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Triangle Community Center

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MANY HEARTS • •

THE

•

TRIANGL

Vol.8, No.IO
October 1997

ONE COMMUNITY

"PAGEANT' IS COMING!

After playing to lavish praise at Manhattan's Blue Angel Theatre, "Pageant'' is coming to Norwalk
CT, for five performances in January 1998. Proceeds from the show will go to benefit the Triangle
Community Center (TCC) ofEast Norwalk (the gay and lesbian community center serving Fairfield
County) and Bread and Roses, (an AIDS residence in Georgetown, CT). "Pageant's" director, Scott
M. Robbins also directed "Whoop-Dee-Doo" in January 1997, which raised over $17,000 for TCC,
Bread and Roses and other Fairfield County agencies assisting people with AIDS. And this past June,
he directed ''The World Goes Round," a benefit for Bread and Roses, which played to virtually sold
out crowds in Westport.
The show will feature six beauty contestants: Miss Bible Belt, Miss Industrial Northeast, Miss Deep
South, Miss Texas, Miss Great Plains, and Miss West Coast. Each contestant will wear a costume
parodying their region's stereotypes. They will be required to undergo an "exhaustive series of
11-----------• preliminary competitions" one of which is "beauty crisis counseling." They will also be asked to
promote such products as Smooth As Marble Facial Spackle "for a deep-down coverup," and Lip
Snack, a nutritious lipstick that comes in 27 shades and flavors. All this they do in their·quest for the title of Miss Glamourese.
Audience members will serve as judges with different winners at each performance.
"Pageant'' evolved from a workshop production in New York in the mid 1980s, according to the producer of the New York 1991
and 1992 run, Jonathan Scharer of Greenwich, CT. Mr. Scherer said "Pageant'' is about those obsessed with winning; it expresses
hypocrisy." The show was conceived, directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom and written by Bill Russell and Frank
Kelly. The music was composed by Albert Evans.
Scott M. Robbins, the director, began his career in the theater at age 10, as a performer. He appeared in numerous stage
productions in New York stock, and regional theaters, as well as in films, television and night clubs. Along with Mark Graham,
Mr. Robbins produced several productions at the Pinecrest Dinner Theatre in Fairfield County CT, including the premiere
production of"Stay Tuned", which he also co-produced in New York. Mr. Robbins has taught acting for many years, and several
of his former students are now appearing on Broadway on television and in films. Mr. Robbins has staged more than 25 large scale
productions including the recent productions of''Whoop-Dee-Doo" and ''The World Goes Round."
The New York Sunday Times reviewer David Richards said, ''It's all here-the tears, the nerves, the frozen smiles, the platitudes,
the bad taste, and of course the raging ambition just under the lacquered surface that gives beauty pageants their fascinating
subtext." "Screamingly funny!. ... It's 90 minutes oflaugh therapy!" said another Times reviewer.
CASTING CALL foR "PAGEANT"

Auditions for the January production of"Pageant'' will be held
Tuesday, October 21 and Wednesday, October 22 at 7 pm both
evenings at the Norwalk Community Technical College Performing Arts Center. The Center is located at 188 Richards
Avenue in Norwalk (on the east side of Richards Avenue) offexit
13 of the Connecticut Turnpike (195).
''We are looking for 7 men, 6 of whom will play female 'Pageant'
contestants, and l emcee. All must sing, dance and act," said
director, Scott M. Robbins. "They should come to the auditorium prepared to perform two songs and to dance," he added.
The contestants include Miss Bible Belt, Miss Industrial Northeast, Miss Deep South, Miss Texas, Miss Great Plains, and Miss
West Coast.
SHOW TIMES
"Pageant" will play for five nights in January, at the Norwalk
Community Technical College Performing Arts Center. The
dates are : Friday January 16, Saturday January 17, Thursday
January 22, Friday January 23 and Saturday January 24. All
shows will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 for the show only and
$50 for the show and a post-show reception. Tickets may be
purchased by calling the box office at (203) 857-7271.

October 1997

A DIFFERENT CALLING
St. Paul's on the Green, Norw~lk has several openings
(volunteer and paid) for singers who enjoy challenging
music from all periods. There are several options for
people with good voices and good music reading skills.
The chancel choir sings at the Sunday morning Liturgy
and special feast days. They rehearse Thursday evening.
The choir sings two anthems each Sunday. The Repertoire of traditional liturgical music spans the Renaissance to the twentieth century, with emphasis on the
English choral tradition.
The Evensong choir sings six times a year and specializes in English romantic literature. The traditional
English cathedral service of Evensong is comprised of
music, readings and prayers. The choir sings a
Magnificat, Nune Dimittis, responses and an anthem.
To arrange an audition or for more information, call
Bill Vortberg, Director of Music at (203) 847-7250.
Pagel

T NEWS & VIEWS
WrcCNEWs
OPEN LETTER
Dear board members and members of the Triangle Center:
I am writing to express thanks for all the moral support I have received
from the TCC board and TCC members in my efforts to provide
positive coverage in Fairfield and New Haven counties for gays and gay
issues during the past 4 years.
As you know, the intolerance and bigotry we must endure is so unfai~,
immoral and irrational. I look to the day when those who play the antigay bigotry card will have to answer for wha~ they do, just as the
segregationists and Fascists have had to answ~r m r~cent decades, and
their positions have become so unacceptable m mamstrean society.
I am especially grateful and flattered that the TCC nominated me to be
a Fairfield County community person of the year of the Stamford
Advocate, and for all the verbal encouragement continually given to
me.
Like many of us, it is the.issue about which I care more than anything,
and it means everything to have the appreciation and support of the
TCC and its members, people who donate enormous time and effort
to our gay community, and whose work has made and makes it much
easier for me to be who I am.
Sincerely, Michael Collins

TRIP TO

HERST ORY ARCHIVE

Members of the Lesbian Lit Group will be visiting the Lesbian Herstory
Archive on October 25. The LHA is housed in a lovely brownstone m Park
Slope, Brooklyn, NY a.k.a. "Dyke Slope." 1:he collection contains a wide
variety of materials by, for an? about lesbians. There are great books,
articles, biographies, files, clothmg, memorabilia, and art from around the
world. The neighborhood is lovely and has good restaurants and shops.
If you're interested in joining them call Sharon at (203) 855-9951.
The book chosen for the November 4 meeting of the reading group is
"Terminal Velocity" by Blanche Boyd. Ms Boyd is a local author and will
be speaking at the Center in November on a night to be announced. The
Lit Group meets at TCC the first Tuesday of the month at 7: 30 pm. For
more information call Christine at (203) 847-8476.

GAY/LESBIAN STUDIES
Free Association member john emery istvan is soliciting support regarding a Gay/Lesbian Studies course he is considering developing for a
community college in Fairfield Co~nty. The ~ourse would be "sort of a
history of... how we develop our attitudes/beliefs towards .. .no, everyone
isn't like Ellen ... sort of a course," John said. He would hke to hear from
anyone interested in promoting the course, guest lecturi_ng a class on a
given topic or possibly enrolling in it. It would be a 3 credit, undergraduate course ~ffered on a.Saturday morning, possibly open to high school
students and people over the age of 62. The target 1s spnng semester,
1998. Contact John at home at (203) 333-1194 with you encouragement,
suggestions, thoughts, support, etc.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

SPLINTERS FROM THE BOARD

There is good news for all of us. The government is \n the busi~ess of
promoting population growth with a new $500-a-kid tax credit. Can
you believe it? In this poor, overpopulated, overcrowded, overpolluted world, a tax credit which will encourage population growth?
Do you have kids? Better make more. Tough buns if you don't because
the credit is yours only if you do.
If you want a tax cut, procreate. Shades ofN azi Germany_ which used
government incentives to raise the birth rate. Are we n_ot m danger of
creating another baby boom down the road, another tide ofboomers
straining the economy, creating long-term deficits and placi~g huge
new costs on Social Security and Medicare? Not to mention the
resulting turmoil. Wouldn't it be better ifthe government offered some
kind of economic incentives to people who limit their numbers, a
reward to the many non-producers amongst us? New thinking is in
order.
The Achilles heel in all this philosophy of economic growth is that it
depends upon a constantly growing population to sustain it, a constantly growing "market" the economists call it. If the market doesn't
exist here at home, go to Asia with its huddled masses. Growth,
growth, growth. It's like a treadmill. It works as long as it doesn't slow
down. So let's have another baby boom. Jump on the treadmill
everyone. Eureka! I feel sorry for the kids down the road. Good luck
kids. You are not to blame.
-Wally Bacon

As a person who only recently accepted l was gay (two years next January),
I was overwhelmed by the spirit of celebration, commurnty and cooperation that marked both the Connecticut Gay Pnde parade/festival 111
Hartford and the humungous Gay Pride parade in New York City, both
ofwhich l participated in for the first time this year. In the Hartford parade
l marched with a contingent from my Un.ion (New England Health Care
Employees Un.ion, District 1199) and in the New York parade with a
delegation from TCC.
One of the things that kept me from acce_pting being gay as a young adult
in the 1970's, was my perception that bemg gay was_somethm~ negative,
something sad, something to be ashamed of, somethmg to be hidden. The
few times gays were depicted in film or other media, they were usually
pictured as mentally unstable or simply unhappy people-people who
didn't want to be who they were.
Well, times-they indeed have changed. The hundreds of thousands of
gay people I saw and marched with in those two parades were very happy
to be who they are. The were no negative, not sad, not ashamed, and_
certainly not hidden! And the sense <?f commurnty-:-men and women ot
varying sexual tendencies, races, ethrnc groups,_rehg1ons, etc .. celebratmg
in harmony-almost brought me to tears (of JOY, of course!).
If you've never participated in a Pride parade, please keep June 1998
weekends free so you'll be able to experience a very positively charged
celebration of life and its diversity that you won't soon forget 1
-John DelVecchio

fREE ..... AsSOCIATION
The next meeting of the Free Association will be held on Saturday,
November 15 at TCC from 10:30 to noon. This meeting will be a
discussion focused on recent developments at Brookfield High School,
facilitated by one or more members of the committee for the Defense
of Classroom Tolerance. Committee co-chair Ed Rose is expected to
come, and other members may join him as the date drav1s closer. In
the event you are unfamiliar with the situation, this once seemingly
progressive school had adopted "safe zones" where gay, lesbian,
bisexual and questioning students could discuss their concerns in a safe
environment with sympathetic teachers and staff. However, an
apparently very small, right wing, "Christian" fundamentalist group of
parents has filed a lawsuit against the woman spearheading the project.
Her future and the program's future are very uncertain. Come and hear
the latest and share your thoughts. Please mark your calendars now as
there may not be another reminder!

October 1997

FALL INTO FALL FRIENDRAISER
As the trees show a hint of color and the nights get a little chilly, why not
make time to take time with your friends. The October Friendraiser will
be held on Saturday, October 18 from 3-6 pm. It is being hosted by Brian
DuBac and Elliot Arluck at their home at 239 Fox St., Bndgeport. Our
hosts asks that you bring food at your own discretion and BYOB.
Directions: Going North on 195 take Exit 24 for the Black Rock
Turnpike; bear right around the rotary up and over the hill past the
cinemas. Take a right onto Canfield Ave. Follow to end and take a left onto
Fox St. Please park on the street.
Going South on 195 take Ex.it 24 and go left off the ex.it ram_p to the 2nd
stop sign. Make a right on State Street Extens10n to traffic hght; make a
left on Black Rock Turnpike through the first stop sign. Make a nght onto
Canfield Ave and take a left onto Fox St. Please park your car in the street.

Page2

T ~EWS & VIEWS

~ CONNECTICUT NEWS
STATEWIDE - LICENSURE FOR COUNSELORS
After three years of intensive lobbying, professional counselors in
Connecticut have succeeded in gaining licensure for their profession.
Licensure protects consumers by ensuring that individuals who practice
as professional counselors in Connecticut have met state minimum
requirements for education, knowledge and experience. The bill grants
licensure to professional counselors who have: ( 1) at least sixty graduate
semester hours and who hold at least a master's or higher degree offortytwo graduate semester hou~ from a regionally accredited institution of
higher education in a major decemed to be in counseling; (2) acquired
three th~:msand hours ofsupervised experience in the field of professional
counseling over not less than one year and which includes a minimum
of one hundred hours of direct supervision by licensed professionals as
specified by the bill; and (3) passed an examination prescribed by the
Commissioner of Public Health.
Practicing counselors will have a grandparent period until January 1,
1999, provided they provide evidence of (1) having earned a master's
degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher
education in a_major deemed to be in counseling; (2) practiced professional counselmg for a minimum of two years immediately preceding
October 1, 1997; and (3) passed an examination prescribed by the
Commissioner of Public Health.
Connecticut now joins 43 other states and the District of Columbia in
re~lating the field of professional counseling. Only Alaska, Hawaii,
Minnesota, Nevada, New York and Pennsylvania have not passed
legislation regulating the field.
BRIDGEPORT - NEW GAY BAR!
Connecticut's largest city once again has a gay bar to call its own! Caught
In The Act, located at 1246 Main St, in downtown Bridgeport, is opened
seven days a week from noon until closing. The bar, decorated with a
variety of gay artistry and provocative photography, offers sandwiches
at very modest prices along with draft beer special during the day.
Everyone Wednesday features a DJ with '50s music and no cover charge;
Thursday night offers a DJ with '70s music and no cover charge· Friday
is "Lati_n Night'' with a DJ and $2 cover after 9 pm; Saturday features
a DJ with club music and a male dancer for a $3 cover after 9 pm.
Dolores, the bar's owner, is very enthuastic that Bridgeport, once again,
has a bar that gay people will find friendly and secure. The bar is only one
block from the Bridgeport Police Dept. And there is free parking next
door. Look for a TCC Friendraiser at this bar in the future!

Beginning in October, 1995 a Christian-right couple began a campaign
to malign Veronica and abolish the Safe Zones initiative at BHS,
accusing her of "homosexual recruiting," among other things. After
eight months of this onslaught, Veronica sued the couple for defamation
of character and malicious slander. The suit has not yet come to trial and
Pat Robertson's American Center for Law and Justice, based in Virginia,
is providing financial and legal support for Veronica's opponents. As for
the Safe Zones program a BHS, it is-at best-in crippled and ineffective
abeyance at present-in other words, it is all but dead!
Don Pippin is the first Broadway musical director to receive the Drama
Desk Award "for consistently outstanding musical direction and commitment to the theatre" for such shows as "La Cage Aux Folles" ..."A
Chorus Line" ... "Oliver!" ... "Cabaret'' ... "Mame" ...to name just a few.
He won an Emmy for the TV special Broadway Sings Jule Styne plus a
nomination for Jerry Hermon at the Hollywood Bowl in which he
conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra a month after he
was a Special Guest Conductor for the Boston Pops Orchestra ....
Vocalist Marie Santall has appeared on Broadway in "La Cage Aux
Folles" ... "Seesaw'' ... "The Music Man" ... "A Funny Thing Happened on
the Way to the Forum" ... and many others. Her cabaret act has been
widely acclaimed in New York City, and she has received glowing
notices for her concert appearances at Carnegie Hall in "By Ira, By
George" _and "The 100th Celebration of Cole Porter." Other major
orchestras with which she has performed are the Toronto Symphony,
the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Boston Pop.
"Autumn Affair will be 4eld on Sunday, October 5, from 3 pm to 6 pm
in Redding Ridge, CT. Admission is $35 per person, including wine and
hors d'oeuvres. Attendance is limited to the first 75 persons. For further
information and reservations, please telephone (914) 279 -7785.

GENEALOGY BUFFS
Searching for your ancestry? Try these sources:
1. Groups: Connecticut Society of Genealogists, P.O. Box 435,
Glastonbury, CT 06033-0435. Good for people doing research of
local CT records, as membership allows access to towns' vital records.
2. Books: For an overall introduction to geanology read: "Searching
. For Your Ancestors: The How and Why of Genealogy'' by Gilbert H.
Doane and James B. Bell.
3. Internet resources: For a good source of how-to information check
out the genealogy area of AOL. One way to get to it is via keyword
ROOTS.

SrAMFORD - LARRY KRAMER & GABRIEL RoTELLo
On Thursday evening, October 16, the Women's Studies Program at the
University of Connecticut in Stamford will present an evening of
BROOKFIELD - AUTUMN AFFAIR
conversation with Larry Kramer and Gabriel Rotello. The topic for the
Broadway show tunes from two veterans of''TheGreat White Way''will evening will be ''The Gay Nineties: AIDS & Gay Rights in the fin de
be the highlight of"Autumn Affair," an October 5 party to benefit the siecle." Both are highly acclaimed writers and gay rights activists .
Committee for the De!ense of Classroom Tolerance (CDCT). Based in Kramer and Rotello will discuss the impact of the AIDS crisis on the gay
Danbury, CT, CDCT 1s a non-profit grassroots organization formed to community and its relevance to the evolution of the Gay Rights
encourage equal treatment of all students and educators, regardless of Movement.
actual or perceived sexual orientation. As its mission statement specifies
"CDCT supports educators and students who advocate for the right of Larry Kramer is the co-founder of the Gay Man's Health Crisis and
gay, lesbian and bisexual youth to receive a safe education and worthy ACT-UP, two of the first organizations to respond to the AIDS
initiativ~s aimed at achievi~g this goal. Because any form of oppression epidemic. He is also the author of"Faggots," a controversial novel about
~r discn~111at1on undermmes human dignity, CDCT seeks an educa- gay life; he is an Academy Award-nominated writer for his screenplay of
tional environment where young people can learn with joy and without D.H. Lawrence's "Women in Love", and he is an Obie Award winner
for his plays, "The Normal Heart'' and ''The Destiny ofMe." Perhaps no
fear."
other person has so affected our consciousness about the AIDS epiDon Pippin, one of the most highly acclaimed conductors in the demic, which Kramer believes is a form of genocide.
Amencan theatre _and musical director of a string of smash hits, will be
at the inano. Mane Santell, a Broadway veteran in her own right, will Gabriel Rotello is the author of the controversial and critically-acclaimed
smg. Guest of honor for the afternoon will be Veronica Berrill, mother book "Sexual Ecology: AIDS and the Destiny of Gay Men" which has
of seven and grandmother of several, who taught English at Brookfield . been a best-seller since its publication earlier this year. Rotello has
(CT) High School for 22 years. During her last two years there, Mrs . written for the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, and Newsday, and
Bernll and five other staff members participated in the school's Safe is currently working on a novel.
Zones program, in which teenagers with questions about sexual orien- This discussion is free and open to the public. It will be held at UConn/
tation could come and talk without fear of judgment, discrimination or Stamford, 641 Scofieldtown Road, in the MPR Room at 7:00 pm. For
repercussion.
more Information, please call the Women's Studies office at 203 4616609.
October 1997

Page3

T NEWS A VIEWS
STAMFORD -

Aux

DOBKIN

On Wednesday, October 29, the Women's Studies Program at the
University of Connecticut in Stamford will present "Talking Lesbian:
Generating Lesbian Culture from the 1970's to the Present" with special
guest, Alix Dobkin. Folksinger, oral historian, and political activist, Alix
will use story-telling, lecture and song to recall lesbian history-past and
present. As a "red diaper" baby of the 1950's, civil rights activist, and
founder of the contemporary lesbian feminist movement, Alix's life story
intersects with the major human rights movements and cultural shifts of
our time.
"Alix is essential, a lifeline for a lot oflesbians," says Boo Price, producer
of the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. "Her concerts are like a magnet.
Whatever's going on in the community, she will draw to her and take with
her to the next city on the tour. I really believe she's responsible for helping
develop much of the common thread of lesbian culture."
This presentation is free and open to the public. It will be hdd at UConn/
Stamford, 641 Scofieldtown Road, in the MPR Room at 7:00 pm. For
more Information, please call the Women's Studies office at 203 4616609.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

A

CYBERNEWS

CYBER-DATING
For some, it can be love at first byte. For others, it's a place where they
can come out yet still remain closeted. Surf into the cyber chat rooms
and one quickly finds the new gay barrooms of the '90s. Alcohol-free,
too. The chat rooms, such as the ones featured in America On Line or
Prodigy, do more than just let folks cyber chitchat. For many gay men
and women, the rooms are like windows in their closets.
They also are safe havens for guys to meet guys and girls to meet girls
without feeling awkward or out of place at a bustling club or bar. "If
you are shy, chat rooms offer you the choice of actually talking to a
person instead of just meeting and dancing in a club," says a 17-yearold Hialeah teen who comes out on-line, but remains in the closet in
his everyday high school life.
Gay cyber surfers say chat rooms allow them to meet each other via minds
first, which contradicts the whole looks-driven gay culture. Even nightclubs are jumping into the chat room craze. The Saint in Fort Lauderdale
and Splash in South Miami have thrown meet-your-on-line-buddy
parties. Patrons wear name tags with only their screen names. Who
knows? Maybe "Yogi Bear'' and "Pooh Bear'' will find each other.

INTERNET SURVEY OF GAY YOUTH

SEE THE "CONNECTICUT CALENDAR" (PAGE

5) FOR MORE

CONNECTICUT LISTINGS

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
60 East Avenue, Norwalk
(Across from the Green)
•An inclusive, welcoming, affirming community
•Challenging preaching

Solemn Eucharist .. Sundays at 10:15 AM
Come, experience splendid music &traditional
liturgy, the smell of incense &sight of flickering
candles, in the lovely architectural setting of
a 13th Century, English Gothic church
Office: (203) 847-2806

October 1997

!OutProud!, The National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and
Transgender Youth and Oasis Magazine have announced the first-ever
survey of queer and questioning youth on the Internet. The 150question online survey runs through October 31, 1997 and is designed
to provide insight into the multitude ofissues facing queer youth today.
Joining !OutProud!'s and Oasis' effort are co-sponsors the American
Civil Liberties Union, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education
Network, and XY Magazine. The survey takes thirty minutes to
complete, and is delivered electronically via a special Web site at http :/
/www.oasismag.com/survey/. A report based on the data will be
published in January 1998.

GAY.NET FREE

To

STUDENTS

Gay.Net, the gay online community, has announced that it will offer
free accounts to college students anywhere in the world. The service,
which is accessible on the World Wide Web, normally costs $9.95 a
month and will be offered free for registered college students until the
end of 1997 calendar year - providing access to all content sections,
chat groups and an unlimited Gay.Net e-mail account. Newsweek
Magazine has called Gay.Net "the most ambitious gay service on the Web.
You could spend halfthe night surfing and only find halfofwhat's there." For
a Gay.Net preview, visit Gay.Net at http://www.gay.net/college.

NEWS SOURCES
National News
Court Upholds Discharge, San Francisco Examiner, Sept 6, 1997
Gay Games for 1998, New York Times, Aug26, 1997
Gays Onto Straight Path, New York Daily News, Augt 28, 1997
Immigration Rights for Gay Partners,The Times (London), Aug 27 199,
Scientists Create New AIDS Weapon, Augusta Chron, Sept 5, 1997

Cyber News
Cyber-Dating Miami Herald Sept 4 1997

State by State News
IL - Registry Approved, Chicago Sun Times, Sept 5, 1997
KY - Protection Denied, The Lener - KY GLBT paper, Sept 9, 1997
lliA - Abuse in Gay Partners, Boston Globe, Sept 3, 1997
MA - Gay Adoption, Boston Globe, Sept 7, 1997
MI - District Drops Gay Policy, Detroit News, Aug 20, 1997
MN - Condom Man, Minneapolis Star, Tribune, Sept 4, 1997
NB - Past0r Unite Two Lesbians, Omaha, World Herald, Sept 10, 1997
NC - Military Recruiter Bans Lifted,News-Observer, Sept 10, 1997
NC - Pollster Controversy News- Observer, Aug 31 , 1997
PA - 'Life Partner' Allowed, Phila Inquirer, Sept 6, 1997
UT - Gay Domestic Violence, Salt Lake Tribune, Aug 22, 1997
UT - Teen Fought School District, Prnewswire, Sept 11, 1997
WI - Non-Traditional Family, (Dubuque Iowa) TelegraphHerald, Aug 31, 1997

Page4

THE CONNECTICUT CALENDAR
OCTOBER, 1997
October 4, Sat- Seventh Annual AID SWALK to benefit AIDS
Project Hartford, Bushnell Park, Hartford, 10:30 AM.
Please call 860-951-4833 for pledge sheet, and further
information.
October 4, Sat- The Connecticut Stonewall Congress presents
Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Future: A
Proud LGBT Culture, an all-day workshop in honor of
Lesbian and Gay History Month, Mather Hall, Trinity
College. Registration $5.00, optional box lunch $5.00.
Call 860-296-7254 for info.
October 5, Sun - The AIDS Project of Greater Danbury annual
walkathon starting at Danbury's City Center Green at
8: 30 am. For pledge sheets or more info, call APCTD at
203-778-24737.
October 5, Sun - The Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Film
Festival presents Gay USA and Pride Divide, two films
that show how our gay and lesbian past has brought us to
where we are today. At Cinestudio on the Trinity Campus, 1: 30 pm.
October 5, Sun - Maxie's Cafe presents a tag sale to benefit the
Waterbury Health Dept.'s AIDS Client Services. Starts
10:00 am, rain or shine, 2627 Waterbury Road,
Thomaston. For more information call 203 574-1629
after 7 pm, or e-mail: SMl l l2@aol.com.
October 5, Sun - "Autumn Affair" a party to benefit the
Committee for the Defense of Classroom Tolerance,
Redding Ridge, 3 - 6 pm. Don Pippin will be at the piano
and Marie Santell will sing. Attendance limited to first 75
people. For information call 914-279-7785.
October 8, Wed- Author/activist Larry Kramer speaks at the
New Haven Gay & Lesbian Community Center's Town
Meeting, 270 Temple St, New Haven, 7-9 pm (no
charge), followed by a reception at 168 York St. Cafe,
New Haven ($35 members, $50 non-members, to benefit the NHGLCC). For more information, call 203-7777780.
October 11, Sat -National Coming Out Day!
October 16, Thurs -Author/activist Larry Kramer and author
Gabriel Rotella will speak at the University of Connecticut, Stamford (MPR Room) at 7 pm. Sponsored by the
Women's Studies Program at U Conn/Stamford, the topic
for discussion will be ''The Gay Nineties: AIDS & Gay
Rights in the fin de siecle."
October 17, Fri-Connecticut Gay Men's Chorus performs at
the University of Connecticut, Storrs, co-sponsored by
Uconn's Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Association, in honor
of Gay Awareness Month. Call 1-800-644-CGMC for
information.

October 22, Wed-Auditions for the musical "Pageant," 7
pm, at the Norwalk Community and Technical College. Come prepared to perform two songs and dance.
October 25, Sun - TCC's Lesbian Literature Group will visit
the Herstory Archive in Brooklyn, NY. Everyone is
welcome to join. For info call Sharon 203-855-9951.
October 30, Thurs - Connecticut Gay Men's Chorus performs a benefit for The Connecticut AIDS Residence
Coalition at the Lincoln Theater, Hartford. Call 1800-644-CGMC for details.
October 31, Fri - The New London People's Forum's
Outrageous Halloween Party. Call 860-443-8855 for
more information and directions.
October31-November 2, Fri- Sun-A Weekend With Our
Brothers, a chance to experience community, growth
and celebration with other men on a large and playful
scale. One hundred men share a Berkshire camp for a
weekend of relaxation and new friendships. Call 617247-3964 for more information.
NOVEMBER, 1997
November 6, Thurs - the connecticuT View presents "Boys
Will Be Girls," a fun filled female impersonator show
and dinner at the North Country Inn and Restaurant,
New Milford. Cash bar at 7 pm, dinner at 8 pm, show
at 9:30 pm. Buffet dinner and show $35, show only
$15. The show will benefit Pediatric AIDS - Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Mail checks payable to
"the connecticuT View" % Denise Mason, PO Box
2281, Devon, CT 06460 or e-mail: masonD@aol.com
for more information.
November 18, Tues - The Gathering, an informal social for
gays and lesbians,cocktails and hors d'oeuvres served,
third Tuesday of each month, 7: 30 - 10: 00 pm, at The
Bistro Cafe (second floor), 31 Bank Street. New
Milford. Call Ted at 860-350-1469 or John at 860354-9211 for more info.

FIND MARIANNE SEGGERMAN!
From Ethan Green's Comic Strip, "The Unfabulous .... "

October 21, Tues -Auditions for the musical "Pageant," 7 pm,
at the Norwalk Community and Technical College. Come
prepared to perform two songs and dance.
October 21, Tues -The Gathering, an informal social for gays
and lesbians with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, third
Tuesday of each month, 7: 30 - 10 pm, at The Bistro Cafe
(second floor), 31 Bank Street. New Milford. Call Ted
860-350-1469 or John 860-354-9211 for info.
October 1997

Page5

T NEWS & VIEWS
YEAR IN REVIEW

- Several studies confirm lesbians make good mothers. - IL court
strengthens lesbian adoption/custody in state. - Court strengthens Chicago's anti-discrimination law - Court upholds New
Jersey gay civil rights law.

SEPTEMBER, 1997

MARCH,

Oak Park IL enacts domestic partnership registry. - Birmingham
ABC station gives in and runs Ellen's coming out episode. - "In
The Life" has 5th Anniversary.

Alaska court grants DP benefits for University of Alaska. First
US Senator grants DP benefits for staffers. Bank of America announces DP benefits. - St. Louis enacts DP
registry. -NY court expands gay parents' adoption rights. - West
Hollywood, CA elects gay majority to city council. - Number of
gay-straight clubs at high schools up over l 0 times from 5 years
ago. - Gay/Lesbian liaison to President gets status boost to
"Special Assistant."

