extracted text

December, 1993

CIVIL RIGHTS COALITION OPPOSES
PROPOSED MAPS SALES TAX
A coalition of civil rights groups has united in opposition
to the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) sales tax
proposal scheduled for the general election on December
14 in Oklahoma City. The coalition participants include
the NAACP, Simply Equal, the Urban League, the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, the Baptist
Ministers Association, Interdenominational Ministers
Alliance, Concerned Clergy for Spiritual Renewal, the
Coalition of Concerned Businesses and the Coalition of
Civic Leaders (CCL) with its 30+ member organizations.
All coalition participants have endorsed a four point
resolution calling on the City Council to take positive
steps to increase the inclusion of minorities in Oklahoma
City. The resolution called for a guarantee that minority
contractors would have the opportunity to participate in
MAPS projects; extension of transportation links to Northeast Oklahoma City; funding for economic development
in Northeast Oklahoma City and passage of the human
rights ordinance as recommended by the Oklahoma City
Human Rights Commission.
The Urban League was the first to announce that their
support of the MAPS sales tax proposal was contingent on
these actions by the City Council. Leonard Benton,
President of the Urban League of Oklahoma City, quoted
in the Daily Oklahoman said, ''Our board was very, very
strong in its opinion that as our city looks at some very

ambitious projects to improve our infrastructure, we have
an equal responsibility to ... ensure for all of our citizens
their basic human rights.''
The proposal to be voted on December 14 would
impose a one-cent sales tax over a five-year period to
finance downtown development. With the proposed increase, Oklahoma City's sales taxwould be 8.375¢ per
dollar. The MAPS plan includes a new downtown baseball stadium, a sports arena, a river canal through
Bricktown, and a light rail transportation link from west
Oklahoma City to downtown. The plan also includes a
new Metropolitan learning center and improvements to
the Civic Center.
The human rights ordinance demanded by this coalition of civil rights groups was recommended by the
Oklahoma City Human Rights Commission on November
9. As proposed, it would address discrimination based on
religion, race, ethnicity, national origin, family status,
disability, sexual orientation, and age. The ordinance
prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and
public accommodation. The Human Rights Commission
would have the authority to investigate and to attempt to
resolve complaints of discrimination.
If complaints
cannot be resolved, the Human Rights Commission can
refer a case for prosecution.
Oklahoma City voters will vote on The MAPS sales
0
tax on December 14.

Position Statement on the Metropolitian Area Projects
Simply Equal of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus voted to conditionally endorse
the $238 million Metropolitan Area Projects proposal scheduled for the December 14 election. The conditions of support
are:
1.
2.

A minority participation plan be approved relative to business and job opportunities.
The City Council support the funding of an Economic Planning and Development plan within the Northeast
Quadrant.

3.
4.

A transportation link for the Northeast Quadrant be included in the proposed project.
The City Council pass a human rights ordinance amending Chapter 25 of the Oklahoma City Municipal Code. The
Oklahoma City Human Rights Commission recommends adoption of this ordinance which prohibits discrimination
based on age, disability, sexual orientation, and familial status, in addition to race, religion, color, creed, sex,
ancestry, or national origin.

Simply Equal and OGLPC have agreed that these four conditions are inseparable.

Volume 10 Number 12

Berland Sister Resources

2312 N.W. 39, OKC, OK 73112

Sr. Sve1L
Sybil Ludington, Matron Saint of the forgotten woman, and hero
of the American Revolution, occasionally holds forth in this
space.

Dear St. Sybil,
I'm a gay woman, and pretty closeted; very few people
know I'm gay - and they don't need to. I don't have any
problems with discrimination in any area of my life; I'll admit
I might have problems on the job ifl were to come out, but why
should I? As my sister said when I told her about being gay,
"Why tell me that? I don'twant to know about your sex life!"
So, I've got to tell you that I really don't appreciate all the
noise and fuss Herland and Simply Equal and all those other
groups are kicking up. Gays are just like everybody else
outside the bedroom, and as long as we act like everyone else,
we'll be treated that way.
Yours for peace and quiet, and could you help us
reacquire it here on earth, please?
Patience
Dear Patience,
Everything's fine, is it? Are you quite sure? Honey, I
don't think so. I see you at home with your lover, Hope,
dancing to the Miss Brown To You tape and looking so happy.
So how come you two never join the hetero couples whirling
aboutthe dance floor at VZD' sand other clubs? The fact is that
dancing in public with your sweetie is a heterosexist privilege
denied to lesbians and gays, and this is so taken for granted that
the pain of it hardly gets noticed after awhile -but it's not fun,
it's not fair, it's not right. It's discrimination and a pain.
And tell me, Patience, have you decided yet whether you
are going to the Christmas party at work this year? If you are,
are you taking Hope? People will talk if you do, won't they?
It's heterosexist privilege, to take a lover places. It's giving in
to discrimination, to leave her at home or to stay home
yourself; and damaging to your soul every moment you spend
worrying about it.
Is Hope going home with you for the holidays? Are you
maybe going to alternate holidays at her family's house and
your family's, like regular married folks? Or invite them all
to your house to celebrate your new family? I hope so, but if
you do or if you don't, every minute worrying about this is
damaging to you and should be unnecessary. And, if you do
spend time with your extended families, will you be comfortable and loving with Hope, or act more or less as if she is your
roommate you're living with until a good man comes along ...
Now, Patience, if you read this column very often, you
know that I positively love to dance; you might want to hedge
your bets, but it is my belief that dancing is quite possibly the
purpose of life; Anyway, while to me not being able to dance
with your lover in public is the worst thing about homophobia,
discrimination and discriminatory laws, I know that some
people give a higher priority to other matters - economic for
instance; which leads to the question, are you aware that if'you
and Hope filed a joint tax return you would jointly save big
bucks, hundreds or even thousands of dollars? A nice piece of
change, for sure. But you can't do it, of course, because of
2 Her/and Voice December, 1993

discriminatory laws. I'm not even going to go into the need for
living wills, durable powers of attorney, health care proxies, and
all of the other legal protection gay people need that is automatically conferred on a heterosexual couple.
I'm certain that you know that if you could put Hope and
her two children on your insurance at work her health insurance
would cost about half of what she's paying now. But your boss
wouldn't do it, would he, even if you asked - indeed, he might
even decide he dido' t need yourradical lesbian self working for
them anymore; and if he decided that, there would be nothing
you could do about it.
Patience, I sympathize with your concern about things like
that. Don't think that Ior anyone else blames you fornot coming
out at work, or wherever; I do wonder, though, why you don't
feel more eager to support people who are out there risking their
jobs and livelihoods; who are sacrificing their free time and
disposable income to make coming out everywhere easier for
everyone.
My great friend Oscar Wilde, Patron Saint of the Flamboyant and Outrageous, wants me to be sure to add that there are a
great many lesbians and gays who cannot stay in the closet and
"pass"; and what about them? Should they be forced-to try to
fit a mold that was never meant to contain them, or should they
be free to celeHrate themselves and their lives as they are? The
barn yard rooster may look disapprovingly at the peacock, but
Oscar and I say hooray for that bawdy, gaudy, beautiful bird.
Remember, my dear, you'll have plenty of peace & quiet in
due time; life is for living as happily and noisily and freely as
possible.
Take care and take courage,
Sybil
0

