extracted text

A FEW THOUGHTS
by Ann, LRC President

The Lesbian Resource Centre has begun to make major liaisons with the larger Dallas Lesbian and Gay community.
We continue to cherish and protect the woman space of the LRC. To use a line from a song, "There's something
about the women." The new women, women who are returning, and the women who have been at the LRC all along
make the Centre what is it. You are neededto get involved with one of our committees:
EDUCATION
Chair: Jeanne
The Education Committee is responsible for the publication of educational literature, brochures and informational tracts. The Corporation lending library, Womyn
forWomyn University, and Speakers Bureau are also part of this committee.

FACil.ITIES
Chair: Diane
The Facilities Committee maintains the building and grounds,
and makes recommendations to the Board for necessary improvements.
FUND-RAISING

Chair: Ila

The Fund-raising

Committee develops fund-raising

plans

and implements them.
GRANTS/FOUNDATIONS
Chair: Carolyn
The Grants and Foundations Committee researches sources
of grants and foundation monies that the Centre may wish to apply for.
MEMBERSHIP
Chair: Ann
The Membership Committee is responsible for obtaining new
members through membership drives, solicitation and other recruitment methods.

Chair: Mary
The New Building Task Force is collecting information regarding the logistics, finances, availability, etc of the LRC relocating to a larger, more physic~ly stable facility.

NEW Bun.DING

NEWSLETTER

Chairs:Mary and

Carolyn
The Newsletter Committee is responsible
publication, and mailing of the Corporation Newsletter.

for the layout,

Chair: Marlza
The Policy and Procedure Task Force is collecting information regarding on the policies and operations of the Centre in order to develop a manual that can be used by the
Board of Directors, committees, and members. The manual will serve as a resource and guidebook to insure
consistent procedures.

POLICY&: PROCEDURE

Chair: Judy
The Chair of the Special Events Committee updates the
Corporation calendar, denoting when the facilities will be available for Corporation activities and for use by other
organizations or individuals, subject to approval by the Board. The Special Events Committee is responsible for
community dances, programs, and other events specifically held by the corporation.
SPECIAL EVENTS

Chair: Janice
The Support Groups Committee members serve as liaisons to
the Friday Night Dinner, Wednesday Night Discussion, Umoja Hermanas, Women en Cambio, Womyn of Color
Poetiy, etc.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Please leave a message for any of these women at 821-3999 to join their committee.
Wherever you are, whatever you do ... I encourage you to be good to yourself and all other women.

THE LEGAL STUFF
The lesbian Resource Centre exists to create physical space
where lesbians are valued for themselves. This space,
committed to a feminist philosophy will offer resources to
all lesbians. The LRC Newsletter is published monthly.
Our address is: LRC, P.O. Box 180446, Dallas TX
75218-0446.

BOARDOF DIRECTORS
Ann Brown, President
Rosa Lopez
Dawynn Edwards, Vice-President Mary Ortega
Lurese Terrell, Treasurer
Carolyn Rowley
Pam Tise, Secretary
Lori Strong
Vicki Harris

TAX INFO

Womyn for Womyn, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Your donations are
tax deductible. All tnfonnation provided to
Womyn for Womyn is kept strictly confidential. For more information, please call:

Dear LRC friends:
I would like to thank you all and tell you collectively how
appreciative I am for your strengths and weaknesses, for it is all
important and instrumentally vital to inner growth.
My hope is that your organization will grow as you do individually. To reach out and expand, not to a level of tolerance, but
rather wholistically with universal acceptance based on genuine love
for the miracle of life.
We daily have opportunity to motivate ourselves with the
simple acknowledgment that we are, we live.
I personally do not see" eye to eye" with many of you -but I feel
"heart to heart" with all of you.
May we recall and develop the "increasing susceptibilfty to
love extended by others", ALL OTHERS, "as well as the uncontrollable
urge to extend it".
Be well.
Rayva Sorrells

JUDITH

(214) 821-3999.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
We welcome your comments, news, suggestions,
and contributions. All material is due in Newsletter
box at the LAC on the 2nd Friday of the month, by 6:00
p.m. All submissions must include name, address,
and phone number; however, names will be withheld
upon request. Submissions are limited to 750 words
per printing and should be made on diskette, in any
PC readable format. Please call the LAC to schedule
time on the computer, if needed. If unable to utilize a
computer, any legible single-sheet format is acceptable. Tapes will be accepted from print-impaired
women. Name, address, and phone number must be
included on each page of all submissions,
well as
on tapes. Graphic art should be submitted in cameraready form. Submissions are printed on a "space
available" basis, in the following order of priority:

Please

CANNON,

PH.D.

INDIVIDUAL, COUPLE and FAMILY COUNSELING

3609 Cedar Springs
Dallas, Texas 75219
(214) 521-4810

support

the

as

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.-------~------Southwestern Dental Associates, P.C

women

E. Michelle Morgan, D.D.S.
General Dentist

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The Legal Stuff & Membership Application
Newsabout the Centre
Calendar
Paid Ads
Letters to the Editor
Misc. Articles, Art, Personals, Classified

7140 Library Lane
Dallas, Texas 75232

(214) 228-2111
By Appointment Only

who

THEDISCLAIMER
The views expressed In this publication are those of
the Individual authors of the separate articles and
letters. Theseviews are not necessarily those of the
LRCor Ifs Board or of the editor.

Business Card
1/4 page
1/2 page
Full page

THE RATES
1 mo. 6mos.
15
76
127
25
204
40
382
75

Personals/Classified $1 per line per month

12mos.
144
240
384
720

Carpets
Upholstery
Orientals
Dlwrries
Haitians
Draperies
Leathers

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3307 Kinmorc Street, Dallas, Texas 75223,

(214) 826-6133

NEWS AND NOTL'
BOARD NOTES

Readings at the LRC

Toe November 1st Board Meeting convened with a full
agenda for its first session since the October 24th
Annual Membership Meeting. We welcome our newest
member Mazy Ortega, who was voted in by the membership to replace outgoing board member Jeanne
Rubin. Many thanks to Jeanne for all her hard work,
and a hearty Welcome Aboard to Mazy! Also on the
agenda was the signing of the new By Laws amendments
(which incidentally are available at the Centre to all
interested women) and the selection of members and
chairpersons to committees and task forces. Board
meetings are open to all women and we encourage you
to come and share your ideas, sign up for a committee,
volunteer your time, or just listen and obseive. We
meet the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
here at the Centre. Come be a part!

Marlena and Astrid Mora, friends through many lifetimes,
come to share their insights with you through:
Rainbow Readings
Palmistry
Vibrational Attunement
They will be at the LAC on some Friday evenings and some
Sundays during library hours beginning December.

Education Committee Meeting
Come One Come All! Topics to be discussed, explored, etc...
Womyn for Womyn University Winter Term, Library, Speakers
Bureau, and Lesbian Herstory Archives Project. Women with an
interest in Public Relations and advertisingare especiallyneeded.
Call Jeanne for more information.
•

Did You Know
by Lori Strong
On October 19th, the Womyn Against Racism group took a
field trip to Arlington to be a part of the Change of Heart
Dialogue series sponsored by the Tarrant County Institute
for the Healing of Racism. The purpose of the series is "to
acknowledge and to foster the essential oneness of the
human race ... and to agree that the struggle against racism
must, first and foremost, be waged in the human heart." The
Womyn Against Racism group meets the third Tuesday of
each month at 7 p.m. at the LRC. We provide a safe, informal
atmosphere in which to discuss, explore and dialogue about
the crippling disease of racism. All womyn are invited to
join us with special outreach encouraged to my whiteskinned sisters. Let's all make a commitmentto become part
of the solution - come join us! And let the healing begin ...

Need Money

Group for Latina Lesbians Forming
All
LRC members
are
eligible
to
join
the
Women's Southwest
Federal
Credit
Union.
New
car loans
are
available
for
6. 7 5%.
Share
secured
signature
loans
are 6%. Mastercards
are available
for members,
so go ahead
and
apply!
Call Mary Deskins
at 368-4466
at the
credit
union
office.
Open Tues-Thurs
and
Saturdays.

How to Buy a New Car

A newly-formed support group for Latina Lesbians is
seeking community involvement. The mission of the
group isto advocate for the emotional. social. political
and educational progress of Latina Lesbians. In order
to Identify the basic need of Latina Lesbians in the
Dallas Metro area. this organization is conducting a
survey of Latinas and they need your help. In the
coming weeks the surveywill be distributed to churches.
local business. community centers and educational
institutions. For more information contact Josi Mata
(946-7108)or Rosa Lopez (320-6074).