AUGUST,

1997

LAPD forced to pay$$ for anti-gay harassment. - For Better or for
Worse with gay subplot runs in 1000+ papers nationwide. Chicago to spend 2 million on gay neighborhood. - Focus on
Family co-founder apologizes to gays. - More gay characters on
TV than ever, GLAAD reforts. -American Psychological Association condemns anti-gay 'therapy." - Anti-Discrimination Initiative makes Washington ballot
Florida court OKs lesbian adoption.
}ULY,

1997

Virginia court OKs lesbian adoption. - Evanstan IL expands antidiscrimination ordinance. - Episcopalians apologizes for mistreating gays. - Well-Fargo adds DP benefits. - Union Bank adds DP
benefits. - Over half of Fortune 500 companies now offer DP
benefits. - Ellen receives 5 Emmy nominations. - Clinton has highlevel meeting with gay activists. - Delaware enacts hate crimes law
including sexual orientation. - Gay and lesbian weddings OKed at
Harvard chapel. - Gay and lesbian youth conference in SF largest
ever. - Federal court strikes down ban on gays in US military (it is
under appeal). - Montana court strikes down state's sodomy law.
- Nearly 2/3 of US states have struck down their sodomy laws. Connecticut bans anti-gay discrimination in school system. Hawaii statewide DP registry/benefits take effect.
}UNE,

1997

Pride month ends, over 50 US celebrations with several million
participants make it largest ever. - Clinton issues pride proclamation, first ever from US President. - Ohio court rules sexual
orientation should not affect adoptions. - Florida court upholds
lesbian "pre-nuptial" agreement. - New Hampshire enacts statewide anti-discrimination bill protecting gays. - Colorado antimarriage bill vetoed for 2nd tune. - Los Angeles unified school
district adds DP plan. - City of New Orleans adds DP benefits. Blue-Cross, Hea.lthNet and PacificCare add DP coverage to
insurance plans. - Historic San Francisco Domestic Partner benefits law goes into effect.
MAY,

1997

Anti-marriage bills die in conservative Texas and Nebraska. - Santa
Barbara, CA gains DP registry. - Maine enacts statewide antidiscrimination law protecting gays. - DNC announces DP benefits. - University of Washington adds DP benefits. - St. Petersburg Times adds DP benefits. - City of Chicago adds DP benefits.
- Wisconsin court upholds Madison anti-discrimination ordinance. - Chevron Oil adds DP benefits. - Northern CA's major
utility company adds DP benefits. - Alabama ban on gay school
clubs struck down.
APRIL,

1997

"Ellen" becomes first gay prime time lead, wins time slot. -Arizona
enacts hate crimes bill protecting gays. - RI, WA, CA, LA antimarriage bills all fail. - Catholic Church calls homophobia a sin,
says celibate gays are "holy''. - Michigan man awarded 10 million
in gay bashing suit. - Gay candidates win municipal elections in San
Mateo and Redwood City CA, as well as Oak Park and Erie
Illinois. - SF 49ers become first pro sports team with DP benefits.
October 1997

1997

1997

FEBRUARY,

Christian Coalition denounces bombing of lesbian bar. - US
AIDS deaths drop 27% in past 6 months. - CA court rules
student newspaper may run ad for gay youth group. - MCC
admitted to Ecumenical Council
Washington marriage ban vetoed. - LAPD f~rced to pay$$ for
anti-gay harassment. - Baseball great Al Kaline apologizes for
anti-gay slur.
}ANUARY,

1997

Over 200 municipalities now have laws banning anti-gay discrimination. - Lacey, WA enacts anti-discrimination ordinances
protecting gays. - Tumwater, WA enacts anti-discrimination
ordinances protecting gays. - Cobb County GA rescinds antigay resolution. - Openly gay congressman Kolbe chairs appropriations subcommittee. - Fremon, CA schools ban anti-gay
harassment. - MA jury awards man $1.2 million for anti-gay
discrimination.
DECEMBER,

1996

Denver DP benefits OK'ed by court. - Albuquerque, MN passes
hate crimes law including gays. - Cleveland, OH passes strict
anti-discrimination ordinance protecting gays. - Former VP of
Ford Motors comes out as gay man. - Hawaii judge OKs gay and
lesbian marriages for 2nd time (the case is under appeal). Lesbian gets number 2 job in CA legislature. - Following recent
elections, there are now over 150 openly gay or lesbian officeholders in the United States
NOVEMBER,

1996

Judge overturns Alachua County FL gay rights ban. - Noted
Homophobe Dornan of CA defeated. - 9 million awarded to gay
teenager abused in school. - State employment discrimination
banned by executive order in Illinois. - Episcopal Diocese of
Pennsylvania blesses gay marriages. - Lafayette IN upholds
discrimination ban. - Both openly gay Congressmen easily reelected.
OCTOBER,

1996

Poll shows increasing tolerance for gay parents' rights. - IBM
implements DP benefits. - North Carolina court rules positively
on lesbian couples' a~options. - _Oakland, CA_d_oI_TI:estic par1:11er
registry created. -National Commg Out Day v1s1b1lity at all-time
high. - Maine University system adds DP benefits
SEPTEMBER,

1996

Broward County, FL upholds gay rights ordinance. - Denver
adds DP benefits for city employees. - Atlanta adds DP benefits
for city employees. - Oregon Court rules in favor of DP benefits
for state employees (this case is under appeal) . - Philadelphia
adds DP benefits for city employees.
Page6

T l'IIIIEWS 4 VIEWS
-

NATIONAL NEWS

NEW AIDS WEAPON CREATED
Scientists have created the first virus-killing viruses, cleverly crafted
microscopic missiles that zero in on AIDS-infected cells and
destroy them. The idea is to fight infection with infection. The
newly created viruses target only cells that have already been
captured by HIV. The approach works well in the test tube but has
not been tried yet in people or even in animals.
Ifit works as its developers hope, the technique will stop the AIDS
virus cold by employing a sort of mirror image ofHIV's own sly
tricks for worming its way into cells. What is attractive about the
discovery is how specific it is, Dr. Rissing said. "The mo_re specific,
the fewer the side effects" from the therapy affectmg other,
uninfected cells, Dr. Rissing said .virus the test tube, the reproducing VSV was able to reduce levels of_HIV _to almost ~ro for three
months. This means the treatment 1s unlikely to wipe out HIV,
even ifit works, but it might be used with other medicines to keep
HIV infections from progressing to AIDS.

DESPITE NEW AIDS DRUGS,

MANY LOSE BATTLE

For a few fleeting months last winter, Jerry Roemer was strong and
vital. Though he had been infected with HIV for years, the amount
of deadly virus in his blood had plunged by 98 per~en~, ~he result
of a powerful cocktail of new drugs called protease 111h1b1tors that
brought him back from the brink of death. Seven months later,
Jerry Roemer was buried in a graveyard near his family's Nebraska
farm.
Roemer's death despite the drugs that many thought would be a
magic bullet for AIDS is not an isolated tale. A year and a half after
protease inhibitors came into widespread use in the United States,
the medications seem to be failing 25 percent to 30 percent of the
150,000 people who are using them. For some, the complex
regimen ofthree drugs does not work from the outset. Some people
get sick from the combination therapy. _Some cannot stic~ to the
intricate schedule of a dozen or more pills each day. But increasingly, doctors are seeing people like Roemer - diligen_t,. determined patients who tolerate the drugs and take them rehg1ously,
but for whom the dramatic benefits simply do not last.
While Roemer might have had high hopes for the protease inhibitors, his physician, Dr. Young, did not. All the evidence in~cates
that combination therapy works best for newly infected patients.
The idea is to suppress the virus so that the immune system does not
suffer damage. But in thelexicon of AIDS, Roemer was a "veteran"
with an immune system already seriously compromised. "There are
two pieces to this whole HIV issue," Dr. Young said. "One is trying
to control the virus. But the bigger question is, what do we do with
individuals like Jerry, who have survived the first 10 to 15 years of
the epidemic and are not going to get the optimal response with
these new drugs? How do we restore their immune systems?"

COURT UPHOLDS DISCHARGE
Another federal appeals court has upheld the military's right to
discharge service members for saying they are gay. A decision by the
9th U.S . Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco reversed an
Oak.land federal judge's ruling that California National Guard Lt.
Andy Holmes' discharge was unconstitutional. And it upheld a
Washington court's ruling that the Navy had acted properly in
ending Lt. Richard Watson's service.
Both servicemen had told their commanding officers they were
gay. Under the law, such statements carry a presumption that they
are likely to engage in homosexual conduct unless they try to
disprove it. They didn't. Attorneys argued the policy violated their
free speech right. Beyond that, they argued that the law itself was
unconstitutional because the military's reasons for excluding known
gays and lesbians was fundamentally irrational and based only on
prejudice. The 9th Circuit majority said the government had a
legitimate interest in discharging known gays ... to maintain an
effective military.

October 1997

GAY GAMES FOR

1998

More than 4,500 participants have already pre-registered for the fifth Gay
Games . 200,000 visitors and a record number of 15,000 competitors are
expected in Amsterdam from Aug_u~t 1 through 8, 1998. The schedule for the
1998 Games includes 30 competition sports, 6 demonstration sports and 1
invitation sport (golf). Among the events are ~occer,_ so~ball, squash, ~able
tennis, cycling, billiards, track and field, tenrus, sw1mm!~g, chess, bndge,
ballroom and Latin American dancing, as well as a competltlon for dancers in
wheelchairs, and ice-skating. Rowing and wind-su~ng will be featured for the
first time, and a program of cultural events, includi~g . a storytellin~ festival,
performan~es by mar~hing b~nds and_a variety_o f exhib1t10~. Facilities for the
disabled will be proVIded. TICkets will be available beg1nrung Dec. 1, 1997.
Prices have not been determined.
As of August 1, travelers interested in obtaining information on Gay Games
Amsterdam 1998 can call a new toll free number 1-888-GayGames (l-888429-4263). Callers will receive the Holland & Ga)'. Games Information
Package, including information on official travel providers, web sites, and a
Gay Games pre-registration form.

GAYS ONTO STRAIGHT PATH
Across the country conservative evangelicals are spreading the idea that
homosexuals can be ~ransformed through Jesus Christ. Exodus International,
the largest transformation network, has 100 referral agencies around. the
world. Conservative Christians say, churches ought to help gays and lesbians
find salvation. But transformation ministries are highly controversial, and they
make many people angry.
The medical and psychological and gay community say that transformation
methods don't work. They say that transform~tion groups offer nothing more
than avoidance techniques to keep sexual feelings at bay. Gay Chnstlans and
others who support equal rights for homosexuals are offended by the idea that
they have to be straight to _b~ saved. "~ be~eve if people are gay they're gay,"
said Stan Kirner, a gay Chnst1an who lives in Raleigh. But those who say t~ey
have been transformed insist that society underestimates the power of faith .

CHINESE ADOPTIONS
A growing number ofAmericans are adop~ng Chines~ orphan babies, a Hong
Kong newspaper said. The Sun~ay Morrung P?st s~d demand was so high
that the United States Consulate in the south Chma city of Guangzhou had set
up an adoption u~t s~affed by a State _Department office~ to handle the babies'
immigration apphcat1ons, the first of its kind in~ Ame_ncan overseas m1ss1on.
The adoption process can cost some $15,000, mcluding ~e $3,000 paid_ to
the orphanages in exchange for the child. More than 3,300 infants from China
were expected to be adopted by U.S. citizens in the current fiscal year.
Officials said about 95 percent of the adopted children are girls, abandoned by
parents who preferred to hav~ a boy unde_r C~~~'s one-~hi!d poli~y. Most male
children available for adoption have disab1ht1es. Chinas flexible adoption
policy allows a childless person over 35 to adopt healthy babies and those w~o
are younger can apply for children with disabilities. It also does not \~qmre
them to be married, as many countries do. U.S. officials say that a fair
number'' of homosexuals, mostly women, are adopting children from China.

RETREAT CANCELED
A religious retreat for Catholic parents of gay and lesbian children _has been
canceled by Bishop Edward M. Egan of the Ro~an Cat~ohc Diocese of
Bridgeport. The session had been scheduled for this month ~n Stamford at a
diocesan facility. ''This is going to bring additional confusion and pain to
parents who already feel some of the same alienation from their church that
their children feel when things like this happen," the Rev. Robert Nugent,
retreat leader, said.
According to diocese spokes_mar.i Tom Drohan, Bi~h?P Egan was concerned
about a nine-year-old invest1gat1on of Nugent's ~1rustry ~y Cardinal Adam
Maida ofthe archdiocese ofDetroit. "Because the investigation 1s ongoing, the
bishop spoke to the sisters of Villa Marie (in Stamford) and to _the religious
community at that location and they agreed that because of the investigation
it would not be appropriate to host a retreat," Drohan said.
Nugent and Sister Jeannine Gramick have run the Maryland-based Catholic
Parents Network for the last 25 years. He said more than 50 parents of gay and
lesbian children from Connecticut and around the Northeast had planned to
attend the retreat in early October.

Page 7

T NEWS & VIEWS
GAY IMMIGRANT TO STAY
A gay immigrant in the District of Columbia whom federal immigration authorities tried to deport to his native Malaysia because his
visa had expired, has won an unusual ruling in immigration court
and will be able to remain in the United States. Wan Lee, 44, a
professional massage therapist who lives and works on Capitol Hill,
was granted relief from deportation on the grounds that it would
damage his "mental health" to return to Malaysia, where homosexuality is frowned on and gay people face official harassment.
IMMIGRATION RIGHTS
The British Government is poised to give hundreds of foreign
nationals in homosexual relationships with British citizens the right
to settle in the UK following a Home Office review of immigration
laws . Home Office officials have been reviewing regulations applying to homosexuals, lesbians and live-in lovers since May and an
announcement is expected when Parliament returns in October.
Under current laws foreign nationals in homosexual relationships
with British citizens have no automatic right to remain in the UK.
The law applies to people from states outside the European Union
and also includes people in heterosexual relationships. Overseas
nationals wanting to live in Britain must prove they are legally
married, or intend to become so within a reasonable period. The
current laws relating to gay relationships are similar to those in
many other countries, including America.

CALL FOR SINGERS
St. Paul's Episcopal Church,
Norwalk
Splendid Repertoire of Traditional Music
Welcoming and Inclusive Congregation
For additional information or auditions call:
Bill Voetberg, Music Director, (203) 847-7250

TRIVIA
ANSWER TO SEPTEMBER
Herb Mose's lover (10 years this August - Happy
Anniversary!) is Barney Frank, who is on the Banking subcommittee which oversees FEMA. Frank
cannot be covered under his lover's health plan
because of conflict of interest.

QUESTION FOR OCTOBER
About five years ago, a lesbian couple's home was
featured on th~ cover of the bi~ual Home Design
section of the ~ew York Times. They have managed
a very specialized store in downtown Manhattan, at
least since the early 70's. What is the product they
sell?

P-FLAG SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AT

TCC

"Big" Monthly Meeting: Every 1st Wednesday, 7:45
Spouses and Ex Spouses group: Every 3rd Thurs. 7:30

October 1997

~ STATE BY STATE NEWS
HA -

INS. Co. Ams CouPLES

As head of an agency trying to help same-sex couples obtain insurance
benefits under Hawaii's new reciprocal benefits law, Dr. Robert Jenkins has
seen discrimination firsthand . With a colorful rainbow as its logo, Hawaiibased Pride Insurance & Financial Services Inc. opened for business this
summer, just as the new law - the nation's first - came into effect, giving
couples who can't legally marry a taste of the married life. The law grants any
adult couple who can't legally marry about 45 of the 400 legal benefits of
marriage.
A major provision of the law grants insurance benefits to same-gender
couples. So all summer, Jenkins and his nine employees have been on the
hunt for companies that will help gays and lesbians who want to sign up for
joint life, health and homeowners' insurance. So far, they've found 16 in the
entire nation. The number is small, but it's enough of a start, Jenkins said.
Pride Insurance, which is opening offices in Los Angeles, San Diego and San
Francisco, also helps same-sex couples in other states and countries apply to
become reciprocal beneficiaries under the Hawaii law, which has no
residency requirement. Having that document can help couples get domestic partnership benefits at work, get hospital visitation rights when a partner
is sick, and other benefits, Jenkins said.

IL -

REGISTRY APPROVED

Officials in the first community in Illinois to approve local registry for samesex couples, said it will take at least a month to draw up the forms and
establish procedures. Residents of Oak Park will have to pay a $50 fee and
prove they have lived together for at least six months before they can register
as a same-sex couple in the village hall. It is a largely symbolic move, because
Illinois does not recognize gay marriages .

KY - PROTECTION

DENIED

For the third time in five years, the Fairness Amendment, a proposal
designed to protect the citizens of Louisville against discrimination based on
sexual orientation, has been defeated by the board ofaldermen (city council) .
The vote followed weeks of frenzied activity within the city as the Fairness
Campaign blanketed the city with bright blue and gold signs saying "Fairness
Does A City Good." Fairness leaders were heartened by the fact that many
of the signs sprouted in neighborhoods traditionally considered conservative. In response, religious right opponents filled churches with pamphlets
replete with misinformation about gays and lesbians, much ofit based on the
discredited research of Paul Cameron. They also developed a counter-slogan
seen in the last days of the debate: "Morality Does A City Better."

MA - ABUSE IN GAY PARTNERS
Gay victims of domestic abuse make up a large population but attract little
mainstream attention, according to Curt Rogers, executive director of the
Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project. The nonprofit agency conducted a
survey in June of 2,000 gay men in Boston and found that one in four had
been a victim of domestic violence - about the same number as for
heterosexual women.
Rogers' agency, which focuses on education about gay domestic abuse,
hopes to open a shelter for gay men by the end ofl 998. The most important
hurdle in fighting gay domestic abuse, much like in heterosexual domestic
abuse, is publicizing the problem so victims know they are victims, Rogers
said. A poster recently commissioned by the Fenway program, which
provides counseling for gay, lesbian and bisexual victims of violence, reads:
"Contrary to popular belief, straight people do not have a monopoly on
abusive relationships ."

MA -

GAY ADOPTION

Suffolk Probate and Family Court judge has overturned a decision he made
a year ago and will allow a lesbian couple to forgo a Department of Social
Services investigation before one of the women adopts her partner's 2-yearold boy, legally making both of them parents. In 1996, the couple was
ordered to undergo a DSS home study, which is required in cases involving
adoption of a child under the age ofl4. However, family court judges have
discretion to waive the investigations, when one of the petitioners is a
biological parent.
Page8

Property of the Center

T NEWS & VIEWS
Ml -

GAY Poucy DROPPED

Wayne-Westland school officials are dropping a policy protecting gay
students and staff from harassment or discrimination, only months after
they overwhelmingly embraced the controversial provision in January.
Board President Debra Fowlkes said that the sexual orientation protection
policy isn't needed. She said that existing·codes of conduct and state law
already protects students. Still, critics wonder why the district bothered
adopting any changes in the first place - if sexual orientation already was
truly protected.
Former board President Trish Brown, a lesbian, said the school board is
"caving'' in to angry parents and others who believe the district was catering
to gays and lesbians. Fowlkes said Brown proposed a series of sexual
orientation amendments to the local school code in January. She said the
board was "hoodwinked" and voted in the changes without really understanding why. "Dumb us," she said.

MN - CONDOM

MAN

Every Wednesday through Sunday, mild-mannered Pete Glaser, 37, a
movie projectionist, takes on the identity of Condom Man, a superhero to
the Twin Cities gay community, wandering from place to place, primarily
gay bars, with his 25-pound box that's held up by M-16 rifle straps wrapped
around his shoulders. He does Tai Chi to keep his body flexible and resoles
his shoes three or four times a year, but his real energy comes from an
unwavering commitment to spreading the word about safe sex - as well
as 100,000 contraceptives a year.
Glaser's work is funded by the Minnesota AIDS Project, which operates on
private donations and state money. In the past, the organization set up
tables at gay clubs, offering brochures and bowls of condoms. "We'd get
three to seven people to come up. Now I talk to 30 or 50 people a night."

NB -

PASTOR UNITES LESBIANS

The Rev. Jimmy Creech, pastor of First United Methodist Church says he
will perform a commitment ceremony for two lesbians at his church. He
said the ceremony, his first since his appointment a year ago, will go
forward even though Nebraska United Methodist Bishop Joel Martinez
has made it plain that Creech will face disciplinary action if he proceeds.
Although the United Methodist Church supports the civil rights of
homosexuals and has committed itself to minister to gays and lesbians, it
also says that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian
teachings. In 1996, itfrohibited pastors from conducting ceremonies that
celebrate homose).."Ua unions and from allowing such ceremonies to be
performed on church property. "This is a very simple event in the life oftwo
people who love each other dearly and want to make a commitment within
the context of their faith," Creech said.

NY -

RABBIS SuE MusEUM

Sixteen Orthodox Jewish rabbis have filed a lawsuit to stop the opening of
a new Holocaust museum in Manhattan. The suit, filed in federal court,
says the Museum ofJewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
offends the beliefs of Orthodox Jews because it includes an exhibit
honoring gays and lesbians who were persecuted by the Nazis.
The rabbis are angry over "the elevation of homosexuals to the martyred
status of the six million Jews," who died in the Holocaust, said Rabbi
Yehuda Levin

NC -

RECRUITER BANS LIFTED

Law schools at Duke and the University ofNorth Carolina at Chapel Hill,
under the threat of reduced federal student aid, have reversed their policies
of banning military recruiters. Both law schools had refused to allow
interviews at their schools as a symbolic stand against the military's "don't
ask, don't tell," policy regarding gays and lesbians, which the schools
viewed as discriminatory.
The schools changed their policies this week to comply with interpretations
of a federal law called the second Solomon Amendment. The amendment
was enacted by Congress last year and bars federal funding of any school
or department that does not allow military recruiters on its premises. At
Duke, between $500,000 and $600,000 was at stake, mainly in federal
student loans.

October 1997

PA -

LIFE PARTNER EPITAPH

Three. years after her death, Cynthia Lynn Friedman will get the
headstone epitaph she wanted, according to an out-of-court settlement. Friedman, who was a lesbian, will now have the phrase
"beloved life partner'' as part of her epitaph. A dispute about those
words, and who legally had the right to compose the epitaph, led to
a lawsuit in April in U .S. District Court in Philadelphia.
Friedman died of cancer on Oct. 3, 1994, at the age of 35 . Sherry
Barone, Friedman's partner, paid for the burial and sued the cemetery
for not honoring its contract with her by refusing to inscribe the
headstone the way that Barone said Friedman had wished. Ann
Moskowitz, presidentofHar Jehuda Cemetery in Upr,er D_arby, said
Friedman's parents threatened to sue the cemetery if their epitaph
version was not followed. William and Judith Friedman insisted that
their daughter gave them instructions about what the inscription
should say.
Abbe Fletman, a Philadelphia lawyer also representing Barone, said
that, "Sherry Barone had power of attorney, was the executor of the
will and paid for the cemetery plot with her own check, an1 was still
denied the right to determine the epitaph of her companion of 13
years."

UT -

TEEN SUICIDE

A Memorial Fund has been set up in response to the tremendous
outpouring of grief and anger ove~ a gay ~tah high school student's
tragic death. Jacob Orozco took his own life reportedly ~y hangmg
himself in his mother's home after a two-year battle agamst school
district apathy toward gay and lesbian students' needs. Along with
school mates at East High School in Salt Lake City, Jacob had formed
a Gay-Straight Student Alliance, a support organization for students
dealing with issues related to teen sexuality and homophobia. Recently, the school board had reportedly placed additional financial
obstacles in the way of the group meeting.
Jacob was slated to become the next president of the East High
School Gay-Straight Alliance. The Alliance gained public attention in
1996 when its straightforward quest to provide support to kids in
need was met by a wave ofhomophobia in the Utah State Legislature.
Effectively condemning these kids, the Salt Lake City School District
banned the meeting of ALL extra-curricular activity groups during
public school hours rather than permit the Gay-Straight Alliance to
meet.

WI -

FAMILY LIFE

Isaac Morgan-Meckelberg is a happy, healthy, farm-grown Wisconsin toddler. Two year old Isaac is the child of two loving parents who
carefully planned for his arrival. And, in approximately seven months,
Isaac will be joined by a sibling. Isaac's parents, Becky MorganMeckelberg and Deb Meckelberg, a lesbian couple, aclcnowledge
they aren't a traditional family. But they are convinced their son is
thriving in an environment filled with caring aunts, uncles; grandparents and friends.
Although Becky, 38, and Deb, 41, were united by a Lutheran
minister in a private ceremony at Becky's parents' home, their union
is not recogruzed by Wisconsin laws and their parenting arrangement
is unusual as well. The couple credit their attorney for helping them
sort through the legal maze of family law that frequently works
against homosexual couples. Deb is listed in Isaac's birth certificate
as his mother, and Becky is the boy's legal guardian. No father is
listed, and the couple agree that Isaac does not have a father.
The couple's decision to have a child is not one without consequences . When Becky and Deb went to their church to have Isaac
baptized, they were turned away. ''The minister wouldn't baptize
him," Becky said. "He told us we weren't Christian." The couple left
that church and joined a Lutheran church in Lancaster that welcomed
the family into the congregation. There they met an older couple who
immediately became surrogate grandparents to Isaac. Surprisingly,
the women have found friends where they least expect them.

Page9

T NEWS & VIEWS
TRAVEL NEWS
THREE WINTER STEALS
Three popular summer destinations - the San Juan Islands, Saugatuck,
and Provincetown - offer big savings for visitors who are willing to
brave cooler temperatures. By visiting resorts like these in November
instead ofJuly, you can avoid the crowds, save some money, and gain
a different perspective on some of America's most alluring sights.
In summer legions of tourists line up daily to catch a ferry out to the
San Juan Islands, a serene archipelago near Seattle with some of the
most dramatic scenery in the Pacific Northwest. While this is the most
popular time to visit, late fall and winter present a refreshing contrast.
The crowds are few and locals are more willing to stop and say hello
or offer hiking and sightseeing advice to curious visitors. Best of all,
the rainy weather that puts a damper on Seattle from fall through
spring generally misses the San Juan Islands. Even in the dead of
winter, the temperature rarely dips below 40 degrees and the sun
appears for at least part of most days.
Lesbians and gays have a presence on each of the San Juan's major
islands, but Lopez seems to draw a higher concentration of"family."
This largely agrarian community of rolling green pastures - the
landscape is often compared with Scotland's - is quiet and romantic
year-round, with zero nightlife and only a smattering of shops and
restaurants. In the off-season,your options are even more limited, but
if you and your honey yearn for a secluded respite from city living, you
can't beat this emerald isle. Two of the region's best gay-friendly
accommodations are on Lopez Island. The Inn at Swifts Bay remains
so popular, its rates stay constant even in winter; guests don't seem to
mind, as they take advantage of the luxurious rooms and hearty
gourmet breakfasts. Last year, the Lopez Farm Cottages opened
nearby; these rustic but modernly equipped cabins have fireplaces and
kitchenettes and rent for just $90 (compared with the usual $125) offseason. Nearby Orcas Island is much busier than Lopez, and also has
several more restaurants and the best hiking, kayaking, and biking in
the San Juans. Here the Windsong B&B, an elegant converted 1917
schoolhouse, drops its winter rates from to about $95.
If you've got the winter blues in the Midwest, consider a jaunt to the
region's only true gay getaway, the neighboring Lake Michigan
communities of Douglas and Saugatuck. While these sophisticated
but easy-going hamlets endure the same brisk winters common in
nearby Chicago and Detroit, the picturesque setting helps take the
chill off the air. The owners of the gay-friendly Kirby House, a
dramatic Queen Anne mansion, note
that many oftheir guests book romantic fireplace rooms or relax in the
outdoor hot tub - a nice way to end a day of cross-country skiing. Like
most inns around here, the Kirby House drops its rates by 10 to 20
percent off season. Other popular accommodations include the
Moore's Creek Inn - a century-old farmhouse - and the Douglas
Dunes Resort, a much larger and newer compound that's without the
intimacy of a B&B but with the area's only gay disco, cocktail bar,
cabaret, and restaurant.
As for Provincetown, Massachusetts, a small but committed minority
don't mind the windy raw winters and prefer not to deal with the
intense summer crowds. Of course, they also visit at thjs time to take
advantage of the terrific deals offered by many guest hbuses. The posh
Brass Key is one inn that usually shuts down during the most brutal
winter months - January through March. In the late fall and early
winter, however, this first-rate mixed-gay/lesbian complex slashes its
rates to $75 on weekdays and $125 on weekends, which is as much
as 50% lower than its summer prices. Another of the island's premier
mixed gay/lesbian properties, the Beaconlite, drops rates ranging
from $80 to $175 in summer to $55 to $145 in the fall; this guest
house remains open through the winter, when their rates plummet to
between $45 and $110. Gabriel's, one of the best lesbian resorts, also
stays open year-round, with rates dropping about 40 percent in the
winter. While many restaurants close in the off-season, several of the
good ones, including Napi's, the Martin House, and Gallerani's, stay
open all or most of the winter. For nightlife, the popular Atlantic
House also draws a queer crowd year-round.