QUEER CONSORTIUM ANNOUNCES SECOND
ART EXHIBITION
The Queer Consortium, a collective of Oklahoma lesbigay
artists, announces its second art exhibit titled, ''Queers Unbound: Celebrating Our Culture.'' The exhibition will be held
at the Triangle Association, 2136 N.W. 39th Street in Oklahoma
City.
In observance of AIDS Awareness Day, the show will begin
on December 1 with all art draped in black. An opening
reception for the show is scheduled for December 11 at 8 p.m.,
and the art will be unveiled at that time. The exhibition is
scheduled to run through January 28, 1994.
The show will include the work of Shar Johnson, Diana
Faulkner, Tommy Thomas, Keith Porter, Clif Trowbridge, all
of Oklahoma City; Diane Duffer, Gerald David, Ken Carlyle, of
Norman; Larry Harriman of Tulsa; and Joe Rackley of Stillwater.O

Rebecca R. Cohn, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology
Norman, OK
321-2148

Couples,
Individuals, &
Family Therapy

MAPS AND HUMAN
RIGHTS: AN EDITORIAL
by Pat Reaves

Supporters of the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS)
sales tax proposal are asking us to believe in the future and vote
for an increase in the Oklahoma City sales tax. How can we
believe in a future that excludes so many of the people of
Oklahoma City?
The bright future of our city depends on the participation
of all of us. An unprecedented coalition has come together to
demand that the City Council take positive steps to include all
the people of Oklahoma City. This coalition is asking the City
Council to guarantee the, opportunity to participate in MAPS
projects for minority contractors, extension of transportation
links to Northeast Oklahoma City, funding for economic
development in Northeast Oklahoma City and passage of the
human rights ordinance recommended by the Oklahoma City
Human Rights Commission.
It's no accident that MAPS, acclaimed as the way to a
bright future, ignores Northeast Oklahoma city. Mayor Nori ck
asks minority contractors to trust promises they will be included in the projects even though a long string of similiar
promises have been broken -- theconstruction of th enew jail is
just one example. From the segregated lunch counters to the
segregated neighborhood schools of today, Oklahoma City has
a long tradition of discrimination against African-Americans,
Latinos and Latinas, Native Americans and other people of
color. MAPS simply continues that tradition.
The human rights ordinance that Mayor Norick and the
City council are refusing addresses discrimination based on
religion, race, religion, color, national origin, family status,
disability, sexual orientation, and age. It allows the Human
Rights Commission to attempt to resolve complaints of discrimination based on any of these characteristics. If complaints
cannot be resolved, the Human Rights Commission can refer a
case for prosecution.
Mayor Norick and the City Council are asking the people
of Oklahoma City to pay for projects that will profit only a few
of the rich and powerful. I say it's time to say no. NO -- we will
not pay with our sales taxes for projects that exclude many of
the people of Oklahoma City. NO -- we will not vote for a tax
to support a city that refuses the most basic of human rights
protection for its citizens.
We may not have the money and power of Mr. Gaylord and
his cronies but, so far, we still have the power of a democracy
-- the ballot. Be assured, we will use our ballots to say we will
not pay the bills of a government which does not respect all of
its citizens. We will vote NO on the MAPS sales tax and we will
continue to encourage other voters until the City Council takes
action to include and protect the civil rights of all the people of
Oklahoma City.
If the City Council really wants a bright future for all the
people of Oklahoma City, they will guarantee inclusion in
MAPS for all parts of the city and they will protect the civil

rights of the people of Oklahoma City by passing the proposed
human rights ordinance.
Until they take action for a bright future that includes all
Oklahoma Citians, I'm voting NO on the MAP sales tax.
Supporters of the sales tax are hoping for a light voter turnout.
Join me at the polls on December 14 to send a clear message to
the City Council.
D

FEDERAL COURT PUTS
CINCINNATI ANTI-GAY
INITIATIVE ON HOLD
(CINCINNATI, OHIO, November 16, 1993) Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund today obtained an order from
an Ohio federal court to block an anti-gay amendment to
Cincinnati's charter passed by the city's voters on November
2nd. In the absence of his injunction, the charter amendment,
which threatened to prevent Cincinnati's city council from
prohibiting discrimination against lesbians, gay men and bisexuals and repeal existing laws, would have taken effect
today.
Beatrice Dohm, Lambda's Legal Director, noted, "Just as
the DC Circuit found in the Steffan ruling announced today, the
court recognized that the prejudice of others against lesbians
and gay men may not form the basis of law or policy."
Ruling that the amendment appeared to violate the fundamental constitutional rights of the plaintiffs and could cause
them irreparable harm if allowed to take effect, Judge Arthur
Spiegel issued the preliminary injunction to block the proposed
law until a full trial on its merits.
''The court recognized that fundamental civil rights of
lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals cannot be voted away by
popular election,'' said Patricia M. Logue, managing Attorney
of Lambda's Midwest Regional Office.
''The Cincinnati amendment is blatantly discriminatory
and offensive to our constitution. It is part ofa city- by-city and
state-by-state effort to cut back on civil rights gains and use the
power of government to stigmatize lesbian and gay citizens,''
said Lambda attorney Suzanne B. Goldberg.
Along with Lambda, Cincinnati civil rights attorney
Alphonse A. Gerhardstein and the American Civil Liberties
Union of Ohio are litigating the case.
Founded in 1973, Lambda Legal Defense and Education
Fund is the nation's oldest and largest non-profit legal organization working to advance the legal and civil rights of lesbians,
gay men and people with HIVI AIDS.
D

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Her/and Voice December, 1993

