Newspaper Page Text
Page 14 THE NEWS June 20,1985
before he returned to Atlanta and the ex
tensive support network he had here. It
was a this time that he became involved
with AID Atlanta.
As he attended the meetings at AID
Atlanta. Ron became aware of just how
fortunate he was to have good health in
surance and a supportive network of
friends. He knew that his needs were go
ing to be well taken care of and saw
others around him now who were much
less fortunate. He felt that there were
people with AIDS who were much sicker
than he was. and saw people at AID
Atlanta who dcsperatley needed money.
Ron had been an active member of
Atlantis Motorcycle Club for a number of
years. His most prized possesion was a
Kawasaki 650. which in many ways was
an extension of himself. He decided that
he could donate this motorcycle to AID
Atlanta to raise money for those less for
tunate.
Atlantis Motorcycle Club is currently
holding a raffle for this motorcycle in an
effort to raise over $5000 for AID Atlan
ta. Ron donated his motorcycle not for
personal recognition, but to raise money
for AID ATLANTA.
Ron felt very comfortable with his
identity as a gay man. He gave a part of
his substance so that other peoples" lives
could be made more comfortable. He
often told his friends that he would never
change the way he lived his life, and that
he was more than satisfied to have lived
the life he did. He would have given more
if he'd had it. but in a more important
way Ron has given our community-
something greater than a motorcycle.
Phyllis Killer Awards
Oscars At Illusions
There's no business like drag business
and there’s no award show like the An
nual Phyllis Killer Oscar Awards, which
were held on May 29 at Illusions. For the
17th time in as many years the creme de
la creme of Atlanta’s female imper
sonators got to strut their stuff in a spec
tacular show that was dedicated this year
to the late Layton-Gregory. (Gregory
died this past year and was the first presi
dent of the Awards.)
This year’s president Dora Deville
welcomed the capacity crowd and in
troduced the “still living legend” herself,
Phyllis Killer. Ms. Killer echoed the sen
timents of the performers, nominees and
audience alike with a rousing rendition of
“Gee, But It’s Great To Be Here.” With
that number the show was under way.
Highlights of the evening were:
-Diamond Lil doing “Queen of All
Glamour and Grease’while throwing
fried chicken from a silver champagne
bucket.
-A fashion show of each of the “Costume
Designer Award nominees.”
-The tearful acceptance speech by Charlie
Brown for the “Entertainment Achieve
ment Award." for helping new per
formers jiet started in the gay entertain
ment business.
-The presentation of the "Layton
Gregory Service Award” to Ken South of
AID Atlanta.
-The Royal Court of Atlanta accepting the
"Bill Smith Service Award."
While only 28 awards were handed out,
there were no losers, A'l of the nominees
have made outstanding, contributions to
the community and deserve congratula
tions. The one person who deserves the
biggest thanks is Billy Jones, aka Phyllis
Killer, who has the courage, dedication
ar.d commitment to put on this award
show for 17 years, one year before the
Stonewall riots and the beginning of the
Gay Rights Movement. Thanks for an
event of which the entire community can
truly be proud. Terry Anderson
Manhattan
Gay High School
Breeds Controversy
An article appeared in the Thursday,
June 6th edition of The Atlanta Constitu
tion announcing a new high school in
New York City to be run exclusively for
gay students. The Harvey Milk School is
being operated in conjunction with the
New York City Board of Education and
the Institute for the Protection of Lesbian
and Gay Youth. This first public school
in the United States to be geared towards
dealing with gay adolescents and their
problems began operating in April of this
year.
The News spoke with Dr. A. Damien
Martin, the institutes’ executive director.
He reports that the institute has been in
existence for several years as a counsell
ing and social center for gay adolescents.
The Harvey Milk School was a response
to a need for openly gay adolescents to
: continue their education in a hassle-free
and supportive environment.
Dr. Martin says they have tried to
publicize the schools’ existence for the
three months it has been in operation, but
it was only this week that The New York
Times published any information about it
in a front page article and an editorial in
favor of the school. The following day,"
The New York Daily News and The Post
came out against the school saying that it
was “subversive to the youth”.
Since then, the institute has been
swamped with publicity.
HELPLINE
(404) 892-0661
6 p.m.-11p.m.
7 Days a Week
Dr. Bernie Short
GENERAL MEDICINE
Appointments Monday Thru Friday - Walk In Welcome
772-A North Highland • Atlanta, GA 30306 • 872-3000
“You would think the foundations of
the Republic had fallen”, states Dr. Mar
tin, who says he has spent the last few
days feilding calls from the press as well
as Jerry Falwell and various other politi
cians. “Most of the response is very
favorable, however,” reports Dr. Mar
tin. “After all, these kids would be on the
streets if it weren’t for our program. You
can hardly call that subversion.”
Memorial Service For
People Who Have Died
From Aids
A memorial service will be held on
Sunday. June 30, for those individuals
who have died as a result of Acquired Im
mune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The
ecumenical service will begin at 4:00pm
at All Saints Episcopal Church, located at
the corner of North Avenue and West
Peachtree Street. The service is spon
sored by AID Atlanta, a non-profit health
services agency whose mission is to pro
vide educational, referral, and support
services to people with AIDS, their
families, friends, and loved ones. The
service is intended for people of all faiths.
This memorial will be the first
community-wide remembrance to be held
in Atlanta. The theme of the service will
focus on those who have died with AIDS,
those who survive the syndrome, and the
sense of community that has begun to
evolve from the tragedy of AIDS. Ac
quired Immune Deficiency has, to date,
claimed the lives of more than 80
Georgians. The death toll nationwide
from the syndrome is approaching 5,000.
People With AIDS (PWA’s) succumb to
a variety of diseases which present little
threat to a healthy immune system, yet
become deadly to an immune system
severely compromised by the AIDS
virus.
Anyone who wishes to have a friend or
loved one remembered at this service
should notify AID Atlanta by calling
872-0600 or writing to them at 1132 West
Peachtree Street, NW, Suite. 112, Atlan
ta, Georgia, 30309.
Those to be remembered need not have
been from the Atlanta or Georgia area to
be included.
Available Now
At Your Local Retail Store,
Bar or Restaurant - Or Call
872-1922
ATLANTA
FAMILY PRACTICE
Michael D. Rankin, M.D.
Mark L. Tanner, M.D.
COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL CARE
1935 Howell Mill Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30318
(404) 355-2000
AmeriPtan
DIP LOMATE—AMERICAN BOARD IAMILY PRACTICE
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SPECIALIZING IN COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL CARE
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262-9448
480 Pharr Rd.. N.E
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