If you are thinking about buying a car soon, attend this workshop

on November 20 from 10 am. to 12 noon at the Women's SW
G:reditUnion, 6300 N. Central, #100. Taught by Jan Knowles,
voted Best Car Salesperson in Dallas. Call 368-4466 for more
information.

Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are neededto deliver gifts on December5.
Everyone will meet at 1:00 at the Lesbian and Gay
Community Center on the comer of Brown andReagan.
Contact Jeanne Reyer at 528-4878 for more info.

Contest for Logo and

Newsletter Name

The Newsletter Committee is conducting a
contest for a name and logo for the LRC
newsletter.
Any logos submitted must be
black and white only.
Entries may be
mailed to the LRC Newsletter committee at
P.O. Box 180446, Dal las TX 75218-0446
by January 4, 1994.

Adoption As An Option
Jif9.{JjUO:FTHEAfOJ.[_T.J{
A big bouquet of lavender orchids to the
following members for agreeing to chair
committees for the next year: Diane, Ila,
Janice, Jeanne, Judy, Mariza, Polly. They
make the centre!
WORLD AIDS DAY
Date:
Place:
Time:

Wednesday, December 1
East Grand Recreation Center
3:00-8:00 p.m.

We encourage you all to attend. Call Tracee with any
questions call 819-1900.
The LRC also salutes Deb Trott, Director of Clinic & Client
Services and Jamie Shield, Director of Community Services & Education at the AIDS Resource Centre, Nelson
Tebedo Clinic (528-2336) for their recent program, "Lesbianism is No Condom Against AIDS" and their continuing
work. The Women's Health Program can be reached at
521-5131.

SILVERTHORN

A monthly discussiongroup for women only who are
interestedin leather, etc. All orientationsare welcome.
The next meeting will be December15, 8:00p.m. at the
Desert Moon.

llUPIDWN
RfAI.TORS

26/2 &/I Simi &MrKinnry

Dnllas,'Ji,xas75204. /002
1/>lrphonr:214.979.0000

DEB ELDER

Fanimik: 214.979.0107

RPnltor-Ml.S
Messagr: 733. 9644

"}'1110

C:ommunif)' ,\jmialist For !.Pming, .Vlling

& Nuyi,q('

by Alpha Thomas
Two years ago I decided I wanted to be a parent. I had a great
desire to become pregnant. The fear of HIV infection, however,
caused me to abandon the thought. I began to explore other
options with my partner.
One day my partner came home from work with an African
American newspaper which featured adoption as its main story.
As I read the article I also saw pictures of beautiful children who
were in need of a home. My partner was so excited about the
article that she insisted I call the contact agency the following
day. I was somewhat apprehensive about doing so because I
feared being rejected due to homophobia. I decided to go ahead
and make the call and was connected with a community organization that assists African Americans with the adoption
process.
I found out about the community organization's next meeting
by making the call. I attended the meeting and met some
wonderful people who were involved with the group. There I
was connected with an adoption agency that had children
waiting to be adopted. I began to interface with this agency and
worked to complete all the requirements and challenges I faced
with them.
During this process the issue of my sexuality surfaced. I was
faced with the challenge of lying or "coming out". I decided it
was best to be honest, so I came out. In the long run my sexuality
wasn't an issue and a child was placed in my home. After eleven
months, I was able to legally adopt the child and we are a proud
and happy family today.
Historically, we as lesbians, bisexual, and gays have assisted in
the child-rearing process within our families in numerous
ways.* Today, we no longer have to remain silenced and
closeted about who we are.
WE TOO CAN ADOPT. WON'T YOU HELP? A CHILD IS
WAITING!
• There is no law that prohibits gays, lesbians, or bisexuals from adopting in the state ofT~xas.

Mary K. Grigsby, M.Ed.,

LPC, LMIT

30 minute FREEConsultation

. Individual &..Group Therapy • Addictions
•• ChronicIllnesses· HIV • Sexual Abuse

Marti B. Kranzberg, Ph.D .
Clinical Psychologist

(214) 521-1213
3514 Cedar Springs Rd.,
Dallas Texas 75219

NLP Master Practitioner
Insurance Filed

5206 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75205
(214) 528-1815

FACILITATOR/ WORKSHOP INFORMATION SHEET
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
TELEPHONE NUMBERS

ZIP ----

Workshop Category:
Description of workshop content, please describe what process your
workshop will follow:
1) group discussion, panel discussion, lecture, physical interaction
2) what is expected of participants
3) what you'd like to see come out of the workshop

Group Affiliations:

History of working with this issue: _____________

_

Will materials will be necessary for the workshop (slide projectors,
microphones, etc.):

Best time to reach me:

------------

Please return this form to the LAC or mail to P.O. Box 180446, Dallas TX 75218-0446

r.---------------------------------------7
NewsletterSubscription Form

1

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1 Please keepmeonthemailinglistfor the Womyn for Womyn Newsletter! I understand
I run for one year from the next issue following receipt of my check or money order.

my subscription will

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Return to LAC, P.O. Box 180446, Dallas TX 75218-0446 --=--=--=--=--=--=--=--_J-

TLC '94 Needs Workshops

'
The Texas Lesbian Conference TLC '94 workshop committee is distributing the first call for workshop
Proposals for interested presenters. The 7th annual TLC entitled Salud! Celebrating Our Community,
Celebrating Ourselves will be held in San Antonio on May 13 to 15 at the Wyndham Hotel.

Lesbians are invited to share their experiences, knowledge, expertise and vision for the empowerment
of our community is approximately 26 conference workshops. Conference fees will be waived to two
presenters per workshop.
All interested presenters should submit a workshop proposal of 100 words or less by December 6 to:
TLC '94 Workshop Committee, P.O. Box 12327, San Antonio TX 78212 or call during the evenings at
(210) 626-1617 or (210) 656-0375.
A one hour session that is interactive and sensitive to a diverse multicultural audience is encouraged.
Some committee suggestions for workshop topics include (but are not limited to): Relationships, Legal
Issues, Lesbians in Business, Health Issues, and Multicultural Issues.
A Dallas planning group for TLC met for the first meeting in November. Possible workshops suggestions
were discussed. They include: Wellness, Lesbian Parenting, Coming Out, Intimacy, Spirituality, Leather
Awareness, Cultural Diversity, Butch/Fem Identity, Oppression, Recovery, and many more.
Please complete the Facilitator/Workshop Information form enclosed in this issue of the LRC newsletter
if you are interested in presenting. We would like to have a significant contingent of Dallas women involved
in the Texas Lesbian Conference. More information will be forthcoming regarding hous_ing,registration,
scholarships, etc.
Josi Mata serves as the coordinator for the Dallas group. You may leave a message for her at 821-3999.
The next meeting will be 2:00, December 4 at the LRC. We encourageyou to come and participate.

~-------------------------------------------,

Womyn for
~embership

Womyn
Form

~ame: ________________
~ddress: _____________

_
_

City/State/Zip:__________
_
~elephone:___________
_
I Womyn for Womyn, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your

l.. donations are tax deductable. All information providedto Womyn for

PLEASE CHECK
A MEMBERSHIP LEVEL:

