra
Washington, Mignel’s grandparents and Washington
Jr.’s parents, said his clients intend to pursue custody.
"My clients don’t feel that’s the best home for him,"
said attorney Bill Hence Jr. "I’m very disappointed in
the agencies that were supposed to be protecting the
United in
God’s Love
MCC-United
Sunday Worship Reverend Cathy Elliot
11:00 am Pastor
1623 N. Maplewood 918/838-1715
Community
Unitarian Universalist
Congregation
at Community ofHope
2545 South Yale, Sundays at llam, 749-0595
A Welcoming Congregation
HOUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Sun. Worship, 10:45 am, Sunday School, 9:30 am
Wed. Bible Study, 7 pm, Sunday Eve. Service, 6pm
1517 S. Memorial, 628-0802, Info: 224-4754
The Open Arms Project
Young Adult Support Group
Outreach Program Thurs. Nights
Meet Others in a Safe Enviroment
Call for meeting times and place:
918-584-2325
Mingo Valley Flowers
9413 E. 31st St., Tulsa 74145
918-663-5934, fax: 663-5834, 800-444-5934
Family Owned & Operated
Trinna L. W. Burrows, LSW, ACSW
Child, Family, Individual & Couple Psychotherapy
(918) 743-9559
2121 South Columbia, Suite 420
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74114-3518
The Pride Store
21st Street & Memorial
Tulsa Gay Community Services Center
743-GAYS (743-4297)
6-9 pm, Sunday - Friday
12-9 pm, Saturday, all sales benefit the Center
3 Strand Communications
Long Distance 4.9C/minute
$4.99 monthly fee
24 hours a day - 7 days a week
Call 447-8602
Red Rock Tulsa
Free Confidential HIV Testing
Walk-in Clinics
Tues. & Thurs., 5 -8 pm
at the Center, 1307 East 38th
Daytime appointments available.
Call for more information:
918-584-2325
KEVIN BURLESO N
Keller Williams Realty
712-2252
Burleson@kw.com
2651 East 21st Street, Ste. 100, Tulsa 74114
An Independent Member Broker
Kelly Kirby, CPA, PC
Certified Public Accountant
a professional corporation
747-5466
4021 South Harvard Avenue, Suite 210, Tulsa 74135
fights of the child." A hearing was scheduled for
December.
Miguel was born to Angelena Washington, the
younger Washington’s mentally disabled sister, who
was impregnated while living in an assisted-care facility,
family members said. At the time, family members
informally agreed to have him raised by Washington
Jr., a hardware store salesman, and Forrester, a teacher.
Riverside County Deputy District Attorney Tex
Ritter said his office had not decided if charges will be
filed in the abduction. The elder Washington picked up
Miguel for an overnight fishing trip on Oct. 6 andnever
brought him back, Washington Jr. said.
Instead, Washington and For/ester received a letter
from a Los Angeles law firm Oct. 7 stating that Miguel
had been removed from their home and accusing the
pair of "actively promoting or influencing a Gay
lifestyle for the minor." The letter cited Miguel’s
participation in ballet and "Gay art class" instead of
baseball as one reason for the boy’s removal.
Germany Ready to
Recognize Gay Partners
BERLIN (AP)-Germany’s governing coalition wants
to pass a law giving equal legal status to Gay couples
early in November, politicians stated. Leaders from
the Social Democratic and Greens parties said they
plan to have the Bundestag, the lower house of parliament,
approve the bill Nov. I0.
Conservatives, however, control a majority in the
upper house of parliament and have criticized the law.
To get around their opposition that could scuttle the
bill, lawmakers laid out a plan Friday to divide the
legislation into two parts.
The government majority in parliament would pass
administrative regulations creating the legal frameworkforGay
couples without the upper house’ s agreement.
However, the upper house will still be called on
to approve lifting the disadvantages to Gays contained
in labor and tax codes.
ACLU Trying Bias
Reduction Program
ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia is one of three states
chosen by the American Civil Liberties Union to pilot
a program to educate teachers about bullying of Gay
and Lesbian students.
The ACLU says students who identify themselves
as Gay are more than four times as likely to suffer
bullying than heterosexual students. Gary Weber, legal
director of the Georgia ACLU, said Gay students
also have higher rates of absenteeism and suicide. The
program will use panels - including a Gay student,
perhaps a parent of a Gay student, a school administrator
or classroom teacher and an attorney - to explain
the legal liabilities schools face if they ignore harassment.
TheACLU will begin contacting schools in November
to schedule traimng sessions. Districts that refuse
the training may be called by an ACLU attorney to
briefly explain legal liabilities. Kentucky and Indiana
are the other two pilot states. No date has been set for
expanding theprogram, which was developed in northern
California, to other states, ACLU spokesman Eric
Ferrero said.
Big .Brothers, Big Sisters
Bans Gay Volunteers
OWENSBORO, Ky (AP) - The local chapter of Big
Brothers-Big Sisters, which links children with adult
mentors, will no longer allow Gays to participate in the
program. The board voted 10-9 to bar openly Gay
volunteers following a closed-door meeting.
Board members had raised concerns about health
issues and fear that it would create confusion among
childr+n over sexual orientation matters, said Sue
Krampe, executive director. The debate on whether to
conunue to allow Gays to mentor children surfaced
recently after Brian Combs, a case manager and minister
at Christ View Christian Church, quit after learning
a homosexual was a mentor in the program.
The board was deadlocked in a vote earlier this
month. Combs had been the only person to raise a
complaint prior to the first vote. But since then, the
agency has fielded 18 telephone calls in opposition to
allowing Gays in the program, Krampe said.
Volunteers had been asked their sexual orientation
during the initial screening process and parents were
allowed to veto amatela based on their answers.
Nationally, only a "handful" of the 500 chapters of
the American Big Brothers-Big Sisters prohibits homosexuals~
from mentoring children, Krampe said.
Each local chapter can set ~ts ownpolicies on the issue.
she said.
Newspaper Chain to
Offer Partner Benefits
GRANDRAPIDS, Mich. (AP)- Six of the eight Booth
newspapers in Michigan will offer benefits to partners
of Gay employees starting in January. The papers that
will offer the benefits are The Ann Arbor News. The
Bay City Times, The Flint Journal, The Jackson Citizen
Patriot, the Kalamazoo Gazette and The Saginaw
News. The eight Booth newspapers are owned by
Advance Publications, based in New York.
George Arwady, publisher of the Kalamazoo paper,
said the new benefits were "pretty well accepted" by
employees. "It’ s a matter of equitable treatment for our
employees," Arwady said. "We have not made a big
deal out of it, mad it’s not a big deal."
Margaret DeRitter, an editor at the Gazette, said she
was pleased by the amaouncement. "I wasn’t aware of
employees internally pushing for.it," said DeRitter,
who is Gay and a 12-year employee of the paper. "I
thought it was great the company would do this without
any prompting from the staff. It says they value all
of their employees and want to be fair and equitable."
Mother of Slain Soldier
Appeals Army Decision
WASHINGTON (AP)-The mother of a FortCampbell
soldier who was murdered in iris barracks is seeking to
overturn the denial of her $1.8 million wrongful death
claim against the Army Kutteles sent an appeal of the
Sept. 27 decision by the military to Army Secretary
Louis Caldera. Kutteles, of Kansas City, Mo., said
fellow soldiers believed Winchell was Gay and harassed
him for months before he was beaten to death
with a baseball bat while sleeping in his cot July 5,
1999 at a post in Kentucky. The Army knew about the
harassment but did nothing to stop it, she said.
Pvt. Calvin Glover of Sulphur, Okla., was sentenced
to life in prison for murdering Winchell. Another
soldier was given a 12 1/2-year sentence for lying to
investigators. The Army inspector general issued a
report in July on Winchell’s murder.
The report found evidence of low morale mad anti-
Gay behavior among members of Winchell’s unit, D
Company, 2nd Battalion of the 502nd Infantry Regiment.
It concluded, however, that the chain of command
at Fort Campbell responded,a:ppropriately with
respect to enforcing the Pentagon S policy of permitting
Gays to serve in the military so long as they keep
their sexual orientation private.
Kutteles says should Caldera side with her, the
Army wouldbe taking full responsibility for Winchell’s
death. "We have to do this for our son’s sake. He died,
and I want his death to be meaningful," she said. "I
want other mothers and fathers not to have to go
through this."
Easier-to-Swallow
Anti-AIDS Pills
WASHINGTON (AP).- The government
approved a new easier-to-use version of a
standard AIDS drug that may ease patient
complaints that the medicine is too hard to
swallow. The drug is ddI, often used in the
multi-drug cocktails that AIDS patients
take to fight the virus. Until now, patients
havehad to chew, or dissolve in water, two
large, bitter-tasting ddI pills twice a day.
Those pills also frequently were blamed
for diarrheaand other gastrointestinal side
effects.
The Food and Drug Administration approved
a once-a-day capsule version of
ddI. Swallowing the capsule, to be sold
under the brandname Videx F_C, means no
nasty taste problem. An FDA spokeswoman
said thenew ddI may cause fewer
dangerous interactions with other medications
that AIDS patients take, because the
capsule does not contain abuffering ingredient
used in thechewable version.
Also, manufacturer Bristol-Myers
Squibb contends a special coating on the
new version means it may cause fewer
gastrointestinal side effects. Although
Bristol-Myers never ddirecdy compared the
old and new ddI to prove that, the FDA
said getting rid of that old buffering ingredient
may indeed help.
Bristol-Myers did notreveal whenVidex
EC would begin.selling, or if it would cost
the same as the old version,-,.
Researchers & Drug
Co. Dispute Results
CHICAGO (AP)-A study suggesting that
a vaccine-like AIDS treatment is ineffective
has provoked a public dispute between
the manufacturer that paid for much
of the study and doctors who say the company
tried to squelch their research.
The study’s conclusions, published in a
recent Journal of the American Medical
Association, echo doubts aboutHIV- 1 Immunogen
that were expressed several years
ago by advisers to the U.S~ Food and Drug
Administration. The results suggest that
when added to the drug regimen for HIVinfectedpatients,
HIV-11mmunogenfailed "
to reduce the risk of devdopingfull-blown ¯
AIDS. The drug cames the brand name ..
Remune. ¯
Immune Response Corp., the drug’s "
manufacturer, contends that researchers "
omitted favorable data and skewed the
results. The company entereda fairly com- .
mon arbitration process during which it "
tried to produce "a more balanced manu- :
script," said Dr. Ronald Moss, the ¯
company’s vice president of medical and "
scientific affairs. Instead, the researchers "
~~:.~¥i~lated daeir~eonttaomalagreement and i
r. 1~blish~in~oinpletefindings;Moss ~aid.~ ....
"It seems like tabloid journalism that "
lAMA would not investigate this further" "
before publishing, Moss said,
HIV-1 Immunogea was developed by ."
the late Dr. Jonas Salk, who created the ."
first polio vaccine. It was developed be- ."
fore powerful "drug cocktails" including ¯
protease inhibitors became standard HIV :
treatment, and Immune Response says :
subjects’ use of such drugs affected the :
findings in the JAMA study. ".
Dr. James Kahn of the University of
California at San Francisco, the smdy’s
lead author, said the company withheld
important data and then tried to suppress
publication.
The company denies both claims. In an
arbitration complaint last month, Immune
Response also demanded $7 million to
; 10 millionfrom Kahn and the tmiversity,
claiming dissemination of the negative
findings caused,it financia], harm, university
attorney :Christopher Patti said. The
university contends Kahn was-allowed to
publ.ish the results.
The study of2,527 patients inthe United
States found that Remune did boost levels
ofinfection-fighting white blood cells, but
the authors questi,o....n~fl whether the effect
was clinically significant.
JAMA editor Dr. Catherine DeAngelis
defended thejournal’s decision to publish.
’q’his study stands on its own scientific
merit," she said. "It was peer-reviewed as
~uch." In a JA1V[A editorial, she said the
dispute illustrates what can happen when
disagreement erupts between researchers
and a funding sponsor who "has a proprietary
interest in the findings."
Moss said the study was published without
the consent of some of the researchers.
The company and one of the dissenting
researchers, Dr. John Turner of Graduate
Hospital in Philadelphia, drafted a letter
Monday to DeAngelis, decrying publication
of a manuscript that contains "incomplete
and inaccurate information." The
final manuscript contains "some major
statistical flaws," said Turner, who believes
HIV-1 lmmunogen can slow disease
progression. "ff I were HIV-positive,
I would batter down any door necessary to
get it, period," Turner said.
Doctors Org. Cites
Conflicts of Interest
CHICAGO (AP) - A funny thing happened
to Dr. Jerome Kassirer at a recent
lecture to medical students about financial
conflicts of interest for doctors: It turned
out the free buffet was provided by amajor
drug company. Kassirer had a blunt message:
Medical schools and training programs
"must teach that there is no free
lunch. No free dinner. Or textbooks. Or
even a ballpoint pen."
From freebies for medical students to
research funding that can taint study results
to the growing practice of marketing
prescription medicine direcdy to consumers,
drug_companies have a growing and
sometimes unseemly influence on doctors,
according to articles, studies and editorials
published recently in the Journal of
the American Medical Association.
The relationship between research and
indus~try appears to beunde.r growing scm-
’ fihy~The edit6fof, the:New’ E~tgl~tnd Journal
of Medicine wrote an extraordinary
critique in May, saying scien.ce_ is being~
compromised by the growing influence ot
induslry money. That same month, the
Harvard Medical School said it would not
ease its conflict of interest standards, considered
the toughest in the nation, and
Dean Joseph B. Martin called for a national
dialogue on the issue.
Most experts agree that research needs
industry dollars. The top 10 pharmaceuti-
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1Nblie Settee C Imy dOkhhoma
Mary Schepers
and
Kathleen Pendergrass
and several other artists
present a showing and sale of:
Clay sculptures, pottery anF:Lddcorative
work, silk batik paintings, etchih and
lithographs; jewelry and beadwork,
handcrafted bath soap and salts and more.
Saturday, November 11, 10 - 6pm
2727 East 56th Street
743-6740
Oklaiaorna NAI,L.\I... covdia!iv ~.t~,v~v~ v,ott
to a chocolate and champa~r~~ ~ete in
support of abortion and reprt~d~ctive
rights in Oklahoma
Celebrating 27 Years of Choice
Sunday, November 12, 2000. 1:3(.1 - 3:30 p.m.
:"~’° fob~heldat Resonat~~e - " ~
Champagne, Coffee, Chocolates
$25 per ~ndividual
[’lea.~ R.S.V.P. to the NARAL L)ffice: 4.4-9585
cal companies spent nearly $23 billion on : days, washing the condoms with water
clinical research last year- more than the ¯ and soap afteruse. Researchers will check
nearly $18 billion provided by the Na- : the condoms for rips or tears and examine
tional Institutes of Health, JAMA editor ." the participants to make sure that’reuse
Dr. Catherine DeAngelis said. ¯ doesn’t cause rashes or irritations.
The problem is when researchers have " "In terms of the whole spectrum of birth
f’mancial interests in companies funding " control, it’s not the best," Said Barbara
their work. DeAngelis said such research ¯ Lea-Kruger, spokeswoman for the Viris
lower in quality and more likely to " ginia Department of Health’s HIV/AIDS
report findings favorable to the company, division."Butifwe’retalkingaboutwomen
One study found ,that. 7,6 percent of the : who don’t have access to other forms of
faculty researchers at the University of ¯ birth control and who come from a culture
California at San Francisco~aad personal " wheremenareless willing touseacondom,
financial ties to their drug company sport- " it’s a Viable alternative."
sorslastyear.Mostwereshort-termspeak- :
ing engagements or consulting agreements Seniors & HIV/AIDS with minimal payments. ¯
State and federal-guidelines require re- CANTON, Ohio (AP) - Older people
searchers to disclose certain financial ties, . sometimes have an awkward approach to
and a UCSF policy prohibits faculty in- ¯ sexual issues that puts them at risk for
volvedinindustry-sponsoredresearchfrom " HIV, health counselors say.
receiving any compensationfrom the corn- " SusanJ. McCollum, who teaches people
pany during the study. 50 and older about the risks of contracting
Elizabeth Boyd and Lisa Bert, with HIV, said older people must be aware of
UCSF’s Institute for Health Policy Stud- the risks. "It’s dangerous for any group of
ies, said a campus committee "worked to people to think they’re immune," said
accommodateallbutthemostovertlycon- McCollum, a counselor for Planned Parflicting
relationships in the interest of en- enthood ofStark County.
couraging its faculty, and, presumably, According to the U.S. Centers for Disencouraging
future outside investment in ease Control and Prevention, the number
the university." of older people becoming infected is in-
The authors suggested that financial ties creasing. An estimated 10.9 percent, of
may be more prevalent at other universi- men with HIV and 9.4 percent of women
ties with less stringent policies. A 1998- with HIV are 50 and older.
2000 study of 89 major universities found "People that age have not grown up with
that only 17-19%- had specific limits or condoms, like people who are in their
prohibitions on relationships with indus- 20s," McCollum said. "For a woman in
try. While most had co~fflict of interest her 60s to talk to a man about condoms..
policies, the3, were not as effective be- ." McCollum also said it’s an awkward
cause they don’t spell what is prohibited, adjustmentforpeoplewhoarenewly single
the authors said. after having been in along-term marriage
Dr. Jordan Cohen, president of the As- or relationship. "Women4Oandolderdon’t
sociation of Americau Medica! Colleges, want to grow old alone," McColhma told
announced that the group is forming a task The Repository for a story published Sunforce
to investigate conflicts of interest dav."They’reputtingthemselvesoutthere,
and reach a consensus on what types of but they don’t know enough, or they’re not
relationships with drug companies should able to talk about condoms. It puts them at
be allowed, a real disadvantage."
Around the world, an estimated 85,000
Women’s Corldo[~
women, middle-age and older, have been
infected with HIV. McCollum has had
May Help HIV Fight young women come for HIV testing who
want her to talk to their mothers about
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - A condom for risky sexual behavior.
women that never quite caught on in the KimJackson, spekeswomanfortheOhio
United States is being studied to see if AIDS Coalition, said that while her group
reusing it can make it more economical does not offer educational programs speand
help fight AIDS in developing coun- eifieally targeting seniors, older people do
tries. The United Nations AIDS program participate. "We have a general education
has been distributing the Reality Female program for people of all ages," Jackson
Condom to women in areas such as sub- said. "We are seeing more people that age
Saharan Africa, which has been-devas- attending our programs. We had several
tated by AIDS. people in their 70s at our last program."
The key to providing female condoms, Bonnie Bolitho, executive director of
which retail for $2 to $3 apiece, to poor " Planned Parenthood of Stark County, said
women is making them affordable, said ; many older people have the incorrect idea
Dr. Susan A. Ballagh, the clinical trial’s thatHIV-AIDS is a "homosexual" disprincipal
investigator~ ..-~ :. ~ ; :;~ .ease~~ thatit aff~ts O~[y yo~mgtpeople.
~;- -TheChicago-basedF.emal¢H~althCom~ i :. "rl~ere~.s tl~tse~e~that :~It-cot~’’~t"~pen’ to
pan~,theproduct’ssolemannfaclurer, sells ~ me,"’ she said. "You’re talking about of
the condoms to international family plan- ¯ group of people who have been monoganing
agencies for as little as 70 cents a , mous for most of their lives. Now, they’re
piece. ; at a different stage of life. Some haven’t
But women’s condoms could be even ¯ put a lot of thought into how it (HIV)
more economical if they were reused. Re- ¯ affects them."
searchers at Eastern Virginia Medical " According to Bolitho, "It’s the age-old,
School arerecntiting 80 couples to test the ; overarchiugproblemoftalkingaboutsexu_
condoms. Half the couples will use the ¯ ality, and it’s plain old-fashioned denial.
condom once. The other couples each will ; Denial is one of our great enemies."
use a single condom five times over 15 ~
by Jim Christjohn, entertaiment editor ] child out once in a while. I wasn’t expect-
Hey folks, welcome to the time of the ¯ ing a great movie, but it surprised me. The
year when we celebrate the fact that the " filmis well acted - hard to find in a movie
Indians helped the
pilgrims onlyto be
thanked with
slaughter and removal
from ancestral
lands. Go
America!
The first thanksgiving
was basically
afour day celebration/
party
wherein the Native
Americans provided
the food, fun,
and games. It really
wasn’t about
religion at all, as the
lore surrounding it
wouldhave youbelieve.
Anditwasn’t
too long after that
whentheEuropean
invaders started
getting a bit greedy for the profits land
conld bring from new immigrants, and so,
in the name of- God, "took" the land from
the Natives. Oh, and there was a religious
aspect to it, once the "pilgrims" figured
out how to work the land from the Natives
and didn’t need them anymore..,,It was
either convert or die for the heathen Nafives.
Ah, the things the don’t tell you in
school - or church.
On to more cheerier thoughts - I drug
my curmudgeonly editor to afilm recently.
(Well, OK, he wanted to go, too, and
hasn’t been terribly curmudgeonly lately.)
We saw "The Little Vampire." OK, now
stop laughing. It’s good to let the inner
li...We saw
"The Little Vampire."
OK, now stop laughing.
It’s good to let the inner
child out once in a while.
I wasn’t expeetlng a great
movie, but it surprised me.
The film is well acted -
hard to find in a movie
starring children;
well written;
and superbly filmed... "
starting children;
well written; and
superbly filmed.
And it had something
for everyone
- it didn’t "talk
down" to kids, nor
did it avoid being
funny in an adult
way.
The film is
’~’:~-m~bout a young
Americanboy who
moves to England
due to his father’s
business. HE’s
miserable,being an
outsider - and
picked on at school,
in particularby two
twins. It certainly
broughtback some
memories in that
respect. I knew a pair of twins who were
the scourge of Hurst Junior high, and it
was kind of like watching a flashback -
except with better accents. Anyway, our
hero has a fixation with men in capes -
sound familiar? (Hint: Read last month’s
column.)
And Io and behold, he meets a boy
vampire, and they form a close friendship.
This results in many misadventures, including
foiling a would be vampire hunter
and the aforementioned bullies. I highly
recommend seeing this film, because it’s a
fun ride, entertaining, while putting forth
some good-thoughts. A lot of care andlove
went into this film, and it shows.
GIFTS
OF THE
S£ASON!
COUNCIL OAK
MEN’S CHORALE
ALL SOULS UNITARIAN
Tmditionalists,ofcourse, abhorthat each " Choralewillperform.AndonDec.9,there
year December holidays begin earlier and " will be a gala dinner in the Great Hall,
earlier. Christmas in September isincreas- ¯ Chaired by friends to the community,
ingly a reality. Catherine Seger
But one of the
local traditions
which we don’t
mind seeing early
nearly so much is
Philbrook
Museum’s annual
holiday celebration
and exhibition,
Home for the Holidays.
The event
kicks off with the
Festival of Trees.
T,he ~Fe~sfival
tures trees,
wreaths, and more
by local artists, designers
and school
children. The event
is chaired by Lou
Hodgson and caterer
Mark Lackey
is artist liaison.
At the museum members’ opening on
Dec. 2 at noon, the Council Oak Men’s
and Hillary Kitz.
And of course, local
A-listers,
Talmadge Po-well
and Steve Wright
are helping out by
chairing the Patron
Party and
Treeview.
The featured artistforHomefor
the
Holidays is Lisa
Regan of the GardenDevaSculpture
Co. Regan, whose
work is seen
through out Tulsa’ s
gardens, has been
shown in Better
Homes and Gardens,
shows her
work at Mayfest.
Her commemorative ornament, shown
" above, .is an aluminum tree with bead
¯ accents.
E[ecUon Day, Nov. 7
Who Will Pick the
NEW SUPREHES?
Decisions we make at the ballot box will resonate for
decades, including the make-up of the Supreme
Court. Our choice: continue the path of progress or
take a sharp U-turn back to the anti-glbt politics of
the ’80s. We need your voice for our jobs, for our
families, for our lives.
HUMAN
RIGHTS
CAMPAIGN
COME OUT VOTING ¯ www.hrc.org
Tuesday, November 7
Election Day
HRC WATCH PARTY
Because win or lose, it’s good to be among friends
9 PM
3340 South Peoria, Tulsa, OK
Must be 21 Cash Bar
HRC envisions an America where lesbian and
gay people are ensured of their basic equal rights.
You can help us do our work by joining us for
either or :both of ~the:se~ ev~t..s~ (or by jgining
~HRC - ’ ii~’~ !j~ :i~3-" ~i ~li !~8~[2913 ;r emaii
hrctulsaoHahoma@ aol.com).
HUMAN
RIGHTS
CAMPAIGN~
by Tom Neal, editor/publisher
Although the National Conference for Community and Justice claims to be an anti-hate
group, for at least the last 4-5 years this anti-bias organi~tion has activdy discriminated
against Gay & Lesbian Tulsans as well as failing to speak out when Gay & Lesbian
Tulsans were targets of physical violence as well as recipients of legislative and other
attacks on their civil rights.
At their Trialogue on Marriage, hosted by Boston Avenue Methodist Church (a church
which has been host to several events at which Lesbian and Gay Tuls’ans were attacked
or excluded), Trialogue organizer Mr. Levson, then cantor of Temple Israel, stated that
JOI g
0 II B
HATE
he and other NCCJ organizers deliberately excluded same gender mamage from
discussionbecauseitwouldhave been"too controversial." This was done despite thefacts
that the issue could not have been more prominent in public discussion because of court
cases in Hawaii, and even though the issue is still in debate in many Christian denominations
and in several Jewish organizations.
NCCJ has repeated been asked to reform their actions: to add openly Gay or Lesbian
persons to their board of directors, to speak out on legislative issues, to live what they say
they are about.
To date, they have refused to do so, preferring to raise substantial sums from Tulsa
"society" events such as honoring Bob Lorton, owner ofThe Tulsa World for his "human
rights" work despite the fact that The World for at least 15 years had documented anti-
Gay business practices which they publicly defended and despite The Wordls
acknowledgement of racist hiring practices in their newsroom in response to an EEOC
complaint.
Some Gay community observers, however,
wonderhow it is that the hate groups,
like the KKK, don’t manage to forget
Lesbians and Gay men including them in
their hate rhetoric, but the folks who supposedly
are "allies" manage only to hear
the KKK’s racist and anti-Sem~itic comments.
Groups who endorsed the "Statement in
Support of Diversity" include a number
who have been supportive of Lesbians and
Gay men. These include: Community of
Hope, All Souls, Hope and Community
Unitarians, Fellowship Congregatxonal
¯ Church- UCC, Jewish Federation ofTulsa
and even the Metropolitan Community
¯ Church United (MCC). Calls to All Souls,
MCC-United, and Fellowship Congrega-
¯ tional were not returned. Perry Simons,
¯ executive director of Jewish Federation
¯ said that organization does not discrimi-
: hate on sexual orientation.
¯ In contrast, Father Rick Hollingsworth,
¯ oftheParishChurchofSaintJeromewrote
¯ a letter in protest of the the "Statement in
¯ Support of Diversity"
¯ In it, he notes that, "The Parish Church
,¯ of St Jerome is certainly in support of
celebrating and supporting the wonderful
¯ diversity, which surrounds us in our beau-
" tiful city... I am concerned however that
¯ the statement on diversity see TMM,p. 10
Name Games by Michael Craft
Reviewed by Barry Hensley
Tulsa City-County Library
It takes a speci~ talent to pull off a
murdermystery novel andone ofthebetter
Gay mystery series, Mark
Manning mysteries by
Michael Craft, has a clever
new entry, Name Games.
Delving into an unlikely
topic, the world of minia-
.tures, Craft has created a
fun, although not particularly
suspenseful mystery.
Set in rural Wisconsin,
main character Mark Manning
is now the publisher of
the local newspaper and
leading a very open and out
life with a longlime partner,
while raising a neglected
nephew. The big
news in town is the upcoming
Midwest Miniatures
Society Exhibition, which
attracts enthusiasts worldwide.
Two of the most
prominent figures in this
little underworld, Carroll
Cantrell and Bruno
Herisson , who happen to
be arch rivals, are being
"...Anthropologist
Sherry Ortner,
drawing on the
French feminist
Simone Beauvolr,
once proposed that
’Man is to CultUre as
Woman is to
Nature.’ Ortner was
seeking a reason for
why, almost everywhere,
people value
what men do more
than they value what
women do.. ¯ "
homophobic District Attorney, Harley
Kaiser, and a New Age feminist, Miriam
Westerman, who is somehow convinced
that Gay pom"hurts women." Add to this,
the nephew, Thad, trying outfor the school
play and Mark’s lover,
Nell, who is trying to decide
whether to move his
architectural practice to the
small town from Chicago.
When Cantrell (who has
man3, health problems) is
discovered murdered, the
exhibitionis turned upside
down and things really get
uncomfortable when the
Sheriff becomes the primary
suspect. Manning,
aided by his sleuths at the
newspaper, set out to clear
the Sheriff.
The characters inName
Games are nicely drawn,
if a bit stereotypical ]]ae
town, Dumont, is remarkably
(and a bit unrealistically)
progressive and unconcerned
about the iGay
influence~ ofManning and
his cohorts. (Could there
really be a town like this in
today’s America?)
flown in. Grace Lord, a sweet little old
lady,is hosting and coordinating the ev~nt.
The Sheriff, Doug Pierce, a closeted Gay
man, is in the midst of a reelection bid
while dealing with a pornography trial
involving "dirty book stores" on the edge
of town. The trial is being pushed by the
is not as broad as it should be. This is
evidenced I believe by the omission of
Sexual Orientation as part of that diversity
in the statement.
Gay and Lesbian persons are an integral
part of Tulsa’s rich diversity which When
joined together with other forms of diversity
create community. When Rabbi Marc
Fitzerman was speaking this last Sunday
at the rededication, He was very dear,
’Those whohate Jews, usually hate Catholics,
Those who hate Catholics usually
hate Gay and Lesbian people...’
As a Pastor of a Parish which primarily
serves the Gay and Lesbian community
and as a religious leader who is openly
Gay, I am unable to sign the document
without the inclusion of Sexual Orienta-
The obligatory sex scenes are really just
¯¯ uninspired dream sequences, and leave a
little too much to the imagination. The
¯ mystery is a fun and exciting ride, but it is
¯ certainly nothing special. In fact, this ¯
novice mystery reader managed to figure
] our whodunit long before the end of the
¯ for Human Rights (TOHR) said that the
lack of inclusiveness raised concerns and
~ would likely be addressed in upcoming
: organizational meetings for a formal response.
:
:
and love diversity. We have many reli¯
gions, many nationalities, many cultures
here, and we’re taught to respect them.
¯ When the hell ~s someone going to respect
¯ us for our diversity? If you want to do
: something to help, there’s a number to
¯ call, and an ever popular website to visit.
¯ It’s the Human Rights Campaign Founda-
¯ uon, 800-498-0382, or www.hrc.org. ¯
When we stand up and show people that
¯
we do exist, especially in great numbers,
¯ then things are going to happen. Or, as
¯ Melissa Etheridge said, "when you free
uon as-part Of that .,diu~si.ty..._,: i ¯ " your mind, a rockin’ jam will follow." If
Our people have~J~en, the Unfox~:unate .:, we can each one of us find one person, or
victims of bigotry, prejudice and hate ¯ child, to reach, then we’ve taken the first
crimes for centuries, including the holocaust.
To not speak openly about these
issues promotes the silence, which has
imprisoned Gay and Lesbian children of
God for far too long."
Father Hollingsworth toldTulsa Family
News that he read his letter to his congregation
and that the response has been overwhelmingly
supportive of his position.
Greg Gatewood of Tulsa Oklahomans
¯ steps in stopping fascism. Hitler ended up ¯
in a bunker, having shot his wife and
¯ sticking the guninhis mouthbefore shoot-
" ing. I think many Other fascists (read
¯ fundamentalists) forget that fact. Hatred
¯
turns inward, but not before the hater has
¯ devastatingly hurt others. Something that
¯ shouldbetaughtinEVERY SundaySchool
-" class. And please remember one thing:
: VOTE!!!!!!!
Timothy W. Daniel
Attorney at Law
An Attorney who will fight for justice
& equality for Gays & Lesbians
Domestic Partnership Planning,
Personal Injury, Criminal Law & Bankruptcy
1-800-742-9468 or 918-352-9504
128 East Broadway, Drumright, Oklahoma
Weekend and evening appoinlments are available.
Are You Gay or Bisexual?
Are You Native American?
Support Group is here:f0r yotJ!:~’ " ~’~’~.~" ~-’-"
¯ Evening support group meetings
¯ Relationship workshops
¯ Short trips, outings and retreats
¯ Free HlVtesting
For information call Tulsa Native American AIDS Prevention Project
918.588.1900, x4275 or x4276
-International
Fresh Start
Seeking men & women to help with
expansion in the area. Must be independent,
goal-oriented, have a great attitude
and excellent people skills.
Call 663:5323.
Country Club Barbering
Custom Styling for Men & Women
David Kauskey
3310 E. 51st, 747-0236,~ues.-Fri., 8-5:30, Sat. 8-5pm
ody
TI- ,ll
Tulsa’s only
professional
body-piercing
- College Hill
Presbyterian Church
In response to God’s Love,
College Hill Presbyterian Church
is a commtmity of God’s people
called to tell others the
Gospel of Jesus Christ
through worship,
servzce, and evangelism.
To nurture our faith, we gather for
worship, prayer,
study and fellowship.
Trusting in a living, loving God,
we seek to become a compassionate
voi~ for peace andjustice.
Our congregation.welcomes all
persons who respond in trust and
obedience to God’s grace
in Jesus Christ, and desire to become
part of the membership and ministry
of Christ’s church.
M~a~~s!~.9~ ~-:,Opt: ~-.~i!...~9,Pl..~.
regardless of race, .ethnic origin,
worldly condition, marital status, or
sexual orientation.
Sunday Worship. 1 lam
712 S. Columbia Ave., 592-5800
(One block west of Delaware and the
University of Tulsa Campus)
by Karin Gregory
"Man Shot in Local Gay Bar", "TeenagerAssaulted
Because Suspects Believed
HimGay","’We Don’t Have Hate Crimes
in Brown County’".
Seems everywhere you look now, there
are hate crimes against the G/L/B/T com-
~’munity, or-alleged hate
"!crimes~ or people denying
;hate crimes exist. There
are even those very few Who
deny homosexuality exis ts,
and I believe our Dishonorable
George W. Bush to
beamong them (I don’t~ve
up a chance to let you all
know you MUST vote November
7).
Interesting news about
the teenager. Not that it
doesn’t happen at every
.school, but the school
where this took place is the
same one from which our
disti9,guished arts and entertainment
editor .graduated.
Back in those days,
we didn’t have hate crimes. Wall, we did,
but we didn’t call them that. Boys who
were Gayjust had to be beaten up and take
it "like a man", or they had to develop
those queen-like attitudes of death that
would scare any quarterback into his tiny,
homophobic, neanderthal area of his body
called a mind.
One of my friends, the one who thinks
we’re all going to hell, says all Crimes like
murder, assault, rape, etc. are hate crimes.
I disagree. There are certainly crimes of
passion. There are premeditated crimes.
There are even assaults with deadly weapons
with intent to kill. But they are for a
purpose - to either get rid of someone so
disturbing to you (like a wife, husband,
mother-in-law), or to get money to buy
drugs, cigarettes, or "fabulous" outfits.
The people committing these crimes may
hate the person AT THAT TIME, but not
always. In other words, the criminals
aren’t their own self-proclaimed Adoif
Hitlers, who have decided to take all logic
and reason and bury them, sending us back
into theDarkAges. But thereAREpeople
who are self-proclaimed Hirers, whether
they want to believe it or not, spreading
NOT the words of Jesus, but the words of
hate to a nation.
Maybe they weren’t the ones who beat
up Matthew Shepard and lefthim to die, or
the ones who had a direct hand in James
Byrd’s death, or the people who raped
BrandonTeena, only to shoothim to death
repeatedly, later. But they had a hand in
each one of these deaths. For eachone
you-reading:this..fight now, there are at
least 20 (at least in Texas and Oklahoma)
ignorant people who believe that homosexuality
isn’t something you’re born with.
That you can change if you want to. That
you’ve chosen to be laughed at, beaten up,
fired from your job, ostracized from your
families. These are the people who have
raised the suspects in the above headlines.
They’ve "carefully taught" their children
to, as the "South Pacific" song goes, "hate
-"...Bach in those days,
we didn’t have hate
crimes. Well, we did, but
we didn’t call them that.
Boys who were Gay just
had to be beaten up and
take it "llke a man", or
they had to develop those
queen-llke attitudes of
death that would scare
any quarterback into his
tiny, homophoble,
neanderthal area of his
body eafled a mind...."
all the people their relatives hfite." Many
of them, of course, in the name of Jesus.
Stealing a line from an old Woody Allen
movie,"ifJesus came down and saw what
was going on in his name, he’d never stop
throwing up."
If you’ve read my columns from the
beginning (and I thank
BOTHofyou,by the way!),
you know I’m a fledgling,
coming out only after everyone
else has not only
blazed the trail for me, but
made that trail a four lane
highway! So no, I’ve
NEVER experienced what
most of you have in your
"out" lives. I still think I
can walkhandinhand with
a woman in public, or kiss
her on a residential street
in Dallas (and have!), and
not receive any flack from
it. But I taught public
school for eight years, ten
years toomany, and Iknow
whatkids say to each other,
not caring that their words hurt. More
importantly, I’ve heard teachers and other
school staff go on the attack against gays,
saying that the Bible doesn’t condone it.
We’ve had this discussion before, but I
just want to let you know that your childrenmay
be being taughtbyahomophobic
teacher. And believe me, teachers still do
have influence on children. So children
are taught to hate another child because
that child may be different. Obviously, if
I can look through a gay newspaper and
pick out,just by going through one quarter
of it, three separate stories on hate crimes,
there’s a problem. One that needs to be
addressed. Well, it’s been addressed, but
many ar~turning their heads. While crime
is rampant on the streets, and hate crimes
against the G/L/B/T community has skyrocketed,
thelegislature still cools its heels
over this issue.
It shouldn’t have to take television to
fire me up, but watching highlights from
the "Equality Rocks" concert onVH-1 did
it for me. During the evening, the parents
of several hate crime victims, Matthew
Shepard’s parents and James Byrd’s parents
among them, gave a small speech that
had the more than 45,000 audience crying
openly. Then Melissa Etheridge, herself
not able to contain tears, sang her song
about. Matthew Shepard, "Scarecrow."
How can people, after watching that,
still believe that these boys should have
died? How can anyone hate a group of
people just because they .are different?
How can they facethemselve~inthemom- *.
ing,-knowin~ thav they~ce*contril~me~.., in
ANY way, to these deaths? How many
times can we turn away and do nothing?
We have a revolution going on in this
country. Most people don’t want to believe
it. They’d rather dose their doors.
Hell, so would I, but I can see the revolution
coming even stronger than before.
.The one consistent thing thatI was taught
mschool about the United States is that we
are a melting pot see Lesbian, p.lO
Healing
VROJECT
AIDS Memorial ~.uilt ~
wareness"
World AIDS Day Candlelight Memorial March
Friday, December 1st, 6:30pm
Tulsa Civic Center Plaza, 5th & Denver
The NAMES Project Quilt Opening, 8pm
This advertisement is donated by Tulsa Family News. TFN appreciates the opportunity to support this showing of the Quilt, and The NAMES Project.
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periodical
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[2000] Tulsa Family News, November 2000; Volume 7, Issue 11
Subject
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Politics, education, and social conversation toward Tulsa’s Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual communities.
Description
An account of the resource
Tulsa Family News was a monthly newspaper; No. 1 issued December 1993-January 1994. The final issue available was published in September 0f 2001 (Volume 8, Issue 9).
The newspaper brings up important, evolving topics of marriage, Pride, TOHR, HIV/AIDs, events, advice, and politics all at the local and national level.
This document is available in searchable PDF attached. It is also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
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Tulsa Family News
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https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/24
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Tom Neal
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November 2000
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James Christjonh
Karin Gregory
Barry Hensley
J.P. Legrandbouche
Lamont Lindstrom
Esther Rothblum
Mary Schepers
Hughston Walkinshaw
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Tom Neal/Tulsa Family News
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Tulsa Family News, October 2000; Volume 7, Issue 10
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Englsih
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newspaper
periodical
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Tulsa(Oklahoma)---newspaper
Tulsa---Oklahoma
Oklahoma---Tulsa
United States Oklahoma Tulsa
United States of America (50 states)
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2000
AIDS
AIDS drugs
AIDS Quilt
AIDS research
American Civil Liberties Union
aMUSEments
arts and entertainment
Barry Hensley
bias reduction program
Bobby L. Busby
Boy Scouts
businesses
Christmas
churches
civil rights
civil unions
contraception
family
HIV
HIV testing
homophobia
Human Rights Campaign
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NAMES Project
National Conferencce for Community and Justice
nudism
Openarms Youth Project
Partner Benefits
performing arts
Philbrook
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Read All About It
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restaurants
seniors
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Two Teens Indicted In
Murder of Gay Black Man
FAIRMONT, W.Va. (AP) - Two 17-year-old Marion
County boys were indicted at the end of August for the
murder of a Gay Black man. Jared Wilson and David
Allen Parker ofGrantTown were each charged as adults
with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit
murder in the July 4 death of Arthur "J.R." Warren.
They are accused of beating and kicking Warren, 26,
then running over him with a Camaro to disguise his
injuries as a hit-and-run. If convicted, they could be
sentenced to life in prison.
A 15-year,old witness, Jason Shoemaker of Grant
Town, has been charged as a juvenile with being an
accessory after the fact for allegedly helping the older
boys dispose of evidence. Conviction on that misdemeanor
offense could mean up to.a year in jail.
Shoemaker has testified that Warren was beaten and
kicked with steel-toed boots in a.hous¢.then put in a car.
He was still alive and begging t6 be taken home when
the other boys dragged him from the car on a Grant
Town road to kick and beat him some more. Parker then
drove over Warren four times, the boy said.
see Murder, p. 11
Los Angeles Dod.gers
ApOlogize to Lesbians
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (AP) - The Dodgers
apologized Wednesday to a Lesbian couple ejected
from Dodger Stadium earlier this month after the two
shared a kiss during a game against the Chicago Cubs.
’‘i was troubled.., because ofwhatit implied about the
Dodger organization," said team President Bob
Gratiano. "It means a lot to me that you are Dodger
fans," he said to Danielle Goldey and Meredith Kott.
"We will continue to do the right thing," Graziano
said.
The two were escorted out of the ballpark on Aug. 8.
Goldey and Kott say they were not initially told why
they were being ejected, but later they were told that
someone complained and said children should not be
exposed to "those people."
The couple said their companions, a heterosexual
couple, also kissedbut werenot ejeeted. Because ofthis,
they felt the action of the eight security guards was
discrimination.
Besides the public apology, the Dodgers donated
5,000 tickets to three Gay and Lesbian organizations
and promised sensitivity training for their employees.
’’I think they stepped up to the plate more than they
had to,"Goldey said. "All we wanted was an apology ...
I’m very proud to be a Dodger fan."
’’I’m extremely happy with the results," Kott said.
The couple was going to file a civil rights lawsuit if
the Dodgers didn’t apologize, said their lawyer Bernie
Bemheim. see Courts, p. 3
U_! DIRECTORY P. 2 ~ EDITORIAL P. 3
US & WORLD NEWS P. 4
~,~ HEALTH NEWS P. 6
Z ENTERTAINMENT P. 8
GAY STUDIES P. 10
Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual + Transgendered Tulsans, Our Families + Friends
Tulsa + US Protests of Boy
Scouts’ Anti-Gay Policies
" OKC/TULSA (AP/TFN) - A handful of demonstrators asking
¯ the Boy Scouts to stop discriminating against Gay scouts and
" leaders took their message to the streets Monday, August 21,
° targeting motorists at a busy intersection not far from the Last
o FrontierBoy Scout headquarters inOklahomaCity (OKC) andin ¯
front of the Indian Nations Council in the Brookside neighbor-
" hood in Tulsa.
The Tulsa and Oklahoma City rallies were part of an effort
¯ plannedin atleast 36 cities and 21 states initiated by Scouting For
All, a national nonprofit organization formed by Steven Cozza,
" 15, of Petaluma, Calif. Cozza started Scouting For All several
¯ years ago after his father was removed as a Scout leader for
.-. supporting Gay civil rights.
Cozza, who said neither he nor his father is Gay, left the Boy
¯ Scouts about six months ago after becoming an Eagle Scout.
¯ Cozz~ said he no could longer support the program because it
discriminates. "Scoutmasters are people to look up to. What’s
" wrong with being influenced by a Gay man? Someone’s sexual-
: ity has nothing to do with his character or personality," he said.
¯ The dozen OKC protesters held signs that read "Scouting
¯ should be for everyone", "Open scouting to Gays" and "Honk for
~ Gay Boy Scouts". People honked. In Oklahoma City, a couple of
: people shouted obscenities and one truck driver shouted, "You
[ guys are wrong"but i,n Tulsa, most of those commenting as they
¯ drove by were supportive of the demonstrators who averaged
-" about 20 over a couple hour period.
." Kent Doss, a 21-year-old student a! the University of Okla-
¯ homa and an Eagle Scout, attended both the Oklahoma City and
° the Tulsa protests. Doss, who is Gay, became an Eagle Scout in
¯ 1997. He had been in scouting since the third grade. "Even after
." that many years of hard work it’s just not worth it because of the
~ negative influence," he said. ’’It is so hypocritical Everything I
¯ grew up with has been ignored," Doss said. ’q don’t want to
." abandon the scouts. I want to be apart of the dialogue, but I’m not
~ proud of scouting." In Tulsa, Doss did turn in his uniform, his
¯ merit badges and his Eagle Scout award.
¯ In June, the US Supreme Cotvt ruled 5-4 that Boy Scouts of
~ America (BSA) can bar Gays from serving as troop leaders.
¯ see Scouts, p. 2
Walk For Life 200-0
-" TULSA (TFN) - For the pasl seven years, AIDS activists,
[ caregivers, people living with AIDS/HIV, and others have come
: together to walk to raise money for I-IIV/AIDS care-giving and
¯ education agencies. Their services include n~lical assistance,
_" prevention efforts, transportation, support groups, and home and
." hospice care.
¯ Walkers are asked to solicit pledges prior to this year’s event
[ and to bring their pledge sheets and those donations to the Walk
_" which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 9:30am at Veterans’
¯ Park, located at 21st & Boulder. The Walk will begin and end at
: the park going down the River Park to the 31 st Pedestrian Bridge
." and returning.
¯ Donations to Walk for Life 2000, the 8th Annual Tulsa AIDS
¯ Walk will be increased by 50% with matching dollars through the
: generosity of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The Walk is
~ sponsored by the Community Service Council, and will benefit
.- the Tulsa Community AIDS Partnership (TCAP).
¯ The Walk is an all volunteer effort and there are no admiuistra-
"_ five costs. For more information or for pledge forms, call 585-
¯ 5551.
:US Court Rules Gay Mexican
¯ Citizen Eligible for U,S, Asylum
[ SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A cross-dressing, Gay Mexican man
¯ persecuted in his homeland is entitled to asylum in the United
¯ States, a federal appeals panel ruled in August.
-" The decision by three judges of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of
¯ Appeals expanded the social circumstances of persecution that
¯ immigration officials must consider during asylum hearings.
¯ Federal. courts have already allowed asylum for a variety of
¯ political and social reasons, including a woman’s fear of genital
: mutilation in her African homeland. Just last month, the 9th
¯ Circuit ruled that an Armenian who says he has was given an
¯ ultimatum to become a Communist or leave Armenia deserved
¯ another bid for asylum.
The case involves Geovanni Hernandez-Montiel, a Gay Mexi-
" can citizen who dresses and behaves as a woman. Hetestified that
¯ he was persecuted by his family, school officials and police, who
" he said sexually assaulted him. see Asylum, p. 9
Gay Services Center
Moving to Memorial
TULSA (TFN) - After several years in Brookside,
Tulsa’s Gay Community Services Center is rdocating
- likely to a building near 21st and Memorial.
After the ownership of the current location
changed, TOHR (Tulsa Oklahomans for Human
Rights, sponsoring organization of,\the center) had
to fight a legal battlejust to finish the current lease.
The new owners have spent considerable funds to
update the location in order to lease it at much
higher rates. None of the other original tenants still
remain.
TOHR president Greg Gatewood noted that the
new center will have about the same amount of
space as the current one but may have slightly
lower operating costs. The new space will still have
a Pride Store, the Nancy McDonald Library, and an
expanded TOHRmembers only free video lending
library. Volunteers to help prepare for the move
and to move are quite welcome, Gatewood added
and can call the Center at 743-4297 for details.
TOHR events for September include: a protest
planning meeting to respond to the upcormng visit
to Tulsa by radio "therapist" Dr. Laura on Tuesday,
Sept. 5th at 7pm at the Center (current location at
37th & Peoria, 2nd floor), new Center volunteer
orientation on Wednesday, Sept. 6th at7pm,TOHR
membership meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at
7:30pm. This meeting will feature a presentation of
an A&E (Arts & Entertainment Network) program
onhate crimes. Votes on the nominating committee
for next year’s officers and on bylaws revisions
will also be held. And planning for next year’s
Pride events, Diversity Festival and Parade will
begin on Saturday, Sept. 9th at 1 lain at the Center.
On Friday, Sept. 29, 8pm, there will be a video
release party for Diversity 2000, a commemorative
video created by BoyBlue Productions in support
of TOHR. It will include highlights of all Pride
Week events including: see Video, p.8
¯ Florida Politicians Push
Federal Hate Crime Bill
- WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Two Republi-
¯ can congressmen are touting legislation that would
~ expand the federal government’s rolein investigat-
~ ing and prosecuting crimes based on sexual often-
, tation, religion, gender or ethnicity.
, U.S. Reps. Bill McCollum of Orlando and Mark
¯ Foley of West Palm Beach said while they may be
¯ members of a conservative political party, that
¯ doesn’t mean they find hate crimes against Gays
¯ and other historically persecuted groups any less
-" foul than Democrats do. "The issue is not Gay
: rights, the issue is hate crime," McCollum said
¯ Tuesday while meeting with Jewish leaders. "When
¯ someone is brutalized or killed.., it is fundamen-
: tally wrong."
¯ The bill would provide grants of up to $100,000
¯ for the investigation,and prosecution ofhate crimes
in all 50 states. It also would give federal authori-
¯ ties the ability to prosecute hate crimes under
¯ interstate commerce laws.
o According to the Southern Poverty Law Center,
¯ Florida ranks second in the nation in the number of
[ active hate groups. FBI statistics show a total of
" 7,755 bias-motivated criminal incidents were re-
. ported in 46 states and the District of Columbia in
. 1998, down about 10% over 1997.
Angela Lampert of the Jewish Federation of
" Palm Beach County said the group strongly sup-
. ports the bill. ’’We think hate crimes are abhorrent
¯ and do not need to be tolerated," Lampert said after
¯ meeting with McCollum and Foley at Temple Beth
¯ El in West Palm Beach.
In July, the Senate passed similar legislation as
¯ an amendment to a defense department appropria-
" tions bill. This adds offenses motivated by sexual
; orientation, sex or disability to the list of crimes
¯ covered under federal law. McCollum, chair of the
¯ House Subcommittee on Crime, and Foley hope to
¯ pass the House version in the same way.
Tulsa Clubs & Restaurants
*Chasers, 4812 E. 33
*CW’s, 1737 S. Memorial
*Club Cherry Bomb, 1926 E. Pine
*Club Vortex, 2182 S. Sheridan
Polo Grill, 2038 Utica Square
*St. Michael’s Alley Restaurant, 3324-L E. 31st
*The Star, 1565 Sheridan
*Renegades!Rainbow Room, 1649 S. Main
*TNT’s, 2114 S. Memorial
*Tool BOX, 1338 E.’ 3rd
*The Yellow Brick Road Pub; 2630 E. 15th
;712-2324
610-5323
583-2119
835-2376
744-4280
745-9998
834,4234
585-3405
660-0856
584- t308
749-1563
Tulsa Businesses, Services, & Professionals
Advanced Wird~ss &~PCS,Digital Cdlular
Assoc. in Med. & Mental Health, 2325 S. Harvard
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 8620 E. 71
Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 5231 E. 41
Body Piercing by Nicole, 2722 E. 15
*Borders Books & Music, 2740 E. 21
*Borders Books & Music, 8015 S. Yale
Brookside Jewelry, 4649 S. P~oria
*CD Warehouse, 3807c S. Peoria~
*Cheap Thrills, 2640 E. 1 lth
Cherry St. Psychotherapy, 1515 S. Lewis
Community Cleaning, Kerby Baker
Tim Daniel, Attorney 352-9504, 800-742-9468
.747-1508
743-1000
250-5034
665-4580
712-1122
712-9955
494-2665
743-5272
746-0313
295-5868
581-0902, 743-4117
622-0700
749-3620
744-5556
838-8503
369-8555
584-0337, 712-9379
592-0460
744-9595
610-0880
628-3709
808-8026
742- 1460
459-9349
744-7440
745-1111
341-6866
712-2750
582-3018
747-0236
582-8460
599-8070
747-5466
585-1234
584-3112
663-5934
-664-2951
838-7626
743 -4297
747-5932
834-0617
747-4746
749-6301
26o-7829.
481-0558
835-5563
743-1733
665-2222
592-0767
*Deco to Disco, 3212 E. 15th
Doghouse on Brookside, 331 t S. Peoria
*Elite Books & Videos, 821 S. Sheridan
Encompass Travel, 13161H N. Memorial
.Ross Edward Salon
Events Unlimited, 507 S. Main
Floral Design Studio, 3404 S. Peoria
Four Star Import Automotive, 9906,E. 55th PI.
Cathy Furlong, Ph.D., 1980 Utica Sq. Med. Ctr.
Gay & Lesbian Affordable Daycare
*Gloria Jean’s Gourmet Coffee, 1758 E. 21st
Leatme M. Gross, Insurance & financial planning
Mark T. Hamby, Attorney
*Sandra J. Hill, MS, Psychotherapy, 2865 E Skelly
*International Tours
Jacox ANmal Clinic, 2732 E. 15th
*Jared’s Antiques, 1602 E. 15th
David Kauskey, Country Club Barbering
The Keepers, Housekeeping & Gardening
*Ken’s Flowers, 1635 E.. 15
Kelly Kirby, CPA, 4021 S. Harvard, #210
*Living ArtSpace, 308 South Kenosha
*Midtown Theater, 319 E. 3rd
Mingo Valley Flowers, 9720c E. 31
*Mohawk Music, 6157 E 51 Place
Puppy Pause II, 1060 S. Mingo
*The Pride Store, 1307 E. 38, 2nd floor
Rainbowz on the River B+B, PUB 696, 74101
Richard’s Carpet Cleaning
Teri Schutt, Rex Realtors 834-7921,
Scribner’s Bookstore, 1942 Utica Square
Paul Tay, Car Salesman
*Tulsa Comedy Club, 6906 S. Lewis
Venus Salon, 1247 S. Harvard
Fred Welch, LCSW, Counseling
*Wherehouse Music,,5150 S. Sheridan
*Whittier News Stand, 1 N. Lewis
www.gaytulsa.org - website for Tulsa Gays & Lesbians
Tulsa Agencies, Churches, Schools & Universities
AIDS Walk Tulsa, PUB 4337, 74101 579-9593
All Souls,Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria. 743~2363
Black & White, Inc. PUB 14001, Tulsa 74159 587-7314
Bless The Lord at All Times Christian Center, 2207 E. 6 583-7815
B/L/G/T Alliance, Univ. of Tulsa United Min. Ctr. 583-9780
*Chamber of Commerce Bldg., 616 S. Boston 585-1201
*Chapman Student Ctr., University of Tulsa, 5th P1. & Florence
Church of the Restoration UU, 1314 N.Greenwood 587-1314
*Community of Hope Church, 2545 S: Yale 747-6300
*Community Unitarian-Universalist Congregation 749-0595
Council Oak Men’s Chorale 748-3888
*Delaware Playhouse, 1511 S. Delaware 712-1511
*Democratic Headquarters, 3930 E. 31 742-2457
Dignity/Integrity of Tulsa- Lesbian & Gay Catholics &
Episcopalians, PUB 701475, 74170-1475 355-3140
*Fellowship Congreg. Church, 2900 S. Harvard 747-7777
*Free Spirit Women’s Center, call for location &info: 587-4669
Friend For A Friend, PUB 52344, 74152 747-6827
918.583.1248, fax: 583.4615
PUB 4140, Tulsa, OK 74159
e-mail: TulsaNews@ earthlink.net
Publisher + Editor:
Tom Seal
Writers + contributors:
James Christjohn. Karin Gregory, Barry Hensley, J.-P.
Legrandbouche, Lamont Lindstrom, Esther Rothblum, Mary
Schepers, Hughston Walkinshaw
" Member of The Associated Piess ...........
Issued on orbefore the let of each month~2the endre contents
of this pubhcation are protected by US copyright I998 by
T~ ~1 Nt,w,t and may not be reproduced either in
whole or in part without written permission from the publisher.
Publication of a name or photo does not indicate a
person’ s sexual orientation. Correspondence is assumedto be
for publication unless otherwise noted, must be signed &
becomes the sole property of Tt,~ /:,~ Ntsu4~ Each
reader is entitled to 4 copies of each edition at distribution
points. Additional copies are available by calling 583-1248.
Friends in Unity Social Org., PUB 8542, 74101
HIV ER Center, 4138 Chas. Page Blvd.
*Tulsa C.A.R.E.S., 3507 E. Admiral
Holland Hall School, 5666 E. 81st
HOPE, HIV Outreach, Prevention, Education
*Houseofthe Holy SpiritMinstries, 1517 S. Memorial
*MCC United, 1623 N. Maplewood
NAMES Project, 3507 E. Admiral P1.
NOW, Nat’l Org. for Women, PUB 14068, 74159
OK Spokes Club (bicycling), PUB 9165, 74157
*OSU-Tulsa
PFLAG, PUB 52800, 74152
*Planned Parenthood, -1007 S. Peoria
Prime-Timers, P.O. Box 52118, 74152
R.A.I.N., Regional AIDS Interfaith Network
*Red Rock Mental Center, 1724 E. 8
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 4045 N. Cincinnati
St. Dunstan’s Episcopal, 5635 E. 71st
*St. Jerome’s Parish Church, 205 W. King
*Tulsa Area United Way, 1430 S. Boulder
*TNAAPP (Native American men), Indiau Health Care
Tulsa County Health Department, 4616 E. 15
582-0438
583-6611
834-4194
481-1111
834-8378
224-4754
838-1715
748-3111
365-5658
749-4901
587-7674
749-4195
584-2325
425-7882
492-7140
582-3088
583-7171
582-7225
595-4105
Confidential HIV Testing - by appt. on Thursdays only
Tulsa Okla. for Human Rights, c/o The Pride Center 743-4297
T.U.L.S.A. Tulsa Uniform~Leather Seekers Assoc. 298-0827
*Tulsa City Hall, Ground Hoor Vestibule
*Tulsa Community College Campuses
*Tulsa Gay Community Center, 1307 E. 38, 74105 743-4297
Unity Church of Christianity, 3355 S. Jamestown 749-8833
BARTLESVILLE
Bardesville Public Library,, 6"00 S. Johnstone 918-337-5353
OKLAHOMA CITY/NORMAN
Borders Books & Music, 3209 NW Expressway 405-848-2667
Borders Books & Music, 300 Norman Center 405-573-4907
TAHLEQUAH
Stonewall League, call for information: 918-456-7900
Tahlequah Unitarian-Universalist Church 918-456-7900
Green Country AIDS Coalition, PUB 1570 918-453-9360
NSU School of Optometry, 1001 N. Grand
HIV’testing every other Tt~es. 5:30-8:30, call for dates
EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
Autumn Breeze Restaurant, Hwy. 23 501-253-7734
Jim & Brent’s Bistro, 173 S Main 501-253-7457
DeVito’s Restaurant, 5 Center St. .501-253-6807
Fanerald Rainbow, 45 &l/2 Spring St. 501-253-5445
MCC of the Living Spring 501"-253-9337
Seek to Go!, PC Specialist, PUB 429 501-253-2776
Old Jailhouse Lodging, 15 Montgomery 501-253-5332
Positive Idea Marketing Plans 501-624-6646
Sparky’s, Hwy. 62 East 501-253-6001
White Light, 1 Center St. 501-253-4074
JOPLIN, MISSOURI
Spirit of Christ MCC, 2639 E. 32, Ste. U134 417-623-4696
* is where you can trmd TFN. Not all are Gay-owned butall are Gay-friendly.
Hesaid he first thought the Dodgers might
have a policy against Gay and Lesbian
couples showing affectionin theball park.
"I’m frankly shocked," Bernheim said.
’q’heir response is atypical and outstanding."
He said the Dodgers have donemore
to make amends than any other corporation
he’s dealt with.
Goldey and Kott have been invited to
sit behind home plate to make up for the
game they missed.
¯ - - "It i-s not trivial-to-be thrown ouf’Of
p.u,b’,!.]c..p.l~ac:eb~as~ed Of, who YOU "are,"s"d
Jon Da~cids0n 0f the Lambda L~g~i’ D~-:
fense and: Edlacafion Fund, a Gay advocacy
group. ’q’his result is a home run for
all concerned."
The ruling may also permit the 6.2-mib
lion-member organization to reject Gays
as members. The Boys Scouts consider
homosexuality contrary to their oath .requiring
scouts tube "morally straight:"
The90?ye~ff-Oldorganization says its goal
is to ’l~iS~’itle educational programs for
boys and young adults to build character,
to train in the responsibilities of participating
citizenship and to devdop personal
fitness.¯
EdmrddresidentJustin Spears, aformer
Boy Scout l~ader, said he doesn’t know if
he want~.:..Ms 8-year-old son to become a
Boy Scoii~ because of the stance against
Gays. "Even though they have a legal
mandate, this discrimination needs to be
stopped," he said.
In Tulsa, longtime PFLAG (Parents,
Families and Friends of Lesbians and
GayS) activist Cathy Hinkle marched and
spoke ofhow her Gay son was a scout but
would have been barred under the BSA
policy. Hinkle was joined for part of the
protest by the new pastor of All Souls
Unitarian Church.
The OKC demonstrators marched to
the headquarters, where former scout
member Jim Craig, turned in his handbodkin
prdtest to Jim Russnogle, director
of field services for the Last Frontier
Council. "In Boy Scouts I learned a lot
about Boy Scout law. I believe scout law
is not being followed," Craig said. "A lot
of kids:that are Gay might not be tempted
to co~Iv;uicide if they had more support."
"
Russnogle read from a statement that
said that the Boy Scouts respects their
rights, and ask that the rights of the BSA
also be respected. "We believe avowed
homosexuals should not be role models;"
Russnogle read. He added that he is sorry,
that Dose. no longer wants to be consid;,~
ered an Eagle Scout, "But if that is his
opinion, I respect that."
Rob Abiera, owner and operator of
Ga~,0k~:(0m said thedemonstration was -
called to show supportfor Gay Boy Scouts
and Scout Masters and to educate how
Gay Scouts face discrimination. "We
know that the Boy Scouts has~been a
pioneer in reaching out to minorities and,¯.
should continue that effort in reaching out
to Gays. It is completely inconsistentwith
what they have done in the past," Abierav ~
said.
Demonstrators were turned away from
the national Boy Scouts ofAmericaheadquartersMonday
afterpresenting a 55,000-
signature petition protesting the
organization’s ban on Gay troop leaders.
Fewer than a dozen demonstrators, some
wearing Boy Scout uniforms, see p. 3
were met by a security guard and not allowed past the
front desk. A secretary who refused to give her name said
she would forward the petition to the organization’s
president. The protesters hadhoped to talk withleaders of
the organization or at least schedule a meeting.
’"vVe’re disappointed," said Dave Rice, a former Scout
leader who marched in Irving. ’°We don’t like confrontation.
We like to sit down, shake hands and discuss a
solution that’s mutually beneficial."
In Seattle, more than_ 100 people rallied~ in protest
Monday night. One, former Eagle Scout Doug Barnes,
said he planned to send hisbadge back. Another, Jon
Wartes, said he already had done so. "Does the Boy
Scouts of Americareally understand the hurt that they’re
doing?" said Wartes, who became an Eagle Scout in 1959
and wrote part of the Boy Scout handbook.
At the Washington, D.C. protest, Graham Segroves
wore his Boy Scout shirt complete with his Eagle Scout
badge and other honors. Now with the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force, Segroves, 25, said he did not realize
he was Gay until he left the scouts eight years ago.
Segroves said he hopes President Clinton will agree to
a task force request thathe resignhis honorary presidency
of the Boy Scouts He also is watching for congressional
action on a proposed "Scouting f0~ All" act, which seeks
to revoke the Boy Scouts’ congre~slbhal charter.
The Supreme Court decision has ~IS0 left compames
that donate to the Boy Scouts of America in a quandary:
their employment policies contradict the Boy Scouts’
court-upheld right toban Gay troop members. The stance
already has cost the Scouts financial support from companies
such as Levi Strauss & Co: arid Wells Fargo.
Others, concerned about hurting the beneficiaries of such
funding - the boys themselves - are w~ighing their
options.
Chase Manhattan Corp. is considering revoking its
contributions. ’XDn the face of it, some issues appear to be
in conflict with our commitment to diversity," spokesman
Jim Finn said. ’%Ve will make a final determination
on this soon. It’s notsomething we are going to let rest for
a long time." Merrill Lynch & Co. in New York, which
gives between $100,000 and $150,000 a year, is "actively
reviewing" its relationship with the Scouts, said spokesman
Joe Cohen.
Media company Knight Ridder has asked "that funds it
gives to the UnitedWay notbe directed to the Boy Scouts
because it conflicts "with the company’s philosophy on
people and di~cersity, and the company could not support
such a discriminatory stance," said Polk Laffoon, vice
president of corporate relations.
The Tulsa Area United Way (l’AUW)does fund the
Indian Nations Council of the BSA. TAUW’s director,
Kathleen Coan, at a mid-summer news conference was
asked, "since TAUW doesn’t fund racist or anti-semitic
organizations, why it funds non-profits (BSA, Big Brothers
and Big Sisters of Green Country, the American Red
Cross) which discriminate against Lesbian and Gay
Tulsans?" Coan, responding with obvious anger,, stated
that she was "quite proud" of thefunding decisions which
TAUWhas made, and made no effort to explain orjustify
those decisions.
Steve Tumbo, of the public relations firm Sctmake,
Brookey Turnbo, and a recent addition to the Tulsa Area
United Way board was present at that press conference
and also reacted angrily to questiond aboutTAUW bias.
Mr. Turnbo, a longtime supporter of the National
Conference for Community and Justice, a Tulsa "human
rights" organization with a history of anti-Gay discrimination,
had promised to respond to inquiries about
TAUW’s funding of anti-Gay groups if the concerns
were expressed by letter. To date, TFN has received no
response to a letter sent in April.
Turnbo also was the organizer a few years ago of a
conference which claimed to be about diversity butwhich
failed to include Lesbians and Gay men in any of its
planning and Turubo also refused to alter the event even
when the matter was brought to his attention and individuals
were willing to volunteer to help correct the
exclusion.
Tumbo’s firm enjoys a privileged relationship with
Tulsa’s establiskment frequently working closely with
Tulsa mayor, M. Susan Savage, the Chamber of Commerce
and Tulsa Public Schools, frequently being involved
in bond and other elections.
Assault at Rose Hill by Tom Neal, editor/publisher
It was a picture perfect "photo op." The rabbi, draped
with his prayer shawl, was flanked one one side by
Mouzon Biggs of Boston Avenue Methodist Church,
Black pastor Dr. McCutchen, and the Bishop (Catholic)
of Tulsa, Edward Slattery, and on the other side by our
mayor, M. Susan Savage, and Sheryl Siddiqui of Tulsa’s
Islamic Society.
.M1 were gathered in the 100 plus degree heat and sun
to condenm a horrible act of desecration: the toppling of
Jewish tombstones in Rose Hill Cem-
: the Nadonal Conference of Christians and Jews) sends
¯ letters to the World condemning firemen who put Chris-
" tian holiday decorations up and condemns anti-Semetic
¯ attacks on Joe Lieberman but never to my knowledge has
¯ responded publicly to attacks on Tulsa’s Gay Commu-
¯ nity Center, to anti-Gay Oklahoma legislation, to the
¯ beating of Orr and Beauchamp, or even to the murder of
¯ Mathew Sheppard.
However, the organization has engaged in deliberate
¯
and conscious acts of anti-Gay discrimination, most
recently at an event at Bigg’s BOston
etery. And Rabbi Fitzerman of Congregation
B’nai Emunah put in context
just precisely how this act hurt, of
how it invoked memories of Nazi
atrocities with a story of a road to one
Nazi labor/death camp being paved
with Jewish tombstones.
But when push comes to shove, this
still was a crime against property - not
a taking oflife. Was it an assault on the
psyche of a community? Of course!
Not unlike the year-in and year-out
psychic assaults on Gay Tulsans from
our own elected leaders (members of
the legislature, our governor, our congressman,
our sen~ttors, our district
attorney),as well as from individual~
like Jonathan Brian Duke, the man
who was caught in the cemetery. According
to the Tulsa WorM, Duke had
been accused of harassing two Gay
men who lived near him.
Indeed, ifyouknew who and what to
look for, Tulsa’s Gay community was
wall represented in the crowd. I suspect
that after Jews, we may have been
the largest single group. There were
"baby" Gays in rainbow beads and
: shorts, a young lesbian couple quietly
: holding hands leaving the ceremony
] after all was over, establishment Gays
¯ from the Church of Saint Jerome, even
somehardyhumanrights activists from
: Oklahoma City who dropped every-
: thing to come to be here in solidarity.
"So when Rabbi Fitzerman
says he’s grateful to llve in
an "open eommunlty,"
one that "embraces
diversity," "a place of
profound moral health,"
I am grateful that for
Tulsa’s Jewish eommunlty,
this may finally be true.
I hope so.
But for Gay people dearly
this is not yet true. For
Gay Tulsans, Tulsa
remains a place of deep
hypoerlsy, where our
tax dollars,
and our talents are
greedily taken but our
exlstenee is mostly
denied when not
speeffleally condemned. "
- Tom Neal
Amazingly, Rabbi Fitzerman did
Avenue Methodist Church. And in a
particularly cynical fundraising ploy,
NCCJ honored Robert Lorton, owner
and publisher of the Tulsa WorM, a
business knownfor at least fifteen years
for its anti-Gay discriminatory business
practices, its "humanitarian" of
the year.
So when Rabbi Fitzerman says he’s
grateful to live in an "’open community,"
one that "embraces diversity,"
"a place of profound moral health," I
am grateful that for Tulsa’s Jewish
community, this may finally be true. I
hope so.
But for Gay people clearly this is
not yet true. For Gay Tulsans, Tulsa
. remains a place of deep hypocrisy,
where our tax dollars, and our talents
are greedily taken but our existence is
mostly denied when not specifically
condemned. It is a place where even
our presence in human rights groups is
begrudging and is predicated on our
not getting "’uppity." (Note how these
groups much prefer to have non-Gay
Gay advocates like Nancy McDonald
rather than actually have Gay people at
the table. Note also that this is no
cnttcism of Nancy’s good and hard
work. She’s not responsible for their
prejudice.)
And while Gay people seem to get
the connection between anti-semitism
and anti-Gay values, the ~luestion remains
whether Tulsa’s Jewish commention
Gay people along with Jews, Catholics, Blacks,
Asians and Hispanic Americans as those .who are attacked
because we do not fit some "mythological profile"
of a "true’.’ American. But as a long observer of Tulsa’s
so-called "human rights" community, it is hard not to be
somewhat bitter at the contrast between how seriously
assaults on Tulsa’ s Jewish community are taken as compared
to those on Tulsa’s Gay commumty.
Let us merely start with who was on, and who was not
on, the dais! While there seems to be evidence that Gays
were also targets 6f Jonathan Brian Duke, and there
certainly are Gay community leaders who were concerned
and attending the event, like Father Rick
Hollingsworth of Saint Jerome, or members of Tulsa
Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR), we were not
represented.
Duke had not attacked Cathohcs but the Catholic
bishop was on the dais. Nor did he attack Methodists but
Mouzon Biggs was there. Nor had he attacked Blacks but
one of the most senior Black clergymen was there. Nor
did he attack Muslims but Siddiqui was invited to the
dais.
Can anyone remember when ever our mayor has attended
a Gay event? She’s usually conveniently out of
town. Sure she sends her best bud, Hilary Kitz, whom we
adore but it’s not the same. We did not see her at the
memorial hdd in City Hall Plaza for Mathew Sheppard,
nor did she release comment about that crime, or more
relevantly did she comment on the brutal Brookside
beating ofTony Orr andTim Beauchamp- indeed a local
crime. Nor has our mayor responded to now years worth
of calls for diversity training for police and other city
workers which actually includes Gay people in the "diversity."
Nor did she add her voice to the effort to amend
our state hate crime statute to include "sexual orientalion."
Local ’’human rights" organizations like the National
Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ, formerly
munity does. While Tulsa’s Jewish community by an3’
standard is successful in business and in political impact,
and is influential due to those talents in wild disproportion
to its numbers, it still seems to bdieve that it cannot
risk expending its "’capital" to help Gay people. And it is
also, frankly, a community which has not dealt with its
own prejudices against Gay people, its homophobia and
Its heterosexism.
Part of the reason that things are better in Tulsa forJews
is that non-Jews made the effort to try to make things
better. It’s morally right for those still excluded to call on
those who’ve been helped to turn and to help those still
left behind. Tulsa’s Jewish community and Tulsa’s Gay
community have much in common.
Unlike racial minorities, neither community is an "onsight"
minority. We are known by our actions, by going
to our places of worship’or our community centers, or
businesses. We are subject to similar pressures to just
"convert." And we share the horror of Nazi persecution,
a fact finally acknowledged by organizers of the local
Holocaust interfaith remembrance event this year, albeit
only after much cajoling and the intervention of one
blessedly open minded Tulsan, herself the daughter of
Holocaust survivors.
The rabbi’s inclusive language is a good start. God
forbid that there should be a next time for suchan event
but when next there is a shared stage, an effort at representing
the"diversity"ofour town, maybe thenone of our
leaders will be on the dais. And maybe just like the Gay
people who were in that 100 degree heat, who understand
that an attack on Jews is an attack on us too, Tulsa’s
Jewish commumty will throw their influence behind the
Gay commumty’s efforts for fair treatment by our law
enforcement system, by our legislature, and by our community
organizations.
The God of Israel commands, "... justice,justice, shalt
thou seek..." You don’t have to be a Jew or a Christian
to honor these words.
Universal Florida To
Offer Partners Benefits
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Universal Florida will start
offering health and other benefits to domestic partners,
both Gayand straight. The benefits, which will
take effect Oct. 1, also will cover dependents of
domestic partners.
’This is a part of our ongoing efforts to recognize
the diversity of the team members in our workforce
and to provide an array of benefits and services
sufficient to be recognized as an employer of choice
in this very dynamic Orlando labor market," said an
internal Universal document obtained by The Orlando
Sentinel.
Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando’s largest employer
with more than 55,000 workers, has offered
health benefits to employees’ Gay partners since
1996. But Disney doesn’t cover heterosexual partners
of employees tmless they are married.
Disney doesn’t plan to change its policy regarding
unmarriedheterosexual partners, said spokesman Bill
Warren. "It’s our position that there is a legal remedy
to be’formally married, and Seeg those benefits with
heterosexual couples," Warren said.
Universal, the area’s fourth-largest employer with
11,800 employees, will extend the benefits to any
domestic, partner 18 or older who has lived with the
employee for at least six months. In addition, the
theme park resort’s statement said, partners, must
have ’~oint responsibility for eachother’s financial
wdfare and basic living expenses," although it is not
dear how that would be proved. In addition to medical,
dental, vision and dependent life insurance, domestic
partners will be able to use Universal’s employee
assistance program, sctfolarships and other
benefits. Employees can enroll their partners in September.
Hate crimes increase
11.7% in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (AP) -Hatecrimes increased 11.7%
in Los Angeles County last year, with blacks, Jews
and Gays the target of most attacks, the. Human
Relations Commission said. The increase was due in
part to better reporting of hate crimes, officials said
recently.
Last year’s attack on the North Valley Jewish
Community Center by a gunman led to an "unprecedented
awareness" ofhate crimes, said RobinToma,
acting executive director of the county Human Relations
Commission. Buford O. Furrow Jr., a white
supremacist, is charged with. shooting to death Filipino-
American postal worker 3oseph Ileto and then
wounding five people at the Jewish center.
Overall in 1999, the report said, 859 crimes motivated
by race. religion or sexual orientation-were
reported. That was up 11.7% from 1998. It was the
second-highest tally in 20 years, behind the peak year
of’ 1996, when 995 hate crimes were reported.
The upswing matched a 12% statewide increase in
hate crimes, announced last month by the state attorney
general’s office. The crimes ranges from crossbumings
to killings. Overall, blacks werethe most
frequent victims of hate crimes, but crimes involving
religion or sexual orientation saw the largest increases.
Hate crimes on school campuses .also rose
sharply for the second year in a row,jumping 58.7%,
from 46 to 73. Most of the crimes based on religion
were nonviolent, but more than half of those against
Gays and Lesbians were violent, the commission
said.
Univ. of Minnesota Alum
Donates for Gay Center
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A University of Minnesota
alunmus who made a fortune in the computer software
industry has donated $500,000 to the school for
an endowed Gay, Lesbian, bisexual and transgender
studies center.
The Steven J. Schochet Center for Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual and Transgender Studies opened July 1.
Schochet, a 1959 graduate, said he faced many barriers
as a Gay man on campus and hopes the donation
will improve the climate for GLBT students.
The center will be responsible for coordinating
graduate studies, establishing archives and starting a
lecture series and community forums. ’.The goal of
the center is to enhance the creation of knowledge
about GLBT lives through academic studies and
community interaction," said Liunea Stenson,
Schochet Center program director.
Texas A&M Waffles
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - A Gay civil
rights group urged Texas A&M University to implement
an on-again, off-again ban on discrimination
again~st Gays. School presidentRay Bowen suspended
the policy change on Aug. 16, a few hours after it was
posted on the university’s Web site. In a vaguely
worded statement, Bowen said the issue needed more
study.
In a letter to Bowen, the National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force said Texas A&M shouldjoin other major
universities around the state in prohibiting discrimination
against homosexuals. "Failure to expressly
-forbid discrimination also sends the message to the
campus community that (homosexual) people are
second-class citizens and that discrimination against
them is acceptable," said ElizabethToledo, executive
director of the task force.
Bowen has stated the matter will be reconsidered
after a better understanding by all confirmed parties
has been achieved, said university spokesman Lane
Stephenson.
"He has directed the matter to go through the Office
of the Dean of Student Life as the start of the process
of reconsideration," Stephenson said. "We are already
starting to have productive discussions within
the university community."
On the Net: .Texas A&M University: http://
www.tamu.edu
Drag Queens-Invited to
Olympic Celebrations
SYDNEY, Australia (AP) - The Olympics’ dosing
ceremony is going to be a drag. Drag queens will be
part of the Sydney 2000 games’ finale regardless of
what "right-wing reactionaries" think, ceremonies
director Ric Birch said at the end of August/
Themen dressedup in outlandish dresses, wigs and
makeup, will be "part of one tiny section" of the
dosing ceremony, a tribute to Australian films including
the 1994 cult hit ’.The Adventures of Priscilla,
Queen of the Desert," he said.
