The Herland Voice : v.11: no.8(1994)
- Title
- The Herland Voice : v.11: no.8(1994)
- Description
- The Herland Voice is the monthly publication of Herland Sister Resources, a womanist organization with a strong lesbian focus based in Oklahoma City.
- Date Issued
- 1994-08
- Rights
- All rights reserved by Herland Sister Resources. Contact UCO Archives & Special Collections for the permission policy on the use, reproduction or distribution of these materials.
- Is Part Of
- Herland Voice
- Creator
- Herland Sister Resources
- Date
- 2017-09-02T16:59:54Z
- Date Available
- 2017-09-02T16:59:54Z
- Subject
- Oklahoma
- Type
- application/pdf
- extracted text
-
August, 1994
FEMALE CANDIDATE
FOR
OK
GOVERNOR
Anthea Maton, President, Metro OKC NOW
On Monday,July 18th, Metro OKC NOW gave the Oklahoma grassroots community and the general public a chance
to meet and talk with Bernice Shedrick. Shedrick, currently a
high-ranking State Senator, is hoping the be the first female
Governor of Oklahoma.
In the friendly setting of the Harvey House Cafe and
Bookstore, a small group, who made up for their paucity of
numbers with the quality of questions posed, took advantage
of the opportunity for access to her. Members of several
groups participated-the ACLU,NOW, OGLPC, OKC Bikers
(yes, really), Simply Equal, and the Orchestra League. Three
other candidates for public office also attended; Fanny Bates
·for Oklahoma County Commissioner, Jerry Wilson for Oklahoma County Assessor, and Jeffrey Tollett running for US
Congress in the 6th District.
Shedrick came across well, speaking easily of her plans for
the Governor's seat. When it came to question time, she
answered clearly and carefully. Her record suggests she will
be extremely supportive of individual rights, and she stressed
thatshebelieveseveryoneshouldbetreatedfairlyandequally.
She said she is making the bid because she wants to restore the
public'sfaithintheirgovemor. "lwantpeopletoknowwhen
their Governor tells them something, they can take it to the
bank," she said. '1 don't expect everyone to agree with me 100
percent of the time, but I want them to know they can trust me
100 percent of the time."
Shedrick said her campaign would focus on three primary issues: crime prevention, economic development and
jobs, and better opportunities in the areas of education and
health care.
Her record includes backing the Equal Rights Amendment, solid support for reproductive choice, and leadership
in education.
Shedrick has won the support and endorsement of National NOW and as such will receive some funding. She also
carries the support and financial blessing of EMILY's List, a
major national organization whose role is to provide money to
help in the election of Democratic women candidates. While
unable to officially endorse Shedrick (it is incredibly complicated and expensive to set up a PAC which is needed if
support is official), members of Oklahoma NOW are putting
their support behind Shedrick, volunteering at campaign
headquarters and elsewhere.
D
Volume 11 Number 8
OPERATION RESCUE AND RESCUE
AMERICA FAIL IN LITTLE ROCK
Nancy Dwyer
During the week of July 6 through July 9, Operation
Rescue and Rescue America attempted to close women's
clinics in Little Rock, Arkansas. Their impetus was two-fold:
to save the "unborn" and to thumb their noses at President
Clinton in his home state.
These groups failed in two respects. First, the clinics
remained open. Second, according to the Arkansas DemocratGazette, local churches refused to give support to these hate
groups, which are usually associated with violent tactics.
Judging by the small number of anti-choice demonstrators,
they failed to gamer the support of local people. It was
estimated that anti-choice protestors were outnumbered 3 to
1 by pro-choice demonstrators.
Little Rock police arrested 30 anti-choice demonstrators
on Friday, July 8, charging them as trespassers, a misdemeanor offense. It is still unclear whether those arrested will
face federal charges under the recently signed Freedom of
Access to Clinic Entrance law (FACE). Failure to file federal
charges leads one to wonder how serious police and local
officials are in protecting the rights of women.
Representatives of Oklahoma NOW traveled to Little
Rock to support the patients' choices in having abortions and
to aid the Arkansas Liberty Alliance, by keeping the clinics
open.
As a member of NOW and a participant in this defense of
the clinics, I would like to offer some of my thoughts about
choice." As I stood in the lines defending two different clinics
and following anti-choice protestors to Baptist Hospital and
Dr. Stover's house, I had opportunities to question the actions
andcontradictionsoftheso-called "pro-life" movement. (continued page 6)
11
BREAK-IN AT HERLAND
For the second time in three months, Herland has
been the target of burglars. Our air condi ti oner, S<?me
cash, CDs, and other items for sale have been taken.
While insurance will help some, the actualloss to Herland
is over $500.
We need your help to recover from this loss. Replacement of the air conditioner is greatly needed to
make Herland a more comfortable space during the
Oklahoma summer. Please consider making an extra
contribution to help Herland through this crisis.
Herland Sister Resources
2312 N.W. 39, OKC, OK 73112
Sr. Sve1L
Sybil yields her space this issue to letters from readers and her honorable
coleague and good friend, Margaret. She wishes only to remind Paul that
she did say, very clearly, "Ifs not all men, but its always men."
Dear Herland Voice,
I'm sorry to be having to write this letter, yet I feel I must. After
readingyour July issue I felt bothhurtand deeply disappointed on two
different fronts. Firstly, I'm very active in OGLPC, which I have seen
as somewhat of a sister organization, I believe we have more than
demonstrated friendship of Herland and support for its values and
goals, and I wonder if any other gay /lesbian organization has joint
fundraiserswithHerland. Wealsohaveseveralmembersincommon
and yet no mention was made of our participation in the pride opening
ceremonies nor of our participation and support of the Pride Summit.
I doubt that many other organizations have contributed more financially or have more consistently had representation at its planning
meetings. I have a difficult time believing that both omissions were
accidental oversights especially since some organizations mentioned
were far less frequently in attendance than we. Other members of
OGLPC some of whom are also members ofHerlandSister Resources
have expres.sed their shock to me about this also.
Secondly to St. Sybil: I'm afraid she has let her halo slip quite a bit
in the July issue, and I'm hoping (I'm afraid against hope) that the
Margaret that wrote the letter is not the Margaret I have considered a
friend.
Yes,Iamamaleandlambynomeanswritingthisinresponseto
say that women have been uncaring in the AIDS struggle, I know that
women have been in the forefront of the struggle, nor do I have any
wishtosaythatwomenaretoopowerful(OGLPCby-lawsforexample
have co-equal male and female co-chairs who alternate presiding at
meetings) or thatwomenhaveachieved too much parity in the world.
Nor would I ever say that our social institutions have gone anywhere
near far enough to achieve social, job or legal equalities for women.
I believe that I personally am as much of a feminist as a man can
be, in the same way that straight people can support gay and lesbian
issuesandrightsbutcan'treallyknowwhatit'slikeforus,orthatwhites
no matter how supportive of African American rights cannot fully
understand what it is to be "black."
Where I take issue and yes evenhurt and offense is that both the
letter and the response said why do all men hate women - "us." I do
not hate women and I am and have been a strong advocate for equal
rights for women. I have with both time and money supported
pro-choice issues and attended rallies. I have been involved in
the Herland Legal Defense Fund. I lobby at the state capitol on
gay and lesbian issues and there have been occasions in which
no women's organization's representative was present and I
was the lone voice of concern on legislation of vital importance
to women. I have resigned in protest from organizations that
discount women and their rights. I have appeared both in print
and electronic media in support of women's rights and concerns
and virtually daily do something positive about the problem. I
have close women friends both lesbian and straight and believe
that these are relationships of both friendship and equality.
It seems to me that this "all men" response devalues any
efforts that any men make to help in the struggle and further
polarizes people rather than encouraging solutions.
I have preached that for a woman to be a feminist by no
means implies that she hates men (sure some do but as I say the
one thing is notimplicitto the other) but that she respects herself
and demands better for all women.
2
Her/and Voice
August, 1994
I had followed with interest and I might add gladness that
Herland Sister Resources had instituted policies of more inclusiveness toward men and transgendered persons. Does this
column represent that or is there no realcommitmenttothatgoal
or has there been a policy change? Is Herland a separatist
feminist organization after all?
I know and understand that men have rained violence and
abuse on women since the beginning of time and that many men
still do. And I understand the anger and hurt that can engender.
I do however believe that Herland and its publication have a
leadership responsibility to its members and readers to help
bridge the gap and heal the hurts, nottopander to the worst fears
of its readership.
It also seems to me that this kind of response even devalues
women, encourages an attitude of hopelessness and glorifies
victimhood. If all men hate women and nothing that any man does
to change things matters and the ha:tred of women by men is so big
and unchanging that women can only suffer under it what other
conclusion can I draw.
I believe that women have been a powerful force for change
in the attitudes of men toward themselves and toward women
and that lesbians have been a powerful force for change in the
gay /lesbian community and have impacted the white gay male
consciousness. Granted it's not a complete victory and that not
enough has changed, but big changes come by small steps and
I hope you won't choose to encourage divisions and blaming.
Please don't tar me with the same brush you use on men
who abuse and discount women. I am hurt and disappointed.
Paul Thompson, Male Co-Chair OGLPC
Dear Paul - and Batch, David, Brett, Carn, et al;
Yes, I am the Margaret you consider a friend, and I value
your friendship also. I know personally many men who are kind,
caring, and want to be fair, and a few who are acutely aware of
sexism and are actively pro-feminist. The "all men" was meant
to include straight men with gay in the overall misogyny game,
since I had been talking about gay men earlier in the letter to
Sybil. It was also a bit of exaggeration, of hyperbole, and I never
dreamed that it would be taken personally by someone like you,
Paul, who does valuable work for women's rights and works
hard to be feminist.
I am glad that Herland is working with OGLPC, Simply
Equal and other mixed-gender groups; the article was not
intended to be divisive; it was written much as your letter was
written, out of hurt and disappointment; and I think it needed
saying. Women are constantly being told that our depressions
and problems are personal, and that we should pull up our
socksand get on with our lives; I think we need reminders and
affirmation from time to time that in actuality most of our
problems are not personal, they are indeed political, a result of a
systematic institutionalized oppression and of general male
misogyny.
No, I don't think my letter and Sybil's response devalued
women or encouraged an attitude of hopelessness and glorification of victimhood . I hope you aren't reading too much Paglia,
are you, Paul? She's an opportunistic predator, if you ask me.
Now let me ask you, who were hurt and offended sufficiently by one article in the Herland Voice that you wrote a long
letter, to imagine how women feel about the kind of garbage we
have to put up with daily; and please let us complain about it, ok?
Honest to goddess, the struggle is earnest enough that we don't
need our friends taking umbrage at hearing the truth.
Keep the faith,
Margaret
0
JUSTICE
by Vivien Ng
Everybody is talking tough these days--every politician,
that is. Just the other day,I opened a campaign letter from one
of the candidates in the Oklahoma gubernatorial race. I
thoughtJohn Wayne had come back from the dead to haunt
me: "Two strikes and you're out!" the would-be governor
growled at phantom felons. Crime is the number one issue,
screamed yet another national poll . Well, if crime is on
everyone's mind, then why hasn't Congress passed the Crime
Bill, the bill that Janet Reno crisscrossed the country to lobby
for? The hangup, we know, is over a provision in the House
bill that allows death row inmates to use racial statistics in their
appeals. Sounds fair to me, but conservatives in Congress are
dead set against it, because "if we allow that, death penalty as
we knowitwill be gone." Exactly. What does this tell us about
"justice" in the US., the land of the free and home of the brave?
