Herland Sister Resources : v.5: no.7(1988)
- Title
- Herland Sister Resources : v.5: no.7(1988)
- Description
- The Herland Sister Resources newsletter is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
- Publisher
- en_US Herland Sister Resources
- Date Issued
- 1988-07
- Rights
- All rights reserved by Herland Sister Resources. Contact UCO Archives & Special Collections for the permission policy on the use, reproduction or distribution of these materials.
- Is Part Of
- Herland Sisters Resources
- Creator
- Herland Sister Resources
- Date
- 2017-09-02T17:02:18Z
- Date Available
- 2017-09-02T17:02:18Z
- Subject
- Oklahoma
- Type
- application/pdf
- extracted text
-
HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
1630 NW 19, OKC, OK 73106
VOLUME 5, NUMBER 7
JULY, 1988
Around the Corner
PRIDE BRINGS OKLAHOMA GAYS
OUT OF THE CLOSET
OKLAHOMA CITY - Lead by police escort, Oklahoma's first annual Gay Pride
Parade made its way up Classen Boulevard and across 39th Street to the
Block Party behind the Oasis Community
Center without serious interference on
Sunday, June 19th. The one and onehalf mile long parade route was lined
with well-wishing supporters and curious on-lookers who greeted some 625
lesbians and gay men who stepped out
of the closet to march for their civil
rights.
A number of marchers carried balloons. According to . Darlene Burgess,
Director of the Oasis Community Center
which was the maih sponsor of the parade, each of the 406 ·balloons, prearranged by the lesbian ·it represented,
symbolized a woman who did not march
due to fear - of violence, losing her
job, family and/or friends.
Of those gathered along the parade
route only a handful .were thumping Bibles. Those few verbally harrassed
marchers with cries of repentance or
held placards of condemnation. The
proud paraders' dignity was maintained
with little effort, however, and the
violent confrontations that some had
pr;vately feared never materialized.
Five or so Ku Klux Klanners, gathered
near the corner of 39th and Penn, rapidly dispersed as the parade drew closer and the number of marchers became
apparent.
Banners identified several of the
organizations taking part: among others, the Metropolitan Community Church,
the National Organization for Women,
and the Oaklawn Symphonic Band, a
marching band composed of lesbian and
gay men from Dallas who demonstrated
their support for Oklahoma's first Gay
Rights Parade by both their presence
and selection of tunes which included
"Oklahoma".
Prior to the parade marchers assembling in Memorial Park listened to a
number of speakers and entertainers.
Among those who spoke were Nathaniel
Batchelder and Virginia Jenner. In an
attempt to replace Glenn English, Batchelder is running for U.S. Congress and
is emphasizing the need for "opportunity and justice for all" which includes
"the civil rights of gay men and worn-,
en". Denner is running for mayor of
Tulsa in an effort to change the attitude that homosexuals "can't run for
public office".
Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City
Police Department were very cooperative
and presented no obstacles for parade
organizers. Ms. Burgess said there
were no problems in obtaining the parade permits and parade police were
plentiful and helpful. Organizers were
complimented by police on their organizational skills, and Ms. Burgess expects the same cooperation from the city and OCPD next year.
On hand for this historic event was
Jeff Levi, Executive Director of the
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in
Washington, who spoke at the block party at parade's end. He . saluted Oklahoma City's AIDS support program whose
accomplishments prompted state lawmak~
ers to pass legislation making Oklahoma
the first state in the country to man-
date AIDS education in the public
schools. He said this is just one reason for Oklahoma gays to be proud.
"This first march is a coming of age for
Oklahoma's gay community and is important in coalescing a feeling of community and a feeling of pride. Particularly during the AIDS crisis, it is important to be doing positive things when
so many people a re sick and dying" . He
went on to say, "No civil rights movement has been a sprint. It has always
been a marathon. And, this movement is
no different".
Far exceeding the numbers expected
by parade organizers, Ms. Burgess be1ieves the event "unfastened the \buckle
on the Bible Belt", and said "I &.p'n't
wait to see what it's going to be like
next year". She feels, with the help
of various gay public'a tions, the spirit
of the march can remain through the
year adding, "gay pride does not stop
on the 26th of June".
BLOCK PARTY OFFERED
FUN AND FOOD
Some 200-300 people were waiting at
the "gay strip" to greet marchers at
the end of the parade. Coupled with
the 600 plus marchers this made for one
big block party, but organizers were
well-prepared for their guests and noone went away hungry or thirsty.
Herland Sister Resources had their
mobile bookstore set up for business
and offered an array of good books for
both women and men. The best-seller at
this particular event was The Quilt, a
OKLAHOMA CITY - The block party following Oklahoma's first annual Gay
Pride Parade offered a seemingly endless supply of hot dogs, baked beans,
chips, soft drinks, and beer for hot
and hungry marchers.
Continued on page 2
Continued from page l
a beautiful, hard cover book which
chronicles the construction of the
Names Project's now-famous quilt and
details its 2000 panels, each of
which represents a victim of AIDS,
with vivid color photographs.
At 5:00 o'clock many of those gathered sat around the television set inside the Oasis to watch the local news,
eager to see how or even if the parade
was "newsworthy". Delight swept
through the crowd as full coverage of
the day's events received top billing
on each of the three Oklahoma City stations. Their existence positively validated by local news media, tired but
happy, Oklahoma's gay women and men
could now go home, knowing that their
courageous participation in Oklahoma's
first Gay Pride Parade had indeed generated a positive turning point in the
history of Oklahoma's gay colllllunity.
A NN0 UNC E S
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NEXT COLLECTIVE MEETING
CALL 794-7464 for time & place
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HERLAND'S FALL RETREAT
SEQUOYAH STATE PARK
near Wagoner
SEPTEMBER 16, 17, &18
SIGN UP BELOW !
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HERLAND BOOKSTORE AT HI-LO CLUB
July l 0 5 pm til 10 pm
WOMEN WORSHIPING TOGETHER
OKLAHOMA CITY - Join other women for
OKC's first 11Dnthly Quaker Lesbian meet; ng for worship.
Patterned after traditional Quaker
services. there will be no minister and
no leader. Beginning with silent meditation, anyone who feels so moved may
speak. Quakers talk of "speaking from
the light".
The first meeting will be on Sunday,
July 24 at 11 AM, at 2024 NW 20 in Oklahoma City. If you like, bring something
for the pot luck brunch which will follow.
For more information call 524-2958.
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HERLAND FALL RETREAT
FOR llOllEN
Pre-registration is Sl7 - $20, b1Sed on your 1bfltty to PIY· Upon receipt of your
check, 1 m1p to the ca111psite and ltst of suggested item to bring wfll be utled
to you. Oeadlfne for pre-regfstrltfon ts Septelllber 9, l • .
I
NUllber of Pets
(Pets -..st be k""'ep"'t_,on,.,,....,1...,,.ea·sh
and no pets f' utn bldg.)
Name(s ' - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Address
Continued on page 7
City
Zip
Phone
PUBLISHED BY: HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
CIRCULATION: 700
I would ltke a schol1rshfp
I wou 1d 1t ke 1 work exchange
GENERAL INFO:
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794-7464
672-6459
1-353-6861 (LAWTON)
VOLUNTEER INFO: 672-4141
ADVERTISING: 794-7464
I would ltke to lead a discussion group on
DEADLINE on all advertising and submissions
- - - is the 15th of each month.
SUBSCRIPTIONS to this Newsletter are free
by calling any number above.
subject and 1 possible leader
I wfll provide---- scllolarshfp(sJ
subject.
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Things I liked at other retreats w e r e - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We encourage the exchange of information,
personal opin1ons on issues of concern to
the Oklahoma wimmin's contnunity, and your
stories and experiences.
The editor reserves the right to edit and
condense letters accordin~ to space limitations. Letters should be typed, doublespaced and signed by the author(s) . Include
your address and phone number. If you wish
to be published anonymously, so indicate ,
but include your name, etc., fo r our information, in case the editor has questions.
Mail or deliver your letters to HSR, Inc.,
1630 NW 19, Oklahoma City, OK 73106. Deadline is the 15th of each month.
Things I disliked 1bout other retreats w e r e - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Suggested solutions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Mall to:
Herland Sister Resources
S Laura, Camp Di rector
4924 s. Kathy
Oklahoma t1ty, Oklahoma 7313.5
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Around the Country
BATTERED WOMAN SENTENCED TO
15-YEAR TERM
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - A 21-year-old Siloam Spring woman accused of first-degree
murder in the February 1987 death of her
battering husband has pleaded guilty to
a reduced charge and received a 15-year
sentence with 5 years suspended.
