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VIEWPOINTS
Protectionism Carries A High Price
Recently there have been articles and editorials in this publication and in ETC which have
drawn attention to problems at the Atlanta Gay Center and AID Atlanta. Some readers have
told us that the decision to air those problems was a mistake. They believe that our
responsibility should lie in bolstering "our" organizations and leaders, not in exposing them,
even when those groups and/or leaders may not be serving the community as it should be
served They fear that criticism weakens us, "makes us look bad" in the eyes of straight society,
and leaves us vulnerable to attack by our enemies. There is also the fear that if we find fault
with our organizations and leaders that they will suddenly disappear, leaving us without
valuable services and the people who are fighting our battles.
Southern Voice believes neither of those assumptions. We believe quite the opposite. In
order for us to grow, to clarify our goals as a community and to take appropriate action to
achieve those goals, our leaders and organizations must be open to criticism. They must also
seek input from and dialogue with the community on important issues and decisions.
Community members, in turn, have a responsibility to be informed so they can offer ideas and
solutions.This exchange between leaders and community strengthens us, it does not weaken
us. And we feel that our readers want to know what decisions are being made, and want the
opportunity to participate in those decisions when the situation warrants. Because of that
assumption, Southern Voice has the obligation to share what information we may have.
We also believe that people do not help themselves or their community by functioning out of
fear - whether it's a fear of our "image" or a fear of vulnerability or loss. The pervasive fear of
criticism among us is understandable. We have valid fears of violence, discrimination and
rejection on a personal level, and because of that we feel the imperative to protect and support
our own. But we must be careful here. There is a high price tag attached to protectionism - it
stunts our growth as individuals and as a group trying to win basic rights. To place more value
on our image than our substance is petty thinking. To say that we should not hold our own
accountable, and to blindly follow along, is a death sentence.
Southern Voice will continue to bring our readers information that they need to make their
own decisions, and on our editorial pages we're going to tell you how we see it Well be
cheerleaders when it's warranted and critics when it's necessary just as any responsible
newspaper, gay or straight
j For Your Information
[LEGAL (Legislate Equality for Gays and Lesbians) has begun passing out business cards
J with the contact numbers for key governmental figures in the Atlanta area. Southern Voice
I suports this effort, and we urge you to use these numbers to let your representatives know
I your opinions on important topics.
1 Senator Wyche Fowler
331-0697
Gov. Harris
656-1776
J Senator Sam Nunn
J Rep. Pat Swindall
1 Rep. John Lewis
3314811
Mayor Young
527-7000
373-3509
Fulton County
681-7260
659-0116
DeKalb County
371-2881
1 Rep. Newt Gingrich
968-3219
State House
656-5020
1 Rep. Buddy Darden
4224480
State Senate
656-5030
n
j
SOUTHERN
VOICE
Managing Editor
Christina Cash
Photo Editor
Pamela! Cole
Assistant Managing Editor
Chris Duncan
Production/Design
Sharon Blalock
STAFF
A1 Cotton, Mark duPont, John Frame, Jr.,Terry Francis, F.G., Andrea Getty,
John Kappers, Kay Love, Rhonda Mensen, Terry Moffett, Keith Robinson,
Elena Rutter, David Strawn, Leigh VanderEls
General Policy
Southern Voice is published by SAME (Southeastern Arts, Media and Education Project,
Inc.) which is a non-profit corporation with offices at 1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307.
All material 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 the editorial columns or in the editor's
notes. Opinions expressed 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 nor 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.
Southern Voice is funded in part by Chicago Resource Center and Fund for Southern
Communities.
Voice Supporters Do It on Sunday
We would like to thank the Atlanta March
Committee, Hotlanta Volleyball and local
musicians for the fantastic fimdraiser they
threw for Southern Voice on Sunday. The
First Annual Potluck From Hell and
Volleyball Tournament was a rousing
success, with almost $800 raised to help us
continue to grow and better serve our readers.
Those who gave so generously from their
hearts and their pocketbooks also gave us
something else-a renewed sense of the word
community. Thank you all very much.
Particular thanks to Cathy Woolard, Shelly
Robbins and the March Committee, who
organized and staffed the event. The Potluck
From Hell was their idea, their hard work, and
ultimately, their success. We hope you will
support their work as they turn their attention
to funding scholarship seats for PWAs
making the return trip to Washington in
October. There will be a fundraiser at Deana’s
One Mo' Time September 11th to kick off the
drive. We hope to see you all there.
Hotlanta Volleyball coordinated the
summer's best excuse for getting sweaty and
down in the dirt, as approximately 50 people
dove, hammered and slammed their way into
exhaustion. If you want to have a good time,
call them.
And what can be said about Atlanta's stars
except WOW. Music was provided all day
by the Sissy Mountain Boys (Nancy Hicks,
Argen Hicks and Holly Crenshaw), Angela
Motter, Sam Baker, Michelle Martin and
Moral Hazard (K.C. Wildmoon, Jan Gibson,
Jane Black and Kay Busbee). It was hot, but
they played and sang furiously. Look for their
performance dates on the Calendar. When
they become superstars, they just might
remember you.
Thank you. All of you are a part of what
we are trying to do, and you showed us just
how deeply you care on Sunday.
Buy A Space For Your
Name On mCGLO'S
“National Coming
Out Day* Adi
The full-page ad will appear in the Atlanta Journal on Oct. 11,1988. Use
your full name, your initials or descriptive phrase for yourself.
Phrases could be "a Decatur teacher," "a Snellville firefighter,"
"a proud Cobb parent," or "a Fulton elected official."
A $15.00 contribution allows you to participate in this historic
advertisement. Contributions are also gladly accepted from those who
don't wish their name or phrase to be printed. If you choose
to have your full name printed, we must have your signature below.
Without your signature, we can't print your name in the ad.
We don't need a signature if you choose to have your
initials or descriptive phrase printed.
.Return Lower Portion-
Item to be printed in ad:
Please read and sign if you have entered your full name
above:
I am aware that my name will be used in an advertisement
by the Metropolitan Atlanta Council of Gay and Lesbian
Organizations (MACGLO) on October 11, 1988 celebrating
National Coming Out Day in the Atlanta Journal. I am
familiar with MACGLO and approve of the use of my name as
attested by my signature below:
Signed:
Deadline for submissions is September 15,1988. Make
your check payable to MACGLO-AD FUND and mail to
MACGLO, P.O. Box 900142, Atlanta, GA 30329.
‘loyetden ‘We a 0 Di$ f enmce
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