Newspaper Page Text
Spring AIDS Action, Cont.
Continued From Page 1
Human Resources. Cair told listeners she hoped to
"change your perspective" about that agency's
efforts toward AIDS, but when she referred to
existing state legislation as "reasonable," one listener
cried out, "Bullshit!,” and others shouted their
disapproval as well.
Cathy Wooland of the Adanta March Committee,
who introduced the speakers, told the audience their
hostility should be aimed primarily at Gov. Harris.
"Don't let him sit in that office and think we don't
give a damn,” she said.
The March Committee planned the vigil and rally
to coincide with events in other cities nationwide, as
part of "Spring AIDS Action ’88," organized by the
AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACTUP).
Approximately 35 supporters stayed all night
Friday, according to Woolard. They were
entertained by songs from the Adanta Lambda
Chorale, and singers Jan Riley, Caroline Mobley,
and Angela Motter, as well as readings by Rebecca
Ranson and Johnny Walsh from Ranson's
forthcoming book, Ward5-B: Voices of AIDS.
Local businessmen Kenneth Tidwell and Timothy
Crane, owners of the Subway Sandwich Shop in
Midtown, provided food for the all-nighters.
Police officers were on hand throughout the vigil,
and arrested one driver on Washington Street who
was subsequendy charged with disturbing the peace
and driving under the influence.
The banner to be sent to Gov. Harris was laid out
early Friday evening, and participants wrote
comments ranging from the practical to the highly
personal.
"When the history of moral courage is written
concerning this crisis," one correspondent wrote to
Harris, "you will be listed among the absent."
Another implored him to "work for all the
citizens of Georgia, especially the minorities. Show
some compassion." -David Tucker
*
Gay Freedom Ride Planned for
Political Conventions
Atlanta- Michael Petrelis, co-founder of the Gay
Lesbian Freedom Ride, visited Adanta briefly on
April 16 during a whirlwind networking session at
the Southeastern Conference for
Lesbians and Gay Men
(SECLGM). He attended the
Conference to allay suspicions
that he held derogatory or
condescending opinions about
Southern lesbians and gay men.
The Freedom Ride is Petrelis'
attempt to capture and direct
attention to the presidential
candidates' AIDS policies.
The original Freedom Ride
was an action used during the
60's black civil rights movement
It bussed white and black
supporters from outside the
Petrelis. Photo by Rhonda Mensen
accentuate the plight of, black Americans.
Petrelis said the idea of a gay/lesbian Freedom
Ride was bom from a concept that he and James
Reid originated. Both were
^■|§§ living at Bailey House, a New
fp§ York City home for people
'Jk||p| with AIDS (PWAs), when
they decided to sew a quilt
memorializing residents of
Bailey House who had died of
AIDS. Reid has since died of
a heart attack. Over 30 panels
have been created by Bailey
House residents.
The idea, admittedly
borrowed from the Names
Project, differs from the
national AIDS memorial quilt
in that Petrelis and Reid
Southeast into the region in order to lend aid to, and
OBITUARIES
David G. O'Shields
March 13,1949 to May 5,1988
Long-time local activist David O'Shields died at
Grady Memorial Hospital Thursday evening, May
5,1988, of complications due to AIDS. A native of
Atlanta, O'Shields was an active participant in
Dignity, the gay catholic organization, since the
early 1980's. He held several offices in the
organization and served as spokesperson on several
occasions.
O'Shields also worked on The News as an
advertising representative and Calendar Editor
from that paper's early inception in 1984.
O'Shields is survived by a father, brother and
grandmother as well as many loving friends.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 9th at
Spring Hill.
Donations in his name may be made to AID
Atlanta, 1132 W. Peachtree St, NE, Atlanta, GA,
30309.
Bill Cutler
Bill Cutler of Atlanta, a free-lance writer and
editor of Knife and Fork newsletter, died of
pneumonia May 6,1988 at his home. He was 51.
Cutler wrote for many southeastern periodicals,
including Atlanta Weekly, Atlanta Magazine and
Georgia Trend. He taught at Columbia University,
Wellesley College and Haverford College before
moving to Atlanta in 1971.