October 1997

MEN'S WEEKEND
The Fifth Annual Single Men's Weekend in Provincetown will run from
Thursday, November 6 through Sunday November 10. This is an unique
opportunity to have fun, to learn some~hing new, to meet a husband and
to enjoy the off season charm of Provmcetown with hundreds of other
single gay men.
The activities begin Thursday evening with check-in and a group Pizza
Party from 7-10 pm. Friday's day-long "Finding Mr. Right!" program
($25 fee) was such a huge success last year nationally renowned psychologist and workshop leader Dr. Larry Harmon will be back.
Saturday and Sunday, will be filled with scheduled workshops, tours, and
classes with time left for shopping, strolling, eating and relaxing. There will
be dance parties, two stepping, a talent contest, entertainment and receptions for the evenings. On Sunday night there will be a group dinner/
theater show at the Lobster Pot restaurant.
Make your reservations now and you'll be able to enjoy all that Single Men's
Weekend has to offer! Your $50 weekend registration fee includes over 50
different workshops covering like: Dating & Intimacy, Body Building &
Massage, Spirituality, Support Groups, Relationships, P-town Real Estate, Astrology, Cooking and more!

Page JO

f

TRIANGLE COMMUNITY CENTER, INC.
P.O.BOX 4062, East Norwalk, CT 06855
Tel/Fax: (203) 853-0600
e-mail TCCenter@aol.com

~er
~r,

;c.;

Restaurant
L'Abbee

I.
0~

/j~itality ~

"Excellent" ... New York Times
Fine Dining in a friendly and relaxed
atmosphere with a menu that truly
expresses the Art of the kitchen
by Chef Kimberly Robbins.

Your Hosts: Paul L' Ahhee
Bill Johnson
62 Main Street
New Canaan, CT

(203) 972-6181

OTHER AREA CROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Bare & Gay (B&G) gay nudists
(860) 644-4305
Bisexually Curious Support Group Bpt
(203) 264-5605
Chiltern Mountain Club
(203) 899-0270
Connecticut Kids and Families
(203) 256-8414
Connecticut Freedom to Marry Coalition
(203) 791-9553
40-Up Club. (Social Grp.-call Dale before 10pm) (203) 261-4019
Gay Fathers Group
(203) 866-7051
Gay Mens Association of Danbury
(203) 778- 7016
GEMS (Mature GLBT)
(860) 688-1881
Guideline (gay/lesbian phone info)
(203) 366-3734
Hartford Community Center
(203) 724 5542
Married Men's Bisexual Suppt Grp Htfd
(203) 262-1555
Metropolitan Community Church
(203) 389-6750
The Loft, White Plains NY,
(914) 948-4922
Triangle Bowling League
(203) 931-8789
Triangle Kids
(203) 255-6229
(203) 323-6278
Western Connecticut Gay Men's Group
(203) 773-9947
We're glad to list your non-profit gay/lesbian/bi/tg group free of charge.
Call (203) 964-1133. Please keep us informed of changes.

D~dline fo, lhe novembe, Rew,le-He-, will b•
lalu,day 11 Oclobe,. We- cannol 9ua,anlH lhal
male-,ial ,e-ceived after lhal dale- 111ill be- include-d
in novembe, Rew,&Yiew,.
October 1997

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
DON BUXTON ...................... ......... President
DA VE CARROLL .. ......... ....... ......... Vice-President
BARB SCHADE ... ........................... Treasurer
LEN HOREY ................................... Corresponding Secretary
DAVE CARROLL ..... ....... .. ... .. ........ Acting Recording Sec'y
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOHN DEL VECCHIO
DON BUXTON
CHRISTIN.E BISCEGLIE
LEN HOREY
BARB SCHADE
DENYSE BURKE
JOHN WALLACE
DAYID CARROLL
STANDING COMMITTEES
TomM
AIDS Liaison
Board Development
Vacant
John D
Communications
-Public Relations
MikeC
John W
Finance
Fundraising/Sp Events
Michael P
ChristineB
Member~hip
Denyse B
-Member Database
Marianne S
Operations
Cindy M
(and to schedule events at the Center)
Program
Dave C
-Resource Room
Walter D
--Center Forums
Marianne S
Volunteer
Vacant

374-6934
334-3822
375-3567
261-7349
866-6993
847-8476
367-3911
222-8294
595-9799
838-1881
374-6934
222-8294

9{,'EWS & 'V1'EWS
Is published monthly by
Triangle Community Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 4062, East Norwalk, CT 06855.
NEWS & VIEWS encourages its readers to submit materials of interest
to our community, including short articles, letters to the editor, etc. We
cannot respond to, or publish, anonymous letters. We reserve the right
to edit or condense as appropriate to meet space requirements. Authors
will be contacted if major revisions are necessary. Please submit to :

NEWS&VIEWS
Michele Stone: Editor & Adv. Mgr.
P.O. Box 8185
Stamford, CT 06905
Phone/Fax 964-1133
e-mail: NewsViews2@aol.com

John Delvecchio: Asst Editor
Phone: 203-334-3822
Mike Collins: Publicity
Phone: 203-375-3567

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CONTACT MICHELE STONE:
Ads must be camera-ready. If your ad is not camera
ready or you need help with its layout or design,
contact Michele Stone BEFORE submission. Inserts
and special sizes upon prior agreement. All ads are
placed on a space available basis.

The publication of the name of any person or organization in articles or
advertisements in NEWS & VIEWS is not to be construed as any indication of
the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations .
The appearance of advertisements in NEWS & VIEWS does not imply nor
constitute endorsement by TCC,lnc.
Copyright 1997 by Triangle Community Center, Inc. All rights reserved. This
work, or any parts thereof, may not beused or reproduced in any manner without
written pennission.

Page 11

T NEWS & VIEWS

~Stephanie's Living Room, Inc.

Presenting quality dances for women who do not like
the bar scene... Come and med new friends.

November Dance
Sat. Nov 8, 8 pm $10
Ramada Inn. Stratford, CT
1-95 North, Exit 30

For more information call: (203) 377-2119

Bryan Costello

212•382•5176
Investments
Pensions
Insurance
The abo,e-namM indlvldll4ls an N!gistl!red rtpresentati,es of EQ Financial
Consu/zants, /11c. (212 641-7.l()()), a brolcerkuakr alld lll,n1me11t a,Mser, and agellls
of The Equitable life Assurancl! Soclny of the U,rill!d Slatu (NY, NY 10104). The
abo>e-11amtd lndlvldr,aJ also ojfen traditional aNI variable insr,rance aNI annultu$
of Equitable, and of ov,r fifty odier companies through EquiSource.
AGE-97-.'i87 Exp.(6/98)

Massage Uonneution

NICHOLAS LANG, MS, NCC
Counseling & Psychotherapy Services
Specializing in Sexual Orientation,
Loss, Relationship, & HIV-related Issues.

New Haven Office
200 Orchard St.
789-0560, Ext. 4

Wilton Office
387 Danbury Road
847-1094

PAUL D. SCHNEIDER
Attorney at Law
PO Box 4Sl
Southport, CT 06490-0451
203/lSS-SSl0
Adoption
Child Custody Divorce
Partnership Agreements

Our Families Matter

THRESHOLD
MORTGAGE COMPANY

• Specializing in professional Swedish
massage
• By appointment only - Day or evening
• Student discounts available
• Home visits available

1-800-611-6041
Office located in the New Haven area

~ MEMBER OF THE
~ INTERNALTIONAL

1JIJI JI

1
MASSAGE ASSO. . . . . CIATION

October 1997

PATRICK WINTERS
LOAN OFFICER
THRESHOLD MORTGAGE
COMPANY
THRESHOLD COMMON
59 WILTON ROAD
WESTPORT, CT 06880
OFFICE (203) 454-0525
TOLL FREE (800) 562-5577
FAX (203) 454-0069
HOME (203) 256-5951
EMAIL pkw@thresholdmtg.com

• Sp1icializing in residential hom1i mortgages in •'airlfold r.ounty
• r.apabhi or handling all loan scenario's from a$60,000 condo in
Stamford to a$1,000,000 home in Greenwich
• Consistent top producing loan omc1ir for over ten years with a
wealth of knowltidge and exp1irienc1i
In 1.9.95, 1'hmsh1J/r/J/1Jt1/fa!ft! was titf!r! as 1h11 trip pmrlutin!fm11rfJ/ilfll!
companJ harin!fdfls11rl 11r11r SI15, IJIJD, IJIJIJ in !flans in l'aidif!lrl C,1unlJ
Page 12

T NEWS 4 VIEWS
Horticultural Botanist
Gardener & House I Pet Sitter

(20S) 256-4565
(800) 628-7209
FAX: (203) 256-1759

jnemis@aol.com

Donald J. Comes
(203) 866-2823
~

30 Tiemey Street

Norwalk, CT 06851

JOANN ATTWOOD NEMIS
VICE PRESIDENT / INVESTMENTS

JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT, INC.
MEMBERS NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE AND OTHER PRINCIPAL EXCHANGES

2150 POST ROAD. FAIRFIELD, CT 06430

SAUGATUCK COUNSELING CENTER

Individual, Couple, Family &: Group Therapy
Specializing in:

Weddings • Comittment Cefebiations
and "Coming-Out" Patties

KURT SPERLING, L.C.S. W.

76 Lake Avenue • Danbury, CT 06810

Tel: 730- 1400 • Fax: 798-9611

Joan w. Duncan, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
188 Scribner Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06854
Tel/Fax (203) 854-4805

225 MAIN STREET, LL! • WESTPORT, CT 06880 • 203.454.1549

LEADING
HOMES.Iii]
MICHAEL

T.

PAVLICIN

SOUTH.-ORT, CONNECTICUT 06490

FAX/255-3705 HOME/866-6993

203/255-2278

leadhome3@aol.com

VICTORIA

Laura L Gates, MSW, LCSW

1169 Sylvan Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06606
(203) 372-9799
(203)ZIB41V14

T.

FERRARA

ATTORNEY AT LAW

Individuals, Couples, and Families
7-11 South Broadway, Suite 400
White Plains, NY 10601
(203) 372-9799
(203) 3T!Mi40A!

IUALTOR"

772 KINGS HIGHWAY WEST

EXCWSIVE BUYER AGENT

BROKER

Specializing in Women & Couples

[B

THE BUYERS REAL EsTATE COMPANY

(203) 227-9585

WESTPORT, CT
ADMITTED IN CT AND NY

You, conl,ibulio111 lo neuv& YiHV-MUUt ooini&11twhcalJJff-l
,e,ulll. faK you, oopy lo lh• NilOI al (tos, 914-ll lJ o, e-fflOlnl Ii ·
October 1997

Page 13

Maria C. Castillo, MSW, LCSW

AlDS PROJ£CT

Individual, Couples, and Family Therapy
Recovery from Abuse

SERV1'NG TH£ 'NEEDS Of
TH£ HIV/AIDS COMMVNlTV 1N:
NORWALK

Bilingual

(203) ·261-3492
Monroe, CT

MlD-FA1RF1£lD

(203) 336-2708
Bridgeport, CT

ALDIS

WESTPORT
'N£WCANAAN
WILTON
WESTON
&£ASTON
l'ROVJDING CLJ£NT S£RVJC£S AND ADVOCACY

_'11fE_4_6_~-ill_Plom_in_R_~-~---Da-nb_ury_,_CT_06_8_11-*
(203)778•9399

FAX (203)744•1139

Three decades of GAY travel expertise
~ RSVP

[G1I\

MlD-fAJRFIELO AJDS l'ROJ£CT
16 RIVER

ST.

NORWALK. CT ~10
PHONE: (lDJ) j1J-91J1
f'AX: (loJ) ,11-1n1
l'NT£RNET: http:.(/www.mfap.com
E-MAJL: mfo@mfap.com

Diane Hyatt, MSW, CISW
T Solution-oriented short or longer term

JOANNE M. MARINO, C.C.M.H.C., N.C.C.

psychotherapy for Adults and Adolescents,

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

specializing in, but not limited to:
49 Coolidge Avenue
21 STRICKLAND RD .. COS COB, CONN. 06807 (203) 8159-0216

T Depression
T Anxiety

Stamford. CT 06906
(203) 964-184 7
1653 Capitol Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06606

(203) 332-0136

JOSEPH H. SWEENEY, CPA

T Post-Traumatic Stress
T Counseling for Partners & Family
T Specialized Psychotherapy Groups
T Case Consultation
T Clinical Supervision

ATTORNEY-AT LAW

1305 POST ROAD, FAIRFIELD

.
SAUGATUCK COUNSELING CENTER

203/256-3839

Tax Planning, Preparation & Appeals;
Estates & Trusts, Probate Matters,
Real Estate Law; Elder Law; and

Individual, Couple, Family & Group Therapy

-

JOHANNA RAYMAN
M.S. W., L.C.S.W.

Small Business Formations and Assistance
225 MAIN STREET, LL! • WES11'()RT, CT 06880 • 203.454.1549

Support our advertisers! Say
you saw it in News & Views!
October 1997

Page 14

UIIIVilil 1111i111i1fii ji 1m11~[1111JH[11~~~lf•OK

T NEWS & VIE~TT ~

Property of the Center

001 111 370

Support our advertisers!
Say you saw it in News & Views!

~---------------~-----, r:-:-::~-=------------:-----=-=--=-=-====--=----:i
DR. JEANNE E. CASTELLUCCI
CHIROPRACTOR

lraWfrom the inside out.
, a way to look within
•
!

£ while moving

.corward
.,

(914) 939-7752

(203) 622-8266

558 Westchester Ave.
Rye Brook, NY 10573

209 Bruce Park Ave,
Greenwich, CT 06830

New Patients & Emergencies: 1-800-651-4879

DIANW M. RWDHN, M.S.
ART THUAPIST

PO Boxao

FAIRPlll:LD, CT.

08430

Ta:LIFAx: 203J330-1933 - - - - - - -

Serving Greenwich

~

. ,~6~.~,o

iV

c,.ct.'>
~~

Darien.New canaan
and Stamford

MICHAEL D. ROME, Esq.
Marlin and R.ome, LLC
Attorneys-at-Law

888 Washington Blvd.
8th Floor
Stamford CT 06901
(203) 977 -5096
Fax (203) 977 -5460

FREE INITIAL HALF
HOUR CONSULTATION

Eual Estate Transactions
Tazation: Business & Individual
Estate Planning & Probate

Personal l,uur:,,/Accident Law

137 RowaytonAvenue (on the Five Mile River)
ROWAYTON, CONNECTICUT06853
Fax (203) 853-6818
(203) 853-6671

20 Charming Rooms
Peace & Privacy

100 Acres• Pool
Hot Tub• Trails

Michelle C. Loris, Ph.D., Psy.D.
Individual, Couple and Group Therapy

Ct. Lie. MFT

We

C/li bland§ G/nn
P.O. Box 118
Bethlehem, NH 03574
(603) 869-3978

(203) 255-2767
By Appointment

KIM IZZO
175 Purdy Hill Rd.
Monroe, CT 06468
(203) 459-4528

A LESBIAN PARADISE

Jane

w. Griffith,

JD, MBA
Attorney-at-Law

Tax Strategy & Preparation • Real Estate
Estate Planning & Wills • Business Consulting
Interior/Exterior Painting
Wallpaper
Reliable, Dependable

Fully Insured

270AldenAvenue, New Haven, CT06515-2114

Fax 205 / 587-9899

Voice 205 I 589-8614

WHERE ARE WE? The Triangle Community Center Inc. is located at 25 Van Zant Street in Norwalk.
From 1-95, take Exit 16 and go south (from Stamford, turn right; from New Haven, turn left). Continue
south under the railroad bridge and turn right on Van Zant St. (Route 136). 25 Van Zant is a large
condominium office building on the right. TCC is in Suite 7-C on the ground floor, Tel. (203) 853-0600.
October 1997

Page 15

T NEWS & VIEWS
Calendar

October, 199 7

Sun

Mon

Tues

'"

LO

Women's Rap 7:30

15
16
AA 9-10 am
Women's Rap 7:30
Outspoken 4-6
Autumn Affair-Redding
AIDS walkathon-Danbury
Gay Fil Festival-New
Haven
112
AA 9-10 am
OutSpoken 4-6

113
Women's Rap 7:30

119
AA 9-10 am
Outspoken 4-6

ILU

126
AA 9-10 am
Outspoken 4-6

127
Women's Rap 7:30

Wom·en's Rap 7:30

Thu

Wed

I->U
HIV couns 3:30-6:30

I

P-FLAG 7:45

17
HIV couns 3:30-6:30
Lesbian Lit 7:30

14

10
Bi Rap Grp 7:30
T CC Board 7:30
Larry KramerNHGLCC

19
Men 's Rap 7:30

115

116
UConn -Gay NinetiesStamford
Mens' Rap 7:30
P-FLAG Spouses &
Ex-spouses 7:30

ILL

Bi Rap Grp 7:30
TCC Board 7:30
Auditions PageantNCTC

Fri

Sat
l"I
AIDSWALK-Hartford
LGBT workshop-New
Haven

Bowling 9:30
Circle Lanes

Men's Rap 7:30

HIV couns 3:30-6:30

121
HIV couns 3:30-6:30
Fund,Spec Events
7:30
Invest Club 7:30
Auditions PageantNCTC

.,

IL

10
Out & About 6:30-8
Bowling 9:15
Circle Lanes

11
National Coming Out
Day!

118

1/

Bowling 9:15
Circle Lanes
CG MC-Storrs

125
Herstory Archive TripBrooklyn

123
Men's Rap 7:30

IL"I
Bowling 9:15
Circle Lanes

l;jU

Ir1ovem0er 1
1->1
Bowling 9:15 pm
Circle Lanes
NLPF Halloween PartyNew London
Gay Berkshire
Weekend-thru Sun

[ f'!-:::a+h--: --_PI..IAu., lA:16 .........1

ILIS
HIV couns 3:30-6:30

IL~
UConn - "Talking
Lesbian" 7pm,
Stamford
P-FLAG 7:45

TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
GROUPS MEETING AT OR SPONSORED BYTCC
A.A. - Don 762-9964
Bi Rap Group - Peter 838-2806;Robin 358-8391

Men's Rap 7:30
CG MC-Hartford

T

MEMBERSHIP FORM

MEMBERSHIP LISTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL

35+ Womens Pot Luck - Judy 227-7162
Eree Association of Fairfield County - John 268-8858 x304

NAME _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Gay Men's Rap Group - Dave 838-1881; John 926-8971
Gmosaic (People of Color) - not currently active call TCC 853-0600
Lesbian Literature Reading Group - Christine, 847-8476
Out

&

ADDRESS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CrTY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ STATE _ _ __

About (Gen .X Group) - Jen 736-6417 or Dan 838-2367

Outspoken (Youth) - Barb 259- 8171; Dan 227-1755;

ZIP----

PHONE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Doug 838-2367
P-FLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians

& Gays) -

Joan 544-8724; Lester 322-5380; Belinda 855-1203

P-FLAG

Spouses

& Ex Spouses

Group - Joan 544-8724

Triangle Bowling League (Circle Lanes, Fairfield) - Lisa 3333113; Roseann931-8789
Women's Rap Group - Chandra 228-8652 ; Linda 866-4598;

CONTRIBUTING MEMBER

$35

CONTRIBUTING HOUSEHOLD

$60

SUPPORTING MEMBER

$125

SPONSORING MEMBER

$250

SUSTAINING/Bus1NESS MEMBER

$500

SPECIAL MEMBER

f'( OUTHISENIOR)

$20

Michele 438- 4465

All

meetings are held at the Center and in the evening unless

otherwise noted.

A $3

donation per person is appreciated with

your participation in activities to help support the Center.

PLEASE MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO :
TRIANGLE COMMUNITY CENTER, INc.
EAST NORWALK, CT 06855

P .0. Box

4062

ATTN: MEMBERSHIP

(203) 853-0600

October 1997

Page 16



Property of the Center

Triangle Community Center

New-~& v,e
Free to Members and Subscribers

MANY HEARTS • •

THE

•

TRIANGL

Vol.8, No.IO
October 1997

ONE COMMUNITY

"PAGEANT' IS COMING!

After playing to lavish praise at Manhattan's Blue Angel Theatre, "Pageant'' is coming to Norwalk
CT, for five performances in January 1998. Proceeds from the show will go to benefit the Triangle
Community Center (TCC) ofEast Norwalk (the gay and lesbian community center serving Fairfield
County) and Bread and Roses, (an AIDS residence in Georgetown, CT). "Pageant's" director, Scott
M. Robbins also directed "Whoop-Dee-Doo" in January 1997, which raised over $17,000 for TCC,
Bread and Roses and other Fairfield County agencies assisting people with AIDS. And this past June,
he directed ''The World Goes Round," a benefit for Bread and Roses, which played to virtually sold
out crowds in Westport.
The show will feature six beauty contestants: Miss Bible Belt, Miss Industrial Northeast, Miss Deep
South, Miss Texas, Miss Great Plains, and Miss West Coast. Each contestant will wear a costume
parodying their region's stereotypes. They will be required to undergo an "exhaustive series of
11-----------• preliminary competitions" one of which is "beauty crisis counseling." They will also be asked to
promote such products as Smooth As Marble Facial Spackle "for a deep-down coverup," and Lip
Snack, a nutritious lipstick that comes in 27 shades and flavors. All this they do in their·quest for the title of Miss Glamourese.
Audience members will serve as judges with different winners at each performance.
"Pageant'' evolved from a workshop production in New York in the mid 1980s, according to the producer of the New York 1991
and 1992 run, Jonathan Scharer of Greenwich, CT. Mr. Scherer said "Pageant'' is about those obsessed with winning; it expresses
hypocrisy." The show was conceived, directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom and written by Bill Russell and Frank
Kelly. The music was composed by Albert Evans.
Scott M. Robbins, the director, began his career in the theater at age 10, as a performer. He appeared in numerous stage
productions in New York stock, and regional theaters, as well as in films, television and night clubs. Along with Mark Graham,
Mr. Robbins produced several productions at the Pinecrest Dinner Theatre in Fairfield County CT, including the premiere
production of"Stay Tuned", which he also co-produced in New York. Mr. Robbins has taught acting for many years, and several
of his former students are now appearing on Broadway on television and in films. Mr. Robbins has staged more than 25 large scale
productions including the recent productions of''Whoop-Dee-Doo" and ''The World Goes Round."
The New York Sunday Times reviewer David Richards said, ''It's all here-the tears, the nerves, the frozen smiles, the platitudes,
the bad taste, and of course the raging ambition just under the lacquered surface that gives beauty pageants their fascinating
subtext." "Screamingly funny!. ... It's 90 minutes oflaugh therapy!" said another Times reviewer.
CASTING CALL foR "PAGEANT"

Auditions for the January production of"Pageant'' will be held
Tuesday, October 21 and Wednesday, October 22 at 7 pm both
evenings at the Norwalk Community Technical College Performing Arts Center. The Center is located at 188 Richards
Avenue in Norwalk (on the east side of Richards Avenue) offexit
13 of the Connecticut Turnpike (195).
''We are looking for 7 men, 6 of whom will play female 'Pageant'
contestants, and l emcee. All must sing, dance and act," said
director, Scott M. Robbins. "They should come to the auditorium prepared to perform two songs and to dance," he added.
The contestants include Miss Bible Belt, Miss Industrial Northeast, Miss Deep South, Miss Texas, Miss Great Plains, and Miss
West Coast.
SHOW TIMES
"Pageant" will play for five nights in January, at the Norwalk
Community Technical College Performing Arts Center. The
dates are : Friday January 16, Saturday January 17, Thursday
January 22, Friday January 23 and Saturday January 24. All
shows will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 for the show only and
$50 for the show and a post-show reception. Tickets may be
purchased by calling the box office at (203) 857-7271.

October 1997

A DIFFERENT CALLING
St. Paul's on the Green, Norw~lk has several openings
(volunteer and paid) for singers who enjoy challenging
music from all periods. There are several options for
people with good voices and good music reading skills.
The chancel choir sings at the Sunday morning Liturgy
and special feast days. They rehearse Thursday evening.
The choir sings two anthems each Sunday. The Repertoire of traditional liturgical music spans the Renaissance to the twentieth century, with emphasis on the
English choral tradition.
The Evensong choir sings six times a year and specializes in English romantic literature. The traditional
English cathedral service of Evensong is comprised of
music, readings and prayers. The choir sings a
Magnificat, Nune Dimittis, responses and an anthem.
To arrange an audition or for more information, call
Bill Vortberg, Director of Music at (203) 847-7250.
Pagel

T NEWS & VIEWS
WrcCNEWs
OPEN LETTER
Dear board members and members of the Triangle Center:
I am writing to express thanks for all the moral support I have received
from the TCC board and TCC members in my efforts to provide
positive coverage in Fairfield and New Haven counties for gays and gay
issues during the past 4 years.
As you know, the intolerance and bigotry we must endure is so unfai~,
immoral and irrational. I look to the day when those who play the antigay bigotry card will have to answer for wha~ they do, just as the
segregationists and Fascists have had to answ~r m r~cent decades, and
their positions have become so unacceptable m mamstrean society.
I am especially grateful and flattered that the TCC nominated me to be
a Fairfield County community person of the year of the Stamford
Advocate, and for all the verbal encouragement continually given to
me.
Like many of us, it is the.issue about which I care more than anything,
and it means everything to have the appreciation and support of the
TCC and its members, people who donate enormous time and effort
to our gay community, and whose work has made and makes it much
easier for me to be who I am.
Sincerely, Michael Collins

TRIP TO

HERST ORY ARCHIVE

Members of the Lesbian Lit Group will be visiting the Lesbian Herstory
Archive on October 25. The LHA is housed in a lovely brownstone m Park
Slope, Brooklyn, NY a.k.a. "Dyke Slope." 1:he collection contains a wide
variety of materials by, for an? about lesbians. There are great books,
articles, biographies, files, clothmg, memorabilia, and art from around the
world. The neighborhood is lovely and has good restaurants and shops.
If you're interested in joining them call Sharon at (203) 855-9951.
The book chosen for the November 4 meeting of the reading group is
"Terminal Velocity" by Blanche Boyd. Ms Boyd is a local author and will
be speaking at the Center in November on a night to be announced. The
Lit Group meets at TCC the first Tuesday of the month at 7: 30 pm. For
more information call Christine at (203) 847-8476.

GAY/LESBIAN STUDIES
Free Association member john emery istvan is soliciting support regarding a Gay/Lesbian Studies course he is considering developing for a
community college in Fairfield Co~nty. The ~ourse would be "sort of a
history of... how we develop our attitudes/beliefs towards .. .no, everyone
isn't like Ellen ... sort of a course," John said. He would hke to hear from
anyone interested in promoting the course, guest lecturi_ng a class on a
given topic or possibly enrolling in it. It would be a 3 credit, undergraduate course ~ffered on a.Saturday morning, possibly open to high school
students and people over the age of 62. The target 1s spnng semester,
1998. Contact John at home at (203) 333-1194 with you encouragement,
suggestions, thoughts, support, etc.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

SPLINTERS FROM THE BOARD

There is good news for all of us. The government is \n the busi~ess of
promoting population growth with a new $500-a-kid tax credit. Can
you believe it? In this poor, overpopulated, overcrowded, overpolluted world, a tax credit which will encourage population growth?
Do you have kids? Better make more. Tough buns if you don't because
the credit is yours only if you do.
If you want a tax cut, procreate. Shades ofN azi Germany_ which used
government incentives to raise the birth rate. Are we n_ot m danger of
creating another baby boom down the road, another tide ofboomers
straining the economy, creating long-term deficits and placi~g huge
new costs on Social Security and Medicare? Not to mention the
resulting turmoil. Wouldn't it be better ifthe government offered some
kind of economic incentives to people who limit their numbers, a
reward to the many non-producers amongst us? New thinking is in
order.
The Achilles heel in all this philosophy of economic growth is that it
depends upon a constantly growing population to sustain it, a constantly growing "market" the economists call it. If the market doesn't
exist here at home, go to Asia with its huddled masses. Growth,
growth, growth. It's like a treadmill. It works as long as it doesn't slow
down. So let's have another baby boom. Jump on the treadmill
everyone. Eureka! I feel sorry for the kids down the road. Good luck
kids. You are not to blame.
-Wally Bacon

As a person who only recently accepted l was gay (two years next January),
I was overwhelmed by the spirit of celebration, commurnty and cooperation that marked both the Connecticut Gay Pnde parade/festival 111
Hartford and the humungous Gay Pride parade in New York City, both
ofwhich l participated in for the first time this year. In the Hartford parade
l marched with a contingent from my Un.ion (New England Health Care
Employees Un.ion, District 1199) and in the New York parade with a
delegation from TCC.
One of the things that kept me from acce_pting being gay as a young adult
in the 1970's, was my perception that bemg gay was_somethm~ negative,
something sad, something to be ashamed of, somethmg to be hidden. The
few times gays were depicted in film or other media, they were usually
pictured as mentally unstable or simply unhappy people-people who
didn't want to be who they were.
Well, times-they indeed have changed. The hundreds of thousands of
gay people I saw and marched with in those two parades were very happy
to be who they are. The were no negative, not sad, not ashamed, and_
certainly not hidden! And the sense <?f commurnty-:-men and women ot
varying sexual tendencies, races, ethrnc groups,_rehg1ons, etc .. celebratmg
in harmony-almost brought me to tears (of JOY, of course!).
If you've never participated in a Pride parade, please keep June 1998
weekends free so you'll be able to experience a very positively charged
celebration of life and its diversity that you won't soon forget 1
-John DelVecchio

fREE ..... AsSOCIATION
The next meeting of the Free Association will be held on Saturday,
November 15 at TCC from 10:30 to noon. This meeting will be a
discussion focused on recent developments at Brookfield High School,
facilitated by one or more members of the committee for the Defense
of Classroom Tolerance. Committee co-chair Ed Rose is expected to
come, and other members may join him as the date drav1s closer. In
the event you are unfamiliar with the situation, this once seemingly
progressive school had adopted "safe zones" where gay, lesbian,
bisexual and questioning students could discuss their concerns in a safe
environment with sympathetic teachers and staff. However, an
apparently very small, right wing, "Christian" fundamentalist group of
parents has filed a lawsuit against the woman spearheading the project.
Her future and the program's future are very uncertain. Come and hear
the latest and share your thoughts. Please mark your calendars now as
there may not be another reminder!