Some of the participants would be dressed in original
costumes, including a frill-necked lizard outfit
from the film, which features twodrag queens and a
transsexual driving a pink bus through Australia’s
Outback.
A report in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper
sparked heated debate onradio shows. One, caller said
he would trade his dosing ceremony ticket after
hearing the news.
Birch directed the opemng ceremony at the 1992
Barcelona Olympics and was involved in the opener
at Atlantafour years ago. He said he was annoyed that
constant leaks were wrecking what should be a surprise
for the public. "I’m really disappointed at the
way the mediais gleefully trying to expose the secrets
that we call surprises," Birch told Australian Broadcasting
Corp. radio.
Photographs of the Olympic cauldron being lit in
rehearsals, which are usually kept under wraps, have
been printed. Speculation on who will ignite the
cauldron has intensified.
Birch said the inclusion of drag queens also reflected
one of Sydney’s mostcolorful events, the Gay
and Lesbian Mardi Gras, a Gay pridemarch and street
carnival that attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators
each year. "That’s part of Sydney life whether
(critics) like it or not." Birch said. "For the right-wing
reactionaries or whatever part of a community is
..outraged about it - well, they’re always going to be
outraged."
Olympics Minister Michael Knight said all the
plans forthe ceremonies had been approved by the
organizing committee’s board. "The dosing ceremony
runs for several hours and has a very different feel to
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opening ceremony - it’s a party," he said. "Fhe
athletes are going to be on the field from the word go
as part of this giant party celebration: The whole feel
will be one of great celebration and fi~n."
Same-sex Marriage Ban
Appears Headed to Ballot
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - It appears likely voters will
get a chance to decide whether to ban same-sex
marriages in Nebraska: A petition effort to place the
proposed constitutional an~endment on th~ ballot
gathered at leas t 19,000 more than the needed 105,214
signatures:, the Secretary Of State’ s,office announbed.
The same~sex p~tition was circulated: by the De-
[fehse: of Marriage Amendment Committee. With
signatures t¥om 82 counties counted, the total-verified
was 124,495. About 10% of the signatures were
determined to be invalid.
The petition effort was headed by Guyla Mills,
director of the NebraskaFamily Council and a lobbyist
for the Nonpartisan Family Coalifon- two groups
that support the peftion.
Mills said sheis confident that when all the signatures
are verified they will have about 45,000 more
thanwhat is required, and that will deter anyone from
thinking about challenging them.
At this time the Nebraska chapter of the American
Civil Liberges Union has no intention of challenging
anyof the signatures, even though it remains opposed
to. the amendment; said ACLU director Tim Butz. A
group organized to fight]he initiative, called the Vote
No on DOMA (Defense of Marriage Amendment)
Committee, also has no plans to challenge the signature
count. Other groups opposing the effort include
Nebraska Advocates for Justice & Equality, a nonprofit
Omaha group, and PFLAG (Parents and Families
of Lesbians and Gays).
Butz said theACLU id researching what impact the
amendment would have on exisfng laws dealing with
business partnerships and existing legal agreements
between Gay and Lesbian couples. The ACIJd also is
looking into what impactit would have on companies
that offer same-sex health~benefits,-to workers. ¯
The proposed constitutional amendment will read:
’~Only marriage between a man and a woman shall be
valid or recognized in Nebraska. The uniting of two
persons of the same sex in a civil union, domestic
partnership, or other similar same-sex relationship
shall not be valid or recognized in Nebraska.’"
Nothing in current Nebraska law s.pecifically prohibits
same-sex marriage. Supporters of the petition
say it will clarify in the consmutlon that only marriages
of a man and woman are legal in Nebraska.
Thirt.y-tl~r.ee states have passed law s or amended their
const~tutxons to ban same-sex marriages.
Officials Say No to Two
Morns on Birth Certificate
DENVER (AP) -The state health department will
ask the Colorado Supreme Court to ban Lesbian
couples from placing both their nmnes on a baby’s
birth certificate, a health official said. The issue was
raised after two Boulder District Court judges allowed
seven Lesbian couples to place their names on
birth certificates. One of the women in each couple
was the birth mother. The judges said Colorado law
allows people who have :no biological,connection to
"a child tO ~ssume parentalrights ii~ certain situations.
The Department ofPublic Health and Environment
appealed, arguing that the judges had overstepped
their legal authority by creating a new_ kind of pare_ntchild
relationship.
"It needs to be the decision of the legislature rather
than the courts," said Cynthia Honssinger, a director
in the health department. But the Colorado Court of
Appeals turned down the health department’s request
to overturn the Boulder courts. The appellate court
said the health department didn’t appeal on time nor
should it have any interest in the matter.
Honssinger said the health department now plans
to ask theColorado Supreme Court to look at what the
Legislature intended when it enacted the Uniform
Parentage Act. Lawmakers wanted to help single
mothers get child-support payments from deadbeat
dads, she said.
Jeanine Pow, a lawyer representing one of the
Lesbian couples, said the law traditionally wants
what is in the "best interest" of the child, which is two
adults who are responsible for the child. "The health
department is wasting taxpayer money on punishing
the children of Lesbian mothers," she said.
The women in the seven Boulder cases want to
remain anonymous to protect their clfildren and themselves,
their lawyers said.
GayArts Group Sues San
Antonio; Claims Bias
SAN-ANTONIO (AP) - A chItural arts 2roup fliat]ost
Its c~ty fundlng.m 1997 armd 4omplaint~ ,o~er !ts
+ponsorship of ~i Gay and Lesbiati fihri fest~fil’
the city to court on accusations of violating the First
Amendment. Attorneys for the nonprofit Esperanza
Center contend the City Council cut off the organization
because of its viewpoints a violation of free
speech- mad because of pressure from residents who
told council members they opposed "promoting a
Gay lifestyle."
Also Suing the city are two groups under the 13-
year-old Esperanza’s fiscal umbrella, the San Antonio
Lesbian andGay Media Project mad the s~nall arts
gr,o,up VAN
~lie Esperanza_N~d other plaintiffs were singled
out by the city because of the viewpoints expressed by
~he Esperanza ~n a variety of ways, Esperanza lawyer
Am~; Kastely told U.S. District Judge Orlando L.
G,qrci~i iff0utlining their case.
The Esperanza Center filed suit after the council
voted in September 1997 to stop giving it money.
Although the couucil reduced funding to most arts
groups by 15% at the stone time, Esperanza was the
only one ~hat was cut off altogether.
Several residents had voiced their opposition to
financing Esperanza, saying they disapproved of the
behavior they believed the group was advocating.
The city’s Cultural Arts Board had recommended
$62~500 for Esperanza, which had been receiving city
money for ~even years. But after the council vote, the
cit)/ i~’ei~aJ:~ment 6f Ar~s .and dultural Affhirs also
withheld $14,000 from the Texas Commission on the
Arts, for a total loss of about $76,500.
Now, the group’s leaders are seeking the money
they believe they deserve. They’re also seekang an
order from the court to force the city to follow its own
criteria for granting arts funding.
But lawyers representing the city say council members
didn’t stra~: from the criteria. They say some
council members just didn’l support the Esperanza
Center while others wanted to divert some of the arts
funding toward more basic city progrmns.
For~ner councilman Jose Menendez testified that
while he had received several phone calls and letters
objecting to financing Esperanza, he simply felt that
artsfluading was not a priority. He said Iris district
needed sidewalks, speed bumps and more firefighters.
’qqae arts ~vas an area where we could get lnore money
for basic servxces."
The city’s law yers questioned whether Esperanza,
which used to be called the Esperanza Peace &Justice
Center, should have been eligible for arts money in
the first place. Indeed, some council members had
viewed it more as a political organization than an arts
group, former councilman Roger Flores testified.
Eduardo Diaz, former director of the city’s arts
depar.tment: ~onceded~ ~upon, questioning.by assistant
city attorney. Amy Eubanks that Esperanza technically
is not an arts organization because its massion is
not exclusively the presentation or production of art.
¯ But-he-added that it has.been Esperanza’s practice
over the years to incorporate arts progran~s.
Diaz testified earlier that he had no doubt that
Esperanza met the criteria for funding He.said the
g up has been an acttve player tn cultural events
for many years. He said there are :other Ynon-arts"
groups that receive arts funding. At the time of the’ 97
cotmcil vote, the Witte Museum, primarily a natural
history and science museum, was among four organizations
that were receiving 70 to 75% of the total
amount of arts funding, Diaz said.
Esperanza execuuve director Graciela S anchez testified
the center has used arts programs to "g~ve voice
to the voiceless."
Medical Marijuana
To Be Investigated
SAN DIEGO (AP) - The University of
California, San Diego will soon begin
trials on medical marijuana at the nation’ s
first research center designed to explore
the drug’s therapeutic potential. Doctors
announced the Center for Medicinal Cannabis
Research as part of the state’s effort
to set medical guidelines following the
voter-approved medical marijuana law.
The center, headquartered in San Diego,
will begin distributing grants to conduct
clinical trials at lmiversities and research
centers throughout California as
early as January.
The studies will look at whether marijuana
is a safe alternative for treating
certmn kinds of medical conditions and
the best ways to administer it, such as ¯
through pills, patches or sprays.
’~Ourjobis to show if these products are ¯
helpful and we can answer t~.at defini- -"
tively," said Igor Grant, the center’s director
and professor of psychiatry at
UCSD. ¯
Gov. Gray Davis has already approved ¯
$3 malhon to fund theprogram first year
while legislation calls for a three-year
program. The center was set up in large
response to Proposition 215, the 1996
state initiative allowing seriously ill pa- °
tients to grow and use marijuana f~ pain o
relief, if they have a doctor’srecommen- o
dation. Measures similar_to the California ¯
initiative have passed in Alaska, Arizona,.
Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, Oregon and
Washington state. ¯
State Sen. John Vasconcellos, who ¯
pushed for medical marijuana, pelmed the ¯
program in 1996 but initially faced oppositionfromlaw
enforcement groups. Only ¯
after working with Attorney General Bill
Lockyer did Vasconcellos convincemany ¯
that research was a good idea.
"It’s been a very long road since the °
passage of 215 to even get as far as we had
with research," said Rand Martin, a ¯
spokesman for Vasconcellos. "We have °
had to deal with alot of political problems °
and the most exciting thing is that we’re ¯
putting the politics behind us." o
Proponents have long argued that marl- "
juanahelps patients with chronic pain and "
with AIDS, cancer and multiple sclerosis ¯
by relieving pain and nausea. Opponents .
of marijuana say scientific research is "
necessary.
’Wee consider research a good thing,’" -"
said Bob Weiner of the White House
National Drug Control Policy Office. "Fo "
have medicine determined by science and ¯
not by popular will is exactly what we
support." ¯
Doctors at UCSD’s center hope the "
research will eventually determine"
whether marijuana has medical benefits -
because current federal law says the drug "
has no medical purpose.
Trial patients will get marijuana from :
the National InStitute on Drug Abuse and -
researchers have pledged to follow all
medical guidelines. ’‘There’s been a long "
history of contention around cannabis and
it has been difficult to do research," said ,
Grant. "This it the ~first study that’s "
mulfidisciplinary. The state of California "
has taken the lead here." ¯
Malay AIDS-Group -
Protests Testing
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -"
Malaysia’s biggest AIDS .aw.areness and, "
prevention body has protestea a proposat ¯
in a southern state to subject
"_ Muslim men to HIV tests before they are
¯ allowed to getmarried, anews report said.
." The criticism of the move by Islamic
¯ religious authorities in Johor state came
¯ fromPrimeMinisterMahathirMohamad’s
o° daughter, MarinaMahathir, an outspoken
: AIDS activist who heads the Malaysian
AIDS Council. "The assumption is blood
~ testing is somehow preventive, unfortu-
¯ nately it is not," Marina was quoted as
¯ saying by the Beriiama news agency.
"- Mandatory HIV testing was also a vio-
¯ lation of human rights, she said. AIDS
¯ activists would soon meet with state offi-
¯ cials to ’discuss the proposal, she was
~ quoted as saying.
° She told reporters that educating the
¯ public on preventive measures will be
¯ more effective in curbing the deadly dis-
" ease in the predominantly Muslim Southeast
Asian country where discussing
sexual issues in public is taboo and where
introducing sex education in schools is
being resisted by conservattves.
Over the weekend, top government officials
in Johor proposed compulsory
blood tests on Muslim men, a move that
would affect men in the dominant Malay
community. Johor chief minister Abdul
Ghani Othman was quoted as saying by
newspapers that it was part of efforts to
check the alarming rise of HIV cases in
the state. "In 1999 alone, there was a 73%
increasein ttIV cases among Malays compared
to the previous year,"he was quoted
as saying by New Sunday Times.
Clinton: "Break the
Silence’ about AIDS
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - Africans must
"break the siIence" about AIDS or risk
losing hard-fought democratic and economic
gains, President Clinton said Sunday
as the White House highlighted more
than $20 million in U.S. aid to fight AIDS,
malaria and other diseases devastating
Africa.
"In every country, in any culture, it is
difficult, painful, at the very least embarrassing,
to talk about the issues involved
with AIDS," Clinton said after touring a
health center in the Nigerian capital and
hearing the stories of several people living
with the disease.
Clinton’s two-day stay in Nigeria was
intended to underscore U.S. approval of
the 15-month-old democratic government
in Africa’s most populous nation, with
123 million people.
Along with dealing with the heavy
themes of AIDS and debt relief, Clinton
used the trip to get to know a country he
deliberated bypassed on his last trip to
Africa, in 1998, when it was under a
military dictatorship.
Led by a throng of singing children, he
trudged through the Nigerian village of
Ushafa on Sunday, past mud brick huts
and flimsy metal sheds, with scrawny
chickens scattering in his path.
"We want to help you build your
economy, educate your children andbuild
a better life," he told villagers, wearing a
cream-colored royal African robe given
to him by the village chief.
AIDS killed 2.8 million people worldwide
last year, and is now the leading
cause of death in Africa. The Clinton
administration will spend $9.4 million
this year for AIDS and HIV infection
prevention and care in Nigeria, $8.7 million
more for polio eradication and $2
million toward prevention of malaria.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 13 million children
have lost a parent to AIDS, and the
disease is reducing life expectancies and
Colle.ge Hill
Presbyterian Church
In response to God’s Love, College Hill
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Trusting in a living, loving God, we seek to become a
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Our congregation welcomes all persons who respond in
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desire to become part of the membership and ministry
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regardless of race, ethnic origin, worldly condition,
marital status, or sexual orientation.
Sunday Worship 1 lam
College Hill Presbyterian Church, 712 S. Columbia Avenue, 592-5800
(One block west of Delaware and the University of Tulsa Campus)
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dimming development hopes across the ; Fe Maria, who asked that only her first
continent. "Is it harder to talk about these ¯ name beused, has gained weight and feels
thingsthantowatchachilddieofAIDS?" ," better, although the medicines give her
Clinton asked. "We have to break the ¯ headaches.
silence about how this disease spreads ; Dr. Ellen Koenig, an An~erican physiand
how to prevent it." ° cian who has lived and worked in the
Power About 2.6 million Nigerians, 5.4% of:
DominicanRepublicfor31 years, was the
the population, are afflicted with AIDS. ° impetus behind bringing the trial here.
That puts the country on better footing i And she insisted the company agree to
than many of its neighbors with higher ¯ continue paying for treatment after the
~onnc~~-~e1 ., infection rates, but in danger ofletting the:test.
disease gain ground, Clinton said. "AIDS ". "In some places, the drug companies
can rob a country of its future," Clinton ; come in, do the trial and then they leave,
¯ said. "I know you are not going to let that ¯ and the people don’t have the money to
happen to Nigeria.’" : buy the medicine," said Ceneyda Brito at
I~lbl|¢ S~l’~ice Cenlpan¥ of Oklahoma He promised continued U.S. support " the Dominican advocacy group AIDS
for Nigeria’s transition to democracy, but ," Action.
euslomer Santice Is Now Available 9.4 did not, as Nigerian President Olusegun
Hours A Day, Seven Days A Week. Obasanjo had hoped, agree to cancel or i Doctors Accused of cut the nearly $1 billion U.S. portion of .
These days, traditional 8-5.business hours Nigeria’ s $32 billion foreign debt, amove _" Improper HIVTesting
aren’t always convenient. So PS0 has made it thatwouldrequirecongressional approval..
Speaking to business executives later : JOHANNESBURG, SouthAfrica(AP)-
easier than ever for you to c0ntaet us. Sunday, however, Clinton said he sup- ." More than 50 physicians here are accused
of HIV-testing patients without their
Our Customer Service Center operates 24/7 rpioartssperenddusctihnegetxhteradmebot,nbeyutoonnilmy pffroNvigineg- -° knowledge or consent - and then passing
- offering ar0und-the-cl0ck answers to your lives anddiversifying the economy. ’q-here : on the result to the patients’ employers,
uestions - and better access to service, must be a dividend to democracy for the ° media reported at the end of August.
¯ ° The University of Witwatersrand’s
people of Nigeria," Clinton said. ¯
Now it’s easier for you to inquire Clinton, accompanied by danghter i AIDS Law Project has filed complaints
against the doctors with the Health Prac- about your monthly electric bill. Chelsea, began his day with services at a °
titioners AssociationofSouthAfrica. The
Or report a power outage. Or Baptist church in Abuja, and then ventured
outside the capital to get a firsthand -" tests were performed at the request of the
arrange to have your look Sunday at both the pageantry and ~
patients’ employers, the Johannesburg
F.-verty of life in Ushafa, a pottery-mak- ° newspaper the Saturday Star reported.
power turned on or ing center. ’‘icame to Nigeria to express ¯" Most patients were not given counsel-
. off. Our professionally the support of the people of the United "- ing before or after the test, the group said,
" States,"Clintontoldvillagersfromamake- ; adding that in some cases, test results
trained, friendly and shift platform. ~"VVe snpport your democ- "
were sent directly to the employer without
¯ informing the patient. knowledgeable customer racy. ""
I~LhairatAbdulrazaq Gwadabe, whorep- A positive result meant almost certain
service representatives are resents the village in the Nigerian Senate, "
dismissal, the group said. In a fifth of the
standing by to serve you. said she explained Clinton’s visit to vii- "
cases, the employee was a domestic
¯ worker. "It’s nothing less than total dis- All day, every day. lagers ahead of time¯ "I had to translate it - as the king of the world himself is coming. : crimination. The doctor is not concerned
¯ with the well-being of the patient, just the
To provide faster response The president of the world is coming to.. continued loyalty of the employer who
to your needs, we have listed their chief," Gwadabe said. "o wants to know if their employee is HIV
our t011-free numbers below. Dominican Republic : positivet,h"weitphroject.SaiJdennifer Joni, an attomey
Hosts Drug Tests : According to the Health Practitioners ¯ Association’s rules, HIV tests can only be
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Repub- : performed without a patient’s consent if a
lic (AP) - American researchers testing a o health professional has been exposed to
new AIDS drug needed patients who had : infection by a needle.
~ never received any treatment. The Do- ¯ Possible punishments for physioans
oi~ A~d Save mimcan Republic has them-by the thou- : found to break the association’s rules in-
|
sands. ¯ clude a warning, a reprimand, a fine of
"It seems like a win-win," said Joy : less than 10,000 rand ($1,450), and sus-
FoR
24 HOURS |I Schmitt, spokeswomanforAgouron Phar- : pensaon or removal fromthemedical reg- maceuficalsofLaJolla, California. People o ister. Abouta.2 million South Africans -
TOt.k’FREE SERVICE i "are getfingtreatment., and we’re get- : roug.hly 10% of the populafion~ - are HIV
I ting the patients we need for the trial." : pos~uve.
Agouron is using Dominicans to test its ¯
Customer Services: 1-888-216-3523 | capravinne because it canbe hardin the : Police Arrest Man I United Statesand Europe to find patients
Billing Inquiries: 1-888-216-3490 | who haven’t received any other treat-; For Spreading HIV
Outage Reporting: 1-888-218-3919 I ments, between health insurance and pub- -
|
lic health systems. NATCHITOCHES, LA (AP) - For the
Finding such people here was easy: ¯: second time recently, policehave charged
I More than 2% of the country’s 8 million ° a man with intentionally spreading the
Servici0 a Clientes: 1-888-216-3505 | people are infected with the AIDS virus - . AIDS virus. Eric Vashawn Alexander,
Preguntas S0bre su Cuenta: 1-888-216-3491 I
and few can afford medicines that cost : 26, was arrested and charged with inten-
I many times the average income. "No one ¯ tional exposing of the AIDS virus.
Palta De Suministr0:1-888-218-3924 ! helps you here if you have this disease," ¯ Alexander reportedly bit a man in the
said Fe Maria, who lived 13 years carry- " back as he intervened in a fight between a
I ing the AIDS virus without hope of get- i boyfriend and girlfriend, said police Lt.
I - ting treatment before going on the trial. " Chris Stanfield. During their investiga-
I ~"1~’~’.~ I Capravirine, which researchers hope" tion, officers learned that Alexander had
~~1~~,~
I will help fight off mutations of the-virus.,
tested positive for HIV. He was booked
I has already been through the safety phase " into the Natchitoches Parish Detention
of testing. In the current andcritical phase, Center. If convicted, he faces up to 10 Public Service Company of Oklahoma | 90 Dominicans and about 200 people in- years in prison, Stanfield said. Police also
I the United States and Canada are helping ¯ arrestedEamestWest,,onthesamecharge
............. ¯t test its effectiveness. Some participants " after receiving complaints that he allegget
a four-drug cocktail including " edly exposed four women to the AIDS
capravirine; others receiveadrug cocktail ¯ virus through unprotected sexual contact.
without capravirme.
by Jim Christjohn, entertainment editor
As an author who prides himself on
getting the facts correct (Never straight,
always correct); I have to own up .to an
error that appeared in print in the August
issue. I mistakenly attributed the appearanc~
to RENT hiTulsato the auspices of
~d~brity. AttraCtions. Thins¯ Was false, it
was actually SF~:Thea~cal Group with
¯ . . : .M~eh has been maded the-
Norvell, who tm~e show, inc|udln criticism o{
lamo izlng a drug-rldden life.
Not so. It poignantly points out
the effects -0f such a llfe. What
been promoting
RENT. My apologies
to all parties;
the error was actually
caught and
corrected before
press time (Thanks
Kristin!), but the
publisher used the
unrevised version
of the column at
press time. To err
is human, and it
can happen to the
best of us, no matthe
show is about, in my estimation,
is the pursuit of
dreams: and the most common
dream of all -
finding.love;{or that is common
to allof us. Gay, Straight.
ter how careful we ,,
try to be. Blael~. White. and so on...
So,.n6~v that the . .
"oopls,~.¢g60fed..... ’ " .,,-
p0rfi6n 6f~h¢ ~61Umnis out of the ~vas, on
withthe ~uia Stuff!-Hope you get a ~h’ance
to see RENT, it’ s a powerful show, and as
one friend ofmine remarked, is "bite) and
zippy." I’ll leave it to the reader to interpret
those comments-. I liked the choice of
words, personally. The show does reach
out and bite, and it does move zippily
along. The only problems I had were that
themix of the sound left the vocals muddy
& almost inaudible under the guitars; and
that some of the performers need to work
on their diction. This observation was
echoed by TFN writer Karin Gregory in
Dallas, who saw the same touting show
down there.
This show is basically rock opera, sung
through almost entirely. That requires the
lyrics to be audible and clear, otherwise
it’s impossibleto understand the plot. I
knew the show, and still l~ad to strain at
many points to catch dialogue or lyrics.
Hopefully, these issues will be addressed
for die future shows in the rnn. In all other’
aspects, ~t was a powerful evening of
theatre and storytelling.
Much-has been made of the show, including
criticism of glamorizing a drugridden
life. Not so. It poigriantly points
out the effects of such a life. What the
show is about, in my estimation, is the
pursuit of dreams; and the most common
dream of all - finding love; for that is
common to all of us, gay, straight, black,
white, and so on. "Love is love", to quote
fantasy writer Lynn Flewelling. And as
such, should be respected and honored no
matter What form it takes. RENT illustrates
this in an upffont, grab you by the
shirt kind0f way?Sound of Music, it alia’ t,
sobe prepared.-
RENT explores the issues, of love and
its pursuff~ finding iL recognizing it; and
notletting fear, pri~le,and n~iSunderstanding,
and the defenses we all build to protect
ourselves deny the love we really
want to have. Fear can be an amazing
thing when it comes to that. In that sense,
REN~ is also about overcoming those
obstacles and recognizing that love is
hard to find, and shouldn’t be tossed away
when the genuine articleis found.Atimely
" Issue right now; as a friend of mine is
¯¯ taking a journey down that hard road that
I have taken so many times before, and am
" in the middle of right now.
Lots of things masquerade as love -
¯
control, fear, even hatred. The real firing
doesn’t land in your lap too often. Lot of
lookalikes do, the trick is distinguishing
¯
the real from the fake. And too often, the
-real is waF.to0
scary, and so is refused.
If you’ve
got the real thing,
hang onto it. Well,
join me on my
ramble, will
you?Dunno where
all that came from.
¯ . Well, I do, but
that’s a whole
book unto itself.
RENT succeeds
admirably inillustrating
¯the aforementioned
ideas,
albeit in a much
less lOngwinded
way (editorr s note:
indeed)¯
The ~tandout
songs were "I will
cover you , ’X)ne
song", m~d "’Without You", wlrich is by
far the most beantiful and-evocative song
in the whole show It captures exactly
how one feels when you know the one real
thing has gotten away from you, either by
circumstance, or worse, by your own
clioice. "Without you, the w.d,rld turns, but
I die too.., without you.. ¯ ....
Speaking of Dreams, Arturo Brachetti
was fabulous. Let me rephrase that...
Arturo Brachetti’s show was fabulous! I
hope most of you caught it, as it was an
excellent evening of theatre. The man is
literally a cast of thousands unto himself.
And his quick change of Scarlett pre and
post curtains was worth the price of admission!
His show was a fast paced conglomeration
of incredibly quick changes
that left yon wondering ’~aow did he ’o
that?", mixed with comedy, magic, and
excellent s torytelling. Andhe can do amazing
things with his hands. Making
shadowplays, I mean.
His theme? Dreams... Finding them,
¯ follo::-ing them, accomplishing them; and
: having, fun with your inner ~hild while
doin2 it Alternatively hilarious and p0ignant~;
his range ofcharacters and’ theatre
is amazing to see. He is a prime example
of what one can do with dreams, belief in
those dreams, and hard work - the two
main ingredients of magic. The other aspect
of that was the fact that, regrettably,
so many of Us h~ve that child within that
still has those dreams of ~hildhood, and
we lock them away. Arturo was all about
letting that child out to play, and having
fun, which showed in his production.
The show was excellent in all regards,
from the autobiographical structure that
set up the changes and made it an intimate
evening even for the PAC’s Chapman
Hall. Themusic ran the gamutfrom dance/
techno to classical, the lighting was fantastic,
and Arturo’s box was huge! Well,
at least the one onstage that served as sets,
movie screen, prop house, and costume
storage. At one pointed, he enacted an old
western playing every character, and it
was truly indescribably hilarious.
He also performed a series of vignettes
in tribute te film director see Arturo, p. 9
septem;ber
FRIDAY 8 pm SATURDAY’~NgH SUNDAY 3 pro°
september 22 s~ptember 2~3 ~’;~ :?’ september 24
Altan
"The hottest group in the Celtic realm these days."
The Boston Globe
September 12 at 8 p.m.
Chapman Music Hall .................
Tulsa PAC, 3rd & Cincinnati
TULSA
PERFORI~ING
ARTS CENTER
TRUST
Tickets $14, $16, $18
Call 596-7111 spo,,,o,~
Outside ~ulsa call 1-800-364-7111 ~ ......... ?~’ "~:
Online: www.tulsapac.com
.~"
Presented by the .. Tulsa Performing
And you thought the ice cream man
brought joy to your street¯
Sure, popsides are great. But how about a
truckload of new channels, including WGN? How
about.a high-speed Internet that’s always on and
better priced? How.:about service so thorough and
sweet you, can almost ~taste it? Now these, these
are the things you can sink your teeth into.
We’.re in.gear.
COMMUNII~ATIONI~
665-0200
Tulsa’s PRIDE 2000!
VIDEO RELEASE PARTY
Now that summer’s end is in sight and cool weather a hopeful
prospect, the time is ripe to celebrate the Pride Week events that
began Oklahoma’s heat wave.
The Diversity Celebration 2000was a huge success that
attracted fabulous people, was spectacularly beautiful, socially
concious, wi.ttyand revealing. And its all on tape. This year Tulsa
Oklahomans for Human Rights has joined with BoyBlue
Productions in making a.professional commemorative video. It will
include highlights of all Pride Week events including: appearances
by Greg Louganis, Rev. Mel White and Grethe Cammemeyer~ the
enormous parade, the art show, follies, community heroes, festival
and the Soulforce. workshop.
Friday night’s release party will include.a preview of the video,
live performances and dancing. Details are pending but mark your
calendar for 8pro Sept. 29th. And you wilI of course be able to
purchase your copy at the party.
Proceeds from the sales of the Diversity Celebration 2000
Commerative Video will benefit the services and programs of
TOHR Orders may be placed in advance with visa or mastercard
by calling TOHR at 743-4287. Orders plaCed by Sept 22 will be
.available for pick up at the Release Party.
#
For your copies of Diversity Fest 2000
Contact the Tulsa Gay Community
Service Center, 743-4297, POB 2687, 74101
x $20.00 = $
MO, Check, Visa, MC, no cash please.
exp. date
Signature
Federico Fellini, who passed away afew
years ago. It was touching, but I don’t
think the audience "gotit."I doubtmost of
the audience had a clue who Fellini was.
At one point, the box split, and the curtains
were raised to reveal the work be-.
hind themagic.Anice touch, giving honor
and recognition to the work that goes on
behind the magic to make it happen.
It was truly a magical evening, and it
was funny to see the audience go from the
thought process of"What the hell is this?"
to ’qhis is so cool!" Armro was different
from anything Tulsa has seen, and it’s a
good thing. He soon held us all in thepalm
of his hand. Not as tasty as this writer
would have liked, but it was the markof a
true artist. Tulsa’s a tough crowd to win
over, especially for anything avant garde,
but Arturo did it magnificently. He’ll be
in a sitcom this fall, so that’ll be something
to watch for.
For our Lesbian readers, as wall as Gay
men, Janis Ian will be appearing in concert
at The Oklahoma Center for Poets
and Writers’ Celebration of Books, along
with. poet Maya Angelou, This occurs
September 29-30, and for more information,
call 594-8215.
In September, we have a few events
wc.-th catching: On the 12th, the Irish
music group Altan will make an appearance
at the PAC. They have had rave
reviews, and itlooks like a lovely evening
,,f traditional Irish music ahead. For tickets,
call 596-7122
September 14-23, Heller Theatre presents
"Art", a show about a painting that
engenders discussions of the quality and
meaning of.life itself. 746-5065. Theater
Tulsa offers up some pop culture with the
musical version of "Everything l Need to
Know I Learned in Kindergarten" September
15-23.
Tchaikovsky’s "Sleeping Beauty"
wakes in Tulsa as Tulsa Ballet presents
the venerable dance epic September 22-
24. (I wouldlove to see Matthew Bourne’s
take on this one! He’s the man behind the
homoerotic version ofSwan Lake. I doubt
that will happen in Tulsa, though TBT is
moving beyond a stdctly traditional approachunder
Maestro Angelini.)Go see it
for the music and the grace. For info, call
749-6006
Warren’s murder has drawnnational
attention from Gay and non-Gay civil
rights acti.vists, who fear he was killed
because of his race or sexual orientation,
or both. "At this point there is no evidence
of abate crime," Marion County Prosecutor
Richard Bunner said after the indictments
were issued. "If any evidence is
uncovered, appropriate action will be
taken."
Court records indicate Warren, Parker
and Wilson argued twice the night of the
beating - once about an unspecified rumor
that had circulated about Warren and
Parker, and the second timeabout $20 that
Wilson took from Warren’s wallet: The
beating began after the second argument.
The grand jury met for about 90 rain:
utes and then immediately issued the indictments.
Wilson had soughtto block the
grandjury fromhearing allegations against
him, saying he should nothavebeen transferred
to adult court. The Supreme Court
mined down his petition 3-0.
Wilson and Parker will continue to be
held in a juvenile detention facility until
their trial. If convicted they likely will
remain in ajuvenile facility until they are
21, at which point they wouldbe moved to
an adult facility. A trial date has not been
set.
." TULSA - Furniture queens can now re-
¯. joicet Tulsa is now home to an Odds &
Ends Outlet Store, the fourth in the US
¯ which the distinguished Baker Furniture
¯ has opened. The store is located at 4329 ¯
So. Peoria, near the old John Zink prop-
" erty and is open 7 days a week. The store
¯ features Baker, MillingRoad, andMcguire
¯ furniture in a gallery like setting. ¯
Baker president, Chris Plasman, re-
" sponded to questions about the choice of
¯ Tulsa, saying, "residents in larger cities,
¯ such as Chicago and Atlanta, have been ¯
clamoring to get but we chose Tulsa.
¯ Certainly Tulsa’s demographics are very
¯ favorable, butthe decisionwas alsoheavily
¯ imquencedbytheresidents’ reputationfor
." uncompromising taste and style and a
genuineapp,r,eciation ofhistoryandcrafts -
: manship...
For more information, or store hours,
" call 746-0329.
¯
He was also hospitalized for a week after
being attacked with a knife by a group of
men who called him derogatory names,
he said. In 1995, he fled to the United
States and requested asylum, but was de-
At his hearing before immigration officials,
a Latin American history expert
testified that Gay men with female sexual
identities in Mexico are heavily persecuted
by the police and other groups and
are likely to become scapegoats for
Mexico’s economic and political problems.
The expert said Hernandez-Montiel
faced persecution if deported to Mexico.
Federico Gomez, press director of
Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission,
acknowledged that homosexuals
and cross-dressers still suffer from
discrimination, but added that he believes
Mexicans, in general, have become more
tolerant of people’s sexual orientation.
Gomez said he did not think the
Hernandez-Montiel case "reflected society
as the whole."
Judge A. Wallace Tashima wrote that
the appeals panel had determined that
’~3ay men with female sexual identities in
Mexico constitutea protected ’particular
social group’ under the asylum statute...
and that Geovanm is a member of that
group."
The Board of |mmigration Appeals had
contended that Hemandez-Montiel should
return to Mexico, saying he did not estalJlish
that he suffered abuse because of his
membership in a particular social group.
The appellate panel ordered the board to
reverse its decision and grant Hernandez-
Montiel asylum.
Want to get involved?
Need to get tested for HIV or
a Coming Out Support Group?
Call 743=GAYS (4297)
Tulsa Gay
Community
Services Center
1307 E. 38th, 2nd floor
by Lamont Lindstrom
When I was in highschool, my soon-tobe-
Gay friend Carl spent all hi s spare time
drawing fantastically elaborated plans for
pipe organs. In his
sketches, he piled keyboardbehindkeyboardand
rank onto rank. (All those
pipes and organs, of
course, should have gaven
me a clue.)
Since that year, I have
met many Gay guys with
considerable creative talents,
sometimes eccentrically
applied. One friend
constructs fantasy Christmas
trees. Another designs
websites. Another does
flower arrangements. Another
collects rococo pictures
of the Holy Mother.
Gays are deeply involved
in the fine and less
fine arts, from opera and
ballet down to cheesy TV
programs like Survivor.
When the AIDS epidemic
was at its worst, activists
invented the "Day without
Art" which foreshadowed how dull art
and culture would be in America should
all homosexuals ever pass away.
Why all this Gay creativity - creativity
which often is frenzied and even odd?
Anthropologist Sherry Ortner, drawing
on the Frenchfeminist Simone Beauvoir,
once proposed that ’Man is to Culture as
Woman is to Nature.’ Ortner was seeking
a-reason for why, almost everywhere,
people value what men do more than they
value whatwomen do. She concluded that
we associate women with nature, mostly
because women have kids. Women are
naturally creauve. Men, whose contributions
to making babies are momentary at
best, and much less embodied, have to
express our creativity by other means.
Ortner observed thathumans value culture
over nature. Culture is what preserves
us in nature. It tells us how to make
a living off the land. Whereas culture
protects, nature kills. Disease, aging,
drought, famine, earthquakes and tornados
may well be theendofus. Culture also
needs continuous reconstruction and cultivation.
We have to keep it all going and
we have to make sure to pass it down to
kids.
Given this preference for culture over
nature, Ortner concluded that men’s cultural
contributions are valued more than
women’s natural creativity. Others have
also pointed tomasculinejealousy offeminine
fertility. Womenunmistakably bring
new life out of their bodies. Less natural
men are driven to invent culture instead.
And we are jealous enough to insist that
our male creations - rituals, clubs, political
parties, novels, symphonies, paintings,
whatever- are somehow better, more
noble, and more enduring that just another
slobbery child. There is some truth
here, too. An ordinary human being lasts
little more than three quarters of a century
at best. Cultural creations-such as political
parties or rituals -may endure for
generations.
Gay men are particularly engaged in
cultural production insofar-as many of us
don’t contribute even the minor male donation
to human reproduction. Instead of
children, we have to live in our art, our
books, our sense of style (or maybe our
"...Anthropologist
Sherry Ortner,
drawing on the
French feminist
Simone Beauvolr,
once proposed that
’Man is to Culture as
Woman is to
Nature.’ Ortner was
seeking a reason for
why, almost everywhere,
people value
what men do more
than they value what
women do..."
dogs or cats). This is another instance- as
with penis size - where Gays are
hypermasculine. Gays who do not reproduce
naturally specialize instead in masculine
cultural creativity.
Some have criticized
Ortnerforoversimplifying
cross-cultural nuances of
male!female power relations.
Another sort of complication
comes from the
fact that many people disbelieve
an individual creativity.
Everyone, of
course, has a theory about
where new things come
from. But not everyone in
the world credits individual
creativity, orgenius,
or talent for the birth of
new things and new ideas.
Even in ,our own culture,
notions of creativity
aren’t that old. The English
noun "creativity"
only dates back to 1875 or
so. Before the modem era
- and the triumph of indiw[
dualism - our ancestors
talked instead of "inspiration,"
as others still do today. Once upon
a time, the word "’genius" referred to an
external spirit who inspired you with new
ideas. It did not mean some internal, mental
brilliance.
Onthe South Pacific island where I
once lived, nobody believes in creativity
in the sense of some mysterious
brainpower. Rather, clever people are
those with good ties to the world of ancestral
spirits. Nobody believes that men are
naturally more or less intelligent, either.
New ideas and new firings - if they are
worth anything - have to Come via inspi-
.ration from the ancestors.
Clever people are those with good communicauve
links with spirits, not those
who claim inborn talent. Men, for instance,
who come up with new songs
insist that they overhear these in their
dreams. Nobody would take credit for
composing a song by himself. If he d. 1,
how can it be any good? If you simply
make up something on your own, it obviously
can’t compete with music inspired
with spiritual wisdom.
But even on this Pacific island, men
manasecultural production although they
do so by monopolizing the means of inspiration
rather than the means of creativity,
as is the case here in America. Have a
look around at your culture, goodand bad.
Most of it is a male production, and a
notable ratio of that is Gay male productioLna.
mont Lindstrom, Ph.D., teaches anthropology
at the University of Tulsa
where he can be reached at: lamontlindstrom@
utulsa.edu
Hospice ofGreen Country seeks volunteers
to help provide care for patients and
their families who are dealing with issues
of terminal illness. Volunteers help run
errands and provide companionship.
For more information, call 747-CARE
(747-2273).
Volunteers are also needed at the Tulsa
Gay Community Services Center, 743-
GAYS (743-4297), to staff the Pride Store,
answer phones, pack boxes, catalogue
books and videos. Call for more info.
Timothy.W. Daniel
Attorney at Law
An Attorney who will fight for
justice & equality for
Gays & Lesbians
Domestic Partnership Planning,
Personal Injury,
Criminal Law & Bankruptcy
1-800-742-9468 or 918-352-9504
128 East Broadway, Drumright, Oklahoma
Weekend and evening appointments are available.
Are You Gay or Bisex.u. al?
Are You Native American?
-Iulsa’s Two-Spirited Indian Men’s
Support Group is here for
¯ Evening support group meetings
¯ Relationship workshops
¯ Short trips, outings and retreats
¯ Free HIV testing
For information call Tulsa Native American AIDS Prevention Project
Call 341; 6866
Int rn.ational
ToursSormorein/ormat’on.
Massage TherapyS~
Edgar O. Cruz, L.M.T.
Pager: 918-889-5255
Voice Mail: 918-697-9282
Lic. #C4133
Country Cl ab Barbering
Custom Styling for Men & Women
David Kauskey
3310 E. 51st, 747-0236, Tues.-Fri., 8-5:30, Sat. 8-5pm
lbody
Tulsa’s only
professional
body-piercing
HOLY TRINITY GREEK
ORTHODOX CHURCH
THUR’SAT 11-11
SUNDAY 11-3
by Karin Gregory, TFN correspondent "
With election year just around the cor- ¯
ner, I want to ask you a question: Aren’t "
you afraid? Many people want to bury ¯
their heads, but you just can’t this year.
It’s too important.
Are you registered? Do
you know the candidates
and what they support, tol -
erate, condone, condenm,
and deny? Looking athighlights
of the Rep.ublican
National Convention last
month (What-youthought
I’d watch the whole
thing?), I was interested in
many things they pointed
out, one of which was the
"leave no child behind"
theme Bush espoused.
Funny, when he was our
govemor’for afew months
before embarking on his
Presidential campaign, his
"leave no state behind
without a governor" theme
didn’twork so well forhim.
Make no mistake grrls -
this is one Bush you
DON’T want to push an)’-
where, especially into the
~Zqlite House!
Let’s look at the issues
facing all of us this year.
Many have spoken of a
"different kind of Republican"
in George W. Bush.
Hrnmmm, I wonder. The
Republicans made a great
showof including as many
minorities as they could
find on the streets of Philadelphia
to join their little
convention. Again, great
appointing Supreme Court Justices, and
Bush has at least one to appoint, if he’s
elected. How many of you think he’ll
appoint someone who’s sensitive.to Gay
civil rights? If anyone if raising ’his/her
hand - PUT IT DOWN
"...What 1;es
were working
the floor
the week of the i
Republican
"Convention? ¯ ¯ ¯
Our eonservatlve
friends made a b;g
deal about inclusion
- Hispanies, African
Amerieans, the
GaylLesbian
Community,
the Pro-Choieers.
Yep, they really want
the votes, don’t they?
These people were
wooed and charmed
in front of cameras,
but what
happened the
,’morning after"? "
NOW!
UnderBush,manylaws
brought about by the Supreme
Court, laws which
helped to make us a demoeracy,
could be overturned~
What would hap:
pen if the Roe vs. Wade
decision was overturned?
It could happen very easily.
Andwhat do youthink
would happen to the
progress of Gay and Lesbian
couplelaws that have
come about in the last few
years? Gays? Lesbians?
Able to have rights? Bush
already denies that Gays
and Lesbians should have
"special rights". Read that
as "equal rights" and you
have the makings of a fascist
country. The makings
of amanwho would make
Charlton Heston look liberal.
But there’s another
story to this "coupling" of
Bush and Dick. Yep, you ’
know what I’m talking
about. Or rather, who I’m
talking about. It’s the old- i
est story around. Weak
Texas governor runs for
President; weak Texas
governor wins primary;
weak Texas governor.
picks running mate; rtmshow.
The Republicans are like that, you
know. Every few years they assume a
different identity, muchlike a chameleon,
so they can get votes by convincing peg.ple
they’re something "different" this ttme.
Each time (I’m talking Reagan and
George, Sr. here) the public has been
fooledby the rhetoric, the nicely groomed
candidates, and the lies.
What lies were working the floor theweekofthe
RepublicanConvention?Well,
let’ s go back to those people picked from
the streets of Philadelphia. Our conservafive
friends made a big deal about inclusion-
Hispanics, African Americans, the
Gay/Lesbian Community, and even the
Pro-Choicers. Yep, they really want the
votes, don’t they? These people were
wooed and charmed in front of cameras,
but what happened the "morning after"?
Well, the Republicans got together and
voted onNOT including same-sex recognition
among couples, NOT including
Gays in hate crimes legislation, NOT including
Gay civil rights of any kind, and
NOT including abortion for any reason.
Yeah, lies, damn lies¯
Despite all this bravado show of inclusion,
the Republican ticket ofGeorgeBush
and Dick Cheney already shows aHUGE
bias - Bush and Dick. See? They just had
to get those "family values" in after all!
Many may be wondering why I’m so
worried about this election year. George
W. Bush is certainly not a strong politician,
given the fact he was a Texas governor,
the weakest form of governor. And
you may be saying, ’He doesn’t make the
rules; Congress does."
OK, but the President is responsible for
¯ ning mate has Lesbian daughter. WHAT?
Dick Cheney, so hell-bent to do every-
" thing Conservative in the book, has a Les-
¯¯ bian daughter? What I want to know is
¯ why would this man be a party to a party
that denies his daughter equal rights?Why
¯ would she want her father to run in this
¯ party?
: On yet another television news pro-
" gram, host Cokie Roberts asked Mrs.
: Cheney about the possible hypocritical
¯ effects this has on their family. Mrs.
: Cheney said her daughter’s lifestyle was a
." "private matter." Well, Mary Cheney has
¯ been very out for many years and has ¯
¯ worked for Gay civil rights for many
years. And I resent Mrs. Cheney saying
¯ that her daughter’s Lesbianism is a "pri-
¯ vate matter" as if the girl has a disease. ¯
¯ Sounds to me likemomis the sicko here. So why, if homosexuality is such a
¯ private matter, has George W. Bush sup-
- ported every anti-gay legislation? If ho-
¯ mo~exuality is a private matter, why does
¯ he thiM: he has the right to tell me with
¯ whom I sleep? Why do the Republicans
¯ want to make such a federal issue out of ¯
such a"private matter"? Is homosexuality
" only private to the privileged few, like
¯ Mary Cheney? Or is it a matter that will
¯ decide,muchlike the sexual revolution of ¯
the sixties, the very way people look at
¯ one another in the future? As human be-
" ings, not as Gay, Straight, Lesbian, Bi-
¯ sexual, Transgendered, etc., etc., etc.
] You have a decision to make. If you
¯ want ANY possibility of equality, make
¯ sure you are registered. Then make a date ¯
¯ with yourself to go to a little booth in November. You know what to do.
Walk for Life 2000
8th Annual
Tulsa AIDS Walk
Saturday, Oct. 7, 9:30am
Vete ran’s Park, 21 st & Boulder
Fo.r more information, call 585-5551.
Donations-will be increased by 50% with
matching dollars through the generosity of
-the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The Walk is
sponsored by the Community Service
Council, and will benefit the Tulsa Community
AIDS Partnership (TCAP),
The Walk is an all volunteer effort and there
are no administrative costs.
Tulsa Family News is proud to donate this advertisement in support of the Walk
and the Tulsa Community AIDS Partnership (TCAP)
Original Format
The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
newspaper
periodical
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[2000] Tulsa Family News, September 2000; Volume 7, Issue 9
Subject
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Politics, education, and social conversation toward Tulsa’s Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual communities.
Description
An account of the resource
Tulsa Family News was a monthly newspaper; No. 1 issued December 1993-January 1994. The final issue available was published in September 0f 2001 (Volume 8, Issue 9).
The newspaper brings up important, evolving topics of marriage, Pride, TOHR, HIV/AIDs, events, advice, and politics all at the local and national level.
This document is available in searchable PDF attached. It is also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
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Tulsa Family News
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https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/24
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Tom Neal
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September 2000
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James Christjohn
Karin Gregory
Barry Hensley
J.P. Legrandbouche
Lamont Lindstrom
Esther Rothblum
Mary Schepers
Hughston Walkinshaw
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Tom Neal/Tulsa Family News
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Tulsa Family News, August 2000; Volume 7, Issue 8
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English
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newspaper
periodical
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Tulsa(Oklahoma)---newspaper
Tulsa---Oklahoma
Oklahoma---Tulsa
United States Oklahoma Tulsa
United States of America (50 states)
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https://history.okeq.org/items/show/604
2000
AIDS
AIDS drugs
AIDS research
AIDs Walk
aMUSEments
arts and entertainment
asylum
Bars
Boy Scouts
businesses
churches
Community Center
discrimination bans
gay bashing
Gay marriage
gay parents
Gay Studies
hate crimes
hate crimes bill
HIV testing
Jim Christjohn
Karin Gregory
Lamont Lindstrom
lawsuit
malpractice
marriage equality
medical marijuanan
Murder
Olympics
Openarms Youth Project
Partner Benefits
performing arts
Raging Lesbian
Red Cross
Red Rock Tulsa
restaurants
San Antonio Lesbian and Gay Media Project
Tom Neal
Tulsa Family News
VAN
Walk for Life
-
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cf15973a5275e8195487a21b5d7d7507
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[Sub-Series] Newsletters & Publications > Tom Neal Newsletters > Tulsa Family News
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Bomber of London
Gay Pub Pleads Guilty
LONDON (AP) - A man accused of setting off~in~bs
i Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual + Transgendered Tulaans, Our Families + Friends
: Tulsa’s Largest Circulation CommunityPaperAvailable In More Than 75 City Locations
Louganis to Lead Pride 2000
¯ Olympic Champion Will Be Parade Grand
¯ Marsha|l and Black Tie Dinner Speaker
The Rev. Mel Whiteto Begin Week’s Events
TULSA - Some Gay community observers might have thought Rights, the parent
apparently targetedatracial minorities andGays pleaded "
guilty to three counts of manslaughter late in February "
and admitted causing three explosions thatinjuredmore
than a hundred people. David Copeland, 23, admitted "
planting the bomb that killed three people on April 30,- "
at the Admiral Duncan, a Gay pub in central London. "
Prosecutors did not immediately accept the ¯
manslaughter pleas, and a further hearing was set for "
sometime in March. Copeland also admitted ¯
responsibility for explosions .on April 17 in Brixton, a :
south London neighborhood with a large black ¯
population; and April 24in Brick Lane, an east London "
neighborhood with a large Banglades.~ population. "
NY State’s 1st Gay Mayor "
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (AP)-. Dan Stewart, New
York’s first openly Gay mayor, is intimately acquainted ."
with Gay-bashing bigots..AYter all he used to beone.."
"When I was in high school, two boys went to court over .
the right to go to the prom together," Stewart said. "I ¯
spoke out loudly against them on TV, on the steps of the
RhodeIsland Supreme Court. Imade amockery ofthem
- because I knew who I was, and I was scared ~to. death
people would find me out." ¯
Two decades later, Stewart has no such fears. He was "
open about his homosexuality when he ran for mayor of ¯
this lakeside city near the Canadian border last fall. "I
told the people,’Iam what ! am- Takeme or leaveme,"’ :
Stewart said."Itold them, ’Ifyouchooseto takeme, I’m "
going to do one hell of ajob for you. But if you choose ¯
not tO take me because I’m Gay, I understand. I used to :
be prejudiced too." :
Asittumedout, his sexualitywasn’tanissue. Perhaps ¯
it would have been, had hebronght a male partner to a :
political event during his,six years on the City Council. ¯
But Stewart keeps his personal life out of the public eye :
~- mostly 60 miles away in Montreal, where his partner ¯
lives. It also helped that his opponent, the five-term "
Democratieincumbent, was knOWn for supporting Gay ."
and Lesbian issues such as nondiscrimination statutes, ¯
and had long enjoyed the endorsement of Gay lobby ."
groups. "The.race was on community issues," Stewart "
said. "My opponent never used the words ’sexual ¯
orientation. ’" ¯
Buoyed by endorsements from Republican Gov. ¯
George Pataki and the city police union, the former Air °
Force sergeant and long-haul trucker won by a narrow ¯
margin, becoming one of five openly Gay city mayors ¯
in the country. "
In some ways, Stewart has taken more heat for being "
GOP than for being Gay. The Empire State Pride :
Agenda didn’t endorse him until the llth hour - and
then, he insisted that part of the Gay lobby group’s "
$1,000 campaign donation go to the Republican Party. :
"I always get thesame thing (from Gays) wherever I
go: How canyon be Gay and be a Repubhcan. What as
wrong with you?Are you insane?,’"- said Stewart, a tall, "
dapper man with an enthusiastic manner and a dimpled :
grin. "But there’s a change going on. In exit polls over ¯
the past 10 years, consistently ~a third of people who ¯
identified themselves as Gay have said they voted "
Republican." :
In a recent interview in his second-floor City Hall ¯
office, see Mayor, p. 7 "
that the annual pride festival organizers would be hard pressed to
top their accomplishments of 1999 withUS Congressman Barney
Frank, Democrat from Massachnsetts, serving as grand marshall
of Tulsa’s first Gay Pride Parade.
However, event organizers fromTulsa Oklahomans for Human
Rights, have, at the very least, matched the stature of last year’s
speaker with US Olympic champion, Greg Louganis, to se’ive as
Grand Mhrshall for the Millennium Pride Parade this June.
Louganis’ appearance will cap a week of Pride events which
will begin with aninterfaithworship service featuring the Reverend
Dr. MelWhite. White is known as an author, forhis autobiography,
"’Stranger at the Gate," and formerly as a ghostwriter for right
wing religious leaders like Jerry Falwell. White more recently
has been leading a social change organization, Soul Force,
modeled on the ideas of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mohatmas
Ghandi.
Like White, Louganis is also an anthor and an actor as wall as
an athlete. His autobiography, "Breaking the Surface" topped the
New York Times bestseller list, and as a lecturer, he has spoken
about his chall~nges with a difficult childhood, his struggles in
coming out and with dyslexia, his experience with domestic
violence and with being HIV positive.
Louganis wonhis first Olympicmedal, a silver, at age 16 in the
1976 Games. In 1984, at age 24, he won two gold medals, one for
the platform and one for the springboard - the first man in 56
years to accomplish this feat. In 1986, he again won awards the
same events in the World Championships, and then in 1988, won
double gold medals for diving in two consecutive Olympics.
Louganis will speak at a black fie optional dinner to be held at
the prestigious Summit Club on Friday, June 9th. Tickets for th,e,
event are $75/person and there will be a VIP reception at $50~
person. These events will benefit Tulsa Oklahomans for Human
: Vermont:Married or Partners?
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Lawmakers debated last ~nonth
whether to limit aproposed domesticpartnership system to stonesex
couples or to allow opposite-sex and blood-relative couples
to qualify, also. There are some in the Legislature who believe
that broadening the proposal might make it more politically
palatable to a greaternumber ofpeople, improving its d~ances of
passing. But others argue that such a revision would diminish the
central aimofthelegislation beingdraftedby theHouse Judiciary
Committee: providing therights andprotections ofeivil marriage
to Gay and Lesbian couples.
As the Judiciary Committee prepares to finish its work on the
bill,that debate is coming into sharper relief. Members of the
committee faced the issue, along with the potential political
implications. "Iunderstand that there are people who see expanding
this ... enhances the attractiveness of the legislation," said
Committee Chairman Thomas Little, R-Shelburue. "’But I’m not
sure we have the time to expl.ore all that stuff." "I support that in
prineiple, but it’s a significant diversion from what we’ve been
working on," said Rep. Steve Hintgen, P-Burlington. "q hope it
doesn’t drive this to a halt." "ff you don’t do it you might drive
it to a halt," said Rep. Michael Vinton, D-Colchester.
In sum, that’s what the comunttee faces. In recognition of that,
Little has been trying to develop a companion to the domestic
partnership systemknown as reciprocal benefits, that falls short
of the marriage-like benefits that would be provided to Gay and
Lesbiancouples. Thereciprocal benefits,.however, might include
workers’ compensation benefits that could flow to a reciprocal
benefits partner, certain inheritance and real estate and other
property benefits.
Althouglino votes have been taken,noconsensus has developed
in the Judiciary Committee that opposite-sex couple should be
included in the domestic partnership system, which the panel has
taken to calling "civil domestic unions." There also has not been
a lot of discussion in the committee about permitting blood
relatives- such as two brothers, two sisters, a brother and a sister,
or a daughter and her elderly mother - to become domestic
partnerships.
¯ But such expansions have been discussed down th~hall in the
Ways and Means Committee, the tax-writing panel that will have
to review the tax implications of the bill Rep. Albert Perry, DRichford,
see Vermont, p. 5
orgamzation of the
Gay Community
Center and
Oklahoma’s oldest
Lesbian and Gay
non-religious
organization.
Organizers
anticipate that the Greg Lougams
parade will follow
the stone route as last year, beginning at the Ga~’
Community Center.at 37th and Peoria and ending.
at Veterans Park at 18th and Boulder. The parade
will begin at llam. The Pride Festival will also
begin at Veterans Park at 1 lain and will continue
till about 7 or 8pro, finishing off the week’s events.
TOI-IR organizers include Kerry Lewis as
chairperson of the overall effort, "Htunanity United
for Human Rights - Diversity Celebration 2000,"
Greg Gatewood,TOHR presidentandfestival chair.
Audra Sommers, parade chair, Lynn Moesteller,
sponsor chair, Mitchell Savage, media chair, Kris
Kohl, festival entertainment chair and Ned Bruha,
in charge of festival booths and beverages.
Other Pride events include a Soul Force workshop,
led by the Rev. Mel White, to be held in the
Performing Arts Center (PAC) LowerLevelTheatre
onJune3, Saturday,from 2-5pro (free). That evening
also at thePACDoenges Theatre,theTOHRFollies,
not seen for a number of years, will reprise, 100
Years of Broadway with tickets available through
the PAC. see Pride, p. 11
:
Gordmans recently invited diva Audra Sommers
to try shopping with them again after shefirst
receivedpoor treatment atthe Yale Ave. store.
Sommers praised the Corporate and store
managementfor their.responsiveness,
Gay Men’s Chorale to
¯ Hold Spring Concert
¯ TULSA- Council Oak Men’s Chorale will present
¯ two concerts on Friday and Saturday, April 7 & 8
¯¯ at 8pm in the John Williams Theatre of Tulsa’s
¯ Performing Arts Center. The concerts, entitled
"’Harmonic Diversity" will feature music from
~ Broadway tunes, 5O’s & 60’s pop songs, "sea
¯ chanteys," a Welsh lullaby, and a baroque piece.
-" The Green Country Cloggers will perform a cameo
¯ number.
: The Council Oak Men’s Chorale is a fellowship
of Gay men dedicated to musical excellence who
: seek to provide a source ofpride, unity and support
," and to present a positive image for themselves, the
¯ Gay community and to society, as a whole. The
¯ group is a chapter of the Tulsa-baSed Vocal Pride
Foundation, and a member of GALA: the Gay and
" Lesbian Association of Choruses.
Tulsa Clubs & Restaurants
*Chasers, 4812 E. 33
*CW’s, 1737 S. Memorial
*Full Moon Cafe, 1525 E. 15th
*Gold Coast Coffee House, 3509 S. Peoria
*The Mix, 2630 E. 15th
*Polo Grill, 2038 Utica Square
*St. Michael’s Alley Restaurant, 3324-L E. 31st
*Silver Star Saloon, 1565 Sheridan
*The Storm, 2182 S. Sheridan
*Renegades/Rainbow Room, 1649 S. Main
*TNT’s, 21145. Memorial
*Tool Box, 1338 E. 3rd
712-2324
610-5323
583~6666
749-4511
749-1563
744-4280
745-9998
83~ ~234
835-2376
585-3405
660-0856
584-1308
Tulsa,Businesses, Services, & Professionals
Advanced Wireless & PCS, Digital Cellular
*Assoc. in Med. & Mental Health, 2325 S. Harvard
Kent Balch & Associates, Health & Life Insurance
*Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 8620 E. 71
*Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 523 1 E. 41
Body Piercing by Nicole, 2722 E. 15
*Borders Books & Music, 2740 E. 21
*.Borders Books & Music, 8015 S. Yale
Brookside Jewelry, 4649 S. Peoria
*CD Warehouse, 3807e S. Peoria
Cherry St. Psychotherapy, 1515 S. Lewis
Community Cleaning, Kerby Baker
Tim Daniel, Attorney 352-9504, 800-742-9468
74%1508
743-1000
747-9506
250-5034
665-4580
712-1122
712-9955
494-2665
743-5272
746-0313
581-0902, 743-4117
622-0700
749-3620
58%2611
744-5556
838-8503
712-9379
592-0460
744-9595
610-0880
628-3709
808-8026
742-1460
459-9349
744-7440
745-1111
341-6866
712-2750
582-3018
747-0236
582-8460
599-8070
747-5466
585-1234
584-3112
663-5934
664-2951
838-7626
743-4297
747-5932
834-0617
,747-4746
’749-6301
260-7829
481-0558
835-5563
743- 1733
665-2222
592-0767
*Deco to Disco, 3212 E. 15th
*Devena’s Gallery, 13 Brady
Doghouse on Brookside, 3311 S. Peoria
*Elite Books & Videos, 821 S. Sheridan
*Ross Edward Salon 584-0337,
Events Unlimited, 507 S. Main ""-
*Floral Design Studio, 3404 S. Peoria
Four Star Import Automotive, 9906 E 55th H.
Cathy Furlong, Ph.D., 1980 Utica Sq. Med. Ctr.
Gay & Lesbian Affordable Daycare
*Gloria Jean’s Gourmet Coffee, 1758 E. 21st
Leanne M. Gross, Insurance &financial planning
Mark T. Hamby, Attorney
*Sandra J. Hill, MS, Psychotherapy, 2865 E. Skelly
*International Tours
Jacox Animal Clinic, 2732 E. 15th
*Jared’s Antiques, 1602 E. 15th
David Kauskey, Country Club Barbering
The Keepers, Housekeeping & Gardening
*Ken’s Flowers, 1635 E. 15
Kelly Kirby, CPA, 4021 S. Harvard, #210
*Living ArtSpace, 19 E. Brady
*Midtown Theater, 319 E. 3rd
Mingo Valley Howers, 9720c E. 31
*Mohawk Music, 6157 E 51 Place
Puppy Pause II, 1060 S. Mingo
*The Pride Store, 1307 E. 38, 2rid floor
Rainbowzon the River B+B, PUB 696, 74101
Richard’s Carpet Cleaning
Teri Schutt, Rex Realtors 834-7921
*Scribner’s Bookstore, 1942 Utica Square
Paul Fay, Car Salesman
*Tulsa Comedy Club, 6906 S. Lewis
Venus Salon, 1247 S. Harvard
Fred Welch, LCSW, Counsding
*Wherehouse Music, 5150 S. Sheridan
*Whittier News Stand, 1 N. Lewis
Tulsa Agencies, Churches, Schools & Universities
AIDS Walk Tulsa, PUB 4337, 74101 579-9593
All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria 743-2363
Black & White, Inc. PUB 14001, Tulsa 74159 587-7314
Bless The Lord at All Times Christian Center. 2207 E. 6 583-7815
*B/L!G/T Alliance, Univ. ofTulsa United Min. Ctr. 583-9780
*Chamber of Commerce Bldg., 616 S. Boston 585-1201
*Chapman Student Ctr., University of Tulsa, 5th PI. & Florence
*ChurchoftheRestorationUU, 1314N.Greenwood 587-1314
*CommunityofHope United Methodist, 2545 S. Yale 747-6300
*Community Unitarian-Universalist Congregation 749-0595
Council Oak Men’s Chorale 748-3888
*Ddaware Playhouse, 1511 S. Delaware 712-1511
*Democratic Headquarters, 3930 E. 31 742-2457
Dignity/Integrity of Tulsa - Lesbian & Gay Catholics &
Episcopalians, PUB 701475, 74170-1475 355-3140
*Fellowship Congreg. Church, 2900 S. Harvard 747-7777
*Free Spirit Women’s Center, call for location &info: 587-4669
Friend For A Friend, PUB 52344, 74152 747-6827
918.583.1248, fax: 583.4615
PUB 4140, Tulsa, OK 74159
o-mail: TulsaNews@earthlink.net
Publisher + Editor:
Tom Neal
Writers + contributors: ~-
James Christjohn, Barry Hensley, J.-P. Legrandbouche,
Lamont Lindstrom, Esther Rothblum, Mary Schepers
Member of The Associated Press
Issued on or before the 1st of each month, the entire contents
of this publication are protected by US copyright 1998 by
Td~ /:~.,,.z~ N~, and may not be reproduced either in
wholeorin partwithout writtenpermissionfromthepublisher.
Publication of a name or photo does not indicate a person’s
sexual orientation. Correspondence is assumed to be for
publication unless otherwise noted, must be signed & becomes
the sole property of T~~ ~:~ Ntau¢, Each reader
is entitled to 4 copies of each edition at distribution
points. Additional copies are available by calling 583-1248.
Friends in Unity Social Org., PUB 8542, 74101 582-0438
*HIV ER Center, 4138 Chas. Page Blvd. 583-6611
*Tulsa C.A:R.E.S., 3507 E. Admiral 834-4194
*Holland Hall _School, 5666 E. 81st 481-1111
HOPE, HIV Outreach, Prevention, Education 834-8378
*House of the H01y Spirit Minstries, 3210e So. Norwood
Interfaith AIDS Ministries 438-2437, 800-284-2437
*MCC United, 1623 N. Maplewood 838-1715
NAMES Project, 3507 E. Admiral H.. 748-3111
NOW, Nat’l Org. forWomen, PUB 14068,74159 365-5658
OK Spokes Club (bicycling), PUB 9165, 74157
*OSU-Tulsa
PFLAG, PUB 52800, 74152 749-4901
*Planned Parenthood, 1007 S. Peoria 587-7674
Prime-Timers, P.O. Box 52118, 74152
*R.A.I.N., Regional AIDS Interfaith Network 749-4195
*Red Rock Mental Center, 1724 E. 8 584-2325
O’RYAN, support group for 18-24 LGBT young adults
O’RYAN, Jr. support group for 14-17 LGBT youth
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 4045 N. Cincinnati 425-7882
St. Dtmstan’s Episcopal, 5635 E. 71st 492-7140
*St. Jerome’s Parish Church, 205 W. King 582-3088
*Tulsa Area United Way, 1430 S. Boulder 583-7171
*TNAAPP (Native American men). Indian Health Care 582-7225
Tulsa County Health Department, 4616 E. 15 595-4105
Confidential HIV Testing - by appt. on Thursdays only
Tulsa Okla. forHuman Rights, c/o The Pride Center 743-4297
T.U.LS.A. Tulsa Uniform/Leather Seekers Assoc. 298-0827
*Tulsa City Hall, Ground Floor Vestibule
*Tulsa Community College Campuses
*Tulsa Gay Community Center, 1307 E. 38,74105 743-4297
UnityChurch ofChristianity,3355 S. Jamestown 749-8833
BARTLESVILLE
*Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone 918-337-5353
OKLAHOMA CITY/NORMAN
*Borders Books&Music, 3209NWExpressway 405-848-2667
*Borders Books & Music. 300 Norman Center 405-573-4907
TAHLEQUAH
*Stonewall League, call for information: 918-456-7900
*Tablequah Unitarian-Universalist Church 918-456-7900
*Green Country AIDS Coalition, PUB 1570 918-453-9360
NSU School of Optometry, 1001 N. Grand
HIVtesting every other Tues. 5:30-8:30, call for dates
EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
Autumn Breeze Restaurant, Hwy. 23
*Jim & Brent’s Bistro, 173 S. Main
DeVito’s Restaurant, 5 Center St.
Emerald Rainbow, 45 &1/2 Spring St.
MCC of the Living Spring
Geek to Go!, PC Specialist, POB 429
Old Jailhouse Lodging, 15 Montgomery
Positive Idea Marketing Plans
Sparky’s, Hwy. 62 East
White Light, 1 Center St.
JOPLIN, MISSOURI
*Spirit of Christ MCC, 2639 E. 32, Ste. U 134
501-253-7734
501-253-7457
501-253-6807
501-253-5445
501-253-9337
501-253-2776
501-253-5332
501-624-6646
501-253-6001
501-253-4074
417-623-4696
* is where you can lind TFN. Notall areGay-owned but all are Gay-friendly.
by Michael Kuchwara
DENVER (AP) -The audience is greeted
by a bare, black brick wall, a single light
and a row of wooden chairs and desks.
Later, a few video screens and film clips
are added.
¯ Still, nothing else is reallyneeded to tell
¯ the story of Matthew Shepard and the
effect his-murder had on the town-of
¯ Laramie, Wyo. It is a spartan, yet
¯ appropn,’,ate setting for "The Laramie
Project, astirring, emotional tale, almost
¯ epicinscaleas itswirls through thedetails
of this young gay man’s brutal death and
¯ how the residents ofLaramiedealtwithit.
The-play, which had its world premiere
¯ in February at the DenverTheater Center,
¯ presents a cavalcade of characters
¯ portrayedby eightactors from theTectonic
TheaterProject, aNewYork-based troupe.
¯ They even play themselves.
"TheLaramie Project," writtenby these
¯ actors as well as otherTectonicmembers
including founder Moises Kaufman, was
drawn from their interviews with more
than 200 people. Yet it is more than just
,docudrama. It is a story of feeling as well
¯
as fact. Each gets its fair share of stage
¯ time, grounding the evening in reality
¯ without sacrificing the emotional intensity
of people trying to deal with their hopes,
¯ fears and prejudices.
¯ What makes "The Laramie Project" so
¯ intriguing are its shades of gray. Nothing
is simple. There are no easy answers in
coming to terms with Shepard’s death.
¯ Kaufmanandctmpanypresenta variety
¯ of memorable portraits culled from their
taped interviews. There’s Reggie Fluty,
¯ thepolicewomanwhountied Shepardfrom
¯ the fence post. As vividly portrayed by
¯ Mercedes Herrero, Fluty is a vibrant
¯ woman, confronted with something so
¯ horrific that she says, at one point, "They
¯ show showed me a picture.., days later
I saw a picture of Matthew... I would
¯ have never recognized him."
¯ Equally unnerving are comments from
Rulon Stacey, spokesman at the hospital
where Shepard died. In Greg Pierotti’s
intense performance, Stacey breaks down,
¯ watclfingthecourageofShepard’sparents
¯ as they confront their son’s death. Pierotti
also gives weightandan emotional honesty
: to the commonsense statements from a
¯ priest, Father Roger, who decides to get
¯ involved in leading a vigil for Shepard.
What ties the townspeople together are
¯ their efforts to understand. As the doctor
¯ who first treated Shepard when he was
¯ broughtintoaLaramiehospital emergency
¯ room says,"This is something thatoffends
us. I used that word a little earlier and I
¯ think that’s a good word. It offends us!"
Stephen Belber excels at two of the
¯ showier roles in the play - particularly a
¯ tough-talking taxicab driver who
¯ epitomizes the "live and let live"
¯ .philosophy that threads its way through
." the speeches of many of the many of
¯ people interviewed.
¯ Right now, "The Laramie Project" is
¯ still undergoing changes. Thirty minutes
; were cut from the play after the .first
¯ preview. Even now at two hours and 45
minutes, it could use more of a trim.
: Shepard himself is not a character in
¯ "The Laramie Project," but his presence
¯ haunts the play. It hovers sweetly yet
sadly over the entire proceedings, as well
¯
as the town he loved so much.
That is only appropriate. As one of the
residents says at the end of the evening,
’¢I’he last thing Matthew Shepard saw on
¯ this Earth were the sparkling lights of
Laramie, Wyo."
Lesbian Survey Results
In the past two years, you may have seen an
amlouncement about a study on how "Lesbians and thei?
sisters are similar or different." This mmouncement
appeared in 200 Lesbian mad Gay/Lesbian periodicals
(including Tulsa Family News). It was also sent to 614
Lesbian/Gay religious orgamzations; 105 Lesbian bars:
54 women’s bookstores; 346 cmnpus Lesbian/Gay
Bisexual/Transgender groups; and 83 groups listed as
"’etlltlicimttlticul tural."
Tiffs research was conducted by Esther Rothblum, a
liprofessor
of psychology
at the University
of Ver-mont, who
studies Lesbi~m igsue~.
She was interested~in
how Lesbians mid their
heterosexual sisters
differ on demographic
factors.
For exanlple, manv
studies about Lesbimas
have found them to be
highly educated, not
very religi,ous, and
livi~’lg in l:u’ge cities.
Obviou_’~ly, this does
not describe all
Lcsbia~, but there
mav be reasons why
Lesbimls are differeut
flom women iu the
general U.S.
population.
.... eontrlbutes
to [Lesbian]
demoSraphle
factors?
¯ .. }-][ere are some
speeulatlons:
- Hi her
education
may result in
beeomln
Lesbian . . Y
For example, Lesbians may move to large cities to find
other Lesbians, to moveaw@froth their parents and their
politically conservative home town, or to be more
anonwnous. Similarly, Lesbians nmy have high levels of
education bccanse they didn’t get married innnediately
after lugh school, or didn’t have clfildren at a you age.
In this study, Rothblunt conipared Lesbians’~vith thei?~
sisters. Unlike members of other minority groups (e.g.,
African-Americans, Jews, inunigrants), Lesbians (mad
Gay men) differ m one importm~ respect in that their
sibhngs me generally members ofthe domimmt gr0tq~
(hctcrosexnalsL In the case of biological sisters, thex
would share the stone race m~d etlmicitv, and have had th~
s~une parents. The\ mav also bc close in age. So tiffs
method would allo~, vou’to exmnine the lives of Lesbimls
side by side with sistel.s who m-e not Lesbian.
A total of 1,2(~- questiotmmres were requested bx
email, telephouc, or mail. mad 762 of these were retullmd.
Ilcrc are the results of the 184 sister pairs iu which one
was Lesbim] mid the other \vas heterosexual:
- Lvsbians arc older thm] their heterosexual sisters.
- Lesbiaus are also more likely to be first-bores when
looking at ages of all l)rother’s mad sisters. (This is
interesting, because research on Gay men has sho~vn
thcnt to be younger sons.)
- Lesbians have higher levels of education th,’m do diet r
heterog~’,~Ual sisters.
- Heterosexual women are more likely to be
homemakers than their Lesbian sisters. There ,are no
differences in other types of employment status, or on
occupational level.
- Because Lesbians have higher educationM levels,
they would be expected to have a higher individual
income. Still, Lesbians mad dleir heterosexual sisters had
similar individual mid fanlily incomes.
- Heterosexual women were part of formal religions iu
adulthood, whd’~as L~lSfan~ Were mtte likely to endorse
altenmtive spiritual beliefs.
- Lesbians were more likely to be living with a female
partner or living alone. Heterosexual sisters were more
likely to be married, li vh~g with:a,~ale p.,?r,mer, m~d living
with children
- For those wonlen . in a relationslfip
with a partner (121 Lesbians ,and 149 heterosexual
women), heterosexual women have been in this
relationsltip for a longer time period ( 11.4 years) than
Lesbians (6.87 years).
- Lesbians were more likely to be"]iving in a large city
than their heterosexual sisters.
- There is no sig~fificant difference in how many years
sister pairs have been living in their current location.
- But Lesbians live further from their previous location
than do heterosexual sisters.
¯ by Dave Fleischer
: Senior Fellow, Policy Institute
¯ National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
¯ As ourcommunity faces anew wave of Millennial anti-
" Gay ballot measures, it would be easy to be fearful about
¯ our prospects. After all, eight out of twelve votes on
¯ homophobic referenda went against us in 1998 and 1999
¯ alone. Yet the shocking thing about our cotmnumty
¯
losing so many elections is that we actually "know how to
¯ win them.
What effective strategy
¯ persuades voters to stand
:-, with-us? After six years
¯ training Gay, lesbian,
¯ bisexual and transgender
¯ (GLBT) leaders around the
¯ country to run for office and
¯ manage campaigns, I know
¯ it’ s when we "come out mad ¯
talk" - engage voters one-
¯
on-one and ask them what
¯ they think.
¯ Vehen we do, the fuzz)’,
unflattering image of us as
¯ oddities from an X-Files episode dissolvcs._ Voters
¯ reconsider who we are and are much less likely m fall
¯ for propaganda that makes us out to be something we’re
¯ not.
Just as importantly, what proven strategy identifies
¯ voters who are already supportive? The very stone
¯ conversation. Because when we do "voter I.D.’" -askiug
¯ each voter "Can we count on your vote’?" - we build a
¯ reliable list of Gay and pro-Gay voters to whom ~ve can
¯ return, to turn out our vote, election after election. Since
¯ many of our strongest supporters often miss clectious, ~vc
_. lose without this kind of follow-up.
Making a voter I.D. list isn’ t glamorous, but it makes or
¯" breaks our campaigns across the country. Maine offers a
useful case study. In February 1998, fineGLBTconmlunit3
¯ lost Maine’s state-wide law bmnung discrinlination ou
the basis Of sexual onentation. It had taken Maine leaders
ten years to pass the law: die Christian.C.oalition erased it
ten months after it passed, despite a vali-anl battle bv our
How did we lose? The New York Times post-electiou
analysis was ~ shockingly clear. It quoted a Bowdoin
.: College professor with 25 years, of Maine polling
¯ experience, who said, "Maine is no more mtolcrmn than
¯
other states, and given a well-lq_ln "gay;-rights- c&mpatgn,
would likely split into tw.o canlps, with 55%. supporting
’Gay rights’ mad 45% against." A well-rim cmnpaign is
built on turmng out its base. The low turnont of pro-Gay
voters cost us the election.
How did the Christian Coalition tuna out ~ ts supporters.
¯ when we couldn’t? They prepared for the election by
starting tQ identify their voters well m ad\m~ce. Eigl~t
months before electiol~ day, the Cln’istian Coalitiou
gathered 58,000 petition si~latures to call the February
1998 election. They began the cmnpaign With the name,
address and phone number of 58.000 voters who they
could turn out to vote.
Pro-Gay activists started withno sitnilar list. We cotfld
have- m November 1995. voters across Maine defeated
ml m~ti-Gay measttre. But the "95 cmnpaign didn’t talk
with voters oue-on-ouc to idenlify our supporter,s. Of the
221.562 people who voted with us, our comnmnity eudcd
"... eight out of twelve votes on
homophoble re~erencla went-a.~M~nst
us in 1998 and 1999 alone.
Yet the shoekin$ thln$ about our
eommunlty losln$ so many eleetlons
is that we actually
hnow how to win them . . 7’
the canlpaign -l~aowing the
nmnc. address and phone
number of fewer than 3000
Gav.and pro.Gay,voters. - -.
X\~ began the" 98 cmnpmgn
with 30(~) on our list..versus
58,000 on theirs. Whc~
e]ectiou day ’98 crone, wc
lost by 7.299 votes, bccansc
83,409 who voted wiOa us in
"95 didn’t ttma out to vote
again in "98. We lost Ihal
election, but we shouldnt
lose [le~’l - so long as
lcmn from theexpencucc.
For cxmnple, wc will likely fnce an anti-’Gay repeal
vote just like Maine’s m *’liami-Dade Couutx The
upconm~g cmnpmgl~ is hatmtcd bx the one wc losl [111977
It Anita Brvaut"s "’Save timChildren" cauapai~n
Fortunatel y, key leaders in SA VI ~ Dade, the local lmlnan
rights group, Jorge Murstfli. Shcila O’Fmlell, Gcore
Kctclholm. mid Griscl R~xlrigncz, have begun to bnihl
their list. By lcachiug lcssous flom other canq)aigus, thcx
have motivated their vohmtccrs to talk face-to-face
VOleI’S.
On July 29. SAVI~ l)adc had its biggest voter I
success v~t. In twelve hours. 300 volunteers had facc-tofacc
couversations with 4.909 voters. SAVE Dadc has
~dreadv built its list to iududc 15.000 Gay and pro-(~a
vol~rs.
