TriangleCommunityCenterNewsAndViews_v8.no7.1997.06.pdf

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TriangleCommunityCenterNewsAndViews_v8.no7.1997.06.pdf

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Property of the Center

Triangle Community Center

TRIANGL

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Vol.8, No.7
July 1997

Free to Members and Subscribers

MANY HEARTS • • •

ONE COMMUNITY

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN }ULY - SHORT AND SWEET!
SAT, JULY 19 TCC Friendraiser - at John & Roland's in Bridgeport, 5-9pm. See
article for details.
SUN, JULY 20 TCC Movie Night- "Johns" at the Sono Cinema in Norwalk, 7:3 0pm.
See article for details.
TUE, JULY 29 Kite Flying - Veteran's Park, Norwalk. Meet at TCC at 7pm. See article
for details.
For the latest update on What's Happening in the area check our TCC home page on the internet.

http://members.aol.com/tccenter

LIVING FREE IN NEW ENGLAND
The civil rights sweep of New England i~ now c<?mplete. All six New England states (Connecticut, Mame,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and
Vermont) have banned discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation. Add Hawaii, Wisconsin, Minnesota, California, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia to the mix, and nearly one out of four people
in the country live where discrimination based on
sexual orientation is outlawed.
While extremists threaten to challenge Maine's civil
rights law, remember it was only two years ago th~t
Mainers out-organized the Right and defeated a Vlcious initiative that would have written gay men,
lesbians, and bisexuals out of that state's constitution.
New Hampshire not only passed its civil rights bill this
year, but trounced a hostile anti-marriage bill that
would have banned recognition of marriages performed in other states as welf.
Rhode Island activists defeated a same-gender marriage ban. Hate crimes bills were
introduced in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, strong
efforts are underway to repeal the states' sodomy laws. Massachusetts is in a strong positio.n
t o enact statewide domestic partner legislation, and V ~rm~mt can already boast ~f this
accomplishment. Vermont has enacted more pro-gay legislation than any other state m the
nation, leading Vermonters to say that theirs is the safest state in the country.
Sure, Northhampton, Massachusetts remains the undisputed lesbian capita! of.the United
States and Provincetown is our community's summer resort. And yes, the reg10n 1s peppered
with colleges and universities that are vibrant centers of youth organizing. But by no means
was the work ofNew Englanders easy or complete. Connecticut and Rhode Island hav.e hate
crimes laws that do not include sexual orientation. Massachusetts and Rhode Island still ban
opposite and same-sex sodomy. Maine and New Hampshire ban same-gender marriage a~d
these bans are still pending in legislatures in Conn_ecticut an_d V~rmont. Ne~ Hamps~re
bans adoption and foster care by gay men and lesbians. Leg1slat1vely, the region has miles
to go on issues related to our families and our relationships.
Our New England sisters and brothers have a long hi~t<?ry ~f organizing and ~II of us _should
pay attention. Look no further than the feat of act1V1sts m New Hampshire getting the
Catholic Diocese of Manchester to support civil rights for gays. And they've taught us, we
must be prepared to organize on a number of fronts at once. As we beat back the samegender marriage bans or ballot measures (even if we've l?st ~ ~g~t alrea?y), we must keep
our eyes on the prize. We can move forward comprehensive CIVll rig.hts bills, repeal sod'?my
bans, pass hate crimes laws and build our communities at the same time. Each step proV1d<:5
important momentum in moving our communities forward to a place where there 1s
freedom, dignity, and social justice for all.
This article was written by Kerry Lobel, Executive Director ofthe National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force.

July 1997

STRANGER THAN FICTION
MORMONS

Go

BALLIST1c!

Utah's Brigham City School Boa~d met in _an emergency session recently with the city c<;mncil to consider allegations that the school district's youngest
charges were being inculcated with a pro-gay ideology and same-sex marriage.
The issue arose after scores of Mormon parents
complained that children in t~e kindergarten class at
Brigham Elementary were ~mg led ma game which
mimicked same-sex marriages. At issue was the
game "The Farmer in the Dell." The accused kindergarten teacher, explained: "The class is way _overbalanced with girls. So when we play Farmer m the
Dell, sometimes I let a girl go first, so that everybody
gets a turn." The problem arises with the n~xt ~ne of
the children's song: "the farmer takes a wife. The
girl-farmer would often choose another little girl to
join her in the circle as the "farmer's wife."
''This is just settin~ a bad ;x~ple to our young and
impress10nable children, said Jared .·Day, whose
child is in the class. "If you don't stand up for family
values, this country is going to go right down the
toilet," he declared. "It's upsetting the natural order
of things" concurred Lisa Perkins. "It's like dragging thos~ innocent children down into a ditch," said
her husband.
At the extraordinary joint session of the School
Board and the city council, over 200 parents and
others showed up to voice concerns, and submit
petitions with hundreds of names. ''The farmer has
to be a boy," said Mayor Tom Merrill. "A boy gets
picked first. That's the way we always played the
game, and that's the way it should be played."
The joint session of parents and school board concluded that regardless of c\ass se~ ratios, boys ~ould
be picked first. However, m the interests offairness,
the position of"the Cheese" would_be rese~e~/or a
girl. At the end of the game, the chiJdren smg The
cheese stands alone. The cheese stands alone. Hi ho
the dairy-O, the cheese stands alone." "That should
be enough to make anyone happy," concluded the
school board president.

Pagel

T NEWS & VIEWS
TCCNEWS
TCC NOMINATES M1KE CoLuNs As CoMMUNllY LEADER
Each year the Stamford Advocate invites all the organizations in the area
to nominate a person to be chosen as "Community Leader of the Year."
This year the TCC has nominated Michael Collins.
Mike has served the TCC for four years as volunteer publicity director,
publicizing TCC activities to local and regional media outlets, ranging
from weekly rap groups at the Center to major events like last year's fullscale production of"Whoop-Dee-Doo!"
In the real world, Mike earns his living as general manager ofQuinnipiac
College radio station WQUN. But he also finds time for many other
activities besides the TCC. He is broadcast historian for the Connecticut
Broadcaster's Association; and he has provided publicity for many other
lesbigay and gay-friendly organizations and events, including the National Women's Softball Tournament in Stratford, the New Haven Gay/
Lesbian Community Center, Connecticut Gay Men's Chorus, Bread &
Roses AIDS residence, CT Chapter of Lambda Legal Defense Fund,
Brookfield <;:ommittee for the Defense of Tolerance in the Classroom,
and "In The Life" the regional gay/lesbian cable program. Mike was as
instrumental in persuading WNET channel 13 to sponsor PBS' gay/
lesbian series "Forward and Out''.
In our statement nominating Mike for the award, TCC said the following:
"The best weapon gay people have against the fear and ignorance that
breeds homophobia is information. We therefore nominate Michael
Collins, who has dedicated his skills as journalist and publicist to
promoting tolerance for gays and lesbians at a grass roots level.
"He regularly invites local political leaders to attend events sponsored by
local gay/lesbian organizations, so they may meet gay i.:ieople, learn of
their concerns first hand, and reali:ze there is a thrivmg gay/lesbian
community within their constituency.
"As an openly gay journalist, Mike's goal is to see the word 'gay' be a
normal part of not just the big metropolitan dailies but every small daily
and weekly paper in Fairfield County. As volunteer publicity director for
the Triangle Community Center and other lesbian and gay organizations,
he has done more than any other individual to bring awareness ofgay and
lesbian people into every home in our area."
SPLINTERS FROM THE BOARD
I have always thought that June was like a second Christmas for gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered peoples. First you have the intense
anticipation of celebrating gay pride, then you have the wonder and
surpnse as the "wrapping paper" comes off in peoples lives; and finally
you have the presents (or should I say the presence).
Well, now that June has come and gone and we celebrate the freedoms
and fireworks of]uly, I am pleased to announce we have new presence (or
should I say presents) on the Board ofDirectors at TCC. Three proud and
dedicated people have come forth to serve their community as members
ofTCC's Board. I must admit it an answer to prayer; thank you!!!
Christine B. is a relatively new member to the center but has already
immersed herselfin the centers activities. She brings with her professional
experience in the educational field, a "get it done" attitude, and a distaste
for mutual exclusivity.
Denyse Burke is "getting back to her roots" having moved back to lower
Fairfield county after a 4-year stint in Hartford. She is currently a
facilitator of the women's rap group and has previously worked for CT
Business Guild and as a photographer for Metroline.
John Wallace brings a strong legal experience and a quiet "good judgment" to round out TCC's Board to eight. He is currently a facilitator
of the men's rap group and has achieved a policy change at work for gay
employees. He was also successful in achieving a major donation for
TCC's production of"Whoop-De-Do."
I truly believe we are on a roll. If you have gifts to offer the Triangle
Community Center please come forth and volunteer. You don't have to
join the Board, try a committee, write an article for News & Views,
network to raise membership. Make a diflercncc. The presence you make
will inevitably end up as a gift to yourself. -Don Buxton;- President