In February 1988 a story about Melinda Key appeared in Arkansas' feminist
newsletter Up and Coming. As a result of
that story and the networking which followed a New England attorney flew in to
Arkansas at his own expense to represent
the impoverished defendant. Bob Bracklin,
an experienced trial lawyer, hoped to use
the "battered women·' s syndrome" as a defense. However, thfs has never been accepted as a defense in Arkansas, and the
possible sentence for first degree murder
should this defense prove unsuccessful,
was life in prison.
Fearing the permanent loss of her two
children if she was found guilty and received a long sentence, Melinda's ·anguish
brought her to the decision to plead
guilty to 2nd degree murder and throw
herself on the mercy of the court. She
hoped this would insure a sentence that
would not be so long that she would lose
her children, also battering victims.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Infield clearly stated that he would not
have allowed testimony on the battered woman's syndrome at the trial had the case
gone to trial, but that it would be permitted during the sentencing phase and
could be presented as mitigating circumstances.
Evidence of the extreme abuse that Melinda had suffered at the hands of her
husband as well as expert testimony on
fhe battered woman's syndrome was presented at the sentencing hearing . Judge Infield sentenced Melinda to 15 years in
prison, and then suspended 5 years due to
these "mitigating circumstances . " Melinda wi ll receive credit for 13 months she
spent in the county j afl in Bentonvfl 1e
which will allow her first parole hearing
to be in the Fall of 1989 . The judge decided not to terminate Melinda's parental
rights because of the potentially short
time she wi l l spend in prison.
Meanwhile , now at the women's prison
in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Melinda is making the best of her situation by taking
clerical courses and studying for her
General Equivalency Diploma. Letters
may be mailed to Melinda; c/o the Women's
Shelter; P.O. Box 2915; Fayetteville, AR
72702.
BILL WOULD ALLOW ABORTIONS IN
FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS
WASHINGTON, DC - For the 44 mi Ilion
women who depend on federally-funded
health care, abortion is not an option
unless their lives are endangered.
However there is a bill before the U.S.
House of Representatives which could
change that and provide both the poor
and government employed women the option to exercise their reproductive
rights.
"!~omen who are dependent on the federal government for health care do not
have freedom of choice, even in cases
of rape and incest," Hep. Bill Green
(R-NY), one of the bill's co-sponsors,
said. "In effect, we have a two-tier
system of rights . "
If passed, the Reproductive Health
Equity Act (RHEA) would restore full
federal funding to women whose health
plans are administered by the federal
government. Congressman Green, Rep .
Vic Fazio (D-CA) and 60 House co-sponsors introduced RHEA on March 16. But,
this lOOth Congress i s not the first
into which this bill has been introduced. It was also introduced into the
last two sessions of· congress and failed to be passed.
A spokes person for the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) in
Washington said NARAL does not expect
the bill to be passed during this session. But, it has picked up an additional 12 sponsors during this session and
now has 72 co-sponsors. Supporters are
hopeful of its passage in the 101st session of Congress.
Action is needed by women concerned
about the freedom of choice for women
whose health care is administered or
controlled by the federal government.
Those interested m.!IY contact their representatives in Washington about HR 4168,
by addressing their correspondence to:
Representative
; U.S . House of
Representatives; Washington, DC 20515
or by calling (202) 224-3121 and asking
for your Member of Congress' office.
NOW SPONSORS LESBIAN RIGHTS
CONFERENCE
SAN DIEGO, CA - The National Organization for Women will sponsor its first
National Lesbian Rights Conference here
on October 7 - 10, 1988. The purpose
of the conference is to develop a national lesbian rights agenda in cooperation with other organizations which are
committed to lesbian rights .
NOW sees lesbian rights as a woman's
issue and a feminist issue, and the conference will address a variety of topics
in its workshops including legal rights,
health care, domestic abuse, lesbian
families, sexuality, spirituality, substance abuse, being out in the workplace,
visability, electoral politics, coalition
politics, lesbians in the arts and the
media . among others .
A featured speaker will be Karen
Thompson , the Minnesota University professor who is fighting for guardianship
rights to care for her lesbian partner,
Sharon Kowalski, who was severely disabled in a 1983 auto accident.
The conference was initiated by a
group of lesbians who came to the Nation'
Capital for the Gay and Lesbian March on
l~ashington last October, and met to discuss the issues and concerns unique to
the lesbian community.
Because of their commitment to develop a national lesbian agenda , NOW has
taken on the task of helping to achieve
that goal. They are sponsoring this conference to provide a forum for women from
across the nation to gather and discuss
issues of importance to lesbians and
their supporters.
For further information contact:
Nancy Buermeyer, Lesbian Rights Program
Director; 1401 New York Ave., NW; Suite
800; Washington, DC 20005 or cal I (202)
347-2279. Or call Karen at (405) 7947464 for a registration form and info.
CIVIL RIGHTS MARCH SHOULD
INCLUDE GAY PEOPLE
ATLANTA, GA - The National Coalition
of Black Lesbians and Gays and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force have
called for the inclusion of lesbian and
gay civil rights in an upcoming march
being planned by the civil rights community on August 27 . On that day a
National Mobilization Rally in Washington will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the historic march led by Dr.
Ki ng in 1963.
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At the 20th Anniversary March in 19.83,
it required significant agitation to
gain specific recognition of gay and lesbian rights by march leaders. "In 1988,
nothing short of equal status for gay
and lesbian issues as an integral part of
the mainstream civil rights agenda is accaptable," said NGLTF i::xecutive Director
Jeff Levi.
The two organizations ask the gay
and lesbian community to join in this
call for inclusion of gay/lesbian rights.
Letters should be addressed to the organizers: Mrs. Coretta S. King; Martin
Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent
Social Change; 449 Auburn Avenue NW;
Atlanta, GA 30312 .
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LESBIANS AND GAYS ASKED TO
HELP UFW
SAN FRANCISCO - The United Farm Workers have called for a boycott ~f table
grapes effective 1ast May, and are asking the lesbian and gay community to
support their campaign. They are asking
for a ban on five pesticides used in
growing grapes and for free and fair
elections for farm workers.
In February, the Urn hired Howard
Wallace, a longtime gay and union activist who organized the successful Coors
boycott, to organize this boycott.
The UFW has worked with and supported
the lesbian and gay community for years.
UFW president Cesar Chavez noted this
when he spoke at last fall's March on
Washington for Lesbian ·and Gay Hi ghts.
"In 1968 in Delano, California in the
San Joaquin Valley, we started a strike
for justice. They beat up and jailed
our people. No one would come to support
us. We were frightened and hungry. We
1
Continued on page 5
3
Members of OKC's Metropolitan Community Church convey what
Christ said about homosexuality --- nothing.
Marchers gather at Memorial Park.
Metro OKC NOW supports parade objectives.
All photographs by Sondra Metzger
(with many thanks from the editor)
4
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Conti nued from page 3
needed help .
"Lesbians and gay people came from San
Francisco to help us. We shall never
forget that. That started a solidarity
and a cooperation between our two movements."
Chavez said, "We also suffer from
discrimination." To help fight this discrimination he asks for help in boycotting fresh grapes - not wine or raisins,
but "do not eat the grapes . "
·The UFW is calling for a ban on five
pesticides used in growing grapes: Captan, Parathion, Phosdrin, Dinoseb, and
Methyl Bromide. It charges that these
have caused many health problems for
fann workers, including cancer and birth
defects. They are al'so a danger to the
environment and to consumers, for a
number of them are oi 1-based and do ·not
wash off with water.
Ralph Nader and the local Consumer
Action have endorsed the boycott.
The other Ufl.I grievance centers on
elections for union representatives.
The Agricultural Labor Relations Board
has repeatedly blocked UFW elections
that were successfu;l in the fields.
The Harvey Milk and Stonewall Demo-
cratic Clubs have already endorsed the
boycott, with the Al.ice B. Toklas Club
expected to in the hear future. Wallace plans to get the word out through
networking, mailings, the gay press,
and street fairs, among other avenues.
