| Transcript |
2 CONNECTIONS
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Published by Gay Camn.mi ty Servi;ces, a :Pt"Qgram of
the University YW:::A/~, 2330 Guadalupe, .Austi."1,
Texas 78705 . Telephone: 512/477-6699
Gay Camunity Services Coordinating Co...ncil
Se;ret.:iry . . . . . . . . Dav1J Kotara
Tre ...rC'r . . . . . • • • ynn May
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GAY COMMUNITY SERVICES ? , HOTLINE , ;,
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GAYS AND THE ffiAfT
b y Ken Carpenter
The resurrption of draft registration has
created probleri.s for all young people, l:ut particularly
for gay ren. During previous military
drafts harosexuals ...ere autcmatically exerrpted
as rrorally and psych:llogically unfit. SO the
decision facing gay rren was silrply whether to stay
in the closet and l:e drafted or cone out and have
a 4F classification permanently on their record.
:-1any young rren assurre admitting gayness will
still guarantee an automatic exerrption. Ho-....ever,
that is not necessarily true. The Matlovich case
and other recent court decisions make it uncertain
whether the military can automatically exclude
harosexual people. Furthernore, in the late 1960's,
so many man clairred to l:e gay in order to avoid
Vietnam that the Selective Service System J:egan
demanding documentary proof, or rrerely drafted gay
man anyway.
Now gay rren, in addition to deciding whether
or not to cone out to the governrrent, face the
possibility that they will l:e drafted even if they
do. And while the military may not l:e able to
exclude openly gay people, it is likely that they
will continue to make life pretty difficult for them.
All this adds up to a very difficult decision
for our young, draft-eligible gay brothers and sisters
. The AITerican Friends Service Comnittee, a
Quaker-related organization which has teen doing
draft counseling since the First World War , is addressing
the special problems of gay people and the
draft. AFSC and the Austin Draft Information Center
have trained gay counselors available for confidential
draft counseling in person or by phone.
For nore information, call rre at AFSC, 1022
West Sixth Street, Austin, Texas 78703, 474-2399.
BOT LIPS, INC.
o&~ ART DECO CARDS GIFTS
IJJJ~-·
CONNECTIONS 3
NE\·1 GAY UT GROUP
1 a JJ FrelJ
Gay ac~1v1.sn1 has re+---1.1rned to the un~crgraduate
carrpus Jf t.r,t! L.i sity of Texas at Austin ir. the
form of the l' il.VE: rs1ty Gay Students Organizati0n,
which helc its fir t -lE:'nE:'ral rreet ing in mid-Dec€:-:tl:cr,
1980.
A ocial organlzat~on for gay UT students, faculty,
and taff, the group was 1R.gw1 by Chai.rrrun Paul
Gonzdle and :'acul ty Sponsor Dr. HichaC'l .Menefee to
credte u r,ositive i; i:.lge ~or gays on campu_;,
S1.Xty 1:cople attcn<lcd the JcU1uary 27 rreeting in
the S1.rn..:lair Roan of the Texas Union to hear Dr. Helmreich,
u p.:;ycholoqist a+- l:T, speak on his findings on
rms1.:u:::.1.ni +-y, femininity , and androgyny.
Due ... arc $3 a serrester. General rronthly ITCE'tings
are open to everyone. Separate rusiness m2E'tinqs arc
for ~rs only. Officers of the group are Paul
Gonzales , chainnan; Chuck Hickersor. , treasurer; Fred
r-t:David, p..iblic relations; Tirr. Rogers , general officer;
and Michael ~nefee, sponsor.
The next ~ting of ! hv :• student gay group will
oo from 7 to 10pn Wednesday, Feb. 18, at the Texas
Union.
GCS PHONE COUNSELORS NEEDED
Gay Camunity Services currently needs volunteer
counselors . Duties iv.elude telephone and drop-in peer
counseling, as well as Il'aking referrals to various Austin
service organizations , rusinesses and professionals.
\-le need mature , service-oriented individuals to
v.0rk fran 6 : 00 to 1 O: 00 PM one night per week. You' 11
oo performi."lg a valuable service for Austin. Peer counseling
is a lot of fun , too!
Interested lesbians and gay rren should telephone
the o::s office at 4 77-6699 any evening ootween 6: 00 and
10 :00 PM for rrore information.
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ADLER SE-1000
N E W L O C A T I O N tz 2 8 l 6 N U E C E S ~al
r[f .,udd.ilupt>, n xt. to /o/,Dor.Jld's) 474-6396
University Gay Students organization officers
(from left): Chuck Hi~kerson, tr~dSurer;
Paul Gonzales, t.::hdirman; and Frl'd N r>~vid,
public relations.
AUSTIN COUNTRY RE(FENS
Hordes of gays fran Aust.in, Dallas, Houston,
San Antonio, and points ootv.een packed into the
newly reopened Austin Country on Wednesday, January
28, 1981 .
The Wednesday night affair was billed as an
"informal opening for invited guests" refore the
formal Grand Opening Party featuring Hot Chocolate
on Thursday. "We invited the State of Texas, al"ld
they all carre," ooarred owners Bunch Brittain al"ld
Keith F.dwards as they surveyed the cro..rled dance
floor and packed bar, where hundreds ~e lined up
for free drinks.
By the tine CCN.--,'SCTIC!-JS arrived at midnight,
people from alJrost all Austin clul:s and rusinesses
had dropped in to pay their respects. Several people
fran the Babylon Disco in Houston arrived ~aring
t -shirts with the "Babylon" logo on front and "Welcare
back, Austin Country," on back.
The festivities continued on Friday with a costwoo
ball. Prizes , including a $250 First Prize,
v-.ere awarded.
The Austin Country will oo presentmg a~
filled with entertainrrcnt, Bunch a.'1Cl Keith told us.
Friday and Saturday have been declared "costune
nights . " Errployees will oo costurrect and patrons are
encouraged to join in the fun . Every Sunday night
will feature "Punk, Trash and Ca:edy wit'1 the Grease
Sisters," Kitty Litter a."rl Albina Grease. 'l'he poμ.ilar
Sunday "Chanpagne Bnmch with Bunch" arid 'I'- jance
will rcsll!Te in mid- February. There will re shows
featuring J.\?xas ' finest entertai.nr.Elt every ... 'hursday.
The bar will oo closed t-t:mdays.
Since the Country closed in late 1980, "We've
spent a lot of rconey reno:ieling, adding lights, a"ld
generally irrproving things for our patrons," Bu.'1Ch
said.
The Austin Country has hosted l:enefl.ts for the
Mc!tropolitan Ccma.mity Church of Austin tuilding fund,
the California "No on 6" campaign, the March on i:ashington,
and Gay CQ:r.Unity Services . The COU."ltry has
also ooen one of CO.'-JNEX:r:ra·s' ::ost consistent advertisers
.
\\'elcare back, Austin Country!
4 CONNECTIONS
TRIAL Ill\1E SET FOR S000'1{ LAI/
Dallas - The trial of Donald F. Baker 's suit
challenging the Texas Horrosexual Conduct Law (Penal
Code Section 21.06) has l:xlen set for June 15, 1981 .
Baker, who is president of the Dallas Gay Political
Caucus, is hopeful that the courts will find the law
unconstitutional, especially since New York 's sodomy
l aw was struck down in Decernl::er, 1980.
Recently, oral def.Qsitions were taken i r. which
Dallcl!:> District Attorney Henry Wade and City Attorney
Lee Holt were required to defend the state 's r.osition
l.I1 maintaining Section 21 . 06 . lbst Texas city, county,
arx1 district attorneys have teen certified as the defendant
class in the suit.
Section 21 .06 pena:izes sexual relations l:etween
consenting adults of the sarre sex in private.
The ~twas filed with the sronsorship of the
Texas H~ !lights Foundation a"Xl seeks to have
Section 21 .06 declared uncoru:;titutional and barred
fran rnforcer:ent or the grou.""lds that it violates the
individ,,ml ' s rights to privacy, due process a"Xl eqt.
al protection of the :aws guardflteed by the first,
r,inth df1d fourteenth arrendrrer.ts to the u.s . Constitution.
Baker explained he filed th€' suit "bxaU3e
21 • 06 is a blatant int.ri.lt;ior. into the individual's
private affairs. ~he crux of the suit is whether
tlr state ha3 the' right to intru:le into an i;;.ctividua.
l 's hare and p::--ivate lifEc. ::: -:ontend i+- dOE.c ...
rot helve that right. L. a pcr...,on is suspected of
rel.Ilg h:nJ_exua: und arre tea., th-:- re ~ t might
1..e the los.:: of a Job or the loss of child custody.
Being gay is not a er~. "
Baker, 33 , is a U.S. t,;avy veteran mo rolds
a ~.aster's deqree fror. SOuthern •• thodist Ur.iversity.