FOUNDINGMOTHER
(10$ PER MONTH)
CONTRIBUTINGMEMBER
(40$ PER YEAR)
PARTICIPATINGNOTINGMEMBER __
(40$ PER YEAR)
BENEFACTOR
(2SO$- 500$ PE;'~~R)

romyn is kept strictly confidential. For more information. please call: (214)
821-3999. Mail your completed form along with your paymentto:
CORPORATE MEMBER
LRC, P.O. Box 180446, Dallas, Texas. 75218 _ . __
. _( 200l£>ERYEARL ____________

l____

_

_

"I like butch . .. "
IN PRAISE OF PURPLE WOMEN
by Beverly Bennett
I've notice a nasty trend lately. I call it "butch backlash." I wonder
ifl'm the only femme left on the face of the earth who is not afraid
to say "I want a butch." I keep running into women at parties who
say things like "I'm' out' now. I can't afford to take a dykey woman
home to Mother." "Butch women turn me off. I want a lipstick
lesbian." "Butch women are just like me. If I wanted a man, I'd
get a real one."
I've been told I'm a lipstick lesbian - you know, that chic darling
of the media. For years I thought I was femme. Now I learn I'm
the latest trend in lesbianville.
Well, I think it's time to give butches a little affinnation. Our
community is quick to forget that the butch women and nellie
queens fought our battles at Stonewall. I'm not advocating going
back to the restrictive days of the 1950s and '60s stereotypes. But
neither do I want to see us throw away our heritage. The butchfemme couple is a long tradition. They are our history -- our
foremothers. They were our Patiences and Sarahs, our Gertrudes
and Alices, our passing women and their "wives."
Most of us who fall into the butch-femme couple category have
subtler distinctions today. Today's butch can be found in corporate
drag. Our femme women are lawyers and doctors. I've been
known to ear a tie, and I doubt anyone would call me "passive."
Still, most ofus instinctively know who leads on the dance floor.
From the time I was a little girl I've loved androgynous women.
Over the years, all my long-tenn lovers have been butch. Some
didn't claim the title, but I knew who they were.
Butch goes a lot deeper than how one dresses. I know a lot of butch
women who wear corporate drag to work everyday, but thatdoesn 't
make them less butch. Butch is an attitude. It's the way one carries
herself. It is an unmistakable air of androgyny any femme lesbian
can identify blindfolded at 100 paces! It is an unspoken erotic
energy that has to do with power on many levels. Butches are the
women you meet in public who you don't have to ask "Are you
gay?" You just know.
I've tried dating femme women. I can't say they haven't turned my
head, but neither do they light my fire. They rarely sustain my
interest. Jo Ann Loulan, therapist and lesbian sexuality author,
says we have our own erotic dance. We know and recognize each
other. Her scale of one to nine defines one as extremely femme and
nine as extremely butch. She says most women want to be in the
middle, but our friends and lovers usually place us elsewhere along
the scale. For instance, I see myself as a four who likes sixes and
sevens. Loulan says few of us are ones and nines.

I don't know when this anti-butch trend started, but it is
alive and well in the personals. Read them and you'll see
ads that say "Femme woman seeks the same for romantic
evenings and possible relationship. No butches please!"
I realize not everyone's taste is the same. Some femme
lesbians far prefer each other, but I can't help but wonder
how many of these women simply don't want to be seen in
public with a butch.
How often have you hear that old line, If only we could all
turn puiple, the world would see our strength and number?"
Butch women already are "puiple." They don't hide.
When a butch woman wears a dress and heels, she still be~
that unmistakable air that says "lesbian" all over her
person. No matter how much she tries to fool herself and
others in her camouflage, deep down she knows that "they
know." She knows even if no one talks about it or says the
"L" word.
Perhaps this visibility is one of the things I have long
admired. I've often taken a particular delight in being seen
in public with butches. They help make my own lesbian
identity visible. Together we look like lesbians. By myself,
I get lost in the crowd of straight women.
I think it is time to stop "butch bashing." Our androgynous
sisters fight battles for us daily just in their very existence.
It is not easy living life "puiple." It carries an emotional
price tag. If our lesbian community does not give each
other validation who will?
I never knew I was going to become a fashion trend.
I always thoughtldressed this way, woremyhairthis way,
wore my makeup this way to please myself, and because
I wanted butch women to notice me. I wanted to please
them.
I'm tired of hearing the phrase, "If I wanted a man, I'd get
a real one." I know very few butch women who want to be
men. I know no femmes who want to turn their lovers into
men. We are not playing roles. This is my life. I am
domestic because I like it. My lovers mowed my yard and
fixed my sink because they felt they were contributing to
our household. My first lover was a whiz in the kitchen.
She taught me how to cook. I was always in charge of the
finances. Our household duties were not set in cement. My
lovers made love to me to please me. Men make love to
women for their won gratification.
My butch lovers and friends are not pseudo men. They are
strong women who live "puiple" everyday of their lives
while the rest of us pick and choose our visibility.
With permission of Alliance News of the
Tarrant County Lesbian/Gay Alliance

28 Nov 1993 - 8 Jan 1994

WOMYN FOR WOMYN
28

29

30

2

6

7

8

9

1-5:00 Library 6:00 Domestic
Violence Task
Open
Force
LRC Clean
Up&Work Party
1:00

12

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21

22

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Women Against ISTDAYOF
Racism 7-9:00 WINTER

1-5:00 Library
Open
LRC Clean
Up&Work Party
1:00

26

14

7:30 Over 38's 7:30 Wed. Night
Group Meeting Discussion
Group

1-5:00 Library
Open
Womyn en
Cambio Brunch
&Meeting
10-12:30

19

3

7:30 Wed. Night Il..Jllt(C lllO A.lilll>7:30 Friday
Discussion
Mllll 'll'IIN<G, Night Dinner
Group
7:lillaf:3(1)
WORLD AIDS
DAY

1-5:00 Library
Open

5

1

27

28

29

1-5:00 Library
Open
Kwanzaa Begins

7:30 Over 38's 7:30 Wed. Night
Group Meeting Discussion
Group

2
3
Library
6:00 Domestic
1-5:00
Violence Task
Open
Force
LRC Clean
Up&Work Party
1:00

4

5

30

6

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TLC Meeting
2:00

10

11

7:30 Friday
Night Dinner
Deadline-6
p.m.
Editorial 6:00

7:00 p.m.
Umoja
Hermanas
Meeting

17

18

7:30 Friday
Night Dinner

GAME
NIGHT-7:30

24

25

6 p.m.
Newsletter
Mailing Party
7:30 Friday
Night Dinner

CHRISTMAS

3 1

1

7:30 Friday
Night Dinner

NEW YEAR'S
DAY

7

8

n..m
(C Ill((J)A.lilll>7:30 Friday
MIB:IB:'ll'IIN<G,Night Dinner
7:l®Qt:3(1)

Sat

Fri

Thu

Wed

Tue

Mon

Sun

7:00 p.m.
Umoja
Hermanas
Meeting

Ire.
P.O.BOX 180446
DALLAS, TEXAS 75218-0446
FORWARDING ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
FORWARDING AND RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED

N::n-ib:lfit
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PAID
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1197

r::allas,'.IE!>0S



A FEW THOUGHTS
by Ann, LRC President

The Lesbian Resource Centre has begun to make major liaisons with the larger Dallas Lesbian and Gay community.
We continue to cherish and protect the woman space of the LRC. To use a line from a song, "There's something
about the women." The new women, women who are returning, and the women who have been at the LRC all along
make the Centre what is it. You are neededto get involved with one of our committees:
EDUCATION
Chair: Jeanne
The Education Committee is responsible for the publication of educational literature, brochures and informational tracts. The Corporation lending library, Womyn
forWomyn University, and Speakers Bureau are also part of this committee.

FACil.ITIES
Chair: Diane
The Facilities Committee maintains the building and grounds,
and makes recommendations to the Board for necessary improvements.
FUND-RAISING

Chair: Ila

The Fund-raising

Committee develops fund-raising

plans

and implements them.
GRANTS/FOUNDATIONS
Chair: Carolyn
The Grants and Foundations Committee researches sources
of grants and foundation monies that the Centre may wish to apply for.
MEMBERSHIP
Chair: Ann
The Membership Committee is responsible for obtaining new
members through membership drives, solicitation and other recruitment methods.

Chair: Mary
The New Building Task Force is collecting information regarding the logistics, finances, availability, etc of the LRC relocating to a larger, more physic~ly stable facility.

NEW Bun.DING

NEWSLETTER

Chairs:Mary and

Carolyn
The Newsletter Committee is responsible
publication, and mailing of the Corporation Newsletter.

for the layout,

Chair: Marlza
The Policy and Procedure Task Force is collecting information regarding on the policies and operations of the Centre in order to develop a manual that can be used by the
Board of Directors, committees, and members. The manual will serve as a resource and guidebook to insure
consistent procedures.

POLICY&: PROCEDURE

Chair: Judy
The Chair of the Special Events Committee updates the
Corporation calendar, denoting when the facilities will be available for Corporation activities and for use by other
organizations or individuals, subject to approval by the Board. The Special Events Committee is responsible for
community dances, programs, and other events specifically held by the corporation.
SPECIAL EVENTS

Chair: Janice
The Support Groups Committee members serve as liaisons to
the Friday Night Dinner, Wednesday Night Discussion, Umoja Hermanas, Women en Cambio, Womyn of Color
Poetiy, etc.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Please leave a message for any of these women at 821-3999 to join their committee.
Wherever you are, whatever you do ... I encourage you to be good to yourself and all other women.

THE LEGAL STUFF
The lesbian Resource Centre exists to create physical space
where lesbians are valued for themselves. This space,
committed to a feminist philosophy will offer resources to
all lesbians. The LRC Newsletter is published monthly.
Our address is: LRC, P.O. Box 180446, Dallas TX
75218-0446.