3

CREATING CHANGE

1993

Washington, D.C. - (November 17) -- More than 1400
people attended the sixth annual Creating Change Conference
held in Durham, N.C. November 10 - 14. Activists from 48
states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Belgium and
Canada gathered at the annual skills-building event sponsored
by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGL TF), which
is the largest political conference in the nation's gay, lesbian
and bisexual community.
The conference included full-day intensives on topics such
as ' 'Fight the Right,'' Health Care, Southern Organizing, AntiViolence, Age and Aging, International Organizing, Civil
Rights/Privacy, Work/Family, and Youth. Dozens of other
skills-building workshops focused on issues such as media,
lobbying, fundraising, volunteers, and boards of directors.
Prior to the November 12 start of Creating Change, NGLTF
sponsored three full-day institutes: the People of Color Organizing Institute, Diversity Training Institute and the Race,
Class and Gender Institute.
Related events included a community dance, a sober
dance, a people of color dance, "Stand Up for Your Rights"
star-studded gala, Adrienne Rich book signing, and a town hall
meeting on "Access to Power." An NGLTF membership
meeting, open to all, was held on the final day of the conference
so that community activists could address praise, criticism and
suggestions directly to NGLTF staff and board members.
The room at the ''Fight the Right'' intensive was overflowing with activists from around the country who wanted, to
discuss strategies on how to battle anti-gay Far Right initiatives. Activists also filled the schedule of electronic mail and
bulletin board training sessions produced by Digital Queers, a
nationwide group oflesbian, gay and bisexual computer professionals.
"1993 has been a very difficult year for our movement,"
said NGLTF Executive Director Peri Jude Radecic, who discussed President Clinton's decision not to repeal the ban on
gays in the military and the recent ballot measure defeats in
Oregon, Cincinnati, Ohio, Lewiston, Maine, and Portsmouth,
New Hampshire. ''The good news, however, far outweighs the
bad. The visibility we have attained in 1993 is unprecedented.
And it is our belief that the key to our future is visibility - as
more and more people come out, the true nature of who we are
rises above the misleading rhetoric of the religious right, and it
becomes clearer and clearer that we are integral, vital participants in this society with much to offer in the struggle to make
this a better world. ' '
Conference plenary speakers were Mab Segrest, lesbian
author and activist who works for the Urban-Rural Mission of
the World Council of Churches; long-time activist Frank
Kameny, founder of Mattachine Society in D.C. and of the
National Gay Task Force; and Marjorie Hill, former director of
the New York City Mayor's Office for the Lesbian and Gay
Community.
Segrest, a North Carolina activist, welcomed conference
attendees to the South with its ''peculiar blend of hospitality
and repression.'' She highlighted the importance of rural

4 Her/and Voice December, 1993

organizing and advocated a " queer socialism" in place of
"queer nationalism." Kameny outlined various gay rights
victories in the past 30 years and declared that the ' ' gay
agenda" is "parity: not more, but not one whit less ... Momentary defeats notwithstanding, the tide is with us. " Hill urged
activists to move beyond the usual movement organizing
methods, in which ''too often there is no distinction between
how we organize and how we throw dinner parties,'' inviting
only those who eat the same foods, know the same culture and
have similar backgrounds.
During the course of the weekend, youth activists met and
created a set of demands for NGLTF and the movement as a
whole. Youth leaders presented the demands during the' 'Stand
Up for Your Rights'' gala and at the closing plenary. Demands
included youth representation on the NGLTF board; action
toward combating youth suicide; a youth steering committee;
special programs and outreach for youth in under-represented
sectors, such as those who are in foster care, in rural areas,
homeless or in juvenile detention; and designated funding for
youth and youth-oriented programs. NGLTF Executive Director Peri Jude Radecic met with the youth organizers and agreed
to a requested conference call before the end of 1993 to discuss
the youth demands and NGLTF implementation. She also
agreed to target funds raised during the closing plenary
fundraising pitch to youth and campus demands.
In separate actions throughout the year prior to the conference, Radecic held discussions with members of the Old
Lesbian Organizing Committee and other old activists on the
issue of ageism and inclusion in the work of NGLTF and the
Creating ChangeConference. Radecic agreed to sponsor an
NGL TF staff training on ageism and is discussing production
and distribution of joint publications on the issue for use within
0
the community.

WOMEN'S
MOVEMENT MEDITATION

CIRCLE
THURSDAYS 7:30-9:00

P.M.

DECEMBER lsT, 8TH, AND 15TH
FACILATATED BY DEBORAH WALKER
COST $15 . 00 PER SESSION
CALL 755-7752 FOR LOCATION AND INFORMATION

Vote "NO" Dec. 14
Not One Penny More For M.A.P.S.
"Until The City's Future Includes Us All; Not Just Our Money"

Our City Leaders Refuse To:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Guarantee Oklahoma/Minority Participation
Improve Transportation Northeast
Fund Economic Development Northeast
Pass A Human Rights Ordinance
To Find Out More Contact Any Member Of

The Committee For An Inclusive Future
THE COALITION OF CIVIC LEADERSHIP
(CCL & Its 30 plus Member Organizations)

NAACP
236-2227
SIMPLY EQUAL
848-2292
BMA
I.M.A.

URBAN LEAGUE
424-5243
Coalition Of Concerned
Businesses 947-5720
OGLPC
524-2131
CCSR

Interdenominational Ministers Alliance

Concerned Clergy For Spiritual Renewal

Baptist Ministers Association

Vote "NO" Dec. 14

PICKET FENCES
by Vivien Ng

Once in a while, especially around holidays, when
everybody's attention seems to be focused on families, I give
in to fantasies about "settling down." Some of my friends have
done exactly that, and domesticity has taken firm root even in
my favorite comic strip, "Dykes To Watch Out For," when
Clarice and Toni recently became proud parents.
A couple of weeks ago, after giving a talk at the University
of Georgia, I spent a wonderful weekend with a friend of mine
and her partner--and their two adopted daughters--at their 15acre spread outside Athens. Theirs is a big, airy modem twostory house, set in a wooded lot which provides ample privacy.
Although there was a nip in the air, and their outdoor pool was
already covered for the winter, I fantasized what it would be
like to go skinny-dipping there, with no creatures to scandalize
except perhaps the Far Side cows across the field on the other
side of the unpaved country road. Earlier that first morning, I
woke up to the sound of four tiny feet pattering to just outside
my bedroom door, and two cute voices chirping, "Good
morning, Vivien!" Their daughters had decided to be my
constant companions that day, and they followed me everywhere, even to the bathroom. I had a taste of lesbian domesticity that weekend, and found it fetching.
A week ago, I was in Ames, Iowa on NWSA business, and
stayed at the home of two good friends. They live in a huge
house with a fenced-in yard, in-ground outdoor pool, hottub,
sauna and steambath, the works. My friend from New Jersey
was there too for the weekend. Surrounded by all the trappings
of comfortable, small town domesticity, I surrendered to the
temptation of sedentary life and told my friends that I would
like to build a house in the country, start a garden, acquire a tan
Labrador, stop crisscrossing the country like a travelling salesman and just settle down. My friends stared at me in disbelief.
I am tom between two selves, and two lifestyles. Even as
I write about idyllic life in the country with family in tow, my
mind is already on my upcoming trip to New York City, and my
body is anticipating the raw, pulsing energy that will no doubt
envelope me. Every minute of my four-day visit is accounted
for: who to spend time with, which movies to see, museums to
visit. And how many books I will allow myself to buy. Oh yes,
there will be the CLAGS board meeting, and the opportunity it
offers me to be with people truly committed to building lesbian
and gay studies. The frenetic pace I set in New York, I fear, is
not for the family woman. I feel at home in New York. My
family has roots there. The apartment building on Pell Street
where my grandfather made his home is still there, so is the
building across the street where he had his grocery store. But
it is not family ties that bind me to New York. It's the hustle
bustle, the museums, the cinemas, the theaters, the bookstores,
the universities, the restaurants, that pull me back to New York
over and over again. Not to mention the special friends that I
have there. I am very much attracted to the urban lifestyle, so
much so that I am seriously considering buying a studio
apartment on the Upper West Side.

