HerlandVoice-1994-04-v11-no04_ocr.pdf
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- HerlandVoice-1994-04-v11-no04_ocr.pdf
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April, 1994
SPRING RETREAT
HSR
Roman Nose State Park is the site of the annual Herland
Spring Retreat for Women from May 21toMay23. Featured
entertainers are Miss Brown To You with Mary Reynolds,
l..ousie Golberg, Terri Hoersch, and Elyse Angelo. Other
highlights include the late-night campfire sing-alongs;
discussion groups; the fabulous pot-luck supper; a women's
market with goods from Herland and others; an open-mike
with jokes, poetry, and music; and all the other fun things
that a hundred or so women can dream up. If you've
never been to a Herland retreat or if you've been to most of
the last 14, join us at Roman Nose - it's bound to be an
experiece you won't forget.
Miss Brown To You appeared at the Lone Star Music
Festival in 1991, 1992, and 1993 and have played frequently
at a variety of venues in Oklahoma City. Individually and
collectively, they are respected musicians.
Terri Hoersh begain her career playing in the pop/ rock
clubs in Chicago and has toured extensively in adult
contemporary and country bands. Elyse Angelo has long
been in the vanguard of OKC music. She has played and
toured with several rock and roll bands from Oklahoma
City. Louise Goldberg, influenced by her father, a jazz
pianist, began playing piano as a child and studied classical
and jazz piano. She has appeared with many groups most
notably reggae groups the Street People and the Whale
and the Flea (she has been known to admit publically to
being ''Reggae Louise"). Mary Reynolds has been singing
since she was 18 months old. In the 80' s, she performed
extensively in Greenwich Village and for a time in the Bay
Area. Most recently, she is performing with the Therapy
Sisters of Austin.
Roman Nose State Park is set in western Oklahoma's
red-canyon country just a litte over an hour drive west of
Oklahoma City. Recreational facilities availible in the park
include paths and trails for hiking and mountain biking, a
nine-hole golf course, fishing, and horseback riding. The
group camp has a softball field and volleyball court and
you can bet that where there are lesbians there will be at
least one game so bring what you need to play.
Registration includes a late-evening meal Friday night
and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, the Miss Brown To
You concert and housing in the group camp cabins.
Registration is on a sliding-scale based on income. Please
see the registration form in this issue for details. Concert-only
admission for those not registered at the retreat will be $10.
The group camp has cabins with about 10 bunks each
(remember Girl Sooutor church camp) and bathhouses with
hotwater showers. Women are also welcome to bring tents
andcamponthegroupcampgrounds.TherearenoRVrookups
in the group camp but they are available elsewhere in the park.
Roman Nose also has a lodge for those who would like more
luxurious acromodations. Individuals must make their own
arrangements for lodge rooms or RV hookups.
0
Herland volunteers and Board members gathered on
Sunday, February '2:7, 1994 to set goals for the next three
years. Together we looked at Herland's accomplishments
of the past three years; assessed ourselves as an organization
and the environment in which we operate; agreed on goals
for 1994-1997, and began planning the actions to accomplish
those goals.
When we met in 1991, we set ambitious goals for
ourselves, and were pleased to find in reviewing those
goals last month that we have accomplished much of them.
The mortgage balloon payment, representing a huge sum
of money for us to raise, was met on time. The library and
resources available for purchase have been expanded.
Herland has become more active politically, with rontingents
traveling to Wichita during the siege by Operation Rescue,
to Washington in 1992 for the March for Women's Lives,
and back again to Washington for last year's March on
Washington for Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender Liberation.
The Herland Legal Defense Fund, not even vaguely
visualized during our goalsetting of 1991, was established
and has raised thousands of dollars to aid in lesbian-mother
custody cases. The building has been significantly
renovated; it now boasts a handicap-access ramp, a new
roof, bright new paint outside and attractive landscaping, a
performance deck in the back yard, and two new rooms
salvaged from storage-rooms-from-hell to usefulness. We
have space devoted to a variety of items for sale crafted by
local artisans. (continued on page 6)
Volume 11 Number 4
Herland Sister Resources
NEW THREE-YEAR PLAN
Saturday
April 30,1994
8 f'M - Midniight
Unitarian Church
NW 10th & Dewy
$5 per person
Cash Bar
Purchase tickets
from:
Herland 521-9696
OGLPC 524-2131
For more information see page 3
2312 N.W. 39, OKC, OK 73112
ST. SYBIL
Sybil Ludington, unsung hero of the American
Revolution, is an occasional contributor to this space.
Dear St. Sybil,
Every morning I stumble to the kitchen and even before
I feed the pesky pets or drink a cup of coffee, I pour myself
a huge glass of orange juice. I need the sweet/ sour taste
and healthy feeling to get me going. Please oh please oh
please ~on't t~ll me I have to boycott orange juice now that
the Flonda Citrus Growers Association has hired idiot-ofthe-earth Rush Limbaugh as spokesman.