BOARDOF DIRECTORS
Ann Brown, President
Rosa Lopez
Dawynn Edwards, Vice-President Mary Ortega
Lurese Terrell, Treasurer
Carolyn Rowley
Pam Tise, Secretary
Lori Strong
Vicki Harris

TAX INFO

Womyn for Womyn, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Your donations are
tax deductible. All tnfonnation provided to
Womyn for Womyn is kept strictly confidential. For more information, please call:

Dear LRC friends:
I would like to thank you all and tell you collectively how
appreciative I am for your strengths and weaknesses, for it is all
important and instrumentally vital to inner growth.
My hope is that your organization will grow as you do individually. To reach out and expand, not to a level of tolerance, but
rather wholistically with universal acceptance based on genuine love
for the miracle of life.
We daily have opportunity to motivate ourselves with the
simple acknowledgment that we are, we live.
I personally do not see" eye to eye" with many of you -but I feel
"heart to heart" with all of you.
May we recall and develop the "increasing susceptibilfty to
love extended by others", ALL OTHERS, "as well as the uncontrollable
urge to extend it".
Be well.
Rayva Sorrells

JUDITH

(214) 821-3999.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
We welcome your comments, news, suggestions,
and contributions. All material is due in Newsletter
box at the LAC on the 2nd Friday of the month, by 6:00
p.m. All submissions must include name, address,
and phone number; however, names will be withheld
upon request. Submissions are limited to 750 words
per printing and should be made on diskette, in any
PC readable format. Please call the LAC to schedule
time on the computer, if needed. If unable to utilize a
computer, any legible single-sheet format is acceptable. Tapes will be accepted from print-impaired
women. Name, address, and phone number must be
included on each page of all submissions,
well as
on tapes. Graphic art should be submitted in cameraready form. Submissions are printed on a "space
available" basis, in the following order of priority:

Please

CANNON,

PH.D.

INDIVIDUAL, COUPLE and FAMILY COUNSELING

3609 Cedar Springs
Dallas, Texas 75219
(214) 521-4810

support

the

as

Licensed'.lvforrul9eand '.Famify 'Ift£Tapist

.-------~------Southwestern Dental Associates, P.C

women

E. Michelle Morgan, D.D.S.
General Dentist

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The Legal Stuff & Membership Application
Newsabout the Centre
Calendar
Paid Ads
Letters to the Editor
Misc. Articles, Art, Personals, Classified

7140 Library Lane
Dallas, Texas 75232

(214) 228-2111
By Appointment Only

who

THEDISCLAIMER
The views expressed In this publication are those of
the Individual authors of the separate articles and
letters. Theseviews are not necessarily those of the
LRCor Ifs Board or of the editor.

Business Card
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THE RATES
1 mo. 6mos.
15
76
127
25
204
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382
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Personals/Classified $1 per line per month

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144
240
384
720

Carpets
Upholstery
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Dlwrries
Haitians
Draperies
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us!!

DONNA BIGELOW

3307 Kinmorc Street, Dallas, Texas 75223,

(214) 826-6133

NEWS AND NOTL'
BOARD NOTES

Readings at the LRC

Toe November 1st Board Meeting convened with a full
agenda for its first session since the October 24th
Annual Membership Meeting. We welcome our newest
member Mazy Ortega, who was voted in by the membership to replace outgoing board member Jeanne
Rubin. Many thanks to Jeanne for all her hard work,
and a hearty Welcome Aboard to Mazy! Also on the
agenda was the signing of the new By Laws amendments
(which incidentally are available at the Centre to all
interested women) and the selection of members and
chairpersons to committees and task forces. Board
meetings are open to all women and we encourage you
to come and share your ideas, sign up for a committee,
volunteer your time, or just listen and obseive. We
meet the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
here at the Centre. Come be a part!

Marlena and Astrid Mora, friends through many lifetimes,
come to share their insights with you through:
Rainbow Readings
Palmistry
Vibrational Attunement
They will be at the LAC on some Friday evenings and some
Sundays during library hours beginning December.

Education Committee Meeting
Come One Come All! Topics to be discussed, explored, etc...
Womyn for Womyn University Winter Term, Library, Speakers
Bureau, and Lesbian Herstory Archives Project. Women with an
interest in Public Relations and advertisingare especiallyneeded.
Call Jeanne for more information.
•

Did You Know
by Lori Strong
On October 19th, the Womyn Against Racism group took a
field trip to Arlington to be a part of the Change of Heart
Dialogue series sponsored by the Tarrant County Institute
for the Healing of Racism. The purpose of the series is "to
acknowledge and to foster the essential oneness of the
human race ... and to agree that the struggle against racism
must, first and foremost, be waged in the human heart." The
Womyn Against Racism group meets the third Tuesday of
each month at 7 p.m. at the LRC. We provide a safe, informal
atmosphere in which to discuss, explore and dialogue about
the crippling disease of racism. All womyn are invited to
join us with special outreach encouraged to my whiteskinned sisters. Let's all make a commitmentto become part
of the solution - come join us! And let the healing begin ...

Need Money

Group for Latina Lesbians Forming
All
LRC members
are
eligible
to
join
the
Women's Southwest
Federal
Credit
Union.
New
car loans
are
available
for
6. 7 5%.
Share
secured
signature
loans
are 6%. Mastercards
are available
for members,
so go ahead
and
apply!
Call Mary Deskins
at 368-4466
at the
credit
union
office.
Open Tues-Thurs
and
Saturdays.

How to Buy a New Car

A newly-formed support group for Latina Lesbians is
seeking community involvement. The mission of the
group isto advocate for the emotional. social. political
and educational progress of Latina Lesbians. In order
to Identify the basic need of Latina Lesbians in the
Dallas Metro area. this organization is conducting a
survey of Latinas and they need your help. In the
coming weeks the surveywill be distributed to churches.
local business. community centers and educational
institutions. For more information contact Josi Mata
(946-7108)or Rosa Lopez (320-6074).

If you are thinking about buying a car soon, attend this workshop

on November 20 from 10 am. to 12 noon at the Women's SW
G:reditUnion, 6300 N. Central, #100. Taught by Jan Knowles,
voted Best Car Salesperson in Dallas. Call 368-4466 for more
information.

Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are neededto deliver gifts on December5.
Everyone will meet at 1:00 at the Lesbian and Gay
Community Center on the comer of Brown andReagan.
Contact Jeanne Reyer at 528-4878 for more info.

Contest for Logo and

Newsletter Name

The Newsletter Committee is conducting a
contest for a name and logo for the LRC
newsletter.
Any logos submitted must be
black and white only.
Entries may be
mailed to the LRC Newsletter committee at
P.O. Box 180446, Dal las TX 75218-0446
by January 4, 1994.

Adoption As An Option
Jif9.{JjUO:FTHEAfOJ.[_T.J{
A big bouquet of lavender orchids to the
following members for agreeing to chair
committees for the next year: Diane, Ila,
Janice, Jeanne, Judy, Mariza, Polly. They
make the centre!
WORLD AIDS DAY
Date:
Place:
Time:

Wednesday, December 1
East Grand Recreation Center
3:00-8:00 p.m.

We encourage you all to attend. Call Tracee with any
questions call 819-1900.
The LRC also salutes Deb Trott, Director of Clinic & Client
Services and Jamie Shield, Director of Community Services & Education at the AIDS Resource Centre, Nelson
Tebedo Clinic (528-2336) for their recent program, "Lesbianism is No Condom Against AIDS" and their continuing
work. The Women's Health Program can be reached at
521-5131.