When I think about "justice," it is never in the barbaric
sense of an eye-for-an-eye. I prefer the humanistic formulation by Carter Heyward, lesbian feminist Christian priest and
teacher. She once wrote these profound words: 'We must
begin to see thatloveisjustice. Love does not come first, justice
later .... Where there is no justice-between two people or
among thousands--there is no love. And where there is no
justice /love, sexuality is perverted into violence and viola ti on,
the effects of which most surely include rape, emotional and
physical battering,relationships_!Jlanipulated by control, competition, and contempt, and even war itself."
When we understand that love is justice, we understand
at the same time that the 'Tm okay, you're okay" mode of
social interaction is superficial ifnotdysfunctional. "I'm okay,
you're okay" deliberately papers over differences that exist
between and among us. It's vanilla . It's ''see no evil, therefore
no evil." But differences are not evil, only that we have been
brought up to think so. Audre Lorde called racism, sexism,
heterosexism, and homophobia "forms of human blindness."
These forms of human blindness, in her opinion, stem from
the same root-an inability to recognize the notion of difference as a dynamic human force, one which is enriching rather
than threatening to the defined self, when there are shared
goals." She taught us that, "[W]e have all been programmed
to respond to human differences between us with fear and
loathing .... Too often, we pour the energy needed for recognizing and exploring difference in~opretending those differences
are insurmountable barriers, or that they do not exist at all."
This year, when we tum the pages of queer publications,
we can't avoid reading editorial upon editorial about "why
can'twe get along forthe good of the community?" Like many
lesbians and gay people of color, I think that it's the wrong
question to ask. 'Why can'tweget along?" is a code for 'Why
11
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do we always have to talk about racism, sexism, and classism?
Why can't we just be queer?" 'Why can't we get along?" is a
blindfold, a master's tool.
How do we build a justice-seeking society? We need first
to learn from past mistakes. Take the case of Lambda Legal
Defense Fund and their choice of "Miss Saigon" for their
fundraiser, even though Asian lesbians and gay men protested the sexist and racist content of that Broadway musical.
Lambda refused to drop ''Miss Saigon" because they said that
theyhadalreadysoldall the tickets. Look at all thismoneythat
we have raised for our causes, they said. But as the women of
the Combahee River Collective stated it so well: '1n the
practice of our politics we do not believe that the end always
justifies the means. Many reactionary and destructive acts
have been done in the name of achieving 'correct' political
goals."
How do we build a justice-seeking society? We do so by
never sacrificing principles for the sake of expediency.
0
ACTIVISTS GATHER IN
NORMAN FoR SUMMIT
Over 100 lesbian, gay, bisexual1 and transgendered acti vis ts and straight allies from across Oklahoma gathered at
University of Oklahoma for the Oklahoma Pride Summit. The
summit gave attendees the opportunity to share their work
and vision through panels, workshops and recreation. Summit organizers agreed the Summit was a success in achieving
the goal of bringing together a variety of individuals and
organizations to build a more unified gay /lesbian/bisexual /
transgender movement in Oklahoma.
Peri Jude Radecic, Executive Director of the National Gay
and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), Robert Bray, Fight The
Right Media Coordinator for NGLTF, and Mandy Carter,
Director of the Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum
served as national resource persons for the three-day event.
All expressed enthusiasm for the Pride Summit and its
goals. Radecic commented, "The impact of this conference
happens at several different levels -- personal impact,
strengthen the movement in Oklahoma and nationally. This
conference was the only statewide conference of its kind this
year and it will serve as a model to other states." Carter
observed. "To have such a gathering is truly historical. I have
seen conferences and gatherings like this before in other states,
butthere's something about it happening in the heartland that
restores my faith that our movement is on track."
0
CORRECTION
In the July Voice, theOklahomaGayandLesbianPolitical
Caucus was mistakenly omitted from the organizers of the
Oklahoma Pride Summit. We regret and apologize for the
error. OGLPC and its members were an important part of the
Oklahoma Pride Summit.
0
Off~• dla .... &y cllPjw••tmuJ
Her/and Voice
August, 1994
3
RADICAL RIGHT FAILS TO QUALIFY IN
OUT OF
8
10 STATES
HARASSMENT OF CAMP SISTER SPIRIT
OREGON AND loAHo FACE INmATTVEs THAT LEGALIZE
DISCRJMINATION AGAINST GAY PEOPLE
Radical Right wing groups in Missouri and seven other
states failed to qualify ballot measures that would have legalized discrimination against gay people. Initiatives in two
states, Oregon and Idaho, qualified for the ballot. While the
Oregon measure has been struck from the ballot by a state
judge, that ruling is being appealed.
Radical Right groups in Arizona, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, and Washington failed to gather the required
signatures by deadlines that ranged from January 31st to July
11th. The initiative in Florida was ruled invalid by that state's
Supreme Court in March, 1994. An announced initiative effort
in Ohio never materialized, but the group announced plans
for a project attacking politicians who have been supportive of
equal rights for gay people.
Jeanie Keeny,spokesperson forGLAAD /KC, told a news
conference on Friday, July 8, "This is a day that makes me
proud to be a lifelong lesbian citizen of Missouri--proud
because Missouri is the Show Me state, and proud because
Missourians are sending a message from the heartland to the
nation."
'We are relieved, but not relaxed," said Sue Hyde, Fight
the Right Project Coordinator for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) at a briefing held by representatives
of four national gay and lesbian groups in Washington, D.C.
"The failure of the Radical Right to qualify in eight states is
positive, but it should not send the 'all clear signal'."
Mandy Carter of the National Black Gay and Lesbian
Leadership Forum said, "National radical groups have divided communities by trying to institutionalize discrimination. Their cynical strategy is best challenged by the truth.
Pe op le of color communi ties are an important part of the effort
to expose the discriminatory agenda of the Radical Right."
Nicole LeFavour, an official with the Idaho Campaign for
Human Dignity, the group that will be opposing that state's
discriminatory measure noted that the Idaho initiative barely
qualified. "The Idaho anti-gay group fell far short of its goal of
100,000 signatures and squeaked past with only a few thousand to spare," said LeFavour."
Oregon's ballot measure was struck down as unconstitutional by Marion County (Or.) Circuit court in April 1994.
"The courts continue to tell us that citizens cannot vote
lesbians and gay men out of constitutions," said Suzanne
Goldberg, a staff attorney for Lambda Legal Defense and
Education Fund . "Still, the Radical Right continues to promote
these unconstitutional assaults, and we will continue to battle
against them in court."
D
2 l 09 S. AiR DEpOT
Midwm Ory, OK 7 ~ l l 0
(405)7H-0496
AiR DEpoT ANiMAl HospiTAl
CAil
4
foR AppoiNTMENT
Herland Voice
August, 1994
CONGRESSIONAL HEARING FOCUSES ON
JOY HUSKA, D.V. M.
Jackson, Miss. (fuly6, 1994) .. .A U S .HouseofRepresentatives
subcommittee held an oversight hearing in Jackson, Mississippi
July 6 focusing on the events surrounding the conflict in Ovett,
Mississippi, the location of the feminist retreat Camp Sister Spirit
run by the lesbian couple Brenda and Wanda Henson. The
Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the House
Judiciary Committee hearing was chaired by Rep. Barney Frank
(D-Mass.) and also led by Rep.Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.).
In their testimony, Brenda and Wanda Henson summarized
the harassment, threats and violent incidents that have been
committed against them since November 1993. The Hensons'
testimony also featured several instances in which they say Mississippi officialsdid not respond to requests for assistanceorinterventionorweredirectly antagonistic toward theHensons. TheHensons
implored federal officials to protect them and ensure their basic
civil rights.
'We do not seek tolerance and acceptance, said Wanda
Henson. 'We seek equality under the law and freedom from
oppression, intimidation, and harassment. We seek justice and a
legal system that is capable and willing to defend our rights."
Both James Hendry and Rev. John Allen stated during their
testimony that the harassment and incidents against the Hensons
are unsubstantiated and they implied or overtly stated that the
Hensons created the campaign against them for publicity. While
Allen's testimony focused on his moral opposition to the Hensons'
lesbianism and the "gay and lesbian agenda," he did not outline
any specific goals except that the Hensons "experience the lifechanging redemption found in a genuine faith surrender to Jesus
Christ."
Onlyone Mississippi official directlyimplicated bytheHensons
participated in the hearing. Jim Ingram, Commissioner of Public
Safety answered questions from Reps. Frank and Nadler, stating
that he felt local law enforcement officers were protecting the
Hensons to the best of their ability and were upholding the law.
Tworepresentativesofthe US. DepartmentofJusticetestified
at the hearing: William Yeomans, Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division and Ozell Sutton, Southeast
Regional Director of the Community Relations Service (CRS).
Yeomans testified that "at present, none of the nation's civil rights
laws provide explicit protection on the basis of sexual
orientation ...The DepartmentofJusticeislimited toenforcementof
thelawsaswritten.OurjurisdictionreachesonlysofarasCongress
chooses to extend it."
D
/1
Published by: Her1and Sister Resources, Inc. 2312 N.W. 39th, Oklahoma
City, OK 73112
NewsletterConmittee: Margaret Cox, Deborah Fox, Vrvien 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 Her1and 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. SubscriJ:iions to
The Voice are free upon request. The Voice is printed on recycled paper.
FINDING HER VOICE:
THE SAGA
OF WOMEN IN CouNTRY Music
Jill Garner
This month I'd like to depart from my review of music and
instead review a book about music that I bought recently.
Finding Her Voice: The Saga of Women in Country Music,
is a history of women in country music through many styles
and times . Starting with Appalachian mountain women, the
book then weaves us through the Depression, 19th century
show business, southern gospel, folk, country rock, bluegrass,
modem country music, and much more. Authors Mary
Bufwack and Robert Oermann bring the "silenced voices" to
life, and touch on the poverty, sexual exploitation, subjugation, and stifled opportunities that are the basis of women's
place in country music.
Country music has long been a voice forthe working class
but it has been a particularly rich source to learn about the
lives of women. ''The women in this book carry the music and
culture of the ordinary mothers, grandmothers, and matriarchs who worked in the field, the women who bore children
and watched them die without medical assistance, the women
who made homes from practically nothing, the women who
worked in the textile mills, the women who sold their bodies
to survive." In a world where women's history has largely
been ignored and destroyed, Bufwack and Oermann say
countrymusicisawindowintothelivesandstoriesofworking
class women. Throughout its history, country music has been
an avenue for women to express their pain, disenfranchisement, anger and despair, as well as their joy and liberation.
Each chapter in the book explores the music within the
social contextoftheworld around it-war, oppression, women's
liberation--and how the music was shaped and influenced by
what was happening in the lives of the people who made it.
The book is an attempt to "explain why songs happen when
they do."
The beginning chapter gives us a glimpse of the povertystricken, often violent, and sometimes very short lives of
Appalachian women. Generations of women have kept the
songs alive and they are filled with the reality of their everyday lives. Violence and sexuality were prevalent themes in the
songs. Many women endured repeated pregnancies and
often died during childbirth. Songs warning women against
men's sexual urges were frequent and one of the most common sentiments in the songs extols the virtues of staying
single . "Seven long years I've been married, And I wish I'd
lived an old maid."
I have been introduced tohundredsofsingers/ songwriters
through this book, and I'm not even finished yet. A lot of
talented musicians I have enjoyed but who are not part of the
"mainstream" are mentioned in the book. Cathy Fink, Cheryl
Wheeler, Laurie Lewis, and Ranch Romance are artists I was
excited to read about. I'm looking forward to hearing several
of the Oklahomans I read about also. Delia Bell, a native of
Hugo, was broughttonational attention in 1983 by Emmy Lou
Harris. During the 1970s she was widely known on the
bluegrass festival circuit and recorded more than a dozen
albums with her band. Another Oklahoman, Becky Hobbs
from Bartlesville, has merged honky-tonk with a popular
rockabilly stage show and has also scored a lot of attention as
a songwriter in Nashville.
