Newspaper Page Text
Yesterday, I took my first AIDS test. I
haven't until now because I have been very
careful in the last eight years. I've only had
sex with two people, so I never really
worried about it, considering myself safe.
But for the past few months I've been
feeling pretty bad. Last week I discovered a
large lump on my neck, just below my ear.
I was, and still am, scared to death. I saw
the doctor yesterday and he wanted me to
take the AIDS test, so I signed for it.
I'm just shocked, though. How could it
be AIDS? I've been so very careful. I'm
scared. I can't sleep or eat and I get
headaches every day. Well, if the test is
positive, I'm dead, and these people will put
me through a living hell.
I really don't think I got it sexually. The
two people I've had sex with were straight
men, and they weren't IV drug users. I
could have contracted it here, maybe
through a used razor. Many times they
make us use used razors if we want to
shave. Oh well, I'll just have to see what the
test says when it comes back.
I would really like to get some
correspondence going with your readers...
gay/lesbian/straight, it's no concern, just
correspondence and the need for closeness,
sharing and caring. I really need some
friends. I'll answer all letters, but please ask
them to include postage, and a photo if
possible.
I'm going to close this letter for now and
get it in the mail to you.
Respect and love,
Terry Barkley
#173128
POBoxE
Jackson, Mich. 49204
Where's ALFA?
To The Editor.
them to supply us with information on their
group. We only print those who respond,
in order to assure correct information.)
Bringing Anti-Gay
Violence Out of the
Closet
To the Editor:
I looked in the mirror tonight, between
my breasts and down to my stomach. The
scars are fading. If only the mind could heal
as quickly as the body. My thoughts today
are as painful as the blade that carved my
flesh.
It was August, 1987.1 came out to my
high school sweetheart and he walked away
in disgust. One week later, he invited me to
a party. I was happy he had contacted me
again. Maybe we could still be friends. I
went, we danced and then four guys held
me down while my "boyfriend" raped me
and carved, "gay", "lesbian", and "women"
on my chest and stomach. Convinced that
the heterosexual world would perform their
own surgery on my experience, I remained
obediently and oppressingly silent. The
days, weeks and months passed. My story,
shared only with my closest friends, was
quietly set aside...perhaps trying to fade
with the physical scars.
Tonight, I realized this experience not
only will not fade, but will either silence
my screams or give me a voice to fight for
my life. Once again, I must exit through
another closet door and proclaim-" I am a
proud lesbian and I will not be oppressed!"
-Teri Kai
(Editor's Note: Southern Voice received
this piece in the mail with a request from
the author to print it so others who have
experienced anti-lesbian/gay violence will
know that they are not alone.)
newspaper that gives me the information I
need about relevant issues so that 1 can
make my own decisions. Hats off to
everyone involved.
There is something, however, I would
like to see more of. I think there still needs
to be more coverage of issues specifically
relating to people of color. Even the
lesbian and gay issues you tackle can take
on a different cast when viewed from a
different perspective. It's strange to think
that even such a minority as gays and
lesbians have their own "outgroups", but
there are groups of people whose voices are
still not sufficiently represented.
Overall, your paper is extremely
professional and informational. Please find
enclosed my check for $20 to cover a year's
subscription. I'm already looking forward
to the next issue!
Sincerely,
Kalvin Rudyard
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VISA Clipping Will Continue
Thank you so much for the good work
you and others invested in the first issue of
Southern Voice. We have needed a
thorough lesbian and gay newspaper
generated in our region for a long time. I
was glad to see the focus on AIDS as well
as other political news, and I particularly
liked Rebecca Ranson's article on AIM.
I would like to see a more
comprehensive calendar of events
published, and wondered why our oldest
organization in Atlanta, ALFA, was not
listed under "organizations". I look
forward to the ways the paper will grow
and change as it takes on a character and
personality of its own.
It is important that lesbians and gay men
support Southern Voice through
subscriptions and that businesses do so
through advertising. We need the political
and news coverage; we need the visibility;
we nefd our many voices to be expressed
in Southern Voice.
Congratulations on a good beginning.
Sincerely,
Linda Bryant
Atlanta, GA
(Editors Note: Thanks for the words of
support. Southern Voice welcomes all
lesbian/gay organizations to be a part of the
Registry. We sent letters to 47
organizations in the metro area and asked
Kudos
To the Editor
Thank you for your article on the
Presidential candidates and their views.
Their positions on subjects effecting our
community and the nation will definitely be
a deciding factor in the upcoming election.
Your paper dared to address issues often
avoided by, or considered unimportant by,
other papers. I am an individual who
appreciates hard-core facts. I found your
article on the candidates, and your entire
paper, an asset to our community, city and
state.
I salute and commend Southern Voice
for its efforts to enlighten all of us on vital
issues. Your professionalism and genuine
concern are greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Curtis T.
"Outgroups"
Underrepresented
To The Editor:
I must tell you I was pleasantly surprised
to see what a quality publication you have
managed to put together for gays and
lesbians in Atlanta. Finally, a "newsy"
The "Clip Your VISA" Campaign,
protesting VISA'S support of the anti-gay
U.S. Olympic Committee, will continue
through the next year, the organizer says.
Gay publisher, Sasha Alyson, who
began the campaign in August, explained
that he originally he saw it as a shortterm
project.
"My first thought was that we should
simply register our protest with them, then
move on to other things," he said. "But
VISA'S response has been appalling. They
have steadfastly refused to address the
issue of homophobia."
Alyson began the Clip Your VISA
campaign after reading an ad that stated,
"everytime you you use VISA, we’ll
contribute to the U.S. Olympic team."
"After the viciously homophobic way
the U.S. Olympic Committee treated Tom
Waddell abd the Gay Games, I had no
intention of using my VISA card again,
and I decided to encourage others to join
me," Alyson explained. "Several hundred
people have sent in half of their card as a
sign that they agree."
The clipped cards are being used to
make a banner memorializing Gay Games
founder, Tom Waddell. "We displayed the
banner at the March on Washington, and
will continue to display it at other events,"
Alyson stated.
VISA cardholders who want to
participate in the campaign should cut their
card in half, send one half to VISA and the
other half to: Sasha Alyson, Alyson
Publications, 40 Plympton St., Boston, MA
02118.
(Reprinted from The Long Beach
Chronicle, Jan. 14,1988).
Viewpoints is part of a continuing effort to provide a forum of opinion for our
community. We invite your ideas, comments and feelings and your responses to
ideas expressed in this space.
The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily
represent the views of Southern Voice. Submissions should be typed, double
spaced and no longer than four pages. Mail to:
Southern Voice/Viewpoints
P.O. Box 54719
Atlanta, GA
30308
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