Fearfully yours,
Ivan O.J. Jones
Dear Ivan,
. Of ~urse you don't ~veto boycott orange juice. You
liked Anita Bryant, you re sure to love Rush Limbaugh.
Buy enough Florida orange juice and be confident of having
~imbaugh to kick around as FCGA spokesman for another
six months - at a cool million dollars per half year.
Go ahead, reinforce that bigotry and idiocy, that blithe
facile stupidity of Limbaugh's that he passes off for humor.
Neve~d that his contempt for women is just slightly less
than his abhor_rence. for lesbians and gays; drink that juice.
Make the Florida Citrus Growers proud of their taste and
judgment. ..
Oh c'mon, Ivan, stop crying. You really can have your juice
and take your business away from the FCGA too. Alternate
OJ possibilities:
1.. Th_e c~ed s~ from Texas. Well, all right, I've never
tried it either, but it must be okay or it wouldn't still be in
the markets, right?
2. Squeeze it yourself, kiddo, from oranges from California,
New Mexico, Ariz.ona, Spain - anywhere but Florida. It
tastes far better than even the best refrigerated not-fromconcentrate OJ, costs less, and takes only minutes more.
3. Buy the kind that is squeezed by the individual
su~~kets, just make sure that they squeeze it from
Califorman, New Mexican, Arizonian, Texian, or Spanish
oranges. Most of them already do, or would be pleased to
do so if you ask them.
Remember, Ivan, withholding your business from
businesses that displease you is as American as freedom of
choice, religious freedom, or the privacy of the bedroom·
and sometimes it is more of a duty than a liberty.
'
So, stay away from Florida citrus, and consider taking
the suggestion of the National Organization for Women:
Flush Rush, drink prune juice.
Fondly,
Sybil
Dear St. Sybil,
Who invented monogamy, and why doesn't it work
anyway?
Despairingly,
Ken Fused
Dear Ken,
Monogamy was a result of natural selection, because
the mother and child unit had a better chance of survival if
2 Berland Voice April, 1994
the otherwise unhampered male remained with them. So
women invented monogamy.
The child of a mated pair whose father remained with
the group had a better chance of survival than the child of a
father who took off following his contribution; so the male
who remained with the mother-child unit had a better
chance of his genes surviving. So maybe men invented
monogamy.
~y doesn't monogamy work anyway? Well, it does
sometimes, of course, if a person really chooses it.
Life for most people in the United States is a series of
choices, large and small. Choose one thing, choose against
another. Watch the NCAA basketball finals, or go outside
and plant a garden. Read to the children, or stick them in
front of the~. Dristan or Coricidin, Coke or Pepsi? Live the
hard fast hfe on the coast, or the easy slower life in
Oklahoma? Gin or vodka in your martini? Olives or
onions?
To tell the truth, Ken, mad sexual passion for one
person only lasts so long - six years max, according to an
aunt of mine who should know; frequently less than that.
Many p~ple, ~ostly of the male persuasion I am compelled
to say, fmd 1t an onerous burden to remain faithful
committed and monogamous after that derangement of th~
soul has passed. A person has to appreciate the alternatives
in order to happily give up that senseless (but oh such a
sensuous, sensual, sensory) pleasure.
And what are the alternatives to indulging in recurring
se~ual novelty? What rewards do fidelity and monogamy
brmg to counteract a lessening of passion and excitement?
Trust, for one. Security, not a small thing, nothing to be
sneered at. Intimacy, real intimacy. Innovation and
Creativity. Trust. Comfort. love. Friendship. Peace and
Harmony, and Trust again.
And so, my dear, some people choose the one, and
others the other. Personally I think that the wise choice is
fidelity and commitment; but still I find it hard to fault
those p~ple who choose the other, provided they are
honest with themselves and their partners. The main
problem I see with that choice is that in the times in which
you are living, in what you are pleased to call the twentieth
century, the system purports to be monogamous and to
value commitment, and encourages the promise of fidelity;
~~n ~e lies and dissembling which must needs accompany
infidelity are truly, totally ruinous to friendship, to intimacy,
to trust and security and love.
So, Ken honey, to answer your questions: monogamy
invented itself, and it does work sometimes; but the goddess
knows it can be hard work.
love, peace, and harmony to you, and strive to enjoy
the great experiment,
Sybil
From the NY Times: "She [Martina Navratilova] has
almost a year to say goodbye to the sporting life that
transformed her, a once-chubby defector from communist Chechosolovakia, to a heroine whose uncommon
athleticism was surpassed only by her uncompromising
life choices." (emphasis added) We couldn't have said it
better. Thanks, Martina.
HSR GoALS FOR 1994 - 1997
Goal 1: By 1997, complete expansion and renovations of
entire property.
