HerlandVoice-1998-07-v16-no07_ocr.pdf
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MILLENNIUM MARCH CONTROVERSY
by Pat Reaves
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Universal Fellowship ofMetropolitian Community Chmches (UFMCC ) announced
on February 4 that they would sponsor a national gay/lesbian/
bisexual/transgender (g/l/b/t) march on Washington in 2000. Many
G/L/Bff activitists and community leaders have questioned the
rationale for the march and the process HRC and UFMCC followed
in announcing it.
There are several issues I like to raise about the announcement of
the Millennium march/rally and the decision-making process. Elizabeth Birch's visit to Oklahoma would seem a perfect opportunity for
some dialogue but no public forums are planned for her visit. Only
those invited to an exclusive luncheon for major donors will have the
opportunity to engage in any discussion.
HRC, UFMCC, and LLEGO, the organizers of the Millennium
March, have confused marketing for organizing. They've assembled
a product and they are now trying to sell it to the L/G/Bff movement
in the US. The product has a catchy name - "Millennium March."
Logistics are set - it's really a rally not a march. There's a merchandising plan and official travel agents and accommodations. There's
even a marketing survey on the HRC web page. L/G/Bff national,
state, and local organizations are invited to "endorse" the product and
are promised "frequent up-to-date information" in exchange for their
endorsement.
In spite of the marketing line in press statements that the "March
should be absolutely inclusive," exclusivity and arrogance are recmrent themes. The only discussions outside the organizations ofHRC,
UFMCC, and LLEGO have been invitation-only meetings of executive directors of large organizations. A 14 page organizing proposal
for the march reportedly drafted in February has not been made
publicly available. Can inclusion really be planned behind closed
doors?
Organizers say the march will "demonstrate what it means to be
gay in this nation at the turn of the century." So far it seems that
pictme is a pretty limited one. No Vglblt of color organization other
than LLEGO has endorsed the march. While the statement of Nicole
Ramierz-Murray Co-Chair of LLEGO says that LLEGO has joined
HRC and UFMCC as an equal partner, a request for endorsements
from Troy Perry at the UFMCC web site list lists LLEGO as an
endorser along with PFLAG, Dignity and others.
In a joint statement describing what they believe are the benefits
of a march, Birch and Perry say "Everything from ACT-UP to the
'Free Sharon Kowaski' movement were born out of marches on
Washington." (emphasis added) This almost unbelievably arrogant
statement effectively dismisses many organizations and much of the
work of Vg/b/t activists and organizations. None of the Oklahoma LI
G/Bff organizations I have been involved in traces its origins to a
national march.
. ~ke~n~ is about developing a product, packaging it and
distnbuting it m such a way that the product producer receives a return
on_his in~estrnent. What return on investment do the developers of the
Millennium March product want? HRC has a goal of a million
Volume 16 Number 7
members (i.e. contributors) by 2000. Rev. Perry said in a letter posted
on the UFMCC web site, "UFMCC will have the opportunity to reach
tens of thousands of persons who have not yet been touched by om
local chmch ministries."
Organizers have also said they expect the march to "captlll"e some
of the revenue" generated by so many people going to Washingtontranslate that to "make a profit. Where will the dollars to fund such
an enormously expensive event come from? Surely organizers are not
so naive that they really expect the resomces - money, time, and
energy - needed to organize an national event and needed by local
organizations to plan for and moblize participation in that event will
not take away from the resources available to other organizations and
activities?
Organizing is about a process. It is bringing people together to
discuss and shape an event. One of the most basic principles is the
people you want involved are consulted and involved in the process
from the beginning - not invited to endorse yom plan after all the
major decision have been made.
HRC,UFMCC,andLLEGOmightselltheMillenniumMarchto
a million consumers but that still won't build a movement for justice.
Mo~~en!8 are made of people taking action - little and big steps for
social JUSbce everyday - not consumers who hand some organization
a check for a glossy package. Movement building isn't smooth and it
isn't pretty- its messy and moves like a cantankerous old car with a
bad clutch, in jumps and jerks and you're not always sure exactly
where it's going. It is, however, about living like we really believe in
"liberty and justice for all."