Th Dallas native gl:'aduated --= laude f.ran
Sta ' iV£rsity of t,.Y. , College at Cortland.
McCOY AARAIG!t-ENT IELAYED
ou.:ton - ':'he arraignrre.."lt of Houstor. Police
Off:Lcer K vin ~.:;Coy has b::?E...."! rostronro inu finitE'ly ,
reports HD1...::,;ton Gciy Political Caucus Presidf'nt Lee
Harrington.
Officer !-\::Coy 1s thEc 25-Ji"'ar-Old roliceman who
soot HGPC Secretary Fred Paf'z o deatn in June, 1980 ,
on the eve of Gay Pride Week.
H::Coy was to have app:?ared in co-..irt January 9,
19!31 , rut the Froeral :::>istrict Court granted a rostponerrent.
A new date has not reen scheduled. M::COy
is ref.Qrtedly seeking rore tine to solidify his case.
!-teoy is to l:e eventually arraigned on charges
of neg:igent hani.cicle. The deciswn was reached late
last year by a grand Jury investi9dtion, after gay
citizens spearheaded an .investigating task force to
press City Hall for action.
Alth::rugh the charge of negligent hanicide is
categOrized as a misderrearDr , pressure had forced
its upgrading in order that the case could l:e heard
in felony court.
The trial hinges on evidence that M::Coy was
drinking the night of the shootl.Ilg and that McCoy
has continued to re harophobic since youth.
This Week in Texas
Sen~your
story to
CONNECTIONS
In 1973 the Texas Legislature adopted the 1-b-del
Penal Code of the Arrerican Law Institute and
added Section 21.06 to it. The nodel code endorsed
by the Institute does not recognize h:lrrosexual
activity as criminal. Since 1960, 23 states have
eliminated laws similar to Section 21. 06 .
The Arrerican Psychiatric Association passed a
resolution supporting the repeal of criminal statutes
singl ing out harosexual acts by consenting
adults in pri vate, stating in its 1974 resolution
that horrosexuality is not a rrcntal disorder and implies
no inpainrent in judgerrent, reliability or
general social or vocational capability.
. Fo~ed in 1976, the Texas Human Rights Foundation
is a non-profit public litigating corroration
chartered to fight discrimination on the basis of
sex, race, creed, national origin, age , handicap
status, and sexual orientation.
"Our God is not a womaa
Our God is not a man
Our God is both & neither
Our God is I who Am"
REV CANDACE A NAISBITT
Pastor
METROPOLITAN
COMMUNITY
CHURCH OF AUSTIN
Sunday, February 8, Congregational Meeting
after wrship service (3 ~) •
Saturday, February 21 , ~ship Day
11 am - 4 frn, Call for details.
Christian Life Series (Wednesday, 9 ~) :
Horrosexuality and the Bible
Counseling by appointment, 477-7747
Worship Services: 408 West 23rd Street
Sunday at 2:00 pm
We dn e sday at 7:30 pm
Mailing Addre ss : P . O. Box 18581
Austin, TX 78745
FOr rrore information regarding religious and social
activities, prone (512) 4 77-774 7
CONNECTIONS 5
DANG:R - LEGISLATURE CPEN
Austin - The 1981 Texas Legislature convened
Tuesday, January 13, and once again the future of
all Texas citizens hangs in the balance .
Rep, Wright (R, Houston) has prefiled four bills
concerning minors and obscene materials , In past
sessions of the legislature, gays have been the scapegoats
during floor debates of child p::>rnography and
sexual ab.lse .
Rep, Rains (D, San Marcos) and others have prefiled
legislation relating to the advertising and
p::>ssession of drug paraphernalia.
Rep. Smith has prefiled a bill calling for a
constitutional amendrrent for initiative and referendum
in Texas , which v-.0uld be a loaded gun in the
hands of conservatives to use against the civil
rights of gay ITEn/lesbians,
Dialog (Dallas Gay Political
Caucus newsletter)
HQJC STARTS LOBBYING
A delegation of 50 rrembers of the Houston Gay
Political Caucus (HGPC) traveled to Austin for the
opening of the 67th Texas Legislative Session January
13. The delegation received a briefing on prefiled
legislation and has made contact with pertinent senators
and representatives , many of whan received
the GPC errlorserrent. ·
The educational format of the trip was designed
to prepare the participants for future lobbying efforts
. "Our concerns very m..1ch reflect the interests
of other Houston and Harris County citizens; they include
education, redistricting, civil rights for all
who have been disenfranchised - with special emphasis
for the rights of v.aren, and properly enabling law enforceITEnt
officials to provide for the safety arrl
security of the citizenry they serve, " stated GPC
President Lee Harrington.
Future lobbying trips to Austin and grassroots
constituency organizing will receive major emphasis
by the HGPC for the remainder of this legislative
session.
This Week in Texas
J1LGPC NEWS
Austin Lesbian Gay Political Caucus (ALGPC) cochair
SCOttie SCOtt rep::>rted that ALGPC will have
City Council candidate screening early in February.
Call 478-8653 for information.
Lesbian/Gay Derrocrats of Texas (LGDT) gave a
reception at Austin Laml:da January 13 , 1981 , for rrernbers
of the Houston Gay Political Caucus , who were
in Austin for the opening of the 67th Legislature.
It looks like LGDT is going to have an Austin
lobbyist soon, SCOttie told C<lllNECI'IONS. The organization's
name is Lesbian-Gay Rights Advocates , and
it is currently firming up statewide supp::>rt for
the lobby project.
Scottie denied rurrors that Bettie Naylor v-.OUld
be the Lesbian-Gay Rights Advocates lobbyist, and
stated that negotiations to hire a lobbyist were still
jn progress.
Read your
news in
CONNECTIONS
.'. . , . ..... "
.•• ".' .
y£1lJ(EtfD ANTI-GAY N'ENIM:NT PASSES
Washington, D.C. - In a surprising and ccnq:>letely
unpredicted developrent, the House- Senate Conference
Camu.ttee of the legal Services Appropriations
Bill has included an anti-gay amendrrent in the final
rep::>rt of the bill. The amendITEnt is narro,...er and
probably -weaker than the initial "McDonald AITEndITEnt"
in the House of Representatives. But the Gay Rights
National Lobby (GRNL) indicated that they will urge
neml::ers of the House and Senate to opp::>se the Conference
Rep::>rt. GRNL Executive Director Steve Endean
also stated that the Lobby had telegramred President
Carter to urge him to veto the bill .
The amendrrent was believed to be dead, since
the Senate had dropped it in Subcamu.ttee and not
re- inserted on the floor . And although the House had
indeed passed the McDonald Arrendrrent, the v-.0rding
did not originate in carmittee. Infonred soorces
predicted that the House conferees v.OUld haWilY let .
it fall by the wayside as they had in 1977 under
similar circumstances.
But when the Conference Comnittee net, the House
conferees, sp..irred on by ranking minority rrember Rep.
George O'Brien (R- IL) , remained adamant aro.it retaining
the McDonald amendrrent. As the Corrmittee began
its proceedings, the conservatives-weep on November
4 was clearly on the minds of the conferees.
Sen. LOwell Weicker (R-CT) and Sen. "Fritz"
Hollings (D-SC) argued forcefully that the anti-gay
arrendrrent v-.0uld constitute an abridgeITEnt of civil
rights and a denial of justice. They stressed that
the issue wasn ' t approval or disapproval of harosexuality,
:tut basic fair play.
However , it quickly became clear that the House
conferees v-.0uld not back down . With the House conferees
present and many Senators who had supp::>rted
deleting the amendrrent fran the Senate version absent,
it looked as if the t-t:r::x::mald anendrtent ,Olld remain
in the bill.
Faced with this reality, Senator Weicker suggested
ccnq:>ranise language to narrow the scope and minimize
the damage fran the amendrrent. The initial
McDonald language prohibited legal services fran
litigation for "praroting, protecting arrl deferrling
harosexuality." The Justice Departrrent indicated that
the impact was unclear and that it could be interpreted
to deny gay citizens access to the Legal Services
program. The Weicker carpranise v.OUld substantially
narrow the prohibition to only those cases which
seek the "legalization of harosexuality."
The House conferees imrediately resp::>nded favorably.
Rep. John Hightower (R-TX) and Rep. Bill
Alexander (D-AK), who had pushed the McDonald amerxlITEnt,
agreed to the corrpranise. Rep. Bill Hefner
(D-NC), said that maybe even MJral Majority wuld
agree to the Weicker prop::>sal. Senator Weicker smiled
and said he doubted it.
