| Transcript |
WVWVVW AUGUST 16, 1996 ■ ISSUE 825 VVWVVVW
How Big is That GOP Tent?
Log Cabin Republicans Meet
in San Diego
By Curt Morrison
.The "Big Tent" philosophy of the Republican
party that claims to be both inclusive and
diverse is being questioned. The Policy
Institute of the National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force (NGLTF), citing polls, indicates
that only 14% of self-identified gay and
lesbian voters cast their ballot for George
Bush in 1992. No surprise there, considering
the tumultuous GOP convention that occurred
in Houston that same year. What is surprising
however is the exit polling data from 1994.
According to a Mitofski Organization report
released by the NGLTF, 32% of our
community voted Republican in 1994.
Whether or not the 1996 Republican ticket of
Bob Dole and Jack Kemp can maintain that
Scott Kennedy and Kevin Maye bring the
Gay Comedy Jam to Houston's LaffStop
show will be a live taping for a new CD,
their first.
They've been Domestic Partners in real life
since 1993, but they perform separately.
They have closed many of their shows by
sharing the stage and conducting an
"audience participation" gay version of the
dating game. Starting The Gay Comedy
Jam Freedom Tour 1995 was somewhat as
a defense mechanism so that the two could
have more time together. "Being able to do
what you love and do it with the person you
love is the best thing in the whole world,”
says Kennedy. "You always have
somebody next to you to do something with
and talk to." Maye agrees that it was really
a smart choice for them both personally and
professionally. "It was a really smart move
that enhanced our careers and made us
Gay Comedy
at Laff Stop
Local guys prove being Gay is
a laughing matter
By Deborah Bell
enjoy it a lot more", he asserts.
"We definitely consider our relationship a
marriage," Kennedy explains, agreeing with
me that there are no good words for us to use
as same-sex partners. "We say Domestic
Partners, but that sounds like one of them is
a pet." He adds, "1 know, it's not a good
word. We haven't come up with anything we
like."
Scott Kennedy defies many stereotypes and
jokes about being someone that the Lesbians
level of the gay and lesbian vote remains to be
seen and is certainly incumbent upon what
happens in the months to come during this
election cycle.
Log Cabin Republicans (LCR), a nationwide
gay and lesbian group, convened in San
Diego last weekend prior to the GOP
convention to work with the Republican
establishment in an attempt to dissuade the
intolerance that has become synonymous with
the Republican Party. Not an easy feat for any
organization who goes against the grain of the
OOP's grass root ideologues, however, the
gay group is currently in a better position to
confront the bigotry than it has been in
previous conventions. With 10,000 members
nationwide. Log Cabin is three times the size
it was in 1992 providing the organization with
much more influence.
The group’s influence was prevalent during
their National Convention held in San Diego
prior to the Republican National Convention.
Texas Log Cabin members from Austin,
Dallas, Houston and San Antonio were
present at the LCR convention providing our
state with an impressive presence. The
Houston chapter had the largest delegation led
by LCR Houston President Gary Van
Ooteghem. Upon arrival, the organization was
invited to a welcoming reception with the
Mayor of San Diego, Susan Golding, a
"moderate" Republican. And, for the first time
three openly gay delegates, all of whom are
members of the organization, will be
participating in this year's Republican
National Convention. The three delegates
who comprise this historic first are: New York
delegate Mike Flynn who works for Mayor
Rudy Giuliani; Abner Mason, a
Massachusetts delegate who works for Senate
Candidate and state Governor William Weld;
and Mark Patrosso, a delegate from California
who works for an electronics firm.
During the LCR convention, the group
participated in several committee meetings,
luncheons with dignitaries and lobbying
media and delegates about the organization's
goals to incorporate the GOP into that Big
Tent party they purport to maintain. The
weekend began with a compelling keynote
address by famed author Chandler Burr who
(Continued on page 8)
'Brian Keever, Board Member and Darren Armstrong, treasuer of the Pride Committee
The first impression of Scott Kennedy and
Kevin Maye is that they are really nice guys.
And that they have a caring, committed
relationship that many in our community
might envy. The fact that these two found
each other and love in the wacky world of
stand-up comedy, developed a relationship
while both were traveling all over the country
for gigs, and that they have developed a very
successful "Gay Comedy Tour" is rather
amazing. They were named by the
Hollywood Reporter as "The Most
Successful Gay Comics." That honor
apparently was well earned as the two can't
even play all the dates they have been asked
to play, and have sell-out audiences all
around the country and Canada. They have
appeared on the Comedy Channel, Evening at
the Improv, and HBO. They've opened for
many top name performers. They will be
featured in an October episode of "In the
Life" which airs on PBS stations around the
country (call Ch.8 and ask them when it will
be on here). Tuesday you can catch the guys
on the radiowaves at Buzz 107fm.
They will appearing at The LaffStop at 1952
W. Gray on Monday August 19th and
Tuesday, August 20th, starting at 8pm each
night. Opening performer is Frank
Lockwood. Tickets are pre-paid only and if
you haven't gotten a ticket yet, hurry, their
shows are sell outs, with good reason. Group
discount rates are available prior to Monday.
The guys are especially excited about playing
in their hometown and that the Laff Stop
are attracted to because of his "jock"
personae. "Yeah we can go play pool after the
show, they win, everyone has a nice time and
Kevin can do their hair." He explains that
of Houston present checks to Dallas Crawford of the AIDS Housing Houston/Milam
House, Christi Burchette, Co-facilitator of the Texas Lesbian Conference, and Jim
Carper, treasurer of the Gay and Lesbian Switchboard Houston.
prior to touring together, the two spent a lot
of time apart as their out of town gigs took
them in various directions. Kennedy says that
they both always wanted to be performers.
Getting started is the hardest part. "There is
no school for it," Kennedy explains.
Growing up in the Southwest, including New
Walgreens that AIDS
Built target of Protest
Mexico and Lubbock,Texas, playing football
and attending a military school, few people
suspected his sexual orientation. Kennedy
was such a "regular guy" it didn't occur to his
crowd of friends that he was a "faggot", a
(Continued on page 11)
Removal of Publications at Issue
A Walgreens Drugstore in the Montrose
Area has become a target of protest after
removing a locally published magazine
directed to a gay and lesbian readership. The
magazine OutSmart
and other such
publications are no
longer being
distributed from the
Walgreens store
located at 3317
Montrose
Boulevard.This
Walgreens has been
called "the drugstore
that AIDS built" due
to the large volume of
business the store
does because of the
HIV and AIDS
This Walgreens may soon be a protest spot.
treatment drugs it
sells. It has been said
to be the second largest revenue producer in
the Walgreens chain in the country. The
Houston Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus
(HGLPC) at its meeting on August 7
discussed this matter and directed its
President Pat Gandy to notify the press.
Gandy had contacted the corporate office via
phone and letter after ascertaining that it was
true that the magazine had been pulled from
the store. In addition to sending letters,
Gandy has talked to the manager of the
Montrose Walgreens Store in person. He
assured her that the decision is a corporate
one and that he has no control over the issue
now.
Specifically, HLGPC would like for those
who are upset by this action from Walgreens
to do the following:
1. To protest this decision, write to:
Mr. Daniel Jorndt, President,
(Continued on page 19)
2 HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996
Get ReAdy For
America f-
AT Wei's
INTERVIEW MAGAZINE
entertainment WEEKLY I
ROLLING STONE
VANITY FAIR
Thanks for hanging in Houston and getting
back into the community spotlight.
You have lifted the Voice to a nice high. I
did not like it much as some other papers
until you took over. Now I look forward to
each issue. I only wish it reached out here
in the burbs. Any chance??? The Houston
Press does now and with the probable
annexation of the area I think you should
consider dropping it off out here. There
are women who love women out here and
even a few men who love men, what are the
SoutIiern
)eca<Jenci
2404 TaFt
525-5557
Loving Your New Voice to Us
FROM KASEY KING
Dear Deborah,
It is incredible that you are back available
to us out here in the suburbs with
your wit and humor and seriousness and
availability to your “family.” I am so
glad to be hearing you through your words
that I had to jot a note. I have missed you on
Lesbian and Gay Voices and have let you
know that numerous times. Oh how wonderful
that you and this newspaper
struck a cord together. Your voice is once
again out there to your fans and I’m glad. I
heard your interview on the show last
Thursday.
Love Nancy Ford’s new column. She
really gave B. a hoot to talk about for
months to come at the Janis Ian concert. B.
could have died a thousand deaths to be
outted there. I thought it was great. We
have come so far since our first encoun-
FROM RICK EHRLICH
For those readers unfamiliar with the
name, this is the Montrose area civic
group whose borders include the strip of
lower Westheimer. The vast majority
of Montrose residents and businesses
will agree that this area has been plaguecl
for 15 years by blight, street crime^
vagrants/loiterers, trash, and while
Houston recovered from the oil crash
years, this strip did not really recover
much, as much as all of us want it. Recently
the Avondale Association and other
local associations voted to request the
HPD’s cooperation in a brief effort to
reduce the number of vagrants, derelicts,
hookers/hustlers and street drug
dealers from our beloved Montrose area
neighborhood.
As there is no city penalty for loitering,
HPD can only do this effectively by a
“zero tolerance” campaign; for
example, the derelict loiters with no
risk, but when he steps into the street, he is
stopped for jaywalking-HPD runs hi|
name in the computer, and as many of the'
street types are ex-cons or current fugitives,
there may be outstanding bench
warrants against them. By this means,
HPD is able to get them out of the Montrose
area. It definitely has had a helpful
effect. I understand there were several
unfortunate unintended situations
where a legitimate resident or business
patron was stopped and/or questioned
by HPD for jaywalking, or other
technical minor infraction. Hopefully
the affected individuals will not mind
too much, recognizing it as a minor side
affect of the greater, worthwhile effort.
As some of these unfortunate incidents
occurred near the cluster of gay bars
(j.R.’s, etc.), some constrrued it as an
anti-gay effort. We should strongly
emphasize to ail that the program was
supposed to help all the legitimate residents
and patrons of our area. We
embarked on this as a unified neighborhood
effort. If some of those unfortunate
instances were among gay individuals,
we must stand united in our sincerity that
this was very much unintended. We must
resolve together that if we can achieve
reductions in the number of hooker/
hustlers on our streets, it benefits the
legitimate gay community just as much
as others in the area; if it results in less
vagrants hanging around (as a crime risk,
because most of them are ex-cons, and as a
visual blight element because they make
our neighborhood look trashy), it helps
all residents and patrons. It is disappointing
to hear anyone, including the
usually thoughtful activist Ray Hill,
say that the effort was anti-gay, because L
believe with all my heart that this is not so.’
Following the conclusion of the
effort, if it again is a problem, I hope the
Associations will have the unified
resolve to vote to request th’e zero tolerance
campaign by HPD again. The best of
civic associations have differing
opinions within their memberships,
and the Avondale is improving in membership
and thoughtful dialogue. I hope
to see more business and residential
neighbors at the future meetings where
this type of effort is debated and voted.
Personally, I’ll vote for this program,
and encourage all to join in because it
helps our whole Montrose area.
EDITOR’S NOTE; Mike Springer was
the author of the letter that appeared las^
week regarding Avondale. He had asked
that his address not be used and inadvertently
his name was left off as well .—db.
Fascinating! an accomplished
AND ENGROSSING SPECTACLE!
Jeffrey Wright gives a vivid performance.
Dennis Hopper provides ace color.”
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Hats off to Jeffrey Wright.”
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Here’s good things to you, let’s not lose
contact.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Kasey, Great to hear
from you—I'm so glad you like the Voice
and the work we are doing. Your continuing
support means a lot to me. Arrangements
can be made to have a distribution
point in your area if a friendly business
can be found or if there is a group that meets
in the area that might want to be a “pickup
” place .—db
We Get Kudos
FROM SAMUEL THOMPSON
KUDOS to you and your publication for
printing the guest editorial by Martina
Cartwright in the August 9, 1996 issue!!
Through my own personal experiences
as well as discussion with peers and my
own research, I too have found that the
issues of racism and sexism have not truly
been dealt with by the lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgendered community.
Although solutions have been found
in the forming of separate organizations
for those who have been “slighted,”
it is obvious that as our community
moves into the next millennium
these issues must be addressed, not solely
for purposes of creating “a more unified
front,” but also for the greater purpose
of consciousness-raising and
changing.