"Eighties Ladies and Beyond," the last chapter in the
book, shares with us the stories of the current women of
country. I loved learning about the history of many women
who appeared to be "overnight successes, as well as many
singers I have not had the chance to listen to yet. Suzy Bogguss
traveled for five years by herself in a trailer playing in town
squaresandconvincingbarownerstoletherplayintheirclubs
for $50. She booked all her own shows, sold her own cassettes
and hung her own promotional posters in the early days. So
many of these women had many challenges to overcome in the
business and their careers and I was struck by their strength,
determination, and ultimately their success, whether they
made it ''big" or just reached their personal goals and are
doing wha tthey love. I'm anxious to listen to the new singers
I've read about in this book but I've also gained a new respect
for the many established and rising stars too. I want to go back
and discover them again now that I've learned what they've
come through and overcome to pursue the dreams they have.
To order the book, call Herland at521-9696 .
0
LETTERS TO HERLAND
Dear Friends,
Before leaving Oklahoma I want to convey my deep
appreciation to Herland. When I moved here in March 1992 I
had been out 1-1 / 4 years and my community involvement
had been with an AIDS resource and education organization
in a midwestem university town of 75,000. Herland provided
the opportunity to both expand and focus my lesbian energy
- expand by broadening the spectrum of lesbians and gays in
my life, thus deepening my understanding of the diversity of
our community; focus by offering an environment in which I
couldcontributedirectlytothelesbiancommunity,givingand
receiving simultaneously. Through my involvement with
Herland I have learned a great deal about cooperation, responsibility, and patience. I've also learned the not-so-small
lesson that it is okaytoaskforhelp when you need it. And the
friendships I share with Herlanders remain in my heart,
wherever my feet take me.
Thank you Herland for offering me a chance to grow. I
know you have been a vital part of many women's lives, and
you can count on my continued support so that your positive
energy touches as many as possible.
Renee McBride
Nancy Schneider M.s. w.
~ (j'huaztJodat 'W~
individual, .
couple, and
group therapy
2233 W. UNDSEY
SUITE 109
NORMAN, OK 73069
(405) 364·2545
PAGER: (405) 791·8792
Berland Voice
August, 1994
5
MILDREN SUPPORTS GAY/
ON THE ROAD TO BEIJING
LESBIAN RIGHTS
On September 9-10, the Oklahoma Women's Network
will host "Women Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: On the
Road to Beijing and the 21st Century," an official regional
preparatory meeting for the United Nations Fourth World
Conference on Women,. The Women's Bureau of the U.S.
Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of State are'
sponsoring a series of regional meetings, "to bring American
women together to identify what has worked and what is
needed for the advancement of the majority of women," sand
Karen Nussbaum, Director of the Women's Bureau.
The local theme is "Rethinking Women and Work for the
21st Century." The U.S. workforce of the 21st century will be
made up of a majority of women and "minorities." The
Oklahoma Women's Network intends to bring this fact home
to working women in Oklahoma and in our region and
mobilize ourselves to take leadership roles in the inevitable
process of designing work and the workplace for women.
For information contact: Women's Bureau, US. Dept. of
Labor, Federal Bldg, Suite 731, 525 Griffin St., Dallas, TX
75202. (212)767-6985.
D
(reprinted with permission from the Tulsa Family News)
At a recent Tulsa County Democratic Party event, candidates for governor responded to questions from the Tulsa
Family News about civil rights protections for lesbian and
gay Oklahomans.
Lt.Governor JackMildren'scampaignliteratureemphasizes his commitment to traditional values of family and
church, hard work and integrity. But this ex-college and
professional football player was emphatic in saying he believes in a level playing field for all Oklahomans. He stated
he was not aware that lesbian and gay citizens had no legal
protections but stated, "if that's so then the laws and rules ·
need to be changed." When asked if he would issue an
executive order banning discrimination based on sexual
orientation for state employees, he responded by asking,
D
"doesn't that follow from what I just said?"
LITTLE ROCK
(continued from page 1)
Over and over I wondered "when will this one battle
end?"
Occasional! y these self-proclaimed religious people would
exclaim how Jesus loved me, at the same time they spoke of
their own hatred of gays, lesbians, and feminists. What can
you expect from people who wear "Intolerance is a Beautiful
Thing" on their t-shirts.
I found one ray of hope during the three days in Little
Rock. Heterosexual women and men, lesbians and gays and
people of all religions and races stood TOGETHER outside the
clinics. Sometimes with arms interlocked, we sang and chanted
together. Most often we simply remained quit and emotionless-- determined not to validate the rhetoric of the protestors.
Eachofthesedistinctgroupscouldnotpossiblyhavebeen
there solely to protect the rights of women to choose abortion.
Rather, I believe each understood the bigotry of the "religious
right."
If given the opportunity, the religious right would attempt to end all of our choices and distort truth. These fanatics
are attempting to force teachers in Florida to teach children
thatthe UnitedStatesissuperiortoall past and presentnations
and cultures. They continually write and occasionally pass
legislation that would end our rights to employment, housing
and child custody, disguising it as lesbians and gays wanting
special rights. You should have seen how they mocked the
Buddhist while he was praying outside one clinic. Can no one
be free and happy?
Is there any difference between the violent actions and
hatred of the religious right, the Neo-Nazis and the KKK.
Those of us standing together know that there is no difference
- hate is hate.
I urge you not to confuse "pro-choice" with only abortion
rights. The agenda of the anti-choice groups reaches far
beyond this one issue. Just as in Little Rock, we must stand
together. We must stop these hate-mongers and their goal of
dividingusthroughapathy and cynicism.
D
6
Herland Voice
August, 1994
II ULLETIN
llOARD
It has been reported that Operation Rescue and Rescue
America will be descending on Mississippi in early August. If anyone would like more information about
Mississippi and possible later actions in Missouri and
Oklahoma City, please contact Nancy Dwyer through
Herland.
Look for selections from the Herland Voice on a new
computer bulletin board, The American Dream BBS. Logon to 359-7755 to check out this new service.
A coalition of more than 60 national and local organizations has produced an organizing guide titled How to
Win: A Pracfical Guide to Defeating the Radical Right in
Your Community. The manual includes articles on a
wide range of topics, from organizing broad-based coalitions and monitoring school board activity, to using
polling data and delivering an effective speech.The task
force is charging a $25 fee for the 150 page manual that
will cover printing and mailing, and will include the
information on disk. Contact: PFLAG: Parents, Families
and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, 1012 14th St, NW Ste
700 Washington, DC 20005 Phone (202)-638-4200 Fax:
(202)-638-0243 E-mail: PFLAGNTL@AOL.COM
Rebecca R. Cohn, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology
Norman, OK
321-2148
Individual,
Couples & Famny
Therapy
August.
19 9 4
Doc
Herland S8JS: r.elebrate August 26 - WCllEll'S EQU!LITY DlY - Calllli.t an 01Itrageous let or Everyday Rebellion
&/or go catch PEGGY JOHRSOB at Medina's Coffee House & sing the Mountain Sang with her!
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday \f ednesday Thursday
2
3
Friday
5
4
Saturday
6
Cleveland
Count
Remember
Hiroshima:
Work fbr
Peace
NOW
7 pm
Norman
Public
library
7
8
Ro£'er
Lienke's
band with
Terry and
Elyse
at VZD's
14
g
10
12
11
Herl and
Leeal
Defense
Fund Heet..inp
6:30
at Herland
15
13.
Lucj Slone
1Q1 - 1QQ3
17
18
19
20
23
24
25
26
27
30
31
16 PRIMARY
ELECTION
#
Metro OKC
NOW
6:30 pm
Harvey House
2.
H~rl~na
NW 63rd
22
PEGGY
JOHNSON
at a new
location!!!!
l'tedlna"s
Coffee House
on the Paseo
9:30 - t pm
Board
Meellnp
4:30 pm
28
NEWSLETTER
PARTY
6:30, Herland
HELP RWANDAN PEOPLE - Emergency Relief
Aid - Send donations to: OXFam America
26 West Street, Boston, MA 02111-1206
Donations are tax-deductible
Advertisement paid by private party
HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
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Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
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-
August, 1994
FEMALE CANDIDATE
FOR
OK
GOVERNOR
Anthea Maton, President, Metro OKC NOW
On Monday,July 18th, Metro OKC NOW gave the Oklahoma grassroots community and the general public a chance
to meet and talk with Bernice Shedrick. Shedrick, currently a
high-ranking State Senator, is hoping the be the first female
Governor of Oklahoma.
In the friendly setting of the Harvey House Cafe and
Bookstore, a small group, who made up for their paucity of
numbers with the quality of questions posed, took advantage
of the opportunity for access to her. Members of several
groups participated-the ACLU,NOW, OGLPC, OKC Bikers
(yes, really), Simply Equal, and the Orchestra League. Three
other candidates for public office also attended; Fanny Bates
·for Oklahoma County Commissioner, Jerry Wilson for Oklahoma County Assessor, and Jeffrey Tollett running for US
Congress in the 6th District.
Shedrick came across well, speaking easily of her plans for
the Governor's seat. When it came to question time, she
answered clearly and carefully. Her record suggests she will
be extremely supportive of individual rights, and she stressed
thatshebelieveseveryoneshouldbetreatedfairlyandequally.
She said she is making the bid because she wants to restore the
public'sfaithintheirgovemor. "lwantpeopletoknowwhen
their Governor tells them something, they can take it to the
bank," she said. '1 don't expect everyone to agree with me 100
percent of the time, but I want them to know they can trust me
100 percent of the time."
Shedrick said her campaign would focus on three primary issues: crime prevention, economic development and
jobs, and better opportunities in the areas of education and
health care.
Her record includes backing the Equal Rights Amendment, solid support for reproductive choice, and leadership
in education.
Shedrick has won the support and endorsement of National NOW and as such will receive some funding. She also
carries the support and financial blessing of EMILY's List, a
major national organization whose role is to provide money to
help in the election of Democratic women candidates. While
unable to officially endorse Shedrick (it is incredibly complicated and expensive to set up a PAC which is needed if
support is official), members of Oklahoma NOW are putting
their support behind Shedrick, volunteering at campaign
headquarters and elsewhere.
D
Volume 11 Number 8
OPERATION RESCUE AND RESCUE
AMERICA FAIL IN LITTLE ROCK
Nancy Dwyer
During the week of July 6 through July 9, Operation
Rescue and Rescue America attempted to close women's
clinics in Little Rock, Arkansas. Their impetus was two-fold:
to save the "unborn" and to thumb their noses at President
Clinton in his home state.
These groups failed in two respects. First, the clinics
remained open. Second, according to the Arkansas DemocratGazette, local churches refused to give support to these hate
groups, which are usually associated with violent tactics.
Judging by the small number of anti-choice demonstrators,
they failed to gamer the support of local people. It was
estimated that anti-choice protestors were outnumbered 3 to
1 by pro-choice demonstrators.
Little Rock police arrested 30 anti-choice demonstrators
on Friday, July 8, charging them as trespassers, a misdemeanor offense. It is still unclear whether those arrested will
face federal charges under the recently signed Freedom of
Access to Clinic Entrance law (FACE). Failure to file federal
charges leads one to wonder how serious police and local
officials are in protecting the rights of women.
Representatives of Oklahoma NOW traveled to Little
Rock to support the patients' choices in having abortions and
to aid the Arkansas Liberty Alliance, by keeping the clinics
open.
