The Herland Voice : v.8: no.9(1991)
- Title
- The Herland Voice : v.8: no.9(1991)
- 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
- 1991-09
- 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
- 2017-09-02T17:02:50Z
- Date Available
- 2017-09-02T17:02:50Z
- Subject
- Oklahoma
- Type
- application/pdf
- extracted text
-
do~HERLAND ~
ICE
SEPTEMBER 1991
FALL RETREAT COMING UP
The Red Rock Canyon State Park group camp is the place to
be October 11-13 for the annual Herland Fall Retreat. Registration will open at 4 p.m. with the formal opening ceremony at
9:30 p.m. Activities will wind up Sunday morning with checkout time at noon.
The featured entertainer will be singer-songwriter Nancy
Scott of Austin, Texas. Many of you will remember Nancy from
coffeehouses, or from our previous retreat when she opened for
Karen Williams, the comic. Well, we've decided we've got to
have her all to ourselves for a complete evening. None of these
teasers anymore! She is a talented, witty, fun entertainer and
songwriter. We're looking forward to a great concert.
If you can't make it for the retreat but would like to catch
Nancy, tickets for the concert only are $10.
Workshops at the retreat will provide opportunities for
discussion and learning. Those planned include "Women's
Herstory," "Out is In," "Revising the Matriarchy," and "The
Catharsis of Creativity." Others may be added by retreat time.
Saturday evening features (of course) the famous potluck
supper. Look for sing-along campfires with Peggy Johnson on
Friday night and Saturday after Nancy Scott's performance.
Other activities are limited only by your imagination-expect
12-step meetings, spades tournaments, softball, volleyball,
hiking, political discussions and more.
The pre-registration fee is on a sliding scale, ranging from $15
-$40 based on your ability to pay. (Please see page 6 for a guide
for determining your approprate fee.) Registration on-site will
be $40. Scholarships are also available for the destitute.
Registration includes the Friday evening meal and brunch on
Saturday and Sunday breakfast. Please remember, if you bring
pets, they must be on a leash at all times.
Red Rock Canyon State Park is located near Hinton,
Oklahoma about a one-hour drive west of Oklahoma City. The
park is nestled in the bottom of a canyon with steep sides which
are popular rappelling sites. Trails provide a view of ruts left by
pioneer wagons traveling the California Road. A small lake
offers fishing opportunities. The canyon environment supports
a wider variety of plants than most of western Oklahoma,
including the Caddo Maple which should be displaying
splendid foliage by retreat time.
For information, leave a message at Herland ( 405) 5219696. Phone messages will be checked and returned daily. •
CLEVELAND ISSUES CHALLENGE
Barbara Cleveland, the founding mother of Herland, was honored
with a backyard barbeque at Herland on August 18, 1991.
Barbara praised the women of Herland for their work in renovating
the Herland building. She pledged $200 over the next two years to the
building fund and challenged others to make a similar pledge, saying, "If
I, a poor graduate student can give $200, surely anyone can. If 150 other
women will make pledges of $200, this building will be paid off by 1993.
She observed that Herland has always been kept alive by the support of
dedicated women, even when it seemed impossible.
Barbara began Herland in 1982 as a privately run organization
providing a women's bookstore and producing women's music events.
She recruited other community women to be involved and by 1986,
Herland was reorganized as a nonprofit corporation. Herland is
governed by a board ~f directors and relies on volunteer labor and
contributions to sustain operations.
Herland decided to purchase a building of our own and moved to its
present location in 1989. With faith in the commitment of the women
who have supported Herland, the Board entered into a mortgage with a
balloon payment of $30,000 due in January 1993. The eleven women
on the Herland board have pledged the first $3,000 toward the building
fund. Additional building fund pledges of $1000 were made by women
attending the barbeque.
Join us!
VOLUME 8 NUMBER 9
•
r---------------------~
YES, I'll meet the 16-month challenge to help pay off the Herland
building by January 1, 1993.
In support of the Building Fund Drive of Herland Sister Resources,
I/we pledge:
D $400 (25/month)
D $160 (10/month)
D $200 (12.50/month)
D $ 80 ( 5.00/month)
Enclosed is my initial contribution of$ _________
Please send me a pledge reminder:
D monthly D quarterly
CITY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ STATE _ _ _ _ ZIP _ _ __
Please return to HSR, 2312 N.W. 39th, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.
THANKS!
L---------------------~
HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES
2312 N.W. 39th, OKC, OK 73112
• (405) 521-9696
•
The Coyote Club 0 First Anniversary Celebration
p resents in concert Redwcod Recording Artist
Hunter Davis
w ith Special Guest 0 Peggy Johnson
Sun day, September 22nd 0 8:00 pm
$4.00 at the door 0 2120 NW 39th St.
ST. SYBIL
Dear St. Sybil,
Recently Edward Albee, the well-known playwright, spoke at the gay and lesbian
writers' conference in San Francisco, OutWrite '91; and he really made a lot of
people mad: During his keynote speech he declared that he's a member of many
"minorities," namely: he's white, male, middle-aged, a WASP and a college
professor- and oh yes, by the way, he's gay, too.
He went on to say that belonging to these beleaguered "minorities" has not
caused him any problems. "None of them have gotten in my way and stopped me
from saying whatever I wanted to say as a writer."
Jorjet Harper, writing in Outlines, says that he forgot to mention two other
minorities he belongs, to: wealthy and famous. She doesn't suppose those have
hindered him, either.
What do you think of all this? He's right, those are all minorities; but it's still
poppycock, isn't it?
Sincerely . . .
]essabit O'Fended
Dear Jessabit (and what a lovely old-fashioned name you have, my dear),
Well, Mr. Albee is trying to be cute, I suppose. He must figure that being a
playwright entitles him to play with words. But this little game is also played
by other privileged folk from time to time, and really they should all cut it
out. It is not cute, and it is not harmless.
Of course, it was during the Civil Rights movement, when African
Americans held center stage, that the word "minorities" came to be a
catchword for any group being denied a full share of the American pie. It has
remained the word of choice for the various other Rights and Independence
groups-Hispanic, Women, Gay and Lesbian, etc; even though women of
course are not a minority, and people of color in the world are definitely not
either. It is a bit of a wonder that we don't sometimes hear farm and fur
animals referred to as minorities. That would be really silly sounding, but it
would actually be closer to the meaning that the catchword has taken on than
"male" and "wasp."
So as one who cares about the treatment of farm animals and hopes for the
abolition of fur-wearing by non-fur-bearing animals, and as one who shares
your ennui at hearing people like Albee play semantics at the expense of
reality and humanity, I'd like to try suggesting a new word to replace the old,
sometimes inaccurate and possibly inappropriate, stand-by, "minority."
Nonwhitenonmalenonmiddleclassnonstraightnonrichnonwasp-I don't
know, I don't think that one will get off the ground, although it might keep
Albee from claiming membership in it. My new friend K. Marx, Patron Saint
of the U nread and the Misunderstood, says that he still likes "The Exploited
Masses,'' but he reluctantly agrees that it might not fly these days either.
2
HERLAND VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1991
Let's try some acronyms; maybe we'll come up with something catchy.
NOCs: Not of the Opressor Class. That will keep Albee out; it's easily
punnable, too, as in "school of hard NOCs, NOC NOC, let us in, etc.
OOPs: Out Of Powers. I like this one; it implies something which might
possibly be remediable, like "00Ps, I seem to be on the wrong path, but ifl
retrace my steps I can get on the correct one."
TOPs: Temporarily Out of Powers. This one has a nice ring to it, and a good
subtle threatening sound, as ifTOPs might just become TIPs one day, if they
get together and work at it.
W AADs: We're Armed And Dangerous and out to get you!: Just kidding!Just
playing around a little, no harm in fantasies if you don't act on them, ok?
Jeez, I swear, this newsletter has one of the most pacifist group of readers in
the world! Just a trifle humor-impaired, too, you know?
ARWOS: Armed with Righteousness and Will Overcome. I suppose you like
that better, but face it, it's boring, boring, boring, even if it is true.
So much for word play; it really isn't appropriate, anyway. Who we're
talking about here are the used, the abused, the discriminated against; the
forgotten, the forlorn, the overlooked, the poor, the hungry, the homeless,
the exploited, the scapegoated, the helpless, the hopeless, the despised.
It's hard to understand people who mock and belittle these groups and
their very real grievances. Mr. Albee listing his various accesses to privilege
seems like an excess of self-indulgence to me. It is not cute, it is dishonest and
sophomoric. We know that he knows what the word "minority" represents,
so who is he trying to kid?
Dear me, this whole thing is making me very tired; I think I'll go see ifl can
persuade Saint Sister Kenny to give me a massage.
Until we talk/write/ communicate again, take care, take power and trust
Sybil
joy ...
Mowing • Fertlllzlng • Trimming
• Light Haullng •
"We Are Insured"
KAY
794-0081
SANDIE
794-6884
P-FLAG TO COLLECT
DISCRIMINATION STORIES
The Federation of Parents and Friend of Lesbians and Gays is
conducting a national -campaign to collect stories to be used in
observance of National Coming Out Day, October 11, 1991.
Members and friends of P-FLAG are asked to write a story or keep
a journal of approximately one week in which they document the
ways that anti-gay and lesbian discrimination affects them and their
lives. They can describe overt or subtle affronts to their dignity, the
emotional and practical costs of living in the closet, anti-gay violence,
or discrimination in employment and housing services.
"We want people to use this exercise as a way of documenting not
only overt and outrageous examples of discrimination, but also the
more subtle ways that homophobia daily touches their lives," said
Tom Sauerman, executive director of P-FLAG. "For example, we
need stories about the loss of employment or housing caused by the
disclosure or suspicion of sexual orientation. Or a parent might write
about playing bridge with someone who made homophobic remarks
and how they dealt with the situation, about the pain of a daughter's
partner being omitted from the guest list of a family wedding by a
relative who wasn't accepting of the relationship, or about activities
or conversations at work or in the community that they could not
participate in because of homophobic discrimination."
"Sharing these stories will empower the individuals who write
them;" Sauerman added, "and P-FLAG will publish some of them as
a consciousness-raising device for National Coming Out Day. They
will also be used to document discrimination in meetings with public
officials and for testifying in favor oflegislation such as the 1991 Gay
and Lesbian Civil Rights Bill."
Stories and diaries will be accepted in any form, preferably typewritten, one or two pages in length. They can be signed or unsigned
and should be sent by September 15 to P-FLAG Discrimination Diary
Project, Post Office Box 27605, Washington, DC 20038. P-FLAG
will contact writers before using stories for media or press purposes.