Gay Rights National Lobby Executive Director
Steve Endean said, "Let no one make any mistake arout
it. Senator Weicker is deeply carmitted to justice
for lesbians and gay ITEn. While -we are, of course,
unhappy that any anti-gay rreasure passed, Senator
Weicker effectively rroved, in our interests, to minimize
the damage. "
But Endean -went on to say, "While -we can take
sore solace in the fact that it isn't as bad as it
could have been, -we rrust not lose sight of the fact
that this is the first tine in many years that antigay
legislation will pass Congress. Unfortunately,
-we will face similar fights in the near future . To
avert these defeats -we rrust organize as -we never have
before. We at Gay Rights National Lobby do not want
to act just as a 'damage control' operation."
- CAPITOL HI!.L (CRt.'1'J
6 CONNECTIONS
II CABARET
CABARET V I C T O R Y
FOO!'ER ffilS<ILL 0.-~lERS PAY UP
The fonrer o..mers of the :::>riskill Bar and Gr ill
have plead no contest to t;,,.o counts of violating .
Austin's Public kx:atm::xJations Or lllci. ce by rE'fusing
to a::.::.a.., two gay couples to dance tociether in the
Drisk1l::. 1s Cabaret disco.
I.aral Hotel corporation, d restaurant- bar holding
corrpany from Avila Beach, California, !::ought the
Driskill Hotel fran Braniff Inrernational 1n July of
1980. Driskill Bar and Grill Inc., d subsidiary of
Braniff , paid $200 in fines and $85 in court costs
on Q::tol::er 1 , 1980 , because , as a dissolving corporation
, it had no interest in further litigation, ac-cording
to their attorney , Mark Levbarg. . .
Betv.een the tine the two gay couples filed discrimination
charges against the Cabaret, a disco bar
in the Driskill, an<l the tll!1(> :.:>riskill Bar and Grill
Inc. paid its fines , t;,,.o years and seven nonths had
elapsed.
During that period, an Austin Jury found the
:::>riskill guilty of violating Austin ' s Public Accmrrodations
Ordinance, Municipal Judge Steve Russell
iss..ied a 16- page opinion dE'nying the defendant' s
rrction for a new trial , and county Court Judge Brock
Jones found Driskill Bar and Grill guilty after their
pl~a of no contest.
The Cabaret c l osed on November 1 , 1980, :or rem:
xlellng. It wil'.I. reop:m around March 1 , 1981 , a.,
a restaura'1t- bar called "The Driskill Bar and Grille. "
rt will not l::e a disco , nor will it have dancing on
the premises .
What is the significance of these courts upholding
Austir. 's Public Accamodations Or~inance, which
says proprietors of μ.iblic acccmro:iations cannot refuse
anj,One on account of n1cE.' , color, religion , :c,x,
sexual orientation, national origin, age , or physical
hardicap?
Presumably, gay COuples car. row go to their
favorite Austin nightspot , hold hands , dance together,
and l::e themselves , knowing that if the proprietor
tells the."'.I they can ' t dance toqether like straight
couples, the proprietor risks a $100 fine .
Mark Levbarq, attorney for Driskill Bar and
Grill , told ro,..~, CTior-.:S he le lieves the nost useful
thinq anyone learnC'd in this case was that you can
pick a Jury 1n Travis County that is not biased
aga.m:.;t hOrrOsexuals . He recdlled that many. prospective
Juror ir. the 1979 trial said they_ l::elleved that
hatosexuality wa:, a sin, rut not a particularly great
sin.
Levbarg also stated that the Driskill Bar and
Grill he.Id an a"Oncrru.c ll!terest in continuing the
Cabaret's rule aqai.ns t sar.c- ex dancing. He said the
house rule predated guy dan ·ing at the Cabaret. The
i.:1ea was to have rren bJy drink., for ....aren.
~\'hen -:o.'Nll:'.Ia.s asked Levbarg if it is not true
that g..1ys also ruy lots of m1xed !rinks, he replied
that of coursE:. gays bJy drink& , too . He sc1i<l Austm
bar o..mer wrry that .if their bar attracts a primarily
g.:iy clientE'le, the gdy cra.-.d will eventu~lly novc
on to another Austin bar . Levbarg says Austl.Il tavern
owners tol hun i A tu' gay poμ.ilation v~e twice
as ::.urge, there • .ould b:> enough rusines~ to keep them
out of bankruptcy. It v.OUl ITCan that when one gay
cro...d left a particular bar, anoth"r ¼Ollld cc.uc take
its place.
Perhaps economics wa:: the reason the Driskill
fought its case for b...o and a half years . Perhaps
harophobia was also part of the notivation. Levbarg
doesn ' t think the issue of discrimination against
sarre- sex dancing ooing equated with discrJ.ITlination
based on sexual orien·.a· .i..,:. v.ould stand up to further
litigation. But that i. , a:ter all , the opinion of
the forrrer Driskill own, •r . ' attorney.
The fact is that the> .;ri kill Bar and Grill chi,"
not to pursue its case further . It paid its fines ,
and Austin's Public Acconnruations Ordinance has heL.1
up in court, setting an i.np:)rtant precedent for ruture
ga discrimination ca~Ps .
CHRONQOGY a= THE STAJE a= TEXAS Y.S., DRISKII L PAR
AND GRILL INC.
APRIL
NOVEMBER
FEBRUARY
l 9 7 6
Austin City COUncil passed the Public
Accamodations Ordinance forbidding
discrimination based on "sexual
orientation. "
l 9 7 7
The Cabaret asked tv.o ITCn to leave
tecause they ~re dancing together .
The Cabaret wasp rt f th Driskil
Hotel, then own d by Driskill Bar and
Grill Inc . , a subsi1i r~ t ranitf
International.
1 9 7 8
Anne Hogan , Dennis Nilan, Norma Funder-
1:org, a:xl Bruce Aleksarx..ier v-x.•nt into
the cabaret as mixed couples and tcgan
dancing. Th y soon switched to their
natural arrangerrent . saro c-1..wtarers
stared, bJt they .~re tolerated until
th flr..;t sla.., danc lx>gan . Ar. cmployE:e
then approached Dennis and Bruce and
told them a house rule prohibited sarrcsex
ancing . Gay activist attorney
Woody Egger, who had accompanied thf'
two couples to the Cabaret. told the
8
CONNECTIONS 7
VICTOR~ II
THE LANlJltll.RK IICISION REJECTING THE DRISKILL'S
/1PPEAL
Exc:erpt.cd bl/ Jim Olingf'r
VAGU'~1',L_,ss
!Jctendant first contends that the term "sexual
orientation" is ". . . so vague that m:>'1 of ..::ornron
intelligence f!Ulst necessarily guess at its rreaning
and differ as to its application. . . . " ll~ver ,
the phrase is cornronly fouoo in the law l::ooks and
is c.-or.tained in civil rights ordinances of other
citie::; . "Sexual orientatio11" is also a term of
(.,'Qmror. usage outside of legal li tcrature , including
the Austin Arrerican- Statesman. A term so widely
used in publications of general circuldlion cannot
h' "total babble ."
Defendant argues that since sexual orientations
cone ir. infinite variety and cannot re determined by
vfaual iuspectior. , an innkeeper may unknowingly
blunder into a ·riminal lawsuit. However, religious
orlentations are no·less nurrcrous and no nore discoverable
by visual inspection. Yet discrimination
in places of p.ililic ac<.-'O!Tll'Cdation based on religion
is dearly unlawful under the Civil Rights Act of
1964.
The Jury found reyond a reasonable doubt that
Defendant knowingly limited the use of its facilities
by complainants on ac..:ount of their 5exual
orientation.
::>efer,dant ' s contention that the Austin p.1blic
m::COim(.)(;lations ordinance is vpid for v,gueness is
overruled.
FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT; CRIMINAL TRESPASS
Defendant next ar'_lUes that its p:>:i_icy banning
si:JITC- sex dancing on its premises is protected by
the Fourteenth Arrendrrent to the United States Constitution,
Article 1 , Section 19 of the Texas Constitution,
and Section 30. 05 , Texas Penal COde
("criminal trespass").
The sixties sit-in cases establi,hed that
". . . places of public arruserrent. . . are estal:r
li:hcrl and maintained under direct license of the
law. The authority to establish and maintain them
conc from the p.1blic. . . . A ll.cen.,e from the
publit; to establish a place of [<ll li, amusem;nt,
llllf..Ortr , in lc1w, equality of r igh , a such places ,
w:ony all rrcrnlx-rs cf that public." 'ity PJ,blic
a--:1..'0I1110dat ion_. ordinances arc nuw nurrerous, and
seV0ral haw ~urvived constitutional attack.
llonosexual conduct is a petty mi.: <lcrredJ10r
ur c-r 5c'ction 21.06 of th0 Tc-xa:; Penal Code. A
p0tty misk"I"Ci.1110r is , of course, 'till a crirre , rut
the tcltute p-,:.nll: h(_ conduct, not th status of
having dJ1 h<.JrO. cxual orien'Ultion. It i highly
un l ikrly th..it tl.c .: ta tus could l.(_, crirnir,.i.J.ized.