SILVERTHORN

A monthly discussiongroup for women only who are
interestedin leather, etc. All orientationsare welcome.
The next meeting will be December15, 8:00p.m. at the
Desert Moon.

llUPIDWN
RfAI.TORS

26/2 &/I Simi &MrKinnry

Dnllas,'Ji,xas75204. /002
1/>lrphonr:214.979.0000

DEB ELDER

Fanimik: 214.979.0107

RPnltor-Ml.S
Messagr: 733. 9644

"}'1110

C:ommunif)' ,\jmialist For !.Pming, .Vlling

& Nuyi,q('

by Alpha Thomas
Two years ago I decided I wanted to be a parent. I had a great
desire to become pregnant. The fear of HIV infection, however,
caused me to abandon the thought. I began to explore other
options with my partner.
One day my partner came home from work with an African
American newspaper which featured adoption as its main story.
As I read the article I also saw pictures of beautiful children who
were in need of a home. My partner was so excited about the
article that she insisted I call the contact agency the following
day. I was somewhat apprehensive about doing so because I
feared being rejected due to homophobia. I decided to go ahead
and make the call and was connected with a community organization that assists African Americans with the adoption
process.
I found out about the community organization's next meeting
by making the call. I attended the meeting and met some
wonderful people who were involved with the group. There I
was connected with an adoption agency that had children
waiting to be adopted. I began to interface with this agency and
worked to complete all the requirements and challenges I faced
with them.
During this process the issue of my sexuality surfaced. I was
faced with the challenge of lying or "coming out". I decided it
was best to be honest, so I came out. In the long run my sexuality
wasn't an issue and a child was placed in my home. After eleven
months, I was able to legally adopt the child and we are a proud
and happy family today.
Historically, we as lesbians, bisexual, and gays have assisted in
the child-rearing process within our families in numerous
ways.* Today, we no longer have to remain silenced and
closeted about who we are.
WE TOO CAN ADOPT. WON'T YOU HELP? A CHILD IS
WAITING!
• There is no law that prohibits gays, lesbians, or bisexuals from adopting in the state ofT~xas.

Mary K. Grigsby, M.Ed.,

LPC, LMIT

30 minute FREEConsultation

. Individual &..Group Therapy • Addictions
•• ChronicIllnesses· HIV • Sexual Abuse

Marti B. Kranzberg, Ph.D .
Clinical Psychologist

(214) 521-1213
3514 Cedar Springs Rd.,
Dallas Texas 75219

NLP Master Practitioner
Insurance Filed

5206 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75205
(214) 528-1815

FACILITATOR/ WORKSHOP INFORMATION SHEET
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
TELEPHONE NUMBERS

ZIP ----

Workshop Category:
Description of workshop content, please describe what process your
workshop will follow:
1) group discussion, panel discussion, lecture, physical interaction
2) what is expected of participants
3) what you'd like to see come out of the workshop

Group Affiliations:

History of working with this issue: _____________

_

Will materials will be necessary for the workshop (slide projectors,
microphones, etc.):

Best time to reach me:

------------

Please return this form to the LAC or mail to P.O. Box 180446, Dallas TX 75218-0446

r.---------------------------------------7
NewsletterSubscription Form

1

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1 Please keepmeonthemailinglistfor the Womyn for Womyn Newsletter! I understand
I run for one year from the next issue following receipt of my check or money order.

my subscription will

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Return to LAC, P.O. Box 180446, Dallas TX 75218-0446 --=--=--=--=--=--=--=--_J-

TLC '94 Needs Workshops

'
The Texas Lesbian Conference TLC '94 workshop committee is distributing the first call for workshop
Proposals for interested presenters. The 7th annual TLC entitled Salud! Celebrating Our Community,
Celebrating Ourselves will be held in San Antonio on May 13 to 15 at the Wyndham Hotel.

Lesbians are invited to share their experiences, knowledge, expertise and vision for the empowerment
of our community is approximately 26 conference workshops. Conference fees will be waived to two
presenters per workshop.
All interested presenters should submit a workshop proposal of 100 words or less by December 6 to:
TLC '94 Workshop Committee, P.O. Box 12327, San Antonio TX 78212 or call during the evenings at
(210) 626-1617 or (210) 656-0375.
A one hour session that is interactive and sensitive to a diverse multicultural audience is encouraged.
Some committee suggestions for workshop topics include (but are not limited to): Relationships, Legal
Issues, Lesbians in Business, Health Issues, and Multicultural Issues.
A Dallas planning group for TLC met for the first meeting in November. Possible workshops suggestions
were discussed. They include: Wellness, Lesbian Parenting, Coming Out, Intimacy, Spirituality, Leather
Awareness, Cultural Diversity, Butch/Fem Identity, Oppression, Recovery, and many more.
Please complete the Facilitator/Workshop Information form enclosed in this issue of the LRC newsletter
if you are interested in presenting. We would like to have a significant contingent of Dallas women involved
in the Texas Lesbian Conference. More information will be forthcoming regarding hous_ing,registration,
scholarships, etc.
Josi Mata serves as the coordinator for the Dallas group. You may leave a message for her at 821-3999.
The next meeting will be 2:00, December 4 at the LRC. We encourageyou to come and participate.

~-------------------------------------------,

Womyn for
~embership

Womyn
Form

~ame: ________________
~ddress: _____________

_
_

City/State/Zip:__________
_
~elephone:___________
_
I Womyn for Womyn, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your

l.. donations are tax deductable. All information providedto Womyn for

PLEASE CHECK
A MEMBERSHIP LEVEL:

FOUNDINGMOTHER
(10$ PER MONTH)
CONTRIBUTINGMEMBER
(40$ PER YEAR)
PARTICIPATINGNOTINGMEMBER __
(40$ PER YEAR)
BENEFACTOR
(2SO$- 500$ PE;'~~R)

romyn is kept strictly confidential. For more information. please call: (214)
821-3999. Mail your completed form along with your paymentto:
CORPORATE MEMBER
LRC, P.O. Box 180446, Dallas, Texas. 75218 _ . __
. _( 200l£>ERYEARL ____________

l____

_

_

"I like butch . .. "
IN PRAISE OF PURPLE WOMEN
by Beverly Bennett
I've notice a nasty trend lately. I call it "butch backlash." I wonder
ifl'm the only femme left on the face of the earth who is not afraid
to say "I want a butch." I keep running into women at parties who
say things like "I'm' out' now. I can't afford to take a dykey woman
home to Mother." "Butch women turn me off. I want a lipstick
lesbian." "Butch women are just like me. If I wanted a man, I'd
get a real one."
I've been told I'm a lipstick lesbian - you know, that chic darling
of the media. For years I thought I was femme. Now I learn I'm
the latest trend in lesbianville.
Well, I think it's time to give butches a little affinnation. Our
community is quick to forget that the butch women and nellie
queens fought our battles at Stonewall. I'm not advocating going
back to the restrictive days of the 1950s and '60s stereotypes. But
neither do I want to see us throw away our heritage. The butchfemme couple is a long tradition. They are our history -- our
foremothers. They were our Patiences and Sarahs, our Gertrudes
and Alices, our passing women and their "wives."
Most of us who fall into the butch-femme couple category have
subtler distinctions today. Today's butch can be found in corporate
drag. Our femme women are lawyers and doctors. I've been
known to ear a tie, and I doubt anyone would call me "passive."
Still, most ofus instinctively know who leads on the dance floor.
From the time I was a little girl I've loved androgynous women.
Over the years, all my long-tenn lovers have been butch. Some
didn't claim the title, but I knew who they were.
Butch goes a lot deeper than how one dresses. I know a lot of butch
women who wear corporate drag to work everyday, but thatdoesn 't
make them less butch. Butch is an attitude. It's the way one carries
herself. It is an unmistakable air of androgyny any femme lesbian
can identify blindfolded at 100 paces! It is an unspoken erotic
energy that has to do with power on many levels. Butches are the
women you meet in public who you don't have to ask "Are you
gay?" You just know.
I've tried dating femme women. I can't say they haven't turned my
head, but neither do they light my fire. They rarely sustain my
interest. Jo Ann Loulan, therapist and lesbian sexuality author,
says we have our own erotic dance. We know and recognize each
other. Her scale of one to nine defines one as extremely femme and
nine as extremely butch. She says most women want to be in the
middle, but our friends and lovers usually place us elsewhere along
the scale. For instance, I see myself as a four who likes sixes and
sevens. Loulan says few of us are ones and nines.