The Federation of Parents FLAG is a tax-exempt, non-profit
network of support groups founded in 1981 to help families learn to
understand, accept, and respect their gay and_lesbian members; and to
advocate for the civil rights and concerns of lesbians and gay men.
P-FLAG's outreach is to members of over 235 local chapters and
information helplines across the United States, Canada, and six other
countries; and countless others who call local helplines and hear of
the Federation's work through the print and broadcast media.
Readers who wish to receive a packet of information about Parents
FLAG may do so by sending $3 to the Office of Family and Chapter
Support, Post Office Box 27605, Washington, DC 20038.
•
M. COLEEN WOODY
MARILYN D. BEST
ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW
General Practice
1518 N.W. 29th St
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
405-525-2174
Edwina V. Johnson, D.D.S.
"Catering to Cowards needing Tender Care"
in Comprehensive Dentistry
5009 North Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 103
(405) 840-5410
Night & Sunday practice by appt. only
Emergencies welcome
Insurance accepted
STATISTICS ON HIV/AIDS AND
NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN
(Statistics provided by Lorrelle D. Pintado, Prevention and Community
Education Department, Seattle Indian Health Board, April I, 1991.)
Many Native American women have been lulled into a false sense
of security because past published statistics show small numbers of
women who are HIV positive. However, in the United States today,
women are the fastest growing group to be infected with HIV:
150,000 women nationwide have become HIV positive and 14,816
have gone on to develop AIDS.
Currently, 34 adult female Native Americans in the United States
have full-blown AIDS. In addition, four Native American females
who are age 12 or under (pediatric cases) have AIDS.
As of April 30, 1990, there were 30 Native American females
nationwide who were diagnosed with AIDS, 3 of whom were female
pediatric cases. Therefore, between April 30, 1990 and June 1991, a
26 percent increase occurred in the number of Native American
females with AIDS.
As of October 31, 1989, 26 Native 4.merican females nationwide
had AIDS, 2 of whom were pediatric cases. Therefore, a 46 percent
increase in AIDS occurred from October 1989 to June 1991 in Native
American females nationally.
In comparing national data, females account for 5 percent of white
persons with AIDS but for 17 percent of Native Americans with
AIDS, a substantial difference.
It should be emphasized that these numbers represent only fullblown AIDS cases that have been reported to the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) and do not include seroprevalence and underreported
cases, as well as persons whose racial ethnicity was misidentified.
It was not until late 1988 that CDC created a separate category for
Native Americans for disease reporting purposes. Therefore, it is
important that all people of color, male and female, make sure that
they self-disclose their race on report forms; this will help increase the
accuracy of reporting the types and numbers of people who are
infected with HIV.
Women of color need to be included in clinical trials that study the
benefits and risks of using new treatments for a disease. In addition,
diagnostic models, testing programs, and benefit packages in health
care facilities need to be set up with women in mind to address their
HIV-related problems.
In the Oklahoma City area, HIV I AIDS information for women is
available from:
SunShine Shillings
Southeast Area Health Center
( 405) 632-6688
Gloria Bellymule
OKC Indian Clinic
(405) 232-1526
HERLAND VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1991
•
3
HERLAND
GETS A
FACE
LIFT ...
AND HAS A BAR-B-QUE
AND BACKYARD CONCERT
WITH DONNA D.
MAILING LIST ANALVSIS.
If you receive the Berland Voice in Hawaii or Alaska, you probably
think that you are the only one in your entire state who gets it; and
you're quite right, you are. Also if you live in a few of our other
states, or in the two foreign countries on our list.
On August 3, 1991, our mailing list contained exactly 800
addresses, and we thought it would be interesting to see how it breaks
down. Oklahoma, of course, leads the list with 574; and most of these
are in the Oklahoma City/Norman area. Not surprisingly, our sister
states of Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri have the next largest
numbers, respectively 27, 24 & 20. (Except for California, sister state
to the world, who has 21.) Here's the entire breakdown:
Oklahoma . . .... 574
Texas ........... 27
Arkansas .... . . . . 24
California . .. . . . . . 21
Missouri . . . ...... 20
New York. . . . . . . . 13
Georgia . . . . . . . . . . 9
Arizona . . . . . . . . . . 8
Colorado . . . . . . . . . 7
Kansas . . . . . . . . . . 7
Illinois . .. ... .... .. 7
Tennessee . ... ... 7
Florida . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Massachusetts ....
Oregon . . . . . . . . . .
Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washington, D.C. . .
Virginia . . .. ... . ..
Wisconsin . . . . . . . .
Louisiana . . . . . . . .
Indiana . . . . . . . . . . .
Maryland . . . . . . . . .
Minnesota . . . . . . . .
North Carolina ....
Pennsylvania .. . ..
Washington . . . . . . .
6
6
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
New Mexico .. ... .
Alabama . . . . . . . . .
Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kentucky . . . . . . . . .
Mississippi .......
Alaska . . . . . . . . . . .
Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . .
Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . .
New Hampshire . . .
Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Germany .... . ....
The Netherlands . .
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
~usie
fr'outhwell,
Dear Herland,
Thanks to the Voice staff for continuing to publish articles and responses
about women's spirituality. Patriarchy still binds most of our world-it's
refreshing to have a newsletter written by women who refuse to behave like
mindless breeding stock-and who welcome and respect opposing views within
the women's community.
Gail
Dear Herland Voice,
Bravo to Deborah Fox on the article "Sisters Beware." I am all for
spirituality and for women choosing their own Higher Powers etc. I also
KNOW from much experience that there are many dangerous groups out
there, from money-hungry scum to sexually abusing, drug-pushing, mindcontrolling money-hungry scum! There is a vast array of information on the
New Age Movement from the Cult Awareness Network in Chicago, Ill. There
is an information outlet in Enid, OK. The Cult Awareness Network is also
having their yearly conference in Oklahoma City this year, November 1, 2 & 3.
For more info write: C.A.N. 1991 National Conference, P.O. Box 60653,
OKC, OK 73146. It will be at the Sheraton Century Center Hotel.
My partner was in a cult for eight years. We have many friends who are also
survivors of religious cults. Any type of deceptive, manipulative, totalistic
group can be called a cult if it meets the eight requirements of mind control.
Your newsletter is informative and we enjoy receiving it. Thanks.
Mary Verkler
M. Ed.
COUNSELOR
2912 N. Clauen, Suite 102, _ _ _ _ _ _
7
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106·---Telephone: (405) 556-4105
GAV GROUP TO PARTICIPATE IN NORTH
CAROLINA HIGHWAY PROGRAM
After being sued by the American Civil Liberties Union, the North
Carolina Department ofTransportation has reversed its decision to prohibit
a gay group from participating in a highway beautification program.
The North Carolina Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU's Lesbian and
Gay Rights Project has filed a lawsuit in December in federal district court in
Raleigh challenging the state's decision to deny a request by the Southern
Applachian Lesbian and Gay Alliance (SALGA) to participate in the
highway program.
In addition to allowing SALGA to fully participate in its Adopt-AHighway program- in which community groups keep designated portions
of selected highways clean of trash- North Carolina has also agreed to pay
$7 ,500 in costs and attorney fees. The state also agreed to install a sign with
SALGA's name on it- including "lesbian" and "gay" - on the portions of
highway that the group will maintain. The lawsuit will be withdrawn.
The chairperson of the 200-member group, Carlos Gomez, welcomed the
settlement. "We wanted to use our name and say who we are," he said. "We
are Americans-gay and lesbian Americans- and just like anyone else, we
want to keep this state clean."
"We have defeated North Carolina's attempt to render lesbians and gay
men invisible," said William B. Rubenstein, the director of the ACLU's
national Lesbian and Gay Rights Project. "This victory should put state and
city governments around the country on notice that they cannot stand in the
way of our First Amendment freedoms."
•
Dear Herland,
The August newsletter was especially attractive and informative. The
article by Deborah Fox about the corruption of the New Age movement
expressed some thoughts I have had but had yet to put into words . Her rejection
of the idea that starving children and, indeed, abused children have "created
their own reality" is well founded. I even recently heard such a theory in an
altered form-the troubled child's karma is somehow an expression of the
mother's turmoil!
The times are lending great support to subtle (to some) forms of sexism,
homophobia , racism, etc. Most likely Supreme Court
nominee Clarence Thomas's hard knocks, up-by-the-bootstraps story will
become the black version of "anybody can grow up to be president." Minorities
can add one more line to their scapegoat list of personal guilt for
underachievement. Of course, I am not defending slothful people. It's just that
opportunity does not always knock on the physical plane becuase one's spiritual
ground is fertile. The powerful and greedy can stand in the way.
Anyway, thanks Deborah for writing. I don't always agree with you but you
are risky and courageous. Look for the answers!
Peggy Johnson
TREAT YOURSELF TO THE "TOUCH OF GOLD."
Treat your special someone, too, for $10 off her Massage!
ooucfi of Qold
HEALTHFUL • STRESS RELIEVING MASSAGE
Special
discounts
available
to all
Her land
readers'
6y
Melanie ~· McKiddy
MASSAGE THERAPIST
360 -6945
"Portable"
massage
table
available
for your
convenience. '
HERLAND VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1991
5
~~---- REMEMBERING MARV BROWN
A RUN FOR LIFE '91 a fun run and walk sponsored by the
Oklahoma City Area HIV I AIDS Coalition will be held September
29 in Bricktown. the run will be followed by a concert and picnic in
the Myriad Gardens. Contact (405) 946-9628 for more information . . ...
THE WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER of Norman and the
Norman Alcohol Information Center will present the second annual
state-wide conference, "Chemical Dependency and Family Violence:
Painful Realities" September 30 - October 1 at the Sheraton Hotel in
Norman. Registration is $55 for both days. Special rates are available
for students and one-day attendance. For information contact: NAIC
at (405) 321-0021 or Women's Resource Center at (405)
364-9424 .....
LESBIAN ONLY THERAPY GROUP. For further information
call Jo L. Soske, M.ED./HRC/CAC, at 360-5708 .....
THE BENEDICTINE PEACE HOUSE is celebrating its ten-year
anniversary with a Family Picnic for Peace. Sunday, September 8,
5:45 to 8:45 p.m. at the Picnic Shelter at Lake Overholser Park, in
Bethany. Bring kites, frisbees, yo-yos, earth balls, musical instruments, hula hoops, and join in celebrating life and one another .....
by Pat Reaves
The headline in the Daily Oklahoman read "Female Inmate, 38, Dies
of Heart Ailment." The article reported that Mary Brown died while
incarcerated at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center and went on to
remind readers of her crime for which she had been in prison for the last
8 years. I imagine there are those who after reading the story were
satisfied that she finally got the punishment she deserved for her crime.