Ci~n tn ,~ the status of hO!JD,.,oxuality is no+-
1-llpq ur r,robably cannot. Jx, mad so, was the
Au tin 'Hy cou: cil rational wt1Pr, it includoo 11arOxu<
1' w . . ir. th protection of a civil riuht..
r l Lnc.Ul\.'t'?
Def n:.r,g "horroscxual" as a persor. w1.th "norp
them LnC t ,+-al" narosexua::. 0xperi(•r,cc, it cun lX'
c t im,itcu +-~at the re dI"e alx:mt tvK>r,ty mil:: ion honosc
xual -n • c lJ::1 ited Statr>s. Thi sutstclntial
r.urnlx?i:- of Arrt:".rica11 1:iti2en, has b:>C'r, subjected to
discrlminutory trcat:m:>nt r1valinq that i.rrp:;sed on
ar,y rc1cial minority, starting with the privileges
of entering tile legal, rredical , military, and
teaching professions and continuing through err:-
•,· .RiQym;mt in ~;!!'l~;.~~-~ Uie rl)st ba:c:i,G , !upi;~~,
constitutionally protected ir.terests in freedom
of association , religion, speech and the right to
raise children.
The Austin City Council has had the p:>litical
courage to outlaw sorre discrimination agair,t hon'Osexuals.
This Court holds that the City may prctect
its ir.habitdl1ts and visitors fr<r di ·crimination
rof.ed on their sexual orientation, .::ind thut
an ordinarice to assure such protection 1_ not
arbitrary, capricious or irrational.
CRIMINAL TRESPASS
Defendant next argues that the ordinance in
this case p.rrp:>rts to create a dcfe;~e to the
charge of criminal trespass, violating the ~exas
constitution. This argurrent is not based on the
facts of this ca:::e. The prosecutior.:: herein Me
based up:>n Defendant's limitation of ccnplainants'
use of its facilities , not on denial of access .
Complainants ,~re free to stay so long as they did
not use the dance floor for its custanary purp:>se,
as it was lx!ing used by heterosexual couples .
Ir, the case !:€fore this Court, .r.suming that
the p.1blic accorrrrodations ordinance may not L'Onflict
with the criminal trespass statute, a rational reading
of the ordinance is still !X)ssible: "You may
allav, halosexuals into your place of rosiness or
not, rut if you allow them in you may not then insult
them by limiting their use of the facilities ."
Contir,.icd on page 1:1
Jud~c Stf'Vf' Rus~ 11
8 CONNECTIONS
0. R I S K I L L C H R O N O L O G Y
Continued from page 6
Cabaret officials that they ~re violating
a city ordinance and that can-plaints
...ould l:e filed . The Cabaret
rranagerrent again asked Dennis Milam
to cease dancing with Bruce and asked
Norma Funderrurg to cease dancing with
Amre. They l:x:)th complied, rut later
charged Driskill Bar and Gril l Inc.
with violating Austin 's Public Acccmm::
rlations Ordinance .
Dennis Milam and Bruce Aleksander
subsequently moved to Houston. Amme
Hogan moved to Dallas . Woody Egger
moved to New York City . ;:orma Funderburg
' s whereabouts are unknown to CON::
ECTIOHS. :-tilam, Aleksander , and Hogan
returned to Austin to testify when the
case came up for trial in 1979.
l 9 7 9
JUNE After challengir.g the validity of the
Public Accormodations Ordinance, Driskill
Bar and Grill dropp:x1 its injunction
against the city, Of€ning the way for a
trial.
JLLY A rrunicipal court Jury corrp:>sed of three
w::rien and three Ire.'1 took less than half
an hour to decide the Cabaret's house
rule against sal;£'-sex dancing violated
the Austin Public Accaw.Odations Ordir.ance.
Driskill Bar a'ld Grill was fined
$200.
APRIL
Jl.LY
Matthew Coles , who is rt::M in private
practice in Sar. FrancL;co, was the attorney
fran Gay Rights Advocates who helped
direct the Driskill case . He called the
case the first of its kind in the
country where the issue of discrimination
concerned a ~son's sexual preference .
Driskill attorney Mark Levbarg said
he \.\Ollld seek an appeal on the grou.'lds
that the ordi.na."1Ce was "too vague to
enforce ."
1 9 8 0
Municipal Court Judge Steve Russell
overruled the Driskill 's rrotion for a
new trial. Driskill Bar and Grill then
apf€aled to a county court.
Braniff International sold the Driskill
Hotd to Laral Hotel Coq::oration.
SEPTEMBER 23 In County Court NO, 1, Driskill Bar and
Grill plead no contest to the charges .
Because the hate 1 had l:x!cn sold, there
was no reason to litigate any further .
Judge Brock Jones fined the coq::oration
$200 plus $85 in court costs.
OCTOBER 1 Driskill Bar a'1C1 Grill paid the fines
in the county clerk's office.
NOVEMBER The Cabaret closed for rem::rleling.
·1981
The Cabaret, n<::M renam...c>d "The Driskill
Bar and Grille," was scheduled to reof€n
as an "elega."lt tum-of- the-century
semi- rustic restaurant-bar, like a
1900 's saloon- restaurant. " .It,will ~
. hav e d anci. na . _,,_,..,._~,,,# ' ,1 •-.~ > - ~ • , ¥ •
L A N D M A R K D E C I S I O N
Continued from page 7
-HOUSE RULE 001' DISCRIMINATIOO
Finally, Defendant argues that its p:::>licy is
rrerely a rule of conduct and does not in fact discriminate
against persons on account of their sexual
orientati on. This is the sarre (rejected) argurrent
as the one that c l a:irred an anti-miscegenation statute
was not racially discriminatory l:ecause it applied
to blacks and whites equally. Defendant's rule !l'a.Y
l:e one of conduct, rut it is not applied equally to
persons of differing sexual orientation.
Alrrost twenty years ago, when black and white
students ~re going to jail in astonishing numbers
for the right of black Arrericans to eat at departrrent
store lunch counters, the issue was not the quality
of the cuisine at Woolwrth ' s . The issue was and is
one of hurran dignity, of the right to go arout one's
daily life without l:eing p..iblicly marked as inferior,
less than hurran.
The Austin City Council faced this issue, as did
the Jury in this case. This court can do no less .
Defendant's rrotion for new trial is overruled,
and its notice of appeal is entered this 16th day of
April , 1980.
2512-A Rio Grande Austin 477 -7202
Steve Russell
Presiding Judge
1 0 L O U S Y B U C K S
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CONNECTIONS 9
GAY LA\·/ STUIINTS PUSH FOO CIVIL RIGHTS
AT U,T,
by , 1d Fr
Law Students for Human Rights i an active gay
group for law students and other grc1duate students
at the University of Texas at Au~tir.
Now in its second acaderru.c year, the group has
al:x:iut ·ix uctive rrcml:ers, all of whcm are tuder.t:.:
in the tJl' Law Schaal .
Their purpo.c is to provid a visible gathering
point for gay law students, to educate straight law
students al::out gay concerns, to cstab:ish a continuing
gay presence in the tJl' Law School, and to bridge the
gap oot'.A2€11 gays in the Law School and those in the
rest of Texas .
Law Students for Human Rights is the first , and
still only, openly-gay group at the tJl' Law School . It
was founded in April of 1979. Eight people, including
three v.Orren , attended the first rreeting. Sage White
was the only ¼Oll1aI1 law student at the first rreeting,
and is the only remaining rrember of the original group.
The first name the group chose for itself was
the Gay-Lesbian Law Alliance. Feeling there was
safety in numbers , five l aw school faculty rrembers
signed as sponsors for the 1979- 80 school year. For
the 1980- 81 school yea,r , people ~re "less freaked
out by a gay law student group. " This year 's single
faculty sponsor is Pat Hazel.
the UITTI'Cr of 1979 , a gay Austin!.::' Law School
t up a rreeting with the Gay-Lesbian Law
Allium.: . H told ther.. he felt the group hould
change tt nam::: so "there wuld not !:ea lot of heat
μit on y 1 ry in • x~ . " He al o ted that
th t -,:; 1 ha ~ 1.1.-"Ul y g ttln Jobs after
l y so ':he group
paranoia. "Good rroral character" is required for admission
to the bar, and this phrase has never been
defined. Pro pcctive la·iyers are exc:1.'!'ined in the countv
of their original Texas re~idence. County ethics •
conmittee c..'OUJ.d define "good nora: character" arra..,ly
and exclude a gay person frcm the legal profession
simply for l::cing gay.