July 1997

N&V ARCHIVES AVAILABLE IN REFERENCE ROOM
Do you remember when... The TCC News & Views had cartoons?
... was printed on lavender paper? .. .identified board members only by
their first names? Do you remember when we met at Brook House on
North Avenue? ... when we had regular friendraisers atthe Norwalk Inn
and sponsored annual dinner cruises on the "Mr. Lucky?" ... when Jim
Papp became TCC president and we ran his picture on the front page?
... when we proudly moved into our present space on Van Zant Street?
... when we stopped having financial crises and started having volunteer
crises? ... when we ran a post-gay-pride issue with fchotos of members
from the NYC parade? ... when we had the first 'Time-out" picnic?
... when we sponsored a full scale production of"Whoop-Dee-Doo!"?
For a trip down memory lane for the veterans, or a fascinating look back
at the history ofTCC for newcomers, we now have a (nearly) complete
loose-leaf-bound set of back copies ofTCC News & Views, from 1992
to the present, in the TCC Reference Room.
Editor emeritus Roger Hooverman has compiled and donated his
archives, and those passed on to him by previous editor Martin Ulmer.
They are bound in loose-leaf notebooks, so the collection will be easy
to keep up to date. Stop by and browse, and see how we've changed
over the years.
LET's Go FLY A Kin
Come and meet with us on Tuesday, July 29 at 7 PM at the Center.
Bring a kite. We'll be walking to Veterans Park in Norwalk (3 mins.
with the short cut) to fly kites. Refreshments will follow. Kites are
available at Noodle Kidoodle and other children's toy stores.
-M. Seggerman
LESBIAN LIT GROUP
The reading choice for discussion at the August 5 meeting of the
Lesbian Literature Group is entitled, ''The Intersection of Law and
Desire (A Mickey Knight Mystery)," written by J.M. Redmann and
published by Norton Press. This new mystery is an unbeatable combination of high-stakes thriller and believable love story.
The Lit Group meets at the Center the first Tuesday of every month at
7:30 pm. Copies of"Intersection ... ," are available at Bloodroot (203)
576-9168. For more info on the group call Christine (203) 847-8476.
JULY FRIENDRAISER
SAT, JULY

19, 5-9

PM AT JOHN

&

ROLAND'S

This month's Friendraiser will be held on Saturday, July 19th, from 5
to 9 PM at John and Roland's home, Building 50, Unit 3 71, on Court
Din Success Park, Bridgeport. Weather permitting, this Friendraiser
will be a cook-out with hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, Italian sausage,
beer and soda. The usual donation will be requested: TCC members
$8, non-members $10.
DIRECTIONS: Vial-95, takeExit27AtotheRoute8/25 Connector.
Take exit 5, North Avenue/Boston Avenue. Turn left at the end of the
exit and follow Boston Avenue about two miles. At the 8th traffic light
(Success Avenue, just past a CVS store) take a left. Proceed past two
stop signs to a row of stores on the right. Turn LEFT into Court D,
directly opposite Success Market. Park. Building 50, Unit 371 is the
third building on the right, the end unit. Lost? Call 334-3822.

TCC MOYIE NIGHT
After a short hiatus, TCC Movie Night at Sono Cinema in Norwalk will
return on Sunday, July 20th at 7:30 P. M. The film "Johns" will be
featured this month. "Johns" is a tou8h minded study of LA street_
hustlers. Like "Midnight Cowboy," 'Johns" explores the theme of
friendship in a dog-eat-dog world. Hollywood's hot up-and-coming
new star, Luke Hass, plays the role of Donnor, a hustler offering
unstinting devotion to his straight mentor, John. John played by David
Arguette, insists that friendship among hustlers is impossible. The
film's plot revolves around John's plans to create a spectacular 21st
birthday for himself.
Dessert and coffee will be served after the film. So come on out and see
some old friends and get some culture! Admission is $10. For more
information call Ed Hatton at (203) 855-9375.
Page2

CONNECTICUT NEWS
BROOKFIELD- TRIANGLES STILL Ar H1GH ScHOOL
The small, round stickers with pink triangles inscribed on them can still
be found on the doors ofsome Brookfield High School classrooms. These
rooms, designated as a compassionate place for students with questions
about their sexuality, can still be found.
When the Board ofEducation voted earlier this spring against supporting
the pink triangle sticker and the accompanying safe zones, the vote was
seen as a change in policy. So far, however, things have stayed the same.
''The board wants to look at this more. That's the message," said
Superintendent David Bristol.
Safe zones designate "safe" classrooms, marked with pink triangles,
where students can talk about their sexuality with nonjudgmental teachers. On April 30, after controversy continued over the policy, the school
board voted 3-3, with one abstention, on a motion to support the safe
zones, putting the future of the zones into question.

BROOKFIELD - STUDENT WRITES ABOUT SAFE ZONES
As a 10th-grade student at Brookfield High School, I am concerned

about the depths to which our town had plunged. The Board of
Education voted 3-3 to reaffirm support for the Safe Zones program at
Brookfield High. As a result (of the tie), the support for the program was
denied.
The board members have handled the situation horribly and
unprofessionally. Barbara TopfUziel.. .. said that some board members,
"have not and will not hear anything contrary to their beliefs." This is an
unfortunate truth that has disappointed a multitude of people ... . It seems
to me that (four) ofthe board members have forgotten that they represent
BHS. The Board ofEducation ....governs the students, and it's about time
they remembered we are directly affected by what they do ....
I am disgusted and disappointed that there was even one vote against the
Safe Zones. Warren Lundquist, a former BHS student ... , told the board
the Safe Zones stopped him from killing himself, yet four board members
either ignored him or do not value a proven life-saving program. It is hard
for me to imagine that the people who make the most crucial decisions
about my school do not think the Safe Zones are appropriate after
someone was honest enough to tell them that the Safe Zones saved his life.
Board member Reinen did not vote on the Safe Zones. He said at the
meeting that he was threatened about his vote. Ifhe is using this to hide
behind, it is time he thought about the people who would be threatened
every day without a nonjudgemental ear to hear what they have to say....
The (board's) "no" decision wasn't just to the Safe Zones, ... .itwas a "no"
to helping other people, a "no" to tolerance and acceptance, a "no" to
preparation and reality, and finally a "no" to humanity.
Written by Jeff Baird and reprinted from the News-Times, June 13, 1997.

HARTFORD - STATE LEGISLATURE PASSES BILL
PROTECTING LGBT YOUTH
With an hour and a halfleft in th:: regular Connecticut legislative session,
the House of Representatives passed a comprehensive education bill that
includes protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation for
youth in K-12 in public schools. The vote passed by 96 to 48 and fell
primarily along party lines with the Democrats giving support to the bill
which included many other provisions not related to sexual orientation.
The bill had passed the Senate with a compromise amendment pushed
by the CT Catholic Conference, which states that the new anti-discrimination statute does not amend other existing statutes regarding curriculum, extra curricular activities or facilities. Lobbyists and lawyers working
on behalf of the lesbian and gay community feel confident that the
narrowly drafted compromise will not limit the ability of students to
bring complaints regarding discrimination even if they involve these
areas .
The Senate defeated an amendment that would have overturned a CT
Supreme Court decision restricting military recruitment on state college
campuses.

July 1997

HARTFORD- 1199 BECOMES FIRST LABOR UNION
To ENDORSE CT PRIDE DAY
District 1199, New England Health Care Employees Union, AFLCIO, became the first labor union to officially endorse this year's
Connecticut Pride Day held last June 21st in Hartford. The 19,000member union's Executive Board voted unanimously to endorse the
Pride Parade and Festival and an official delegation of 1199 members
and staff marched in the parade, waving the union's Solidarity banners
and carryin~ signs that read "1199 Says No To Racism, Sexism,
Homophobia". The Hartford based union represents State healthcare
workers in Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Corrections, and
Children & Family Services, as well as private healthcare workers in
nursing homes, hospitals, and facilities for the mentally retarded and
mentally ill.
-- John Del Vecchio
.