Ofcourse. 15.0(~) i s not cu~)n~ h. ’l’bc Chfis finn ( ~o~ d i u
will begiu their cmnpmgn with a lisl of 33,000 SUpl)ortcr~
of their own. Ihe number ol l)ClH~on ~igllaturc~ Ihc~
to put lhc issue on lhc ballot
Butdm SAVE l)adc strategy to invite our fi’icnds to Ihi
election ~s a winning one. On July 29, as they realized
what they had done and bcguu, Shcila O’ Farrell c-nmilcd
me: "’Well. Dave. you szfid 6.000 and I laughed. You ~aid
30 phonc bm~k~ with 10+ vohmtccrs m~d I rolled m~ c~
And tomght we exceeded any expectations I ever had
do you kuow what? 1 guess that trap we teach rcall’
woi:ks~ I think 1 had quit bclicvmg thal Thanks
cliallenging mc "
In tough elections, there is uo SmUt Claus. XVc have
~lOW who our friends ;u’c if we xv~uit to win:’]’o klloXv xx
they ~u-c, wc have lo ask. onc-oll-OllC. Then wc C~l~
thai List mid check il twice - and win the Iougla election.
that lic almad
- Lesbimls live flirther from their lnother :rod from thcilfather
than do their heterosexual sisters
- l~sbim~s have moved to fl]cir CUlTent locatiou because
of their oxvn cducatiou. I [ctm’oscxtud women have movcd
to their cu~ent location because of their partuer’s job.
- Lesbians have higher self-esteem titan do their
beterosexuM sisters
-There are at differences bet~veen sister pmrs ou any
measure of mentM health (such as depression, m~xietv.
etc,)
z Lesbians and their hEterosexnalsigters ~e 6x~ctlx the
san~e average height (5 feet 5 inches) but Lesbians w~igh
more (161 lbs on average) than do hctcroscxn~d sisters
(143 lbs). -Lcsbimis are more likel~ to have been in
l)sychotherapy than their heterosextu~ sisters.
- Both sisters tend to have heMth insurance, but
heterosexual sisters are more likely to have health
insurance through their parmer, and to have dental
lnstlr~lce,
hnplications:
HeterosexuM women ~e more like census data of U.S
women than are Lesbians on: m~age, living wifl~ rome
pm’tner Ctfildren Religion ~ucation Population density
Convelfience smnples of~sbim~ flint fiud that I ~sbim~s
live in l~ge cities, ~e lfighly educated, have a lo~v
income relative to education, and may not be religious,
may~morerepresentative ofthe ~sbians who p~ficipate
m Lesbian communily organizatious ~md c\cnt.s
What is it about being a Lesbian that contributes to
dcmoglaphic factors? llcrc arc some speculations:
13cing older and firsl boru may result in Increased
education.
- Not bciug mmTied or havi~ tg children at a yotmg age,
living Mone and/or not beiug in a long-term rclationslfip
umv. result iu highcr education and geographic mobility.
tli~hcr education may result iu becoming I.csbimi
- Liging in l~ge cities nmy expose women to l.esbian
" d0nmlfinifies. ............
Wlmt is it abont being a Lesbian that contribntcs
mental health and other factors’? Ilelc arc some
specu.lati ous:
- Do l.esbians reln~fin<~m~l:byedin order to mmff}ain
hcMth insurance whereas liet:~ro~eXnM lnm’ried
can become homenmkers due to their husbands’ 6cncfits?
- Are Lesbiaus less focused ou weight and appearance?
Or do heavier young women become ~sbians m~d!or
increase edncadon becanse of fewer dating or relatiouship
options?
- Does Lesbians" greater use of psychotherapy account
for dmlack ofmentM hemth differences between ~sbians
(a stiglnatized group) and their heterosexnM sisters?
- Does belonging to a supportive conmm~fity account
for Lesbians’ higher self-esteem
A
Newspapers Refuse to
Print PFLAG .Listing
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A family of weekly
newspapers distributed free to 126,000 Central Coast
households and businesses has created an outcry over
its refusal to publish news deemed favorable to Gay
orpro-choice viewpoints. More than adozeneditorial
employees of tWO of ~he papers have quit since the
policy came to ,light last week.
The papers, which circulate in San Luis Obispo,
Paso Robles andAtascadero, have beenhit with about
400 cancellation-requests. Earlier this week, about
100 people protested outside the County courthouse
in San Luis Obispo, some carrying signs that read,
"No Bigotry. in My ~owa,’:
: The c~rttro~er~y:ste:r0s from:a ¢:ommuuity calendar
listing; for~ Parents, Friends and ~Eamily~0f Lesbians
ahd ~ays~ Bisexuals .and Transgendered Persons,
which ran in the’Atascadero Gazette from Nov. 25
until Feb..17.~’=That’ s whe,n the paper’s editor, Ron
Bast, wa~ ioid tlie chain S owner had 6rdered the
listing pulled.Bast-said he was told there were to be
no storie~ tli~ ~lit~ed Gays or abortioninafavorable
light. He has since quit, saying he believes the paper
has failed in its mission to provide unbiased coverage
of the community.
Civil rights acavists, meanwhile, said theywere
appalled at the action ofcompany owners Mary and
DavidWeyrich."Hehas th~ fight todothi~ofcourse,
¯ incorporating as a nonprofit organization, outlining
: possible programs and figuring outhow to pay for the
¯ gathering place.
: Travis Blackwell, 33, co-chairman of the planning
~ committee, said he hoped the center would be a place
¯¯ for anyone to getin touch with the Gay community.
"And I hope it will raise asvareness, understanding
: and tolerance for the lesbian, Gay, bisexual and
transgender community," Blackwell said. "That’s.
one aspect. Theotheris actually having a central place.
where we cau all be safe and meet and take part in
programming and workshops and things that better
each of us as well as our community as a whole.’"
Gay centers across the country offer everything
from soccer leagnes to medical services, counseling
-and day.care. Although cities nationwide of about the
same size as-Charlotte have had. them.for years, no
other North Carolina city has a center, qocai ;Gay
leaders ,said.
In 1996, Mecklenburg County commissioners cut
arts funding after a local production of the Pulitzer
prize-winning play "Angels in America," because of
its homosexual content. And last year, Samantha
Gellar won a contest for young playwrights in 1999
with her story of two women who meet on a bus, fall
in love and share a kiss. The contest sponsors would
not allow it to be performed, saying its subject matter
was not appropriate for the festival’ s middle and high
school audience. .
United in
God’s Love
MCC-United
Sunday Worship Reverend Cathy Elliot
11=00 am Pastor
623 N. Maplewood 9181838-1715
" ~ i" f"~ .........
Community Unitarian Universalist
Congregation
at Community ofHope
2~Lg South Yale, Sundays at llam, "/49-0595
A Welcoming Congregation
hnttheparttliatupsetmepers°nallyisthathehadaI MiSSiSsippi Lawmakers
representing this as atmecommuuity .newspap~," Move to Bar Adopbons said Robyn Murphy, past president ~of.the central, i
Coast Gay and.L~bian Alliance. . .... i , , . . ; JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi lawmakers
The vtfeytichs m-owned billlioard giant Martin.i moved, to bar Gay couples from adbpting children
Mediabefoxe thecompany wassold fo~$610 mi’llion, with a Tuesday debate about morality and the fea~ of
great deal of support starting out because he was
HOUSE OFTHE HOLY SPIRIT
Sun. Worship, 10:45 am, Sunday School, 9:30 am
t... ,~,~,~ ~,,. :rt..,~..,, u~,~. ~ \Ve~,~,~ : e~ag homosexuality. The executive director Wed. Bible Study, 7 pm
Wim,~v Tlu~_v mtMi~ho~l a ~lat~mt~.nt ~,i Ihe~r ° Of~Misst$$1[~!. ~list Cofl¥1~aUon Boald teld a
p.mt.os.op.n.~.tn..re.ce.nt.e.m.uoUS.. .t.n..c. issu~c ~nas ¯. ~Hou.s~e su.b..c-m.n.:m.m.ee..th.at.e.h¯iidr©n rinsed
~,:~z,’~n~’~’~ ~1~ U~ith ;nt,~orilW mtt4 ~ih0 tnd~ Wifl~ - ¯ Ilomosexuals 0~i10,1~ more mt~v to ue troy.
.... ~:~..~.~ .... ............. ¯....-, ..... ~ ...... Opponentssmdtheyfeareddieadoptionbanwould ’ ~ " [
....=~,, v~v,,-- " ¯ ’ ** * " ..... " ...... v....................... Licensed Professional & National Certified
~ ~ .... ° " ....¯ "- -;: = ;’d -~ ; onentauon =s irrele ant m adopttons; .... ......
uast ann omer mrmer stm;ers Sma mey m not , ¯ ,~,~-~; t,^^,,_:,,= ~:=,~:.....
editorial content of the publicattons when theylbegan ¯ . _~ :_ ,t.~. r... u..... ~. a:.~. -
m.~t.rj.ous, xnep,a~e,rs,ue~g~o:p~p~nexntgmt~t~.um ~r,: Barber said he eame to the Capitol on behalf of a Aft~l"Hours AppointmerltsAvailabl~
wire iwo more scneameo . . . , , .
................. s saidthe : Gaycoupletrymgtoadoptachild ‘They re upstanding 2865 E. Skelly Drive, Suite 21.5, 745-1111
Wevrichs ar~ notdictatino content. iuSt our ¯. etuzens~ ~neynappentouenomosexna~ -notrelevant.
philosophy, which has ~. d~ from day one."
"The staff onboard has a dear understanding of the
Weyrichfamilyandtheirvalues," he said. "Inpublisher
meetings throughout the pastmonths,wehave covered
these topics in depth."
He said-the Gazette papers, which promote
themselves with the slogan "Hometown Journalism
at its Best" on the bottom of each front page, also
refuse advertisin,g from nightclubs and tobacco
companies. ~’We ve picked.up 13 new advertisers
because of this," Hansen said. "We’ve received 400
e-mails this week that arejustpo,sitive mid supportive.
Pemple resiXct,,us for’what ~ve ve Said ~and that we
stand up for it.
One observer says the debaie has at least one upside
- forcing residents to discuss the meaning of the First
Amendment. ’YI’he idea that free speech and a free
press is being discussed is extremely healthy,!’ said
Randall Murray,a California Polytechnic,,U,niversity,.
San Luis Obispo, journalism professor¯ While not
embracing~Weydchor..his,views, ~ereali~.Lhat he is
peffecdy secure to set editorial policy. Rather than
impose on him ,o,ur editorial policing, the remedy is
coUnter-speech. " i ’ ~: "
Charlotte Gays Plan
Community Center
CHARLOTTE (AP) - Charlotte, the city that has
drawn national attention in recent years for its anti-
Gay atmbsphere, could have its first-ever community
center for Gays as early as 2002.
The Community Center Planning Committee will
spend the next six months scouting for a location,
¯ They would make good parents," Barber said.
" The Rev. Jim Futral, the Baptist leader, said by
~ allowing Gays to adop,t., the state would encourage
¯ homosexual lifestyles. These kids will be influenced
¯" in a way wedon’ t want them tO beinfluenced," he said
: during the hour-long meeting. Rep. John Reeves, RJac.
kson, the subcommittee chairman, said the bill
was not meant to punish Gay people but was "trying
to do what’s right by the children." Rep.. Gary
Chism, R-Columbus, said legislators should be
concerned about children and "we shouldn’t place
them. in a lifestyle that’s unnatural." "It gives an
indication to thatchild that this is aproperrelationship,"
Chism said.
Mississippi is among five states this year debating
legislation over adoptions, by Gays, according to
Hector Vargas,’a lawyer for the Washington-based
National Gay and Lesbian TaskForce~o,The others.are
. Hawaii, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah: vargas
said judges’ rtmin consideration "should be whether
or not the parents are a loving couple and can provide
for the child." "
The bill also says that the state will not recognize
¯ adoptions by Gay couples in other states. That
: provision could be unconstitutional, Vargas ~id.
"_ Several states have been sued over policies banning
¯ Gays from adopting.. Only Horida statutorily bars
" Gay couples from adopting.
~ Robin Lemer, staff attorney for the American Civil
¯ Liberties Union in Mississippi, said state lawmakers
: shouldbe worried about crime committed by children
¯ who grow up without families. ’‘The greater issue is
" how can we best raise children to be good adults," she
said.
Red Rock Tulsa. O’RYAN
Oklahoma Rainbow Young Adult Network
Outreach Program Thurs. Nights
Meet Others in a Safe Enviroment
Call for meeting limes and place:
918-584-2325
Mingo Valley Flowers
.... . 9413E. 31st St., Tulsa 74145
¯ 918-663-5934, fax: 663-5834, 800-A.A..A-5934
Family Owned & Operated
Trinna L. W. Burrows,.LSW, ACSW
Child, Family, Individual & Couple Psychotherapy
(918) 743-9559
2121 South Columbia, Suite 420
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74114-3518
The Pride StoreV
1307 E. 38th, 2nd.floor
Tulsa Gay Cornmfini.ty Services Center
743.GAY S (743-4297)
6-D prn; Sunday ~ Friday
12-D pm, Saturday, all sales benefit the Center
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The Episcopal Church Welcomes You
Georgia Hate Crimes Bill
ATLANTA (AP)- Several hours after Palm Sunday
seryices ended at Red Oak United Methodist Church,
parishioners found themsdves watching from the
cemetery outside as the ehnrch was Consumed by fire
set by monists. "I stood there in the graveyard with
mymembers, singing while it burned down," saidthe
.Rev. John W: Pace, pastor of the black church in
Stoekbridge. ’ It was hopeless. We could not stop the
fire."
Pace says his congregation was victimized by a
hate crime. And he wasn’t alone in asking the Hons~
~ J~.di~ary C0mmitte,elo appr~ove stiffer penalties.for
cn.mes .~lotivated by race, religion, gender or sexnal
onentataon.
Committeemembers also hear~~rom arabbi whose
-synagogue was vandalized and a Gay mm~ who was
assaulted with a knife at his throat. "Terrorism has an
impact both on the victims and an .impact on the
community at !arge," said Sen. Vincent Fort, DAtlanta,
~e bill s author. "Hate crimds are terrorism
because of that fear."
Barron Segar,.a professional fund-raiser, told the
committeehow he was~surrounded by eight menafter
-leaving aGay nightclub in Atlanta:in 1992. One ofthe
men grabbed Segar from behind and helda knife to
¯ But Rep. Dan Grossman, D-Denver, and other
: oppo.nents said the Vermont Legislature appears to be
¯¯ moving towardrecognitionof ’~domesticparmerships’’ rather,than same-sex marriages. The final vote came
¯ after opponents argued it was a simple attack on ¯
homosexuals. "Thebillis nothingmore than something
: based on fear and I think it is an irrational fear,’"
: Grossman said. "What horrible thing would happen
: to us. It s gratmtous and mearisspirited:’" ~, - :
¯ Supporters denied that. "It’s based oh the
¯ accumulated wisdom and experience of cultures for
¯ 7,000 years," said Rep. Shawn Mitchell, RBroomfield.
"We alwayshave i:ecognfized as-self-
!eviklent that marriage i~s~joinih~dfopt~site m~mbers
:~ .,o~ the human species." Pas~hail !said ~h~ Offered the
measnre as a reiriforcement OP’gootl publicpolicy."
Gay Teens Ask.
,Peers For Tolerance
MIDDLETON, Wis. (AP) - Cal!ing.for an end to
harassment and narrow-mindedeess, a group of Gay
and Lesbian teen-agers and their friends,is trying to
¯ persuade a majority of teachersand students to sign a
p edge ..calling for tolerance_ 9.f ~students of all
hi.s .thro.at. "This is what we do to (Gays)," the man i b~k.:grounds and persuasions..! .... : - . . .
,:v, s;xtut.d~,:~uxs~i;n~g:;.a~n.~,=e.~.p,i.,t.~h.e=t..f~o.r~~=h2o~~.a,:,;o,_s~.e:.x-~u..a.l.s....~~:.e.~a.~l’,t.~~k.e.r...¯ , ~ndse,y.Clough., one of t.he s.~,d.e.nts o~g.amzang the - ~.,.~.~.~;mto ~g~uuuu mau-m¢ men scattere~; u o pma- ge0~,o~ nve.~ stud _s_he. ~dent.do.;~~ es-w...i.m... the GaY
hves-w~th;’me~erV day: tstilt~liaTe=iti!~h~es,’’ ¯ coun~.l!mty m. part tw.eause a ~e friend of her
;Sdgari~"dt~B~ifhly~~ttaek~dis d0h; ( Tli~se~’~r~ed tw~ : family lost a partner to AIDS.. 8hedeS..eti’bed, her
" W~eks mtail ...... ..... " ,, ~. childhood as extremely difficiilt~ .r and said she has
:: :;~ Rabbi;,TS.= ¯Robert Iehay of ~-Coni~te~ati~ix:,or: found. ,Goys and.lesbians to be’,~’0_~e.~0f the most
: VeShalrmre~lled:h0w ~e synagog~e.~ ~D~I~alb. ¯ und..d.~smnd.ingpe°ple I’ve met in.~y~|ifei:r .
"- C0tmtv ~ag vandalizex~1~4,e~;ffi-th~ag~iV",~ai~t’~ " ] ne stug~nt ~oup says its goalis to get most of the ¯d .. - , .r..’~ ¯ M ~1-~ ¯ " ,-~ " ¯ ::Nl~ri:sw~ligas~dthewords~bloodsuek~r~~ ot~b~t~ " : school s 1,600 students and 200. teachers.to s~gn a
,~Sihee’thetL~I~l~ysaid,:the c0n~i~galion ~~-had:a ."-pled~e’.~f!~lerance andinthe.p~to~e~at the
police.om~atev~’serv~ce~unetion=indMing_ i s¢.h~l a~qepts a!l students.....
weddings .iWe~sleepat¯ni~ht;’;hesaid::"Bat~livavs ~. :rng~schoolisoftenaprimepla~efor~a.ystudents
" t~i.tll;an.e~ie :6~,, .in case~°omea,~,;; k~,,,~a,,~ ,,,-: -~ : ¯ to be dbused, accordimz to a reoort last. Year bv the
" Fort~s bill ¯passed -the Senate,bv~jttst’two~rtes ~ Gay,...L~,~fib!an and Strmght Educatto.n Network. The
-. ~arlier thi’s m~nth, Thebi!t~,a!lr~S.~n~es to ii~se -. gr°up~,~9_Yed teens in32 states imd f~un~ that 91
percent of Gay and lesbian teens reported
up to five years in cases Where.~ey determine the : "homo.phobic" remarks at school and 69perccnt said
victims were chosen because of race, color, religion,
national origin, ancestry, ei’hnicity, gendei, disiibility
or s~xiial 0dentationl ...... .
COlorado -Ban-on
Gay Marriage Advances
DENVER, (AP) - A marriage.between, one man and
one woman would be the 0uly uniOn r~cogni2ed as
.legally validby the state under a’bill approved by
House lawmakers. The House,-which approved the
.measureon a 36-29 vote; sent it to-the-Senate, where
-it- probabl.y wDuld :pass,.,according to Sen. Mark
Hillman, R-Burliugton. Senators approved a shnilar
proposal earlier this inonth. Gov. Bill Owens has said
he.would sign the bill if approved by the I eegislature.
In its original version, House Bill 1249 would have
authorized courts to enforcenbnee0n0~nic provigions
of prenuptial ¯contracts Spousoring Rep; "Mark
Paschall, R-Arvada, succeeded Monday in.stfippi.ng
all language from the bill-and substituting it with
provisions to ban same-sex.marriages and to ensiire
the state, would not recognize S,’une-sex marriages
,pefformedJoutside~tsbordet~: :=:~ ,:, ~,,
As it did Moilday, the Hbuse on :ruesda) .rejected
a motiOn ,to~ send the bill to- the:House~:Jddiciary
Committeeforapublic hearing. Moderate~Republieans
_. on.. that, com~ttee.lastl v~ab joined.~t~b~rats in
kiliing a-’.similar;bill2 Coni~nitteemeinb~sargued~hat
they should be allowed.to, giv~ ~the-bill a(public~
hearing; but Paschall and other supporte,,r.s~ said¯ the~
-concept l~as :had extensive public input.
obvious, transparent attempt to kill the bill, said
House Majority Leader Doug Dean; R-Colorado
Springs.
He and other supporters said the measure is
necess.ary to avoid forcing Colorado to officially
re¢ogmze same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.
Supporters said a recent ruling by the Vermont
Supreme.Court called for legislative action on samesex
mamages, and that action could mean official
recognition of such unions.
¯ theyexperieneedsomeformofharassmentorviolence.
" Patrick Kelly, an openly Gay freshman, said that
while Middleton tends to be more accepting of Gay
: students,thanmany otherhigh schools, there is always
¯ room forJmprovement.
¯ "’ LisaAarli, a teacher who advises the student group,
says she has seen great enthnsiasm over the pledge
¯ event. "It’ s given a lot of kids someflfiug to Nab onto
for a lot of different reasons," she,said. :’The kids on
¯ the margins ,are being pulled into something big m~d
¯ prayerful in tke school." . ....
¯
said he beieved the l~gislature sliotfld be.as.inclusive
¯ as possible in the bill nmv, rather th,-m have to face
~ such questio~m agMn some other, time. "My persom~
¯ opimon is I don?t wm~t to have to.go t~ough ins for
" another reason. I don’ t want another ~gislature to go
" tl~ough ~s," he said.
Little wo~d prefer to keep tfie_~co~.e:.’of the bill
focused on the Gay and ~sbi~conples who sued for
" the fight tomTy in the fi~st place..~at’s ~vhy the
qivii d0m~l[¢.u~on bill~so~eloselyznfi~ors~age
¯ statutes. ?We haven’t seen ~y, eviOence that people
¯ that ~e.bro~ers and sisters, bro~ers ~d ’bro~ers,
" sisters: ~d sisters seek to eslablishthe:s~e,.Nnd of
" : inti~m~ -~i!~~:ha~e~felt~th~
discfi~fio~~their efforts toestablis~$~ly
: u~," ~tfle sMd. ’~e desi~ of the ~iIl, we hope, is
" to ereate~ a NNo~on" ~vherN~e~ ~ n6-~:~ateriM
¯ ~ ~, 7 " -~ ~’ ¯ ~:,..~ =~ .: ~:.~;,~ ~,,,~ : ~. ~:~.~ . ¯ff~en~ between ~fir~age-~fl domeshc"umons)
~d t-herefore no consti~utionM differe-n~’~between
" ~ tWO."
. However at a r~ent Repub]i~ S~te Co--tree
: meet~g, Ve~ont Republic.s rejected, at least
¯ tempos]y, a push by the p~ty’s state chM~,
" Pa~ck G~, for a ConsdmdonM ~en~ent
" supporting opposite-gender m~fiage o~y, The
¯ pro~sM stated ~atbemuse ~e state Supreme Court’ s
: derision in B~er v. State open~ ~e door for s~e-
. gender m~age, ~e OenerM Assembly shoedbe~
¯e pro~ss of ~en~ng ~e constitution.
’4,
JeSSeJackson
Get H!Y Test
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Rev. Jesse :
Jackson stuck a cotton swab between his ."
cheek and gums Thursday to demonstrate :
how easy it is to take an oral test for the ¯
virus that causes AIDS and to encourage ."
other black Americans to be tested. "
’q’he crisis has not left. It is no longer "
fron.t-page. It’s not gunfire. It’s not ."
cocame, crack or heroine. It:s not gang ¯
warfare," said the civil rights leader, "
speaking at the Max Robinson Center of "
the Whitman-Walker Clinic, in one of the ¯
capital’s poorest neighborhoods. "But
nobody is safe," Jackson said. "I want to "
send amessage to everyAfrican-American :
that does not know his or her HIV/AIDS ¯
status to get tested." ."
Jackson, who said he had taken a blood "
test for the virus years ago, took the newe~ ]
oral test to draw attention to the issue as ¯
hundreds of people gathered in ¯
Washington for the Johns Hopkins "
University 2000 National Conference on
African-Americans and AIDS¯ ¯
Theresults ofJackson’s testate expected "
to be ready Saturday but, as is common :
practice, they will remain confidential. It ¯
was-not immediately clear if Jackson "
would release results of his test. "
Blacks make up 13% of the U.S. ;
population, but they account for 57% of ¯
all new HIV infections detected and nearly’,.:
half of all cases of full-blown AIDS, "
according to the Centers for Disease ;
Control and Prevention. Additionally, ¯
more treatments have become available, ¯
but AIDS deaths among blacks increased ¯
45% between 1991 and 1996, even as ¯
mortalityamongwhites decreasedby24%, "
statistics show. "
Jackson .called on the president, first :~
lady and leading presidential candidates
to set an example by submitting to testing,
noting, "The first issue is to remove the
taboo and reststance to testing."
Patent Could Block
AIDS Research
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A feud between
two groups of researchers over who owns
the rights to a gene helpful inAIDS therapy
threatens to slow the development ofnew
drugs and treatment, The Los Angeles
Times has reported. Maryland-based
HumanGenomeSciences securedapatent
earlier in February ~hat gives it a 17-year
claim on a gene that apparently controls
how AIDS begins infecting its victims.
However, thebiotechfirm only isolated
and decoded the gene. Company officials
acknowledge they had no knowledge of
its use when they applied.for a patent in
June 1995. Agroup ofacademic scientists
say they were the ones who proved the
gene could be used tO explain why. some
people repeatedly exposed t6 HIV never
develop the disease.
Meantime, the patent, gives Human
Genome Sciences control over who can
use the gene in commercial,devel’0p~ient
of new AIDS drugs, potentially limiting
the practical use ofthe academic research.
The ownership decisionby the U.S. Patent
andTrademark Office outraged the group
ofacademic scientists whosay thebiotech
firm co-opted their discovery.
"If the patent office awards a patent to
someone who clones a gene, even though
they have no notion of its function and no
real idea of its use, that would be like
saying, ’I found a fungus, therefore I
should get credit for penicillin,"’ said the
University of Maryland’s Dr. Robert
:Gallo, Whoheaded the group,of academic
researeher~ studying HIV infection.
That group and several other
independent researchers learned in late
1995 that the gene is a so-called "viral
receptor" that the HtV virus attaches to.
They also discovered that defective
versions of the gene generate a protein
that suppresses infection by preventing
HIV from attaching to cells. "The
likelihood is that this is the molecule that
needs to be used for the virus to go from
one person to another," said New York
University’s Dr. Dan Littman, who also
contributed to the academic study.
William Haseltine, chairman and CEO
of Human Genome Sciences, maintains
companyresearchers did extensive work
isolatingthe gene that justifies the firm’s
ownership of the patent. Haseltine said
thepatentwill notimpede outsid~ research,
adding that the company is making the
gene available to academic researchers at
no cost. He said the patent will only stem
the unauthorized use of the gene for
commercial purposes.
AIDSactivists havereacted withvenom
toward the company, which they accused
of capitalizing on the suffering of others.
"’These guys are the robber barons of the
geneticage," saidGreggGonsalves, policy
director of the Treatment Action Group, a
New York-based AIDS lobbying
organization. ’q’his is not about making
progress on AIDS; its about making
money.’"
Meantime, the U.S. patent office plans
to enforce new guidelines in March that
would require applicants to better
demonstrate the function and usefulness
of discoveries. Officials at the National
Institutes of Health, however, complain
that the new regulations fail to go far
enough.
i Clinton Plan May
¯ Benefit HIV Postive
¯¯ WASHINGTON (AP)- In an experiment
that could significantly, expand federal
¯
benefits to patients with the AIDS virus,
~ the Clinton administration is allowing
.. Maine to provide Medicaid payments to
¯ people are HIV-positive but do not yet
¯ have AIDS. Previously, patients could
; notqualifyuntil theyhadfull-blownAIDS.
¯ Health Secretary Donna Shalala said ¯
Thursday that Maine would be the first
¯ state to offer such a plaff,"whichcan give
." more people living with HIV access to
¯ promising therapies.’" Several other states
: are looking at offering a similar plan,
¯ officials said. "Betterresearch, prevention
¯ and treatment is helping people with this ¯
¯ disease livelonger, healthier lives, even
as.we continue our search fora cure," said
~ Shalala at a conference on black people
¯ with AIDS.
¯: Recentstudies have showfl that the early
use of.AIDS-fighting drugs can slow the
." disease and increase life expectancy.
However, many people with HIV
¯ _generally do not qualify for Medicaid,
¯ which provides health insurance to low-
" income Americans, until they have
¯ symptoms and are considered disabled." ¯
Without the plan, "the Medicaid
¯ program was in the untenable position of
¯ having to wait until someone grew so sick
¯ with AIDS that they became disabled" ¯
before treatment and drugs conld be made
¯ available, said Francis Finnegan, Maine’s
¯ Medicaid director. ¯
¯ The state’s five-year demonstration
projectbeginsinSeptember.Tobeeligible,
¯ a participant must be HIV-positive and
¯ haveanincomeofless thanabout $25,000,
¯Timothy W. Daniel
Attorney at Law
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1-800-742-9468 or 918-352-9504
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Are You Gay or .Bisexual?
Are You Native American?
Tulsa s Two-Spirited Indian Men’s
Support Group is here-for you! ~_~’/,~
’ Evening sup~ group meetings ¯ , ¯ Sho~ trips, outings and retreats
¯ [ Free HIV testing
~or informat~n call Tul~ Native American AIDS Prevention Proj~t
~’:~whlch is three times the federal poverty ,:
level. Before the plan, only children, .:
pregnant women and the elderly or
disabled with incomes below the poverty ! the 37-year-old mayor mused:about
level were eligible for assistance. The surprising twists and turns in his life. "It’s
benefitpackage will indudedrugtherapy,
office visits, lab services, case
management, hospitalizations, mental
health and substance abuse services.
About 1,300 Maine residents are
infected with HIV and 350 have AIDS,
according to the Maine Bureau of Health.
The new waiver will allow the state to
offer treatment to about 300 people who
couldn’ t otherwise afford it. Officials said
the early intervention is expected to reduce
the need for costly hospitalization and
prevent addi tional infections.
Nationally, about 900,000 people are
infected with HIV, a third of those with
full-blown AIDS, said Kathryn Bina, a
spokeswoman for the federal Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. A third
of those whose HIV hasn’t progressed
into AIDS, about 200,000 people, don’t
know they have the disease, she said.
Claudia French, acting executive
director ofAIDS Action, a national AIDS
support group, said more states need to
ad’o~t suchaplan. ’~roday’s announcement
will prolong the lives of low-income
Mainers with HIV, but we want all HIVpositiveAmericans
tohave access to drugs
that could keep them from developing
full-blown AIDS," said French.
’Shooting Gallery’:
to Open in Sydney ¯
SYDNEY, Australia (AP)- This nation’s :
first experimental heroin "shooting ¯
gallery" will open later this year in a "
former pinball parlor in Sydney, the
Uniting Church, which will run the 18- "
month government-approved trial, "
announced at the end of February. "
The Site in Kings Cross, a suburb :
notorious for drug use and prostitution, "
has been approved by New South Wales :
police and the state’s health department. :
It will be run by an expert on AIDS and ¯
aim to provide a clean, safe environment :
for addicts to take their drugs. "Our
primary aim in operating the medically
supervisedinjecting centeris to save lives,"
said Uniting Church spokesman Rev.
Harry Herbert."
New South Wales state premier Bob
Carr said he understood concerns of local
residents who have fought to prevent the
gallery being opened, but said it would
help improve public health. "We think it
mayhelp save lives and get the problems
out of the streets of Kings. Cross into a
medically-supervisedlocation,’? Cartsaid.
Thecenter’ s medical director Dr. Ingrid
van Beck said about 200 addicts would ¯
use the center to shoot up when it opens, :
possibly as early as July,, just weeks "
before Sydney hosts the 2000 Olympic
Games. .
United Nations drugs experts this week "
condemned "shooting galleries" but
authorities in Sydney and two other cities
have said they will forge ahead with plans
to open them.
Want to get involved?
Need to get tested for HIV or
a Coming Out Support Group?
Call 743-GAYS (4297)
Tulsa Gay Community
Services Center
1307 E. 38th, 2nd floor
the
: ~a strangejourney," he said,, shaking
¯ his head. "I started drugand alcohol abuse
: when I was around 10," he said.
¯ The drug and alcohol abuse worsened
when h_e was a teen-ager having conflicts
with his policeman stepfather and
struggling with the emer~ng realization
that .he was Gay.
"I joined the military when I was 18 to
escape a lotof things, and because I wanted
~o be somebody," Stewart said. "And, I
onestly thought that in the military, I d
go straight. It didn’t quite work out that
way. I found more Gay people in the
military than I’d ever known."
His eight years in the Air Force brought
him to this city of 21,000 on the shore of
Lake Champlain. When his tour of duty
ended, he started driving a tractor trailer.
Then came a drug and alcohol relapse.
"I fell flat on my face," Stewart said.
With the help of a network of friends,
Stewart struggled to overcome his
addictions. "I sobered up on Dec. 14,
1988, and I’ve been clean and sober ever
since." It was the recovery process that
led Stewart out of the closet. "I was 26
years old, sitting in the basement of a
church at a recovery meeting at 1 a.m. on
New Year’s Day. I said, ’I can’t stav sober
!,f, I .keep hiding the truth,"’ Stewart said.
It lifted a huge burden. When you live a
lie, you suffer the consequences."
Backin the eabofabigrig, he considered
his furore. "I wanted a sense of inclusion
in the system, having a positive role,"
Stewart said. He got involved with the
AIDS activist group, ACT UP, handing
out condoms on the street. His activism
ultimately led him into mainstream
politics.
Of roughly 500,000 elected officials at
the local and national level across the
country: about 180 are openly Gayand the
vast majority are Democrats, according to
the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, a
.Washington-based group flint seeks to
¯ increase the number of Gay and lesbian
¯ public officials. "It’s hard to overstate the
. value of having outstanding opeul3,,’ Gay
~ and lesbian people in public office, said
¯ Sloan Wiesen, a spokesman for the Gay &
: Lesbian Victory Fund. "When Gay and
straight legislators are working together
: on less contentious issues, like education,
; health care, or fixing roads, people are
¯ more inclined to stand up f0rfairness
¯ when a nondiscrimination issue comes
: up," Wiesen said.
Stewart hopes the national attention he "
¯ en.j,,o,ys,by .virtue 0f,,b~,ing aGayRepublican
Will neip the city. I m invited to all these
events - the State of the State address, the
State of the Union. It gives me the
opportunity to get the message out that
Plattsburgh exists, and we need" things
here. A lot of people around the country
want to help, because they want to see me
succeed."
Stewart does have some regrets. 0~e is
that he never worked up the courage:to
talk to his mother about the fact that he’s
Gay before she died in a car acdident four
years ago. "I was making visits to the
White House on Gay issues, but I was
afraid to talk to my own mother about it.
It shouldn’ t have been that way," Stewart
said, his voice trailing off.
Another regret was that he taunted the
boys who wanted to go to the prom at
Cumberland High School.
see Mayor, p. I1
TWO REVIEWS AND A MUSE!
[love John ~Villiams’ film scores. I
really do; they are sweeping, grand things,
alwaySsuitable for driving to, especially
the S~.Wars and Indiana Jones scores¯
Hedidagreatjob.on 1979’s
Draciihi, d~ea~iiig, an
o~atie score that soared
andswooped al,ong with
Dr~c~ffd~tly..It s my all=
score.- too :bad it h~Snot
been reissued comp!etdy
as some of his others have¯
What happened was, way
backwh~,scores were not
released in the version
heardin the film. Williams
was 7::..notorious for
rerecording .chopped up
bits~iof, his: sc0~ds, edited
t6gethdri .....ahogether
diffe~gntly ~ft0ffa~the film,
aadrdea~edas the ori
mdtifnpicture s’dundtrack
qt is a nice thing to
wish for
peace ~ndha~mony
amm~.~p~oipl~
I wonder if it will
’ever kappen. ~
One can, only hope
that. Deganawida
will come along and
help create a world
that engenders
with .a just-too~tight cardboard Slip case
covenng the CD case mid the thick liner
notes abit too tightly, so that getting die
blasted tiring out is enough to prejudice
your listeafing experience (childproofCD
cases?).If you’re a purist
and a Williams collector.,
.this is for you. If not, well,
rent the film.
~ .Jomme~he~mndoahhas
a uewirelease out,and it is
well worth seeking out mid
buying. A member of the
Wolf Clan of the Oneida
(Iroquois) Indians in New
York, Joaame has put out a
:number of bestselling,
award-wi~ufing CDS that
arejustincredible tolisten
to (Orenda, ~Matriarch,
Lifeblood)¯ She_has a
lovely, clear,: bell-like
voice that .Ires an intimate
quality to it that can’t, be
:beat. Sheap,,l~ffed in Peter
Whnt~.y0a ggt Wasnot the laarmony anaong Buffet.t" S y Spirit,:- A
s0u.fidi~,.a~(.~,er~annoying d-f- ¯ ~,, " 1 ’~.- .- Jotmley in,Dance, Drum,
to~p.ufiS.~!, b.uLa reerea.ted
~re~ng~ peop,es_~. : ~ .-m!d:,~oug",,:-and opened
.~rms.~...ash:..o[~,hat rmght ’ : :.. " :~ :;. ’- ~Wo.odstock ~94. :She:~has
ha~g:~n~n!h9 soundtrack at somepoint~ ;. beenailed~-aa!~i-ve Ameii.can:yersion of
In!re.a~..~ ca~_e~.,, this was disap~ointing, ~; Enya,:.a.1,.lhough; L.~eall~-!-hiak.,that’s
This,~beguntochange,firstwithpufists ,~ ,c,ompari~g:,oa.pl~e~.:,~,d,+,oranges.
rais~g~:S~jhenwithrecordcompanie,s : Pea~gmai~er,_SJoameyr:i:sanenchanting
,a,ct~[yt,iste~nipg. The score to Williams - r ~lbmn:, wi~h beautiful~melodies. Iti~ sung
Close-Eae0unters of the 3rd Kind".was ~ in her~nativg~Oneida Jaaguage, and- the
one::of .the. first to be remastered and ~ liner;aotes~.~conta_;n the :story. :and a
rel~:witli all cues (music bits) int.act.. ¯ trans!afioa:~into:English of:/he lyrics: It is
~di]s:reallygreat~sincemuchofw.hat , the.p~effeet:~bumt~li-ght~some,oandles,
mad~ the sou~dtrack~so great were ~CU! : and relax -~ith, with-its genre :melodies
¯ ."~" ~. " ’: : "- ’.~ ’ ~ ’6 --~ ....~z ~-~ ~ ,:~-~-~,~,~-,. ,~;’,’::-, ,~:’L~"~’J-~ . ~nta~t. ~twas also great. Then the S-.~y~ i,. mumc,-ofLtl~ ~f~ri~:~ of,~.lroqums
V~$i ~l~gy was. released with:.,t..b.~;~: Co~f~%~li~x~i~ihg,~t6~er-~ter
sou~atra_~ks"intact. That was beyond"~:~ many.:cemu~eS-ofW-~;-~-tli~M61iav~k,
wonderful. Now, Rhino records has ~ ~Onei~;.Onoiidaga, Cayuga; Seneca; and
released, something score purists have " TuscaroralndianNations.~’Peacemaker’s
desired since-the film came out: The
"Superman". soundtrack, complete, and,
no pun intended, uncut.
Great in that the quality of sound is
incredible for a score recorded in 1978,
great that the record companies are
releasing complete sets ofsoundtrack CDs.
Notso.hot after a listen and the realization
that Williams copying Williams is not
really worth a 2" CD set, because almost
every cue on the two CDs (despite what
the liner notes claim) is almost lifted note
- for.~ note/from Star Wars. Oh a few
sequences are rearranged, but "Luke
Skywa~ker!s~" i.Theme" is clearly
recognizable in one cue, and the original
openingnotesfrom"StarTrek" are audible
in another; in.what one might surmise to
beatributes,Williams borrowing ofthemes
is nothing new;’,many classical references
abound in Star Wars; but to blatantly
borrow so much from oneself is just
lazi~s~’~ ~:of.. li.ke~a~in~;i’~Well, I
don~f~[lik¢i~ri~ti~t,g~~,,w.hat
can r.borrow from the .~,~gltv~l,~ear~
S~n~.~ays,~eco~zes. T0,~,fair,
m~be~h~J~.t d~dd’"~h~,~e-lmucl~ tim.e .~d
that. w~- tiieifio~t practic~i, s01ution~- ai~d
maybe-theirwas why a fully complete
score was never released.
Still, it’ S a pleasant listen, especially if
you recall the thrill of Christopher Reeve
in blue tights and hotpants fondly, as I do.
Who paid attention to the score? I must
say that Rhino has done a fine job on the
remastering; the sound quality is, as I
said, incredible. The packaging is odd,
: Journey isdedicated-to children
¯" everywhere and to th0se striving forpeace
¯¯" betweenpeople andharmonyfor all living things.
¯ Peacemaker’ sJourney tells the storyof
¯ Deganawida and Hiawatha, who smv the
tribes warring ambngst themselVes, and
: sought to bring peace and harmony to the
¯ people~ -Relationships ~etween the tribes
¯" had deteriorated into constant war, blood
: feuds~and revenge killings. In danger of
: self-destruction; the Iroquois were saved
¯ by the sudden appearance ofa Huron h01y
¯" man known as the "Peacemaker."
: Deganawida (Two RiverCurrents Flowing
; TogetheO re.ce~yeda vision from the
¯ Creator of peace’and cooperation among
". all Iroquois.Apparently he was hindered
2 by either.a language or speech difficulty,
:... but :~ganaw,ida~ ~eaxttialty,, w:o~ ~the
¯ support of Hiawatha (.Mionwatha - He ¯
Makes Rivers), an Onondaga who had
~ beeo~n~..~:;Mg~aw.~:~ar~ ~i,ef. With
:: t.h~irfighiiii~Mdjoin i6~th~inale~i~ue.
: ~~end tdiS~fii Degan~widablotted 3ut
: thesun"t;6:~dh~,~il~:tfieS:’,elucima~t;’~,i~oi~r
¯ eclipse, visible ’ih(upstate New York
." occurred in 1451 suggesting another
~ possible¯ d~t~ for these events. The
¯ formalion ofthe League ended the warfare
: between itsmembers bri~ging the Iroquois
: a period of unprecedented peace and
¯ prosperity. It also brought political unity
¯ and military power.
: "Peacemaker’s Journey" will be
~ releasedMarchT, 2000. seeAmuse, p. 11
The University of Tulsa
The Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay & Trans Alliance
presents
ANiOKLAHOMO PROMO 2000
2-’~ightSi.~~di’,~y ~f:C£11~loid Scintillation
B+~n+i’:~,+++~m+~:~+~*~@+~;~;Chi.~olls, and Out of Se~on
Friday, Ma~h 24, 7- I2:0~ midnight
.GOd Shave (he Queen,Watermelon Woman
Indecent Acts: O~car Wilde, Cynam, P~t~ in Motion,
and C~sh
Sunday, March~ 26, 2-7pm
Different for Girls, All Over Me, Under Heal, and
Our Mom’s a Dyke ,.+
Chapman Hall Theater, 2835 East Fifth Street
: -. :’- ~.: (not~the+:Alleri~Chapman~Activity Center)
Eas{ of Delaware Avenue on the University of Tulsa campus.
Please look lL~r rainbow flags to lead you in off Delaxvare Avenue.
¯ Thi+ ex;+fit is offered in +6iijunction withomyn,~&
Hentage-Month. Actlvtt~es.
P!.eg.s,e=,<+c~+ntact,..~g. J~6~s~+~at’ 63.1~:~3 i:!5 to make arrangements
for accessibility, accommodations.
A
Jurnpin ",
Singin " .
Movin"
and Groovin"
Good Time!
Warren Vach4
and the
NEW YORK CITY ALL,STAR BIG BAND
and direct from London!
THE JIVIN’ LINDY HOPPERS
Sunday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m.
Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Chapman Music Hall, 3rd &.Cincinnati
Tickets: $15,-$20, $2S,
*Includes post-performance swing dance
’ Discounts a~aihble ~or~gr6h’p~ and’ ~tudents
Call: 596-7111 or Outside Tulsa:~1-800-364-71il
"Online:.’Rrano.tulsapac.com
Tulsa PerformmgSA~s Center Trust
Holland Hall
SCHOOL
MIDDLE & UPPER SCf-IOOL TESTING (GRADES4 - ll)
PRIMARY SCHOOL TOUR (AC~ 3 - GRADE 3)
PRIMARY SCHOOLTESTING ~qDERGARTEN- GRADE 1)
To reserve your place, please call the
i Admlssi~n Ot~ce at .,t81-1111, exte~i~n 25 t.
5666 E. 8 Ist Stre~J~.~ Bet~eea~le.& Sheridan ~ Tulsa ~ www.hollandhalLorg
HSllatid Hall admits q~lifid’~studm~i ivfit~ ~egard to rat6 sex, religion, national or ethnic origin, or physical disability.
Church,of the Restoration
Unitarian Universalist
11 am, Sunday, 1314 North Greenwood, 587-1314
by Mary Schepers, Do-lt-Yourself-Dyke
There was your DIYD, on her knees,
aching, throbl~ing~-on the verge of tears -
wondering why her mouth says "yes"
when her brain screams "No, no, no!" No,
gentle readers, we are not revie~ving the
DIYD’s-latest forays into courtship, but
~rather her most recent
Volunteereffort to help out
a friend in need. As you
accumulate handy skills
..~and .-become geuerally
perceived as arather useful
indiv:idual, expect to be
asked to help out others.
This is quite fair; after
all, most ofus, your DIYD
included, have accumulated
skills and learned
lessons (someti~nes not
positive ones) from those
who:have helped us on our
ownprojects: Quidpro qu,o
is a conunon currency tn
the world of home
improvement; the student
evolving into the teacher is an apt, and
expected, metaphor. -
" In short,_darlings;give backwhat has so
generously been shared.withyou~Orbegin
ficcumulating favors(that can be repaid
later in yourown moments Ofdire need:It
is common proffer; it is cxpected,~and it’
is honorable, and as sly as your DIYD
may seem, she is absolutely honorable..
Therein lies the.theme; the exemplar.
and the moral of our m0nthlytale. Listen’
closely and ieani from yore DiYD.-And
remember that this is a. cautionary story;
not a vehicle for blame,unlessR is your
poorDIYD’S~ whodidn°taskforsufficient
"There was your
DIYD, on her
knees, aehln~.,
thr0bhi O;on the
ver~e o~ tears -
wonderln$ why
her mouth says
’yes" when her
: infomiation before promising her vast
¯. array ofskills, tools and energy to a friend
: The particulars of die story ,’ire not
~ important. What matters is that a favor
¯¯ was asked of the DIYD - to help lay tile.
¯ Rule number one: if the task at hand is one
that you are not only good at, but have a
particular vanity over,
watch out! You m’e very
susceptible! Alld the
DIYD is the tile and grout
di~’a. Having refitedevery
c6nv~i~tionatstiffaeeinher
liouse, she finds herself
wonderizi~,7 Liii unguarded
moments, whether the
garage or the front porch
could, benefit from the
tasteful application of
ceramic tile. She was, m
fact, ripe for the phscking.
She graciously agreed.
Wlfich brings us to rule
nmnber two: agree on and
set all the parameters
around the proposed
! project befom.taldng it On: For those o,,f
you.whoshudderat theword "bom~dafies,"
¯" find a word thai works, b~t doi t~ al!ddo it
: thoroughly. This not only protec.ts you
~ from unpleasant surPrises, but the party to
i whom you are lending assistance aswelE
Nothing can sour a friendship like an
: ~tmisin4¢rpretedand goneaw.ry. ’
: Both sid~ should knowwhat is expected,
¯ ’ what wil! actually occur, ~hat amount of
¯ dme is involved, how~.much work is
: inv61vht, hoW much each person is.
: responsible for, and~ whatthe fairexchange
will, be. Any changes should be
E comm,tmi.¢ated u~ front:..,., ." _’ .’," "
50 New-Books at the Library
by Barry Hensley
Tulsa City-County Library
Over the last few momhs, .the Tulsa
City-Cotmty Libraryhas acquired dozens
of recent tides of interest to the gay
community. Cheek your local branch
library for these dries, or call the Readers
Services department at 596-7966.
LESBIAN FICTION
Shy Girl by Elizabeth Stark
Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
Hers 3: Brilliant New Fiction by Lesbian
Writers
6th Sense: A Cassidy James Mystery
by Kate Calloway
Bogeywoman: A Novel by Jaimy Gordon
Lost Daughters by J. M. Redmann
November Ever After by Laura Tones
The Other Woman by Ann OiLeary
The Vintage.BookoflnternatiomdLesbian
Fiction
GAY MALE FICTION
Breakfast with Scot by Michae! Downing
Comfort and Joy by Jim Grimsley
Justice at Risk: A Benjamin Justice ~iYnkStSelriypbbyyJoRhintaMCiorregsain,Wilson
Surrender.Dorothy by Meg Wolitzer
Minions of the Moon by Richard Bowes
Capital Queers by Fred Hunter
EveryManfor Himselfby OrlandOudand
His 3: Brilliant New Fiction by Gay
Writers
LESBIAN NONFICTION
The Queen of Whale Cay by Kate
Surmnerscale
TheWhole Truth:A Case ofMurderon the
Appalachian Trail
by H. L. Pohlman
Monologues and Scenes for Lesbian
Actors by CarolynGage-
Janet, My Mother; and Me: A Menloir of
Growing Up by William Murray
Baby Precious Always Shines: Selected
Love Notes by Gertrude Stein
Lesbian Health: Current Assessment and
Directions
My Lesbian Husband: ALandscape ofa
Marriage by Barrie Borich
Hunting the Witch byEllen Hart
ApplesandOranges:MyJourney Through
Sexual Identity I~y Jan Clausen
RestrictedAccess: LeSbians on Disability
To Believe in Womem ’What, Lesbians
Have Done for America by’ Lillian
Faderman
GA~ MALE NONFICTION
How to Survive Your Own Gay L~e
by Pet~ Brass " .
VulgarFavors:Andrew Cunanan,G’ianni "
Versace, and the Largest FailedManhunt
in U S. History by Maureen Orth
Crisis ofDesire by Robin Hardy
Love in A Different Climate
by Jeremy Seabrook
Finding the Boyfriend Within
by Brad Gooch
When It’s Time to Leave Your Lover
by Neil Kaminsky
see Read, p. 1:
by Lamont Lindstrom, Ph.D.
"Faggots !" I was sitting inmy car talking
to my friend Errol when I heard the word.
One of ErroF s cantankerous neighborsno
pal, obviously - had barked at us as he
marched past the car. I didn’t know
whether tO feel outraged or amused. It had
been a long time since anyone "called me a
name, at least publicly. Sticks mad stones,
I thought. And did I really mind being a
faggot anyway?
Still, the hairon my neck Stood up.
Rude slurs are good e~idence of the power
of words. Even-if 0nly symbolic, words
have an ~mpact. Some words ,are deeds.
Linguists study "’speech acts" that shape
or change the world. Utterances like "I
promise, "I apologize," "I resign," or "[I
name you] faggot!" have serious
consequences (as anyone knows who has
been "pronounced" man or wife).
Language can’carry either a positive or
a negative charge. Both sacred speech and
profane speech are dangerous. In many
religions, no one knows the name of god.
Or even where onedo..,e.s; the deity’ s name
is never uttered aloud, Magical words can
change the world. The secret word
"sesame" opens the cave. Abracadabra
pulls the rabbit from the hat. Uttering a
sacred name can have unintended
consequences. You might wake sleeping
gods. It’s safer to steer clear of charged
labels.
A similar sort of ritualized avoidance of
naming characterizes many kinship
systems around the word. Son-in-laws
never pronounce the personal names oftheir
wives’ parents, and .vice versa. In
other societies, brothers and sisters avoid
¯ in public? Who can use which word, and
¯¯ in which context? "Gay" and "Lesbian"
have recently become broadly accepted
¯ terms for homosexuality. Some have also
¯ attempted to revaluate "queer."
Revaluation succeeds when the labeled
¯ themselves embrace a slur as their own,
defusing its negative charge. Thus,"Queer
Theory" is currently being taught in
¯ Ameficau umversities.
Then there’s "faggot." Faggot, as a
negative homos’exual label dates back
¯ onlyto 1910, although it was used as early
¯ as the late 16th century to slur women. In
¯ fact, a number of today’s Gay slurs -
¯ including the term "Gay" itself- were ¯ first applied to women. A "Gay" woman
¯ in 1650 Faagland was a prostitute. Robert
¯ Scott’s Gay Slang Dictionary (online at
http:/!~vww.hurricane.net/.~vizard/
19.htnfl) lists 156 synonyms for"fag" mad
¯ more appear else~vhere in the dictionary.
(Scott also has 37 terms for "Lesbian.")
These include Spmfish-derived’~maricon"
~ and "’pato," French "tapette" (although
¯ pede ~srmss~n~),~dd~sh fe~,ele, and
¯ British/Australian "poofter." Then there
are the more obscure "’cot betty,"
¯ "daffodilly," "fu," "whoopsie boy," and
"uffimay" - "muffie’" in Pig Latin.
~’Faggot,’" unlike "Gay". or "Queer,"
~ still remains impolite. The ~vord is
¯ dangerously profane.. Not many of my
¯ academic colleagues are willing to teach
¯ courses ~in "Faggot Theory." But the profane is always close to the sacred.
." Because of its charge, "faggot" is more
¯ hurtful but also thusmore useful indefining ¯
who and what we are. When we name
¯ each other by the word, we make a strong,
each other’, s names like hot potatoes. ~ pt~blic claim to belong to a shared world
Anthropology suggests" that such ¯ .~oFfaggotry. So, still sitting in ~ny 4,’if; I
"avoidance relations" smooth over areas
of potential social conflict.
Negativel5 charged words are equally
powerful. The profane also carries a
wallop. A curse c,’m kill. The villagers I
lived with in Vanuatu were always fearful
when someone spoke evil of thegn. Even if
someone swore without thinking, in the
heat of an angry moment, the ancestr~fl
ghosts ufight hear and punish the person
who cursed, or the person who ~vas cursed.
or both.
Sociologists of the 1970s formulated
what tlaey called "labeling theory?" They
analyzed the ways in which lal~els, like
faggot, impact both society and the
individual. Socially. an arsenal ofnegative
labels maintains power inequalities. Those
on the bottom of the social ladder shoulder
the brunt of these terms. Individually,
such slurs unavoidably tinge our sense of
who we are. Like muttered curses, they
can harm. Even if we are of the strong,
"words may never hurt us" sort, we still
have to take into account their social
currency:We must respond tO slurs ifonly
to deny their validity and power over us.
Labeling theory in the 1970s particularly
noticed ethnic slurs the N word, the H
word, and all those othe~ lfibels ,that~e
today t66 impolite to say. Dhrin~"~iE last
generation, American speech etiquette
(what socio-linguists call "pragmatics")
has shifted to make use of these labels
hazardous. More recently, the same has
occurred with words like faggot. In a way,
however, new politeness rules give these
words even more power than they once
had, as Errol’ s neighbormay have realized.
There is a politics of labeling here.
Whose words will become the standard
labels - the one everyone safely may use
jnst gave that !@#S% the evil-eye.
But in 1996, at a Gay pride parade in
Providence, R.I., he took the opportunity
to make ,’unends,
"’I stood tip in t¥ont of 3,000 people mad
lnade a public apology to the Gay
couununity aud the two gentlemen who
went to that prom together," Ste~vart said.
"It was very emotional." "
Stewart 1]as been criticized bv some iu
the Gay connnumty for not being more
out froht with his personal relationslfips.
He bristles at that.
"’My personal life is extremely private,"
he said. "People have a lot of gall to
impose their opinions on someone who’ s
trying to make a difference - to tell me
that because I’ ve reached a certain stature,
I have to promote some Gay agenda."
’~¥qaen it comes to being a role model,
Stewart believes it’ s more important to be
a greatmayor than to spotlight his personal
life. "Having-openly Gay elected people
gives us our place at the table mad proves
that we are just as capable as anybody
else," Stewart said. "And it helps change
people’s minds abont how to consider
Gay people in their daily lives. It’s all
about being positive in what you do."
IGTA member
Call341.6866
International
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~EdgarO. Cruz, L.M.T.
¯ Pager: 918-889-5255
Voice Mail: 918-697-9282
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Custom Styling for Men & Women
David Kauskey
3310 E. 51st, 747-0236, Tues.-Fri., 8-5:30, Sat. 8-5pm
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Tulsa Locatioi~s~ - "
2001 S. Garnett, 437-2~.~.~.
3733 S. Memori.,~ 6600344
1216 S. Harvard, 587-1778
Sapulpa Location:
109 N. Mission, 227-2322
Meet Local
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@Origin. 18+. Additional features from 67
!n April of this year the "Warrior in Two
Worlds" documentary will air nationally
on PBS. Keep an eye open for the exact
time and date in your area. This is a
compelling story of Eli Parker, a Seneca
Chief and a Union general in the Civil
War. Joanne wrote the sound track.
It is a nice thing to wish for peace and
harmony among peoples; I wonder if it
will ever happen. One can only hope thal
_ Deganawida will come alo~ag and help
create a word that engenders harmony
among differing peoples. Maybe then there
will be no more Gay bashing, lynching,
genocide... Sometimes, with news of
another Matthew Shepard-like case
-coming along once a week, it’s hard to
believe any change is occurring. Yet, I
watch TV, and see Will and Grace, and
many other shows that have or feature
Gay/Lesbian characters, I see films that
are about Gay folk even showing here in
the crotch of the bible belt (Beautiful
Thing, for instance) and can see a
difference. Because when I grew up, the
onlyimage I had ofGay folk were the man
mentioned in the book on birds and bees
my parents gave me at 14 - published in
1945 - that stated homosexuals were men
who hung around playgrounds in trench
coats offering you candy. I remember
thinking - in a rare moment when I wasn’t
busy suppressing, repressing and denying
- that that was what I had to look forward
to? That’s what I was? Ick. And the news
at the time, if Gay folk were mentioned at
all, "was nothing but images of the most
whacked out, far out people on the planet.
Lovely.
Now, kids have it much easier. Is it
paradise? No. Obviously not, and there
are people who are very much fighting to
prevent growth and understanding, and
raising monsters all around us. As Melissa
Etheridge wrote in her song "Scarecrow"
on the albttm "Breakdown": "’We all gasp
’this can’t happen here’, we’re all much
too civilized, where can these monsters
hide?’" She answers: "But they are
knocking on our front door, They’re
rocking in our cradles, They" re preadfing
in our churches, And eating at our tables."
And she’s absolutely right; that’s exactly
where they are. The boogeymen are out
there; and occasionally they do get you. In
another song on the same album, she
writes: "There is no marc, There are no
secrets, We all begin this race at the start,
But I have come this farWith a truth of the
heart. Deep down inside I think we’re all
the same. Try not to judge someone And
never shame. I do bdieve that people are
good. They just want hope and respect
And to be understood. Sometimes it hard
sometimes it’s strange But the truth of the
heart is people can change"
And this is true; I’ve seen it happen. Far
too infrequently, but it can happen. And
that’s the hope that can feed the fire of
change, andkeepus going whenit gets too
much. And it does feel that way,
sometimes. I had gotten to that point, after
seeing the internal strife within the
communities, as well as from outside.
How can we hope to change the world
when we can’t even agree amongst
ourselves? I’ d certainly decided it wasn’ t
worth an effort. Butmy best friend Karin,
aftermany years ofcomplainingabout the
world, has finally taken steps. To at least
make an attempt. And her doing so has
reignited a flame within me. And if that
spark might ignite another, then perhaps
the tamers of the world can unite. And
thus is hope reborn, like a phoenix frown
the ashes. And the world has changed; it is
so much easier tocome out earlier. There’ s
less a chance ofsomeone being afraid that
they’re the only one - like I did, There
were no role models. There were no out
Gay folk that I could talk to. There were
few resources available even at.the library,
unless it was reinforcement of the writing
in that booklet morn and dad gave me.
Thanks to the folks who were willing to
come together and fight and be,,,~ocal ~md
out when it was much more dangerous to
do so, the younger Gay folk do have
options we older folk didn~ t have. For thai
reason alone, the fight must continue. So
get involved, even if it’s coming out to
someone youhaven’ t yet. The only way to
dispel the lies and misi~ffonnation of the
radically wgong is to present ourselves as
we are - hmnan beings. That h~s done
more to change folks around me tha_u all
the marching and worn out footwear in
the world. And what is it that we all seek,
really? Not sex; and people who think
that’s what it’s all about are just plain
wrong. Tell them so. It’ s about the right to
love without being discriminated against.
And if they give you guff about that, just
tell them what author Lynn Flewelling
told me: Love is love.
Tuesday, June 6th, an art exhibit,
"United" will openandonThursday, June
8th, there will be a film night. Locations
and times will be announced later.
For more information about these
events, call the Gay Community Services
Center at 743-4297 (Gays). Groups who
want to enter a float in the parade are
encouraged to attend the float clinic on
March 11 from 1-4pro at the Center.
Gay Men’s Friendships: Invincible
Cotnmunities
by Peter Nardi
The Elusive Embrace: Desire and the
Riddle ofldentity
by Daniel Mendelsolm
Prayer Warriors by Stuart Howell Miller
Widescreen Dreaths : Growing Up Gay at
the Movies
by Patrick Horrigan
Victory Deferred: How AIDS Changed
Gay Life in America ¯ by Johi~-Manual Andriote
; OF INTEREST TO EVERYONE
¯ Gay Parents/Straight Schools: Building
¯ Comnfftnication attd Trust
by Virginia Casper
¯ Witness to Revolution: The Advocate
¯ Reports on Gay and Lesbian Politics
¯¯ 4 Steps to Financial Securityfor Gay attd
Lesbian Couples
¯ by Harold Lustig
Multicultural Detective Fiction: Murder
¯ from the Other Side
Outon Stage: Lesbian andGay Theatre in
". the Twentieth Century
¯ by Alan Sin.field ¯
TheQueerSixties by PatriciaJuliana Smith
¯
Gaylaw: Challenging the Apartheid of
¯ the Closet
¯ by William Eskridge
: To Be Continued, Take Two
i by Michele Karlsberg
Disidentifications: Queers of Color and
¯ the Performance ofPolitics ¯
by Jose Munoz
"- SomethingInside: Conversations with Gay
¯ Fiction Writers
CouNCiL oak meN’S c or<aLe
presents
an~eclectic mix.of.choral.literature ranging from Baroque to Broadway,
from pop classics of the ’50s and ’60s to a bawdy sea chantey
aod an American Folk song featuring the Green Country Cloggers.
Friday and Saturday, April 7 & 8, 2000 at 8pm
Williams Theatre, Tulsa Performing Arts Center
(reception following)
Tickets: PAC box office, 596-7111 in Tulsa,
1,800-364-7111 or online at www,tulsapac.com
council oak a fellowship of gay men dedicated to musical excellence in
the performnnce of choral literature:, providing a source ot"
pride, unity, and support, w;h{]e presenting a positive image
for ourselves, our community, and society as a whole.
FOR MORE INFORMATION about the council oak me~’s Cl~oI~aLe and its parent organization,
the non-profit Vocal Pride Foundation,visit our award-winning website at www.counciloak.org.
Original Format
The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
newspaper
periodical
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
[2000] Tulsa Family News, March 2000; Volume 7, Issue 3
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation toward Tulsa’s Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual communities.
Description
An account of the resource
Tulsa Family News was a monthly newspaper; No. 1 issued December 1993-January 1994. The final issue available was published in September 0f 2001 (Volume 8, Issue 9).
The newspaper brings up important, evolving topics of marriage, Pride, TOHR, HIV/AIDs, events, advice, and politics all at the local and national level.
This document is available in searchable PDF attached. It is also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Tulsa Family News
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/24
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Tom Neal
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
March 2000
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
James Christjohn
Barry Hens;ey
J.P. Legrandbouche
Lamont Lindstrom
Esther Rothblum
Mary Schepers
Rights
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Tom Neal/Tulsa Family News
Relation
A related resource
Tulsa Family News, February 2000; Volume 7, Issue 2
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Tulsa(Oklahoma)---newspaper
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https://history.okeq.org/items/show/598
adoption
AIDS
AIDS research
aMUSEments
arts and entertainment
Barry Hensley
Bars
Bill Clinton
businesses
churches
civil unions
Community Center
Council Oak Men's Chorale
Dave Fleischer
Diversity celebration
Do-It-Yourself-Dyke
domestic partners
Gay marriage
gay politicians
Gay Studies
Greg Louganis
Harmonic Diversity
hate crimes bill
HIV
HIV testing
homophobia
injection site
Jesse Jackson
Jim Christjohn
Karin Gregory
Lamont Lindstrom
lesbian survey
marriage equality
Mary Schepers
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
performing arts
PFLAG
Pride
Raging Lesbian
Read All About It
restaurants
The Laramie Project
Tom Neal
Tulsa Family News
violence
youth
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Bishop.Spong Retires
TEANECK, N.J. (AP) - Bishop John Spong, an
outspoken supporter of the ordination of Gays and
women, and blessings of same-sex unions in the
Episcopal church, retired in January as head of the
Diocese of Newark. Spong, 68, celebrated one of his
final services as bishop at the Glenpointe Marriott
ballroom before hundreds of guests. His successor will
be John Croneberger.
Since his elevation to bishop in 1976, Spong has
raised eyebrows and blood pressures for his beliefs_
ranging from women becoming priests to supporting
same-sex marriages to the ordination of openly Gay
ministers. ButSpong, a native of Charlotte, N.C. who
speaks with the slightest ac~ut, left the diocese with
few words of controversy. "It’sjust the next stage ofmy
life," said Spong. .’,.
"Basically, I’ve been a bishop, but also an author and
lecturer," he said. "But in all ofmy ordained life, it was
participating in movements of people who’ve been
diminished in society, like people of color and Gays,
that the church has diminished where I’ve worked."
Among those present at Friday’s 126th annual
convention of the Diocese of Newark were the Rev.
Richard HollowayofEdinburgh; ~.-~- - See Spong~.p.lO
Southwest Air Adds, Non-
Discrimination Policies
DALLAS - Southwest Airlines has amended its nondiscrimination
and anti-harassment policies to include
sexual orientation, according to Chief Executive Herb
Kelleher.
The move, announced Jan. 24, came after a spate of
alleged anti-Gay harassment at the airline, which led
some Southwest employees to raise safety concerns.
The tensions boiled over when Southwest Airlines’
Pilots’ Associationpublished ahomophobicletterfrom
one of its members in its December newsletter.
The letter, by Capt. Gary S. Ward, urged Kelleher to
reject calls for the airline to provide domestic partner
benefits saying, ’Will therebeaneedto hireadepartment
to check on who is shackin..e, t~p with whom?" The
newsletterinstructedpilots to write theirownlettersand
deliverthemto their SWAPArepresentativefordeftvcry
to Kelleher.
Dean Hervochon, vice president of the Transport
Workers Union Local 556 representing Southwest’s
flight attendants, said the publication "institutionalized
homophobia" and created a hostile work environment
that "could jeopardize the safety of all persons on the
aircraft." "If the front doesn’t talk to the back of the
airplane, you’ve got a problem," Hervochon told
WorkAlert.
Kelleher and leaders of sWAPA and TWU met Jan.
17 to discuss how to respond.TWUrepresentatives also
pressed Kelleher to add sexual orientation to the antiharassment
andnon-discriminationpolicies. Meanwhile,
the vice presidents for flight operations and in-flight
services along with SWAPA and TWU officials sent a
letter Jan. 20 to flight attendants and pilots attempting to
defusethe situation. Howcver, Gayemployees criticized
the letter as inadequate and for using objectionable
language, such as "lifestyle choices."
Then Kelleher announced the change in company
policy in a letter to all Southwest Airlines employees.
"Forsomeyears, I have explidfly declined toamendour
anti-harassment and see SWAir, p. 10
" Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual + Transgendered Tulsans, Our Families .+ Friends
Tulsa’s Largest Circulation CommunityP~perA~vailable In More Than 75. City Locations
!Teachers Credit Union: No
:-Loan for Lesbians as Couple
: Credit Union AskedAuto Dealer If They Were Gay
¯ TULSA- WhenTheresaandJoanWrightwenttoTulsaTeachers
" Credit Union, they just wanted a car loan. The women are
: expecting their second child and had found a van.at a local auto
: collection. And since they have shared checking and savings
accounts at Tulsa Teachers Credit Union, and good credit, they
: naturally went there, expecting that getting a loan would be
: relafivd~ painless. "
.i.~ ~Wlmt they experienced they say, however, was hurtful and
~; dUenmioenan(riInTgC. U,A)c, cnoortdoinnlgytroeftuhseedWtoriegvhatlsu,aTteutlhsaemTeaascahceoruspCler,eid.ei.t
: basing alOan!on their combined income but someone from the
: creditunion evencalled theauto dealershipaskingifthedealership
: staff"knew they were Gay?"
¯ And the Wrights characterized the behavior of their loan
officer, Sandy Roth as very rude, particularly about the issue of
: evaluating their joint income for loan purpose. Roth refused to
¯ look at their joint income saying it was because they are not
". married.
In contrast to Tulsa Teachers Credit Union, a loan officer at
i Tulsa Municipal Employees Credit Union stated that they accept
¯ unmarried couples withcombinedhouseholds as loan applicants,
: noting that she’d assisted at least two Lesbian and two Gay
: couples with loans.
¯ Bank of Oklahoma stated that they had not always accepted
: couples whose relationships were not legally recognized but that
: they now do so. And a senior officer at Spirit Bank encouraged
¯ Lesbian.and Gay couples to apply with her bank, noting that
: Spirit Bank would not tolerate anti-Lesbian or Gay bias.
." Theresa Wright noted that Ms. Roth refused even to look her
: in the eye when she went in to sign the loan papers. The Wrights
: noted that the dealership, in contrast to the credit union, was very
¯ nice, and that irwas the manager assisting them in purchasing
¯ their new vehicle, who said, "I’m just going to say something.
: Your bank called and wanted to know the nature of .your
: re!ationship-are they Gay?" Heassuredthemthathis organization
¯¯ welcomed everyone and also had Gay people working for it. Ms. Rpth’s su_l~’visor-at TI’CU, David Snyder refused to
comm~h~ and ref~ed’~ to Chuck Reed, ~ see Credit,p. 10
¯ TulsaPFLAG & TOHRmembersmarchedfor thefirst time in the ¯
Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Parade in January.
TOHR Receives a. $10k Grant
i TULSA-Inmid-December, TulsaOklahomasforHumanRights
¯ (TOHR) received a $10,000 grant from the Colin Higgius
: Foundation. Thegrantis for the Tnlsa Gay Community Services
: Center programming, marketing and development expansion
¯ project. Specific goals of the project include the production and
: distribution of a ommttnity referral guide, the enhancement of
_" Lesbian Connection- a program that encourages increased
: involvementfromthewomenofourcommunity, and anexpanded
¯¯ Pride 2000 Festival.
The marketing and development aspects of the project will
focus on enhanced communication and media inaterial as well as
¯ increased membership and volunteer involvement.
: The Colin Higgins Foundation is based in San Francisco,
: California. Colin Higgins,screenwriter, director and producer,
: established the Foundation in 1986. Mr. Higgins is remembered
¯ for his remarkable human comedies, including Harold and
: Maude, Silverstreak, Foul Play and Nine To Five.
: He created the Foundation in order to further his humanitarian
: goals. OneoftheFoundation’smainprioritiesistoempowerGay
menand Lesbiansby supporting community-based organizations
: that combat homophobia and foster leadership.
: TOHRdirectors indicated thatitis honored to receive thegrant
: and that they have ambitious goals for 2000 and beyond.
New Pastor Leads at
Tulsa’s MCC-United
¯ TULSA - After a number of months with an
¯ interim pastor, Oklahoma’s oldest extant Lesbian
¯ andGayorganization, theMetropolitanCommunity
¯ Church United (MCCU), has a new pastor, the
¯ ReverendCathy l~liott, whojoinedthecongregation
¯ at theend of 1’999.
¯ Elliott,grewupin themidwest, butcame toTulsa
¯ from Florida where she was invoIved with two
: Metropolitan Community Churches in the MCC
Fellowship. However, prior to working in Florida,
¯ she served a Congregation in-Rochester, New York
¯ and some years ago, was associated with the MCC
¯ in Little Rock.
Like many MCC pastors, Elliott came to the
¯ MCC Fellowship through a winding path, having
¯ become more serious about her faith while at
university. There, she joined a church that was
¯ theologically evangelical, but after a fe~v years, as
¯ sheacknowledgedbring Lesbian, she foundherself
¯ becoming involved in an MCC that was about 40
miles away. Anditwas fromthis initial association,
: that her calling to the ministry came.
¯ In a recent interview with TFN, Elliott praised
¯ theworkhernew congregationhaddoneinmerging
¯ the formerly two separate churches, MCC-Greater
¯ Tulsa and Family of Faith MCC. As she and they
¯ havebeguntobecomeacquainled, thecongregation
¯ is looking at how they will grow, spiritually and
otherwise.
¯ Some members of the congregation .have also
¯ become involved in a serious social action
¯ organization, called Soul Force. The group was
¯ founded by MCC pastor and writer, the Reverend
¯ Mel White. White, who once wrote for anti-Gay
¯ evangelical such as Jerry. Falwell, modeled Soul
¯ Force on the theories of non-violent confrontation
" for social .change of Martin Luther King, Jr. and
¯ MahatmaoGhandi.
see Elliott, p. 11.
¯ Marriage Is Civil-Rights
"Issue Says Vermonter
: MONTPELIER,Vt. (AP)-One ofthemostpainful
: things about figuring out he was Gay as a teen-ager
¯ was coming to the realization that he would never
: get married and have a family. Ed Flanagan came
¯ from an Irish-Catholic family, one of five kids,
: "four straight and one Gay," he says. His fatherhad
: an alcohol problem and"the end resnlt was that we
¯ childrenwerevery, very closein terms ofsupporting
: each other to get through that environment." His
: relationships with his brother and three sisters
: "have been very crucial in terms of all of the five of
: us surviving and flourishing," Flanagan said. "It’s
¯ a very strong presence that we all feel with one
: another and a source of important emotional
¯ support."
Trying to find a place within the Gay comrmmity
: ofthe 1960s and ’70s wasn’t easy for someone with
: such strong family ties. "That culture back then did
¯ not accommodate the id_ea,,o,f family," he said in an
interview this past week. In the midst of the Gay
: culture I felt Very alien, for that reason and others."
: Now that culture is changing, it’s "becoming more
¯ family-oriented, and longer-term relationships are
¯" becoming more prevalent," Flanagan said. And
¯ state law appears to be changing, too.
¯ Today, Flanagan sees a future in which getting
married, perhaps even being aparent, may become
: options forhimandotherGaysandLesbians. There
." may be an oasis on the horizon for people who have
¯ wandered much of their lives in an emotional
: desert. And as the first and still only openly Gay
¯ man in the country to hold a statewide elective
: office, Flanagan believes he might be in the right
¯ time- the dawn of a new millennium - and place -
". Vermont - to help bring that future about. ’~l’his is
: the course ofhistory inVermont. Here it is andhere
: I am," he said.
Fromthe windows oftheoffice 6fstate auditorof
: accounts, see Ed, p. 11
Tulaa Cluba & Reataumnta
*Chasers, 4812 E. 33
*CTg’s, 1737S. Memorial
*Full Moon Cafe, 1525 E. 15th
*Gold Coast Coffee House, 3509 S. Peoria
-*The Mix, 2630 E. 15th
712-2324 :
610-5323 :
583-6666.
749-4511 :.
749-1563 ~
*Polo Grill, 2038 Utica Square 744-4280 ¯
*St. Michael’s Alley Restaurant, 3324-L E. 31st- 745-9998
*Silver Star. Saloon, 1565 Sheridan
834-4234
~The Storm, 21,82S, Sheridan
835-2376
*Renegades/iRainbowRoom, 1649 S: Main-
585-3405
.~Tdrl-’ BOX, 1338~13.>3ra ~° : :: : :: :’"~84~ l~3"0g "
~ ~ ’:r ,TUl~a BUsinesses, Services, & Professionals ~:
Advanced WireleSs & PCS, Digital Cellular- .. 74%1508
*Assoc. in Med. &Mental Health, 2325 S.Harvard 743-1000
Kent Balch & Associates, Health& Life Insurance 747-9506
*Barnes &Noble Booksellers, 8620 E. 71
250~5034
*Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 523 1 E. 41
665-4580
Body Piercing by Nicole, 2722 E. 15
. 712=1122.
*Borders Books & Music, 2740 E. 21
712-9955
*Borders Books & Music, 8015 S. Yale -
494-2665
Brookside Jewelry, 4649 S. Peoria
*CD Warehouse, 3807c S. Peoria .
Cherry St Psy_cho~eralff, 1,51~5 S,. Lew*s .581-trot
Community Cleamng, heruy tsager ;,~....., onK-~-~
Tim Daniel, Attorney 33z-~tr*, ~....-~
*Deco to Disco, 3212 E. 15th
*Devena’s Gallery, 13 Brady
749-3620
587-2611
744-5556
838:8503
584-0337, 7i2-9379
592-O460
Doghouse on Brookside, 3311 S. Peoria
*Elite Books & Videos; 821 S. Sheridan
*Ross Edward Salon
Events Unlimited, 507 S. Main
*Floral Design Studio, 3404 S. Peoria
Four Star Import Automotive, 9906 E. 55th PI.
Cathy Fmlong, Ph.D., 1980 Utica Sq. Med. Ctr.
Gay & Lesbian Affordable Daycare
*Gloria Jean’s Gourmet Coffee, 1758 E. 21st
I_eanne M. Gross, Insurance & financial planning
Mark T. Hamby, Attorney
*Sandra J. Hill, MS, Psychotherapy~ 2865 E. Skelly
*International Toms ¯
Jacox Animal Clinic, 2732 E. 151h
*Jared’s Antiques, 1602 E. 15th
David Kauskey, Country Club Barbering
The Keepers, Housekeeping & Gardening
*Ken’s Flowers, 1635 E. 15
Kdly Kirby, CPA, 4021 S. Harvard, #210
*Living ArtSpace, 19 E. Brady
*Midtown Theater, 319 E. 3rd
Mingo Valley Flowers, 9720c E. 31
*Mohawk Music, 6157 E 51 Place
Puppy Pause II, 1060 S. Mingo
*The Pride Store, 1307 E. 38, 2rid floor
Rainbowz on the River B+B,POB 696,74101
Richard’s Carpet Cleaning
744-9595 ¯
610-0880 -
628-3709 :
8O8-8O26
742-1460
459-9349
744-7440
745-1111
341-6866
712-2750
582-3018
747-0236
582-8460
599-8070
747-5466
585-1234
584-3112
663-5934
664-2951
838-7626
743-4297
747-5932
834-0617
Teri Schutt, Rex Realtors
*Scribner’s Bookstore, 1942 Utica Square
Paul Tay, Car Salesman
*Tulsa Comedy Club, 6906 S. Lewis
Venus Salon, 1247 S. Harvard ~
Fred Welch, LCSW, Counsding
*Wherehouse Music, 5150 S. Sheridan
*Whittier News Stand, 1 N. Lewis
834-7921,747-4746
749-6301
260-7829
481-0558
835-5563
743-1733
665-2222
592-0767
Tulsa Agencies, Churches, Schools & Universities
AIDS Walk Tulsa, POB 4337, 74101
579-9593
All Sods Unitarian Chmch~ 2952 S. Peoria
743-2363
Black & White, Inc. POB 14001, Tulsa 74159 "
587-7314’
Bless The Lord at All Times Christian Center, 2207 E. 6
583-7815
*B/L/G/T Alliance, Univ. of Tulsa United Min. Ctr.