My startled friends in Iowa asked me what I meant by
"settling down." It's living in the country, I said. It means
living with someone on a full-time basis, I said, with a grimace.
My friends laughed and muttered something about hell freezing
over. My friends know me real well. I guess this means that
there won't be white picket fences in my life for a while--a long
while.
0

AN EVENING OF PARADISE
November 18, 1993 - The Civic Center Little Theater in
downtown Oklahoma City provided an intimate backdrop to a
magical concert performance by Cris Williamson and Tret
Fure. Seasoned concert goers proclaimed it the best they have
ever seen of Cris and Tret. Energized by an enthusiastic
audience, Cris and Tret poured their hearts and souls into the
music.
Their new album, Postcards From Paradise was performed in its entirety and captured the magnificent talent of
Cris and Tret, leaving most of the audience thirsting for more.
Songs such as Stones From Helen's Field and My Father's
Hands seemed to reflect cherished moments that have afforded
them strength and character in life. Combined with their
musical talent, Cris and Tret gave a hilarious accounting of
their experiences in Russia that left the audience roaring with
laughter.
In a moving song recorded by Cris, In The Best Interest of
the Children, we were all reminded of the purpose of this
celebrated event. Cris dedicated this song to two young
children who were taken from their mother in April of 1992
because of the mother's sexual orientation.
Performed as a benefit to raise funds to meet the financial
needs of families caught in legal action, the concert was a great
success. An estimated $2,300 was raised, including a generous '
donation by Cris and Tret who turned back a portion of their fee
to the Berland Legal Defense Fund.
A more enchanting evening could not have been possible,
and we owe our deepest thanks to those responsible for bringing
Cris and Tret to Oklahoma City. Elyse and Nancy were superb
on sound; Vicki did quite well on the spotlight; Peggy did a
wonderful job introducing Cris and Tret. The many ushers were
very helpful and who could forget the gracefulness of Zyra
Shelley as she soared to We Can Fly. A big thank you especially
to Wanda, Margaret, Pat and Pat and the whole Berland Legal
Defense Fund Committee for their untiring efforts that helped
produce Herland's most successful concert to date. Cris and
Tret were delighted by the hospitality shown to them and hope
to return soon for another ''perfect'' evening in paradise. 0
2109 S. AiR DEpor
Midwm Ciry, OK 7} 1 10

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AiR DEpo1 ANiMAl HospiTAl
CAil loR AppoiNTMENT

JOY HUSKA, D.V.M.

Her/and Voice December, 1993

5

1994

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ANNUAL BLACK GAY

The Seventh Annual National Black Gay
and Lesbian Conference is slated for February 17-21, 1994 at the Meadowlands Hilton
in Secaucus, New Jersey. This year's theme,
"Black Gays and Lesbians: From Silence to
Celebration ... Beyond the 28 Days", will
celebrate the past contributions Black gays
and lesbians have made to the world and the
need to focus on the present contributions
made on a day-to-day basis beyond the month
of February (Black History Month).
The conference draws national and international participants from as far away as
South Africa. Workshops and instututes are
facilitated by African- American gays and
lesbians and members of the transsexial/
transgender communities.
Workshop presenters, vendors, and volunteers for the five day event are currently
being solicited by the conference. For information contact: The Black Gay and Lesbian
Leadership Forum, 1219 South La Brea Ave.,
Los Angeles , CA 90019 Telephone:

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(213)964-7820.

0

'iiijiii'r1N-1lc"i"1\1i"1))
Pets are Loving Support, Inc. (PALS) is a
newly formed organization dedicated to
keeping healthy pets with their mv+
owners as long as possible by helping pet
owners with basic pet care. If you would
like to volunteer, donate, or know someone in need of these services, contact
Evelyn Wilkins, P.O. Box 780337, OKC
73178 or call (405)946-0087.
Tough Dove Books is looking for submissions for a lesbian adventure anthology.
Examples of possible subject matter include: wild women, eccentric characters,
sexual exploits, sports, travel, sci-fi, exciting events, women dealing with dangerous situations ors urvi ving crises. They
may be accounts of true life experiences
or fiction accounts. Previously unpublished writers are encouraged to submit.
For information contact: Mikay Heart,
POB 1152, Laytonville, CA 95454.

Published by: Herland Sister Resources, Inc. 2312 N.W. 39th, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Newsletter Committee: Margaret Cox, Deborah Fox, Vivien Ng, Pat Reaves
Circulation: 1200
Advertising Rates: Business card $15; 1/4 page $35;
1/2 page $60; full page $100
The Voice is offered as an open forum for community discourse. Articles reflect the opinions of the
author and not necessarily those of Herland Sister Resources. Unsolicited articles and letters to the
editor are welcomed and must be signed by the writer with full name and address. Upon request ,
letters or articles may be printed under a pseudonym or anonymously.

Subscriptions to The Voice are free upon request.
The Voice is printed on recycled paper.

6 Her/and Voice December, 1993

I
I

l

Don't forget Herland as you do your holiday shopping. The bookstore is open
every Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and
Sunday from lPM to 6PM.
I

"-------------'

December Birthdays:
Joan Didion, 12-5"'-1934; Willa Cather,. 12-7-1873-1947
Clara Barton, 12-25-1821-1912; Margaret Mead, 12-16-1901-1978

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Doc Herland says: Remember the many who came before
us, who gave their life work and even their lives
for the right to vote. Remember Susan B. Anthony as
they led her away handcuffed for daring to vote. Go
to the polls on December 14 and cast your VOTE!
Win or lose, make your voice heard!

5

6

7

\\lednesday Thursday

2

1
WORLD
AIDS
DAY

8

Herland
Lepal Defense
Fund
Meetine
6:30 pm

Friday

Saturday

CoDA, 7 pm

inen Orleans
book siE:tninE:t
& infbrmal
readlne fl"om
"Can'l Keep
A Strail:lhl
race .. 3 pm, Herland

3

Ellen Orleans
at OU,
7:30 pm
Meachem
Auditorium,
OU Memorial
Union

g.
.

'·,.

'

10

"·

11
CoDA,
7 pm

HAPPY
HANUKKAH

12

13

bicToday:
Election&

15

16

CoDA, 7 pm

.

19.

18

17

First. Class
Citizens
VOTE!
Simply Eaual
7pm, Herland

20

21

22

23

Art Show
Receplion
8 pm
Trianele
Associalion
2136 NW 39lh

PEGGY
JOHNSON
at the
Cralef\.11 Bean
10lh & Walker
9 pm

25.

24

:;:

BOARD
MEETING
4:30

26

· MERRY
CHRISTMAS

27

28

29

30

3

~erland's

New Years Eve
KWANZAA
bee ins

Simply E1:1ual
7 pm
Herland

Party, 7 - fO

•

PEGGY
JOHNSON
at Openinp
Niphl -----·->

<
NEW YEAR'S EVE:
PEGGY JOHNSON
at the
Stage Center
Carousel Theatre
400 W. Sheridan
7 and 9 p.m.

<----HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES
2312 N\\I 39th Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
405/ 521-9696
Hours: Saturdays 10 - 6: Sundays 1 - 6

NonProfit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID
Oklahoma City, Okla.