Nowhere in the story were we told of the person Mary Brown was.
I remember Mary Brown as a person - a woman much like any of us.
She was a sensitive artist. She survived battering by her husband and she
struggled to survive the battering of daily prison life. Mary faced the
challenge of an emotional handicap complicated by heavy medication
imposed by the prison. Sometimes the medication was so strong she
could barely function.
It's a simple formula-reduce a woman to one act which is easily
judged harshly. Then condemn her. It happens every day with women
offenders, pregnant women who use drugs and women who abuse or
abandon their children. Women-people-aren't easily reduced to a
single event. Mary Brown helped to teach me that none of us can be
reduced to a single act.
•
Remember Mary Brown. Honor her struggle.
Don't miss Hunter Davis at the Coyote Club, 2120 N.W. 39th,
on September 22nd, 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $4 at the door •••••
CARLA SCIAKY, folk musician from Colorado, will be appearing
Kay Killgore, M.Ed.
at the City Arts Center on October 18th. Look for a feature article in
next month's newsletter . ....
Woman to Woman Counseling
FALL RETREAT - OCTOBER 11 • 13. Mark your calendars
1010 N.W. 45th
. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118
(405) 524 -1062
now. Nancy Scott of Austin, Texas will be our headliner .....
THANKS TO P.J. for creating a computer listing of Herland's
library!
HERLAND FALL RETREAT PRE-REGISTRATION GUIDELINES
Single Person's
Annual Income
under $ 6,500
$ 6,500-$13,250
$13.250-$19.500
over $19,500
Retreat Preregistration fee
$15
$25
$35
$40
Household Annual Income
(2 or more persons}
under $13,300
$13,300-$18,000
$18,000-$26,000
over $26,000
Please choose the registration fee most
appropriate for you based on these suggested
income guidelines. Complete and return the
pre-registration form to Herland, 2312 N.W.
39th, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.
HSR FALL RETREAT REGISTRATION
NAME: _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _
PHONE :~~~~~~~~-
ADDRESS: _ __ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ __
CITY: _ __ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __
Registration fee enclosed: D $15
D $25
D $35
~
STATE _ _ _ __ _ _ ZIP _ _ _ __ __
D $40
D I'm enclosing an additional $ _ _____ to provide retreat scholarships.
D I need a scholarship to attend.
D I would like to ride with someone.
D I can help provide rides to the retreat.
6
HERLAND VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1991
Return to:
HERLAND
2312 N. W. 39th
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
NEED TO TALK?
NEED COMMUNITY INFORMATION?
Office Hours
Tues - Thurs 9-3
Friday 10-6
Sat by appointment
842. GAYS
CALL
Debra K Browning, R Ph, D. D.S.
The Gay & Lesbian
HELPLINE
Comprehensive Dmta/ Care
5009 ,\·. PennsJlvama,
(.105)
Hours: 7 p.m. - 1 a.m. Wednesday - Monday
!f.IJ - 32~1
Volunteers Needed: Leave a message with
a current volunteer if you are interested.
Oklahoma City, OK 7 3 112
Suilt' IO J
Insurance, VISA & MC accepted .
.>Pt:.
.Sam L Nicolos~ D. V.M
A
Emphasis on the problems of gay people.
848-5429
NICOLOSI ANIMAL HOSPITAL
ABC MOBILE VETERINARY SERVICES .
SHIRLEY M. HUNTER, M. Ed.
Medicine, Surgery, 'Vaccinations, Boarding
Oklahoma City Area House Calls
By Appointment
LICENSED PROFESSIONALCOUNSELOR
LICENSED MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPIST
Phone: (405) 947-5545
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
4015 N. W. 23rd St.
PENN PARK OFFICE COMPLEX• SUITE 10?5009 N. PENNSYLVANIA• OKLAHOMA CITY, OK73112
"Grooming services now available."
Sunday
Monday
2~
Tuesday
3
~ednesday
4
Thursday
Friday
6
5
PEGGY
JOHNSON
al Kilrr P-.rk
ff:45a11-l Pll
30,000 11arch
in riri;l
Labor Day
Parade in
*
Ne11YDrk . 1882 CoDA 11eet.1ne.
Saturday
7
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of Dauehters
of Bililis
1958
"/:00 p .11.
LABOR DAY
8 BPH
p
Picnic
5:45 - 8 :45
*
PECCY
JOHNSON
8:00 - Midniehl
Coyote Club
isoardHeelm£1
.
10
9
12 Herland
11
Discussion
Group,
Issues of the
Day:
Rosh
Hashanah
7
Tonie ht. ·s
issue: CHOICE
16
17
18
4:30 IJ.11.
It
Backyard
BarBQ.Ca11es
& Sin,,-alon£1
•I ep£1y
Johnson, 6:30
22
PEGGY
JOHNSON
openine for
HUNTER OAVIS
al the
COYOTE CLUB
~
29
P.llL
Yo111 Kipper
?~L EQl'INOX 24
25
19
7:00 P.111.
PE~CY ,.i
JOHNSON
al
POETS
8 - It IJ.ll.
20
SISTERS
Of
SWING
at the
STATE FAIR
1lp.11.
CoDA Heetine .
7:00 p .111.
26
27
SISTERS
Of
SWING
at the
COYOTE CLUB
9p11
1991
9-13-1663; 1st attempted slave revolt in North
America; African slaves conspire with
European indentured servants, in Gloucester
County, Virginia.
9-2-1869; Esmer Morris, first female Justice of
the Peace in Wyoming, holds tea party asking
citizens to worlc: for women's suffrage.
~
21
28
MISS BROWN
TO YOU
CoDA Meetine.
at the
7:00 P .11\.
Hotel Bohe11ia
9 p.m.
$5.00 cover
*
E11er£1ency
l>rive
for
Heallh Care
Rally and
Caravan
30
i~DA Heeline. 14
SEPTEMBER
~
Margaret Sanger, September 14, 1883-1966; US pioneer of birth control and a staunch feminist, set
up the first birth-control clinic in the US in 1916. She was frequently vilified and imprisoned
for her views.
Jane Addams, September 6, 1860 - 1935. American social reformer who pioneered the settl ..m:mt
ho~e movement in the US . An ardent pacifist, she became first president of the Women's
International League for Peace and Freedan, and was co-winner of the 1931 Hobel Peace Prize .
PUBLISHED BY: Herland
Sister Resources, Inc.
2312 NW 39th, Oklahoma
City, OK 73112
NEWSLETIER
COMMITIEE:
Margaret Cox, Deborah
Fox, Pat Reaves
CIRCULATION: 750
HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES INC.
2312 Ntf 39t.h St.reel
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
( 405) 521-9696
Hours: Saturdays 10 - 6: Sundays I - 6
GENERAL INFO: (405) 5219696 (leave message)
SUBSCRIPTIONS to the
Her/and Voice are free
upon request.
NonProfit 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
REASON CHECKED
Urdaimeo _ _ Retu:.eo _ _
Attempted-Not known - - -
lnsufticient Address .D.
=· ' - - No gich st1eet--numberllo s.tch office in state _
0t IOI 11m1il ID tblS HHll•
-
do~HERLAND ~
ICE
SEPTEMBER 1991
FALL RETREAT COMING UP
The Red Rock Canyon State Park group camp is the place to
be October 11-13 for the annual Herland Fall Retreat. Registration will open at 4 p.m. with the formal opening ceremony at
9:30 p.m. Activities will wind up Sunday morning with checkout time at noon.
The featured entertainer will be singer-songwriter Nancy
Scott of Austin, Texas. Many of you will remember Nancy from
coffeehouses, or from our previous retreat when she opened for
Karen Williams, the comic. Well, we've decided we've got to
have her all to ourselves for a complete evening. None of these
teasers anymore! She is a talented, witty, fun entertainer and
songwriter. We're looking forward to a great concert.
If you can't make it for the retreat but would like to catch
Nancy, tickets for the concert only are $10.
Workshops at the retreat will provide opportunities for
discussion and learning. Those planned include "Women's
Herstory," "Out is In," "Revising the Matriarchy," and "The
Catharsis of Creativity." Others may be added by retreat time.
Saturday evening features (of course) the famous potluck
supper. Look for sing-along campfires with Peggy Johnson on
Friday night and Saturday after Nancy Scott's performance.
Other activities are limited only by your imagination-expect
12-step meetings, spades tournaments, softball, volleyball,
hiking, political discussions and more.
The pre-registration fee is on a sliding scale, ranging from $15
-$40 based on your ability to pay. (Please see page 6 for a guide
for determining your approprate fee.) Registration on-site will
be $40. Scholarships are also available for the destitute.
Registration includes the Friday evening meal and brunch on
Saturday and Sunday breakfast. Please remember, if you bring
pets, they must be on a leash at all times.
Red Rock Canyon State Park is located near Hinton,
Oklahoma about a one-hour drive west of Oklahoma City. The
park is nestled in the bottom of a canyon with steep sides which
are popular rappelling sites. Trails provide a view of ruts left by
pioneer wagons traveling the California Road. A small lake
offers fishing opportunities. The canyon environment supports
a wider variety of plants than most of western Oklahoma,
including the Caddo Maple which should be displaying
splendid foliage by retreat time.
For information, leave a message at Herland ( 405) 5219696. Phone messages will be checked and returned daily. •
CLEVELAND ISSUES CHALLENGE
Barbara Cleveland, the founding mother of Herland, was honored
with a backyard barbeque at Herland on August 18, 1991.
Barbara praised the women of Herland for their work in renovating
the Herland building. She pledged $200 over the next two years to the
building fund and challenged others to make a similar pledge, saying, "If
I, a poor graduate student can give $200, surely anyone can. If 150 other
women will make pledges of $200, this building will be paid off by 1993.
She observed that Herland has always been kept alive by the support of
dedicated women, even when it seemed impossible.
Barbara began Herland in 1982 as a privately run organization
providing a women's bookstore and producing women's music events.
She recruited other community women to be involved and by 1986,
Herland was reorganized as a nonprofit corporation. Herland is
governed by a board ~f directors and relies on volunteer labor and
contributions to sustain operations.
Herland decided to purchase a building of our own and moved to its
present location in 1989. With faith in the commitment of the women
who have supported Herland, the Board entered into a mortgage with a
balloon payment of $30,000 due in January 1993. The eleven women
on the Herland board have pledged the first $3,000 toward the building
fund. Additional building fund pledges of $1000 were made by women
attending the barbeque.