MARLBOROUGH- 14TH ANNUAL WOMENS
MUSICAL RETREAT
The North East Women's Retreat will take place on Labor Day
weekend, August 29 - Sept. 1, in Marlborough, CT. Performers include
Alix Dobkin, Jamie Anderson, Lucie Blue Tremblay, Faith Nolan, Cyd
Slotoroff & Bobbi Blake, ASE, Vicki Shaw, Destiny, and more! There
will also be crafts, swimming, workshops, and games.
Camping prices are $175.00 for the weekend. Cabins are $195 .00.
Children prices are lower. Personal checks will not be accepted after
August 1. After that date only bank checks or money orders will be
accepted.
For registration information and complete informational brochure,
send a legal-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope to: NEWMR, P.O.
597, Branford, CT 06405 or call: (860) 293-8026.

WESTfORT- EQUESTRIAN PROSE Ar BARNES & NOBLE
"It's an American horse racing tragedy," says poet and OUT contributor Michael Klein, whose memoir, "Track Conditions," was published
by Persea in April. He's talking about the story of Swale, the Kentucky
Derby-winning colt who died mysteriously in 1984, just after Klein,
Swale's groom, was fired for creating a drunken ruckus at Pimlico Race
Track in Baltimore. Although Swale's story is now part of the annals of
horse racing, it's also crucial to Klein's personal history, which is
memorably limned in his harrowing book. Indeed, just when you
thought gay literature had been strip-mined of all possible subjects,
Klein steps in with horse racing as both a distinctive backdrop and a bold
metaphor for the vicissitudes of a gay man's life.
"I was a walking wreck when Swale died," says Klein, 42. "But that's
how I got sober. It was the first death in my life that alcohol couldn't
blunt." In the past, alcohol had dulled the pain of Klein's adolescent sex
with a physically abusive stepfather, a mother's questional;>le death, and
a thwarted love affair. "I got sober at the perfect time," wys Klein, the
author of a book of poetry and editor of three anthologies of AIDS
-James Ireland Baker
writing.
Michael Klein will be reading from and signing copies of his book on
Thursday, July 24 at 7:00 PM at Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 1076 Post
Rd East, Westport.

Best wishes to Rosey Apuzzo and Debi Desanti on
their June 14th Commitment Ceremony. The
ceremony, held at Pardee Rose Garden, was
performed bythe minister Cynthia Prescott, of the
Hamden Unitarian Church.
The couple first met on Columbus Day, 1996 at
the Diezel Coffeehouse in New Haven, and from
that moment on felt complete!
Page3

STATE BY STATE

FL -

CA -

The St. Petersburg Times has joined a growing list of companies that have
decided to offer health insurance to domestic partners of gay employees.
Other companies have also come to that conclusion, including some big
names, like IBM, Walt Disney Co., Levi Strauss, and the Tampa-based
Holland & Knight law firm. Other newspapers, including the New York
Times, the Boston Globe and the Seattle Times, also offer the benefit.
Some local governments have also begun to offer insurance to same-sex
partners, including the cities of New York, San Francisco and Chicago.
Companies that have added the benefit have not experienced much, if any
additional costs, primarily because gay couples don't, traditionally, have
children. Materruty costs continue to be the most expensive component of
health insurance. Also, many gay couples do not choose to take advantage
of the extra insurance, perhaps because each partner has individual health
insurance, or because the Internal Revenue Service requires the employee
to pay taxes on the benefits.

LONG BEACH LESBIAN

&

GAY PRIDE PARADE

Over 76,000 people turned out for the 14th annual Long Beach
Lesbian and Gay Pride Parade. This year the parade had more to do
with community than with homosexuality.
Yes, there were lesbians on Harleys, but they were outnumbered by
fellow parade walkers from local churches who waved to the crowd.
The two-hour parade included floats and walkers from community
businesses, churches and nonprofit gay and lesbian organizations. A
thunder ofcheers and applause arose from the thicket of onlookers for
the Christ Chapel's Food Bank marchers whose tireless work has
helped to ensure that HIV-positive women, men and children of
Long Beach don't go hungry.
The parade was an eye-opener for first-time attendees who were
surprised by the vast number of organizations operating within the
local gay community. Parade officials said they added 40 more entries
this year including three companies, McDonnell Douglas, Disney and
Kaiser Permanente, represented by their gay and lesbian workers.

CA -

LA SCHOOL BOARD EXTENDS BENEFITS

After a contentious debate, a divided Los Angeles school board voted
to extend health benefits to the domestic partners of unmarried
employees. The proposal, approved on a 5-2 vote, was designed to
grant equal benefits to homosexual employees of the Los Angeles
Unified School District who are prevented by law from marrying
their partners.

co - GOVERNOR VETOES MARRIAGE BAN
Gov. Roy Romer again vetoed a bill aimed at outlawing gay marriages, calling it "fundamentally negative and divisive." Romer vetoed
a similar ban last year, saying it had an element of "gay bashing."
Backers tried to draw up a bill he could sign, but, he rejected their
effort on technical and general grounds.

DC-

PRIDE PARADE

A school bus full of teachers and a marching phalanx of proud parents
won the hearts of many onlookers and the loudest applause during
Washington's 22nd annual gay pride festival. The crowd clapped long
and hard and nudged one another to point out the signs that said "All
children are treasures" and "Traditional families have gay children
too." The parade culminated a week of gatherings and events for the
community.
The parents, members of The Parents, Family and Friends of
Lesbians and Gays, are old timers to the parade but the teachers,
members of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Teachers Network of Metropolitan D.C., were making their first parade appearance.
The parade included about 150 groups, floats and individuals- more
than ever before. Gay couples were everywhere. As in past years,
dozens of men in drag presided from floats, and others marched in
leather and chains or promenaded as sequined drum majorettes. But
they seemed outnumbered by parade participants who represented
much less exotic segments of the gay community: rowing clubs and
swimming groups, churches, a choir, outdoor activity clubs, federal
employees.
•

FL - GAY

DAYS AT DISNEY

Gay Days has been an annual event at Walt Disney World since 1991,
when a group called Digital Queers - a few hundred Orlando area
gays who communicated through computer bulletin boards - chose
Disney World as a place to meet face to face. This year, the three-day
event swelled to include about 60,000 homosexual visitors, according
to travel agents' estimates
The American Family Association and the Assemblies of God Church
have launched boycotts of Disney for what they call its effort to
mainstream gay and lesbian lifestyles. But such censure has done
nothing to deter business. Universal Studios Florida and Sea World,
two other theme parks near Orlando, hosted their own Gay Days
events this year.

July 1997

NEWSPAPER EXTENDS BENEFITS

IA - Six CARE

CENTER WoRKERS ARE FIRED

A Davenport care center manager has fired six employees because he said
they were homosexual and do not have acceptable "moral character."
"When I first came here, there was probably at least three - excuse my
French - faggots working here and I had at least three dykes working
here," said Roger Crow, administrator of St. Katharine's Living Center.
"And when I first came here it was, like, these people are gone . .. This isn't
the kind of atmosphere that I want to project when a client or family
member comes to my nurses station and sees a 45 -year-old faggot that has
got better skin than you and I and is a man but presents itself more like a
woman."
Even though the privately-owned 110-bed residential facility for the
mentally ill receives more than $600,000 annually in state money, officials
have failed to act because there is no provision in Iowa law protecting
homosexuals from being singled out for discrimination in the workplace.
The U.S. attorney's office in Des Moines was notified of the firings. "But
it's very unlikely we would have any jurisdiction," said Al Overbaugh of the
U.S. attorney's office. "Sexual orientation is not a protected right under
federal law. If it involved race or age, that would be a different matter."

LA -

HEALTH BENEFITS

In New Orleans, Mayor Marc Moria! announced that the city would
provide health insurance for the domestic partners of its gay employees.
Officials say they expect about 1% of 6,400 city employees to use the
coverage.