2312 N. W. 39th Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED

Permit No. 861



December, 1993

CIVIL RIGHTS COALITION OPPOSES
PROPOSED MAPS SALES TAX
A coalition of civil rights groups has united in opposition
to the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) sales tax
proposal scheduled for the general election on December
14 in Oklahoma City. The coalition participants include
the NAACP, Simply Equal, the Urban League, the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, the Baptist
Ministers Association, Interdenominational Ministers
Alliance, Concerned Clergy for Spiritual Renewal, the
Coalition of Concerned Businesses and the Coalition of
Civic Leaders (CCL) with its 30+ member organizations.
All coalition participants have endorsed a four point
resolution calling on the City Council to take positive
steps to increase the inclusion of minorities in Oklahoma
City. The resolution called for a guarantee that minority
contractors would have the opportunity to participate in
MAPS projects; extension of transportation links to Northeast Oklahoma City; funding for economic development
in Northeast Oklahoma City and passage of the human
rights ordinance as recommended by the Oklahoma City
Human Rights Commission.
The Urban League was the first to announce that their
support of the MAPS sales tax proposal was contingent on
these actions by the City Council. Leonard Benton,
President of the Urban League of Oklahoma City, quoted
in the Daily Oklahoman said, ''Our board was very, very
strong in its opinion that as our city looks at some very

ambitious projects to improve our infrastructure, we have
an equal responsibility to ... ensure for all of our citizens
their basic human rights.''
The proposal to be voted on December 14 would
impose a one-cent sales tax over a five-year period to
finance downtown development. With the proposed increase, Oklahoma City's sales taxwould be 8.375¢ per
dollar. The MAPS plan includes a new downtown baseball stadium, a sports arena, a river canal through
Bricktown, and a light rail transportation link from west
Oklahoma City to downtown. The plan also includes a
new Metropolitan learning center and improvements to
the Civic Center.
The human rights ordinance demanded by this coalition of civil rights groups was recommended by the
Oklahoma City Human Rights Commission on November
9. As proposed, it would address discrimination based on
religion, race, ethnicity, national origin, family status,
disability, sexual orientation, and age. The ordinance
prohibits discrimination in employment, housing, and
public accommodation. The Human Rights Commission
would have the authority to investigate and to attempt to
resolve complaints of discrimination.
If complaints
cannot be resolved, the Human Rights Commission can
refer a case for prosecution.
Oklahoma City voters will vote on The MAPS sales
0
tax on December 14.

Position Statement on the Metropolitian Area Projects
Simply Equal of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus voted to conditionally endorse
the $238 million Metropolitan Area Projects proposal scheduled for the December 14 election. The conditions of support
are:
1.
2.

A minority participation plan be approved relative to business and job opportunities.
The City Council support the funding of an Economic Planning and Development plan within the Northeast
Quadrant.

3.
4.

A transportation link for the Northeast Quadrant be included in the proposed project.
The City Council pass a human rights ordinance amending Chapter 25 of the Oklahoma City Municipal Code. The
Oklahoma City Human Rights Commission recommends adoption of this ordinance which prohibits discrimination
based on age, disability, sexual orientation, and familial status, in addition to race, religion, color, creed, sex,
ancestry, or national origin.

Simply Equal and OGLPC have agreed that these four conditions are inseparable.

Volume 10 Number 12

Berland Sister Resources

2312 N.W. 39, OKC, OK 73112

Sr. Sve1L
Sybil Ludington, Matron Saint of the forgotten woman, and hero
of the American Revolution, occasionally holds forth in this
space.

Dear St. Sybil,
I'm a gay woman, and pretty closeted; very few people
know I'm gay - and they don't need to. I don't have any
problems with discrimination in any area of my life; I'll admit
I might have problems on the job ifl were to come out, but why
should I? As my sister said when I told her about being gay,
"Why tell me that? I don'twant to know about your sex life!"
So, I've got to tell you that I really don't appreciate all the
noise and fuss Herland and Simply Equal and all those other
groups are kicking up. Gays are just like everybody else
outside the bedroom, and as long as we act like everyone else,
we'll be treated that way.
Yours for peace and quiet, and could you help us
reacquire it here on earth, please?
Patience
Dear Patience,
Everything's fine, is it? Are you quite sure? Honey, I
don't think so. I see you at home with your lover, Hope,
dancing to the Miss Brown To You tape and looking so happy.
So how come you two never join the hetero couples whirling
aboutthe dance floor at VZD' sand other clubs? The fact is that
dancing in public with your sweetie is a heterosexist privilege
denied to lesbians and gays, and this is so taken for granted that
the pain of it hardly gets noticed after awhile -but it's not fun,
it's not fair, it's not right. It's discrimination and a pain.
And tell me, Patience, have you decided yet whether you
are going to the Christmas party at work this year? If you are,
are you taking Hope? People will talk if you do, won't they?
It's heterosexist privilege, to take a lover places. It's giving in
to discrimination, to leave her at home or to stay home
yourself; and damaging to your soul every moment you spend
worrying about it.
Is Hope going home with you for the holidays? Are you
maybe going to alternate holidays at her family's house and
your family's, like regular married folks? Or invite them all
to your house to celebrate your new family? I hope so, but if
you do or if you don't, every minute worrying about this is
damaging to you and should be unnecessary. And, if you do
spend time with your extended families, will you be comfortable and loving with Hope, or act more or less as if she is your
roommate you're living with until a good man comes along ...
Now, Patience, if you read this column very often, you
know that I positively love to dance; you might want to hedge
your bets, but it is my belief that dancing is quite possibly the
purpose of life; Anyway, while to me not being able to dance
with your lover in public is the worst thing about homophobia,
discrimination and discriminatory laws, I know that some
people give a higher priority to other matters - economic for
instance; which leads to the question, are you aware that if'you
and Hope filed a joint tax return you would jointly save big
bucks, hundreds or even thousands of dollars? A nice piece of
change, for sure. But you can't do it, of course, because of
2 Her/and Voice December, 1993

discriminatory laws. I'm not even going to go into the need for
living wills, durable powers of attorney, health care proxies, and
all of the other legal protection gay people need that is automatically conferred on a heterosexual couple.
I'm certain that you know that if you could put Hope and
her two children on your insurance at work her health insurance
would cost about half of what she's paying now. But your boss
wouldn't do it, would he, even if you asked - indeed, he might
even decide he dido' t need yourradical lesbian self working for
them anymore; and if he decided that, there would be nothing
you could do about it.
Patience, I sympathize with your concern about things like
that. Don't think that Ior anyone else blames you fornot coming
out at work, or wherever; I do wonder, though, why you don't
feel more eager to support people who are out there risking their
jobs and livelihoods; who are sacrificing their free time and
disposable income to make coming out everywhere easier for
everyone.
My great friend Oscar Wilde, Patron Saint of the Flamboyant and Outrageous, wants me to be sure to add that there are a
great many lesbians and gays who cannot stay in the closet and
"pass"; and what about them? Should they be forced-to try to
fit a mold that was never meant to contain them, or should they
be free to celeHrate themselves and their lives as they are? The
barn yard rooster may look disapprovingly at the peacock, but
Oscar and I say hooray for that bawdy, gaudy, beautiful bird.
Remember, my dear, you'll have plenty of peace & quiet in
due time; life is for living as happily and noisily and freely as
possible.
Take care and take courage,
Sybil
0