Goal 2: By the end of August, 1994, develop a policy for
active participation in Herland by Transgenders and males
(e.g. as volunteers, Board members, and at retreats).
Goal 3: To increase visibility in the gay and lesbian
community by
a. expanding the Resource Center:
b. writing articles and expanding advertisements in diverse
publications.
Goal 4: Herland will actively expand programming and
advertising to assure ongoing growth of two Retreats yearly.
Goal 5: We will focus more effort to provide frequent
cultural and educational events for increased personal
growth and community strength.
Goal 6: Herland will focus substantial effort to develop and
implement sustaining financial base to achieve financial
independence.
Goal 7: The Herland Board will assess current Sister 1-N
structure and develop dear "job description" for Sisters by
12/31/94.
Goal 8: Institute an annual by-law review process.
Goal 9: Develop a permanent volunteer training packet
(updated annually) by 8/31/94.
Goal 10: Develop an expanded Board Member packet for
Board training by 8/31/94.
Goal 11: By 1997, HSR will increase the use of the library
and bookstore.
Goal 12: Herland will learn about and seek involvement in
Herland by women inclusive of the diversity (e.g., ethnicity,
race, age, class, religion, sexual orientation, disablilty status)
of our community.
Goal 14: To coninue to produce a monthly newsletter that
informs, educates, and interests the community.
Secondary Goals:
a. Expand local contributing base
b. Establish and publish Newsletter themes
c. Include more local news
d . Review funding and expenses.
Goal 13: Obtain space (possibly 2316 NW 39th) to be
women-only and used as additional meeting space and
living space for needy I threatened women, including
battered, aged, and dispossessed women; such women to
contribute as individually possible in terms of money and/
or labor.
WHo's YouR SWEETHEART?
OR WHo WouLo You LIKE To BE?
Now's your chance to say so. Invite them to the
SWEETHEARTS BALL!!! A wonderful evening is being
planned for couples and singles. Whether you wear a tux,
a dress, or feel more creative in boots and jeans, you'll fit
right in.
Join us on Saturday, April 30th from 8PM to midnight. The ball will take place at the Unitarian Church,
NW 13th & Dewey, Oklahoma City. Tickets are $5 .00 per
person.
Ms. Leather Oklahoma Cindy Bookout will be the
guest DJ . There will be a cash bar, as well as coffee and soft
drinks.
Seabrooks Formal Wear has offered a great rental
price of $40.00 for a standard black tuxedo . New Leaf
Florist is giving a 10% discount on boutonnieres and
bouquets.
So start looking around for that special person to be
your sweetheart. Get your tickets from OGLPC (5242131) or Herland Sister Resources (521-%%).
D
ALTERNAnVE \1EWS OF
OKLAHOMA HISTORY
East Central University history professor, Dr. Davis
Joyce, has just published an edited volume entitled An
Oklahoma I had Never Seen Before: Alternative Views of Oklahoma
History (University of Oklahoma Press, 1994).
Among the many diverse chapters in this volume is
one written by Dr. Tom Guild, Dr. Joan Luxenburg, and
Keith Smith on "Oklahoma's Gay Liberation Movement."
The chapter was completed in 1989 and covers the first 20
years of gay rights in Oklahoma.
Guild and Luxenburg both teach at the University of
Central Oklahoma (Guild in business law and Luxenburg
in sociology). Smith (formerly the Executive Director of
OKC's AIDS Support Program) is presently Executive
Director of New Mexico AIDS Services, Inc.
The writing of the chapter involved a collective effort
to interview key members of Oklahoma's gay /lesbian
community to document the highlights of the 1970's and
1980's. The focus of the work is on community organizing
and litigation. The Herland Voice was a major source of
information contained in the chapter. A brief description
of Herland appears within the chapter.
D
2109 S. AiR DEpOT
Midwm Ciry, OK n l l 0
(405 )7H -0496
Aia DEpoT ANiMAl HospiTAl
CAll loR AppoiNTMENT
JOY HUSKA, D.V. M.
Her/and Voice April, 1994
3
Equality of Rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged
by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Sunday
...
~~t
~·
Monday
Tuesday
~,,,
\\lednesday Thursday
Friday
f~
2
Support group forming
women who
are HIV Positive. If you would like
to help form a !i!!i!!i! HIV+ ,networking/
~( sup~rt group, call 405/524-3903.
-
c'V
~
3
4 •.
..
5
6
17 Herland
18
BoardMeet.inei
4:30
24
13
25
CoDA, 7 pm
*'
~'~I
Simply EQuaJ
7 pm, Herland
1
~impl:y Equal
7 pm, Herland
26
Simply EQual
7 pm, Herland
15
21
27
16
PEGGY
JOHNSON
at.