As a member of NOW and a participant in this defense of
the clinics, I would like to offer some of my thoughts about
choice." As I stood in the lines defending two different clinics
and following anti-choice protestors to Baptist Hospital and
Dr. Stover's house, I had opportunities to question the actions
andcontradictionsoftheso-called "pro-life" movement. (continued page 6)
11
BREAK-IN AT HERLAND
For the second time in three months, Herland has
been the target of burglars. Our air condi ti oner, S<?me
cash, CDs, and other items for sale have been taken.
While insurance will help some, the actualloss to Herland
is over $500.
We need your help to recover from this loss. Replacement of the air conditioner is greatly needed to
make Herland a more comfortable space during the
Oklahoma summer. Please consider making an extra
contribution to help Herland through this crisis.
Herland Sister Resources
2312 N.W. 39, OKC, OK 73112
Sr. Sve1L
Sybil yields her space this issue to letters from readers and her honorable
coleague and good friend, Margaret. She wishes only to remind Paul that
she did say, very clearly, "Ifs not all men, but its always men."
Dear Herland Voice,
I'm sorry to be having to write this letter, yet I feel I must. After
readingyour July issue I felt bothhurtand deeply disappointed on two
different fronts. Firstly, I'm very active in OGLPC, which I have seen
as somewhat of a sister organization, I believe we have more than
demonstrated friendship of Herland and support for its values and
goals, and I wonder if any other gay /lesbian organization has joint
fundraiserswithHerland. Wealsohaveseveralmembersincommon
and yet no mention was made of our participation in the pride opening
ceremonies nor of our participation and support of the Pride Summit.
I doubt that many other organizations have contributed more financially or have more consistently had representation at its planning
meetings. I have a difficult time believing that both omissions were
accidental oversights especially since some organizations mentioned
were far less frequently in attendance than we. Other members of
OGLPC some of whom are also members ofHerlandSister Resources
have expres.sed their shock to me about this also.
Secondly to St. Sybil: I'm afraid she has let her halo slip quite a bit
in the July issue, and I'm hoping (I'm afraid against hope) that the
Margaret that wrote the letter is not the Margaret I have considered a
friend.
Yes,Iamamaleandlambynomeanswritingthisinresponseto
say that women have been uncaring in the AIDS struggle, I know that
women have been in the forefront of the struggle, nor do I have any
wishtosaythatwomenaretoopowerful(OGLPCby-lawsforexample
have co-equal male and female co-chairs who alternate presiding at
meetings) or thatwomenhaveachieved too much parity in the world.
Nor would I ever say that our social institutions have gone anywhere
near far enough to achieve social, job or legal equalities for women.
I believe that I personally am as much of a feminist as a man can
be, in the same way that straight people can support gay and lesbian
issuesandrightsbutcan'treallyknowwhatit'slikeforus,orthatwhites
no matter how supportive of African American rights cannot fully
understand what it is to be "black."
Where I take issue and yes evenhurt and offense is that both the
letter and the response said why do all men hate women - "us." I do
not hate women and I am and have been a strong advocate for equal
rights for women. I have with both time and money supported
pro-choice issues and attended rallies. I have been involved in
the Herland Legal Defense Fund. I lobby at the state capitol on
gay and lesbian issues and there have been occasions in which
no women's organization's representative was present and I
was the lone voice of concern on legislation of vital importance
to women. I have resigned in protest from organizations that
discount women and their rights. I have appeared both in print
and electronic media in support of women's rights and concerns
and virtually daily do something positive about the problem. I
have close women friends both lesbian and straight and believe
that these are relationships of both friendship and equality.
It seems to me that this "all men" response devalues any
efforts that any men make to help in the struggle and further
polarizes people rather than encouraging solutions.
I have preached that for a woman to be a feminist by no
means implies that she hates men (sure some do but as I say the
one thing is notimplicitto the other) but that she respects herself
and demands better for all women.
2
Her/and Voice
August, 1994
I had followed with interest and I might add gladness that
Herland Sister Resources had instituted policies of more inclusiveness toward men and transgendered persons. Does this
column represent that or is there no realcommitmenttothatgoal
or has there been a policy change? Is Herland a separatist
feminist organization after all?
I know and understand that men have rained violence and
abuse on women since the beginning of time and that many men
still do. And I understand the anger and hurt that can engender.
I do however believe that Herland and its publication have a
leadership responsibility to its members and readers to help
bridge the gap and heal the hurts, nottopander to the worst fears
of its readership.
It also seems to me that this kind of response even devalues
women, encourages an attitude of hopelessness and glorifies
victimhood. If all men hate women and nothing that any man does
to change things matters and the ha:tred of women by men is so big
and unchanging that women can only suffer under it what other
conclusion can I draw.
I believe that women have been a powerful force for change
in the attitudes of men toward themselves and toward women
and that lesbians have been a powerful force for change in the
gay /lesbian community and have impacted the white gay male
consciousness. Granted it's not a complete victory and that not
enough has changed, but big changes come by small steps and
I hope you won't choose to encourage divisions and blaming.
Please don't tar me with the same brush you use on men
who abuse and discount women. I am hurt and disappointed.
Paul Thompson, Male Co-Chair OGLPC
Dear Paul - and Batch, David, Brett, Carn, et al;
Yes, I am the Margaret you consider a friend, and I value
your friendship also. I know personally many men who are kind,
caring, and want to be fair, and a few who are acutely aware of
sexism and are actively pro-feminist. The "all men" was meant
to include straight men with gay in the overall misogyny game,
since I had been talking about gay men earlier in the letter to
Sybil. It was also a bit of exaggeration, of hyperbole, and I never
dreamed that it would be taken personally by someone like you,
Paul, who does valuable work for women's rights and works
hard to be feminist.
I am glad that Herland is working with OGLPC, Simply
Equal and other mixed-gender groups; the article was not
intended to be divisive; it was written much as your letter was
written, out of hurt and disappointment; and I think it needed
saying. Women are constantly being told that our depressions
and problems are personal, and that we should pull up our
socksand get on with our lives; I think we need reminders and
affirmation from time to time that in actuality most of our
problems are not personal, they are indeed political, a result of a
systematic institutionalized oppression and of general male
misogyny.
No, I don't think my letter and Sybil's response devalued
women or encouraged an attitude of hopelessness and glorification of victimhood . I hope you aren't reading too much Paglia,
are you, Paul? She's an opportunistic predator, if you ask me.
Now let me ask you, who were hurt and offended sufficiently by one article in the Herland Voice that you wrote a long
letter, to imagine how women feel about the kind of garbage we
have to put up with daily; and please let us complain about it, ok?
Honest to goddess, the struggle is earnest enough that we don't
need our friends taking umbrage at hearing the truth.
Keep the faith,
Margaret
0
JUSTICE
by Vivien Ng
Everybody is talking tough these days--every politician,
that is. Just the other day,I opened a campaign letter from one
of the candidates in the Oklahoma gubernatorial race. I
thoughtJohn Wayne had come back from the dead to haunt
me: "Two strikes and you're out!" the would-be governor
growled at phantom felons. Crime is the number one issue,
screamed yet another national poll . Well, if crime is on
everyone's mind, then why hasn't Congress passed the Crime
Bill, the bill that Janet Reno crisscrossed the country to lobby
for? The hangup, we know, is over a provision in the House
bill that allows death row inmates to use racial statistics in their
appeals. Sounds fair to me, but conservatives in Congress are
dead set against it, because "if we allow that, death penalty as
we knowitwill be gone." Exactly. What does this tell us about
"justice" in the US., the land of the free and home of the brave?
When I think about "justice," it is never in the barbaric
sense of an eye-for-an-eye. I prefer the humanistic formulation by Carter Heyward, lesbian feminist Christian priest and
teacher. She once wrote these profound words: 'We must
begin to see thatloveisjustice. Love does not come first, justice
later .... Where there is no justice-between two people or
among thousands--there is no love. And where there is no
justice /love, sexuality is perverted into violence and viola ti on,
the effects of which most surely include rape, emotional and
physical battering,relationships_!Jlanipulated by control, competition, and contempt, and even war itself."
When we understand that love is justice, we understand
at the same time that the 'Tm okay, you're okay" mode of
social interaction is superficial ifnotdysfunctional. "I'm okay,
you're okay" deliberately papers over differences that exist
between and among us. It's vanilla . It's ''see no evil, therefore
no evil." But differences are not evil, only that we have been
brought up to think so. Audre Lorde called racism, sexism,
heterosexism, and homophobia "forms of human blindness."
These forms of human blindness, in her opinion, stem from
the same root-an inability to recognize the notion of difference as a dynamic human force, one which is enriching rather
than threatening to the defined self, when there are shared
goals." She taught us that, "[W]e have all been programmed
to respond to human differences between us with fear and
loathing .... Too often, we pour the energy needed for recognizing and exploring difference in~opretending those differences
are insurmountable barriers, or that they do not exist at all."
This year, when we tum the pages of queer publications,
we can't avoid reading editorial upon editorial about "why
can'twe get along forthe good of the community?" Like many
lesbians and gay people of color, I think that it's the wrong
question to ask. 'Why can'tweget along?" is a code for 'Why
11
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1!J!J1l1 dVo..th .:MnLJi..,.
1~~-4099
do we always have to talk about racism, sexism, and classism?
Why can't we just be queer?" 'Why can't we get along?" is a
blindfold, a master's tool.
How do we build a justice-seeking society? We need first
to learn from past mistakes. Take the case of Lambda Legal
Defense Fund and their choice of "Miss Saigon" for their
fundraiser, even though Asian lesbians and gay men protested the sexist and racist content of that Broadway musical.
Lambda refused to drop ''Miss Saigon" because they said that
theyhadalreadysoldall the tickets. Look at all thismoneythat
we have raised for our causes, they said. But as the women of
the Combahee River Collective stated it so well: '1n the
practice of our politics we do not believe that the end always
justifies the means. Many reactionary and destructive acts
have been done in the name of achieving 'correct' political
goals."
How do we build a justice-seeking society? We do so by
never sacrificing principles for the sake of expediency.
0
ACTIVISTS GATHER IN
NORMAN FoR SUMMIT
Over 100 lesbian, gay, bisexual1 and transgendered acti vis ts and straight allies from across Oklahoma gathered at
University of Oklahoma for the Oklahoma Pride Summit. The
summit gave attendees the opportunity to share their work
and vision through panels, workshops and recreation. Summit organizers agreed the Summit was a success in achieving
the goal of bringing together a variety of individuals and
organizations to build a more unified gay /lesbian/bisexual /
transgender movement in Oklahoma.
Peri Jude Radecic, Executive Director of the National Gay
and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), Robert Bray, Fight The
Right Media Coordinator for NGLTF, and Mandy Carter,
Director of the Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum
served as national resource persons for the three-day event.
All expressed enthusiasm for the Pride Summit and its
goals. Radecic commented, "The impact of this conference
happens at several different levels -- personal impact,
strengthen the movement in Oklahoma and nationally. This
conference was the only statewide conference of its kind this
year and it will serve as a model to other states." Carter
observed. "To have such a gathering is truly historical. I have
seen conferences and gatherings like this before in other states,
butthere's something about it happening in the heartland that
restores my faith that our movement is on track."
0
CORRECTION
In the July Voice, theOklahomaGayandLesbianPolitical
Caucus was mistakenly omitted from the organizers of the
Oklahoma Pride Summit. We regret and apologize for the
error. OGLPC and its members were an important part of the
Oklahoma Pride Summit.