MA -

GAY

y OUTH

MARCH

Schools throughout the state are taking steps to end homophobia in their
student body under a state mandate to make schools safe for all students,
according to administrators and teachers.
In May, teens led two thousand adults and youths on the third annual Gay/
Straight Youth Pride March in Boston. It is said to be the only such march
in the nation. With both cheers and jeers from onlookers, the group
marched to mark the creation of more than 100 gay/straight alliances in the
state's schools.
"It would have been unthinkable to have a march like this five years ago,"
said David Lafontaine, chair of Governor William F. Weld's Commission
on Gay and Lesbian Youth, which sponsors the alliances.
The effort is important, Lafontaine said, because gay, lesbian, and bisexual
students are four times more likely to attempt suicide, five times more
likely to miss school because of feeling unsafe, and nearly five times more
likely to use cocaine, according to a state Department of Education study
released yesterday.

MN-

STATE PASSES GAY MARRIAGE PROHIBITION

A new state law signed by Gov. Arne Carlson bans gay marriages in
Minnesota and denies recognition of gay marriages performed in other
states. Minnesota is now the 15th state to ban gay marriages.

Page4

T NEWS & VIEWS
MT-

GAYS TAKE To STREETS IN PRIDE! PARADE
Despite earlier threats and countless letters of anguish to the Bozeman Daily
Chronicle opposing a Pride! parade down Main Street, the June 8 event went
off largely without a sour note. No hecklers, no shouting and no fights.
About 300 gays, lesbians, bisexuals, their families, friends and pets marched to
the Emerson Cultural Center. Onlookers, perhaps several hundred of them,
lined the entire parade route. Many clapped as the colorful procession, about
three blocks long, passed by.
The next day in the city's gym, five same-sex couples were "married," by two
ministers. It was the first mass public same-sex wedding in the state.
The 150 guests that were in attendance clapped after each couple declared their
love and exchanged their vows. Afterward, representatives from local religious
congregations - from the Jewish, Congregational, Quaker and UnitarianUniversalist faiths - came forward to publicly affirm the relationships.
The law prohibits same-sex marriages in Montana, but because these commitments do not have the sanction of law and carry no legal benefits of marriage,
the couples are not breaking the law.

NC - Goos

AND GoooEssEs
Organizers of Raleigh's annual Artsplosure consider their festival familyoriented fun. The choice for this year's festival logo was a portrait of the Greek
goddess Persephone who is said to be the embodiment of spring.
The task of designing the logo went to artist, Louis St. Lewis, who decided it
would be, "fun to play gender-bender with the strait-laced, furitanical city of
Raleigh." After his portrait of the goddess was displayed al over the city St.
Louis revealed that the image was actually a portrait of himself adorned in
flowers, feathers and makeup.

NM - LESBIAN GROUP ADOPTS A HIGHWAY
You've seen the signs along highways, promoting organizations that have
"adopted" a stretch of road and promised to keep it free oflitter. Well, Lesbians
for Change, an Albuquerque group adopted a one-mile stretch oflnterstate 40
last November. "We are part of the community and want to do what other
organizations do," said Sonia Bettez of Lesbians for Change.
Angry motorists have called or written highway officials in Santa Fe, including
Gov. Gary Johnson. He explained that the highway department puts up the
signs for civic minded groups that promise to clean up highway litter at least
twice a year. "As a state agency we can't discriminate against any organization,"
he said. And, he added that, "Lesbians for Change have been one of the better
groups in doing cleanups."
RI-

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT POLICY ON GAYS

&

LESBIANS
The Rhode Island Department ofEducation's Board of Regents for Elementary
and Secondary Education recently stated that all people and groups should have
full access to educational opportunities and full participation in educational
experiences. Barriers to student participation which are based on sexual
orientation must be identifi~d and removed.
Students, because of their ac!rual or perceived sexual orientation, should not be
subject to discrimination t!irough abuse, harassment, or exclusion from full
participation in educational activities The Board said that all students, without
exception, have the right to come to school and feel safe.
Local school districts were urged to review programs, services and activities to
assure that such offerings are conducted in a manner that is free of inadvertent
or intentional bias. Each local school district is also urged to prohibit harassment based on sexual orientation through the development and enforcement of
appropriate student and staff behavior and disciplinary policies.

WA -

DOMESTIC BENEFITS EXTENDED
When the city council OK'ed domestic partners benefits, Tumwater, Washington became the smallest city in the United States to grant benefits to domestic
partners of its employees. The council of the 11,700-person city voted in favor
of an ordinance that will give partners of gay and lesbian employees, along with
unmarried heterosexual partners, the same benefits as the spouses of heterosexual employees. Employees will have to sign affidavits that they are in longterm, committed relationships before their partners get benefits.

July 1997

NICHOLS AVE. CEMETERY AKA ST. JOHNS
Demovick, Zelinski, Hovan and Pollock
Orthodox crosses, old carved and new polished headstones
rusting Jesus' on iron crosses
yellow primroses for baby Shiroky
Mother Mary blesses the Bilchaks
and the archangel looks pleadingly skyward
for the Skirkanich war vet, John and
his wife Margaret C.
violet glass or is it plastic protects a fading
photograph of Stephan Homko December'22
left over Easter crosses made from rushes
bravely holds their ground on this wind whipped hill
i'm not usually taken to stroll in strange graveyards
the bittersweet sadness of these lives marked by stone
washes over me
and i wonder how long it's been since i sat
by my Father's, Grandmother's, Mom's and aunt's graves
bronze plaques all,
and brushed away the dead grass blades
bringing them fresh flowers, news of my life
and prayers for their love and guidance
the answer.. ...
too long
jdm 5/16/97(justine d. Michaud)
[Ed Note: Did you know that Justine went to Hollywood High ?
She graduated from UC Irvine with a BS in Biological Sciences
and her first real Job was in research with a pharmaceutical
company. She & her partner Meg moved to Stratford in 1983.]

WOMEN WANTED
Looking for women in trades/professions to start a Womens
Trade/Professional Services Directory.
Women need to network their talents so that when a sister
thinks her lights are possessed because they keep blinking on
and off, she can call a sister electrician or when a pipe in the
basement decides to bust she can call a sister plumber. If she
feels water from the roof falling on her as she sleeps, a sister
carpenter can come to the rescue. She can feel safe with a
tradeswomen working in her house, condo or apartment.
The Directory might also list referrals for legal advice,
medical problems, and even financial needs.
If you would be interested in being listed in this directory,
please send your name, address, phone number and trade or
profession to the following address:
Penny Lu Bowen - 150 Palamar Drive - Fairfield, CT 06432
(203) 372-6965

TRIVIA QUESTION
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Broo yn

colum- •
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Page5

T NEWS & VIEWS
NATIONAL NEWS

AIDS DRUGS INCREASE RISK OF DIABETES

GAY DOLL FINDS FANS AND FOES

The government warned doctors yesterday that thousands of
patients taking the powerful new AIDS drugs called protease
inhibitors should be closely watched for an unexpected side
effect: diabetes. In letters nationwide, the Food and Drug
Administration stressed that the estimated 150,000 Americans
taking protease inhibitors should not stop, because the diabetes
risk appears fairly small.
But the FDA, investigating after complaints from pioneering
AIDS researcher Dr. Michael Gottlieb and from Japan's drug
regulators, discovered 83 patients who contracted diabetes or
high blood sugar - or had those diseases suddenly worsen - after
they began taking protease inhibitors. Six cases were lifethreatening, and 21 other patients needed hospitalization.
The FDA called the cases disturbing enough that it is relabeling
all four protease inhibitors now sold in the United States to
warn about the potential side effect. And the agency urged
patients yesterday to immediately report to a doctor such
symptoms as increased thirst, unexplained weight loss, increased urination, fatigue and dry, itchy skin.
As many as 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 100 patients who take protease
inhibitors may be at risk, said FDA medical officer Dr. Jeff
Murray. Many of those may be treated for diabetes successfully
without stopping their AIDS therapy, he said. But half of the
83 patients discovered so far had to quit taking protease
inhibitors, which have revolutionized AIDS care in the last
year.