I don't know when this anti-butch trend started, but it is
alive and well in the personals. Read them and you'll see
ads that say "Femme woman seeks the same for romantic
evenings and possible relationship. No butches please!"
I realize not everyone's taste is the same. Some femme
lesbians far prefer each other, but I can't help but wonder
how many of these women simply don't want to be seen in
public with a butch.
How often have you hear that old line, If only we could all
turn puiple, the world would see our strength and number?"
Butch women already are "puiple." They don't hide.
When a butch woman wears a dress and heels, she still be~
that unmistakable air that says "lesbian" all over her
person. No matter how much she tries to fool herself and
others in her camouflage, deep down she knows that "they
know." She knows even if no one talks about it or says the
"L" word.
Perhaps this visibility is one of the things I have long
admired. I've often taken a particular delight in being seen
in public with butches. They help make my own lesbian
identity visible. Together we look like lesbians. By myself,
I get lost in the crowd of straight women.
I think it is time to stop "butch bashing." Our androgynous
sisters fight battles for us daily just in their very existence.
It is not easy living life "puiple." It carries an emotional
price tag. If our lesbian community does not give each
other validation who will?
I never knew I was going to become a fashion trend.
I always thoughtldressed this way, woremyhairthis way,
wore my makeup this way to please myself, and because
I wanted butch women to notice me. I wanted to please
them.
I'm tired of hearing the phrase, "If I wanted a man, I'd get
a real one." I know very few butch women who want to be
men. I know no femmes who want to turn their lovers into
men. We are not playing roles. This is my life. I am
domestic because I like it. My lovers mowed my yard and
fixed my sink because they felt they were contributing to
our household. My first lover was a whiz in the kitchen.
She taught me how to cook. I was always in charge of the
finances. Our household duties were not set in cement. My
lovers made love to me to please me. Men make love to
women for their won gratification.
My butch lovers and friends are not pseudo men. They are
strong women who live "puiple" everyday of their lives
while the rest of us pick and choose our visibility.
With permission of Alliance News of the
Tarrant County Lesbian/Gay Alliance

28 Nov 1993 - 8 Jan 1994

WOMYN FOR WOMYN
28

29

30

2

6

7

8

9

1-5:00 Library 6:00 Domestic
Violence Task
Open
Force
LRC Clean
Up&Work Party
1:00

12

13

20

15

16

21

22

23

Women Against ISTDAYOF
Racism 7-9:00 WINTER

1-5:00 Library
Open
LRC Clean
Up&Work Party
1:00

26

14

7:30 Over 38's 7:30 Wed. Night
Group Meeting Discussion
Group

1-5:00 Library
Open
Womyn en
Cambio Brunch
&Meeting
10-12:30

19

3

7:30 Wed. Night Il..Jllt(C lllO A.lilll>7:30 Friday
Discussion
Mllll 'll'IIN<G, Night Dinner
Group
7:lillaf:3(1)
WORLD AIDS
DAY

1-5:00 Library
Open

5

1

27

28

29

1-5:00 Library
Open
Kwanzaa Begins

7:30 Over 38's 7:30 Wed. Night
Group Meeting Discussion
Group

2
3
Library
6:00 Domestic
1-5:00
Violence Task
Open
Force
LRC Clean
Up&Work Party
1:00

4

5

30

6

4
TLC Meeting
2:00

10

11

7:30 Friday
Night Dinner
Deadline-6
p.m.
Editorial 6:00

7:00 p.m.
Umoja
Hermanas
Meeting

17

18

7:30 Friday
Night Dinner

GAME
NIGHT-7:30

24

25

6 p.m.
Newsletter
Mailing Party
7:30 Friday
Night Dinner

CHRISTMAS

3 1

1

7:30 Friday
Night Dinner

NEW YEAR'S
DAY

7

8

n..m
(C Ill((J)A.lilll>7:30 Friday
MIB:IB:'ll'IIN<G,Night Dinner
7:l®Qt:3(1)

Sat

Fri

Thu

Wed

Tue

Mon

Sun

7:00 p.m.
Umoja
Hermanas
Meeting

Ire.
P.O.BOX 180446
DALLAS, TEXAS 75218-0446
FORWARDING ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
FORWARDING AND RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED

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A FEW THOUGHTS
by Ann, LRC President

The Lesbian Resource Centre has begun to make major liaisons with the larger Dallas Lesbian and Gay community.
We continue to cherish and protect the woman space of the LRC. To use a line from a song, "There's something
about the women." The new women, women who are returning, and the women who have been at the LRC all along
make the Centre what is it. You are neededto get involved with one of our committees:
EDUCATION
Chair: Jeanne
The Education Committee is responsible for the publication of educational literature, brochures and informational tracts. The Corporation lending library, Womyn
forWomyn University, and Speakers Bureau are also part of this committee.

FACil.ITIES
Chair: Diane
The Facilities Committee maintains the building and grounds,
and makes recommendations to the Board for necessary improvements.
FUND-RAISING

Chair: Ila

The Fund-raising

Committee develops fund-raising

plans

and implements them.
GRANTS/FOUNDATIONS
Chair: Carolyn
The Grants and Foundations Committee researches sources
of grants and foundation monies that the Centre may wish to apply for.
MEMBERSHIP
Chair: Ann
The Membership Committee is responsible for obtaining new
members through membership drives, solicitation and other recruitment methods.

Chair: Mary
The New Building Task Force is collecting information regarding the logistics, finances, availability, etc of the LRC relocating to a larger, more physic~ly stable facility.

NEW Bun.DING

NEWSLETTER

Chairs:Mary and

Carolyn
The Newsletter Committee is responsible
publication, and mailing of the Corporation Newsletter.

for the layout,

Chair: Marlza
The Policy and Procedure Task Force is collecting information regarding on the policies and operations of the Centre in order to develop a manual that can be used by the
Board of Directors, committees, and members. The manual will serve as a resource and guidebook to insure
consistent procedures.

POLICY&: PROCEDURE

Chair: Judy
The Chair of the Special Events Committee updates the
Corporation calendar, denoting when the facilities will be available for Corporation activities and for use by other
organizations or individuals, subject to approval by the Board. The Special Events Committee is responsible for
community dances, programs, and other events specifically held by the corporation.
SPECIAL EVENTS

Chair: Janice
The Support Groups Committee members serve as liaisons to
the Friday Night Dinner, Wednesday Night Discussion, Umoja Hermanas, Women en Cambio, Womyn of Color
Poetiy, etc.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Please leave a message for any of these women at 821-3999 to join their committee.
Wherever you are, whatever you do ... I encourage you to be good to yourself and all other women.

THE LEGAL STUFF
The lesbian Resource Centre exists to create physical space
where lesbians are valued for themselves. This space,
committed to a feminist philosophy will offer resources to
all lesbians. The LRC Newsletter is published monthly.
Our address is: LRC, P.O. Box 180446, Dallas TX
75218-0446.

BOARDOF DIRECTORS
Ann Brown, President
Rosa Lopez
Dawynn Edwards, Vice-President Mary Ortega
Lurese Terrell, Treasurer
Carolyn Rowley
Pam Tise, Secretary
Lori Strong
Vicki Harris

TAX INFO

Womyn for Womyn, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Your donations are
tax deductible. All tnfonnation provided to
Womyn for Womyn is kept strictly confidential. For more information, please call:

Dear LRC friends:
I would like to thank you all and tell you collectively how
appreciative I am for your strengths and weaknesses, for it is all
important and instrumentally vital to inner growth.
My hope is that your organization will grow as you do individually. To reach out and expand, not to a level of tolerance, but
rather wholistically with universal acceptance based on genuine love
for the miracle of life.
We daily have opportunity to motivate ourselves with the
simple acknowledgment that we are, we live.
I personally do not see" eye to eye" with many of you -but I feel
"heart to heart" with all of you.
May we recall and develop the "increasing susceptibilfty to
love extended by others", ALL OTHERS, "as well as the uncontrollable
urge to extend it".
Be well.
Rayva Sorrells

JUDITH

(214) 821-3999.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
We welcome your comments, news, suggestions,
and contributions. All material is due in Newsletter
box at the LAC on the 2nd Friday of the month, by 6:00
p.m. All submissions must include name, address,
and phone number; however, names will be withheld
upon request. Submissions are limited to 750 words
per printing and should be made on diskette, in any
PC readable format. Please call the LAC to schedule
time on the computer, if needed. If unable to utilize a
computer, any legible single-sheet format is acceptable. Tapes will be accepted from print-impaired
women. Name, address, and phone number must be
included on each page of all submissions,
well as
on tapes. Graphic art should be submitted in cameraready form. Submissions are printed on a "space
available" basis, in the following order of priority:

Please

CANNON,

PH.D.

INDIVIDUAL, COUPLE and FAMILY COUNSELING

3609 Cedar Springs
Dallas, Texas 75219
(214) 521-4810

support

the

as

Licensed'.lvforrul9eand '.Famify 'Ift£Tapist

.-------~------Southwestern Dental Associates, P.C

women

E. Michelle Morgan, D.D.S.
General Dentist

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

The Legal Stuff & Membership Application
Newsabout the Centre
Calendar
Paid Ads
Letters to the Editor
Misc. Articles, Art, Personals, Classified

7140 Library Lane
Dallas, Texas 75232

(214) 228-2111
By Appointment Only

who

THEDISCLAIMER
The views expressed In this publication are those of
the Individual authors of the separate articles and
letters. Theseviews are not necessarily those of the
LRCor Ifs Board or of the editor.