There is also a 15-minute videotape,
"The Wrath of Grapes", available free
to anyone who will show it at a community group meeting.
For more infonnation, contact Howard
Wallace; 240 Golden Gate Avenue; San
Francisco, CA 94102, or call (415) 4415008.
HUNDREDS MARCH FOR GAY RIGHTS
IN DUBUQUE
DUBUQUE, IA - Nearly 600 lesbian and
gay activists and their supporters marched in the Second Annual Gay/Lesbian Pride
March in Dubuque, Iowa in what one organizer cal led "a dream come true." March-
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ers poured into Dubuque on April 30 from
the Upper Midwest, with busloads coming
from Madison, Wisconsin and Minneapolis,
Minnesota.
March organizer Stacey Neldaughter
told the cheering crowd, "They said it
couldn't be done . They said Dubuque ·
can't be changed, but we will change Dubuque. This day is a dream come true
for me . "
Neldaughter reminded the crowd of the
terrifying events at the first pride
march last September 19, 1987 ~ in which
30 marchers were pelted with obscenities
and eggs by about 300 angry counterdemonstrators while local police wathed.
This year ' s marchers were heckled by a
few observers, but police officials adequately staffed the event and discouraged any outbreaks of violence .
Police reported that 16 eggs were
confiscated during the day . One man was
arrested and charged with disorderly
conduct for an egg-throwing incident at
last year's march and was also charged
with carrying a concealed weapon at this
year's event.
Rep. Tom Jochum (D-Uubuque) addressed
the rally, condemning acts of violence
against lesbians and gay men. "I stand
here before you today calling for an end
to violence and an end to discrimination
because I believe in justice. The Constitution is not negotiable."
The National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force's representative to 'the event, Sue
Hyde, told the crowd, "We gather in Dubuque today so that none of us, not one
lesbian and not one gay man, ever again
feels afraid to walk this city's streets .
We have come to Dubuque to challenge it
to be the best city it can be and to
recognize and welcome its lesbian and
gay citizens. We will return to Uubuque
every year until we no longer need· to."
The Dubuque Human Rights Commission
has agreed to consider amending the city
ordinance to ban discriminatio~ on the
basis of sexual orientation. Commission
chairperson Ken Hindman said in the Des
Moines Register, "It's a tough problem
all over Iowa. There's a real need for
good workshops on homophobia."
5
HATE CRIMES ACT PASSES HOUSE
A VICTORY FOR GAYS
WASHINGTON, DC - A nearly six-~ear
campaign by the National Gay and ·~e sbiar
Task Force (NGLTF) to obtain a federal '
response to anti-g·ay violence led to
passage on May 18, 1988 of the Hate
Crimes Statistics Act in the U.S . House
of Representatives. The bill marks the
first ti~e either Congressional body
has passela bill favorably addressing a
gay and lesbian issue .
The bill , which passed overwhelmingly by a vote of · 3s3 to 29, requ~res the
federal collection of statistics on
crimes motivated by prejudice based on
"race, religion, homosexuality or heterosexuality, and ethnicity . " A companion bill, S 2000, awaits further
action in the Senate.
Passage of this import ant bill is a
result of long-t'erm, intense lobbying
efforts by the NGLTF.
According to records maintained by
the NGLTF's Anti-Violence Project, antigay harassment and violence is on the
increase with 7,008 incidents reported
from across the U.S. in 1987 as compared
with 4,946 incidents reported in ]g86.
Incidents included harassment, intimidation, assault, police abuse, valdalism,
arson, bomb threats, and murder. NGLTF
cautions that these statistics account
for only a small fraction of the actual
total due to low rates of reporting by
victims and the lack of systematic data
· collection throughout the U.S., which
prevents a measurement of the problem's
·full scope. It is unclear whether the
42% rise from 1986 to 1987 is due to ini creased incidents, increased reporting
' or both.
Passage of the bill is the first step
in regulating statistics collection on
hate crimes in order to determine the
extent of the severity of this problem.
Director of NGLTF's Anti-violence Project, Kevin Berrill said, "Regardless of
the group targeted, ~attack motivated
by bigotry is intended to violate and
isolate not just the victim but all
those who are different." The problem
must be identified and exposed . Only
1
Continued on page 6
Continued from page 5
Potpourri
then wi ll a plan and laws for the resolution of anti-gay and lesbian violence
be developed.
HOMOPHOBIA CONFERENCE:
OBJECTIVE IS TO CHANGl ATTITUDES
CUSTER'S REVENGE REDUX
Do you remember Custer's Revenge, the
I vicious
video "game:' which glorified rape
WASHINGTON, DC - The first Global Con-I
ference to tnd Homophobia drew over onehundred leaders in the field of homophobia education to the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland on May 20 22. 1988.
The Conference was called by the Campaign to End Homophobia, an organization
fonned two years ago by members of the
Gay Rights and Homophobia Task Groups of
the National Organ ization for Changing
Men, (NOCM) . It was co-sponsored by over 25 national support and activist
organizations including the National Gay
and lesbian Task Force, the Fund For Human Dignity, The AIDS Task Force of the
Episcopal Diocese of Rhode I.sland, the
American Psychological Association, the
Lesbian Rights Committee of the National
Organization for Women, and the Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians
and Gays.
Conference attendees included educators, clergy, mass media professionals,
and health and sexuality education specialists from across the U.S., Canada ,
Israel, England and other countries.
This was the first conference ever to
fonnally address homophobia education.
During the 2-day working conference,
published works, educational models and
already-developed printed and audio-visual materials were exchanged. Also,
plans and strategies for promoting positive images of gays and lesbians in the
mass media were presented.
Joe Norton, 69, long-time gay activist said, "The solution to the problem
of homophobia is education. But it's
not enough to simply identify the solution, something has to be done to effect
it. Now it becomes .important to send
the message and expand the work worldwide."
The conference brought together
mainstream lesbian and gay organizations
with mainstream homophobia education
groups. This linkage is expected to
create a long term benefit.
"Over the years, the gay and lesbian
movement has become very inwardly focused, " according to Jeff Beane of West
Hollywood, CA , a member of the Steering
Committee of the Campaign to End Homophobia. "The Conference and the interest in homophobia education say that
we're stronger and perhaps at a new level of recognizing our internalized
homophobia - not liking ourselves - and
we're ready to educate the larger community ."
"The conference cal led together people from a variety of backgrounds who
are deeply interested in and deeply committed to changing attitudes" said Paulette Goodman, President of the Parents
and Friends of lesbians and Gays in
Washington.
Plans are under way for the second
conference to be held ne xt summer. For
additional information, contact Betsy
Crane (607) 273-1526 or Jeff Beane (213)
273-6375 .
and domination of women? Many of us wrote
letters of complaint, which eventually
resulted in its suppression. Now we need
to do it again to help our English sisters.
As part of a "eel ebration" of the lOOth
anniversary of Jack the Ripper, England
has a new "Jack the Ripper" computer "game".
It uses photos (not even computer graphics)
of models with their throats cut. Yes.
The government has graciously said that the
"game" should be restricted to adults.
British feminists are asking for protests
to be sent to the maker of the "game": CRL
Group PLC, 9 Kings Yard, Carpenters Road,
London E 15, England. Also effective might
be letters of outrage to Margaret Thatcher,
10 N. Downing Street, London.
From OKC NOW Newsletter, June 1988
MISSOURI PLANS WIMMIN'S
FESTIVAL
Missouri women are planning their 15th
Midwest Wimmins Festival for August 26th to
September 6, 1988.
This year's festival will be held at
Expressions
SHE'S ONLY A GIRL
In an ideal world the safe birth of
a healthy child of either sex would be
an occasion for joy and celebration .
For a great many people it is so today.
However, that is unfortunately not always the case. In many cultures to
give birth to a boy-chi Id brings great
honour to the mother while the birth of
a girl-chile is seen as a disappointment.
To be born a girl is to be born with
the burden of being disadvantaged in
many ways, merely by virtue of one's
sex. This disadvantage may be great
indeed. Often the stereotyped view of
a girl is that she is a financial liabil ity on the family . When choices are
made about using scarce resources to
find education, food, or medical care it
is the sons who are given priority. The
custom of fathers and sons taking their
meals before mothers and daughters is
found in a number of African and Asian
societies and is one of the practices
that contribute to the malnourishment
and poor health of the female members of
the family.