Sage want3 the Lau S':Udents for HUl11i:lI1 ights to
request ar; opinion fra-:i. the State Bar concerning sexual
orientatior. and an E:>x<:i.ct definition o "good r.oral
character."
The gay la·., studer.t group makes referrals to
syr.-pathctic :awyers ir Austin and ,.oulJ ::.ikc to canpile
a list of syn-pathetic la\.yers in places outside the
Austir. area. "Gay lm.yers are a resource that the
gay conmmi ty needs," Sage White says .
Law Students for Hurnar: Rights requested that a
written non-discrimination policy trcm the law school
l::e expanded to include sexual orientation. So far,
that request is still i.~ limlx> ,
With such a small rrembership, the fate of Law
Students for Human Rights is uncertain. Sage \~hlte ,
David White and Bill Brown will finish law schOOl in
May, 1981 . Marvin Prevost and Walt Wilder have another
year and a half to go. Unless rrore gay law students
choose to involve themselves , there will be nothing
rruch done in the area of gay people and the legal
profession at the tJl' Law School .
The rrembers of Law Students for Huma~ Rights are
eager to develop coalitions with other law groups such
as feminists and ACLU r:err.t-ers . David h'hite is having
a hard tirre getting other gay law students interested
in joining this group. Sage says there is a Na:en 's
Law Caucus at the law schOOl , arrl sa:e of its rrembers
are lesbians. She isn ' t sure why other ~;er.en haven 't
gotten involved in the gay law student group.
Marvin Prevost wants potential group rreml::ers to
realize that. the Law Students for H - · qhts group
is not limited to out-of- the-closet types or to political
activists . Marvin says the group is glad to
W=lcorre ,.orren, minorities, arid friendly straights .
Law Students for Hu.":\a~ Rights can oo contacted
days at their office in the Law School A.'1Ilex, 471 -
5151 ext. 210, and nights at 477- 7257, or 477- 7867 .
Legal Services in Civil and Criminal Matters
DOUGLAS~ BEHRENDT
ATTORNEY AT LAW
111 est Anders,;, ·,a,<c Suite 207, Austin X 78 52
PhQn~: Office 458-9118; eside~ce 443- 246~
LICENSED TO PRACTI~E lAw I~ TEXAS SINCE 1969
Make money
from
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35%
commissio
for ad sale
Call Jim Olinger-474-1660
for details · ~ :
'J-,u k
CONNECTIONS
Chuck, from Corpus'Ch1isti, is 21 years old and
is n Aris. Now a business student at UT, he
worxs fc,r Southwestern Bell as an operatoi-.
His hobbies include 1·acquetball, carpentry ,
and "carrying on . "
Vi~ , trom aalveston , is 22 y ars old and is a
Libra . A marketing mdJOr at UT, his hobbies
include musJ~ , football , and rugby .
11
Photos by Carr Strong
12 CONNECTIONS
THE MJSTANG PANO San Francisco, I.os Angeles, Phoenix, San Antonio ,
Corμis Christi, Austin, and Houston. We played
by Jim Olinger places ranging fran the Twin Oaks , a gay dude ranch
in Caliente, California, to sare joint with a sign
Although there are certainl y hundreds of gay that said 'We do barl::ecue.' There were people
Country and Wes tern rrusicians , there is still only fighting and shooting guns . We ran like hell. "
one openly gay Country and Western band. Naturally, Other experiences on that tour included running
they are Texans - the Musta11g Ba"ld fran Houston. out of gas on Hoover Dam and playing the rest areas
The ori ginal Mustang Band was an offshoot of the of the North. "We had a carrper with a rc~r supply,
.Musta'1g Club, a gay C&\'l club in Houston. Several so ,·~ 'd stop at rest areas , set up and try out new
Musta'1g Club rrernr:ers , including guitarist Tan Groves songs . Truckers ,.ould stop and listen. It was
a"ld keyl:oardist Larry Hodge, ~ga'1 playi.'1g together am3.zing."
in 1977 . Their first paying gig was one night a ~-~ In July and August of 1980 , the band toured the
at the Inside/Outside in Houston. A series of appear- \O:est Coast for six ... ~s. One stop was their second
a'1ces at the Brazos River Bottxr.- and the t:xile folla~ , appearance at the Reno Gay Rodeo . "We played for 4500
a"ld then the Reno Gay Ro:ieo. people at a barn dance and for 9000 i n the stands , "
The Mustang Band is currently playing gay clubs Tom Groves rerrernrers. Real People was there filming
all over Texas . They are appearing every other Fri- the Gay Rodeo and tqey ta us ." That wrent hasr. ' t
day night at tl-ie Red River Crossing here 1n Austin. l:::cen aired, as of mid- January , 1981 . However , the
''r:e 're really happy to play the Crossing," Tan Groves Mustang Band has appeared on the national cable tele-says.
"~e way our audience here in Austin is wild- vision program What 's Up, Arrcrica?
ing is very nice. " If you are goi.'1g to Mardi Gras in New Orleans
The band ' s biggest probler., according to Groves , this year , re sure to catch the band at The Refuge ,
is "He really need to have flve Saturdays a week . a new restaurant/bar in the French Quarter. Other
That's tl-ie night everyl:ody wants us . " The .Mustangs plans for the near future include a party in Manhattan
are also <'.lppearing regularly at Snuffy ' s Saloor. ir. to μiblkize the Reno Gay Ro:ieo and Lane Star II -
San A.'1tonio a"ld at :'he Saddle Club and Houston Co1.m- a Texas-·,ide rrotorcycle club rreeting in Dallas .
try in Houston. The band is ,.orking full t.irre a"ld The Mustang Band, and its audience , is breaking
none of the ITCJ11rers have outside Jobs . . down the myth of gays as high- fashion disco queens .
The bar.d embarked on a 23- state tour early in There 's sare good, old- fashioned , HOT cowb:Jys in them
1979. "We did local bars frcr. coast to coast," there hills and the .Mustang Band is bringing them
Groves and Hedge recall. . "Florida, St. :.OUis, :-!ash- out. !•bre fX)v~r to them!
ville , Ohio, Denver, OJ<lahcma c 1. ty, Dallas , Reno,
._._
1alatt bass) , Larzy H d 'keyboard) , Don BJinett (leadvocals1 ,
Joseph Siegel ( fiddle ) , Tvm Groves (guitar ) , and Kevin Dwyer ( drums )
CONNECTIONS 13-
NINE TO FIVE
Reviewed by Sarah Craig
(GAY LIFE - Chicago)
Good news, ladies and gentlerren! Here are glad
tidings from (of all places) Holly,,-,ood: Good politics
CAN make good art.
The rrovie in question is Nine to Five, a light
~y with a heavy rressage that stars the unlikely
tn.o of Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton.
Each plays a very different type of ...onan in Nine to
Five , °:1t each makes her staterrent al::out the everyday
oppression of worren and minorities in the wrkplace.
However , screenwriter Patricia Resnick never lets
Nim~ t~ Five J::ecorre dour or preachy. In fact, this
rovie is one of the funniest presented in a long
long tirre. '
The plot is (alITOst) μrre fantasy . Fonda is a
recently-divorced ...onan coming into the wrkforce
for the first tirre in her life. Tomlin has ~lve
long years with the c:anpany under her J::elt, and is
a canpetent, ambitious careerv.oman. Parton ' s character
is sorrewhere in the middle: she 's a secretary,
and wrks J::ecause she needs the rroney, rut she 's certainly
good at her job. She doesn ' t enjoy the constant
sexual pressure she gets from her slimy, sexist
ol:ooxious , conniving J::oss . '
The Boss, played by Dal:ney COleman, who p::>rtrayed
the mayor of Mary Hartman ' s hone ta..m, is an amalgama-admission
by itself. Add the priceless vision of
Dolly Parton roping and tying him as if he .-..ere a
rodeo hog, and there is no way to suppress the laugh-ter
.
SOile have criticized Jane Fonda for playing a
"~ak sister" character; rut, if the role she chose
is a reticent, civilized, tasteful ...onan, should
Fonda play that character as a !:old, cannanding
Amazon? It's to Fonda ' s credit that she plays a
"tasteful lady" and pulls it off. To remake the
character for the sake of Fonda's own personality
wuld J::e grandstanding and a J::etrayal of the script.
Anyway, she does get to J::e an "Amazon" in her fantasy
sequence.
Fonda is an excellent actor , and Nine to Five
rrerely underlines that fact .
Lily Tomlin's comic genius is once again dem::mstrated
in this rrovie . After the dismal Moment by
Moment , it's good to see Tomlin back and succeeding
at what she does !::est. If she wants to try dramatic
roles again, "rrore ~ to her , " rut let her ch<:x)se
her vehicles rrore carefully.