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12mos.
144
240
384
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Carpets
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3307 Kinmorc Street, Dallas, Texas 75223,

(214) 826-6133

NEWS AND NOTL'
BOARD NOTES

Readings at the LRC

Toe November 1st Board Meeting convened with a full
agenda for its first session since the October 24th
Annual Membership Meeting. We welcome our newest
member Mazy Ortega, who was voted in by the membership to replace outgoing board member Jeanne
Rubin. Many thanks to Jeanne for all her hard work,
and a hearty Welcome Aboard to Mazy! Also on the
agenda was the signing of the new By Laws amendments
(which incidentally are available at the Centre to all
interested women) and the selection of members and
chairpersons to committees and task forces. Board
meetings are open to all women and we encourage you
to come and share your ideas, sign up for a committee,
volunteer your time, or just listen and obseive. We
meet the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m.
here at the Centre. Come be a part!

Marlena and Astrid Mora, friends through many lifetimes,
come to share their insights with you through:
Rainbow Readings
Palmistry
Vibrational Attunement
They will be at the LAC on some Friday evenings and some
Sundays during library hours beginning December.

Education Committee Meeting
Come One Come All! Topics to be discussed, explored, etc...
Womyn for Womyn University Winter Term, Library, Speakers
Bureau, and Lesbian Herstory Archives Project. Women with an
interest in Public Relations and advertisingare especiallyneeded.
Call Jeanne for more information.
•

Did You Know
by Lori Strong
On October 19th, the Womyn Against Racism group took a
field trip to Arlington to be a part of the Change of Heart
Dialogue series sponsored by the Tarrant County Institute
for the Healing of Racism. The purpose of the series is "to
acknowledge and to foster the essential oneness of the
human race ... and to agree that the struggle against racism
must, first and foremost, be waged in the human heart." The
Womyn Against Racism group meets the third Tuesday of
each month at 7 p.m. at the LRC. We provide a safe, informal
atmosphere in which to discuss, explore and dialogue about
the crippling disease of racism. All womyn are invited to
join us with special outreach encouraged to my whiteskinned sisters. Let's all make a commitmentto become part
of the solution - come join us! And let the healing begin ...

Need Money

Group for Latina Lesbians Forming
All
LRC members
are
eligible
to
join
the
Women's Southwest
Federal
Credit
Union.
New
car loans
are
available
for
6. 7 5%.
Share
secured
signature
loans
are 6%. Mastercards
are available
for members,
so go ahead
and
apply!
Call Mary Deskins
at 368-4466
at the
credit
union
office.
Open Tues-Thurs
and
Saturdays.

How to Buy a New Car

A newly-formed support group for Latina Lesbians is
seeking community involvement. The mission of the
group isto advocate for the emotional. social. political
and educational progress of Latina Lesbians. In order
to Identify the basic need of Latina Lesbians in the
Dallas Metro area. this organization is conducting a
survey of Latinas and they need your help. In the
coming weeks the surveywill be distributed to churches.
local business. community centers and educational
institutions. For more information contact Josi Mata
(946-7108)or Rosa Lopez (320-6074).

If you are thinking about buying a car soon, attend this workshop

on November 20 from 10 am. to 12 noon at the Women's SW
G:reditUnion, 6300 N. Central, #100. Taught by Jan Knowles,
voted Best Car Salesperson in Dallas. Call 368-4466 for more
information.

Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are neededto deliver gifts on December5.
Everyone will meet at 1:00 at the Lesbian and Gay
Community Center on the comer of Brown andReagan.
Contact Jeanne Reyer at 528-4878 for more info.

Contest for Logo and

Newsletter Name

The Newsletter Committee is conducting a
contest for a name and logo for the LRC
newsletter.
Any logos submitted must be
black and white only.
Entries may be
mailed to the LRC Newsletter committee at
P.O. Box 180446, Dal las TX 75218-0446
by January 4, 1994.

Adoption As An Option
Jif9.{JjUO:FTHEAfOJ.[_T.J{
A big bouquet of lavender orchids to the
following members for agreeing to chair
committees for the next year: Diane, Ila,
Janice, Jeanne, Judy, Mariza, Polly. They
make the centre!
WORLD AIDS DAY
Date:
Place:
Time:

Wednesday, December 1
East Grand Recreation Center
3:00-8:00 p.m.

We encourage you all to attend. Call Tracee with any
questions call 819-1900.
The LRC also salutes Deb Trott, Director of Clinic & Client
Services and Jamie Shield, Director of Community Services & Education at the AIDS Resource Centre, Nelson
Tebedo Clinic (528-2336) for their recent program, "Lesbianism is No Condom Against AIDS" and their continuing
work. The Women's Health Program can be reached at
521-5131.

SILVERTHORN

A monthly discussiongroup for women only who are
interestedin leather, etc. All orientationsare welcome.
The next meeting will be December15, 8:00p.m. at the
Desert Moon.

llUPIDWN
RfAI.TORS

26/2 &/I Simi &MrKinnry

Dnllas,'Ji,xas75204. /002
1/>lrphonr:214.979.0000

DEB ELDER

Fanimik: 214.979.0107

RPnltor-Ml.S
Messagr: 733. 9644

"}'1110

C:ommunif)' ,\jmialist For !.Pming, .Vlling

& Nuyi,q('

by Alpha Thomas
Two years ago I decided I wanted to be a parent. I had a great
desire to become pregnant. The fear of HIV infection, however,
caused me to abandon the thought. I began to explore other
options with my partner.
One day my partner came home from work with an African
American newspaper which featured adoption as its main story.
As I read the article I also saw pictures of beautiful children who
were in need of a home. My partner was so excited about the
article that she insisted I call the contact agency the following
day. I was somewhat apprehensive about doing so because I
feared being rejected due to homophobia. I decided to go ahead
and make the call and was connected with a community organization that assists African Americans with the adoption
process.
I found out about the community organization's next meeting
by making the call. I attended the meeting and met some
wonderful people who were involved with the group. There I
was connected with an adoption agency that had children
waiting to be adopted. I began to interface with this agency and
worked to complete all the requirements and challenges I faced
with them.
During this process the issue of my sexuality surfaced. I was
faced with the challenge of lying or "coming out". I decided it
was best to be honest, so I came out. In the long run my sexuality
wasn't an issue and a child was placed in my home. After eleven
months, I was able to legally adopt the child and we are a proud
and happy family today.
Historically, we as lesbians, bisexual, and gays have assisted in
the child-rearing process within our families in numerous
ways.* Today, we no longer have to remain silenced and
closeted about who we are.
WE TOO CAN ADOPT. WON'T YOU HELP? A CHILD IS
WAITING!
• There is no law that prohibits gays, lesbians, or bisexuals from adopting in the state ofT~xas.

Mary K. Grigsby, M.Ed.,

LPC, LMIT

30 minute FREEConsultation

. Individual &..Group Therapy • Addictions
•• ChronicIllnesses· HIV • Sexual Abuse

Marti B. Kranzberg, Ph.D .
Clinical Psychologist

(214) 521-1213
3514 Cedar Springs Rd.,
Dallas Texas 75219

NLP Master Practitioner
Insurance Filed

5206 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75205
(214) 528-1815

FACILITATOR/ WORKSHOP INFORMATION SHEET
NAME
ADDRESS
CITY
TELEPHONE NUMBERS

ZIP ----

Workshop Category:
Description of workshop content, please describe what process your
workshop will follow:
1) group discussion, panel discussion, lecture, physical interaction
2) what is expected of participants
3) what you'd like to see come out of the workshop

Group Affiliations:

History of working with this issue: _____________

_

Will materials will be necessary for the workshop (slide projectors,
microphones, etc.):

Best time to reach me:

------------

Please return this form to the LAC or mail to P.O. Box 180446, Dallas TX 75218-0446

r.---------------------------------------7
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TLC '94 Needs Workshops

'
The Texas Lesbian Conference TLC '94 workshop committee is distributing the first call for workshop
Proposals for interested presenters. The 7th annual TLC entitled Salud! Celebrating Our Community,
Celebrating Ourselves will be held in San Antonio on May 13 to 15 at the Wyndham Hotel.