A technique called amniocentesis,
which is used in developed countries to
check for genetic defects, is reported
to be increasingly used in India to de-
6
Camp Rising Sun in the Lake of the Ozarks
State Park near Osage Beach , Missouri. The
site includes a large gathering hall , a
wonderful natural amphitheater, and a more
private (well enclosed) lake access than a
campsite they have previously used for the
festival.
·
For more information on the M.W.F write
to M.W.F.; 8739 Bernadett Ave.; Kansas City,
Kansas 66112
WOMEN'S MOTORCYCLE FESTIVAL
CAMP LAKELAND, NY - Women bikers are
poised to gather hereon August 25 - 28
for the fourth Women's Motorcycle Festival. Located in the beautiful Allegheny
Mountains an hour south of Buffalo the
facility provides an excellent environment for touring and technical workshops
plus alot of crazy, all-in-fun competitions as well as recognition of longdistance bikers and customized bikes.
Entertainment for the weekend will be
Alix Dobkin in concert Saturday.
All meals are prepared for the festival's guests, and there are hot showers,
lake swimming and boating, pingpong, billiards, dancing and a well-equipped
stage. Some lodging is available, 1bpt
most guests are expected to camp. 1•v
Participation is limited to the first
200 pre-paid registran~s. For more infonnation write the Women's Motorcyclist
Foundation; 7 lent Ave.; LeRoy, NY 14482
or call (716) 768-6054. Also, ask about
the Women's Motorcyclist Newsletter,
Chrome Roses's Review.
termine the sex of the unborn child, opening the way to abortion of female
fetuses. It is reported that many women choose to abort female fetuses because of severe social, cultural and economic pressures to have male children,
a si~uation that has resu tted in numerical imbalance between the sexes in India.
Recent protests in the media and by
women's and civil rights groups against
widespread use of amniocentesis for this
purpose has called attention to what
some see as a technological aid to female feticide. They want the government
to ban testing for this purpose, and to
launch a campaign to publicize the fact
that the sex of a child ·is detennined by
the father and not the mother.
A paper produced by WHO/UNICEF suggests measures which may be implemented
to combat such devastating practices against women. In "Health Implications
cf Sex Discrimination in Childhood steps
are offered to "root out son preference
from societies". These include antisex discrimination laws, the abolition
of dowries and bride price, improved
access to education, and official recognition of the value of women's work.
Because research by UNICEF nas found
that the two fundamental causes for the
disadvantage of girls are poverty and
the virtually "universal undervaluation
of females", it is vitally important
that the reco1T111endations put forward i n
the WHO/UNICEF paper are taken up so
that the girl-child can be freed from
the handicap of prejudice and valued in
her own right.
From the World Goodwill Newsletter
1.988, No. 1, and The NOW Times
April, 1988
Continued f rom page 2
preter or if you know one who would like
to be available for the interpretation of
women's concerts and other women's functions , please call Laura at 672-4141 '. Your
assistance is very much appreciated.
HERLAND SEEKS INTERPRETER
OKLAHOMA CITY - Herland is seekinq an
interpreter for the hearing impaired . to
have available for future Herland-sponsored events.
Because Herland wishes to extend itself
to all women it is necessary to construct
various avenues by which Herland may be
made available to differently-abled sis• ·
ters.
If you are a hearing-impaired inter-
HSR BOOKSTORE AT HI-LO CLUB
OKLAHOMA CITY - On Sunday, July l O,
Herl and Bookstore 1~il 1 be open for business at the Iii-Lo Club, 1221 Nl~ SOth (at
NW SOth and CI assen 131 vd J from 5 pm - 10
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -.... pm.
Area women have been asking for the
Bookstore, as have some area men, as well.
Gecause the new building is still not habitable, Herland is setting up shop in
designated, alternate places until the new
building is ready.
June, owner of the Hi-Lo Club, has generously offered a space for this purpose
on July 10. So, if you are in need of a
book fix, mark your calendar and join Herland volunteers at the Hi-Lo Club for a
good book .
Greenwood.,.
NEW BUILDING NEEDS HELP!!
Hollow
Ridge
OKLAHOMA CITY - llerland Board members
will be gathered at the new store site
July 9 \Saturday ) to do yard clean-up a1
wall repair work. Persons 1~ho would Ii i
to volunteer to help fi x up the new stor
would be very much appreciated.
Tasks on the schedule for Saturday ,
July 9th include removal of discarded wo
and paneling from the building to a city
dump , repair of cracks and holes in pJas
er and lath walls, and painting of interior walls .
Hours of repair work will be from 8 a1
unt i l 8 pm . Come when you can for any
amount of time that you can spend. Hope
to see you at 2312 NW 39th Street'.
HERLAND YARD SALE ASKS FOR
YOUR STUFF
Herland is in the preliminary planning stages for its annual yard sale,
which will be held sometime in late Summer or early Fall. Unfortunately , no
definite plans can be made until the new
building is ready for habitation .
But, there WILL be a yard sale , and
Herland wants you to know that your discards and junk are Herland's treasQres.
So, please start saving up your "styff" ,
and this Newsletter will let you know •
the details on the Yard Sale just as
soon as they are available .
Herland takes this opportunity to
extend its THANKS to all of you who have
supported the Yard Sale in years past.
IS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGING?
BED & BREAKFAST
A Quiet
Country Setting
In The Woods Of
Eureka Springs
If you are planning to move, and you don't want to miss
any issues of the HSR Newsletter, please let us know your
new address BEFORE you move. The Post Office will NOT forward
the Newsletter, and Herland will NOT change your address ;Without your authorization. Therefore, to insure receipt of the
Newsletter fill out and mail us this Change of Address form
BEFORE you move. The form may also be used to add a new name
to the mailing list.
•Private
•Hot Tub
• Near All Shows
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CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM
I
~ame(s): ---~~~~~-~-------~---
Route 4, Box 1 SS
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
(S01) 2S3-S283
!
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NUMBER ONE
GREENWOOD
HOLLOW RIDGE
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Phone Number: ( ____ ) - - - - - - - - - - - - !Mail to:
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Herland Sister Resources, Inc .
2312 NW 39th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
______
_J
Classified Advertising
Specializing in:
Group and Private Psychotherapy
with Adults and Adolescents
AUTO FOR SALE - 1976 Toyota Corolla. Runs great. Body needs some
work. $600 or make offer. 524-2958 eves. and weekends.
SONYA GRAY, MSW, LCSW
AUTO FOR SALE - 1984 Mercury Marquis Brm, excellent condition, 6 cylinder, 40,000 miles, 1 owner. Have all records.
$4,200. 495-4390.
Central Oklahoma Psychiatric Center
3131 N.W. Expressway
Oklahoma City, Okla. 73112
HOUSE FOR RENT - 3 bedroom, 1 bath, large fenced yard. Small
but comfortable, close to Tinker. Available Aug. 1. One
year lease. $285 mo. negotiable. 672-6459.
(405) 848-2286
APT. FOR RENT - Newly-decorated efficiency apartment in northwest OKC. AC, W& G paid, parking available. $150 mo. Call
Tre at 525-8524.
SHELLY ZAIKIS, MGA
GOLDEN THREADS - a contact publication for lesbians over 50
and women who love older women. Canada and the U.S. Confidential, warm, reliable. For free information send a
self-addressed envelop (U.S. residents please stamp it).
Sample copy mailed discreetly, $5.00 (U.S.). GOLDEN
THREADS; P.O. Box 2416; Quincy, MA 02269.
Professional Handwriting Analyst
> Job counselor
> Compatibility
> Classes offered year-round
FREE - 3-year-old male Cocker Spaniel/Pekinese mix needs
good home. Call 495-4390.
(405) 946-6928
IRISH SETTER - Lovely abandoned male seeks caring woman for
new life. Neutered, shots . $30 adoption fee. 794-7464.
366-09'23
Please support Uerland's Sponsors:
HELEN HOLGATE ,
Certified Alcoholism & Drug Abuse
Counselor
.en
KE_MCO
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PRINTING INC.
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Kelley Mattocks
340-4301
1601
s.
Rroaclway. Unit D • Edmoncl. Okla. 7:m J 3
148-6429
SHIRLEY M. HUNTER. M.A.