It is my hope that your publication will
continue the discussion of these issues
in the future.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Thanks, Samuel, we
shall .—db
Re: The Avondale Civic
Association
Fest
522-701*
TACL A00610C
HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996 3
In My Own
Voice
Gender Gap Wide Open
I have been wooed, courted as it were, but
rather than feel the glow of amorous
intentions, I feel as if someone is playing
me as a fool. Maybe because my suitor
was an unwelcome one. I tried to like her,
really listened and hoped for a glimmer
of understanding. It just isn’t there. The
chemistry has to be right you know. I
know what they want. They want me for my
vote. It is highly unlikely that they will get
it even though they talked a good talk. I
saw through their ploy. It takes a little
more substance to earn my respect and
support, and most importantly, my
vote.
The gender gap is the difference
between the way women vote and the way
men vote. The Republicans have a problem
with it. Mostly it is a problem with
their candidate, Bob Dole not being
viewed as someone who is really supportive
of women, although his wife Elizabeth
is a powerful and successful
woman in her own right. The 1994 elections
and the huge turnover of seats to
Republicans was characterized as
being brought about due to the “Angry,
White Male Voter.” This time, it’s our
turn to make the difference with the
Women’s vote.
The Republican Party at its show in San
Diego paraded before the assembly and
television audiences last Tuesday
night its best and brightest. Attractive,
articulate, successful women. These
women such as Texas Senator Kay Bailey
Hutchinson and New York Congresswoman
and Keynote speaker,
Susan Molinari bashed Clinton while
trying to make a case for why women
should vote Republican. They questioned
Clinton’s personal integrity
and the Democratic fiscal policies.
One of the things the Republicans are
doing is taking credit for matters that
they either had no part in or are laying
claim to in hopes that we will believe that
they really are working in our best interest.
Hutchinson claims that the Republicans
in killing of Clinton’s health
plan was a great victory for women.
Because, she said it didn’t cover mammograms
for women before age 50 and she had
friends under that age that had breast cancer.
She failed to mention that nothing in
any of the Republican plans would have
provided the mammogram services
either. Furthermore, while it is of grave
concern, women have many more health
concerns than breast cancer, and with
no health plan in place, our overall health
and ability to care for our families is in
jeopardy. Hutchinson made a jab at Hillary
Clinton by saying “We don’t want
to have a village raise a child, we want a
family to raise a child.” Clinton’s book
on raising children published last year
is titled “It takes a Village to Raise a
Child” . Clever line, but it misses the
point of the African saying that inspired
the saying to begin with. The village (the
community) should be family for every
child. Children need and deserve the
love, nurturing and guidance of everyone
in the community to be the child’s
extended family. The job is too big for
just parents. We have to count on children
receiving that same care from teachers,
coaches, their scout leaders, and
neighbors to have the kind of society
that is part of the American Dream. The
American Dream—that was another
term they used quite a bit, claiming that
putting a Republican in the White
House would restore the American
Dream.
One of the most moving speeches was
made by a rape survivor and victim’s
rights advocate. She bravely shared her
story of horror at being awaken while in
her own bed and finding a stranger who
tore her clothes and touched her body. I
was touched by her story and impressed by
her courage. I agree with her that we need
tougher laws and better enforcement. I
think the victim’s rights far out weigh
those of the criminal. But I don’t agree
with her that voting for Republicans is
the answer. I just don’t trust them.
The party who used to tout that women
belong in the home raising children and
had such leaders as Phyllis Schafely of
the Eagle Forum and Beverly LeHaye of
the Concerned Women for America has
changed its tune a bit. It is always interesting
to me that the women who share this
view with their male counterparts are
never women who maintain that role and
whose careers (or marriages) put them in
the wealthy category. Now they are
advocating for “the working
women.” They promise a that a more
equitable wage, along with tax cuts will
put more money in our pockets and give
more time to be with our families. This
from the party who was largely responsible
for the defeat of the ERA. hummm.
Women are more likely to vote for Democrats.
They make up their minds later than
men do, because they, want more information
about the candidates before making
their decisions. They care about voting
“smart.” Hopefully, they are too
smart to fall for the Republican’s charade.
In San Diego, they managed with
cameras tricks to make it look like they
really are the “Big Tent” party with
showing every person of color present
at the convention (3% Black, 3% Latino,
and a number of Asians). The camera
showed many women’s faces and did not
reveal that only 33% of the delegates are
women (down from 45% in 1992). Just how
much coverage have you seen of support
by the GOP for the rights of Gays and
Lesbians? I haven’t seen, except
through the Gay media, any reports on the
presence of the Log Cabins who are
struggling to make a place for themselves
within the party. Maybe that is one
reason I’m a Democrat, we already have
a place.
So far the polls in Texas are claiming that
Clinton and Dole are in a dead heat, but
when it comes to Women, Clinton leads
41 % to Dole’s 34%. 13 % of women favor
Perot and 12% remain undecided. Among
men Dole leads with 43% over Clinton’s
36% with 12% being undecided and only
8% in favor of Perot. Kemp’s selection as
GOP vice president increased men’s
support of Dole but had no effect on the
women.
The Republican women have demonized
feminism yet touted how far we
(women) have come. Who do they think
opened the doors to begin with?
It is very hard for me, as well as the voters
under the age of 40 who have a hard time
believing that Dole is the person to lead
us into the 21st century. It also impossible
for me to believe that a party that is
anti-choice and anti-gay as stated in its
platform, can be working in my best
interest. If women do not have the choice
to terminate a crisis pregnancy, they
have no choice at all. Women are people of
conscience and they and they alone are
the ones who must maintain the control
of their own bodies and reproductive
lives. The Republicans want to change
welfare, but while l agree that reform is
needed, their plan penalizes the most
vulnerable in society (teenage
women with children). They want to do
away with affirmative action based on
classism and judgmental elitism. They
keep talking about restoring the American
Dream. What they need to look at is
the American Reality.
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The Honorable _______________ The Honorable________________
U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20510 Washington. DC 20515
The President of the United States
President Bill Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington. DC 20500
White House Public Comment Line: 202/456-7639
E-mai 1: president@whitehouse.gov
4 HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996
Iwlamigy "Memar^
STEPHEN TAYLOR BRALICK
Bom: April 15, 1953
Died: August 2, 1996
Stephen passed away peacefully on
Friday, August 2nd at Park Plaza
Hospital in Houston. Born and raised in
Waukesha, Wisconsin he graduated from
the Waukesha Public School System and
then attended beauty school in
Milwaukee. He spent the next 20-plus
years as an accomplished hairdresser
and color expert. After moving to
Houston he worked for Frost Bros, until
its closing, then moved to Alexander in
River Oaks. Stephen periodically did hair
and make-up for the Houston Grand
Opera and also spent several years
volunteering his skills at Bering Care
Center and other AIDS care facilities. He
was an outstanding man who never met
a stranger.
Stephen is preceded in death by his
father John E. Bralick, and his soulmate
Richard Hupp. He is survived by his
mother Peggy Bralick of Waukesha, Wl;
his brother John Bralick, sister-in-law
Roxanne, and nephews Zachary and
Charles of Warrensburg, MO, his sister
Susan Brown, brother-in-law Tim, and
nephews Seth and Shane of Johnson
Creek, Wl; his sister Maggie Bralick, and
partner Cindy McCullough of Houston;
and his 13 year old Basset, Buster.
The family wishes to thank nurses, Karen
and Billie, and all others of Park Plaza,
Sth fl., who gave Stephen such wonderful
care and their great concern.
A Celebration of Life and balloon release
will be held on Sunday, August 18th at 3
p.m. at Mary's Outback, 1022
Westheimer.
GEORGE E. WATSON
George Watson, Jr., 37, affectionately
known by his friends as "Bit" passed from
this life on August 2, 1996. George was a
valued employee at Methodist Hospital
Health Care Systems where he worked
as a purchasing specialist. He is survived
by his spouse Randol Lindsay, D.Min., a
sister and brother, Catherine Barbato
and Nicholas Jack Watson, of Mobile,
maternal grandmother Mrs. E.
Bill
CARTOONIST:
Earl Storm
PUBLISHER
Crad Duren
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
Andrew Edmonson, Larry Lingle,
Curt Morrison, Jazz Paz, Glen Webber
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
J.C. Michelak/editorial assistant
Jon Anthony/entertainment editor
Jack Leonard/sports editor
Carolyn Roberts/society editor
STAFF WRITERS:
B.R. McDonald, Carolyn Roberts,
Javier Tamez (Theatre Review)
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
David Goetz, Kim Thompson,
Steven David
EDITOR
Deborah Moncrief Bell
-- ----- expressed by columnists or cartoonists are not nec-ssarily
those of the Houston Voice or its staff and we assume
o liability for the content expressed or implied of said articles or
likeness of persons living or dead, real or fictional in the
cartoons
—Publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization
in articles or advertising in the Houston Voice is not
to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation of
said person or organization.
—The appearance of advertisements or opinions expressed
therein do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee by The
Houston Voice or its staff.
August 16, 1996
Published Fridays
Established 1974 as the Houston Montrose Star,
re-established 1980 as the Houston Montrose Voice,
changed name to The New Voice in 1991
incorporating the New Orleans Crescent City Star,
re-established December 1, 1993 as the
Houston Voice
811 Westheimer, Suite 105
Houston, Texas 77006
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E-mail: HouVoice@AOL.com
Contents copyright 1996
Office Hours: 9am-5:30pm
weekdays
BILLY ROSS RAMSEY
Born: July 9, 1947
Died: August 11, 1996
Ross Ramsey, age 49, formerly of
Houston, died Sunday, August 11, 1996,
at Christopher House in Austin. He was
born in Lampasas.
After serving as Student Body President
and Debate Team member at Southwest
Texas State University, Bill represented
Texas in the LBJ Administration. Upon
his return, he taught school in San
Antonio and continued his leadership in
Young Democrats. Houston became his
home in 1972 where for many years he
was prominent in business and politics.
He and his late partner J. Cary Chellette
founded J. Ross Real Estate, Tropicana
Swim Club, and Cock-a-too; scenes of
Houston's first and best teas dances,
earning them repeated Diana awards.
Following his work in Washington, D.C.,
Billy served with the administrations of
innumerable Democratic elected officials,
including Mayor Kathy Whitmire,
Commissioner El Franco Lee,
Representative Debra Danburg and as
Executive Director of the Office of
Governor Ann Richards. Bill was
Executive Director of the Harris County
Democratic Party during "his" Governor's
successful campaign.
Billy delighted in his travel to San
Francisco, New York, Fire Island and
points beyond...and had the spirit to let
Debra talk him into everything from
SCUBA diving to whitewater rafting,
though he was a lousy swimmer.
Charities that benefited from Billy's work
and remarkable organizational skills are
countless. He began the first Montrose
Activity Center, Tea for 2000, and served
on numerous community boards and
fundraising steering committees. Bill will
receive the Political Lifetime
Achievement Award from the Human
Rights Campaign on September 28 in
Austin, and has requested that memorial
contributions be made to Christopher
House, 2820 E. Martin Luther King Jr.
Blvd., Austin, TX 78702 in appreciation of
the wonderful care given to him and other
loved ones. His friends also thank Dr.
PRODUCTION
Matthew Pennington/manager/art director
Maggie Bralick/production layout
OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Jack Leonard/office manager
Maggie Bralick/assistant manager
Jeanna Wiley/office assistant
McGIoughlan, and a niece and nephew.
Services were held in Mobile at St.
Ignatius Catholic Church with interment
at Cedar Crest Cemetery. A Memorial
Service will be held in Houston for
George's many friends on Saturday,
August 17, 1996 at Christ the King
Lutheran Church, 2353 Rice Blvd. @
Greenbriar at 4:00 pm with reception
immediately following at "Widowwood",
1216 W. Drew, hosted by Rick Carter,
Dennis Leasman, Michael Mixon and
Randol Lindsay. Memorial contributions
in memory of "Bit" may be
Assistance Fund.
ROBERT T.
(BOBBY) VEITH
Born: June 30, 1952
Died: August 6, 1996
Bobby passed to a
better, safer place at
sunrise Tuesday
morning, August 6th, from The Passage
in Corpus Christi after a long and
courageous battle with AIDS. During his
life he touched many lives with his
infectious smile and lighthearted sense
of humor. Houston and Dallas knew him
as one of Texas' first Fan Dancers.
Bobby proudly wore the Texas Riders
colors and participated everywhere. He
was educated at King High School and
Delmar College in Corpus Christi before
moving to Houston. Bobby had many
talents, but was most proud of his career
as a real estate agent. He is survived by
his grandmother Hazel Freeman of
Pasadena, TX; his mother Joan and
stepfather Felix Veith, his brother William
Veith and nephew William Veith, Jr. all of
Corpus Christi; his father George Stone
of Lake Conroe, TX; his soulmate Steve
Bargo of Atlanta, GA; and his many
loving friends. He was preceded in death
by his lifemate Louis Edward Farr.