Lesbians are invited to share their experiences, knowledge, expertise and vision for the empowerment
of our community is approximately 26 conference workshops. Conference fees will be waived to two
presenters per workshop.
All interested presenters should submit a workshop proposal of 100 words or less by December 6 to:
TLC '94 Workshop Committee, P.O. Box 12327, San Antonio TX 78212 or call during the evenings at
(210) 626-1617 or (210) 656-0375.
A one hour session that is interactive and sensitive to a diverse multicultural audience is encouraged.
Some committee suggestions for workshop topics include (but are not limited to): Relationships, Legal
Issues, Lesbians in Business, Health Issues, and Multicultural Issues.
A Dallas planning group for TLC met for the first meeting in November. Possible workshops suggestions
were discussed. They include: Wellness, Lesbian Parenting, Coming Out, Intimacy, Spirituality, Leather
Awareness, Cultural Diversity, Butch/Fem Identity, Oppression, Recovery, and many more.
Please complete the Facilitator/Workshop Information form enclosed in this issue of the LRC newsletter
if you are interested in presenting. We would like to have a significant contingent of Dallas women involved
in the Texas Lesbian Conference. More information will be forthcoming regarding hous_ing,registration,
scholarships, etc.
Josi Mata serves as the coordinator for the Dallas group. You may leave a message for her at 821-3999.
The next meeting will be 2:00, December 4 at the LRC. We encourageyou to come and participate.

~-------------------------------------------,

Womyn for
~embership

Womyn
Form

~ame: ________________
~ddress: _____________

_
_

City/State/Zip:__________
_
~elephone:___________
_
I Womyn for Womyn, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your

l.. donations are tax deductable. All information providedto Womyn for

PLEASE CHECK
A MEMBERSHIP LEVEL:

FOUNDINGMOTHER
(10$ PER MONTH)
CONTRIBUTINGMEMBER
(40$ PER YEAR)
PARTICIPATINGNOTINGMEMBER __
(40$ PER YEAR)
BENEFACTOR
(2SO$- 500$ PE;'~~R)

romyn is kept strictly confidential. For more information. please call: (214)
821-3999. Mail your completed form along with your paymentto:
CORPORATE MEMBER
LRC, P.O. Box 180446, Dallas, Texas. 75218 _ . __
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_

"I like butch . .. "
IN PRAISE OF PURPLE WOMEN
by Beverly Bennett
I've notice a nasty trend lately. I call it "butch backlash." I wonder
ifl'm the only femme left on the face of the earth who is not afraid
to say "I want a butch." I keep running into women at parties who
say things like "I'm' out' now. I can't afford to take a dykey woman
home to Mother." "Butch women turn me off. I want a lipstick
lesbian." "Butch women are just like me. If I wanted a man, I'd
get a real one."
I've been told I'm a lipstick lesbian - you know, that chic darling
of the media. For years I thought I was femme. Now I learn I'm
the latest trend in lesbianville.
Well, I think it's time to give butches a little affinnation. Our
community is quick to forget that the butch women and nellie
queens fought our battles at Stonewall. I'm not advocating going
back to the restrictive days of the 1950s and '60s stereotypes. But
neither do I want to see us throw away our heritage. The butchfemme couple is a long tradition. They are our history -- our
foremothers. They were our Patiences and Sarahs, our Gertrudes
and Alices, our passing women and their "wives."
Most of us who fall into the butch-femme couple category have
subtler distinctions today. Today's butch can be found in corporate
drag. Our femme women are lawyers and doctors. I've been
known to ear a tie, and I doubt anyone would call me "passive."
Still, most ofus instinctively know who leads on the dance floor.
From the time I was a little girl I've loved androgynous women.
Over the years, all my long-tenn lovers have been butch. Some
didn't claim the title, but I knew who they were.
Butch goes a lot deeper than how one dresses. I know a lot of butch
women who wear corporate drag to work everyday, but thatdoesn 't
make them less butch. Butch is an attitude. It's the way one carries
herself. It is an unmistakable air of androgyny any femme lesbian
can identify blindfolded at 100 paces! It is an unspoken erotic
energy that has to do with power on many levels. Butches are the
women you meet in public who you don't have to ask "Are you
gay?" You just know.
I've tried dating femme women. I can't say they haven't turned my
head, but neither do they light my fire. They rarely sustain my
interest. Jo Ann Loulan, therapist and lesbian sexuality author,
says we have our own erotic dance. We know and recognize each
other. Her scale of one to nine defines one as extremely femme and
nine as extremely butch. She says most women want to be in the
middle, but our friends and lovers usually place us elsewhere along
the scale. For instance, I see myself as a four who likes sixes and
sevens. Loulan says few of us are ones and nines.

I don't know when this anti-butch trend started, but it is
alive and well in the personals. Read them and you'll see
ads that say "Femme woman seeks the same for romantic
evenings and possible relationship. No butches please!"
I realize not everyone's taste is the same. Some femme
lesbians far prefer each other, but I can't help but wonder
how many of these women simply don't want to be seen in
public with a butch.
How often have you hear that old line, If only we could all
turn puiple, the world would see our strength and number?"
Butch women already are "puiple." They don't hide.
When a butch woman wears a dress and heels, she still be~
that unmistakable air that says "lesbian" all over her
person. No matter how much she tries to fool herself and
others in her camouflage, deep down she knows that "they
know." She knows even if no one talks about it or says the
"L" word.
Perhaps this visibility is one of the things I have long
admired. I've often taken a particular delight in being seen
in public with butches. They help make my own lesbian
identity visible. Together we look like lesbians. By myself,
I get lost in the crowd of straight women.
I think it is time to stop "butch bashing." Our androgynous
sisters fight battles for us daily just in their very existence.
It is not easy living life "puiple." It carries an emotional
price tag. If our lesbian community does not give each
other validation who will?
I never knew I was going to become a fashion trend.
I always thoughtldressed this way, woremyhairthis way,
wore my makeup this way to please myself, and because
I wanted butch women to notice me. I wanted to please
them.
I'm tired of hearing the phrase, "If I wanted a man, I'd get
a real one." I know very few butch women who want to be
men. I know no femmes who want to turn their lovers into
men. We are not playing roles. This is my life. I am
domestic because I like it. My lovers mowed my yard and
fixed my sink because they felt they were contributing to
our household. My first lover was a whiz in the kitchen.
She taught me how to cook. I was always in charge of the
finances. Our household duties were not set in cement. My
lovers made love to me to please me. Men make love to
women for their won gratification.
My butch lovers and friends are not pseudo men. They are
strong women who live "puiple" everyday of their lives
while the rest of us pick and choose our visibility.
With permission of Alliance News of the
Tarrant County Lesbian/Gay Alliance

28 Nov 1993 - 8 Jan 1994

WOMYN FOR WOMYN
28

29

30

2

6

7

8

9

1-5:00 Library 6:00 Domestic
Violence Task
Open
Force
LRC Clean
Up&Work Party
1:00

12

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15

16

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22

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Women Against ISTDAYOF
Racism 7-9:00 WINTER

1-5:00 Library
Open
LRC Clean
Up&Work Party
1:00

26

14

7:30 Over 38's 7:30 Wed. Night
Group Meeting Discussion
Group

1-5:00 Library
Open
Womyn en
Cambio Brunch
&Meeting
10-12:30

19

3

7:30 Wed. Night Il..Jllt(C lllO A.lilll>7:30 Friday
Discussion
Mllll 'll'IIN<G, Night Dinner
Group
7:lillaf:3(1)
WORLD AIDS
DAY

1-5:00 Library
Open

5

1

27

28

29

1-5:00 Library
Open
Kwanzaa Begins

7:30 Over 38's 7:30 Wed. Night
Group Meeting Discussion
Group

2
3
Library
6:00 Domestic
1-5:00
Violence Task
Open
Force
LRC Clean
Up&Work Party
1:00

4

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30

6

4
TLC Meeting
2:00

10

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7:30 Friday
Night Dinner
Deadline-6
p.m.
Editorial 6:00

7:00 p.m.
Umoja
Hermanas
Meeting

17

18

7:30 Friday
Night Dinner

GAME
NIGHT-7:30

24

25

6 p.m.
Newsletter
Mailing Party
7:30 Friday
Night Dinner

CHRISTMAS

3 1

1

7:30 Friday
Night Dinner

NEW YEAR'S
DAY

7

8

n..m
(C Ill((J)A.lilll>7:30 Friday
MIB:IB:'ll'IIN<G,Night Dinner
7:l®Qt:3(1)

Sat

Fri

Thu

Wed

Tue

Mon

Sun

7:00 p.m.
Umoja
Hermanas
Meeting

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