Join us!
VOLUME 8 NUMBER 9
•
r---------------------~
YES, I'll meet the 16-month challenge to help pay off the Herland
building by January 1, 1993.
In support of the Building Fund Drive of Herland Sister Resources,
I/we pledge:
D $400 (25/month)
D $160 (10/month)
D $200 (12.50/month)
D $ 80 ( 5.00/month)
Enclosed is my initial contribution of$ _________
Please send me a pledge reminder:
D monthly D quarterly
CITY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ STATE _ _ _ _ ZIP _ _ __
Please return to HSR, 2312 N.W. 39th, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.
THANKS!
L---------------------~
HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES
2312 N.W. 39th, OKC, OK 73112
• (405) 521-9696
•
The Coyote Club 0 First Anniversary Celebration
p resents in concert Redwcod Recording Artist
Hunter Davis
w ith Special Guest 0 Peggy Johnson
Sun day, September 22nd 0 8:00 pm
$4.00 at the door 0 2120 NW 39th St.
ST. SYBIL
Dear St. Sybil,
Recently Edward Albee, the well-known playwright, spoke at the gay and lesbian
writers' conference in San Francisco, OutWrite '91; and he really made a lot of
people mad: During his keynote speech he declared that he's a member of many
"minorities," namely: he's white, male, middle-aged, a WASP and a college
professor- and oh yes, by the way, he's gay, too.
He went on to say that belonging to these beleaguered "minorities" has not
caused him any problems. "None of them have gotten in my way and stopped me
from saying whatever I wanted to say as a writer."
Jorjet Harper, writing in Outlines, says that he forgot to mention two other
minorities he belongs, to: wealthy and famous. She doesn't suppose those have
hindered him, either.
What do you think of all this? He's right, those are all minorities; but it's still
poppycock, isn't it?
Sincerely . . .
]essabit O'Fended
Dear Jessabit (and what a lovely old-fashioned name you have, my dear),
Well, Mr. Albee is trying to be cute, I suppose. He must figure that being a
playwright entitles him to play with words. But this little game is also played
by other privileged folk from time to time, and really they should all cut it
out. It is not cute, and it is not harmless.
Of course, it was during the Civil Rights movement, when African
Americans held center stage, that the word "minorities" came to be a
catchword for any group being denied a full share of the American pie. It has
remained the word of choice for the various other Rights and Independence
groups-Hispanic, Women, Gay and Lesbian, etc; even though women of
course are not a minority, and people of color in the world are definitely not
either. It is a bit of a wonder that we don't sometimes hear farm and fur
animals referred to as minorities. That would be really silly sounding, but it
would actually be closer to the meaning that the catchword has taken on than
"male" and "wasp."
So as one who cares about the treatment of farm animals and hopes for the
abolition of fur-wearing by non-fur-bearing animals, and as one who shares
your ennui at hearing people like Albee play semantics at the expense of
reality and humanity, I'd like to try suggesting a new word to replace the old,
sometimes inaccurate and possibly inappropriate, stand-by, "minority."
Nonwhitenonmalenonmiddleclassnonstraightnonrichnonwasp-I don't
know, I don't think that one will get off the ground, although it might keep
Albee from claiming membership in it. My new friend K. Marx, Patron Saint
of the U nread and the Misunderstood, says that he still likes "The Exploited
Masses,'' but he reluctantly agrees that it might not fly these days either.
2
HERLAND VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1991
Let's try some acronyms; maybe we'll come up with something catchy.
NOCs: Not of the Opressor Class. That will keep Albee out; it's easily
punnable, too, as in "school of hard NOCs, NOC NOC, let us in, etc.
OOPs: Out Of Powers. I like this one; it implies something which might
possibly be remediable, like "00Ps, I seem to be on the wrong path, but ifl
retrace my steps I can get on the correct one."
TOPs: Temporarily Out of Powers. This one has a nice ring to it, and a good
subtle threatening sound, as ifTOPs might just become TIPs one day, if they
get together and work at it.
W AADs: We're Armed And Dangerous and out to get you!: Just kidding!Just
playing around a little, no harm in fantasies if you don't act on them, ok?
Jeez, I swear, this newsletter has one of the most pacifist group of readers in
the world! Just a trifle humor-impaired, too, you know?
ARWOS: Armed with Righteousness and Will Overcome. I suppose you like
that better, but face it, it's boring, boring, boring, even if it is true.
So much for word play; it really isn't appropriate, anyway. Who we're
talking about here are the used, the abused, the discriminated against; the
forgotten, the forlorn, the overlooked, the poor, the hungry, the homeless,
the exploited, the scapegoated, the helpless, the hopeless, the despised.
It's hard to understand people who mock and belittle these groups and
their very real grievances. Mr. Albee listing his various accesses to privilege
seems like an excess of self-indulgence to me. It is not cute, it is dishonest and
sophomoric. We know that he knows what the word "minority" represents,
so who is he trying to kid?
Dear me, this whole thing is making me very tired; I think I'll go see ifl can
persuade Saint Sister Kenny to give me a massage.
Until we talk/write/ communicate again, take care, take power and trust
Sybil
joy ...
Mowing • Fertlllzlng • Trimming
• Light Haullng •
"We Are Insured"
KAY
794-0081
SANDIE
794-6884
P-FLAG TO COLLECT
DISCRIMINATION STORIES
The Federation of Parents and Friend of Lesbians and Gays is
conducting a national -campaign to collect stories to be used in
observance of National Coming Out Day, October 11, 1991.
Members and friends of P-FLAG are asked to write a story or keep
a journal of approximately one week in which they document the
ways that anti-gay and lesbian discrimination affects them and their
lives. They can describe overt or subtle affronts to their dignity, the
emotional and practical costs of living in the closet, anti-gay violence,
or discrimination in employment and housing services.
"We want people to use this exercise as a way of documenting not
only overt and outrageous examples of discrimination, but also the
more subtle ways that homophobia daily touches their lives," said
Tom Sauerman, executive director of P-FLAG. "For example, we
need stories about the loss of employment or housing caused by the
disclosure or suspicion of sexual orientation. Or a parent might write
about playing bridge with someone who made homophobic remarks
and how they dealt with the situation, about the pain of a daughter's
partner being omitted from the guest list of a family wedding by a
relative who wasn't accepting of the relationship, or about activities
or conversations at work or in the community that they could not
participate in because of homophobic discrimination."
"Sharing these stories will empower the individuals who write
them;" Sauerman added, "and P-FLAG will publish some of them as
a consciousness-raising device for National Coming Out Day. They
will also be used to document discrimination in meetings with public
officials and for testifying in favor oflegislation such as the 1991 Gay
and Lesbian Civil Rights Bill."
Stories and diaries will be accepted in any form, preferably typewritten, one or two pages in length. They can be signed or unsigned
and should be sent by September 15 to P-FLAG Discrimination Diary
Project, Post Office Box 27605, Washington, DC 20038. P-FLAG
will contact writers before using stories for media or press purposes.
The Federation of Parents FLAG is a tax-exempt, non-profit
network of support groups founded in 1981 to help families learn to
understand, accept, and respect their gay and_lesbian members; and to
advocate for the civil rights and concerns of lesbians and gay men.
P-FLAG's outreach is to members of over 235 local chapters and
information helplines across the United States, Canada, and six other
countries; and countless others who call local helplines and hear of
the Federation's work through the print and broadcast media.
Readers who wish to receive a packet of information about Parents
FLAG may do so by sending $3 to the Office of Family and Chapter
Support, Post Office Box 27605, Washington, DC 20038.
•
M. COLEEN WOODY
MARILYN D. BEST
ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW
General Practice
1518 N.W. 29th St
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
405-525-2174
Edwina V. Johnson, D.D.S.
"Catering to Cowards needing Tender Care"
in Comprehensive Dentistry
5009 North Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 103
(405) 840-5410
Night & Sunday practice by appt. only
Emergencies welcome
Insurance accepted
STATISTICS ON HIV/AIDS AND
NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN
(Statistics provided by Lorrelle D. Pintado, Prevention and Community
Education Department, Seattle Indian Health Board, April I, 1991.)
Many Native American women have been lulled into a false sense
of security because past published statistics show small numbers of
women who are HIV positive. However, in the United States today,
women are the fastest growing group to be infected with HIV:
150,000 women nationwide have become HIV positive and 14,816
have gone on to develop AIDS.
Currently, 34 adult female Native Americans in the United States
have full-blown AIDS. In addition, four Native American females
who are age 12 or under (pediatric cases) have AIDS.
As of April 30, 1990, there were 30 Native American females
nationwide who were diagnosed with AIDS, 3 of whom were female
pediatric cases. Therefore, between April 30, 1990 and June 1991, a
26 percent increase occurred in the number of Native American
females with AIDS.
As of October 31, 1989, 26 Native 4.merican females nationwide
had AIDS, 2 of whom were pediatric cases. Therefore, a 46 percent
increase in AIDS occurred from October 1989 to June 1991 in Native
American females nationally.
In comparing national data, females account for 5 percent of white
persons with AIDS but for 17 percent of Native Americans with
AIDS, a substantial difference.
It should be emphasized that these numbers represent only fullblown AIDS cases that have been reported to the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) and do not include seroprevalence and underreported
cases, as well as persons whose racial ethnicity was misidentified.
It was not until late 1988 that CDC created a separate category for
Native Americans for disease reporting purposes. Therefore, it is
important that all people of color, male and female, make sure that
they self-disclose their race on report forms; this will help increase the
accuracy of reporting the types and numbers of people who are
infected with HIV.
Women of color need to be included in clinical trials that study the
benefits and risks of using new treatments for a disease. In addition,
diagnostic models, testing programs, and benefit packages in health
care facilities need to be set up with women in mind to address their
HIV-related problems.
In the Oklahoma City area, HIV I AIDS information for women is
available from:
SunShine Shillings
Southeast Area Health Center
( 405) 632-6688
Gloria Bellymule
OKC Indian Clinic
(405) 232-1526
HERLAND VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1991
•
3
HERLAND
GETS A
FACE
LIFT ...
AND HAS A BAR-B-QUE
AND BACKYARD CONCERT
WITH DONNA D.
MAILING LIST ANALVSIS.
If you receive the Berland Voice in Hawaii or Alaska, you probably
think that you are the only one in your entire state who gets it; and
you're quite right, you are. Also if you live in a few of our other
states, or in the two foreign countries on our list.