Continued on page 2
SUMMER POETRY EVENING
Be prepared for anger, passion, and humor! Topics like these
can generate mountains of words, but Oklahoma City has the
talented women to distill many words into creative images. Herland
is offering a summer evening to show off these talents.
On July 25, several local poets will share their work with us, and
any audience participant is also welcome. The readings will start at
7:00 p.m. Enjoy a relaxed evening (in a cool building) with good
company and light snacks. Donations requested.Cl
Join tlie Cefe6ration!
2 PM-4PM
Sunday, July 19, 1998
at
Harland Sister Resources
Our celebration of the l 50tharuriversaryofthe Women'sRights
Convention in Seneca Falls, New York will include an appearance by
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a "Women's Significa Quiz" (there's nothing trivial about the struggleforwomen 's rights) and light refreshments.
Herland Sister Resources
2312 N.W. 39, OKC, OK 73112
ST. SYBIL
Dear St. Sybil,
I had the damndest thing happen to me today. I was minding
my business and eating my supper when the phone rang and a
voice informed me that, in honor of one hundred fifty years of
women's emancipation, they were proud to offer me a credit card
with little interest and a high limit. "What the hell are you talking
about?", I enquired pleasantly. They began to talk about the
benefits of the card, and I had to interrupt: "No, the other part,"
I snapped.
And of course, it came to me before they could answer:
Seneca Falls; this is the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the
Women's Rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York. And
some incredible slimebag credit card company is using this as a
hook to get more addicts of opulent consumerism on their
particular line. Some piece of excrement is using Elizabeth Cady
Stanton to make it easy for me to sally forth and buy some darling
catch-her, killer-her five-inch heels she would have sooo admired. These foul purveyors of excess and despair are using
Sojourner Truth's back, her labor and passion, to encourage me
to enslave myself to credit card debt.
It is just making me sick thinking about it, and about all of
the women who have worked and fought so valiantly and so long
for women's rights and advancement; and now are being used as
a damned marketing tool... .. what should I do about it, do you
think? I fantasize about how ail my friends and I could get these
cards, and take out the insurance they offer that pays the card off
when you die; then we would max them out on outfitting a
hideaway in Central America or Portland or somewhere, you
know, with furniture, computers, printing presses -and thenfake
our deaths and move to our commune; but that is a little daunting
evenfor someone with my organizational skills. So, Sybil, do you
have anything to suggest?
Thanking you in advance, your friend and fan,
Amahl Rahldup
Dear Amahl,
First of all, let me suggest that you uy to get in touch with your
anger, and stop holding these things in. Secondly, I would like
to offer you the comfort of believing that very few feminist women
and men are going to fall for an offer like this. As a marketing
campaign, it is surely doomed by its inherent flaw of targeting
intelligent and informed people. And lastly, let me agree with you ·
that this is an egregiously offensive and depraved use ·of our
heroes -- and of ourselves who are still active and passionate in
the struggle. Which I am glad you still are. Keep up the good
work and clean up your language.
Fondly,
Sybil
The Voice is published by: Herland Sister Resources, Inc. 2312 N.W.
39th, Oklahoma City, OK 73112
The Voice Is offered as an open forum for community discourse. Articles
renect 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 although a donation
Is requested to meet publication and distribution costs.
2 Her/and Voice April, 1998
MMOW Continued/rampage 1
IfHRC, UFMCC, and LLEGO really want to build an event that
is based in a grassroots movement, there's only one real option - go
back to the beginning, Hold organizing and strategy meetings arowid
the country Gust one meeting in a coastal city is not really an open
process) with all L/G/B!f organizations encouraged to be voting
participants and with attendance and participation open to all. These
meetings would not assume that a rally will be held on April 30, 2000
in Washington but would address such questions as: Is there a
consensus supporting a national march/rally? When and where
should the event be held? What are the goals/or it? planning? How
will we make sure that the planning is inclusive ofthe diversity ofthe
VG/BIT movement and accountable to the grassroots ? What will
be done so that financing of this event does not adversely effect
funding for other important work?