QUEER CONSORTIUM ANNOUNCES SECOND
ART EXHIBITION
The Queer Consortium, a collective of Oklahoma lesbigay
artists, announces its second art exhibit titled, ''Queers Unbound: Celebrating Our Culture.'' The exhibition will be held
at the Triangle Association, 2136 N.W. 39th Street in Oklahoma
City.
In observance of AIDS Awareness Day, the show will begin
on December 1 with all art draped in black. An opening
reception for the show is scheduled for December 11 at 8 p.m.,
and the art will be unveiled at that time. The exhibition is
scheduled to run through January 28, 1994.
The show will include the work of Shar Johnson, Diana
Faulkner, Tommy Thomas, Keith Porter, Clif Trowbridge, all
of Oklahoma City; Diane Duffer, Gerald David, Ken Carlyle, of
Norman; Larry Harriman of Tulsa; and Joe Rackley of Stillwater.O

Rebecca R. Cohn, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology
Norman, OK
321-2148

Couples,
Individuals, &
Family Therapy

MAPS AND HUMAN
RIGHTS: AN EDITORIAL
by Pat Reaves

Supporters of the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS)
sales tax proposal are asking us to believe in the future and vote
for an increase in the Oklahoma City sales tax. How can we
believe in a future that excludes so many of the people of
Oklahoma City?
The bright future of our city depends on the participation
of all of us. An unprecedented coalition has come together to
demand that the City Council take positive steps to include all
the people of Oklahoma City. This coalition is asking the City
Council to guarantee the, opportunity to participate in MAPS
projects for minority contractors, extension of transportation
links to Northeast Oklahoma City, funding for economic
development in Northeast Oklahoma City and passage of the
human rights ordinance recommended by the Oklahoma City
Human Rights Commission.
It's no accident that MAPS, acclaimed as the way to a
bright future, ignores Northeast Oklahoma city. Mayor Nori ck
asks minority contractors to trust promises they will be included in the projects even though a long string of similiar
promises have been broken -- theconstruction of th enew jail is
just one example. From the segregated lunch counters to the
segregated neighborhood schools of today, Oklahoma City has
a long tradition of discrimination against African-Americans,
Latinos and Latinas, Native Americans and other people of
color. MAPS simply continues that tradition.
The human rights ordinance that Mayor Norick and the
City council are refusing addresses discrimination based on
religion, race, religion, color, national origin, family status,
disability, sexual orientation, and age. It allows the Human
Rights Commission to attempt to resolve complaints of discrimination based on any of these characteristics. If complaints
cannot be resolved, the Human Rights Commission can refer a
case for prosecution.
Mayor Norick and the City Council are asking the people
of Oklahoma City to pay for projects that will profit only a few
of the rich and powerful. I say it's time to say no. NO -- we will
not pay with our sales taxes for projects that exclude many of
the people of Oklahoma City. NO -- we will not vote for a tax
to support a city that refuses the most basic of human rights
protection for its citizens.
We may not have the money and power of Mr. Gaylord and
his cronies but, so far, we still have the power of a democracy
-- the ballot. Be assured, we will use our ballots to say we will
not pay the bills of a government which does not respect all of
its citizens. We will vote NO on the MAPS sales tax and we will
continue to encourage other voters until the City Council takes
action to include and protect the civil rights of all the people of
Oklahoma City.
If the City Council really wants a bright future for all the
people of Oklahoma City, they will guarantee inclusion in
MAPS for all parts of the city and they will protect the civil

rights of the people of Oklahoma City by passing the proposed
human rights ordinance.
Until they take action for a bright future that includes all
Oklahoma Citians, I'm voting NO on the MAP sales tax.
Supporters of the sales tax are hoping for a light voter turnout.
Join me at the polls on December 14 to send a clear message to
the City Council.
D

FEDERAL COURT PUTS
CINCINNATI ANTI-GAY
INITIATIVE ON HOLD
(CINCINNATI, OHIO, November 16, 1993) Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund today obtained an order from
an Ohio federal court to block an anti-gay amendment to
Cincinnati's charter passed by the city's voters on November
2nd. In the absence of his injunction, the charter amendment,
which threatened to prevent Cincinnati's city council from
prohibiting discrimination against lesbians, gay men and bisexuals and repeal existing laws, would have taken effect
today.
Beatrice Dohm, Lambda's Legal Director, noted, "Just as
the DC Circuit found in the Steffan ruling announced today, the
court recognized that the prejudice of others against lesbians
and gay men may not form the basis of law or policy."
Ruling that the amendment appeared to violate the fundamental constitutional rights of the plaintiffs and could cause
them irreparable harm if allowed to take effect, Judge Arthur
Spiegel issued the preliminary injunction to block the proposed
law until a full trial on its merits.
''The court recognized that fundamental civil rights of
lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals cannot be voted away by
popular election,'' said Patricia M. Logue, managing Attorney
of Lambda's Midwest Regional Office.
''The Cincinnati amendment is blatantly discriminatory
and offensive to our constitution. It is part ofa city- by-city and
state-by-state effort to cut back on civil rights gains and use the
power of government to stigmatize lesbian and gay citizens,''
said Lambda attorney Suzanne B. Goldberg.
Along with Lambda, Cincinnati civil rights attorney
Alphonse A. Gerhardstein and the American Civil Liberties
Union of Ohio are litigating the case.
Founded in 1973, Lambda Legal Defense and Education
Fund is the nation's oldest and largest non-profit legal organization working to advance the legal and civil rights of lesbians,
gay men and people with HIVI AIDS.
D

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Her/and Voice December, 1993