On August 3, 1991, our mailing list contained exactly 800
addresses, and we thought it would be interesting to see how it breaks
down. Oklahoma, of course, leads the list with 574; and most of these
are in the Oklahoma City/Norman area. Not surprisingly, our sister
states of Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri have the next largest
numbers, respectively 27, 24 & 20. (Except for California, sister state
to the world, who has 21.) Here's the entire breakdown:
Oklahoma . . .... 574
Texas ........... 27
Arkansas .... . . . . 24
California . .. . . . . . 21
Missouri . . . ...... 20
New York. . . . . . . . 13
Georgia . . . . . . . . . . 9
Arizona . . . . . . . . . . 8
Colorado . . . . . . . . . 7
Kansas . . . . . . . . . . 7
Illinois . .. ... .... .. 7
Tennessee . ... ... 7
Florida . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Massachusetts ....
Oregon . . . . . . . . . .
Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washington, D.C. . .
Virginia . . .. ... . ..
Wisconsin . . . . . . . .
Louisiana . . . . . . . .
Indiana . . . . . . . . . . .
Maryland . . . . . . . . .
Minnesota . . . . . . . .
North Carolina ....
Pennsylvania .. . ..
Washington . . . . . . .
6
6
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
New Mexico .. ... .
Alabama . . . . . . . . .
Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kentucky . . . . . . . . .
Mississippi .......
Alaska . . . . . . . . . . .
Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . .
Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . .
New Hampshire . . .
Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Germany .... . ....
The Netherlands . .
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
~usie
fr'outhwell,
Dear Herland,
Thanks to the Voice staff for continuing to publish articles and responses
about women's spirituality. Patriarchy still binds most of our world-it's
refreshing to have a newsletter written by women who refuse to behave like
mindless breeding stock-and who welcome and respect opposing views within
the women's community.
Gail
Dear Herland Voice,
Bravo to Deborah Fox on the article "Sisters Beware." I am all for
spirituality and for women choosing their own Higher Powers etc. I also
KNOW from much experience that there are many dangerous groups out
there, from money-hungry scum to sexually abusing, drug-pushing, mindcontrolling money-hungry scum! There is a vast array of information on the
New Age Movement from the Cult Awareness Network in Chicago, Ill. There
is an information outlet in Enid, OK. The Cult Awareness Network is also
having their yearly conference in Oklahoma City this year, November 1, 2 & 3.
For more info write: C.A.N. 1991 National Conference, P.O. Box 60653,
OKC, OK 73146. It will be at the Sheraton Century Center Hotel.
My partner was in a cult for eight years. We have many friends who are also
survivors of religious cults. Any type of deceptive, manipulative, totalistic
group can be called a cult if it meets the eight requirements of mind control.
Your newsletter is informative and we enjoy receiving it. Thanks.
Mary Verkler
M. Ed.
COUNSELOR
2912 N. Clauen, Suite 102, _ _ _ _ _ _
7
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106·---Telephone: (405) 556-4105
GAV GROUP TO PARTICIPATE IN NORTH
CAROLINA HIGHWAY PROGRAM
After being sued by the American Civil Liberties Union, the North
Carolina Department ofTransportation has reversed its decision to prohibit
a gay group from participating in a highway beautification program.
The North Carolina Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU's Lesbian and
Gay Rights Project has filed a lawsuit in December in federal district court in
Raleigh challenging the state's decision to deny a request by the Southern
Applachian Lesbian and Gay Alliance (SALGA) to participate in the
highway program.
In addition to allowing SALGA to fully participate in its Adopt-AHighway program- in which community groups keep designated portions
of selected highways clean of trash- North Carolina has also agreed to pay
$7 ,500 in costs and attorney fees. The state also agreed to install a sign with
SALGA's name on it- including "lesbian" and "gay" - on the portions of
highway that the group will maintain. The lawsuit will be withdrawn.
The chairperson of the 200-member group, Carlos Gomez, welcomed the
settlement. "We wanted to use our name and say who we are," he said. "We
are Americans-gay and lesbian Americans- and just like anyone else, we
want to keep this state clean."
"We have defeated North Carolina's attempt to render lesbians and gay
men invisible," said William B. Rubenstein, the director of the ACLU's
national Lesbian and Gay Rights Project. "This victory should put state and
city governments around the country on notice that they cannot stand in the
way of our First Amendment freedoms."
•
Dear Herland,
The August newsletter was especially attractive and informative. The
article by Deborah Fox about the corruption of the New Age movement
expressed some thoughts I have had but had yet to put into words . Her rejection
of the idea that starving children and, indeed, abused children have "created
their own reality" is well founded. I even recently heard such a theory in an
altered form-the troubled child's karma is somehow an expression of the
mother's turmoil!
The times are lending great support to subtle (to some) forms of sexism,
homophobia , racism, etc. Most likely Supreme Court
nominee Clarence Thomas's hard knocks, up-by-the-bootstraps story will
become the black version of "anybody can grow up to be president." Minorities
can add one more line to their scapegoat list of personal guilt for
underachievement. Of course, I am not defending slothful people. It's just that
opportunity does not always knock on the physical plane becuase one's spiritual
ground is fertile. The powerful and greedy can stand in the way.
Anyway, thanks Deborah for writing. I don't always agree with you but you
are risky and courageous. Look for the answers!
Peggy Johnson
TREAT YOURSELF TO THE "TOUCH OF GOLD."
Treat your special someone, too, for $10 off her Massage!
ooucfi of Qold
HEALTHFUL • STRESS RELIEVING MASSAGE
Special
discounts
available
to all
Her land
readers'
6y
Melanie ~· McKiddy
MASSAGE THERAPIST
360 -6945
"Portable"
massage
table
available
for your
convenience. '
HERLAND VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1991
5
~~---- REMEMBERING MARV BROWN
A RUN FOR LIFE '91 a fun run and walk sponsored by the
Oklahoma City Area HIV I AIDS Coalition will be held September
29 in Bricktown. the run will be followed by a concert and picnic in
the Myriad Gardens. Contact (405) 946-9628 for more information . . ...
THE WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER of Norman and the
Norman Alcohol Information Center will present the second annual
state-wide conference, "Chemical Dependency and Family Violence:
Painful Realities" September 30 - October 1 at the Sheraton Hotel in
Norman. Registration is $55 for both days. Special rates are available
for students and one-day attendance. For information contact: NAIC
at (405) 321-0021 or Women's Resource Center at (405)
364-9424 .....
LESBIAN ONLY THERAPY GROUP. For further information
call Jo L. Soske, M.ED./HRC/CAC, at 360-5708 .....
THE BENEDICTINE PEACE HOUSE is celebrating its ten-year
anniversary with a Family Picnic for Peace. Sunday, September 8,
5:45 to 8:45 p.m. at the Picnic Shelter at Lake Overholser Park, in
Bethany. Bring kites, frisbees, yo-yos, earth balls, musical instruments, hula hoops, and join in celebrating life and one another .....
by Pat Reaves
The headline in the Daily Oklahoman read "Female Inmate, 38, Dies
of Heart Ailment." The article reported that Mary Brown died while
incarcerated at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center and went on to
remind readers of her crime for which she had been in prison for the last
8 years. I imagine there are those who after reading the story were
satisfied that she finally got the punishment she deserved for her crime.
Nowhere in the story were we told of the person Mary Brown was.
I remember Mary Brown as a person - a woman much like any of us.
She was a sensitive artist. She survived battering by her husband and she
struggled to survive the battering of daily prison life. Mary faced the
challenge of an emotional handicap complicated by heavy medication
imposed by the prison. Sometimes the medication was so strong she
could barely function.
It's a simple formula-reduce a woman to one act which is easily
judged harshly. Then condemn her. It happens every day with women
offenders, pregnant women who use drugs and women who abuse or
abandon their children. Women-people-aren't easily reduced to a
single event. Mary Brown helped to teach me that none of us can be
reduced to a single act.
•
Remember Mary Brown. Honor her struggle.
Don't miss Hunter Davis at the Coyote Club, 2120 N.W. 39th,
on September 22nd, 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $4 at the door •••••
CARLA SCIAKY, folk musician from Colorado, will be appearing
Kay Killgore, M.Ed.
at the City Arts Center on October 18th. Look for a feature article in
next month's newsletter . ....
Woman to Woman Counseling
FALL RETREAT - OCTOBER 11 • 13. Mark your calendars
1010 N.W. 45th
. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118
(405) 524 -1062
now. Nancy Scott of Austin, Texas will be our headliner .....
THANKS TO P.J. for creating a computer listing of Herland's
library!
HERLAND FALL RETREAT PRE-REGISTRATION GUIDELINES
Single Person's
Annual Income
under $ 6,500
$ 6,500-$13,250
$13.250-$19.500
over $19,500
Retreat Preregistration fee
$15
$25
$35
$40
Household Annual Income
(2 or more persons}
under $13,300
$13,300-$18,000
$18,000-$26,000
over $26,000
Please choose the registration fee most
appropriate for you based on these suggested
income guidelines. Complete and return the
pre-registration form to Herland, 2312 N.W.
39th, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.
HSR FALL RETREAT REGISTRATION
NAME: _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _
PHONE :~~~~~~~~-
ADDRESS: _ __ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ __
CITY: _ __ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __
Registration fee enclosed: D $15
D $25
D $35
~
STATE _ _ _ __ _ _ ZIP _ _ _ __ __
D $40
D I'm enclosing an additional $ _ _____ to provide retreat scholarships.
D I need a scholarship to attend.
D I would like to ride with someone.
D I can help provide rides to the retreat.
6
HERLAND VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1991
Return to:
HERLAND
2312 N. W. 39th
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
NEED TO TALK?
NEED COMMUNITY INFORMATION?
Office Hours
Tues - Thurs 9-3
Friday 10-6
Sat by appointment
842. GAYS
CALL
Debra K Browning, R Ph, D. D.S.
The Gay & Lesbian
HELPLINE
Comprehensive Dmta/ Care
5009 ,\·. PennsJlvama,
(.105)
Hours: 7 p.m. - 1 a.m. Wednesday - Monday
!f.IJ - 32~1
Volunteers Needed: Leave a message with
a current volunteer if you are interested.
Oklahoma City, OK 7 3 112
Suilt' IO J
Insurance, VISA & MC accepted .
.>Pt:.
.Sam L Nicolos~ D. V.M
A
Emphasis on the problems of gay people.
848-5429
NICOLOSI ANIMAL HOSPITAL
ABC MOBILE VETERINARY SERVICES .
SHIRLEY M. HUNTER, M. Ed.
Medicine, Surgery, 'Vaccinations, Boarding
Oklahoma City Area House Calls
By Appointment
LICENSED PROFESSIONALCOUNSELOR
LICENSED MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPIST
Phone: (405) 947-5545
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
4015 N. W. 23rd St.
PENN PARK OFFICE COMPLEX• SUITE 10?5009 N. PENNSYLVANIA• OKLAHOMA CITY, OK73112
"Grooming services now available."