La Bapuet.t.e
in Norman
9 -
TEACHERS
MEETING
7 PM at
Herl and
20
ACADEMIC
DYKES. 7pm
in Stillwater:
Cathy Wheeler
Scrupps/405
372-1066
GAYLA AWARDS
14
"
TO YOU
The Blue Door
B pm
g
NOW
OKC NOW
at the
Gaylord YWCA
2460 39lh
6:30 pm
*'
MISS BROWN
8
7 Pl»
12
Herland Le&1al
Defense fund
6:30 pm
-
at the
Norman
Public
Library
Maya Aneelou
born 1928
11
CoDA. 7 pm
Cleveland
County "
Simply Ecrnal
7 pm, Herland
10
Saturday
*'
n
(',oDA, 7 pm
22
PEGGY
23
PEGGY
JOHNSON
JOHNSON
& The Vested
Int.ere st
at the
Arls Festival
GreensStaEle
6 pm
at. f2 Noon
at the
Arts Festlva
GreensSlape
28
29
*'
CoDA, 7 pm
•
Coffee
House/
Open Mike
at Herland
music &
poetry & ??
7 - fO pm
EARTH DAY
Celebration
at. Will Ro&1ers
P91rk Come hear
PepQy·
sin£'
I
~~EETHEART
BALL
CoDA, 7 pm
Birt.ffd·ay
t.o
Coretta
Scoll Kine
<brine your
sweetheart
or come alone
a. find one
there)
7pm-midniQht
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HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES, INC.
2312 N.\\I. 39t.h St.reel.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
(405) 521-9696
Hours: Saturdays 10 - 6; Sundays t - 6
)
Ji
Oon't Miss the
)
HERLAND COFFEE HOUSE
Ji
Ji
}
Hosted by Rappin' Jane
) Songs, Poems, Comedy & ???
) Good Cookies, Good Friends,
j
Good Music & Good Fun
j
Saturday the 16th,
)
7 - 10 pm
)
)
)
)
)
Ji
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}j)}}j}}}})))}j)}))))j})))
NonProfit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Oklahoma City, Okla.
2312 N.W. 39th Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED
Permrt No. 861
HERL~ND
SISTER
RESC:::>URC:::ES
2312 NORTHWEST 39TH STREET
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73112
(405)521-9696
Dear Friend,
Herland has ambitious plans for the future. The three-year plan described in this issue
of The Voice outlines our goals for the next three years. This plan was drafted by the HSR
Board and volunteers with input from many people in our community. Your support and
participation is necessary to its success.
One of Herland' s unique strengths is the way the community has financially supported
her. Unlike most nonprofit organizations, Berland is supported largely through the small
contributions of many people in our community and the income from events and bookstore
sales. With this kind of support, Herland is free to be responsive to the needs of the community and not tied to restrictions imposed by foundations or large funders.
The contributions and income amounts change every month. Some months are good
and some are not-so-good. In the not-so-good months, it can be hard to meet the basic
expenses necessary to keep Berland's doors open. To make sure Herland has a stable source
of income to meet those basic expenses, we are forming a group of Herland Sustainers. Each
Sustainer will pledge a minimum of $10 a month to make sure Herland's basic expenses will
be met.
We need your help to continue to grow and remain independent. Only 100 Sustainers,
who each pledge to contribute $10 a month, will ensure Berland's future. Think about how
important it is to have Herland in your community. Is it worth $10 to you? If it is, please
return the enclosed pledge card with your pledge. Thank you for your support.
~
~
;J~
-~ ~
·
Sincerely,
i},;,,,}!c:~~e Women of ~erland
t~~ ~fiit! t~~ L~--~
,..;., i~-
ll
~ P--?f-
or --~ -- ----- - --------------------------
Yes,
count me in as a Berland Sustainer!
·D 111 pledge a monthly conhi.buti.on of:
0$2 0$5 0$10 0$20 OOther:
Please send me monthly reminders.
D I'drathermakeaoonbi.butionof:
0$25 0$35 0$50 0$100 OOther:
Address: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _City: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State: _ _ Zip_ __
Your contribution is tax deductible and greatly appreciated.
Please make your check payable to: Herland Sister Resources, 2312 N.W. 39, OKC, OK 73112
SALUTE TO UNCOMMON
WOMEN
REVENGE
LEGACY, an endowment fund, whose mission is to
provide financial support for projects which address the
social, cultural and educational needs and which promote
the civil rights and well-being of all lesbians in today's
society and for future generations to come, would like to
announce a very special event -LEGACY SALUTES
UNCOMMON WOMEN: An International Lesbians
Awards Ceremony; celebrating the accomplishments of
lesbians throughout the world.
The event will take place on June 19, 1994 in conjunction
with Gay Games IV and Stonewall 25 in New York City's
prestigious Town Hall. The evening's agenda will consist
of a brief awards ceremony, a presentation of scholarships
and a fabulous celebration of lesbian talent.
