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Volume XI,
Number 2
Spring 1995
The News is published by the Atlanta Gay Center, Inc. for the
people and organizations that make up the Lesbian/Gay community.
The Atlanta Gay Center Is incorporated in the state of Georg ia as a.non-
protit, tax exempt corporation for the benefit of the Lesbian/Gay
community. As a 501-C(3) corporation, donations to the Atlanta Gay
Center are tax deductible, to the extent permitted by law. This maga
zine reports events and activities which affect our community and
encourages discussion of community concerns such as personal
liberty and positive Gay/Lesbian lifestyles. Unsolicited contributions
are welcomed and encouraged. Letters, manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs should be submitted to Thn News, 63 Twelfth Street,
Atlanta, G A 30309. The News does not guarantee publication of any
material, and ail material is subject to editing. Works will not be
returned. Opinions expressed by columnists or writers, or are explicit
or implicit in photographs, cartoons or any other form of artistic
expression, are solely those of the writers and artists and do not
necessarily represent the opinion of The Nam or of the Atlanta Gay
Center, Inc., and neither claim responsibility for them. Publication of
the name, photograph, or likeness of any person, organization, or
business in advertising or articles of The Newe,does not imply, and
is not to be construed as, any indication of the sexual orientation of
the person or organization. The Newe cannot assume responsibility
for claims made by advertisers. The Newe will not accept paid
advertising for public events or organizations which segregate on the
basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, national
origin, physical ability, or age. The Newe reserves the right to reject
any advertisement or unsolicited material for any reason. The Newe
is published six times per year. Subscriptions are $25.00 per year, or
as part of membership in the Atlanta Gay Center. The mailing list of
The Newt is kept strictly confidential and under no circumstances
will it be sold, rented, or made available to any person or organization.
Thn Nsmis01995 by Thn Atlanta Say Grater,Inc. All
rights reserved. Permission isherebygrantedtoall other avowedly
Gay or Lesbian publications Which affirm freedom for sexual minori
ties to publish excerpts from this magazine (excluding Associated
Press news articles or other materialreprinted in The News by
permission) provided proper credit is given to The News, The
Atlsntsfiey Center, Inc. Others must obtain permission in writing.
Pnbllsbed by: The Atlanta Gay Center, Inc.
Bob Van Keuren, Editorial Policy Committee Chairperson
Editorial Policy Committee members:
Bob Van Keuren, Frank Rogers, Donald W. Smith
Managing Editor: Joe Lillich
Senior Editor: Gene Koland
News Editor: Frank Rogers
Science Editor Dr. Donald W. Smith, Ph.D.
Production: Bill Eckman, Oscar, Harvey,
Heinz West, Mark W. Taylor
Cantrihetors: Gene Koland, Joe Lillich, Toni Jaret,
Jay Marshall, Gregory Whitfield, Nick LaHage,
Frank Rogers, Bill Gripp, Tom Weathers, John Dolive
Cartoons: Dorothy
Photography: Foster Corbin, Michael Wilson, Arthur Thomas
Advertising and Circulation: 876-5372
If Associated
! I Press
ATLANTANS
GAYOi™^
CENTER, js
4 TfwNgWS Spring, 1995
“It’s enough to scare anyone straight!”
Editorials
off-again phenomenon. Hate crimes in Atlanta may have attracted less attention recently, but they
have not come to an end.
Of particular concern are reports that evidence might have been mishandled or the investi
gation mismanaged. Such discouraging reports must not prevent those with information from
giving police whatever facts they have that might solve these crimes. No matter how you look at
it, the police cannot make use of information someone knows but doesn’t see fit to report.
Some people think these crimes don’t matter very much because they take place in areas a lot
of us stay away from, and among people some regard as of lesser value than others. We categorically
reject such an idea. No one has the right to stalk and kill people, regardless of the victim or the
circumstances.
The current political situation is a dangerous one for gays and lesbians. Reports of these
attacks, along with other crimes in Mississippi and elsewhere, can be expected to inspire even more
copycat hate crimes.
We intend to watch with considerable interest as these cases proceed, and we urge our
community to be especially cautious so that additional crimes can be prevented.
AID Atlanta and the Gay Community
For many years we have followed events at AID Atlanta, an organization that had its origins
in our community. The News has, at various times, defended AID Atlanta when no one else was
willing to do so and criticized AID Atlanta when no one else was willing to do that—openly, at any
rate. We have concerned ourselves with AID Atlanta because its of its enormous potential for
making a difference.
AID Atlanta, along with many other AIDS organizations nationwide, has distanced itself from
its origins in the gay community. We and others have deplored this trend, because regardless of
which way the trends seem to be headed, gay men remain the group most affected by AIDS. We
understand the need to respect diversity and to practice inclusiveness, but we do not believe true
diversity can fail to include us.
Recently AID Atlanta has indicated a desire to serve the gay community better than in recent
years, seeking community suggestions to that end. They have also promised that other concerns,
such as disclosure of financial information, will be addressed.
We will be watching with renewed interest as AID Atlanta seeks to address the concerns of
the gay community with the hope that its full potential can at last be realized. ▼