October 1997

FALL INTO FALL FRIENDRAISER
As the trees show a hint of color and the nights get a little chilly, why not
make time to take time with your friends. The October Friendraiser will
be held on Saturday, October 18 from 3-6 pm. It is being hosted by Brian
DuBac and Elliot Arluck at their home at 239 Fox St., Bndgeport. Our
hosts asks that you bring food at your own discretion and BYOB.
Directions: Going North on 195 take Exit 24 for the Black Rock
Turnpike; bear right around the rotary up and over the hill past the
cinemas. Take a right onto Canfield Ave. Follow to end and take a left onto
Fox St. Please park on the street.
Going South on 195 take Ex.it 24 and go left off the ex.it ram_p to the 2nd
stop sign. Make a right on State Street Extens10n to traffic hght; make a
left on Black Rock Turnpike through the first stop sign. Make a nght onto
Canfield Ave and take a left onto Fox St. Please park your car in the street.

Page2

T ~EWS & VIEWS

~ CONNECTICUT NEWS
STATEWIDE - LICENSURE FOR COUNSELORS
After three years of intensive lobbying, professional counselors in
Connecticut have succeeded in gaining licensure for their profession.
Licensure protects consumers by ensuring that individuals who practice
as professional counselors in Connecticut have met state minimum
requirements for education, knowledge and experience. The bill grants
licensure to professional counselors who have: ( 1) at least sixty graduate
semester hours and who hold at least a master's or higher degree offortytwo graduate semester hou~ from a regionally accredited institution of
higher education in a major decemed to be in counseling; (2) acquired
three th~:msand hours ofsupervised experience in the field of professional
counseling over not less than one year and which includes a minimum
of one hundred hours of direct supervision by licensed professionals as
specified by the bill; and (3) passed an examination prescribed by the
Commissioner of Public Health.
Practicing counselors will have a grandparent period until January 1,
1999, provided they provide evidence of (1) having earned a master's
degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher
education in a_major deemed to be in counseling; (2) practiced professional counselmg for a minimum of two years immediately preceding
October 1, 1997; and (3) passed an examination prescribed by the
Commissioner of Public Health.
Connecticut now joins 43 other states and the District of Columbia in
re~lating the field of professional counseling. Only Alaska, Hawaii,
Minnesota, Nevada, New York and Pennsylvania have not passed
legislation regulating the field.
BRIDGEPORT - NEW GAY BAR!
Connecticut's largest city once again has a gay bar to call its own! Caught
In The Act, located at 1246 Main St, in downtown Bridgeport, is opened
seven days a week from noon until closing. The bar, decorated with a
variety of gay artistry and provocative photography, offers sandwiches
at very modest prices along with draft beer special during the day.
Everyone Wednesday features a DJ with '50s music and no cover charge;
Thursday night offers a DJ with '70s music and no cover charge· Friday
is "Lati_n Night'' with a DJ and $2 cover after 9 pm; Saturday features
a DJ with club music and a male dancer for a $3 cover after 9 pm.
Dolores, the bar's owner, is very enthuastic that Bridgeport, once again,
has a bar that gay people will find friendly and secure. The bar is only one
block from the Bridgeport Police Dept. And there is free parking next
door. Look for a TCC Friendraiser at this bar in the future!

Beginning in October, 1995 a Christian-right couple began a campaign
to malign Veronica and abolish the Safe Zones initiative at BHS,
accusing her of "homosexual recruiting," among other things. After
eight months of this onslaught, Veronica sued the couple for defamation
of character and malicious slander. The suit has not yet come to trial and
Pat Robertson's American Center for Law and Justice, based in Virginia,
is providing financial and legal support for Veronica's opponents. As for
the Safe Zones program a BHS, it is-at best-in crippled and ineffective
abeyance at present-in other words, it is all but dead!
Don Pippin is the first Broadway musical director to receive the Drama
Desk Award "for consistently outstanding musical direction and commitment to the theatre" for such shows as "La Cage Aux Folles" ..."A
Chorus Line" ... "Oliver!" ... "Cabaret'' ... "Mame" ...to name just a few.
He won an Emmy for the TV special Broadway Sings Jule Styne plus a
nomination for Jerry Hermon at the Hollywood Bowl in which he
conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra a month after he
was a Special Guest Conductor for the Boston Pops Orchestra ....
Vocalist Marie Santall has appeared on Broadway in "La Cage Aux
Folles" ... "Seesaw'' ... "The Music Man" ... "A Funny Thing Happened on
the Way to the Forum" ... and many others. Her cabaret act has been
widely acclaimed in New York City, and she has received glowing
notices for her concert appearances at Carnegie Hall in "By Ira, By
George" _and "The 100th Celebration of Cole Porter." Other major
orchestras with which she has performed are the Toronto Symphony,
the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Boston Pop.
"Autumn Affair will be 4eld on Sunday, October 5, from 3 pm to 6 pm
in Redding Ridge, CT. Admission is $35 per person, including wine and
hors d'oeuvres. Attendance is limited to the first 75 persons. For further
information and reservations, please telephone (914) 279 -7785.

GENEALOGY BUFFS
Searching for your ancestry? Try these sources:
1. Groups: Connecticut Society of Genealogists, P.O. Box 435,
Glastonbury, CT 06033-0435. Good for people doing research of
local CT records, as membership allows access to towns' vital records.
2. Books: For an overall introduction to geanology read: "Searching
. For Your Ancestors: The How and Why of Genealogy'' by Gilbert H.
Doane and James B. Bell.
3. Internet resources: For a good source of how-to information check
out the genealogy area of AOL. One way to get to it is via keyword
ROOTS.

SrAMFORD - LARRY KRAMER & GABRIEL RoTELLo
On Thursday evening, October 16, the Women's Studies Program at the
University of Connecticut in Stamford will present an evening of
BROOKFIELD - AUTUMN AFFAIR
conversation with Larry Kramer and Gabriel Rotello. The topic for the
Broadway show tunes from two veterans of''TheGreat White Way''will evening will be ''The Gay Nineties: AIDS & Gay Rights in the fin de
be the highlight of"Autumn Affair," an October 5 party to benefit the siecle." Both are highly acclaimed writers and gay rights activists .
Committee for the De!ense of Classroom Tolerance (CDCT). Based in Kramer and Rotello will discuss the impact of the AIDS crisis on the gay
Danbury, CT, CDCT 1s a non-profit grassroots organization formed to community and its relevance to the evolution of the Gay Rights
encourage equal treatment of all students and educators, regardless of Movement.
actual or perceived sexual orientation. As its mission statement specifies
"CDCT supports educators and students who advocate for the right of Larry Kramer is the co-founder of the Gay Man's Health Crisis and
gay, lesbian and bisexual youth to receive a safe education and worthy ACT-UP, two of the first organizations to respond to the AIDS
initiativ~s aimed at achievi~g this goal. Because any form of oppression epidemic. He is also the author of"Faggots," a controversial novel about
~r discn~111at1on undermmes human dignity, CDCT seeks an educa- gay life; he is an Academy Award-nominated writer for his screenplay of
tional environment where young people can learn with joy and without D.H. Lawrence's "Women in Love", and he is an Obie Award winner
for his plays, "The Normal Heart'' and ''The Destiny ofMe." Perhaps no
fear."
other person has so affected our consciousness about the AIDS epiDon Pippin, one of the most highly acclaimed conductors in the demic, which Kramer believes is a form of genocide.
Amencan theatre _and musical director of a string of smash hits, will be
at the inano. Mane Santell, a Broadway veteran in her own right, will Gabriel Rotello is the author of the controversial and critically-acclaimed
smg. Guest of honor for the afternoon will be Veronica Berrill, mother book "Sexual Ecology: AIDS and the Destiny of Gay Men" which has
of seven and grandmother of several, who taught English at Brookfield . been a best-seller since its publication earlier this year. Rotello has
(CT) High School for 22 years. During her last two years there, Mrs . written for the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, and Newsday, and
Bernll and five other staff members participated in the school's Safe is currently working on a novel.
Zones program, in which teenagers with questions about sexual orien- This discussion is free and open to the public. It will be held at UConn/
tation could come and talk without fear of judgment, discrimination or Stamford, 641 Scofieldtown Road, in the MPR Room at 7:00 pm. For
repercussion.
more Information, please call the Women's Studies office at 203 4616609.
October 1997

Page3

T NEWS A VIEWS
STAMFORD -

Aux

DOBKIN

On Wednesday, October 29, the Women's Studies Program at the
University of Connecticut in Stamford will present "Talking Lesbian:
Generating Lesbian Culture from the 1970's to the Present" with special
guest, Alix Dobkin. Folksinger, oral historian, and political activist, Alix
will use story-telling, lecture and song to recall lesbian history-past and
present. As a "red diaper" baby of the 1950's, civil rights activist, and
founder of the contemporary lesbian feminist movement, Alix's life story
intersects with the major human rights movements and cultural shifts of
our time.
"Alix is essential, a lifeline for a lot oflesbians," says Boo Price, producer
of the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. "Her concerts are like a magnet.
Whatever's going on in the community, she will draw to her and take with
her to the next city on the tour. I really believe she's responsible for helping
develop much of the common thread of lesbian culture."
This presentation is free and open to the public. It will be hdd at UConn/
Stamford, 641 Scofieldtown Road, in the MPR Room at 7:00 pm. For
more Information, please call the Women's Studies office at 203 4616609.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

A

CYBERNEWS

CYBER-DATING
For some, it can be love at first byte. For others, it's a place where they
can come out yet still remain closeted. Surf into the cyber chat rooms
and one quickly finds the new gay barrooms of the '90s. Alcohol-free,
too. The chat rooms, such as the ones featured in America On Line or
Prodigy, do more than just let folks cyber chitchat. For many gay men
and women, the rooms are like windows in their closets.
They also are safe havens for guys to meet guys and girls to meet girls
without feeling awkward or out of place at a bustling club or bar. "If
you are shy, chat rooms offer you the choice of actually talking to a
person instead of just meeting and dancing in a club," says a 17-yearold Hialeah teen who comes out on-line, but remains in the closet in
his everyday high school life.
Gay cyber surfers say chat rooms allow them to meet each other via minds
first, which contradicts the whole looks-driven gay culture. Even nightclubs are jumping into the chat room craze. The Saint in Fort Lauderdale
and Splash in South Miami have thrown meet-your-on-line-buddy
parties. Patrons wear name tags with only their screen names. Who
knows? Maybe "Yogi Bear'' and "Pooh Bear'' will find each other.

INTERNET SURVEY OF GAY YOUTH

SEE THE "CONNECTICUT CALENDAR" (PAGE

5) FOR MORE

CONNECTICUT LISTINGS

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
60 East Avenue, Norwalk
(Across from the Green)
•An inclusive, welcoming, affirming community
•Challenging preaching

Solemn Eucharist .. Sundays at 10:15 AM
Come, experience splendid music &traditional
liturgy, the smell of incense &sight of flickering
candles, in the lovely architectural setting of
a 13th Century, English Gothic church
Office: (203) 847-2806

October 1997

!OutProud!, The National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and
Transgender Youth and Oasis Magazine have announced the first-ever
survey of queer and questioning youth on the Internet. The 150question online survey runs through October 31, 1997 and is designed
to provide insight into the multitude ofissues facing queer youth today.
Joining !OutProud!'s and Oasis' effort are co-sponsors the American
Civil Liberties Union, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education
Network, and XY Magazine. The survey takes thirty minutes to
complete, and is delivered electronically via a special Web site at http :/
/www.oasismag.com/survey/. A report based on the data will be
published in January 1998.

GAY.NET FREE

To

STUDENTS

Gay.Net, the gay online community, has announced that it will offer
free accounts to college students anywhere in the world. The service,
which is accessible on the World Wide Web, normally costs $9.95 a
month and will be offered free for registered college students until the
end of 1997 calendar year - providing access to all content sections,
chat groups and an unlimited Gay.Net e-mail account. Newsweek
Magazine has called Gay.Net "the most ambitious gay service on the Web.
You could spend halfthe night surfing and only find halfofwhat's there." For
a Gay.Net preview, visit Gay.Net at http://www.gay.net/college.

NEWS SOURCES
National News
Court Upholds Discharge, San Francisco Examiner, Sept 6, 1997
Gay Games for 1998, New York Times, Aug26, 1997
Gays Onto Straight Path, New York Daily News, Augt 28, 1997
Immigration Rights for Gay Partners,The Times (London), Aug 27 199,
Scientists Create New AIDS Weapon, Augusta Chron, Sept 5, 1997

Cyber News
Cyber-Dating Miami Herald Sept 4 1997

State by State News
IL - Registry Approved, Chicago Sun Times, Sept 5, 1997
KY - Protection Denied, The Lener - KY GLBT paper, Sept 9, 1997
lliA - Abuse in Gay Partners, Boston Globe, Sept 3, 1997
MA - Gay Adoption, Boston Globe, Sept 7, 1997
MI - District Drops Gay Policy, Detroit News, Aug 20, 1997
MN - Condom Man, Minneapolis Star, Tribune, Sept 4, 1997
NB - Past0r Unite Two Lesbians, Omaha, World Herald, Sept 10, 1997
NC - Military Recruiter Bans Lifted,News-Observer, Sept 10, 1997
NC - Pollster Controversy News- Observer, Aug 31 , 1997
PA - 'Life Partner' Allowed, Phila Inquirer, Sept 6, 1997
UT - Gay Domestic Violence, Salt Lake Tribune, Aug 22, 1997
UT - Teen Fought School District, Prnewswire, Sept 11, 1997
WI - Non-Traditional Family, (Dubuque Iowa) TelegraphHerald, Aug 31, 1997

Page4

THE CONNECTICUT CALENDAR
OCTOBER, 1997
October 4, Sat- Seventh Annual AID SWALK to benefit AIDS
Project Hartford, Bushnell Park, Hartford, 10:30 AM.
Please call 860-951-4833 for pledge sheet, and further
information.
October 4, Sat- The Connecticut Stonewall Congress presents
Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Future: A
Proud LGBT Culture, an all-day workshop in honor of
Lesbian and Gay History Month, Mather Hall, Trinity
College. Registration $5.00, optional box lunch $5.00.
Call 860-296-7254 for info.
October 5, Sun - The AIDS Project of Greater Danbury annual
walkathon starting at Danbury's City Center Green at
8: 30 am. For pledge sheets or more info, call APCTD at
203-778-24737.
October 5, Sun - The Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Film
Festival presents Gay USA and Pride Divide, two films
that show how our gay and lesbian past has brought us to
where we are today. At Cinestudio on the Trinity Campus, 1: 30 pm.
October 5, Sun - Maxie's Cafe presents a tag sale to benefit the
Waterbury Health Dept.'s AIDS Client Services. Starts
10:00 am, rain or shine, 2627 Waterbury Road,
Thomaston. For more information call 203 574-1629
after 7 pm, or e-mail: SMl l l2@aol.com.
October 5, Sun - "Autumn Affair" a party to benefit the
Committee for the Defense of Classroom Tolerance,
Redding Ridge, 3 - 6 pm. Don Pippin will be at the piano
and Marie Santell will sing. Attendance limited to first 75
people. For information call 914-279-7785.
October 8, Wed- Author/activist Larry Kramer speaks at the
New Haven Gay & Lesbian Community Center's Town
Meeting, 270 Temple St, New Haven, 7-9 pm (no
charge), followed by a reception at 168 York St. Cafe,
New Haven ($35 members, $50 non-members, to benefit the NHGLCC). For more information, call 203-7777780.
October 11, Sat -National Coming Out Day!
October 16, Thurs -Author/activist Larry Kramer and author
Gabriel Rotella will speak at the University of Connecticut, Stamford (MPR Room) at 7 pm. Sponsored by the
Women's Studies Program at U Conn/Stamford, the topic
for discussion will be ''The Gay Nineties: AIDS & Gay
Rights in the fin de siecle."
October 17, Fri-Connecticut Gay Men's Chorus performs at
the University of Connecticut, Storrs, co-sponsored by
Uconn's Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Association, in honor
of Gay Awareness Month. Call 1-800-644-CGMC for
information.

October 22, Wed-Auditions for the musical "Pageant," 7
pm, at the Norwalk Community and Technical College. Come prepared to perform two songs and dance.
October 25, Sun - TCC's Lesbian Literature Group will visit
the Herstory Archive in Brooklyn, NY. Everyone is
welcome to join. For info call Sharon 203-855-9951.
October 30, Thurs - Connecticut Gay Men's Chorus performs a benefit for The Connecticut AIDS Residence
Coalition at the Lincoln Theater, Hartford. Call 1800-644-CGMC for details.
October 31, Fri - The New London People's Forum's
Outrageous Halloween Party. Call 860-443-8855 for
more information and directions.
October31-November 2, Fri- Sun-A Weekend With Our
Brothers, a chance to experience community, growth
and celebration with other men on a large and playful
scale. One hundred men share a Berkshire camp for a
weekend of relaxation and new friendships. Call 617247-3964 for more information.
NOVEMBER, 1997
November 6, Thurs - the connecticuT View presents "Boys
Will Be Girls," a fun filled female impersonator show
and dinner at the North Country Inn and Restaurant,
New Milford. Cash bar at 7 pm, dinner at 8 pm, show
at 9:30 pm. Buffet dinner and show $35, show only
$15. The show will benefit Pediatric AIDS - Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Mail checks payable to
"the connecticuT View" % Denise Mason, PO Box
2281, Devon, CT 06460 or e-mail: masonD@aol.com
for more information.
November 18, Tues - The Gathering, an informal social for
gays and lesbians,cocktails and hors d'oeuvres served,
third Tuesday of each month, 7: 30 - 10: 00 pm, at The
Bistro Cafe (second floor), 31 Bank Street. New
Milford. Call Ted at 860-350-1469 or John at 860354-9211 for more info.

FIND MARIANNE SEGGERMAN!
From Ethan Green's Comic Strip, "The Unfabulous .... "

October 21, Tues -Auditions for the musical "Pageant," 7 pm,
at the Norwalk Community and Technical College. Come
prepared to perform two songs and dance.
October 21, Tues -The Gathering, an informal social for gays
and lesbians with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, third
Tuesday of each month, 7: 30 - 10 pm, at The Bistro Cafe
(second floor), 31 Bank Street. New Milford. Call Ted
860-350-1469 or John 860-354-9211 for info.
October 1997

Page5

T NEWS & VIEWS
YEAR IN REVIEW

- Several studies confirm lesbians make good mothers. - IL court
strengthens lesbian adoption/custody in state. - Court strengthens Chicago's anti-discrimination law - Court upholds New
Jersey gay civil rights law.

SEPTEMBER, 1997

MARCH,

Oak Park IL enacts domestic partnership registry. - Birmingham
ABC station gives in and runs Ellen's coming out episode. - "In
The Life" has 5th Anniversary.

Alaska court grants DP benefits for University of Alaska. First
US Senator grants DP benefits for staffers. Bank of America announces DP benefits. - St. Louis enacts DP
registry. -NY court expands gay parents' adoption rights. - West
Hollywood, CA elects gay majority to city council. - Number of
gay-straight clubs at high schools up over l 0 times from 5 years
ago. - Gay/Lesbian liaison to President gets status boost to
"Special Assistant."

AUGUST,

1997

LAPD forced to pay$$ for anti-gay harassment. - For Better or for
Worse with gay subplot runs in 1000+ papers nationwide. Chicago to spend 2 million on gay neighborhood. - Focus on
Family co-founder apologizes to gays. - More gay characters on
TV than ever, GLAAD reforts. -American Psychological Association condemns anti-gay 'therapy." - Anti-Discrimination Initiative makes Washington ballot
Florida court OKs lesbian adoption.
}ULY,

1997

Virginia court OKs lesbian adoption. - Evanstan IL expands antidiscrimination ordinance. - Episcopalians apologizes for mistreating gays. - Well-Fargo adds DP benefits. - Union Bank adds DP
benefits. - Over half of Fortune 500 companies now offer DP
benefits. - Ellen receives 5 Emmy nominations. - Clinton has highlevel meeting with gay activists. - Delaware enacts hate crimes law
including sexual orientation. - Gay and lesbian weddings OKed at
Harvard chapel. - Gay and lesbian youth conference in SF largest
ever. - Federal court strikes down ban on gays in US military (it is
under appeal). - Montana court strikes down state's sodomy law.
- Nearly 2/3 of US states have struck down their sodomy laws. Connecticut bans anti-gay discrimination in school system. Hawaii statewide DP registry/benefits take effect.
}UNE,

1997

Pride month ends, over 50 US celebrations with several million
participants make it largest ever. - Clinton issues pride proclamation, first ever from US President. - Ohio court rules sexual
orientation should not affect adoptions. - Florida court upholds
lesbian "pre-nuptial" agreement. - New Hampshire enacts statewide anti-discrimination bill protecting gays. - Colorado antimarriage bill vetoed for 2nd tune. - Los Angeles unified school
district adds DP plan. - City of New Orleans adds DP benefits. Blue-Cross, Hea.lthNet and PacificCare add DP coverage to
insurance plans. - Historic San Francisco Domestic Partner benefits law goes into effect.
MAY,

1997

Anti-marriage bills die in conservative Texas and Nebraska. - Santa
Barbara, CA gains DP registry. - Maine enacts statewide antidiscrimination law protecting gays. - DNC announces DP benefits. - University of Washington adds DP benefits. - St. Petersburg Times adds DP benefits. - City of Chicago adds DP benefits.
- Wisconsin court upholds Madison anti-discrimination ordinance. - Chevron Oil adds DP benefits. - Northern CA's major
utility company adds DP benefits. - Alabama ban on gay school
clubs struck down.
APRIL,

1997

"Ellen" becomes first gay prime time lead, wins time slot. -Arizona
enacts hate crimes bill protecting gays. - RI, WA, CA, LA antimarriage bills all fail. - Catholic Church calls homophobia a sin,
says celibate gays are "holy''. - Michigan man awarded 10 million
in gay bashing suit. - Gay candidates win municipal elections in San
Mateo and Redwood City CA, as well as Oak Park and Erie
Illinois. - SF 49ers become first pro sports team with DP benefits.
October 1997

1997

1997

FEBRUARY,

Christian Coalition denounces bombing of lesbian bar. - US
AIDS deaths drop 27% in past 6 months. - CA court rules
student newspaper may run ad for gay youth group. - MCC
admitted to Ecumenical Council
Washington marriage ban vetoed. - LAPD f~rced to pay$$ for
anti-gay harassment. - Baseball great Al Kaline apologizes for
anti-gay slur.
}ANUARY,

1997

Over 200 municipalities now have laws banning anti-gay discrimination. - Lacey, WA enacts anti-discrimination ordinances
protecting gays. - Tumwater, WA enacts anti-discrimination
ordinances protecting gays. - Cobb County GA rescinds antigay resolution. - Openly gay congressman Kolbe chairs appropriations subcommittee. - Fremon, CA schools ban anti-gay
harassment. - MA jury awards man $1.2 million for anti-gay
discrimination.
DECEMBER,

1996

Denver DP benefits OK'ed by court. - Albuquerque, MN passes
hate crimes law including gays. - Cleveland, OH passes strict
anti-discrimination ordinance protecting gays. - Former VP of
Ford Motors comes out as gay man. - Hawaii judge OKs gay and
lesbian marriages for 2nd time (the case is under appeal). Lesbian gets number 2 job in CA legislature. - Following recent
elections, there are now over 150 openly gay or lesbian officeholders in the United States
NOVEMBER,

1996

Judge overturns Alachua County FL gay rights ban. - Noted
Homophobe Dornan of CA defeated. - 9 million awarded to gay
teenager abused in school. - State employment discrimination
banned by executive order in Illinois. - Episcopal Diocese of
Pennsylvania blesses gay marriages. - Lafayette IN upholds
discrimination ban. - Both openly gay Congressmen easily reelected.
OCTOBER,

1996

Poll shows increasing tolerance for gay parents' rights. - IBM
implements DP benefits. - North Carolina court rules positively
on lesbian couples' a~options. - _Oakland, CA_d_oI_TI:estic par1:11er
registry created. -National Commg Out Day v1s1b1lity at all-time
high. - Maine University system adds DP benefits
SEPTEMBER,

1996

Broward County, FL upholds gay rights ordinance. - Denver
adds DP benefits for city employees. - Atlanta adds DP benefits
for city employees. - Oregon Court rules in favor of DP benefits
for state employees (this case is under appeal) . - Philadelphia
adds DP benefits for city employees.
Page6

T l'IIIIEWS 4 VIEWS
-

NATIONAL NEWS

NEW AIDS WEAPON CREATED
Scientists have created the first virus-killing viruses, cleverly crafted
microscopic missiles that zero in on AIDS-infected cells and
destroy them. The idea is to fight infection with infection. The
newly created viruses target only cells that have already been
captured by HIV. The approach works well in the test tube but has
not been tried yet in people or even in animals.
Ifit works as its developers hope, the technique will stop the AIDS
virus cold by employing a sort of mirror image ofHIV's own sly
tricks for worming its way into cells. What is attractive about the
discovery is how specific it is, Dr. Rissing said. "The mo_re specific,
the fewer the side effects" from the therapy affectmg other,
uninfected cells, Dr. Rissing said .virus the test tube, the reproducing VSV was able to reduce levels of_HIV _to almost ~ro for three
months. This means the treatment 1s unlikely to wipe out HIV,
even ifit works, but it might be used with other medicines to keep
HIV infections from progressing to AIDS.

DESPITE NEW AIDS DRUGS,

MANY LOSE BATTLE

For a few fleeting months last winter, Jerry Roemer was strong and
vital. Though he had been infected with HIV for years, the amount
of deadly virus in his blood had plunged by 98 per~en~, ~he result
of a powerful cocktail of new drugs called protease 111h1b1tors that
brought him back from the brink of death. Seven months later,
Jerry Roemer was buried in a graveyard near his family's Nebraska
farm.
Roemer's death despite the drugs that many thought would be a
magic bullet for AIDS is not an isolated tale. A year and a half after
protease inhibitors came into widespread use in the United States,
the medications seem to be failing 25 percent to 30 percent of the
150,000 people who are using them. For some, the complex
regimen ofthree drugs does not work from the outset. Some people
get sick from the combination therapy. _Some cannot stic~ to the
intricate schedule of a dozen or more pills each day. But increasingly, doctors are seeing people like Roemer - diligen_t,. determined patients who tolerate the drugs and take them rehg1ously,
but for whom the dramatic benefits simply do not last.
While Roemer might have had high hopes for the protease inhibitors, his physician, Dr. Young, did not. All the evidence in~cates
that combination therapy works best for newly infected patients.
The idea is to suppress the virus so that the immune system does not
suffer damage. But in thelexicon of AIDS, Roemer was a "veteran"
with an immune system already seriously compromised. "There are
two pieces to this whole HIV issue," Dr. Young said. "One is trying
to control the virus. But the bigger question is, what do we do with
individuals like Jerry, who have survived the first 10 to 15 years of
the epidemic and are not going to get the optimal response with
these new drugs? How do we restore their immune systems?"

COURT UPHOLDS DISCHARGE
Another federal appeals court has upheld the military's right to
discharge service members for saying they are gay. A decision by the
9th U.S . Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco reversed an
Oak.land federal judge's ruling that California National Guard Lt.
Andy Holmes' discharge was unconstitutional. And it upheld a
Washington court's ruling that the Navy had acted properly in
ending Lt. Richard Watson's service.
Both servicemen had told their commanding officers they were
gay. Under the law, such statements carry a presumption that they
are likely to engage in homosexual conduct unless they try to
disprove it. They didn't. Attorneys argued the policy violated their
free speech right. Beyond that, they argued that the law itself was
unconstitutional because the military's reasons for excluding known
gays and lesbians was fundamentally irrational and based only on
prejudice. The 9th Circuit majority said the government had a
legitimate interest in discharging known gays ... to maintain an
effective military.

October 1997

GAY GAMES FOR

1998

More than 4,500 participants have already pre-registered for the fifth Gay
Games . 200,000 visitors and a record number of 15,000 competitors are
expected in Amsterdam from Aug_u~t 1 through 8, 1998. The schedule for the
1998 Games includes 30 competition sports, 6 demonstration sports and 1
invitation sport (golf). Among the events are ~occer,_ so~ball, squash, ~able
tennis, cycling, billiards, track and field, tenrus, sw1mm!~g, chess, bndge,
ballroom and Latin American dancing, as well as a competltlon for dancers in
wheelchairs, and ice-skating. Rowing and wind-su~ng will be featured for the
first time, and a program of cultural events, includi~g . a storytellin~ festival,
performan~es by mar~hing b~nds and_a variety_o f exhib1t10~. Facilities for the
disabled will be proVIded. TICkets will be available beg1nrung Dec. 1, 1997.
Prices have not been determined.
As of August 1, travelers interested in obtaining information on Gay Games
Amsterdam 1998 can call a new toll free number 1-888-GayGames (l-888429-4263). Callers will receive the Holland & Ga)'. Games Information
Package, including information on official travel providers, web sites, and a
Gay Games pre-registration form.