583-9780
*Chamber of Commerce Bldg., 616 S. Boston
585-1201
~Chapman Student:Ctr.; University of Tulsa, 5th P1. & Florence
*Church of the Resto~ationUU, 1314N.Greenwood 587-1314
,C.-ommunity ofHopeUnitedMethodist, 2545 S" Yale 747-6300
,CommunityUnitafian-Universalist Congregation
749-0595
Council Oak Men’s Chorale
748-3888
*Delaware Playhouse, 1511 S. Delaware
712-1511
*Democratic Headquarters, 3930 E. 31
742-2457
Dignity/Integrity of Tulsa- Lesbian & Gay Catholics &
Episcopalians, POB 701475, 74170-1475
355-3140
*Fellowship Congre,g. _Church, info" 58%4669
*Free SpiritWomen s Center, cm " 747-6827
Friend For A Friend, POB 52344, 74152
918.583.1248, fax: 583.4615
POB 4140, Tulsa, OK74159
e-mail: TulsaNews@earthlink.net
Publisher + Editor: " "
Tom Neal
Writers + contributors:
James Christjohn, Barry H~nsley, J.-P. Legrandbouche,
Lamont Lindstrom, .Esther Rothblum, Mary Schepers ~..
Member of The Associated Press :
Issued on or before’the 1st~af,cach~m0nth,-the enUre~contents.;
of this publication: ar6 ptrt~t&l?l~tda:~yrightl~~
T~( F~,~ N~~ ~fid may ~6t~ ~q~oducetl’,~ ~:
wholeorin partwithoutwritten~Ssionfromth~publisli&:.
Publication of a name or photo does not indicate a person’s
sexual orientation. Correspondence is, assumed to be. for
publication unless otherwise noted, must be signed& becomes
the sole property of T~J.~~Nc~u÷ ~acli reader
is entitled to 4 copies of each edidon at ,distribution
points. Additional copies are available by calling 583-1248.
" Gay Pro Lifers March On
¯ Onjanuary24,2000,about20members
:of the Pro-Life Alliance of Gays .and
: Leshi.ans. (PLAGAL). did an am.P_y~ng
:,~ at the annual Marcia ior Lit-e protesung
:. the Roe vs. Wade decision on its
i nnniversary despite being .tl~¯cate_n.e.d
.: March told PLAGAL that they~.~uta no_
¯ march, s~n,,c~_, they. ,,w,ere Gay.-Now, if
:. PLAGAL closet’ed themsd~ andjust
....~9A%~e’Righ.t to t~te MarCH, an
oth groups,_w, eaUow t0.ma@be,. hind
~: b:~nners- refl~tingtheir various eiamcnes,
: organizations or states but if.PLAGA~
¯ m~mbers carried its banner, they woma
". be arrested and thrown in jail.
¯¯ This being known at the annual
PLAGALmeefngontheeveofthemarch,
" members decided to risk being arrested.
"_ After all, they reasoned it would be
hypocritical ffPLAGALhid at the March
,FHufiieVndEsRinCUennitteyr,S4o1c3ia8lCOhrags.,.PPaOgBeB85lv4~2a, 174101 - -558832--60641318 .:~ .fhoarrdLtiofebewinhcelnudfoerdoypeearnslytihnepyrifdoeuegvhetnstos
:Tulsa C.A.R:E.S., 3507 E. Admi
834Z4194 : ~-indparadeswithinitsowncommunity.in
Holland Hall School, 5666 E. 81st " 481-1111 ." addition, if PLAGAL bowed to the
HOPE, HIV Outreach, Prevention,.E~_u__ca~on _ 83~8378 : 0ressmesimposedbytheorganizers, they
*House of the Holy Spirit Miustries, 3?~l,0e,,S,~%Nff~rw~oo~ 2437 .. : ~do the Gay ~)mmunity no, g.oqd..
lnt,~fslth IDSMinistries ’ ~..~6-/~-I,DI, OUU-~.~’I-z¢’~, ... By.not marching, they would be
~’l~"~mA’ted,i623 N, Maplewood - .: g ~8-~~ ~
ac~nowiedging that is was fight t~o hate
I~AMES Project,3507 E. Ad_mi,ml_ ~PI,: ..... ~, ~,~a~_~.~ ¯ and this would be a backward step.
NOW, Nat’lOrg. forWomen~POB lqotas, t,H3y :)to-o,, :. PLAGAL members do not want to be
OK Spokes Club ~cyding), FOB 9i65, 74157 . excluded from the Gay community just
*OSU-Tulsa . "
PFLAG, FOB 52800, 74152
749-4901 -
*Harmed parenthood, 1007 S. Peoria 58%7674 :
Prime-Timers, P.O. Box 52118, 74152
*R.A.I.N., Regional AIDS Interfaith Network
~ 749-4195
*Red Rock Mental.Center, 1724 E. 8
584-2325 ."
.O’RYAN, support group for 18-24 LGBT young adults :
O’RYAN, ~r. support group for 14-17 LGBT youth "
St. Aid,art’s Episcopal Chinch, 4045N. Cincinnati 425-7882
S,, r~,,-~tan’s EniScoval, 5635 E. 71st
492-7140 "
~t.Jer~--~me’s P~arish ~hurch, 205 W. King 582-3088 "
*Tulsa Area United Way, 1430 S. Boulder 583-7171
*TNAAPP (Native American men), Indian Health Care 582-7225
?ulsa County Health Department, 4616 E. 15 595-4105
Confidential HIV Testing - by appt. on Thmsdays only
Tulsa Olda. for HumanRights, c/o The Pride Center 743-4297
T.U.L.S.A. Tulsa Uniform/Leather Seekers Assoc.
298-0827
*Tulsa City Hall, Ground Floor Vestibule
*Tulsa Community College Campuses
*~ulsa Gay Comn;unity Center, 1307 E. 38, 74105 743-4297
Unity Churchof Christianity,3355 S. Jamestown 749-8833
BARTLESVILLE
*Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone 918-337-5353
OKLAHOMA CITY/NORMAN
*Borders Books &Music, 3209NWExpressway 405-848-2667
*Borders Books & Music, 300 Norman Center 405-573-4907
TAHLEQUAH
*Stonewall League, call for information:
918-456-7900
*Tahlequah Unitarian-UniversalistChinch
918-456-7900
*Green Country AIDS Coalition, POB 1570 918-453-9360
NSU School of Optometry, 1001N. Grand
HIVtesting every other Tues. 5:30-8:30, call for dates
EUREKA SPRINGS,~ARKANSAS " -
Autumn Breeze Restamant, Hwy. 23
*Jim & Brent’s Bistro, 173 S. Main
DeVito’s Restamant, 5 Center St.
Emerald Rainbow, 45 &l/2 Spring St.
MCC of the Living Spring
Geek to Go!,~ PC Specialist, FOB 429
Old Jailhouse Lodging, 15 Montgomery
Positive Idea Marketing Plans
Sparky’s, Hwy. 62 East
White Light, 1 Center St.
JOPLIN, MISSOURI
*Spirit of Christ MCC, 2639 E. 32, Ste. U134
501-253-7734 "
501-253-7457 "
501-253-6807 ¯
501-253-5445
501-253-9337
¯
501-253-2776 "
501-253~5332
501-624-6646 ¯
501-253-6001 "
501-253-4074 "
417-623-4696
* is where you can find TFN. Notall are Gay-owned butallare Gay-frlendly.
becameoftheirpro-lifebeliefs andvalues, ~okmewise, they do want to be excluded
the pro-life communityjustbecause
they are Lesbian and Gay. Therefore,
despite the threats, PLAGALappegr,ex]_at
themarch,andwhenthepolicebamcaneu
. them. PLAGAL .members maneuvered.
around the police and entered the parade
further up the street marching under their
banner with the word "censored" taped
across so everyone would know what the
vords were underneath. Their decision to
ignorethearrestthreatsfromtheorganizers
was noted in The Washington Post, The
Washington Times, and several others
news publications throughoutthe counlry.
Themajority ofGays and Lesbians may
not share the briefs ofPLAGAL,but the~
shouldbeproud ofthis small group within
its community. PLAGAL’s presence was
a step toward bridging the gap between
those individuals and the Gay community
as a whole.
At the end of the march, members of
FemtmstforLife , Colleg~ates for Life ,
Catholic priests and bishops, and others
from all walks of life and religions
congratulated and thanked PLAGAL.
see Letters, p.8
An nouncements Policy
Tulsa Family News will provide space
for holy union ceremony, marriage
ceremony, birth, adoption~ .and death
announcements ona space availablebasis.
Photos are welcome, though we cannot
promise placement o~r ,re~ttEn ~e~, so
please send copies to I utsa ~ amtty ~vews,
POB 4140, Tulsa 74159. ~
¯ ~. Letters Policy :~’
i" Tulk~’Fam@ News welcomes letters
0~ issfi~:,which we’ve covered or~on
issues you think need to be considered.
You may request that your name be withheld
but letters must be signed & have
phonenumbers, or be hand ddivered. 200
word letters are preferred. Letters to other
publications will be re-printed as is
appropriate.
byChristoptterGraff " ~ Solawmakers arefaced withadivision thatis widening
¯ !dONTPF.l.lP.R, Vt,(AP)-DonnaLescoeofStarksb°r° ¯ atatime they are looking for .~...useus~s_;ReP.- T~o~. Little,
: had a simple message for legislators when she testified the chairman of the.HouseJudidary COmm;ttee, ls aman
,,onGaymmriage."Beheroes~" ~ who has a keen ability to fmd commonground and to
lawmakers tohavethe courage toextendi¯ stitch together=. divisions, He Js -a Repubfican who : the nmrriage laws tOincludeGays¯ and Lesbians. , commandS’.re.speCt.from-b.oth par.fies~:~But he seetmhaend
,r :, -~ ,,,~h, SO simule It is hard to be a hero , frustrated this past. week by the w~demng rather
bv Tom Neal, puoltflg,r & eaztor .... . u ~t ~,~,. ,~ v _:.. ..... ¯ ¯ . ohab y most non-Gry O @Oma : i .".es,the o ti=.rew.lawmakers
they had no Lesbian orGcoa:ynstfl.uents.. wmlesomeoi *_..m°nmemlle’mmma-,em. vm,.~°~-nsare.s°ucmP.".........
_,. mp ..-...~
. " w~’lling to casts: vote that
them aresimply bigots, many of them know that they- . looked _li~..e .anything bu.~....... . ouldbothdrlast.Nomatter
oughtto:~be mpportive of basic.civil fights for Gay "- heroe~ folio.wt~.g a re~,,.m " ’~f’k,, ~-~..!. f~ogn6 lavcmaker~ ~. - l~nw stron~ the evidence that
........ " " " ¯ Ilk UUIIC aaa,o ..~.~ .~--~- .~
~aUzens.’But they are scared that,treating Gay people Tuesday__ mg P, . _ _
¯ ,. " . ¯ " ’, , . " " ¯ " .. " * "
~..,faidy. ..w..a.l.l so, mc,e,nse. othvegr te:rs~.. that they., are=oft.m__:..., _h-.~,g~!tgo~-a.~a-~.t ....... not ea@-. It ~s nothln~ less dmiedthdr dviln~ghts;~t~s
~.~lhdistta~ttishfibt~ fr0in Oldalaoma R~publicans. ,,-~ ~ ~ ....shell’sn,°q~cm-a~Y-~ ~ : ~ ./ !* ..../ ....L .... - t...a f~ra leoislator to cast a
¯will be~ deaded 0n TU~da.y;Match 14th. Some 0f,the " them9bPere:!lapfs noeverr e. o[ Freedomand Unlt-~. firestormot races are dfeetivdy settled (Brady Pringledoes~have a i have .1..~0,l~.!e att_~dyd
Democratic oppon~eatbut in thai~ heavily Republican . a pum~c nearing at me " How to ~ve Gays and Lesbians :polls in November.
district, it likely doesn’t matter), but others ~ar~.. still : Statehouse.Andthenumber
unsettled. " - ~ ¯ ~ " : ¯ would have been thousands
Of particular interestto TulSa’s Lesbian and Gay - moreifasnowstormhadnot
commlmities is Cound! District 4 .for which former ~ kept many away.
.~ Yes, eye.one who spoke
And even if lawmakers
tl~elr ~xlom an~l yet preserve tl~e craft a package extending to
unity at the state~
Gays and Lesbians benefits
such as having a say in the
It is the stm~ heroes are madeo[." medical decisions of, their
incumbent Gary W~tts ischallengingcurrentincumbent parmers;theyknow therewill
Anna Falling. While _.Gay and ~tiian households a~ - wascivil.Butthecivilitydid
foundthroughont thedty~-thisdistri¢t,mosflyMidtown, ; not mask the passion: Or the division. The tremors in " be a vote on the.floor on same-sex marriage - and that
is. easily the most. heavily Gaylone.of the..dt~ For_ ~ people’s voices, a mixture of nerves .and emotion, spoke - tally, no matter what the outcome, will beused in .the fall
examp!e,jnstonornextttlny_v~;shortbloek~thereare " volumes about-the depths of feeling.~ What became " elections. " Following .the hearing it seemed m the
at least six Gay families2 . i-.~~ ~. - ,.. -. :. apparent’at theheming is thatthe two sides are moving : Statehouse timt lawmakers would like to f’md a way to
. One could argue, of course, that- Ms~ Fallingrs very -- fresher aparL - avoidany voteonthis issue this year.Theideaofcreating
nubile lan.qe., in oood iudoment onnon-Gav issues (win ~-" WhentheSupr_em~eC.o.urtissuedi~.~be.r.idec.i.’s.ion :.a special com~!ssio.n .to .craft. a solu~o~n ,~an~d .rgel~O~ht;o~ r..::-:~.,r.:-- ,, < .,r-~-.,. ..... : ~. nsband~s~ -_ sa g Gays and Lesbians are eg.~fled tP the rights,. ". law.n~Kersnex[yearmt~mgatscus.ssa.tmt _P~r.napsua~ her recycling program pu.bfic or private, her h ...... ym ¯ ¯ ¯ - - ...... . o t the
¯ n,mmdfi~oroaniTatlon arml~n~f0~nUbficfundson.which ¯ bendits and protecuons gtvenroamedcouples, e_veryone ¯ ~sjustamo.m~entar~. ,.a.nd, ex.p.ected hesitancy foil w ng
~.~’~l"~.---e7------rr:~--~, r , i . - . ,~ " .t,d--.A ~,~,~teww P,,-a~e and I ~=~h~rt~ ~.q e coul"t -" na~sion80t tile DUDIIC lleallnl~.
¯
.
.snewastovote),areenoughtopersuaaeLesmananatJay - ’-~..’2p~. ""~"*,?." ""~ .’~"..~"~’.’.’-:...l.~a~s.ed the.. .
~_~__,= _r.t.~_.,~,,t,.nm,~tttiiiX~endnnhowthedebateis
_ " ~.F2.-............¯,.;~.l,~.t~.i .r~v.r,~--..,~.t.~.n.f.~..e.-~_e.x. mam__aaoge al80 rimmed ¯ frmned m the comm~_ weeks. Opponents ll,ge me. m. p ,L. arg.en.t a.n.dl.na.ol.e .sul.tra.-e.xtr.em.e.re.ng.to.-po.n.u.co.s,.a.no..-..~,¯ .t.~, b~" ause the court di¯d not stri¯ke down the state,s .¯ are seeki"ng to" portray the Supreme Court deeimon as
her rtosuu[y Io OUr t’I1oe evenls, it s Cl~ar Inat amlost . ,a,.~..j . . . .
. . .
,,~....,,1,1 h~ ~,~tt,~ ¯ mamage laws~ Bishop Kenneth Angell calle~_, the court . some_ra.di.’.ca.l, andug,com.ttm.~fio.na).mo.ye ,F~Ve.nnon.t.ers,
~:................ -
ruling aadecisivevictoryfor.tradifionalmamage."
¯ thoughdtlshardtotmagrnet~meIJusuceJenreyAmestoY, Thatbringsus toGaryWatts. Gary,likesomeOklahoma -
Democrats is not particularly prejudiced. Like those : R seemed at that moment that legislation creating
same Democrats, he’s not shown much leadership, He : dthormouegshti.cBpuatritnnetrhsehmiposnftohrsGinacyestahneddeLceissbioianntshewtowuolds.l~ose~s
and they don’t haleus - theyjust don’.t want to deal with -
our issues. have’ staked out positions worlds aparL
,But sOi~eone"s got to.start, kno@ing that.we’ll lose the
first or five engagements but that.each time our issues,
like a city non-discrimination ordinance, or equal
compensation (full benefits for our familiesas well as
equal wages)for Gay cityemployees, or a city domestic
partners registry, are debated,the public learns. I believe
that-Oklahomans are basically fair and eventually will
respond to a reasoned argument.
And in the meantime, a fair-minded city councilor
could push for administrative changes, like getting the
"diversity" training forourpolice departmentto deal with
more than just race. After all, it’s our city too.
: Bishop An,g,ell recently-condemned domestic
: partnerships as steponetowardfullacceptanceofsame- "
¯ sex marriage" and has evenchallenged ~evalidity ofthe
¯ Supreme C,o.~_~ ruling itseLf, saying ~.his~t.o ,arms,to .
Catholics, q~ere are many sound legm minus WhO .
¯ question the Supreme Court’s authority to even issue "
¯ such mandates to the legislature.’"
: At the same time, Gays and Lesbians are saying a ¯
system of domestic partnerships is insufficient to meet "
the spiritofthe Supreme Courtrtding. Adomesticpartner "
sounds like someone who cleans the house, Jonathan
Radigan told lawmakers.
: amuchbeloved andeminentlyrespectedpersonwhois as
: moderate and generally as cautious as they come, doing
¯ something radical or unconstitutional. It was Amestoy
: who wrote the court rnling.
: Andthe hearingdidmuchtoeducatenotju~tlawmnkers,
but also the public at large. ~Vermont Public Radio did a
great service by broadcasting the hearing statewide.
Vermonters of all political and social back_groun.ds .got a
chance to hear the scripture readings, the pasmon, the
division. They also got to hearfrom the real.people whose
lives will be most affected by the legislative action.
The task facing lawmakers is noteasy. It is nothing less
than living up to the state’s motto of "’Freedom and
Unity." How to giveGays andLesbians theirfreedomand
yet preserve the unity of the state?
It is the stuff heroes are made of.
by Dave Fleischer, Senior Fellow Policy Institute
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
We love coming out - except when we hate it.
Welovereminiscing onand celebrating ourpast acts of
daring. Comingoutishow wediscoveredbothcommunity
and freedom. It’s how we found both love and a life.
But it’s hard to snmmon the energy and courage to
come out 24/7 - to ask, tell, and pursue on a daily basis.
That’s why campaigns sidestep the "G" word. When
we say~ person-to-person, "What do you think ,a,b~,ut tl~."s
anti-Gay ballot measure?", we are also asking, "What do
you think about me? Do you see me as a human being,
although I’m Gay and you probably aren’tT’
’. Most campaigns avoid coming out, way out_ They
rarely engage voters .perso.n-to-person, and of,te~, av~oid
mentioning sexual on~mtataon. Recent research oy ls.en
~eager (himself an openly-~ay candidate for office)
~uggests that57% of candidate’~ who think of themselves
as "openly Gay" don’t actually disclose their sexual
orientation to voters before the election.
Likewise, many campaigns to defeat anti-Gay ballot
measures twist themselves into p~etzels to avoid the
words "Gay", "Lesbian", or that new scare word
(rarely so clearly):
ifax
Thd challengeofbeing outhas turned us inward before.
: Look around our community. Most of our organizations
: are refuges -"safe space"- safe from meaningful
¯ encounters with straight people. We draw 200,000 to a
: pride parade to celebrate, yet only a relative handful to
¯ political campaigns to safeguard our fights.
¯ But relying onrefuges is a risky strategy. It suggests to
: our opponents that the rest of the world is theirs, and it
¯ leaves us vulnerable topolitical attack. Soplease consider
¯ afew specificcoming-outactionsthatbuildourcollective ¯
power and don’t unduly disrupt your everyday life.
¯ 1. Join acampaign where you get to ask voters one-on-
: one, preferably face-to-face, if we can count-on their
¯ votes.
¯
In 2000, California, Miami-Dade County, Florida,
¯ Maine, and possibly Oregon face ballot measures that
¯ affect your rights. If you live in one of these places, join ¯
your local campaign.
¯
If you used to live in one, make a list of everyone you
; know in your old hometown. Dig out your old address
book or high school yearbook. Ask your siblings or
¯
parents to jog your memory. I’ll bet you know at least 50
¯ people you can call. Whea you reach them, explain the
and ask if we can count on
: "Hometown Project", because it builds on the power of
¯ our relationships with family and friends, even when
; we’ve been out of touch.
: If you have never lived in the hot-spots du jour, don’t
¯ feel neglected. Make a list of everyone you know who
¯
does live in one. You must know 20 people. Send them
¯ this colnmn. Follow uponthephone.Weneedevery vote,
¯ and you will help create a new habit of doing the one-on-
" one ask.
~ 2. Host a house party to raise money for one of the
communities under attack. Invite 120 friends and
." acquaintances to your home to hear about this new wave
¯ of ballot measures. Call all 120 personally and ask each
¯ to come. You will bring together 40 people, raise a ¯
minimum of $1000, and f’md at, least six new volunteers.
¯ 3. Get training. If face-to-face voter contact sounds
: intimidating, seek out training, At the¯National Gay &
¯ Lesbian Task Force Creating Change conference ¯
November 10-14, we taught the nuts and bolts, went
¯ door-to-door talking with Oakland voters about the anti-
-¯ Gay-marriage Knight Initiative. In one evening, we will
identified hundreds of our supporters, and educated
undecided, voters.
,. rput up the periscooI~..~::~t~sgreat that our community
- but reality
In some cases, the registry document can provide
further legal proof of a relationship, Roche said. It
could come into play, for exhmple, when a Gay couple
with jointly owned assets separates.
The registry stirred relatively little opposition in
Ashland, where it was approvea by a 4-1 vote of the
City Council, Roche said. Nationally, registries have
spurred voter initiatives and lawsuits. Courts validated
Atlanta’s registry but overturned a registry in
Minneapolis, according to the Lmnbda Legal Defense
and Education Fund. The registries can be designed !o
~PP!~ ~ both Gays and t~f~rosextml~i~,as Seattle s
i~,i[~i~ ~bepurely ;~.~ml~6iic o{’~iV~ sp~i~...d
tl~e-~ ’~ :: ~ :": " ~. -" ’ .~
i .Reform
:Same-Gender Rituals
NEW YORK (AP).=-Two years after they postponed
a contentious showdown over same-sex blessing
rituals, the rabbis ofJudaism"S liberal Reform branch
will face a decision on the issue at this year’s
convention. Leaders of the 200-member Women’s
Rabbinic Network have agreed to force the issue by
submitting a resolution sanctioning such ceremonies
to the Central Conference OfAmerican Rabbis, which
holds-*its national convention, March 26-29 in
Greensboro, North Carolina.
The coqeaders of the women’s network, Rabbis
Shira Stem and Susan-Stone, said the resolution
agreed" to’recently will differ only slightly from a
proposed text the same group published in January.
" That text said: "The relationship of a Jewish, samegender
couple is worthy ofaffirmation through
appropriate Jewish ritual and. :-: .each rabbi should
decide ab0ut-0l’ficiafio-n- a~,Ysfdin-g-t6 hig/her"own
rabbinic conscience." The conference’s top two
officials had signed a January declaration urging all
American tdig~ons to normalize same-sex couples.
And a conference Sexuality study committee in 1998
.. endorSed recognition rituals for such couples.
The women’s net~brk cffes the sexuality
i C~mtifittee’s view that Judaism’s historic opposition
¯ to homosexual behavior no longer applies.
But there is division within Reform rabbinic ranks.
: The conference’s "responsa comnuttee,’,whose
¯¯ rulings guide the practices of Reformrabbis, opposed
thechangeinaT-2decision.Amemberoftheresponsa
committee majority, .Rabbi .:Jeffrey Salkin of Port
Washington,NewYork, saidReformrabbis arealready
free to conduct same-sex rituals if they want. But
Salkin fears that officially approving the practice
would"tearrdati,onships apart" amongReformrabbis,
and hurt Reform s relations ~ith otl~[r branches and
its hopes-.~fot full a-cce~tance.in {g~el?-Whatevet
happens, Salkin said; ~’We:are looking at something
that will ha¢e massive historical iml~pr~ce." ~ "-
¯ Me,mawhile, the Episcopal’Churchig~s to release
a proposal on same-same rituals within a weekortwo
Conventions ofthe Presb~[6ri~m Ch~Ch (U,S.~.) an~
United Methodist Church will also deb~!le the issue
this year. .:. ~- " ~
Gay Club Embraced at
Catholic College
United in
God’s Love
MCC-United
Reverend Cathg.E~liot
Pastor ~)
Sunday Worship
11:00 am
1623 N. Maplewood 918/838~715
~.~,~ ~ "7.-
Community Unitarian Universalist
Congregation
at Community ofHope
2545 South Yale, Sundays at llam, 749-0595
A Welcoming Congregation
HOUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Sun. Worship, 10:45 am, Sunday School, 9:30 am
.................. Wgd_._Bible- Study, ~7 pm
3210b S. Norwood, Info: 224-4754, Chris or Sharon
Sandra Hill M.s.
Licensed Professional & National Certified
Counselor, Certified Hypnotherapist
Psychotherapy & Clinical Consultation
After Hours Appointments Available
2865 E. Skelly DriSe, Suite 215,745-1111
Red Rock Tulsa- O’RYAN
Oklahoma Rainbow Y0hng Adult Network i~’
Outreach Prografn Thurs: Nights
Meet Others in a Safe Enviroment ~. .:
Call for.mee.ting tinies ~ind place: ~
918-584:2325
Mingo Valley Flowers
II
Court UpholdsPortl and
Civil Rights Ordinance
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Gay rights advocates have won
a round as the Oregon Court of Appeals upheld a
Portland ordinance against discrimination based on
sexual orientation. The court, in a 9-1 ruling reversing
a lower court, said the city had the power to give
citizens the right to go to state courts to enforce the
anti-discrimination ordinance.
Even some,of,the appealsjudges in the.majority,
tho~.igtr, ~orried-@ati tl~e~c0~ ~.i,,hav~ V~iatut~d
roofs, toward giving private partigs new..avenues
sUeiffSeateeo.ur~s overlocaHa~sx.The rightto sue-was
tthet~yi~su~-,N~bod~:oIai,m~4ltmt!hecity1aek~ ~he
~weri lx~:iid0pt~:~e-ordinanee.in~t991., that bars
disNNmati~n, i~ eniployment, housing, and public
accommodations.. ,S~te.taws against employment
discrimination don’t include sexual orientation. The
city ordinance also outlaws discrimination based on
sources of income, which is aimed at protecting
welfare recipients.
"This is a great day for civil rights in Oregon,P said
PortlandMayor Vera¯ Katz..Port.land ~.s once.agatn a
leaderin efforts to protecttherights ofall our citizens."
The case decided involved employment. A
MultuomahCounty temporaryjudge, MonteBricker,
~n .1.997 ruled against David Sims, who claimed he
was fired as a cook at Besaw’s Cafe in .Portland
because he is Gay. Owners of the business denied the
accusations and have not made a decision-on whether
to appeal to the oregon Supreme Court.
Bricker said the city couldn’t givepeopleapathway
to state courts to seek enforcement of rights under a
local law. But the appeals court said the city didn’t
exceedits authority, giving Sims the chance to continue
............with hislav~sttitin_which he.~6"nght either damages or
Basic Rights Oregon, a leading Gay civil rights
advocacy organization, also praised the decision.
"We’re very pleased to hear that the court has upheld
employees’ access to fight discrimination at the state
courtle el, : stud spokeswoman Maura Roche.
More than one appealsjudge hadmixed feelingson
thecase, which had been before the~cottrt since fall of
1998. Only Judge Walter Edmonds Jr. dissented
entirely. But four others, including Chief Judge Mary
Deits, said while they agreed with the outcome, the
court went further than necessary. The decision
"sweeps too broadly" in deciding that cities can
broaden the "duties and liabilities of private parties,"
Judge Virginia Linder wrote in a separate concurring
opinion. Edmonds said the decision violated the
concept of state sovereignty over local governments.
Oregon City/Count,y May
Try-Partners R gistry
RTL N , Or . eit: of t’ortland and
Multnomah County are ~nsiderir~ theadopdon of a
domesdcpartuefship registry as away~’prGay couples
t6 Officially iog thdr ~;~i~onships, A jOint ~registry
wotfld be ihe second ,~.::~gon ,ag_.d~ong three
dozen nationwide. In Oc~be~AsKihhd approved a
registry for s/tree-sex couples 18:or older. So did
California. Seattle has had one since 1994. And New
Orleans, Boston, New York and Iowa City, Iowa also
have them.
The registries stop far short of conferring marriage
s-tatus- on- Gay -couples= "~Bul~, it’s~ ,still-. an
acknowledgment of. a relationship that two people
who are committed to one another have," said Maura
Roche, spokeswoman for Basic Rights Oregon. "And
it’~ s away~to aeknoWiedge i-t in:a pt~bli~.forum~ which
hopefally Wi~,leadito. ~g~puh!ie: understanding
¯~at~drmi~icaneedi:BotmJ~T~] cxec~ti:ve director Of
She.-said the~Ialks are;.~.~st~p)i’~-thffright direction
becaus,e a registry represent§ a chatNejn family.
That s oae o~ the mNn..eoiicerns of Lou Bores
exec~utive ~r...e.rgtor ~:;ffae:C~eg0ii chapter of the
:.~)::: :~ais in Po~ilanO;and the na~9~’~, heL~aid:Beres added
that he would try to organize h:pmtegt~a~ainst Katz
and Naito if registries were e~(tended io homosexual
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - When Dan Neuville
started classes as a freshman at Saint Joseph’s College
in Standish last year~ the Gay man felt very lonely.
Considering the church’s stance on homosexuality,
Neuville wasn’t suq:rrised that there was no Lesbian-
¯ Gay studentorganizationlike.~ose at-secular colleges.
"Tl~ere was-novd~ere form~to go.on,campus," Neuville
said...........
Now Newzille has creati~d ~dmewhere to go.,~qaough
Catholic ze~cNag bars ~homosex~mt¢ from tam’Gage
and sexual activity, &e State’[ only Roman Cail~olic
college has:f0~-med a stude~tdub where heterosexual
and homosesua! smdcms
The Gay/St~ight
stat~ff "as
s~uden~
dozen
Jennifer B@iiton;pres~d~nt~of: the student.senate;
9413 K 31st St., Tulsa 74145
918-663-5934, fax: 663-5834, 800-444-5934
Family Owned& Operated
- - - - -- ~" ~- --7--- - - -
1307 E. 38th, 2nd floor
Tulsa Gay Commtmity Sen,ices Center
743-GAYS (743-4297)
6=~pm, Sunday - Friday..
"12-9~m, Saturday; all sales.benefit’the Center/~-.i.
Local
- --KEVIN BURLESON
Keller ~Willgams Rea!ty
712-2252
Burleson@kw.com
2651 East 21st Street, Ste. 100, Tulsa 74114
An Independent Member Broker
OPENARMS,OPENMINDS-,OPENHEAKq’S
Saint Aidan ,<. .Saint Dunstan
4045 N. Cincinnali,i~7882 .ii~~East 71st 492~7140
Saint John :......Td~ty - "
4200 S. Atlanta Pla~.~/42-7381 .,501: $.: Cincinnati, 582-4128
Welcomes You.
said the ~cp.llege’s administrators, staff and students
have received the new group well. "On our campus,
iwe’re open to all issues, and as students we’re
encouraged to discuss issues in society. Gay issues
are one of those," she said.
Thealliancehasmoreheterosexual than homosexual
members and is not intended to compel anyone to
endorse homosexuality, Neuville said. "We’re not a
.. ~ mili~antgroup. We’renotprotesting,pickefn,g, saying,
"Damn it, we want you to accept us,"" he said.
club
Gay on
.to talk andleam tissues
andbias against l
to make Of troths
.Saint
Straight
For the
problematic
sexual
¯ whether homosexuality is a choice or biological is
." irrelevant. "Gay and Lesbian people are not treated
." equally in many respects,’" sa~d Jane Marquardt, an
¯ attorney who donated to the Shepard scholarship
." fund. The scholarship is meant "to help a particular
." Gay student develop leadership skills, than people
¯ can realize Gay people are no different than anyone
." else," Marquardt said.
:: Gay Student Sues School
RENO. Nev._ (AP) - A former Washoe County high
i School studentclaimsWashoeCounty school officials
: failed t0 stopverbal andphysica!harassmentinflicted
i-liy classmates becaus~ h~,is.Gay... In afederal lawsuit
:. fded recendy, Derek Henkle ailcges school officials
1 : denied him~i:~te~:~.~.elofhls sexual
.. ofientation:~d ,d~died,’:.~ fr~:, ~li:rigllts by;
’: allegedly urging him tohide being ~ay. Tl~_e suit als0~
.. maizes claimsofnegfigenceandinfliclionofemolional.
¯" distress. " ’" ...... :’=. .....
: I-Ienkle:~suit is .being h~ndled.~by me:Lamb~a
: Legal Defense and Eduction Fund, a New York-
¯ : : based Gay rights.o~ganiza~on, it seeks unspecified
t .::damages, Namedas defendan.ts are prindpals;a vice
: prin~pal, a.teache~, and ~pus poSce officers.
: School district offi~:ials had no iimnediate comment.
¯ "we haven’t been served with anythin$ yet and unSl
" wedo,obvionsly we~m’tcommenton thespedfi~,"
district Spokesman~Steve Mulvenon said.
Jon
,a~Gay
.~"It’s not a conditiOn
who is
But the Catholics,
: shouidbe~
Catholic
,Derek thandled I
and
at:the-hands .of
said. call: :.Henkle
clearly what :the stated
-.Gay Scho|ershi
including students ~and faculty at
University have raised more than $50
~e. Matthew Shepard Scholarship
enaowment wil!.pro~ide $2,000 a year
Bisexual ortransg~
grade point average,.=
"I think it makes":us a,
Hinds,. a Weber: State staff member who
: a highway~
" administrators ~
At Washoe
! relatedlY
: students to
said his complaints to
lot while two campus
Davidson said the p_ri’ncipal
pcople hewas Gay.
students who
tell Lesbians and Gay
closet," Davidson said.
¯Gay Pride to.
Happen pite vatican
--~, Wyo., ROME (AP) - A Gay Pride week that comes smack
.: college studentwho was Severely pistol ’ i iirnktehdetmheidVdalteicoafnt,hbeuRt Roommane,CsmatahyoolircinHsoislytedYtehaarththaes.
left to die. The -
¯ " laws across the nation. :
."_.-i .Scho!arshiplapplieants must be a sophQ~ or :: aelvoenngtwwiiltlhbethalelo.Gw,,ae~ydptoritdaekeepvleancte,."bYutoiutmwioguhltdnobtegoa
: higher level, t~king 12 credit hours per s~es~er. A : mistake to ban it, Mayor Francesco Rutelli said.
500 to 750 word essay, the World Pride Roma 2000 is expected to bring
needs, academicperformance .: hundredsofthonsandsofGaysandLeshianstoRome
with or service to the pay, Lesbian,
Organizers are working to finalize
scholarship endowment with the
there are no applications.
"There are sexnal m~inorifies.Andthis is
"there’s a scliolarship here,"’ said
President
But
said Weber State student Niki
with culture
¯ at the same fire,the eityis overflowing with religions
: pilgrims eomingto th~Jubileemillenniumcelebrations
: calledby PopeJ0hnPaul II."Romehas amillenninm-
: old code of welcome~.and respect that won’t change in
¯ 2000." RutelEtold a city council meeting on Holy
: Year issues:,~:The. ~Vatican, which condemns
: homosexual acts but.not homosexuality itself, had no
official comment ~the July 1-9 event. Vatican
Officials denied~.~.~ that the Holy See had tried to
÷:: cgoent diitticoanncoelfe~a.-,.n~iio;~[n~,~~ti_.,thae lsooffaiccikanlso,wwlehdogeSdptohkaet tohne
Vafica was irritate, by the fact that the gathering
t~mes ~:J~ee yeax.
seeNews,p. 10
rZ
Better.Drugs i Oral Sex Not As
Equal Fewer Pills i Safe As Thought
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Powerful new ¯
AIDS drugs in development should help
relieve one of the biggest problems of
treatment - the pill burden. Over the past
four years, new treatment combinations
have revolutionized AIDS care, changing
HIV infection from a death sentence to a
disease that is treatable, if not curable.
However,patientsmustadhereto atedious
and exacting sehedule of downing pills,
.often more than 20 a day.
Now, drugmakers are working on new
drugs that require m~ch smaller doses as
wall as better versions of the old standbys
that can be taken less frequently.
Experts say that if all goes well, overthe
next two or so years it may be possible to
reduce the .pill burden to just four tablets
taken once a day. "Most drugs are dosed
twice or three times a day for a reason.
Once a day is not enough. The Holy Grail
would be to take all your medicines once
aday with as few capsules as possible. We
are not so far from that, maybe in the next
couple of years," said Dr. Eugene Sun,
head of antiviral drug research at Abbott
Laboratories.
About half of all patients who initially
respond to treatment eventually find their
virus levels rebounding, and the most
common reason for this is failure to stick
to apill schedule. Thepill-taking schedule
is more than just a nuisance. 71~ose who
miss even a few doses risk losing control
overtheir virus. Withoutenoughmedicine
in the bloodstream, HIV comes roaring
back, often generating mutant versions
that are resistant to the drugs.
Akeyingredient of mostdrug regimens
is a class of medicines called protease
inhibitors. They are often combined with
two or three older kinds of drugs, such as
ddI and AZT.
At last month’s 7th Conference on
Retroviruses andOpportunistic Infections
in SanFrancisco, doctors describedresults
of testing with new varieties of prot.ease
inhihibors. Some of these medicines are
10 times more powerful than the ones that
transformed AIDS treatment. Protease
inhibitors are by far the biggest lump in
the pill burden. Typically patients must
take three of them three times a day - a
total of nine pills -often on an empty
stomach.
In the works areproteaseinhibitors that
doctors hope will need to be taken twice
or even just once a day. One of these is
Bristol-Myers Squibb’s drugcode-named
BMS-232632. In preliminary testing
directed by Sanne, it appears that one or
two ofthese pills once aday is as effective
at suppressing HIV as the standard dose
of nelfinavir, an older protease inhibitor.
Abbottpresentedpromising results with
its experimental protease inhibitor ABT-
378, showing it Seems to work against
strains of virus that are already resistant to
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Many Gay
men consider oral sex a safer alternative
to intercourse, but a new study finds it
carries a real risk of spreading AIDS.
Even without condoms, oral sex is
widelyregardedtobe safe sex, eventhough
: health agencies have never officially
: conceded that. A new study conducted in
i
San Francisco shows that frequent
unprotected oral sex can also be risky,
." though certainly not as much as anal sex.
: "The message is not that everyone will
¯ get infected through oral sex," said Dr.
-" FrederickHechtofSanFrancisco General
." Hospital, a coauthor of the study. In fact,
¯ analintercoursecouldbe 100timesriskier.
¯ Because of declines in unprotected anal
: intercourse, therehas beenabigreduction
." in high-risk exposure, I-Iecht said. But
~ -~._~ere is still plenty of low-risk exposure
¯ tl~ough oral sex without condoms, "and
." that low risk adds up." His study found
: that oral sex was probably the cause of8%
¯¯ of recent HIV infections among a group
of homosexual men examined in S~m
~ Francisco.
¯ In the past, there have been occasional
¯ reports ofpeopleapparently catching HIV
orally. But health investigators have had
¯ difficulty being certain, since Gay men
¯ who have do oral sex also may engage in ¯
¯ other, riskier sex practices, such as anal
intercourse.
¯ Now diagnostic tests allow doctors to
¯ narrow downthe timing ofHIV infections.
¯ They were used in the latest study,
." described as the most definitive on the
subject to date. The work, conducted with
¯ the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
¯ Prevention, was presented in San
¯ Francisco at the 7th Conference on
¯ Retrovirases and Opporttmistic Infectious.
¯ "’Wlfile oral sex may still be safer than
." anal intercourse or vaginal intercourse, it
¯ is not without risk and perhaps has higher
¯ risk than we would have expected
¯ otherwise," said Dr. Helene Gayle, the
CDC’s AIDS chief.
" The researchers sought to learn the
¯ meaus ofinfectionin 102 GayandBisexual
¯ men who had recently caught HIV. When
¯ all other possible means of infection were
¯ ruled out, oral sex turnedout to be the only
¯ risk behavior in eight of these men. Most
0 said they thought- oral sex had little or no
° risk.
° Because o~ the strict criteria used, the
: real number of cases resulting from oral °
sex may actually have been higher. For
° instance, two men said they had oral sex
-" but not anal sex. But they also said they
o had blacked out once and could not be °
sure what had happened, so they were
¯ excluded from the total.
. All of the men apparently caught the
¯ virus by giving oral sex, rather than
receiving it, and none used condoms.
¯ "We know that the only safe sex is total
other drugs. The drug will be combined 0 abstinence or sex with a mutually
smaller doses~ wel!..... ~ ~
.~’ Ufie~p~.cteff~ide et~l~b.cts can quickly
derail deq~loptuent of these drugs -MerCk
Research Laboratories was scheduled to
presentresultS ofits new protease inhibitor
at the meeting. But two weeks ago, it
suspended human testing of the drug after
rat experiments turnedup possible kidney
damage. Themedicine, called MK-944A,
is acombination ofanew protease inhibitor
and an older one, called indinavir, into a
single pill that would be taken once or
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1-800-742-9468 or 918-352-9504
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Weekend and evening appointments are available.
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withritonavir, another protease inhibitor, o monogamous,non-HIV-infectedparmer,"
into pills that willbo-taken three at a time, : ’~ Gayle said. "Everything else has some
twic~:~a day. The comp.,.a~y?~.s working on ° degree of risk. The sense that oral sex is
safe sex may have been an unfortunate
message."
Gayle said she a~sumes that the risk of
oral sex when properly using a condom is
close to zero. She also .said that if oral sex
alone has played a large role in the spread
ofAIDS, that wouldalready havebecome
obvious during the 20 years.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, head ofthe National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases, noted that some Gaymenturned
to frequent unprotected oral sex after
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Are You-Gay or Bisexual?
Are You Native American?
Tulsa s Two-Spirited Indian Mona _ / ~\~"~
Support Group is here for. you! .~i=-J.~Y LX~
¯ Evening support group meetings
¯ Relationship workshops
¯ Short trips, outings and retreats
¯ Free HIV testing
For information call Tulsa Native American AIDS Prevention Project
at 582-7225 Ext. 208 or 218,
giving up anal intercourse.
"A lot of us in the public health field
havebeen saying all along to be careful of
~akrottehceteridskfieslllaotwio,,"buhtewshaaitd.s l"oPwe?o"ple
AIDS Virus First
Emerged in 1930
SANFRANCISCO (AP)-Theworldwide
AIDS pandemic has beentraced to asingle
viral ancestor who emerged perhaps
around 1930. Earlier research had ¯
suggested that the ol~tbreak began in the ¯
first half of the 20th century, but the latest :
analysis, doneat the Los Alamos National ."
Lab in New Mexico, appears to be the ¯
most definitive so far. -"
Bette Korber, who keeps a’database of
HIV genetic, information at the lab,
calculatedHIV’s family treebylooking at
the rate the virus mutates over time. She
assumed these genetic changes happen at
a constant rate and used a supercomputer
to clock the mutations back through time
tO a common ancestor.
Korber estimates that the current
pandemic goes back to one or a small
group of infected humans around 1930,
though this ancestor virus could have
emerged as early-as 1910 or as late as
1950. From this single source, she
suggests, came the virus that now infects
roughly 40 million people all over the
.world. ’This offers a small piece in a
larger puzzle concermng the origins of
HIV," she said.
Experts believe that HIV’s ancestor is a
virus that ordinarily infects chimpanzees.
Somehow it spread to people - .perhaps
thirough abite or hunting mishap -~n west
equatorial Africa. Justwhenthis happened,
though, is .still a mystery, Korber Said.
The leap from chimp to man could have
beenaround 1930. Oritmayhaveoccurred
much earlier and the virus stayed within a
small group of humans.
Theworkchallenges atheory thatAIDs
actually began in the 1950s, when HIV
was accidentally mixed with the polio
vaccine. In last year’s book ’¢Fhe River,"
Edward Hopper theorizes that HIV
contaminated batches of the vaccine that
were grown in chimp dssue. This then
spread when the vaccine was tested in the
Belgian Congo. Korber said this is highly
unlikely, since it would require the
introduction of at least 10 genetically
separate strains ofthe virus into the vaccine
from different chimps.
Dr. Steven Wolinsky of Northwestern
University called Korber’s project "a
computational tour de force." Korber
based her work on the genetic codes of
160 different copies of the AIDS virus.
She analyzed them on a Los Alamos
supercomputer, called Nirvana, that can
perform l trillion computations per
second. The earliest existing sample of
HIV was found in a blood specimen
obtained in Leopoldville - now Kinshasa
- in 1959.
Virus Testing Helps
AIDS Treatments
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Doctors say
they can improve the chance of
successfully treating AIDS by measuring
how each patient’s virus stands up to the
drugs intended to kill HIV.
Through evolution, HIV can grow
resistant to any of the standard AIDS
drugs, andoftenitis invulnerable to several
at once. The specific combination of viral
resistance varies from patient to patient.
In theory, doctors can brew up the most
potent AIDS drug cocktails for their
patients if they know the strengths and
vulnerabilities of the viruses they carry.
In the past, doctors have attempted to
dothisbychecking the virus forthegenefc
mutations that make it impervious to
various drugs. However, complex mixes
of mutations are sometimes hard to
translate into drug treatment plans.’
In a new approach called phenotypic
resistance tesdng, doctors can check the
virus against all of the standard drugs to
see which ones can kill it, then .use~the
results to tailor their strategy. "With this
information, you can make better
decisions," said Dr. Calvin Cohen.
Understanding virus resistance is
especiallyimportantwhenputting together
new drug combinations after the initial
drug cocktail fails to wipe out all visible
signs of the virus. Doctors have 15 AIDS
drugs to pick from, and the choice often
amounts to an educated guess.
Cohen and colleagues studied
phenotypic testing at the Community
Research Initiative of New England, an
independent AIDS research organization
in Brookline, Mass. He described the
results Monday, in San Francisco at the
7th Conference on Retroviruses and
Opportunistic Infections.
. The test was developed by Virco N.M.,
a European biotechnology company that
financed the study with Glaxo Wellcome
Inc., the pharmaceutical company.
Doctors say anadvantage ofp,henotypic
testing is the simplicity of ~lle results.
"The person’s virus is grown in a culture
and then ,put into a test tube with each
antiviral drug," Cohen said. "We monitor
to seehow wellitgrows. Ifitstops growing,
.that drug works. It’s that simple."
The new test costs $800 per patient.
Screening the geneticmutations inHIV to
figure outdrug resistance has beenaround
longer and cOsts about $400 to $500 per
patient.
Doctors say that trying to understand
how well drugs will work by analyzing
viral genes can be daunting when the
virus is resistant to several drugs.
Sometimes resistance to one pill can help
the virus withstand another, even though
it does not specifically have resistance to
that medicine. "Phenotypic resistance
testing will be attractive because it is so
mucheasier to interpret," said Dr. Douglas
D. Richmanofthe University ofCalifornia
at San Diego.
To check the test’s value, Cohen’s team
studied 274 patients who had failed to
respond to an initial round ofAIDS drugs.
Half were randomly assigned to receive
phenotypic testing, while the rest got
standard care without testing.
After 16 weeks, 58% of the patients
getting phenotypic-testing had responded
so well to their new combination of drugs
that the virus hadfallentoolow tomeasure.
By comparison, 37% of those without
testing did this wall. "Until this study, all
of this was reasonable but unproven,"
Cohen said. "Now we can prove it."
~:~":Wa~ to get involved?
Need to.get tested for HI~ or a
Coming Out Support Group?
Call 743-GAYS (4297)
Tulsa Gay
Community
Services Center
1307 E. 38th, 2nd floor
~ J. Christjohn
Happy Imbolc,
Groundhog’s
Time for
initsfirstt
for some~
the
,~cultural
list of events
and. relevance.
~ At thispoint, I
or film and,
: On with the
." good month for staying in and riding out
¯ winter storms. Orgiving into spring fever
y ." when possible.
when ¯ Now for those thirty-somethings that
: recall growing up to the sounds of the
Partridge Family. with
"As you may fondness, David ~sidy
hasaCDoutentitled:"Old
notice, I’ve’-~: Dog, .Ne~ T~ck."
S~inging
~no
is
so. it’s ok,
is
else, an
and
the
Of -interest
,dosed
music
v URL:
it
13th.
18th
pretty
of the~ show that
fisten
on tS~ Partrid
childhood favorites in col~.
Back to.the present..
VALENTINE’S DAYis 9oming!~Gift
idea?i,.The ever handso.m~,<~piani~t’.:Jim
Bric~provide~ lovely~usic p~ect
for,~elight dinners, an~ohn T,rones
croo~,the perfect ballads t6~t]hem0od
for ..~gh romance on [h~ir-~CDs,
restively. ThelIX~rfect m~ic.to ~t the
moodfor a romanticev~....
Ok,themomentyou :reall-~n atting
for. TheStevie Nicks mentioa.She’s back
¯" in the Studio working onthe~W CDafter
". the performing break i~’Vegas and
i
Cafifomia. SherylCrow isagamproducing
- no mention of what happened to Mr.
." Hip-Hop producer. Thank G~oddess!
, m,~chers
¯ wereGay or straight, what mattered was
i the sl~ed.belief of those ~ching that
day. ~dnow those Right to’Life March
org~fi have Somethingto. think h!~out
¯ for n~t ye,ar,
: o~~. . .::~. .Ch~,..’.rman-oMfPicLhAaGelAFLeP~A¢.nCs
:
: -~lie ~4~li~al Action Committ~for ~.- i~: " .~.=~Lffe Lesbians and~ays
. . :.::~.
Long b~fom multi:million-dollar book deals
were the fashion~Alexandre Dumas’ son
(yes, the "The Three Musketeers" author)
converted his tonidLtomedqerminal love affair
into a best sel~.~lhe~, composer
Guisep.,pe Ve~: ~dpted. ~8r story for o~ra
(hello, ka Travi~), Toda~ choreoorapher
Val Canipamli flni~edthe job of turning.
"La Traviata" into dance. Usino drama,.
not melodrama. For understatement
underscored. A full-lenoth Iovestory.
FRIDAY 8 PI~:EBRUARY 11
SATURDAY 8 PMFI:RRUARY1~
SUNDAY 3 PMFEDRUARY 1~
SEASO~ SPON~:
Irish Dance
Company
-The-original
and the best.t
Chapman Music Hall
3rd & Cincinnati.... ¯.
Tickets: $12, 16 & 20
Call:-596-7111
Order on line: www~,tulsapac.com
Tulsa Performing ~rfs
Center Trust
World Treasures S~ason:
Celtic Gems.
¯-Si~0ns~rs: O.klah~ma Arts ~:.:ur~i~,..Urban T.u!sa
JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL EVENIN~
ON THE SET OFMANON
WINE AND HORS D’OEUVRES.
ENTERT]~INMENT ......
ooooo o~60~oo o oo oo~.~_O~O oo~o o o o oo out o-o’o o~ooo o
FRIDAY, MARCH 3,
5:30 - 8:00 PM
ON THE STAGE OF THE
.......~UtLSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$35 PER PERSON
$75 PARTY AND
:.
~ SUNDAYS
~Ble~qs the Lord At All Times Christian Center,
Sunday School - 9:45am, Service - 11 am, 2207 E. 6th, 5837815
Community of Hope (Welcoming), Service - 6pm, 2545 S. Yale, 585-1800
Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation
S~rvice - i 1am, 2~5~.~5 &Yale, 749-05~ (WeicQ~ing) - : " "
Church of theRestoration Unitarian Universaiist
ropo ommumty C
House of the Holy Spirit Ministries, Inc.
Sunday School - 9:45am, Service - 10:45am, 3210b So. Norwood
Parish Church of St. Jerome (Evangelical Anglican Church in America)
Mass - 1 lain, 205 W. King (east of N. Denver), Info: 582-3088
Unity Church of Christianity
ServiceS: 9:15 & 11:00 am, 3355 S. Jamestown, 749-8833
University of Tulsa Bisexual/Lesbian/Gay/Transgendered Alliance
~6:30 pm, Meets at the United Minis,try Cir., 5th & Evanston, 583-9780
I~" MONDAYS
lilY Testing Clinic, Fr~ & anonTmous testing. No appoinl~¢n[ r~zluired.
Walk in testing: 7-8:30pm, 834-TEST (8378) 3501 E. Admiral (~st o~ Hazard)
HIV Rap Sessions at Bless the Lord At All Times Christian Ceater
7:30pro, 220"7 E. 6th, 583-78t5
PFLAG, Parents., Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays
2nd Mo~/~ach too. 6:30pro,Fellowship Congregational Church, 2900 S. Harvard
Women/Children & AB)S Committee, call ~or meeting date, aoon, 585-5551
Council Oak Meu’s Chorale, rehearsals - ca]! for times, imfo: 748-3888.
~ TUESDAYS
AIDS Coalition of Tulsa, call, ~or ne×t.m~ting date. 1430 S. BouJder, 585-5551
~!~e=~d Let Liye, CommlmitT o~ ~0pe ~nitedMethodist, 7:~, 2,~5 S. ~ale
IYlultieultural ~I])S Coalitiou, call for ne×t m~ting date.
~rban L~ague, 240 E~st Apache, 584;0001
PrimeTimers, meus group, Pride Center, 1307 E. 38th
Coming Out Support Group (TOHR/IIOPE)
Tuesdays, 6 pro, Pride Genter, 1307 E: 38th, irffo: 743-4297
I~" WEDNESDAYS
Bless The Lord At All Times Christian Center
Prayer & Bible Study, 7:30 pm 2207 E. 6th, 583-7815
House of the Holy Spirit Ministries, Inc. Service - 7pm, 3210b~o. Norwood
Tulsa-Native American Mens Support Group, more informatidJL. ~call 582-7225
TCC Gay & Lesbian Association of Students (GLAS), Call fo_r..info: 595-7632.
Lambda A-A, 7 pro, 1307 E. 38th, 2nd ft. - -. ......
I~’THURSDAYS ,
H~PE, HIV Outreach, Prevention, Edu~(ion "~:;~)~": _
Anonymous HIV Testing, Testing:,~ ~ 8:313pm 834-83.-7~ 3507’E. Ad~niral " ~
O~lahoma Rainbow Young Adult Network (O’.RYAN) " -
Support/social group for 18-24’s, call Red Rock Mental Health a~ 584-2325 ....
Substance Abuse Support Group for persons with HIV/AIDS, [nfo: 834-4194
I~" FRIDAYS
Safe Haven,~iotm~AduJts Sc;ci~d Group, l st Eft/each ~no. 8pro, Pride Ctr., 1307 E. 38th
~" SATURDAYS
out-of their h0mes~ ! can’t i~..gin~e
throwing my Child out of;the hbu~e: ;
TheS~~mby Holloway, ~as
¯S~tan,wh0:cam¢.~s’s am~’Who
’ had been r6b~andiron on the road.
In the story, the priest, afraid of being
deemed unclean, passes by. But the
Samaritan stoppedtocarefortheunknown
mall.
"The point of the parable is that good
refiglon, following, traditions in these
Scotland, dozeus of prints, and Spong’s -" anti-discrimination policies, to. include
second:wife; ChriSti~i~. ’When In~arried ," specifically :sexual- orienta’tion::~ Why?:
Jack, I knew. what was ahead," said
Christ.i.ne.,.w.,h..o..m..a..m..e.A. Spong. m..19.9.0......nc.e.xl.ed. Kelleher wrote ’Perha " was
’When ~ou:-~up. (forGays)~,you~r¢~ =/Wrong
going to ge~:hit. ?You cannot know Gay ." _ think so, at least with restart to theVast
imd Lesbian people without wanting to .. maioriW of oar nconle." kelleher addrd
hugthcm.Someofthcmhavebeenthr~wn ." he was modifying the pohcy to include
¯.. o~rsmagnex;iewthyatmcivgehrtuhncaevretaeixnits~t,e-dam-boingutihtiys
." score."
_" ’WVhat happened at. Southwdst is an
¯ example
-" well-mcnningexecutives simplyto donor
_" give sexual orientation issues in the
workplace the consideration they
deserve, stud Kim I. Mills, HRC s
." education director. "We applaud
." Southwest Airlines for taking this_stcp
developed systems, can now get in the toward creating an inclusive work
.,w.a.y. ofus g~tting t,o~:~ saidI~oll0way..~ environmont~ for ih~ OayandLesbian
e~. of us arc, w_all~g on the road to i amployees., While Southwest has added
Jericho,andwem~tIookf~Himbecause
along the s~d¢ of the road...... .’. offer dom=sticParm~r~:healthbenefits.
priestandmothcr,stoodnexttoSpongas policies and e~pects
a sign language interpreter. "He will be :: announc=ment nO later the,, June. "
sord~ missed,." saidDeats, whowas first ,." _ _ " .............
ago.~Imayn0tagreewithevcrythingh¢ ! [~]l=-Ie.ll -....- I
says; but I truly minfi..~’re and respect him . .
for stan,.d~n.gup,f0r~hat he believ~ in." ._. vice president orlon"di.ng, andI_~s Rector,
Deats said she believed in more ." president, neither of.whom had returned
traditional routines of-prayer. "It can be ¯ calls by press time. Dr. Jerry. Carr611,
boring, I know. And I’m not saying the -" chairperson of the TTCU board of
bisho~ does.n’t pray, bu~ I believe ~-nore ." directors,andpr0vostatOSU-Oldahoma
.stronglyin themystical practices ofprayer
in the ~hurch," said De~ts.
Croneberger was rector of the Church
of the Atonement in Tenafiy for i8 years,
and a priest for more thsn 34 years.
Croneberger~60,was oneofsix candidates
- all ofwhomfavor ordaining noncelibate
Gays and blessing same-sex unions - in a
field that included the Rev. Canon Gene
RobinsonofNewHampshire,whomissed
becoming the first openly Gay Episcopal
bishop in the nation by several votes.
Asfor Spong, he willlecture at Harvard
University starting next month, buthas no
plans to move from Morris County. His
latest book, "Here I Stand," was published
this year.
Spong, father of three daughters, said
he found talking to students a great
pleasure, Last week, Spong lectured at
Lewis & Clark University in Portland,
Ore.- "I love the minds of 18- to 23-yearolds,"
Spong said. "Nothing is sacred and
they asked all kinds of questions."
There were no,,questions asked here
duringthe service, buttherewas amomen!
of fear when the Rev. Dana Rose slipped
off the back of the riser as Spong and
others wereblessing breadandwine. Rose
was helped to his feeti and Spong quickly
gave him the sign of the cross.
Rose, a Gay priest who’s also black,
was ordainedfirstas adeaconby Spongin
May 1998. "People say, ’You’re a priest
and you’re GayT" said l~ose, who works
for the Gay and Lesbian ministry in the
diocesez "Now, there are ;many, priests
who are Gay, but black? I believe in
inclusion of all people, like me, into .the
church, just like the bishop."
City, did callback andsaid he thought
theremustbe"amajormisunderstanding"
and that the "professional loan officers
would not do that [make inquiri~,into.
loan applica=s sex~.orientation]~. .-
as saying that the Vatican "expects from
the premier a gesture ofcommon sense,"
anapparentcallforthe Italiangovernment
to intervene to cancel the Gay event.
Sodano also was quoted as saying the
controversy "puts into question" the
concordat, adocumentregulalingrelafions
. between Rome and the Vatican that was
first signed in 1929 and was revised in the
1980s. A pro-Vatican member of
parliament, Mario Baccini, called the
mayor’s decision’a "moral and material
slap" in the face of the Holy See. Vatican
officials said theHoly See was displeased
by the city’s cooperation with the
organizers, including allocation of
$180,000 to cover municipal costs like
security.
Rutdli has been a big Jubilee booster,
shepherding the city through major
constructionprojects-includingaVatican
garage-to spruce itupforan estimated30
million pilgrims.
Gays have criticized the pope’s
teachings on homosexuality, but Italian
Gay leaders denied any disrespect is
intended by holding World Pride during
theJubilee. "It’s not an anti-Jubilee event
nor an event against the pope," said
Francesco Falsetta, an official oftheMario
Mieli Homosexual Cultural Association,
one of the organizing groups. World
Pride’s main event will be a July 8 march
through the city. Organizers say it will
also feature conferences, sporting events
and parties..
Massage Therapy Services
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Pager: 918-889-5255
Voice Mail: 918-697-9282
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Tulsa Loeation~ ~-: .....
2001 S. GarneR, 43%2~.~.~.
3733 S. Memorial, 6600344
1216 S. Harvard, 587-1778
Sapulpa Location:
109 N. 22
Meet ,Local
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" be," he added. "’It’s been this norm that
.: they grew up with: Andin so many. ways,
: pamcularlym~nt, we vebeen, ery
Do something that brings yoUlhto serio~s°. sensitized to~~ity,humannghts,
conversation with people who-aren’t just : but.there’.s~i~sg~.,a~i,’ng,.darke,,xception
likeyou. : tot~tw~thGaY~i:~Lesbiaus._ ..
For some of you, this will feel like a : ~ Whenlegis~,’~kFl.a~gan wl~.t.he
leap of faith-l~rhaps in God, orat least ; thinks.ofa~ys~d!domest=cparm..ershi.ps
in other people. ",- ..... . as an alternafi~t0same-sex mamage, ne ¯
Maybe this runs counter’ to all the : tells them "it~a~t tap into all of the
cultural conditioning you’ve received ¯ wonde_r,,ful, ~fic and em~o.tion.al
about self-sufficiencyi abouthow wrong ! impacts that~conveys. ~nenlze
itistoaskforhelp.MaybethiSchaHeages . asksaqu~..fio.n~."~~:t~te, isabl~.°ffi~ally
prized coph~g m~l~nisms ~t Ser~_e you : t.o rec0~ila..~i’~,s,e,.p~nng re,a,
well whenexcepti-o~d individualeffortis , domesf!_c-p~.e~!:aw;.-wny men wgmu
enough..... " ;-y0ufeelgt~fig~ed:t.0makeit’diff~emtrom
¯Bu~aoindividualwinsanelection;alone i ~ theCivil m~a~e’ 6flexed to ~ght
If!we don’t engage oth~r humanb~ings, ; VermonterS?" ~ " ¯ ~.
we remain tempting targets to-the :bullies : Hanagan said :he believes there’s an
ontheright:IfwewanttoendGay-baiting " analogy to be drawn from the experience
in public life, we have ~o use what we
know: the power of one h,man being
talkln£ to another human berg about
what matters.
We need to be outward bound, despite
the discomfort. Because, in elections, the
greatest thing wehave to fearis fearitself.
Hanagan can see diagonally across-State
Street to the Statehouse, where the
Vermont Legislature this year is crafting
a response to ahistofic decision from the
.stat~-~ i :~Supreme " ~ i ,:.~.Court.
That decision said i~"~iola~d the
VermontConstitution todeny~tted
Gay-and Lesbian couples the~i~health
of other benefits heterosexuaV~ed
couples take for granted. .=.!i!:."ii(
Hanagan, 49, is in his fourthi~year
term as ~mditor and long has beea.,kn~_w,.n_
to harbor loftier potitical ambiO~,He s
~md~,ttaking 0ae long-expected:~i~tfo_r
higher office this year, and has.raised
morethan$400,000" alotforachallenger
inVermont- so farinhis campaignfor the
Democratic U.S.. Senate nomination.
He’s been able to raise money around
the country from supporters of Gay men
and Lesbians, but even more so from
former Harvard Law School classmates
who have found themselves in lucrative
careers and can afford to be generous.
Flanagan took a risk five years ago
when he acknowledged for the first time
publicly that he was Gay, and he’s taking
arisk now in being such a strong advocate
for same-sex marriage. "I assume any
professional political consultant would
advise against it," he said. "But some
issues are so compelling and so pure that
political considerations becometrivialand
inappropriate. This is at the core of my
beliefs. I’mnot going to equivocate in the
slightest and I hope Vermonters will
respectmycommitmentto prmcipl,,e, even
if they may not thoroughly agree.
More often than the campaign trail,
Flanagan is drawn these days to the
Statehouse, because he senses history in
the making, because he relishes and is
fascinated by legislative deliberation and
because he knows that, for many
lawmakers, he can put ahumanface on an
abstract set of issues. As he’s walked the
Statehousehalls lately, Flanagan sm.’dhe’ s
noticed "people tend to move ~n my
direction more often than normal. I’m a
person they know and most often like
quite a bi~ and relate to. I’m real. I have a
real personality that they’re familiar with,
so there isn’t that fear component of
something foreign.
"I don’t think often people are as
homophobic as they think they should
"For me,
some time tc
mamage
stress
come when
many Gays and’ Lesbians had coming to
grips with themselves 20 or 30 years ago,
to the straggle many straight people are
having now When thinking about
somethinglike same-’sexmarriage. "When
you foste~ real bigotry againast iso.mdeonoef
he said.
"That’s-the of bigotry.. It
weighs
years, but
and "one’s private life will be put back
into its private place."
Flanagan, who said he has "a great
capacity tolove," also offered a glimpse
into whatapersonal heavenonearthmight
look like. "I would love to be a dad. I’ve
always cherished the idea of being a dad
and I think I would be a good dad?’
Locally, members ofMCCUnited have
created a chapter of Soul Force and at
least one member joined White and 200
other Gay and Lesbian (or friendly)
Christians in a meeting with FalWell.
Elliott has as a personal goal, the
development of the Community of the
church, not the building or the number of
members as much as the network of
support for the members - much like the
model of the earliest Christian
communities.
However, Elliott and other
congregational leaders do discuss the
possibilities of physical change for the
group. Acknowledging the s~ ,newhat
isolated location of the church build~ z
(off major streets in a ver) q~
neighborhOod)~, they consider that t
tufty-sell this building and find a more
visible .and central location. But Elliott
emphasizesthat these things are ouly just
possibilities and are not anything which
will happen soon. The spiritual life comes
first and the rest will follow as the Spirit
calls MCC-United to be.
For more information about the
Metropolitan Community Church United
or about the Soul Force efforts, call 838-
!715.
The Eight Annual
2000
Saturday, March 4
Cocktails, 7pm, Dinner, 8:15
Myriad Convention Center, Grand Ballroom
Auction & Dancing, Blacl( or Red Tie
to benefit the
Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund
1999 Beneficiaries:
AIDS Support Program, Inc.
American Red Cross,
Oklahoma County Chapter
CarePoint, Inc.
Cimarron Alliance Foundation
LegalAi6ofWestem Oklahoma, Inc.
Northern Lights Altematives
Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund,
Individual Assistance Fund
Oklahoma Hemophilia Foundation
Oklahoma Medical
Research Foundation
Oklahoma Mental Health Council -
RedRockBehavioral Health Service
Other Options, Inc.
Planned Parenthood of
Central Oklahoma
Regional AIDS Interfaith
Network (RAIN)
Tulsa CommunityAIDS Partnership
Original Format
The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
newspaper
periodical
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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[2000] Tulsa Family News, February 2000; Volume 7, Issue 2
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation toward Tulsa’s Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual communities.
Description
An account of the resource
Tulsa Family News was a monthly newspaper; No. 1 issued December 1993-January 1994. The final issue available was published in September 0f 2001 (Volume 8, Issue 9).
The newspaper brings up important, evolving topics of marriage, Pride, TOHR, HIV/AIDs, events, advice, and politics all at the local and national level.
This document is available in searchable PDF attached. It is also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
Creator
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Tulsa Family News
Source
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https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/24
Publisher
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Tom Neal
Date
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February 2000
Contributor
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James Christjohn
Barry Hensley
J.P. Legrandbouche
Lamont Lindstrom
Esther Rothblum
Mary Schepers
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Tom Neal/Tulsa Family News
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Tulsa Family News, January 2000; Volume 7, Issue 6
Format
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English
Type
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newspaper
periodical
Coverage
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Tulsa(Oklahoma)---newspaper
Tulsa---Oklahoma
Oklahoma---Tulsa
United States Oklahoma Tulsa
United States of America (50 states)
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/597
AIDS
AIDS drugs
AIDS research
aMUSEments
arts and entertainment
Bars
businesses
Chatholic Church
churches
civil rights
Colin Higgins Foundation
community
Dave Fleischer
Episcopal Church
Gary Watts
Gay marriage
HIV
homophobia
Jim Christjohn
Judaism
Karin Gregory
lawsuits
marriage equality
Metro Communtiy Church Unted
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
non-discrimination policies
Partner Benefits
partners registry
performing arts
Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians
Raging Lesbian
Read All About It
restaurants
Saint Joseph's College
scholarships
Soulforce
Southwest Airlines
Tom Neal
Tulsa Family News
Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights
Tulsa Teacher's Credit Union
Vatican
-
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/720496a377bccd13c6fb428da9276de3.jpg
6e3a2c10512312879ac3bf406c137ebd
https://history.okeq.org/files/original/e3a834ef864d1accd5ea57b69700278e.pdf
4764679f2a18d394d6c619b8615600cc
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[Sub-Series] Newsletters & Publications > Tom Neal Newsletters > Tulsa Family News
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Friends RallyAround
Accused Musician
District Attorney Suspected of Bias
by Tom Neal, editor &publisher
Around Tulsa’ s Gay community, the reaction is one
of dismay and disbelief at the allegations of indecent
exposure made against musician and chorale leader,
Rick Fortner.
According to a Dec. 3rd Tulsa Worm story, a 16 year
old man has accused Former of masturbating in front of
him in a sauna of All-American Fitness Center in
Broken Arrow. A spokesperson for the Broken Arrow
p01icenoted that themanand Former were the only ones
in the sauna.
Friends and acquaintances notethat F,grmermaintains
his innocence, and have stated their suplJort for Former.
Mitchell Savage, spokesperson for the Council Oak
Mens Chorale (COMC) for which Former is music
director, said that the board of directors of the
organization has voted to express its support for Former
and their belief that his innocence will be established.
- TheCOMCboardposition was endorsedby the group’ s
general membership also. Savage added that he has
been acquainted for 15 years see Fortner, p. 10
Anti-Gay Harassment
Alleged in Public Schools
Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual + Transgendered Tulsans, Our Families + Friends
Tulsa’s Largest Circulation Community PaperAvailable In More Than 75 City Locations
V rmont Marriage Victory
SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - By the time Nina Beck and " previously said he would support Gay mamage,
¯ Stacy Jolles got the news, it seemed like everyone already knew:
¯¯ The Vermont Supreme Court had issued its long-awaited ruling
on Gay marriage. They had won.
¯
The court ruled unanimously that Gay and Lesbian couples in
¯ Vermont should enjoy all benefits and privileges afforded to
¯ heterosexual couples who can legally marry. It is the first court
: in the nation to make such a sweeping ruling on the question.
’ But the justices split on whether it should amount to marriage.
¯ Onejustice splitfrom themajority’ s view that the state Legislature
¯ should decide whether Gays and’Lesbians should actually be ¯
allbwed to marry or shouldbe given domesticpartnership benefits
¯ equivalent to heterosexual marriage.
The split was of no immediate concern to Beck and Jolles and
¯ the other two couples who sued in 1997 when their town clerks
denied them marriage licenses. "It’s just fantastic this decision
¯" could come following his birth," Beck said as Jolles stood
¯ alongside her holding their month-old son Seth.
The issue now will be the subject of debate before the
: Legislature, which convenes on Janl 4. "I think the court has
¯ broken all barriers by dearly riding that we have a class of
¯ individuals in Vermont who are being denied their rights and I
thinkit is the Legislature’ s responsibility to correct that injustice ,"
¯
said Peter Shumlin, Senate president pro tern.
¯ But the question will be how. Should Vermont statutes be
¯ amended to permit two men or two women to marry? Should a
¯ domestic partners registry be established for Gay couples to
¯ record their relationships and therefore qualify for the benefits
¯ now accorded heterosexual mamed couples?
¯ "I think it’ s going to take a couple ofweeks, anyway, forpeople ¯
tounderstand what this means," said Rep. Thomas Little, chairman
¯ of the House Judiciary Committee. "Everyone wants to have a
: virtually immediate informed reaction to it, but I think it takes
¯ longer than.that."
: Gov. Howard Dean said same-sex marriage "makes me
¯ uncomfortable, the same as anybody else." He predicted the
¯ Legislature would comply with the court decision by enacting a
¯ domestic partners law rather than making marriage legal for
: same-sex couples. House Speaker~Michael Obuchowski, who
¯ Evergreen Awards Recognize
i Beal, Campbell, and Others
TULSA -Allegations of anti-Gay harassment have
risen at two Tulsa high schools. On two campuses,
teachers contend that they and some students have been
singled out for inappropriate attention.
While Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) does have a nondiscrimination
policywhich TPS’s attorney interprets
as protecting Gay teachers, staff and students from
discrimination, that policy does not explicitly ban
discrimination based on sexual orientation. It
"The Board is committed-to-the concept of
nondiscrimination in relation to race, religion, sex, age
national origin, handicap and other human differences.
This policy will prevail in al matter concermng staff,
students and the public." However, in the interests of
protecting these teachers from possible further
harassment, their names are being withheld.
One teacher, who is active in a local Gay mens’
singing group, was called into his principal’ s oftrme and
was shown a copy of the group’ s concert program. His
participation in the group was highlighted with a
- comment, -*’is -this~ legal .w’ Another teacherwhohelps,
With a support group for Gay kids. had a self-identified
"Christian" fundamentalist teack-zr attending support
group meetings andthe teacher whodoes notidentify as
Gay but as Gay-friendly felt there was an intent to
identify her as Gay and therefore to threaten her job.
Andatonecampus;twoyoungwomenwere suspended
for a public display of affectkm. A Gay teacher and
other students whb were familiar with the incident
claim that the two women were not behaving with any
less discretion than heterosexual students use in the
same circumstances, They do claim that the
administration response w~:much more harsh than for
heterosexuals. However,~ TPS spokesperson, Tiffany.
Bruton responded to TFN inquiries, saying that the
students’ conduct was well beyond socially acceptable
behavior even for heterosexuals. The students involved
did not respond to TFN requests for an interview.
TULSA - The 1999 Evergreen Awards recognized the work of
a number of Tulsans involved in HIV/AIDS issues. Prominent
among these were Dr. Jeffrey Beal and his parmer Ted Campbell
for their years of service as Tulsa’s principal physician treating
HIV and AIDS related illness and for Campbell’s mental health
practice around those issues.
The lunch ceremony was held at the offices of the Community
Service Council (CSC) on Dec. 7th, and opened with a remarks
Ted Campbell & Dr. Jeffrey Beal
by ~chael Conley of Tulsa CARF~, Melanie Speetor of Tulsa
’County Health Dept. and John Hawk Cocke of Indian Health
Services.
Presenters and the recipients of the awards included many of
Tulsa’ s most prominent activist/workers around HIV/AIDS care
and prevention. Sharon Thoele, exeentive director of Tulsa
CARES, Erie Ramirez of Planned Parenthood, Kathy Bird of
RegionalAIDS Interfaith Network, Tulsa officewere afew of the
presenters andrecipients included videographerAllisonCosslett,
Wendy Weisberg, Audra Sommers for her fundraising work,
Kay Rollins for NAMES PROJEC~ leadership, and Jeremy
Simmons for prevention education.
The Evergreen Awards are presented by the Tulsa AIDS
Coalition which was introduced at this event by Tim Gillean and
represented by CSC staffer, Janice Nicklas.
: said politics might prevent that. "What I’m hearing
¯ from my colleagues is that they’re saying that ¯ domestic partnership is amorepolitically attainable
situation and I think I’d have to agree with that
¯ analysis,"saidObuchowski,aDemocratlikeDean.
¯ Thoughthey were ecstatic, the three couples who
sued will hold off on their celebrations until they
¯ get an opportunity actually to say their vows in a ¯ wedding ceremony. "I think the acttml celebration
¯ will be when we get married," said Stan Baker,
standing withhis armaround partner Peter Harrigan.
Winnie Stachelberg, Political Director with the
¯ Human Rights Campaign, one national Gay
¯ organization noted,"we are thrilled that the Vermont
¯ Supreme Court had the wisdom and courage to
hand down this historic, landmark decision. There
¯ has never been a logical or justifiable reason to
exclude same-sex couples from marrying, and
¯ decision validates the unfairness of exclusion. This ¯
is a tremendous victory forGay and Lesbian couples
¯ in Vermont who are now one-step closer to being
¯ considered equal in the eyes of the law."
¯ Paula Ettelbrick, attorney and Family Policy Director at the National Gay and Lesbian Task
¯: Force Policy Institute said, "the court’s decision is
unique in that it commands that the state give samesex
couples every benefit and protection that
: currently provides to married couples."
¯ "However, bystopping short offully recognizing
: the freedom to marry, the court has opened the door
¯ to complete equality but has not constitutionally
¯ guaranteed it. Now the batde progresses to the
: Vermont Legislature," Ettelbrick continued. "We
¯ have the opportunity as a community to convince
lawmakers to provide the full badge of citizenship
¯ by recognizing the freedom to marry."
¯ Ettelbrick noted that Vermont is a logical state to
¯ become the first see Vermont, p. 12
New Leather Contest
TULSA- Ric Poston, Oklahoma Mr Leather 1999
and his partner James Murray _Mr Tulsa Leather
1997 have announced they are producing a new
leather contest, Mr. Sooner State Leather. The
contest will be a preliminary event to the StateTitle
of "Oklahoma Mr Leather" and is open to any
Oklahoma resident.
This first event will be held in Oklahoma City on
the weekend of April 21 - 23, 2000 and any profits
from the contest will benefit the Leather Archives
and Museum in Chicago.. The event will provide
education and information about the community,
"demonstrations," opportunities for brotherhood, a
brunchonSunday,andthe contestitselfon Saturday
night April 22, 2000.
Judges for the contest .will be Dave Rhodes,
owner and editor of The Leather Journal, Terrell
Brown, Oklahoma Mr Leather 2000, Oklahoma
Drummer2000 (to be announcedin February 2000),
and Michael Vrooman, the current International
Miss Gay Rodeo and a former International Mr ~sayRodeo,MarkMalonInternational Mr. Leather,
tRunnerUp-t997;and alternatejudge, Ed Smith
who is an avid supportor of local and nadonal
Leather and Drummer events.
The contest will be held at the Habana Inn,
Oklahoma’s all Gay hotel and bar complex. For
reservations (be sure to mention the contest for
special rates), contact the Habana Inn, 2200
Northwest39thExpressway, OklahomaCity,73112
1-800-988-2221, www.habanainn.com. For any
furtherinformation about the contest, applications,
and weekend packages contact:
ms.oonerstatelthr@aol.com.