Billy is blond with sky blue eyes. His ripped abs and muscular body are eyecatching. He's got smooth skin, kissable hps, a killer smile, and he's anatomically
correct, to say the least. Move over Ken, there's a new man on the block. At 13
inches tall and made of a plastic, he's the first out and proud gay doll.
The doll was born in 1994 at an AIDS benefit in London. Then a limited edition
of just 1,200 dolls, Billy sold for $275 each. Two years later, the company (The
Pride Factory in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) decided it wanted to mass produce Billy and
headed to New York to launch the project.
From Key West to New York to San Francisco, Billy is becoming a best seller. He's
catching on in Europe and Japan, where he is just beginning to be marketed by
New York-based Totem International. Since being introduced last March, Billy
has been a fast seller. At $49.95 each, more than 25,000 have been sold since they
hit store shelves.
Billy had his first "coming out'' party at a hip gay club on South Beach, Fla. last
month. Hundreds turned out to see buff strippers who started out dressed like
Billy. The monthly party heads next to Fire Island, N .Y., and Provincetown, Mass.
There are four Billy varieties on store shelves now, with plans for a doll clothing
line. San Francisco Billy, clad in black cut-off shorts, a white T-shirt and a plaid
hooded vest is a popular one. There's also Cowboy Billy, dressed in a red and white
shirt unbuttoned to his waist with a matching handkerchief around his neck, blue
jeans and a cowboy hat. Master Billy, the first to sell out on South Beach, wears
a black leather vest, a leather harness, no shirt, tight black leather pants and a biker's
hat. Lastly, there's Sailor Billy wears a white sailor's hat, a blue striped shirt with
an anchor on it and white button-down bell bottoms.
Two limited edition Billys, Leather Billy and Wall Street Billy, are on the way
along with two more members of the "alternative family of dolls." All that is
known about the two new dolls is that they will hit the stores in August and that
one is male and the other is female .

DNC G1vEs HEALTH BENEFITS To GAY CouPLES
Following in the footsteps of many top American companies, the Democratic
National Committee announced that it would offer same-sex partners the same
health benefits available to spouses of its employees.
Single-sex marriage has not been legalized, so such benefit offerings are not
required by law. Nevertheless, approximately 500 companies, including Microsoft,
International Business Machines Corp., Walt Disney Co., Apple Computer and
Time-Warner, offer health benefits to domestic partners of their employees. In
addition, numerous cities, counties and universities offer similar programs.
The committee's new benefits policy will cover single-sex partners of its 150
employees and will take effect on July 3. Single-sex couples must have lived
together for 12 consecutive months before being eligible for these benefits. How
domestic partnership will be verified has not been decided yet.

PRESBYTERIANS To VoTE ON "CHASTITY" AMENDMENT
Gay and lesbian rights supporters in the Presbyterian church (USA) are offering
a compromise to a proposal that essentially barred homosexuals from Presbyterian
pulpits. "It's a small, incremental step, a move towards reconciliation because the
church is up in arms," said the Rev. Laurene Lafontaine of Denver. "It doesn't
have the prohibitive nature that Amendment B has. It makes it more tolerable,"
said Lafontaine, moderator of a denomination called Presbyterians for Gay and
Lesbian Concerns.
The compromise to what is known as Amendment B adds the words "and all
relationships of life" to that Amendment B[rovision. Amendment B, or the
"fidelity and chastity'' amendment, was passe at last year's national convention.
It was narrowly approved by the denomination's regional bodies, called presbyteries,
winning 50.6 percent of the votes.
The amendment to the church's constitution has been criticized as a thinly veiled
attempt to keep gays and lesbians from ordained positions. Although it does not
name gays and lesbians, it includes a provision that the only acceptable sexual
expression for ordained persons is between a man and a woman within the context
of marriage, or "chastity in singleness."
More than 20 congregations across the country have voted to disregard the new
rule, which would take effect immediately unless the compromise is approved.
Even if the agreement is accepted, it would still have to go to a vote before the
denomination presbyteries.

July 1997

T RANSGENDERED DISUNINVERSE
If you're trans gendered, you live in a world I like to call the
disuninverse, because compared to the outside world, it's a
disunited, inverse universe. Our disunity comes from the
contention that arises from the over-importance we
transgendered people place on our myriad differences . Over
time, these differences have become walls that keep the different out of our respective spaces. Some of these finding-fault
lines occur between crossdressers and transsexuals; gay, bisexual and straight people; out and closeted folks; white and
nonwhite; those economically privileged and those who are
not; and M2Fs and F2Ms. These differences wreck havoc on
our fledgling attempts to build a real community and to
organize a political movement for it. Thus far, we have chosen
to view those friendships, cliques, conventions and organizations which dominate the social and political landscape as the
transgendered "community''. However, in reality we manage
to break most of the most widely accepted rules for what
constitutes a true community.
The inverse nature ofour disuninverse comes from some things
that are backward with us. Here the M2Fs, the women, rule the
roost. We have used our born-male privilege and the perks that
come with it, like access to education, training and "old boy
networks", to gain positions of economic power. We run
almost all of the support groups, control six out of seven of the
largest national organizations (FTM International is the lone
exception) and thus decide how the bulk of the money is spent
and how resources are allocated. Most of us M2Fs subconsciously cling to our former male privilege and act accordingly,
out of some superior sense of entitlement. That is what drives
feminist women crazy when unthinking transsexual women,
unaware of this antagonism, enter their space.
And it also disturbs many, if not most, of the trans gendered
men, the F2Ms. The transmen have been underground for
many years for various reasons, and only recently are they
coming out in any significant numbers. Almost all of them
come from the lesbian community, so unlike the mostly
heterosexual M2Fs they bring an initial queer identity with
them when they come out as transgendered. Moreover, most
of them are feminist and thus have great difficulty dealing with
the entrenched male privilege they find, especially that ofM2F
Page6

T NEWS & VIEWS
leaders at all levels of the transgendered community.
Although F2Ms are usually welcomed by M2F leaders at
the meetings and conventions of the national organizations, there has been a perception by many F2Ms that an
overall unwillingness exists on the part ofM2F leaders to
share power equally with them.
In keeping with the inverse nature of the transgendered
community, its the transmen who have custody of their
children, and thus have to deal with the myriad concerns
of child care and day care in order to work, on top of
being transgendered. Almost all F2Ms come from economic positions ofless than, since they have lived most
of their lives without born-male privilege. Since it is still
harder for women to be accepted in many traditional
male occupations, most F2Ms have not had access to
training in these fields and have not acquired the skills to
do high-paying, traditionally male jobs. Without a male
socialization experience from birth, all of them lack entry
points into established old boy networks. Indeed, the
reddest herring in the F2M community is that transmen
are suddenly blessed with instant economic privilege the
moment they transition, when in truth, it takes a lifetime
to gain it. And a poorer economic status has serious
consequences for the transmen who want surgery, because it is much more expensive that M2F surgery, with
much less satisfying results.
If what you're reading surprises you, its probably because you personally don't know any transmen, because
most of them don't come to our M2F support ~roup
meetin~s. Why? Well, its not that we're unfriendly
(somenmes, we're too friendly). Some transmen do go
to MAGIC meetings for their family issues, and even
TGEA has seen a few stone butches or F2M crossdressers.
A few of us have some good friends in the F2M community, and some of the guys like to come to our meetings
as a social event, but not enough.
This article was written by listwrangler@netgsi.com &
appeared in the connecticuT View newsletter. Members
of cT View invites F2M TV's to join them. For a
complimentary newsletter, club information and
membership form write to: the connecticuT View, P.O.
Box 2281, Devon, CT 06460 or e-mail to:
MasonD@aol.com.