A private service for immediate family
was held in Corpus Christi and his ashes
scattered on Little Shell Beach on South
Padre Island where he had found life's
greatest regeneration and peace. A
celebration of Bobby's life will be held at
the Venture N on Sunday, August 25th at
3:00 p.m. to be followed by a balloon
release. In lieu of flowers, donations are
requested to Bering Community Service
Foundation.
We love and will miss you, Bobby. You
made our lives more exciting and will
always be in our hearts.
Love,
Greg, Pec, Doug and Charles
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Maggie Bralick
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Notice to advertisers:
Advertising rate schedule thirteen was effective March 1995
izxU ^^h-inr-inn -Partial or complete reproduction of any advertisement, news
donn Owens for years Of llfe-ennancing rticle or feature, copy or photograph from the Houston Voice is
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aic, aiiu ncJI iuy ruuiicaii ai -Opinions expressed by columnists or -------------------
M.D. Anderson.
made to the
HEALTH
Cryptosporidium Study
A nationwide phase II double-blind placebo-controlled
clinical trial is being conducted in
13 cities (including Houston) for the debilitating
and sometimes life-threatening opportunistic
pathogen Cryptosporidium
parvum (C.parvum).
The initial study in San Francisco General Hospital
had approximately 50 percent of patients
gaining therapeutic benefit with no serious
adverse reactions. The drug being used is a milkbased
antibody product derived from colostrum.
the antibody-rich milk collected from a
cow immediately following the birth of a calf
from a cow immunized with C.Parvum.
To be screened for participation in the study,
AIDS patients, male or female, must be at least 18
years of age and have had watery diarrhea for at
least 10 days in the previous three weeks.
Patients or physicians may call 1-800-372-AIDS
or visit the trial website at http.Z/www.aids-research.
com for more information about the
study or participating in the study.
Breast Cancer Web Site
The Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization
announced the opening of a Home Page on the
World Wide Web. The page includes a list of frequently
asked questions about breast cancer,
instructions on breast self-exam (BSE) including
diagrams, guidelines for mammography,
and a bibliography. The site features language
that is friendly and caring.
Y-ME, based in Chicago, is the nation’s largest
consumer-driven resource for breast cancer
information, support and referral. The web
address is http.//www.y-me.org. Anyone with
suggestions to offer of topics to be included can
e-mail Michelle Melin at YMEONE@AOL.COM.
Lesbian HIV Report
The Centers for Disease.Control and Prevention
(CDC) has published the first federal government
report on Lesbian HIV issues, reflecting
the current knowledge of the impact of this
disease on women who have sex with women and
provides direction to the CDC on developing
appropriate research and prevention initiatives.
This report includes 25 recommendations
under four major headings: research; surveillance;
communications & publications; and
further meetings. It also explores the four major
areas of transmission for lesbians and bisexual
women: needle sharing, unprotected sex
with men, unprotected sex with women and
insemination.
The meeting report can be ordered by calling the
CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse at 1-800-
458-5231.
Low-Fat and Skin Cancer
Research at Baylor College of Medicine has
revealed that patients on a diet of 20 percent fat
(considered very lean) had fewer precan-cerous
growths and non-melanoma skin cancers
than patients on a diet with the normal 38 percent
fat.
The participants had already had one to three
non-melanoma skin cancers, so the study
involved a group with a history. After two years,
the patients on the low-fat diet had an average of
three precancerous growths while the normal
diet patients averaged 10,” said Dr. John Wolf,
Chairperson of Dermatology at Baylor.
Avoiding excessive sun exposure is still the
best way to prevent the initial damage that
causes skin cancer. Wolf added. He also stated
there is evidence that a low-fat diet may be beneficial
in reducing the risk for colon, prostate
and breast cancer and proof that it influences
| cardiovascular health.
POSTMASTER: Send-address corrections to 811 Westheimer.
Suite 105, Houston, TX 77006 ,
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space. 5:00 p.m. CT Monday to furnish ad copy, for Friday
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Classified advertising deadline: noon CT Monday for Friday
publication
Responsibility: We do not assume financial responsibility for
claims by advertisers but readers are asked to advise the newspaper
of any suspicion of fraudulent or deceptive advertising
and suspicions will be investigated
Member: National Gay Newspaper Guild; Gay & Lesbian Press
Association; Associate member: Associated Press
The Houston Voice
On-Line!
The (JSAGayNet web site
can be viewed at
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To reach The Houston Voice, access
the site and click on the News and
Views. There is no charge for this
service.
^CLmiL^^/alueh
z faff
With A Name Like That,
What Did They Expect?
One woman introduced herself and
ksaid, “I have been married to the same
man for twenty-five years and we have
three kids.” Approving nods all
‘round.
The next one said, “I am new to Houston,
my husband was transferred here
from New Orleans. I can find my way to
work and to WalMart and that’s all.”
and voice mail. It is an appointment
requiring ethical judgment and sensitivity
to possible fraud. I was
pretty proud of myself for being
awarded such a position, and here he
was projecting my queer self into the
unemployment lines. (And I don’t
think you’re even eligible for unemployment
if you are fired for a reason of
offense. ’’You offended those people
by saying that!”) I certainly offended
him by saying it. He has known since I
have that I am a Lesbian. He knows Jan
Several generous offers to provide
geographic assistance.
“I live with a woman in a committed
relationship. We have three kids, all
grown.”
Gasps, embarrassment and clutching
of breast. Not from my new co-workers,
but from my brother (straight, but
stretching to accommodate his sister’s
outness) whom I related my firstand
he likes her enough to take us both
out for pizza. He attends our parties and
meets our friends and he loves my kids.
But this! This was too much: Walking
into a room of new orientees and
“blurting out” to them—and to my new
boss—that I am Gay. “That’s like telling
them that you’re deaf, or not a Christian,
or, not white, for Christsake!”
And he was vehement because he knew I
day-on-the-new-job experiences to.
He agreed with my partner Jan, that I
had become pale and eccentric, slouching
alone in front of a computer all
day tapping out my fortune on a keyboard.
They thought I needed to be
around people, earning vacation
time and wearing some of the new clothes
I spent all my writing earnings on. He
despairingly predicted that I had just
outted myself out of a good job where I
had only hours before been assigned an
office with my name on the door (and a
picture of Jan on my desk) and more
money than I have ever made in my life.
Downtown. Free parking. A pass key
and password, security clearance,
did tell them all of that, but only as it
came up in conversation. And no one
seemed to suffer the indignation he'
did when they heard it.
He sighed. He said he hoped I still had a
job the next day. Not that he would discriminate
against an employee who
was Gay, or very hard of hearing or not
Christian or not White, but in his experience
other corporate supervisors
tended to be less tolerant of those
peculiarities than himself.
We’ll see.
Jazz is an out-and-praud sister of her
openly white, straight, corporately
successful brother .
» i * w i
Hyde Park
Gallery
Individually done by
hand to archival standards,
photographic
prints of investment
quality by artist photographers
Paul De-
Rigne and Chris Mag-isano
will be on display
at the Hyde Park Gallery,
711 Hyde Park,
beginning with a reception
planned for Fri- Paul DeRigne’s "
day, August 16 from 7 Park Gallery
until 9:00 p.m.
Toni Jones Gallery
Painting, drawings and sculptures by
JoAnne Copeland, Sheila Bemis Greene,
Geno Haber, Robert White and others
will be on exhibit at the Toni Jones Gallery,
1911-C W. Alabama (at Hazard)
through Saturday August 24. The gallery
is open Monday to Saturday from
10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Barbara Davis Gallery
The show “Convergence” will be open
at the Barbara Davis Gallery, 711 Loui-
'siana, (Ground Floor of the Pennzoil
Building) through Sept. 25. The gallery
is open from 8:00 a.m. until noon, Tuesday
to Friday, and the show features
work by many artists using most mediums.
“The Heart Has its Reasons” at the Hyde
sion but a $3 donation is suggested.
The work of Sugimoto, an exploration
of photography, Buddhism, and time,
capturing harmony with nature, an
individuals immediate surroundings,
the beauty of plainness, rusticity,
and simplicity and continual repetition
of established gestures, will
be on exhibit until Sept. 1.
Project Row Houses
In the 3rd Ward, Project Row Houses displays
the work of young artists who have
been connected with the project. The
display is open W,Th,F, noon to 6 and
Sat. noon to 5 and is located at 2501 Holman
between St. Charles and Live Oaks
Streets. Telephone 526-7662.
Watercolor Art Society
Contemporary Arts Museum
The work of Dan Friedman, a radical
modernist designer, will be showcased
at the Contemporary Arts Museum,
5216 Montrose Blvd, until Sept. 22. The
museum is open T,W,F,Sa 10-5; Th, 10-9
and Su, noon to 5. No charge for admis-
The Watercolor Art Society—Houston,
at 1601 W. Alabama, is open Tu-Sa,
10-3. The current show. Reflections,
will be hung until Sept. 6.
Members are reminded of the membership
show coming in October. Telephone
942-9966 for details.
HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996 5
501(c)(3)
non-profit
corporation
PROCEEDS BENEFIT:
The Assistance Fund
. Bering Care Center
Body Positive
The NAMES Project
Stone Soup
For tickets,
caU227-ARTS
pirFC‘/»^sC°n>’
Music Hall
6 HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996
AT THE TOWER THEATER
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PLAIN SPEAKING by Larry Lingle
Real Work Is Behind The
Scenes
National political conventions invariably
recall, for me, a nostalgic recall
of hot summer days beside a radio blaring
the thunderous declamations of
political correctness and the far more
interesting roll call of states as delegates
voted on substantive issues and,
finally, on their choice of standard
bearer in the coming November crusade
for the soul of America.
I recall the thundering party-line sermon
of Alban V. Barkley in 1948 which
single-handedly gained him the vice
presidential nod. Now such decisions
are singularly decided by an already
chosen top of the ticket before the first
sitting of delegates. Suspense and
drama once highlighted our national
political gatherings. In 1924, it took
102 ballots for the Democrats to select
their ultimate loser, John W. Davis—he
with the support of the Ku Klux Klan.
And in 1956, the destined loser—but
always a winner in my heart—Adlai E.
Stevenson left it to the convention to
determine his running mate. The ultimate
winner was his chief rival with the
unenviable monocle, Estes Kef-auver
( I had to resort to David McCullough’s
“Truman” to revisit the spelling
on that one).
While in hindsight Franklin D. Roosevelt
seemed indestructible, winning
four presidential elections from a
wheelchair, he only gained that first crucial
nod after several ballots when William
Randolph Hearst, of newspaper
and Marion Davies fame, switched his
support. And while Dwight David Eisenhower,
having conquered Europe,
seemed a likely nominee, it was actually
a close call in 1952 over a senior senator,
much in the mold of a Bob Dole, Robert
A. Taft of Ohio. Taft, like Dole was pursuing
his third attempt at the nomination.
All that high drama and suspense vanished
from our political scene with the
advent and popularity of the state primaries.
And as states now vie for the earliest
slots the decision is settled before
many of the later primaries. Whereas the
motivation for the primaries was a distaste
of the smoke-filled corridors of the
conventions where a small number of
party leaders made the decisions, now
only a few hundred thousand voters
preclude any change in the script.
Speaking of scripts, not even a Hollywood
blockbuster is as well orchestrated
as a political convention. While
it was a minor scandal when reporters
found the Republican script, minute by
minute, for their 1972 convention, now
it is a given. Even the unruly Democrats
have accepted this restraint, a party which
Will Rogers endearingly referred to
when he remarked “that I don’t belong to
any organized party. I’m a Democrat.”
So the story in San Diego this week, as will
be the case in Chicago later, is already
written. The smoke and mirrors of controversy
which was to have been the platform
was relegated to obscurity during
the first afternoon session on Monday.
After all, even Dole had remarked to a San
Diego newspaper that he had not read th^
platform. Most political platfor^H
tend to be ignored during the campaign:
this is perhaps a first when the “presumptive”
nominee turns his back on
the supposed party principles before
the first gavel has fallen.
While it appears everything about the
convention is geared for television,
nothing could be further from the truth.
For behind those well-rehearsed
speeches and choreographed demonstrations
the real work of the delegates
is going on in sundry parties and gatherings,
bankrolled like never before by
corporations vying for political
attention.