0
Off~• dla .... &y cllPjw••tmuJ
Her/and Voice
August, 1994
3
RADICAL RIGHT FAILS TO QUALIFY IN
OUT OF
8
10 STATES
HARASSMENT OF CAMP SISTER SPIRIT
OREGON AND loAHo FACE INmATTVEs THAT LEGALIZE
DISCRJMINATION AGAINST GAY PEOPLE
Radical Right wing groups in Missouri and seven other
states failed to qualify ballot measures that would have legalized discrimination against gay people. Initiatives in two
states, Oregon and Idaho, qualified for the ballot. While the
Oregon measure has been struck from the ballot by a state
judge, that ruling is being appealed.
Radical Right groups in Arizona, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, and Washington failed to gather the required
signatures by deadlines that ranged from January 31st to July
11th. The initiative in Florida was ruled invalid by that state's
Supreme Court in March, 1994. An announced initiative effort
in Ohio never materialized, but the group announced plans
for a project attacking politicians who have been supportive of
equal rights for gay people.
Jeanie Keeny,spokesperson forGLAAD /KC, told a news
conference on Friday, July 8, "This is a day that makes me
proud to be a lifelong lesbian citizen of Missouri--proud
because Missouri is the Show Me state, and proud because
Missourians are sending a message from the heartland to the
nation."
'We are relieved, but not relaxed," said Sue Hyde, Fight
the Right Project Coordinator for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) at a briefing held by representatives
of four national gay and lesbian groups in Washington, D.C.
"The failure of the Radical Right to qualify in eight states is
positive, but it should not send the 'all clear signal'."
Mandy Carter of the National Black Gay and Lesbian
Leadership Forum said, "National radical groups have divided communities by trying to institutionalize discrimination. Their cynical strategy is best challenged by the truth.
Pe op le of color communi ties are an important part of the effort
to expose the discriminatory agenda of the Radical Right."
Nicole LeFavour, an official with the Idaho Campaign for
Human Dignity, the group that will be opposing that state's
discriminatory measure noted that the Idaho initiative barely
qualified. "The Idaho anti-gay group fell far short of its goal of
100,000 signatures and squeaked past with only a few thousand to spare," said LeFavour."
Oregon's ballot measure was struck down as unconstitutional by Marion County (Or.) Circuit court in April 1994.
"The courts continue to tell us that citizens cannot vote
lesbians and gay men out of constitutions," said Suzanne
Goldberg, a staff attorney for Lambda Legal Defense and
Education Fund . "Still, the Radical Right continues to promote
these unconstitutional assaults, and we will continue to battle
against them in court."
D
2 l 09 S. AiR DEpOT
Midwm Ory, OK 7 ~ l l 0
(405)7H-0496
AiR DEpoT ANiMAl HospiTAl
CAil
4
foR AppoiNTMENT
Herland Voice
August, 1994
CONGRESSIONAL HEARING FOCUSES ON
JOY HUSKA, D.V. M.
Jackson, Miss. (fuly6, 1994) .. .A U S .HouseofRepresentatives
subcommittee held an oversight hearing in Jackson, Mississippi
July 6 focusing on the events surrounding the conflict in Ovett,
Mississippi, the location of the feminist retreat Camp Sister Spirit
run by the lesbian couple Brenda and Wanda Henson. The
Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the House
Judiciary Committee hearing was chaired by Rep. Barney Frank
(D-Mass.) and also led by Rep.Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.).
In their testimony, Brenda and Wanda Henson summarized
the harassment, threats and violent incidents that have been
committed against them since November 1993. The Hensons'
testimony also featured several instances in which they say Mississippi officialsdid not respond to requests for assistanceorinterventionorweredirectly antagonistic toward theHensons. TheHensons
implored federal officials to protect them and ensure their basic
civil rights.
'We do not seek tolerance and acceptance, said Wanda
Henson. 'We seek equality under the law and freedom from
oppression, intimidation, and harassment. We seek justice and a
legal system that is capable and willing to defend our rights."
Both James Hendry and Rev. John Allen stated during their
testimony that the harassment and incidents against the Hensons
are unsubstantiated and they implied or overtly stated that the
Hensons created the campaign against them for publicity. While
Allen's testimony focused on his moral opposition to the Hensons'
lesbianism and the "gay and lesbian agenda," he did not outline
any specific goals except that the Hensons "experience the lifechanging redemption found in a genuine faith surrender to Jesus
Christ."
Onlyone Mississippi official directlyimplicated bytheHensons
participated in the hearing. Jim Ingram, Commissioner of Public
Safety answered questions from Reps. Frank and Nadler, stating
that he felt local law enforcement officers were protecting the
Hensons to the best of their ability and were upholding the law.
Tworepresentativesofthe US. DepartmentofJusticetestified
at the hearing: William Yeomans, Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division and Ozell Sutton, Southeast
Regional Director of the Community Relations Service (CRS).
Yeomans testified that "at present, none of the nation's civil rights
laws provide explicit protection on the basis of sexual
orientation ...The DepartmentofJusticeislimited toenforcementof
thelawsaswritten.OurjurisdictionreachesonlysofarasCongress
chooses to extend it."
D
/1
Published by: Her1and Sister Resources, Inc. 2312 N.W. 39th, Oklahoma
City, OK 73112
NewsletterConmittee: Margaret Cox, Deborah Fox, Vrvien 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 Her1and 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. SubscriJ:iions to
The Voice are free upon request. The Voice is printed on recycled paper.
FINDING HER VOICE:
THE SAGA
OF WOMEN IN CouNTRY Music
Jill Garner
This month I'd like to depart from my review of music and
instead review a book about music that I bought recently.
Finding Her Voice: The Saga of Women in Country Music,
is a history of women in country music through many styles
and times . Starting with Appalachian mountain women, the
book then weaves us through the Depression, 19th century
show business, southern gospel, folk, country rock, bluegrass,
modem country music, and much more. Authors Mary
Bufwack and Robert Oermann bring the "silenced voices" to
life, and touch on the poverty, sexual exploitation, subjugation, and stifled opportunities that are the basis of women's
place in country music.
Country music has long been a voice forthe working class
but it has been a particularly rich source to learn about the
lives of women. ''The women in this book carry the music and
culture of the ordinary mothers, grandmothers, and matriarchs who worked in the field, the women who bore children
and watched them die without medical assistance, the women
who made homes from practically nothing, the women who
worked in the textile mills, the women who sold their bodies
to survive." In a world where women's history has largely
been ignored and destroyed, Bufwack and Oermann say
countrymusicisawindowintothelivesandstoriesofworking
class women. Throughout its history, country music has been
an avenue for women to express their pain, disenfranchisement, anger and despair, as well as their joy and liberation.
Each chapter in the book explores the music within the
social contextoftheworld around it-war, oppression, women's
liberation--and how the music was shaped and influenced by
what was happening in the lives of the people who made it.
The book is an attempt to "explain why songs happen when
they do."
The beginning chapter gives us a glimpse of the povertystricken, often violent, and sometimes very short lives of
Appalachian women. Generations of women have kept the
songs alive and they are filled with the reality of their everyday lives. Violence and sexuality were prevalent themes in the
songs. Many women endured repeated pregnancies and
often died during childbirth. Songs warning women against
men's sexual urges were frequent and one of the most common sentiments in the songs extols the virtues of staying
single . "Seven long years I've been married, And I wish I'd
lived an old maid."
I have been introduced tohundredsofsingers/ songwriters
through this book, and I'm not even finished yet. A lot of
talented musicians I have enjoyed but who are not part of the
"mainstream" are mentioned in the book. Cathy Fink, Cheryl
Wheeler, Laurie Lewis, and Ranch Romance are artists I was
excited to read about. I'm looking forward to hearing several
of the Oklahomans I read about also. Delia Bell, a native of
Hugo, was broughttonational attention in 1983 by Emmy Lou
Harris. During the 1970s she was widely known on the
bluegrass festival circuit and recorded more than a dozen
albums with her band. Another Oklahoman, Becky Hobbs
from Bartlesville, has merged honky-tonk with a popular
rockabilly stage show and has also scored a lot of attention as
a songwriter in Nashville.
"Eighties Ladies and Beyond," the last chapter in the
book, shares with us the stories of the current women of
country. I loved learning about the history of many women
who appeared to be "overnight successes, as well as many
singers I have not had the chance to listen to yet. Suzy Bogguss
traveled for five years by herself in a trailer playing in town
squaresandconvincingbarownerstoletherplayintheirclubs
for $50. She booked all her own shows, sold her own cassettes
and hung her own promotional posters in the early days. So
many of these women had many challenges to overcome in the
business and their careers and I was struck by their strength,
determination, and ultimately their success, whether they
made it ''big" or just reached their personal goals and are
doing wha tthey love. I'm anxious to listen to the new singers
I've read about in this book but I've also gained a new respect
for the many established and rising stars too. I want to go back
and discover them again now that I've learned what they've
come through and overcome to pursue the dreams they have.
To order the book, call Herland at521-9696 .
0
LETTERS TO HERLAND
Dear Friends,
Before leaving Oklahoma I want to convey my deep
appreciation to Herland. When I moved here in March 1992 I
had been out 1-1 / 4 years and my community involvement
had been with an AIDS resource and education organization
in a midwestem university town of 75,000. Herland provided
the opportunity to both expand and focus my lesbian energy
- expand by broadening the spectrum of lesbians and gays in
my life, thus deepening my understanding of the diversity of
our community; focus by offering an environment in which I
couldcontributedirectlytothelesbiancommunity,givingand
receiving simultaneously. Through my involvement with
Herland I have learned a great deal about cooperation, responsibility, and patience. I've also learned the not-so-small
lesson that it is okaytoaskforhelp when you need it. And the
friendships I share with Herlanders remain in my heart,
wherever my feet take me.
Thank you Herland for offering me a chance to grow. I
know you have been a vital part of many women's lives, and
you can count on my continued support so that your positive
energy touches as many as possible.
Renee McBride
Nancy Schneider M.s. w.
~ (j'huaztJodat 'W~
individual, .
couple, and
group therapy
2233 W. UNDSEY
SUITE 109
NORMAN, OK 73069
(405) 364·2545
PAGER: (405) 791·8792
Berland Voice
August, 1994
5
MILDREN SUPPORTS GAY/
ON THE ROAD TO BEIJING
LESBIAN RIGHTS
On September 9-10, the Oklahoma Women's Network
will host "Women Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: On the
Road to Beijing and the 21st Century," an official regional
preparatory meeting for the United Nations Fourth World
Conference on Women,. The Women's Bureau of the U.S.
Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of State are'
sponsoring a series of regional meetings, "to bring American
women together to identify what has worked and what is
needed for the advancement of the majority of women," sand
Karen Nussbaum, Director of the Women's Bureau.
The local theme is "Rethinking Women and Work for the
21st Century." The U.S. workforce of the 21st century will be
made up of a majority of women and "minorities." The
Oklahoma Women's Network intends to bring this fact home
to working women in Oklahoma and in our region and
mobilize ourselves to take leadership roles in the inevitable
process of designing work and the workplace for women.
For information contact: Women's Bureau, US. Dept. of
Labor, Federal Bldg, Suite 731, 525 Griffin St., Dallas, TX
75202. (212)767-6985.
D
(reprinted with permission from the Tulsa Family News)
At a recent Tulsa County Democratic Party event, candidates for governor responded to questions from the Tulsa
Family News about civil rights protections for lesbian and
gay Oklahomans.
Lt.Governor JackMildren'scampaignliteratureemphasizes his commitment to traditional values of family and
church, hard work and integrity. But this ex-college and
professional football player was emphatic in saying he believes in a level playing field for all Oklahomans. He stated
he was not aware that lesbian and gay citizens had no legal
protections but stated, "if that's so then the laws and rules ·
need to be changed." When asked if he would issue an
executive order banning discrimination based on sexual
orientation for state employees, he responded by asking,
D
"doesn't that follow from what I just said?"
LITTLE ROCK
(continued from page 1)
Over and over I wondered "when will this one battle
end?"