LICENSED PROFEISIONAL COUNSELOR
PENN PAAK OFFICE COMPLEX • SUITE 102
1G01 N PEN•YLVANUU OKlAHOMA CITY, OK 73112
8
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HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
1630 NW 19, OKC, OK 73106
VOLUME 5, NUMBER 7
JULY, 1988
Around the Corner
PRIDE BRINGS OKLAHOMA GAYS
OUT OF THE CLOSET
OKLAHOMA CITY - Lead by police escort, Oklahoma's first annual Gay Pride
Parade made its way up Classen Boulevard and across 39th Street to the
Block Party behind the Oasis Community
Center without serious interference on
Sunday, June 19th. The one and onehalf mile long parade route was lined
with well-wishing supporters and curious on-lookers who greeted some 625
lesbians and gay men who stepped out
of the closet to march for their civil
rights.
A number of marchers carried balloons. According to . Darlene Burgess,
Director of the Oasis Community Center
which was the maih sponsor of the parade, each of the 406 ·balloons, prearranged by the lesbian ·it represented,
symbolized a woman who did not march
due to fear - of violence, losing her
job, family and/or friends.
Of those gathered along the parade
route only a handful .were thumping Bibles. Those few verbally harrassed
marchers with cries of repentance or
held placards of condemnation. The
proud paraders' dignity was maintained
with little effort, however, and the
violent confrontations that some had
pr;vately feared never materialized.
Five or so Ku Klux Klanners, gathered
near the corner of 39th and Penn, rapidly dispersed as the parade drew closer and the number of marchers became
apparent.
Banners identified several of the
organizations taking part: among others, the Metropolitan Community Church,
the National Organization for Women,
and the Oaklawn Symphonic Band, a
marching band composed of lesbian and
gay men from Dallas who demonstrated
their support for Oklahoma's first Gay
Rights Parade by both their presence
and selection of tunes which included
"Oklahoma".
Prior to the parade marchers assembling in Memorial Park listened to a
number of speakers and entertainers.
Among those who spoke were Nathaniel
Batchelder and Virginia Jenner. In an
attempt to replace Glenn English, Batchelder is running for U.S. Congress and
is emphasizing the need for "opportunity and justice for all" which includes
"the civil rights of gay men and worn-,
en". Denner is running for mayor of
Tulsa in an effort to change the attitude that homosexuals "can't run for
public office".
Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City
Police Department were very cooperative
and presented no obstacles for parade
organizers. Ms. Burgess said there
were no problems in obtaining the parade permits and parade police were
plentiful and helpful. Organizers were
complimented by police on their organizational skills, and Ms. Burgess expects the same cooperation from the city and OCPD next year.
On hand for this historic event was
Jeff Levi, Executive Director of the
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in
Washington, who spoke at the block party at parade's end. He . saluted Oklahoma City's AIDS support program whose
accomplishments prompted state lawmak~
ers to pass legislation making Oklahoma
the first state in the country to man-
date AIDS education in the public
schools. He said this is just one reason for Oklahoma gays to be proud.
"This first march is a coming of age for
Oklahoma's gay community and is important in coalescing a feeling of community and a feeling of pride. Particularly during the AIDS crisis, it is important to be doing positive things when
so many people a re sick and dying" . He
went on to say, "No civil rights movement has been a sprint. It has always
been a marathon. And, this movement is
no different".
Far exceeding the numbers expected
by parade organizers, Ms. Burgess be1ieves the event "unfastened the \buckle
on the Bible Belt", and said "I &.p'n't
wait to see what it's going to be like
next year". She feels, with the help
of various gay public'a tions, the spirit
of the march can remain through the
year adding, "gay pride does not stop
on the 26th of June".
BLOCK PARTY OFFERED
FUN AND FOOD
Some 200-300 people were waiting at
the "gay strip" to greet marchers at
the end of the parade. Coupled with
the 600 plus marchers this made for one
big block party, but organizers were
well-prepared for their guests and noone went away hungry or thirsty.
Herland Sister Resources had their
mobile bookstore set up for business
and offered an array of good books for
both women and men. The best-seller at
this particular event was The Quilt, a
OKLAHOMA CITY - The block party following Oklahoma's first annual Gay
Pride Parade offered a seemingly endless supply of hot dogs, baked beans,
chips, soft drinks, and beer for hot
and hungry marchers.
Continued on page 2
Continued from page l
a beautiful, hard cover book which
chronicles the construction of the
Names Project's now-famous quilt and
details its 2000 panels, each of
which represents a victim of AIDS,
with vivid color photographs.
At 5:00 o'clock many of those gathered sat around the television set inside the Oasis to watch the local news,
eager to see how or even if the parade
was "newsworthy". Delight swept
through the crowd as full coverage of
the day's events received top billing
on each of the three Oklahoma City stations. Their existence positively validated by local news media, tired but
happy, Oklahoma's gay women and men
could now go home, knowing that their
courageous participation in Oklahoma's
first Gay Pride Parade had indeed generated a positive turning point in the
history of Oklahoma's gay colllllunity.
A NN0 UNC E S
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NEXT COLLECTIVE MEETING
CALL 794-7464 for time & place
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HERLAND'S FALL RETREAT
SEQUOYAH STATE PARK
near Wagoner
SEPTEMBER 16, 17, &18
SIGN UP BELOW !
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HERLAND BOOKSTORE AT HI-LO CLUB
July l 0 5 pm til 10 pm
WOMEN WORSHIPING TOGETHER
OKLAHOMA CITY - Join other women for
OKC's first 11Dnthly Quaker Lesbian meet; ng for worship.
Patterned after traditional Quaker
services. there will be no minister and
no leader. Beginning with silent meditation, anyone who feels so moved may
speak. Quakers talk of "speaking from
the light".
The first meeting will be on Sunday,
July 24 at 11 AM, at 2024 NW 20 in Oklahoma City. If you like, bring something
for the pot luck brunch which will follow.
For more information call 524-2958.
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HERLAND FALL RETREAT
FOR llOllEN
Pre-registration is Sl7 - $20, b1Sed on your 1bfltty to PIY· Upon receipt of your
check, 1 m1p to the ca111psite and ltst of suggested item to bring wfll be utled
to you. Oeadlfne for pre-regfstrltfon ts Septelllber 9, l • .
I
NUllber of Pets
(Pets -..st be k""'ep"'t_,on,.,,....,1...,,.ea·sh
and no pets f' utn bldg.)
Name(s ' - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Address
Continued on page 7
City
Zip
Phone
PUBLISHED BY: HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
CIRCULATION: 700
I would ltke a schol1rshfp
I wou 1d 1t ke 1 work exchange
GENERAL INFO:
l
J
-.int Enclosed S_ _ _ __
794-7464
672-6459
1-353-6861 (LAWTON)
VOLUNTEER INFO: 672-4141
ADVERTISING: 794-7464
I would ltke to lead a discussion group on
DEADLINE on all advertising and submissions
- - - is the 15th of each month.
SUBSCRIPTIONS to this Newsletter are free
by calling any number above.
subject and 1 possible leader
I wfll provide---- scllolarshfp(sJ
subject.
I would like to attend a group o n - - - - - - - - - - - -
ts------------
Things I liked at other retreats w e r e - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
We encourage the exchange of information,
personal opin1ons on issues of concern to
the Oklahoma wimmin's contnunity, and your
stories and experiences.
The editor reserves the right to edit and
condense letters accordin~ to space limitations. Letters should be typed, doublespaced and signed by the author(s) . Include
your address and phone number. If you wish
to be published anonymously, so indicate ,
but include your name, etc., fo r our information, in case the editor has questions.
Mail or deliver your letters to HSR, Inc.,
1630 NW 19, Oklahoma City, OK 73106. Deadline is the 15th of each month.
Things I disliked 1bout other retreats w e r e - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Suggested solutions - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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I would like to provide - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - for the Retreat auction.
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Mall to:
Herland Sister Resources
S Laura, Camp Di rector
4924 s. Kathy
Oklahoma t1ty, Oklahoma 7313.5
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Around the Country
BATTERED WOMAN SENTENCED TO
15-YEAR TERM
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - A 21-year-old Siloam Spring woman accused of first-degree
murder in the February 1987 death of her
battering husband has pleaded guilty to
a reduced charge and received a 15-year
sentence with 5 years suspended.