Dolly Parton, to the surprise of many, is quite
a capable thespian . Certainly the sincerity and depth
of errotion she conveys in many of her songs should
have given the skeptics a clue as to her ability; rut
her part in Nine to Five will delight even her detractors
. Her fans, of course , will J::e doubly thrilled.
Since this is a fantasy, the gcx:xi "guys" win in
the end ( in real life, no such things could ever hap~
n) and the evil J::oss is al:x:lucted by a bard of avenging
Amazons. With a little suspension of disl::elief,
~ver, Nine to Five ranks as one of the top CO!Edies
of the year.
. ~ibera~ \-.areTI, of course, will take great delight 9 in this rovie , tut that's no reason for rren to stay at
hone . The anti- sexist rressage is loud and clear, tut
the rroral of the story never obliterates the μrre
-'~-~-~~~~---enjoyment: of the story itsel . Nine to i.ve cares
~e~tily recomrended as entertainrrent as ~11 as p::>1-
itics . Even the rrost macho leatherman in ta,m has
got to guffaw when he sees the harness the ol:noxious TO
5
tion of all the rotten J::osses in the wrld. He orders
Lily Tomlin around as though she ~re his maidservant,
even though she trained him and made it p::>ssible for
him to get his current job. He fires people for no
go:xl reason; he clamps down on any expressions of
individuality in the wrkplace to the p::>int where a
coffeecup on a desk is grounds for dismissal. He ' s
a cheat, a flirt, he hates everyone , and hP wants to
rule his enployees with an iron hand.
In addition to all that, he is King Chauvinist
of all tirre . Feminists may dislike him for his sexism
alone, tut everyone in the audience can find sonething
al:ou t him that ' s ol:noxious • He ' s an equal-opportunity
offender.
When he pulls three major ~r-stunts in one
afternoon , he succeeds in enraging Fonda, Tomlin, and
Parton. Their separate miseries bring than together ,
and they rantasize over a joint of "Maui Zowie , "
supplied by Lily Tomlin' s son, al:out how they 'd like
to wipe this sleazy operator off the face of planet
earth.
The fantasy sequences are a caredy riot. To see
Lily Tomlin dressed up as Cinderella, singing a happy
little song to Walt Disney- type bluebirds as she stirs
a po.isoh p:jtion into nis coffee , is ~rth the, t.(.ice o
J::oss gets tied up in.
Nine to Five is a thoroughly enjoyable rovie for
everyone. Yes , Virginia - gcx:xi p::>litics can make good
art!
NINE TO FIVE: Story by Patricia Resnick. Screenplay
by Colin Higgins and Patricia Resnick. Directed by
Colin Higgins . Now playing in Austin at the Fox
Triplex and Lakehills Cinema .
••
14 CONNECTIONS
GAYS AND AGGIE
TRADITION ------------
----------- LARSATLARGE------by
Lars Eighner
Quadding: Stripped to his shons, a cadet has barrels of
water poured on his crotch from a second-story window .
.Lllustratio:-;_, from TEX/w r-:JllTHLY, January 1981
hotos: , ill v"n Clverbeek
Cdptions: Al Rein~rt
spite- e orange £load at courses ou~h
Your Rep:irter's veins, there is no joy in relating
t.':e latest AGGIE JOKr.. . . . The Gentle Reader who
picked JtJ fae Decenrer 19 cm: ll',ITY read a really
first-rate accotmt of tl:e oppressive rreasures TEZAS
At,:. U:.l:VEPS:::'.:Y is ta1<ing in atte:rpti.'1g to suppress
Gl-.Y A....~S. or. ca"lμls .
an exhuustmg crap-out a phyncal disctplme imposed by upperclassmen
who get out of /me get uapped out So do fish who stay m /me.
"Squeeze, Ags!" These yell leaders are-yes, it's true-squeezing their privates m,
1rder share pain with the team on the football field. Nobody knows who first
came up with this idea, but it's never caught on with anyone but Aggies.
CONNECTIONS
Tbhaec kA tuos ttihne c f, unenstrt yb awre 1. co mes you
Open Tuesda in Austin ..... .
from s p.m. tY11t~~-~Sunday
Shows eve .
with rexas,rvfThu rsday
Entertainers. 'nest
Every sunda .
Punk Trashy.
with the Gr e, asned s ,~ sotmeresd y
15
16 CONNECTIONS
'
C
C:--~
LOVE SCCPE - FEBRUARY
by Brannon Duane
Y-r-o"' your Aquar ian /1an .
Because he is so •up front ," his friends can
often accuse him of inciting negative reactions. The
Aquarian has a busy social life and is always looking
for new stimuli . Bars and bookstores are a part of
his regular cruising routine. Anonymous sex is easy
for the Aquarian Nan , but he rarely goes home alone
o:: -che nights he wants sor.eone to sleep with .
Aquariar.s love everyone. If you want one- ono::
e love, you must stir his mind . But it may not
last lo::g . You can please him most by being a loyal
frier,d ar.d confidant, rather than trying to restrict
!;i;- -co a :--onogar7ous relationship . You must be an
Aq~arius ' f r iend before you go to bed , or you'll just
be a::ot!;er one-night stand.
Aquarius can be sexually faithful , but he must
::a·;e ,::o.-plete inder,endence and make this decision for
ti:-self . If you demand his loyalty, he 'll be gone
ir, short: order.
A?IE:::; (!~arch 2~ - A[-,ril 19) - Responsibilities do not
lesser. this mo::th, but you 'll be better able to cope
,,,:_ tf-. :::0.-;:._1.ca-ced con di t.ions . J; social e•;ent on the
,::: ;:i_l be i:-:portant to you . !lewly-met persons may
;;.a~e a sr.1.::ing to you . l-.n Aquarius Man of your past
r.-,.:.-ch ;1::0:- ':JOU had very little in common suddenly will
exhio1.t qualities you adpire. You 'll see each other
ir. a r.e;1 light . Your high days are the 7th through
tl:e 1 'Jth .
• 'A'.JPU.'; (J.pril 20- May 2o; - Aroud the 18th , your sa-::.:.
a_ ,::a~e::dar ;1ill char,ge ir. your fa·,or . You need
~c E ~x~1.te:--:e:::t ir.. your lit€: and a Pisces !1an can
h,. -I ,10~ ou~ of tr,e d:,11 9- to- 5 routine . One thing
3 ~~ de hOt ~eed is ~Agatl'l€ thin~1.ng! Your high
;Jays c,r": U,e 9th through thr: 12th .
.,.,,, . . , ...
GEMINI (May 21- June 20) - Career matters move forward
energetically, starting on the 7th . The 4th
would be a good time to visit an old love out-oftown
. But , because your high days are the 11th
through the 14th, it appears your Valentine ' s gift
"'ill be at home for a very hot 4- day period . Could
be a Cupid ' s arrow hit that man of the 4th.
CANCER (June 21 - July 22) - An Aquarius Man will lift
your spirits this month. He may be very apparent
in your life for 5 days, because your high days are
the 13th through the 17th. This man will appeal to
both your sexual and intellectual natures .
LEO (July 23- August 22) - This month gets off to a
slow start , but with your high days being the 16th
through the 19th , you can plan for a good end to this
short month . You may want to spend quiet evenings
at home after the 19th , because a man from your past
will come back to renew some old fond feelings and
good memories .
VIRGO (August 23- September 22) - Tension and strain
may cause you problems if you don ' t get enough rest
from the 1st to the 18th. Your high days are the
18th through the 21st , with the 18th being especially
good for you . You won ' t have to cruise . Try a new
tactic and respond quickly to love ' s advances . The
evening was meant for you , so get iff off to an early
start.
LIBRA (September 23- 0ctober 22) - Romance predominates
from the 4th to the 28th. This will not be a onesided
affair. However , you will not have as much
attention shor.-,ered on you as you would like. A word
to the wise - take time to gather all the facts
before giving an ultimatum . Your high days are the
24th through the 27th .
SCORPIO (October 23- November 21) - After the 7th,
and until the 16th of March, you can expect to be
drawn to various forms of strenuous physical exercise
. Some of this exercise will be in the form of
sex (not harmful) . In other physical activities ,
take care not to go beyond your usual limits and
check all equipment to be sure it is working ~orrectly
. Your high days are the 23rd through the
26th . "l1ake it a point to know who your real friends
are!"
SAGITTARIUS (November 22- December 21) - A moment of
;ii tty sarcasm could create a lot of problems , when
you only meant to be funny . Last month was hectic,
so take this month to renew old feelings for old
friends . Don ' t limit yourself; learn to be more versatile
, This could be a fun month for you! Your
high days are the.25th through the 28th . Pay back
social obligations .
CAPRICORN (December 22- January 19) - Your high days
will be the 1st through the 4th and the 28th . They
will give this month a good beginning and end . Because
of this, be sure you are at your best. A fine
mind and a positive outlook are qualities you seek
in a companion . Loot for these qualities in a Virgo .
