Newspaper Page Text
VIEWPOINTS
Staff Editorial
The New Safe Sex ?
Guest Editorial
Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Conference:
Opportunity for Atlanta’s Gay People of Color
Chris Duncan's story on page 4 about gay
men who are being attacked and murdered is,
at the very least, troubling. At worst, the sce
nario that it suggests is terrifying.
If you haven't read it, please do so.
It doesn't take particularly heightened
awareness to sense that our streets are not par
ticularly safe. And that lesbian/gay bashing is
on the rise. So are other hate crimes. Women,
people of color and those with non-WASP
religious beliefs are all far more likely to be
harassed and attacked because of who they are
than are white, heterosexual men — the self-
appointed norm of our society.
But we all know that Have for years. And
activists and politicians are working on the
problem by trying to get hate crimes legisla
tion passed. But if you read this paper you
know that too.
Are the these murders and attacks being
perpetrated by non-gays so insecure in then-
own identity that they must bash gays in order
to feel ok about themselves ? Or are they
being done by gay men who are consumed by
self-loathing or filled with some psychotic
rage. The fact is we don't know.
And it probably doesn't matter.
What does matter is that violence towards
gay men by their tricks appears to be on the
rise. (Off the record one member of a metro
police department confirms that is the case.)
But we say appears because there have
always been stories about this kind of vio
lence, but the unwillingness of survivors to
report (or have made public) the details of
such attacks has made it difficult to verify the
rumors. We commend, Thomas Germain, the
subject of much of Duncan's story for his
bravery in coming forward, demanding justice
and sharing his story with our readers.
It is human nature to find ways to distance
Managing Editor: Christina Cash
Personnel: Leigh VanderEls
Advertising:
_: Manager: Jess: McVay T' : v
Display: ClCTeSeay
CtaftBieds: Bill Medlock :
Circulation:
Manager: Jana Tyson .. .
DismbutiO!j: Steve Atbano, Craig Alien,'& Brown,
Maureen "Mb” Donahue, Anita Akins,
Emory Lesbian & Gay Organization, Sam Moore, : ,
Mona Landry, Angela Master, Eileen Podaattky
Bruce Petrovich, Will Fabe ,
Production: t
Manager: Joan Sherwood ■ : : ■
Blalock, Brian Brazil!,, CJ, Clark,. Al Cotton,,
Mark DuPont, LizaGoilobith, Shelly Bobbins,
isisijgSe: KT Slaughter. Nancy E. Topping : : 4 1? :L :
Contributors
Franklm Abbott, Charlene Ball, Kaian Brown, Keith
Gark, Chris Duncan, Tory Hands, KG., Dave Hayward,
Molly McGuire, Cliff O'Neill, Paul Vamell, KC Wildmoon
Calendar Editor: Candace Wiggins
Photographers:
Evert Bowen, John Bnona Jo Ginmdo, Darrell Hoggat, :
T« Nikoicpoula*. Ins Rasta
Southern Volet it published by Ryan Publications, he. with
offices at 1179 Virginia Ave„ NE, Adana, OA 30306. All material
ie Southern Yoke ii protected by federal copyright law and may
not be reproduced without the wrlteri consent of the Managing
Editor, General Policy
The views of Southern Voice arc expressed only in the edi torial
coiumns or in die editor's notes. Opinion.* expressed arc tho*r of the
writers and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Southern
Voice tr the publisher.
The *awal ooenuoao of advertijets, photographers, cartoonists,
and wrfien published herein i» neither inferred'nor implied. The
appearance of mum* or pictorial representations does not necessarily
bdicttetbe sexual orientation of that personcr persona.
Advertising ia subject to tlx: approval oi Southern Voice and the
publisher: Although Southern Voice appreciates its advertisers, we
cannot accept rcsponsMtty for claims made. Services and prodccta
are not tested and ippetrante of advertising docs not imply, nor does
it constihite, endorsement by Southern Voice. Advertising rates add:
candiSriris are available upon request
Southern Voice wdooctes unsolicited raotena), including ietets to
Os. - hut reserves the nght to edit or reject any matenal submit-
led, Att n*. -"ert to authors upor. publication. Unsolicited
manuscripts not at». ' -~d by a self-addressed stamped envelope
emnoibe returned. Addre*. B correspondence to: Southern Voice,
P.O. Box 18215, Atlanta, GA 30316. (404) 876-1819.
ourselves from the victims of crimes such as
these. To say that because "I am a lesbian", or
"don't pick up people in bars", or "surround
myself in a circle of white light" or "don't
attract that kind of energy" that this can't hap
pen to me. Wanna' bet that everyone of the
victims mentioned in Duncan's story had a
similar line about why it couldn't happen to
him?