3

CREATING CHANGE

1993

Washington, D.C. - (November 17) -- More than 1400
people attended the sixth annual Creating Change Conference
held in Durham, N.C. November 10 - 14. Activists from 48
states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Belgium and
Canada gathered at the annual skills-building event sponsored
by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGL TF), which
is the largest political conference in the nation's gay, lesbian
and bisexual community.
The conference included full-day intensives on topics such
as ' 'Fight the Right,'' Health Care, Southern Organizing, AntiViolence, Age and Aging, International Organizing, Civil
Rights/Privacy, Work/Family, and Youth. Dozens of other
skills-building workshops focused on issues such as media,
lobbying, fundraising, volunteers, and boards of directors.
Prior to the November 12 start of Creating Change, NGLTF
sponsored three full-day institutes: the People of Color Organizing Institute, Diversity Training Institute and the Race,
Class and Gender Institute.
Related events included a community dance, a sober
dance, a people of color dance, "Stand Up for Your Rights"
star-studded gala, Adrienne Rich book signing, and a town hall
meeting on "Access to Power." An NGLTF membership
meeting, open to all, was held on the final day of the conference
so that community activists could address praise, criticism and
suggestions directly to NGLTF staff and board members.
The room at the ''Fight the Right'' intensive was overflowing with activists from around the country who wanted, to
discuss strategies on how to battle anti-gay Far Right initiatives. Activists also filled the schedule of electronic mail and
bulletin board training sessions produced by Digital Queers, a
nationwide group oflesbian, gay and bisexual computer professionals.
"1993 has been a very difficult year for our movement,"
said NGLTF Executive Director Peri Jude Radecic, who discussed President Clinton's decision not to repeal the ban on
gays in the military and the recent ballot measure defeats in
Oregon, Cincinnati, Ohio, Lewiston, Maine, and Portsmouth,
New Hampshire. ''The good news, however, far outweighs the
bad. The visibility we have attained in 1993 is unprecedented.
And it is our belief that the key to our future is visibility - as
more and more people come out, the true nature of who we are
rises above the misleading rhetoric of the religious right, and it
becomes clearer and clearer that we are integral, vital participants in this society with much to offer in the struggle to make
this a better world. ' '
Conference plenary speakers were Mab Segrest, lesbian
author and activist who works for the Urban-Rural Mission of
the World Council of Churches; long-time activist Frank
Kameny, founder of Mattachine Society in D.C. and of the
National Gay Task Force; and Marjorie Hill, former director of
the New York City Mayor's Office for the Lesbian and Gay
Community.
Segrest, a North Carolina activist, welcomed conference
attendees to the South with its ''peculiar blend of hospitality
and repression.'' She highlighted the importance of rural

4 Her/and Voice December, 1993

organizing and advocated a " queer socialism" in place of
"queer nationalism." Kameny outlined various gay rights
victories in the past 30 years and declared that the ' ' gay
agenda" is "parity: not more, but not one whit less ... Momentary defeats notwithstanding, the tide is with us. " Hill urged
activists to move beyond the usual movement organizing
methods, in which ''too often there is no distinction between
how we organize and how we throw dinner parties,'' inviting
only those who eat the same foods, know the same culture and
have similar backgrounds.
During the course of the weekend, youth activists met and
created a set of demands for NGLTF and the movement as a
whole. Youth leaders presented the demands during the' 'Stand
Up for Your Rights'' gala and at the closing plenary. Demands
included youth representation on the NGLTF board; action
toward combating youth suicide; a youth steering committee;
special programs and outreach for youth in under-represented
sectors, such as those who are in foster care, in rural areas,
homeless or in juvenile detention; and designated funding for
youth and youth-oriented programs. NGLTF Executive Director Peri Jude Radecic met with the youth organizers and agreed
to a requested conference call before the end of 1993 to discuss
the youth demands and NGLTF implementation. She also
agreed to target funds raised during the closing plenary
fundraising pitch to youth and campus demands.
In separate actions throughout the year prior to the conference, Radecic held discussions with members of the Old
Lesbian Organizing Committee and other old activists on the
issue of ageism and inclusion in the work of NGLTF and the
Creating ChangeConference. Radecic agreed to sponsor an
NGL TF staff training on ageism and is discussing production
and distribution of joint publications on the issue for use within
0
the community.

WOMEN'S
MOVEMENT MEDITATION

CIRCLE
THURSDAYS 7:30-9:00

P.M.

DECEMBER lsT, 8TH, AND 15TH
FACILATATED BY DEBORAH WALKER
COST $15 . 00 PER SESSION
CALL 755-7752 FOR LOCATION AND INFORMATION

Vote "NO" Dec. 14
Not One Penny More For M.A.P.S.
"Until The City's Future Includes Us All; Not Just Our Money"

Our City Leaders Refuse To:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Guarantee Oklahoma/Minority Participation
Improve Transportation Northeast
Fund Economic Development Northeast
Pass A Human Rights Ordinance
To Find Out More Contact Any Member Of

The Committee For An Inclusive Future
THE COALITION OF CIVIC LEADERSHIP
(CCL & Its 30 plus Member Organizations)

NAACP
236-2227
SIMPLY EQUAL
848-2292
BMA
I.M.A.

URBAN LEAGUE
424-5243
Coalition Of Concerned
Businesses 947-5720
OGLPC
524-2131
CCSR

Interdenominational Ministers Alliance

Concerned Clergy For Spiritual Renewal

Baptist Ministers Association

Vote "NO" Dec. 14

PICKET FENCES
by Vivien Ng

Once in a while, especially around holidays, when
everybody's attention seems to be focused on families, I give
in to fantasies about "settling down." Some of my friends have
done exactly that, and domesticity has taken firm root even in
my favorite comic strip, "Dykes To Watch Out For," when
Clarice and Toni recently became proud parents.
A couple of weeks ago, after giving a talk at the University
of Georgia, I spent a wonderful weekend with a friend of mine
and her partner--and their two adopted daughters--at their 15acre spread outside Athens. Theirs is a big, airy modem twostory house, set in a wooded lot which provides ample privacy.
Although there was a nip in the air, and their outdoor pool was
already covered for the winter, I fantasized what it would be
like to go skinny-dipping there, with no creatures to scandalize
except perhaps the Far Side cows across the field on the other
side of the unpaved country road. Earlier that first morning, I
woke up to the sound of four tiny feet pattering to just outside
my bedroom door, and two cute voices chirping, "Good
morning, Vivien!" Their daughters had decided to be my
constant companions that day, and they followed me everywhere, even to the bathroom. I had a taste of lesbian domesticity that weekend, and found it fetching.
A week ago, I was in Ames, Iowa on NWSA business, and
stayed at the home of two good friends. They live in a huge
house with a fenced-in yard, in-ground outdoor pool, hottub,
sauna and steambath, the works. My friend from New Jersey
was there too for the weekend. Surrounded by all the trappings
of comfortable, small town domesticity, I surrendered to the
temptation of sedentary life and told my friends that I would
like to build a house in the country, start a garden, acquire a tan
Labrador, stop crisscrossing the country like a travelling salesman and just settle down. My friends stared at me in disbelief.
I am tom between two selves, and two lifestyles. Even as
I write about idyllic life in the country with family in tow, my
mind is already on my upcoming trip to New York City, and my
body is anticipating the raw, pulsing energy that will no doubt
envelope me. Every minute of my four-day visit is accounted
for: who to spend time with, which movies to see, museums to
visit. And how many books I will allow myself to buy. Oh yes,
there will be the CLAGS board meeting, and the opportunity it
offers me to be with people truly committed to building lesbian
and gay studies. The frenetic pace I set in New York, I fear, is
not for the family woman. I feel at home in New York. My
family has roots there. The apartment building on Pell Street
where my grandfather made his home is still there, so is the
building across the street where he had his grocery store. But
it is not family ties that bind me to New York. It's the hustle
bustle, the museums, the cinemas, the theaters, the bookstores,
the universities, the restaurants, that pull me back to New York
over and over again. Not to mention the special friends that I
have there. I am very much attracted to the urban lifestyle, so
much so that I am seriously considering buying a studio
apartment on the Upper West Side.