But wait, we have election reform; corporations
cannot donate to politic^
campaigns. And, besides, there are dcW
lar limits on all contributions. Nye,
nye, friends. The scare of Watergate is
forgotten—after all, politicians of
all people know that voters have short
memories—they rely on this. The two
words now are “soft money.” Friendly
regulators and compliant judges have
ruled that all limits apply only to politicians
themselves. Anyone can give all
they want to parties and satellite committees
which promote “ideas,” not
candidates. So, folks, you can promote
the Republican Party and the Democratic
Party nationally without promoting
Dole or Bill Clinton. Yeah, like I
can advocate same-sex marriage without
backing gay rights.
The television network which captured
by brief attention Monday night
caught a glimpse of some of the high-power
parties and corporate jets (Colin Powell
arriving on a drug company plane) but
GOP security did its best to block such
shots. After this passing shot, even the
networks seemed to lose interest in this
real story behind the convention.
Only the business-minded Wall Street
Journal seemed interested in the party
thrown by the Securities Industry
Association for House Banking Committee
Chairperson James Leach of
Iowa, or the Union Pacific feast for House
Transportation Committee Chairperson
Bud Shuster of Pennsylvania.
The roll call goes on. For $100,000 you can
actually sit down with Dole and Jack Kemp
right after their “nominations” on
Wednesday. Oh, yeah, you also get a
photo op with the happy pair. _
If you want to attend the gala for the cand"
dates after their acceptance speeches,
don’t line up at the ticket office, as if there
was one, but call the offices of the Association
of Wholesale Distributors in
Washington. While he is keeping a low
profile during this convention, you
can have lunch with Speaker of the House
Newt Gingrich courtesy of General
Motors. And, as if anyone is eager to party
down with Haley Barbour, the GOP chair,
you can attend a “Melee with Haley”
through the good graces of Philip Morris,
Miller Seagram and Coca-Cola. After all,
it looks as if Haley is fond of all four. I can
hardly wait for Chicago where Clinton’s
New Democrats have learned the financial
virtues of corporate sharing.
Did you know that Houston Voice
classified ads cost less than This
Week in Texas, OutSmart or The
Houston Press?
HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996 7
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GOP continued.
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(Continued from page 1)
discussed his findings as detailed in his bestselling
book, A Separate Creation, about the gay
gene (maintaining the theory that “we are
homosexual due to genetic make-up"). Burr, who
was eloquently introduced by Texas' Log Cabin
President Dale Carpenter, enthralled the crowded
luncheon with his presentation of his research
concluding that homosexuality is not learned
behavior, rather it is genetically pre-disposed.
Burr attributed the controversy surrounding his
findings to an innate fear from the gay community
as to what affect his research will have in terms of
consequentiality (If they know what causes it, they
might do something to stop it).
The Saturday evening banquet featuring Rep.
Steve Gunderson (R-WI) and his life partner Rob
Morris was filmed live by C-Span. Gunderson and
Morris delivered the keynote address together
with clever repartee and insightful anecdotes.
Promoting their book, house and home, the
couple demonstrated their compassion and
commitment to each other in spite of their
different political affiliations. Gunderson, who is
not running for re-election, is a highly respected
member of the House Republican Conference who
has been an outspoken advocate on the virtues of
tolerance. Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ), who just
recently came out, also visited with LCR members
during an impromptu reception in the lobby of the
convention site hotel.
Rep. Tom Campbell (R-CA) addressed the LCR
conventioneers at the Sunday luncheon to explain
Monday
Tuesday
Specials
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at 5pm
What you do
matters. All you
need is to do it
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
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Sunday Worship.. .9 & 11 AM
Signed for Hearing Impaired
Handicap Accessible
Nursery Available
Tuesday Night.. .6:30 PM
"Empowerment for Living"
HIV Support Group
Wednesday Worship.. .7 PM
"Spiritual Uplift"
Bible Study. "Abundant Life"- 7:30 PM
Lecture Series
COMPUTER EXCHANGE
Let Ryan & Jason tafe you to Computer Heaven!
.UP<!ra<ie,Tra^4e,’ai«‘NeWt.i
his op-ed piece in the Los Angeles Times in
defense of DOMA. Campbell, who has a good
voting record on gay and lesbian civil rights,
argued that not supporting DOMA would be
inconsistent with his belief that the federal
government should not impose their agenda on
individual states. He reiterated his support for th^^
rights of gays and lesbians to get marrie<^^
however, he believes that decision should be
belong to the states. He followed his prepared
remarks with a question and answer session that
was informative and provided the group with
thought provoking fodder. The LCR convention
closed Monday morning with a prayer breakfast
featuring the incomparable Rev. Mel White whose
protests against the religious right are effective
and legendary and have earned him the distinction
of being one of their biggest nemesis'.
One of the main goals of this convention was to
determine whether or not to endorse Bob Dole for
president. After lengthy debate on the matter, the
organizations Endorsement Committee
recommended that a decision be postponed until
after the Republican National Convention
concludes. The group approved the
recommendation, thereby delaying their positioiw
on the matter to a later date. The decision to dela^B
came after raucous debate among members of the
organization as to whether or not the Dole/Kemp
ticket was deserving of our endorsement. "As a
United States Senator, Bob Dole has had a nondiscrimination
policy in his office insuring fair
treatment for his gay staff, supported legislation
for people with AIDS, such as the Americans with
Disabilities Act and the Ryan White Care Act,"
informed the LCR press release. "Much to our
frustration. Bob Dole as a presidential candidate
has repeatedly compromised, retreated or reversed
himself under pressure from the extreme right,"
added the statement. "Therefore, Log Cabin
Republicans will consider an endorsement of the
Dole/Kemp ticket following the Republican
National Convention. We urge Bob Dole and Jack
Kemp to make clear exactly where gay and lesbian
Americans fit into their vision for America in the
next four years,” said Log Cabin.
Following the press release and announcement of
the groups decision, the Dole camp responded.
"The Dole campaign would welcome the
endorsement of Log Cabin Republicans as a sign
that they too share the same beliefs as Bob Dole.
Bob Dole has always held the belief that the GOP
is an inclusive party," said Dole campaign
spokesperson Christina Martin. "...We see this as
a beginning step in opening a dialogue with the
Dole Campaign and the Republican Party. We are
encouraged by this historic development."
responded David Greer, LCR Communications.
Whether or not the aforementioned will eam the
ticket an endorsement remains to be seen. What
was evident throughout the LCR national
convention is that there are many gay Republicans
who are determined to challenge the religious
rights dominance within the party apparatus.
Republican candidates are starting to seek the
support of the gay conservative lobby and their
influence is gaining during the process, albeit
gradually. Hundreds of gay Republicans
descended upon this beautiful city to participate in
the political process and coincidentally broughj^
thousands of dollars of revenue to San Diego^F
They lobbied delegates, offered commentary to
the media at will, and worked diligently to dispel
any negative stereotypes that may be associated
with gays and lesbians. In fact.’they have done so
with aplomb and effectiveness. At press time, the
Christian Action Network's President Martin
Mawyer challenged Log Cabin Republican
Executive Director Rich Tafel to a debate, which
he accepted. The debate took place last Tuesday at
2pm at the U.S. Grant Hotel and was televised for
broadcast at a later date.
Curt Morrison, a member of Log Cabin
Houston, is in San Diego covering the Log
Cabin and Republican Party National
Conventions. Next week he will report on the
Republican National Convention.
ston (713)
’J d
Sunday, August 18, 8pm
Longnecks All Day-All Night
till 9pm
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till 9pm
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Drink Specials till 9pm
till 9pm
Specials till 5pm
Metropolitan Community Church of the Resurrection
HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996 9
Love, Loss, and Starting
Over
Thirteen years is a long time to have a
lover. I never expected to have one, much
less for that long. Kelse was a great man and
I am glad to have met him. The fact that he
liked me as well, was good for me. I have
always felt that lovers should like each
other before they love each other. I’ve met
couples that I felt didn’t truly like each
other and feel lucky that Kelse and I had the
relationship that we did.
This may be weird, I don’t know if it is or
not, but I think about Kelse a lot. Even three
years after his death, he is still on my mind.
I dream about him frequently. What does
that mean? Is it healthy? Well, I don’t care.
I like having him in my dreams.
Once, I was in bed, it was about 3:00 a.m.
and I wasn’t totally asleep. Suddenly,
there was Kelse, sitting on the edge of my
bed, and he started talking to me. I can’t
remember exactly what he said, but I know
he told me he loved me and to carry on.
It is a horrible experience to watch
someone die, especially when it is the
person you love the most in the world. It
takes a very strong person to get through
their lover’s death and to confront their
own feelings. I wasn’t there when Kelse
died, and I had terrible guilt about it. The
guilt lasted more than a year. I’m glad I
missed it, in a way, because I’m not sure
how strong I would have been. It may have
made it harder for me.
It was hard enough to see him deteriorate,
very hard. My complete lack of being
able to help him made it even harder. I
sometimes think of how I really could have
helped him. But I also realize I did what I
could and I should have no regrets. Having
regrets affects a lot of what a person
goes through when their partner dies. I
have been there, and I know that it is a heavy
burden. That is why therapy or support
groups are so important. Talking about it
with others really helps.
I do know one thing, he would have been
there for me, and I would die with the happiness
of knowing I was loved. I would
like to hear about your experience.
Please write the editor and share your
thoughts with us.
What really helped our relationship is
that his family really liked me and my family
really liked him. Kelse was from
Georgetown and it was always nice to go
visit that quaint little town. I always wondered
what it would be like growing up in a
charming place like that.
I recently sold our home and selling it has
brought up a lot of memories for me. But
Kelse would have understood and supported
my decision. I have second
thoughts sometimes about having sold
the house but realize living in Montrose
is the best thing for me now.
I would like another long term relationship.
I’ve been lonely over the past three
years. I really would like to give love
another try. But like most of you, I don’t
know how to meet Mr. Right. If it is supposed
to happen, I imagine it will. I hope
I’m not to old or to sick for it to happen.
My good friend, Dr. O’Donnel, gave me
some good advice about starting over. He
said you must first go through the grieving
process and play out all your emotions. A
lot of people feel they are cheating on
their dead lover by going out with other
men. He says you can honor your lover but
still get on with your life.
And this is my advice. Don’t deny yourself
from meeting nice men. You never know
when your next lover is standing near you,
looking at you and thinking how nice it
would be to meet you. If he smiles at you, go
say hi. You don’t have to tell him your life
story unless he asks. Maybe it won’t be the
perfect romance, but maybe you will at
least find a good friend.
I want to thank Pet Patrol for taking care of
my dog. Miss Lady, while I was in the hospital.
Those caring volunteers made
my worries lighter knowing she was well
cared for while I was fighting my umpteenth
infection. If you love animals, the
Pet Patrol is the perfect group to volunteer
for.
Glen Webber is a person living with AIDS
and looking for love and friends in the
Montrose area of Houston .
The Outsider will not appear this week.
Curt Morrison is on assignment covering the Republican National Convention.
The column will appear in next's issue of the Houston Voice.
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mind- offers you the opportunity to make better
personal choices, lead a healthier life and protect yourself
and your loved ones from the virus that causes AIDS.
ever
a great relief, and
to protect
Talk to your healthcare provider about how
to learn your HIV status...and take steps to
avoid the spread of HIV.
HIV testing is more
important now than
Testing negative can be
allows you to modify behavior
yourself from the virus. If the test is positive,
there are now better treatments to help slow
the progression of AIDS and improve the
quality of life.
The three major ways HIV
can be spread are:
O Through unprotected sex-
Any unprotected sexual intercourse—
especially vaginal or anal intercourse—puts
you at risk for HIV. Oral sex can also be a
mode of transmission although it is less
risky than vaginal or anal intercourse. Your
risk for HIV increases each time you have
unprotected intimate sexual contact. Using
a condom or dental dam during sex can
greatly reduce the risk of HIV spreading.
0 Through blood-
HIV travels in blood, and the risk of
becoming infected is greatest when you are
exposed to blood that carries HIV. If you
have a problem with drugs, avoid sharing
another person’s needle or syringe.
0 Mother to Infant-
HIV positive women can spread the virus
to their infants before or during birth. Or,
the newborn baby may become infected
from breast milk. Because recent studies
show that the risk can be reduced when the
mother receives anti-HIV treatment, the
US Public Health Service suggests that’ all
pregnant women know their HIV status.
