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Organizations
OUT
LINES
Age: 31
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Occupation: Artist/Mask Maker
Relationship Status: Six years in
a relationship
Books Currently Reading:
The Swimming Pool Library, by
Alan Hollinghurst
Prince of Tides, by Pat Conroy
Personal Goal: To be the best
person I can be
Monte Schuth: Being the Best He Can
Monte Schuth lives in a pleasantly aging
Decatur neighborhood; his yard dominated
by an enormous pink magnolia, or tulip tree.
This Sunday afternoon, the tree is in full
bloom. A light rain is beginning to fall; a
forsythia trails delicate yellow blooms across
the slippery steps up to the porch.
Monte is in his studio. A slender blue
eyed young man with curling light brown
hair, his manner is calm, his accent soft,
Southern. He is a graduate of North Carolina
School of the Arts, has acted with Acme
Theatre Three. Active in theatre since com
ing to Atlanta, his specialty is theatrical
masks. ...
His masks hang on the walls and lie on
the worktable; fantastic jeweled, flowered
creations. One, a male face, has flowers and
little fairy-like figures cavorting over it.
Another is framed with apple blossoms. One
looks like a thin, draped, spangled scarf. But
touch it. and it is stiff; you can take it down
and hold it to your face. Another, for a pro
duction of Oedipus Rex, suggests an old
man’s face out of nylon stockings, with long,
trailing beard. Several half-masks look like
heavy, glazed porcelain. In fact they are
light as paper. The material is Monte’s own
invention, a plastic-soaked fabric he calls
“faux porcelain.”
Monte talks quietly about the art and craft
of mask-making. “I like using the face as a
canvas,” he says. He got into mask-making
with a friend who was interested in prosthetic
makeup. They started making casts of one
another’s faces and Monte became fascinat
ed with the possibilities of concealing and
enhancing the face.
Monte currently teaches a class in face
casting and mask-making at the Atlanta
College of Art He sees his classes as artistic
and as therapeutic: “When you cover the face
with a mask, you can bring out aspects of
yourself that you don’t usually reveal—like at
Mardi Gras. It’s a healing process. I feel that
I’m helping people; a lot comes out in class
es.”
Monte has been in a relationship with
John, a massage therapist, for six years. They
have a strong and positive relationship:
“We’ve been through a lot. Sometimes I
think we’re almost role models for our
friends. I’d like to think I am creating a posi-
five image for gays in some way.”
Their house is homey: full of artwork,
comfortable furniture, and books. But no TV.
“I’d haven’t had a TV since 1976. That’s by
design. Staying away from the news is good.
It helps me keep a positive attitude.”
Monte is a branch manager at Macy’s dur
ing the working day. Yet he feels no conflict
between that persona and himself as an artist.
Or as gay man. His heritage gives him a spe
cial perspective: “There’s a friendliness to
being a Southerner. You know you don’t fit
into the mold. You can go to work, and wear
the clothes, and all that, but you don’t have to
fit in so rigidly. You’re a little apart.”
That sense of being apart and at the same
time, involved also comes from being gay.
“You can be part of things, but at the same
ime, you stand off to the side and observe
them. Also, I’ve always been out I don’t feel
I have to hide. And I believe that if you are
the best person you can be, people will accept
you, whether gay or straight” Monte looks
serious as he says this. “I suppose that’s my
personal goal; to be the best person I can be.”
-Charlene Ball
A ALGA* African American Lesbian/Gay Alliance. 1st Sunday of
each month. 4:00 PM. Ashby and Gordan Street A political and
social organization for black lesbians and gay mea
PO Box 50374, Atlanta, Ga, 30301 691-5921 or 297-8815.
ACLll/LG-ACLU/Lesbian &Gay Chapter. 3rd Wednesday of
each month. Peachtree Branch Library. 7:30 PM. Working for
the civil rights of lesbians and gay men in the metropolitan
Atlanta area. 377-8312
ACT- Atlanta Couples Together. A non-political, non-religious,
social organization whose purpose is to support the positive
aspects of gay and lesbian relationships. Events and meetings
vary. Info: A.C.T. Voice Mailbox, 365-2455, or writE PO Box
723291, Atlanta, Ga., 30339.