My startled friends in Iowa asked me what I meant by
"settling down." It's living in the country, I said. It means
living with someone on a full-time basis, I said, with a grimace.
My friends laughed and muttered something about hell freezing
over. My friends know me real well. I guess this means that
there won't be white picket fences in my life for a while--a long
while.
0

AN EVENING OF PARADISE
November 18, 1993 - The Civic Center Little Theater in
downtown Oklahoma City provided an intimate backdrop to a
magical concert performance by Cris Williamson and Tret
Fure. Seasoned concert goers proclaimed it the best they have
ever seen of Cris and Tret. Energized by an enthusiastic
audience, Cris and Tret poured their hearts and souls into the
music.
Their new album, Postcards From Paradise was performed in its entirety and captured the magnificent talent of
Cris and Tret, leaving most of the audience thirsting for more.
Songs such as Stones From Helen's Field and My Father's
Hands seemed to reflect cherished moments that have afforded
them strength and character in life. Combined with their
musical talent, Cris and Tret gave a hilarious accounting of
their experiences in Russia that left the audience roaring with
laughter.
In a moving song recorded by Cris, In The Best Interest of
the Children, we were all reminded of the purpose of this
celebrated event. Cris dedicated this song to two young
children who were taken from their mother in April of 1992
because of the mother's sexual orientation.
Performed as a benefit to raise funds to meet the financial
needs of families caught in legal action, the concert was a great
success. An estimated $2,300 was raised, including a generous '
donation by Cris and Tret who turned back a portion of their fee
to the Berland Legal Defense Fund.
A more enchanting evening could not have been possible,
and we owe our deepest thanks to those responsible for bringing
Cris and Tret to Oklahoma City. Elyse and Nancy were superb
on sound; Vicki did quite well on the spotlight; Peggy did a
wonderful job introducing Cris and Tret. The many ushers were
very helpful and who could forget the gracefulness of Zyra
Shelley as she soared to We Can Fly. A big thank you especially
to Wanda, Margaret, Pat and Pat and the whole Berland Legal
Defense Fund Committee for their untiring efforts that helped
produce Herland's most successful concert to date. Cris and
Tret were delighted by the hospitality shown to them and hope
to return soon for another ''perfect'' evening in paradise. 0
2109 S. AiR DEpor
Midwm Ciry, OK 7} 1 10

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AiR DEpo1 ANiMAl HospiTAl
CAil loR AppoiNTMENT

JOY HUSKA, D.V.M.

Her/and Voice December, 1993

5

1994

Dykes To Watch Out For
11 WAS

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AND LESBIAN CONFERENCE

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ANNUAL BLACK GAY

The Seventh Annual National Black Gay
and Lesbian Conference is slated for February 17-21, 1994 at the Meadowlands Hilton
in Secaucus, New Jersey. This year's theme,
"Black Gays and Lesbians: From Silence to
Celebration ... Beyond the 28 Days", will
celebrate the past contributions Black gays
and lesbians have made to the world and the
need to focus on the present contributions
made on a day-to-day basis beyond the month
of February (Black History Month).
The conference draws national and international participants from as far away as
South Africa. Workshops and instututes are
facilitated by African- American gays and
lesbians and members of the transsexial/
transgender communities.
Workshop presenters, vendors, and volunteers for the five day event are currently
being solicited by the conference. For information contact: The Black Gay and Lesbian
Leadership Forum, 1219 South La Brea Ave.,
Los Angeles , CA 90019 Telephone:

?

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(213)964-7820.

0

'iiijiii'r1N-1lc"i"1\1i"1))
Pets are Loving Support, Inc. (PALS) is a
newly formed organization dedicated to
keeping healthy pets with their mv+
owners as long as possible by helping pet
owners with basic pet care. If you would
like to volunteer, donate, or know someone in need of these services, contact
Evelyn Wilkins, P.O. Box 780337, OKC
73178 or call (405)946-0087.
Tough Dove Books is looking for submissions for a lesbian adventure anthology.
Examples of possible subject matter include: wild women, eccentric characters,
sexual exploits, sports, travel, sci-fi, exciting events, women dealing with dangerous situations ors urvi ving crises. They
may be accounts of true life experiences
or fiction accounts. Previously unpublished writers are encouraged to submit.
For information contact: Mikay Heart,
POB 1152, Laytonville, CA 95454.

Published by: Herland Sister Resources, Inc. 2312 N.W. 39th, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Newsletter Committee: Margaret Cox, Deborah Fox, Vivien Ng, Pat Reaves
Circulation: 1200
Advertising Rates: Business card $15; 1/4 page $35;
1/2 page $60; full page $100
The Voice is offered as an open forum for community discourse. Articles reflect the opinions of the
author and not necessarily those of Herland Sister Resources. Unsolicited articles and letters to the
editor are welcomed and must be signed by the writer with full name and address. Upon request ,
letters or articles may be printed under a pseudonym or anonymously.

Subscriptions to The Voice are free upon request.
The Voice is printed on recycled paper.

6 Her/and Voice December, 1993

I
I

l

Don't forget Herland as you do your holiday shopping. The bookstore is open
every Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM and
Sunday from lPM to 6PM.
I

"-------------'

December Birthdays:
Joan Didion, 12-5"'-1934; Willa Cather,. 12-7-1873-1947
Clara Barton, 12-25-1821-1912; Margaret Mead, 12-16-1901-1978

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Doc Herland says: Remember the many who came before
us, who gave their life work and even their lives
for the right to vote. Remember Susan B. Anthony as
they led her away handcuffed for daring to vote. Go
to the polls on December 14 and cast your VOTE!
Win or lose, make your voice heard!

5

6

7

\\lednesday Thursday

2

1
WORLD
AIDS
DAY

8

Herland
Lepal Defense
Fund
Meetine
6:30 pm

Friday

Saturday

CoDA, 7 pm

inen Orleans
book siE:tninE:t
& infbrmal
readlne fl"om
"Can'l Keep
A Strail:lhl
race .. 3 pm, Herland

3

Ellen Orleans
at OU,
7:30 pm
Meachem
Auditorium,
OU Memorial
Union

g.
.

'·,.

'

10

"·

11
CoDA,
7 pm

HAPPY
HANUKKAH

12

13

bicToday:
Election&

15

16

CoDA, 7 pm

.

19.

18

17

First. Class
Citizens
VOTE!
Simply Eaual
7pm, Herland

20

21

22

23

Art Show
Receplion
8 pm
Trianele
Associalion
2136 NW 39lh

PEGGY
JOHNSON
at the
Cralef\.11 Bean
10lh & Walker
9 pm

25.

24

:;:

BOARD
MEETING
4:30

26

· MERRY
CHRISTMAS

27

28

29

30

3

~erland's

New Years Eve
KWANZAA
bee ins

Simply E1:1ual
7 pm
Herland

Party, 7 - fO

•

PEGGY
JOHNSON
at Openinp
Niphl -----·->

<
NEW YEAR'S EVE:
PEGGY JOHNSON
at the
Stage Center
Carousel Theatre
400 W. Sheridan
7 and 9 p.m.

<----HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES
2312 N\\I 39th Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
405/ 521-9696
Hours: Saturdays 10 - 6: Sundays 1 - 6

NonProfit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID
Oklahoma City, Okla.

2312 N. W. 39th Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
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