Now there is a new HIV test that
provides highly accurate results
without blood or needles
The new, painless system—ORASL RE — tests
for the presence of HIV antibodies in an oral
sample. ORASURE® is available now at your
doctor’s office and healthcare clinics.
AIDS cannot be transmitted through kissing.
There have been no recorded cases of HIV
linked with kissing or other casual contact.
Remember, there is proof that casual contact
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HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996 11
Comics continued.
9 0 1
Cheap and Easy Sundays
House of Coleman
Fine Printing & Graphics
best friends are straight. We know they were
born that way and that's OK with us. We just
don't know if we want them teaching our kids..."
Kennedy and Maye are among the pioneers of
openly gay male performers, being among a
handful that they know of. Maye states, "I like
to think we're doing something that is on the
cutting edge of a new era." They have often
opened for Bob Smith, who they admire. Smith
has appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay
Leno as out performer. There are many more
out lesbian performers, such as Kate Clinton,
Lea DeLaria, Suzanne Westenhoffer and
Georgia Ragsdale, and locally Vicky Shaw and
Nancy Ford. The guys agree that the women
have had more venues in which to perform, but
things have changed so rapidly in the last few
years. The thought of during the kind of show
they do now five years ago would have been
impossible. Gay visibility and acceptance has
radically changed things. Kennedy has been in
discussions with television producers regarding
programming with gay characters, which may
be at least 3 years away. But who knows, that
could change with the right script and he will be
ready when the time comes.
The guys let me know that attendees to their
shows will have the first chance to buy tickets
for an upcoming Suzanne Westenhoffer show
scheduled for October. So come on to the Laff
Stop and be ready to hold your sides, because
you are bound to be sore from laughing.
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until they get
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it’s what’s on the
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With that, do you want your
image quickly splashed on paper? Or do
you want House of Coleman to ink a better job?
T H
$1.50 Well Drinks and Beer
All Day All Night
Ann Vancas * Tod Waters
with Porcelain figurines by franke
The drinks are cheap and the
bartenders are easy.
(Continued from page 1)
crowd of friends that he was a "faggot", a
label they sometimes threw at others. When
playing in areas where he grew up, Kennedy
says some of the people who knew him in
school may be in for a surprise when they come
to their show. "P.S., in case I forgot to tell you
in junior high. I'm gay." He says he has done
independent performances not titled "Gay
Comedy" and when he comes out to the
audience, they don’t believe him. He says,
"They'll come up after the show and tell me how
funny they thought my gay character is." He
tells them "Funnier than you know."
Several things strike you about Kevin. Although
he has been described as the "Felix" of their
odd-couple relationship and the quieter one of
the two, he was very open and outgoing in our
conversation. His blond, mid-western good
looks and delightful, smile warm you to him
instantly. Although he is much thinner now than
he appears many of the publicity photos, he
feels good and is optimistic about the future
because of the new therapies. He actually thinks
coming out has helped his health. His HIV
positive status has been incorporated in his act
which he says was one of the scariest things he
has ever done and he really struggled within
himself before deciding to do so. He thinks it
has been one of the best things he has ever done
as it has been very liberating. He makes an
analogy to the statement that "the truth will set
you free". He adds he has received so much
support from audiences, straight and gay, who
either let him know they appreciate his
candidness or share their own HIV status with
him and thank him for giving them courage to
come out or to make the decision to get tested.
He knows that he is providing education as well
as humor.
He now can even make cracks about his health,
such as the fact that he has only two T-cells, "I
named. Thelma and Louise." he quips. He also
shared that when he was a kid he and his sisters
who make fun of their grandmother. "She
carried around like a whole suitcase full of pills,
which was funny to us then. Now I can relate to
what it was like for her. I take about 18 pills
and have to do daily IVs. The thing about
Grandma doesn't seem so funny now." He
jokes that, "Of course. I now have less room in
my luggage for my make-up." He says his
illness has not been much of a problem even
with their hectic schedule on the road. "Just
when 1 first got sick, we were in Washington
and I was in the hospital for ten days. That's
when I found out that I was HIV positive."
Opening for the pair for both performances is
Frank Lockwood. Lockwood had been in the
audience one night and after the show asked
Kennedy for advice about becoming a comic.
Kennedy told him that the only way to do it was
to "Just do it!" He took the advice and later
showed up in a Houston's Funniest Person
Contest at the Laff Stop where Kennedy was
one of the judges although he didn't remember
their prior meeting. Lockwood ran over his
time so was disqualified from winning, but was
so good that Kennedy asked him to open the
Houston Show. Lockwood is a medical doctor
and also openly gay. Scott and Kevin joked
about being so successful that they now had
their own doctor with them.
They don't exclude straight audiences or heterobash
billing themselves as being "Heterofriendly".
Kennedy quips that "Some of our
t^earf
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12 HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996
Immunity to HIV: ‘Great White Hope’ for Whites?
By Patricia Nell Warren
As headlines blare the big news about a
mutant gene for HIV immunity, I am not too
surprised. My years in agriculture and
livestock breeding taught me that disease
often spurs a living organism to
mutate immunity. Some Dutch elms are
immune to elm disease. Some food plants
are bred to resist disease. Some animals
inherit an immunity—to feline leukemia
virus, for example. Why should
humans be different?
What’s worrisome about this news is that
a racial label might be slapped on the
mutant CCR5 gene. According to the Los
Angeles Times, one researcher, Dr.
Nathan R. Landau, states that around 1 out
of 100 Western European whites are
genetically resistant to HIV infection.
By contrast, the Times said, both of the
research teams announcing the news are
stating that not one among several hundred
Africans and Asians had the gene.
But hold your horses. What is a “white”?
Americans are taught to label themselves
racially. Every day, we are presented
with forms where we must check the
right box for Caucasian, Native American,
African American, Asian, Mexican-
American, Pacific Islander, or
Other. Many of us are “other”—meaning
racially mixed. Yet this significant fact
often gets blurred. Why? Because, in so
many cultures, the mixed—blood is an
outcast. Since the days of slavery and
tribal wars, many U.S. families have
agonized at “passing for white.” Some
families stopped at nothing, including
altering birth certificates, sp they
could sweep that Asian or native American
grannie, or that bunch of “high yellow”
cousins, under the rug.
So it is one thing to identify as “white,”
“black,” etc. for survival reasons. It is
also natural to identify as black or
native American when the moment comes
to reclaim pride in one’s brown skin. But
when it comes to scientific scrutiny of
the actual millions of genes that are part of
one’s DNA, labels don’t cut it. Take me, for
example. I could pass for “white”—fair
skin, blue-grey eyes, brown hair. But my
native American blood is visible to
anybody who looks hard. One many-times-
greatgrandmother of mine,
Keziah, no last name recorded, who married
a German Quaker in the early 1800s,
was evidently an escaped slave. Yet nothing
in my outward appearance hints at
Keziah’s presence in my family tree.
Many Americans have a similar background.
Some who identify as “black”
actually have strong native American
blood, going back to intermarriage in
early days. Some self-identified Latinos
are visibly part African American.
As for enrolled members of U.S.
tribes, few are actually “pure.” The rest
are mixed-bloods, no matter how
intensely they may feel otherwise.
People usually “identify” on what
they see in the mirror—skin color, hair
texture, build, etc. Geneticists refer to
this as phenotype—inherited characteristics
that are visible, or have a discernible
result, as in inherited disease
like hemophilia. But there is also genotype—
the sum total of our DNA, which
includes any recessive characteristics
that we carry, but do not visibly
express. If an ovum or sperm happens to
carry a copy of that hidden gene, it will be
quietly passed to the next generation.
A single copy of a mutant or recessive
gene can be wafted forward for 15 or 20
generations, before its carrier finally
mates with another human who happens to
have the same characteristic. Then,
and only then, will it spring to view—as in
hair color, or inherited disability, or
immunity.
The CCR5 figures are supposedly based
on over 1400 Western European
“whites.” Europeans are mixed too!
Since Roman times, southern Europe was
swept by trade, immigration and conquest
from North Africa. More recent
invasions of genes came from central
Asian peoples—Turks, Magyars, Mongols.
All these ethnic hues produced a
genetic rainbow that gave Hitler nightmares.
Since 1960, the genetic swamping
of Europe has continued unabated as
immigrant workers of every ethnicity
have flocked there. Indeed, this tiny,
overcrowded continent is now boiling
with its own brand of anti—immigrant^
feeling. Europe lily-white? Hardly.
So...what is behind the “white” phenotypes
in these new studies? Who are their
grandparents? Greatgrandparents?
Great-greatgrandparents?
It’s easy to see attitude coming, from
white supremacists who will seize this
research as their “great white hope”—
what they view as more “proof” of Aryan
superiority. Others, I’m sure, will
hope that researchers are already taking
a closer look at their subjects’ family
trees. Maybe, when the final tally is in,
they’ll find that immunity to HIV is influenced
by another factor besides race.
So sorry, but this mixed-blood doesn’t buy]
the “white” thing.
Patricia Nell 'Warren is author of "The
Front Runner” and other bestselling
books, as well as a widely published commentator.
Her publisher is Wildcat
Press .
Copyright (c) 1996 by Patricia Nell
Warren. All Rights Reserved.
Guidelines for community organizations or individual writers
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Genetic Resistance to HIV
BY DEBORAH BELL
Two sets of researchers have found what
appears to be a HIV resistant gene.
Described as being present in the genetic
makeup of one in every hundred “Whites.”
Researchers identified a so-called cofactor
called CCR5, that is crucial to-the
infection of human cells by HIV earlier this
summer it was reported in the Los Angeles
Times.
The finding offers the possibility of
developing an effective way to block the
spread of the virus and explains why some
individuals who have had repeated exposure
do not develop the disease.
More than 1400 people were studied by two
teams working in New York and Pennsylvania
independently of one another.
They have found that cells from the individuals
who receive a copy of the defective
CCR5 gene from each of their parents are
completely resistant to HIV infection.
The studies showed that those who received
a defective copy of the gene from only one
parent, appear to be more resistant to
infection, but are not completely immune.
This was reported’as representing about
20% of the White population in Cell and
Nature magazines.
Because this was found in fair skinned men.
who were described as of European
descent, the reports use the term “White.”
This terminology has‘been questioned by
some.
The defective gene has no apparent
adverse effects leading researchers to
believe that they may be able to develop a
drug that will block the CCR5 receptor
which could slow the infection rate of the
virus.
PWA Coalition Listed in 1996 POZ
Givers Guide
The People with AIDS Coalition is the
only Houston AIDS service organization
to be listed for the second year in a row in
the POZ Givers Guide. POZ is a monthly
nationally distributed magazine dedicated
to health, hope and providing HIV
education. The Givers Guide looks into
the financial health of 70 AIDS service
organizations acjoss the country. The
guide provides information on how a
group raises money and how it spends it
before it’s given.
The guide includes factual information as
well as subjective evaluation and comments.
It assigned grades for its inaugural
1995 survey. POZ polled seven executive
directors and charitable-funding
experts in order to establish its grading
criteria. POZ used the same criteria to
assign grades this year. The guide assigns
grades for diversity in funding sources,
use of money, cash reserve and representation
on its Board of Directors.
The coalition, which received higher
grades in this survey when compared with
the 1995 survey was noted for offering
support groups and psychosocial support,
direct living support, such as case
management services and publishing
significant 'original treatment information.
Executive Board President, Ray West
commented, “I am quite proud of the 1996
POZ survey results. We continually
strive to improve our current programs
while adapting to the changing needs of our
friends in the HIV/AIDS community.
These clearly reflect our dedication and
commitment to providing people living
with HIV/AIDS empowered lives in
comparison with other HIV/AIDS service
organizations nationwide."
The People with AIDS Coalition Houstonl
Inc. was founded in 1986 as an organization
of, by, and for people infected by HIV/
AIDS. Three quarters of the Coalition’s
volunteers are people living with HIV/
AIDS.
PWACH is a 501(c)(3) organization with
offices are located at 3400 Montrose Blvd.
#106, Houston, TX 77006 or call 713/522-
HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996 13
Insurance company didn’t tell man about positive test
By ALAN SAYRE
FOR THE HOUSTON VOICE
NEW ORLEANS, Saturday, Aug.
3 (AP)—For Jody Deramus, the
shock was finding out that her husband
had AIDS. Her anger came from
learning his life insurance company
had known he was infected—
and steadfastly refused to tell him.
For 18 crucial months before an
independent diagnosis
revealed why he was getting sick so
often, the couple tried unsuccessfully
to conceive a child,
exposing Mrs. Deramus to
repeated unprotected sex.