FOUR SUMMER STEALS
This summer, scores of queers whose Palm Springs and Key West tans are starting to
fade will head for traditional summer resorts. They're also paying top dollar and
scrambling for available rooms. But savvy gays and lesbians can find pleasurable
vacations at bargain prices in destinations commonly thought of as winter-only. The
next time you're sweltering inside your Detroit or Washington, DC, apartment,
longing for an affordable getaway, consider Key West, New Orleans, Palm Springs,
or even Tuscon.
Year-round Key Westers, known locally as "Conchs," (rhymes with "wonks")
understand the summer pleasures of their remote island in the Caribbean. This is when
tourism falls off, a few businesses go on hiatus, and the town takes on a low-key mood.
The mercury rarely tops 90 degrees, and sea breezes temper the warmest days. The sea
is crystal clear, the water temperature mild; snorkelers and scuba divers consider this
the best time to explore underwater Key West. Ask many tourists why they never visit
in summer, and they'll argue that Florida is strictly a winter destination. Think again.
Most of the island's gay guesthouses stay open year-round, many slashing their rates
by 30 to 50 percent. One of the most popular men's compounds, the Oasis, charges
$99 to $135 nightly off-season, compared with $159 to $189 in winter. The elegant
Brass Key, popular with both gay men and lesbians, has rooms starting at just $69 in
summer - about half off. Like other resorts off-season, Key West mellows considerably; it's ideal for couples or travelers in search of solitude. Most bars and restaurants
remain open, and dinner reservations are easy to come by. One final note: Florida's
hurricane season runs from about August until early November, making a trip here
slightly risky atthis time. Key West, however, hasn't (knock on wood) been slammed
by a severe storm in many years.
Sultry New Orleans is another destination most tourists favor in winter. Indeed, the
Big Easy's fabulous February-March Mardi Gras is one of the wildest - and gayest festivals in the world. In summer, tourism drops and the heat index (temperature
factored with relative humidity) shoots up to a swampy ll5 degrees. Scary. But if
you're a bargain hunter, you may want to give it a go. Most gay-popular accommodations cut their rates by $20 or $30 nightly; two of the most elegant inns in the French
Quarter, the Lafitte House and the Ursuline Guest House, offer inviting -off-season
deals. Furthermore, the city is by no means desolate, as conventioneers invade the city
all summer, keeping the restaurants and bars abuzz with activity (and scads of cute
women and men). Keep in mind, however, that around Labor Day New Orleans
celebrates its second-queerest event, Southern Decadence - an enchantingly sin-filled
extravaganza, but a time when room rates soar. On the chance that hot humid weather
gives you the creeps, New Orleans does experience one other mini "low season," which
begins just after Thanksgiving and lasts ti! about the third week in December. The
weather is usually balmy and sunny at this time, and many guest houses again dip their
rates, especially on weekdays.
Unless you're a die-hard heat addict, the lowest rates in the world may not lure you
to Palm Springs in the dead of summer. Late September and October, however, is
relatively cooler and still very affordable. The thermometer usually remains in the low
90s - it's a dry heat, as locals are fond of saying, and that low humidity truly does help.

OTHER AREA GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Bare & Gay (B&G) gay nudists
(860) 644-4305
Bisexually Curious Support Group Bpt
(203) 264-5605
(203) 899-0270
Chiltern Mountain Club
(203) 256-8414
Connecticut Kids and Families
(203) 791-9553
Connecticut Freedom to Marry Coalition
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
(203) 724 5542
Hartford Community Center
Married Men's Bisexual Suppt Grp Htfd
(203) 262-1555
Metropolitan Community Church
(203) 389-6750
(914) 948-4922
The Loft, White Plains NY,
(203) 931-8789
Triangle Bowling League
(203) 255-6229
Triangle Kids
(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.

July 1997

Most of the community's gay resorts don't raise their rates until
November 1, meaning discounts from 25 to 50 percent prevail.
Consider the acclaimed Hacienda en Sueno, whose rooms start at $125
in season and drop to well below $100 the rest of the year. The womenonly Bee Charmer drops prices by $10 to $20 off-season, with rooms
starting at just $55. Bars are somewhat quiet in October, except on
weekends, and the usually frenetic action around the pool doesn't pick
up at most resorts until winter, but this is still not an entirely sleepy time
to visit. If you are willing to brave the intense heat of summer, treat
yourself to the Ritz-Carlton Rancho Mirage. The room you'd pay $305
for in March goes for a staggeringly low $99 in summer - not bad for
one of the snazziest resorts in the country, and a very gay-friendly one
at that.
Tucson, Ariwna, is another desert destination you might consider
visiting in fall. This queer-friendly city with a significant lesbian and
feminist population is stunning, mountainous, and blessed with terrific
restaurants, even if it lacks the nonstop nightlife and high profile of a
Palm Springs. It used to be that most inns only dropped their prices in
summer, but many now cuttheir rates 10 to 15 percent during the mild
autumn months - especially on weekdays. Outdoors enthusiasts should
consider the gay-friendly Casa Tierra B&B, which is just beyond the
dramatic mountains west of the city. If you want to be closer to nightlife
and restaurants, try the elegant and historic Catalina Park Inn, which is
close to downtown and the University of Ariwna.

Page 7

T ~EWS & VIEWS
CYBER NEWS
PLANETOUT TEAMS WITH BARNES AND NOBLE
TO LAUNCH PRIDE BOOKS
With Gay Pride Month in full swing, the leading gay/lesbian
online service and the world's largest bookseller online have
teamed up to celebrate Gay Pride with a special Pride Bookstore
micro-site . Pride Books, a joint project of PlanetOut
(www.planetout.com or America Online Keyword: PlanetOut)
and Barnesandnoble.com (www.bamesandnoble.com or AOL,
Keyword: Barnes and Noble), opened on June 15. The site can
be accessed through both companies' Web and AOL sites.
Along with specially selected titles of interest to gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgendered readers, Pride Books offers live chats
with gay and lesbian authors, updates on bestsellers, and searchable book reviews. Book lovers can purchase any book featured
on the site directly from Barnesandnoble.com at discount prices
- 30 percent off all hardcovers and 20 percent off all paperbacks
in stock.

HOT SPOT
Call it gay-ol. When he decided that mainstream online services
were too restrictive and gay sites and BBSes too narrowly
focused, San Francisco entre1;>reneur Andy Kramer developed
www.gay.net, the most ambit10us gay service on the Web. With
links to dozens of gay and lesbian political, health and news
sites-as well as erotica, uncensored chat rooms and even a
matchmaking si;:rvice-you could spend half the night surfing
and find only halfofwhat's there. The premium offerings will cost
$9.95 a month after a free 30-day trial.

Deadline fo, lhe Augu,I ftem1leUe, will be
lalu,day 11 July. We cannot gua,anlH lhal
male,ial ,eceived afte, lhal dale will be included in Augu,I ftem1&YieW1.

THE GAY GOURMET

Sogliola Alla Milanese
(Fillet of Sole Milanese)
I pound sole fillets
1/4 cup flour
I egg
2 tbsp water
2/3 cup Italian bread crumb
4 tbsp butter. divided
4 lemon wedges
Lightly coat the fish with flour. Mix egg
with water. Dip fish in egg mixture and
coat with bread crumb. In large skillet
melt 3 tbsp butter. Add fillets as room
allows and saute over medium heat
until golden on both sides. about 3 mins.
Remove to platter and repeat with remaining fillets and butter. Serve with
lemon wedges. Four servings.
July 1997

LESBIAN

&

GAY TEENS TODAY - (F1RsT OF Two PARTS)