GAYS ONTO STRAIGHT PATH
Across the country conservative evangelicals are spreading the idea that
homosexuals can be ~ransformed through Jesus Christ. Exodus International,
the largest transformation network, has 100 referral agencies around. the
world. Conservative Christians say, churches ought to help gays and lesbians
find salvation. But transformation ministries are highly controversial, and they
make many people angry.
The medical and psychological and gay community say that transformation
methods don't work. They say that transform~tion groups offer nothing more
than avoidance techniques to keep sexual feelings at bay. Gay Chnstlans and
others who support equal rights for homosexuals are offended by the idea that
they have to be straight to _b~ saved. "~ be~eve if people are gay they're gay,"
said Stan Kirner, a gay Chnst1an who lives in Raleigh. But those who say t~ey
have been transformed insist that society underestimates the power of faith .

CHINESE ADOPTIONS
A growing number ofAmericans are adop~ng Chines~ orphan babies, a Hong
Kong newspaper said. The Sun~ay Morrung P?st s~d demand was so high
that the United States Consulate in the south Chma city of Guangzhou had set
up an adoption u~t s~affed by a State _Department office~ to handle the babies'
immigration apphcat1ons, the first of its kind in~ Ame_ncan overseas m1ss1on.
The adoption process can cost some $15,000, mcluding ~e $3,000 paid_ to
the orphanages in exchange for the child. More than 3,300 infants from China
were expected to be adopted by U.S. citizens in the current fiscal year.
Officials said about 95 percent of the adopted children are girls, abandoned by
parents who preferred to hav~ a boy unde_r C~~~'s one-~hi!d poli~y. Most male
children available for adoption have disab1ht1es. Chinas flexible adoption
policy allows a childless person over 35 to adopt healthy babies and those w~o
are younger can apply for children with disabilities. It also does not \~qmre
them to be married, as many countries do. U.S. officials say that a fair
number'' of homosexuals, mostly women, are adopting children from China.

RETREAT CANCELED
A religious retreat for Catholic parents of gay and lesbian children _has been
canceled by Bishop Edward M. Egan of the Ro~an Cat~ohc Diocese of
Bridgeport. The session had been scheduled for this month ~n Stamford at a
diocesan facility. ''This is going to bring additional confusion and pain to
parents who already feel some of the same alienation from their church that
their children feel when things like this happen," the Rev. Robert Nugent,
retreat leader, said.
According to diocese spokes_mar.i Tom Drohan, Bi~h?P Egan was concerned
about a nine-year-old invest1gat1on of Nugent's ~1rustry ~y Cardinal Adam
Maida ofthe archdiocese ofDetroit. "Because the investigation 1s ongoing, the
bishop spoke to the sisters of Villa Marie (in Stamford) and to _the religious
community at that location and they agreed that because of the investigation
it would not be appropriate to host a retreat," Drohan said.
Nugent and Sister Jeannine Gramick have run the Maryland-based Catholic
Parents Network for the last 25 years. He said more than 50 parents of gay and
lesbian children from Connecticut and around the Northeast had planned to
attend the retreat in early October.

Page 7

T NEWS & VIEWS
GAY IMMIGRANT TO STAY
A gay immigrant in the District of Columbia whom federal immigration authorities tried to deport to his native Malaysia because his
visa had expired, has won an unusual ruling in immigration court
and will be able to remain in the United States. Wan Lee, 44, a
professional massage therapist who lives and works on Capitol Hill,
was granted relief from deportation on the grounds that it would
damage his "mental health" to return to Malaysia, where homosexuality is frowned on and gay people face official harassment.
IMMIGRATION RIGHTS
The British Government is poised to give hundreds of foreign
nationals in homosexual relationships with British citizens the right
to settle in the UK following a Home Office review of immigration
laws . Home Office officials have been reviewing regulations applying to homosexuals, lesbians and live-in lovers since May and an
announcement is expected when Parliament returns in October.
Under current laws foreign nationals in homosexual relationships
with British citizens have no automatic right to remain in the UK.
The law applies to people from states outside the European Union
and also includes people in heterosexual relationships. Overseas
nationals wanting to live in Britain must prove they are legally
married, or intend to become so within a reasonable period. The
current laws relating to gay relationships are similar to those in
many other countries, including America.

CALL FOR SINGERS
St. Paul's Episcopal Church,
Norwalk
Splendid Repertoire of Traditional Music
Welcoming and Inclusive Congregation
For additional information or auditions call:
Bill Voetberg, Music Director, (203) 847-7250

TRIVIA
ANSWER TO SEPTEMBER
Herb Mose's lover (10 years this August - Happy
Anniversary!) is Barney Frank, who is on the Banking subcommittee which oversees FEMA. Frank
cannot be covered under his lover's health plan
because of conflict of interest.

QUESTION FOR OCTOBER
About five years ago, a lesbian couple's home was
featured on th~ cover of the bi~ual Home Design
section of the ~ew York Times. They have managed
a very specialized store in downtown Manhattan, at
least since the early 70's. What is the product they
sell?

P-FLAG SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AT

TCC

"Big" Monthly Meeting: Every 1st Wednesday, 7:45
Spouses and Ex Spouses group: Every 3rd Thurs. 7:30

October 1997

~ STATE BY STATE NEWS
HA -

INS. Co. Ams CouPLES

As head of an agency trying to help same-sex couples obtain insurance
benefits under Hawaii's new reciprocal benefits law, Dr. Robert Jenkins has
seen discrimination firsthand . With a colorful rainbow as its logo, Hawaiibased Pride Insurance & Financial Services Inc. opened for business this
summer, just as the new law - the nation's first - came into effect, giving
couples who can't legally marry a taste of the married life. The law grants any
adult couple who can't legally marry about 45 of the 400 legal benefits of
marriage.
A major provision of the law grants insurance benefits to same-gender
couples. So all summer, Jenkins and his nine employees have been on the
hunt for companies that will help gays and lesbians who want to sign up for
joint life, health and homeowners' insurance. So far, they've found 16 in the
entire nation. The number is small, but it's enough of a start, Jenkins said.
Pride Insurance, which is opening offices in Los Angeles, San Diego and San
Francisco, also helps same-sex couples in other states and countries apply to
become reciprocal beneficiaries under the Hawaii law, which has no
residency requirement. Having that document can help couples get domestic partnership benefits at work, get hospital visitation rights when a partner
is sick, and other benefits, Jenkins said.

IL -

REGISTRY APPROVED

Officials in the first community in Illinois to approve local registry for samesex couples, said it will take at least a month to draw up the forms and
establish procedures. Residents of Oak Park will have to pay a $50 fee and
prove they have lived together for at least six months before they can register
as a same-sex couple in the village hall. It is a largely symbolic move, because
Illinois does not recognize gay marriages .

KY - PROTECTION

DENIED

For the third time in five years, the Fairness Amendment, a proposal
designed to protect the citizens of Louisville against discrimination based on
sexual orientation, has been defeated by the board ofaldermen (city council) .
The vote followed weeks of frenzied activity within the city as the Fairness
Campaign blanketed the city with bright blue and gold signs saying "Fairness
Does A City Good." Fairness leaders were heartened by the fact that many
of the signs sprouted in neighborhoods traditionally considered conservative. In response, religious right opponents filled churches with pamphlets
replete with misinformation about gays and lesbians, much ofit based on the
discredited research of Paul Cameron. They also developed a counter-slogan
seen in the last days of the debate: "Morality Does A City Better."

MA - ABUSE IN GAY PARTNERS
Gay victims of domestic abuse make up a large population but attract little
mainstream attention, according to Curt Rogers, executive director of the
Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project. The nonprofit agency conducted a
survey in June of 2,000 gay men in Boston and found that one in four had
been a victim of domestic violence - about the same number as for
heterosexual women.
Rogers' agency, which focuses on education about gay domestic abuse,
hopes to open a shelter for gay men by the end ofl 998. The most important
hurdle in fighting gay domestic abuse, much like in heterosexual domestic
abuse, is publicizing the problem so victims know they are victims, Rogers
said. A poster recently commissioned by the Fenway program, which
provides counseling for gay, lesbian and bisexual victims of violence, reads:
"Contrary to popular belief, straight people do not have a monopoly on
abusive relationships ."

MA -

GAY ADOPTION

Suffolk Probate and Family Court judge has overturned a decision he made
a year ago and will allow a lesbian couple to forgo a Department of Social
Services investigation before one of the women adopts her partner's 2-yearold boy, legally making both of them parents. In 1996, the couple was
ordered to undergo a DSS home study, which is required in cases involving
adoption of a child under the age ofl4. However, family court judges have
discretion to waive the investigations, when one of the petitioners is a
biological parent.
Page8

Property of the Center

T NEWS & VIEWS
Ml -

GAY Poucy DROPPED

Wayne-Westland school officials are dropping a policy protecting gay
students and staff from harassment or discrimination, only months after
they overwhelmingly embraced the controversial provision in January.
Board President Debra Fowlkes said that the sexual orientation protection
policy isn't needed. She said that existing·codes of conduct and state law
already protects students. Still, critics wonder why the district bothered
adopting any changes in the first place - if sexual orientation already was
truly protected.
Former board President Trish Brown, a lesbian, said the school board is
"caving'' in to angry parents and others who believe the district was catering
to gays and lesbians. Fowlkes said Brown proposed a series of sexual
orientation amendments to the local school code in January. She said the
board was "hoodwinked" and voted in the changes without really understanding why. "Dumb us," she said.

MN - CONDOM

MAN

Every Wednesday through Sunday, mild-mannered Pete Glaser, 37, a
movie projectionist, takes on the identity of Condom Man, a superhero to
the Twin Cities gay community, wandering from place to place, primarily
gay bars, with his 25-pound box that's held up by M-16 rifle straps wrapped
around his shoulders. He does Tai Chi to keep his body flexible and resoles
his shoes three or four times a year, but his real energy comes from an
unwavering commitment to spreading the word about safe sex - as well
as 100,000 contraceptives a year.
Glaser's work is funded by the Minnesota AIDS Project, which operates on
private donations and state money. In the past, the organization set up
tables at gay clubs, offering brochures and bowls of condoms. "We'd get
three to seven people to come up. Now I talk to 30 or 50 people a night."

NB -

PASTOR UNITES LESBIANS

The Rev. Jimmy Creech, pastor of First United Methodist Church says he
will perform a commitment ceremony for two lesbians at his church. He
said the ceremony, his first since his appointment a year ago, will go
forward even though Nebraska United Methodist Bishop Joel Martinez
has made it plain that Creech will face disciplinary action if he proceeds.
Although the United Methodist Church supports the civil rights of
homosexuals and has committed itself to minister to gays and lesbians, it
also says that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian
teachings. In 1996, itfrohibited pastors from conducting ceremonies that
celebrate homose).."Ua unions and from allowing such ceremonies to be
performed on church property. "This is a very simple event in the life oftwo
people who love each other dearly and want to make a commitment within
the context of their faith," Creech said.

NY -

RABBIS SuE MusEUM

Sixteen Orthodox Jewish rabbis have filed a lawsuit to stop the opening of
a new Holocaust museum in Manhattan. The suit, filed in federal court,
says the Museum ofJewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
offends the beliefs of Orthodox Jews because it includes an exhibit
honoring gays and lesbians who were persecuted by the Nazis.
The rabbis are angry over "the elevation of homosexuals to the martyred
status of the six million Jews," who died in the Holocaust, said Rabbi
Yehuda Levin

NC -

RECRUITER BANS LIFTED

Law schools at Duke and the University ofNorth Carolina at Chapel Hill,
under the threat of reduced federal student aid, have reversed their policies
of banning military recruiters. Both law schools had refused to allow
interviews at their schools as a symbolic stand against the military's "don't
ask, don't tell," policy regarding gays and lesbians, which the schools
viewed as discriminatory.
The schools changed their policies this week to comply with interpretations
of a federal law called the second Solomon Amendment. The amendment
was enacted by Congress last year and bars federal funding of any school
or department that does not allow military recruiters on its premises. At
Duke, between $500,000 and $600,000 was at stake, mainly in federal
student loans.

October 1997

PA -

LIFE PARTNER EPITAPH

Three. years after her death, Cynthia Lynn Friedman will get the
headstone epitaph she wanted, according to an out-of-court settlement. Friedman, who was a lesbian, will now have the phrase
"beloved life partner'' as part of her epitaph. A dispute about those
words, and who legally had the right to compose the epitaph, led to
a lawsuit in April in U .S. District Court in Philadelphia.
Friedman died of cancer on Oct. 3, 1994, at the age of 35 . Sherry
Barone, Friedman's partner, paid for the burial and sued the cemetery
for not honoring its contract with her by refusing to inscribe the
headstone the way that Barone said Friedman had wished. Ann
Moskowitz, presidentofHar Jehuda Cemetery in Upr,er D_arby, said
Friedman's parents threatened to sue the cemetery if their epitaph
version was not followed. William and Judith Friedman insisted that
their daughter gave them instructions about what the inscription
should say.
Abbe Fletman, a Philadelphia lawyer also representing Barone, said
that, "Sherry Barone had power of attorney, was the executor of the
will and paid for the cemetery plot with her own check, an1 was still
denied the right to determine the epitaph of her companion of 13
years."

UT -

TEEN SUICIDE

A Memorial Fund has been set up in response to the tremendous
outpouring of grief and anger ove~ a gay ~tah high school student's
tragic death. Jacob Orozco took his own life reportedly ~y hangmg
himself in his mother's home after a two-year battle agamst school
district apathy toward gay and lesbian students' needs. Along with
school mates at East High School in Salt Lake City, Jacob had formed
a Gay-Straight Student Alliance, a support organization for students
dealing with issues related to teen sexuality and homophobia. Recently, the school board had reportedly placed additional financial
obstacles in the way of the group meeting.
Jacob was slated to become the next president of the East High
School Gay-Straight Alliance. The Alliance gained public attention in
1996 when its straightforward quest to provide support to kids in
need was met by a wave ofhomophobia in the Utah State Legislature.
Effectively condemning these kids, the Salt Lake City School District
banned the meeting of ALL extra-curricular activity groups during
public school hours rather than permit the Gay-Straight Alliance to
meet.

WI -

FAMILY LIFE

Isaac Morgan-Meckelberg is a happy, healthy, farm-grown Wisconsin toddler. Two year old Isaac is the child of two loving parents who
carefully planned for his arrival. And, in approximately seven months,
Isaac will be joined by a sibling. Isaac's parents, Becky MorganMeckelberg and Deb Meckelberg, a lesbian couple, aclcnowledge
they aren't a traditional family. But they are convinced their son is
thriving in an environment filled with caring aunts, uncles; grandparents and friends.
Although Becky, 38, and Deb, 41, were united by a Lutheran
minister in a private ceremony at Becky's parents' home, their union
is not recogruzed by Wisconsin laws and their parenting arrangement
is unusual as well. The couple credit their attorney for helping them
sort through the legal maze of family law that frequently works
against homosexual couples. Deb is listed in Isaac's birth certificate
as his mother, and Becky is the boy's legal guardian. No father is
listed, and the couple agree that Isaac does not have a father.
The couple's decision to have a child is not one without consequences . When Becky and Deb went to their church to have Isaac
baptized, they were turned away. ''The minister wouldn't baptize
him," Becky said. "He told us we weren't Christian." The couple left
that church and joined a Lutheran church in Lancaster that welcomed
the family into the congregation. There they met an older couple who
immediately became surrogate grandparents to Isaac. Surprisingly,
the women have found friends where they least expect them.

Page9

T NEWS & VIEWS
TRAVEL NEWS
THREE WINTER STEALS
Three popular summer destinations - the San Juan Islands, Saugatuck,
and Provincetown - offer big savings for visitors who are willing to
brave cooler temperatures. By visiting resorts like these in November
instead ofJuly, you can avoid the crowds, save some money, and gain
a different perspective on some of America's most alluring sights.
In summer legions of tourists line up daily to catch a ferry out to the
San Juan Islands, a serene archipelago near Seattle with some of the
most dramatic scenery in the Pacific Northwest. While this is the most
popular time to visit, late fall and winter present a refreshing contrast.
The crowds are few and locals are more willing to stop and say hello
or offer hiking and sightseeing advice to curious visitors. Best of all,
the rainy weather that puts a damper on Seattle from fall through
spring generally misses the San Juan Islands. Even in the dead of
winter, the temperature rarely dips below 40 degrees and the sun
appears for at least part of most days.
Lesbians and gays have a presence on each of the San Juan's major
islands, but Lopez seems to draw a higher concentration of"family."
This largely agrarian community of rolling green pastures - the
landscape is often compared with Scotland's - is quiet and romantic
year-round, with zero nightlife and only a smattering of shops and
restaurants. In the off-season,your options are even more limited, but
if you and your honey yearn for a secluded respite from city living, you
can't beat this emerald isle. Two of the region's best gay-friendly
accommodations are on Lopez Island. The Inn at Swifts Bay remains
so popular, its rates stay constant even in winter; guests don't seem to
mind, as they take advantage of the luxurious rooms and hearty
gourmet breakfasts. Last year, the Lopez Farm Cottages opened
nearby; these rustic but modernly equipped cabins have fireplaces and
kitchenettes and rent for just $90 (compared with the usual $125) offseason. Nearby Orcas Island is much busier than Lopez, and also has
several more restaurants and the best hiking, kayaking, and biking in
the San Juans. Here the Windsong B&B, an elegant converted 1917
schoolhouse, drops its winter rates from to about $95.
If you've got the winter blues in the Midwest, consider a jaunt to the
region's only true gay getaway, the neighboring Lake Michigan
communities of Douglas and Saugatuck. While these sophisticated
but easy-going hamlets endure the same brisk winters common in
nearby Chicago and Detroit, the picturesque setting helps take the
chill off the air. The owners of the gay-friendly Kirby House, a
dramatic Queen Anne mansion, note
that many oftheir guests book romantic fireplace rooms or relax in the
outdoor hot tub - a nice way to end a day of cross-country skiing. Like
most inns around here, the Kirby House drops its rates by 10 to 20
percent off season. Other popular accommodations include the
Moore's Creek Inn - a century-old farmhouse - and the Douglas
Dunes Resort, a much larger and newer compound that's without the
intimacy of a B&B but with the area's only gay disco, cocktail bar,
cabaret, and restaurant.
As for Provincetown, Massachusetts, a small but committed minority
don't mind the windy raw winters and prefer not to deal with the
intense summer crowds. Of course, they also visit at thjs time to take
advantage of the terrific deals offered by many guest hbuses. The posh
Brass Key is one inn that usually shuts down during the most brutal
winter months - January through March. In the late fall and early
winter, however, this first-rate mixed-gay/lesbian complex slashes its
rates to $75 on weekdays and $125 on weekends, which is as much
as 50% lower than its summer prices. Another of the island's premier
mixed gay/lesbian properties, the Beaconlite, drops rates ranging
from $80 to $175 in summer to $55 to $145 in the fall; this guest
house remains open through the winter, when their rates plummet to
between $45 and $110. Gabriel's, one of the best lesbian resorts, also
stays open year-round, with rates dropping about 40 percent in the
winter. While many restaurants close in the off-season, several of the
good ones, including Napi's, the Martin House, and Gallerani's, stay
open all or most of the winter. For nightlife, the popular Atlantic
House also draws a queer crowd year-round.

October 1997

MEN'S WEEKEND
The Fifth Annual Single Men's Weekend in Provincetown will run from
Thursday, November 6 through Sunday November 10. This is an unique
opportunity to have fun, to learn some~hing new, to meet a husband and
to enjoy the off season charm of Provmcetown with hundreds of other
single gay men.
The activities begin Thursday evening with check-in and a group Pizza
Party from 7-10 pm. Friday's day-long "Finding Mr. Right!" program
($25 fee) was such a huge success last year nationally renowned psychologist and workshop leader Dr. Larry Harmon will be back.
Saturday and Sunday, will be filled with scheduled workshops, tours, and
classes with time left for shopping, strolling, eating and relaxing. There will
be dance parties, two stepping, a talent contest, entertainment and receptions for the evenings. On Sunday night there will be a group dinner/
theater show at the Lobster Pot restaurant.
Make your reservations now and you'll be able to enjoy all that Single Men's
Weekend has to offer! Your $50 weekend registration fee includes over 50
different workshops covering like: Dating & Intimacy, Body Building &
Massage, Spirituality, Support Groups, Relationships, P-town Real Estate, Astrology, Cooking and more!

Page JO

f

TRIANGLE COMMUNITY CENTER, INC.
P.O.BOX 4062, East Norwalk, CT 06855
Tel/Fax: (203) 853-0600
e-mail TCCenter@aol.com

~er
~r,

;c.;

Restaurant
L'Abbee

I.
0~

/j~itality ~

"Excellent" ... New York Times
Fine Dining in a friendly and relaxed
atmosphere with a menu that truly
expresses the Art of the kitchen
by Chef Kimberly Robbins.

Your Hosts: Paul L' Ahhee
Bill Johnson
62 Main Street
New Canaan, CT

(203) 972-6181

OTHER AREA CROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Bare & Gay (B&G) gay nudists
(860) 644-4305
Bisexually Curious Support Group Bpt
(203) 264-5605
Chiltern Mountain Club
(203) 899-0270
Connecticut Kids and Families
(203) 256-8414
Connecticut Freedom to Marry Coalition
(203) 791-9553
40-Up Club. (Social Grp.-call Dale before 10pm) (203) 261-4019
Gay Fathers Group
(203) 866-7051
Gay Mens Association of Danbury
(203) 778- 7016
GEMS (Mature GLBT)
(860) 688-1881
Guideline (gay/lesbian phone info)
(203) 366-3734
Hartford Community Center
(203) 724 5542
Married Men's Bisexual Suppt Grp Htfd
(203) 262-1555
Metropolitan Community Church
(203) 389-6750
The Loft, White Plains NY,
(914) 948-4922
Triangle Bowling League
(203) 931-8789
Triangle Kids
(203) 255-6229
(203) 323-6278
Western Connecticut Gay Men's Group
(203) 773-9947
We're glad to list your non-profit gay/lesbian/bi/tg group free of charge.
Call (203) 964-1133. Please keep us informed of changes.

D~dline fo, lhe novembe, Rew,le-He-, will b•
lalu,day 11 Oclobe,. We- cannol 9ua,anlH lhal
male-,ial ,e-ceived after lhal dale- 111ill be- include-d
in novembe, Rew,&Yiew,.
October 1997

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
DON BUXTON ...................... ......... President
DA VE CARROLL .. ......... ....... ......... Vice-President
BARB SCHADE ... ........................... Treasurer
LEN HOREY ................................... Corresponding Secretary
DAVE CARROLL ..... ....... .. ... .. ........ Acting Recording Sec'y
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOHN DEL VECCHIO
DON BUXTON
CHRISTIN.E BISCEGLIE
LEN HOREY
BARB SCHADE
DENYSE BURKE
JOHN WALLACE
DAYID CARROLL
STANDING COMMITTEES
TomM
AIDS Liaison
Board Development
Vacant
John D
Communications
-Public Relations
MikeC
John W
Finance
Fundraising/Sp Events
Michael P
ChristineB
Member~hip
Denyse B
-Member Database
Marianne S
Operations
Cindy M
(and to schedule events at the Center)
Program
Dave C
-Resource Room
Walter D
--Center Forums
Marianne S
Volunteer
Vacant

374-6934
334-3822
375-3567
261-7349
866-6993
847-8476
367-3911
222-8294
595-9799
838-1881
374-6934
222-8294

9{,'EWS & 'V1'EWS
Is published monthly by
Triangle Community Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 4062, East Norwalk, CT 06855.
NEWS & VIEWS encourages its readers to submit materials of interest
to our community, including short articles, letters to the editor, etc. We
cannot respond to, or publish, anonymous letters. We reserve the right
to edit or condense as appropriate to meet space requirements. Authors
will be contacted if major revisions are necessary. Please submit to :

NEWS&VIEWS
Michele Stone: Editor & Adv. Mgr.
P.O. Box 8185
Stamford, CT 06905
Phone/Fax 964-1133
e-mail: NewsViews2@aol.com

John Delvecchio: Asst Editor
Phone: 203-334-3822
Mike Collins: Publicity
Phone: 203-375-3567

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CONTACT MICHELE STONE:
Ads must be camera-ready. If your ad is not camera
ready or you need help with its layout or design,
contact Michele Stone BEFORE submission. Inserts
and special sizes upon prior agreement. All ads are
placed on a space available basis.

The publication of the name of any person or organization in articles or
advertisements in NEWS & VIEWS is not to be construed as any indication of
the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations .
The appearance of advertisements in NEWS & VIEWS does not imply nor
constitute endorsement by TCC,lnc.
Copyright 1997 by Triangle Community Center, Inc. All rights reserved. This
work, or any parts thereof, may not beused or reproduced in any manner without
written pennission.

Page 11

T NEWS & VIEWS

~Stephanie's Living Room, Inc.

Presenting quality dances for women who do not like
the bar scene... Come and med new friends.

November Dance
Sat. Nov 8, 8 pm $10
Ramada Inn. Stratford, CT
1-95 North, Exit 30

For more information call: (203) 377-2119

Bryan Costello

212•382•5176
Investments
Pensions
Insurance
The abo,e-namM indlvldll4ls an N!gistl!red rtpresentati,es of EQ Financial
Consu/zants, /11c. (212 641-7.l()()), a brolcerkuakr alld lll,n1me11t a,Mser, and agellls
of The Equitable life Assurancl! Soclny of the U,rill!d Slatu (NY, NY 10104). The
abo>e-11amtd lndlvldr,aJ also ojfen traditional aNI variable insr,rance aNI annultu$
of Equitable, and of ov,r fifty odier companies through EquiSource.
AGE-97-.'i87 Exp.(6/98)

Massage Uonneution

NICHOLAS LANG, MS, NCC
Counseling & Psychotherapy Services
Specializing in Sexual Orientation,
Loss, Relationship, & HIV-related Issues.

New Haven Office
200 Orchard St.
789-0560, Ext. 4

Wilton Office
387 Danbury Road
847-1094

PAUL D. SCHNEIDER
Attorney at Law
PO Box 4Sl
Southport, CT 06490-0451
203/lSS-SSl0
Adoption
Child Custody Divorce
Partnership Agreements

Our Families Matter

THRESHOLD
MORTGAGE COMPANY

• Specializing in professional Swedish
massage
• By appointment only - Day or evening
• Student discounts available
• Home visits available

1-800-611-6041
Office located in the New Haven area

~ MEMBER OF THE
~ INTERNALTIONAL

1JIJI JI

1
MASSAGE ASSO. . . . . CIATION

October 1997

PATRICK WINTERS
LOAN OFFICER
THRESHOLD MORTGAGE
COMPANY
THRESHOLD COMMON
59 WILTON ROAD
WESTPORT, CT 06880
OFFICE (203) 454-0525
TOLL FREE (800) 562-5577
FAX (203) 454-0069
HOME (203) 256-5951
EMAIL pkw@thresholdmtg.com

• Sp1icializing in residential hom1i mortgages in •'airlfold r.ounty
• r.apabhi or handling all loan scenario's from a$60,000 condo in
Stamford to a$1,000,000 home in Greenwich
• Consistent top producing loan omc1ir for over ten years with a
wealth of knowltidge and exp1irienc1i
In 1.9.95, 1'hmsh1J/r/J/1Jt1/fa!ft! was titf!r! as 1h11 trip pmrlutin!fm11rfJ/ilfll!
companJ harin!fdfls11rl 11r11r SI15, IJIJD, IJIJIJ in !flans in l'aidif!lrl C,1unlJ
Page 12

T NEWS 4 VIEWS
Horticultural Botanist
Gardener & House I Pet Sitter

(20S) 256-4565
(800) 628-7209
FAX: (203) 256-1759

jnemis@aol.com

Donald J. Comes
(203) 866-2823
~

30 Tiemey Street

Norwalk, CT 06851

JOANN ATTWOOD NEMIS
VICE PRESIDENT / INVESTMENTS

JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT, INC.
MEMBERS NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE AND OTHER PRINCIPAL EXCHANGES

2150 POST ROAD. FAIRFIELD, CT 06430

SAUGATUCK COUNSELING CENTER

Individual, Couple, Family &: Group Therapy
Specializing in:

Weddings • Comittment Cefebiations
and "Coming-Out" Patties

KURT SPERLING, L.C.S. W.

76 Lake Avenue • Danbury, CT 06810

Tel: 730- 1400 • Fax: 798-9611

Joan w. Duncan, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
188 Scribner Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06854
Tel/Fax (203) 854-4805

225 MAIN STREET, LL! • WESTPORT, CT 06880 • 203.454.1549

LEADING
HOMES.Iii]
MICHAEL

T.

PAVLICIN

SOUTH.-ORT, CONNECTICUT 06490

FAX/255-3705 HOME/866-6993

203/255-2278

leadhome3@aol.com

VICTORIA

Laura L Gates, MSW, LCSW

1169 Sylvan Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06606
(203) 372-9799
(203)ZIB41V14

T.

FERRARA

ATTORNEY AT LAW

Individuals, Couples, and Families
7-11 South Broadway, Suite 400
White Plains, NY 10601
(203) 372-9799
(203) 3T!Mi40A!