LEGACY is reaching out nationally and internationally
by conducting a search for outstanding lesbians who have
actualized LEGACY's mission and who serve as examples
in their community in exceptional ways. They would like
to honor these Uncommon Women and are asking for
recommendations. All nominees will be included in the
LEGACY's Salute to Uncommon Women Program Book.
To nominate (or self-nominate) an International
Uncommon Woman, please submit by May 1, 1994: name,
address, telephone# of nominee (will be kept confidential);
a brief bio or description of her achievements (no more
than 50 words and preferably in English and a black and
white photo.
Please send all submissions to: LEGACY, 147 West
0
79th Street, Suite 4A, New York, New York 10024.
like the tree against the wind
my moods swing ...
because of you.
P-FLAG DENOUNCES NAMBLA
The Board of P-FIAG, Parents and Friends of Lesbians
and Gays, has denounced the "man-boy love" group,
NAMBLA, with the following resolution:
"As a family organization, Parents, Families and Friends
of Lesbians and Gay, Inc. strongly condemns the sexual
exploitation of children by any individual, group, or
organiz.ation, in any form and under any circumstances.
"Although the majority of sexual abusers of children
are heterosexual men, and the majority of victims are young
girls, the North American Man/Boy Love Association
(NAMBLA) is a pedophile organization whose sole purpose
is to facilitate sex between adult men and young boys. PFLAG, therefore, repudiates NAMBLA and its aims.
"P-FLAG opposes the inclusion of NAMBLA in any
umbrella organization, coalition, event, or activity that is
associated with the gay, lesbian, bisexual communities or
their families and friends."
0
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4 Her/and Voice April, 1994
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Of{iee dfou.u &y dfppoinfounl
like the very willows
i too weep ..
because of you.
like the roots of a weathered tree
i often feel exposed ...
because of you.
like the great oak
through it all i will stand stronger ...
because of you.
and one day, like the leaves of autumn
you will fall ...
because of me.
This poem was written by a woman who, at one time,
had great hopes of prosecuting her perp, but because of
overwhelming fear, decided not to even pursue the idea.
She still knows that she can get her revenge. She tries to
empower everyone she meets so as to prevent it from
happening to them. She has turned the situation around to
her favor and uses it as away to get to learn more about
herself. She is learning and every morning that she wakes
up and every night that she lays her head to her pillow, she
thanks God that revenge isn't always in a police station or
courtroom. Every day she thanks God that revenge is hers.
This poem was written by me for all the survivors that
haven't reported it and those who still haven't gotten" good
revenge." I hope that you can get it too, because it's
beginning to feel good ...finally.
- M. Renae McCurdy
0
Published by: Herland Sister Resources, Inc. 2312 N.W.
39th, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
Newsletter Committee: Margaret Cox, Deborah Fox, Vivien
Ng, Pat Reaves
Circulation: 1200
Advertising Rates: Business card $15; 1/4 page $35;
1/2 page $60; full page $100
The Voice is offered as an open forum for community discourse. Articles reflect the opinions of the author and not
necessarily those of Herland Sister Resources. Unsolicited
articles and letters to the editor are welcomed and must be
signed by the writer with full name and address. Upon request,
letters or articles may be printed under a pseudonym or anonymously
Subscriptions to The Voice are free upon request.
The Voice _ is printed on recycled paper.
TRASH
SIMPLY EQUAL-
by Vivien Ng
I found a grocery bag full of trash in my mailbox the
other day. Who could have done such an uncivil thing to
me? Is it not safe for me to live in my own house any more?
These horrible thoughts flashed through my mind as I
threw that bag away, in a trash can. Was it not an accident
that some months ago, when I returned home from an outof-state trip, I found that my garbage can was gone and my
mailbox flattened?
It disturbs me to ~ that I am the target of an
anonymous hate campaign. What have I done to incur such
hatred? Is it because of the "Pro Choice Vote:.-" bumper
~ticker on the rear window of my van? I don't think that it
1s because of the rainbow-flag sticker, because most
Oklahomans are illiterate as far as lesbian/ gay pride symbols
are concerned. Maybe they think that I am a member of
Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Coalition? Maybe it's because I
don't look like an "American"?
. I remember that in 1989, after my house was broken
m!° and stuff was later stolen from my mailbox, a friend of
mme from out-ot-state suggested that perhaps it was time
for ~e to leave o~~oma, that it was no longer safe for me
to live here. I disrmssed that suggestion at the time but
maybe I should rethink my options more seriously now.
The _thought of leaving is no longer out of the question
no~. I JUSt got back from a wonderful 5-day trip to the
Uruver~ity of Alaska in F~rbanks . To my surprise, I fell in
love with the snow, the hills, the hot springs, the people I
met there, and even the drag show that I went to at the
local_ gay bar: ~ was surprised as well to find several highranking administrators there who are openly lesbian. What
a difference! Not even in New York City universities
would one find such out-of-the-closet openness. My visit
was so successful that I have been invited back to teach a
women's studies course in the summer of 1995. Maybe I'll
just stay there and not come back. ..