Tulsa Clubs & Restaurants
*Chasers, 4812 E. 33
*CW’s, 1737 S. Memorial
*Full Moon Cafe, 1525 E. 15th
*Gold Coast Coffee House, 3509 S. Peoria
*The Mix, 2630 E. 15th
*Polo Grill, 2038 Utica Square
*St. Michael’s .Alley Restaurant, 3324-L E. 31st
*Silver Star Saloon, 1565 Sheridan
*The Storm, 2182 S. Sheridan
*Renegades/Rainbow Room, 1649 S. Main
712-2324
610-5323
583-6666
749-4511
749-1563
744-4280
745-9998
834-4234
835-2376
585-3405
*TNT’s, 2114S..Memorial 660-0856
*Tool Box,. 1338. E, .3rd o 584-1308
Tulsa Businesses, Services, &:Pr~fe~si6nais
Advanced Wireless & PCS, Digital Cellular 747-1508
*Assoc. in Med. & Mental Health, 2325 S. Harvard
Kent Balch & Associates, Health & Life Insurance
*Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 8620 E. 71
*Barnes &Noble Booksellers, 5231 E. 41.
Body Piercing by Nicole, 2722 E. 15
*Borders Books & Music, 2740 E. 21
*Borders Books & Music, 8015 S. Yale
Brookside Jewelry, 4649 S. Peoria
*CD Warehouse, 3807c S. Peoria
743-1000 :
747:9506 :
250-5034-,"
665-4580 ¯
712-1122 "
712-9955" 2
494-2665 ~
743-5272 ¯
746,0313 :
Cherry St: Psychotherapy, 1515 S. Lewis 581-0902, 743-4117
Community Cleaning, Kerby..Baker 622-0700
Tim Daniel, Attorney 352-9504, 800-742-9468
*Deco to Disco, 3212 E. 15th 749-3620
*Devena’s Gallery, 13 Brady
Doghouse on Brookside, 3311 S. Peoria
*Elite Books & Videos, 821 S. Sheridan
*Ross Edward Salon ,~,: 584-0337,
Events Unlimited, 507 S. Main
*Floral Design Studio, 3404 S. Peoria
Four Star Import Automotive, 9906 E. 55th P1.
Cathy Furlong, Ph.D., 1980 Utica Sq. Med. Ctr.
Gay & Lesbian Affordable Daycare
*Gloria Jean’s Gourmet Coffee, 1758 E. 21st
Learme M: Gross, Insurance & financial planning
Mark T: Hamby,.At.tomey ¯ ..
*Sandra J. Hill, MS, Psychotherapy, 2865 E Skelly
*International Tours
Jacox Animal Clinic, 2732 E. 15th_
*Jared’s Antiques, 1602 E. 15th
David Kanskey, Country Club Barbering
The Keepers, Housekeeping & Gardening
*Ken’s Flowers, 1635 E. 15
Kelly Kirby, CPA, 4021 S. Harvard, #210
*Living Al"tSpace, 19 E. Brady
*Midtown Theater, 319 E. 3rd
Mingo Valley Flowers, 9720c E. 31
*Mohawk Music, 6157 E 51 Place
Puppy Pause II, 1060 S. Mingo
*The Pride Store, 1307 E. 38, 2nd floor
Rainbowz on the River B+B, POB 696, 74101
Richard’s Carpet Cleaning
587-2611
744-5556
838-8503 -
712-9379
592-0460
744-9595
610-0880
628-3709
808-8026
742-1460
459-9349
744-7440
745-1111
341-6866
712-2750
582-3018
747-0236
582-8460
599-8070
747-5466
585-1234
584-3112
663-5934
664-2951
838-7626
743-4297
747-5932
834-0617
834-7921,747-4746
749-6301
260-7829
481-0558
835-5563
743- 1733
665-2222
592-0767
Teri Schutt, Rex Realtors
*Scribner’s Bookstore, 1942 Utica Square
Paul Tay, Car Salesman
*Tulsa Comedy Club, 6906 S. Lewis
Venus Salon, 1247 S. Harvard
Fred Welch, LCSW, Counseling
*Wherehouse Music, 5150 S. Sheridan
*Whittier News Stand, 1 N. Lewis
Tulsa Agencies~ Churches, Schools & Universities
AIDS Walk Tulsa, POB 4337, 741-0L .... 579-9593
All Sods Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria 743-2363
Black & White, Inc. POB 14001, Tulsa 74159 587-7314
Bless The Lord at All Times Christian Center, 2207 E. 6 583-7815
*B/L/G/T Alliance, Univ. of Tulsa United Min. Ctr. 583-9780
*Chamber of Commerce Bldg., 616-S. Boston 585-1201
*Chapman. Student Ctr., University of Tulsa, 5th PI. & Florence
*ChurchoftheRestorationUU, 1314N.Greenwood 587-1314
*Community ofHope United Methodist, 2545 S. Yale 747-6300
*Community Unitarian-Universalist Congregation 749-0595
Council Oak Men’s Chorale 748-3888
*Delaware Playhouse, 1511 S. Delaware 712-1511
*Democratic Headquarters,3930 E. 31 742-2457
Dignity/Integrity of Tulsa- Lesbian & Gay Catholics &
Episcopalians, POB 701475, 74!70-1475 355-3 t40
*Fellowship Congreg. Church, 2900 S. Harvard 747-7777
*Free SpiritWomen’ s Center, call for location &info: 587-4669
Friend For A Friend, POB 52344, 74152 747-6827
"
.
"
Publisher + Editor:
Tom Neal " "
Writers + contributors: ¯
James Christjohn, Barry Hensley, J.-P. Legrandbouche, Lament "
Lindstrom, Bob Rounsavell, Esther Rothblum. Mary Schepers
~dember o! The AssociatedPress ...........
Issued on or before the 1st of each month, the entire contents -"
:of this publication are protected by :US copyright 1998 by
Nta, and may not be repr-oduced either.in :
whole orinpar~withoutwrittenpermission from thepublisher.
Publicationof a name or photo does not indicate a pers0n’s .
.sexual orientation. Correspondence is assumed to be for :
publication unless otherwise noted, must be signed’& be: "
comes:the ~ole property ofT,J Eachreaaer "
~s entitled :to 4 copies of each editton at distribution ",
points. Additional copies are available by calling 583-1248.
Friends in Unity Social Org., POB 8542,74101 582-0438 ¯
¯HIV ER Center, 4138 Chas. Page Blvd. 583-6611
¯Tulsa C.A.R.E.S., 3507 E. Admiral 834-4194 "
¯Holland Hall School,5666 E. 81st 481-1111 :
HOPE, HIV Outreach, Prevention, Education 834-8378 ¯
¯House of the Holy Spirit Minstries, 3210e So. Norwood :
Interfaith AIDS Ministries 438=2437, 800-284-2437 "
¯MCC United, 1623 N. Maplewood 838-1715 ."
NAMES Project, 3507 E. Admiral PI. 748-3111 ¯
NOW, Nat’lOrg. for Women; POB 14068,74159 365-5658 "
OK Spokes Club (bicycling), POB 9165, 74157
¯OSU-TUlsa °
PFLAG, POB 52800, 74152 749-4901 ¯
¯Planned Parenthood~ 1007 S. Peoria 587-7674 ’
Prime-Timers, P.O. Box 52118, 74152
.*R.A.I.N., Regional AIDS Interfaith Network 749-4195
¯Red Rock Mental Center, 1724 E. 8 " 584,2325
O’RYAN, support group for 18-24 LGBT young adults :
O’RYAN, Jr. support group for 14-17 LGBT youth
St. Aidan’ s Episcopal Church, 4045 N.Cincinnati 425-7882
St. Dunstan’s Episcopal, 5635 E. 71st 492-7140 "
¯St. Jerome’s Parish Church, 205 W. King 582-3088 "
¯Tulsa Area United Way, 1430 S. Boulder 583=7171
¯TNAAPP (Native AmeriCan men), Indian Health Care 582-7225 "
Tulsa County Health Department, 4616 E. 15 595-4105 :
Confidential HIV Testing - by appt. on Thursdays only :
TulsaOkla.forHumanRights,c/oThePrideCenter 743-4297 :
T.U.L.S.A. Tulsa Uniform/Leather Seekers Assoc. 298-0827 ¯
¯Tulsa City Hall, Ground Floor Vestibule
¯Tulsa Community College Campuses ,"
¯TulsaGay Community Center, 1307 E. 38, 74105 743-4297
Unity Church of Christianity, 3355 S. Jamestown 749-8833
BARTLESVILLE ¯
¯Bardesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone 918-337=5353 ¯
OKLAHOMA CITY/NORMAN ."
¯Borders Books &Music, 3209 NWExpressway 405-848-2667 -"
¯Borders Books & Music, 300 Norman Center 405-573-4907 ¯
TAHLEQUAH "
¯Stonewall League, call for information: 918-456=7900 "
¯Tahlequah Unitarian-Universalist Church 918-456-7900 :
¯Green Country AIDS Coalition, POB 1570 918-453-9360 :
¯ NS.U School of Optometry, 1001.N, Grand.........:
HIVtesting every other Tues. 5:30-8:30, call for dates "
¯¯ EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
Autumn Breeze Restaurant, Hwy. 23
¯
*Jim & Brent’s Bistro, 173 S. Main
¯ DeVito’s Restaurant, 5 Center St. ¯
¯ Emerald Rainbow, 45 &l/2 Spring St.
MCC of the Living Spring
: Geekto Go!, PC Specialist, POB 429
¯ Old Jailhouse Lodging, 15 Montgomery ¯
¯ Positive Idea Marketing Plans
Sparky’s, Hwy. 62 East
: White Light, 1 Center St.
." JOPLIN, MISSOURI
¯ *Spirit of Christ MCC, 2639 E. 32, Ste. U134
* is where you can find TFN. Not all are Gay-owned butall are Gay-friendly.
501-253-7734 ,"
501-253-7457 ¯
501-253-6807 ¯
501-253-5445 "
501-253-9337 "
501-253-2776 "
501-253-5332 ¯
501-624-6646 "
501-253-6001 -’.
501-253-4074 "
417-623-4696 "
It’s Elementary + more...
December 22, 1999
On the heels of a tremendously
successful campaign togetIt "sElementary
aired on public television, we are thrilled~
to announce our new media series for
kids. We are writing to you today to tell
you a little about the project and to ask for
yo~help: .W.e.hopeyo.u’!l eonside.rm.~king
a year-end contribution toward its
completion and distribution.
We’ve been asked repeatedly by It’s
Elementaryfans, "When are you going to
make sombthing we can show to kids?""
.Finally wehave an answer -- THAT’S A.
FAMILY! -- a video for elementary
school children about family diversity.
To learn more about THAT’S A
FAMILY! and to make a donation to
ensure its successful completion, please
read the rest of this email, or go to:
http:.//www.womedia.org/support.html
on the internet.
THAT’S A FAMILY! is the first video
in our. long-awaited media series for
children, "Respect for All." THAT’S A
FAMILY! introduces children to different
kinds of families, while the second and
third videos~in the series center on
dispelling Gay and Lesbian stereotypes
and confronting anti-Gay name-calling.
In THAT’S.A FAMILY! you’ll meet
children’ who were adopted; are
multiracial; haveparents whoare divorced;
are being raised by step-parents, single
morns or dads, or by grandparents and
guardians. There also are children with
Gay dads or Lesbian morns, and their
stories are intertwined with those of the
other families.
THAT’S A FAMILY! is scheduled for
release in the spring of 2000. It has the
potential to reach hundreds of thousands
of children, giving elementary schools a
truly inclusive, respectful teaching tool
that children will love to watch. Wehave
no doubt that the long-term impact of this
project will be tremendous. Giving
elementary school students the opportunity
to hear the words "Gay" and "Lesbian"
described in a matter-of-fact way by their
peers, and experience Gay and Lesbian
families inthe contextofsuchanincredibly
diverse group of other families, could
have a profound effect on their values and
behavior for the rest of their lives.
To kick off this ambitious media series
for children, we need your help. We need
to raise additional funds to finishTHAT’S
A FAMILY! this winter and to launch its
distribution. Our work is not commissioned-
instead we independently
produceand distribute ourmediaprojects.
see It’s... p. 14
Announcements Policy
Tulsa Family Newswitl provide-space
for holy union ceremony, marriage
ceremony, birth, adoption and death
announcements onaspace availablebasis.
Photos are welcome, though we cannot
promise placement or return them, so
please send copies to Tulsa Family News,
POB 4140, Tulsa 74159.
Letters Policy
Tulsa Family News welcomes letters
on issues which we’ve covered or on
issues you think need to be considered.
You may request that your name be withheld
but letters must be signed & have
phonenumbers, or behand delivered. 200
word letters are preferred. Letters to other
publications will be re-printed as is
appropriate.
by Tom Neal, editor & publisher
January is National Volunteer BloodDonor Month and
most newspapers in the city have received press releases
exhorting Tulsans to donate blood.
According to Tulsa’s chapter of the American Red
Cross’ communications manager, Maggie Jewell, "the
winter time is a crucial time for blood donations and that
many new donors are needed to help meet patient needs
in local hospitals...many donors who regularly give find
that they cannot during the winter months because of a
cold or the flu.., the nation’ sblood supply... [is] just a
few hours aheadofdemand. Asit stands today, ifeveryone
stopped donating blood, our nation’s supply would
disappear within only two days..."
So you’d think that the Red Cross would welcome all
donors. In the Red Cross" press releases, they state, "to
donate, one must be 17 years or older, weigh at least 110
pounds, and be feeling wall the day of the donation..."
What they don’t say is that ffyou are Gay, you don’ t lie
about it, and you give blood, they throw your blood away
- even though ALL blood is tested for HIV antibodies
anyway! Anyone who’s had sex with someone of the
samegender since,ifmemory serves me, 1984, is banned.
To reframe a 19th century prejudice: "Irish need not
apply" becomes "Faggots need not apply."
The local Red Cross shrugs off responsibility, saying
it’s a national policy. The national Red Cross places the
blame on the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). They
all know that thisis bad science. "
Once one might have presumed-a tight correlation
between sexual orientation/behavior and HIV status.
Today, those exposed to the HIV virus can just as easily
be heterosexual. Infact, one of the parts ofour population
whichhas disproportionately highinfectionrates is young
Mrican-Americans. Does anyone think we’d see the Red
Cross or FDA saying, "Young Blacks need not apply"?
The reality is that this discrimination is socially wrong
as well as bad public health policy. TulsaArea Red Cross
can’ t:change it by itsdf but its Board of Directors can go
on record to call for a change in the policy (it wouldn’t
hurt if they added a non-discrimination pohcy too). And
it can stop trying to sweep this prejudice under the rug.
Until it and the FDA change their policies, its press
releases should read, "to donate, one must be 17 years or
older, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be feeling well the
day of the donation.., andnot be aGay or Bisexual man."
by Tom Neal, editor/publisher
Early on the morning of Dec. 3rd, like many others, I
was shocked to see the face of a friend, someone whom.
I respectandlike, inTheWorld accused ofa vcry unlikely
act.
Reading the article and knowing the man, my first
reaction was to wonder that the charges had been brought
at all. It is a classic, "he said, she said" recast as "the
straight ’boy’ said, the Gay man said."
According to comments made to the Tulsa World by
Broken Arrow police, the
only persons present at the
allegedactwere RickFortner
and themanwhohas accused
him of lewd behavior (I say
man who accused because at
16 if he were a murderer,
he’d be considered an adult
and 16maynotbevery wise,
but it’s hardly a child in this
day and age).
I then wondered at
possible motivations for his
accuser. Was this the sick
behavior of a young man struggling with his own
homosexuality andprojecting his self-hatred onto another
target?
Or is he yet another young American man warped into
mindless hatred Of men who love other men by a society
whose need for some hated "other’ dates back to before
the Republic was founded (let me see: we Americans
havehated Indians in the East, we’ ve hated Blacks, we’ve
hated Jews, we’ve hated Germans, we especially hated
the Irish, we’ve hated Catholics, and Poles, and again
Indians in the West, and Asians: Chinese, Japanese, Fast
Indians, we’ve hated Commumsts, Socialists, Unionists,
women who dared to vote -or merely not be endless
baby-factories, hell, we’ ve even hated some Republicans
- I personally have thought that Ronnie Reagan was one
of the most profoundly and blandly evil men of our time
but I digress).
Former says he is innocent and I believe him as do his
friends and colleagues at his work, All Souls Unitarian
ChurchandinCouncil Oaks Mens Chorale whichFortner
founded and leads, and I hear his family, thank God.
But even when his innocence is proven, and these
charges likely are shown to be shameless political
opportunism by Tulsa County District Attorney Tim
Harris, Fortuer remains victimized by the accusation. His
reputation has been called into question and defending
" Fortner says he is innocent and I
believe him... But even when his
innocence is proven, and these
charges likely are shown to be
shameless politlea! opportunism by
Tulsa County District Attorney
Tim Harris, Fortner remains
victimized by the accusation...."
himself can 0nly be costly even if the charges are without
merit.
So why is this haptmning? Political and other observers
have known for some dme that Tulsa District Attorney
Tim Harris is closely associated with right wing political
extremists who call themselves "Christian."
Tulsa’s DA’s earlier demonstrated their willingness to
abuse the powers of the office to promote a ultra rightwing
agenda when they failed to prosecute seriously the
brutal hate assault against Tony Orr and Tim Beauchamp
until after prim media had
written about the DA’s bias,
failing even to get them
victim’s compensation for
their medical injuries as the
DA’s office does for other
crime victims.
Local attorney and
TOHRboard member Kerry
Lewis suggests that Harris is
shamelessly using this
accusation to appeal to the
part ofhis electoratewho are
rabidly prejudiced, to appear
as though Hams is "fighting crime" andjust incidentally
destroying Rick Fortner’s lifein the process.
We can likely anticipate that much of our District
Attorney’ s strategy, if they have the nerve to push such a
seemingly meritless case so far, is going to be to engage
in blatant legal "Gay-bashing." It will be suggested that,
ipso facto, Rick’s a"homo" and therefore capable of any
evil, and that any accusation by a red-blooded, all-
American boy is, of course, God’s own Truth!
But what’s really on trial here, is American justice
itself. As has played out generation after generation, with
minority after minority, the reality has been that our
justice, at its best- is uneven, and more often than not is
wildly unfair, favoring wealth, whiteness and heteromaleness.
And all the problem is not in the DA’s office. Some
Tulsa police, year after year, engage in varieties of anti-
Gay bias, including breaking the very law, with no
restriction nor anti-bias training from Chief Palmer nor
the elected official to whom he answers, Mayor Savage.
But right now, what matter is that Rick Former is
treated fairly. I don’ tknow if he’ s got alegal defense fund
set up but he may need it.
I’d suggest that any help readers might give, be sent to
the Rev. Suzanne Meyers at All Souls Unitarian Church.
They’re in the book.
by Dave Fleischer
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
Ask voters a question - then listen to their answers -
and you get what Lily Tomlin calls a "goosebump
experience." Why the adrenaline rush? Because you
challenge not only your cherished ideas about the voters,
but also what you believe about yourself.
I was reminded of this while campaigning in Carol
City, an African-American, working-class Miami
neighborhood. I was with a team of volunteers from
SAVE Dade, the group preparing to defend their county
Human Rights Ordinance.
Scene: short, bald, Jewish me at.the door, talking to a
voter: "The Ordinance protects all of us from
discrimination, whether we’~re aman or woman, black or
white, Gay or non-Gay. The newest part of the law is the
part that includes Gay people. Some people want to take
the law .apart and remove Gay people from it. But we
think that s wrong-wethink everyone ought to be treated
with dignity and respect. What do you think?"
,,W,_ith barely a pause, the voter began "My church says.
¯. Oy ray. I figured I knew where we were headed, and
it wasn’t the promised land. "My church says--Jesus
loves everybody. Diseriminadon is always wrong." She
and I had a brief, affirming discussion.
I went to door #2, said my piece, and the voter
immediately began,"My church says..." I listened. "My
church says homosexuality is a sin. It’s wrong. Read
your Bible, and you’ll see the Lord has a plan for a better
life for you." As he amplified his point of view, I was
: trying to decide how quickly to exit. When he stopped
: talking, we paused and looked at each other. Then I said,
"Well, I’m Gay. I likemylife, and if IYm doing a goodjob
¯
at myjob, do you think my boss should be able to fire me
¯ just because I’m Gay?"
¯¯ The voter looked astonished: "Wall of course, no one
should fire you for that." That started a back-and-forth
¯ that surprised both of us. Wedisagreed about why people
are Gay. We agreed that discrimination against G.ays is
¯ unacceptable. After a fewminutes, as hewas prepanng to ¯
read tomefrom the Bible, I called ahalt, thanked him, and
¯ moved to the next door.
: What I learned about myself was how hard itis to ask
: a question and hear the answer. Both times, it only took
: three words before I thought I knew what was coming.
¯ Both times, I was Wrong but I realized why asking
~¯ questions is uncomfortable.Whenwe ask a question, and
really wait to hear the answer, we are not Controlling the
¯ situation. We are sharing control with the other person.
American culture teaches us all to like control. To
¯ celebrate our individuality - to believe that one pe.rson
¯ can make a difference - to have it our way--is as
¯ American as a.microwaved Mcwhopper.
But growing up Gay raises the stakes. Many of us
realize early on that we’ re different, subject to ridicule or
¯
hurt. So we crave control as a way to protect ourselves,
¯ and to survive. We pump up our talent for isolated
¯ individual achievement, sometimes neglecting team-
" building and our curiosity about others.
: Our life becomes a search for refuge. To protect
¯
ourselves, we build communities and organizations
¯ designed to shelter us. Butwe thenmiss genuine, reciprocal
¯ connectionwithotherpeople, especially thosewho aren’ t
just like us. Werarely ask them what they think ofus. We
¯
assume we know.
¯ When we don’ t ask real questions - like "What do you
think?"- we rely on Our past experience. No wonder that
¯
we hold onto ahigh level of paranoia. We can’ t forget the
¯ feelings we knew when we were young. We can’t miss
¯ the hostility expressed by right-wing extremists now. that
¯ we are older. ¯
But, guess what? Neither has much to do with where
¯ most Americans stand today. When we lack confidence
¯ in other people, it is no wonderwe struggle in campaigns. ¯
Ourlifeis a niche, but in elections we need50% + 1 of the
¯ participating voters on our side.
¯ It is understandably scary to put aside our past hurts to
test the possibilities in the present. It’s easier to avoid
person-to-person campaigning; it’s tempting instead to
¯ rely on every other possible form of communication, all
of which have at least some value. But what price do we
[ pay for our lack of curiosity, our unwillingness to risk
: authentic exchange? Are we, without meaning to, buying
¯ intothelargerculture’stoleranceofstereotypicalthinking?
~ Who is most imperiled when it’ s a deviant act to ask a
¯ question - or to question a stereotype? Let’s rescue ¯ ourselves. Goosebumps are ours, for the asking.
Dave Fleischer is a seniorfellow at the Policy Institute
ofthe National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
Nationwide Insurance : Allen said. Allen said much of the group’s time is
Adds Partners’ Benefits:¯ teachers can ha,,v.e a tough time discussing even with
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Nationwide Insurance those~who don t have a disability.
Company has just begun to offer employees a new : The Arc, formerly known as th.e .Associatio~
benefits package that will recognize same-sex : Retarded Citizens, adopt,e~,.. a posmon paper mr
d0mestic partners. The plan also .will cover relatives " " year~ ago affirmin_g that. indiv]~du,~.s with m~enn~
_ including extended family members~uch as : retardationarepe°plew~tlasexualIeel.mgs’~nhee~n~}
’grandparents - roommates and unmarriedpartners
~vho live w,ith the .employees, Donna. James; [ the 7:2 million people with,,mental retardation in the
Nationwide s senior vice president :of ihuman ¯ United States, s~ys people have fundamental ri,g,h,ts
resources, told The Outlook, an iaiiependent [ as individuals to have privacy, love and be loved.
¯ eater Columbus Ga,c community. ~ Sfill,. Gay people with mental disabilities are often
newsPaper°f,thegr.: - . . .,’.= ~,-~-’--,=-1= ¯ o,;~,~: "zed somefimesb arents,orcaretakers-the
Those co,v:_cream.u..~si tt~. a:.e.,p-enaoe.n..t.o. nm. e~’~auP~..’u~ . o~,~att_ ,,
em lo eeforsupp0rtorsnarelmanclalrespOn~t°mq¢ v~"v *~ a r
"
P Y. ........... .... .
.... ’ r-All of Nationwide s 28,000 .
¯ . ¯ _ . .’. .--. ¯ wem~pthlotyheeewsaorere.klig.eib..!.e..f0rth-,ep~ lan.Byear: ly~’mber"’ ¯ ’. " W : ~lrglfllfl CoHrt to lalevle
A recentForbesMagazine sur~ey, mo!area:
unmarried parmers .are ovyr~..byh~e’~l~9.ben,efitS ~ :: ’ ROANOKE, Va. (AP)-A Virginia.appe~s court,has
10% of .the businesses with :at least zoo em~toy~.. : agreed"to review the constitutionality oI a state taw
Companies that.pr0vide.same-sex P.-aFtner~e3Its .: tl~t ~nalizes oral sex between consenting adults.
indtide:Lotus!.De~vd0pment Corp.,MicrosoRtsorp:, .. The.Virginia Court of Appeals agreed to ~ear. the
-IBM, Walt Disney Co.,Honeywell and Xerox. ¯ ~i~s ~)f nine men convicted of soliciting sodomy
¯ " " e : from undercover police posing as Gay me~... .
McCam, Forbes:Endors : The case will test alaw that some autho~taes say ~
a legitimate way to deter public sex acts. opponen ’Don’t Ask, DOn’t-Tell’- ": 0fthelawarguethatit’sanarchaicinvasionofprivacy
.... .........si .that targets homosexu~,,s. The law, referred to as
WASHINGTON(AP)-TheClintona~stxatto.n
polieybarfing0penh0mosex.ual~sfro,m,..military~e_ ; ,crimes against nature, applies to all consenting
~vorksandshouldbepreserYed,Kepumtcancanoauate~ ’" adults, homosexual and heterosexual, who engagem
" oral sex in public or private. Violating the law is a
Sen. JohnMcCainanffSteveForbes s~din Decem~ber;
¯ McCain~ a former naval officer and prisoner oI war felony, plmishable ,by up to five years in prison.
inVietnam, Saiahewo,~dhave sen.1.°r o,f.fieer,s,re,v]ew
Those who say it s time for Virginia to join the list
the p0ffcy, but ad,d,ed, I support me poncy, i oeueve
of states that have abolished their alifi-sodgmy laws
that it;s working. ’ ,, , "
i are. encouraged that the appeals court has agr.e.e,d to
On"Fox Ne~s Sunday, Forbes said: ’The military
¯ hear the case. The sodomy law also was invokedmthe
is not an institution for socialengineering. It has. a
¯ case of Sharon Bottoms, a Richmond-area woman
~:ery real,role of protectingus. It... operates in very
" who lost custody of her son in 1993 when ajudge said
speJzial circumstance§, and theref0reapresident must
" she was an linfit mother because she and her female
take heed of leaders such as Gen. Powell and G.en.
¯ lo~er engaged in oral sex.
Scfiwarzkopf Who s,a,y that you cannot have open
inhispetitiontothe.appealscourt, Garrison said,,,the
Gays in the military.. The Repu.bh,ca~,~ fro,nt-ru~n~ar~
’ : case is not just a Gay issue, but one that affects me
ri ht to 4 5 million adult Virginians to be
Texas Gov George W.-Bush, also nas. enaorseu
Clinton policy. "
,
The position of Vice President A1 Gore, a,Viemam
they have a reasonable expectataon to privacy, t ne
veterat~, and.his Democratic Opponent Bill Bradle~ is
appeal attacks the law from several angles: that it
that people who.can be firefighters, police officers
¯ violates privacy rights guaranteed by both state and
andmembe~s,ofColigress shouldhaVeopenaccess to
federal Constitutions; that it is based on religious
.military service as wall. Gay civilrights activists who ¯
met with Clinton ¯last week said the president¯ told "
them the ~’don’.t ask, dOn~t.tell’’ policy was a failure..
R.., ,rded-Gays and ¯
Lesb"ia"ns" "Find Support.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP)- For decades, the ¯
sexuality of people with mental, dis~abi!i_ti_e_s,^W_~e]~ ¯
taboo a subject that parents ann prolesslonm~ ,o~ ~
acknowledged its ..ex~stence. The disabl.ed were o~ften ¯
treatedas if they Were eternal children; immune irom
desire. Bu,t as people with mental disabilities come of :
age in a more accepting’atmosphere, they are’:
grounds and thus violates the separation ofchurch and
state; and that its potential five-year prison sentence
subjects defendants to cruel find unusual punishment.
Eighteen men were charged under the law-in the
Roanoke Police Depfirtment;s sting. The biggest
challenge for those appealing .their convictions may
be convincing the appealS.court that they have legal
standing to overturn a’law that affects not just them,
but all adult Virgimans. In 1979 - the-last’ time a
higtier state court heard a challenge of the sodomy_.
law, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that a man
arrested in Richmond had no such standing2 ’
Since then, several states have recoglfized that
defendants arrested for alleg.ed public ~.ex acts are
entitled to fight the law not just as it was applied to
them, but as it potentially co~d be applied to bthers.i
formerly Family of Faith & Greater Tulsa MCC
Joined as one body of believers.
Come celebrate with us.
Sunday Services, 11 am
~aplewood, 8~18-1715
Kelly Kirby, CPA, PC
Certified Public Accountant
a professional corporation
747-5466
4021 S. Harvard, Suite 210, Tulsa 74135
HOUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIq
Sun. Worship, ~0:45 am, Sunday School, 9:30 am
Wed. Bible Study, 7 prn
3210b S. Norwood, Info: 224-4754, Chris or Sharon
Sandra Hill M.S.
Licensed Professional & National Certified
Counselor, Cel:tifled Hypnotherapist
.,Psychotherapy & Clinical Consultation
After Hours Appointments Available
2865 E. Skelly Drive, Suite 215,745~111
Community Unitarian UniversalL’
Congregation
at Community ofHo~p~
South Yale, Sundays at llam, 749-0S9!
A Welcoming.Congregation
experiencing an open discussion abom relationships ¯ Mingo Valley Flowers
an~’s~x ~and for Some, acknowledging that .they may Thirty years ago, all 50 states had laws that forbade
be homosexual.. " f eo le witl~ " consensual oral sex. Today, Virginia is one of. 17
For the past.year, a small group’o P P : statesthat’stillhassu~halaw- ’
mental disabilities has be~n ga~hexqng ~- transported ¯ ¯ - 9413 E, 31st St., Tulsa 74145
from group home~ and independentl~ving facilities ". 918-663-5934, fax: 663:583~,1800-444-592
.byth~ircareta~ers+-to,djs~us~the~-r¢-d[c~’ue~nt°fn°~t~ :
Court Bars Child
o~y beingmenta~iy ~a~d~ea~i~ed, but being Gay ~or ¯ Visitation, Rights milr
On a monthly basis, ~ey meet a~ a group with a : CHICAGO (AP) ~ Shelived withher Lesbian parme,r- . .
advocates for:the disabled say:more’ " n . ,-., . ~nva"cy¯ .-.~.-~.-.~..,~..ri.~.r.ti.i .".~.a.t.e.l.us; .t.no.t.c.o.ve.r.e.d.u.nd.e.r.a. state law-governing Visitaaon rights. ~ne oec,slon
NewHaven group:~d the meetings are niSt a dating ":
service. Ratl~er;the sessions’are an opporttmity for a~. upjhue~ud.~j:~a~il~r CH’~u~ntaCn:~l~ul.~gg:eopinionii~t~d
¯segment of the populati°n that is d°ubl:y ils°)ated.t°, : th~illin0islaw.~pecifi~i~]iame~i~i~?eS.’~.~e~ : l,li-,~ , 12~21’.S~uttlCo~umbialSuRe420 ,~
~lk oper~y about feelings, ,pressures,~ana" socm~ ¯
situations. Left.unaddressed; ~exu~iiy in.,a person :’ as.fotmerspous~sandgran.dparen ~,. -~ i ~i. ~;.’
1~q~4-351.8
With a m~nL~i :disability can ,manifeSt itself in : to Visitation rights with children. If.is silent fin me ~’’~
inappropriate, and...s0metimes,, ,s~lf-destructive. ,ways; : issue of former same-sex p.armer~,:
Child.i Family, IndividualA.,Couple Psychother~
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Tulsa, Oklahoma 74114-3518
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Amanda met her partner, "Helen," in 1984 when
they were living in Georgia. Helen was artificially
inseminated in 1993 and gave birth to a daughter that
December. Amanda was involved in the preparations
for the birth and helped take care of the little girl for
a year and a half. The relationship ended in 1995. The
next year, Helenmoved to Chicago with her daughter
and has refused to allow Amanda any contact with the
child since 1997, the court said. Amanda’s suitargued
that even though she was not married to Helen, She
Should have the same rights parents have under
common law. Sawyer, an attorney for the Eainbda
Legal Foundation, said a decision would be made
later on. whether to appeal to the Illinois Supreme
Court.
Helen’s attorney, Leon Finkel, noted that Illinois
does not recognize common law in such cases’~ He
said boyfriends, aunts and uncles and in some cases
even stepparents are among those whoare not entitled
to visitation rights under Illinois law.
Finkel also said limiting the list was a good idea.
because parents should only m special instances be
forced to give up the power to determine who is
allowed to visit their children.
He added that while Illinois doesn’t recognize
same-sex marriages, it does recognize same-sex
adoptions. Had Amanda legally adopted the girl, she
would have had visitation rights and the dispute
would never have taken place, he said.
Study Says Marriage Ban
Would Hurt Children
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - At least 40,000
children living with Gay couples and 100,000 more
with Gay single parents would be affected by a
proposed state ban on same-sex marriages, according
to a new study. Those children could feel ostracized
by. society if their parents’ Unions were considered
invalid, concludes the review by Michael Wald, a
Stanford University law professor who specializes in
public policy’s effect on children. Proposition 22
would let California recognize only marriages
performed between a man and a woman. It will be
voted on in March.
’q’his alleged study, which promotes homosexual
marriages, is nothing more than a bogus political
campaign hit piece against Proposition 22 and the
institution of marriage," said Robert Glazier, a
spokesman for the Yes on Proposition 22 campaign.
Wald’s review used findings by the American
Psychological Association and several research studies
on same-sex parents. "By all reports, these families
are doing very wall," Wald said. "It is different,
obviously, growingup in afamily with two parents of
the same sex, but children adjust to it." Studies have
shown that the children of Gay parents are welladjusted
and do wall in school, but often face
intolerance, he said.
The report drew criticism from David Orgon
Coolidge, director of the Marriage Law Project atThe
Catholic University ofAmerica inWashington, D.C.,
who called it "an attempt to mislead voters." "prop 22
is not about same-sex couples," Coolidge said in a
written statement. "Prop 22 is about whether
Californians will be allowed to decide for themselves
how marriage will be defined in this state."
Colorado Anti-Marriage
Amendment Progresses
DENVER (AP) - A proposed constitutional
amendmentto restrict same-sexmarriages in Colorado
has been approved by the .secretary of state’s office
and now advances to a 30-day challenge period, ifapproved
by voters, the measure would recognize
only marriages between, a man and a woman and
would make same-sex marriages performed in other
states invalid in Colorado.
Themeasure, which cleared the secretary of state’s
ritle-setting board in December, will face opposition.
"As a statewide agency,we are eommitted to fighting
this every step of the way," said LoriAnn Girvan,
executive director of Equality Colorado. "We feel
that the taxpayers of Colorado don’t need another
anti-Gay ballotinitiative that will re-ignite our state’s
reputation as a place of intolerance."
Candace McCune, an Englewood lawyer
representing proponents of the measure who formed
the group Coloradans for Traditional Marriage, said
the measure would close a loophole in the state
Constitution. The Legislaturelast year rejected an
attempt by Sen. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Fort Morgan,
to pass a statute similar to the proposed amendment.
Opponents oftheinitiativehave 30 days to challenge
it. Ifit survives, signatures ofnearly 64,000 registered
voters. W~ould have to be collected tO.l~m the ~easure
off ~1i~ ~6all0t. Coloradatis- for Tradiu6nal" Marriage
also withdrew a proposal to ban same-sex marriages.
Hank Aaron Slams
Pitcher’s Comments
ATLANTA (AP)- Hall of Famer Hank Aaronjoined
thebarrage ofcriticism against AtlantaBraves pitcher
Johp_ Rocker, despite his apology for making
derogatory comments about Gays and minorities.
Aaron said he was "very sick and disgusted about
the whole situation" and questioned how Rocker
could continue in baseball. "I have no place in my
heart for peoplewhofeel that way," the all-time home
run king, who is the Braves’ senior vice president,
told syndicated radio host Jay Mariotti.
About 15 activists protested outside Turner Field,
urging the Braves to fire Rocker for the comments,
which were published i~n a recent Sports Illustrated.
"There may be some room for redemption, but not
as anAtlantaBrave," said Michael Langford, president
of the United Youth-Adult Conference. "We
encourage him to enter his resignation right now and
go into an early retirement."
Rocker told Sports Illustrated he would never play
for a New York team because he didn’t want to ride
a subway train "next to some queer with AIDS." He
also bashed immigrants, saying, "I’m not a very big
fan of foreigners... How the hell did they get in this
country?" While driving in Atlanta during the
interview, Rocker criticized Asian women: Look.
Look at this idiot," he said of another driver. "I
guarantee you she’s a Japanese woman. How bad are
Asianwomenatdriving?" Healso calledan overweighl
black teammate "a fat monkey."
Rocker apologized in a ffritten statement, saying he
was carried away by his "competitive zeal" against
New York Mets fans. He said heis not a racist mad the
comments do not reflect his true feelings.
Civic groups and a member of the Atlanta city
Council delivered aletter to Braves owner TedTurner
and general manager John Schuerholz demanding
Rocker’s immediate firing. "We would have hoped
there would havebeen amore scathing condemnation
of these comments," said Councilman Derrick
Boazman. "This was more thanjust rhetoric. This was
hate." There was no answer at Turner’ s office, and his
publicist did pot return a telephone call.
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig called Rocker’s
remarks "inappropriate and offensive." He said
baseball is reviewing the matter and would take
"appropriate action." There is precedent: Former
Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott was suspended
from baseball for the 1993 season for her use of racial
and ethnic slurs.
¯ Pentagon .Seeks Tougher
: Stand Aga,nst Harassers
¯ WASH!NGTON(AP)-The U.S. Defense Department
¯ is piessing armed services leaders to re-emphasize to
¯¯ commanders that harassment of troops based on their
sexual orientation will notbe tolerated. The Pentagon
: has drawn fire recently for its "don’t ask, don’t tell"
: policy. Critics say an increasing number ofGay and
Lesbian servicemembers arebeingharassed, contrary
: to the stated policy ofpermitting them to serve so long
: as they do not declare their sexual orientation.
: The criticism sharpened after a court-martial in
¯ which anArmyprivate was convicted of murdering a
¯
Gay ,soldier harassed with the knowledge of his
¯ superiors. PresidentBill Clinton said earlier lastmonth
¯ that the Pentagon’s policy on Gays was "out of ¯
whack."
". see Briefs, p. 14
Older Americans
With HIV Increasing
HOUSTON (AP) - An aging population,
life-extending treatments, and a
misperception that AIDS is a disease of
the young have fostered an increase in
AIDS infections among older Americans,
the Houston Chronicle reported recently.
Nationally, about 11% of reported AIDS :
cases are in people 50 or older, the
newspaper reported.
Seniors are the age group with the
fastest-growing AIDS rates - up 22%
between 1991 and 1996, compared with a
9% increase among people age 13-49,
according to the U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
However, health officials warned that
the increases seem dramatic because the
numbers are small. A 106% increase in
the number of older women infected
through sex, for example, is based on an
increase from 340 eases to 700 eases.
"’At this point, the numbers are so small
that they really have notbeen perceived as
a problem," said Dr. Rose Brownridge,
acting bureau chief of the Texas
Department:of Health division that deals
with AIDS and other sexually transmitted
diseases. She added, however, that the
issue needs further study.
About 72,000 .americans age 50 and
over and about 4,50(3 Texans have been.
diagnosedwithAIDS. N~gneknows how
many seniors are infected with HIV, the
virus that causes AIDS, because not all
states require HIV reporting and because
older people arethought to be tested far
less often than their younger counterparts.
According to the CDC, slightly more than
one-third of older people with AIDS are
Gay or Bisexual men. About one of five
was infected by using a dirty needle to
inject drugs.
While popular attention has been
focusedon declining infection rotes among
children, AIDS among seniors has been
virtually ignored. That must change, said
Marcia try, chief of social science
research on aging at the National Institute
onAging. "The pointis that society cannot
ignore AIDS in that pediatric population,
in the young adult population or the older
population," Ms. try said. "For people
living longer or getting infected at_ an
older age, these people are incredibly
isolated, and they may not getthe treatment
they need."
That is likely to change with the
onslaught of baby boomers nearing
retirement age, said Kathy Nokes, a New
Yorknursewho works withinfected older
patients and editor of a book on seniors
with AIDS. "Baby boomers talk about
everything, try everything, demand
everything," she said. "To a 60- or 70-
year-old, that’s not polite."
Ironically, the drug Viagra that has
allowedmanyoldermento revive dormant
sex lives also has heightened concern
aboutthe spread ofAIDS. "They are pretty
AIDS-unaware as they venture out into
the world of sexual activity," said Sara
Selber, executive director of AIDS
Foundation Houston. "AIDS wasn’ treally
on their screen at the time they were
(previously) sextmlly active."
Fish Gene Key to
Immune System
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A gene discovered
in puffer fish - which have immune
systems similar to humans - may hold
secrets to learning more about diseases
that affect the human immune system,
such as AIDS, medical researchers say.
~esearchers doing work at St.
Petersburg’s All Children’s Hospital
published their findings in this week’s
Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, an academic journal.
Despite the finding, researchers do not
know what the newly found gene does,
said Gary Litman, the University of South
qoridaimmunologistwholedthe research
effort.
However, they do know the gene plays
amajor role in theimmune systembecause
of its complex structure.
In addition to the puffer fish, the
~mportant gene is found in other bony
fish, including zebra fish and sharks.
"The hunt is on for this gene in man,"
said Litman, who is working with eight
other researchers in Florida and in
California and Massachusetts. "Now we
know where to look."
Researchers are using computers .to
search human DNA for the identical or
similar sequence of 114,000 amino acids
found in the fish DNA. There are about 3
million amino acids in the human body.
Discoveries about the immune system
can affectnew developments in treatments
for diseases ranging from common
allergies to cancer and Alzheimer’s
disease.
Litman said thenew gene mightprovide
clues to an additional type of immunity
that doctors might not have realized.
AIDS Most
Important Story
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP)- The
discovery of and ongoing efforts to treat
and find a cure for AIDS was the top story
of the century, according to a survey of a
group ofhigh school history students. The
students surveyed by The Hutchinson
News otherwise generally agreed with
adult readers surveyed by the newspaper,
but, adults gave AIDS barely a mention.
’ It had such a high impact on what they
thought about their own mortality," said
Susan Smith, a teacher atHutchinsonHigh
School. "They didn’t think they could die,
and they certainly didn’t think having sex
could make them die."
Lindsey Derr, 16, saidnews aboutAIDS
is evenmoreimportantnow that the disease
is generally understood by experts and
millions of people have been identified as
AIDS,positive. Jacqui Faber, 16, said a
lot of people still don’t know enough
about where and how to get tested.
Some issues identified by students as
mostimportant occurred long before their
lifetimes, such as womengaining theright
to vote in America. Other issues that are
again xn the news, such as the Scopes
"Monkey" trial pitting evolutionary theory
against creationism, weren’t seen as
important.
Other stories that were big during their
lifetimes, such as the explosion of the
space shuttle Challengerandthemeltdown
¯of the Russian nuclear power plant at
Cheruobyl, were neat the bottom of the
high-school list.
Thebombing ofPearl Harbor that led to
U.S. entry into World War II, top of the
general readership’ s list,was infifthplace
among the students.
A high-ranking story on the students’
list that ranked low among the gener~
readership was the "I Have a Dream
speech given by the Rev. Martin Luther
King Jr. Talesha Brassield, a 16-year-old
junior, said King’s speech was still a
reminder that Americans have a lot to
learn about respecting each other. "There
The Second Annual
Progressive Alliance Summit
The State Capitol
Oklahoma City
Saturday
Januar 15th, 2000
Join activists from many different
progressive movements from across the
state for skills and coalition building.
Keynote Speaker: Frosty Troy
The Oklahoma Observer
For more information or for reservations contact Planned
Parenthood in Tulsa at 918-587-7674
or Keith Smith at The Smith Group: 405-840-2219
Are You Gay or Bisexual?
Are You Native American?
Tulsa’s Two-Spirited Indian Men’s
Support Group is here for you!
¯ Evening support group meetings
¯ Relationship workshops
¯ Short trips, outings and retreats
¯ Free HIV testing
For information call Tulsa Native American AIDS Prevention Project
at 582-7225 Ext. 208 or 218
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are still people that believe people have to
think the same, look the same and believe
the same things," Talesha said.
Thais Protest US
Drug Monopoly
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - Some 120
Thai activists and HIV-AIDS patients
camped Wednesday outside the Health
Ministry demanding an end to a U.S.
pharmaceutical monopoly thatmakes antiviral
drugs too expensive for most in
Thailand. They want theThai government
to enforce a patent act to legalize local
manufacture of Didanosine or DDI, a
medicine that suppresses the deadly HIV
virus in a patient’s blood, delaying the
onset of AIDS.
Few. of the more than 1 million HIV
postive individuals in Thailand, a country
of 62 million people, can afford drugs
such as DDI and AZT, imported to
Thailandfromoverseas,mainlyfromU.S.
manufacturers.
DDI,manufacturedby U.S. ftrmBristol-
Myers Squibb, is sold at50 baht ($1.25) a
tablet in Thai hospitals. Patients need at
least fourtablets aday, costingin all about
6,000 baht-10,000 baht ($160-250) a
month. A Thai office worker earns about
4,400 baht($110) amonth. Thedrugprice
would be halved if Thailand produce it
locally.
Last month, Medecins Sans Frontieres,
the Nobel Peace Prize-winnlngemergency
healthcare group, said U.S. trade pressure
has made proper health care for H!V/
AIDS patients nnaffordable in Thailand
and other less developed countries.
Activists said access to DDI, used by
around 5% of people living with HIV in
1997, declined over the past two years due
to Thailand’s economic recession. Since
theHIV epidemicbeganin the early 1990s,
more than 260,000 Thais have contracted
full-blown AIDS.
’q’he government has full legislation to
enforce the act butit fears the U.S. will be
angry andit mightlead to trade sanctions,"
said Paisal Tan-ud, spokesmanoftheThai
Network For People Living With HIVAIDS.
The activists plan to camp outside
the ministly in Bangkok until they get an
answer from the government.
Earlier this year, campaigners succeeded
in demanding local manufacture of
Diflu.can, a drug used to treat cryptococcat
memngitis, a fungal infection of the brain
which occurs in HIV-AIDS patients.
The government has allowed two local
pharmaceutical compames to produce the
drug, originally manufactured by the U.S.
drug company Pfizer.
Girl + Grandmother
Tell Their Story
WOODBRIDGE, Va. - When Annisha
Wilbum was 4 years old, she went to live
with her grandmother, Valerie Reeder-
Bey, who is HIV-positive. Reeder-Bey
knew she had to talk about her condition
with her granddaughter. The hard part
was finding a way to do it without
frightening her or delving into
uncomfortable details. "I was living in
fear that anything could happen," said
Reeder-Bey,46,wholives inWoodbridge.
"I wanted to tell her. I just really had to
find the way without being graphic."
She started by jotting down things that
Annisha shouldn’tworry about: "It’ s okay
to hug," she wrote. "It’s okay to hold
hands." As the girl got older, she started
making her own contributions to the list.
¯ Talking on the telephone with her
: grandmother was OK, Annisha pointed
¯ out, or going rollerblading together.
¯ Thus was born "My Grandma Has
: AIDS: Annisha’s Story," a 14-page
¯ illustrated children’s book that was
¯ published this year by a pharmaceutical "
¯ company and distributed at the U.S.
Conference on AIDS in Denver and a
World AIDS Day commemoration in
¯ Boston.
"- Annisha and her grandmotherare both
¯ listed as authors, but thebookis writtenin
¯¯ Annisha’s voice. "Hi. My name is
Annisha. This is a story about my
grandma," the book begins. "She is real
: special to me. Mygrandmaisjustlikeany
¯ other grandma. My grandma has AIDS."
The book goes on to describe the various
things they do together. "I know that ifmy
friendhas AIDS, I cannotcatch itbybeing
~ their friend," Annisha says in the book.
~ Reeder-Bey, who also lives with her
¯ husband, Tommy, is excited about the
: book’s distributionandhopes parents will
¯" use it to introduce the subject of AIDS to
i¯ tHheeairvcehniilndrVenie.wS,haeniosnaplrsoofitthtehafotpurnodveirdeosf
: health counseling and support groups for
¯ people living with AIDS. "I would love
¯ forit to be in ev,,e~y household. That’s ~e
ultimate dream,’ she said. "Even if it s
¯ not in every household, I want everyone
~ to know about it."
: The road to "My Grandma Has-AIDS:
¯ Annisha’s Story"was along one. It began ¯
¯ whenReeder-Beywent toherownmother,
looking for solace after she learned she
¯" was HIV-positive. Reeder-Bey said she
¯ spent 22 years as an alcoholic and drug
¯ addict. Her mother could not accept the
: diagnosis and sent her daughter away, she
: said: "I forgive my mother now, but then,
¯ I couldn’t take it," she recalled.
¯ Six years later, Reeder-Beywas alcohol-
. and drug-free andembarking onanew life
¯ as an AIDS activist and drug counselor.
¯ Then her daughter, who has had her own
: struggles with addiction, asked her to take
in Annisha. "Wehad already spent a lot of
." time together," Reeder-Bey said of
¯ Annisha. "She just became a part of my
: life."
When Annisha was 6, Reeder-Bey
¯ thought the two of them had a book worth
¯ sharing. She went to several well-known
: children’s book publishers, who told her
¯ that the subject matter was inappropriate
¯ or didn’t fit their needs.
¯ Butthebookdidcatch the eye ofofficials
." at Agouron Pharmaceuticals, a La Jolla,
." Calif.-based company that makes the
." AIDS drug Viracept, and Agouron
¯ published it. Agouron has an active
: outreachprogramthatfocuses particularly
¯" on minority communities, and the book
¯ worked well with that program, said Joy
¯ Schmitt, a company spokeswoman.
: Reeder-Bey also made sure that Prince
¯ WilliamCounty school administrators got
: a copy of"Annisha’s Story." Annishais a
¯ third-grader at Featherstone Elementary.
¯ Agouron said it plans to distribute the
~ book at otherAIDS conferences, with the
¯ authors’ permission. In the meantime, ¯
Reeder-Bey is a one-woman distribution
¯ machine, bringing books to her doctor’s
¯ office, to work, to wherever she thinks
¯ someone would pick one up. "I want
: people to open up and start talking to kids
: about it. Kids want you to be open with
: them," Reeder-Bey said.
¯ And Annisha said she plans to keep
¯
writing. She has advice for other would-
~ be authors: "I think they should write
¯ what’s in their imagination, and write
: what’sin their heart."
Happy New Year and Century to " hit Broadway, running for 2 years. This
everyone! "If you’re with me, next year : ground breaking drama about 9 Gay men
willbe... The perfect year!" Sorry, Petula ¯ gathering for a birthday party with catty,
left a little Norma Desmond behind. (The ¯ emotionally trying results spawned a film
line is from a song that features ~ -by William Friedldn (who went on to
prominentlyinthemusical, direct "the Exorcist", and
"Sunset Boulevard".)
Actually, there were afew
days I couldn’ t tell the two
apart. What, me catty? I
don’t know what you
mean. . . (Eyes bat
iunocenfly. Well, as close
as I can get... Shaddup!
Stop snickering amongst
yoursdves!)
January at the PAC: Ben
E. King performs with the
Tulsa philharmonic the 7
&8. The armchair traveler
goes to France on the 10;
and the All State Music
Festival happens onthe 15.
"Gaelic Storm," the Irish
band that played in the 3rd
class steerage section of
the Titanic appears at the
PACJanuary 19 &20. Leo
danced a jig to their tunes
in the film. Latin music is played by
Scarles, Allen and River on the 22, and a
concurrent concert hapl~L’ns with Janina
Fialkowska at the piano. On the 23, Das
Puppenspeil (I love that name!) puppet
theatre performs with the Philharmonic,
and the month closes with "Buddy," the
Buddy Holly musical from the 25 through
the 30. "Crossing Delancy" opens on the
28. More info on these artists to come. If
~ou lust can’t wait, you can always call
e f~iendly folks at the PAC ticket office
at 596-7111.
Forthose abitmoreventuresome, Dallas
seems to be the place of interest in
upcoming months. GeorgeWinstonplays
Majestic Theatre Jan 7; and for those who
recall a rather large member of the Rocky
Horror Picture Show cast, Meat Loaf
performs at McFarlin Auditorium Jan 16.
My, they’re really bringing in the class
acts now, aren’t they?
For the more modem crown, Counting
Crows plays the Bronco bowl Jan 25, and
Beck plays there Jail 26. Kids in the Hall,
the all male cross dressing comedy troupe
of some fame in the mid-90’s plays the
Bronco bowl Feb 3. The Pretenders, with
opening act "Gay Dad", perform at the
Bronco Bowl Feb 6. The Chieftains, for
those who like their Irish music Irish, are
at the Fort Worth Bass Performance Hall
Feb 6. Back in Dallas, Diana Krall plays
the Majestic Theatre Feb 18. And for
those into boy bands, Backstreet Boys
(almost has-beenS) are at Reunion Arena
March3-4. For themorefolksy set, Crosby,
Stills, Nash and Young are playing
Reunion Arena March 7th.
For thosepining for somedecent theatre
- and I know many of you are, even if you
don’t attend it- Mort Crowley’ s seminal
work, "The Boys in the Band", runs
through January 29 at the Fort Worth
Theatre (817-921-5300). It rated a full
page storyin theFortWorthStarTelegram.
Apparently, Fort Worth has become a
progressive town, in that one of its oldest
and mostprestigious theatres has started a
series of Gay plays called the "Labor of
Love" series. They have sold out.
Hello, Theatre Tulsa!
"Boys" opened in April 1968, and was
one of’the first, if not the first, Gay play to
"Sorcerer") and nnhinged
the closet door that held
Gay theater locked inside
and blew it down the
hallway.
. FortWorthTheatrehas
already produced two
shows this season thathad
to do with some aspect of
homosexuality:
"Seducing Sally" and
"The SantalandDiaries".
Folks, this is a city
nicknamed "Cowtown".
Hello? It’ s about the size
of Tulsa. They have 3
theatres there that are
unafraid to try something
new -CircleTheatre, Stage
West, and now, the most
staid of the Fort Worth
Theatres.
We have Heller, and
: sometimes TU, and the quality of theatre
¯ in this town is very hit and miss. I know
: that’ll tick some folks off, but it’s true.
¯ And more often than not, it’s missing.
: Let’s work on that, shall we? I mean,
¯ Cowtown, really!
Tickets are $10 - $12 dollars, and a
¯ percentage of ticket sales goes to AIDS
~ Resources of Rural Texas. And from the
: pics of the cast, it looks like it would be a
¯ handsome evening, indeed. Thanks to
: Mark Lowry of the Fort Worth Star
Telegram for some of the info used in this
: tern.
Usually, when I write of an album
wherein the songs, music and lyrics, tend
to eerily reflect events in my own time
space, it’ s a safe bet that I’m writing about
Stevie Nicks. Shejust does thht sort thing.
I got walloped this last week by an album
my best friend Karin (who’ s straight, by
the way) mademelisten to. She started off
by saying some of the songs reminded her
of me and one of my last major romantic
entanglements. Then she started playing
it, and I was just about knocked out of the
car. The album is by an artist I never gave
much ~hought to, except to wish that I’ d
never hear the phrase "I Wanna Come
Over" again. Yes, I was ~,valloped by a
Lesbian MdissaEtheridge slat~stalbum,
"Breakdown" (an ironic rifle, given the
album’ s previously stated significance) is
a treasure trove of powerful lyrics and
dynamite music.
The song "Stronger Than Me" is one of
the ones my best friend Karin related to
: my experience from her viewpoint. The
~ lyrics are dark and intense, and the music
; echoes their intent. "I don’t know how
: you can take it / invest your heart and then
¯ youbreakit / I don’ tknow how youcan set
: it free / you must be stronger than me"
: certainly sums up my somewhat
¯ overoptimistic romantic enthusiasms
according to Karin.
"Breakdown" is a power ballad about a
~ love gone so wrong one has left, but the
¯ other p~rson keeps pulling you back like
~ a pit of quicksand. "I’m coming to your
~ breakdowntonight.""Enough ofMe" was
¯ another sock to the stomach in its eerie
: capturing of what the last year of my last
; majorrelationship was like. see Jirn,p. 14
The Tulsa Phiharmonicpresents
pianist
Janina Fialkowska
the third concert in the,
Masterworks Series
Saturday, January 22, 8pm
Tulsa Performing-Arts Center
Debussy, Prelude a l’apres midi d’une faune
Grieg, Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 16
Wagner, selections from
Der Ring des Nibelungen
Tickets: 747-PHIL or 596-7111
earles, Allen & Rive.ra
URBANTULSA
THE KERR FOUNDATION, INC.
FOUNDERS AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
"cO IJ/IELLIAS cao~oea~v:VAL CANIPAROLIw~:FREOEIIIC CHOPIN
Long before multi-million dollar book deals -
were the fashion, Alexandre Dumas’ son
(yes, the "The Three Musketeers" author)
converted his torrid:turned-terminal love affair
into a best seller. From there, composer
Guiseppe Verdi adapted the story for opera
(hello, "La Traviata"). Today, choreographer
Val Canipamli finished the iob of turning
"La Traviata" into dance. Using drama,
not melodrama. For understatement
underscored. A full-length love story.
"You don’t have
to knew ballet
to love ballet.
You just have
to try it."
-- MARCE£LO ARGELJNI
ARTISTIC DIRECTOI~
" FRIDAY 8 PI~EBRUARY 11
SATURDAY B PMFEBRUARY 12
SUNDAY 3 PMFEBRUARY 13
SEASON SPONSORS:
ABC Music
Order tickets by calling The Tulsa BaJlet Ticket Offica: 749-600|
4512 S. Peoria Ava. , Tulsa, OK 74105-4563 ¯ VisH
GILCREASE MUSE
I~" SUNDAYS
Bless the Lord At All Times Christian Center
Sunday School - 9:45am, Service - 11 am, 2207 E. 6th, 583-7815
Community of Hope (Welcoming), Service - 6pm, 2545 S. Yale, 585-1800
Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Service - 11am, 2545 S. Yale, 749-0595 (Welcoming)
Church of the Restoration Unitarian Universalist
Service - 1 lain, 1314 No. Greenwood, 587-1314
Metropolitan Community Church United
Service, llam, 1623 North Maplew00d, Info! 838-1715
House of the Holy Spirit Ministries, Inc.
Sunday School - 9:45am, Service - 10:45am, 3210b So. Norwood
Parish Church of St. Jerome (Evangelical Anglican Church in America)
Mass - 1lain, 205 W. King (east of N. Denver), Info: 582-3088
Unity. Church of Christianity
Services: 9:15 & 11:00 am, 3355 S. Jamestown,749-8833
University of Tulsa Bisexual/Lesbian/Gayfrransgendercd Alliance
6:30 pm, Meets at the United Ministry Ctr., 5th & Evanston, 583-9780
~’ MONDAYS
HIV Testing Clinic, Free & anonymous testing. No appointment required.
Walk in testing: 7-8:30pm, 834-TEST (8378)3501 E. Admiral (east of Harvard)
HIV Rap Sessions at Bless the Lord At All Times Christian Center
7:30pro, 2207 E. 6th, 583-7815
PFLAG, Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays
2rid Mon/each mo. 6:30pm, Fellowship Congregational Church, 2900 S. Harvard
Women/Children & AIDS Committee, call for meeting date, noon, 585-5551
Council Oak Men’s Chorale, rehearsals - call for times, info: 748-3888.
I~" TUESDAYSAIDS
Coalition of Tulsa, call for next meeting date. 1430 S. Boulder, 585-5551
Live And Let Live, Community of Hope United Methodist, 7:30pro, 2545 S. Yale
Multienltural AIDS Coalition, call for next meeting date.
Urban League, 240 East Apache, 584-0001
PrimeTimers, mens group, Pride Center. 1307 E. 38th
Coming Out Support Group (TOHR/HOPE)
Tuesdays, 6 pm, Pride Center, 1307 E. 38th, info: 743-4297
~ WEDNESDAYS
Bless The Lord At All Times Christian Center
Prayer & Bible Study, 7:30 pm 2207 E. 6th, 583-7815
House of the Holy Spirit Ministries, Inc. Service - 7pm, 3210b So. Norwood
Tulsa Native American Mens Support Group, more information, call 582-7225
TCC Gay & Lesbian Association of Students (GLAS), Call for info: 595-7632.
Lambda A-A, 7 pm, 1307 E. 38th, 2nd ft.
~" THURSDAYS
HOPE, HIV Outreach, Prevention, Education
Anonymous HIV Testing, Testing: 7 - 8:30pm 834-8378, 3507 E. Admiral
Oklahoma Rainbow Young Adult Network (O’RYAN)
Support/social group for 18-24’ s, call Red Rock Mental Health at 584-2325
Substance Abuse Support Group for persons with HIV/AIDS, Info: 834-4194
~ FRIDAYS
SafeHaven, Young Adults Social Group, 1 st Fri/each mo. 8pm, Pride Ctr., 1307 E. 38th
I~" SATURDAYS
Narcotics Anonymous, 11 pm, Community of Hope,1703 E. 2nd, Info: 585-1800
Lambda A-A, 6 pm, Pride Center, 1307 E. 38th, 2nd ft.
t~= OTHER GROUPS
T.U.L.S.A. Tulsa Uniform & Leather Seekers Association, info: 298-0827
Gal-A-Vanting, Womens Social & Cultural Group
Call for info: Kathy at 322-6322, or Barb at 459-6825.
OK Spoke Club, Gay & Lesbian Bike Organization. Long rides & short rides from
Zeigler Park. Long & short tides from Tulsa Gay Community Center. Write for info:
POB 9165, Tulsa, OK 74157
Mixed Volleyball, non-active in winter, call Shawn at 243-5190 for spring activities.
Ifyour organization is not listed, please let us know. Call 583-1248 orfax 583-4615.
reviewed by Barry Hensley
Tulsa City-County Library
Here are a couple of new books at the
library that you shouldn’t miss! A few
years ago, author Rik Isensee wrote an
eulighteningbookforGay
men, rifled "Reclaiming
Your Life: The Gay
Man’s Guide to Love,
Self-Acceptance and
Trust." He’s back with a
new winner for those of
us in our, ahem, late
thirties (and on up), "Are
You Ready?"
The time has come for
the community to
understand that Gay life
doesn’t end simply
because you remember
Watergilte. This book
helps you learn to
celebraie i the positive
things about aging
(flexibility, " greater
"One d Isensee’s
primary tasks is to
help Gay males
reach closure with a
youtlt~l identity¯
The key to this is
learning to stop
living for the
moment¯ For a
¯ reclaim youthful ambitions. This tendency
: can be compared to the stage of
¯¯ ’bargaining’ in grief reactions. If only I’d just work harder, exercise more, go to
¯ bars, get a facelift, get a tattoo- I’ll be all ¯
right."
One of the suggested
steps toward stabilizing
your life is to get in a long
term relationship. Just
because it didn’t work
whenyouwereyoungand
foolish doesn’t mean it
won’t work now! There
is a good section that
provides some basic
guidance toward finding
a rdationship, including
"what are you looking
for?," "distinguish
_between desirables.and
necessary qualities," and
variety of reasons, "be open to men who
" don’tfityouinsual type." we are living longer. _There are alsosomegood
tolerances, self ann " 1- ....
¯....
" ~ d nav" ate neell to remmn
acceptance) an lgate~_____-~_~.
the negatives (dis-eti~ vital and involved.
over physical aging,
d i s i 11Usi onm e n t,--It Is very Important
examples of how
depressio,and lethargy).
One of Isensee’s to-not waste time
primary tasks is to help re]ivln6 -
Gay males reach closure
with a youthful identity, the past..
The key to this is learning
to stoplivingfor themoment. Fora variety
of re~ons~ we are living long~-and need
to remain vital and involved. It is very
important to not waste time reliving the
past.
As Isensee explains, "During this
uncertain time, when we’ ve lost our way,
there may be a sense of not having
accomplished anything. Itmay be difficult
to remember earlier goals or to ascribe
any significance to them. It’s also hard to
imagine what else we would like to do.
Rather than tolerating the anxiety of not
knowing, some men are tempted to make
up for lost time - through some radical
change for its own sake, or a mad dash to
with Former and does not believe the
accusation to be credible.
Attorney Kerry Lewis, who is also a
board member of Tulsa Oklahomans for
Human Rights suggested that anti-Gay
bias and political opportunism on the part
of Tulsa County District Attorney Tim
Harris and his staff may be behind this
accusation.
Lewis noted that such a case would
have appeal for Republican Harris whose
voter bast is tied to religious extremist
elements in the Republican Party. Lewis
also said that given the level of anti-Gay
prejudice in the area’s jury pool; Harris
maybecalculating thatheneednotactually
prove Former guilty, that is that merely
being a Gay man accused by a younger
man will be taken as proof of guilt in a
legal system. that is hostile to minority
citizens.
DrumwrightattorneyTimDaniel whose
practice~has’included defending Gaymen
relationships change over
the years. No, thesethi~gs
are not easy, but the hard
work will pay off in. the
end!
Another new book is,
’q’he Book of Gay and
Lesbian Quotations."
This is a fun compilation
of quotes by Gays and
¯ Lesbians; and Gay-friendly peopleas well,
¯ from ancient times to the present. It is a
." simple reference book broken down into
¯ broad subjects: solitude, morality, hope,
¯ etc.
: Some of the better quotes are: "a waist
¯ is terrible thing to mind," "anyone who
¯ says that softball is a boring game to
. watch isn’t looking at the right things!,"
: and "the only way of getting dd of
temptation is to yield to it." This is a super
: book for one liners.
: Check for these and other fun books at
¯ your local branch library, or call the ¯
Readers ServicesdepartmentattheCentral
: Library at 596-7966.
: who say they were entrapped by Tulsa
¯ Police, believes that the Tulsa County
¯ DistrictAttorney uses anti-Gay bias in the legal system to plea bargain cases,
: knowing that accused Gay men, even if
¯ they are not guilty, or even if the police ¯
engaged in illegal conduct themselves in
¯ order to make an arrest, will accept a
~ "deal" rather than risk having a hostile
¯ jury and even more serious charges and
¯ punishment.
: Anti-Gay hate crime victims, Tony Orr
¯ &TimBeauchamp, also have pointed out ¯
that Hams’ office failed to assist them in
: getting normal compensation for their
: medical expenses due to the assault on
¯ them, and that the DA’s office did not
¯ even prosecute seriously their assailants ¯ until after The Tulsa World wrote a story
: about the DA’s inaction.
¯ Fortner did return a call to TulsaFami!y
: Newsbutonadviceofhis attorney declined
; to comment onthe allegations. Calls to
: Former’s attorney were not returned.
January April July October December
Even Out Your
Monthly Electric Bills.
At PSO, we know that changing
weather conditions throughout the
year can cause your monthly electric
bills to rise and fall dramafieally.
Which can make it hard to tflan your
¯household budget. That’s why~
~ourAverage Monthly Payment plan,
could be your_budgeting solution.
Wata~you imy about the
same each month, because it’s based
on your gnevious 12 months.usage.
That makes budgeting a breeze.
And best of all ifs free. AMPis just
one of several ttem~ole payment
o~ons PSO offers you. For more
a day. Or sign up forAMPon our
P- 9 PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF OKLAHOMA
A Central and South West Company
Holland Hall
SCHOOL
PRIMARY SCHOOL TOURS (AGE 3- GRADE 3)
MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL TOURS (GRADES 4- I I)
MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOL TESTING (GRADES 4- II)
PRIMARY SCHOOL TESTING (KINDERGARTEN- GRADE I)
To reserve your place, please Call the
Admission Office at 481=111.1; extension 251.
5666 E. 81st Street ~ Between Yale & Sheridan ~ Tulsa ~ www.hollandhall.org
Holland Hall admits qualified students without regard to race, sex. religion, national or ethnic omgm, or p~.sical disabili~..
800-559-1558 ~.NewNest.com
The new Patti Johnsqq Wilson YWCA wi, be opening February 2000
Fitness Center
Aerobics
Aquatic Programs
Licensed Child Care
Our Proffress
Le s!
by Mary Schepers . - I will respect electrical energy and will
TFNdo-it-yourself-dyke extraordinaire ¯ notwireanyfixture, outletorswitch’hot."
The holidays are over, the mistletoe " - I resolve to keep saw blades sharp and
delightfullynsed, abusedandrefused.The ¯ clean. I will unplug power saws before
long nights and short days of winter seem ¯ removing the blade.
to stretch on forever. It is - I resolve to use trendy
the time to dreamoffuture
projects that will not be
started until spring time
comes. And it is time for
making all of those godawful
New Year’s resolutions
that endurebutfor
a mere matter of days.
Why not combine home
projects with good
intentions andmake some
resolutions you’ll actually
keep?
Inall modesty, and with
absolutely no sense of
overstepping boundaries,
your DIYD gently offers
her own suggestions for
your approval and
implementatzon.
Considerityourblueprint
for a millennium of
satisfying home projects.
Or consider it your DIYD
telling you what to do -
again. And always. Why
should this century be any
different than the. last?
You love it, ducklings,
you know you do! Now,
repeat after me
- I resolve to always work
safely! I will read and follow direction~
and will not by-pass guards or safety
devices. I will use personal protection
(safety glasses, earplugs, etc.), and ask for
help if I need it.
-I will measure twice (minimum!) and
cut once. Woodis expensive and screwing
up makesmecranky and unbearable. Let’ s
avoid that this year.
-I will not swear to the extent and/or
noise level that the dog or cat needs deep
therapy.
-I will always involve my partner (if
applicable) inhome repair and decoration
decisions. Even if they say they "don’t
care" - trust me, cupcake, theydo!
- I resolve to take good care of my tools.
I will keep them clean, organized and in
good repair. I will thereby not waste
precious project time obsessing about the
mystery location of the screwdriver or
paint roller.
- I resolve not to treat any ofmy partner’ s
questions as stupid - no matter how
glaringly obvious the answer or solution.
- Iwill not loan out tools I care about to
people who abuse them or do not return
them, I will acknowledge my emotional/
psychological bond with my tools,
especially thoserequiring apower supply,
- I will buy that leather tool bdtas soon as
I can. And I will use it (silk boxers
optional).
- I resolve to always set my ladder up on
a stable, even surface and to havesomeone
watching out for me nearby. That
especially applies if I am on the roof. The
dog does not count as my ’safety buddy.’
-I resolve to overcome my fear and
loathing of spiders and slugs long enough
to enter the crawl space and make that
minorplumbingrepair to thebathtub drain.
Other-wise, I will overcome my aversion
to paying a plumber to do the same.
"In all modesty, and
with absolutely no
sense of overstepping
boundaries, your
DIYD gently offers
her suggestions for
your approval . . .
Consider it your
blueprint for a
millennium of
satisfying home
projects.
Or consider it your
DIYD telling you
what to do - again.
And always.
Why should this
century be any
different
than the last?"
colors and designs in my
home sparingly, remembering
fullyhow appalled
I was by the ’50’s Peptopink
bathroom walls, tile
and tub. I am leaving a
legacy! (this does not
apply if you wish vengeance
on your heirs)
- I will always get three
quotes for any contract
labor, as well as
references.
- I resolve to be more
respectful for the people
wor.king atmylocal home
repatr palace, even thal
patronizing boob in
plumbing. Fantasize
about replumbing his
fixtures, butdon’tactually
threaten to do it this time.
-I resolve to buy very
good paint brushes and
keep them clean and
properly stored for a
lifetime of painting
pleasure.
-I will not tell friends,
family or relative
strangers how they
screwed up their latest
project and what I wouldhavedonebetter.
Do give them a stack ofDIYD columns as
a form of gentle guidance.
- I resolve to do one project this year, no
matter how small, to improve the
aesthetics, efficiency or value ofmyhome.
- I resolve tomakemy DIYD that cocktail
- a Manhattan with two cherries - as a
small token of the gratitude I bear her for
enlightening my life and improving my
home!
And your DIYD resolves to be back
next month to help you make good on
some of these intentions.
PS: Your DIYD doesn’ t waste precious
energy tying cherry stems into knots with
her tongue when it is better applied to
practical projects!
¯
By the time ~this song played, I was
¯ becoming a fan. So much so, I bought the
CD
If ’ ,
: you ve been depressed, and couldn t
¯ explain how debilitating a state it really
¯ can be, "Into The Dark" is one of those
¯¯ songs you play for people to make them
understand what the dark night of the soul
¯ is all about. One ofthemore powerful and
dark songs on thi~ album, it leaves you
." haunted. It’ s a ditty about going "into the
¯ soullinto the heart/into the dark", and
: realizing that one’s been spinning one’s
wheels keeping a dead relationship alive,
¯ not that Iwouldknowanythingabout that.
"There was tire/therewas death/there was
¯ lyingonyourbreath/Itumedaway/Iwould
¯ pretend/but the fire never ends/I’ve been
¯
here sleeping all these years. "
_" Lest you think it’s all doom a~ad gloom,
: JulieCypher, Melissa’s longtimepartner,
¯ requested a more upbeat song for fear her
to recognize same-sex civil marriage. It
was thefirst state to offer domesticpartner
benefits to state workers, one of the first
states to recognize second-parent
adoptions and one ofthe first states to ban.
discriminationbasedonsexual orientation.
-The Mormon church, which has
campaigned.-against Gay marriage in
Vermont, Hawaii and California, issued a
brief statement repeating its position and
¯ saying,"As the legislative process moves
forward, The ChUrch of Jesus Cqh-’ist of
Latter-day Saints urges the citizens of
Vermont and their elected representatives
to protect the uniqueness and sanctity of
traditional marriage and to preserve the
family ~ the basic unit of society."
Next Door In New Hampshire
A statelawmakeris trying to make sure
Gay New Hampshire couples do riot take
advantage of the Vermont ruling. Rep.
Gary Torressen, R-Center Harbor, says
he was disappointed by the decision that
Gay couples are entitled to the same
benefits and protections as husbands and
wives. Torressen said he filed., his bill,
which would prevent New Hampshire
from recognizing same-sex marriages
contracted out of state, in anticipation of
the Vermont court’s decision.
The Legislature repealed a ban on Gay
foster parents and Gay adoptions. The
state also has a law that protects Gays and
Lesbiansfrom discrimination in housing,
employmentand access topublicfacilities.
State Sen. Rick Trombly, a Boscawen
Democrat who is Gay, said New
Hampshire shouldgo further and set upits
own domestic partnership system. Rep.
Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth, has
filed a bill that would extend medical
benefits to domestic partners, andrecently,
trustees for the state university system
approved domestic partner benefits for
employees. But Gays and Lesbians still
lackfull acess to the samehealthinsurance,
disability benefits, tax breaks and
inheritance protections that married
couples enjoy.
Trombly believes New Hampshire
lawmakers would support a domestic
partnership system as a fundamental
affirmation of equal rights. But he does
not believe they would support Gay
marriage, because many believe
heterosexual marriage has a religious
significance.
State Sen. Pat Krueger, a conservative
Republican from Manchester, said
Tuesday she had Gay friends whose lives
were complicated by their lack of legal
protections, and she would consider
supporting domestic partnerships. A
spokeswoman for Gov. Jeanne Shaheen
said the governorremains opposed to Gay
marriage. Spokeswoman Pamela Walsh
declined:comment on Shaheen’ s .view of
domesticpartnership.legislation, sayingit
was premature.
Excerpts from the Supreme
Court decision on marriages:
Maythe stateofVermontexclude samesex
couples from the benefits and
protections that its laws provide to
opposite-sex married couples? That is the
fundamental question we address in this
appeal, aquestionthatthecourtwellknows
arouses deeply-felt religious, moral, and
political beliefs. Our constitutional
responsibility to consider the legal merits
of issues properly before us provides no
exception for the controversial case. The
issue before the court, moreover, does not
turnon the religious-or moral debate over
¯
inlimate same-sex relationships, butrather
¯ on the statutory and constitutionai basis
for the exclusion of same-sex couples
: from the secular benefits and protections
: offered married couples.
¯ We conclude that under the Common
Benefits Clause of the Vermont
Constitution, which, in pertinent part,
e,ads, that government ~s, or ought to be,
instituted for the common benefit,
¯¯ protection, and security of the people,.
¯ nation, or community, and not for the
particular emolument or advantage ofany
i single person, family, or set of persons,
¯ who are a part only of that community,"
plaintiffs may not be deprived of the
: statutory benefits andprotections afforded
¯ persons of the opposite sex who choose to
~ marry. We hold that the state is
¯ constitutionally required to extend to ¯ same-sex couples the common benefits
: and protections that flow from marriage
under Vermont law.
". (and)
¯ While the laws relating to marriage
¯ have undergone many changes during the
¯ last century, largely toward the goal of ¯
equalizing the status of husbands and
¯ wives, the benefits of marriage have not
¯ diminished in value. On the contrary, the
¯ =benefits and protections incident to a
: marriagelicense under Vermontlaw have
: never been greater.
¯ (andfrom Justice Denise Johnson)
¯ This case is undoubtedly one of the
¯ most controversial ever to come before
¯ this court. Newspaper, radio andtelevision
¯ media have disclosed widespread public
¯ interest in its outcome, as well as the full
¯ spectrum of opinion as to what that
¯ outcome should be and what its
¯ ramifications may be for our society as a ¯
whole.
¯
.One line of opinion contends that this is
¯ an issue that ought to be decided only by
¯ the most broadly democratic of our
¯ governmental institutions, theLegislature; ¯ and thatthe small group ofmenandwomen
: comprising this court has no business
deciding an issue of such enormous
¯ moment.
: For better or worse, however, this is
¯ simply not So. This case came before us
¯ because citizens of the state invoked their
¯
¯ constitutional right to seekredress through the judicial process of a perceived
¯ deprivation under state law. The Vermont
¯ Constitution does not permit the courts to decline to adjudicate a matter because its
¯ subject is controverslal, or because the
¯ outcome may be deeply offense to the
Strongly held beliefs of many of our
¯ citizens.
¯ We do not have, as does the Supreme
¯ Court of the United States, certiorari
-’ jurisdiction, which allows thatcourt, inits
¯ sole discretion, to decline to hear almost
¯ any case. To the contrary, if a case has
¯ been brought before us, and if the
¯ established procedures have been
¯ followed, as they were here, we must hear
¯ and decide it.
: Moreover, we must decide the case on
¯ legal grounds. However much history,
: sociology, religious belief, personal
¯ experienceor other considerations may ¯
inform our individual or collective
: deliberations, we must decide this case,
¯ and all cases, on the basis of our
¯ understanding of the law, and the law
¯ alone.
¯" Thismustbethe trueandconstant effort
¯ of every member of the judiciary. That
¯ effort, needless to say, is not a guarantee
¯
of infallibility, nor even an assurance of
¯ wisdom. It is, however, the fulfillment of
.. our pledge of office.
Red Rock Tulsa
Free Confidential
HIV Testing
Walk-in Clinics
Tuesday Testing, 5 -8 pm
Pride Center, 1307 East 38th
Wednesday Testing, 5-8 pm
Red Rock, 1724 East 8th
Daytime.appointments available.