Answering those questions and the many more generated in the
process of discussion and debate will take us a long way toward
developing new activists, strengthening organizations and building
an inclusive movement. And ifa consensus for a march emerges, it
could take a million or more of us to Washington, D.C.IJ
MMOW Related Developments
November, 1997 Robin Tyler proposes a national march in Washington for
2000 to the leadership of NGLTF who decline in favor of supporting already
proposed state marches.
February 3, 1998 Robin Tyler calls Directors of leading LJG/B/T organizations asking for their endorsement of the march telling them they must decide
immediately as the press conference is already scheduled for February 4.
Feburary 4, 1998 The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Universal
Fellowship of Metropolitlan Community Churches (UFMCC) issue a press
release announcing their plans to sponsor the Milliennium March on Washingon
for Equal Rights (MMOW), "the first first human rights march of the new
milliennum" In 2000. The event will be produced by Robin Tyler who is
employed as Executive Director.
Mid-February, 1998 HRC Executive Director, Elizabeth Birch temporarily
stops the march planning process In response to the surrounding controversy.
March 6, 1998 Birch and Troy issue a joint statement listing benefits of the
march and call the controversy surrounding the march a "mud fight that has
emerged among those who would criticize this idea."
March 8, 1998 Nicole Ramirez-Murray, Co-Chair of the National Latino/a
Lesbian and Gay Organization (LL EGO) issues a statement of support for the
Millennium March and announces LLEGO is joining the MMOW lead organizations, HRC and UFMCC, as an "equal partner." April 23, 1998 The National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum, an organization which
initially endorsed the march and then withdrew endorsement, holds a public
meeting about the march. This meeting is the only public forum on the march
up to that date.
April 30, 1998 UFMCC, LLEGO and HRC announce the Millennium March
will be held on April 30, 2000.
May, 1998 The Millennium March Is reported to be a major controversy atthe
annual retreat of Executive Directors of large LJG/B/T organizations.
June 2, 1998 The Ad Hoc Committee for an Open Process, activists who
have been demanding a democratic and inclusive process for deciding
whether to hold a national event, issue a proposal calling for a national
discussion on whether or not to go to Washington. By June 8, 85 LJG/B/T
activists and community leaders have signed the proposal.
June 9, 1998 An invitation-only meeting between rally organizers and
selected executive directors of l!G/B/T organizations is held in Washington,
D.C. Members of the Ad Hoc Committee for an Open Process who attend
uninvited are allowed only to make a brief statement in the morning session.
June 18, 1998 A UFMCC press release announces the initial Board will have
15 members, seven of whom were chosen at the June 9 meeting, two others
who were appointed after the meeting and six who remain to be appointed.
For more information see the HRC Web site: www.hrc,ora/the UFMCC
Web site: www.ufmcc.com/millennium.btm; Sojourner (June 1998, Vol 23,
No. 10) on the Internet at www.sojoumer.org/ and various documents
available at: http:lfgrd.rdroo.com/grd/usa/dc/ a
HEADLINES
by Margaret Cox
June 9, 1998: The top two headlines in the Daily Oklahoman:
1) "Former Medford Priest Sentenced in Two Rapes"
2) "Retired Judge Pleads No Contest, Deferred Sentence
Expected in Molestation Case"
The priest received a 15-year suspended prison sentence for
raping two elderly female patients in a nursing home. He pleaded
no contest to the charges. One ofthe women was blind and unable
to speak.
The judge, 72, is scheduled for sentencing July 28 on the
felony lewd molestation conviction, after pleading no contest to
molesting a minor girl, who was an altar girl in the church in
which he was a deacon.
Inside the paper, a story tells of a Sheriff in western Oklahoma who was booked into jail on complaint of raping a 15-year
old girl. He was released later in the day and no charges have been
filed, but he has been suspended from his duties as sheriff.
Well, fifty years ago, we didn't have altar girls, so I guess
we've come a long way, baby.
Also in the Jun 9 paper is the story of the vicious killing of
a black man, who was tied to a car and dragged to his death along
a rural east Texas road. Three white men are in custody and
suspected ties to the ku klux klan are being investigated.
Well, fifty years ago this would not have generated headlines,
so I guess we have come a long way, baby.