Cutler was involved in the Buddy program at
AID Atlanta.
Three sisters survive, Mary Doll, Mrs. Elizabeth
Atson and Mrs. Helen Pell. He is also survived by
the Reverend James Edward Foy.
Private funeral services will be held, according to
a family member.
envisioned their project as a specifically political
medium. Petrelis claims that his quilt is not in
competition with the Names Project "We decided
to keep it very specific for this one residence in this
one city."
After a successful tour dotting the New
Hampshire primary, Petrelis said that he and Reid
began envisioning a swing throughout the South
between the July Democratic Convention in Atlanta
and the Republicans' August meeting in New
Orleans. "We saw it as a black one and a white one
with AIDS going to the South," and continuing to
demand national attention to the AIDS crisis.
Petrelis, a self-identified street activist, met
Charlotte, NC resident Robert Sheets during the
A circle of healing led by Wayne Sizemore provided a moment to restore
participants at Spring AIDS Action '88. Photos by Pam Cole
February War Conference, an informal meeting of
lesbian and gay leaders. "I told him (Sheets) about
this crazy idea, and in less than a week I was going
down through the Carolinas. That was when it
became the Gay/Lesbian Freedom Ride."
While in the Carolinas, Petrelis and the traveling
band of five PWAs drew attention to their crusade by
exhibiting the quilt and staging raucous "kiss-in's" and
"ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) style
actions" at Sen. Jesse Helms' (R-NC) Raleigh office
and Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker's multi-million
dollar theme park, Heritage U.S.A
According to Petrelis, many "straight people yelled
at us 'go back up North.’" He acknowledged that
connecting the words Freedom Ride and New York
activist conjured up the image of an "invading
Yankee." "I'm real aware of that," he said.
The activists continued to use the term Freedom
Riders when they detoured to Chicago for the Illinois
primary. He stated his belief that "the communities...
used it (the Freedom Ride) as an opportunity for them
to focus attention on their local problems."
Petrelis has begun to solidify plans for their
meandering journey between Atlanta and New
Orleans, which will include two weeks in
Tennessee and two weeks in Texas. "My main
concern is just having enough to eat, a place to
sleep, and a Greyhound bus ticket It's all really
dependent on the people in Tennessee and Texas."
He sees himself as a binding agent between the
South and the North. "We, as a community, are not
going to get anywhere unless it comes from the
South. I'd like to see mine as one little effort to
reach out to the South."
During an interview, Petrelis challenged
Southerners to reverse the process. "Come up to
New York.... People could come to New York and
show us a thing or two. I'd like to help coordinate
something." As a part of the trip, he suggested that
visitors might like to tour Bailey House, an ACT
UP meeting, St Clair's Hospital and an ACT UP
action.
The unassuming activist admitted, "I am totally
afraid; there are no rules, and no book I can turn to
for information on how to do this thing."
Inquiries and support should be addressed to:
Michael Petrelis, 180 Christopher Street, NY, NY
10014. -Chris Duncan
ART AUERBACH
ASSOCIATE BROKER
636-4695
MILLION DOLLAR CLUB
II,AM BERT
■ DUPREE
REAL ESTATE SERVICES
1510 PIEDMONT ROAD, N.E. ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30324 (404)892-9900
CHARS books & more
419 Moreland Avenue NE
Ailanta.Ga. 30307 594 0304
A Feminist
Bookstore
and more.
leutelry * records * children’s
books * cards * t-shirts *
journals * buttons
Open 7 days a week
In Little Five Points
Jesse R. Peel, M.D.
General Psychiatry/ Psychotherapy
120 Ralph McGill Blvd., Suite 820
Atlanta, Ga. 30308
(404) 885-1662
Office Hours
By Appointment
Brenda L. Hawkins, Ed. D.
Licensed Psychologist
Counseling, Psychotherapy, and Hypnotherapy
1935‘Cliff Valley Way, Suite 162
Atlanta, Georgia 30329
(404) 634-9440
Page 3