On the other hand, I have friends here in Oklahoma
people who mean a lot to me. I have invested so much of
my life and energies here that it would seem such a shame
to just pack up and leave. I have lived in Norman longer
than any other place ~ince I left ~ome for college; surely this
should mean somef:11ing? More rmportantly, would leaving
now after such ugliness be tantamount to surrender, or is
this kind of thinking too egotistical?
Herland friends, what would you do if you were in my
shoes?
D
SUPPORT FOR
OKC ENCOURAGES
OETA
~ici~ls of Simply Eq~-OKC, a lesbian and gay rights
or~aruzation,
are denouncmg a move by radical right-wing
legislators Grover Campbell and Bi~ Graves to cut funding
to the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA).
Camp~ll, an Owas;io Republican, and Graves, a Bethany
Republican, are trying to coerce OETA into abandoning
R°sitive partrayals of lesbian and gay people. OETA has
little choice but to respond to the attacks of these legislators,
according to Simply Equal-OKC spokesperson Terry
Gatewood, but the way they respond depends greatly on
how the gay and lesbian community responds to OETA.
Simply Equal-OKC spokespersons, Pat Reaves and
Terry Gatewood, are asking the community to support
OETA. Gatewood said, "this is the time of year when
OETA solicits _Pledges f_rom the public. These pledges are
used to provide funding for programming as well as
determine the type of program for the upcoming year. If
you called in a pledge, follow through with your pledge
when the card comes in the mail and add a statement of
support f~r Ta~es of T~e City and ask for continuing
progr~g with positive portrayals of lesbians and gays.
If you did not call in a pledge send in a donation with a
state~ent of support of OETA. OETA can only act in the
best interest of the gay and lesbian community if they
know. of our interest and have our support."
Simply Equal-OKC is also asking for support in the ongoll:'g effort t~ enac~ OKC' s proposed Human Rights
ordinance. This ordinance would make it unlawful to
dis_cr!.minate against any person based on their race, color,
religion, creed, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation,
ethnicity, national origin, disability, or familial status. It
passed the OKC Human Rights Commission on November
8, 1993. The proposed ordinance is currently being reviewed
by the Judicial Committee of the OKC City Council. It is
expected to come to a vote of the City Council after May 1.
Simply Equal will be sending letters to all those persons
on ~e Simply Equal mailing list to enlist support for the
ordinance and membership in Simply Equal-OKC. Anyone
who would like to be on the mailing list can contact Simply
Equal by mail at P.O. Box 63105, OKC, OK 73146 or by
leaving a message at 521-96%. General chapter meetings of
Simply Equal-OKC are held at7 PM. on the seoond and fourth
Tuesdays of each month at Herland Sister Resources.
D
For Rent -- Garage Apartment w I parking space at 1607 N .W. 28.
$150/month. Call 525-8524.
Rebecca R. Cohn, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology
Norman, OK
321-2148
Individual,
Couples & Family
Therapy
Take a Stand! The Right Wing is on the move with-millions of
me?'bers and volunteers writing and calling Congress. It's time
to fight back! The Human Rights Camfaign Fund leads the fight
for l/g/b ri~ts on the national !eve _and needs your help to
wage an effective battle. From now until the November elections
we need committed, motivated individuals in Oklahoma to
generate grassroots Pn:~ure on Congress witi:' telegrams, letters,
phone calls and lobby visits. Earn money working as a coordinator
in your community. Respond to hatred and lies. Fight the right
wing! Call Brian at 1-899-777-HRCF.
Her/and Voice April, 1994
5
11
I
I
DISTURBING IDEAS
by Deborah Fox
In my feminist studies I have come across a couple of
theories that have disturbed me. One is the idea that
women involved with men are"consorting with the enemy,"
the other is that motherhood subverts womanpower. With
the latter I Wlderstand that we want women to have more
choices, but I don't think we should denigrate some choices
in favor of others. Some feminist theory has given the
impression that women who choose to bear children are
not strong and creative. Motherhood, first belittled by
patriarchy is now belittled by feminists. I have chosen to
stay at home and rear my son. I'm happy with my choice,
it affords me freedom to write, sculpt and build my own
Ranching business. The only time I've felt diminished by
my choice has been when I measured myself by some
outside standard. In the process of expanding women's
choices limitations have been insinuated. How ironic!
As to the former; ridiculing each other for the gender
of our partner is the success of "Divide and Conquer."
What's important is healthy choices, regardless of gender,
(or Race, Class, etc.). Feminists who believe that women
involved with men are consorting with the enemy are
expressing a grave lack of faith in women! It says women
lack competent judgement for their own best interests and
are too stupid to know what's right for themselves - isn't
that what patriarchy has been trying to make us believe?!
We can broaden women's choices but we cannot choose for
them.