IUALTOR"

772 KINGS HIGHWAY WEST

EXCWSIVE BUYER AGENT

BROKER

Specializing in Women & Couples

[B

THE BUYERS REAL EsTATE COMPANY

(203) 227-9585

WESTPORT, CT
ADMITTED IN CT AND NY

You, conl,ibulio111 lo neuv& YiHV-MUUt ooini&11twhcalJJff-l
,e,ulll. faK you, oopy lo lh• NilOI al (tos, 914-ll lJ o, e-fflOlnl Ii ·
October 1997

Page 13

Maria C. Castillo, MSW, LCSW

AlDS PROJ£CT

Individual, Couples, and Family Therapy
Recovery from Abuse

SERV1'NG TH£ 'NEEDS Of
TH£ HIV/AIDS COMMVNlTV 1N:
NORWALK

Bilingual

(203) ·261-3492
Monroe, CT

MlD-FA1RF1£lD

(203) 336-2708
Bridgeport, CT

ALDIS

WESTPORT
'N£WCANAAN
WILTON
WESTON
&£ASTON
l'ROVJDING CLJ£NT S£RVJC£S AND ADVOCACY

_'11fE_4_6_~-ill_Plom_in_R_~-~---Da-nb_ury_,_CT_06_8_11-*
(203)778•9399

FAX (203)744•1139

Three decades of GAY travel expertise
~ RSVP

[G1I\

MlD-fAJRFIELO AJDS l'ROJ£CT
16 RIVER

ST.

NORWALK. CT ~10
PHONE: (lDJ) j1J-91J1
f'AX: (loJ) ,11-1n1
l'NT£RNET: http:.(/www.mfap.com
E-MAJL: mfo@mfap.com

Diane Hyatt, MSW, CISW
T Solution-oriented short or longer term

JOANNE M. MARINO, C.C.M.H.C., N.C.C.

psychotherapy for Adults and Adolescents,

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

specializing in, but not limited to:
49 Coolidge Avenue
21 STRICKLAND RD .. COS COB, CONN. 06807 (203) 8159-0216

T Depression
T Anxiety

Stamford. CT 06906
(203) 964-184 7
1653 Capitol Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06606

(203) 332-0136

JOSEPH H. SWEENEY, CPA

T Post-Traumatic Stress
T Counseling for Partners & Family
T Specialized Psychotherapy Groups
T Case Consultation
T Clinical Supervision

ATTORNEY-AT LAW

1305 POST ROAD, FAIRFIELD

.
SAUGATUCK COUNSELING CENTER

203/256-3839

Tax Planning, Preparation & Appeals;
Estates & Trusts, Probate Matters,
Real Estate Law; Elder Law; and

Individual, Couple, Family & Group Therapy

-

JOHANNA RAYMAN
M.S. W., L.C.S.W.

Small Business Formations and Assistance
225 MAIN STREET, LL! • WES11'()RT, CT 06880 • 203.454.1549

Support our advertisers! Say
you saw it in News & Views!
October 1997

Page 14

UIIIVilil 1111i111i1fii ji 1m11~[1111JH[11~~~lf•OK

T NEWS & VIE~TT ~

Property of the Center

001 111 370

Support our advertisers!
Say you saw it in News & Views!

~---------------~-----, r:-:-::~-=------------:-----=-=--=-=-====--=----:i
DR. JEANNE E. CASTELLUCCI
CHIROPRACTOR

lraWfrom the inside out.
, a way to look within
•
!

£ while moving

.corward
.,

(914) 939-7752

(203) 622-8266

558 Westchester Ave.
Rye Brook, NY 10573

209 Bruce Park Ave,
Greenwich, CT 06830

New Patients & Emergencies: 1-800-651-4879

DIANW M. RWDHN, M.S.
ART THUAPIST

PO Boxao

FAIRPlll:LD, CT.

08430

Ta:LIFAx: 203J330-1933 - - - - - - -

Serving Greenwich

~

. ,~6~.~,o

iV

c,.ct.'>
~~

Darien.New canaan
and Stamford

MICHAEL D. ROME, Esq.
Marlin and R.ome, LLC
Attorneys-at-Law

888 Washington Blvd.
8th Floor
Stamford CT 06901
(203) 977 -5096
Fax (203) 977 -5460

FREE INITIAL HALF
HOUR CONSULTATION

Eual Estate Transactions
Tazation: Business & Individual
Estate Planning & Probate

Personal l,uur:,,/Accident Law

137 RowaytonAvenue (on the Five Mile River)
ROWAYTON, CONNECTICUT06853
Fax (203) 853-6818
(203) 853-6671

20 Charming Rooms
Peace & Privacy

100 Acres• Pool
Hot Tub• Trails

Michelle C. Loris, Ph.D., Psy.D.
Individual, Couple and Group Therapy

Ct. Lie. MFT

We

C/li bland§ G/nn
P.O. Box 118
Bethlehem, NH 03574
(603) 869-3978

(203) 255-2767
By Appointment

KIM IZZO
175 Purdy Hill Rd.
Monroe, CT 06468
(203) 459-4528

A LESBIAN PARADISE

Jane

w. Griffith,

JD, MBA
Attorney-at-Law

Tax Strategy & Preparation • Real Estate
Estate Planning & Wills • Business Consulting
Interior/Exterior Painting
Wallpaper
Reliable, Dependable

Fully Insured

270AldenAvenue, New Haven, CT06515-2114

Fax 205 / 587-9899

Voice 205 I 589-8614

WHERE ARE WE? The Triangle Community Center Inc. is located at 25 Van Zant Street in Norwalk.
From 1-95, take Exit 16 and go south (from Stamford, turn right; from New Haven, turn left). Continue
south under the railroad bridge and turn right on Van Zant St. (Route 136). 25 Van Zant is a large
condominium office building on the right. TCC is in Suite 7-C on the ground floor, Tel. (203) 853-0600.
October 1997

Page 15

T NEWS & VIEWS
Calendar

October, 199 7

Sun

Mon

Tues

'"

LO

Women's Rap 7:30

15
16
AA 9-10 am
Women's Rap 7:30
Outspoken 4-6
Autumn Affair-Redding
AIDS walkathon-Danbury
Gay Fil Festival-New
Haven
112
AA 9-10 am
OutSpoken 4-6

113
Women's Rap 7:30

119
AA 9-10 am
Outspoken 4-6

ILU

126
AA 9-10 am
Outspoken 4-6

127
Women's Rap 7:30

Wom·en's Rap 7:30

Thu

Wed

I->U
HIV couns 3:30-6:30

I

P-FLAG 7:45

17
HIV couns 3:30-6:30
Lesbian Lit 7:30

14

10
Bi Rap Grp 7:30
T CC Board 7:30
Larry KramerNHGLCC

19
Men 's Rap 7:30

115

116
UConn -Gay NinetiesStamford
Mens' Rap 7:30
P-FLAG Spouses &
Ex-spouses 7:30

ILL

Bi Rap Grp 7:30
TCC Board 7:30
Auditions PageantNCTC

Fri

Sat
l"I
AIDSWALK-Hartford
LGBT workshop-New
Haven

Bowling 9:30
Circle Lanes

Men's Rap 7:30

HIV couns 3:30-6:30

121
HIV couns 3:30-6:30
Fund,Spec Events
7:30
Invest Club 7:30
Auditions PageantNCTC

.,

IL

10
Out & About 6:30-8
Bowling 9:15
Circle Lanes

11
National Coming Out
Day!

118

1/

Bowling 9:15
Circle Lanes
CG MC-Storrs

125
Herstory Archive TripBrooklyn

123
Men's Rap 7:30

IL"I
Bowling 9:15
Circle Lanes

l;jU

Ir1ovem0er 1
1->1
Bowling 9:15 pm
Circle Lanes
NLPF Halloween PartyNew London
Gay Berkshire
Weekend-thru Sun

[ f'!-:::a+h--: --_PI..IAu., lA:16 .........1

ILIS
HIV couns 3:30-6:30

IL~
UConn - "Talking
Lesbian" 7pm,
Stamford
P-FLAG 7:45

TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
GROUPS MEETING AT OR SPONSORED BYTCC
A.A. - Don 762-9964
Bi Rap Group - Peter 838-2806;Robin 358-8391

Men's Rap 7:30
CG MC-Hartford

T

MEMBERSHIP FORM

MEMBERSHIP LISTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL

35+ Womens Pot Luck - Judy 227-7162
Eree Association of Fairfield County - John 268-8858 x304

NAME _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Gay Men's Rap Group - Dave 838-1881; John 926-8971
Gmosaic (People of Color) - not currently active call TCC 853-0600
Lesbian Literature Reading Group - Christine, 847-8476
Out

&

ADDRESS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CrTY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ STATE _ _ __

About (Gen .X Group) - Jen 736-6417 or Dan 838-2367

Outspoken (Youth) - Barb 259- 8171; Dan 227-1755;

ZIP----

PHONE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Doug 838-2367
P-FLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians

& Gays) -

Joan 544-8724; Lester 322-5380; Belinda 855-1203

P-FLAG

Spouses

& Ex Spouses

Group - Joan 544-8724

Triangle Bowling League (Circle Lanes, Fairfield) - Lisa 3333113; Roseann931-8789
Women's Rap Group - Chandra 228-8652 ; Linda 866-4598;

CONTRIBUTING MEMBER

$35

CONTRIBUTING HOUSEHOLD

$60

SUPPORTING MEMBER

$125

SPONSORING MEMBER

$250

SUSTAINING/Bus1NESS MEMBER

$500

SPECIAL MEMBER

f'( OUTHISENIOR)

$20

Michele 438- 4465

All

meetings are held at the Center and in the evening unless

otherwise noted.

A $3

donation per person is appreciated with

your participation in activities to help support the Center.

PLEASE MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO :
TRIANGLE COMMUNITY CENTER, INc.
EAST NORWALK, CT 06855

P .0. Box

4062

ATTN: MEMBERSHIP

(203) 853-0600

October 1997

Page 16



Property of the Center

Triangle Community Center

New-~& v,e
Free to Members and Subscribers

MANY HEARTS • •

THE

•

TRIANGL

Vol.8, No.IO
October 1997

ONE COMMUNITY

"PAGEANT' IS COMING!

After playing to lavish praise at Manhattan's Blue Angel Theatre, "Pageant'' is coming to Norwalk
CT, for five performances in January 1998. Proceeds from the show will go to benefit the Triangle
Community Center (TCC) ofEast Norwalk (the gay and lesbian community center serving Fairfield
County) and Bread and Roses, (an AIDS residence in Georgetown, CT). "Pageant's" director, Scott
M. Robbins also directed "Whoop-Dee-Doo" in January 1997, which raised over $17,000 for TCC,
Bread and Roses and other Fairfield County agencies assisting people with AIDS. And this past June,
he directed ''The World Goes Round," a benefit for Bread and Roses, which played to virtually sold
out crowds in Westport.
The show will feature six beauty contestants: Miss Bible Belt, Miss Industrial Northeast, Miss Deep
South, Miss Texas, Miss Great Plains, and Miss West Coast. Each contestant will wear a costume
parodying their region's stereotypes. They will be required to undergo an "exhaustive series of
11-----------• preliminary competitions" one of which is "beauty crisis counseling." They will also be asked to
promote such products as Smooth As Marble Facial Spackle "for a deep-down coverup," and Lip
Snack, a nutritious lipstick that comes in 27 shades and flavors. All this they do in their·quest for the title of Miss Glamourese.
Audience members will serve as judges with different winners at each performance.
"Pageant'' evolved from a workshop production in New York in the mid 1980s, according to the producer of the New York 1991
and 1992 run, Jonathan Scharer of Greenwich, CT. Mr. Scherer said "Pageant'' is about those obsessed with winning; it expresses
hypocrisy." The show was conceived, directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom and written by Bill Russell and Frank
Kelly. The music was composed by Albert Evans.
Scott M. Robbins, the director, began his career in the theater at age 10, as a performer. He appeared in numerous stage
productions in New York stock, and regional theaters, as well as in films, television and night clubs. Along with Mark Graham,
Mr. Robbins produced several productions at the Pinecrest Dinner Theatre in Fairfield County CT, including the premiere
production of"Stay Tuned", which he also co-produced in New York. Mr. Robbins has taught acting for many years, and several
of his former students are now appearing on Broadway on television and in films. Mr. Robbins has staged more than 25 large scale
productions including the recent productions of''Whoop-Dee-Doo" and ''The World Goes Round."
The New York Sunday Times reviewer David Richards said, ''It's all here-the tears, the nerves, the frozen smiles, the platitudes,
the bad taste, and of course the raging ambition just under the lacquered surface that gives beauty pageants their fascinating
subtext." "Screamingly funny!. ... It's 90 minutes oflaugh therapy!" said another Times reviewer.
CASTING CALL foR "PAGEANT"

Auditions for the January production of"Pageant'' will be held
Tuesday, October 21 and Wednesday, October 22 at 7 pm both
evenings at the Norwalk Community Technical College Performing Arts Center. The Center is located at 188 Richards
Avenue in Norwalk (on the east side of Richards Avenue) offexit
13 of the Connecticut Turnpike (195).
''We are looking for 7 men, 6 of whom will play female 'Pageant'
contestants, and l emcee. All must sing, dance and act," said
director, Scott M. Robbins. "They should come to the auditorium prepared to perform two songs and to dance," he added.
The contestants include Miss Bible Belt, Miss Industrial Northeast, Miss Deep South, Miss Texas, Miss Great Plains, and Miss
West Coast.
SHOW TIMES
"Pageant" will play for five nights in January, at the Norwalk
Community Technical College Performing Arts Center. The
dates are : Friday January 16, Saturday January 17, Thursday
January 22, Friday January 23 and Saturday January 24. All
shows will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 for the show only and
$50 for the show and a post-show reception. Tickets may be
purchased by calling the box office at (203) 857-7271.

October 1997

A DIFFERENT CALLING
St. Paul's on the Green, Norw~lk has several openings
(volunteer and paid) for singers who enjoy challenging
music from all periods. There are several options for
people with good voices and good music reading skills.
The chancel choir sings at the Sunday morning Liturgy
and special feast days. They rehearse Thursday evening.
The choir sings two anthems each Sunday. The Repertoire of traditional liturgical music spans the Renaissance to the twentieth century, with emphasis on the
English choral tradition.
The Evensong choir sings six times a year and specializes in English romantic literature. The traditional
English cathedral service of Evensong is comprised of
music, readings and prayers. The choir sings a
Magnificat, Nune Dimittis, responses and an anthem.
To arrange an audition or for more information, call
Bill Vortberg, Director of Music at (203) 847-7250.
Pagel

T NEWS & VIEWS
WrcCNEWs
OPEN LETTER
Dear board members and members of the Triangle Center:
I am writing to express thanks for all the moral support I have received
from the TCC board and TCC members in my efforts to provide
positive coverage in Fairfield and New Haven counties for gays and gay
issues during the past 4 years.
As you know, the intolerance and bigotry we must endure is so unfai~,
immoral and irrational. I look to the day when those who play the antigay bigotry card will have to answer for wha~ they do, just as the
segregationists and Fascists have had to answ~r m r~cent decades, and
their positions have become so unacceptable m mamstrean society.
I am especially grateful and flattered that the TCC nominated me to be
a Fairfield County community person of the year of the Stamford
Advocate, and for all the verbal encouragement continually given to
me.
Like many of us, it is the.issue about which I care more than anything,
and it means everything to have the appreciation and support of the
TCC and its members, people who donate enormous time and effort
to our gay community, and whose work has made and makes it much
easier for me to be who I am.
Sincerely, Michael Collins

TRIP TO

HERST ORY ARCHIVE

Members of the Lesbian Lit Group will be visiting the Lesbian Herstory
Archive on October 25. The LHA is housed in a lovely brownstone m Park
Slope, Brooklyn, NY a.k.a. "Dyke Slope." 1:he collection contains a wide
variety of materials by, for an? about lesbians. There are great books,
articles, biographies, files, clothmg, memorabilia, and art from around the
world. The neighborhood is lovely and has good restaurants and shops.
If you're interested in joining them call Sharon at (203) 855-9951.
The book chosen for the November 4 meeting of the reading group is
"Terminal Velocity" by Blanche Boyd. Ms Boyd is a local author and will
be speaking at the Center in November on a night to be announced. The
Lit Group meets at TCC the first Tuesday of the month at 7: 30 pm. For
more information call Christine at (203) 847-8476.

GAY/LESBIAN STUDIES
Free Association member john emery istvan is soliciting support regarding a Gay/Lesbian Studies course he is considering developing for a
community college in Fairfield Co~nty. The ~ourse would be "sort of a
history of... how we develop our attitudes/beliefs towards .. .no, everyone
isn't like Ellen ... sort of a course," John said. He would hke to hear from
anyone interested in promoting the course, guest lecturi_ng a class on a
given topic or possibly enrolling in it. It would be a 3 credit, undergraduate course ~ffered on a.Saturday morning, possibly open to high school
students and people over the age of 62. The target 1s spnng semester,
1998. Contact John at home at (203) 333-1194 with you encouragement,
suggestions, thoughts, support, etc.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

SPLINTERS FROM THE BOARD

There is good news for all of us. The government is \n the busi~ess of
promoting population growth with a new $500-a-kid tax credit. Can
you believe it? In this poor, overpopulated, overcrowded, overpolluted world, a tax credit which will encourage population growth?
Do you have kids? Better make more. Tough buns if you don't because
the credit is yours only if you do.
If you want a tax cut, procreate. Shades ofN azi Germany_ which used
government incentives to raise the birth rate. Are we n_ot m danger of
creating another baby boom down the road, another tide ofboomers
straining the economy, creating long-term deficits and placi~g huge
new costs on Social Security and Medicare? Not to mention the
resulting turmoil. Wouldn't it be better ifthe government offered some
kind of economic incentives to people who limit their numbers, a
reward to the many non-producers amongst us? New thinking is in
order.
The Achilles heel in all this philosophy of economic growth is that it
depends upon a constantly growing population to sustain it, a constantly growing "market" the economists call it. If the market doesn't
exist here at home, go to Asia with its huddled masses. Growth,
growth, growth. It's like a treadmill. It works as long as it doesn't slow
down. So let's have another baby boom. Jump on the treadmill
everyone. Eureka! I feel sorry for the kids down the road. Good luck
kids. You are not to blame.
-Wally Bacon

As a person who only recently accepted l was gay (two years next January),
I was overwhelmed by the spirit of celebration, commurnty and cooperation that marked both the Connecticut Gay Pnde parade/festival 111
Hartford and the humungous Gay Pride parade in New York City, both
ofwhich l participated in for the first time this year. In the Hartford parade
l marched with a contingent from my Un.ion (New England Health Care
Employees Un.ion, District 1199) and in the New York parade with a
delegation from TCC.
One of the things that kept me from acce_pting being gay as a young adult
in the 1970's, was my perception that bemg gay was_somethm~ negative,
something sad, something to be ashamed of, somethmg to be hidden. The
few times gays were depicted in film or other media, they were usually
pictured as mentally unstable or simply unhappy people-people who
didn't want to be who they were.
Well, times-they indeed have changed. The hundreds of thousands of
gay people I saw and marched with in those two parades were very happy
to be who they are. The were no negative, not sad, not ashamed, and_
certainly not hidden! And the sense <?f commurnty-:-men and women ot
varying sexual tendencies, races, ethrnc groups,_rehg1ons, etc .. celebratmg
in harmony-almost brought me to tears (of JOY, of course!).
If you've never participated in a Pride parade, please keep June 1998
weekends free so you'll be able to experience a very positively charged
celebration of life and its diversity that you won't soon forget 1
-John DelVecchio

fREE ..... AsSOCIATION
The next meeting of the Free Association will be held on Saturday,
November 15 at TCC from 10:30 to noon. This meeting will be a
discussion focused on recent developments at Brookfield High School,
facilitated by one or more members of the committee for the Defense
of Classroom Tolerance. Committee co-chair Ed Rose is expected to
come, and other members may join him as the date drav1s closer. In
the event you are unfamiliar with the situation, this once seemingly
progressive school had adopted "safe zones" where gay, lesbian,
bisexual and questioning students could discuss their concerns in a safe
environment with sympathetic teachers and staff. However, an
apparently very small, right wing, "Christian" fundamentalist group of
parents has filed a lawsuit against the woman spearheading the project.
Her future and the program's future are very uncertain. Come and hear
the latest and share your thoughts. Please mark your calendars now as
there may not be another reminder!

October 1997

FALL INTO FALL FRIENDRAISER
As the trees show a hint of color and the nights get a little chilly, why not
make time to take time with your friends. The October Friendraiser will
be held on Saturday, October 18 from 3-6 pm. It is being hosted by Brian
DuBac and Elliot Arluck at their home at 239 Fox St., Bndgeport. Our
hosts asks that you bring food at your own discretion and BYOB.
Directions: Going North on 195 take Exit 24 for the Black Rock
Turnpike; bear right around the rotary up and over the hill past the
cinemas. Take a right onto Canfield Ave. Follow to end and take a left onto
Fox St. Please park on the street.
Going South on 195 take Ex.it 24 and go left off the ex.it ram_p to the 2nd
stop sign. Make a right on State Street Extens10n to traffic hght; make a
left on Black Rock Turnpike through the first stop sign. Make a nght onto
Canfield Ave and take a left onto Fox St. Please park your car in the street.

Page2

T ~EWS & VIEWS

~ CONNECTICUT NEWS
STATEWIDE - LICENSURE FOR COUNSELORS
After three years of intensive lobbying, professional counselors in
Connecticut have succeeded in gaining licensure for their profession.
Licensure protects consumers by ensuring that individuals who practice
as professional counselors in Connecticut have met state minimum
requirements for education, knowledge and experience. The bill grants
licensure to professional counselors who have: ( 1) at least sixty graduate
semester hours and who hold at least a master's or higher degree offortytwo graduate semester hou~ from a regionally accredited institution of
higher education in a major decemed to be in counseling; (2) acquired
three th~:msand hours ofsupervised experience in the field of professional
counseling over not less than one year and which includes a minimum
of one hundred hours of direct supervision by licensed professionals as
specified by the bill; and (3) passed an examination prescribed by the
Commissioner of Public Health.
Practicing counselors will have a grandparent period until January 1,
1999, provided they provide evidence of (1) having earned a master's
degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher
education in a_major deemed to be in counseling; (2) practiced professional counselmg for a minimum of two years immediately preceding
October 1, 1997; and (3) passed an examination prescribed by the
Commissioner of Public Health.
Connecticut now joins 43 other states and the District of Columbia in
re~lating the field of professional counseling. Only Alaska, Hawaii,
Minnesota, Nevada, New York and Pennsylvania have not passed
legislation regulating the field.
BRIDGEPORT - NEW GAY BAR!
Connecticut's largest city once again has a gay bar to call its own! Caught
In The Act, located at 1246 Main St, in downtown Bridgeport, is opened
seven days a week from noon until closing. The bar, decorated with a
variety of gay artistry and provocative photography, offers sandwiches
at very modest prices along with draft beer special during the day.
Everyone Wednesday features a DJ with '50s music and no cover charge;
Thursday night offers a DJ with '70s music and no cover charge· Friday
is "Lati_n Night'' with a DJ and $2 cover after 9 pm; Saturday features
a DJ with club music and a male dancer for a $3 cover after 9 pm.
Dolores, the bar's owner, is very enthuastic that Bridgeport, once again,
has a bar that gay people will find friendly and secure. The bar is only one
block from the Bridgeport Police Dept. And there is free parking next
door. Look for a TCC Friendraiser at this bar in the future!

Beginning in October, 1995 a Christian-right couple began a campaign
to malign Veronica and abolish the Safe Zones initiative at BHS,
accusing her of "homosexual recruiting," among other things. After
eight months of this onslaught, Veronica sued the couple for defamation
of character and malicious slander. The suit has not yet come to trial and
Pat Robertson's American Center for Law and Justice, based in Virginia,
is providing financial and legal support for Veronica's opponents. As for
the Safe Zones program a BHS, it is-at best-in crippled and ineffective
abeyance at present-in other words, it is all but dead!
Don Pippin is the first Broadway musical director to receive the Drama
Desk Award "for consistently outstanding musical direction and commitment to the theatre" for such shows as "La Cage Aux Folles" ..."A
Chorus Line" ... "Oliver!" ... "Cabaret'' ... "Mame" ...to name just a few.
He won an Emmy for the TV special Broadway Sings Jule Styne plus a
nomination for Jerry Hermon at the Hollywood Bowl in which he
conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra a month after he
was a Special Guest Conductor for the Boston Pops Orchestra ....
Vocalist Marie Santall has appeared on Broadway in "La Cage Aux
Folles" ... "Seesaw'' ... "The Music Man" ... "A Funny Thing Happened on
the Way to the Forum" ... and many others. Her cabaret act has been
widely acclaimed in New York City, and she has received glowing
notices for her concert appearances at Carnegie Hall in "By Ira, By
George" _and "The 100th Celebration of Cole Porter." Other major
orchestras with which she has performed are the Toronto Symphony,
the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Boston Pop.
"Autumn Affair will be 4eld on Sunday, October 5, from 3 pm to 6 pm
in Redding Ridge, CT. Admission is $35 per person, including wine and
hors d'oeuvres. Attendance is limited to the first 75 persons. For further
information and reservations, please telephone (914) 279 -7785.

GENEALOGY BUFFS
Searching for your ancestry? Try these sources:
1. Groups: Connecticut Society of Genealogists, P.O. Box 435,
Glastonbury, CT 06033-0435. Good for people doing research of
local CT records, as membership allows access to towns' vital records.
2. Books: For an overall introduction to geanology read: "Searching
. For Your Ancestors: The How and Why of Genealogy'' by Gilbert H.
Doane and James B. Bell.
3. Internet resources: For a good source of how-to information check
out the genealogy area of AOL. One way to get to it is via keyword
ROOTS.

SrAMFORD - LARRY KRAMER & GABRIEL RoTELLo
On Thursday evening, October 16, the Women's Studies Program at the
University of Connecticut in Stamford will present an evening of
BROOKFIELD - AUTUMN AFFAIR
conversation with Larry Kramer and Gabriel Rotello. The topic for the
Broadway show tunes from two veterans of''TheGreat White Way''will evening will be ''The Gay Nineties: AIDS & Gay Rights in the fin de
be the highlight of"Autumn Affair," an October 5 party to benefit the siecle." Both are highly acclaimed writers and gay rights activists .
Committee for the De!ense of Classroom Tolerance (CDCT). Based in Kramer and Rotello will discuss the impact of the AIDS crisis on the gay
Danbury, CT, CDCT 1s a non-profit grassroots organization formed to community and its relevance to the evolution of the Gay Rights
encourage equal treatment of all students and educators, regardless of Movement.
actual or perceived sexual orientation. As its mission statement specifies
"CDCT supports educators and students who advocate for the right of Larry Kramer is the co-founder of the Gay Man's Health Crisis and
gay, lesbian and bisexual youth to receive a safe education and worthy ACT-UP, two of the first organizations to respond to the AIDS
initiativ~s aimed at achievi~g this goal. Because any form of oppression epidemic. He is also the author of"Faggots," a controversial novel about
~r discn~111at1on undermmes human dignity, CDCT seeks an educa- gay life; he is an Academy Award-nominated writer for his screenplay of
tional environment where young people can learn with joy and without D.H. Lawrence's "Women in Love", and he is an Obie Award winner
for his plays, "The Normal Heart'' and ''The Destiny ofMe." Perhaps no
fear."
other person has so affected our consciousness about the AIDS epiDon Pippin, one of the most highly acclaimed conductors in the demic, which Kramer believes is a form of genocide.
Amencan theatre _and musical director of a string of smash hits, will be
at the inano. Mane Santell, a Broadway veteran in her own right, will Gabriel Rotello is the author of the controversial and critically-acclaimed
smg. Guest of honor for the afternoon will be Veronica Berrill, mother book "Sexual Ecology: AIDS and the Destiny of Gay Men" which has
of seven and grandmother of several, who taught English at Brookfield . been a best-seller since its publication earlier this year. Rotello has
(CT) High School for 22 years. During her last two years there, Mrs . written for the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, and Newsday, and
Bernll and five other staff members participated in the school's Safe is currently working on a novel.
Zones program, in which teenagers with questions about sexual orien- This discussion is free and open to the public. It will be held at UConn/
tation could come and talk without fear of judgment, discrimination or Stamford, 641 Scofieldtown Road, in the MPR Room at 7:00 pm. For
repercussion.
more Information, please call the Women's Studies office at 203 4616609.
October 1997

Page3

T NEWS A VIEWS
STAMFORD -

Aux

DOBKIN

On Wednesday, October 29, the Women's Studies Program at the
University of Connecticut in Stamford will present "Talking Lesbian:
Generating Lesbian Culture from the 1970's to the Present" with special
guest, Alix Dobkin. Folksinger, oral historian, and political activist, Alix
will use story-telling, lecture and song to recall lesbian history-past and
present. As a "red diaper" baby of the 1950's, civil rights activist, and
founder of the contemporary lesbian feminist movement, Alix's life story
intersects with the major human rights movements and cultural shifts of
our time.
"Alix is essential, a lifeline for a lot oflesbians," says Boo Price, producer
of the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival. "Her concerts are like a magnet.
Whatever's going on in the community, she will draw to her and take with
her to the next city on the tour. I really believe she's responsible for helping
develop much of the common thread of lesbian culture."
This presentation is free and open to the public. It will be hdd at UConn/
Stamford, 641 Scofieldtown Road, in the MPR Room at 7:00 pm. For
more Information, please call the Women's Studies office at 203 4616609.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

A

CYBERNEWS

CYBER-DATING
For some, it can be love at first byte. For others, it's a place where they
can come out yet still remain closeted. Surf into the cyber chat rooms
and one quickly finds the new gay barrooms of the '90s. Alcohol-free,
too. The chat rooms, such as the ones featured in America On Line or
Prodigy, do more than just let folks cyber chitchat. For many gay men
and women, the rooms are like windows in their closets.
They also are safe havens for guys to meet guys and girls to meet girls
without feeling awkward or out of place at a bustling club or bar. "If
you are shy, chat rooms offer you the choice of actually talking to a
person instead of just meeting and dancing in a club," says a 17-yearold Hialeah teen who comes out on-line, but remains in the closet in
his everyday high school life.
Gay cyber surfers say chat rooms allow them to meet each other via minds
first, which contradicts the whole looks-driven gay culture. Even nightclubs are jumping into the chat room craze. The Saint in Fort Lauderdale
and Splash in South Miami have thrown meet-your-on-line-buddy
parties. Patrons wear name tags with only their screen names. Who
knows? Maybe "Yogi Bear'' and "Pooh Bear'' will find each other.