Many gay men have gone through a similar
kind of denial about possibility of getting
AIDS. It doesn't work. Only abstinence or a
combination of condoms and good sense will
prevent the transmission of HIV.
Are there similar formulae for the preven
tion of attack from tricks/potential lovers ?
Given the fact that humans thrive on contact,
just saying no to the pursuit of sexual intimacy
seems a near impossible and unhealthy as hell
solution.
And there is no known body armor (psy
chic or physical) as light and transparent as a
latex condom.
Sorry, guys and gals, the only answer here
is caution. And making ourselves as
vulnerable as we do when we hop into the
sack with a potential new girl/boy friend only
minutes after having met, simply cannot be
called cautious.
Please, before you make yourself that vul
nerable, make a date for lunch tomorrow or
dinner and a movie on Wednesday. Take a
walk in the park. And eat/walk/watch without
the benefit of alcohol or drugs. Trust your
feelings. Then, if the attraction is still there, go
(safely) for it. Have fun. Do it like rabbits.
Wake the neighbors with your yodels of ecsta-
cy. Take a day or week off from work to get it
on with your new beloved.
There are some other things you can do
too.
If you've had been attacked or threatened
by a trick, report it and get some help. Call
the Lesbian and Gay Rights Chapter of the
ACLU at 231-5991 and tell your story so that
it will become part of the record. Get some
advice from a therapist or counselor—check
the ads and classifieds in this paper and/or call
the Atlanta Gay Center's Helpline, 892-0611
between 6pm and 11pm for references.
Trusting that you will be treated with respect
after such a humiliating experience may be
difficult, but it is much easier than bearing the
burden of an attack alone and a damn site bet
ter being laid out on a slab in the morgue..
Many of us have friends who've mentioned
violence in this and other contexts. Usually
we're polite and don't push for details. If you
fall in this group, encourage your friend to tell
you more and to get both legal and personal
assistance.
Southern Voice values each and every one
of its readers; please help us to write about
your success, not your obituary.
NAPWA and ACLU Will Form
Committee to Defend Scroggins
The National Association of People with
AIDS/Atlanta Chapter and the Lesbian and
Gay Rights Chapter of the ACLU of Georgia
will be holding a meeting for all persons
interested in forming a Legal Defense
Committee in support of Gregory Scroggins
and Paul Murray. Scroggins, a PWA, was
recently convicted of attempted murder by
biting a police officer in Cobb County.
Murray was convicted of obstructing an offi
cer and participating in an affray. Both have
been denied bond pending their appeal and
are imprisoned in state correctional institu
tions. The initial organizing meeting will be
held on Tuesday, January 30. For more infor
mation call NAPWA at 874-7926.
by Pat Lewis
A movement has begun! Black gays and
lesbians are vigorously mobilizing ourselves
to take charge of our lives, as a people, and as
individuals. It's about time! Historically,
there hasn't been a strong, recognizable orga-
for guidance, support and solace. There have
been and still remain fragmented groups and
associations scattered across the country.
These are local and regional alliances with lit-
organized groups for gay and lesbian people
of color.
ACLU To Present Awards
The Lesbian and Gay Rights Chapter of the
ACLU of Georgia will be holding its annual
Martha Gaines Humanitarian Award reception
on January 17 at 6:00pm. The reception will
be held at the new ACLU of Georgia office at
233 Mitchell St SW.
This year's Martha Gaines Humanitarian
award will be presented to attorney Judd
Herndon, an active member of the Chapter
and the ACLU of Georgia. Life-time achieve
ment awards will also be presented to Judy
Colbs, Linda Lowe, and Kurt Rahn.
Everyone is encouraged to attend and
acknowledge the outstanding contributions
these citizens have made to our community.
For information or directions, please call the
ACLU office at 523-5398.
attended and supported the cause. Also, well-
known gay and lesbian leaders such as the
Rev. Rene McCoy, the Rev. Carl Beam,
Asotto Saint, and the late Joseph Beam have
been avid supporters and participators. For
as chairperson. She is also co-chair of the
Forum, along with Phil Wilson.