Sunday
Monday
2~
Tuesday
3
~ednesday
4
Thursday
Friday
6
5
PEGGY
JOHNSON
al Kilrr P-.rk
ff:45a11-l Pll
30,000 11arch
in riri;l
Labor Day
Parade in
*
Ne11YDrk . 1882 CoDA 11eet.1ne.
Saturday
7
ist Heetine
of Dauehters
of Bililis
1958
"/:00 p .11.
LABOR DAY
8 BPH
p
Picnic
5:45 - 8 :45
*
PECCY
JOHNSON
8:00 - Midniehl
Coyote Club
isoardHeelm£1
.
10
9
12 Herland
11
Discussion
Group,
Issues of the
Day:
Rosh
Hashanah
7
Tonie ht. ·s
issue: CHOICE
16
17
18
4:30 IJ.11.
It
Backyard
BarBQ.Ca11es
& Sin,,-alon£1
•I ep£1y
Johnson, 6:30
22
PEGGY
JOHNSON
openine for
HUNTER OAVIS
al the
COYOTE CLUB
~
29
P.llL
Yo111 Kipper
?~L EQl'INOX 24
25
19
7:00 P.111.
PE~CY ,.i
JOHNSON
al
POETS
8 - It IJ.ll.
20
SISTERS
Of
SWING
at the
STATE FAIR
1lp.11.
CoDA Heetine .
7:00 p .111.
26
27
SISTERS
Of
SWING
at the
COYOTE CLUB
9p11
1991
9-13-1663; 1st attempted slave revolt in North
America; African slaves conspire with
European indentured servants, in Gloucester
County, Virginia.
9-2-1869; Esmer Morris, first female Justice of
the Peace in Wyoming, holds tea party asking
citizens to worlc: for women's suffrage.
~
21
28
MISS BROWN
TO YOU
CoDA Meetine.
at the
7:00 P .11\.
Hotel Bohe11ia
9 p.m.
$5.00 cover
*
E11er£1ency
l>rive
for
Heallh Care
Rally and
Caravan
30
i~DA Heeline. 14
SEPTEMBER
~
Margaret Sanger, September 14, 1883-1966; US pioneer of birth control and a staunch feminist, set
up the first birth-control clinic in the US in 1916. She was frequently vilified and imprisoned
for her views.
Jane Addams, September 6, 1860 - 1935. American social reformer who pioneered the settl ..m:mt
ho~e movement in the US . An ardent pacifist, she became first president of the Women's
International League for Peace and Freedan, and was co-winner of the 1931 Hobel Peace Prize .
PUBLISHED BY: Herland
Sister Resources, Inc.
2312 NW 39th, Oklahoma
City, OK 73112
NEWSLETIER
COMMITIEE:
Margaret Cox, Deborah
Fox, Pat Reaves
CIRCULATION: 750
HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES INC.
2312 Ntf 39t.h St.reel
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
( 405) 521-9696
Hours: Saturdays 10 - 6: Sundays I - 6
GENERAL INFO: (405) 5219696 (leave message)
SUBSCRIPTIONS to the
Her/and Voice are free
upon request.
NonProfit 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
REASON CHECKED
Urdaimeo _ _ Retu:.eo _ _
Attempted-Not known - - -
lnsufticient Address .D.
=· ' - - No gich st1eet--numberllo s.tch office in state _
0t IOI 11m1il ID tblS HHll•
-
do~HERLAND ~
ICE
SEPTEMBER 1991
FALL RETREAT COMING UP
The Red Rock Canyon State Park group camp is the place to
be October 11-13 for the annual Herland Fall Retreat. Registration will open at 4 p.m. with the formal opening ceremony at
9:30 p.m. Activities will wind up Sunday morning with checkout time at noon.
The featured entertainer will be singer-songwriter Nancy
Scott of Austin, Texas. Many of you will remember Nancy from
coffeehouses, or from our previous retreat when she opened for
Karen Williams, the comic. Well, we've decided we've got to
have her all to ourselves for a complete evening. None of these
teasers anymore! She is a talented, witty, fun entertainer and
songwriter. We're looking forward to a great concert.
If you can't make it for the retreat but would like to catch
Nancy, tickets for the concert only are $10.
Workshops at the retreat will provide opportunities for
discussion and learning. Those planned include "Women's
Herstory," "Out is In," "Revising the Matriarchy," and "The
Catharsis of Creativity." Others may be added by retreat time.
Saturday evening features (of course) the famous potluck
supper. Look for sing-along campfires with Peggy Johnson on
Friday night and Saturday after Nancy Scott's performance.
Other activities are limited only by your imagination-expect
12-step meetings, spades tournaments, softball, volleyball,
hiking, political discussions and more.
The pre-registration fee is on a sliding scale, ranging from $15
-$40 based on your ability to pay. (Please see page 6 for a guide
for determining your approprate fee.) Registration on-site will
be $40. Scholarships are also available for the destitute.
Registration includes the Friday evening meal and brunch on
Saturday and Sunday breakfast. Please remember, if you bring
pets, they must be on a leash at all times.
Red Rock Canyon State Park is located near Hinton,
Oklahoma about a one-hour drive west of Oklahoma City. The
park is nestled in the bottom of a canyon with steep sides which
are popular rappelling sites. Trails provide a view of ruts left by
pioneer wagons traveling the California Road. A small lake
offers fishing opportunities. The canyon environment supports
a wider variety of plants than most of western Oklahoma,
including the Caddo Maple which should be displaying
splendid foliage by retreat time.
For information, leave a message at Herland ( 405) 5219696. Phone messages will be checked and returned daily. •
CLEVELAND ISSUES CHALLENGE
Barbara Cleveland, the founding mother of Herland, was honored
with a backyard barbeque at Herland on August 18, 1991.
Barbara praised the women of Herland for their work in renovating
the Herland building. She pledged $200 over the next two years to the
building fund and challenged others to make a similar pledge, saying, "If
I, a poor graduate student can give $200, surely anyone can. If 150 other
women will make pledges of $200, this building will be paid off by 1993.
She observed that Herland has always been kept alive by the support of
dedicated women, even when it seemed impossible.
Barbara began Herland in 1982 as a privately run organization
providing a women's bookstore and producing women's music events.
She recruited other community women to be involved and by 1986,
Herland was reorganized as a nonprofit corporation. Herland is
governed by a board ~f directors and relies on volunteer labor and
contributions to sustain operations.
Herland decided to purchase a building of our own and moved to its
present location in 1989. With faith in the commitment of the women
who have supported Herland, the Board entered into a mortgage with a
balloon payment of $30,000 due in January 1993. The eleven women
on the Herland board have pledged the first $3,000 toward the building
fund. Additional building fund pledges of $1000 were made by women
attending the barbeque.
Join us!
VOLUME 8 NUMBER 9
•
r---------------------~
YES, I'll meet the 16-month challenge to help pay off the Herland
building by January 1, 1993.
In support of the Building Fund Drive of Herland Sister Resources,
I/we pledge:
D $400 (25/month)
D $160 (10/month)
D $200 (12.50/month)
D $ 80 ( 5.00/month)
Enclosed is my initial contribution of$ _________
Please send me a pledge reminder:
D monthly D quarterly
CITY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ STATE _ _ _ _ ZIP _ _ __
Please return to HSR, 2312 N.W. 39th, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.
THANKS!
L---------------------~
HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES
2312 N.W. 39th, OKC, OK 73112
• (405) 521-9696
•
The Coyote Club 0 First Anniversary Celebration
p resents in concert Redwcod Recording Artist
Hunter Davis
w ith Special Guest 0 Peggy Johnson
Sun day, September 22nd 0 8:00 pm
$4.00 at the door 0 2120 NW 39th St.
ST. SYBIL
Dear St. Sybil,
Recently Edward Albee, the well-known playwright, spoke at the gay and lesbian
writers' conference in San Francisco, OutWrite '91; and he really made a lot of
people mad: During his keynote speech he declared that he's a member of many
"minorities," namely: he's white, male, middle-aged, a WASP and a college
professor- and oh yes, by the way, he's gay, too.
He went on to say that belonging to these beleaguered "minorities" has not
caused him any problems. "None of them have gotten in my way and stopped me
from saying whatever I wanted to say as a writer."
Jorjet Harper, writing in Outlines, says that he forgot to mention two other
minorities he belongs, to: wealthy and famous. She doesn't suppose those have
hindered him, either.
What do you think of all this? He's right, those are all minorities; but it's still
poppycock, isn't it?
Sincerely . . .
]essabit O'Fended
Dear Jessabit (and what a lovely old-fashioned name you have, my dear),
Well, Mr. Albee is trying to be cute, I suppose. He must figure that being a
playwright entitles him to play with words. But this little game is also played
by other privileged folk from time to time, and really they should all cut it
out. It is not cute, and it is not harmless.
Of course, it was during the Civil Rights movement, when African
Americans held center stage, that the word "minorities" came to be a
catchword for any group being denied a full share of the American pie. It has
remained the word of choice for the various other Rights and Independence
groups-Hispanic, Women, Gay and Lesbian, etc; even though women of
course are not a minority, and people of color in the world are definitely not
either. It is a bit of a wonder that we don't sometimes hear farm and fur
animals referred to as minorities. That would be really silly sounding, but it
would actually be closer to the meaning that the catchword has taken on than
"male" and "wasp."
So as one who cares about the treatment of farm animals and hopes for the
abolition of fur-wearing by non-fur-bearing animals, and as one who shares
your ennui at hearing people like Albee play semantics at the expense of
reality and humanity, I'd like to try suggesting a new word to replace the old,
sometimes inaccurate and possibly inappropriate, stand-by, "minority."
Nonwhitenonmalenonmiddleclassnonstraightnonrichnonwasp-I don't
know, I don't think that one will get off the ground, although it might keep
Albee from claiming membership in it. My new friend K. Marx, Patron Saint
of the U nread and the Misunderstood, says that he still likes "The Exploited
Masses,'' but he reluctantly agrees that it might not fly these days either.
2
HERLAND VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1991
Let's try some acronyms; maybe we'll come up with something catchy.
NOCs: Not of the Opressor Class. That will keep Albee out; it's easily
punnable, too, as in "school of hard NOCs, NOC NOC, let us in, etc.
OOPs: Out Of Powers. I like this one; it implies something which might
possibly be remediable, like "00Ps, I seem to be on the wrong path, but ifl
retrace my steps I can get on the correct one."
