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VIEWPOINTS Tuesday’s Tough Choices Since LEGAL's stunning victory in the 4th and 5th Congressional Districts in January, we have the possibility of placing up to four gay men and a lesbian on the floor of the Democratic National Convention in July. People from those districts are now faced with the dilemma of either voting for a candidate who fears our support but whose delegates represent our issues, or voting for a presidential candidate who might be more sensitive to our concerns Good arguments can be made for either action. Voters in the 4th and 5th Congressional Districts who have strong feelings for a SOUTHERN VOICE Managing Editor Christina Cash Art Director Stebbo Hill STAFF Karl Boyce, Chris Duncan, Patricia Jackson, John Kappers, Martin Keefer, Michael McMillan, Elena Rutter, Leigh VanderEls General Policy Southern Voice is published by SAME (Southeastern Arts, Media & Education Project, Inc.) which is a non-profit corporation with offices at 1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307. All material appearing in Southern Voice is protected by federal copyright law and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the Managing Editor. The views of Southern Voice are expressed only in editorial columns or in editor's notes. Opinions expressed in bylined articles or columns are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Southern Voice or the publisher. The sexual orientation of advertisers, photographers, cartoonists, and writers published herein is neither inferred or implied. The appearance of names or pictorial representations does not necessarily indicate the sexual orientation of that person or persons. Advertising is subject to the approval of Southern Voice and the publisher. Although Southern Voice appreciates its advertisers, we cannot accept responsibility for claims made. Services and products are not tested and appearance of advertising does not imply, nor does it constitute, endorsement by Southern Voice. Advertising rates and conditions are available upon request. / Southern Voice welcomes unsolicited material, including letters to the editor, but reserves the right to edit or reject any material submitted. All rights revert to authors upon publication. Unsolicited manuscripts not accompanied by a self- addressed stamped envelope cannot be returned. Address all correspondence to: Southern Voice, P.O. Box 54719, Atlanta, GA 30308. particular candidate should cast their ballots in line with those feelings. The few candidates who do support our issues will need our votes on March 8th to keep them in the race until July. Voters in the 4th Congressional District, in particular, who are undecided or unimpressed, may consider casting their votes for Senator Gore on Super Tuesday. The number of votes a candidate gamers in the primaries determines how many of that candidate's delegates that will go to the Convention. In spite of Senator Gore's ambiguous position with regard to our issues, we need as many lesbian/gay votes at the Convention as possible. The California delegation will be introducing a strong pro lesbian/gay platform on the floor of the Convention. We need Dick Rhodes, Melinda Daniels, Paul Garrard, Gil Robison, and Joe Williford to be there for important votes. Their participation will directly impact the platform of the Democratic Party and consequently whomever emerges victorious in July. Whatever your choice, vote in Super Tuesday. And if you’re not registered, do so immediately and exercise that right whenever possible. We can't possibly win if we're not in the game. From The Editor's Desk I decided some weeks ago that it was appropriate to talk about information and education as our most powerful tools against the evils that constantly lurk about us. After ail, it would neatly explain the launching of Southern Voice and make me look good in the process. But, somehow it didn't feel right, it was too perfect, too contrived. And it didn't say anything about matters of the heart or the spirit - those things most vulnerable to attack and those things which are the real reasons for this newspaper. Today, with AIDS and everpresent fear of it, with increasing violence against us, with a resurgence of homophobia that's so strong it sometimes makes us wonder if they're right - we must use every tool we have. Information is good, education is good, but neither is enough. They do not nurture us or heal us or prepare us for attacks on our spirit. So, how do we protect ourselves? How do we live so we don't take the homophobia into ourselves, where it can turn into hate, for "them" and for ourselves. I don't know the answers yet. But, I read something the other day that gave me another way of looking at things, a valuable "weapon" against attacks on the heart and spirit. Sean O'Casey, in "The Power of Laughter: Weapon Against Evil" said, "We are always hopeful of, always pushing towards better things, and to bring this about, a change must be made in the actual way of