In the June 6, l 988AustinAmerican Statesman, the headline
read: "Gay Republicans [say]: Party Hurts Itselfby Excluding Us.
Evidently, the Log Cabin Republicans, a gay and lesbian group,
were refused their request for exhibit space at the upcoming state
GOP Convention. The President of the Log Cabin Republicans
said, "We're not asking for special rights. We're Republicans
asking for the same opportunity to be heard that other Republicans have."
A Republican party spokesman said," ...the Republican Party
is not going to allow individuals like the Log Cabins or the KKK
or any other hate group that are in direct conflict with our
philosophy a forum to spread their hateful message. We don't
allow pedophiles, transvestites or cross-dressers, either."
Members of the Log Cabin Repubs sued the party last year,
when they were first denied exhibit and advertising space at the
1997 state convention, and the Texas Supreme Court ruled
against them, saying the GOP is a private organization.
Well Lesbians and Gays wouldn't have been allowed space
at the Republican Convention fifty years ago, either, so I guess we
haven't come so far, have we baby?
For our Headline lesson of the day, I respectfully submit that
any person or entity who doesn't think sexism and racism remain
rampant and continue to poison our society and devastate us all,
is "a idiot and a ass." Also, it is perfectly clear to me that the only
possible name for a gay and lesbian Republican organization; and
I offer it to them at no charge, and expect they will really like it
because it keeps the rural and sturdy undertone of "Log Cabin" is
Fence Post Republicans - as in dumb as a ....."CJ
Go F1sH
by Diedra
I was watching Go Fish with a group of friends - granted the
company was mixed: a straight married couple and some bi-folk when they became more annoyed with the rough sound track and
editing than the subject matter oflesbian relationships, so we turned
it off. I was sill curious. The dialogue and intent was what I went
fishing for.
Go Fish is obviously made with a limited budget, hence the
home-movie sounds, the jumpy camera and some amateur imagery
run throughout the film but it is also comfortable, like listening in on
some intelligent and witty observations. It is more like a familiar play,
dealing with issues and situations maybe you too have lived before.
I ended up appreciating the naturalness or the inexperience of the
actors quickly recognizing the importance of any film being mad
dealing directly with gay themes.
For me, the boldest and my favorite segment was a mock trial of
Dorla, one of the main characters, who did not feel the need to defend
her open sexuality The lesbians demanded to know why she ever
wanted to experience a possible bisexuality and Dorla shot back with
just as many interesting questions as their own but I'll let you decide
for yourself.
.
Go Fish treads deep waters: fear of intimacy, the complications
of age differences, monogamous relationships, individual choice but
I did want more of a sensuous story and two characters instead of so
many brief glimpses would have held more emotional connection.
Yet I recommend Go Fish and would love a movie discussion group
to begin. If interested call me: Deidra 209-0171.CJ
Dear Reader: ·
I am a graduate student working on my Ph.D. in Family
Relations and Child Development at Oklahoma State University.
My dissertation is focusing on studying family relationships and
parenting styles in Lesbian Headed Households.
I am seeking 20 couples of whom at least one member has
brought a child into the current relationship from a previous
relationship (i.e., a previous heterosexual relationship, an adoption, etc.). The child or children do need to still be living at home.
Participants will be asked to participate in three areas: the
completion of a questionnaire packet, a personal interview with
each individual and an interview with the couple. These interviews will concentrate on the family dynamic and parenting
styles of the participants and will not cover topics which deal with
sensitive aspects of personal behavior such as drug use, sexual
behavior, or use of alcohol.
As a member of the lesbian community, I am very aware of
the degrees of"outness" we all experience, therefore every effort
will be made to insure confidentiality including the use of
"pseudonames" in any discussions and written materials dealing
with interviews.
Ifyou are interested in participating in this study please call
me (feel free to call collect) at (405) 377-2068. Ifl am not home
an answering machine heard only by me is available. I ask you do
not use your real name so 1 will not know your identity at anytime
thus protecting your confidentiality. At the time you call I will
give you additional infonnation and you can decide at that time
if you are willing to participate.
Thank you,
Jill Rohrbacker
Page 3
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