Call for more information:
918-584-2325
Church
of the RestoratiOn
Unitarian Universalist
11 am, Sunday
1314 North Greenwood
587-1314
We knowyou’re
going to love this[
Restaurant & Cabaret
310,East First Street
Massage Therapy Services
¯
/
Edgar O. Cruz, L.M.T.|
Pager: 918-889-5255
Voice Mail: 918-697-9282
Lic. #C4133
Want to get involved?
Need to get
tested for HIV?
Need a
Coming Out Support
Group?
Call
743-GAYS (4297)
Tulsa Gay
Community
Services
Center
1307 E. 38th
at Peoria, 2nd floor
Country Club
Barbering
Custom Styling
for Men & Women
David Kauskey
3310 E. 51st, 747-0236
Tues.-Fri., 8-5:30, Sat. 8-5pro
IGTA member
Call 341, 6866
International
Toursformoreinformation.
A UTHENTIC FRESH
1TALIAN RAINBOW
CUSINE TROUT
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TOM NEAL
BUILDING
&
GARDEN
DESIGN
58:3- 1248
by Lamont Lindstrom, Ph.D. ¯ into gender patterns as soon as they are
One of my students owns 189 pairs of ~ born, wrapping them in blue or pink
athletic shoes. Not quite Imelda Marcos, ~ blankets. Walk into any toy store and you
butgettingthere.Anthonyisjust20years ¯ knowwhenyou’veenteredthegirls’aisle.
old and already he is a sophisticated ¯ Everything suddenly has turned pink.
collector. Collecting things is oddly ¯ Several of my friends with young sons
importantformany ofus.
I have other friends who
accumulate Native
American artifacts. And
books. And jazz vinyl
recordings. And Cacti.
And uniforms.
Most of us collect
some-thing evenif this is
only string or a draw full
Of condoms. Our houses
are museums. One ofmy
professors saved sheets
of toilet paper from bathrooms
around the world.
Me, I have.a stupendous
collection of refrigerator
magnets.
We buy stuff; we give
it away; we receive it;
andwe curateit: Think of
all those shoeboxes lined
UP in Anthony’s bedroom.
Things, clearly,are
important for reasons
beyond the utilitarian.
Evenwearing themevery
second until the day he
dies, Anthony will never
use up all his Shoes. He
buys themto ownandnot
particularly to wear. They
helpmake sense ofwhom
he is - or at least who he
thinks he wants to be.
Because ofthiS, ormaybe
it’s their smell(they give
him a buzz.
Having just survived
the holiday season, we
know the pleasures and
pains of stuff. Did you
get what you want for the
holidays? Did you make
a list? Did you check it
twice?
Everyone grumbles
about the materialism of
a onetime religious
celebration. But complain
away, I sure had a
lot of desperate company
last month when I went
foraging for things in the
bleak shopping expanses
of Walmart.
"We slot our
ehildren into gender
patterns as soon as
they are born,
wrapping
them in blue or
pink blankets.
Walk into any toy
store and you know
when you’ve entered
the girls’ aisle...
Several of my
friends w~th young
sons complain that
it is difficult to find
gender-neutral toys.
’One two-year old
boy loves to play
with brooms and
vacuunl cleaners.
His morn, of course,
has to go to the
girlS’ side to find
toy household
eleanlng equipment.
And, worse, the kid
likes to play with
dolls. His father
nervously protests
his son’s
babydoll games.
" Je~z! Can’t you buy
the boy atru~k?"
This connection Of stuff and identity is
characteristically American. We learn
early on to~ define ourselves in terms of
things, We_+play a:game with children
called "favorites." Weinsist that kids tell
us their favorite"color~ music, television
show, make of car,.or ice-cream. Evenif
complain that it is difficult
to find gender-neutral
toys: One two-ye~ old
boy loves to play with.
brooms and vacuum
cleaners. His ~m0m+ of
course, has to go to the
girls’ side to find toy
household cleaning
equipment. And, worse,
the kid likes to play with
dolls. His father nervously
protests his son’s.
babydoll games. Jeez!
Can’t you buy the boy a
truck?
This paternal nervousness
signals the symbolic
strength of the connections
we draw between
things and identity, ff doll
equals girl, thenboy-whoplays
-with-doll equals
girlish, perhaps even Gay.
Our use of particular
things sends messages,
accurate or not, aboutwho.
we might be. We know
that both men and women
need to.practice nurturing.
Butthe doll-loving boy,
like the toy gun-toting girl,
violates the cultural code
of consumption that attributes
gender to things.
And, who knows? Maybe
the Kid really just likes
dolls. Or maybe he has
already figured out our
consumption code and he
likes dolls on purpose in
order to Send dad a
message.
My daughters, too’old
for dolls, and also,too old
for Pokemon, this year
wrote Gameboy camera
on their Christmas lists.
They didn’ t seem worried
about the name. Why
Gameboy and not
Gamegirl? In hierarchical
systems, it is easier to
"ups,h,ift" than "dowm
Shifi. Gifts wear pants.
Not .too many boys wear
¯ dresses. Women become d0ctors; not too
¯ many mendreamaboutbecominganurse.
" Except, perhaps+ some of those sweet,
¯ doff-loving boys of course
~When I was a kid, Barbie dolls didn’t
:~ last long in my neighborhood. We’ d steal
¯ themfromour sisters .and use thbm cruelly.
we aetuallyhave,nofavorites-~ this question ¯ They,w~ould.’be J..gan of Arc atthe stake,
puslies~s tomeasureandsztuateoursel~es: . andWor~.~ If ~eh~d any ~ense, w~ W~~d
svi_thin the w0dd of goods.. So goes .,".ha’ve,ca~-~f~illyst6i?&l them away intheig
American.inff!~iduality:;~and.so..goe~rour..: ." boxes to’become’rich by selling them to
_economy:as well....... ~ , - ....... " ........ ., today’s fanatic Barbie ¢_ollectors: I can
Favorites make less senseintta.ditional~ ~ recommend a great website with-pictures
societies where individuality is ,muted~ ." of.Ken, from 1961 to 2000: Check out
and where the range of goods is.litfiited. ¯ www.manbehindthedoll.com. This guy
But even in ¯simpler societies,¯ things: ." ~ really likes,his boy dol|s.J’m suggesting
differentiate gender.. Women wear : to Anthony thathe build a similar Shrine
differentarticles of clothing than do men~ : to his boy shoes :’ . z
They oftent~s~different tO~Is~ The)~ may .~ Lamont Lindstrom, Ph.’D,~ ~teaChes
noteatihesamefoods~.W,eslotourchi.’l.dren. "- anthropology, at .t:he.~University of Tulsa,
We dedicate an enormous mount of
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ELEMENTARY and THAT’S A
FAMILY!canplayinprevenfingprejudice
and violence.
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P.S. We are honored to let you know
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Pentagon spokesman Kenneth Bacon
said thatRudyde Leon, the under secretary
of defense for personnel, and Douglas
Dw0rkin, the acting general counsel,raised
the matter in a Dec. 18 memorandum to
service leaders. "It is important that the
leadership of each of the services issue a
strong statement to the field that
harassment~of service members for any
reason, to include alleged or perceived
homosexuality, will not be tolerated,"
according to thememo,releasedThursday
by the Defense Department.
Bacon said it had not been made
sufficiently clear to commanders that a
service member’ s complaint about being
harassed for alleged homosexuality is not
grotmds forinvestigating the complainant.
Instead it should be the basis for
investigating the harassers, he said.
image would be one see Jim, p. 14
of a liorrible drago,n,, given the tone of the
oth~"rdationship songs. Melissa asked
her~f,"How much do I love Juiie? I love
her~uchthat I would want to die in her
ar~ Quite a wonderful thing to say
aboi~.’ anyone’s lover, male or female.
"S!O~p" was the answer to the question, a
lovely song about getting away from the
noise ofthe world and snuggling into your
¯¯ lover’s arms and listening to him/her
breathing, and feeling trusting and
¯
comfortable enough with another person
: to be able to sleep. It’s a lovely song of
¯ quiet comfort.
¯
And then there’s issues of equality.
: "Truth of the Heart"is a wonderful ballad
¯ to the truth that "We all begin this race at
: the start" and about how "deep down
: inside we’re all the same / try not tojudge
¯ someone / and never shame." Partnered
¯
for almost 11 years now, the two have two
¯ children of their own. Melissa wrote this
¯ song to explain to their children about ¯
how to deal with life. Words to live by. In
: "MamaI’m Strange", thejoys of growing
¯ up Gay - or just different - is artfully
: explored, with just the fight amountof
¯ angst to remind us where we came from
¯
and how hard the struggle could be at
¯ times~
¯ The single most striking song is called
: "S~carecrow", and it’s about Matthew
¯ Sheppard. She said she hadlots of trouble
," w~riting that because here she was also
¯ writing ’’Truth of the Heart" as well and
¯
felt she couldn’t be writing about people
: being good in one song and denounce
¯ them in another. So the end of the song is
". her way of forgiving (but not forgetting)
¯
the second attacker (I think he was going
¯ to trial or prison at that time). It has to be
: heard to be experienced. If you aren’t
¯ crying and angry after hearing it, you’re
¯
dead.
¯ There are two versions of this CD, one
¯ of which is already hard to find. It has ¯
three extra songs, "Touch and Go",
: "Cherry Avenue" (where she mentions
the name of one-of the Lesbian bars in
¯ which she sang for about 4 years before
being discovered -Que Sera), and "My
¯ Beloved", and is released in a cardboard
¯" case. The regular version has 11 songs in
theusual plasticjewel box; Whichincludes
: the lovely ode tounrequitedlove, ’"’Angels
¯ Will Fall". That’ s the one most folks are
¯ going to be familiar with at this point. ¯
For you men out there: I know that in
¯ some-minds, there’s a big chasm between
¯ Gay men and Lesbians, and this extends
¯ to performer preferences. I’ve heard the
¯ nasty comments - from both sides. All I
¯ can say is, get over your prejudices, and
¯ get this CD. It’s well worth it, and
¯ incredible in its beauty and reflection of
¯
life. And, Melissa, you have a new fan.
Thank you Karin, for your contributions
¯ to widening my musical horizons and the
infolmation contained in the above article
¯
about the backgrbund of the songs. Seems
¯ ironic that I’ mbeing tutoredinGay culture
¯ and musical icons by a straight woman, ¯
but suchis life. I feel like I shouldknow all
¯
this alrcady!
." There’s a few things Karin said that I
¯ think bear repeating, for both Melissa
¯
fans, and more importandy, for us all: "I
¯
am so happy that I could bring a singer
¯ into your life who writes and sings from ¯
¯ the heart. VH1 is rertmmng her "Behind
the Music" next week, and I’m going to
tape it for you You’ll like it. It’ s the only
¯ oneI veseenwheretheartmtlsn thit~hing ¯
about something. Someofthemjustwhine
¯
endlessly. ’I love Shania Twain, but her
¯ BTM special was one endless bitch and
¯ whine.
¯ Stevie Nicks doesn’t bitch, but she’s
: had such lousy things happen, to her, by
: her own hand, that it just sounds so
¯ depressing. You know Melissa has been
¯ depressed, butthere’s somuchshedoesn’t
¯
say. I saw John Mellencamp’s BTM
¯ (Behind the Music), I’ve sc~en Cherts
¯ dozens of times, along with Madonna’ s,
and Melissa’ s just seems so upbeat that
Timothy Daniel
Attorney at Law
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justice & equality for
Gays & Lesbians
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Weekend and evening appointments are available.
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Tulsa Locations:
2001 S. Garnett, 437-2dd~.
3733S. Memorial, 66003zl4
1216 S. Harvard, 587-1778
Sapulpa Location:
,109 N. Mission, 227-2322
Meet Local
.Guys for
Hot Ti
@Origin. 18+. Additional features from
personal ads
see Jim, p. 15
she seems to have had a great life. Like I
said before, growing up Gay anywhere, I
know from you, is awful, but growing up
Gay in Leavenworth, Kaus~ must be the
pits. She doesn’t make much of anything
depressing. I was veryimpressed. Thanks
for the remark to the Gay men to listen to
Lesbians. I think they shodd each take
heed of that.
And remember, she’s the only one I
know of getting the word out to the
.mainstream crowd. P,e~,,ple like her so
much that they tend to. forget" (or tryto
...forget) that she’s Gay. She doesn’t let
them. ("Someone’s spitting blood/face
downinthe dirt/someone’ s thinking about
~ a gun/to try and stop the hurt/someone
drew conclusious/on the wail of destiny/
someone’s getting louder/and that
someone would be me.") That should be
importanttous ail."- Miss KarinGregory.
And I agree.
Janis Ianis performing Saturday March
4 in Dallas, TX at a club called Uncle
Caivin’s with Buddy Mondlock. And
ladies, as aiways, if you have something
to contribute or would like to see in this
column, please let me know care ofTFN,
or email me at tfnentritr@aol.com.
I wouldn’ twantto disappointthe diehard
readers of this column, so now it’s time
for... The Stevie Nicks mention. She has
a featured track on the new Sheryl Crow
and FriendsCDand video. The song is the
venerable Gold Dust Woman, and she’s
never sounded better! The CD’ s out now,
video to follow. Sarah. McLachlan,
Chrissie Hynde, the Dixie Chicks and
others aiso sing with Sheryl. And Stevie
still has a few shows left to do in Las
Vegas at the house of Blues this month.
Hernew album, first duein October oflast
year, now set for sometime this year,
maybe, is being produced by one of the
better known producers of hip hop and
rap. I’d mention the name, but I caff t
rememberit. Shery! Crow was producing,
which wouldhavemadefor an interesting
aibum - she did the excellent jobs of
producing the Stevie songs forthe Practical
Magic soundtrack. Stevie and rap... That
will be interesting as well, aithough I fear
for different ~easous. We shall see.., or
hear.
The ever handsome pianist Jim
Brickman performed at the PAC on
December 10, 1999, along with the very
talented John Trones and the beautiful
Anne Cochran. The show was lovely, an
eveningofromance and seasonal favorites,
and as Mr. Brickman described the
evening, much like a gathering of friends
round the piano. Okay, if the friends had
areally large living room, and reaily good
- moodlighting. Andamplifiers. Thegroup
.i did a swell job ofmaking a cavern into an
intimate cabaret. Mx. Brickman has a
charming sense ofhumor and intelligence
.to complementhis goodlooks. (Evenbetter
m person and up close. I love my job...)
He seemed very relaxed, and it was like
meeting an old friend for the first dine.
His playing can certainly set amood, from
exuberant to melancholy and romantic all
at the same time; and has a warmth to it
thatis reminiscentof spending the evening
with a loved one by a fire.
Or, if you’ re .single, as I am, curledup in
a comforter with a good book and cup, of
cocoa. Now that weknow how I spendmy
evenings... What? Have I said too much?
Mr. Brickman is a prolific songwriter as
well, setting words to music that is lovely
: to hear and unabashedly sentimental in
feeling.
: Anne Cochran, who met Mr. Brickman
¯ inhigh school, where they formed aband,
: has one of the most incredible voices I’ve
: heard. And her phrasing with a song is
: immaculate. Shecaptured thewarmthand
joy of the compositions she performed
withexpertease, andhas alovely, energetic
yet relaxed stage presence that also added
to the ambiance of the evening. She has a
new CD out called "Lucky Girl’_’, which I
would highly recommend for a gift based
on whatI heard that evening. Iwould have
one in my hot little hands right now had
they not been sold out. She isa name you
might be familiar with, she has had a top
¯ 5 hit with Jim Bfickman on the song
: -"After All These Years" which has been
: reed by skater Rosalyun:Summers, both
: live and recorded. It was also the song
¯ used on the final episode of "Home
: Improvement", andshe will be featured in
:- the Lifetime television speciai"A Golden
Moment". Definitely worth checking out.
You can order her CD at
www.AnneCochran.com.
John Trones (pronounced ~tro-ness’),
who is as nice and gorgeous as he is
.talented (what a voice! whata smile! what
a chest! what a pleasant man!), was a
delight to listen to as well.
With a million dollar smile that shines
like a searchlight, and a voice that has
incrediblerange and expressiOn,hejoined
Anne on several numbers and had some
lovely solos. His singing soared through
the Chapman theatre and could melt the
most hardened heart. He has an aibum of
standards and ballads out called
"Forward", which I was able to snag and
most definitely would make a great
Valentine’s girlie for the special man on
your list. He can melt the ice off the fiorth
Pole with that voice, and his phrasing and
reading of the standards is right on target.
A pity he’s in Minneapolis, I would love
to see more of him. He does Cabaret there
at Blanche’s, and has performed in a
number of Gay plays, listed on his web
site, www.JohnTrones.com, which is
worth a look. You can also order his CD
there.
After listening to several review CDs of
dubious quality sent to TFN, put out by
Gay artists of dubious talent, attempting
to sing standards and not succeeding very
well at anything other than murdering the
music, I am glad to say that his would be
the one I would, and did, purchase.
They were joined by Tracy Silverman
on electric violin, and he did quite an
interesting variationonthe Beade’ s"Here
Comes The Sun". His playing added an
interesting embellishment to Mr.
Brickman’s piano. I will say he had the
most lovely and LONG hair I’ ve seen on
aman in along time. He has an album out
on Windham Hill records. If you get the
chance to catch any or all of these artists
should they make a return appearance,
DO SO! You won’t regret it. Just make
sure you have a date, and one that won’t
stand you up.
I was looking forward to Peter Buffett’ s
"Spirit: A Journey in Dance, Drum, and
Song"aunique blend of Native American
and contemporary music, dance, and
storytelling, to have been held January 3
and 4th, 2000 at the Brady Theatre.
According to the latest info, ail spring
dates have been put onhold. According to
my sources, a late spring tour is in the
plans.
James Christjohn serves as TFN
Entertainment editor with emphasis on
the performing arts.
Original Format
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newspaper
periodical
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[2000] Tulsa Family News, January 2000; Volume 7, Issue 1
Subject
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Politics, education, and social conversation toward Tulsa’s Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual communities.
Description
An account of the resource
Tulsa Family News was a monthly newspaper; No. 1 issued December 1993-January 1994. The final issue available was published in September 0f 2001 (Volume 8, Issue 9).
The newspaper brings up important, evolving topics of marriage, Pride, TOHR, HIV/AIDs, events, advice, and politics all at the local and national level.
This document is available in searchable PDF attached. It is also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
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Tulsa Family News
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https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/24
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Tom Neal
Date
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January 2000
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James Christjohn
Barry Hensley
J.P. Legrandbouche
Lamont Lindstrom
Bob Rounsavell
Esther Rothblum
Mary Schepers
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Tom Neal/Tulsa Family News
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Tulsa Family News, December 1999; Volume 6, Issue 12
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English
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newspaper
periodical
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Tulsa---Oklahoma
Oklahoma---Tulsa
United States Oklahoma Tulsa
United States of America (50 states)
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https://history.okeq.org/items/show/596
2000
AIDS
AIDS drugs
AIDS research
aMUSEments
arts and entertainment
Bars
Blood Donation
bullying
businesses
children
churches
Department of Defense
Do-It-Yourself Dyke
Domestic Partner Benefits
Don't Ask Don't Tell
Dr. Jeffrey Beal
Evergreen Awards
Gay marriage
Gay Studies
HIV
homophobia
homphobia
It's Elementary
Jim Christjohn
John McCain
Karin Gregory
Lamont Lindstrom
Leather
marriage equality
Mary Schepers
mental disabilities
military
military inclusion
Mr. Sooner State Leather
NAMES Project
Nationwide Insurance
Oklahoma Mr. Leather
performing arts
Raging Lesbian
Read All About It
Red Cross
restaurants
Ric Poston
Rick Fortner
Rik Isensee
sexual assault
sodomy laws
Steve Forbes
Ted Campbell
That's A Family
Tom Neal
Tulsa Family News
Tulsa Public Schools
Vemont
Vermont
visitation rights
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European Union to British
Army: No More Gay Ban
STRASBOURG, France (AP) - The European Court of
HumanRights ruled latein September that Britain’ sban
on homosexuals in the armed forces is a breach of
humanrights. The court found in favor ofthreemenand
a woman who were discharged from the British armed
forces in line with its absolute ban on homosexual
personnel after they admitted their sexual orientation.
The court said the British policyyciolated Article 8 of the
European Convention on Human Rights which defends
the right to respect for private and family life.
"The Court considered the investigations, and in
particular the interviews Of the applicants, to have been
exceptionally intrusive," thc European court said in a
statement. "The investigations conducted into the
applicants’ sexual orientation together with their
discharge from the armed forces constituted especially
grave interferences with their private lives," it said.
The verdict cannot force a-change of law, but the
applicants considered it a step towards ending
discriminationin thearmedforces. Defense Sec. George
Robertson said other existing cases involving Gays in
the British armed forces will be put on hold while the
government studies the implications of:the ruling.
Gay Demos Organize
TULSA- Local. Democratic Party activists will hold an
organizational meeting for a Tulsa chapter of the the
National Stonewall Democratic Federation on Sunday,
October 24th, at 4pro at the Tulsa Gay Community
Services Center (the Pride Center), at 1307 East 38th
Street, 2nd floor..
Stonewall Democrats, acaucus within the Democratic
Party works to secure the rights ofall people, regardless
’of sexual orientation or gender identity and serves as a
voicewithin the DemocraticParty for Lesbians andGay
men. Organizers noted in their press release that the
Oklahoma,Democratic party is rather conservative with
regard to civil rights for Gays and Lesbians and seek to
educate state party leadership about Lesbian and Gay
issues.
They list the following specific goals of the National
Stonewall Democratic Federation as:
(1) mobilizing voters through a national grassroots
network of Gay and Lesbian Democratic clubs and
individuals to advance the fight for Gay and Lesbian
civil rights;
(2) improving the record of the Democratic party by
- pressing it further inthe direction of full recognition of
the rightsofGay men, Lesbiansand Bisexuals to befree
from prejudice;
(3) educating voters on the vast difference that exists
between the two major parties on our issues, and the
importance of voting Democxatic as the most effective
way to achieve our goals;
(4) fighting the anti-Gay rhetoric of the Republican
conservative-wing, which has increasingly become the
instrument of those d~dicated to denying us our rights.
The organizers are encouraging those who share
these values to come to the October 24 meeting which
will feature membersfromthenewlyformedOklahoma
City Stonewall Democrats chapter. Paul Barby,whoran
as an openly Gay candidate for US Congress in
Oklahon~a’s 6th district will speak.
For more information, telephone Start Simpson at
582-6557. ~
:.Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual + Transgendered Tulsane, Our Families + Friends
¯ Tulsa’s Largest Circulation Community PaperAvailable In More Than 75 City Locations
i Tulsa Area United. W .y Fun.ds
Support Anti-Gay D,scr, minat,on
: TULSA (TFN) - In a recent promotional piece printed and
¯ inserted in The Tulsa Worm for free, Tulsa Area United Way
¯
(TAUW) touted its strong points. TAUWclaims to be thelargest
¯ non-governmental funder of health and human services.in the
¯¯ Tulsa area, funding some 231 programs at 68 member agencies.
TAUW also claims to have a lower than 10% overhead as
¯ compared to overhead of up to 40% declared acceptable by the
¯ National Charity Information Bureau.
¯ Joe Cappy, chairman/CEO and president of Dollar/Thrifty
Automotive Group, in the Tulsa World insert, claimed, ’q’ulsa
¯ Area United Way gives each of us a sensible, cost-effective
¯ approach to helping the people in our community who need it
¯ most..." ¯
But there are those who take issuewith some aspects of United
Way s funding,, partacularly that of the Indian NaUons Council of
¯ the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The BSA is one of the earliest
¯ organizations funded in Tulsa by the predecessors to the current
: United Way but the Scouting organization has been under fire
¯ nationally for its anti-Gay policies. The BSA claims the Scout
¯ pledge to be "morally straight" refers to being heterosexual and
¯ .therefore bans Gay youth from being Scouts or Gay men from
¯
being Scoutmasters on the grounds that to be Gay is intrinsically
¯ to be "morally non-straight."
¯ Recently, the BSA lost a legal challenge to thi s anti-Gay policy
¯ brought under New Jersey state law. Former Eagle scout James Dale won his lawsuit but in response to questions from The Tulsa
¯ World,aspokespersonfortheTulsa-basedIndianNafionCouncil
of the BSA r~affirmed the ban in this area.
¯ And when TAUW kicked off its 75th anmversary campaign,
¯ running from Sept. 10th to Nov. 1 lth with a goal of raising
$21,497,725.00, some of these individuals said no to helping
¯ United Way because of the funding for an organization which
blatantly discriminates.
¯ Most ofthe individuals who spoke asked to remain anonymous
¯ citing fears ofretaliationfromTAUWor risk to their employment
¯ by public.ly speaking ~bout Lesbian and Gay issues in’h city with
fewprote~tious again~wolkplace discriminationbasedon sexual
¯
orientation.
¯ One Gay couple, both of whom are public
¯ employees, had slightly different reactions to the
issue of funding for the Boy Scouts.-One noted that
¯ "we’re so used to it, thatwedon’ t think about it"but
¯ he added that it’s "time when United Way needs to
start analyzing what they’re doing."
: However, his parmer noted that the organizations
¯ his employer was set to help for United Way’s Day
¯ of Caring were the Boy Scouts and the Salvation
Army, both organizations which he claims
¯ discriminate against Gay people. He notified his
¯ employer that he would not participate in the Day
¯ ofCaring because of those organization’ s anti-Gay ¯
policies.
¯ Another couple, Lesbian, said that it was a"tough
¯ question." One women, again who requested
¯ anonymity because of her job (she is a teacher), ¯
characterized the Boy Scouts’ policy as
¯ reprehensible but noted too that United Way funds
¯ the YWCA, an organization which has a non-
" discrimination policy which includes "sexual
¯ orientation." Her partner added that TAUW also
¯ funds Youth Services of Tulsa (YST) which has
¯ programs that benefit Lesbians and Gay men but ¯
she also acknowledged that YST hadkept those
¯ programs "closeted,"i.e. not publicized because of
¯ fears that UnitedWay fundingmight be withdrawn,
despite the fact that the failure to publicize the
¯ program significantly limitedYST’s ability toreach
¯ those whom the program was intended to help.
: Tulsa Area United Way’s marketing
representative, Beth Kuehnert was asked to explain
¯ TAUW’s continued funding for the BSA and
¯ initially, in a cordial and civil conversation, Ms.
Kuehnert said she was not aware of the Boy Scouts’
position nor see TA UW, p. 12
¯ Community Center News Eureka Springs Holds
Community Meeting 111 6. Diversity Celebration
¯
TULSA - Organizers of the First Annual Community Center ¯ EUREKA SPRINGS - Fall is around the comer,
¯ Film Festival to be held on Oct. 7-9, Tulsa’s Gay Commtmity : andintheOzarks,it’salmosttimefor thebi-annual
¯ Center andits parent organization, TulsaOklahomaus forHuman " Diversity Celebration Weekend in Eureka Springs,
: Rights (TOHR) will show both Lesbian and Gay films, both : Ark. ! Organizers say this event, scheduled forNov.
’. feature length and shorts beginningat 5:30 onThurs, and Fri. and " 5-7, will be bigger and better than ever!
: from 2pm on Sat. and Sun. ¯ Metropolitan Community Church’s Friday night
¯ In addition, theCenterwillhostTOHR’sfirstComingOutFair " dance and camival will kick off the weekend at the
: "Discovering Yourself" from noon to 6pro on Sat. Oct. 9th. A " top of the Basin Park Hotel. On Saturday morning,
." record number of community organizations have committed to " strollthestreetsofEurekaonahistoric(andcolorful)
¯ particil~ating in the Coming Out Fair. . walking tour, canoe on the White River, or hike in
¯ GregGatewood,TOHRboardpresident,noted that at the Sept. ." Lake Leatherwood Park. ¯
.14th commlmity wide meeting held at the Center about 35 " Intheearlyaftemoon,bringthekidstoa"family"
ihdividuals attended and the representatives decided through a family picnic at Harmon Park, sing like you’re in
i largely consensus process to convene a commlmity council of the shower at karaoke, or listen to the sounds of
¯ organizations, churches and businesses. The group also decided : localandvisitmgGay/Lesbianmusiciansatseveral
toaskTOHRto co-ordinate theproposedbi-monthlymeetings to " different venues around town. And please be sure
: exchange information and ideas. . to visit all the wonderfully unique shops, and
¯ Marty Newman, a Human Rights Campaign board member, : support the Diversity Cooperative businesses of
¯ who along with TOHR co-founder Dennis Neill, called the first " Eureka Springs.
: meeting this summer, expressed his satisfaction with the Sept. " Then, after a delightful dinner (it’s Eureka
- ". meeting and the general progress of the process. Newman-noted ¯ Spri.ngs’ Food and Wine Festival this weekend,
¯ thatTulsaPFLAG chapter co-founder,Nancy McDonaldattended ¯ too),work offthosecaloriesattwofantasticdances.
¯ the meeting and that Mrs. McDonald recalled that TOHRs by- : AtCenterStage, DJ Jonwillraisetheroofwithhigh
." laws had at one time had a provision for a community advisory ¯ energy club music. And the Basin Park Hotel
¯ council. Meeting co-convener Dennis Neill, an attorney, was ¯ Ballroom will come alive with electrifying
i given the task of drafting a contract to clarify the relationship " performances by "Barnes", a dynamic GLAMA-
¯ betweenthevariousgroups.Formoreinformationaboutthenext ~ winningsinger/songwriter seeEureka, p. 14
¯
community meeting, call the Community Center at 743-4297. ."
: Also, the CommunityCenter will be the site ofanall-community ¯
¯ Halloween Costume Ball to be held on Saturday, Ocotober 30th, :
¯ 8pm at 1307 East 38 Street, 2nd floor. The event will be BYOL "
¯ but soft drinks and ice will be provided. :
: Organizers suggest that while this is a costume party, a loud ¯
¯ shirt and simple mask will-do. Guests should not feel compelled :
: to spend a lot of money, just to use a little imagination. The :
: sponsors, Prime Timers of Tulsa, stated that the purpose of the :
_" party is for all groups connected with the Pride Center to have an
¯ opportunitytogettoknowonemlother, andhelpbuildcommunity, i
Tulsa Clubs & Restaurants
*Bamboo Lounge, 7204 E. Pine
*Boston Willy’s Diner, 1742 S. Boston
Burger Sisters Restaurant, 1545 S. Sheridan
*Empire Bar, 1516 S. Peoria
*Full Moon Cafe, 1525 E. 15th
*Gold Coast Coffee House, 3509 S. Peoria
*Jason’s Deli, 15th & Peoria
*Lola’s, 2630 E. 15th
*Polo Grill, 2038 Utica Square
*St. Michael’s Alley Restaurant, 3324-L E. 31st
832-1269
592-2143
835-1207
599-9512
583-6666
749-4511
599-7777
749-1563
744-4280
745-9998
*Silver Star Saloon, 1565 Sheridan ........ 834-4234
"*Renegades/Rainbow Room, 1649 S. Main 585-3405
*TNTrs, 2114 S. Memorial 660-0856
*Tool, :Box, 1338 E. 3rd 584-1308
Tulsa Businesses, Services, & Professionals
Advanced Wireless & PCS, Digital CelIular 74%1508
*Affinity News, 8120 E; 21 610-8510
*Assoc. in Med. & Mental Health, 2325 S. Harvard 743-1000
Kent Balch & Associates, Health & Life Insurance 747-9506
*Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 8620 E. 71 250-5034
*Barnes & Noble Booksdlers, 5231 E. 41 665-4580
Body Piercing by Nicole, 2722 E. 15 712-1122
*Borders Books & Music, 2740 E. 21 712-9955
*Borders Books & Music, 8015 S. Yale 494-2665
Brookside Jewelry, 4649 S. Peoria 743-5272
*CD Warehouse, 3807c S. Peoria 746-0313
Cherry St. Psychotherapy, 1515 S. Lewis 581-13902, 743-4117
Community Cleaning, Kerby Baker 622-0700
Tim Daniel, Attorney 352-9504, 800-742-9468
*Deco to Disco, 3212 E. 15th 749-3620
*Devena’s Gallery, 13 Brady 587-2611
Doghouse on Brookside, 3311 S. Peoria 744-5556
*Elite Books & Videos, 821 S. Sher~llan 838-8503
*Ross Edward Salon 584-0337, 712-9379
*Floral Design Studio, 3404 S. Peoria 744-9595
Four Star Import Automotive, 9906 E. 55th P1 610-0880
Cathy Furlong, Ph.D., 1980 Utica Sq. Med. Ctr. 628-3709
Gay & Lesbian Affordable Daycare 808-8026
*Gloria Jean’s Gourmet Coffee, 1758 E. 21st 742-1460
Leanne M. Gross, Insurance & financial planning 459-9349
Mark T. Hamby, Attorney 744-7440
*Sandra J. Hill, MS, Psychotherapy, 2865 E. Skelly 745-1111
*International Tours 341-6866
Jadox Animal Clinic, 2732 E. 15th 712-2750
*Jared’s Antiques, 1602 E. 15th 582-3018
David Kauskey,’ Country Club Barbering 747-0236
The Keepers, Housekeeping & Gardening 582-8460
*Ken’s Flowers, 1635 E. 15 599-8070
Kelly Kirby, CPA, 4021 S. Harvard, #210 747-5466
*Living ArtSpace, 19 E. Brady 585-1234
*Midtown Theater, 319 E. 3rd 584-3112
Mingo Valley Flowers, 9720c E. 31 663-5934
*Mohawk Music, 6157 E 51 Place 664-2951
David A. Paddock, CPA, 4308 S. Peoria, Ste. 633 747-7672
Puppy Pause II, 1060 S. Mingo 838-7626
*Peace of Mind Bookstore, 1401 E. 15 583-1090
The Pride Store, 1307 E. 38, 2rid floor 743-4297
Rainbowz on the River B+B, POB 696, 74101 747-5932
Richard’s Carpet Cleaning 834-0617
Teri Schutt, Rex Realtors 834-7921,747-4746
*Scribner’s Bookstore, 1942 Utica Square 749-6301
Paul Tay, Car Salesman 260-7829
*Tickled Pink, 3340 S. Peoria 697-0017
*Tulsa Book Exchange, 3749 S. Peoria 742-2007
*Tulsa Comedy Club, 6906 S. Lewis 481-0558
*Venus Salon, 1247 S. Harvard 835~5563
Fred Welch, LCSW, Counseling 743-1733
*WhittierNews Stand, 1 N. Lewis 592-0767
Tulsa Agencies, Churches, Schools & Universities
AIDS Walk Tulsa, POB 4337, 74101 579-9593
*All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria 743-2363
Black & White, Inc. POB 14001, Tulsa 74159 587-7314
Bless The Lord at All Times Christian Center. 2207 E. 6 583-7815
*B/L/G/T Alliance, Univ. of Tulsa Canterbury Ctr. 583-9780
*Chamber of Commerce Bldg., 616 S. Boston 585-1201
*Chapman Student Ctr., University of Tulsa, 5th PI. & Florence
*ChurchoftheRestorationUU, 1314N.Greenwood 587-1314
*CommunityofHopeUnitedMethodist,2545 S.Yale 747-6300
*Community Unitarian-Universalist Congregation 749-0595
*CouncilOak Men’s Chorale 748-3888
*Delaware Playhouse, 1511 S. Delaware 712-1511
*Democratic Headquarters, 3930 E. 31 742-2457
Dignity/Integrity of Tulsa- Lesbian & Gay Catholics &
Episcopalians, POB 701475, 74170-1475 355-3140
*Fellowship Congreg. Church, 2900 S. Harvard 747-7777
918.583.1248, fax: 583.4615
POB 4140, Tulsa, OK 74159
e-mail: TulsaNews@ earthlink, net
Publisher + Editor:
Tom Neal
Writers + contributors:
James Christjohn, Barry Hensley, J.-P. Legrandbouche,
Lamont Lindstrom, Esther Rothblum, Mary Schepers
Member of The Associated Press
Issued on or before the 1 st of each month, the entire contents of this
~blicaatnidonmaaryenportobteecrteedprboyduUcSedcoepityhreirgihntW19h9o8leboyrTin~part without
written permission from the publisher. Publication of a name or
photo does not indicate a person’s sexual orientation. Correspondence
is assumed to be for publication unless ot.herwjse no,ted,,~must
be signed & becomes the sole property of T~
Each reader is entitled to 4 copies of each edition at distribution
lYoints. Additional copies are available by calling 583-1248.
*Free SpiritWomen’s Center, call for location& info: 587-4669
Friend For A Friend, POB 52344, 74152 747-6827
Friends in Unity Social Org., POB 8542, 74101 582-0438
*HIV ER Center, 4138 Chas. Page Blvd. 583-6611
*HIV Resource Consortium, 3507 E. Admiral 834-4194
*Holland Hall School, 5666 E. 81st 481-1111
HOPE, HIV Outreach, Prevention, Education 834-8378
*House of the Holy Spirit Minstries, 3210e So. Norwood
Interfaith AIDS Ministries 438-2437, 800-284-2437
*MCC United, 1623 N. Maplewood 838-1715
NAMES Project, 3507 E. Admiral P1. 748-3111
NOW, Nat’l Org. for Women, POB 14068, 74159 365-5658
OK Spokes Club (bicycling), POB 9165, 74157
*OSU-Tulsa (formerly UCT, formerly Rogers U. whoever...)
*Our House, t 114 S. Quaker 584-7960
PFLAG, POB 52800, 74152 749-4901
+Planned Parenthood, 1007 S. Peoria 587-7674
Prime-Timers, P.O. Box 52118, 74152
*R.A.I.N., Regional AIDS Interfaith Network 749-4195
Rainbow Business Guild, POB 4106, 74159 665-5174
*Red Rock Mental Center, 1724 E. 8 584-2325
O’RYAN, support group for 18-24 LGBT young adults
O’RYAN, Jr. support group for 14-17 LGBT youth
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 4045 N. Cincinnati 425-7882
St. Dunstan’s Episcopal, 5635 E. 71st 492-7140
*St. Jerome’s Parish Church, 205 W. King 582-3088
*Tulsa Area United Way, 1430S. Boulder 583-7171
TNAAPP(Native American men), Indian Health Care 582-7225
Tul sa County Health Department, 4616 E. 15 595-4105
Confidential HIV Testing - by appt. on Thursdays only
743-4297
298-0827
Tulsa Okla. for Human Rights, c/o The Pride Center
T.U.L.S.A. Tulsa Uniform/Leather Seekers Assoc.
*Tulsa City Hall, Ground Floor Vestibule
*Tulsa Commumty College Campuses
*Tulsa Gay Community Center, 1307 E. 38, 74105
Unity Church of Christianity, 3355 S. Jamestown
BARTLESVILLE
743-4297
749-8833
*Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S. Johnstone 918-337-5353
OKLAHOMA CITY/NORMAN
*Borders Books &Music, 3209NWExpressway 405-848-2667
*Borders Books & Music, 300 Norman Center 405-573-4907
TAHLEQUAH
*Stonewall League, call for information: 918-456-7900
*Tahlequah Unitarian-Universalist Church 918-456-7900
*Green Cotmtry AIDS Coalition, POB 1570 918-453-9360
NSU School of Optometry, 1001 N. Grand
HIVtesting every other Tues. 5:30-8:30, call for dates
EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
*Autumn Breeze Restaurant, Hwy. 23
*Jim & Brent’s Bistro, 173 S. Main
DeVito’s Restaurant, 5 Center St.
*Emerald Rainbow, 45 &l/2 Spring St.
MCC of the Living Spring
Geek to Go!, PC Specialist, POB 429
Old Jailhouse Lodging, 15 Montgomery
Positive Idea Marketing Plans
Sparky’s, Hwy. 62 East
*White Light, 1 Center St.
FA YETTEVI LLE, ARKANSAS5
*Edna’s, 9 S. School Ave.
JOPLIN, MISSOURI
*Spirit of Christ MCC, 2639 E. 32, Ste. U134
501-253-7734
501-253-7457
501-253-6807
501-253-5445
501-253-9337
501-253-2776
501-253-5332
501-624-6646
501-253-6001
501-253-4074
501-442-2845
417-623-4696
* is where you can ftndTFN. Notall areGay-ownedbutallare Gay-friendly.
Holy Union
Ceremony
Alan Williams and Gregory Casillas
celebrated a Holy Union Ceremony on
Friday, September 24, 1999, in Eureka
Springs, AR. Presiding over the intimate
union was Reverend Vivian Juett. The
commitment ceremony was witnessed by
Zoe Dearing and Nancy Ermding.
After traveling to Dallas, TX, San
Francisco, CA and Nashville, TN to
celebrate with friends and family, the
couple will reside for’a short period in
Tulsa.
Obiturary
Dr. W. Malcolm Jacox, a veterinarian
well known in the community for his
kindness and gentleness with both his
animal patients and their caregive~s, died
Sept. 22. Services were held at Floral
Haven Memorial Gardens Mausoleum on
Sept. 25. He will be greatly missed by
many both in and out of the Gay
He is survived by his family and his
longtime companion. Those who wish to
honor his memory are encouraged to
support a charity of their choice.
Condolences may be sent care of Jacox
Animal Clinic, 2732 East 15th, Tulsa
74104.
Mr. Tulsa ¯
Leather 2000
The Mr. Tulsa Leather 2000 contest was
held September 10, 1999, at the Silver
Star Saloon in Tulsa, Oklahoma.The
evening included a benefit for Miss Gay
Mid America, Catia Lee Love. Love will
participate in the Miss Gay America
contest.
Four contestants participated in the
contest: Jay Fleming, Kelly Kirby, Dayvid
Montross, and Tony Hall, all of Tulsa
Oklahoma. Themencompeted in Personal
Interview, Street Wear, Swimwear/
Physique, and Full Leather Image events.
The judging panel consisted of: Ron
Greenwood, Mike Ryan, Ed Smith, John
McCuistian, Don Lawrence, all also from
Tulsa. The tally master was James Murray,
Mr. Tulsa Leather 1997.
The winner of the contest was Jay
Fleming of Tulsa. Jay is a past "Mr Gay.
Leather Long Beach 1987" and the 20th
Elected Emperor, Greater California
Empire. Fleming will compete for the
Oklahoma Mr. Leather 2000 title on
October 22-24, 1999.
Heis an event promoter for such events
in Tulsa as Mayfest, Gatesway Balloon
Festival and chairmanof Street Party 2000;
benefiting Street School and Tulsa at risk
youth.
Contestproducer, Ric Poston,MrTulsa
Leather 1999 and the Oklahoma Mr
Leather 1999, said of Fleming, "he is an
outstanding citizen and will be a great
representative for the Tulsa Leather
Community." The first runner up was
Kelly Kirby and the 2nd runner up was
Dayvid Montross.
For more information on OML2000,
check the T.U.L.S.A. website at
WWW.TULSALEATHER.com
Editorial: Un!ted Our Way
by Tom Neal, editor andpublisher
This year is the 75th anniversary of a program of
charitable giving in Tulsa which has become known as
Tulsa Area United Way (TAUW). Tulsa’s United Way
supports some 231 programs offered by 68 member
agencies and hopes to raise over $21 million and help
perhaps 250,000individuals this year. Obviously, all this
is worthy.
For example, oneof the I’d suggest that
agencies which TAUW supports is Tulsa instead of letting
"C.A.R.E.S., formerly and" TAU~V’ sllee its tare
moreaccuratelyknown as
the HIV Resource
Consortium. Tulsa Area
UnitedWayalso funds the
Community Service
Council that manages the
Tulsa Community AIDS
Project, one of the most
effective funding sources
for fighting HIV infection
and for providing care for.
individuals with HIV
relatedillnesses. These are
worthy organizations - as
are many, many others
which TAUW funds.
However, along withthe
many good organizations
which TAUW funds is
another. Thatis the Indian
Nations Council of the
Boy Scouts ofAmerica. It
off the top, glve your
dolhrs dlreetly to
Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. or
other or~an{zatlons in
our eommunlty...
groups that really do
give a damn about
us. Let’s stop using
our dollars and those
of our families and
friends to support
United Way’s
prejudlee and
eowardlee. Let us be
unlt,~ our way.
is the official policy of the Boy Scouts, both locally and
nationally, to discriminate on the basis of sexual
orientation. They’ve been rather explicit about this.
The last time the Indian Nations Council of the Boy
Scouts of America voiced this policy locally was in
August when James Dale, a former Scout in New Jersey,
successfully challenged the BSA’s apartheid policies
under New Jersey state law and won. A local BSA
representative however reiterated-its support for BSA
prejudice.
Now as a former Boy Scout, I’m hardly hostile to the
true values of the organization. But I do not believe that
thephrase, "morally straight," ori_ginating around th_etum
of the century, ever, ever could be thought to refer to
heterosexuality, using an interpretation of the word
"straight" whichnever existed until at leas t some 60 years
later. However I recognize that it is the prerogative under
current federal, state and local law, of the BSA to engage
in invidious discrimination if it chooses to do so. It is
reprehensible behavior but it is quite legal.
However, even if this bigoted conduct is legal, there is
no justification for Tulsa Area United Way to use the
funds it receives from the community as a whole to
subsidize the systematic discrimination of the Indian
Nations Council of the Boy Scouts of America. After all,
if we were to substitute "no Jews allowed" or "no Blacks
allowed" lot"no fags allowed," I would hardy have to be
writing this essay.
Part of why TAUW still funds this apartheid
organization is an accident of history. The Boy Scouts
have been funded for most of TUAW’s existence. Back
in thoseearly days theBSA was one ofafew organizations
that did address youth issues. That is no longer so. Andin
contrast with the BSA, the Girl Scouts, for example, have
explicitly said that sexual orientation is not relevant to
participation in their organization and they have a nondiscrimination
policy.
Now if Tulsa Area United Way had a comprehensive
non-discrimination policy, they might have some greater
degree of credibilityas an organization committed to fair
treatment of all. But they don’t.
Infact, Ms. "duck’n’cover" KathleenJ. Coan, president
and chief professional officer, is so gun-shy of the issue
she’s managed not to returnphone calls to this newspaper
for nearly four years -now that’s what I call real
professional conduct (though in fairness, Ms. Coan did
take aphone call once whenTFN was calling on deadline
and her p.r. person was unavailable) But it does call into
question, Ms. Coan and TAUW’s commitment to all of
Tulsa’s communities when she seems primarily willing
to talk to non-minority news orggnizations, for example,
." The Tulsa World- not frequently known for challenging
¯ the Tulsapower establishment, often inseparable from it.
." And what is more troubling about the unexamined
¯ decision to continue to fund the Indian Nations Council
¯ of the Boy Scouts of America by TAUW is the lack of ¯
leadership from TAUW’s board of directors.
¯ A number of TAUW board members come from
¯ corporations that claim that they do not discriminate on
." sexual orientation. Foremost among these are Public
~ Service Company of Oklahoma, Dollar Thrifty
¯: Automotive Group, Inc. and Bank of America, and yet,
somehow, not one of these very highly paid and
: presumably ratberintelligent men seem to havemade the
_" connection between their own corporate policies
¯ emphasizingfairness andTAUW’s supportfor ablatantly ¯
bigoted program. Or perhaps they’vejust not"counected
." the dots." Or perhaps, they’re hoping thatnoone will ever
¯ hold them responsible. ¯
Regardless, until Tulsa Area United Way see fit to
: begin to treat Lesbian and Gay Tulsans as equal human
: beings by adding sexual orientation to its non-
,. discrimination policies and chooses not to fund
¯ organizations which discriminate, the best bet is for us to
¯ not to contribute to Tulsa Area United Way but to take
." those same dollars and to give them directly to worthy
¯ organizations.
¯ I’d suggest that instead of letting TAUW slice its take
¯ off the top, give your dollars directly to Tulsa C.A.R.E.S.
¯. or other organizations in our community, like the
¯ community center, or the Cimarron Alliance or PFLAG,
¯ groups that really do give a danm about us. Let’s stop
¯ using Our dollars and those of our families and friends to
¯ support UnitedWay’s prejudice and cowardice. Let us be
¯ united our way. ¯
TulsaFamily News editorandpublisherTomNealhas
¯ volunteeredonaUnitedWayfundsdistributioncommittee
¯ on services for semor citizens tn the Tulsa area. ¯
Unfortunately, hefound thatTulsaArea UnitedWay staff
went out of their way to censor and suppress questions
¯ about how well member agencies were serving Lesbian
¯ and Gay seniors, even when the agencies were willing to ¯
answer the questions and despite TAUW claims that
¯ their evaluationprocess is "volunteer driven." Neal also
¯ has asked to serve on the funds distribution committee
¯ which looks at the funding for the Boy Scouts Indian ¯
Nations Council but, for some reason, keeps getting
¯ reassigned to senior services - imagine that.
First and foremost, let me put your mind at rest about
¯ two of our regular columnists, our fabulous Do-It-
" Yourself-Dyke, Mary Schepers and Tulsa City-County
¯ Library book reviewer, Barry Hensley. Both columns
¯ will resume next month.
¯ An,other upcoming event is the annual World AIDS ¯
Day Memorial Service. This year’s event will be at
¯ Mount Zion Baptist Church under the auspices of the
¯ Rev. Calvin McCutchen, Sr., one of Tulsa’s most ¯
distinguished religious leaders. The date, as always will
¯ be Dec. 1st which is a Wednesday but the details of the
~ march and precise time of the service will be announced.
¯ It is expected that Council Oak Mens Chorale who had ¯
their first ever performance at a World AIDS Day
¯ Memorial Service will again lend their talents. The event
. is being co-ordinated by Diane Zike, former executive
¯ directorof Interfaith AIDS Ministries andBeverlyDenton ¯
Galbreith. For more information, call 438-2437. - TN
An nouncements Policy
Tulsa Family News will provide space for holy union
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Drug-resistant Strains
of AIDS Virus Rising
CHICAGO (AP) - Highly drug-resistant strains of the
AIDS virus are on the rise, showingupin as many as 4.5%
ofnewlyinfectedpatients in twonew studies. "Resistance
is slowly increasing," said Dr. Roger J. Pomerantz, an
expert not involved with either study, "If you were
looking at this five years ago, you would see zero."
The studies - published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association (JAMA) - involve mostly Gay
white men. Resistance, however, may be more prevalent
in other groups, such as drug users and their sex partners,
researchers-said.
About 40,000 new HIV infections occur yearly in the
United States. In recent years, powerful drug cocktails
have subdued the virus to undetectable levels in many
patients. But studies have found the virus persists or
comes roaring back in 10% to 50%.
The complicated drug regimen has proved difficult to
adhere to, and many patients who missed doses or quit
taking theirmedicines developed drug-resistantinfections
that are now being passed’along to others.
"I wasn’t that surprised. This is what happens in
infectious disease," said Pomerantz, director of the Center
for Human Virology at Jefferson Medical College in
Philadelphia.
HIV is still so new that scientists disagree even about
how to define resistance. And since both studies used
laboratory tests, no one really knows how the definitions
will translate into patient care. Giving high doses of a
drug may be enough to overwhelm a virus’ resistance,
Pomerantz said.
In one study, researchers at the University ofCalifornia
at San Diego defined resistance as a 10-fold increase in
HIV’s ability to withstand a drug when compared with a
laboratory strain. That study, led by Dr. Susan J. Little.
tested 141 patients - in San Diego, Los Angeles, Dallas,
Denver and Boston- and found that three (2%) had HIV
with at least 10-fold greater resistance to one or more
drugs. An additional 36 patients (26%) had HIV that was
2.5 to 10 times more resistant.
In the other study, researchers at Rockefeller University
in New York defined resistance as a threefold increase in
HIV’s ability to withstand a drug. That study, led by Dr.
Daniel Boden of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research
Center, tested 80 subjects in New York and Los Angeles.
Of 67 in whom resistance could be tested, three (4.5%)
had HIV that was highly resistant- fivefold resistant- to
multiple drugs. The subjects were among 18 (26.8%)
with HIV that was at least threefold resistant to at least
one drug.
Testing every newly infected patientfor drugresistance
would be impractical because the tests cost several
thousand dollars and are difficult to interpret, Pomerantz
said. But if a patient takes a drug cocktail faithfully and
it isn’t working, testing should be considered to see how
the combination of medicines might be reformulated, he
said.
Don’t Go to Sleep Yet
For a while, it seemed that there mightbe a light at the end
of the tuunel of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. And for many
¯ things are better than they used to be: to become HIV
¯ positive is not immediatdy to know that your death was
likely six months away like it was in the 80s.
But the news report above from The Associated Press
¯ should slam home the message that we cannot be
¯ complacent; we must continue to educate ourselves and
¯ our children about protecting themselves against HIV
¯ infection, through all appropriate means: safer sex with
¯ its reduced risk, no sex, i.e. abstinence where appropriate
¯ and through the strengthening of longterm relationships ¯
through their legal recognition not only for heterosexuals
¯ but for Gay men and Lesbians.
¯ The best way to deal with AIDS is to prevent further
¯ infections but also to insist on adequate funding for ¯
proper care for those who are already infected and more
¯ funding for more successful treatments for AIDS.
¯ Please, please be safe, hdp those still in need and
¯ remember those whom we have lost. -Tom Neal
Accused Killer of Gay
Soldier To Stand Trial
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) - An Army private
charged with premeditated murder in the. beating
death ofafellow FortCampbell soldierwill stand trial
at a general court-martial, the Army said Sept. 24th.
Thecharge against Pvt. CalvinN. Gloverwas referred
to court-martial by Maj. Gen. Robert T. Clark, Fort
Campbell’ s commanding gelleral. Clark reviewed an
iiiv~tigative hearing he~’d in August for Glovet and
rexx:ived recommendations from the investigating
officer, brigade commander and staffjudge advocate.
The hearing was similar to a civilian grand jury
investigation. Glover, of Sulphur, Okla.,is charged in
the death of Pfc. Ban-y L. ,Winchell, of Kansas City,
Me. No date has been set for G10ver’s courtmartial,
which will be open to the public. The courtmartial
is scheduled to be at Fort Campbell.
According to Army investigators, the 21-year-old
Winchellwas beaten with abaseball batinhis barracks
on July 5 and died the following day at Vanderbilt
University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. Gay
civil-rights advocates say anti-Gay sentiment m,ay
have been behind, or at least contributed to, me
ldlling. Winehell was perceived as Gay by some
soldiers in his mlit and friends contend he was
beginning to explore his homosexuality when he
Another investigative hearing was held several
weeks ago for Spec. Justin R. Fisher, who is accused
of being an accomplice in Winchell’s death. Fisher,
of Lincoln, Neb., is accused of .encouraging Glover in
the attack and lying to Army ii~qestigators about his
iiavolvement. No decision has been made yet on
whether Fisher’s case should proceed to a courtmartial,
an Army official added. Both Glover and
Fisher are being held at Fort Knox.
Gay Priest Resigns
NEWARK,N.J. (Ap)-AGaypriestwhoseordination
divided the Episcopal church has left theparish where
he ministered for six years, blaming the controversy
that surroundedhim. Rev. Barry Stopfel said the furor
strained his relationship withhis partner, andpreached
his last sermon at St. George’ s Church in Maplewood
at the end of September. "My ministry has not been a
typical one," Stopfel toldThe Star-Ledger ofNewark,
N.J. in a story published recently. "It has been deeply
gratifying but very stressful, and ithas taken its toll on
me and our marriage."
When Stopfel was ordained as a deacon in 1990,
conservative Episcopal bishops filed heresy charges
against Newark Bishop Walter Righter. Righter’s
trial was averted, but a church court in 1996 ruled that
church doctrine does not explicitly bar the ordination
of practicing homosexuals. The division, however,
remained between the church’s conservative and
liberal factions. Stopfel, 51, andhis partner aremoving
to a 25-acre farm in an Amish area of Pennsylvania,
where he said he will write a book.
Methodist Minister
Faces 2nd Church Trial
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -The Rev. Jimmy Creech, who
faces another church trial for performing a Gay union
ceremony, said the churchlaw against suchceremonies
amounts to institutional bigotry againstGayChristians.
Reached at his Raleigh, N.C., home, Creech said he
was disappointed but not surprised with.a church
committee’s deci~i0n ordering him to stand trial.
Nebraska United Methodist Church Bishop Joel
Martinezannouncedthfit theformerNebraskaminister
will stand trial for Officiating a Chapel Hill, N.C.
ceremony fortwo meninApril.AMarch 1998 church
trial cleared Creech of violating church law for a
similar 1997 ceremony involving two women. At
least two complaints were filed as aresult of the April
ceremony. Atissuein Creech’s 1998 trial was whether
thechurch’s ban on same-sex unionswas a pastoral
guideline or church law. The church has since
established the ban is church law.
Creech said the trial will be "a detriment to the
church." "It’s a waste of time and money. The trial is
an actofviolence againstLesbians, Gays andbisexual
people," Creech said. While Creech said he admits he
violated the churchlaw byperforming the Chapel Hill
ceremony, the immorality of this law makes him
innocent of violating the order.and discipline of his
denomination, ofwhichheis accused. "I think thelaw
itself is a violation of the highest ethical standards of
the United Methodist Church," Creech said. Creech
said thechurch’ s positiononGayunions is comparable
to racism. "How can such an encumbered church
witness to the grace bf God?" he asked.
Martinez’s assistant, Rev. Mel Luetchens, said
Martinez will .appoint another bishop as presiding
authority for the case. A jury of 13 ministers will
[ecide Creech"s fate. Ministers will lead the defense
and theprosecution.Thetrial likely will beinNebraska
in the next couple of months,-Luetchens said. If
convicted Creech faces a wide range of possible
)unishments, including dismissal from the United
Methodist clergy.
Creech is on voluntary leave of absence after.
Martinezdeclined toreappointhim pastorofOmah.a’s
First United Methodist Church after the earher
controversy. He remains part of the Nebraska
conference and is answerable to Martinez.
Vermont JudgeJudged
By His Wife’s Vote
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - A group opposed to
same-sex marriage; "Take it to the People," says a
VermontSupremeCourtjusticemightnotbeimpartial
as he reviews a pending case.
"Take it to the People" says the wife ofJusticeJohn
Dooley voted in June as a member of the Governor’s
Commission on Women to give an award to the three
same-sex couples who are challengxn.g Vermont
marriage law. Sandra Dooley’s vote raises questions
about whether the justice is impartial in the case now
before the Vermont Supreme Court, said Ruth
Charlesworth of Burlington, a member of the antimarriage
group. "I think it is outrageous that the wife
of the Supreme Courtjusdce should come out (with a
public stand) when this issue isn’t yet decided,"
Charlesworth said. ’‘This isn’t fair to the citizens of
Vermont."
Thecourtis considering alawsuit seeking to overtmal
the state’s refusal to issue marriage licenses to samesex
couples. Despite its concerns, ’’Take it to the
People" hasn’tformally requested thatJustice Dooley
disqualify himself from the case.
Judith Sutphen, executive director ofthe Governor’ s
Commission on Women, said Sandra Dooley has
been on the commission for 15 years. Theorganization
has supported allowing same-sex couples to marry
since. 1996 - before the lawsuit brought by two Gay
men and four Lesbian women was appealed_ to the
Supreme Court, Sutphen said.
Commissioners have the right to take independent
votes on issues, Sutphen said. "A wife has a right to
vote as she chooses, as does a husband," she said.
"The votes of one spouse don’t necessarily reflect the
. judgment or opinion of the other spouse."
"Take it to the People" argues that rules of judicial
¯ conduct sayjudges should disqualify themselves when
their spouses have interests that could be substantially
: affected by the proceeding. The lawyers at the office
." of the attorney general who are defending the state’s
mamage lawweren’t available to comment.
-" Beth Robinson, an attorney representing the three
: couples in the Supreme Court appeal, said she felt
confident the deliberations would be fair. "We have
: no reason to question Jusdce Dooley’s ability to
~ impartially judge this case on its legal merits,"
: Robinson said. "Justice Dooley and his wife are two
¯ different people with two different jobs to do."
¯ Judge Dismisses Same-
Sex Marriage Lawsuit
¯
ANCHORAGE (AP) - A judge has dismissed a
lawsuit filedby twoAnchoragemenwho claimed that
: the state’s marriage laws discriminated against them.
¯ Judge Peter Michalski took the action late in
¯ September, nearly a year after Alaska voters
¯ overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment
¯ limiting marriage to a union of one man and one
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Jay Brause and Gene Dugan had claimed in their
lawsuit that it was discriminatory to not allow samesex
couples the same health insurance and other
benefits that married and unmarried heterosexual
couples enjoy. It was their lawsuit that spurred the
pbtition drive that put the same-sex marriage
amendment before voters last November.
Bob Wagstaff, the lawyer representing the two
men, says the case will be appealed to the state
Supreme Court. Wagstaff says his clients’ lawsuit is
at its heart an equal-rights case, not a Gay marriage
Town Considering
Partners Registry
ASHLAND, Ore: (AP) - Same-sex couples can’t get
married in Oregon, but in this town, they may soon be
able to get registered. The City Council is likely to
consider settingupsucharegistry for domesticpartners
at its upcoming meeting Oct. 5. City Attorney Patti
Nolte said he is unaware of a similar registry in
Oregon.
The registry would allow domestic partners - two
unmarried people age 18 or older who live togetherto
document that relationship. Gay couples cannot
marry under Oregon law, which recognizes marriage
as the union of a manand a woman.
"I believe it is appropriate that AglJland, as a caring
community, should lead the way," said Neil Sechan,
speaking for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Political Caucus of Southern Oregon.
The local chapter of Parents, Family and Friends of
Lesbians and Gays are also backing the proposed
registry.
Mayor Cathy Shaw said she believes a registry
would have limited effect on unmarried couples,
whether heterosexual or same-sex. "I would be
incredibly proud to be mayor of a community that
provides this service," she said recendy. "I am a great
believer in the institution of marriage... I understand
why this community is asking us to do this -.how
importantit.is to be able to celebrate in an official way
your commitment to another person.’"
Rosemary Dunn Dalton, also speaking for the
caucus, said a registry would let unmarried couples
establishrelationships for purposes ofvisitation rights
in hospitals and other institutions. She said a registry
would provide proof of partnership for businesses
offering benefits to domestic partners.
The Oregon Court ofAppeals decided last year that
if local governments offer benefits to domestic
partners, they cannot deny benefits to same-sex
couples because of the constitutional guarantee of
equal protection. The court did not nile on Oregon’s
legal definition of marriage. Ashland is among the
local governments that have extended benefits to
same-sex couples to comply with the ruling.
A proposed ballot measure, to write the definition
of marriage into the state constitution and bar benefits
to unmarried couples, died in the 1999 Legislature.
Albuquerque To Vote
On Discrimination Ban
ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Lillian Mueller says she
Gays in Albuquerque have lost their jobs and been
denied housing because of their sexual orientation.
Mueller, the mother of a Gay son and president of the
local chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of
Lesbians and Gays, has formed a new group called
TheCampaignforHumanRights. The group’s purpose
is to mobilize support for a proposed amendment to
the Albuquerque city charter that would add sexual
orientation and mental disability to the antidiscrimination
section.
The issue will be on the Oct. 5 municipal election
ballot. The charter now bans discrimination based on
race, religion, sex and national origin. "It’s not a
question of special rights," she said. "It’s a question
of equal rights.’"
Butthe Christian Coalition ofNew Mexico strongly
opposes the charter amendment because it believes
"the Gay lifestyle" is wrong. Mark Burton, Christian
Coalition executive director, said his group will alert
people in voters guides that go to about 300 churches.
"It’s not a behavior that we want to have a
nondiscrimination policy for," he said. "It’s a health
haTard. It spreads AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases,
so there’s no reason to endorse a behavior that’s
dangerous and hazardous."
Albuquerque added a human rights section to its
charter in the early 1970s. The state Legislature in
March rejected a bill that would have outlawed
discrimination based on sexual orientation. It was the
"third time such a measure was killedin the House. The
bill would have expanded the state’s Human Rights
Act to cover sexual orientation, malting it il!egal’to
discriminate on that basis in matters of empld’yment,
housing, credit, public-accommodations and’union
membership.
Eleven states and more than 170 local governments
include sexual orientation in their nondiscrimination
statutes, supporters Of the bill say. The cify of
Albuquerque bars Such discrimination against its
employees and when providing public services.
Alleged Killers of Gay
Men Must Stand Trial
REDDING, Calif. (AP) - Two brothers accused of
murdering a Gay couplemust stand trial and may face
the deathpenalty ifconvicted, ShastaCounty Superior
Court Judge James Ruggiero has ruled.
Benjamin M. Williams, 31, and James T. Williams,
29, will each be tried on two counts of murder and
related charges. The brothers are accused of killing
Gary Matson, 50, and Winfield Scott Mowder, 40, in
July. They are also suspects in June arson fires that
caused more than $1 million in damage to three
Sacramento-area synagogues. Matson and Mowder
were found shot to death in their bed July 1 in rural
Happy Valley, about 165 miles north of Sacramento.
The Williams brothers, being held without bail,
have pleaded innocent to first-degreemurder and four
robbery, burglary and auto theft charges. The judge
ruled that prosecutors can seek the death penalty, a
decision that hasn’t been made.
Prep School Attacker
Free Until Trial
GREENFIELD, Mass. (AP) - A Tennessee youth
accused of using a knife to cut anti-Gay slur into the
back of a fellow prep school student can continue
college classes while awaiting trial, a judge said.
Matthew Rogers, 20, of Franklin, Tenn., pleaded to
charges of assault with a dangerous weapon.
Franklin Superior Court Judge Lawrence Wemick
continued bail at $10,000 cash or $50,000 bond on
condition Rogers live with his parents or at the
University of Mississippi where he is taking classes.
Before his arrest, Rogers had held an appointment to
the U.S. Naval Academy.
Rogers and another student at the Northfield Mount
Hermon School, Jonathan Shapiro, 18, of Keene,
N.H., were initially charged in Greenfield District
Court following the May 27 incident. The two are
accused of slashing the word "HOMO" in shallow
cuts on the back of a 17-year-old student during a
dispute over music. Authorities said no one actually
believed the victim was Gay. The argument arose
over the rock band Queen and the characterization of
its music as "Gay."
Promoters of Community
Center To Respond
ELK CITY, Idaho (AP) - Promoters of a community
education and performing~center expect to respond
to charges by critics of the ~roposed c~nter who fear
it could be used by homosexuals and become a place
where teen-age girls get abortions. Plans to build the
center have created division in the town of about 400
in remote Idaho County. Objections to the center
range from locating it on school property to the fear
homosexuals will use it to stage performances and
teen-age girls getting abortions there. Critics have
said since the center would be on public land there
could not be restrictions placed on who uses it.
New AIDS Drug
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A medicine
developed in North Carolina that blocks
the AIDS virus from getting inside cells is
showing promise among patients whofail
to respond to standard AIDS drugs. The
medicine, code-named T-20, is still in
early-stage testing, but researchers said it
could offer a reprieve for those who have
run out of options.
"It looks quite good," said Dr. Michael
Saag of the University of Alabama. "We
are looking at something with a.totally
different method of. action. It is an
important, potent new option."
T~20 was discovered at Duke
University. It is being developed by
Hoffmatm-La Roche Inc. and Trimeris
Inc., a small biotech company in Durham,
N.C.
Thedrug is the furthest along of a new
class of AIDS medicines called fusion
inhibitors. They work by thwarting the
virus’s ability to fuse with blood cells and
insert their genetic material into them.
However, the treatment has one large
drawback compared with other AIDS
drugs: Instead of being a pill, it must be
injected twice daily. Nev~rtbeless, Saag
said patients in advanced stages of AIDS
are willing to give themselves shots, and
they seem to tolerate the drug well.
The results were reported by Dr. Jay
Lalezari of Quest Clinical Research in
SanFrancisco atameeting ofthe.,Aga,erican
Society for Microbiology.
Other AIDS drugs work principally by
thwarting the virus’s ability to stitch its
genetic material into cells it has invaded
orbyblocking its ability to dispersemature
copies of itself.
Doctors gave T-20 to 55 people who
had high levels of the AIDS virus despite
trying many different combinations of
AIDS medicines. While these standard
drugs have proved to be life savers for
many with AIDS, they do not work for all
patients.
Doctors administered T-20 in
combinationwith other drugs, eventhough
the patients’ HIV was resistant to the
older medicines. After four months of
treatment, virus levels fell significantly in
33 of the volunteers. In 20 of them, the
virus fell to levels too low to bemeasured.
Saag cautioned that the treatment is
unlikely to work forever. But he said
doctors hope it will dday rebound of the
virus for perhaps-a year.
T-20 is part of the protein thatmakes up
the AIDS virus’ outer coat. Ordinarily it
comes into play with another peptide- T-
21 - as the AIDS vinm grabs onto blood
cells andprepares to enter them. Scientists
found that flooding the body with extra
copies of T-20 gums up this attachment
process,
Another AIDS study released at the
meeting found that treatment very early in
the course of an AIDS infection does not
wipe out the virus entirely, as some had
hoped.
Dr. Martin Markowitz of the Aaron
Diamond AIDS Research Center in New
York City reported on four patients who
started treatment within seyen to 90 days
of catching HIV. All signs of their virus
disappeared, andthey chose to stop therapy
after three years:
Thevirus reappeared within two to three
weeks, One patient went back on
treatment, but the three others stayed off.
After shooting up, their virus levds fell
again to low butdetectable levds.
Researchers said the results raise the
possibility that in such situations, the
¯ body’s immune system may be able to
¯
k~p I-HV in check without completely
eliminating it. Are You Gay or Bisexual?
: Satcher Looks at Are You Native American?
:¯ Kids’ Health , . ,
Tulsa s Two-Sp,r,ted ,nd,an Mens
: ROBINSVILLE, Miss. (AP) - U.S. ¯ SurgeonGeneralDavidSatcherhasissued Support Group is here for you!
¯ a warning about the health of America’s
¯ children. Satcher, speaking to a health ¯ Evening support group meetings
: association recently in Tunica County,
¯
said children are growing fatter, lazier,
¯ Relationship workshops
¯ more sexually active and increasingly ¯ Short trips, outings and retreats
¯ addicted to toxic substances. ¯ Free HIV testing
¯ Satcher, former president of Meharry
¯ Medical College in Nashville, .Tenn.,
-spoke tO 400 public health care workers
¯ and advocates at the annual meeting of the
¯ Mississippi Public Health Association.
¯ Regarding the disparity in health care,
¯ Satcher said that in the last 10 years
minorities, women and children have
: fallen behind in many areas.
¯ Satcher said progress has been made in
¯ dealing with infectious diseases and there
¯ has been a decrease in the number of ¯
cancer cases, injury-related deaths and
¯
adult smokers. However, the munber of
: teen-age smokers has risen_rapidly, Satcher
¯ said.
Obesity has become a virtual epidemic
¯ among both adults and children, Satcher
said. The current generation of children
¯ and teen-agers is the most inactive the
¯
country has ever had.
One of the results of that inactivity has
¯ been an increase in Type 2 diabetes in
¯ children. In the past, physicians were told
never to look for Type 2 in individuals
¯ - under40 years old, Satcher said. Now, the
disease is occurring in children under the
age of 10. Emphasis must be placed on
physical activity and on diet, Satcher said.
The American diet consists mainiy offats
and sugars, he said. In one year, the average
American will consume 156 pounds of
added sugar.
Weneedto promotehealthy lifestyles,
Satcher said. "We need to promote
physical activities. We need to promote
nutrition and avoidance of toxins like
tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs. We
need to promote responsible sexual
behavior."
40% of college students and 30% of
high school students are binge dri.nking,
Satcher said. That has contributed to an
increase m automobile accidents and
irresponsible ~exual behavior.
"Weneed to talkmorewith ourchildren
aboutwhatit means tobesexually active,"
Satcher said. "When we don’ t teach sex in
¯ the schools, at home and in the churches,
¯ but they do teach it out on the streets or ¯
after school when there are no adults
¯ around, our children aren’t going to
¯ become responsible, sexual adults."
¯ His warning was directed not just to
teen-agers, but to all people. Every day,
16,000 peoplebecomeinfected with HIV,
¯ the virus that causes AIDS. In the years
: since the disease’s discovery, HIV has
¯ infected 50 million people and resultedin
14 million AIDS-related deaths.
¯ "In my opinion AIDS is the worst
: epidemic since the plague of the 14th
: century or maybe the influenza epidemic
," of 1918," Satcher said. "AIDS is
: increasingly a disease o,,f people of color,
¯ women and the young.
: African Americans account for almost
: 50% of new cases; Hispanics, 20%; and
¯ women, 25%. Not enough is being done
¯
to prevent the disease, Satcher said, even
though people know how to stop the
¯ spread.
For information call Tulsa Native American AIDS Prevention Project
at 582-7225 Ext. 208 or 218
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Doctor ofNaturopathy
Certified Colonic Hygenist
Certified Reflexologist
Certified Herbalist
Certified Accupressurist
provides consultations by appointment
Iridology
Hair Analysis
Herbal Supplements
Pain Control
Nutritional Analysis
4520 So. Peoria, Brookside
712-1400
AIDS Czar at
Detroit AIDS Walk
DETROIT (AP) - Federal AIDS czar
SandyThurmanandMayorDennis Archer
led thousands of walkers in a fund-raising
event for programs that help treat people
infected with the deadly disease. The
Detroit event was one of 12 statewide
sponsored by AIDS Walk Michigan.
"Walk on walkers!" Thurman shouted
to cheering participants at Hart Haza,
where the3.1-milewalkbeganandca_rex!..
Many held helium balloons and signs
with messages such as "AIDS has many
faces."
Despite the cheery atmosphere and
warm sunshine,Thurman broughta chilly
message about the disease, which she said
will have infected 100 million people
worldwide by 2005. "We’re at the
beginning of an epidemic, not the end of
an epidemic, with no vaccine, no cure,"
she told reporters before the walk began.
"It’s not going to be over next week. It’s
not going to be over in 10 years. It’s
probably not going to be over in my
lifetime.’"
A sign of hope is the success of anti-
AIDS drugs that are keeping thousands of
people infected with the HIV virus free
from symptoms. ButinmanyThirdWorld
natxon~, including much of AIDSdecimated
Africa, the medicines remain
unaffordable and the publichealth system
inadequate, she said.
This is the second year of a coordinated
AIDS WalkMichigan. Lastyear, 10 walks
statewide raised $2~0,000,
This year, walks also tookplace Sunday
inAnnArbor, BerrienCounty, Flint,Grand
Rapids, Holland-Saugatuck, Kalamazoo,
Lansing, Muskegon, Port Huron,
Saginaw-Midland-Bay City and Traverse
City.
But organizers sdid/he ~)etro’it event
was particularly important because of the
high rate of AIDS in the city. With about
10% of the state’s population, Detroit has
nearly half of the reported AIDS cases,
they said.
"It’s the No. 1 killer of young African-
American males and the No. 2 killer of
young black females," said Detroit
Episcopal Bishop R. Stewart Wood Jr. as
he set out on the walk.
Wood’s diocese, which has 35,000
members from Lansing to the Ohio line,
has not been immune from the effects of
AIDS.
"Every one of our congregations has
been touched by AIDS - members or
loved-ones who have the disease. We’ve
lost two of our clergy to AIDS," he said.
Teresa and Bill Snell came in from
Wayne County’s Redford Township to
walk in this year’s walk, taking turns
pushing 15-month-olddaughter Courtney
in a three-wheeled jogger’s stroller.
They raised a total of $49, most in
pledges of $2 to $3, for their part in the
walk. The 20 walkers from Mrs. Shell’s
agency, the Detroit Hispanic Development
Corp., raised $1,500 for. the fight, against
AIDS. "It affects so many people and
families around you," she said. "I don’t
know anyone who has died,.of AIDS, but
I do know that it is something that affects
all kinds of people," her husband said.
"It’s something that’s got to be stopped."
Award Given to
African Groups
NEW YORK (AP) - The world’s largest
humanitarian prize - $1 million - was
awarded to an organization whose
accomplishments include bringing health
care to the Maasai and Turkana, two of
Africa’s nomadic tribes.
The Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian
Prize, awarded to the African Medical
and Research Foundation, will give the
organization funds it needs for additional
work in AIDS and malaria prevention. It
will also helppay to trainmore health care
workers.
’q’his million will go along way and it
will allow us tokeepmanyprojects afloat,"
saidJohn R. Batten, director ofthe Nairobi,
Kenya-based AMREF, who accepted the
prize at a ceremony in New York on
Tuesday.
Startedin 1957as aprogram thathelped
needy Africans get specialized medical
care- particularly reconstructive surgery
- AMREF now provides health care
services to 21 African countries. Programs
are run from offices in Kenya, Tanzania,
Uganda and South Africa. This year’s
budget was $19 million.
Over the years, AMREF built a twoway
radio network that boosted hospital
communications in East Africa,
spearheaded the use ofinsecticide-treated
mosquito nets to reduce childhoodmalaria
deaths and performed more than 40,000
operations.
It also has trained thousands of health
care workers and specialists and brought
services to the most remote corners of
Africa, including to tribes that roam the
continent.
What sets AMREF apart from most
international non-governmental organizations
is that more than 95% of its
employees are Africans.
’q’he approach we use in tackling all of
theseproblems is community-based," said
Peter Muchiri Ngatia, director for
AMREF’s Uganda office. "Some
prdl~lems "in A~r~ca, such as AIDS and
HIV, areaggravatedby cultural practices."
Much of the prize, which will be spent
over three years, will be directed at two of
Africa’s biggest killers - AIDS and
malaria.
"AMREF’s success in building an
African-led and African-run health care
system that is accessible to all provides a
strong model for aid agencies around the
world," said Barron Hilton, chairman of
Hilton Hotels Corp. and a board member
of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
AMREF was selected out of 225
nominations made by members of the
international community, including
diplomats, foundation leaders and
academics.
Once nominations are made, the Hilton
foundation researches the organization
and performs On-site visits. After that,
selections go to an independent
international jury.
Last year, Medecins Sans Frontieres,
or Doctors Without Borders - the largest
independent international medical aid
organization - won the prize.
¯ Feds Pushingf0r
: Name"Reporting
¯ FRANKFORT, Ky~ (AP):-, The General
¯
Assembly could be asked to require
: doctors treating people infected with the
: virus that causes AIDS to report them by
¯ name. It is the only way to ensure that
: federal money for AIDS treatment and
" program keeps flowing, a task force’s
~ reasoning goes.
: "The practicality is this," Dr. Anna
¯ Huang, see Health, p. 11
byJames Christjohn, entertainmentQueen
By the time you read this, the film will
be gone (thanks toWoodlandHills Cinema
for bringing it to us!), but as it will be a
great stocking stuffer - no catty remarks,
please - I will review it for your reading
pleasure anyway. And since I’ve never
worried about timeliness
before, why start now?
"Get Real" was a
wonderful film about a 16
year old Gay boy in
England, and the process
of "coming out" - he runs
into an older boy at his
school, and they find
themselves in "love", or
what seems to be love.
Only one problem: The
older boy is ashamed of
his Gayness, and wants
everything kept "hushhush."
Needless to say, many
poignant moments ensue,
all of which rang true for
me and the other person
viewing the film with me.
Much was true to life,
although much of it was kind of "what if
I had come out at 16 instead of 21"
speculation for me. I was a late bloomer,
what can I say? Speaks a lot for "the
environment.
At any rate, I found the film absorbing
and realistic, in many aspects. As my
friendpointed out, "Yes, but there were so
many’cinematicmoments.’ "Myresponse
was, "yes -and ? - life is made of
’cinematic moments.’ Sometimes we’re
lucky enough to havelots of them." I
pointed out several ’cinematic moments’
that we shared that he’d forgotten, and he
conceded the point.
He also took umbrage with the ending,
whichwas realistic. (Warning: Don’tread
beyond this point to the next paragraph if
you haven’t seen it and don’t want it
spoiled)
He wanted a more romantic ending
¯ (ironic, given his criticism only moments
before of the "cinematic moments"). The
¯¯ boys split, our hero deciding against a
futurebased on deceptionand hiding with
: one so.uncomfortable with himself.