This is a personal call by the members of
AALGA to every gay and lesbian person of
color in Atlanta to support and attend the con-
a sense of a stronger community and with the
skills and knowledge to make this a reality.
You will have the rare opportunity to share
and discuss with your brothers and sisters,
See You in 1992
Dear Southern Voice,
I just wanted to take the time to write you
and say "Thanks for serving the community!"
If I didn't live with my mom, I'd have the
paper delivered to my apartment And hope
fully when I get a car, I can help you guys out
the summer of 1992, when I finish high
school.
I love Southern Voice newspaper, and want
to praise you guys for doing such a great job
on informing the community about events that
we otherwise wouldn't have known about. So,
see you guys the summer of 1992! And thanks
again, you've done a great job so far, keep up
the GREAT work!!
With love,
(name withheld by request)
However, there are strong, recognizable
organizations for the larger gay community,
such as the National Gay and Lesbian Task your experiences and opinions on what it
force (NGLTF), and AIDS Coalition To means to you to be a gay or lesbian African
Unleash Power (ACT UP), who address our American. You are being given the opportu-
needs as gays and lesbians, but cannot effec- nity to leant about the lives of people like you
tively address our special needs with being from other areas of the country and from our
doubly different I appreciate and applaud all own diverse local community,
that is being done by my white brothers and As African Americans we have an unique
sisters to further advance the rights and liber- culture and history. As gays and lesbians we
ties of our community as a whole. But now, also have an unique culture and history,
there has come a time when we must make When the two are coupled, the result is a
our own significant contribution to the cause, bountiful, talented, resourceful, and beautiful
Now there has come a time when we must group of people. We are mothers and fathers,
empower and strengthen ourselves. Unlike doctors and nurses, educators and philoso-
the larger Black community with its National phers, journalists and salespeople. We con-
Association for the Advancement of Colored tribute economically and culturally to the larg-
People (NAACP), Southern Christian er society. We are good, law-abiding citizens
Leadership Conference (SCLC), and National who deserve the right to live our lives as
Urban League, we must start from zero and closed or as open as we choose without being
build. ■ vJf/: constantly told by mainstream America that
Atlanta will get its chance to become a cor- there's something wrong with us.
nerstone in the movement. February 16-19 at This is a huge challenge. It will not be
the Hyatt Regency, the Black Gay and easy, nothing worthwhile ever is. The journey
Lesbian Leadership Forum will sponsor the to a freer, more open society for us will be a
3rd annual Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership long one. The planning and preparation starts
Conference and Health Institute. It's the first at home, with ourselves. The decision to be
time the event is being held outside of Los the navigators of our own lives must be made,
Angeles. The Forum-with choices like New now! : : : :
York, Philadelphia, the District of Columbia, In doing so, we must come together to
and Chicago - chose Atlanta. All of Atlanta share ideas and communications and take a
should be proud of this recognition as a pro- clear look at our own prejudices and become
gressive city with a large, politically active more accepting of those in our own "family."
gay community. Atlanta's own African All of these things can and will be done at
American Lesbian/Gay Alliance (AALGA )is Atlanta's conference. Come out and take part
the host organization, of which I am a proud in setting an agenda of where we want to be
and active member. AALGA is a politic- by the end of this new decade,
al/social organization for all black lesbians Unfortunately, most of our people are liv-
andgaymen. ' ■ ing "closed" or closeted lives. They will read
The past two conferences were successful this or hear about the conference and think
with more than 400 people attending. The LA only "open" gays and lesbians can attend,
conferences received widespread support from This isn't so! It will be a safe and anonymous
both the straight and gay communities, environment where you can enrich yourself,
Political activist and author Angela Davis, others, and your community. We are a vital,
Councilwoman Maxine Waters, the Rev. Jesse thriving, and beautiful part of this world. I
Jackson, Chaka Khan, and Whoopi Goldberg think we deserve the recognition we're look-
are some of the well-known people who have ing for and working toward. Don't you?
ANNOUNCEMENTS
nization specifically for our people to turn to this year's conference, Ruth Waters is serving
tie or no communication with other organiza
tions of its kind beyond their own city limits
or state borders. In some areas, there are no
ference and the other events that will be going
on during that weekend. You will leave with
6/Southern Voice • January 18,1990