Her husband died in 1991. So far,
she says, she has tested negative
for the virus—“a miracle,” as
she puts it.
On Monday, the 5th U.S. Circuit
Court of Appeals will consider
whether Jackson National Life
Insurance Co. had the responsibility
to tell Frank Deramus he had
tested positive for the AIDS
virus.
Mrs. Deramus, 53, who seeks
unspecified damages, already
has lost before a Mississippi federal
judge, who ruled the company
had no duty to disclose results of a
medical test used solely to determine
insurance eligibility.
In court papers, Jackson National
has not said why it withheld the
results—only that it was within its
rights to do so under Mississippi
law. U.S. District Judge Henry T
Wingate of Jackson, Miss.,
agreed last September and dismissed
the lawsuit without a trial.
One possible reason for Jack-son
National’s decision—that it
hoped Deramus would let his policy
lapse and the company could
then deny reinstatement—is suggested
by Mrs. Deramus’ appeal,
which says a company memo
instructed Jackson National
employees to do just that.
“According to the judge, insurance
companies can do this to anyone
they want to, any time they want
to. There’s nothing we can do about
it and there’s something wrong
with that,” Mrs. Deramus said
from Vienna, Va., where she now
lives.
D. Collier Graham Jr., an attorney
representing Jackson
National, refused to discuss the
case.
Mrs. Deramus has started a foundation
aimed at lobbying Congress
to force disclosure of medical
records to a policyholder
or a person denied coverage.
Currently, 29 states have disclosure
laws. Mississippi does not.
In 1988, Deramus, a Jackson
attorney, took a blood test as part
of a routine examination
required before Jackson National
would consider increasing his
coverage from $500,000 to
$800,000.
The results showed he had been
exposed to the virus that causes
AIDS. Although he was denied
additional coverage, in April
1988, for an unspecified medical
reason, the company spurned
numerous requests from him and
his doctor for the test results, Mrs.
Deramus alleges.
Shortly after learning the extra
coverage had been denied. Deramus
came down with a series of maladies—
flu he could not shake,
fatigue, headaches, loss of memory.
With a family history of cancer,
the couple sought medical help,
an 18-month hunt that eventually
involved 26 doctors and, finally, a
move to Virginia to be closer to
Johns Hopkins University Hospital.
Deramus had been asked whether
he had engaged in AIDS-risky
behavior, and always answered in
the negative, but doctors at Johns
Hopkins added a new question:
Had Deramus been to Africa or been
exposed to anyone from Africa?
A horrible bell tolled: In the mid-
1980s, Deramus had been soaked in
blood while helping an accident
victim who had worked for about
five years in Africa.
Deramus’ resulting AIDS test, in
Oct. 1989, was positive.
“We would see stories about
AIDS in the newspapers and pass
them by,” Mrs. Deramus said.
“They didn’t affect us. We didn’t
engage in homosexual behavior,
extramarital sex or use drugs.
AIDS didn’t affect us. How wrong
we were.”
When the other doctors found out
about the diagnosis, their
response was universal: “We
didn’t fit the profile,” Mrs. Deramus
said.
Deramus died in June 1991 at age
51, nine days after Jackson
National finally released its test
results to his doctor.
In his ruling, Wingate said it
would have made no difference
even if Jackson Life had informed
Deramus of his condition, since
AIDS remains incurably fatal. But
the appeal contends Deramus
might have gotten life-extending
treatment had he known of the test
results.
In addition, finding out that her
husband had the AIDS virus while
they were engaging in unprotected
sex created stress-related
problems for Mrs. Deramus that
required psychiatric treatment,
the appeal said.
While rejecting Deramus, Mrs.
Deramus was granted life insurance
coverage by Jackson
National in a simultaneous
application, even though the
company was aware of her husband’s
condition, her appeal
said.
“What’s galling to me is that I
can’t change insurance companies
now. If I applied with another
company I’d have to tell them that
I’d been exposed to someone with
AIDS or they could accuse me of
fraud,” Mrs. Deramus said.
Rumor: Kemp is Gay
Articles in both the San francisco Independent
and LGNY (Lesbian and Gay New
York) reported this week that Jack Kemp is
rumored to be gay. The rumor originally
stemmed from a 1967 New York Time article
exposing a “homosexual ring” in
then California Governor Ronald
Reagan’s administration. It resurfaced
during a 1986 NBC “Today Show”
interview in which he was asked if he had
ever had a homosexual experience.
LGNY reporter Andy Humm explained that
•“when someone being hailed as supposedly
tolerant and committed to civil
rights is in reality someone who shuts the
door in the faces of gay people on every
single issue, it becomes relevant if he is
homosexual. It’s something he is going
to have to address.”
Kemp was quoted in the New York Times on
August 11 as saying, “I believe in civil
liberties for homosexuals. I guess I’d
draw the line at letting them teach in the
schools.”
Internal Revenue Service
1-800-829-1040.
It’s in your interest.
Tbey’H help
you with
your overdue
returns, explain
your payment options,
and help get your
refund if you’re due
money back. But
don’t wait.. .the
IRS is looking hard
at people who arent
filing their taxes or
answering IRS
notices,
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14 HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
Avengers Hold Yard Sale
The Lesbian Avengers Houston Chapter
will hold a Yard Sale Fund-raiser on Saturday,
August 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
at 2610 White Oak (in the Heights). Saleable
items are still being accepted as donations.
Call their voice mail at 397-5062 if you have
something to offer.
Soiree VI Starts Early
Soiree Aubergine, beginning their sixth
year of existence, is having a raffle. Three
sets of two tickets each will be raffled for
Elton John’s Smash Hits Celebrity Tennis
Match to be held Thursday, Sept. 12 at the
Summit.
Raffle ticket sales begin Friday, Aug. 16,
with the winners being announced Sunday,
Sept. 8, at Gentry. To purchase tickets, ask
any Soiree member or your favorite bartender
at Gentry. You need not be present to
win. Ticket prices are $2 each or three for $5.
Soiree Aubergine, through various
activities, strives to completely fund the
Bering Care Center Meals Program each
year. Thanks to the community’s generosity,
donations have allowed Soiree to
attain their goal from year to year. Tennis
anyone?
Crossroads Meeting
Crossroads, a spiritual, educational
and social organization for Gays, Lesbians,
Bisexuals and Transgender people
who have been or are on a church staff in any
capacity, is planning its next meeting for
Saturday, August 17 beginning at 11:00
a.m. The meeting location is undisclosed
to protect the confidentiality of those
attending.
“The Rhetoric of Intolerance: An Open
Letter Video to Pat Robertson” produced
by Dr. Mel White, former Southern Baptist
minister, author, and ghost writer for the
likes of Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Oliver
North and Billy Graham, will be featured.
Dr. White has attracted national attention
since publicly coming out and an ensuing
incident of a trespassing arrest and
then going on a fast until his message was
delivered to Pat Robertson.
For more information please contact Rev.
Johnny Peden at 681-9082.
HPMA Brunch
The Houston Professional Men’s Association
has planned their August brunch at
Crostini, 2411 S. Shepherd, for Sunday,
August 18, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
The $18 brunch includes two mimosas or
orange juices, tax and tip. The restaurant
features an Italian menu. Those wishing to
attend should RSVP to Steve immediately,
at 520-9083.
Male Survivors
The Montrose Counseling Center is offering
a therapy group for gay male survivors
of childhood sexual abuse. The group is
designed to provide a safe environment for
men who share this type of experience to
work together to resolve the impacts of the
trauma on everyday life.
Services are provided on a sliding scale
basis and insurance is accepted. Certain
restrictions apply. Call Shane Hennesey at
529-0037 for more information.
BCBC Hurricane {96
Brought to you by the Bayou City Boy’s Club
(BCBC) and forecast to hit land Saturday,
August 24, Hurricane ‘96 will rage through
the night fed by energy of 1000 dancing men
gathered in the Garden in the Heights, 3926
Feagan, from 10:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m.
This annual tropical event will produce
torrential benefits for Omega House, The
Assistance Fund and HIV/AIDS Education
and Services of the Houston Red Cross. At
the eye of the storm will be DJ Mike Mitchell,
blowing in from Los Angeles, who will provide
some of the hottest music of the season
for those weathering the night.
The Hurricane ‘96 survival kit (consisting
of tickets, which include an open bar and a
map) may be purchased in advance for $30
locally at Basic Brothers and LOBO or $40 at
the door (if available). LOBO Austin also
has tickets for sale.
BCBC’s recent hot-house fund-raiser,
JUNGLE LUST IV, raised $30,000 for local
Sofa
Love Seat
Chair
$1999.
Ottoman
Free.
it delivered in two weeks. All of our leather furniture is hand made
and built in our own factory. Shop Leather Leather this weekend and
find more choices, values, styles, and colors than you ever imagined.
Yes for only $1999 you can actually purchase an entire leather furniture living room set. And receive
a free ottoman to match. Choose from two of our hottest styles, and pick from 30 colors and have
HER
HER
Dallas • Houston
7519 Weslheimer, Houston, Texas 77063 713-977-9393 Open- Monday-Friday 10-8 Saturday 10-6 Sunday 12-6
agencies. Body Positive/Houston, AIDS
Foundation Houston and Houston Clinical
Research Network each received
$10,000.
BCBC is a volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3)
organization established to raise funds
for HIV/AIDS research, service and care.
For more information about Hurricane ‘96
call 521-3696 or 222-6621 ext. 326.
Responsible Investing
Socially responsible investing and how to
build an investment portfolio which compliments
your views on topics such as: the
environment; equal opportunity employment;
defense spending; animal testing;
employee relations; and charitable contributions,
will be presented at The Lovett
Inn, 501 Lovett Blvd., Thursday, August
22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Sponsored by Merrill Lynch and presented
by Scott Garrison, participants are
encouraged to give a $10 donation to AFH/
Stone Soup. Please telephone Scott at 840-
4816 for more information or reservations.
Want To Parade?
Notice is hereby given that Thanksgiving
morning, Nov. 28, the 1996 Bank United
Thanksgiving Parade will roll through the
streets of downtown Houston spreading
good will, good times and holiday greetings
to all Houstonians.
Come join the fun. The search is on for marching
groups (musical, twirling, dancing)
musicians, skaters, low riders, gymnasts,
clowns, cowboys and cowgirls,
Christmas Carolers, cheerleaders, costumed
groups and other assorted talents.
The parade will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will
wind its way through a route that covers 25
city blocks beginning at Smith and Walker
and ending at Louisiana and Walker. The
theme for 1996 will be “Once Upon a Time”
and will be based on children’s storybook
tales.
For more information on how to join in on
the fun, and an application, contact Beth
Craig at 782-8811.
Smoke Free Dining
Tobacco Free Greater Houston will provide
readers a list of smoke-free restaurants
in the Houston area.
The coalition includes organizations
such as the American Cancer Society,
American Heart Association, American
Lung Association, along with concerned
individuals. The group works to promote
health through the reduction of youth
access to tobacco and the promotion of a
smoke-free environment.
For a smoke-free restaurant guide, send a
self-addressed stamped envelope to
Tobacco Free Greater Houston, P.O. Box
890769, Houston, TX 77289-0769.
Grief Seminars
Two free grief seminars: one for the
bereaved entitled “The Heart of Grief: Lessons
in Hope and Healing” and one for professional
and volunteer caregivers
seeking to enhance their caregiving skills
entitled “Lessons in Carin-g for the
Dying" will be held at the Ramada Hotel
Astrodome/Medical Center Wednesday,
August 21. World-renowned author,
lecturer and practicing clinical thana-tologist
Dr. Alan E. Wolfelt will be the facilitator
of these free informational and
inspirational programs.
“Lessons in Caring for the Dying” will
begin at 1:00 p.m. and will focus on the importance
of the role of the professional and
volunteer caregiver in the lives of the terminally
ill. Three hours of continuing
education units are available for LPC,
TAADAC and social work. The evening session
entitled “Lessons in Hope and Healing”
will begin at 7:00 p.m. and is designed to
help the bereaved cope with their feeling of
loss.
This seminar is underwritten as a community
service by Crespo Funeral Homes
Cosponsors include AARP/Widowed Persons
Service, Memorial Healthcare Systems
and The Grief Center of Texas.
Registration will begin 30 minutes prior
to the start of each session. To preregister
for the seminar or to request more information,
contact Madeline Crespo at 485-
HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996 15
Restaurant Review
Be Yourself at
Mackmurdo ’s
By WILMA SUM-MORS
I recently took some
friends to Mack-murdo’s,
“Houston’s
Casual American
Restaurant &
Bar,” at 6006 Westh-eimer
@ Nantucket.