Open a new door that will allow greater freedom to
explore a new subject .
AQUARIUS (January 20- February 18) - During the first
three weeks of the month , you 'll be the ruler of your
kingdom. If errors occur , make changes without selfrecrimination
. No one is perfect ! Your high days
are the 3rd through the 6th . A Virgo Man can make
a bright new friend . The 18th is well- suited for
nostalgic remembrances which can bring someone from
the past back into your arms again .
PISCES :February 19-March 20) - This month begins
quietly , but ends on a hectic note . This may be
the time to turn the old loose and start off with
the new. You may find yourself arranging a truce
bet;.,r:,en two people, but they may not decide to remain
friends . von ' t worry - you have done your
part . Your high days are the 5th through the 8th.
After the 7th you'll feel much more ambitious. A
man born under the same Sun sign may lead to a lasting
relationship .
CONNECTIONS 17
fvETf-ODIST CHURCH QUASHES IDl
by Troy Stokes
There is no way that I could write objectively
dbout the cancellation of Martin Sherman ' s splendid
play BENT. For the last ten years, a major focus of
my energies has been att!empting to move the United
Methodist Church in the direction of fairer treatment
of its homosexual members. Changes have be~n minimal
and slow, so the best I can do is advise the reader
of my bias and proceed .
In the fall of 1980, Rev. Wilson Wade , pastor of
St. Luke United ~thodist Church in Austin. asked the
Wesley Foundation, the Metho.::list Church' s camp..is
ministry, to fund "pro.::luction of tv.o socially relevant
dramas which \..OUld articulate the universal
human situation of sin and salvation without the confusions
occasioned by religious rhetoric ." A stated
purp;:>se in the proposal was to involve those persons
who do not attend church. The request was approved,
and Wade attempted to secure rights to perform Elie
\viesel 's :'he Trial of God.
Max, left, played by Richard Gere, and Rudy , right,
fran the Broadway play "BENT."
He found he could not get those rights, and obtained
Bent by Martin Sherman, which deals with the
Nazi persecution and extermination of harosexuals.
Instead, Rev. \vade's choice alarrood the l:x:>ard of directors
of the \•;esley Foundation. The chairman, Rev.
George Ricker (pator at University l.F-C) reviewed the
script and refused to sign checks to pay for production,
which was already under way. A l:x:>ard rreeting
was called, and funding was withdrawn by unan.irrous
vote.
The prevailing feeling was that, altho.igh, the
play had rrerit, it was just too controversial for the
United Methodist Church to sponsor. Dr. Ralph Seiler
(Superintendent of the Austin District of the M=thodist
Church) indicated that the overt sexuality in the
play made it unsuitable.
A frequent refrain was that a disp..ite over this
play would re "bad strategy for the> ultimate full inclusion
of gay people in the life of the church." I
find it depressing that this decisionJwas made witho.it
asking any gay peopl • ti<) ~nl: ga'/ people serve
on the \vesley Fourilation roarti, and none were invited
to the m:!eting as guest, though it should have been
obvious that the l:x:>ard's decision would have "needed
interpretation" to the gay ccnmmity. This attitude
l.S characteristic of the church's condescerrling approach.
It makes decisions a.rout px>ple's lives
without consulting them. The feelings of conserv-..i.tive-:
nirrled fat cats are considered l.llpJrtant. ~
feelings of minority people are not.
The "strategy" turned out to re bad ir. at least
one instance: on Sunday, January "6, my friend a.nu
corrpanion Ronnie Sawey confronted Rev. Ricker a.rout
his decision rl.uring the eleven o'c.:loc::k worship service
at University !-:ethodist. Although thl.S did :-x:,t
cause the board to change its decision, it Ji call
into question th- practice of n ~lecting th .::oncerns
~-"'. .... ...minOl(:.i..,t_y n e. I-<$<l2).t~~Ll...~-tl~ gJ. t.a-t.
iOn .
There are youths 1n and out of the 11.ietho:Jist
Church who care ab:>ut l:eing Chrutian \-mile l:eing ::.n
conflict a.rout their sexual activities und fcnlings.
Honosexuals and many others are in this group. It
is tragic that the church can't apply <::::e saire ~
c ntin~ a n page ~B
IDl PRODUCTION COOTINUES
HELP NEEDED
by Rev. Wilson ad
I am trying to raise $2,300 for a professional
quality pro.::luction of. BENT this spring.
_My_personal ccmru.tnent to producing this play in
Austin is greater than ever, precisely becaμse an
agency of the United Methodist Church has withdrawn
support on the grounds that certain church people
might l:e offended,
. Sever~ hundred dollars of my own I!Oney will l:e
p..it into ~us ~ffort. The production staff I have
been working with is also making a financial c:amu.trrent.
"!e also have the ccmnitrrent of sore of the test
actors_ in town to make this play an outstanding
theatr:-<=al event of deep social significance for the
a:rrm.uuty.
We have a grant of $1,200 fran the Austin Parks
and Recreation Departrrent to stage BEN!' at center
Stage Theatre and tentative agreerrent fran ur to
stage it in their Drama workshop Theatre. Ten performances
are planned.
We need all the financial ccmnitrrents ~ can get
as soon as possible, l:ecause "up-front" I!Oney is necessary
l:efore ~ can get receipts fran ticket sales.
Please help.
Rev. Wade is pastor of St. Luke United Methodist
Church, 1306 West Lynn, in Austin , phone 476-8164.
18 CONNECTIONS
METHODIST CHURCH QUASHES Wf[ - continued from page 17
pathy for oppressed Jews to oppressed horrosexuals .
After all , it is rruch rrore cormon for :-iethcxiist
youth to suffer anxiety because they think they might
be gay than it is for them to worry that they might
be Jewish. The church wuld have reassured many
people if it had the courage to speak out against the
oppression of honosexuals.
The controversy ~-.ould have been valuable in
i tself . Every tirre I have sIX)ken publicly to decry
the oppression of gay people , a hopeful result has
been that several conflicted people have felt like
they could rel y on rre to give them advice and reduce
their pain. Other gay activists and pastors reIX)rt
the sane. For this reason, I take heart in the fact
that Rev. Wade wants to go for.-1ard and stage Bent if
he can get comnunity backing. He will find that his
efforts make him and the church be percei ved as a
cormuni ty resource to which peopl e can turn when they
need help.
1·/CWI.N-LOVI NG v/Q\EN
Lave:,Jer Horizons is making available (for
purchase or rer:t; ;\O:•lA.'.- LDVr.:G \·JO:-s:;, a 25-minute
r:edia presentation which explores IX)pular miscor.ceptio:.
s atout lesbia'1s and shows h0v1 society acts
UIX):-. these r'.'lisconceptions to oppress lesbians socially,
economically, and IX)litically.
I:. additio:,, the presentation shows the richness
of lesbiar. culture and documents the enorrrous
contri::utions that lesbians of all ages , races,
a'1d classes make to society.
\·,O:-:;i::-WJI::G :-JCX·IE:. was created by Patricia
A. Gozerr.ba a"ld :-:arilyn L. Humphries . Pat, a Professor
of ~nglish at Salem State College, is on
the Steering Comnittee of the ~ational l'lorren 's
Studies Association and is a rrember of the Boston
Area Lesbian and Gay History Project. Marilyn, a
professional photographer, is a rrember of the :Jew
:Sngla'1d Warren 's Studies Association and the Massachusetts
::orth Shore Gay Alliance.
Purchase price is $225 for the 244-frarre
slide- tape presentation and discussant 's guide; $125
is the price for the filmstrip version. Rental fee
is $45 . For rrore infonnation, write Lavender Horizons
, P.O. Box 806 , Marblehead, Mass . 01945 , 617/
744 - 9141. In keeping with its philosophy of supIX)rtfog
feminist , lesbian, and gay organizations , Lavender
Horizons directs 5% of the purchase price to
Olivia Records in gratitude for their music in \-Ja.,lA..~
-WJI::G l·V.IE:J a'1d in support of their wrk.
Lavender Horizons is currently soliciting
rnanuscripts , slide/tape programs and videotapes on
lesbian and gay ma.le issues .
.., •-•~to T ... ..................... _ ..
CONNECTIONS 19
CONNECTIONS
CALENDAR
F E B R U A R Y l 9 8 l
Sun Feb 1 Austin Laml:x:la pot- luck supper for lesbians ,
lesbian co- parents , and their children.
Call 479-0654 for info.
Sat Feb 7 Reservations due for Austin Laml:x:la Valentine
Supper
8: 30pn, Austin Laml:x:la lesbian dance
10i:rn-3arn, free STD screening by Gay
People/Health Care at the Club Baths
Sun Feb 8 3pn, r,ccA congregational rrceting after
\'.Orship service
M:)n Feb 9 Jeremiah 's Haircutting birthday sale.