Hetero feminists against lesbian feminists, lesbian
feminists against hetero feminists - what is this bickering?!
There is room enough for all our diversity! Isn't our
collective goal to be free? Free to be our unique selves? We
can be assets and strengths to one another if we can accept
our differences.
We live in a time of vision, as Agnes Whistling Elk has
said. No one can predict the outcome or the exact means to
get where we dream to go and all the myriad things we do are
important. We may not be able to clearly see the bigger picture,
but we do well to stand back from time to time and try. 0
l.EnERS
Editor:
"That sucks!" Doesn't anyone notice how offensive
this phrase is? Why on Earth would gay men and their
friends use such a hateful expression?
.
The idiom obviously derives from the ancient stereotype
of a gay man as a depraved weakling who fellates strong,
macho men - who are somehow presumed to be
heterosexual and moral. Therefore, anyone or anything
which "sucks" is despicable.
Thanks to Bart Simpson, this expression has gained
widespread popular acceptance. We hear it much more
freq~~ntly now~ and most people give no thought to its
maficrous mearung.
Certainly, at least within our own communities, we
can raise awareness and discourage the use of this selfhating expression. With our own consciousness and pride
rousea, we can eliminate the thoughtless use of this idiom
from general society.
Jenny Sayward
6 Her/and Voice April, 1994
THREE YEAR PLAN
(continued from page 7)
The newsletter circulation has nearly doubled, and is now
proud to contain a nationally recognized comic strip each
month, and even prouder to present regular contributions by
Professor Vivien Ng.
We are keeping better financial records, have obtained a
couple of very nice grants and begun a monthly-pledge sponsor
group. We keep on having wildly successful twice-yearly
retreats, and had one hugely successful concert as well as
many smaller ones. Use of the building by the lesbian/gay
community has increased greatly, with groups meeting at
Herland at least four nights every week.
A listing of our goals as articulated at our meeting is
found on page 3 of this issue. Generally, we feel an imperative
to continue and improve on Herland as a resource center for
women; to continue and improve the Voice as a source of
information and challenge; to better represent and serve, and
become more welcoming to a more diverse membership; to
improve our internal functioning; and to become more secure
financially. Fundraising is an eternal concern, both for general
day-to-day operation and to obtain funds for larger projects turning our tidy little brick garage into a coffee house, for instance.
A number of internal and external challenges face Herland,
but we left the goalsetting retreat pleased and confident of our
ability to meet all of them - with, of course, a little help from our
friends. And friends, you know who you are, and we thank you. 0
OKLAHOMA
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Mark your calendars now and
plan to attend the Oklahoma Pride
Summit scheduled for July 15 - 17.
The summit, which is being planned
by a group of Oklahoma lesbian and
gay organization will bring lesbians,
gays, bi-sexuals, transgenders,and our
friends from around the state together.
Organizations involved include
Herland, Simply Equal of OKC and
Norman, Tulsans for Human Rights
(TOHR), the Oklahoma Gay and
Lesbian Political Caucus, OU Gay,
Lesbian and Bi Student Association,
Family of Faith MCC, OKC Chapter
of Affirmation Chapter, and the OSU
Gay & Lesbian Student Association.
The goals of the Pride Summit
include establishing a network of
lesbian, gay, and friendly organizations
throughout Oklahoma who can work
together sharing information and other
resouroas. While the program has not
yet been finalized, it will include
something for everyone with
workshops to build organizational
skills and forums for discussions about
being lesbian or gay in Oklahoma and
the future of the lesbian, gay, bi, and
transgender movements in Oklahoma.
Summit planning is on-going with
the location and specific agenda yet to
be determined. If you or an
organization you belong to would like
to be involved in making the Summit
happen, leave a message at Herland
(521-9696) and we will get you
information about the next planning
meeting.
0
20rH NA110NAL WOMEN'S
MUSIC FES11VAL
A world concert premiere of a
classical piece celebrating the cycles of
HERLAND SISTER RESOURCES MISSION
Herland Sister Resources envisions and strives toward a world in which all women live free
from oppression. Herland supports and includes all women who experience oppression. Lesbians
as a group have a deep experience of the general oppressive climate of this world. Although
Herland is not restricted to lesbians, we have a strong lesbian focus . We are a womanist
organization, supporting women in their journey toward self-definition and self determination,
and recognizing that each woman has her own pace of growth and enlightenment.
Herland is a non-profit volunteer organization. We publish a newsletter, operate a bookstore
and lending library, and provide musical and cultural events for education and entertainment.
We offer a safe place for women to meet and exchange ideas, feelings, hopes and fears and to
learn about themselves and each other.
The only requirement for involvement in Herland is a desire for women to be free of the
restraints of oppression.
(adopted December, 1990)
women's lives will be among the
highlights of this year's National
Women's Music Festival in June.
Among feature performers this year
are comic Kate Clinton and musicians
Ferron; the funny Topp Twins from
New Zealand and Mary Watkins, a
gifted pianist and composer.
