Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

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