ACT UP/Atlanla-AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power Direct
action group with the purpose of fighting homophobia, AIDS,
sexism and racism. Meetings held every Tuesday at 7:30 PM at
131 Ponce de Leon, Suite 233. 24-hr. info line - 286-6247.
AFC- Atlanta Faerie Circle. 1st Sunday of each month. Location
and time varies. Gay men gathering for support and to explore
their connections with the earth and white light 622-4112.
AGC- Atlanta Gay Center. 876-5372 Operated primarily by vol
unteers, AGC offers services for lesbians and gays men as well as
educational out-reach to society as a whole. Help Line-892-0661.
AGMC- Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus. A semi-professional com
munity-oriented chorus of male voices. Membership open to all
interested singers and non-singers alike. 378-9676.
AGLA- Athens Gay & Lesbian Association, at the University of
Georgia. All welcome at meetings, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of
every month; call 404/548-0580 for more information
ALACC- Atlanta Lesbian Agenda Conference Committee. A
diverse group of lesbians helping to organize the 1st National
Lesbian Agenda Conference to be held in Atlanta in 1990 or
1991. For info call 378-9769.
ALFA- Atlanta Lesbian Feminist Alliance. 2nd Sunday of each
month. 6:00 PM. A lesbian feminist organization which wel
comes lesbians of all races, religions, political orientation, eco
nomic status, occupation and degree of openness. Write PO Box
5502, Atlanta, Ga. 30307 for more info and to request newsletter.
A LG PC- Atlanta Lesbian/Gay Pride Committee. 2nd Tuesday of
each month. 7:30 PM. Unitarian Universalist Church. Needs vol
unteers to coordinate this year's lesbian and gay pride March to
insure its success. ^
AMC- Atlanta March Committee- More Than a Phase.2nd and
4th Tuesday of each month. 7:30 PM. North Highland Branch
Library. A community based activist organization that works
toward promoting lesbian and gay rights through educational,
social, cultural, and political events. 377-8312
APAC Atlanta Pro-Choice Action Committee - Join Atlanta's
newest abortion-rights activist group in defending women’s health
clinics. A non-profit, non-partisan, nonviolent broad-based orga
nization created to support the right to reproductive freedom for
all people. 239-8016 for information. Our bodies, our lives, our
right to decide.
AVS- Atlanta Venture Sports. Activities and meetings vary. An
association in which the membership enjoys recreational, social,
educational, and sports activities. 2424899.
AID Atlanta- A community-based, non-profit agency providing
multiple services to all people with AIDS, their families and
friends, and education to everyone regarding the disease and its pre
vention. 1132 W. Peachtree St. (Entrance 13th Street). 872-0600.
AIDS Info Line-876-9944 (Atlanta);l-800-551-2728 (State-
wide).Answers to questions about AIDS, referrals, etc., by trained
volunteers staffing phone lines from 9:00 AM-9:00 PM daily. A
public service of AID Atlanta and the Ga. DHR.
Atlanta Business & Professional Guild- A non-profit service
organization comprised of both gay/lesbian and non-gay profes
sionals and businesspersons. 2nd Tuesday of each month. Place
varies. Membership and further info: 6624202
Atlanta Feminist Women's Chorus- A community-oriented
choral group of women's voices. Membership is open to all
women interested in singing. Chorus practice held each Sunday,
4:30-7:00 PM at the First Existentialist Church at
470 Candler Pk. Dr. 355-8894 or 4354498.
Atlanta Lambda Chorale- A community-oriented choral group
for both men and women. Membership open to all singers and
non-singers alike. Rehearsals every Tuesday at MCC-Blessed
Redeemer, 800 N. Highland Ave. 7:30 PM. 874-1622.
BWMT- Black and White Men Together. 1st Saturday of each
month.8:00 PM. Location varies. A gay inter-racial organization
committed to fostering a supportive environment wherein racial
and cultural barriers can be over-come and the goal of human
equality realized. 794-BWMT.
Circle of Healing- 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month.7:30 PM.
First Existentialist Church. The Circle is open to anyone in need
of healing, be it physical, emotional, or spiritual. 378-5570
CODA-Codependents Anonymous- Lambda. A 12-step program
of recovery from codependency for gays and lesbians. Meetings
Tues. & Wed. at 8 PM. For info and locations call: 239-1657.