Sex may be power, but there's nothing empowering about being homeless, hungry,
and destitute because your earents discovered you kissing your girlfriend (boyfriend) .
The way American society 1s set up now, the direct consequence of being lesbian/gay
can be, extreme, life-threatening economic impoverishment.
Thousands oflesbian & gay teens across the country are experiencing this phenomenon
as we speak. According to statistics, nearly two million young queers who come out
to their parents this year will be kicked out of their homes. Anecdotal evidence says,
moreover, that a young lesbian who leaves home will drop, instantaneously, to the
poorest class in society regardless of her ethnicity, her class background, or whether
she grew up in a rural or urban environment. With no job skills, savings, or funds for
education, she'll stay that way. Although support groups for lesbian & gay youth have
exploded across the country, what the gay community refuses to admit is that
struggling queers under 25 dpn't need conscious raising 1f they are to survive-they
need money.
Maxine Sedgewick, for example, didn't need any hand holding for her queer sensibility.
She knew she was ~ay when sbe was 12 and came out to her family and her high school
when she was 17. My parents were really mad that I had come out when I did," she
recalls. "They I said I should have waited until later, when I wasn't associated with
them. They said I was in a phase, I just wanted attention, and that I wasn't a real lesbian.
My dad wouldn't talk to me for a week after I came out, and then he raped me. He said
I didn't love him anymore since I was gay."
Sedgewick moved out immediately and lived with her boss until she finished high
school and entered college. After completing one year of college, she tried to return
home, but feared for her safety. After living out of her car for a couple of weeks,
Sedgewick began working as a stripper to pay for an apartment. She tried unsuccessfully to go back to college once. Today, at 20, Sedgewick works as a call girl in New
York. Although she worlcs less and makes more money than she ever did cfancing, she
suffers from chronic depression. :She dreams of going back to school again, but fears
re-entering the mainstream. "This profession takes a huge toll on me. I'd like to change
professions, but now my perception ofhuman nature is so skewed because of what I've
done."
Unfortunately, Sedgewick's story is not an isolated case, nor is she merely a victim of
circumstance. Sedgewick's initial homelessness, her difficulty finding a job that would
meet her most basic needs, her decision to drop out of school, and her involvement
in the sex industry-all of these experiences are economic difficulties endemic to a
~eneration of teenage lesbians & gays who dare to practice sexual self-determination
m a society that punishes homosexuals. In fact, Sedgewick's story isn't unusual, it's
typical.
Like Sedgewick, most gay youth's financial difficulties begin when they intentionally
or accidentally come out to their families. Incredibly, according to a U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services study, one in four gay and lesbian teens are forced to
leave home because of a conflict over sexual orientation. As a result, according to a
1993 Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center Survey, queer kids account for
over 25 percent of all homeless youth in America. (The estimated number of homeless
youth varies; experts count between 450,000 to two million. That makes between
112,000 and 500,000 gay and lesbian homeless youth in this country.) Like
Sedgewick, many gay youths are dropouts: nearly a third don't even make it through
high school. And although absolutefy no statistics exist for the number of unskilled
lesbians who enter the sex industry after leaving home, for young gay males, the figure
is a whopping 50 percent.
Because families are the principle means by which youth in our society are supported,
a child or teen whose family stops providing for her/him essentially falls through
society's cracks. Unbelievably, parents or caretakers may decide to withdraw their
support at any time with no real threat of recourse from the government or their child.
Whether their child is an abandoned minor (also known as a "throwaway") or a
runaway, caretakers are not held responsible for their child once they decide to end the
relationship. Only the most flagrant, public neglect or abuse will cause a government
agency to make sure the family pays for its chi1dren's food, clothing, and housing.
Significantly enough, in all states teens have a legal right to food, housing, and clothing
at their parents' expense until they're 18, regardless of whether they've told their
parents they're gay. However, almost no teens are empowered with this information.
When I called, the staffers for the National Runaway Switchboard had never heard of
such a law. After I told them I was a runaway gay kid, they advised me to obtain legal
emancipation, a process that would relieve my parents of their fmancial obligations.
The only other option I was given was to sue my parents for a divorce, but I was assured
that my chances for success were close to nonexistent, especially because I'm gay.
A youth made poor as a result of coming out to her/his parents, will also find little
encouragement from other governmental programs. This is because foster care and
other social assistance programs for youths are structured to account for a minuscule,
"ideal" population. In this country, in fact, if every single child in foster care were
queer, that would still only account for 19 percent of the total population of gay youth
estranged from their parents. Furthermore, whatever the program, money is consistently, dispersed through the hands of adults, a process that involves its _own ris~.
[Ed. Note: This article was written by Athena Douris and has been reprinted with
permission from Girlfriends, a national magazine featuring culture, politics &
sexuality from a lesbian perspective. For free sample copy call 1-800-GRL-FRNDJ

Page8

T NEWS & VIEWS
f REE DOM

OF THE SOUL

So far down but a whisper can you hear
beneath the darkness and clouded sky's
deeply imbedded surrounded like twine
Freedom is calling calling within
untouched waters the giant does sleep
the beat from the galley call out in despair
our souls are crying and craving for care
But onward we march as the trumpets they blare
running and pounding around as we go

TRIANGLE COMMUNITY CENTER, INC.
P.O.BOX 4062, East Norwalk, CT 06855
Tel/Fax: (203) 853-0600
e-mail TCCenter@aol.com
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
DON BUXTON ......... .... .... .. ............ President
DA VE CARROLL ... ........................ Vice-President
BARB SCHADE ................ ... .. .. ....... Treasurer
LEN HOREY ........................... .... .... Corresponding Secretary
DA VE CARROLL ........... ... ............. Acting Recording Sec'y
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JOHN DEL VECCHIO
DON BUXTON
LEN HOREY
CHRISTINE B
BARB SCHADE
DENYSE BURKE
JOHN WALLACE
DA YID CARROLL

like horses and pistons on a merry go round
listen and hear the voice of your soul
Freedom is calling calling within
nature will nurture her voice can be heard
trip roar of the lion hear the hoofs of the herd
pain and sorrow a pool of tears
searching prodding all out of fear
As a relic lies still the fragments remain
the call for the soul was all in vain
but alas from the fires and orangey flames

STANDING COMMITTEES
AIDS Liaison
Tom M
Board Development
Vacant
Communications
John D
-Public Relations
Mike C
Finance
Doug N
Fundraising/Sp Events
Michael P
Membership
Vacant
-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
Meg B & Justine M

374-6934
334-3822
375-3567
838-2367
866-6993
222-8294
595-9799
838-1881
374-6934
222-8294
375-9020

like a phoenix rising the soul has been saved
to this we shall wait when the voice is now clear

9{.'E'WS & 'V1'EWS

Freedom is calling calling within

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 :

voices from the valley pages at dawn
consciously flowing rivers of thought
To tend to my soul is to live life in full
no matter where I be my soul will be free
to differ and travel on paths unpathed
wrapped up in blankets with candles at bay
mirror images reach out to be heard
adhere to it's calling avoid the abyss
like a statue in waters symbolic for all
we've jumped many hurdles when it was easier to fall
Freedom is calling calling within
to my family and friends and to all who will hear
Freedom of the soul is a manifestation of life.
Copyright 1996 by Raffaele Faugno
[Ed. Note: Raffaele was born in England and moved to America
nine years ago. At 13 he dropped out of school and become a jockey.
While successful in his pursuit, by the time he was 16 he had literally
outgrown his position. Moving to America he continued working
with race horses and trainers. Currently he buys and sells race
horses. He resides in Stamford where he is both a student and parttime teacher of the taekwondo style of martial arts.]

July 1997

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 permission.

Page9

T NEWS & VIEWS
NICHOLAS LANG, MS, NCC
Counseling & Psychotherapy Services

AIDS
STAMFORD HEALTH DEPARTMENT
AIDS PROGRAM
HIV ANTIBODY TESTING
anonymous and fr•• testing
We are h•r• and we are helplng

an
equal opportunity
infection

967-AIDS

men, women, children

PLAY SAFE

St,ephanre's Limng Room, Inc.
Specializing in Quality Social Events
• Dances • Cabarets •
• Business and Professional Events •
• Weekend and Day Bus Trips •
• Events Designed for Women •
Scephanie Philips • 90 Ryan Ave • Scracford, CT• 06497 • (203) 377-2119

Massage Connection

Specializing in Sexual Orientation,
Loss, Relationship, & HIV-related Issues.
New Haven Office
200 Orchard St.
789-0560, Ext. 4

Wilton Office
387 Danbury Road
761-8825

PAUL D. SCHNEIDER
Attorney at Law
PO Box4S1
Southport, CT 06490-04S1
203/25S-5S20
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

1-800-611-0641
Office located in the New Haven area

~ MEMBER OF THE
~ INTERNALTIONAL

a.

1
JI MASSAGE ASSO. . . . . CIATION
'
July 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

• Specializing in residential home mortgages in Fairfield County
• Capable 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 officer for over ten years with a
wealth of knowledge and experience

In /!J.95, 7'hresho/dJforl!fa!fe was citedas the top producin!f morl!f111111
t'OmpanJ harin!f closed omr $115, 11110, 111111 in loans in Fai11ie/d l!oun(r
Page 10

Property of the Cent~r

T ~EWS & VIEWS
Horticultural Botanist
Gardener & House I Pet Sitter
Donald J. Comes
(203) 866-2823
~

-·-

(203) 256--4565
(800) 628•7209
FAX: (203) 256·1759
jnemis@aol.com

~

JOANN ATTWOOD NEMIS
VICE PRESIDENT/ INVESTMENTS

30 7lemey Street

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

Norwalk, CT06851

2150 POST ROAD, FAIRFIELD, CT 06430

SAUGATUCK COUNSELING CENTER

Individual, Couple, Family &: Group Therapy

Specializing in:

Weddings • Comittment Celeb11.ations
and "Coming-Out" Pa11.ties

KURT SPERLING,L.C.S.W.

76 Lake Avenue • Danbury, CT 06810

Tel : 730-1400 • Fax: 798-9611

225 MAIN STREET, LLl • WES'll'ORT, CT 06880 • 203.454.1549

LEADING
HOMES.

ra

THE BUYERS REAL ESTATE COMPANY

MICHAEL

T.