INTERNET SURVEY OF GAY YOUTH

SEE THE "CONNECTICUT CALENDAR" (PAGE

5) FOR MORE

CONNECTICUT LISTINGS

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
60 East Avenue, Norwalk
(Across from the Green)
•An inclusive, welcoming, affirming community
•Challenging preaching

Solemn Eucharist .. Sundays at 10:15 AM
Come, experience splendid music &traditional
liturgy, the smell of incense &sight of flickering
candles, in the lovely architectural setting of
a 13th Century, English Gothic church
Office: (203) 847-2806

October 1997

!OutProud!, The National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and
Transgender Youth and Oasis Magazine have announced the first-ever
survey of queer and questioning youth on the Internet. The 150question online survey runs through October 31, 1997 and is designed
to provide insight into the multitude ofissues facing queer youth today.
Joining !OutProud!'s and Oasis' effort are co-sponsors the American
Civil Liberties Union, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education
Network, and XY Magazine. The survey takes thirty minutes to
complete, and is delivered electronically via a special Web site at http :/
/www.oasismag.com/survey/. A report based on the data will be
published in January 1998.

GAY.NET FREE

To

STUDENTS

Gay.Net, the gay online community, has announced that it will offer
free accounts to college students anywhere in the world. The service,
which is accessible on the World Wide Web, normally costs $9.95 a
month and will be offered free for registered college students until the
end of 1997 calendar year - providing access to all content sections,
chat groups and an unlimited Gay.Net e-mail account. Newsweek
Magazine has called Gay.Net "the most ambitious gay service on the Web.
You could spend halfthe night surfing and only find halfofwhat's there." For
a Gay.Net preview, visit Gay.Net at http://www.gay.net/college.

NEWS SOURCES
National News
Court Upholds Discharge, San Francisco Examiner, Sept 6, 1997
Gay Games for 1998, New York Times, Aug26, 1997
Gays Onto Straight Path, New York Daily News, Augt 28, 1997
Immigration Rights for Gay Partners,The Times (London), Aug 27 199,
Scientists Create New AIDS Weapon, Augusta Chron, Sept 5, 1997

Cyber News
Cyber-Dating Miami Herald Sept 4 1997

State by State News
IL - Registry Approved, Chicago Sun Times, Sept 5, 1997
KY - Protection Denied, The Lener - KY GLBT paper, Sept 9, 1997
lliA - Abuse in Gay Partners, Boston Globe, Sept 3, 1997
MA - Gay Adoption, Boston Globe, Sept 7, 1997
MI - District Drops Gay Policy, Detroit News, Aug 20, 1997
MN - Condom Man, Minneapolis Star, Tribune, Sept 4, 1997
NB - Past0r Unite Two Lesbians, Omaha, World Herald, Sept 10, 1997
NC - Military Recruiter Bans Lifted,News-Observer, Sept 10, 1997
NC - Pollster Controversy News- Observer, Aug 31 , 1997
PA - 'Life Partner' Allowed, Phila Inquirer, Sept 6, 1997
UT - Gay Domestic Violence, Salt Lake Tribune, Aug 22, 1997
UT - Teen Fought School District, Prnewswire, Sept 11, 1997
WI - Non-Traditional Family, (Dubuque Iowa) TelegraphHerald, Aug 31, 1997

Page4

THE CONNECTICUT CALENDAR
OCTOBER, 1997
October 4, Sat- Seventh Annual AID SWALK to benefit AIDS
Project Hartford, Bushnell Park, Hartford, 10:30 AM.
Please call 860-951-4833 for pledge sheet, and further
information.
October 4, Sat- The Connecticut Stonewall Congress presents
Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Future: A
Proud LGBT Culture, an all-day workshop in honor of
Lesbian and Gay History Month, Mather Hall, Trinity
College. Registration $5.00, optional box lunch $5.00.
Call 860-296-7254 for info.
October 5, Sun - The AIDS Project of Greater Danbury annual
walkathon starting at Danbury's City Center Green at
8: 30 am. For pledge sheets or more info, call APCTD at
203-778-24737.
October 5, Sun - The Connecticut Gay and Lesbian Film
Festival presents Gay USA and Pride Divide, two films
that show how our gay and lesbian past has brought us to
where we are today. At Cinestudio on the Trinity Campus, 1: 30 pm.
October 5, Sun - Maxie's Cafe presents a tag sale to benefit the
Waterbury Health Dept.'s AIDS Client Services. Starts
10:00 am, rain or shine, 2627 Waterbury Road,
Thomaston. For more information call 203 574-1629
after 7 pm, or e-mail: SMl l l2@aol.com.
October 5, Sun - "Autumn Affair" a party to benefit the
Committee for the Defense of Classroom Tolerance,
Redding Ridge, 3 - 6 pm. Don Pippin will be at the piano
and Marie Santell will sing. Attendance limited to first 75
people. For information call 914-279-7785.
October 8, Wed- Author/activist Larry Kramer speaks at the
New Haven Gay & Lesbian Community Center's Town
Meeting, 270 Temple St, New Haven, 7-9 pm (no
charge), followed by a reception at 168 York St. Cafe,
New Haven ($35 members, $50 non-members, to benefit the NHGLCC). For more information, call 203-7777780.
October 11, Sat -National Coming Out Day!
October 16, Thurs -Author/activist Larry Kramer and author
Gabriel Rotella will speak at the University of Connecticut, Stamford (MPR Room) at 7 pm. Sponsored by the
Women's Studies Program at U Conn/Stamford, the topic
for discussion will be ''The Gay Nineties: AIDS & Gay
Rights in the fin de siecle."
October 17, Fri-Connecticut Gay Men's Chorus performs at
the University of Connecticut, Storrs, co-sponsored by
Uconn's Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Association, in honor
of Gay Awareness Month. Call 1-800-644-CGMC for
information.

October 22, Wed-Auditions for the musical "Pageant," 7
pm, at the Norwalk Community and Technical College. Come prepared to perform two songs and dance.
October 25, Sun - TCC's Lesbian Literature Group will visit
the Herstory Archive in Brooklyn, NY. Everyone is
welcome to join. For info call Sharon 203-855-9951.
October 30, Thurs - Connecticut Gay Men's Chorus performs a benefit for The Connecticut AIDS Residence
Coalition at the Lincoln Theater, Hartford. Call 1800-644-CGMC for details.
October 31, Fri - The New London People's Forum's
Outrageous Halloween Party. Call 860-443-8855 for
more information and directions.
October31-November 2, Fri- Sun-A Weekend With Our
Brothers, a chance to experience community, growth
and celebration with other men on a large and playful
scale. One hundred men share a Berkshire camp for a
weekend of relaxation and new friendships. Call 617247-3964 for more information.
NOVEMBER, 1997
November 6, Thurs - the connecticuT View presents "Boys
Will Be Girls," a fun filled female impersonator show
and dinner at the North Country Inn and Restaurant,
New Milford. Cash bar at 7 pm, dinner at 8 pm, show
at 9:30 pm. Buffet dinner and show $35, show only
$15. The show will benefit Pediatric AIDS - Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Mail checks payable to
"the connecticuT View" % Denise Mason, PO Box
2281, Devon, CT 06460 or e-mail: masonD@aol.com
for more information.
November 18, Tues - The Gathering, an informal social for
gays and lesbians,cocktails and hors d'oeuvres served,
third Tuesday of each month, 7: 30 - 10: 00 pm, at The
Bistro Cafe (second floor), 31 Bank Street. New
Milford. Call Ted at 860-350-1469 or John at 860354-9211 for more info.

FIND MARIANNE SEGGERMAN!
From Ethan Green's Comic Strip, "The Unfabulous .... "

October 21, Tues -Auditions for the musical "Pageant," 7 pm,
at the Norwalk Community and Technical College. Come
prepared to perform two songs and dance.
October 21, Tues -The Gathering, an informal social for gays
and lesbians with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, third
Tuesday of each month, 7: 30 - 10 pm, at The Bistro Cafe
(second floor), 31 Bank Street. New Milford. Call Ted
860-350-1469 or John 860-354-9211 for info.
October 1997

Page5

T NEWS & VIEWS
YEAR IN REVIEW

- Several studies confirm lesbians make good mothers. - IL court
strengthens lesbian adoption/custody in state. - Court strengthens Chicago's anti-discrimination law - Court upholds New
Jersey gay civil rights law.

SEPTEMBER, 1997

MARCH,

Oak Park IL enacts domestic partnership registry. - Birmingham
ABC station gives in and runs Ellen's coming out episode. - "In
The Life" has 5th Anniversary.

Alaska court grants DP benefits for University of Alaska. First
US Senator grants DP benefits for staffers. Bank of America announces DP benefits. - St. Louis enacts DP
registry. -NY court expands gay parents' adoption rights. - West
Hollywood, CA elects gay majority to city council. - Number of
gay-straight clubs at high schools up over l 0 times from 5 years
ago. - Gay/Lesbian liaison to President gets status boost to
"Special Assistant."

AUGUST,

1997

LAPD forced to pay$$ for anti-gay harassment. - For Better or for
Worse with gay subplot runs in 1000+ papers nationwide. Chicago to spend 2 million on gay neighborhood. - Focus on
Family co-founder apologizes to gays. - More gay characters on
TV than ever, GLAAD reforts. -American Psychological Association condemns anti-gay 'therapy." - Anti-Discrimination Initiative makes Washington ballot
Florida court OKs lesbian adoption.
}ULY,

1997

Virginia court OKs lesbian adoption. - Evanstan IL expands antidiscrimination ordinance. - Episcopalians apologizes for mistreating gays. - Well-Fargo adds DP benefits. - Union Bank adds DP
benefits. - Over half of Fortune 500 companies now offer DP
benefits. - Ellen receives 5 Emmy nominations. - Clinton has highlevel meeting with gay activists. - Delaware enacts hate crimes law
including sexual orientation. - Gay and lesbian weddings OKed at
Harvard chapel. - Gay and lesbian youth conference in SF largest
ever. - Federal court strikes down ban on gays in US military (it is
under appeal). - Montana court strikes down state's sodomy law.
- Nearly 2/3 of US states have struck down their sodomy laws. Connecticut bans anti-gay discrimination in school system. Hawaii statewide DP registry/benefits take effect.
}UNE,

1997

Pride month ends, over 50 US celebrations with several million
participants make it largest ever. - Clinton issues pride proclamation, first ever from US President. - Ohio court rules sexual
orientation should not affect adoptions. - Florida court upholds
lesbian "pre-nuptial" agreement. - New Hampshire enacts statewide anti-discrimination bill protecting gays. - Colorado antimarriage bill vetoed for 2nd tune. - Los Angeles unified school
district adds DP plan. - City of New Orleans adds DP benefits. Blue-Cross, Hea.lthNet and PacificCare add DP coverage to
insurance plans. - Historic San Francisco Domestic Partner benefits law goes into effect.
MAY,

1997

Anti-marriage bills die in conservative Texas and Nebraska. - Santa
Barbara, CA gains DP registry. - Maine enacts statewide antidiscrimination law protecting gays. - DNC announces DP benefits. - University of Washington adds DP benefits. - St. Petersburg Times adds DP benefits. - City of Chicago adds DP benefits.
- Wisconsin court upholds Madison anti-discrimination ordinance. - Chevron Oil adds DP benefits. - Northern CA's major
utility company adds DP benefits. - Alabama ban on gay school
clubs struck down.
APRIL,

1997

"Ellen" becomes first gay prime time lead, wins time slot. -Arizona
enacts hate crimes bill protecting gays. - RI, WA, CA, LA antimarriage bills all fail. - Catholic Church calls homophobia a sin,
says celibate gays are "holy''. - Michigan man awarded 10 million
in gay bashing suit. - Gay candidates win municipal elections in San
Mateo and Redwood City CA, as well as Oak Park and Erie
Illinois. - SF 49ers become first pro sports team with DP benefits.
October 1997

1997

1997

FEBRUARY,

Christian Coalition denounces bombing of lesbian bar. - US
AIDS deaths drop 27% in past 6 months. - CA court rules
student newspaper may run ad for gay youth group. - MCC
admitted to Ecumenical Council
Washington marriage ban vetoed. - LAPD f~rced to pay$$ for
anti-gay harassment. - Baseball great Al Kaline apologizes for
anti-gay slur.
}ANUARY,

1997

Over 200 municipalities now have laws banning anti-gay discrimination. - Lacey, WA enacts anti-discrimination ordinances
protecting gays. - Tumwater, WA enacts anti-discrimination
ordinances protecting gays. - Cobb County GA rescinds antigay resolution. - Openly gay congressman Kolbe chairs appropriations subcommittee. - Fremon, CA schools ban anti-gay
harassment. - MA jury awards man $1.2 million for anti-gay
discrimination.
DECEMBER,

1996

Denver DP benefits OK'ed by court. - Albuquerque, MN passes
hate crimes law including gays. - Cleveland, OH passes strict
anti-discrimination ordinance protecting gays. - Former VP of
Ford Motors comes out as gay man. - Hawaii judge OKs gay and
lesbian marriages for 2nd time (the case is under appeal). Lesbian gets number 2 job in CA legislature. - Following recent
elections, there are now over 150 openly gay or lesbian officeholders in the United States
NOVEMBER,

1996

Judge overturns Alachua County FL gay rights ban. - Noted
Homophobe Dornan of CA defeated. - 9 million awarded to gay
teenager abused in school. - State employment discrimination
banned by executive order in Illinois. - Episcopal Diocese of
Pennsylvania blesses gay marriages. - Lafayette IN upholds
discrimination ban. - Both openly gay Congressmen easily reelected.
OCTOBER,

1996

Poll shows increasing tolerance for gay parents' rights. - IBM
implements DP benefits. - North Carolina court rules positively
on lesbian couples' a~options. - _Oakland, CA_d_oI_TI:estic par1:11er
registry created. -National Commg Out Day v1s1b1lity at all-time
high. - Maine University system adds DP benefits
SEPTEMBER,

1996

Broward County, FL upholds gay rights ordinance. - Denver
adds DP benefits for city employees. - Atlanta adds DP benefits
for city employees. - Oregon Court rules in favor of DP benefits
for state employees (this case is under appeal) . - Philadelphia
adds DP benefits for city employees.
Page6

T l'IIIIEWS 4 VIEWS
-

NATIONAL NEWS

NEW AIDS WEAPON CREATED
Scientists have created the first virus-killing viruses, cleverly crafted
microscopic missiles that zero in on AIDS-infected cells and
destroy them. The idea is to fight infection with infection. The
newly created viruses target only cells that have already been
captured by HIV. The approach works well in the test tube but has
not been tried yet in people or even in animals.
Ifit works as its developers hope, the technique will stop the AIDS
virus cold by employing a sort of mirror image ofHIV's own sly
tricks for worming its way into cells. What is attractive about the
discovery is how specific it is, Dr. Rissing said. "The mo_re specific,
the fewer the side effects" from the therapy affectmg other,
uninfected cells, Dr. Rissing said .virus the test tube, the reproducing VSV was able to reduce levels of_HIV _to almost ~ro for three
months. This means the treatment 1s unlikely to wipe out HIV,
even ifit works, but it might be used with other medicines to keep
HIV infections from progressing to AIDS.

DESPITE NEW AIDS DRUGS,

MANY LOSE BATTLE

For a few fleeting months last winter, Jerry Roemer was strong and
vital. Though he had been infected with HIV for years, the amount
of deadly virus in his blood had plunged by 98 per~en~, ~he result
of a powerful cocktail of new drugs called protease 111h1b1tors that
brought him back from the brink of death. Seven months later,
Jerry Roemer was buried in a graveyard near his family's Nebraska
farm.
Roemer's death despite the drugs that many thought would be a
magic bullet for AIDS is not an isolated tale. A year and a half after
protease inhibitors came into widespread use in the United States,
the medications seem to be failing 25 percent to 30 percent of the
150,000 people who are using them. For some, the complex
regimen ofthree drugs does not work from the outset. Some people
get sick from the combination therapy. _Some cannot stic~ to the
intricate schedule of a dozen or more pills each day. But increasingly, doctors are seeing people like Roemer - diligen_t,. determined patients who tolerate the drugs and take them rehg1ously,
but for whom the dramatic benefits simply do not last.
While Roemer might have had high hopes for the protease inhibitors, his physician, Dr. Young, did not. All the evidence in~cates
that combination therapy works best for newly infected patients.
The idea is to suppress the virus so that the immune system does not
suffer damage. But in thelexicon of AIDS, Roemer was a "veteran"
with an immune system already seriously compromised. "There are
two pieces to this whole HIV issue," Dr. Young said. "One is trying
to control the virus. But the bigger question is, what do we do with
individuals like Jerry, who have survived the first 10 to 15 years of
the epidemic and are not going to get the optimal response with
these new drugs? How do we restore their immune systems?"

COURT UPHOLDS DISCHARGE
Another federal appeals court has upheld the military's right to
discharge service members for saying they are gay. A decision by the
9th U.S . Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco reversed an
Oak.land federal judge's ruling that California National Guard Lt.
Andy Holmes' discharge was unconstitutional. And it upheld a
Washington court's ruling that the Navy had acted properly in
ending Lt. Richard Watson's service.
Both servicemen had told their commanding officers they were
gay. Under the law, such statements carry a presumption that they
are likely to engage in homosexual conduct unless they try to
disprove it. They didn't. Attorneys argued the policy violated their
free speech right. Beyond that, they argued that the law itself was
unconstitutional because the military's reasons for excluding known
gays and lesbians was fundamentally irrational and based only on
prejudice. The 9th Circuit majority said the government had a
legitimate interest in discharging known gays ... to maintain an
effective military.

October 1997

GAY GAMES FOR

1998

More than 4,500 participants have already pre-registered for the fifth Gay
Games . 200,000 visitors and a record number of 15,000 competitors are
expected in Amsterdam from Aug_u~t 1 through 8, 1998. The schedule for the
1998 Games includes 30 competition sports, 6 demonstration sports and 1
invitation sport (golf). Among the events are ~occer,_ so~ball, squash, ~able
tennis, cycling, billiards, track and field, tenrus, sw1mm!~g, chess, bndge,
ballroom and Latin American dancing, as well as a competltlon for dancers in
wheelchairs, and ice-skating. Rowing and wind-su~ng will be featured for the
first time, and a program of cultural events, includi~g . a storytellin~ festival,
performan~es by mar~hing b~nds and_a variety_o f exhib1t10~. Facilities for the
disabled will be proVIded. TICkets will be available beg1nrung Dec. 1, 1997.
Prices have not been determined.
As of August 1, travelers interested in obtaining information on Gay Games
Amsterdam 1998 can call a new toll free number 1-888-GayGames (l-888429-4263). Callers will receive the Holland & Ga)'. Games Information
Package, including information on official travel providers, web sites, and a
Gay Games pre-registration form.

GAYS ONTO STRAIGHT PATH
Across the country conservative evangelicals are spreading the idea that
homosexuals can be ~ransformed through Jesus Christ. Exodus International,
the largest transformation network, has 100 referral agencies around. the
world. Conservative Christians say, churches ought to help gays and lesbians
find salvation. But transformation ministries are highly controversial, and they
make many people angry.
The medical and psychological and gay community say that transformation
methods don't work. They say that transform~tion groups offer nothing more
than avoidance techniques to keep sexual feelings at bay. Gay Chnstlans and
others who support equal rights for homosexuals are offended by the idea that
they have to be straight to _b~ saved. "~ be~eve if people are gay they're gay,"
said Stan Kirner, a gay Chnst1an who lives in Raleigh. But those who say t~ey
have been transformed insist that society underestimates the power of faith .

CHINESE ADOPTIONS
A growing number ofAmericans are adop~ng Chines~ orphan babies, a Hong
Kong newspaper said. The Sun~ay Morrung P?st s~d demand was so high
that the United States Consulate in the south Chma city of Guangzhou had set
up an adoption u~t s~affed by a State _Department office~ to handle the babies'
immigration apphcat1ons, the first of its kind in~ Ame_ncan overseas m1ss1on.
The adoption process can cost some $15,000, mcluding ~e $3,000 paid_ to
the orphanages in exchange for the child. More than 3,300 infants from China
were expected to be adopted by U.S. citizens in the current fiscal year.
Officials said about 95 percent of the adopted children are girls, abandoned by
parents who preferred to hav~ a boy unde_r C~~~'s one-~hi!d poli~y. Most male
children available for adoption have disab1ht1es. Chinas flexible adoption
policy allows a childless person over 35 to adopt healthy babies and those w~o
are younger can apply for children with disabilities. It also does not \~qmre
them to be married, as many countries do. U.S. officials say that a fair
number'' of homosexuals, mostly women, are adopting children from China.

RETREAT CANCELED
A religious retreat for Catholic parents of gay and lesbian children _has been
canceled by Bishop Edward M. Egan of the Ro~an Cat~ohc Diocese of
Bridgeport. The session had been scheduled for this month ~n Stamford at a
diocesan facility. ''This is going to bring additional confusion and pain to
parents who already feel some of the same alienation from their church that
their children feel when things like this happen," the Rev. Robert Nugent,
retreat leader, said.
According to diocese spokes_mar.i Tom Drohan, Bi~h?P Egan was concerned
about a nine-year-old invest1gat1on of Nugent's ~1rustry ~y Cardinal Adam
Maida ofthe archdiocese ofDetroit. "Because the investigation 1s ongoing, the
bishop spoke to the sisters of Villa Marie (in Stamford) and to _the religious
community at that location and they agreed that because of the investigation
it would not be appropriate to host a retreat," Drohan said.
Nugent and Sister Jeannine Gramick have run the Maryland-based Catholic
Parents Network for the last 25 years. He said more than 50 parents of gay and
lesbian children from Connecticut and around the Northeast had planned to
attend the retreat in early October.

Page 7

T NEWS & VIEWS
GAY IMMIGRANT TO STAY
A gay immigrant in the District of Columbia whom federal immigration authorities tried to deport to his native Malaysia because his
visa had expired, has won an unusual ruling in immigration court
and will be able to remain in the United States. Wan Lee, 44, a
professional massage therapist who lives and works on Capitol Hill,
was granted relief from deportation on the grounds that it would
damage his "mental health" to return to Malaysia, where homosexuality is frowned on and gay people face official harassment.
IMMIGRATION RIGHTS
The British Government is poised to give hundreds of foreign
nationals in homosexual relationships with British citizens the right
to settle in the UK following a Home Office review of immigration
laws . Home Office officials have been reviewing regulations applying to homosexuals, lesbians and live-in lovers since May and an
announcement is expected when Parliament returns in October.
Under current laws foreign nationals in homosexual relationships
with British citizens have no automatic right to remain in the UK.
The law applies to people from states outside the European Union
and also includes people in heterosexual relationships. Overseas
nationals wanting to live in Britain must prove they are legally
married, or intend to become so within a reasonable period. The
current laws relating to gay relationships are similar to those in
many other countries, including America.

CALL FOR SINGERS
St. Paul's Episcopal Church,
Norwalk
Splendid Repertoire of Traditional Music
Welcoming and Inclusive Congregation
For additional information or auditions call:
Bill Voetberg, Music Director, (203) 847-7250

TRIVIA
ANSWER TO SEPTEMBER
Herb Mose's lover (10 years this August - Happy
Anniversary!) is Barney Frank, who is on the Banking subcommittee which oversees FEMA. Frank
cannot be covered under his lover's health plan
because of conflict of interest.

QUESTION FOR OCTOBER
About five years ago, a lesbian couple's home was
featured on th~ cover of the bi~ual Home Design
section of the ~ew York Times. They have managed
a very specialized store in downtown Manhattan, at
least since the early 70's. What is the product they
sell?

P-FLAG SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AT

TCC

"Big" Monthly Meeting: Every 1st Wednesday, 7:45
Spouses and Ex Spouses group: Every 3rd Thurs. 7:30

October 1997

~ STATE BY STATE NEWS
HA -

INS. Co. Ams CouPLES

As head of an agency trying to help same-sex couples obtain insurance
benefits under Hawaii's new reciprocal benefits law, Dr. Robert Jenkins has
seen discrimination firsthand . With a colorful rainbow as its logo, Hawaiibased Pride Insurance & Financial Services Inc. opened for business this
summer, just as the new law - the nation's first - came into effect, giving
couples who can't legally marry a taste of the married life. The law grants any
adult couple who can't legally marry about 45 of the 400 legal benefits of
marriage.
A major provision of the law grants insurance benefits to same-gender
couples. So all summer, Jenkins and his nine employees have been on the
hunt for companies that will help gays and lesbians who want to sign up for
joint life, health and homeowners' insurance. So far, they've found 16 in the
entire nation. The number is small, but it's enough of a start, Jenkins said.
Pride Insurance, which is opening offices in Los Angeles, San Diego and San
Francisco, also helps same-sex couples in other states and countries apply to
become reciprocal beneficiaries under the Hawaii law, which has no
residency requirement. Having that document can help couples get domestic partnership benefits at work, get hospital visitation rights when a partner
is sick, and other benefits, Jenkins said.

IL -

REGISTRY APPROVED

Officials in the first community in Illinois to approve local registry for samesex couples, said it will take at least a month to draw up the forms and
establish procedures. Residents of Oak Park will have to pay a $50 fee and
prove they have lived together for at least six months before they can register
as a same-sex couple in the village hall. It is a largely symbolic move, because
Illinois does not recognize gay marriages .

KY - PROTECTION

DENIED

For the third time in five years, the Fairness Amendment, a proposal
designed to protect the citizens of Louisville against discrimination based on
sexual orientation, has been defeated by the board ofaldermen (city council) .
The vote followed weeks of frenzied activity within the city as the Fairness
Campaign blanketed the city with bright blue and gold signs saying "Fairness
Does A City Good." Fairness leaders were heartened by the fact that many
of the signs sprouted in neighborhoods traditionally considered conservative. In response, religious right opponents filled churches with pamphlets
replete with misinformation about gays and lesbians, much ofit based on the
discredited research of Paul Cameron. They also developed a counter-slogan
seen in the last days of the debate: "Morality Does A City Better."

MA - ABUSE IN GAY PARTNERS
Gay victims of domestic abuse make up a large population but attract little
mainstream attention, according to Curt Rogers, executive director of the
Gay Men's Domestic Violence Project. The nonprofit agency conducted a
survey in June of 2,000 gay men in Boston and found that one in four had
been a victim of domestic violence - about the same number as for
heterosexual women.
Rogers' agency, which focuses on education about gay domestic abuse,
hopes to open a shelter for gay men by the end ofl 998. The most important
hurdle in fighting gay domestic abuse, much like in heterosexual domestic
abuse, is publicizing the problem so victims know they are victims, Rogers
said. A poster recently commissioned by the Fenway program, which
provides counseling for gay, lesbian and bisexual victims of violence, reads:
"Contrary to popular belief, straight people do not have a monopoly on
abusive relationships ."

MA -

GAY ADOPTION

Suffolk Probate and Family Court judge has overturned a decision he made
a year ago and will allow a lesbian couple to forgo a Department of Social
Services investigation before one of the women adopts her partner's 2-yearold boy, legally making both of them parents. In 1996, the couple was
ordered to undergo a DSS home study, which is required in cases involving
adoption of a child under the age ofl4. However, family court judges have
discretion to waive the investigations, when one of the petitioners is a
biological parent.
Page8

Property of the Center

T NEWS & VIEWS
Ml -

GAY Poucy DROPPED

Wayne-Westland school officials are dropping a policy protecting gay
students and staff from harassment or discrimination, only months after
they overwhelmingly embraced the controversial provision in January.
Board President Debra Fowlkes said that the sexual orientation protection
policy isn't needed. She said that existing·codes of conduct and state law
already protects students. Still, critics wonder why the district bothered
adopting any changes in the first place - if sexual orientation already was
truly protected.
Former board President Trish Brown, a lesbian, said the school board is
"caving'' in to angry parents and others who believe the district was catering
to gays and lesbians. Fowlkes said Brown proposed a series of sexual
orientation amendments to the local school code in January. She said the
board was "hoodwinked" and voted in the changes without really understanding why. "Dumb us," she said.