¯ To me, that was a happy ending - he
: was strong enough to standup for whathe
believed, both in a public
And of course, no
column written by
yours truly would
be complete
without a
mention of
"You Know Who."
And if you
don’t know, then
you’ve not been
reading this
seetion regularly,
now have you?
and personal sense, and
wasn’t willing to "settle"
for less.
Yes, the sappy ending
myfriendproposedwould
have been ok, and his
rationalewas that so many
mowes with Gay
characters end up with
depressing endings that
he’d have liked to have
seen an alternate ending
where both come out and
live happily ever after.
Yeah, maybe it. would
have been nice, but I
applaud the author and
producer’s strength to
stick with this ending.
And to me, it was a
happy ending of sorts. All
¯ depends on perspective, I suppose. At any
¯ rate, The activg was top-notch, the ¯
characters were real, and it is definitely a
¯ film destined to be at the top of my DVD
¯ wish list."
: "Beauty and the Beast" ended its run on
¯ aninterestingnot.e.Abeautifulproduction,
¯ albeit with sometechnieal difficulties (the.
: first week’s shows were in reality
: "previews", in which technical errors are
: more or less expected and worked out)
¯ such as bad timing on the lighting,
¯ °
reveahngcharacter’ s "di° sappearances"to
¯ beactors running inand out oflights when
¯ it should bedark, beasts transforming into
: princes and getting stuck in mid-
’ transformation by malfunctioning
¯ "magic" ("this spell canceled due to
¯ technical difficulties") and mysterious
¯ illnesses taking out cast members.
". see Beast, p. 14
by the Helmerich Foundation
October 16, 22 & 24
Tulsa Perf:oming Arts
Act Now!
587-4811
596-7111
for tickets.
OKLAHOMA
T 0 H R
by John Curran
ATLANTIC CITY - The flowers and
dime-store crown were real. Nearly
everything else was fake, from the
eyelashes to thecleavage tothetip-synched
songs.
WelcometoAtlantic City’ s otherbeauty
pageant, the one for men dressed in drag.
Seven blocks and a world away from the
stage where Miss America 2000 was
crowned, the Miss’d America Pageant
lampooned its famous older sister with a
raucous, gender-bending spoof funny
enough to bust a girdle.
Held annually on the night after Miss
America’s crowning, Miss’d America
provides a sarcastic antidote to the applepie
sincerity of the real pageant. The
swimsuit competition? A display of
chunky thighs and muscular arms. The
musical production numbers? Over-thetop
atrocious. The evening wear contest?
Outright hysterical.
The only serious thing Sunday was the
cause: Theeventraisedmorethan $15,000
for support programs run by the South
Jersey AIDS Alliance. "It’s the wildest
show this side of the Boardwalk," said
Bill Mattel, the alliance’s former chief
executive.
Wild, indeed. There was Miss Sallotta
¯ Tea, who squeezed 240 pounds into a
: sequined black cocktail dress and opera-
" length black gloves. Down the runway
¯ wentMissTea, pushing acartloadedwith ¯
goodies and warbling a versionofthe title
: song from the musical "Cabaret." "Life is
¯ abigb,uf,fet, myfriend. Socometothebig
buffet, sang Miss Tea.
¯
Then there was Miss Tenee, a 6-foot-3
: inch, 205-pounder, who began a talent
¯ segment in a purple Afro wig and brown ¯
velour dress. That soon disappeared,
: revealing a silk chemise. Miss Tenee won
: the crown, was given a dozen roses and
¯ headeddown the bulb-adornedrunway as
¯
the crowd sang a reworked version of
". "There She Is," the Miss Americastandard.
¯ The capacity 600-person crowd was a ¯
mix of Gay and straight, casino workers
and local politicians, Miss America
¯ Pageant hairstylists and female
¯ impersonators. ,
Not that there wasn t some authenticity
¯
to the proceedings. Miss America 1998
: Kate Shindle, who spent her reign
¯ promoting AIDS advocacy and needle
: exchanges, sang "My Man" during the
: show. "As far as I’m concerned, what’s
: any pageant without a former Miss
¯ Whatever singing StreisandT’ she said.
M
E TI"VAL
OCTOBER
7, 8, 99
9 9 9
Professional
Business
"You don’t
have to know
ballet to
love ballet.
You just have
to try it."
AR11Sl1[:
:Mixed Repertory includes two Oklahoma premieres
Exposition
~SUNDAYS
Bless the Lord At All Times Christian Center
Sunday School - 9:45am, Service - 11 am, 2207 E. 6th, 583-7815
Community of Hope (Welcoming), Service - 6pm, 2545 S. Yale, 585-1800
Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Service - 1 lain, 2545 S. Yale, 749-0595 (Welcoming)
Church of the Restoration Unitarian Universalist
Service - 1 lain, 1314 No. Greenwood, 587-1314
Metropolitan Community Church United
Service, l lain, 1623 North Maplewood, Info: 838-1715
House of the Holy Spirit Ministries, Inc.
Sunday School - 9:45am, Service - 10:45am, 3210b So. Norwood
Parish Church of St. Jerome (Evangelical Anglican Church in America)
Mass - 1 lain, 205 W. King (east of N. Denver), Info: 582-3088
Unity Church of Christianity
Services: 9:15 & 11:00 am, 3355 S. Jamestown, 749-8833
University of Tulsa Bisexual/Lesbian/Gay/Transgendered Alliance
6:30 pm, Meets at the Canterbury Ctr., 5th & Evanston, 583-9780
~ MONDAYS
Mixed Volleyball, Helmerich Park, 71st & Riverside, 6pm, call Shawn at 243-5190.
HIV Testing Clinic, Free & anonymous testing. No appointment required.
Walk in testing: 7-8:30pm, 834-TEST (8378) 3501 E. Admiral (east of Harvard)
HIV Rap Sessions at Bless the Lord At All Times Christian Center
7:30pro, 2207 E. 6th, 583-7815
PFLAG, Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays
2rid Mon/each mo. 6:30pro, Fellowship Congregational Church, 2900 S. Harvard
Women/Children & AIDS Committee, call for meeting date, noon, 585-5551
Council Oak Men’s Chorale, rehearsals - call for times, info: 748-3888.
I~"TUESDAYS
AIDS Coalition of Tulsa, call for next meeting date. 1430 S. Boulder, 585-5551
Live And Let Live, Commuuity of Hope United Methodist, 7:30pm, 2545 S. Yale
Multicultural AIDS Coalition, call for next meeting date.
Urban League, 240 East Apache, 584-0001
PrimeTimers, mens group, Pride Center, 1307 E. 38th
Coming Out Support Group (TOHR/HOPE)
Tuesdays, 6 pro, Pride Center, 1307 E. 38th, info: 743-4297
I~ WEDNESDAYS
Bless The Lord At All Times Christian Center
Prayer & Bible Study, 7:30 pm 2207 E. 6th, 583-7815
House of the Holy Spirit Ministries, Inc. Service - 7pm,’3210b So. Norwood
Tulsa Native American Mens Support Group, more information, call 582-7225
TCC Gay & Lesbian Association of Students (GLAS), Call for info: 595-7632.
Lambda A-A, 7 pm, 1307 E. 38th, 2nd ft.
~THURSDAYS
HOPE, HIV Outreach, Prevention, Education
Anonymous HIV Testing, Testing: 7 - 8:30pm 834-8378, 3507 E. Admiral
Oklahoma Rainbow Young Adult Network (O’RYAN)
Support/social group for 18-24’s, call Red Rock Mental Health at 584-2325
Substance Abuse Support Group for persons with HIV/AIDS, Info: 834-4194
I~" FRIDAYS
SafeHaven, Young Adults Social Group, I st Fri/eachmo. 8pro, Pride Ctr., 1307 E. 38th
~" SATURDAYS
Narcotics Anonymous, 11 pm, Commmlity of Hope, 1703 E. 2nd, Info: 585-1800
Lambda A-A, 6 pm, Pride Center, 1307 E. 38th, 2nd t, ~i~ _
I~’ OTHER GROUPS ......
T.U.L.S.A. Tulsa Uniform & Leather Seekers Association, info:298-0827
Gal-A-Vanting, Women~ Social & Cultural Group
Call for info: Kathy at 322-6322, or Barb at 459-6825.
OK Spoke Club, Gay & Lesbian Bike Organization. Long rides & short ddes from
Zeigler Park. Long & short rides from Tulsa Gay Commtmity Center. Write for info:
PUB 9165. Tulsa, OK 74157
Ifyour organization is not listed, please let us know. Call 583-1248 orfax 583-4615.
by George Bria
POUND RIDGE, N.Y. (AP) - Gardening
~njoys suchaserenereputation thatgetting
njure~ at it seems almost laughable: Yet
anoverzealous greenthumbcanalsomean
a sore elbow.
Thecasualtyhsts are. swelled, ofcourse,
by the power eqmpment
ix~juries oaten stiffered through
¯ in’attention or failure to wear
,:protective gear~ But.whatwe’re
talking about here is soreness,
strains and sprains.
A common ailment is
tendonitis. You can get tennis
elbow just pulling weeds, the
repetitive squeezing motion
inciting inflzmmation.
Back muscle spasm is
another trauma that threatens
the wheelbarrow lifter or the
person who bends abruptly or
improperly to perform some
taskinflowerbed or vegetable
patch. Sometimes it just
happens without an easily
pinpointed cause.
Having suffered both these
: abdominal muscles," Pearlman says. "In
¯ essence, thesemuscles act as"guy wires,"
¯ to keep your baekmhne. She prescn
a series of abdominal strengthening
: exercises and also exercises to condition
¯ other muscles related to the back.
: If, in spite of all this, back spasm
suddenly strikes, Pearlman
says stop your garden work
immediately, head for the
house and lie down on an ice
pack for 20 minutes. That’s
just a beginner. Then do some
exercises and maybe take a
pain reliever. Repeat the
sequence four or five tames
during the first day. In two or
three days you should be
better, she says, and if not,
think of going to a doctor.
Pearlman prescribes a
variety of push-ups and
weight-lifting exercises to
-strengthen arms. One. way to
strengthen hands, she says, is
repetitive squeezing of a
semisoft rubber ball.. Aside
from strengthening exercises,
"Lets get
down to earth
and be real;’
Pearlman says,
"gardening is
an active,
contact "sport."
"When is the
last time you
sat still in your
garden?"
- Barbara
Pearlman
ailments from my gardening, I can testify :
they’re just as painful as if you got them "
on the tennis court, as I did, or from some °
other sport or at work. To add to potential
miseries, a bad elbow you got in tennis
might heal only to flare up again in the
garden. Tendonitis can hit the shoulder,
too,andoften does. There are conditioning
exercises youcan do, andprobably should
do, to prevent injuries, but in my
experience inflanu~tory ailments like
tendonitis sometimes seem to happen
willy-nilly.
One day you’re fine after w.eedigg an,d.
anotherday you develop pain tlaat doesn t
go away. The same thing happens to a
pitcher or a hard-serving teums player
despite conditioning. Proven therapies,
involving drugs, exercises or even surgery,
exist to heal such injuries but preventing
them from happening in the first place is
something else.
Nevertheless, suggestions exist, and a
good book has just come out aimed at
conditioning youto minimize the chances
of getting hurt while gardening.
"Gardener"s Fitness" by Barbara
Pearlman (Taylor Publishing Co., $12.95,
paperback), a Manhattan fitness expert
and a gardener, prescribes exercises,
proper posture and attire and relaxation
teclmiques. The 151-page book contains
easy-to-follow instructions and helpful
illustrations.
"Lets get down to earth and be real,"
Pearlman says, "gardening is an active,
contact "sport." "When is the last time
you sat still in your garden?" she asks, "If
you’re not hauling heavy rocks, you’re
pushing a wheelbarrow, toting tools,
dragging the hose, or whacking weeds.
You’re in perpetual motion, unless of
course your idea of gardening is planting
:apot of~etunias orp~msies onyourpaso?’
Pearlman identifies tlie body parts mat
workhardestinthe garden as arms,: ,,l~ees,
hands "and, abov,~ all, your back,. Back
pain,"shesays,~s the gardener sbugaboo.
Unless your back is made of steel (in
which case, youprobably can’.t g.etinto ,al,1
the contorted positions gardemng cans
for) at some point during the season, your
back is bound to protest."
’The very best defense against back
painis agoodoffense, whichmeans strong
knee fitness involves proper squatting in
the garden, Pearlman says. This means
keeping your heels flat, otherwise far
: much pressure is placed on your knees."
: "Knowing how to bend over andhow to
¯¯ lift an object (or yourself) the correctway
is crucial to gardening," Pearlman says.
: ’The chance of straining your back is far
: greater if youneglect tobendyourknees."
¯ When carrying things, she says, "you ¯
should use the strongest and largestjoints
and muscles (those in your arms) for the
." job to avoid direct pressure on your
¯ smallestjointsandweakestmuscles (those
: in your hands and fingers.)"
¯ "There is a right way and a wrong way
¯
to move when you garden and malting th,e,
¯ right moves makes good garden sense,’
". Pearlman says. "It’s as simple as that."
::
:DonationsRejected
¯ JOHANNESBURG, South Mrica (AP)-
¯ A provincial blood donor service has
¯ started turning away black blood donors
¯ between 18 and 35 years because of the
: high risk of infection from AIDS and
¯ other diseases, E-TV reported in
: September.
¯ Eric Saunderson, head of the Natal
BloodTransfusion Service, confirmedthat
the agency is importing blood from
Hollandand theWestern Cape, a province
with a lower rate of HIV infections.
¯ "Ourresponsibility is to thepatient, and
¯ it’s the right of every patient to have the ¯
safest blood possible," Saund~rson said
¯ in the television interview.
¯ Ronald Louw, a spokesman from the ¯
Gay and Lesbian Coalition, denounced
the practice of apartheidblood collection.
¯ ’q’his is discrimination," he said.
¯ About 8% 0f all South Africans are ¯
HIV positive,~a rate that reaches up to
¯
25% in some communities in KwaZulu-
¯ Natal, where the Natal service is located,
¯ and elsewhere in the country. But a racial
: breakdown of the infection rate was not
¯ known.
Black Blood
The MoreThings
Average
New Car Price
1985 $ 9,011
1998 $20,000
Minimum Wage
1985 $3.35
1998 $5.15
Postage Stamp
1985 22¢
1998 32~
The More Things Average Price of
Electrici~ Per Stay The Same. Residential kWh
1985 6.,$¢
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P~9 your energytdollar. The most reliable service
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The Gift of Pride
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In Memory of...
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For a small gift of $25.00, you can donate a beautiful Christmas poinsettia
to a local AIDS hospice. Your gifts will adorn the stage at
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Call Today for COMC Carolers at Your Holiday Party!
To Order: Call COMC at (918) 748-3888
Timothy .W. Daniel
Attorney at Law
An Attorney who will fight for
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Domestic Partnership Planning,
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Criminal Law & Bankruptcy
1-800-742-9468 or 918-352-9504
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Weekend and evening appointments are available.
Holland Hall
SCHOO’L
PRIMARY SCHOOL TOUR (aGE 3- GRADE 3)
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To reserve your place; please call the
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Holland Hall admits qualified students without regard to race, sex, reugton, national or ethmc ortgm, or p~.’sical disabiliF.
by Anthony Breznican
Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The aggressive
roles of men in sports, movies and
television can cause boys to equate
violence with masculinity,
according to a report released
today byachildren’s advocacy
group.
A survey of 1,200 boys,
ranging from 10- to 17-yearsold,
revealed their favorite
entertainment often depicts
brutality as a heroic way to
solve~problems, said Harvard
psychologistWilliam Pollack,
who helped analyze the study
for ChildrenNow. "It’s gender
straight-jacketing," Pollack
said. ’q~hese boys believe that
in order to be a real man- like
the ones in the media - they
have to be violent and
aggressive."About74%ofthe
characters and sports figures
viewed by the participants
committed brutal or defiant
acts or demonstrated antisocial
behavior such as
ridiculing or lying, Pollack
said.
The study was released at the start ofthe
group’ s anntml conferencein Los Angeles.
Children Now, an independent advocacy
group for children in Oakland, plans to
use the findings to call on entertainment
executives to promote a more
compassionate image of men, said Lois
Salisbury, president of the organization.
According to Ms. Salisbury, the
kickboxing crimefighter on "Walker,
Texas Ranger" on CBS and the
sensationalized crashes and arrests on
Fox’s "World’s Wildest Police Videos"
were among the worst for reinforcing
negative stereotypes ofauthoritativemen.
"Theyjust glorify heavy-handed tactics,"
she said.
She also speculated that professional
wrestling’s blend of scantily dad women
a University ofLouisville assistantmedical
professor, said: without federal money,
only people with insurance will have
access to the relatively few doctors with
experience in AIDS treatment.
"I think we’re at a point the legislation
needs tobe considered,"Huangsaidduring
a public hearing by the legislature’s Task
"It’s gender
straightjacketing,"
Pollack said.
"These boys
believe that in
order to be a
real man - llke
the ones in the
media - they
have to be
violent and
aggressive."
- William
Pollack
: and muscle-bound fighters could cause
¯ relationship problems for adolescent boys
"_ who might imitate the behaviors they see
¯ acted out by the wrestlers when trying to
: woo women. ’The image is that men are
meant to be defined by anger
and violence and power and
sex," Ms. Salisbury said.
’There is very little roomfor a
range of behaviors such as
compassion and
compromise."
She points to ABC’s ’¢Fhe
Drew Carey Show" as an
example ofaprogram that has
very little violence and draws
itshumorfrom the crew-cutted
comedian’s portrayal of
schlepping throughamundane
job. "He’s stuck in ajob that’s
going nowhere and the whole
basis (of the show) is that he is
¯ . . a loser," Ms. Salisbury
said. "That tells boys that the
only place to be is at the top.
Otherwise, you’re to be
laughed at."
Michael J. Gerson, a
psychologist and lecturer at
Loyola Marymount
University, criticized Children Now for
¯¯ drawing what he characterized as an
elementary conclusion about the effects
¯ of media violence on young people.
¯ "Researchers canunderestimate the ability
of children to make distinctions between
¯ fantasy andreality,"Gerson said.’~A child
¯ may s~oot his fingers like a gun, but he
doesn t have to develop a killer mentality
¯ or wish to be destructive." i-iowever,
¯ Gerson saidChildren Now was correct in ¯
proposing that the blending of sex and
¯
violence can confuse adolescents who
¯ should instead associate gentleness with
¯ intimacy. "I do object to movies where the
¯ girl and the guy get into the back seat of
¯
the car and a Miler pops out and cuts them
¯ in half with a chain saw," Gerson said.
¯ "That can cause problems."
Force on HIV/AIDS Prevention, Services "
and Financing. "
Thirty-three states require people !
infected with HIV, the human ¯
immundeficiency virus, to be reported by "
name. The federal government is :
pressuring all other states, including ¯
Kentucky, to follow suit. Those that balk ¯
could lose federal funding for AIDS, the "
task force says in a report. ."
The recommendation brought a fierce ¯
response aboutprivacy-evenamong task "
force members - at the public hearing. "I "
call it blackmail," said Barry .Norris, a ,"
task force member from Louisville. But, ¯
Norris asked, what choice does Kentucky "
have. Do we just not take themoney9... °
¯ Do we make a principled stand?" Jeff ."
Vessels, executive director of the ¯
American Civil Liberties Union in "
Kentucky, said states should challenge
the federal agencies. "It’s a terrible thing
that we have to sacrifice so much privacy
in the name of money," Vessels said.
An AIDS patient said the stigma of the
disease would drive many people
underground. "For the fear of reporting
their names, they simply will not go get
tested," Michael Seidler of Louisville
testified.
Thestate keepsrecords ofAIDS patients
by name, but not of people infected with
ttIV..For that reason, the state’ s reports of
HIV infection are considered suspect by
federal record keepers at the Centers for
Disease Control. Mollie’Adkins, of the
Kentucky Department for Public Health,
said name reporting is the most reliable
way yet found to ensure cases are not
duplicated and statistics are not inflated.
Names would he maintained, in a state
database, not passed along to the CDC.
The task force also says the legislature
should restrict access to the information
and enact stiff penalties for breaches.
Seidler, the AIDS patient, said that was
wishful thinking. Computer hackers got
into Florida’s HIV-test database, he said.
"Ifyoucan guarantee somethinglike that’ s
not going to happen..." Seidler said, "by
all means go outand get tested yourselves."
by Esther Rothblum, Ph.D.
Do Lesbians drink more alcohol than
heterosexual women? In the not-toodistant
past, the Lesbian bar
was one of the only places " ~ome d the
where Lesbians could go to
early studies
meet other women. On the
otherhand,many Lesbianbars su~,rested that
h~iVe Closed down, indicating
Pdr.einrhkainpgs lt~hsast aLndeshbaivaensot-haerer- upd-toLoensblei~atnhlsrdplaces
to socialize,
To find out more about
Lesbians and alcohol-use, I
interviewedDr. TondaHughe~
in the Department of Nursing
at the University of Illinois at
Chicago. ,Some of the early
studies suggested that up .to
one third of Lesbians were
serious alcohol abusers," she
said, "but often these
researchers collected their data
from Lesbians in bars. So itis
not surprising that this method
found a large number of
Lesbians who were heavy
drinkers. I think that that is
why we have the bdief that
Lesbians are atriskfor alcohol
abuse."
Nevertheless, Dr. Hughes
believes that Lesbians drank
more than heterosexual
women in the 1960s and 70s.
"Lower rates of drinking
among Lesbians now is partly
due to changes in drinking in
the whole population, to more
health consciousness, and to
the AIDS crisis, which has
alertedus to the risks ofalcohol
and drug use," she said. She
also felt that Lesbians used to
drink more during the coming
out process, in order to deal
with social anxiety and stigma
involved in meeting other women and
coming to terms with being a Lesbian.
In a study conducted in Chicago, New
York City, and Minneapolis/St. Paul in
the mid-1980s with more than Lesbians,
Lesbians overall were no more likely to
reportalcohol-relatedproblems than we.re °
heterosexual women. Only Lesbians in
the 50-60 year old age range reported ¯
more alcohol problems than did their "
heterosexualcounterparts. Dr. Hughes has ¯
conductedaseries of studies withLesbians "
and heterosextml women that focus on °
various mental health factors, including ¯
alcohol use and abuse.
Her results indicate that Lesbians these "
days are no more likely to drink heavily "
than are heterosexual women. In fact,--
Lesbians were more likely to report ¯
abstaining from alcohol altogether for the "
past year than were heterosexual women.."
Most of the Lesbian and-heterosexual ¯
womeninher sample drank alcohol at low "
levels. White Lesbians, however, drank "
morethandid AfricanAmericanor Latina ¯
Lesbians.
"Interestingly, there are more Lesbians ."
who report that they are in recovery, "
though" she added. Only 2% of."
heterosexual womenhadbeenin treatment
for alcohol or in 12-step programs,
compared with 17% of Lesbians--a large "
difference. This may be the result of prior ¯
heavy drinking among Lesbians. Or it "
may be thht Lesbians are more aware of "
were serious
alcohol
abusers~~
she said, ’but
often these
researchers
co||ected tbelr
data [rom
Lesblans ;n
bars. So it’s
not surprlslng
that this
method [ound
o[ Lesbians
who were
heavy drinkers.
I think that
that is why we
bare the belld
that Lesbians
are at r~sk [or
alcohol abuse.’"
~ substanceuse issues than areheterosexual
¯ women. Oneofthe questionsinthesurvey
is "Have you ever wondered if you had a
drinking problem," and 47%
of Lesbians answered "yes" to
this item compared with only
14% of the heterosexual
women. This finding again
hints at heavy alcohol use in
thepastonthepartofLesbians.
Finally, there was a trend for
older Lesbians to report more
drinking, and these are the
Lesbians who were adults
during earlier times when
drinking was more part of the
Lesbian commurtities.
Dr. Hughes is interested in
exploring patterns of drinking
across various age groups of
Lesbians. Specifically, she is
interested in whether older
Lesbian~ who were adults
during earlier times when
drinking was more part of the
Lesbian cotumunities are
continuing to drink heavily.
She is also interested in the
question of how Lesbians and
their partners moderate each
others drinking, because
research on heterosexuals
shows that partners’ drinking
is a major factor in how much
people drink. We still know
very little about all Ihe factors
that increase or decrease
Lesbians’ risk for alcohol
abuse or alcohol-related
problems.
Esther Rothblum is Professor
of Psychology at the
University of Vermont and
Editor of the Journal of
Lesbian Studies. She can be
reached at Dewey Hall, Univ.
of Vermont, Burlington, VT,
¯ emaih esther.rothblum@uvm.edu.
of The Tulsa Worldnews story about the
New Jersey ruling. Ms. Kue.lmertpromised
to check into the issue and to telephone
back the next day.
TAUWenjoys significant supportfrom
some of Tulsa’s most well known
corporations. Debbie Graham ofQuikTrip
Corporation said that her organization
had supported UnitedWayformany years
because it helps a vast variety of agencies
but-that QuikTrip doesn’t get involved in
"the politics of individual agencies."
And while Ms. Graham could not
confirm that Quik Trip has a nondiscrimination
policy which explicitly
includes "sexual orientation," she noted
that it is their practice not to discriminate.
Quik Trip had provided promotion of
the United Way campaign in the form of
a printed solicitation for support on Quik
Trip paper bags.
Emily Gill of Dollar Car Rental did
confirm that her company and its parent
group, Dollar/Thrifty Automotive Group
(DTAG) which Mr. Cappy chairs, does
have an explicitnon-discrimination policy
butMs. Gill wasunable to address whether
any one atDTAG saw any conflictbetween
their internal non-discrimination policy
and see TA UW, p. 13
Red Rock Tulsa
Free Confidential
HIV Testing
Walk-in Clinics
Tuesday Testing, 5 -8 pm
Pride Center, 1307 East 38th
Wednesday Tdsting, 5-8 pm
Red Rock, 1724 East 8th
Daytime appointments available.
Call for more information:
918-584-2325
Church
of the Restoration
Unitarian Universalist
11 am, Sunday
1314 North Greenwood
587-1314
We knowyou’re
going to love this..r
Restaurant & Cabaret
ltxst~~ tla~
~’f~rO~ ¯.
310 East First Streel
918-599-9949
Massage Therapy Services
Edgar O. Cruz, L.M.T.
Pager: 918-889-5255
Voice Mail: 918-697-9282
Lic. #C4133
Want to get involved?
Need to get
tested for HIV?
Need a
Coming Out Support
Group?
Call
743-GAYS (4297)
Tulsa Gay
Community
Services
Center
1307 E. 38th
at Peoria, 2nd floor
Country Club
Barbering
Custom Styling ¯
for Men & Women
David Kauskey
3310 E. 51st, 747-0236
Tues.-Fri., 8-5:30, Sat. 8-5pm
¯ IGTA member
Call 341. 6866
International
Tours/ormoreinformation.
Red Rock Tulsa
O’RYAN
Oklahoma Rainbow
Young Adult Network
Outreach Program Thurs. Nights
Meet Others in a Safe Enviroment
Call for meeting times and place:
918-584-2325
ERESH
ITALIAN RAINBOW
CUSINE TROUT
ofEureka Springs
Voted Number One in Arkansas!
(501) 253-680Z Closed Wednesday
5 Cen~er Street, Eureka Springs, AR 72632
TOM NEAL
BUILDING
&
GARDEN
DESIGN
583- 1248
Compatibility
reports .
for you
and
your
friends
or
lovers.
599-0717
Gay Owned, Operated & Rainbow Proud
Gay Mecca of the Ozarks
Beautiful Eureka Springs, Arkansas
by Lamont Lindstrom, Phdg.
Last snmmer I wentto afriend’ s fiftieth
birthday p~arty.,] I think actually it was at
least his tbir or even fourth fiftieth
birthday. He is de_t,_e~_.ined.n_o,t to get any
older. Freezingone s agent50ts somewhat
more mature than those of us who fixate
on 30, or even 25. Another birthday boy I
know is at 28 and holding. Andmy friend
Steve- who is 33 and gorgeous - always
shaves five or six years off his age on
those tempting messages he leaves on
telephone dating, lines.
Welcome to America.
Growing up around here is
good. But growing old can be
a problem. We all know about
the bittersweetness of
birthdays. Next time you are
in a card store, have a look at
those nasty if cruelly funny.
cards that we are encourag
to giveanyoneunlueky enough
to have turned 40. Women
complain that the onusof age
falls most heavily on them.
Men, as they wrinkle, gray;
and sag, at least might bope.~o
grow to be distinguished.
Women, on the other hand,
age into grannies and crones.
My sly friends who have
recycled or lost a few of their
blrdadays, however, don~t
seem to be waiting eagerly for
distinguished, silver-haired
maturity. They, too~ would
rather stay young and juicy.
Theexplosion of men’s hair dye, plastic
surgery, and youthful herbal supplement
commercials flashing daily on my
television screen suggest an increasingly
desperate age-panic among all of us, no
matter our gender.
When I was 24, I lived on Tanna, an
isolated South Pacific island. Everyone
there is related to everyone. Newcomers
- quickly receive "fictive kin" identities in
order better to fit into village life. Soon
after I arrived, all the kids began calling
me kaha - "grandpa." I was taken aback
by this. Why, back then, I had hardly any
gray hair after all! OnTanna, though, as in
most places on earth, ageis pr_estigio.us..
Those kids were doing me abig favor wttla
that grandpa thing. Myislandfriend Nariu,
who was hardly older than me, within a
few years had started referring to himself
(and me) as "’we old men." Nariu was
ambitious and since old men ran his
society, he was determined to become a
senior citizen as soon as he could.
American fears of aging clearly have
much to do with how years connect up
with power and prestige. I sometimes ask
my university students when they think
adulthood begins. When do you truly
become an adult? They tend to place this
somewherein the20s-afew years bey.ond
their own age. Most Americans associate
adulthood with economic independence:
having one’s own job, paying 0n.e’s.o.wn
bills. We see some 35-year-old still hvlng
with mother as sadly still a little juvenile.
I also askmy youthful students for their,
defimtmns of nnddle-aged and old.
Answers here are more variable. (Some
startmiddleage-at30.) Generally, though,
true oldness connects with retirement.
Once we leave the workplace for good,
we lose salary, power, prestige, and any
final fleeting claims to youth. People
throughoutmost of the world can’t wait to
get old. The older they are, the more
¯ authority and influence they have within
their fzmilies and societies. Here, if you
: want to be president at age 69, like Ronald
¯ Reagan you’d better pour on that black
¯ hair dye.
. Gay menmay bemore panickedby age
: than most Americans. We have all heard
: bitter complaints about our agi_sm ~ a~,d
lookism- and such gripes are often samy
: justifiedbypersonal experience. (Lesbian
¯¯ society is,l~___ha,p_s kinder to it_s wrin.kl,ed
sisters ) It s fun to read the age limitalmns
in classified personal ads.
"Gay men may Most of the lovelorn are ISO
sweet-youngthings. Notmany
be more want to date those of well-.
panicked by
age than most
Americans.
We have all
heard bitter
complaints
a~out our
agism -- and
lookism - and
such gripes are
often sadly
justified by
personal
experience."
aged .and mature vintage.
Many ads have upper age cutoffs
- commonly 30 or 35 or,
morerarely, 40. Some seekers
are willing to date over a
decade’s span-five years
younger to five years older
than themselves. Many 40-
somethings speei-ficaldl’y
request none but the 20-
something... Good luck...
More gray hair on the way for
you, I think.
Or there is the daddy niche:
Sugardaddies,leatherdaddies,
bears and cubs. A few
yonngish personal advertisers
won’ t touch anyone
underneath 45 or 50. They
want~eir daddy. At.leastthere
remarns, here m .agist
American, one specialized
market opporUmity for mental, ,facial,,and
financial maturity. So you can atways ouy
a youth if you can’t have youth yourself
Then there are the age-blind. They "go
bv~t_he s,n_i_r_i t. "Thev_o_romisetodateanyone
18 to 88, or so they say. I logged onto a 61-
vear-old’s personal page on the Internet.
"Ageis only a state of mind,"it said. Yeah
right. Are you from Tanna or America?
Check out your mirror. But I’m taking
notes. Those birthdays keep rolling. And
next year the cake might set off the smoke
Lamont Lindstrom. Ph.D. teaches
anthropology at ~he University of Tulsa?
the discriminatory policies of the BSA
and United Way’s failure to pledge not to
discriminate. Ms. Gill promised aresponse
after consulting with others in her
organizationbutfailed to respondby press
time.
Likewise, Jean Johnson, Bank of
America’s southwestern press
spokesperson, pointed out that the bank,
with its origins in San Francisco, has
some of themostprogressive policies, not
only pledging not to discriminate but also
¯ prowiding domestic partner benefits to
¯ their employees. She added that Bank of
] America is one of United Way’s largest
~ supporters on a national level. Roger
¯ Whaley ofBank of America serves on the
~ board of directors of TAUW.
: The Tulsa Area United Way campaign
¯
enjoys further promotional sup.port fr,.om
Tulsa area television stations. Accoromg
’. to the staffperson at KOTV, Channel 6,
: the stations which represent the major
~ networks and Fox all agree to do public
¯ service announcements.
" Pat Baldwin of KTUL, Cbannel 8 who
¯ is a member see TAUW, p. 14
The regular Belle’s father was
hospitalized during the run, and at the last
matinee, folks in the audience neverknew
of the backstage drama going on. The
Beast became ill at the end of the first act
(where he flings himself across a balcony
In despair of ever being loved, and the
curtain falls). When the backstage crew
revolved the set to help him down, they
found the actor playing the Beast hanging
over the balcony - passed out cold. They
revived him, and he decided to go on with
the show:
However, you could never tell from the
audience that anything was wrong. After
the performance, he was whisked to the
hospital as soon as the curtain fell. It
appears he may have been suffering from
a bleeding ulcer.
The understudy went on that evening,
and I hear he did well, despite misgivings
on the part of some of the crew and other
castmembers-not tomentionhehimself!
I was sorry to see the troupe leave - they
were such nice folk.
October events at the Performing Arts
Center (596-7111 for tix) include Tulsa
Ballet’ s "AnnaKarenina", Oct 1-3; Sabella
Oct 2; The Celtic Series with Natalie
McMaster, Oct 8-9; Tulsa Opera’s
"Carmen, Oct 16-24; ATC’s Titanic
mystery, "Scotland Road", Ok 22-30;
and The Phil’s pops concert, "Sound and
Sorcery" Oct 29-30.
I look forward to the arrival of Petula
Clark as Norma Desmond in "Sunset
Boulevard." However, I still think Carol
Bumett should tour with the show; that
would bea .fresh interpretation in many
respects. The reviews I’ve read and heard
from friends thus far have reassured me
we are in for an excellent show. The
magicin themaking will arriveNovember
23 -28.
And of course, no column written by
yours truly would be complete without a
mention of"YouKnow Who."Andifyou
don’tknow, then you’ve not been reading
this section regularly, now have you?
Shame on you!
The ever-ethereal Stevie Nicks made a
stumling appearance on the top-rated
Sheryl Crow and Friends concert on the
,Fox network, and it was interesting to
note that she garneredthemostenthusiastic
audience response of the eminently
talented bunch.
"Gold Dust Woman" never sounded
better, and according to the rumor mill,
her new CD’s in the can, awaiting release.
Sheryl Crow produced theCDin between
tours. Also, Lesbian Icon, Melissa
Etheridge, if you follow the Tulsa World
columns, is rumored to be scheduling a
Tulsa appearance. We’ll be awaiting word
on that situation.
And "heart-and-other-body-partsthrob"
Ricky Martin will be in Dallas
November 4th. Ay cammba!
of the board of directors of Tulsa Area
UnitedWay, failed to respond to the voice
mail asking him to call.
In contrast, Bud Brown, new general
manager ofKOTV, Channel 6, noted he’d
only been in Tulsa for 3 weeks, and had
not seen the Tulsa World article in which
the Boy Scouts reaffirmed their anti-Gay
stance but he noted that his corporation,
The Belo Corporation which owns the
Dallas Morning News, WFAA in Dallas
and a number of other television_ stations,
: is "very clear...very firm" on their
¯ corporatenon-discriminationpolicy which
¯
includes "sexual orientation."
: Greg Gatewood, president of Tulsa
¯ Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR),
¯
was one .Gay person willing to have his
: name used though he emphasized that he
¯ was speaking as an individual not for
¯
TOHR. Gatewood saidhefeltUnitedWay
: did a lot of good, funding for example,
¯ TulsaC.A.R.E.S.andotherorganizations,
¯
and that he’d given to United Way in the
: past. However, he added that he did not
¯¯ agreewith theBoy Scouts’ policy and that
he’d like to see United Way open a
: discussionwith theGay community about
¯ the Boy Scouts, trying to f’md common
¯ ground. He added thathe’dlike to include ¯
the Boy Scouts in that dialogue also.
¯
He suggested that instead of asking
¯ Tulsa Area United Way to stop funding
¯ the Boy Scouts that TAUW should be
: asked to fund an organization which
: provides services to Tulsa’s Lesbian and
: .Gay communities. Gatewood emphati-
¯ tally agreed thatTAUW shouldamendits
: ownnon-discrimination policy to include
¯ "sexual orientation."
: A prominent member of Tulsa’s Gay
¯ community, Vernon Jones, partner of the
¯
late Phil Wiley and civil rights and HIV/
¯ AIDS issues activist, recalled that Tulsa
¯ Area United Way also has a history of
: racial discrimination. He remembers
¯
newspaper articles from his youth
¯ reporting on how TAUW refused to fund
¯ agencies which served Tulsa’s Black
¯ commtmity. Jones,likeothers appreciated
¯
TAUW’s support for HIV/AIDS services
¯ " but thought United Way should not fund.
the BSA.
Beth Kuehnert, Tulsa Area United
Way’s marketing representative, did not
call back as she promised. When asked
about this by telephone, she accused Tulsa
Family News of calling and harassing
United Way supporters, naming one in
particular. Ms. Kuehnert was informed
that a news story required speaking with
more than just her and that all contacts
with United Way supporters had been
through their designated press
representatives and clearly identified as
news inquiries and had been quite cordial.
And despite earlier promises to try to
answer questions about United Way’s
decision to fund .the Boy Scouts, Ms.
Kuehnert now stated that "I’m not going
to ask this question in the middle of the
campaign.., the decision [to fund the Boy
Scouts] was made in the spring [last
spring]."
When TulsaFamilyNews contacted the
UnitedWay corporate supporter who had
allegedly been the subject of TFN
harassment,TFN was told that they’d said
nothing of the sort but only that they’d
called Tulsa Area United Way president
¯
and chief professional officer, Kathleen
¯ Coon, to say that the issue of funding the
: Boy Scouts had been raised.
¯ This corporate spokesperson
¯
characterized the conversation with TFN
¯ as very civil and cordial.
At press dine, Tulsa Family News had
¯ made either three or four phone calls over
: at least a four year period to Tulsa Area
~ United Way president Kathleen Coan
¯ requesting the courtesy of a return phone
¯ call.
¯ To date, Ms. Coon, despite an apparent
¯ ready accessibility to The Tulsa World
¯ and other non-minority news orgam-
." zations, has refused to return any calls.
¯ For a related editorial, please see
; United Our Way, p. 3.
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Tulsa Locations:
2001 S. GarneR, 437-2~.~.~.
3733 S. Memorial, 6600344
1216 S. Harvard, 587-1778
Sapulpa Location:
109 N. Mission, 227-2322
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(and former lead singer of "lnae Nylons),
whose sound is an eclectic hybrid of
electronicpop witharock ’n’ roll swagger,
and the fabulous "Doris Daze", an allwomen’s
pop/rock band that is currently
making a big splash in Dallas. (Check out
these websites, www.mp3.com/dorisdaze
and www.loudboybarnes.com, to get a
taste of their music.)
And it’s not over yet! Don’t dare miss
the dance and drag show on Sunday
afternoon at Center Stage. Besides the
always exciting, always surprising
performances of Domonique Daniels,
.Carla Renee, Miss Helga, Tara T’Neil,
and Tabitha Taylor of Tulsa, Okla., and
our ever-popular DJ, Jon Caswell,
"Barnes" will make a guest appearance!
So call your friends, select your
wardrobe, and make your lodging
reservations now!! You won’t want to
miss this weekend!!! Call The Emerald
Rainbow at (501) 253-5445 or visit
www.shimaka.com!eureka/diversity to get
a full schedule of activities.
DIVERSITY CELEBRATION
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
" bRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5
2:30 pm - 5:00 pin"Family" musicians
perform at Mud St. Espresso Cafe on
Main St.
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm More entertainment
at the Kaffeehaus Aroma in Basin Park
Hotel.
8:00 pm - 12:30 am M.CC. of the
Living Spring hosts Carnival Under the
Rainbow - Dance and Game Night. Game
booths- will raise funds for local projects
and organizations while Jon Caswell spins
an eclectic mix of dance music. A great
way to kick off the weekend! Basin Park
Hotel Ballroom. Cover: $4.50 per person,
$7.50 per couple. Must be 21.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6
10:00 am - Noon Catch the end of the
fall colors canoeing down the beautiful
White River. Call the Dam Store at (501)
253-6154 for details. $22!canoe.
10:30 am - Noon Enjoy a "colorful"
historic walking tour wi~ Bill. Meet at
Sweet Springs on upper Spring St. next to
Rogue’s Manor. No charge.
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Bring the kids to a
"family" family picnic at Harmon Park.
Food and games. Call Samuel Strickland
for details (501) 253-7837. Children of all
ages welcome. No charge.
Be sure to check out the unique shops
andrestaurants listed in the Eureka Springs
Diversity Cooperative. Let them know
you’re here for Diversity Weekend!
1:00 pm - 4:00 pro, Did you bring your
singing voice? Give Karaoke a whirl with
Lita at the Hole in. the Wall off Center St.
No cover.
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Give your feet a
break, and listen to some great musicians
at Mud St. Espresso Cafe and Kaffeehaus
Aroma. Tips appreciated.
9:00 pro- 1:00 am Party, party, party!!
Dance, dance, dance!! Come on out to
Center Stage, and dance like you mean it
to Jon’ s high energy club tunes;ORShake
your booties at the Basin Park Hotel
Ballroom to the live performances of
dynamic GLAMA-winning L.A. Singer/
songwriter Barnes, and the fantastic pop/
rock Dallas-based women’s band Doris
Daze. (Both will have their CDs available
for sale.) Must be 21! Cover charges:
Center Stage only - $5 per person. Basin
Park only - $10 per person. Both venues -
$13 per person. What a nightt !
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7
2:00 pm - 6:00pmYou can’t leave yet!!
Meet us again at Center Stage for our tea
dance and drag show. Those girls from
Tulsa, those talented, and always
fantabulous entertainers, Domonique
Daniels, Carla Renee, Miss Helga, Tara
T’Neil and Tabitha Taylor will knock
your socks off with their dazzling
performances, while Jon graces us with
his DJ magic once again. AND, to add to
the excitement, Barnes will be there to
sharehis terrificvoice andpowerful music
in a Special guest set. Must be 21! Cover:
$5 per person.
7:00 Inn M.C.C. of the Living Spring
Service at 17 Elk St. Call (501) 253-9337
for information. All are welcome!
OTHER HAPPENINGS
* Friday night from 10 p.m. ’til close,
Clary and K.J. will havelive entertainment
and dancing at Center Stage.
* If you’re feeling adventurous (and a
little brave), you may want to check out
the Ghost Tours at the Crescent Hotel.
They start at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday,
Saturday and Sunday, and last for
approximately anhour andfifteenminutes.
Discounted price of $8 per person to
anyone wearing a purple"Eureka Springs
Celebrating Diversity" button (available
for half a buck at The Emerald Rainbow).
Call (501) 253-8030 or 2428 for details.
* In keeping with both themes this
weekend, Judy at Pond Mountain Lodge,
is hosting a "family" wine tasting, with
hors d’oeuvres, from 5 to 7 p.m. on
Saturday. Admission is a favorite boftle
of wine from your state or $10 per person.
Pond Mountain is on Hwy 23S about two
miles from its intersection in town with
Hwy 62. Call (800) 583-8043 for
reservations.
* After the dances on Friday and
Saturday nights, Basin Block Cafe (across
from Basin Park Hotel) will be open for
breakfast from midnight ’til 3 a.m.
* This weekend is also Eureka Springs’
Food and Wine Festival, and many of the
town’s fine restaurants are offering special
menus, from light fare to exquisite multicourse
dinners. If you’re interested, call
theChamberofCommerceformoredetails
at (501) 253-8737.
Be sure to stop byThe EmeraldRainbow
to pick up your Diversity Cooperative
booklet and discount coupons from some
of the Coop’s businesses!
And please join us at our next Eureka
Springs Diversity Celebration Weekend
on April 7, 8 &9, 2000 ! ! ! Keep an eye on
www.shimaka.com/eureka~diversity for
details.
The Eureka Springs Diversity
Celebrationweekendis producedby Linda
Williams and M.C. Delahanty and
sponsored by The Emerald Rainbow and
the businesses of The Eureka Springs
Diversity Cooperative,
Classifieds - how to work them:
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Ads will run in the next issue after receipt.
For Good Home
Friendly, honest, & very experienced
42 year youngrealtor seeks sincere&motivated
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Or Apply Online At
Original Format
The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
newspaper
periodical
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
[1999] Tulsa Family News, October 1999; Volume 6, Issue 10
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation toward Tulsa’s Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual communities.
Description
An account of the resource
Tulsa Family News was a monthly newspaper; No. 1 issued December 1993-January 1994. The final issue available was published in September 0f 2001 (Volume 8, Issue 9).
The newspaper brings up important, evolving topics of marriage, Pride, TOHR, HIV/AIDs, events, advice, and politics all at the local and national level.
This document is available in searchable PDF attached. It is also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
Creator
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Tulsa Family News
Source
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https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/24
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Tom Neal
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
October 1999
Contributor
An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource
James Christjohn
Barry Hensley
J.P. Legrandbouche
Lamont Lindstrom
Esther Rothblum
Mary Schepers
Rights
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Tom Neal/Tulsa Family News
Relation
A related resource
Tulsa Family News, September 1999; Volume 6, Issue 9
Format
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Image
PDF
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Language
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English
Type
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newspaper
periodical
Coverage
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Tulsa(Oklahoma)---newspaper
Tulsa---Oklahoma
Oklahoma---Tulsa
United States Oklahoma Tulsa
United States of America (50 states)
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
https://history.okeq.org/items/show/592
Africa
African Medical and Research Foundation
AIDS
AIDS drugs
AIDS reporting
AIDS research
aMUSEments
Arkansas
arts and entertainment
Associated Press
Atlantic City
Bars
Britain
businesses
churches
Community Center
Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize
Dave Fleischer
David Satcher
Detroit
discrimination ban
Dyke Psyche
Episcopal Church
Esther Rothblum
Eureka Springs
European Union
Garden Notes
gay bashing
Gay Studies
George Bria
HIV
homophobia
James Christjohn
Jim Christjohn
Jimmy Creech
John Curran
Lamont Lindstrom
lawsuit
Maasai
masculinity
media
military inclusion
Mr. Tulsa Leather
Murder
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
National Stonewall Democratic Federation
partners registry
performing arts
Pride Center
Read All About It
restaurants
Sandy Thurman
South Africa
Surgeon General
Tom Neal
toxic masculinity
Tulsa Area United Way
Tulsa Family News
Tulsa Gay Community Services Center
Turkana
violence
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e98f20f52aa510572e017796bd6c6bf5
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[Sub-Series] Newsletters & Publications > Tom Neal Newsletters > Tulsa Family News
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United +AmericanAirlines
To Offer Partners’ Benefits
WASHINGTON - In a bold move with global
ramifications for Gay and Lesbian workplace equality,
United Airlines - the world’s largest airline - became
the first major U.S. airline to offerfull domestic partner
benefits, according to a press release from the Human
Rights Campaign (HRC). United Airlines announced
the decision on July 30.
’q’his enormous victory will have a global impact in
helping to create fair and equitable workplaces for Gay
and Lesbian people," noted HRC Executive Director
Elizabeth Birch in a statement released early in August.
"We congratulate Unitedforjoining therapidly growing
legion of compames who realize that treating all
employees with dignity andrespect is goodfor business.
United has definitely earned their wings. This is a noble
challenge to other carriers to now align their benefits
packages to reflect fairness and equality for every
employee."
As a result of United’s action, Equal Benefits
Advocates, a San Francisco-based group, declared an
end to the educational boycott of United. That
organization called the.boycott in Febrtmry to .raise
public awareness of United’s lawsuit, see United, p. 2
Arizona Legislator Takes
On "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell"
by Melanie Carroll, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK - "Don’t ask, don’t tell?" Doesn’t work. ¯
That’s the word from an openly Gay Arizona legislator "
and Army Reserve officer being investigated for :
dischargeby the military. State Rep. Steve May,inNew ¯
York recently for a meeting of the Log Cabin
Republicans, a Gay political group, called for an end to .
the military’s policy on Gays.
"A.t a time when recruiting and retentionis becoming ¯
a serious problem, and some members of Congress are .
discussing a reinstatement of the draft, how much "
longer will we degrade our military readiness by ¯
discharging competent, qualified, trained men and ¯
women?... This policymustcome to an end,"May said. "
A spokesman for the Army Reserve confirmed an "
investigation of May is under way; it started Aug. 7. ¯
’¢foday I am facing discharge proceedings because I ¯
have refused to lie about who I am," May said. While
never discussing his sexual orientation with military ¯
officials, he was open about it when seeking election ¯
last year. May, who still serves in the Army Reserve
once a month, saidhe willlikely be discharged when the "
Army’s investigation is complete. - ¯
Sen. John McCain, a former POWl said thereis room :
in the GOP for openly Gay _r,ep,r.,e.sen,t~tives, but,add,~e~,’ "
that besupports [he fiiiiitary s ’dOn t ask~ don t tell’ "
policy. "We should in our party refrain from ¯
discrimination in any form,.M.cC.aan.satd. As-forMay, :
"he’s a fine man," McCain added. "I have the greatest
respect for him?’ Yet, as a member of the:mili~,May
is subject to constraints growing out of the natur~ ~t~the
military service, McCain said. Hesaid that sincesoIdiers ¯
must live in place and with people not of their own . :
choosing, the policy regarding a soldierrs Sexual _"
orientation makes sense.
Stacey Sobel, a senior attorney with the Washingtonbased
Service Members Legal Defense Network, is
representing May against the Army Reserve.
see Officer, p. 2
Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual + Transgendered Tuleans, Our Families + Friends
Tulsa’s Largest Circulation Community PaperAvailable In More Than 75 City Locations
Congressi,onal Committee
Hears Tulsans On Hate Crimes
WASHINGTON-TheHuman
Rights Campaign (HRC), the
nation’s largest national
Lesbian and Gay political
organization, with members
throughout the country, brought
Tulsa hate crime victims Tony
Orr and his partner Tim
Beaucamp to Washington in
early August to testify?before
the hearing ot the House
Judiciary committee on the
.faced for a stonger federal
response to hate crimes,
specifically asking the House of Representatives to pass the Hate
Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA).
InSeptember 1997, Orr and Beaucamp were standing at an
ATM at State Bank in the Brookside neighborhood when three
men approached them. They called the two men "faggots" and
proceeded to brutally beat them.
Orr suffered a concussion and received stitches for the many
gashes onhis head. Bcauchampreceivedpermanentnerve damage
after the orbital bone around his eye was broken.
Speaking at a press conference before the Congxessional
hearing, HRCexecutive director Elizabeth Birch introduced Orr,
saying, "we urge Congress to listen to the courageous men and
women who came forward today to speak ofthe unspeakable hate
cr~mes that irreversibly changed their lives.., it is clear that hate
crimes are a national problem and now is the time for Congress
to embrace real solutions. The House should follow the Senate’s
lead and pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA)."
To demonstrate the reai-life impact of these crimes, Birch
introduced "A Decade of Violence: Hate Crimes Based on
Sexual Orientation," a newly published report by the Human
Rights Campaign and the Southern Poverty Law Center. The
report details the rise in hate crimes and the impact it has on its
victims and society.
Tulsan Orr noted, "people like us in communities all across this
country need some place to turn seeCongress,p.lO
Tony Orr & Tim Beauchamp
¯ ’Jenny Jones’ Murderer Guilty
¯ PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) - A jury rejected a claim that Jonathan
¯ Schmitz was driven to kill a Gay.acquaintance because of his
unrelenting and unwanted advances, starting by revealing a crush
on a talk show. "If he was Gay and a woman had approached him
that way, would it have been right for him to kill her because she
put anote and a flashing light in his door?" askedjuror Kimberley
Manney.
Schmitzwas convicted inlate August of second-degree murder
in the death of Scott Amedure,who had appeared with him on
’q’he Jenny Jones Show." It marked the second time that a jury
hadfoundhim guilty of that charge. The first conviction was later
overturned"We wanted to send a message that it’s not all right to
act this way," juror Ted Hight said.
Schmitz’s second trial avoided the debate over the role played
by Ms. Jones’ show, which was amajor part of acivil trial against
the-show and Schmitz’s first murder trial. Instead, the jury
debated Schmitz’s state of mind. As the verdict was read,
Schmltz, 29, hung his head, stared down and clasped his hands
under his chin.
Schmitz’s first conviction for second-degree murder in 1996
resulted in a sentence of 25 to 50 years in prison; the Verdict was
thrown out on appeal due to an error in jury selection. Oakland
County Assistant Prosecutor Donna Pend~rgast Raid ~he Would
ask for the same penalty when Schmitz is sentenced Sept. 14. "I
always knew if thejury followed the law it would come back with
this verdict," she said
Schmi tz’s attorney, Jerome Sabbota, sought a le~s~r verdict Of
manslaughter, saying that Amedure continued to pursue Schmitz
to the point Schmitz "lost all reason." The segment never aired.
He said Amedure lied to Schmi tz about the show, entitled "Same-
Sex Secret Crushes," and set Schmitz off byleaving a suggestive
note and blinking construction lightonhis door. Amedure "never
let up and he never backed off. He created a situation when any
reasonable person would have snapped," Sabbota said.
The facts in the case were not disputed in the four-day trial. On
¯ March 6,1995,Amedure revealed his crush on’q’heJenny Jones
Show," along with a sexual fantasy. Schmitz told him he was
." heterosexual. The two flew back to Detroit together and stayed
." out late drinking with a mutual friend, Donna Riley.
: Onthe morning of March 9, 1995, see Jones, p. 15
¯ Community Center News
¯ TULSA - Tulsa’s Gay Community Center and its
parent organization, Tulsa Oldahomans for Human
¯ Rights (TOHR) have announced a full schedule of
¯ events for the next several months. On Sept. 11,
¯ TOHRandParents, Families &Friends ofLesbians &Gays (PFLAG) will hold aGarage Sale to benefit
¯ both groups. The sale will run from 7am to 4pm at
¯ 5303 E. 27th Place atDarlington. Donations of sale ¯
items may be left at the Center up to Sept. 8.
Later, on Sept. 25, TOHR along with many
¯ others will host a Feast for Friends dinner which
¯ supports THENAMES PROJECT, theAIDS Quilt
; organization. TOHR’s dinner at the "Double T
; Ranch" will begin at 5pro and a $15 donation is
¯ requested. Those who cannot attend a dinner can
¯ join the dessert finale at the Southern Hills Marriott
; at 8:30. Into: TOHR, 743-4297 or THE NAMES
; PROJECT, 748-3111.
¯ Along with the First Annual Film Festival on
Oct: 7-9 (see TFN’s Entertainment column which
begins on page 8for more details as well as the
Film Festival ad on page 8), the Center will host
¯ TOHR’s first Coming Out Fair "Discovering ¯
Yourself" from noon to 6pro on Sat. Oct. 9th.
; TOHR is also kicking off a new project, the
CommUnity Pages, which is a Gay & Lesbian
; "yellow" or "pink" pages, or directory to Gay and
¯ Gay-friendly businesses and organizations.
; Tulsa formerly had such a directory called "Gay
Tulsa" which was published by former resident,
Kharma Amos. Amos, however, moved to the
; Northwest to attend seminary and for a number of
; years, no directory has been published. (Editor’s
¯ note:TulsaFamilyNewsalsoprovidesfreelistings
¯ in its directory to those who request them.) ¯
TOHR volunteers will be soliciting advertisers
¯ this fall and hope to publish a community directory
; early next year. Those interested in being listed or
¯ advertising should contact TOHR board member,
¯ Kerry Lewis, at POB 2687, Tulsa 74101 or by email
at pride_center@yahoo.corn
¯ Wichita: No GaysAIIowed
Tulsa Big Bros: No Prob.
¯ WICHITA/TULSA (AP/TFN) When the
¯ Sedgwick County Big Brothers Big Sisters went
¯ asking for mentors for a new program, everyone
¯ was invited to participate. Everyone exceptmembers
¯ of Ten Percent, a campus Gay and Lesbian group. ¯
Big Brother Big Sisters of Sedgwick County
¯ began its search for mentors by sending letters to
¯ Wichita State University student organizations. ¯
Thoughit wasn’t supposed to,Ten Percentreceived
¯ a letter soliciting volunteers. The letter said Big
: Brothers Big Sisters clients were "waiting for a
¯ mentor like you."
However, Ten Percent, which describes itself as
: a"campus organization for Lesbian, Bisexual,.Gay
: and Transgendered university students and their
¯ friends and allies," didn’t fit Big Brothers Big
¯ Sisters’ policy. The youth group does not allow
¯ Gay men or Lesbians to serve as mentors.
¯ Casey Ritchie, spokesman for Big Brothers Big
: Sisters, said theletter was part of a mass mailing to
¯ all Wichita State University groups. "We simply
¯ feel it’s not in the best interest of the youths we
: serve to put them in the middle of any potential
¯ controversy," Ritchie said.
The letter was addressed to Chris Taylor, vice
¯ president of the 50-member group, whose name is
¯ based on studies that suggest that 10% of the
: nation’s population is Gay. see 10%,p. 3
DIRECTORY P. 2
EDITORIAL p. $
US & WORLD NEWS P. 4
HEALTH NEWS P. 6
ENTERTAINMENT P. 8
COMMUNITY CALENDAR P. 9
D-I-Y-D P. 11
DYKE PSYCHE P. 12
GAY STUDIES P. 1:3
Tulsa Clubs & Restaurants
*Bamboo Lounge, 7204 E. Pine
*Boston Willy’s Diner, !742 S. Boston
Burger Sisters Restaurant, !545 S. Sheridan
*Empire Bar, 1516 S. Peoria
*Full Moon Cafe, 1525 E. 15th
*Gold Coast Coffee House. 3509 S. Peoria
*Jason’s Deli, 15th & Peoria
*Lola’s, 2630 E. 15th
*Polo Grill, 2038 Utica Square
*St. Michael’s Alley Restaurant, 3324-L E. 31st
*Silver Star Saloon, 1565 Sheridan
*Renegades/Rainbow Room, 1649 S. Main
*TNT’s, 2114 S. Memorial . ~
*Tool~Box, t338 Ei 3rd ’:~ ~ ~ ~ -
832-1269
592-2143
835-1207
599-9512
583 -6666
749-4511
599-7777
749-1563
744-4280
745-9998
834-4234
585-3405
656804--018350682~
Tulsa Businesses, Services, & Professionals
Advanced Wireless & PCS, Digital Celhdar 74%1508
*Affinity News, 8120 E. 21 610-8510
*Assoc. in Med. & Mental Health, 2325 S. Harvard 743-1000
Kent Balch & Associates, Health& Life Insurance 747-9506
*Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 8620 E. 71 250-5034
*Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 5231 E. 41 665-4580
Body Piercing by Nicole, 2722 E. 15 712-1122
*Borders Books & Music, 2740 E. 21 712-9955
*Borders Books &Music, 8015 S. Yale 494-2665
Brookside Jewdrv, 4649 S. Peoria- 743-5272
*CD Warehouse,’3807c S. Peoria 746-0313
Cherry St. Psychotherapy, 1515 S. Lewis 581-0902, 743-4117
Community Cleaning, Kerby Baker 622-0700
Tim Daniel, Attorney 352-9504, 800-742-9468
*Dec¯ to Disco, 3212 E. 15th 749-3620
*Devena’s Gallery, 13 Brady 587-2611
Doghouse on Brookside, 3311 S. Peoria 744-5556
*Elite Books & Videos, 821 S. Sheridan 838-8503
*Ross Edward Salon ~’- 584-0337, 712-9379
*Floral Design Studio, 3404 S. Peoria 744-9595
Four Star Import Automotive, 9906 E. 55th P1. 610-0880
Cathy Furlong, Ph.D., 1980 Utica Sq. Med. Ctr. 628-3709
Gay & Lesbian Affordable Daycare 808-8026
*Gloria Jean’s Gourmet Coffee, 1758 E. 21st 742-1460
Leaune M. Gross, Insurance & financial planning 459-9349
Mark T. Hamby, Attorney 744-7440
*Sandra J. Hill, MS, Psychotherapy, 2865 E. Skelly 745-1111
*International Tours 341-6866
Jacox Animal Clinic, 2732 E. 15th 712-2750
*Jared’s Antiques, 1602 E. 15th 582-3018
David Kauskey, Country Club Barbering 747-0236
The Keepers, Housekeeping & Gardening 582-8460
*Ken’s Flowers, 1635 E. 15 599-8070
Kdly Kirby, CPA, 4021 S. Harvard, #210 747-5466
*Living ArtSpace, 19 E Brady 585-1234
*Midtown Theater, 319 E. 3rd 584-3112
Mingo Valley Flowers, 9720c E. 31 663-5934
*Mohawk Music, 6157 E 51 Place 664-2951
David A. Paddock, CPA, 4308 S. Peoria, Ste. 633 747-7672
Puppy Pause II, 1060 S. Mingo 838-7626
*Peace of Mind Bookstore, 1401 E.. 15 583-1090
The Pride Store, 1307 E. 38, 2rid floor 743-4297
Rainbowz on the River B+B, POB 696, 74101 747-593.2
Richard’s Carpet Cleaning 834-0617
Teri Schutt, Rex Realtors 834-7921, 747-4746
*Scribner’s Bookstore, 1942 Utica Square 749-6301
Patti Tay, Car Salesman 260-7829
*Tickled Pink, 3340 S. Peoria 697-0017
*Tulsa Book Exchange, 3749 S. Peoria 742-2007
*Tulsa Comedy Club; 6906 S. Lewis 481-0558
*Venus Salon, 1247 S. Harvard 835-5563
Fred Wdch, LCSW, Counseling 743-1733
*Whittier News Stand, 1 N. Lewis 592-0767
Tulsa Agencies, Churches, Schools & Universities
AIDS Walk Tulsa, POB 4337, 74101 579-9593
*All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria 743-2363
Black & White, Inc. POB 14001, Tulsa 74159 587-7314
Bless The Lord at All Times Christian Center, 2207 E. 6 583-7815
*B/L/G/T Alliance, Univ. of Tulsa Canterbury Ctr. 583-9780
*Chamber of Commerce Bldg., 616 S. Boston 585-1201
*Chapman Student Ctr., University of Tulsa, 5th P1. & Florence
*ChurchoftheRestorationUU, 1314N.Greenwood 587-1314
*Community ofHope United Meth~tist, 2545 S. Yale 747-6300
*Conmmnity Unitarian-UniversalistCongregation 749-0595
*Council Oak Men’s Chorale 585-COMC (2662)
*Delaware Playhouse, 1511 S. Delaware 712-1511
*Democratic Headquarters, 3930 E. 31 . 742-2457
Dignity/Integrity of Tulsa - Lesbian & G.ay Catholics &
Episcopalians, POB 701475, 74170-1475 355-3140
*Fellowship Congreg. Church, 2900 S. Harvard 747-7777
918.583.1248, fax: 583.4615
POB 4140, Tulsa, OK 74159
e-mail: TulsaNews@ earthlinlcnet
Publisher + Editor:
Tom Neal
Writers + contributors:
James Christjohn, Barry Hensley; J.-P. Legrandbouche,
Lamont Lindstrom, Esther Rothblum, Mary Schepers
Member of The Associated Press
I ssued on or before the 1st of each month, the entire contents of this
,publication are protectedby US copyright 1998 by rJ,~ {:_~/’L@..
¯~~tnd ma’y: fiot~b~ r~l~rtc[ub~d e~th~ in~hoq~b’r in part vc~flioiit
~ written permi~si0n ~om ~th~ publisher:" l~bfi~a~ion of a name or
photo does not indicate a person’s sekual orientation. Correspondence
is assumed to be for publication unless otherwise noted, must
be signed & becomes the sole property of T~-4~ {:~ N=u4.
Each reader is entitled to 4 copies of each edition at disfribution
points. Additional copies are available by calling 583-1248.
*Free Spirit Women’ s Center, call for location &info: 587-4669
Friend For A Friend, POB 52344, 74152 747-6827
Friends in Unity Social Org., POB 8542, 74101 582-0438
*HIV ER Center, 4138 Chas. Page Blvd. 583-6611
*HIV Resource Consortium, 3507 E. Admiral 834-4194
*Holland Hall School, 5666 E. 81st 481-1111
HOPE, HIV Outreach, Prevention, Education 834-8378
*House of the Holy Spirit Minstries, 3210e So. NorWood
Interfaith AIDS Ministries 438-2437, 800-284-2437
*MCC United, 1623 N. Maplewood 838-1715
NAMES Project, 3507 E. Admiral P1. 748-3111
NOW, Nat’l Org. for Women, POB 14068, 74159 365-5658
OK Spokes Club (bicycling), POB 9165, 74157
*OSU-Tulsa (formerly UCT, formerly Rogers U. whoever...)
*Our House, 1114 S. Quaker 584-7960
PFLAG, POB 52800, 74152 749-4901
*Planned Parenthood, 1007 S. Peoria 587-7674
Prime-Timers, P.O. Box 52118, 74152
*R.A.I.N., Regional AIDS Interfaith Network 749-4195
Rainbow Business Guild, POB 4106, 74159 665:5174
*Red Rock Mental Center, 1724 E. 8 584-2325
O’RYAN, support group for 18-24 LGBT young adults
O’RYAN, Jr. support group for 14-17 LGBT youth
St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 4045 N. Cincinnati 425-7882
St. Dunstan’s Episcopal, 5635 E. 71st 492-7140
*St. Jerome’s Parish Church, 205 W. King 582-3088
*Tulsa Area United Way, 1430 S. Boulder 583-7171
TNAAPP (Native American men), Indian Health Care 582-7225
Tulsa County Health Department, 4616 E. 15 595-4105
Confidential HIV Testing - by appt. on Thursdays only
743-4297
838-1222
Tulsa Okla. for Human Rights, c/o The Pride Center
T.U.L.S.A. Tulsa Uniform]Leather Seekers Assoc.
*Tulsa City Hall, Ground Floor Vestibule
*Tulsa Community College Campuses
*Tulsa Gay Community Center, 1307 E. 38, 74105
Unity Church of Christianity, 3355 S. Jamestown
BARTLESVILLE
743-4297
749-8833
*Bartlesville Public Library, 600 S. Jolmstone 918-337-5353
OKLAHOMA CITY/NORMAN
*Borders Books &Music, 3209NWExpressway 405-848-2667
*Borders Books & Music, 300 Norman Center 405-573-4907
TAHLEQUAH
*Stonewall League, call for information: 918-456-7900
*Tahlequah Unitarian-Universalist Church 918-456-7900
*Green Country AIDS Coalition, POB 1570 918-453-9360
NSU School of Optometry, 1001 N. Grand
¯ ~ HINtesting~every other Tues, 5:30,8:30, call ~for dates....
EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS
*Autumn Breeze Restaurant, Hwy. 23 501-253-7734
*Jim & Brent’s Bistro, 173 S. Main 501-253-7457
DeVito~s Restaurant, 5 Center St. 501-253-6807
*Emerald Rainbow, 45 &l/2 Spring St. 501-253-5445
MCC of the Living Spnng 501-253-9337
Geek to Go!, PC Specialist, POE 429 501-253-2776
Old Jailhouse Lod~ng, 15 Montgomery 501-253-5332
Positive Idea Marketing Plans 501-624-6646
Sparky’s, Hwy. 62 East 50!-2531-6001
*White Light, 1 Center St. _ 501-253t4074
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS5
*Edi~a’s, 9 S. School Ave. 50i-~42-2845
JOPLIN, MISSOURI
*Spirit of Christ MCC, 2639 ~5.. 32, Ste. U134 417 6’2Lq-4696
* is where you can find TFN. Not allare Gay-owned bu~ll are Gay-friendly.
"It’ s ironic that his qualities ofintegrity
and honesty got him elected in Arizona.
¯
Now thosequalitiesaregettinghimkicked
¯ out of the Army Reserve," Sobel said.
¯ Sobel added that since the
implementation of"don’t ask, don’t tell,"
¯
in 1994 the number of people discharged
¯ from the armed services has increased.
¯" "This demonstrates that the policy is not
¯
working," Sobel said. Lastyear the Army
¯ discharged 1,149 members of the armed
¯ fo.r..ccs ~or being G.ay~,ua.der. ’~do!~t. ask,.
~" don’Lt~ll." In 1~97, idi~lhw f6i~ 997
~: ~eopte-0ut of die miii~_y. In 1994; 6i7
:,’. ~eople were dismissed.
May, a lieutenant trained in nuclear,
chemical and biological warfare defense,
also is qualified as a paratrooper. He is
second-in-command of the 348th
Transportation Company.
"The boycott was a success and now it’s
over,;’ Jeff Sheehy, founder of Equal
Benefits Advocates, told HRC. "We are
grateful thatHRC supported this action;it
really made a difference. Together, we
liave sent amessage to corporateAmerica
that this issue is important to our
commlmity."
"Wehave changed the world, and given
that United is providing worldwide
benefits, that is not hyperbole," said San
Francisco Supervisor Mark Leno. "I want
to commend and recognize HRC’s early
and immediate support upon our request
to honor the Equal Benefits Advocates in
their designing of the boycott. Theboycott
certainly played arole in the outcome, as
did the courts."
United’s domestic partner benefits
package will offer a full range ofcoverage
toGayandLesbian couples. Thesebenefits
include medical and dental benefits, life
insurance, pension survivor rights,
bereavement and medical leave and flight
discounts. Heterosexual domesticpartners
will only receive non-economic benefits
such as bereavement or medical leave and
flight discounts. The decision will affect
97,000 United employees worldwide.
According to the SanFrancisco Chronicle,
the airline said their domestic partnership
program will not go into effect until May.
United came under heat from Gay and
Lesbian advocates this year for.joining in
a lawsuit to stop San Francisco from
making them comply with a local
ordinance that said they must offer
domestic partner benefits in order to do
business in the city. United argued that
they did not have to comply with the
ordinance because they were a national
company that only had to follow federal
government mandates.
U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilkin
recently ruled that the airlines had to
provide "soft benefits" such as
bereavement or medical leave. However,
they did not have to offer employees
economic benefits, such as pensions or
health insurance. Theairlines, represented
by the Air Transport Association, are
appealing the ruling.
Letters Policy
Tulsa Family News welcomes letters on issues
which we’ve covered or on ~ssues you think
need to be considered. You may request that
your name be withheld but letters must be
signed & have phone numbers, or be hand
delivered. 200 wordletters are preferred. Letters
to other publications will be printed as is
appropriate.
Guest Editorial: Keeping Gay Kids Safe Too
l~y Kerry Lobel, National Gay & Lesbian Task Force
More than 50 million young people in grades K~ 12 trek
back to school this month. They bring with them the
concerns of their parents and their communities over the
issue of school safety. Seeing the flood of back-to-school
stories on the local news, I sense that something - or
someone - is missing from this picture.
Specifically, five million someones. That’s thenumber
ofestimatednumberofGLBTQ (Gay, -Lesbian, Bisexual,
transgendered or
questioning) students in
"our public schools. For
them, safetyis aneveryday
concern.
Let’s consider some
statistics:
- 28% Of Gay, Lesbian
and Bisexual youth drop
out of school because of
harassment and verbal
attacks, according to a
study conducted by the
U.S. DepartmentofHealth
and Human services.
- 22% ofboys and29%
of girls perceived as Gay
or Lesbian have reported
physical attacks by
students, according to
another study by the same
agency.
-80% of Gay and
Lesbian teens report
feelings of severe social
isolation at school,
What can you do?
Demand that your
school dlStrlet adopt
pollees that protect
students and teachers
from harassment and
discrimination; p~-ovlde
staff with workshops
and training; support
eurrio~la that includes
information about the
llv~s and contributions
of GLBT people; and
allow for the formation
of Gay-Stralght
Ai~’~anees. , .
according to statistics provided by the Gay, Lesbian, and
Straight Education Network.
Right now, our nation is having a public discussion
overwhat to do about violence in the schools. President
Clinton held a summit. Columbine, Colorado officials
put in place a policy of "zero tolerance" for harassment
and taunting. Many are pointing fingers at the
entertainment industry or the gunindustry or the Interact.
Republicans and Democrats, in typical fashion, are
pointing fingers at each other.
But once again, our voices are left out of the debate.
Our voices are enriched by painful experience, for who
among us can forget the frequency with which epithets
like "fag" and "dyke" are casually tossed around on the
playground, in the school cafeteria, inthe locker room,
Nevertheless, airlineindustry experts expect Other airlines
to follow United s lead~
¯ even in the school classroom.
¯¯ What can be done?
The good news is progress can- and is - being made to
¯ protect our schoolchildren. In the state of New York, for
." example, legislators this summer filed (but have not yet
¯ passed) the Dignity for All Students Act, which would
¯" direct schools to adopt policies to create a safe school
environment for all students. The proposal would revise
: state curriculum requirements to include human relations
¯ education. This curriculum Would enable students to
¯" :foster an appreciation- of people of different sexmd
¯ orientations as well as different racial or religious
backgrounds.
In the state of California, legislators defeated similar
legislation by one vote. That was disappointing, but the
bill progressed further than ever before, and I amhopeful
California and New York will join Connecticut,
Massachusetts and Wisconsinin protecting their students.
Across the country, hundreds of school districts have
examined ways to keep young people safe. Perhaps some
ofyoureading this columnhavejoined in this effort. I like
to say that equality begins at home- and there’s no better
place to join the battle for GLBT equality thzn at your
local school district.Groups such as the National Youth
Advocacy Coalition (www.nyacyouth.org) and the Gay,
Lesbian, and Straight Education Network
(www.glsen.org) are already working across the country
to improve the lives of GLBTQ youth.
What can you do? Demand that your school district
adopt polices that protect students and teachers from
harassment and-discrimination; provide staff with
workshops and training; support curricula that includes
information about the lives and contributions of GLBT
people; and allow for the formation of Gay-Straight
alliances and other clubs that address homophobia and
heterosexism in school.
As the award-wiuning documentary producer Debra
Chasnoff ("It’s Elementary") taught us, children are not
bornwith bigotry andintolerance- they learn it. Wouldn’t
it be wonderful, if we used back-to-school season as a
platform to address safety for our children?
Five million children are waiting for us to act.
Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force works to eliminateprejudice, violenceandinjustice
against Gay, Lesbian, Bisexualandtransgenderedpeople
at the local, state and national level. Aspart ofa broader
socialjustice movementforfreedom,justice andequality,
NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates
the diversity ofhuman expression and identity Where all
people mayfully.participate in society.
According to the Chronicle, a spokesman for the Air
Transport Association said that although none of the
group’s members except United is offering the benefits,
they probably will, even as they press for appeal
Just a few days after United Airlines announced ~ts
decision, AmericanAirlines officials informed theHuman
Rights Campaign that they would become the second
major U.S airline to offer domestic partner benefits to
Gay and Lesbian employee~ worldwide.
-.HI~ ~ s Birch~said of,American Airlines’ decision, "W~
are witnessing history and the beginning of a new era of
fairness for Gay and Lesbian airline workers. United’s
landmark decision has clearly had a domino effect, where
walls.of discrimination-.are:falling each day." And Birch
added, "American Airlines is HRC’s official airline and
we ate enormously proud that they have taken this
important step."
American’s domestic partner benefits package will
offer a full range of coverage to the partners of Gay and
Lesbian workers. These benefits include medical and
dental insurance, life insurance, pension survivor fights,
bereavement and medical leave and flight discounts. The
decision will affect more than 100,000 American and
American Eagle employees worldwide.
American and United Airlines join a greater trend in
corporate America where employers are increasingly
offering domestic partner benefits to Gay and Lesbian
employees. Overall more than 2,800 U.S. employers
currently offer domestic partner benefits, according to
HRC’s WorkNetprojectwhich tracks this trend. Currently
70 Fortune 500 companies offer these benefits, including
AT&T, Chase Manhattan Bank Corp., General Mills,
IBM, Mobil Oil,TimeWarner, and Walt DisneyCompany.
In addition, more than 99 colleges and universities, 73
state and local governments and hundreds of non-profit
organizations and trade umons are currently offering
domestic partner benefits, according to HRC’s WorkNet.
I-IRC’ s WorkNet project, which also assists companies
in implementing domestic partner benefits and with other
workplace issues, worked closely with GLEAM, the Gay
employee group atAMRCorporation, the parentcompany,
of American Airlines in formulating the policy.
Taylor said the group would use the incident to try to get
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ policy changed.
However, in contrast to the Wichita group, Tulsa’s Big
Brothers Big Sisters has no "’across the board" ban on
Lesbians or Gay men acting as mentors. The group’s
spokesperson, Martha Desmond, Community Relations
Director, did note that the issue probably would come up
in the screening interview and would be shared with the
child’s parent. She said she was not aware of the issue
having arisen before. According to executive director,
John Jacobs, the agency’s overriding concern had to be
the best interest of the child, especially since most of the
children served by the program may already have
challenges which they face. Also, Jacobs stated that while
a parent might veto a potential mentor because he or she
is Gay, a parent, for obvious reasons, may also chose to
take into consideration matching race, or religion or a
nnmber of Other factors as well.
¯ Call me foolish or
[ naive if you llke, but I
¯ still hope {or
an Oklahoma that
¯ could stand up to any
¯
other state in our
nation in justice, in
equal opportunity, in
: decent education. I
¯ believe our people are
¯ up to it. I just wish we
¯
had leaders who were.
by Tom Neal, editor & publisher
A few years ago, my father and I prevailed upon Sen.
Don Nickles to meet with us about Gay &Lesbian issues,
and we trekked over to Oklahoma City one warm winter
day. We figured with one conservative Republ,ican and
one progressive Democrat, one straightman and one Gay
one, we were presenting a bipartisan view on civil rights
issues. We were scheduled for 15 minutes and gotnearly
-30..........
When all was said and
done, Oklahoma’s senior
senator, hardly surprisingly
had not changed his
mindone little iota, though
he was quite civil. All we
got out of the meeting was
the c~mpliment that "you
are a good spokesman for
your cause." Gee thanks.
So it’s not as though I
really thought any
constituent comment
made to his office would
make a difference, but
periodically I like to try to
bdieve in our American
democracy: that if you
have faith and speak the
truth, that eventually right will prevail, despite the ample
evidence ofmostofourhistory whereminority Americans
are involved, be we Black, Indian, Female or Gay, or any
combination thereof.
But after reading one or another bits of tripe from the
senator about the recess uomination by Pres. Clinton of
openly Gay ambassador James Hormel, I figured I should
at least not let Mr. Nickles believe that all Oklahomans
agreed with him.
I called. I left a~ message.
I didn’t think much more about it.
That was until I got a form letter from our senator
saying how he agreed withmy position and in which letter
proceeded to trash Hormel.
Obviously that was not my position.