Occasional! y these self-proclaimed religious people would
exclaim how Jesus loved me, at the same time they spoke of
their own hatred of gays, lesbians, and feminists. What can
you expect from people who wear "Intolerance is a Beautiful
Thing" on their t-shirts.
I found one ray of hope during the three days in Little
Rock. Heterosexual women and men, lesbians and gays and
people of all religions and races stood TOGETHER outside the
clinics. Sometimes with arms interlocked, we sang and chanted
together. Most often we simply remained quit and emotionless-- determined not to validate the rhetoric of the protestors.
Eachofthesedistinctgroupscouldnotpossiblyhavebeen
there solely to protect the rights of women to choose abortion.
Rather, I believe each understood the bigotry of the "religious
right."
If given the opportunity, the religious right would attempt to end all of our choices and distort truth. These fanatics
are attempting to force teachers in Florida to teach children
thatthe UnitedStatesissuperiortoall past and presentnations
and cultures. They continually write and occasionally pass
legislation that would end our rights to employment, housing
and child custody, disguising it as lesbians and gays wanting
special rights. You should have seen how they mocked the
Buddhist while he was praying outside one clinic. Can no one
be free and happy?
Is there any difference between the violent actions and
hatred of the religious right, the Neo-Nazis and the KKK.
Those of us standing together know that there is no difference
- hate is hate.
I urge you not to confuse "pro-choice" with only abortion
rights. The agenda of the anti-choice groups reaches far
beyond this one issue. Just as in Little Rock, we must stand
together. We must stop these hate-mongers and their goal of
dividingusthroughapathy and cynicism.
D
6
Herland Voice
August, 1994
II ULLETIN
llOARD
It has been reported that Operation Rescue and Rescue
America will be descending on Mississippi in early August. If anyone would like more information about
Mississippi and possible later actions in Missouri and
Oklahoma City, please contact Nancy Dwyer through
Herland.
Look for selections from the Herland Voice on a new
computer bulletin board, The American Dream BBS. Logon to 359-7755 to check out this new service.
A coalition of more than 60 national and local organizations has produced an organizing guide titled How to
Win: A Pracfical Guide to Defeating the Radical Right in
Your Community. The manual includes articles on a
wide range of topics, from organizing broad-based coalitions and monitoring school board activity, to using
polling data and delivering an effective speech.The task
force is charging a $25 fee for the 150 page manual that
will cover printing and mailing, and will include the
information on disk. Contact: PFLAG: Parents, Families
and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, 1012 14th St, NW Ste
700 Washington, DC 20005 Phone (202)-638-4200 Fax:
(202)-638-0243 E-mail: PFLAGNTL@AOL.COM
Rebecca R. Cohn, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology
Norman, OK
321-2148
Individual,
Couples & Famny
Therapy
August.
19 9 4
Doc
Herland S8JS: r.elebrate August 26 - WCllEll'S EQU!LITY DlY - Calllli.t an 01Itrageous let or Everyday Rebellion
&/or go catch PEGGY JOHRSOB at Medina's Coffee House & sing the Mountain Sang with her!
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday \f ednesday Thursday
2
3
Friday
5
4
Saturday
6
Cleveland
Count
Remember
Hiroshima:
Work fbr
Peace
NOW
7 pm
Norman
Public
library
7
8
Ro£'er
Lienke's
band with
Terry and
Elyse
at VZD's
14
g
10
12
11
Herl and
Leeal
Defense
Fund Heet..inp
6:30
at Herland
15
13.
Lucj Slone
1Q1 - 1QQ3
17
18
19
20
23
24
25
26
27
30
31
16 PRIMARY
ELECTION
#
Metro OKC
NOW
6:30 pm
Harvey House
2.
H~rl~na
NW 63rd
22
PEGGY
JOHNSON
at a new
location!!!!
l'tedlna"s
Coffee House
on the Paseo
9:30 - t pm
Board
Meellnp
4:30 pm
28
NEWSLETTER
PARTY
6:30, Herland
HELP RWANDAN PEOPLE - Emergency Relief
Aid - Send donations to: OXFam America
26 West Street, Boston, MA 02111-1206
Donations are tax-deductible
Advertisement paid by private party
HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
2312 N.W. 39t..h Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
405/ 521-9696
Hours: Saturdays 10 - 6: Sundays 1 - 6
NonProf~
Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Oklahoma City, Okla.
Permit No. 861
2312 N.W. 39th Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED
...
-
August, 1994
FEMALE CANDIDATE
FOR
OK
GOVERNOR
Anthea Maton, President, Metro OKC NOW
On Monday,July 18th, Metro OKC NOW gave the Oklahoma grassroots community and the general public a chance
to meet and talk with Bernice Shedrick. Shedrick, currently a
high-ranking State Senator, is hoping the be the first female
Governor of Oklahoma.
In the friendly setting of the Harvey House Cafe and
Bookstore, a small group, who made up for their paucity of
numbers with the quality of questions posed, took advantage
of the opportunity for access to her. Members of several
groups participated-the ACLU,NOW, OGLPC, OKC Bikers
(yes, really), Simply Equal, and the Orchestra League. Three
other candidates for public office also attended; Fanny Bates
·for Oklahoma County Commissioner, Jerry Wilson for Oklahoma County Assessor, and Jeffrey Tollett running for US
Congress in the 6th District.
Shedrick came across well, speaking easily of her plans for
the Governor's seat. When it came to question time, she
answered clearly and carefully. Her record suggests she will
be extremely supportive of individual rights, and she stressed
thatshebelieveseveryoneshouldbetreatedfairlyandequally.
She said she is making the bid because she wants to restore the
public'sfaithintheirgovemor. "lwantpeopletoknowwhen
their Governor tells them something, they can take it to the
bank," she said. '1 don't expect everyone to agree with me 100
percent of the time, but I want them to know they can trust me
100 percent of the time."
Shedrick said her campaign would focus on three primary issues: crime prevention, economic development and
jobs, and better opportunities in the areas of education and
health care.
Her record includes backing the Equal Rights Amendment, solid support for reproductive choice, and leadership
in education.
Shedrick has won the support and endorsement of National NOW and as such will receive some funding. She also
carries the support and financial blessing of EMILY's List, a
major national organization whose role is to provide money to
help in the election of Democratic women candidates. While
unable to officially endorse Shedrick (it is incredibly complicated and expensive to set up a PAC which is needed if
support is official), members of Oklahoma NOW are putting
their support behind Shedrick, volunteering at campaign
headquarters and elsewhere.
D
Volume 11 Number 8
OPERATION RESCUE AND RESCUE
AMERICA FAIL IN LITTLE ROCK
Nancy Dwyer
During the week of July 6 through July 9, Operation
Rescue and Rescue America attempted to close women's
clinics in Little Rock, Arkansas. Their impetus was two-fold:
to save the "unborn" and to thumb their noses at President
Clinton in his home state.
These groups failed in two respects. First, the clinics
remained open. Second, according to the Arkansas DemocratGazette, local churches refused to give support to these hate
groups, which are usually associated with violent tactics.
Judging by the small number of anti-choice demonstrators,
they failed to gamer the support of local people. It was
estimated that anti-choice protestors were outnumbered 3 to
1 by pro-choice demonstrators.
Little Rock police arrested 30 anti-choice demonstrators
on Friday, July 8, charging them as trespassers, a misdemeanor offense. It is still unclear whether those arrested will
face federal charges under the recently signed Freedom of
Access to Clinic Entrance law (FACE). Failure to file federal
charges leads one to wonder how serious police and local
officials are in protecting the rights of women.
Representatives of Oklahoma NOW traveled to Little
Rock to support the patients' choices in having abortions and
to aid the Arkansas Liberty Alliance, by keeping the clinics
open.
As a member of NOW and a participant in this defense of
the clinics, I would like to offer some of my thoughts about
choice." As I stood in the lines defending two different clinics
and following anti-choice protestors to Baptist Hospital and
Dr. Stover's house, I had opportunities to question the actions
andcontradictionsoftheso-called "pro-life" movement. (continued page 6)
11
BREAK-IN AT HERLAND
For the second time in three months, Herland has
been the target of burglars. Our air condi ti oner, S<?me
cash, CDs, and other items for sale have been taken.
While insurance will help some, the actualloss to Herland
is over $500.
We need your help to recover from this loss. Replacement of the air conditioner is greatly needed to
make Herland a more comfortable space during the
Oklahoma summer. Please consider making an extra
contribution to help Herland through this crisis.
Herland Sister Resources
2312 N.W. 39, OKC, OK 73112
Sr. Sve1L
Sybil yields her space this issue to letters from readers and her honorable
coleague and good friend, Margaret. She wishes only to remind Paul that
she did say, very clearly, "Ifs not all men, but its always men."
Dear Herland Voice,
I'm sorry to be having to write this letter, yet I feel I must. After
readingyour July issue I felt bothhurtand deeply disappointed on two
different fronts. Firstly, I'm very active in OGLPC, which I have seen
as somewhat of a sister organization, I believe we have more than
demonstrated friendship of Herland and support for its values and
goals, and I wonder if any other gay /lesbian organization has joint
fundraiserswithHerland. Wealsohaveseveralmembersincommon
and yet no mention was made of our participation in the pride opening
ceremonies nor of our participation and support of the Pride Summit.
I doubt that many other organizations have contributed more financially or have more consistently had representation at its planning
meetings. I have a difficult time believing that both omissions were
accidental oversights especially since some organizations mentioned
were far less frequently in attendance than we. Other members of
OGLPC some of whom are also members ofHerlandSister Resources
have expres.sed their shock to me about this also.
Secondly to St. Sybil: I'm afraid she has let her halo slip quite a bit
in the July issue, and I'm hoping (I'm afraid against hope) that the
Margaret that wrote the letter is not the Margaret I have considered a
friend.
Yes,Iamamaleandlambynomeanswritingthisinresponseto
say that women have been uncaring in the AIDS struggle, I know that
women have been in the forefront of the struggle, nor do I have any
wishtosaythatwomenaretoopowerful(OGLPCby-lawsforexample
have co-equal male and female co-chairs who alternate presiding at
meetings) or thatwomenhaveachieved too much parity in the world.
Nor would I ever say that our social institutions have gone anywhere
near far enough to achieve social, job or legal equalities for women.
I believe that I personally am as much of a feminist as a man can
be, in the same way that straight people can support gay and lesbian
issuesandrightsbutcan'treallyknowwhatit'slikeforus,orthatwhites
no matter how supportive of African American rights cannot fully
understand what it is to be "black."
Where I take issue and yes evenhurt and offense is that both the
letter and the response said why do all men hate women - "us." I do
not hate women and I am and have been a strong advocate for equal
rights for women. I have with both time and money supported
pro-choice issues and attended rallies. I have been involved in
the Herland Legal Defense Fund. I lobby at the state capitol on
gay and lesbian issues and there have been occasions in which
no women's organization's representative was present and I
was the lone voice of concern on legislation of vital importance
to women. I have resigned in protest from organizations that
discount women and their rights. I have appeared both in print
and electronic media in support of women's rights and concerns
and virtually daily do something positive about the problem. I
have close women friends both lesbian and straight and believe
that these are relationships of both friendship and equality.
It seems to me that this "all men" response devalues any
efforts that any men make to help in the struggle and further
polarizes people rather than encouraging solutions.
I have preached that for a woman to be a feminist by no
means implies that she hates men (sure some do but as I say the
one thing is notimplicitto the other) but that she respects herself
and demands better for all women.
2
Her/and Voice
August, 1994
I had followed with interest and I might add gladness that
Herland Sister Resources had instituted policies of more inclusiveness toward men and transgendered persons. Does this
column represent that or is there no realcommitmenttothatgoal
or has there been a policy change? Is Herland a separatist
feminist organization after all?