MN - CONDOM

MAN

Every Wednesday through Sunday, mild-mannered Pete Glaser, 37, a
movie projectionist, takes on the identity of Condom Man, a superhero to
the Twin Cities gay community, wandering from place to place, primarily
gay bars, with his 25-pound box that's held up by M-16 rifle straps wrapped
around his shoulders. He does Tai Chi to keep his body flexible and resoles
his shoes three or four times a year, but his real energy comes from an
unwavering commitment to spreading the word about safe sex - as well
as 100,000 contraceptives a year.
Glaser's work is funded by the Minnesota AIDS Project, which operates on
private donations and state money. In the past, the organization set up
tables at gay clubs, offering brochures and bowls of condoms. "We'd get
three to seven people to come up. Now I talk to 30 or 50 people a night."

NB -

PASTOR UNITES LESBIANS

The Rev. Jimmy Creech, pastor of First United Methodist Church says he
will perform a commitment ceremony for two lesbians at his church. He
said the ceremony, his first since his appointment a year ago, will go
forward even though Nebraska United Methodist Bishop Joel Martinez
has made it plain that Creech will face disciplinary action if he proceeds.
Although the United Methodist Church supports the civil rights of
homosexuals and has committed itself to minister to gays and lesbians, it
also says that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian
teachings. In 1996, itfrohibited pastors from conducting ceremonies that
celebrate homose).."Ua unions and from allowing such ceremonies to be
performed on church property. "This is a very simple event in the life oftwo
people who love each other dearly and want to make a commitment within
the context of their faith," Creech said.

NY -

RABBIS SuE MusEUM

Sixteen Orthodox Jewish rabbis have filed a lawsuit to stop the opening of
a new Holocaust museum in Manhattan. The suit, filed in federal court,
says the Museum ofJewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
offends the beliefs of Orthodox Jews because it includes an exhibit
honoring gays and lesbians who were persecuted by the Nazis.
The rabbis are angry over "the elevation of homosexuals to the martyred
status of the six million Jews," who died in the Holocaust, said Rabbi
Yehuda Levin

NC -

RECRUITER BANS LIFTED

Law schools at Duke and the University ofNorth Carolina at Chapel Hill,
under the threat of reduced federal student aid, have reversed their policies
of banning military recruiters. Both law schools had refused to allow
interviews at their schools as a symbolic stand against the military's "don't
ask, don't tell," policy regarding gays and lesbians, which the schools
viewed as discriminatory.
The schools changed their policies this week to comply with interpretations
of a federal law called the second Solomon Amendment. The amendment
was enacted by Congress last year and bars federal funding of any school
or department that does not allow military recruiters on its premises. At
Duke, between $500,000 and $600,000 was at stake, mainly in federal
student loans.

October 1997

PA -

LIFE PARTNER EPITAPH

Three. years after her death, Cynthia Lynn Friedman will get the
headstone epitaph she wanted, according to an out-of-court settlement. Friedman, who was a lesbian, will now have the phrase
"beloved life partner'' as part of her epitaph. A dispute about those
words, and who legally had the right to compose the epitaph, led to
a lawsuit in April in U .S. District Court in Philadelphia.
Friedman died of cancer on Oct. 3, 1994, at the age of 35 . Sherry
Barone, Friedman's partner, paid for the burial and sued the cemetery
for not honoring its contract with her by refusing to inscribe the
headstone the way that Barone said Friedman had wished. Ann
Moskowitz, presidentofHar Jehuda Cemetery in Upr,er D_arby, said
Friedman's parents threatened to sue the cemetery if their epitaph
version was not followed. William and Judith Friedman insisted that
their daughter gave them instructions about what the inscription
should say.
Abbe Fletman, a Philadelphia lawyer also representing Barone, said
that, "Sherry Barone had power of attorney, was the executor of the
will and paid for the cemetery plot with her own check, an1 was still
denied the right to determine the epitaph of her companion of 13
years."

UT -

TEEN SUICIDE

A Memorial Fund has been set up in response to the tremendous
outpouring of grief and anger ove~ a gay ~tah high school student's
tragic death. Jacob Orozco took his own life reportedly ~y hangmg
himself in his mother's home after a two-year battle agamst school
district apathy toward gay and lesbian students' needs. Along with
school mates at East High School in Salt Lake City, Jacob had formed
a Gay-Straight Student Alliance, a support organization for students
dealing with issues related to teen sexuality and homophobia. Recently, the school board had reportedly placed additional financial
obstacles in the way of the group meeting.
Jacob was slated to become the next president of the East High
School Gay-Straight Alliance. The Alliance gained public attention in
1996 when its straightforward quest to provide support to kids in
need was met by a wave ofhomophobia in the Utah State Legislature.
Effectively condemning these kids, the Salt Lake City School District
banned the meeting of ALL extra-curricular activity groups during
public school hours rather than permit the Gay-Straight Alliance to
meet.

WI -

FAMILY LIFE

Isaac Morgan-Meckelberg is a happy, healthy, farm-grown Wisconsin toddler. Two year old Isaac is the child of two loving parents who
carefully planned for his arrival. And, in approximately seven months,
Isaac will be joined by a sibling. Isaac's parents, Becky MorganMeckelberg and Deb Meckelberg, a lesbian couple, aclcnowledge
they aren't a traditional family. But they are convinced their son is
thriving in an environment filled with caring aunts, uncles; grandparents and friends.
Although Becky, 38, and Deb, 41, were united by a Lutheran
minister in a private ceremony at Becky's parents' home, their union
is not recogruzed by Wisconsin laws and their parenting arrangement
is unusual as well. The couple credit their attorney for helping them
sort through the legal maze of family law that frequently works
against homosexual couples. Deb is listed in Isaac's birth certificate
as his mother, and Becky is the boy's legal guardian. No father is
listed, and the couple agree that Isaac does not have a father.
The couple's decision to have a child is not one without consequences . When Becky and Deb went to their church to have Isaac
baptized, they were turned away. ''The minister wouldn't baptize
him," Becky said. "He told us we weren't Christian." The couple left
that church and joined a Lutheran church in Lancaster that welcomed
the family into the congregation. There they met an older couple who
immediately became surrogate grandparents to Isaac. Surprisingly,
the women have found friends where they least expect them.

Page9

T NEWS & VIEWS
TRAVEL NEWS
THREE WINTER STEALS
Three popular summer destinations - the San Juan Islands, Saugatuck,
and Provincetown - offer big savings for visitors who are willing to
brave cooler temperatures. By visiting resorts like these in November
instead ofJuly, you can avoid the crowds, save some money, and gain
a different perspective on some of America's most alluring sights.
In summer legions of tourists line up daily to catch a ferry out to the
San Juan Islands, a serene archipelago near Seattle with some of the
most dramatic scenery in the Pacific Northwest. While this is the most
popular time to visit, late fall and winter present a refreshing contrast.
The crowds are few and locals are more willing to stop and say hello
or offer hiking and sightseeing advice to curious visitors. Best of all,
the rainy weather that puts a damper on Seattle from fall through
spring generally misses the San Juan Islands. Even in the dead of
winter, the temperature rarely dips below 40 degrees and the sun
appears for at least part of most days.
Lesbians and gays have a presence on each of the San Juan's major
islands, but Lopez seems to draw a higher concentration of"family."
This largely agrarian community of rolling green pastures - the
landscape is often compared with Scotland's - is quiet and romantic
year-round, with zero nightlife and only a smattering of shops and
restaurants. In the off-season,your options are even more limited, but
if you and your honey yearn for a secluded respite from city living, you
can't beat this emerald isle. Two of the region's best gay-friendly
accommodations are on Lopez Island. The Inn at Swifts Bay remains
so popular, its rates stay constant even in winter; guests don't seem to
mind, as they take advantage of the luxurious rooms and hearty
gourmet breakfasts. Last year, the Lopez Farm Cottages opened
nearby; these rustic but modernly equipped cabins have fireplaces and
kitchenettes and rent for just $90 (compared with the usual $125) offseason. Nearby Orcas Island is much busier than Lopez, and also has
several more restaurants and the best hiking, kayaking, and biking in
the San Juans. Here the Windsong B&B, an elegant converted 1917
schoolhouse, drops its winter rates from to about $95.
If you've got the winter blues in the Midwest, consider a jaunt to the
region's only true gay getaway, the neighboring Lake Michigan
communities of Douglas and Saugatuck. While these sophisticated
but easy-going hamlets endure the same brisk winters common in
nearby Chicago and Detroit, the picturesque setting helps take the
chill off the air. The owners of the gay-friendly Kirby House, a
dramatic Queen Anne mansion, note
that many oftheir guests book romantic fireplace rooms or relax in the
outdoor hot tub - a nice way to end a day of cross-country skiing. Like
most inns around here, the Kirby House drops its rates by 10 to 20
percent off season. Other popular accommodations include the
Moore's Creek Inn - a century-old farmhouse - and the Douglas
Dunes Resort, a much larger and newer compound that's without the
intimacy of a B&B but with the area's only gay disco, cocktail bar,
cabaret, and restaurant.
As for Provincetown, Massachusetts, a small but committed minority
don't mind the windy raw winters and prefer not to deal with the
intense summer crowds. Of course, they also visit at thjs time to take
advantage of the terrific deals offered by many guest hbuses. The posh
Brass Key is one inn that usually shuts down during the most brutal
winter months - January through March. In the late fall and early
winter, however, this first-rate mixed-gay/lesbian complex slashes its
rates to $75 on weekdays and $125 on weekends, which is as much
as 50% lower than its summer prices. Another of the island's premier
mixed gay/lesbian properties, the Beaconlite, drops rates ranging
from $80 to $175 in summer to $55 to $145 in the fall; this guest
house remains open through the winter, when their rates plummet to
between $45 and $110. Gabriel's, one of the best lesbian resorts, also
stays open year-round, with rates dropping about 40 percent in the
winter. While many restaurants close in the off-season, several of the
good ones, including Napi's, the Martin House, and Gallerani's, stay
open all or most of the winter. For nightlife, the popular Atlantic
House also draws a queer crowd year-round.

October 1997

MEN'S WEEKEND
The Fifth Annual Single Men's Weekend in Provincetown will run from
Thursday, November 6 through Sunday November 10. This is an unique
opportunity to have fun, to learn some~hing new, to meet a husband and
to enjoy the off season charm of Provmcetown with hundreds of other
single gay men.
The activities begin Thursday evening with check-in and a group Pizza
Party from 7-10 pm. Friday's day-long "Finding Mr. Right!" program
($25 fee) was such a huge success last year nationally renowned psychologist and workshop leader Dr. Larry Harmon will be back.
Saturday and Sunday, will be filled with scheduled workshops, tours, and
classes with time left for shopping, strolling, eating and relaxing. There will
be dance parties, two stepping, a talent contest, entertainment and receptions for the evenings. On Sunday night there will be a group dinner/
theater show at the Lobster Pot restaurant.
Make your reservations now and you'll be able to enjoy all that Single Men's
Weekend has to offer! Your $50 weekend registration fee includes over 50
different workshops covering like: Dating & Intimacy, Body Building &
Massage, Spirituality, Support Groups, Relationships, P-town Real Estate, Astrology, Cooking and more!

Page JO

f

TRIANGLE COMMUNITY CENTER, INC.
P.O.BOX 4062, East Norwalk, CT 06855
Tel/Fax: (203) 853-0600
e-mail TCCenter@aol.com

~er
~r,

;c.;

Restaurant
L'Abbee

I.
0~

/j~itality ~

"Excellent" ... New York Times
Fine Dining in a friendly and relaxed
atmosphere with a menu that truly
expresses the Art of the kitchen
by Chef Kimberly Robbins.

Your Hosts: Paul L' Ahhee
Bill Johnson
62 Main Street
New Canaan, CT

(203) 972-6181

OTHER AREA CROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Bare & Gay (B&G) gay nudists
(860) 644-4305
Bisexually Curious Support Group Bpt
(203) 264-5605
Chiltern Mountain Club
(203) 899-0270
Connecticut Kids and Families
(203) 256-8414
Connecticut Freedom to Marry Coalition
(203) 791-9553
40-Up Club. (Social Grp.-call Dale before 10pm) (203) 261-4019
Gay Fathers Group
(203) 866-7051
Gay Mens Association of Danbury
(203) 778- 7016
GEMS (Mature GLBT)
(860) 688-1881
Guideline (gay/lesbian phone info)
(203) 366-3734
Hartford Community Center
(203) 724 5542
Married Men's Bisexual Suppt Grp Htfd
(203) 262-1555
Metropolitan Community Church
(203) 389-6750
The Loft, White Plains NY,
(914) 948-4922
Triangle Bowling League
(203) 931-8789
Triangle Kids
(203) 255-6229
(203) 323-6278
Western Connecticut Gay Men's Group
(203) 773-9947
We're glad to list your non-profit gay/lesbian/bi/tg group free of charge.
Call (203) 964-1133. Please keep us informed of changes.

D~dline fo, lhe novembe, Rew,le-He-, will b•
lalu,day 11 Oclobe,. We- cannol 9ua,anlH lhal
male-,ial ,e-ceived after lhal dale- 111ill be- include-d
in novembe, Rew,&Yiew,.
October 1997

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
DON BUXTON ...................... ......... President
DA VE CARROLL .. ......... ....... ......... Vice-President
BARB SCHADE ... ........................... Treasurer
LEN HOREY ................................... Corresponding Secretary
DAVE CARROLL ..... ....... .. ... .. ........ Acting Recording Sec'y
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOHN DEL VECCHIO
DON BUXTON
CHRISTIN.E BISCEGLIE
LEN HOREY
BARB SCHADE
DENYSE BURKE
JOHN WALLACE
DAYID CARROLL
STANDING COMMITTEES
TomM
AIDS Liaison
Board Development
Vacant
John D
Communications
-Public Relations
MikeC
John W
Finance
Fundraising/Sp Events
Michael P
ChristineB
Member~hip
Denyse B
-Member Database
Marianne S
Operations
Cindy M
(and to schedule events at the Center)
Program
Dave C
-Resource Room
Walter D
--Center Forums
Marianne S
Volunteer
Vacant

374-6934
334-3822
375-3567
261-7349
866-6993
847-8476
367-3911
222-8294
595-9799
838-1881
374-6934
222-8294

9{,'EWS & 'V1'EWS
Is published monthly by
Triangle Community Center, Inc.
P.O. Box 4062, East Norwalk, CT 06855.
NEWS & VIEWS encourages its readers to submit materials of interest
to our community, including short articles, letters to the editor, etc. We
cannot respond to, or publish, anonymous letters. We reserve the right
to edit or condense as appropriate to meet space requirements. Authors
will be contacted if major revisions are necessary. Please submit to :

NEWS&VIEWS
Michele Stone: Editor & Adv. Mgr.
P.O. Box 8185
Stamford, CT 06905
Phone/Fax 964-1133
e-mail: NewsViews2@aol.com

John Delvecchio: Asst Editor
Phone: 203-334-3822
Mike Collins: Publicity
Phone: 203-375-3567

FOR ADVERTISING RATES CONTACT MICHELE STONE:
Ads must be camera-ready. If your ad is not camera
ready or you need help with its layout or design,
contact Michele Stone BEFORE submission. Inserts
and special sizes upon prior agreement. All ads are
placed on a space available basis.

The publication of the name of any person or organization in articles or
advertisements in NEWS & VIEWS is not to be construed as any indication of
the sexual orientation of such persons or members of such organizations .
The appearance of advertisements in NEWS & VIEWS does not imply nor
constitute endorsement by TCC,lnc.
Copyright 1997 by Triangle Community Center, Inc. All rights reserved. This
work, or any parts thereof, may not beused or reproduced in any manner without
written pennission.

Page 11

T NEWS & VIEWS

~Stephanie's Living Room, Inc.

Presenting quality dances for women who do not like
the bar scene... Come and med new friends.

November Dance
Sat. Nov 8, 8 pm $10
Ramada Inn. Stratford, CT
1-95 North, Exit 30

For more information call: (203) 377-2119

Bryan Costello

212•382•5176
Investments
Pensions
Insurance
The abo,e-namM indlvldll4ls an N!gistl!red rtpresentati,es of EQ Financial
Consu/zants, /11c. (212 641-7.l()()), a brolcerkuakr alld lll,n1me11t a,Mser, and agellls
of The Equitable life Assurancl! Soclny of the U,rill!d Slatu (NY, NY 10104). The
abo>e-11amtd lndlvldr,aJ also ojfen traditional aNI variable insr,rance aNI annultu$
of Equitable, and of ov,r fifty odier companies through EquiSource.
AGE-97-.'i87 Exp.(6/98)

Massage Uonneution

NICHOLAS LANG, MS, NCC
Counseling & Psychotherapy Services
Specializing in Sexual Orientation,
Loss, Relationship, & HIV-related Issues.

New Haven Office
200 Orchard St.
789-0560, Ext. 4

Wilton Office
387 Danbury Road
847-1094

PAUL D. SCHNEIDER
Attorney at Law
PO Box 4Sl
Southport, CT 06490-0451
203/lSS-SSl0
Adoption
Child Custody Divorce
Partnership Agreements

Our Families Matter

THRESHOLD
MORTGAGE COMPANY

• Specializing in professional Swedish
massage
• By appointment only - Day or evening
• Student discounts available
• Home visits available

1-800-611-6041
Office located in the New Haven area

~ MEMBER OF THE
~ INTERNALTIONAL

1JIJI JI

1
MASSAGE ASSO. . . . . CIATION

October 1997

PATRICK WINTERS
LOAN OFFICER
THRESHOLD MORTGAGE
COMPANY
THRESHOLD COMMON
59 WILTON ROAD
WESTPORT, CT 06880
OFFICE (203) 454-0525
TOLL FREE (800) 562-5577
FAX (203) 454-0069
HOME (203) 256-5951
EMAIL pkw@thresholdmtg.com

• Sp1icializing in residential hom1i mortgages in •'airlfold r.ounty
• r.apabhi or handling all loan scenario's from a$60,000 condo in
Stamford to a$1,000,000 home in Greenwich
• Consistent top producing loan omc1ir for over ten years with a
wealth of knowltidge and exp1irienc1i
In 1.9.95, 1'hmsh1J/r/J/1Jt1/fa!ft! was titf!r! as 1h11 trip pmrlutin!fm11rfJ/ilfll!
companJ harin!fdfls11rl 11r11r SI15, IJIJD, IJIJIJ in !flans in l'aidif!lrl C,1unlJ
Page 12

T NEWS 4 VIEWS
Horticultural Botanist
Gardener & House I Pet Sitter

(20S) 256-4565
(800) 628-7209
FAX: (203) 256-1759

jnemis@aol.com

Donald J. Comes
(203) 866-2823
~

30 Tiemey Street

Norwalk, CT 06851

JOANN ATTWOOD NEMIS
VICE PRESIDENT / INVESTMENTS

JANNEY MONTGOMERY SCOTT, INC.
MEMBERS NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE AND OTHER PRINCIPAL EXCHANGES

2150 POST ROAD. FAIRFIELD, CT 06430

SAUGATUCK COUNSELING CENTER

Individual, Couple, Family &: Group Therapy
Specializing in:

Weddings • Comittment Cefebiations
and "Coming-Out" Patties

KURT SPERLING, L.C.S. W.

76 Lake Avenue • Danbury, CT 06810

Tel: 730- 1400 • Fax: 798-9611

Joan w. Duncan, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist
188 Scribner Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06854
Tel/Fax (203) 854-4805

225 MAIN STREET, LL! • WESTPORT, CT 06880 • 203.454.1549

LEADING
HOMES.Iii]
MICHAEL

T.

PAVLICIN

SOUTH.-ORT, CONNECTICUT 06490

FAX/255-3705 HOME/866-6993

203/255-2278

leadhome3@aol.com

VICTORIA

Laura L Gates, MSW, LCSW

1169 Sylvan Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06606
(203) 372-9799
(203)ZIB41V14

T.

FERRARA

ATTORNEY AT LAW

Individuals, Couples, and Families
7-11 South Broadway, Suite 400
White Plains, NY 10601
(203) 372-9799
(203) 3T!Mi40A!

IUALTOR"

772 KINGS HIGHWAY WEST

EXCWSIVE BUYER AGENT

BROKER

Specializing in Women & Couples

[B

THE BUYERS REAL EsTATE COMPANY

(203) 227-9585

WESTPORT, CT
ADMITTED IN CT AND NY

You, conl,ibulio111 lo neuv& YiHV-MUUt ooini&11twhcalJJff-l
,e,ulll. faK you, oopy lo lh• NilOI al (tos, 914-ll lJ o, e-fflOlnl Ii ·
October 1997

Page 13

Maria C. Castillo, MSW, LCSW

AlDS PROJ£CT

Individual, Couples, and Family Therapy
Recovery from Abuse

SERV1'NG TH£ 'NEEDS Of
TH£ HIV/AIDS COMMVNlTV 1N:
NORWALK

Bilingual

(203) ·261-3492
Monroe, CT

MlD-FA1RF1£lD

(203) 336-2708
Bridgeport, CT

ALDIS

WESTPORT
'N£WCANAAN
WILTON
WESTON
&£ASTON
l'ROVJDING CLJ£NT S£RVJC£S AND ADVOCACY

_'11fE_4_6_~-ill_Plom_in_R_~-~---Da-nb_ury_,_CT_06_8_11-*
(203)778•9399

FAX (203)744•1139

Three decades of GAY travel expertise
~ RSVP

[G1I\

MlD-fAJRFIELO AJDS l'ROJ£CT
16 RIVER

ST.

NORWALK. CT ~10
PHONE: (lDJ) j1J-91J1
f'AX: (loJ) ,11-1n1
l'NT£RNET: http:.(/www.mfap.com
E-MAJL: mfo@mfap.com

Diane Hyatt, MSW, CISW
T Solution-oriented short or longer term

JOANNE M. MARINO, C.C.M.H.C., N.C.C.

psychotherapy for Adults and Adolescents,

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

specializing in, but not limited to:
49 Coolidge Avenue
21 STRICKLAND RD .. COS COB, CONN. 06807 (203) 8159-0216

T Depression
T Anxiety

Stamford. CT 06906
(203) 964-184 7
1653 Capitol Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06606

(203) 332-0136

JOSEPH H. SWEENEY, CPA

T Post-Traumatic Stress
T Counseling for Partners & Family
T Specialized Psychotherapy Groups
T Case Consultation
T Clinical Supervision

ATTORNEY-AT LAW

1305 POST ROAD, FAIRFIELD

.
SAUGATUCK COUNSELING CENTER

203/256-3839

Tax Planning, Preparation & Appeals;
Estates & Trusts, Probate Matters,
Real Estate Law; Elder Law; and

Individual, Couple, Family & Group Therapy

-

JOHANNA RAYMAN
M.S. W., L.C.S.W.

Small Business Formations and Assistance
225 MAIN STREET, LL! • WES11'()RT, CT 06880 • 203.454.1549

Support our advertisers! Say
you saw it in News & Views!
October 1997

Page 14

UIIIVilil 1111i111i1fii ji 1m11~[1111JH[11~~~lf•OK

T NEWS & VIE~TT ~

Property of the Center

001 111 370

Support our advertisers!
Say you saw it in News & Views!

~---------------~-----, r:-:-::~-=------------:-----=-=--=-=-====--=----:i
DR. JEANNE E. CASTELLUCCI
CHIROPRACTOR

lraWfrom the inside out.
, a way to look within
•
!

£ while moving

.corward
.,

(914) 939-7752

(203) 622-8266

558 Westchester Ave.
Rye Brook, NY 10573

209 Bruce Park Ave,
Greenwich, CT 06830

New Patients & Emergencies: 1-800-651-4879

DIANW M. RWDHN, M.S.
ART THUAPIST

PO Boxao

FAIRPlll:LD, CT.

08430

Ta:LIFAx: 203J330-1933 - - - - - - -

Serving Greenwich

~

. ,~6~.~,o

iV

c,.ct.'>
~~

Darien.New canaan
and Stamford

MICHAEL D. ROME, Esq.
Marlin and R.ome, LLC
Attorneys-at-Law

888 Washington Blvd.
8th Floor
Stamford CT 06901
(203) 977 -5096
Fax (203) 977 -5460

FREE INITIAL HALF
HOUR CONSULTATION

Eual Estate Transactions
Tazation: Business & Individual
Estate Planning & Probate

Personal l,uur:,,/Accident Law

137 RowaytonAvenue (on the Five Mile River)
ROWAYTON, CONNECTICUT06853
Fax (203) 853-6818
(203) 853-6671

20 Charming Rooms
Peace & Privacy

100 Acres• Pool
Hot Tub• Trails

Michelle C. Loris, Ph.D., Psy.D.
Individual, Couple and Group Therapy

Ct. Lie. MFT

We

C/li bland§ G/nn
P.O. Box 118
Bethlehem, NH 03574
(603) 869-3978

(203) 255-2767
By Appointment

KIM IZZO
175 Purdy Hill Rd.
Monroe, CT 06468
(203) 459-4528

A LESBIAN PARADISE

Jane

w. Griffith,

JD, MBA
Attorney-at-Law

Tax Strategy & Preparation • Real Estate
Estate Planning & Wills • Business Consulting
Interior/Exterior Painting
Wallpaper
Reliable, Dependable

Fully Insured

270AldenAvenue, New Haven, CT06515-2114

Fax 205 / 587-9899

Voice 205 I 589-8614

WHERE ARE WE? The Triangle Community Center Inc. is located at 25 Van Zant Street in Norwalk.
From 1-95, take Exit 16 and go south (from Stamford, turn right; from New Haven, turn left). Continue
south under the railroad bridge and turn right on Van Zant St. (Route 136). 25 Van Zant is a large
condominium office building on the right. TCC is in Suite 7-C on the ground floor, Tel. (203) 853-0600.
October 1997

Page 15

T NEWS & VIEWS
Calendar

October, 199 7

Sun

Mon

Tues

'"

LO

Women's Rap 7:30

15
16
AA 9-10 am
Women's Rap 7:30
Outspoken 4-6
Autumn Affair-Redding
AIDS walkathon-Danbury
Gay Fil Festival-New
Haven
112
AA 9-10 am
OutSpoken 4-6

113
Women's Rap 7:30

119
AA 9-10 am
Outspoken 4-6

ILU

126
AA 9-10 am
Outspoken 4-6

127
Women's Rap 7:30

Wom·en's Rap 7:30

Thu

Wed

I->U
HIV couns 3:30-6:30

I

P-FLAG 7:45

17
HIV couns 3:30-6:30
Lesbian Lit 7:30

14

10
Bi Rap Grp 7:30
T CC Board 7:30
Larry KramerNHGLCC

19
Men 's Rap 7:30

115

116
UConn -Gay NinetiesStamford
Mens' Rap 7:30
P-FLAG Spouses &
Ex-spouses 7:30

ILL

Bi Rap Grp 7:30
TCC Board 7:30
Auditions PageantNCTC

Fri

Sat
l"I
AIDSWALK-Hartford
LGBT workshop-New
Haven

Bowling 9:30
Circle Lanes

Men's Rap 7:30

HIV couns 3:30-6:30

121
HIV couns 3:30-6:30
Fund,Spec Events
7:30
Invest Club 7:30
Auditions PageantNCTC

.,

IL

10
Out & About 6:30-8
Bowling 9:15
Circle Lanes

11
National Coming Out
Day!

118

1/

Bowling 9:15
Circle Lanes
CG MC-Storrs

125
Herstory Archive TripBrooklyn

123
Men's Rap 7:30

IL"I
Bowling 9:15
Circle Lanes

l;jU

Ir1ovem0er 1
1->1
Bowling 9:15 pm
Circle Lanes
NLPF Halloween PartyNew London
Gay Berkshire
Weekend-thru Sun

[ f'!-:::a+h--: --_PI..IAu., lA:16 .........1

ILIS
HIV couns 3:30-6:30

IL~
UConn - "Talking
Lesbian" 7pm,
Stamford
P-FLAG 7:45

TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
GROUPS MEETING AT OR SPONSORED BYTCC
A.A. - Don 762-9964
Bi Rap Group - Peter 838-2806;Robin 358-8391

Men's Rap 7:30
CG MC-Hartford

T

MEMBERSHIP FORM

MEMBERSHIP LISTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL

35+ Womens Pot Luck - Judy 227-7162
Eree Association of Fairfield County - John 268-8858 x304

NAME _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Gay Men's Rap Group - Dave 838-1881; John 926-8971
Gmosaic (People of Color) - not currently active call TCC 853-0600
Lesbian Literature Reading Group - Christine, 847-8476
Out

&

ADDRESS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CrTY _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ STATE _ _ __

About (Gen .X Group) - Jen 736-6417 or Dan 838-2367

Outspoken (Youth) - Barb 259- 8171; Dan 227-1755;

ZIP----

PHONE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

Doug 838-2367
P-FLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians

& Gays) -

Joan 544-8724; Lester 322-5380; Belinda 855-1203

P-FLAG

Spouses

& Ex Spouses

Group - Joan 544-8724

Triangle Bowling League (Circle Lanes, Fairfield) - Lisa 3333113; Roseann931-8789
Women's Rap Group - Chandra 228-8652 ; Linda 866-4598;

CONTRIBUTING MEMBER

$35

CONTRIBUTING HOUSEHOLD

$60

SUPPORTING MEMBER

$125

SPONSORING MEMBER

$250

SUSTAINING/Bus1NESS MEMBER

$500

SPECIAL MEMBER

f'( OUTHISENIOR)

$20

Michele 438- 4465

All

meetings are held at the Center and in the evening unless

otherwise noted.

A $3

donation per person is appreciated with

your participation in activities to help support the Center.

PLEASE MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO :
TRIANGLE COMMUNITY CENTER, INc.
EAST NORWALK, CT 06855

P .0. Box

4062

ATTN: MEMBERSHIP

(203) 853-0600

October 1997

Page 16