In February 1988 a story about Melinda Key appeared in Arkansas' feminist
newsletter Up and Coming. As a result of
that story and the networking which followed a New England attorney flew in to
Arkansas at his own expense to represent
the impoverished defendant. Bob Bracklin,
an experienced trial lawyer, hoped to use
the "battered women·' s syndrome" as a defense. However, thfs has never been accepted as a defense in Arkansas, and the
possible sentence for first degree murder
should this defense prove unsuccessful,
was life in prison.
Fearing the permanent loss of her two
children if she was found guilty and received a long sentence, Melinda's ·anguish
brought her to the decision to plead
guilty to 2nd degree murder and throw
herself on the mercy of the court. She
hoped this would insure a sentence that
would not be so long that she would lose
her children, also battering victims.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Infield clearly stated that he would not
have allowed testimony on the battered woman's syndrome at the trial had the case
gone to trial, but that it would be permitted during the sentencing phase and
could be presented as mitigating circumstances.
Evidence of the extreme abuse that Melinda had suffered at the hands of her
husband as well as expert testimony on
fhe battered woman's syndrome was presented at the sentencing hearing . Judge Infield sentenced Melinda to 15 years in
prison, and then suspended 5 years due to
these "mitigating circumstances . " Melinda wi ll receive credit for 13 months she
spent in the county j afl in Bentonvfl 1e
which will allow her first parole hearing
to be in the Fall of 1989 . The judge decided not to terminate Melinda's parental
rights because of the potentially short
time she wi l l spend in prison.
Meanwhile , now at the women's prison
in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Melinda is making the best of her situation by taking
clerical courses and studying for her
General Equivalency Diploma. Letters
may be mailed to Melinda; c/o the Women's
Shelter; P.O. Box 2915; Fayetteville, AR
72702.
BILL WOULD ALLOW ABORTIONS IN
FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS
WASHINGTON, DC - For the 44 mi Ilion
women who depend on federally-funded
health care, abortion is not an option
unless their lives are endangered.
However there is a bill before the U.S.
House of Representatives which could
change that and provide both the poor
and government employed women the option to exercise their reproductive
rights.
"!~omen who are dependent on the federal government for health care do not
have freedom of choice, even in cases
of rape and incest," Hep. Bill Green
(R-NY), one of the bill's co-sponsors,
said. "In effect, we have a two-tier
system of rights . "
If passed, the Reproductive Health
Equity Act (RHEA) would restore full
federal funding to women whose health
plans are administered by the federal
government. Congressman Green, Rep .
Vic Fazio (D-CA) and 60 House co-sponsors introduced RHEA on March 16. But,
this lOOth Congress i s not the first
into which this bill has been introduced. It was also introduced into the
last two sessions of· congress and failed to be passed.
A spokes person for the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) in
Washington said NARAL does not expect
the bill to be passed during this session. But, it has picked up an additional 12 sponsors during this session and
now has 72 co-sponsors. Supporters are
hopeful of its passage in the 101st session of Congress.
Action is needed by women concerned
about the freedom of choice for women
whose health care is administered or
controlled by the federal government.
Those interested m.!IY contact their representatives in Washington about HR 4168,
by addressing their correspondence to:
Representative
; U.S . House of
Representatives; Washington, DC 20515
or by calling (202) 224-3121 and asking
for your Member of Congress' office.
NOW SPONSORS LESBIAN RIGHTS
CONFERENCE
SAN DIEGO, CA - The National Organization for Women will sponsor its first
National Lesbian Rights Conference here
on October 7 - 10, 1988. The purpose
of the conference is to develop a national lesbian rights agenda in cooperation with other organizations which are
committed to lesbian rights .
NOW sees lesbian rights as a woman's
issue and a feminist issue, and the conference will address a variety of topics
in its workshops including legal rights,
health care, domestic abuse, lesbian
families, sexuality, spirituality, substance abuse, being out in the workplace,
visability, electoral politics, coalition
politics, lesbians in the arts and the
media . among others .
A featured speaker will be Karen
Thompson , the Minnesota University professor who is fighting for guardianship
rights to care for her lesbian partner,
Sharon Kowalski, who was severely disabled in a 1983 auto accident.
The conference was initiated by a
group of lesbians who came to the Nation'
Capital for the Gay and Lesbian March on
l~ashington last October, and met to discuss the issues and concerns unique to
the lesbian community.
Because of their commitment to develop a national lesbian agenda , NOW has
taken on the task of helping to achieve
that goal. They are sponsoring this conference to provide a forum for women from
across the nation to gather and discuss
issues of importance to lesbians and
their supporters.
For further information contact:
Nancy Buermeyer, Lesbian Rights Program
Director; 1401 New York Ave., NW; Suite
800; Washington, DC 20005 or cal I (202)
347-2279. Or call Karen at (405) 7947464 for a registration form and info.
CIVIL RIGHTS MARCH SHOULD
INCLUDE GAY PEOPLE
ATLANTA, GA - The National Coalition
of Black Lesbians and Gays and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force have
called for the inclusion of lesbian and
gay civil rights in an upcoming march
being planned by the civil rights community on August 27 . On that day a
National Mobilization Rally in Washington will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the historic march led by Dr.
Ki ng in 1963.
i ·(
At the 20th Anniversary March in 19.83,
it required significant agitation to
gain specific recognition of gay and lesbian rights by march leaders. "In 1988,
nothing short of equal status for gay
and lesbian issues as an integral part of
the mainstream civil rights agenda is accaptable," said NGLTF i::xecutive Director
Jeff Levi.
The two organizations ask the gay
and lesbian community to join in this
call for inclusion of gay/lesbian rights.
Letters should be addressed to the organizers: Mrs. Coretta S. King; Martin
Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent
Social Change; 449 Auburn Avenue NW;
Atlanta, GA 30312 .
'/
LESBIANS AND GAYS ASKED TO
HELP UFW
SAN FRANCISCO - The United Farm Workers have called for a boycott ~f table
grapes effective 1ast May, and are asking the lesbian and gay community to
support their campaign. They are asking
for a ban on five pesticides used in
growing grapes and for free and fair
elections for farm workers.
In February, the Urn hired Howard
Wallace, a longtime gay and union activist who organized the successful Coors
boycott, to organize this boycott.
The UFW has worked with and supported
the lesbian and gay community for years.
UFW president Cesar Chavez noted this
when he spoke at last fall's March on
Washington for Lesbian ·and Gay Hi ghts.
"In 1968 in Delano, California in the
San Joaquin Valley, we started a strike
for justice. They beat up and jailed
our people. No one would come to support
us. We were frightened and hungry. We
1
Continued on page 5
3
Members of OKC's Metropolitan Community Church convey what
Christ said about homosexuality --- nothing.
Marchers gather at Memorial Park.
Metro OKC NOW supports parade objectives.
All photographs by Sondra Metzger
(with many thanks from the editor)
4
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Conti nued from page 3
needed help .
"Lesbians and gay people came from San
Francisco to help us. We shall never
forget that. That started a solidarity
and a cooperation between our two movements."
Chavez said, "We also suffer from
discrimination." To help fight this discrimination he asks for help in boycotting fresh grapes - not wine or raisins,
but "do not eat the grapes . "
·The UFW is calling for a ban on five
pesticides used in growing grapes: Captan, Parathion, Phosdrin, Dinoseb, and
Methyl Bromide. It charges that these
have caused many health problems for
fann workers, including cancer and birth
defects. They are al'so a danger to the
environment and to consumers, for a
number of them are oi 1-based and do ·not
wash off with water.
Ralph Nader and the local Consumer
Action have endorsed the boycott.
The other Ufl.I grievance centers on
elections for union representatives.
The Agricultural Labor Relations Board
has repeatedly blocked UFW elections
that were successfu;l in the fields.
The Harvey Milk and Stonewall Demo-
cratic Clubs have already endorsed the
boycott, with the Al.ice B. Toklas Club
expected to in the hear future. Wallace plans to get the word out through
networking, mailings, the gay press,
and street fairs, among other avenues.
There is also a 15-minute videotape,
"The Wrath of Grapes", available free
to anyone who will show it at a community group meeting.
For more infonnation, contact Howard
Wallace; 240 Golden Gate Avenue; San
Francisco, CA 94102, or call (415) 4415008.