I know and understand that men have rained violence and
abuse on women since the beginning of time and that many men
still do. And I understand the anger and hurt that can engender.
I do however believe that Herland and its publication have a
leadership responsibility to its members and readers to help
bridge the gap and heal the hurts, nottopander to the worst fears
of its readership.
It also seems to me that this kind of response even devalues
women, encourages an attitude of hopelessness and glorifies
victimhood. If all men hate women and nothing that any man does
to change things matters and the ha:tred of women by men is so big
and unchanging that women can only suffer under it what other
conclusion can I draw.
I believe that women have been a powerful force for change
in the attitudes of men toward themselves and toward women
and that lesbians have been a powerful force for change in the
gay /lesbian community and have impacted the white gay male
consciousness. Granted it's not a complete victory and that not
enough has changed, but big changes come by small steps and
I hope you won't choose to encourage divisions and blaming.
Please don't tar me with the same brush you use on men
who abuse and discount women. I am hurt and disappointed.
Paul Thompson, Male Co-Chair OGLPC
Dear Paul - and Batch, David, Brett, Carn, et al;
Yes, I am the Margaret you consider a friend, and I value
your friendship also. I know personally many men who are kind,
caring, and want to be fair, and a few who are acutely aware of
sexism and are actively pro-feminist. The "all men" was meant
to include straight men with gay in the overall misogyny game,
since I had been talking about gay men earlier in the letter to
Sybil. It was also a bit of exaggeration, of hyperbole, and I never
dreamed that it would be taken personally by someone like you,
Paul, who does valuable work for women's rights and works
hard to be feminist.
I am glad that Herland is working with OGLPC, Simply
Equal and other mixed-gender groups; the article was not
intended to be divisive; it was written much as your letter was
written, out of hurt and disappointment; and I think it needed
saying. Women are constantly being told that our depressions
and problems are personal, and that we should pull up our
socksand get on with our lives; I think we need reminders and
affirmation from time to time that in actuality most of our
problems are not personal, they are indeed political, a result of a
systematic institutionalized oppression and of general male
misogyny.
No, I don't think my letter and Sybil's response devalued
women or encouraged an attitude of hopelessness and glorification of victimhood . I hope you aren't reading too much Paglia,
are you, Paul? She's an opportunistic predator, if you ask me.
Now let me ask you, who were hurt and offended sufficiently by one article in the Herland Voice that you wrote a long
letter, to imagine how women feel about the kind of garbage we
have to put up with daily; and please let us complain about it, ok?
Honest to goddess, the struggle is earnest enough that we don't
need our friends taking umbrage at hearing the truth.
Keep the faith,
Margaret
0
JUSTICE
by Vivien Ng
Everybody is talking tough these days--every politician,
that is. Just the other day,I opened a campaign letter from one
of the candidates in the Oklahoma gubernatorial race. I
thoughtJohn Wayne had come back from the dead to haunt
me: "Two strikes and you're out!" the would-be governor
growled at phantom felons. Crime is the number one issue,
screamed yet another national poll . Well, if crime is on
everyone's mind, then why hasn't Congress passed the Crime
Bill, the bill that Janet Reno crisscrossed the country to lobby
for? The hangup, we know, is over a provision in the House
bill that allows death row inmates to use racial statistics in their
appeals. Sounds fair to me, but conservatives in Congress are
dead set against it, because "if we allow that, death penalty as
we knowitwill be gone." Exactly. What does this tell us about
"justice" in the US., the land of the free and home of the brave?
When I think about "justice," it is never in the barbaric
sense of an eye-for-an-eye. I prefer the humanistic formulation by Carter Heyward, lesbian feminist Christian priest and
teacher. She once wrote these profound words: 'We must
begin to see thatloveisjustice. Love does not come first, justice
later .... Where there is no justice-between two people or
among thousands--there is no love. And where there is no
justice /love, sexuality is perverted into violence and viola ti on,
the effects of which most surely include rape, emotional and
physical battering,relationships_!Jlanipulated by control, competition, and contempt, and even war itself."
When we understand that love is justice, we understand
at the same time that the 'Tm okay, you're okay" mode of
social interaction is superficial ifnotdysfunctional. "I'm okay,
you're okay" deliberately papers over differences that exist
between and among us. It's vanilla . It's ''see no evil, therefore
no evil." But differences are not evil, only that we have been
brought up to think so. Audre Lorde called racism, sexism,
heterosexism, and homophobia "forms of human blindness."
These forms of human blindness, in her opinion, stem from
the same root-an inability to recognize the notion of difference as a dynamic human force, one which is enriching rather
than threatening to the defined self, when there are shared
goals." She taught us that, "[W]e have all been programmed
to respond to human differences between us with fear and
loathing .... Too often, we pour the energy needed for recognizing and exploring difference in~opretending those differences
are insurmountable barriers, or that they do not exist at all."
This year, when we tum the pages of queer publications,
we can't avoid reading editorial upon editorial about "why
can'twe get along forthe good of the community?" Like many
lesbians and gay people of color, I think that it's the wrong
question to ask. 'Why can'tweget along?" is a code for 'Why
11
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1~~-4099
do we always have to talk about racism, sexism, and classism?
Why can't we just be queer?" 'Why can't we get along?" is a
blindfold, a master's tool.
How do we build a justice-seeking society? We need first
to learn from past mistakes. Take the case of Lambda Legal
Defense Fund and their choice of "Miss Saigon" for their
fundraiser, even though Asian lesbians and gay men protested the sexist and racist content of that Broadway musical.
Lambda refused to drop ''Miss Saigon" because they said that
theyhadalreadysoldall the tickets. Look at all thismoneythat
we have raised for our causes, they said. But as the women of
the Combahee River Collective stated it so well: '1n the
practice of our politics we do not believe that the end always
justifies the means. Many reactionary and destructive acts
have been done in the name of achieving 'correct' political
goals."
How do we build a justice-seeking society? We do so by
never sacrificing principles for the sake of expediency.
0
ACTIVISTS GATHER IN
NORMAN FoR SUMMIT
Over 100 lesbian, gay, bisexual1 and transgendered acti vis ts and straight allies from across Oklahoma gathered at
University of Oklahoma for the Oklahoma Pride Summit. The
summit gave attendees the opportunity to share their work
and vision through panels, workshops and recreation. Summit organizers agreed the Summit was a success in achieving
the goal of bringing together a variety of individuals and
organizations to build a more unified gay /lesbian/bisexual /
transgender movement in Oklahoma.
Peri Jude Radecic, Executive Director of the National Gay
and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), Robert Bray, Fight The
Right Media Coordinator for NGLTF, and Mandy Carter,
Director of the Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum
served as national resource persons for the three-day event.
All expressed enthusiasm for the Pride Summit and its
goals. Radecic commented, "The impact of this conference
happens at several different levels -- personal impact,
strengthen the movement in Oklahoma and nationally. This
conference was the only statewide conference of its kind this
year and it will serve as a model to other states." Carter
observed. "To have such a gathering is truly historical. I have
seen conferences and gatherings like this before in other states,
butthere's something about it happening in the heartland that
restores my faith that our movement is on track."
0
CORRECTION
In the July Voice, theOklahomaGayandLesbianPolitical
Caucus was mistakenly omitted from the organizers of the
Oklahoma Pride Summit. We regret and apologize for the
error. OGLPC and its members were an important part of the
Oklahoma Pride Summit.
0
Off~• dla .... &y cllPjw••tmuJ
Her/and Voice
August, 1994
3
RADICAL RIGHT FAILS TO QUALIFY IN
OUT OF
8
10 STATES
HARASSMENT OF CAMP SISTER SPIRIT
OREGON AND loAHo FACE INmATTVEs THAT LEGALIZE
DISCRJMINATION AGAINST GAY PEOPLE
Radical Right wing groups in Missouri and seven other
states failed to qualify ballot measures that would have legalized discrimination against gay people. Initiatives in two
states, Oregon and Idaho, qualified for the ballot. While the
Oregon measure has been struck from the ballot by a state
judge, that ruling is being appealed.
Radical Right groups in Arizona, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, and Washington failed to gather the required
signatures by deadlines that ranged from January 31st to July
11th. The initiative in Florida was ruled invalid by that state's
Supreme Court in March, 1994. An announced initiative effort
in Ohio never materialized, but the group announced plans
for a project attacking politicians who have been supportive of
equal rights for gay people.
Jeanie Keeny,spokesperson forGLAAD /KC, told a news
conference on Friday, July 8, "This is a day that makes me
proud to be a lifelong lesbian citizen of Missouri--proud
because Missouri is the Show Me state, and proud because
Missourians are sending a message from the heartland to the
nation."
'We are relieved, but not relaxed," said Sue Hyde, Fight
the Right Project Coordinator for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) at a briefing held by representatives
of four national gay and lesbian groups in Washington, D.C.
"The failure of the Radical Right to qualify in eight states is
positive, but it should not send the 'all clear signal'."
Mandy Carter of the National Black Gay and Lesbian
Leadership Forum said, "National radical groups have divided communities by trying to institutionalize discrimination. Their cynical strategy is best challenged by the truth.
Pe op le of color communi ties are an important part of the effort
to expose the discriminatory agenda of the Radical Right."
Nicole LeFavour, an official with the Idaho Campaign for
Human Dignity, the group that will be opposing that state's
discriminatory measure noted that the Idaho initiative barely
qualified. "The Idaho anti-gay group fell far short of its goal of
100,000 signatures and squeaked past with only a few thousand to spare," said LeFavour."
Oregon's ballot measure was struck down as unconstitutional by Marion County (Or.) Circuit court in April 1994.
"The courts continue to tell us that citizens cannot vote
lesbians and gay men out of constitutions," said Suzanne
Goldberg, a staff attorney for Lambda Legal Defense and
Education Fund . "Still, the Radical Right continues to promote
these unconstitutional assaults, and we will continue to battle
against them in court."
D
2 l 09 S. AiR DEpOT
Midwm Ory, OK 7 ~ l l 0
(405)7H-0496
AiR DEpoT ANiMAl HospiTAl
CAil
4
foR AppoiNTMENT
Herland Voice
August, 1994
CONGRESSIONAL HEARING FOCUSES ON
JOY HUSKA, D.V. M.
Jackson, Miss. (fuly6, 1994) .. .A U S .HouseofRepresentatives
subcommittee held an oversight hearing in Jackson, Mississippi
July 6 focusing on the events surrounding the conflict in Ovett,
Mississippi, the location of the feminist retreat Camp Sister Spirit
run by the lesbian couple Brenda and Wanda Henson. The
Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the House
Judiciary Committee hearing was chaired by Rep. Barney Frank
(D-Mass.) and also led by Rep.Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.).
In their testimony, Brenda and Wanda Henson summarized
the harassment, threats and violent incidents that have been
committed against them since November 1993. The Hensons'
testimony also featured several instances in which they say Mississippi officialsdid not respond to requests for assistanceorinterventionorweredirectly antagonistic toward theHensons. TheHensons
implored federal officials to protect them and ensure their basic
civil rights.
'We do not seek tolerance and acceptance, said Wanda
Henson. 'We seek equality under the law and freedom from
oppression, intimidation, and harassment. We seek justice and a
legal system that is capable and willing to defend our rights."
Both James Hendry and Rev. John Allen stated during their
testimony that the harassment and incidents against the Hensons
are unsubstantiated and they implied or overtly stated that the
Hensons created the campaign against them for publicity. While
Allen's testimony focused on his moral opposition to the Hensons'
lesbianism and the "gay and lesbian agenda," he did not outline
any specific goals except that the Hensons "experience the lifechanging redemption found in a genuine faith surrender to Jesus
Christ."