PAVLICIN

OEALTOII'

772 KINGS HIGHWAY WEST

ExCLUSIVE BUYER AGENT
BIIOKER

SOUTHl'OIIT, CONNECTICUT 06490

FAX/2!5!5·370!5 H0MIE/866·6993

203/255-2278

k:adhomd<itaol .com

VICTORIA

Laura L Gates, MSW, LCSW
Individuals, Couples, and Families
7·11 South Broadway, Suite 400
White Plains, NY 10601
(203) 372-9799
(203) 3fi-4ilml

T.

FERRARA

ATTORNEY AT LAW

(203) 227-9585

1169 Sylvan Avenue
Bridgeport, CT 06606

(203) 372-9799
(203)21&41n4

WESTPORT, er
ADMITrED IN er AND NY

J~u-ry- 19_9_7_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _;;;;;...._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~P.a;;;gell

Maria C. Castillo, MSW, LCSW
Individual, Couples, and Family Therapy
Recovery from Abuse
Bilingual

(203) 261-3492
Monroe.CT

MlD-FA1RF1£LD

AlDS PROJ£CT
S£RV1NG TH£ N££'0S Of
TH£ HlV/AtDS COMMVN1TV1N:
NORWALK

(203) 336-2708

W£STPORT
N£WCANAAN
W1LTQN
W£STON
&£ASTON

Bridgeport, CT

AIDIS

l'ROVlDING CLIENT S£RV1CES AND ADVOCACY

_111E_.4_6_~-ill-!°'-in-R-!-~---Do-n-bury-,CT-06-8-11-*

(203)778•9399

FAX (203)7.44•1139

Three detades of GAY travel expertise

MlD-fAIRF1£LD AIDS MtOJ£CT
16R1VER ST.
NORWALK, CT 061110

~RSVP

[Fij/\,

PHONE: (loJ) IJJ-9JJJ

f AX: (loJ) IJMJl1
·1NT£RN£T: k1tP://www.mfAp.com

£-MAIL: mfo@mfAp.com

Diane Hyatt, MSW, CISW
T Solution~riented short or longer tenn

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

psychotherapy for Adults and Adolescents,

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

specializing in, but not limited to:

21 STRICKLAND RD. , COS COB. CONN . 06807 (203) 869-0216

JOSEPH H. SWEENEY, CPA

49 Coolidge Avenue
Stamford. CT 06906

T Depression

T Anxiety
T Post-Trawnatic Stress
T Counseling for Partners & Family
1653 Capitol Avenue "'1' Specialized Psychotherapy Groups
Bridgeport, CT 06606 T Case Consultation
(203) 332-0136
T Clinical Supervision

(203) 964-1847

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., LC.S. W

Small Business Formations and Assistance
225 MAIN SnEET, LL! • WESTPORT, CT 06880 • 203.454.1549

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

Page 12

1

1

Univilii[111~1l~11iil 1l~ Hlililllill~r111ii~1111d,OK

Property of the Center

I

T ~EWS & VIE ..

~ 001

111 368

Support our advertisers!
Say you saw it in News & Views!
,---------------------------~ ~ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
DR. JEANNE E. CASTELLUCCI
CHIROPRACTOR

(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

lrawtrom thein~ideout.

i a way to look within
[ .£ while moving

Lorward
.,

( Du.N• l't1. R•p,-11, M~S,
• ART T'HSIIAJlllaT

•

POBoxao
FAIRflllC&.D, CT, 0800
TacVFAx: 203/llaO.-t•:aa - - - - - - -

Serving Greenwich
~

..,~6~"·
~,o

iV

~,t,'>
~\'-

Darien.New Qri8lll
and Stamford

MICHAEL D. ROME, Esq.
Martin and Rome, LLC
Attorney•-at-Law ,

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

FREE INITIAL HALF
HOUR CONSULTATION

Real Estate Transactions
Tcuation: Bu•ine•• &: Individual
E•tate Planni.1111 &: Probate
Per•onal l,vur:,/Accident Law

131 RowaytonAvenue (on the Five M~ River)
ROWAYTON, CONNECTICUT06853
(203) 853-6671
Faz (208) 853-6818

100 Acres• Pool
Hot Tub• Trails

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

~

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

(203) 255-2767
By Appointment

Ct. Lie. MFT

20 Charming Rooms
Peace & Privacy

A LESBIAN PARADISE

c.(.~NCE PSYCHor/J

~~~
•i~~..
~
Licensed Psychologists ~.-l~

Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual People
and their Families

ASSOCIATES
Westchester & Fairfield

Manhattan

914- 763 - 8814

212- 362 - S98S

Jane

w

Griffith, JD, MBA

Attorney-at-Law

Tax Strategy & Preparation
Estate Planning & Wills

• Real Estate

• Business Consulting

270 Alden Avenue, New Haven, CT 06515-2114

Fax 20l I 387-9899

Voice 203 I 389-8614

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.
July 1997

Page 13

T ~EWS & VIEWS
July, 1997

Calendar
Sun

Mon

Tues

Thu

Wed

Sat

Fri

29
AA 9-IOam
OutSpoken 4-6

30
Women's Rap 7:30

I
HIV couns 3:30-6:30
Lesbian Lit Group 7:30

2
P-FLAG 7:45

3
Men's Rap 7:30
Oral History 7:30

4
Bowling 8:30
Circle Lanes

5

6
AA9-l0am
OutSpoken 4-6

7
Women's Rap 7:30

8
HIV couns 3:30-6:30
Lesbian Political Action
Grp 7:30

9
BiRapGrp7:30
TCC Board 7:30

10
Men's Rap 7:30

11
Out & About 6:30-8
Bowling8:30
Circle Lanes

12

13
AA 9-10 am
OutS poken 4-6

14
Women's Rap 7:30

15
HIV couns 3:30-6:30
Fundraisinl}'Spec Events
Comm 7:30

16

17
Mens' Rap 7:30
P-FLAG Spouses & Exspouses 7:30

18
Bowling8:30
Circle Lanes

19
TCC Friendraiser, John &
Roland's, Bridgeport 59pm

20
AA 9-10 am
OutSpoken 4-6
TCC Movie Night, Sono
Cinema, 7:30pm

21
Women's Rap 7:30

22
HIV couns 3:30-6:30

23
Bi Rap Grp 7:30
TCC Board 7:30

24
Men's Rap 7:30

25
Bowling8:30
Circle Lanes

26

27
AA 9-10 am
OutSpoken 4-6

28
Women's Rap 7:30

30
29
HIV couns 3:30-6:30
Kite Flying TCC 7:00 pm

31
Men's Rap 7:30

I

2

3
AA9-10am
OutSpoken 4-6

4
Women's Rap 7:30

5

7
Men's Rap 7:30
Oral History 7:30

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

6
P-FLAG7:45

TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
GROUPS MEETING AT OR SPONSORED

BYTCC

A.A. - Don 762-9964
Bi Rap Group - Peter 838-2806;Robin 358-8391
Connecticut Business Guild - 225-6464
40+ Womens Group - Judy 227-5566
Free Association of Fairfield County - John 268-8858 x304
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
Lesbian Pot Lucks - Judy 227-7162
Out & About (Gen.X Group) - Jen 736-6417 or Dan 838-2367
Outspoken (Youth)- Barb 259-8171; Dan 227:1755;
Doug 838-2367
Political Action Group - Michele, 438-4465; Charlie, 226-8652
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; Roseann 931-8789
Women's Rap Group - Linda 866-4598; Charlie 226-8652
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.

July 1997

T

Bowling 8:30
Circle Lanes

8
Out & About 6:30-8
Bowling 8:30
Circle Lanes

9

MEMBERSHIP FORM

MEMBERSHIP LISTS ARE CONFIDENTIAL
NAME _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

ADDRESS _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

CITY - - - - - - - - STATE - - - PHONE _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

CONTRIBUTING MEMBER
CONTRIBUTING HOUSEHOLD
SUPPORTING MEMBER
SPONSORING MEMBER
SusTAINING/Bus1NESS MEMBER
SPECIAL MEMBER (YOUTH/SENIOR)

$35
$60
$125
$250
$500
$20

PLEASE MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO:
TRIANGLE COMMUNITY CENTER, INC.

P .0. Box 4062

06855 ATTN:
(203) 853-0600

EAST NORWALK, CT

MEMBERSHIP

Page 14



Part of Triangle Community Center News & Views : v.8:no.7(1997:Jul.)