TOPs: Temporarily Out of Powers. This one has a nice ring to it, and a good
subtle threatening sound, as ifTOPs might just become TIPs one day, if they
get together and work at it.
W AADs: We're Armed And Dangerous and out to get you!: Just kidding!Just
playing around a little, no harm in fantasies if you don't act on them, ok?
Jeez, I swear, this newsletter has one of the most pacifist group of readers in
the world! Just a trifle humor-impaired, too, you know?
ARWOS: Armed with Righteousness and Will Overcome. I suppose you like
that better, but face it, it's boring, boring, boring, even if it is true.
So much for word play; it really isn't appropriate, anyway. Who we're
talking about here are the used, the abused, the discriminated against; the
forgotten, the forlorn, the overlooked, the poor, the hungry, the homeless,
the exploited, the scapegoated, the helpless, the hopeless, the despised.
It's hard to understand people who mock and belittle these groups and
their very real grievances. Mr. Albee listing his various accesses to privilege
seems like an excess of self-indulgence to me. It is not cute, it is dishonest and
sophomoric. We know that he knows what the word "minority" represents,
so who is he trying to kid?
Dear me, this whole thing is making me very tired; I think I'll go see ifl can
persuade Saint Sister Kenny to give me a massage.
Until we talk/write/ communicate again, take care, take power and trust
Sybil
joy ...
Mowing • Fertlllzlng • Trimming
• Light Haullng •
"We Are Insured"
KAY
794-0081
SANDIE
794-6884
P-FLAG TO COLLECT
DISCRIMINATION STORIES
The Federation of Parents and Friend of Lesbians and Gays is
conducting a national -campaign to collect stories to be used in
observance of National Coming Out Day, October 11, 1991.
Members and friends of P-FLAG are asked to write a story or keep
a journal of approximately one week in which they document the
ways that anti-gay and lesbian discrimination affects them and their
lives. They can describe overt or subtle affronts to their dignity, the
emotional and practical costs of living in the closet, anti-gay violence,
or discrimination in employment and housing services.
"We want people to use this exercise as a way of documenting not
only overt and outrageous examples of discrimination, but also the
more subtle ways that homophobia daily touches their lives," said
Tom Sauerman, executive director of P-FLAG. "For example, we
need stories about the loss of employment or housing caused by the
disclosure or suspicion of sexual orientation. Or a parent might write
about playing bridge with someone who made homophobic remarks
and how they dealt with the situation, about the pain of a daughter's
partner being omitted from the guest list of a family wedding by a
relative who wasn't accepting of the relationship, or about activities
or conversations at work or in the community that they could not
participate in because of homophobic discrimination."
"Sharing these stories will empower the individuals who write
them;" Sauerman added, "and P-FLAG will publish some of them as
a consciousness-raising device for National Coming Out Day. They
will also be used to document discrimination in meetings with public
officials and for testifying in favor oflegislation such as the 1991 Gay
and Lesbian Civil Rights Bill."
Stories and diaries will be accepted in any form, preferably typewritten, one or two pages in length. They can be signed or unsigned
and should be sent by September 15 to P-FLAG Discrimination Diary
Project, Post Office Box 27605, Washington, DC 20038. P-FLAG
will contact writers before using stories for media or press purposes.
The Federation of Parents FLAG is a tax-exempt, non-profit
network of support groups founded in 1981 to help families learn to
understand, accept, and respect their gay and_lesbian members; and to
advocate for the civil rights and concerns of lesbians and gay men.
P-FLAG's outreach is to members of over 235 local chapters and
information helplines across the United States, Canada, and six other
countries; and countless others who call local helplines and hear of
the Federation's work through the print and broadcast media.
Readers who wish to receive a packet of information about Parents
FLAG may do so by sending $3 to the Office of Family and Chapter
Support, Post Office Box 27605, Washington, DC 20038.
•
M. COLEEN WOODY
MARILYN D. BEST
ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW
General Practice
1518 N.W. 29th St
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
405-525-2174
Edwina V. Johnson, D.D.S.
"Catering to Cowards needing Tender Care"
in Comprehensive Dentistry
5009 North Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 103
(405) 840-5410
Night & Sunday practice by appt. only
Emergencies welcome
Insurance accepted
STATISTICS ON HIV/AIDS AND
NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN
(Statistics provided by Lorrelle D. Pintado, Prevention and Community
Education Department, Seattle Indian Health Board, April I, 1991.)
Many Native American women have been lulled into a false sense
of security because past published statistics show small numbers of
women who are HIV positive. However, in the United States today,
women are the fastest growing group to be infected with HIV:
150,000 women nationwide have become HIV positive and 14,816
have gone on to develop AIDS.
Currently, 34 adult female Native Americans in the United States
have full-blown AIDS. In addition, four Native American females
who are age 12 or under (pediatric cases) have AIDS.
As of April 30, 1990, there were 30 Native American females
nationwide who were diagnosed with AIDS, 3 of whom were female
pediatric cases. Therefore, between April 30, 1990 and June 1991, a
26 percent increase occurred in the number of Native American
females with AIDS.
As of October 31, 1989, 26 Native 4.merican females nationwide
had AIDS, 2 of whom were pediatric cases. Therefore, a 46 percent
increase in AIDS occurred from October 1989 to June 1991 in Native
American females nationally.
In comparing national data, females account for 5 percent of white
persons with AIDS but for 17 percent of Native Americans with
AIDS, a substantial difference.
It should be emphasized that these numbers represent only fullblown AIDS cases that have been reported to the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) and do not include seroprevalence and underreported
cases, as well as persons whose racial ethnicity was misidentified.
It was not until late 1988 that CDC created a separate category for
Native Americans for disease reporting purposes. Therefore, it is
important that all people of color, male and female, make sure that
they self-disclose their race on report forms; this will help increase the
accuracy of reporting the types and numbers of people who are
infected with HIV.
Women of color need to be included in clinical trials that study the
benefits and risks of using new treatments for a disease. In addition,
diagnostic models, testing programs, and benefit packages in health
care facilities need to be set up with women in mind to address their
HIV-related problems.
In the Oklahoma City area, HIV I AIDS information for women is
available from:
SunShine Shillings
Southeast Area Health Center
( 405) 632-6688
Gloria Bellymule
OKC Indian Clinic
(405) 232-1526
HERLAND VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1991
•
3
HERLAND
GETS A
FACE
LIFT ...
AND HAS A BAR-B-QUE
AND BACKYARD CONCERT
WITH DONNA D.
MAILING LIST ANALVSIS.
If you receive the Berland Voice in Hawaii or Alaska, you probably
think that you are the only one in your entire state who gets it; and
you're quite right, you are. Also if you live in a few of our other
states, or in the two foreign countries on our list.
On August 3, 1991, our mailing list contained exactly 800
addresses, and we thought it would be interesting to see how it breaks
down. Oklahoma, of course, leads the list with 574; and most of these
are in the Oklahoma City/Norman area. Not surprisingly, our sister
states of Texas, Arkansas, and Missouri have the next largest
numbers, respectively 27, 24 & 20. (Except for California, sister state
to the world, who has 21.) Here's the entire breakdown:
Oklahoma . . .... 574
Texas ........... 27
Arkansas .... . . . . 24
California . .. . . . . . 21
Missouri . . . ...... 20
New York. . . . . . . . 13
Georgia . . . . . . . . . . 9
Arizona . . . . . . . . . . 8
Colorado . . . . . . . . . 7
Kansas . . . . . . . . . . 7
Illinois . .. ... .... .. 7
Tennessee . ... ... 7
Florida . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Massachusetts ....
Oregon . . . . . . . . . .
Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washington, D.C. . .
Virginia . . .. ... . ..
Wisconsin . . . . . . . .
Louisiana . . . . . . . .
Indiana . . . . . . . . . . .
Maryland . . . . . . . . .
Minnesota . . . . . . . .
North Carolina ....
Pennsylvania .. . ..
Washington . . . . . . .
6
6
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
New Mexico .. ... .
Alabama . . . . . . . . .
Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kentucky . . . . . . . . .
Mississippi .......
Alaska . . . . . . . . . . .
Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . .
Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . .
New Hampshire . . .
Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Germany .... . ....
The Netherlands . .
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
~usie
fr'outhwell,
Dear Herland,
Thanks to the Voice staff for continuing to publish articles and responses
about women's spirituality. Patriarchy still binds most of our world-it's
refreshing to have a newsletter written by women who refuse to behave like
mindless breeding stock-and who welcome and respect opposing views within
the women's community.
Gail
Dear Herland Voice,
Bravo to Deborah Fox on the article "Sisters Beware." I am all for
spirituality and for women choosing their own Higher Powers etc. I also
KNOW from much experience that there are many dangerous groups out
there, from money-hungry scum to sexually abusing, drug-pushing, mindcontrolling money-hungry scum! There is a vast array of information on the
New Age Movement from the Cult Awareness Network in Chicago, Ill. There
is an information outlet in Enid, OK. The Cult Awareness Network is also
having their yearly conference in Oklahoma City this year, November 1, 2 & 3.
For more info write: C.A.N. 1991 National Conference, P.O. Box 60653,
OKC, OK 73146. It will be at the Sheraton Century Center Hotel.
My partner was in a cult for eight years. We have many friends who are also
survivors of religious cults. Any type of deceptive, manipulative, totalistic
group can be called a cult if it meets the eight requirements of mind control.
Your newsletter is informative and we enjoy receiving it. Thanks.
Mary Verkler
M. Ed.
COUNSELOR
2912 N. Clauen, Suite 102, _ _ _ _ _ _
7
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106·---Telephone: (405) 556-4105
GAV GROUP TO PARTICIPATE IN NORTH
CAROLINA HIGHWAY PROGRAM
After being sued by the American Civil Liberties Union, the North
Carolina Department ofTransportation has reversed its decision to prohibit
a gay group from participating in a highway beautification program.
The North Carolina Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU's Lesbian and
Gay Rights Project has filed a lawsuit in December in federal district court in
Raleigh challenging the state's decision to deny a request by the Southern
Applachian Lesbian and Gay Alliance (SALGA) to participate in the
highway program.
In addition to allowing SALGA to fully participate in its Adopt-AHighway program- in which community groups keep designated portions
of selected highways clean of trash- North Carolina has also agreed to pay
$7 ,500 in costs and attorney fees. The state also agreed to install a sign with
SALGA's name on it- including "lesbian" and "gay" - on the portions of
highway that the group will maintain. The lawsuit will be withdrawn.