Chrysalis - A women's center providing social, educational and
informational programs and services for the community. 2045
Manchester. For info call (404) 881-6300.
Congregation Bet Haverim- Services 1st and 3rd Friday of each
month at 8:30 PM. Shabbat Seder, 2nd Friday of each month at
7:30 PM. All Saints Episcopal Church. Proudly serving the les
bian and gay community. Info line: 642-3467.
Delphi- A fraternity of gay men, offering recreation, fellowship,
and idealism. P.O. Box 14591, Atlanta, GA 30324.
ELGO- Emory Lesbian & Gay Organization. Meetings every
Wed. at 8:30 PM. Room 355 Dobbs University Center.
Box 23515, Emory Univ., Atlanta, Ga. 30322. 727-6692..
First MCC Atlanta- Sunday Services at 11:00 AM and7:00 PM
evangelistic service. Mid-week services on Wednesday at 7:30
PM.800 N. Highland Ave. Office hours Noon-6:00 PM.Tuesday-
FridayA Christian church proclaiming God's love for lesbians
and gay men. Counseling available by appointment for individu
als and couples. Same sex Holy Unions performed. 872-2246.
Fourth Tuesday-A networking organization for lesbian profes
sionals and entrepreneurs, operating through monthly dinner
meetings and a variety of special social, sports and educational
events. P. O. Box 7817, Atlanta, GA 30309,6624353.
Friends Atlanta- Activities and meetings vary. A social, recre
ational, and educational group for gays and lesbians. Volleyball,
bowling, dinners, theater nights, and dances are among the activi
ties. 6624501.
Friends of Zoo Atlanta- Support organization for Zoo Atlanta.
For info regarding corporate sponsorship, membership, volunteers
and adopt-an-animal call (404) 525-9936. Mon-Fri., 9AM-5PM.
GAA- Gay Atheists of America. Meetings social in nature and at
members' discretiorcTo assure freedom of speech; freedom from
religion; to defend the separation of church and stale; to assist in
obtaining civil rights for gays and lesbians, and to offer non
believers an alternate social scene. 875-8877.
GALA- Georgia Tech Gay and Lesbian Alliance. Weekly meetings.
676-1324. GALA, FYograms Area, GATech, Atlanta, GA 30332.
GLSA- Ga. State Gay and Lesbian Student Alliance. Day meet
ings on Wed 10:10am, Rm 904 General Classroom Bldg. (Nov.8
mtg. in 804 GCB). Info: 651-3636 or 3524570. GLSA, Box 506
University Plaza, Atlanta, GA 30303.
GANG - Greater Atlanta Naturist Group. For gay men who enjoy
nude outdoor and social activities. Not a sex club. Nude camping,
swimming, parties, etc. several times per month. For info send
SASE to: GANG, PO Box 7546, Atlanta, GA 30357.
GAPAC- Greater Atlanta Political Awareness Coalition.
Meetings vary. The gay and lesbian political action committee
monitoring and acting in the local political scene. 368-7420.
GLPCI- Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition International. 1st and
3rd Sunday of each month. 7:30 PM. Unitarian Universalist
Church. A support group for lesbian and gay parents. 296-8369.
Gay & Lesbian Pride March-1990-PO Box 5643, West
Columbia, SC 29171. (803)796-3615,252-9455,2714207.
The Group- Thursday nights. Call the Gay Help Line at
892-0661 or write PO Box 15191, Atlanta, Ga. 30333. A support
group for gay and bisexual men who are or who have been
involved in marital-type situations with womea
Hotlanta Volleyball-Serious and amateur players are welcome to
join. Members compete in tournaments and regulation league
play. Clinics held during the year to leam and practice new tech
niques. Call 875-0700 for info.
Human Rights Campaign Fund- (HRCF-Atlanta) The nation's
largest Lesbian & Gay political + lobbying organization.
P.O. Box 8594, Atlanta, GA 30306, Phone 365-8766.
Integrity- Gay Caucus of the Episcopal Church. 2nd and 4th
Friday of each month. 7:30 PM. All Saints Episcopal Church-3rd
floor of Ellis Hall. 875-2720.