HUNDREDS MARCH FOR GAY RIGHTS
IN DUBUQUE
DUBUQUE, IA - Nearly 600 lesbian and
gay activists and their supporters marched in the Second Annual Gay/Lesbian Pride
March in Dubuque, Iowa in what one organizer cal led "a dream come true." March-
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ers poured into Dubuque on April 30 from
the Upper Midwest, with busloads coming
from Madison, Wisconsin and Minneapolis,
Minnesota.
March organizer Stacey Neldaughter
told the cheering crowd, "They said it
couldn't be done . They said Dubuque ·
can't be changed, but we will change Dubuque. This day is a dream come true
for me . "
Neldaughter reminded the crowd of the
terrifying events at the first pride
march last September 19, 1987 ~ in which
30 marchers were pelted with obscenities
and eggs by about 300 angry counterdemonstrators while local police wathed.
This year ' s marchers were heckled by a
few observers, but police officials adequately staffed the event and discouraged any outbreaks of violence .
Police reported that 16 eggs were
confiscated during the day . One man was
arrested and charged with disorderly
conduct for an egg-throwing incident at
last year's march and was also charged
with carrying a concealed weapon at this
year's event.
Rep. Tom Jochum (D-Uubuque) addressed
the rally, condemning acts of violence
against lesbians and gay men. "I stand
here before you today calling for an end
to violence and an end to discrimination
because I believe in justice. The Constitution is not negotiable."
The National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force's representative to 'the event, Sue
Hyde, told the crowd, "We gather in Dubuque today so that none of us, not one
lesbian and not one gay man, ever again
feels afraid to walk this city's streets .
We have come to Dubuque to challenge it
to be the best city it can be and to
recognize and welcome its lesbian and
gay citizens. We will return to Uubuque
every year until we no longer need· to."
The Dubuque Human Rights Commission
has agreed to consider amending the city
ordinance to ban discriminatio~ on the
basis of sexual orientation. Commission
chairperson Ken Hindman said in the Des
Moines Register, "It's a tough problem
all over Iowa. There's a real need for
good workshops on homophobia."
5
HATE CRIMES ACT PASSES HOUSE
A VICTORY FOR GAYS
WASHINGTON, DC - A nearly six-~ear
campaign by the National Gay and ·~e sbiar
Task Force (NGLTF) to obtain a federal '
response to anti-g·ay violence led to
passage on May 18, 1988 of the Hate
Crimes Statistics Act in the U.S . House
of Representatives. The bill marks the
first ti~e either Congressional body
has passela bill favorably addressing a
gay and lesbian issue .
The bill , which passed overwhelmingly by a vote of · 3s3 to 29, requ~res the
federal collection of statistics on
crimes motivated by prejudice based on
"race, religion, homosexuality or heterosexuality, and ethnicity . " A companion bill, S 2000, awaits further
action in the Senate.
Passage of this import ant bill is a
result of long-t'erm, intense lobbying
efforts by the NGLTF.
According to records maintained by
the NGLTF's Anti-Violence Project, antigay harassment and violence is on the
increase with 7,008 incidents reported
from across the U.S. in 1987 as compared
with 4,946 incidents reported in ]g86.
Incidents included harassment, intimidation, assault, police abuse, valdalism,
arson, bomb threats, and murder. NGLTF
cautions that these statistics account
for only a small fraction of the actual
total due to low rates of reporting by
victims and the lack of systematic data
· collection throughout the U.S., which
prevents a measurement of the problem's
·full scope. It is unclear whether the
42% rise from 1986 to 1987 is due to ini creased incidents, increased reporting
' or both.
Passage of the bill is the first step
in regulating statistics collection on
hate crimes in order to determine the
extent of the severity of this problem.
Director of NGLTF's Anti-violence Project, Kevin Berrill said, "Regardless of
the group targeted, ~attack motivated
by bigotry is intended to violate and
isolate not just the victim but all
those who are different." The problem
must be identified and exposed . Only
1
Continued on page 6
Continued from page 5
Potpourri
then wi ll a plan and laws for the resolution of anti-gay and lesbian violence
be developed.
HOMOPHOBIA CONFERENCE:
OBJECTIVE IS TO CHANGl ATTITUDES
CUSTER'S REVENGE REDUX
Do you remember Custer's Revenge, the
I vicious
video "game:' which glorified rape
WASHINGTON, DC - The first Global Con-I
ference to tnd Homophobia drew over onehundred leaders in the field of homophobia education to the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland on May 20 22. 1988.
The Conference was called by the Campaign to End Homophobia, an organization
fonned two years ago by members of the
Gay Rights and Homophobia Task Groups of
the National Organ ization for Changing
Men, (NOCM) . It was co-sponsored by over 25 national support and activist
organizations including the National Gay
and lesbian Task Force, the Fund For Human Dignity, The AIDS Task Force of the
Episcopal Diocese of Rhode I.sland, the
American Psychological Association, the
Lesbian Rights Committee of the National
Organization for Women, and the Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians
and Gays.
Conference attendees included educators, clergy, mass media professionals,
and health and sexuality education specialists from across the U.S., Canada ,
Israel, England and other countries.
This was the first conference ever to
fonnally address homophobia education.
During the 2-day working conference,
published works, educational models and
already-developed printed and audio-visual materials were exchanged. Also,
plans and strategies for promoting positive images of gays and lesbians in the
mass media were presented.
Joe Norton, 69, long-time gay activist said, "The solution to the problem
of homophobia is education. But it's
not enough to simply identify the solution, something has to be done to effect
it. Now it becomes .important to send
the message and expand the work worldwide."
The conference brought together
mainstream lesbian and gay organizations
with mainstream homophobia education
groups. This linkage is expected to
create a long term benefit.
"Over the years, the gay and lesbian
movement has become very inwardly focused, " according to Jeff Beane of West
Hollywood, CA , a member of the Steering
Committee of the Campaign to End Homophobia. "The Conference and the interest in homophobia education say that
we're stronger and perhaps at a new level of recognizing our internalized
homophobia - not liking ourselves - and
we're ready to educate the larger community ."
"The conference cal led together people from a variety of backgrounds who
are deeply interested in and deeply committed to changing attitudes" said Paulette Goodman, President of the Parents
and Friends of lesbians and Gays in
Washington.
Plans are under way for the second
conference to be held ne xt summer. For
additional information, contact Betsy
Crane (607) 273-1526 or Jeff Beane (213)
273-6375 .
and domination of women? Many of us wrote
letters of complaint, which eventually
resulted in its suppression. Now we need
to do it again to help our English sisters.
As part of a "eel ebration" of the lOOth
anniversary of Jack the Ripper, England
has a new "Jack the Ripper" computer "game".
It uses photos (not even computer graphics)
of models with their throats cut. Yes.
The government has graciously said that the
"game" should be restricted to adults.
British feminists are asking for protests
to be sent to the maker of the "game": CRL
Group PLC, 9 Kings Yard, Carpenters Road,
London E 15, England. Also effective might
be letters of outrage to Margaret Thatcher,
10 N. Downing Street, London.
From OKC NOW Newsletter, June 1988
MISSOURI PLANS WIMMIN'S
FESTIVAL
Missouri women are planning their 15th
Midwest Wimmins Festival for August 26th to
September 6, 1988.
This year's festival will be held at
Expressions
SHE'S ONLY A GIRL
In an ideal world the safe birth of
a healthy child of either sex would be
an occasion for joy and celebration .
For a great many people it is so today.
However, that is unfortunately not always the case. In many cultures to
give birth to a boy-chi Id brings great
honour to the mother while the birth of
a girl-chile is seen as a disappointment.
To be born a girl is to be born with
the burden of being disadvantaged in
many ways, merely by virtue of one's
sex. This disadvantage may be great
indeed. Often the stereotyped view of
a girl is that she is a financial liabil ity on the family . When choices are
made about using scarce resources to
find education, food, or medical care it
is the sons who are given priority. The
custom of fathers and sons taking their
meals before mothers and daughters is
found in a number of African and Asian
societies and is one of the practices
that contribute to the malnourishment
and poor health of the female members of
the family.
A technique called amniocentesis,
which is used in developed countries to
check for genetic defects, is reported
to be increasingly used in India to de-
6
Camp Rising Sun in the Lake of the Ozarks
State Park near Osage Beach , Missouri. The
site includes a large gathering hall , a
wonderful natural amphitheater, and a more
private (well enclosed) lake access than a
campsite they have previously used for the
festival.