The chairperson of the 200-member group, Carlos Gomez, welcomed the
settlement. "We wanted to use our name and say who we are," he said. "We
are Americans-gay and lesbian Americans- and just like anyone else, we
want to keep this state clean."
"We have defeated North Carolina's attempt to render lesbians and gay
men invisible," said William B. Rubenstein, the director of the ACLU's
national Lesbian and Gay Rights Project. "This victory should put state and
city governments around the country on notice that they cannot stand in the
way of our First Amendment freedoms."
•
Dear Herland,
The August newsletter was especially attractive and informative. The
article by Deborah Fox about the corruption of the New Age movement
expressed some thoughts I have had but had yet to put into words . Her rejection
of the idea that starving children and, indeed, abused children have "created
their own reality" is well founded. I even recently heard such a theory in an
altered form-the troubled child's karma is somehow an expression of the
mother's turmoil!
The times are lending great support to subtle (to some) forms of sexism,
homophobia , racism, etc. Most likely Supreme Court
nominee Clarence Thomas's hard knocks, up-by-the-bootstraps story will
become the black version of "anybody can grow up to be president." Minorities
can add one more line to their scapegoat list of personal guilt for
underachievement. Of course, I am not defending slothful people. It's just that
opportunity does not always knock on the physical plane becuase one's spiritual
ground is fertile. The powerful and greedy can stand in the way.
Anyway, thanks Deborah for writing. I don't always agree with you but you
are risky and courageous. Look for the answers!
Peggy Johnson
TREAT YOURSELF TO THE "TOUCH OF GOLD."
Treat your special someone, too, for $10 off her Massage!
ooucfi of Qold
HEALTHFUL • STRESS RELIEVING MASSAGE
Special
discounts
available
to all
Her land
readers'
6y
Melanie ~· McKiddy
MASSAGE THERAPIST
360 -6945
"Portable"
massage
table
available
for your
convenience. '
HERLAND VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1991
5
~~---- REMEMBERING MARV BROWN
A RUN FOR LIFE '91 a fun run and walk sponsored by the
Oklahoma City Area HIV I AIDS Coalition will be held September
29 in Bricktown. the run will be followed by a concert and picnic in
the Myriad Gardens. Contact (405) 946-9628 for more information . . ...
THE WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER of Norman and the
Norman Alcohol Information Center will present the second annual
state-wide conference, "Chemical Dependency and Family Violence:
Painful Realities" September 30 - October 1 at the Sheraton Hotel in
Norman. Registration is $55 for both days. Special rates are available
for students and one-day attendance. For information contact: NAIC
at (405) 321-0021 or Women's Resource Center at (405)
364-9424 .....
LESBIAN ONLY THERAPY GROUP. For further information
call Jo L. Soske, M.ED./HRC/CAC, at 360-5708 .....
THE BENEDICTINE PEACE HOUSE is celebrating its ten-year
anniversary with a Family Picnic for Peace. Sunday, September 8,
5:45 to 8:45 p.m. at the Picnic Shelter at Lake Overholser Park, in
Bethany. Bring kites, frisbees, yo-yos, earth balls, musical instruments, hula hoops, and join in celebrating life and one another .....
by Pat Reaves
The headline in the Daily Oklahoman read "Female Inmate, 38, Dies
of Heart Ailment." The article reported that Mary Brown died while
incarcerated at Mabel Bassett Correctional Center and went on to
remind readers of her crime for which she had been in prison for the last
8 years. I imagine there are those who after reading the story were
satisfied that she finally got the punishment she deserved for her crime.
Nowhere in the story were we told of the person Mary Brown was.
I remember Mary Brown as a person - a woman much like any of us.
She was a sensitive artist. She survived battering by her husband and she
struggled to survive the battering of daily prison life. Mary faced the
challenge of an emotional handicap complicated by heavy medication
imposed by the prison. Sometimes the medication was so strong she
could barely function.
It's a simple formula-reduce a woman to one act which is easily
judged harshly. Then condemn her. It happens every day with women
offenders, pregnant women who use drugs and women who abuse or
abandon their children. Women-people-aren't easily reduced to a
single event. Mary Brown helped to teach me that none of us can be
reduced to a single act.
•
Remember Mary Brown. Honor her struggle.
Don't miss Hunter Davis at the Coyote Club, 2120 N.W. 39th,
on September 22nd, 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $4 at the door •••••
CARLA SCIAKY, folk musician from Colorado, will be appearing
Kay Killgore, M.Ed.
at the City Arts Center on October 18th. Look for a feature article in
next month's newsletter . ....
Woman to Woman Counseling
FALL RETREAT - OCTOBER 11 • 13. Mark your calendars
1010 N.W. 45th
. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118
(405) 524 -1062
now. Nancy Scott of Austin, Texas will be our headliner .....
THANKS TO P.J. for creating a computer listing of Herland's
library!
HERLAND FALL RETREAT PRE-REGISTRATION GUIDELINES
Single Person's
Annual Income
under $ 6,500
$ 6,500-$13,250
$13.250-$19.500
over $19,500
Retreat Preregistration fee
$15
$25
$35
$40
Household Annual Income
(2 or more persons}
under $13,300
$13,300-$18,000
$18,000-$26,000
over $26,000
Please choose the registration fee most
appropriate for you based on these suggested
income guidelines. Complete and return the
pre-registration form to Herland, 2312 N.W.
39th, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.
HSR FALL RETREAT REGISTRATION
NAME: _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ _
PHONE :~~~~~~~~-
ADDRESS: _ __ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ ____ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ __
CITY: _ __ _ __ __ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ __ __
Registration fee enclosed: D $15
D $25
D $35
~
STATE _ _ _ __ _ _ ZIP _ _ _ __ __
D $40
D I'm enclosing an additional $ _ _____ to provide retreat scholarships.
D I need a scholarship to attend.
D I would like to ride with someone.
D I can help provide rides to the retreat.
6
HERLAND VOICE, SEPTEMBER 1991
Return to:
HERLAND
2312 N. W. 39th
Oklahoma City, OK 73112
NEED TO TALK?
NEED COMMUNITY INFORMATION?
Office Hours
Tues - Thurs 9-3
Friday 10-6
Sat by appointment
842. GAYS
CALL
Debra K Browning, R Ph, D. D.S.
The Gay & Lesbian
HELPLINE
Comprehensive Dmta/ Care
5009 ,\·. PennsJlvama,
(.105)
Hours: 7 p.m. - 1 a.m. Wednesday - Monday
!f.IJ - 32~1
Volunteers Needed: Leave a message with
a current volunteer if you are interested.
Oklahoma City, OK 7 3 112
Suilt' IO J
Insurance, VISA & MC accepted .
.>Pt:.
.Sam L Nicolos~ D. V.M
A
Emphasis on the problems of gay people.
848-5429
NICOLOSI ANIMAL HOSPITAL
ABC MOBILE VETERINARY SERVICES .
SHIRLEY M. HUNTER, M. Ed.
Medicine, Surgery, 'Vaccinations, Boarding
Oklahoma City Area House Calls
By Appointment
LICENSED PROFESSIONALCOUNSELOR
LICENSED MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPIST
Phone: (405) 947-5545
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
4015 N. W. 23rd St.
PENN PARK OFFICE COMPLEX• SUITE 10?5009 N. PENNSYLVANIA• OKLAHOMA CITY, OK73112
"Grooming services now available."
Sunday
Monday
2~
Tuesday
3
~ednesday
4
Thursday
Friday
6
5
PEGGY
JOHNSON
al Kilrr P-.rk
ff:45a11-l Pll
30,000 11arch
in riri;l
Labor Day
Parade in
*
Ne11YDrk . 1882 CoDA 11eet.1ne.
Saturday
7
ist Heetine
of Dauehters
of Bililis
1958
"/:00 p .11.
LABOR DAY
8 BPH
p
Picnic
5:45 - 8 :45
*
PECCY
JOHNSON
8:00 - Midniehl
Coyote Club
isoardHeelm£1
.
10
9
12 Herland
11
Discussion
Group,
Issues of the
Day:
Rosh
Hashanah
7
Tonie ht. ·s
issue: CHOICE
16
17
18
4:30 IJ.11.
It
Backyard
BarBQ.Ca11es
& Sin,,-alon£1
•I ep£1y
Johnson, 6:30
22
PEGGY
JOHNSON
openine for
HUNTER OAVIS
al the
COYOTE CLUB
~
29
P.llL
Yo111 Kipper
?~L EQl'INOX 24
25
19
7:00 P.111.
PE~CY ,.i
JOHNSON
al
POETS
8 - It IJ.ll.
20
SISTERS
Of
SWING
at the
STATE FAIR
1lp.11.
CoDA Heetine .
7:00 p .111.
26
27
SISTERS
Of
SWING
at the
COYOTE CLUB
9p11
1991
9-13-1663; 1st attempted slave revolt in North
America; African slaves conspire with
European indentured servants, in Gloucester
County, Virginia.
9-2-1869; Esmer Morris, first female Justice of
the Peace in Wyoming, holds tea party asking
citizens to worlc: for women's suffrage.
~
21
28
MISS BROWN
TO YOU
CoDA Meetine.
at the
7:00 P .11\.
Hotel Bohe11ia
9 p.m.
$5.00 cover
*
E11er£1ency
l>rive
for
Heallh Care
Rally and
Caravan
30
i~DA Heeline. 14
SEPTEMBER
~
Margaret Sanger, September 14, 1883-1966; US pioneer of birth control and a staunch feminist, set
up the first birth-control clinic in the US in 1916. She was frequently vilified and imprisoned
for her views.
Jane Addams, September 6, 1860 - 1935. American social reformer who pioneered the settl ..m:mt
ho~e movement in the US . An ardent pacifist, she became first president of the Women's
International League for Peace and Freedan, and was co-winner of the 1931 Hobel Peace Prize .
PUBLISHED BY: Herland
Sister Resources, Inc.
2312 NW 39th, Oklahoma
City, OK 73112
NEWSLETIER
COMMITIEE:
Margaret Cox, Deborah
Fox, Pat Reaves
CIRCULATION: 750
HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES INC.
2312 Ntf 39t.h St.reel
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
( 405) 521-9696
Hours: Saturdays 10 - 6: Sundays I - 6
GENERAL INFO: (405) 5219696 (leave message)
SUBSCRIPTIONS to the
Her/and Voice are free
upon request.
NonProfit 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
REASON CHECKED
Urdaimeo _ _ Retu:.eo _ _
Attempted-Not known - - -
lnsufticient Address .D.
=· ' - - No gich st1eet--numberllo s.tch office in state _
0t IOI 11m1il ID tblS HHll•
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