Now mind you, this sort of inverse idiocy ~s just the sort
of thing we’ve come to expect from Oklalaoma’s jtmior
senator, Jim Inhofe, of pornographic office computer
fame. Sen. Inhofe, who sings the praises of private
enterprise although he’s lived off the public dole most of
his ilfe, ts reputed by thosein this town who should know.
not to be particularly bright. And I can say from first hand
experience, that he’s rude to constituents. So the simple
incomp.etence of getting a constituent’ s~position enurely
wrong is somewhat expected from his office.
But from Nickles, we should be able to expect a bit
more. But then again, I also still believe in democracy.
So of course, I called again to ask if it’s possible for
Nickles’ office to do better. Because surely, surely no
matter how much evil been done in this state in one way
or another, nothing could have been so bad that we
deserve two Inhofes!
Nickles" staff did begrudgingly ad~nit that maybe they
should have gotten it right. But they made the claim that
they really don’t have to represent all the c~tizens of
Oklahoma, that all Nic.kles has to .do is ,to represent
whatever he said in his campaign that gothim elected and
that was enough. So forget about whatever you may have
believed about representative democracy, about the need
for elected officials to find solutio~as for all their
constituents, it’s winner take all and the rest be damned.
I can’t believe that this approach is in our state or
nation’s best ~nterests. I believe that Americans and
Oklahomans in particular, are fair-minded people who
would respond to leaders who sought compromise and
consideration for all instead of the "leaders" wehave who
wallow in prejudice and bigotry to fill their campaign
coffers and get elected (mind you, I’m not picking just on
Republicans, too many Oklahoma Democrats are just as
bad, the only difference is Democrats just don’t talk as
dirty about you when they’re stabbing you in the back).
Call me foolish or naive if you like, but I hope for an
Oklahoma that could stand up to any other state in our
nation injustice, in equal opportunity, in decent education.
I believe our people are up to it.
I just wish we had leaders who were.
Colorado Springs Holds¯
Gay Pride Parade & Rally
COLORADO SPRINGS, Cold¯ (AP)-Two-year-old :
Kyle wore a T-shirt that said "I love my Gay ¯
mommies," and knows 25-year-old Jennifer "
Porterfield as "mommy" and 32-year-old Becky "
Lewton as "mama." Each year Porterfield gets a card ¯
on Mother’ s Day and Lewton gets breakfast in bed on
"Becky’s Day." "We’re no different than a straight "
family," Lewton says. "We argue about the same "
stuff. Believe me." . "
They were among.those p.articipating .in the. m,n,th "
annual Colorado Spnngs PrideFest parade and ratly, "
held on the last Sunday in August. At the end of the ¯
parade, police estimated between 3,500 and 4,500 ¯
people filled Acacia Park for a celebration sponsored "
by the Pikes Peak Gay &Lesbian Community Center. "
"We’reteachers. We’relawyers. We’reprofessional "
pa,,,,,l~" Lewton said. "(The oarade) is certainly not ¯
s’~xV’t~l thing, and thats"- wha’t people think it is."
About a dozen protesters, some holding placards i
and a couple of them carrying crosses; stood at one ¯
street comer as the parade passed. Police reported no ¯
problems.
The .rally capped a week that brought Gay.iss..ues
into the headlines in Colorado Springs, including
those triggeredby ameeting oftheNational Religious
Focus on the Family Christian ministry xor aueg y
"inflammatory" rhetoric about homosexuality.
Focus respondedonSundayin~tfull-pagenewspaper
ad that said its staff members who attended the
conference had hopes of establ}shing dialogue but
were blind-sided by the accusataon.
Focus, and the Christian Coalition of Colorado,
also had criticized Colorado Springs Mayor Mary
~Lou Makepeace for sigmng a proclamation
recognizing Gay-Pride week.
ButCity Councilman Richard Skorman marchedin
the parade and told the crowd at the park the mayor
would have faced controversy regardless of her
response to PrideFest organizers’ request for the
proclamation.
The banners in the parade heralded civil,rights
groups, support groups, Gay pageant winners and
Gay-friendly churches, includingFirstCongregational
Church, All Souls Unitarian Church and Pikes Peak
Metropolitan Community Church.
The handful of protesters staked out the no,rthw.e,st
comer of Platte Avenue and Tejon Street wlaere me
six-block parade terminated. Parade participants
occasionally taunted and blew kisses to the protesters
who called for the marchers to "’repent."
Missoula Gets First Gay
Community CenterAgain
MISSOULA (AP) - Wanting to show they’re "just
next-door people," volunteers will open a downtown
Gay and Lesbian community center here Wednesday¯
Founders of the Wes tern MontanaGay and Lesbian
Community Center have Seen raising money for the
project since last fall and now have about $19,000
from 50 paid members.
But finding an affordable rent in Missoula’ s visible
down~own axea wa.s ~ bigger challenge than raising
the money, supporters said. With a rent budget of
$800 a month and their goal focused on downtown,
themembers havebeencombing thereal-estate market
formonths:: ...... -, ’ -: - -’ ’-~. ":.
What they ended up with is a two-room office state
wi~ hardly=the room for a dance or even a public
lectfire. But it’s a start, said Cat Carrel, one of the
lcadera~pf the effort. ’qlais is a start-up space," she,,
said,"and itrsa good first start-up. Wecan get goln~.
Missoula last had a Gay and ,L~,,sbian commumty
~enter during the first half of the 80s, when the nowdefunct
organization."Out in Montana" hadoffices in
the Wilma Building in downtown Missoula. After 15
years without asocial and service-oriented center; the
town’ s Gays and Lesbians wanted aplace to meet that
was not a bar, said Randy Chancy, executive director
of the Missoula AIDS Council.
The center’s fledgling efforts had a wide variety of
allies, from student groups at the Uni~iersity of
Montana to several area churches. Early in the effort,
the center got a $1,000 grant from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. The money will go
toward a Healthy Lifestyles Program, which .will
include health and mental health support serwces,
stress reduction and education about sexually
transmitted infections.
The Gay Outdoors group, Gays and Straights
Together, and other organizations will also use the
community center as their headquarters.
’°I’he idea is to have our space available for other
groups, and to use our office for as a resource to bring
other groups together," said volunteer Casey Charles.
The group has also drawn a $5,000 grant from
Broadway Cares, a fund of ~the actors’ equity
organization inNew York. It willhelp starta speakers’
bureau and foster work on HIV prevention.
The center will have security measures in place, but
its members stress they’ve had no trouble with
opposition to the center.
OtherMontanacities have services forGay, Lesbian,
bisexual and transgender people, but the. closest
community centers are in Spokane and Boise.
The group is working on bylaws and hopes to have
a board of directors in place by the end of the year.
Utah Bans Unmarried
Foster Parents
OGDEN, Utah (AP) -The s tate Division of Child and
Fnmily Services has adopted apolicy to bannnmarried
couples from providing state-sponsored foster care.
The new policy, adopted Friday, August 27th, by a5-
2 vote by the DCFS board, defies standards set by the
Child Welfare League of America, a professional
association representing more than 1,000 voluntary
and public agencies.
Board chairman Scott Clark, the drivingforcebehind
the decision, said unmarried, unrelated adults living
together abuse children more often than married men
and women. "I read in the newspaperjust last night of
two cases in which boyfriends abused the children in
their girlfriends’ homes," Clark said.
In the past, Clark has also referred to Gay couples
- who, because they cannot m.ar~,,_, w!ll be b~ar~,e~,,
from fostercare-as contributing to gendercontusion
of children in their care.
Only twoboardmembers, Regnal GarffandVirgrnia
Higbee, opposed Clark’s recommendations. They
argued the new rule would narrow the field of foster
parents, who are already outnumbered nearly 2-to- 1
by children in state custody who need homes.
Garff, a retired juvenile court judge, also criticized
Clark’s example because neither of the cases sited
involved foster children. "I am relterating my
opposiuon to this whole thing.., that example is
poorly conceived and poorly argued," he said.
The changebrings matches similar state restncuons
¯
passed earlier this year for adoptive parents.
But groups like the Child Welfare League of
¯ America, the American Bar Association and the
¯ American Civil Liberties Union have opposed such
policies. Opponents say too many quesuons are left
¯ unanswered by the policy. For example, there is no
¯ provision for common-law marriages, which go into
¯¯ effect after seven 3,ears. And it is unclear if the rules
apply when an unrelated adult rents living space from
¯
a foster or adoptive paxent.
¯ The Child Welfare League is so staunch ih its
¯ opposition that the association recently sent DCFS Director Ken Patterson aletter asking its end°rsement
¯
be removed from the agency’s po!icy manual...Th,e
¯ board gwiftly a~ounrt0datedthat reituestb~removing
¯ thephrase that refers toDCFS policy as "in accordance
with the standards of the Child Welfare League of
¯ America."
¯ Gay Pastor’s Church
: Work Continues in Ames
¯
¯ AMES, Iowa (AP) -Though technically an outcast in
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Steve
¯ Sabin’s ministry continues at Lord of Life Lutheran
Church.
The ELCA has removed Sabin from its roster of
] ministers because he has a Gay parmer. The church
Kelly Kirby, CPA, PC
Certified Public Accountant
a professional corporation
747-5466
4021 S. Harvard, Suite 2.1_0,.Tulsa 74135
MCC-United
formerly Family of Faith & Greater Tulsa MCC
Joined as one body of believers¯
Come celebrate with us.
Sunday Services, 11 am
1623 North Maplewood, 838-1715
HOUSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Sun. Worship, 10:45 am, Sunday School, 9:30 am
Wed. Bible Study, 7 pm
3210b S. Norwood, Irdo: 224-4754, Chris or Sharon
Sandra Hill
Licensed Professional & National Certified
Counselor, Certified Hypnotherapist
Psychotherapy & Clinical Consultation
After Hours Appointments Available
2865 E. Skelly Drive, Suite 215,745-1111
Community Unitarian Universalist
Congregation
at Community o]Hope
2545 South Yale, Sundays at llam, 749-0595
A Welcoming Congregation
Mingo Valley Flowers
9413 E. 31st St., Tulsa 74145
918-663-5934, fax: 663-5834, 800-4~A.-5934
Family :Owned & ,Operated ....
Trinna L. W. Bui’i ows, LSW, ACSW
Ghild, Family, Individual & Gouplo Psychothorapy
(918) 743-9559
2121 South Columbia, Suite 420
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74114-3518
Unity Church of Christianity
Loving, Inclusive Christian Spirituality
SundaF Worship Services
9:15 and 11:00 a.m.
www.openmindopenheart.org/Tulsa/Unity
3355 S. Jamestown Avenue
(918) 749-8833
Rev. Steve Colladay, Minister
Home of the Daily Word
OKLAHOMA COMMUNICATIONS
Local- Long Distance
Cellular- Paging
747-1508
Free Car Adaptor &
Leather Case with New Cell Phone
The Pride Store
-1307 E. 38th, 2rid floor
in Tulsa’s Gay Community Services Center
743-GAYS (743-4297)
6-9 pm, Sunday - Friday
12-9 pm, Saturday, all sales benefit the Center
KEVIN BURLESO N
Keller Williams Realty
7.12-2252
Burleson@kw.com
2651 East 21st Street, Ste. 100, Tulsa 74114
An Independent Member Broker
Housekeeping &
Gardening Service
Contact Paul on: (918) 582 8460
POB 3150, Tulsa, OK, 74101
OPENARMS,OPENMINDS,OPENHEARTS
Saint Aidan
4045 N. Cincinnati. 425-7882
Saint John
4200 S. Atlanta Place, 742-7381
Saint Dunstan
5635 East 71st, 492-7140
Trinity
501 S. Cincinriati, 582-4128
The Episcopal Church Welcomes You
earlier this month voted to keep its ride requiring
homosexual ministers to remain celibate. "My call
right now is ministry at Lord of Life," Sabin said.
"I’m going to stop holdingmy breath for the ELCA to
come along."
When Sabin was.removed from the church’s list of
ordained ministers last year, the 150-member
congregation supported him. By keeping him as their
pastor, the congregation risks .expulsion from the
While Bishop Philip Hougen of the Southeastern
Iowa Synod said he is "uncomfortable" with Sabin as
Lord of Life’s minister, he has not asked the Synod
Council to expel the congregation. ’To remove them
in,order tomakesome sort ofpoint about purity seems
t0be~to benot worth the effort," Hougen said. "I don’t
want to cause any more pain."
At the Churchwide Assembly earlier this month in
Denver, ELCA leaders passed a resolution that
reaffirmed previous assembly statements that
committed the church to continuing discussion of the
issue of ordination of Gays and Lesbians. "How long
do you have to keep studying it?". Sabin asked last
week.
Sabin, who has two daughters, was ordained as a
minister in 1985 andbecame pastor at the Lord of Life
Church inAmes later that year. He was married at the
time, but the 10-year marriage ended i.n 1990. Sabin
began living with Karl von Uhi abont four years ago.
Former Lesbian Couple
Must Share Custody
GOLDEN, Colo. (AP) - A district judge has ordered
a former Lesbian couple to share custody of a 10-
year-old girl they raised, but ruled the youngster must
live in New York with her biological mother during
the school year.
Jefferson County DistrictJudge Christopher Munch
said he based the decision on what he considered the
best interests of the child. The youngster will spend
summers and school vacations in Colorado.
He noted she will be able to make friends and attend
a neighborhood school in Albany, but if she remains
in Colorado, she will have to commute daily from
Aurora to Jefferson County, rougtfly a ’40-mile round
trip, Munch said. "(Gift M) will be living in a race
middle-class, rural to suburban home with her morn
and stepdad," Munch said.
Thejudge emphasized that he did not consider the
past rdationship of the two women or their sexual
orientation when he made the decision.
Identifiedin court papers as "Gift M," the youngster
was raised by Leaune Bueker, her "psychological"
mother, and Kelly Cunningham, her bio1ogicat mother,
until the two women separated two years ago.
The womenwere awardedjoint custody in February
1998, but the arrangement became complicated when
Ms. Cunninghammarried Michael Naylor andmoved
to Albany. Ms. Bueker remains single. Mrs. Naylor
"was pleased with the decision. "The judge gave
appropriate (onsiderat~on to the facts and came up
with a. decision that was difficult to make," said
attorney Ron Litvak. Ms. Bucker declined comment.
Sen. Hatch Apologizes to
Blacks But Not To Gays
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Sen. Orrin Hatch said
Wednesday hehad been "inarticulate" and apologized
to NAACP officials for a statement in which he
compared Gay civil rights with black issues.
. The Utah Republican, who is a GOP presidential
candidate, came under fire earlier this month for
saying,"People of color can’t do anything about their
color." Hatch continued: "I do believe Gay people
have a choice to live within the legal rules or not.
That’s why we have civil-rights laws to protect
African-Americans from discrimination."
JeanettaWilliams, presidentof the SaltLakebranch
of the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People, called Hatch’s remark "a poor
articulation of what he was trying to say."
Heather Barney, a Hatchspokeswoman, said Hatch
"apologized for being inarticulate." "He did note that
he was coming from a strictly legal perspective, that
there is judicial precedent that the courts have treated
race as distinct from sexual orientation, which is the
point h~ was making," Barney said.
Darin Hobbs of the Gay and Lesbian Political
Action Committee in Salt Lake said Hatch did the
right thing by apologizing to the NAACP. Next, he
saidHatch shouldapologize to Utah’s Gaycommunity.
"The senatoris unable to recognize the commonalities
between homophobiaandracism," Hobbs said. "Both
are bigotries rooted in fear and ignorance."
Williams and Edward J. Lewis, president of the
NAACP tri-state conference for Utah, Nevada and
Idaho, said they felt Hatch’s’apology was sincere.
They were scheduled to meet with Hatch at 1 p.m.
but di’dn’t arrive at his Salt~Lake office until-an hour
later. Hatch pushed back other meetings and talked
with them for 45 minutes. "The importance of this
meeting was we established a need to sit down and
have a dialogue with him," Lewis said.
Williams said she also discussed concerns about
Hatch’s voting record on civil-rights issues. She said
Hatch made no promises but agreed to consider the
NAACP’s views. Hatch and Sen. Bob Bennett, RUtah,
received F’s in the NAACP’s latest
congressional report cards.
Also, Bennett apologized to theNAACPfor saying
Texas Gov. George W. Bush would win the GOP
presidential nomination unless "some woman comes
forward, let’s say some black woman ~omes forward,
with an illegitimate child that he fathered."
Comparing the remarks by the two senators, Lewis’
said: "On,e, was more severe, but they were both in the
same pie.
Williams and Lewis said Hatch and his wife, Elaine,
are lifelong NAACPmembers. Hatch co-sponsored a
bill to award civil-rights pioneer Rosa Parks the
Congressional Gold Medal, whichis Congress’ highest
honor.
Barney said Hatch has enjoyed a good relationship
with the NAACP. "His door has always been open to
Jeanetta and the NAACP," she said. "They meet
regularly and he is proud of some of the things he has
been able to accomplish which benefit minority
communities in Utah."
Hatch has previously raised the ire of Gay civilrights
groups. In 1988, he called the Democratic Party
"’the party of homosexuals; they are the party of
abortion." InJune, he told delegates to the Republican
state convention they could be proud because "we
don’t have the Gays and Lesbians with us."
Gay Couple Murdered
After Recording Message
REDDING, California (AP) - Two brothers killed a
Gay couple after forcing them to record an answering
machine message saying they had suddenly become
ill and were leaving town for medical help, authorities
say. Benjamin Williams, 31, and James Willianas, 29,
could face the death penalty ifconvicted of murdering
Gary Matson, 50, and Winfield Mowder, 40. The men
were found shot to death in their bed July 1. in rural
Happy Valley near Redding, northeast of San
Francisco. The suspects have pleaded innocent.
According to the court documents, sheriff’s deputies
went to the victirrisr home after Matson’s relatives
thought the answering machine message sounded
forced and odd, and may have been someone else’s
voice. The message said the. victims were headed to
San Francisco to see "a specialist friend"for medical
help and would return "in about a week."
"Off the message, it’s evident that the person who
recorded themessageis under distress andwas possibly
forced to make the recording," officers said. In the
background, another voice can be heard saying, "just
calm down."
Based on information from Matson’s father and
brother, investigators said the message was recorded
"very dose" to the time of the slayings. Thedocuments
were unsealed following a legal challenge by several
news organizations.
Evidence in the brothers’ homes also allegedly
links themto the arson ofthree California synagogues.
Those fires caused more than $1 million in damages.
Authorities also found handouts from the World
Church of the Creator, a white supremacist group,
which preaches extreme racial and religious views.
AIDS Deaths
Decline
ATLANTA (AP) - Two years after
powerful new drugs brought a sharp drop
in AIDS deaths nationwide, new
government figures released today show
the declinein AIDS deaths slowed sharply
a year later. AIDS killed 17,047 people in
the United States last year - a decline of
20% from 1997. From 1996 to 1997, the
drop in deaths was a much more dramatic
42%, which health officials attributed to
the effectiveness of new drugs.
"As we anticipated, we are now seeing
the first signs ofa slowing in this trend,’"
said Dr. Helene Gayle, director of HIV
prevention for-the federal Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, said
during the National HIV Prevention
Conference. "In a period of only two
years, new combination therapies cut the
annual level of death in half," she said.
"But for the time being, it appears that
much of the benefit of these new therapies
has beenrealized." In 1995, 49,351 people
died from AIDS in the United States. By
1996, that dropped to 36,792, and the
number was down to 21,222 in 1997.
TheCDClisted several possible causes
for the slowdown in reductions of AIDS
deaths. Most people who know they have
HIV are already being treated, Gayle said.
Drug resistance among some AIDS
patients causes the treatment to fail, and
other patients fail to keep up with, the
complicatedjuggling of pills they,have to
take for the drugs to be effective. New
HIV infections in 1998 were estimated at
roughly 40,000 - a number that’ s held
steady for the past decade.
The CDC said AIDS continues to kill
blacks in higher numbers than other racial
groups. Blacks, who make up about 13%
of the population, accounted for 49% of
AIDS deaths in 1998. Thirty-two% of
deaths were among whites and Hispamcs
made up 18%. "In many ways, the story of
how well we do in HIV and AIDS will be
told by how well we do with the African-
American population," Gayle said.
The three-day conference, organized
by theCDCand 17 other agencies, features
2,000 scientists, doctors, researchers and
advocates addressing efforts to monitor
and prevent the spread of HIV, the virus
that causes AIDS.
Gayle and others opened the conference
by warning against complacency. "It’s
becoming increasingly difficult to get
people to pay attenuon to HIV prevention
and that in and of itsdf is a primary reason
for this conference," she said.
Since the 1980s, more than 300,000
have died of AIDS. The recent success of
some treatments have made some people
complacent about the disease. "Despite a
growing complacency about the need for
HIV prevention, HIV remains a serious
disease that is still very much with us and
there is a greater need for HIV prevention
today more than ever," she said.
Black Churches To
Step Up AIDS Fight
BOSTON (AP) - Local black religious
leaders plan tomeetwith state Department
of Public Health officials and members of
the AIDS Action Committee to discuss
ways to better educate their congregations
about the disease. The meeting, involving
26 black leaders, signals a change in the
black church’s approach to AIDS,
religious scholars and activists told the
Boston Globe.
They said the conservative theological
views about homosexuality, intravenous
drug use and premarital sex held by many
black religious leaders have led them to
shy away from the issue.
But leaders are now seeing they must
pay attention to the disease because of
their obligation to help people in need,
according to Pemissa Seele, founder of
the New York-based Balm in Gilead
ministry. The ministry raises AIDS and
HIV awareness among black
congregations nationwide. "Their
responsibility to save lives has nothing to
do with their theology on homosexuality
or sex outside marriage," Seele said.
"We’re talking about two different
apples."
In the Boston area, only about 90 of450
black churches promote HIV awareness,
the Globe reported. Meanwhile, blacks
account for 26% of all AIDS cases in
Massachusetts, though they make up only
6% of the population. Nationally, AIDS is
the leading cause of death for black men
and women ages 25 to 44.
Rev. Conley Hughes, pastor ofConcord
Baptist Church in Boston’s South End,
said thechurchcanbe apowerful influence
in the fight against AIDS because it has
historically been an institution blacks
could count on. Many blacks consider the
church society’ s most credible source of
authority, Hughes said.
Experts-Discuss
Vaccine Progress
BALTIMORE (AP) - Doctors and
scientists from 20 countries gathered in
Baltimore las t month for a conference to
. discuss progress made in the effort to find
an AIDS vaccine. The annual meeting,
which began years ago as an informal
gathering of Dr. Robert C. Gallo, codiscoverer
of the AIDS virus, and his
colleagues, has grown into one of the
largest AIDS conferences in the w6rld.
More-than 1,000 physicians, scientists
and others are expected to attend the
conference, hosted by Gallo and the
University of Maryland’s Institute of
Humafi Virology, which he directs. "It is
possible that the components for a
reasonably successful vaccine are almost
there, in our hands, but we don’ t know it
yet," Gallo told The(Baltimore) Sun. ’Tm
much more positively inclined than a year
or two ago." However, it could be years
before a vaccine is developed.
At the conference, Gallo expected one
of the more significant discussions to deal
withTat, or transactivating protein, which
is made by HIV. Researchers have found
that Tat plays akey role inHIV spreading.
"You can regard it as one of the missiles
from HIV infection that leads to the
problems in the immune system and
facilitates the virus’ spread," said Gallo,
who has done some of the work.
Researchers have -shown that
vaccinating monkeys against Tat lowers
the amount of the virus and lessens the
immune system’s impairment.
Gallo and his collaborators have tested
Tat in humans for safety, both as a
preventive vaccine and as a therapeutic
one. He said his group’ s strategy will be to
create a sort of vaccine cocktail, by
combining aninactivatedTatprotein with
another vaccine approach.
Over the past 10 years, more than 40
preventive AIDS vaccines have been
tested worldwide involving about 10,000
volunteers. Only oneAIDS vaccine, made
by the California company VaxGen, is
headed for the-testing stage that will
determine if it prevents HIV.
Medical
Excellence And
Compassionate
Care Since
1926.
¯ ¯ ST. JOHN MEDICAL CENTE_R
q P Medical Excellence. Compassionate Care
Are You Gay or Bisexual?
Are You Native American?/
Vulsa’s Two-Spirited Indian Men’s
Support Group is here for you!
¯ Evening support group meetings
¯ Relationship workshops
¯ Short trips, outings and retreats
¯ Free HIV testing
For information call Tulsa Native Amencan AiDS Prevention Project
at 582-7225 Ext. 208 or 218
Dial-Up Accounts
Dedicated ISDN
Connections
Virtual Hosting
Visit our web page
"www.igisweb.net"
(918) 622-4965
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provides consultations by appointment
Iridology
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Pain Control
Nutritional Analysis
4520 SO. Peoria, Brookside
712-1400
¯Transplants for HIV
Patients Possible
PITF~BURGH (AP) - Only a handful of
medical centers around the world are
willing to transplant organs in HIVpositive
patients - a- controversial
procedure both in terms ofmedical success
and societal acceptance. But surgeons at
an international liver transplantation
conference saidmuch ofthat could change
as aggressive new therapies like the socalled
AIDS "cocktail" allow people
infected with HIV to live longer.
"As far as I’m concerned, they’re all
patients," said transplant surgeon Dr. Nigel
Heaton of King’s College Hospital in
London, where four HIV patients have
been given transplants. "I don’t believe in
social reasons for exclusion."
What he does want is data - hard
numbers that will prove or disprove the
theory that transplants can help people
infected with HIV. Key toHIV transplants
i s finding patients who are healthy enough
to qualify and are willing to take care of
their new organs once they get them.
Another key is controlling hepatitis C,
which is often found in HIV patients and
invariably reinfects the new liver once i~
has been transplanted.
At this point, there is very little data on
transplantation for patients infected with
HIV, the virus which causes AIDS, and
no papers have been published, experts
said. Only recently have a select few
surgeons performed the procedure
knowingly, although there is some
historical data from before patients were
checked for HIV infections. "’People think
we’re crazy for doing it," said Dr. John
Fung, head’of the Um~ersity ofPittsburgh
Medical Center’ s transplant center.
But early indications show that liver
transplantation is effective in reversing
the complications of end-stage organ
failure m some HIV-positive patients,
Fung said. He presented findings at the
conference on four HIV patients who
underwent the procedure between
September 1997 and March 1999. In all
the cases, the liver transplants reversed
the distinguishing characteristics of
chronic liver failure, including fluid
retention, muscle wasting, fatigue and
jaundice. HIV traces remained
undetectable with patients who continued
the drug combination with protease
inhibitor and none developedopportunistic
infections, Fung said.
Medical experts often question Fung
and others about the.use of scarce resources
- in this case, healthy human organs- and
the safety of surgeons operating on HIV
Calif. A! ow
Needle Exchange
SACRAMENTO,Calif. (AP)- Tryi:n~ to
slow the spread of AIDS, the Legislature
sent Gov. Gray Davis a,bill that would let
cities and counties setup n~dle-exchange
pro~s for ~g addicts. Cmwent state
law b~s such progrmns butfour CNifo~a
cities - Berkeley, Los Angeles, San
Fr~cisco and Santa Cruz - ~d M~n
County have adopted emergency
ordi~s ~lowing needle exchm~ges.
Davis’ office said the Democratic
governor has not taken a position on the
Nll, wNch passed the state Senate.
At le~t 15 o~er states have authorized
ne~e-exch~gepro~s,~ough~ere
~e exch~ge progr~s operating in more
th~ twi~ that m~y states, according to
AssemNy~vomanKe~ M~zoni’s office~
Supporters of her proposN sNd studies
have shown exchange progrmns redu~
the spread of the A IDS vires.
There lmve been atleast six o~erneedleexch~
ge bills intr~uced in ~ifo~a
since 1993. They either died in the
Legislature or were vetoed by then-
Repubti~ Gov. Pete Wilson.
infected patients in a procedure that
Chemist Gets $7 m.
For AIDS Research
NEW BRUNSWICK,’N.J. (AP) - A
Rutgers University chemist who helped
researchers study the most lethal part of
the AIDS virns will get nearly $7 million
in federal fnnds to continue his work. Dr.
Edward Arnold has won an award from
the National Institutes of Health that will
double federal suppor~ of his research.
The prize, called MERIT for Method ~o
Extend Research in Time, will extend his
funding from a five-year grant for $3.4
million to a grant spanning 10 years and
providing nearly $7 million.
His work is aimed at developing longerlasting
drugs to fight the deadly AIDS
virus. "The whole philosophy of research
is the more you know, the better chavce
you have to fight something," Arnold told
the East Brunswick Home News Tribune.
The new funding will aid his study of a
protein called reverse transcriptase, or
RT. The protein plays a key role in the
virus’ early life cycle, giving itinsm~ctions
to duplicate its deadly properties. It is the
involves a lot of blood . . molecule targeted by anti-AIDS drugs
S0cietallv sorn0 ~o,,~,i,~ ,~;.J ~,.,, ¯ includingAZT, DDI, Nevirapineand3TC.
whether org~a~s sho~d~’tiao~’~ : The virus colnmonly mutates so quickly
lifestyle choices may have led to their " that it becomes irmnune to drugs. Arnold
infection, said the doctors, who prefer that
medical reasons determine who gets a
transplant.
Recently, the University of California
in San Francisco received a $1 million
grant to perform transplants on HIV
patients. The state money will fund
transplants for 10 people, and doctors
hope the information will help build a
database to determine if the operation can
be a medical success in HIV patients. "I
think there is a great deal of trepidation in
the medical community, and I don’ t think
it’s ill-founded at all," said Peter Stock,
associate professor of surgery at UCSF.
"We have to be very cautious."
While some insurance companies in the
." is trying to devise a way to see what drug
resistance looks like. Heis mapping three-
. dimensional pictures of the RT protein,
_" getting a look at its detailed atomic
" structure. Such views can help researchers
¯ see how the virus interacts with" drugs.
". "We need to understand how drugs can
¯ fail," Arnold said. "If we can do that, we
- can be more aware of how to design them
.* - how to avoid those hurdles."
¯ His work first gained prominence in
1992 when he and others created a threedimensional
computer model of the RT
protein. Arnold’ s workis also focusing on
the design and development of an AIDS
vaccine, something that has eluded
researchers thus far.
J
by James Christjohn
TFN entertainment writer
Hey there, hi there; ho there! Whereho?
There ho? Who you callin’ a ho? Sorry,
just had to. Something about Disney
inspires that kind of mania, especially
after having lived with a Beast for so long.
(editor’s note: aren ’tlucky
the Beast is occasionally
quitefor-bearing?)
Speaking of beasts,
Beauty and the Beast is
here! They’ve been
building sets, chopping
sets, recreating and creating
costumes for a month
now, working 15 hour
days[ And it looks to be
faaaabulous ! Especially
those moving pillars., I
LOVE those moving
pillars t There’s just something
so intrinsically...
phallic about moving
pillars ! I want somefor my.
house! Really the- magic
begins September 7 and
runs through the 19. And
the conductorand assistant
conductor, James and Brent, are very
handsome and char~i,"ng men, so say hi if
you can when they re out on ~e town!
Call 596-7111 for tix.
Lynn Flewdling has written one of the
best series of Gay fantasy novels to come
along since Mercedes Lackey’s "Last
Herald Mage" trilogy. "Luck in the
Shadows", which I’ve written of before;
"Stalking Darkness", and the just out
"Traitor’s Moon" follows the trail of
intrigue and romance of Seregil and Alec,
the main protagonists.
I recommendthe books highly to anyone
¯ with or without an interest in the genre.
They have everything: magic, intrigue,
romance, murder, and just about
everything else you can think of, in a
artistically perfect package. The events
and characters are such that you hate the
book to end, and the characters stay with
I wondered ff the
average fantas~ r~.a+der
would follow that far
- they have, and
¢ladly for
the most part.
I eet letters from
straiCht Curs
sayln~ essentially
"I shouldn’t be ok with
t~s, but I amP’...
Others ~ve sald it
made it ~sler to talk
~th Gay relatives.
youlong after the lastpage
is turned.
~Lynn was gracious
enoughto spare some time
for some questions while
working on the new book,
"The Bone Doll’s Twin:"
JC: I have enjoyed the
Nightrunner series. Your
characters are so welldrawn,
that theyseem real
enough to wonder what
they’re up to long after the
book isfinished.
LF: I’m so glad to hear
that the story and the
characters work for you.
That’s high praise indeed.
That’s how I feel about
my favorite books.
JC: What inspired you
to write these characters
as "Gay" men (Seregil & Alec, the
protagohists) ?
LF: Well, as I recall, I wanted to create
"a hero that challenged the stereotypical
molds set by Eddings. or Jordan (well
known fantasy writers). Hence his
profession and methods. The Gay part -
not: sure. Partly the mold breaking, bu~
mostly just how he wanted to be. Perhaps
he’s my animus? Whatever the case, the
characterjust cameout that way and I love
him. Alec was more ofa conscious choice.
I could see where it was all headed,
see Fantasy, p. 14
by.TFN staff
As we move into the fall, Oklahoma’s
arts calendar is increasingly busy. On
Sept. 11, at 8pm at Holland Hall’ s Branch
Theatre, Richard Gere Productions, the
Loseling Institute and Unity Church of
Christianity and Unity Center of Tulsa
present "The Mystical Arts of Tibet"
featuring the Drepung Loseling Monks.
This group ofmonks have performed with
composer Phillip Glass, and performers
such as Paul Simon, Natalie Merchant,
the Beastie Boys and others. For tickets,
call 582-6624 or 749-8833.
Already open at Gilcrease is an exhibit
of Inuit artwhich will be shownuntil Nov.
7th. The .works, which include sculpture,
prints and tapestries, draw on a private
collection which has never before been
publicly exhibited. Pieces from
Gilcrease’s-collection will complement
the exhibit. Gilcrease anthropology
curator, Jason Jackson, suggested that
these works will appeal to those who
appreciate traditional Native American
art as well as those who like modem art
coming outofwestern Europeantmditions.
hffo: 596-2700.
Local youth activist Emily Sizemore is
one of the organizers of Arts for AIDS, an
event scheduled for Sept. 25th. They are
looking for singers, other musicians,
writers, actors, visual artists, etc. If
interestedinparlicipating, please call 361-
1000.
That same evening, the Tulsa
Philharmonic will open see Arts, p. 14
"It’s Elementary"
Tolerance Film Provokes Debate
CHICAGO/TULSA (AP/TFN) - Thirdgraders
in New York debate the idea of
Gay mamage. Storytime for first- and
second-graders ata school in Cambridge,
Mass., includes the book "Asha’ s Mums"
about a little girl who has two Lesbian
mothers. Eighth-graders in San Francisco
fire questions at a Gay man and Lesbian
who visit their classroom. All areexcerpts
from a controversial documentary, "It’s
Elementary: Talking About Gay Issues In
School," which first caused a stir when
several public television stations decided
to air it this summer.
Now it’s being used by many schrol
districts nationwide as a training tool for
teachers, most recently in Chicago -
unifying what some say is a growing
move to incorporate Gay and Lesbian
issues into curriculum, from elementary
to high school.
Critics say talkabout suchissues belongs
at home. But others say it’s a matter of
dealing with issues that students already
see every day innewspapers,ontelevision,
in movies - and maybe even in their own
communities or classrooms.
"Both schools and families have to
address the issue somehow because it’s
there - and it’s not going back into the
closet," says Tony D’Augelli, a
psychologist at Penn State’s College of
Health and Human Development who
studies Gay youth ~sues. see Elem.,p.15
T
Call today to receive a
1999-2000 season brochure
Season subscriptions,
starting at $44for adults,
are now on SALE!
FOR 1999-2000 SEASON BROCHURES CALL
TULSA~PERA
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Season tickets on sale now!
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¯ Mas~Ywol"~s "
. Classics usic
on . "toe RocRs"
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FOR 1999-2000 T~CKaT INFORMATION CALL
1999-2000
Celtic Series
SAVE $10 by purchasing the entire series!
Natalie MacMaster An Irish Christmas
October 8t~ & 9~ ¯ 8pro November 21,~ ¯ 3pro
Gaelic Storm (Celtic BonusO
The ’Party Band’
from the blockbuster movie 17tanic
January 19m & 20za ° 8pro
Trinity Irish Dance Company Anam
February 20= ¯ 3pro March 3,1 &
~c~~h~d Gere Productions & the Loseling Institute present
The Mystical Arts of Tibet
Sacred Music Sacred Dance for World Healing
with the famed Multiphonic Singers
of Drepung Loseling Monastery
September 11, 8 pm
Branch Theatre, Holland Hall School
5666 East 81 st Street
Jointly sponsored by Unity Church of
Christianity and Unity Center of Tulsa
Call 749-8833 for tickets.
T 0 H R
L M
E TI-VAL
BER
~ SUNDAYS
Bless the Lord At All Times Christian Center
Sunday School - 9:45am, Service - 11 am, 2207 E. 6th, 583-7815
Community of Hope (Welcoming), Service ~ 6pro, 2545 S. Yale, 585-1800
Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Service - 1 lam, 2545 S. Yale, 749-0595 (Welcoming)
Church of the Restoration Unitarian Universalist
Sbiviee - t 1am, 1314 No. Greenwood, 587-13 I4
Metropolitan Community Church United
Service, llam, 1623 North Maplewood, Info: 838-1715
House of the Holy Spirit Ministries, Inc~
Sunday School - 9.’45am, Service - 10:45am, 3210b So. Norwood
Parish Church of St. Jerome (Evangelical Anglican Church in America)
Mass --11am, 205 W. King (east of N. Denver), Info: 582-3088
Unity Church of Christianity
Services: 9:15 & 11:00 am, 3355 S. Jamestown, 749-8833
University of Tulsa Bisexual/Lesbian/Gay/Transgendered Alliance
6:30 pm, Meets at the Canterbury Ctr., 5th & Evanston, 583-9780
~ MONDAYS
Mixed Volleyball, Helmerich Park, 71st & .Riverside, 6pm, call Shawn at 243-5190.
HIV Testing Clinic, Free & anonymous testing. No appointment required.
Walk in testing: 7-8:30pm, 834-TEST (8378) 3501 E. Admiral (east of Harvard)
HIV Rap Sessions at Bless the Lord At All Times Christian Center
7:30pm. 2207 E. 6th, 583-7815
PFLAG, Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays
2nd Mon]each mo. 6:30pm, Fellowship Congregational Church, 2900 S. Harvard
Women/Children & AIDS Committee, call for meeting date, noon, 585-5551
Council Oak Men’s Chorale, rehearsals - call for times, info: 585-COMC (2662)
~ TUESDAYS
AIDS Coalition of Tulsa, call for next meeting date. 1430 S. Boulder, 585-5551
Live And Let Live, Community of Hope United Methodist, 7:30pm, 2545 S. Yale
Multicultural AIDS Coalition, call for next meeting date.
Urban League, 240 East Apache, 584-0001
PrimeTimers, mens group, Pride Center, 1307 E. 38th
Coming Out Support Group (TOHR/HOPE)
Tuesdays, 6 pro, Pride Center, 1307 E. 38th, info: 743-4297
~ WEDNESDAYS
Bless The Lord At All Times Christian Center
Prayer & Bible Study, 7:30 pm 2207 E. 6th, 583-7815
House of the Holy Spirit Ministries, Inc. Service - 7pm, 3210b So. Norwood
Tulsa Native American Mens Support Group, more information, call 582-7225
TCC Gay & Lesbian Association of Students (GLAS), Call for info: 595-7632.
Lambda A-A, 7 pro, 1307 E. 38th, 2nd ft.
~" THURSDAYS
HOPE, HIV Outreach, Prevention, Education
Anonymous HIV Testing, Testing: 7 - 8:30pro 834-8378, 3507 E. Admiral
Oklahoma Rainbow Young Adult Network (O’RYAN)
¯ Support/social group for 18-24’s, call Red Rock Mental Health at 584-232.5
Substance Abuse Support Group for persons with HIV/AIDS, Info: 834-4194
~" FRIDAYS
SafeHaven, Young Adul{s Social Group, 1 st Fri/each mo. 8pm, Pride Ctr., 1307 E. 38th
~" SATURDAYS
Narcotics Anonymous, 11 pm, Community of Hope,1703 E. 2nd, Info: .585-1800
Lambda A-A, 6 pro, Pride Center, 1307 E. 38th, 2nd ft.
I~" OTHER GROUPS
T.U.L.S.A. Tulsa Uniform & Leather Seekers Association, info: 298-0827
Gal-A-Vanting, Womens Social & Cultural Group
Call for info: Kathy at 322-6322, or Barb at 459-6825.
OK Spoke Club, Gay & Lesbian Bike Organization. Long rides & short rides from
Zeigler Park. Long & ~hort rides from Tulsa Gay Community Center. Write for info:
POB 9165, Tulsa, OK 74157
Ifyour organization is not listed, please let us know. Call 583-1248 orfax 583-4615.
Associated Press - Your lawn crunches ¯
like potato chips.when you walk on it..
Even your older trees are showing stress. :
Although you mightbe tempted to coddle _"
your plants, you can kill them with too ¯
muchkindness, say experts inPenn State’ s :
College of Agricultural Sciences. *-
"Pruning, fertilizing and
watering can fool plants.into
thinking it’s springtime and
trigger new growth," said
Robert Nuss, professor of
ornamental horticulture. "New
growth won’t have time to
mature before the frost. Not
only will you kill it, but you’ll
use up next year’s buds."
"If you have a landscape
contractor or arborist do your
work, there’s only so much
they’ll want to do during a
drought," said Rick Johnson,
associate extension agent in
Delaware County. "Since
normal plant care practices
might be harmful under
drought conditions, under-
"Focus your
water~ng-efforts
on plants you
~n do
some~blng about,
llke ornamentals,"
ke added.
"With lawns, it’s
just a waiting
game until the
rMn and cool
w~ther return."
stand that these contractors may advise
against them."
Nuss and others offer some specific
suggestions. "Grasses gO into a semidormant
state and become vulnerable
when it’s dry," said Peter Landschoot,
associate professor of turfgrass science.
"Now that the water’s been turned off,
you should limit activities and traffic on
lawns as much as .possible. Come
September (October in Oklahoma) - if
we get rain and cooler weather- you can
fertilize and overseedto getsomerecovery.
Ifwe don’t get enough rain in September,
wait tmtil next spring to oversee&’"
"Focns your watering efforts on plants
you can do something about, like
ornaments," he added¯ "With lawns, it’s
just a waiting game until the rain and cool
weather return.’"
"Pruning’s a gamble," said Nuss. "If
you’re sure the parts are dead - if they’re
brittle and dry - go ahead and cut back to
the live tissue. This will promote some
healing and help the plants aesthetically.
Butremember, ffweget somerain,proning
can trigger growth in the buds."
"Fertilizers are salts - even organic
materials such as manure -and salts can
bum roots," Nuss said. "If you want to
give plants nutrients, wait until October
(late November or December here) when
they’re fully dormant."
"Watering is key for woody plants,"
Nuss said. "When the top 1-11/2 inches of
soil are dry, water down to 8-10 inches -
to the root zone," he said. "You can
accompllsh~ this by dire~t, slow watering.
Trickle water on very slowly so it soaks
into the soil, with no rtmoff. Also, when
you water at night, you lose less to
evapOration."
But watering has its dangers. "If you
overwater in areas with heavy soil or slow
drainage, you can saturate the root zone
and force out the air," Nuss says. "This
can suffocate the roots and kill them."
Whenroots die, you’ll _see top wilting in
¯ the plant, Nnss says. "Mostpeopleinterpret
this as a lack of water, add even more and
aggravate the problem. After watering,
most plants should recover overnight. But
if the plant remains wilted, you may have
root damage from overwatering."
For new plantings, Nuss recommends
keeping the initial root ball moist. "Water
bevond the planting hole, not just at the
base of the plant," he said. "That way, you
don’t drown the roots, and new roots have
moist soil to move ~nto."
Mulching is the next best solution to
watering, Nuss says. "But be sure to water
under mulch, not on top of it. It takes at
least an inch ofrain to get through organic
mulch." In extreme conditions,
Nuss said covering the
soil surface with black plastic
will retain extra moisture.
"You.can hide the plastic with
organic mulch," he says.
To supplement watering, use
gray water (from such uses as
cooking and the laundry rinse
cycle) on ornamentals, Nuss
said. "But move from tree to
tree soyoudilute it. Also, don’t
use water that contains
chlorine bleaches or laundry
softeners. For health reasons,
don’t use gray water on leafy
vegetables or root vegetables.
"With a drought this serious,
I’d focus watering on highvalue
plants and shrubs," Nuss
¯ said. "Savefresh waterforyour vegetables,
¯ use gray water on the ornamentals, and
¯
don’t water your flowers. Flowers are
¯ going to die with the. first frost anyway."
"Droughts have a negative effect on
¯
most insect and mite pests that attack
: landscape plants," says Greg Hoover,
extension entomologist. "Because of last
year’ s drought, forinstanee, wehavefewer
adult Japanese beetles this year, and
probably will see even fewer next year."
But hot, dry weatherfavors two different
groups of insect and mite pests. "Woodboring
insects successfully attack trees
and shrubs that are stressed," Hoover said.
"If you don’t have water restrictions, the
bes~ thing you can do for woody plants is
water them. Supplement watering with
rainfall collected in buckets or barrels, or
water from dehumidifiers."
"The two-spotted spider~mite, acommon
pest on garden and landscape plants, also
thrives in hot, dry weather," Hoover said.
"The winged euonymus - what some
people call ’burning bush’ -is particularly
vulnerable. When indicated, use an
appropriate miticide on infested plants."
Hooverrecorfimends using wetpowder
insecticide formulations. ’q’hey’re less
likely to damage plant tissues during hot,
dry Weather when used according to label
directions."
whenjustice is not served. We need to be
able to appeal to a higher authority’when
localities and states do not-for whatever
reason- fully investigate and prosecute a
hate crime. On behalf of hate crimes
victims everywhere, I urge Congress to
pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act."
On" added, "we were targeted because of
who we are, not for any other reason...
they were trying to send a message that
"our kind’ are not welcome in Tulsa and
deserve to be beaten or die. It is time to
send a message that what is not welcome
are hate crimes."
Under current law, a hate crime can be
federally prosecuted only if the victim is
targeted on the basis of race, religion,
color or national origin, while on federal
property or while exercising a federally
protectedright, such as vodng or attending
school: see Congress, p. 11
Change...
~- Minimum:Wage
1985 $3.35
Average 1998 $5.15
New Car Price
Postage Stamp
1985 22¢
1998
1985 $ 9,011
1998 $20,0OO
q- e More
Stay The m ee.
Average Price of
Electricity Per
Residential kWh
A lot has changed since 1985. Prices for many 1985 6.4¢
consumer goods have more than doubled. But one 1998 5.7¢
thing has stayed the same. Our rates. They’ve remained virtually
unchanged for almost fifteen years. Top value for
p~~
your energy dollar. The most reliable service
possible. And better choices than
Public Service Company of Oklahoma ever before. You can count on it.
A Central and South West Company
For Sale: Retro Wagon
1968 Mercury Colony Park
Completely rebuilt 1995, all new interior, stripped to bare metal and
repainted red. Everythihg rebuilt or replaced. 390 cu. in. engine,
auto, air, power steering, disc brakes, windows, seat,
and rear window. Clock was quartzed. Speakers and shoulder straps
for the power seats were big ~eal in 1968.
We’ve driven it 40K since rebuilding it and have all the receipts and
pictures of the restoration. If you’re interested in having this "one of a
kind" car, call 494-2055 for Cheryl or Jack. Priced at $4900 OBO.
It would look great in next year’s Pride Parade!
Timothy W. Daniel
Attorney at Law
An Attorney who will fight for
justice & equality for
Gays & Lesbians
Domestic"Partnership Planning,
Personal Injury,
Criminal Law & Bankruptcy
1-800-742-946’8 or 918-352-9504
128 East Broadway, Drumright, Oklahoma
Weekend and evening appointmenls are available.
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Exlerior Wash * Engine Bay Wash ¯ Wax*
Inlerior Vacuum ¯ Carpet & Upholstery Shampoo
¯Paint Condition May Affect Outcome
Four Star
Import
Automotive
Ltd.
by Mary Schepers, Do-It-Yourself-Dyke :. Sometime, a lot.of surface rust and less
Thelazy, unbearably hot days of summer ¯ paint is actually a blessing. You have
arewaning, andwiththemuchanticipated ~ options at this point: either follow your
coolness returns the inclination to sit DIYD’s safety procedures and use an
outside, to see and be seen. And wouldn’t ," abrasive wheel on your drill to work off
you like to be seen as hip and
beyond cool in your authentic,
retro and increasingly collectiblelawnfurniture?
Ofcourse
you would. It’s a great
complement to your authentic
Hawaiian shirt and kicky
cocktail or iced tea glasses. Be
fabulous to the hilt, darlings,
or stay at home!
Fortunately, not everyone
has tumbled onto the fact that
those steel lawn chairs that,
until ten years ago, decorated
many a grandma’s porch or
front lawn are highly
collectible. And they
comfortable and easy t~o
maintain. Garage sales andthe
more junky variety of antique
stores can still offer a bargain;
where you might pick up a
rocker or glider for as little as
five to fifteen dollars.
Otherwise, prepare to pay
upwards of thirty dollars. Your DIYD
know what she’ll choose! Economize on
the chairs and tempt a sweet lady with a
lovely cocktail and still have change.
Yours is a most practical, yet romantic,
DIYD!
.Check some of the basics out when
buying a chair. Water and rust tend to
congregate in certain places. Checkriveted
areas as well as the runners that contact
the ground for excessive rust. Stay away
from anything that is too rotten or any
spots that look like the metal has started to
buckle and pinch. There’s a proper time
and place for buckles and pinches, but it’s
not on your lawn furniture. Or perhaps it
will be...
Minor rust holes on the runners are not
unusual as long as the runner is still
relatively strong. Find that welder and
have a new half round piece welded on for
about fivedollars, unless you know ofone
who can sit with you on your soon-to-beseductive
glider. Quid pro quo can be so
entertaining.
Paint removal can be a real chore.
the rust and paint (trust your
¯.. The palntln~ DIYD on this one: it isn’t
anything like a big vibrator.
is where you e.an Jollies are definitely limited);
really express or take it down to the friendly
yourselves with Dip ’n Strip furniture
refinisher and pay a modest
color, color, color! stun to have it done for you.
Go wild with The DIYD strongly recommends
the latter, if only for
those hold colors the reason that people tendeo
- it pays to fo paint these chairs with leadbased
paints, and inhaling the
advertise! dust is quite dangerous.
Or irritate l~he Got most of that loose paint
and rust off now? Oh, you’re
neighbors with a doing so well! As you may
hot pink that remember from painting our
kitchenproject,weleftarather
matches your enthusiastic dyke vigorously
lawn ~larnln~oes. shaking her can of Rust-OLeum
Well, girlfriend, it is
The possibilities your time to shine!
are endless! Put your stripling chair on
newspaper and put on the coat
¯ of spray primer. Darlings, I know you’re
: coIor conscious, but it doesn’t matter if
¯¯ you use the red or the gray primer. It really
doesn’t. Please follow the directions on
¯ the can. Keep the can about 10 inches
¯ away from yourwork, use a slow side to
: sidemotion, andrememberthatthreelight ¯
coats are better than one heavy one that
¯ willrun and trailandjust ruin your look of
¯ urban sophistication. Put an extra coat on
¯ curces and any other rust:prone areas.
¯ Use a minimum of three color coats to
¯ finish the project.
¯ The painting is where you can really
¯ express yourselves with color, color, color !
¯ Go wild with those bold colors -it pays to
: advertise! Or irritate the neighbors with a
¯ hot pink that matches your lawn ¯
flamingoes. The possibilities are endless !
¯ And if you don’t like the color, paint over
it. It’s a tradition with this sort offurniture.
¯ Consider it your cultural contribution ¯
to the neighborhood, and fix your DIYD a
¯ cocktail when you are done. She prefers
¯ Manhattans !
¯ Two cherries, of course. Ciao, Bella!
The Hate Crimes Prevention Act would
address these limitations by allowing
federal involvement when necessary and
thereby helping to forge and strengthen a
lasting partnership between state and
federal law enforcement officials m
fighting hate crimes. The Hate Crimes
Prevention Act limits the federal
governrnent’ sjurisdiction to only themost
serious violent .crimes directed at persons,
not property crimes.
Lead House sponsors ofthe Hate Crimes
Prevention Act are Reps.. John Conyers,
D-Mich; Mictiael Forbes, D-N.Y.; Connie
Morella, R-Md;TammyBaldwin, D-Wis.;
and House Minority Leader Richard
Gephardt, D-Mo. The Hate Crimes
Prevention Act was passed by the Senate
this summer as an amendment to the
Commerce, State, Justice Appropriations
Bill. President Clinton has-promised to
sign HCPA into law if it is passed by
¯
¯ Congress.
This bill would allow states with
inadequate resources to take advantage of
¯ Department of Justice resources and
personnel in limited cases that have been
¯ authorized by the Attorney General. The
Hate Crimes Prevention Act has broad
¯ bipartisan backing and support from
notable law enforcement agencies and
state and local leaders, including 22 state
¯ attorneys general, the National Sheriff’s
¯ Association, President Bush’s former
Attorney General Dick Thoruburgh, the
Police Foundation and the U.S.
¯ Conference of Mayors.
¯ Hate.crimes basedon sexual orientation
were up 8% in 1997, according to the
¯ latest FBI statistics. Sexual orientation
," was the third highest category of hate
¯ crimes behind race and religion and
¯ represented 14% of all hate crimes
¯ reported. Currently, hate crimes
¯ monitoring and enforcement consists of a ¯
patchwork of laws that offer citizens
¯ varying see Congress, p. 12
by Esther Rothblum, Ph.D. get cervical cancer." Two women even
Dr. Sue Wilkinson is currently reported that they were considered
conducting the first national survey of "virgins" by the medical profession
Lesbian health in the United Kingdom because they had had sex withwomen but
with doctoral student Julie Fish. The" not with men!
survey managed to contact Lesbians in But the pap smear is not a comfoitable
almost every postal district of the United procedure for many women, and may be
Kingdom, from the southern particularly painful, uncomtip
of England to the islands Cervical cancer fortable, unusual or trauoff
northern Scotland. Over. appears to l~e matizing for Lesbians. 38% of
1,000 Lesbians answered the Lesbians in the U.K. study
questionnaire, which focused .connected. with reported .that they. had never
on breast cancer, mammo- sexual activity, had a cervical smear for this
grams, breast self-exam, particularly reason. One Lesbian reported
cervical cancer, and pap that she viewed a speculum as
staears, penetrative sex "a huge metal crocodile."
I recently spoke with Sue wlt]~men. Tl~is Othershadheardhorrorstories
about the early results of this . from friends and partners that
studY, Which focus oncervica1 Is why Lesi~ians the procedure was aversive,
screemng. Unlike many lmve traditionally humiliating, or painful.
cancers, cervical cancer has ]~een vlewed as Finally,, Lesbians raised
an early warning stage, with questions about havingamale
abnormal cells present. This is at low rls]~ for health provider "pokingwhy
women are told to have cervical cancer, around in my body,"
regular pap smears (or cervical specifically, in the vagina. Or
smears, as they’re called in the.
But Lesglans
they were concerned that the
U.K.). may lmve ]~ad health care provider con-
SueandJuliefoundthat 12% sex with men ducting the procedure would
of Lesbians eligible for result in questions about their
cervical screening had previously, and/ sexual activity or would
NEVERhadapap:mear.This or t]aey may ]~e assume they were heterois
higher than comparable U.S. sexual.
figures of 5% found by the ha’~cln~ sex with This important study raises
National Lesbian Health Care men evenw]a~le some questions about cervical
smears. DoLesbians whohave
However,Surveiynthisthefiguremid-19lo80w’Se.isr eallln~ t]aemselves
neverhadintercourseneedpap
than that of 17% for women in Lesl~ans. smears at all, or need pap
the general U.K. population Cervical cancer smears less often? How can
who report never having had a
cervical smear. What is is not well
pap smears be performed in a
matter that is more positive
surprising about these low understood, so for Lesbians?
figures for womenin the U.K.
ineludin~
is that the U.K. has national Fish can be contacted at the
women, Sue Wilkinson and Julie
health service. Pap smears are Lesl~ians, may l~e Department of Social
free, and women receive a at rls]~ for other Sciences, Loughborough
reminder letter every five
years,withtwoorthreefollow- reasons unrelated
University, Loughborough
LE11 3TU United Kingdom.
uplettersiftheydon’tcomein tosexualaetlvity. - Esther Rothblum is
for the pap sinear, Professor ofPsychology at the
When Sue andJulieexaminedLesbians’ ¯ University of Vermont and Editor of the
written comments about cervical Journal of Lesbian Studies. She can be
screening, they found that one reason for " reached at John Dewey Hall, University
non-attendance was lack of time. "But " of Vermont, Burlington, VT. E-maih
apart from that, it looks as though the two ¯ esther.rothblum@uvm.edu.
main categories of response are-that "
Lesbians feel they don’t need a smear and °
secondly, negative aspects of the ¯
procedure," said Sue, "they imagine the "
procedurewillbepainful,orembarrassing, ° levels of legal protection depending on
or thatthey will encounterheterosexism." where they live. Twenty-two states and
Cervicalcancerappearstobeconnected " the District of Columbia have hate crimes
with sexual activity, particularly " laws that include sexual orientation.
penetrative sex with men. This is why ¯ Twentystateshavelawsthatdonotinclude
Lesbians have traditionally been viewed- ¯ sexual orientation. Eight states have no
as at low risk for cervical cancer. But " hate crimes laws at all.
Lesbians may have had sex with men ¯ SpeakingwithTFN, Orr&Beauchamp
previously, and/or they may be having ¯ expressed their disappointment with how
sex with men even while calling Tulsa district attorney staff members
themselves Lesbians. " handled theprosecution of their attackers.
Cervical cancer is not wall understood, ° They indicated that had Orr not had
so women, including Lesbians, may be at ¯ .professional experience as a journalist,
risk for other reasons unrelated to sexual : specifically covering crime stories, they
activity, In the U.K. study, about 40% of : likely would have given up in frustration
Lesbians felt they did not need a cervical : while trying to get information abouthow
screen because they had never had ¯ the case was going. Their perception
intercourse. Many Lesbians wrote that : remains that Tulsa DA considered the
they had specifically been told this by a " assault to unimportant because they are
doctor or nurse. Examples of this were: : Gay men.
’¢I’he doctor has decided that I do not ¯ Orr noted that finally they contacted
require one as I am a Lesbian and have " Susan Ellerbach, managing editor of The
never had a sexual relationship with a : T.ulsaWorld, andthatoulyafterTheWorM
man," or "the nurse informed methat it : wrote about their experience, and having
was virtually unheard of for a Lesbian to to out himself see Congress, p. 13
Red Rock Tulsa
Free Confidential
HIV Testing
Walk-in Clinics
Tuesday Testing, 5 -8 pm
Pride Center, 1307 East 38th
Wednesday Testing, 5-8 pm
Red Rock, 1724 East 8th
Daytime appointments available.
Call for more information:
918-584-2325
Church
of the Restoration
Unitarian Universalist
11 am, Sunday
’1314 North Greenwood
587-1314
We knowyou’re
going to love this[
Restaurant & Cabaret
East First Street
18-599-9949
Massage Therapy Services
¯
Edgar O. Cruz, L.M.T.
Pager: 918-889-5255
Voice Mail: 918-697-9282
Lic. #C4133
News
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More
610-8510
8120 East 21 st
(21 st+Memorial,
next to Boot City)
We buy back good
used adult magazines.
CoUntry Club
Barbering
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for Men & Women
David Kauskey
3310 E. 51st, 747-0236
Tues.-Fri., 8-5:30, Sat. 8-5pm
[GTA m~mb~r
Call 341.6866
International
Red Rock Tulsa
O’RYAN
Oklahoma Rainbow
Young Adult Network
Outreach Program Thurs. Nights
Meet Others in a Safe Enviroment
Call for meeting times and place:
918-584-2325
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Gay Mecca of the Ozarks
Beautiful Eureka Springs, Arkansas
by Lamont Lindstrom, Ph.D. .
My lawn is wilting. So are a lot of my
friends’ relationships. Maybe it’s the
wicked summer heat that makes people
touchy and irritable. Recent casual gossip ¯
nearly broke up my friend Shawn and his ".
lover. The boyfriend walked when he ¯
heard stories of Shawn’s previous exploits. ¯
Emotionally, he couldn’t handle knowledgeofhis
lover’s onetimerelations with :
other guys.
We’ve got a name for that emotion: ¯
sexual jealousy. Shawn’s
tmhappiness prompted me to
think about the green emotion.
Jealous feelings, and their
sorry consequences, are an
endlessly fascinating motif in
popular novel and film.
Besides, most of us have
experienced jealously in
person. We’ve learned to use
the word to label a peculiar
mental state and aching body
sensation sparked by our love
interests.
The word has been around
for years. English speakers of
the 12th century borrowed
’jealousy’ from Old French.
And those speakers on the
continent previously had
adopteditfrom the Latinzelus,
derived from the even more
ancient Greek zelos, that
originally m,,eant something
like ardor or "fervor."
Jealousy andzeal-andjealous
and zealot - are linguistic
cousins, all derived from the
samerootconceptofemotional
upheaval and intensity.
Jealousy’ s deep cultural and
linguistic roots indicate the
popularreachofboth emotion andconcept.
We use a language of jealousy to
understand why Shawn’s boyfriend
dumped him. Whose lips were kissing
Shawn before his? Whose arms had
already held that waist? Yet,
anthropologists debate the facts ofhuman
emotion. Can we say that there are
emotions that we all feel because we are
human? If so, which ones? Love, hate,
happiness, sadness, fear, anger? Are there
other emotions that people in one culture
cultivate and learn to feel thatareunknown
or less important m other societies? Just
how normal - and how universal - are
feelings such as sexual jealousy?
Those anthropologists of the
sociobiological persuasion often figure
that jealousy ~s indeed a human universal
¯ with an adaptive function. Men are never
completely sure that the baby a woman
carries is theirs. Jealousy works = so goes
the story - to motivatemen to police their
women in order to better the odds that
the.y have fathered her babies. An),
easygoing man withdut Some yet~to-beidentified
gene for.jealousy would have
contributed less to thehuman gene pool in
that he may not have fathered the children
he thought he did.
Butwhatof women?They always know
that they are the mothers of their children,
so what should they care if the guys mess
around elsewhere? Andwhat of Shawn?
It’s unlikely thathis boyfriendwas jealous
because of evoluationary womes that a
rival would make him pregnant.
We could argue that our bodies have an
inbnilt heritage of emotions, includln.
jealously, nomatterwho arelovers happen
to be. Still, other anthropologists argue
that our body feelings are only half the
story. The other half - perhaps the more
important half - is the way we have of
labeling, understanding, and talking about
those feelings. We sense a rush of
chemicals through our brains and body,
butwe can’tknow what is happening to us
until we put these feelings into words.
Anddifficult cultures have different ways
of.classifying and interpreting those same
chemical flushes.
anthropologists
debate the facts
ofhuman emotion.
Can we say that
emotions that we
all feel because
we are human?
If so, whleh ones?
Love, bate,
bappiness,
sadness, f~r,
anger?
Are there other
emotions that
people in one
culture eultlvate
and learn to feel
that are
unknown or less
important in
other soeieties?
You may have heard of the
German emotion
schadenfreude - which is
pleasurefelt atsomeoneelse’ s
misfortune. Many of us also
take pleasure from other’s
misfortunes, but English has
nowordthat specifically labds
this twisted enjoyment. Does
this lin,g,nistic gap mean that
wedon t sense this pleasure as
deeply as do Germans?
And even if jealousy is a
human universal, it may be
that some ofus experience the
feeling more intensely. Gore
Vidal reports in his
autobiography Palimpsestthat
he and his lover never have
sex. This he finds this on the
street. His "lover," instead,
provides breakfast
conversation and other forms
of sexless companionship.
Clearly, many couples have
created similar "open"
relationships inwhich they are
able to at least mute any
feelings of sexual jealousy,
Some occasionally have
campaigned to open up all
relationships.
During the 1960s, many
: preached and sometimes practiced "free
love."They hopedto stifle sexualjealousy
¯ in order to rework the economy of
¯ relationships. No one was meant to own
¯
anyone else. No one ought get jealous.
Sex was healthy recreation, freedom, even
¯¯ spiritual; jealousy was wrongly
possessive, limiting, and neurotic.
¯ It was no dice, though. For most of us,
¯ jealousy remains the flip side of love- or
of love American-style anyway. The
¯
babyboomers failed to stamp outjealousy
¯ because they could not remake the
¯ associated emotion of love. It remains ¯
¯ might) hard to love and not get jealous. If
you don’t feel jealous, can you really be in
love? It is plausible that humans in other
¯ places and at other times have experienced
¯ and understood the body flashes that we
] call jealousy in various ways. But around
¯ here, don’t let me catch you messing
¯ around!
Lamont Lindstrom teaches anthro-
¯ pology at the University of Tulsai:
¯ profesgionally, did local law enford~ment;
¯ take the casemore seriously. SpecifiCally, ¯
two of their assailants had not been made
: to perform their sentences whichinduded
community service and a fine to the court.
¯ Orr and Beauchamp also stated that it is
¯
typical in assaults of this type for the
~ victims to receive compensation for their
¯ losses due to the assault, and that they ¯
specifically requested compensationfrom
¯ theDistrictAttomeys, see Congress, p.14
butwonderedifthe averagefantasy reader
would follow that far - they have, and
gladly for the most part.
I get letters from straight guys saying
essentially "I shouldn’t be ok with this,
but I am!" even if it makes them a little
uncomfortable any-way. Others have said
it made it easier to talk with Gay relatives.
Ifmy stories have anysocial value, perhaps
it’s .that. Mostly, I just follow my muse
where~she leads and hope it works.
JC: Andhow haveyou managed to do it
so well?
LF: Love is love.
JC:Andhow doyou keep trackofall the
.intrigues? My head is spinningfrom what
l’ve gotten through in "Traitor’s Moon!"
LF: Copious notes and charts on the
wall. I see that Bantam (though they cut
my glossary, now available on.my web
page) left a blank page at the ends. I hope
people will use it for notes, like I did
reading "Trainspotting." The next book,
’‘The Bone Doll’s Twin" goes back in
history to one of the. Skalan queens, but
there will bemoreNightnmners, too. A&S
are already prowling restlessly about my
brain, hungry for more work.
JC: 1 understand you’re appearing at
Gaylaxicon, a sci-fi convention for Gay
and Lesbian fans of the genre in
Alexandria, Virginia.
LF: Gaylaxicon promises to be a lot of
fun. I’ve had a lot of contact with the
organizers and they are simply the best
I’ve ever dealt with. Hope to teach a
writing workshop forthemwhile I’m there.
JC." Have you heard of Loreena
McKennitt? Her music and appearance
reminds me ofsome ofyour "aurenfaie"
characters.
LF: Aurenfaie? I’ll claim her. "Mask
and Mirror" is my personal favorite of all
her disks. My husband is a great fan of
female vocalists and has amassed quite a
collection, which I dip into. (My tastes
seem torunmore to GeorgeThoroughgood
and Melissa Etheridge a lot of the time,
along with someLeonardCohen and Rufus
Wainwright, a new discovery.)
JC: Andon thatmusical note, l ’d like to
say thank you to Lynnfor sharing some of
her inspirations, writings, and - methods
behind the madness’ with us.
!ts 51 st season wiihpianist John Browning
m a program featuring Brahms,
Tchaikovsky and Berlioz. Prior to the
concert at 7pm, long time radio man and
the voice of the OK Mozart Festival
(Simon Estes - he’s the bestest!) Edward
Dumit will lead "Musical Moments" a
pre-concert discussion. For more
information, call the Phil at 747-7445.
Also at the end of Sept. Heller Theatre,
one of Tulsa’s theatre companies that
actually interested in newer works (as
opposed-to recycling the same old stuff,
again and again and again), are presenting
"Dallas to LaGuardia R.T." on Sept. 23-
25 and Sept.. 30-OcL 2, a play about a
couple that misses a flight and winds up
invited to stay .over with complete
strangers. Later in Oct. Heller will present
"Fortinbras" revisiting Hamlet in a
contemporary political context.
Early in Oct. the Oklahoma Center for
Poets and Writers presents its Celebration
of Books on Oct. 1-2 at OSU-Tulsa with
a remarkable assemblage of artists, even
including some Gay ones. Some names
include Michael Wallis, William
¯¯ Bernhardt,GuyLogsdgn,CliftonTaulbert,
Eddie Faye Gates, C.J. Cherryh, Rich
¯ Fisher and folksinger Michael Martin
." Murphey. Info: 594-8215.
¯ Alsoin Oct. the Performing Arts Center
Trust presents Sabella, featuring"global"
¯ music on Oct. 2 and on Oct. 8th & 9th,
¯ TPACT’s Celtic series (now so popular that they’ve added 2nd performances, and
alas, forgotten their friends who helped
¯ them before the Celtic series got so
¯
popular) will start with Natalie
¯ MacMaster,fiddler extraordinaire. I don’t
think any of the Celtic series artists I’ve
¯ seen have ever been bad, so check it out.
." And on that same busy weekend, both
¯ Tulsa’s and Oklahoma City’s Gay
¯ communities are presenting arts events in ¯
honor of National Coming Out Day.
¯ OUTART’99inOKCwillfeature 10new
." release films, two plays, a music special
¯ and visual artists. The Gala opening, A ¯
Black Tie Dinner and A Movie, Friday,
¯ Oct. 8th will present the southwest
: premiere of the film"Edge of Seventeen"
¯ as well as a buffet dinner and wine bar. ¯
For more information or tickets, see the
¯ advertisement on page 16, or call 405-
¯ 752-2762 or 800-722-8866.
¯ That same busy weekend, TOHR and
¯
the Gay Community Center will hold
¯ TOHR’s first film festival at the Center.
¯ The first film will be shown at 7:30pro on
Thursday~ Oct. 7 with films also being
¯ shown on Fri. evening and on Sat.
¯ afternoon and evening. Call 743-4297 for
¯ more information.
: It also appears that local presentation of
¯ Gay and Lesbian films may show back up
on a big screen. AMC Southroads 20 will
¯ present a Lesbian themed film, "Better ¯
Than Chocolate" on Sept. 10, and a Gay
¯ film, "Trick" on Oct. 1st. The key to
¯ getting theseon aregular basis is to support
the theatre that takes the risk. S o vote with
your dollars !
None was ever received. In fact,-this
¯ became an issue in Orr’s Congressional
testimony. Rep. Mary Bonn, widow of the
¯ late Sonny Bonn, attacked err and
¯ Beauchamp saying that the Tulsa District
¯ Attorneys office claimed that they had ¯
been uncooperative with th DA and had
¯ notfilled out the forms necessary toreceive
¯ compensation..Orr and Beauchamp
¯ counter that not only-did they not receive ¯ the forms, thry did not even know of their
existance until Bonn raised the issue.
¯ Commenting to TFN, Human Rights
¯ Campaign Political Director Winnie
Stachelberg said, "I urge "the Gay and
¯ Lesbian community ofTulsa to act now in
¯ support of this bill (HCPA), so that
incidents like these are prevented.... i~t is
¯ important that the; Gay and LeSbian
¯ community of Oklahoma is protected at a
federal if not at a state level.’"
Want to get involved?
Need to get tested for HIV?
Need a Coming Out Support Group?
Call 743-GAYS (4297)
Tulsa Gay Community
Services Center
" 1307 E. 38th at Peoria, 2rid floor
¯
¯ For Good Home
Friendly, honest, & very experienced
¯ 42 year young realtor seeks sincere &motivated
buyers &sellers. Into MLS. You won’t be.
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¯ their own training - they do haw ay
: about curriculum. Ifnothing .else, ~ ays
: parents can ask to have their , v~.:~
Chicago school officials- who stress ¯ excused from a lesson the-: find
that "It’s Elementary" will not be shown . objecttonable: SaysP~,~shall, Mywarm g
to students -are atadskittishabouttalking to parents would be: Beware.’ "
about, their plan. They confirm that the In Oklahoma, there’s been no public
district’s 589principals will view thefilm " outcry about "It’s Elementary" because
beginning in September and receive a " the Oklahoma Educational Television
copy of the Video for their schools - a plan
¯ Associationhas chosen not to air thepiece.
funded by Lesbian tennis star Billie Jean " Malcomn Wall, executive director of
King.But several teacherswho vealready " OEFA, claimed that OETA’s decision
viewed the film on their-own declined to : not toair theprogram was not based onthe
be interviewed out of feat of criticism,
content, i.e. Gay & Lesbian issues but
A city official who helped get the film " rather that OETA is offered far more
- in part due to backing from chicago " programs thaJa it can ,possibly. air. He
Mayor Richard Daley ~ .into the dis~t characterized it as.a routine passing over.
was more forthcoming. She says the " However, Wallis relatively new at OETA
decision was aimed at fostering tolera9,ce ¯ and the association has had a history of
and, in turn, preventing violepce ag..mns,t " mostly refusing to air programs with
Gayand Lesbian students. "It’s pmcttcm. Lesbian and Gay content. One notable
Itmakes good sense. It’s about safety_, for " exception was the airing of an award
children.Idon’tthinkanybody,regardless winning program, "Breaking the Code"
of their religious background, can argue ¯ about the Gay man who broke the Nazi
with that," says Mary Morten, Daley’s ¯ messagecodeinWorldWarlI. However,
liaison on Gay and Lesbian issues. " OETA first refused to air this program
School officials in San Francisco, who ] and did so only after being pressured by
are also using "It’s Elementary" have ¯ Oklahoma City’s Gayly Oklaho_.man
gone as far as imposing a ban on anti-Gay newspaper and Tulsa Family News. "they
slurs. "Go stand on a playground. I " also waited to air the program later in the
guarantee you that you will hear within " summer of 1998 after the Oklahoma
Ru.n.ut.es..ra.os..~a.yin~",,,’Oh, that’s so Gay¯ ¯ Legislature was out of session, instead of
What at(you a fag? says KevinGogin, airing in May or June like many PBS
director of support services for sexual : affiliates did.
minority youth for the San Francisco ."
Unified School District who regularly ¯
speaks to teachers and principals
nationwide. ¯
Moves to address Gay and Lesbian " Schmitzarrivedhometofindthenoteand
issues in the classroom are not, however, " light in his doorway from Amedure.
without opponents, among them tough- Schmitz withdrew money from his bank,
talking radio talk show host Dr. Laura " bought shells and a shotgun and drove to
Schlessinger and several religious groups " Amedure’s mobile home. Schmitz went
who have made "It’s E"lementary" a "¯ inside to see if Amedure was home, then
went back to his car, got the gun and shot
priority target.
Patti Johnson - a member of the " ~maedure twice in the chest- all while
Colorado Board of Education who has
wearingthegreenbowtieandwhitemxedo
spoken out against use of the filmin her shirt from his job as a waiter.
state - says she agrees with having a no- Pendergast told jurors that Schmitz
slur policy but says some teachers are " werreactedtomereembarrassment."The
going too far. "I don’t thinkyou have to go
ouly reason that murder is an issue is that
into bl , deep explanattons, especlall.y
Scott Amedurewas Gay and (Schmitz’s)
when kids are little, Johnson says. It s manhood, so to speak, was insulted on
kind of like when you want to stop a 2- national TV," she said. "Wall, you know
year-old fromrunninginto the street. T.hey
what? Get over it." Jurors said while some
don’t always understand death or dying, agreed with. Sabbota at first, they
But they understand a quick swat on the
eventually decided that Schmitzacted too
slowly for the crime to be an actofpassion.
butt."
One official at the Washington-based "There was just way too much time
Family Research Council, calls the film
involved for a reasonable person to make
,,anindoctrinationtool-plainandsimple." some choices," said juror Bruce Sole.
Sabbota said he would appealthe
"Whyareyoucreating aresource to create
abei~htened sensitivity.., on a behavior verdict, saying Oakland County Circuit
choice that is cons!,,dered problematic to a
Judge Wendy Potts should ,have letjurors
whole lot of folks? ’ asks JanetParshall, a hear about Schmitz’s history of mental
former teacher and spokeswoman for the illness andalcoholism. Hehadbeentreate~t.
nonprofit organization which is known " for manic depression and tried to comnnt
for its anti-Gay policy positions. ,
suicide four times in the years before the
Filmmaker Debra Chasnoff says she s killing. "We knew it was an uphill battle
simply providing resources to teachers from the start," Sabbota said.
whoalready have to deal with such issues Ms. Jones and the producers of the
in the classroom. "It just doesn’t work to show were not called to testify, as they
say, ’We’re ,going to all be race to one
hadbeenintheprevioustrials.Thejuryin
another; don t use those words here.’ I the civil case awarded Amedure’s family
thinkyouneed to explain who those words $25million; that verdictis being appealed.
are hurtful to," says Chasnoff, director Jurors said the show played a role in the
and co-producer of "It’s Elementary. kilhng,butwas not the sole cause. I think
The debate is not likdy to end soon. most of us felt it Was a whole series of
Thisfall,Chasnoff’s SanFrancisco-based events, H~,ht sal .
media center also will begin distributing a After seven jurors spoke to the media,
curriculum guide for.elementary teachers Amedure’s father, Frank Amedure St.,
that includes lessons they can incorporate shook hands with each one. "ijust want to
into discussions about Gay and Lesbian thank the jury. God bless you," he said.
Schrmtz’s father, Allw~ Sc~unitz, said
1ssues. " Such moves frustrate Parshall, who he didn’t ka~ow what to think about the
notes that - w~le parents don’t ha;’e verdict. "T~crc’s no wwcaer~, or losers
much control over what teachers use lot here," he said. "’Everybody loses."
Oklahoma Cit~ Oklahoma
nteen. ,
~m &Hallways, Out
¯ Ramr Bkde Smile ¯ Likei~
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etro Mens Chorus
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For More Information Visit our web site at: www.gayokc.com/outart99 or call 405-752-2762
Steamroller Blues
- 18th & Boston -
presents a
Blues Evening
a -benefit
to support
HIV & AIDS
services
featuring Tulsa Bands
Wed., Sept. 29
7:30- midnight
7th Annual
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for AIDS
Services
Saturday,
October 2
Veterans Park
18th & Boulder
9am, registration
9:45 step off
voicemail: 579-9593
Original Format
The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
newspaper
periodical
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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[1999] Tulsa Family News, September 1999; Volume 6, Issue 9
Subject
The topic of the resource
Politics, education, and social conversation toward Tulsa’s Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual communities.
Description
An account of the resource
Tulsa Family News was a monthly newspaper; No. 1 issued December 1993-January 1994. The final issue available was published in September 0f 2001 (Volume 8, Issue 9).
The newspaper brings up important, evolving topics of marriage, Pride, TOHR, HIV/AIDs, events, advice, and politics all at the local and national level.
This document is available in searchable PDF attached. It is also available to be seen at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with permission.
Creator
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Tulsa Family News
Source
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https://history.okeq.org/collections/show/24
Publisher
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Tom Neal
Date
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September 1999
Contributor
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James Christjohn
Barry Hensley
J.P. Legrandbouche
Lamont Lindstrom
Esther Rothblum
Mary Schepers
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Tom Neal/Tulsa Family News
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Tulsa Family News, August 1999; Volume 6, Issue 8
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English
Type
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newspaper
periodical
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Tulsa(Oklahoma)---newspaper
Tulsa---Oklahoma
Oklahoma---Tulsa
United States Oklahoma Tulsa
United States of America (50 states)
Identifier
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https://history.okeq.org/items/show/591
'It's Elementary'
1999
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