·
For more information on the M.W.F write
to M.W.F.; 8739 Bernadett Ave.; Kansas City,
Kansas 66112
WOMEN'S MOTORCYCLE FESTIVAL
CAMP LAKELAND, NY - Women bikers are
poised to gather hereon August 25 - 28
for the fourth Women's Motorcycle Festival. Located in the beautiful Allegheny
Mountains an hour south of Buffalo the
facility provides an excellent environment for touring and technical workshops
plus alot of crazy, all-in-fun competitions as well as recognition of longdistance bikers and customized bikes.
Entertainment for the weekend will be
Alix Dobkin in concert Saturday.
All meals are prepared for the festival's guests, and there are hot showers,
lake swimming and boating, pingpong, billiards, dancing and a well-equipped
stage. Some lodging is available, 1bpt
most guests are expected to camp. 1•v
Participation is limited to the first
200 pre-paid registran~s. For more infonnation write the Women's Motorcyclist
Foundation; 7 lent Ave.; LeRoy, NY 14482
or call (716) 768-6054. Also, ask about
the Women's Motorcyclist Newsletter,
Chrome Roses's Review.
termine the sex of the unborn child, opening the way to abortion of female
fetuses. It is reported that many women choose to abort female fetuses because of severe social, cultural and economic pressures to have male children,
a si~uation that has resu tted in numerical imbalance between the sexes in India.
Recent protests in the media and by
women's and civil rights groups against
widespread use of amniocentesis for this
purpose has called attention to what
some see as a technological aid to female feticide. They want the government
to ban testing for this purpose, and to
launch a campaign to publicize the fact
that the sex of a child ·is detennined by
the father and not the mother.
A paper produced by WHO/UNICEF suggests measures which may be implemented
to combat such devastating practices against women. In "Health Implications
cf Sex Discrimination in Childhood steps
are offered to "root out son preference
from societies". These include antisex discrimination laws, the abolition
of dowries and bride price, improved
access to education, and official recognition of the value of women's work.
Because research by UNICEF nas found
that the two fundamental causes for the
disadvantage of girls are poverty and
the virtually "universal undervaluation
of females", it is vitally important
that the reco1T111endations put forward i n
the WHO/UNICEF paper are taken up so
that the girl-child can be freed from
the handicap of prejudice and valued in
her own right.
From the World Goodwill Newsletter
1.988, No. 1, and The NOW Times
April, 1988
Continued f rom page 2
preter or if you know one who would like
to be available for the interpretation of
women's concerts and other women's functions , please call Laura at 672-4141 '. Your
assistance is very much appreciated.
HERLAND SEEKS INTERPRETER
OKLAHOMA CITY - Herland is seekinq an
interpreter for the hearing impaired . to
have available for future Herland-sponsored events.
Because Herland wishes to extend itself
to all women it is necessary to construct
various avenues by which Herland may be
made available to differently-abled sis• ·
ters.
If you are a hearing-impaired inter-
HSR BOOKSTORE AT HI-LO CLUB
OKLAHOMA CITY - On Sunday, July l O,
Herl and Bookstore 1~il 1 be open for business at the Iii-Lo Club, 1221 Nl~ SOth (at
NW SOth and CI assen 131 vd J from 5 pm - 10
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -.... pm.
Area women have been asking for the
Bookstore, as have some area men, as well.
Gecause the new building is still not habitable, Herland is setting up shop in
designated, alternate places until the new
building is ready.
June, owner of the Hi-Lo Club, has generously offered a space for this purpose
on July 10. So, if you are in need of a
book fix, mark your calendar and join Herland volunteers at the Hi-Lo Club for a
good book .
Greenwood.,.
NEW BUILDING NEEDS HELP!!
Hollow
Ridge
OKLAHOMA CITY - llerland Board members
will be gathered at the new store site
July 9 \Saturday ) to do yard clean-up a1
wall repair work. Persons 1~ho would Ii i
to volunteer to help fi x up the new stor
would be very much appreciated.
Tasks on the schedule for Saturday ,
July 9th include removal of discarded wo
and paneling from the building to a city
dump , repair of cracks and holes in pJas
er and lath walls, and painting of interior walls .
Hours of repair work will be from 8 a1
unt i l 8 pm . Come when you can for any
amount of time that you can spend. Hope
to see you at 2312 NW 39th Street'.
HERLAND YARD SALE ASKS FOR
YOUR STUFF
Herland is in the preliminary planning stages for its annual yard sale,
which will be held sometime in late Summer or early Fall. Unfortunately , no
definite plans can be made until the new
building is ready for habitation .
But, there WILL be a yard sale , and
Herland wants you to know that your discards and junk are Herland's treasQres.
So, please start saving up your "styff" ,
and this Newsletter will let you know •
the details on the Yard Sale just as
soon as they are available .
Herland takes this opportunity to
extend its THANKS to all of you who have
supported the Yard Sale in years past.
IS YOUR ADDRESS CHANGING?
BED & BREAKFAST
A Quiet
Country Setting
In The Woods Of
Eureka Springs
If you are planning to move, and you don't want to miss
any issues of the HSR Newsletter, please let us know your
new address BEFORE you move. The Post Office will NOT forward
the Newsletter, and Herland will NOT change your address ;Without your authorization. Therefore, to insure receipt of the
Newsletter fill out and mail us this Change of Address form
BEFORE you move. The form may also be used to add a new name
to the mailing list.
•Private
•Hot Tub
• Near All Shows
r---1
CHANGE OF ADDRESS FORM
I
~ame(s): ---~~~~~-~-------~---
Route 4, Box 1 SS
Eureka Springs, AR 72632
(S01) 2S3-S283
!
pld Address: -----------------------------------------City: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - State: - - - - - - - - - - - - Zip: _______
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Q.
~ew Address: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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City: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - S t a t e : - - - - - - - - - - - - Zip: _ _ _ __
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NUMBER ONE
GREENWOOD
HOLLOW RIDGE
ffi
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Phone Number: ( ____ ) - - - - - - - - - - - - !Mail to:
L
7
Herland Sister Resources, Inc .
2312 NW 39th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
______
_J
Classified Advertising
Specializing in:
Group and Private Psychotherapy
with Adults and Adolescents
AUTO FOR SALE - 1976 Toyota Corolla. Runs great. Body needs some
work. $600 or make offer. 524-2958 eves. and weekends.
SONYA GRAY, MSW, LCSW
AUTO FOR SALE - 1984 Mercury Marquis Brm, excellent condition, 6 cylinder, 40,000 miles, 1 owner. Have all records.
$4,200. 495-4390.
Central Oklahoma Psychiatric Center
3131 N.W. Expressway
Oklahoma City, Okla. 73112
HOUSE FOR RENT - 3 bedroom, 1 bath, large fenced yard. Small
but comfortable, close to Tinker. Available Aug. 1. One
year lease. $285 mo. negotiable. 672-6459.
(405) 848-2286
APT. FOR RENT - Newly-decorated efficiency apartment in northwest OKC. AC, W& G paid, parking available. $150 mo. Call
Tre at 525-8524.
SHELLY ZAIKIS, MGA
GOLDEN THREADS - a contact publication for lesbians over 50
and women who love older women. Canada and the U.S. Confidential, warm, reliable. For free information send a
self-addressed envelop (U.S. residents please stamp it).
Sample copy mailed discreetly, $5.00 (U.S.). GOLDEN
THREADS; P.O. Box 2416; Quincy, MA 02269.
Professional Handwriting Analyst
> Job counselor
> Compatibility
> Classes offered year-round
FREE - 3-year-old male Cocker Spaniel/Pekinese mix needs
good home. Call 495-4390.
(405) 946-6928
IRISH SETTER - Lovely abandoned male seeks caring woman for
new life. Neutered, shots . $30 adoption fee. 794-7464.
366-09'23
Please support Uerland's Sponsors:
HELEN HOLGATE ,
Certified Alcoholism & Drug Abuse
Counselor
.en
KE_MCO
i::
VI
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>
Cl
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•
PRINTING INC.
Cl
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a.
Kelley Mattocks
340-4301
1601
s.
Rroaclway. Unit D • Edmoncl. Okla. 7:m J 3
148-6429
SHIRLEY M. HUNTER. M.A.
LICENSED PROFEISIONAL COUNSELOR
PENN PAAK OFFICE COMPLEX • SUITE 102
1G01 N PEN•YLVANUU OKlAHOMA CITY, OK 73112
8
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