LAMP - The Living AIDS Memorial Park Project. Second
Monday of every month. 7:30PM. N. Highland Branch Library.
For info: 874-8969. Address: LAMP, PO Box 301,
1579-F Monroe Drive, Atlanta, GA, 30324.
LEGAL- Legislate Equality for Gays and Lesbians. A voice for
lesbians and gays in the Democratic party. Mtgs. on 3rd Mon. of
the month. 7pm at Ptree Branch Library. P.O. Box 54167, Atlanta
30308.(404)286-7476.
LIFE- Lesbians in Fun Endeavors. Meeting times and locations
vary. Bringing professional gay women together for the fun of it,
giving them the opportunity to make friends and enjoy a wide
variety of events. 938-2009.
Lutherans Concerned/Atlanta- A Christian Ministry for
Lesbian and Gay Understanding. Please contact us at P.O. Box
13673, Atlanta, GA 30324.636-7109.
Lutherans Concerned/South Carolina- A society of gay les
bian and non-gay Christians. All denominations welcome. We
work to foster a climate of understanding, justice and reconcilia
tion among all people. 3rd Sunday of each month. 4:00PM. 728
Pickens St., Columbia, SC. Contact: PO Box 90537, Columbia,
SC, 29290. (803) 732-0838.
MAAS- Metro Atlanta Astrological Society. A networking educa
tional/research organization for both amateur and professional
astrologers. Usually meet the 4th Wed. of each month. 622-5661
MACGLO- Metro Atlanta Council of Gay and Lesbian
Organizations. 3rd Thursday of each month. 7:00 PM. Peachtree
Branch Library. A representative council of lesbian and gay orga
nizations to facilitate the exchange of info. 242-2342
MCC All Saints-Serving metro Atlanta with positive Christian
support for lesbians and gay men. 5:00 PM every Sunday.
575 Boulevard, SE Office hours: Mon-Thurs. lOAM-Noon, and
1PM4PM. 622-1154.
NAPWA- Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of People
with AIDS. Regular meetings and events. 131 Ponce de Leon,
Suite 233. A political, social, and educational organization con
fronting the AIDS crisis. Membership is open to all individuals
with AIDS, ARC or who are HIV positive. 874-7926.
The Names Project/Atlanta- A National AIDS Memorial.
Every Wednesday at 6:30PM at All Saints Episcopal Church.
Send correspondence to: 375 Georgia Ave., Atlanta, Ga. 30312
P-FLAG- Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. 3rd Sunday
of each month. 5-7 PM. Unitarian-Universalist Congregation of
Atlanta. Committed to help parents leam what we have learned
To help change attitudes and create an environment of under
standing, so all gay people can live with dignity and respect.
961-6085 or 296-0830.
PLGC- Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concems/More Light.
3rd Sunday of each month. Gays and lesbians gather over light
foods to celebrate their Presbyterian heritage. 373-5830.
Palmetto Gay/Lesbian Association - A support, education and
civil rights organization in S. Carolina. PO Box 10022,
Greenville, SC, 29603-0022.24hr. switchboard(803) 2714207.
Pride of Peachtree - Atlanta's Lesbian &. Gay Marching
BandEvery Monday night 7:3OPM-9:00PM at First MCC,
SOON. Highland Ave. For info call 434-7826.
Project Open Hand - Prepares and serves meals to PWAs,
Chorus
Cont'd from page 9
managed, even with sixty totally different ideas,
to have one common bond, and that is wanting
to do the best that we can in performance, and
also to enjoy it and have fun."
"We are a community," adds Cheryl. "Being
able to work with this group has been tremen
dous for me in dealing with the outside pres
sures of the world and of my job. I'm very
thankful for it."
"We're real solid now," says Chancey. "Not
that we don't have upheavals, but now we feel
like something that's going to last for a while
... a long, long time to come."
"A perfect world we do not live in, this
much we surely do know." Linda beats the
tricky rhythm for us; we keep up. Some are
still struggling to hit the off-beat. "The road
ahead won't get easier, we've got a long way to
go; But we will not despair-we'll celebrate!"
We are singing and swaying to the reggae
rhythm. "Celebrate!"
U/Souihern Voice • March 1,1990