Mackmurdo’s serves
lunch & dinner from
11:00 a.m. to 10:00
p.m. Sunday—Thursday,
and 11:00 a.m. to
11:00 p.m. Friday &
Saturday. Portions
(L-R) Hostesses Oshrat & Peggy get ready for a grand evening at
Mackmurdo’s
of all meals looked like
enough to feed David Duke’s Summer
Camp for Easily Influenced Idiots with
prices ranging from $2.95 to $12'95. The
interior is based on a theater concept,
where the restaurant acts as a stage and
the people are the actors. Individuals
are invited to be and enjoy themselves.
We certainly were!! While Mackmurdo’s
is not gay owned, there were certainly
quite a few of Dorothy’s friends in
attendance that night!
Not that I drink or anything, but I managed
to taste a Frozen Mackmurdo’s
which was pureed mandarin oranges
blended with vodka (no, it wasn’t McCormick),
fresh tangerine juice and served
frozen with a splash of Grand Marnier.
Mackmurdo’s also offers a wide variety
of beers and other cocktails, but after the
Frozen Mackmurdo’s, who cared?
The waiter purported that some of the
menu favorites are crab cakes, grilled
chicken salad, ravioli with gorgon-zola,
pumpkin seed crusted rainbow
trout. ...wait a minute, I seem to be getting
hungry, so bring on the fork! Okay!
Much better now! To continue, the
grilled loin of pork and roast stuffed
chicken are also favorites. Yes, Cuer-volyn,
there were quite a few tasty-look-ing
vegetarian dishes available.
I started out with a cup of tomato basil
soup—absolutely deeeelish! The soup
was a Castillian cream with romanoA
garlic croutons. Bread is served once
you start with your appetizers. Pulleez
girls—yOU must serve the bread warm!!
Even though the menu was tempting me
with items like grilled sirloin strips (you
all know how much I despise beef), spaghetti
with calamari & shrimp and scal-lopini
of chicken, I went with the spaghetti
marinara (even Grandma can’t
mess this up). To my surprise, the spaghetti
was incredible! I don’t know what
Mackmurdo’s does with their basil & garlic,
but I would love to tiptoe through
their garden at my earliest convenience—
without the pumps! Don’t burst
the girdle yet—you simply must save
room for dessert. I guess the waiter
noticed my fit & trim physique and
decided I had to have a piece of their rice
pudding with cinnamon & sweet cream.
Someone call Betty Ford! I’m hooked!! In
case you are interested, they also serve
white chocolate torte with pistachio
sauce, fruit & nut tart with honey vanilla
sauce and poached pear with vanilla ice
cream & raspberry sauce, to name a few.
The ambience was exquisite, if you like
loud barns!! A little acoustical tile
would seem to be the cure. Once the Sun
Goddess decides Houston has sweat
enough, the fenced outdoor seating will
be a nice place to sit, knit, and have fits
looking at the beautiful people driving
down Westheimer. General Manager
Steve Oxen, formerly of Auntie
Pasto’s, Rusty Pelican, Pappadeaux
and Two Pesos has his crew ready and waiting
for you. Cail me a cab—it’s time to continue
my Waist Watchers Diet at my next
stop!! Be forking with you real soon!!
Rating—3-3/4 triangles
RATING SCALE
Pad n>4 Lags, I’ve died
and gone to heaven!
Pack mg Lags, I
think I m dging!
Pack mg overnight case,
I m onlg tempororg!
Forget the bag, coll
1-800-PIZZA!
Houston Restaurants beware, Wilma
may soon be in your establishment with
fork .& spoon in hand.
Theft Reduction Campaign
The Houston Police Department unveiled a
new THEFT REDUCTION CAMPAIGN aimed'
at reducing theft and burglary of motor vehicle
crimes in the downtown Central Business
District. The campaign’s theme, “Downtown
Houston, Lowest Iii Crime, Help Keep It
That Way,” is an awareness message that
encourages community participation
with a simple crime prevention message:
DO NOT LEAVE POSSESSIONS IN YOUR
VEHICLE.
The Theft reduction campaign is a year long
effort to reduce theft by a minimum of 5%.
Theft continues to be the most reported crime
in Houston, but it is among the most preventable.
The theft reduction signs should be
installed in all parking lots and garages in the
downtown Central Business District by
Sept. 30, 1996. The on-going theft reduction
campaign will have monthly crime prevention
goals through July, 1997.
The campaign theme: ’’Downtown Houston,
Lowest In Crime, Help Keep It That Way,” is
based on per capita total reported crime, for
any major U.C.R. reporting area in Houston.
For the period 1991 to 1995, Uptown Business
District, followed by the downtown Central
Business District had the lowest total
reported crime. Major U.C.R. reporting areas
include the twenty (20) Master Police Districts
and the six (6) Special Reporting Districts
including, Central Business District,
Neartown Business Area, Uptown
Business Area, 3rd Ward Area, Sth Ward Area,
and the Greenspoint Business Area. Per capita
population is based on residents or
employees who spend 8 to 10 hours per day in
the areas and does not include transient or
short term visitors. This definition of per
capita more closely aligns business areas and
neighborhoods and only includes those who
spend significant portions of their day in an
area.
The downtown Central Business district
has a daytime (8 to 10 hour) population of
approximately 141,000. For 1995. reported
crimes per thousand were 13.46 as compared
to the next lowest major reporting area of
20.26 for the Uptown Business Area.
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EXECUTIVE NIGHT!
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Courtesy of Internet Access Houston 526-3425
by Jon Anthony
Connie Stevens returns to television this Fall
after a lengthy hiatus. Stevens has been signed
to portray Pamela Anderson Lee’s mother on
the syndicated smash Baywatch.... Jon Bon
Jovi's movie career appears to be shaping up.
The rocker extraordinaire has just wrapped a
movie titled The Leading Man and is set to
begin filming the Joe Eszterhas scripted
Original Sin this fall. .. The Smashing
Pumpkins resume their tour this fall beginning
Aug. 27 with new bandmates in pivotal
positions. Matt Walker on the drums and
Dennis Flemion will helm the keyboards. ..
Nepotism prevails. Fox News.has hired Robert
F. Kennedy's youngest son, Doug, 28, as a
reporter... Liza Minnelli has issued a
statement negating reports of her impending
couplehood. Minnelli contends that she is
"happily single at the moment.”.... Only a
legendary patron of the arts could draw such
A-list talent to a retrospective. In attendance:
Julia Roberts. Mick Jagger. Gianni Versace.
Woody Alien. Jodie Foster, Liam Neeson,
Paul Newman. David Bowie. Michael
Keaton, Liza Minnelli. Sting, Jeff
Goldblum, Laura Dem and Faye Dunaway
to name a few. The legend: Picasso. The
Museum of Modern Art is holding a Picasso
retrospective that runs through Sept. 17 in New
York ... What's an anchor to do? Bryant
Gumbel is being wooed by CNN, CBS and
ABC among others. Gumbel, whose NBC
contract expires in January, is weighing
options. NBC has yet to hold talks with their
Today Show host of the past 15 years. Gumbel
said last year that this would be his final stint
on the morning staple. CBS has offered
Gumbel his own prime-time show, a chance to
anchor golf coverage (his favorite sport) and
the coveted heir apparent position as evening
news anchor when Dan Rather retires. ABC
countered with the promise of giving Gumbel
the Nightline mantle when Ted Koppel exits
and also offered him a prime-time show. CNN
told Gumbel he can write his own ticket. My
prediction: Gumbel will remain at NBC
where he has worked for the past 24 years....
The Fugees. Alanis Morrisette, Dr. Dre and
Nas are slated to perform at the 1996 MTV
Video Music Awards airing live from Radio
City Music Hall Sept. 4. .. Al Pacino makes
his Broadway directorial debut in the Eugene
O'Neill play Hughie which opens Aug. 22
and runs through Sept 14. Pacino also stars in
the play. .. Colin Powell is the individual
most Americans would like to have dinner
with according to a poll conducted by Good
Housekeeping ... The Eagles' Hell Freezes
Over tour conclude last week in Edinburgh,
Scotland. Performance magazine said the
concert played 165 shows in the past 26
months to 3.5 million fans grossing $165
million. .. Claudette Colbert bequeathed
most of her $3.5 million estate to her longtime
friend and companion Helen O'Hagan.
Colbert did last month at the age of 92....
Herb Ritts celebrated his 44th birthday in
grand style last week at the now-defunct
Perino's restaurant, a Marilyn Monroe
favorite. Pals like Madonna. Roseanne,
RuPaul. Ellen DeGeneres, Ben Stiller,
Sandy Gallin. Michael Stipe and Diana
Ross joined the evenings festivities....
Rumors of her demise to the contrary, Joan
Lunden has re-upped her stint on Good
Morning America for three more years....
Paula Zahn will take over the helm of the
Saturday CBS Evening News on Aug. 24. Bob
Schieffer who held that distinction for the last
20 years will continue in his other posts as
chief Washington correspondent and host of
Face The Nation.... Tom Clancy's new book,
Executive Orders (Putnam, $27.95), featuring
the inimitable Jack Ryan has just been
published. Orders is mired in politics as Ryan
becomes president through circumstance. ..
Celebrities are not traditionally Republican,
so it would stand to reason that there are not
very many high profile entertainment figures
in San Diego. The few who did lend their
support: Chuck Norris. Sonny Bono. Alec
and Billy Baldwin, Chynna Phillips and
Norman Mailer. Republican stalwarts Bruce
Willis, Tom Selleck and Arnold
Schwarzenegger will not be present due to
prior commitments.... Bob Hope will be the
recipient of a lifetime achievement award
recognizing his contributions to family
entertainment on the Family Film Awards,
which airs on CBS Aug 22. Beau Bridges.
Anna Chlumski and Joey Lawrence host the
event ... Fabio, the former romance novel
coverboy and / Can't Believe It's Not Butter
pitchman, has inked a deal with General Mills
to endorse Frosted Cheerios in an
advertisement campaign that begins airing
Labor Day weekend. Fabio is also amidst
negotiations to become a spokesman for a
large retail chain. It's amazing what good
pectorals can do for career enhancement....
The Friends cast showed up to work last
Monday to begin rehearsing for their third
season on NBC. At press time, there was no
word on whether Warner Bros, ponied up the
demanded salary of $100,000 for each cast
member per episode. Sources indicate the
crew is working in good faith during the
negotiation period ... Catherine Crier returns
to the Cable arena. Crier who was wooed by
ABC from CNN three years ago will join the
new Fox Cable upstart all news channel as
host of a nightly talk show.... Randy Travis
(Full Circle), Suzy Bogguss (Give Me Some
Wheels), Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
(She's the One) and Glenn Miller (The Lost
Recordings) have all released new CDs this
week in the hopes that you run to the record
store and purchase them.... DreamWorks has
reportedly nixed the release of a remix of the
70's smash Funkytown recorded as a duet by
Henry Rollins and RuPaul. It seems as
though the label feels that Rollin's association
with RuPaul could damage his macho man
image. .. Legendary Country crooner George
Jones just released his latest album, 1 Lived to
Tell It All, which is the title of his best-selling
autobiography released last year....
Milestones: Mary Thompson died as a result
of cardiac arrest last week. Thompson resided
in Orlando, Fl, never smoked and kept a .22 in
her bra. Thompson was the US oldest recorded
citizen. At 120 years old, Thompson certainly
reached a milestone and did so with aplomb....
Making the Rounds: Valerie Harper guests
on CBS' Touched by an Angel Sat., Aug 18 at
8pm. Sting chat's with Larry King Aug. 21 at
8pm on CNN and visits Jay Leno on The
Tonight Show Aug. 22 at 10:35pm on NBC
affiliate Channel 2. Melissa Etheridge visits
with David Letterman on his CBS Late Show
Aug 22 at 10:35pm on CBS affiliate Channel
11. Shania Twain is scheduled to appear on
the Today Show on Aug 23 at 7am on NBC.
Renowned mime expert Marcel Marceau will
have a one on one with Lauren Hutton on her
late night show Aug. 23 at 1:05 am on UPN
affiliate Channel 20. Dean Martin, Liberace.
Sammy Davis Jr. and Jerry Lewis will be
profiled this week on A&E's Biography series.