The celebration of women's
music and culture will be June 2-5
on the Indiana University campus
in Bloomington.
Registration brochures are
available by writing P . 0. Box 1427PR, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1427.
You also may call (317) 927-9355 and
leave your name and address.
0
lltJJJJ~l1N' llt~\IU)
The 1994 Charlie Christian Jazz Festival:
Come down to the Deep Deuce for this
year's celebration. Enjoy continuous
music all day for two days, April 30th
and May 1st. Enjoy good food and good
socializing. Peep in the art tent and see
the special exhibit on Second Street and
Charlie Christian. You will be pleased
with this weekend of family entertainment
provided for you at no entry cost. Relax
and join Blac, Inc. in the final moments of
the 1993-94 season.
Are you a lesbian who has used artificial
insemination to become pregnant? Shari
Clifton, an OU graduate student, is
writing a paper on the use of AID by
lesbians. She would like you to write or
e-mail her with information about your
experience. Write: Shari Clifton, 1716
Caddell Lane, Norman, OK 73069 or
email: sclifton@rex.uokhsc.edu.
OJ: To let the Florida Citrus Commission
know what you think 'about Rush
Limbaugh as their spokespe,rson and how
it might affect your purchasing of Florida
citrus products, write: Florida Citrus
Commission, P.O. Box 148, Lakeland, FL
33802-0148; phone 813-499-2500; fax 813499-2374.
The Lesbian Teachers Group met with
Mark Hendrickson, president of the
Oklahoma ACLU in March. He discussed
legal concerns for lesbian and gay teachers
in Oklahoma. A copy of the information
he brought is available in the Herland
Library with the current periodicals. The
next meeting will be at Berland on
Thursday, April 14 at 7 PM. All educators
are invited to participate.
20th Annual Feminist Women's Writing
Workshop : Join a community of
established, emerging, and novice women
writers for eight days in a serene,
supportive atmosphere on the shore of
beautiful Seneca Lake in New York's
Fingerlakes Region. Share a residence
(private rooms) on the lovely campus of
Hobart and Williams Smith Colleges in
Geneva, NY. Enjoy workshops on a wide
variety of topics, evening readings, talks
and critiques, as well as time for solitude
and individual writing. Our Guest Writer
will be poet, short story writer, and novelist
Dorothy Allison. For more information,
send SASE to: Feminist Women's Writing
Workshops, Inc., P . 0. Box 6583, Ithaca,
NY 14851.
The Nurse's Health Study, an on-going
study of post-menopausal women, will
now collect information on the health of
lesbians in the nursing profession. The
decision to include the questions came as
a result of an extensive letter writing
campaign organized by a coalition of
organizations.
The Association of Women's Music and
Culture (AWMAC) is publishing a
monthly events calendar including
musicians and comics of interest to the
lesbian/feminist communities everywhere
in the US and Canada. The calendar will
include up-to-date itineraries (by date and
geographical region) of such performers
as Melissa Etheridge, Sweet Honey in the
Rock, Susan Herrick, Cris Williamson, Dos
Fallopia, Ani Difranco, Margie Adam,
Kate Clinton, Wynonna Judd, Jamie
Anderson, The Flirtations, Marian
McPartland
and
many
more .
Subscriptions to the AWMAC Women's
Music Calendar are available by mail for
$45 I one year (non-members) and $35 I
year (AWMAC members - membership
is $25/year). Send check or money order
to: A WMAC Calendar, 219 Allen, Lansing
Ml48912 .
Herland Sister Resources 1994 SPRINGRETREAT FOR WoMEN
MAY
21 --
MAY
23
RoMAN NosE STATE PARK
Person's
Income
Single
Annual
under
$6,500
$13,250
$19,500
over
$6,500
-
-
Retreat
Pre-registration
per person
Household
Annual
Income
$15
under
$25
$13,300
$19,500
$35
$18,000
$30,000
$45
$26,000
$60
over
$13,250
$30,000
$13,300
$18,000
-
$26,000
$50,000
Please choose the registration fee most appropriate for
you based on these suggested guidelines. On-site
registration will be $60 with no exceptions. The deadline
for pre-registration is May 19, 1994. Registration is nonrefundable after May 20.
$50,000
Complete and return the pre-registration form to Herland, 2312 N.W. 39, Oklahoma City, OK 73112.
Name_____________________________________________________ Phone__________________
Address______________________________________________________________________
~
City:. __________________________ State_ _ _ Zip_ _ _ __
Registration fee enclosed: _$15 _$25 _$35 _$60 _I need a scholarship to attend.
_I'm enclosing an additional $_ _ to provide retreat scholarships.
_I'm bringing __ children. (Girls of all ages and boys under 10 are welcome
_ I would like to ride with someone.
at the retreat.)
_I can help provide rides to the retreat.