life, so laughter is brought in to mock at things as they are so that they may topple down and make room for better things to come." I tend to agree with O'Casey. Laughter can change the world. If we can laugh at our enemies, we may begin to see that they do not hold the power over us we had imagined - their words aren't as sharp, their threats aren't so frightening. We need to laugh more at ourselves and with ourselves, at our enemies and with our enemies, and with those we love. Maybe then we can "make room for better things to come." -Christina Cash Leap of Faith Gary Kaupman One of the truly annoying things about the world in which we live is that saying "yes" almost axiomaticaily means that we must also say "no": if I am a Democrat, I cannot be a Republican. I cannot be a vegetarian and still eat meat. I am gay, therefore I cannot have lovers of the opposite sex. All true statements. And all false. Oppression-personal and political-- thrives on yes/no thinking. Majorities regularly use the ethic of exclusivity to keep minorities in check. Radicals-vegetarians who scarf steaks, lesbians who bed men, and Demos who vote for Bush-scare us. "Yes, but..." is just another variation on the theme. Webster's number one definition of "but"? "On the contrary." In other words,, no. Rhetoric? Is all this just rhetorical indulgence? I think not. Look at how saying "no" (or its equivalent "I can't") affects our lives. "I can't be out at work because they'll fire me." Or "If I tell Bruce how much I care, he'll just laugh at me." Sure, you could lose your job. Or your boss might come out to you or introduce you to his lesbian sister. And Bruce might reject your caring. Or he might just say "thanks" and tell you the feeling is mutual. Three Examples Several weeks ago, 170 gay men and women said "yes, I can support Albert Gore and still support Simon or Jackson or even Bush." At the Fourth District Caucus, Gay Center Administrator Richard Swanson and former Gay Center Board Chairman George Brenning-men who have been saying "no" to each other for as long as I can remember- actually agreed, in public, about something. Powerful stuff. Does the presence of Southern Voice mean that you should stop reading etc or Guide ? Noway. Three publications mean three different takes on the same story. And broader or more in-depth coverage on other subjects. That variety of information is important in helping us form opinions and make choices. Should a business owner decide to advertise in just one publication and exclude promoting his or her product in the others? Absolutely not. Saying "yes" to all three publications offer advertisers access to more customers and valuable repeated exposure to those who read all three. If I write for one publication, does that mean I can't write for the others? I sure hope not. We need more chances for gay writers, artists, and photographers to work on subjects important to them. (In a brilliant attack of yes/no logic, The Atlanta Journal!Constitution and Creative Loafing prohibit their regular contributors from writing for other local publications. Sure smells like oppression to me.) Say "yes" to AIDS? No way! But exclusive thinking leaves only "no" with which to fight the battle. Compare that stance to one that says "yes, we're living with AIDS." Where To Find It The yes/no mindset is deeply rooted in the western, Judeo-Christian and capitalist ethic that is mother and father to most of us. Exclusivity may be oppressive but it's usually easy to accept because it's familiar. Ditching an exclusive mindset isn't easy, but it is possible. And it's well worth the effort. Many eastern spiritual systems are based on yes/yes thought-great stuff if you can deal with their incessant lack of linearity and cultural differences. Easier for most of us are the new thought teachings that offer inclusive thought in a linear, western format. Psychotherapy provides the opportunity to reconstruct belief systems in ways supportive of our highest aspirations. For most, that will include a yes/yes philosophy. The process can take years and it costs money, but few who complete it begrudge either. Atlantans are lucky. The city sports a number of competent, caring, gay psychotherapists. We live in an era ripe with workshops. The best ones offer a swift kick in the butt to yes/no thinking. One of the most widely publicized of these is The Experience Weekend. The Weekend isn't a gay version of the much maligns EST Training. And the sometimes vehement style with which it has sometimes been promoted have probably scared folks away. Those fears are a perfect example of "yes,but." Forget the "but" and find out for yourself what it's all about. Monkey Stuck? Questioning our exclusive belief systems is the first step. Actually enrolling in a workshop or shopping for a therapist requires a leap of faith. That's scary stuff. But then imagine a monkey swinging from vine to vine through the forest. There's no way he can move forward till he takes the chance and lets go of the vine that holds him back.