Biography airs nightly at 7pm with an encore
at 11pm.... Top of the Charts: Robin
Williams' film Jack raked in the most receipts
over the weekend to be the #1 box-office hit of
the week. Seinfeld resumes its position as the
highest rated show on television after the
brouhaha over the Olympics. Patricia
Cromwell's Cause of Death continues to
dominate the number one position on the
bestselling list for fiction. Meanwhile, Gary
Aldrich's tome Unlimited Access rules the
non-fiction list according to the New York
Times. Beats, Rhymes and Life by A Tribe
Called Quest is the hottest selling album in the
country and 13 year old sensation Leann
Rimes dominates the Country sales chart with
her sultry hit Blue, according to Billboard
Magazine. .. Quote of the Week: "Did you
know every single athlete that you have seen on
your television screen has been tested for
drugs?... Or as NBC calls it: Must Pee TV." —
Jay Leno on the Tonight Show.
ion
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HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996 17
Hill Announces
for City
Council Seat
Community activist Ray Hill has
announced that he will seek election to a
city council seat this November in what is
expected to be a crowded race with as many
as 20 contenders vying for the position.
The At-large District #4 seat is currently
held by John Peavy Jr. who has announced
his resignation.
Hill has been an occasional candidate in
previous races. Zoning is among the
issues Hill says he is concerned with stating,
“There are 15 voting members
around the city council table including
the Mayor and none of them seem to remember
that the voters rejected zoning in a
1993 referendum.” Hill continued by
claiming, “Zoning failed in Montrose
precincts because the city announced well
in advance that the gay business district
on Pacific Street would remain for a limited
time and could not expand as our com-munity
grew.”
“Basically government should stay out
of people’s lives, “ asserts Hill. He makes
claims against two of the members of City
Council by saying, “Helen Huey wants to
decide what choices adults have to spend
their entertainment dollars and Martha
Wong wants to decide what books, magazines
and videos we can read or view. The
rest of City Council feels obligated to
give them the power to do so. This is a silly
waste of tax and police resources that are
needed elsewhere.” During the Texas
legislative session. Hill works as a paid
lobbyist for businesses that sell “adult
material,” such as books and videos.
Hill charges that the City Council Chamber
is an echo chamber. He claims there is
MS375
Montrose
one Bedroom
APartments
> limited access gates
covered parking
Call Scott for
Move-In Specials
266-1444
dduentite yuct
On Sunday, September 29, 1996 one
of 1,500 ticket holders will win a fully
restored 1986 Nissan Maxima!
Presence not required to win.
Send check or money order to:
CARGO
(Charity Automotive Raffle Company)
9415 Westheimer, Suite 326C
Houston, Texas 77063
(713) 504-2083
Proceeds will benefit
AIDS Relief Organizations in Houston
TICKETS $25 each • 5 for $100
Only 1,500 tickets will be sold.
WIN A CAR WHILE YOU HELP
SUPPORT THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS
Be sure to include Name, current Address
& Telephone # with your, check or money order.
Mortgage Corporation
Where you can be
PROUD OF WHO
YOU ARE!
713.629.0600
2200 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 450
Houston, Texas 77056
Jennifer arris
Senior Loan Officer
Pager 919-5626
Lesbian/Gay
Lending Specialist
The Trading Post
11410 S. Post Oak
726-1963 Pboi
• 5 Pool Tables TOURNAMENT
• Electronic Darts sat. Right
* Big Screen TV 8:00pm
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little dissent at City Hall because they
agree ahead of time to avoid conflict. Hill
states, “The voters may not want 14 Ray
Hills on City Council but we do not need 15
Bob Laniers either. There should be
enough disagreement to create compromises
in the interest of the public. As
things are now there are no opportunities
for compromise.”
Concerning Metro funds Hill says that we
are headed for a future with major mobility
problems because Metro funds are being
used for short term goals instead of long
term planning. Hill adds, “The city
administration has drained Metro’s
bank accounts to support costs unrelated
to mobility. Now they want to get the Olympic
Games here to justify the use of other
tax sources to do what Metro funds were
supposed to do in the first place. Poor
planning and poor priorities are the
result of the go along to get along attitude
in Council Chamber.
Ray Hill is well known in the community as
being outspoken and a bit of an agitator.
He hosts “The Prison Program” on KPFT
radio on Sunday afternoons, a volunteer
pqsition which he will have to leave
during the time he is running for office.
The fact that he has a prison record is often
brought up against him. Hill was arrested
and imprisoned for commercial bui-glary.
He responds by saying that he did the
crimes and paid his time. He ictiied
from that business in 1970.
Hill promises to develop positions on
other issues as the campaign continues.
Celebration of Life for Stephen Bralick
Sunday Aug. 18th at 3:00 PM
18 HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996
ETCHED IN MEMORY.
PRESERVED IN GRANITE.
THE AIDS MEMORIAL
BOOK.
It's made of solid granite and bordered "panels" in
which you can inscribe the name and date of your
departed family member or friend. Proceeds are
donated to AIDS charities through an advisory board
composed of local leaders in AIDS-related services. To
make an appointment to see the terrace, call a Forest
Park Lawndale representative at 921-6623.
The Foundation for Interfaith
Research & Ministry and
Forest Park Lawndale
THEATER LaB HOUSTON presents
the controversial play the Cincinnati vice squad wanted to close down POOR SUPER MAH
by Brad Fraser
EXTENDED DUE TO SOLD-OUT PERFORMANCES!
FINAL PERFORMANCES
FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS thru AUGUST 17th at 8 PM
SUNDAYS, AUGUST 4th, 11st & 18th at 6 PM
THURSDAY PERFORMANCES ADDED! AUG. Sth & 15th at 8 PM
ALL TICKETS $18 ▼ 1706 ALAMO OFF 2100 HOUSTON AVE.
This play contains sexual situations/nudity
underwritten by HOUSTON VOICE
TICKET INFORMATION 868-7516
• Alignment
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HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16, 1996 19
a 'W&'ltct. . .
by Nancy Ford appears bi-weekly in the Houston Voice.
^/Valgreens continued^.
(Continued front page I)
Walgreens Inc.
200 Wilmot Rd. #2264
Deerfield, IL 600015-4681
Or call 1-847-940-2500.
2. Send a copy of your letter to:
Mr. Anwar, Store Manager
3317 Montrose Blvd.
Houston, TX 77006
or call at 520-8000 or go by in person and tell
him of your displeasure.
HGLPC maintains that these people need to
be told that removing The magazine from
^distribution at their store is a clear slap in the
Iface of the Gay & Lesbian community
because no other business (such as Krogers or
Whole Foods) have removed the magazine
because it was found objectionable.
Walgreens removed total distribution on the
complaint of one person. That this is
unacceptable to the Gay and Lesbian
community was expressed in a letter that was
sent to the Walgreens Corporate office by
Gandy. The letter made several other points
as well.
The theme of the banned magazine that
particular month was "safe sex" and . the
article cited as being offensive by only one
customer, was on "oral sex". This magazine
has no pictures except in a few ads and
sometimes pictures of the authors of the
articles. There are not even ads for places
which are characterized by some as "SOBs"
or sexually oriented businesses.
In a conversation with Mr. Ed King at the
Walgreens Corporate office, the policy of
Walgreens regarding objectionable material
was explained. Gandy expressed resentment
with the fact that The magazine was lumped
with magazines advocating violence and
other anti-social behaviors and/or of a
sexually exploitative genre. Because it was
regarded so, as a result of this one article, it
was subject to executive review and the
decision being to remove the magazine and
other future issues from the shelf devoted to
"freebie" literature.
The implications of this decision are:
• That this magazine is in the same category
as magazines of violence, anti-social
behavior and so-called "male sophisticate"
magazines.
R That because of one article in one
magazine issue, which without pictures,
spoke of oral sex, the issue theme being
"safe sex", the magazine was removed for
all time from the free distribution shelves
at the Walgreens Montrose store on the
complaint of one person !
• That a magazine issue devoted to safe sex
and more specifically oral sex is
inappropriate material for this community.
One would think that Walgreens would
want to support the idea of health
education appropriate to the community
served by that particular store.
The first implication is bad enough and the
evidence of the magazine itself belies it being
|n this category.
i'he second point indicates that blatant
discrimination against the Gay & Lesbian
community is at work! If, for example, all the
other stores in the area had removed the
magazine perhaps it could be said that this is
a just decision. In this case however, many
other businesses such as Krogers and Whole
Foods which have as diverse a clientele in
this neighborhood as does Walgreens still
stock the magazine!
The third point belies a problem with free
speech rights when they are connected to
health education that one person may find
objectionable.
Gandy says she also finds it objectionable to
read all those silly headlines from pulp
magazines that Walgreens sells to
heterosexuals but doesn't demand their
removal because she supports free speech no
matter how distasteful she personally finds it.
Walgreens' decision seems ill advised. No
proper criteria apparently exist which would
lend it the aura of an objective decision. Since
no such criteria seem to exist, it can only be
surmised that this decision lacked objectivity
and falls into the category of
homopredjudiced behavior, which is clearly
discriminatory.
The HGLPC has embarked upon a program
to establish the entire Montrose area as a
Discrimination Free Zone. They intend to ask
all businesses in the area to sign on to the
project. Refusing to present the magazine
along with other "freebies" when most other
businesses do include it, is an act which the
Caucus deems discriminatory.
Gandy on behalf of the Caucus requested
dialog with Walgreens on this issue, which
could result in more objective criteria being
applied, so that other magazines must meet
the same criteria as the magazine! It is hoped
that this can be done quickly and without any
resort to direct action.
The organization generally does not do direct
action, preferring to negotiate and discuss to
reach accord, but HGLPC has been known to
take such action. It was hoped that this issue
could be worked out in a manner that is
satisfactory to all concerned. Other groups in
the community such as Queer Nation, Act-up
and the Lesbian Avengers are known for their
direct action tactics. These groups as well as
supportive individuals may decide to take
actions against Walgreens such as protests
and boycotts.
In a statement to the media Gandy said,
"Perhaps, they feel as if there are no other
drug stores for Gay men and Lesbians to go
to in the Montrose area. This is corporate
arrogance of the worst sort. The corporate
office has not even given us the courtesy of a
reply to a letter I wrote them on June 30, 1996
and I know that they got the letter because I
have a copy of the return receipt from the post
office!"
Gandy continued by stating, "Walgreens
profits on AIDS related medicines alone at
this store must be huge and they think it is
OK to remove a magazine from their store
whose issue that month was devoted to "safe
sex”. Kroger did not think the issue
objectionable, neither did Whole Foods.
What do you think could be going through
the head of the local manager and the
corporate heads? I am appalled at what comes
into my mind!"
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HOUSTONVOICE
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20 HOUSTON VOICE / AUGUST 16. 1996
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A Reconciling Congregation
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at Mulberry
ASK THE PASTOR
Q: "DO YOU BELIEVE THAT BEING GAY IS A
CHOICE? IS BEING GAY SIMPLY THE LIFESTYLE
THAT SOMEONE CHOOSES OR ARE WE
MADE THAT WAY?"
A: The best person to ask is a gay person. Most people
who are gay will tell you that it is not a choice.
Many people have recollections about their sexual orientation
as early as age two or three. Other people delayed
in„dealing with their sexual orientation in hopes of fitting
Rev. Janet Parker jn with socjety Marriage has been experienced by many
gay/lesbian people with little success. For a person who has chosen not to act upon
their gayness, they generally end up living a celibate life. Many do not marry. If it
was a choice, it seems that a person would be able, with intervention, to make adjustments
to live in the heterosexual world and be happy. Unless a person is bisexual,
they would probably not be content in the heterosexual world. Why would a
person choose to be gay when: 1. it is frowned upon by society, 2. there is significant
discrimination, 3. relationships are not recognized by the legal system and the
church at large, 4. families disown members because they are gay, and 5. churches
tell gay people that God condemns them for "being gay." My own personal experience
tells me that being gay/lesbian is not a choice. What becomes a choice for us
is to learn how to be all that God has designed for us to be as gay/lesbian people.
We do this by connecting with God, our Creator. We can then learn to celebrate
who we are instead of defending who we are. We need to face fear and hatred by
others and not be ashamed. I do believe that God made a diversity of sexual orientations.
Why are we to judge another person if they do not conform to our own
standards? If an individual can settle the issue, that it is not a choice, then I believe
that they can then go on in life and be very fulfilled. One needs to surround
themself with a community of affirming and supportive people. When a person
finds a good, healthy role model in the gay/lesbian community, they have found a
good thing. Many people come to our church to see if a person really can be gay
and Christian. People are searching to find someone who defies the stereotype of
what the world thinks a gay/lesbian person to be, simply because they do not fit the
mold. I pray that you wi |