New custarers only. $2 off with
COONECTIONS ad. 26th and Rio Grande.
Tue Feb 10 Jeremiah ' s Haircutting birthday sale .
Sarre as Feb. 9
Wed Feb 11 7pn, Law Students for Hurran Rights
rreeting , UT Law School Annex
7:30pn, Austin Laml::x:1a alcohol collective
rreeting
Thu Feb 12 12 noon , UT-A:1stin Counseling Center presents
panel on "Issues in Gay and
Lesbian Relationships , " Texas Union ,
East,.,Qods Room ( 2. 102)
5:15pn and 7:30pn, film "Word is Out"
at Texas Union Theater
Fri Feb 13 8i:rn-1arn, waren-only Valentines benefit
dance for Austin Lesbian Gay Political
Caucus, Unitarian Church ruilding ,
4700 Grover
Sunday
M:)nday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
h£EKL Y EVENTS
2- 4arn, After Hours at Austin Country
12 noon- 3pn, Brunch with Bunch, Austin
Country, beginning in mid- February
2pn, 1'-CCA \'.Orship service, 408 West 23rd
6: 30pn, free C&1v da"lce lessons , Red River
Crossing
7pn, T-dance, Tex's Colorado Street Bar.
Free draft beer.
8pn, Dignity liturgy. Call 477- 6699 for
location.
10pn, Punk, Trash and Caredy with the
Grease Sisters, Austin country
6: 30pn, Austin Laml:x:la rreeting
8-10pn, Austin Laml:x:la gay rren's awareness
session. Everyone ;..,elcare.
12 midnight, New Wave Night, Tex's Colo-rado
Street Bar
85¢ bar drinks , Tex 's Colorado ·street Bar
25¢ draft beer, Red River Crossing
5: 30- 6: 30pn, Austin Laml::x:1a rredi tation
instruction
7:30pn, r,ccA \'.Orship service, 408 West 23rd
8- 10pn, Austin Laml:x:la therapy group. $5
per session.
9pn, r,ccA Christian Life Series: "Harosexuality
and the Bible, " 408 \·:est 23rd
9pn, 35¢ well drinks all night, Tex's
Colorado Street Bar
~~~---- 7: 30pn, Austin Laml::x:1a lesbian rrothers 9pn-1 : 30arn, The MUstang Band performs m">eting (chi dcare) •
at The R2.d River Crossing
Sut Feb 14 7μ:i, Austin Laml::x:1a Valentine Supper
catered by S~tish Hill. $7.50 per
person. Make reservations by Feb. 7
Performance by sinuer :>ebbie Jacol:s at
T x' s Colorado Street Bar
Wed F b 18 7-10pn, University Gay Students Organization
rreeting, Texas Union
7:30pm, Austin Laml:x.la work hop "or qays
in the closet on their JOl:s
~hu Feb 19 7μ:i, Gay People/Health Care covered dish
dinner, followed by rrceting at 8p-n.
One- year anniversary meeting. Everyone
interested in the health care of gay
people is invited. 1501 Ullrich.
Call 453- 0816 for info.
Sat Feb 21 11arn-4pn, r,ccA rrembcrship day. Call 477-
7747 for details .
Law Students for Hurran Rights pot- luck
supper at Marvin Prevosts' s . Call 4 77-
7867 for info .
8: 30pn, Austin Laml::x:1a lesbian coffeehouse
M:)n Feb 23 8pn, Austin Laml::x:1a discussion of lesbian
lifestyles
Tue Feb 24 7:30pn, Austin Lesbian Gay Political
Caucus neeting, Austin Lambda. Topic:
"Endorserrent of Austin City Council
Candidates"
Wed Feb 25 7pn, Austin Laml:x:la lasagna supper
Fri Feb 27 9i:rn-1 :30arn, The Mustang Band performs at
The Red River Crossing
Fri Mar 6
C O M I N G EVENTS
Performance by Divine at Tex 's Colorado
Street Bar
Saturday
8-10pn, Austin Lambda lesbian awareness
session
85¢ bar dri."lks, Tex's Colorado Street Bar
10μ-::, ShowtJr.e at Austin Cow,try
2-4arr., After Hours at Austin Country
10am, Austin Laml::da run arouoo Town La1<e.
~t at gazebo near Municipal Auditorium.
ORGANIZATIONS
Austin Larnbda AA Center. • • . 1403 East Sixth
6: 30 - 10: 30pn nightly • • 4 72- 0336
Austin Laml::x:1a 603 West 'I\-.elfth
7 - 1 Opn t-t,nday - Friday . • . . . • • 4 7 8- 8653
Austin Lesbian Gay Politica~ Caucus • 603 West 'I\-.elfth
P.O. Box 822, Austin 78767 • , , • • . • 78-8653
Dignity • • Box 4357 • • • • . • Austin,. Texas 18765
Gay Camunity Services • • • • • • • 2330 Guadalupe
6 - 1 Opn nightly • · • · · • , . . . • 4 77- 6699
Gay People/Heal th Care • • • • • • • 1 O 1 O-B Rcrrer ia
Austin , Texas 78757 • • • 453- 0816
Law Students for Hurran Rights . 2500 Re:l River
Austin, Texas 78712 days : 471 - 5151 ext. 210
nights : 77-7257 or 477- 7867
!'-Etropolitan Ccmnunity Church of Austin ••
P.O. Box 18581 Austin 78745 • 477- 7747
University Gay Students Organization: . 477- 6699
Coming in :1arch
T O M R O B I N S O N
INTERVIEW ......_ _____________ __. ----~-~-------------..J
...
20 CONNECTIONS
CLASSIFIED CONNECTIONS
ca :::cr:ra-;s reaches a specl.a.i audience that
other Austin publications don't. le' l.l ass1.g:1
a blind !::ox n~ to advertisers who wish to
reIT'aL-: a>1onyr.ous . Classified deadlL'1e is the
tv.enty- second of each rronth. Cl ass ified rate
is 10¢ per v.0rd - minimum one dollar. Call
474- 1660 for further details.
• -:AIL YOUR CLASSIFIED !IDS 'ID CQ:)lECTICNS
2401 Manor Road #118
Austin, Texas 78722
Name ___________ Phone _____ _
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City/State _____________ Zip __
--_-_,'
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All classifieds must be accompan,ect by payment In advance.
EASTSIDE LIBERTARIAN HEAOOUARTERS Books,
human rights and anti- nuke information,
Chinese teas, incense, head supplies,
i.rrp:)rted soaps , hairbrushes , embroidered
cotton shoes. 2109 P.ountree , one block west
of Airport Blvd., off Manor Road. 478- 7347
EXECUTIVE HEALTH CLUB
Austin
7th & Congres
478-7220
San Antonio
723 Ave. "B"
225-8807
Ho Awa Fr Ho
24-l!~U (I'RY OUT) NE1bERSHIPS
AT LAST! Your laumry hassles are ~r. We
will pick up, wash, dry, fold and dell.-:r
your laumry to your door . We' 11 also pick
up and deliver dry cleaning. Call A BIT
CLEANER at 385-7096 and enJoy being neat and
clean without all the work .
HENRY"S MEMRT'S
Ylntal(e
Clot h lnl( And C'o11tume.,
l'HOlll ( LI> IIY.
T Iil, I'll \HH<.;
l~-1, tirll ..,r
\J'-,TJ\IIX\S
PACIFIC SUNRISE (ANARCHODILLO): MARIJUANA
pipes, Ku.,g Fu shoes , WJkn , natural soaps
and sharrp;x>s , science fiction , Lil:€rtarian
l:x)oks, Chinese ginseng products . 1712 South
Congress . 441 - 4565
INTO WRITING? Call Jim at 474-1660 .
Keep trying.
M ICHAELC. MENFFEF. PH D.
Psvcholo~i\t
INDIVIDUAL AND RELATIONSHIP
COUN ELING
2813 R10 Grande Au\11n, Tx. 78705
(512) 176 5'119
.
LIBERTARIAN MEETINGS Sunday Feb. 8, 6:30μn
and Sunday March 8, 6:30pm at Pacific Sunrise
. Public welcorre.
~/ANTED: A PIAN IST with church service
experience and ability to sight-read.
1'.eeded for Sundays fran 1 to 3: 30 and
h'ednesdays 7: 30- 8: 30. 1·lill also play
for choir. Small salary available. Call
t-~troi:olitan Camunity Church of Austin.
477- 7747 . Leave ID3Ssage for Cheri Miller.
CORPUS CHRISTI - A discreet, personal roormate
service. HOOSE-:-11\TES (512) 991-1797 or Box
1011 , Corpus Christi, Texas 78403.
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