Onlyone Mississippi official directlyimplicated bytheHensons
participated in the hearing. Jim Ingram, Commissioner of Public
Safety answered questions from Reps. Frank and Nadler, stating
that he felt local law enforcement officers were protecting the
Hensons to the best of their ability and were upholding the law.
Tworepresentativesofthe US. DepartmentofJusticetestified
at the hearing: William Yeomans, Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division and Ozell Sutton, Southeast
Regional Director of the Community Relations Service (CRS).
Yeomans testified that "at present, none of the nation's civil rights
laws provide explicit protection on the basis of sexual
orientation ...The DepartmentofJusticeislimited toenforcementof
thelawsaswritten.OurjurisdictionreachesonlysofarasCongress
chooses to extend it."
D
/1
Published by: Her1and Sister Resources, Inc. 2312 N.W. 39th, Oklahoma
City, OK 73112
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be signed by the writer with full name and address. Upon request, letters or
articles may be printed under a pseudonym or anonymously. SubscriJ:iions to
The Voice are free upon request. The Voice is printed on recycled paper.
FINDING HER VOICE:
THE SAGA
OF WOMEN IN CouNTRY Music
Jill Garner
This month I'd like to depart from my review of music and
instead review a book about music that I bought recently.
Finding Her Voice: The Saga of Women in Country Music,
is a history of women in country music through many styles
and times . Starting with Appalachian mountain women, the
book then weaves us through the Depression, 19th century
show business, southern gospel, folk, country rock, bluegrass,
modem country music, and much more. Authors Mary
Bufwack and Robert Oermann bring the "silenced voices" to
life, and touch on the poverty, sexual exploitation, subjugation, and stifled opportunities that are the basis of women's
place in country music.
Country music has long been a voice forthe working class
but it has been a particularly rich source to learn about the
lives of women. ''The women in this book carry the music and
culture of the ordinary mothers, grandmothers, and matriarchs who worked in the field, the women who bore children
and watched them die without medical assistance, the women
who made homes from practically nothing, the women who
worked in the textile mills, the women who sold their bodies
to survive." In a world where women's history has largely
been ignored and destroyed, Bufwack and Oermann say
countrymusicisawindowintothelivesandstoriesofworking
class women. Throughout its history, country music has been
an avenue for women to express their pain, disenfranchisement, anger and despair, as well as their joy and liberation.
Each chapter in the book explores the music within the
social contextoftheworld around it-war, oppression, women's
liberation--and how the music was shaped and influenced by
what was happening in the lives of the people who made it.
The book is an attempt to "explain why songs happen when
they do."
The beginning chapter gives us a glimpse of the povertystricken, often violent, and sometimes very short lives of
Appalachian women. Generations of women have kept the
songs alive and they are filled with the reality of their everyday lives. Violence and sexuality were prevalent themes in the
songs. Many women endured repeated pregnancies and
often died during childbirth. Songs warning women against
men's sexual urges were frequent and one of the most common sentiments in the songs extols the virtues of staying
single . "Seven long years I've been married, And I wish I'd
lived an old maid."
I have been introduced tohundredsofsingers/ songwriters
through this book, and I'm not even finished yet. A lot of
talented musicians I have enjoyed but who are not part of the
"mainstream" are mentioned in the book. Cathy Fink, Cheryl
Wheeler, Laurie Lewis, and Ranch Romance are artists I was
excited to read about. I'm looking forward to hearing several
of the Oklahomans I read about also. Delia Bell, a native of
Hugo, was broughttonational attention in 1983 by Emmy Lou
Harris. During the 1970s she was widely known on the
bluegrass festival circuit and recorded more than a dozen
albums with her band. Another Oklahoman, Becky Hobbs
from Bartlesville, has merged honky-tonk with a popular
rockabilly stage show and has also scored a lot of attention as
a songwriter in Nashville.
"Eighties Ladies and Beyond," the last chapter in the
book, shares with us the stories of the current women of
country. I loved learning about the history of many women
who appeared to be "overnight successes, as well as many
singers I have not had the chance to listen to yet. Suzy Bogguss
traveled for five years by herself in a trailer playing in town
squaresandconvincingbarownerstoletherplayintheirclubs
for $50. She booked all her own shows, sold her own cassettes
and hung her own promotional posters in the early days. So
many of these women had many challenges to overcome in the
business and their careers and I was struck by their strength,
determination, and ultimately their success, whether they
made it ''big" or just reached their personal goals and are
doing wha tthey love. I'm anxious to listen to the new singers
I've read about in this book but I've also gained a new respect
for the many established and rising stars too. I want to go back
and discover them again now that I've learned what they've
come through and overcome to pursue the dreams they have.
To order the book, call Herland at521-9696 .
0
LETTERS TO HERLAND
Dear Friends,
Before leaving Oklahoma I want to convey my deep
appreciation to Herland. When I moved here in March 1992 I
had been out 1-1 / 4 years and my community involvement
had been with an AIDS resource and education organization
in a midwestem university town of 75,000. Herland provided
the opportunity to both expand and focus my lesbian energy
- expand by broadening the spectrum of lesbians and gays in
my life, thus deepening my understanding of the diversity of
our community; focus by offering an environment in which I
couldcontributedirectlytothelesbiancommunity,givingand
receiving simultaneously. Through my involvement with
Herland I have learned a great deal about cooperation, responsibility, and patience. I've also learned the not-so-small
lesson that it is okaytoaskforhelp when you need it. And the
friendships I share with Herlanders remain in my heart,
wherever my feet take me.
Thank you Herland for offering me a chance to grow. I
know you have been a vital part of many women's lives, and
you can count on my continued support so that your positive
energy touches as many as possible.
Renee McBride
Nancy Schneider M.s. w.
~ (j'huaztJodat 'W~
individual, .
couple, and
group therapy
2233 W. UNDSEY
SUITE 109
NORMAN, OK 73069
(405) 364·2545
PAGER: (405) 791·8792
Berland Voice
August, 1994
5
MILDREN SUPPORTS GAY/
ON THE ROAD TO BEIJING
LESBIAN RIGHTS
On September 9-10, the Oklahoma Women's Network
will host "Women Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: On the
Road to Beijing and the 21st Century," an official regional
preparatory meeting for the United Nations Fourth World
Conference on Women,. The Women's Bureau of the U.S.
Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of State are'
sponsoring a series of regional meetings, "to bring American
women together to identify what has worked and what is
needed for the advancement of the majority of women," sand
Karen Nussbaum, Director of the Women's Bureau.
The local theme is "Rethinking Women and Work for the
21st Century." The U.S. workforce of the 21st century will be
made up of a majority of women and "minorities." The
Oklahoma Women's Network intends to bring this fact home
to working women in Oklahoma and in our region and
mobilize ourselves to take leadership roles in the inevitable
process of designing work and the workplace for women.
For information contact: Women's Bureau, US. Dept. of
Labor, Federal Bldg, Suite 731, 525 Griffin St., Dallas, TX
75202. (212)767-6985.
D
(reprinted with permission from the Tulsa Family News)
At a recent Tulsa County Democratic Party event, candidates for governor responded to questions from the Tulsa
Family News about civil rights protections for lesbian and
gay Oklahomans.
Lt.Governor JackMildren'scampaignliteratureemphasizes his commitment to traditional values of family and
church, hard work and integrity. But this ex-college and
professional football player was emphatic in saying he believes in a level playing field for all Oklahomans. He stated
he was not aware that lesbian and gay citizens had no legal
protections but stated, "if that's so then the laws and rules ·
need to be changed." When asked if he would issue an
executive order banning discrimination based on sexual
orientation for state employees, he responded by asking,
D
"doesn't that follow from what I just said?"
LITTLE ROCK
(continued from page 1)
Over and over I wondered "when will this one battle
end?"
Occasional! y these self-proclaimed religious people would
exclaim how Jesus loved me, at the same time they spoke of
their own hatred of gays, lesbians, and feminists. What can
you expect from people who wear "Intolerance is a Beautiful
Thing" on their t-shirts.
I found one ray of hope during the three days in Little
Rock. Heterosexual women and men, lesbians and gays and
people of all religions and races stood TOGETHER outside the
clinics. Sometimes with arms interlocked, we sang and chanted
together. Most often we simply remained quit and emotionless-- determined not to validate the rhetoric of the protestors.
Eachofthesedistinctgroupscouldnotpossiblyhavebeen
there solely to protect the rights of women to choose abortion.
Rather, I believe each understood the bigotry of the "religious
right."
If given the opportunity, the religious right would attempt to end all of our choices and distort truth. These fanatics
are attempting to force teachers in Florida to teach children
thatthe UnitedStatesissuperiortoall past and presentnations
and cultures. They continually write and occasionally pass
legislation that would end our rights to employment, housing
and child custody, disguising it as lesbians and gays wanting
special rights. You should have seen how they mocked the
Buddhist while he was praying outside one clinic. Can no one
be free and happy?
Is there any difference between the violent actions and
hatred of the religious right, the Neo-Nazis and the KKK.
Those of us standing together know that there is no difference
- hate is hate.
I urge you not to confuse "pro-choice" with only abortion
rights. The agenda of the anti-choice groups reaches far
beyond this one issue. Just as in Little Rock, we must stand
together. We must stop these hate-mongers and their goal of
dividingusthroughapathy and cynicism.
D
6
Herland Voice
August, 1994
II ULLETIN
llOARD
It has been reported that Operation Rescue and Rescue
America will be descending on Mississippi in early August. If anyone would like more information about
Mississippi and possible later actions in Missouri and
Oklahoma City, please contact Nancy Dwyer through
Herland.
Look for selections from the Herland Voice on a new
computer bulletin board, The American Dream BBS. Logon to 359-7755 to check out this new service.
A coalition of more than 60 national and local organizations has produced an organizing guide titled How to
Win: A Pracfical Guide to Defeating the Radical Right in
Your Community. The manual includes articles on a
wide range of topics, from organizing broad-based coalitions and monitoring school board activity, to using
polling data and delivering an effective speech.The task
force is charging a $25 fee for the 150 page manual that
will cover printing and mailing, and will include the
information on disk. Contact: PFLAG: Parents, Families
and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, 1012 14th St, NW Ste
700 Washington, DC 20005 Phone (202)-638-4200 Fax:
(202)-638-0243 E-mail: PFLAGNTL@AOL.COM
Rebecca R. Cohn, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology
Norman, OK
321-2148
Individual,
Couples & Famny
Therapy
August.
19 9 4
Doc
Herland S8JS: r.elebrate August 26 - WCllEll'S EQU!LITY DlY - Calllli.t an 01Itrageous let or Everyday Rebellion
&/or go catch PEGGY JOHRSOB at Medina's Coffee House & sing the Mountain Sang with her!
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday \f ednesday Thursday
2
3
Friday
5
4
Saturday
6
Cleveland
Count
Remember
Hiroshima:
Work fbr
Peace
NOW
7 pm
Norman
Public
library
7
8
Ro£'er
Lienke's
band with
Terry and
Elyse
at VZD's
14
g
10
12
11
Herl and
Leeal
Defense
Fund Heet..inp
6:30
at Herland
15
13.
Lucj Slone
1Q1 - 1QQ3
17
18
19
20
23
24
25
26
27
30
31
16 PRIMARY
ELECTION
#
Metro OKC
NOW
6:30 pm
Harvey House
2.
H~rl~na
NW 63rd
22
PEGGY
JOHNSON
at a new
location!!!!
l'tedlna"s
Coffee House
on the Paseo
9:30 - t pm
Board
Meellnp
4:30 pm
28
NEWSLETTER
PARTY
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