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Philip Morris Strikes Deal to End Miller Boycott
by John Zeh
Washington, D.C. -Responding to a boycott by the gay
and lesbian community of Marlboro cigarettes and Miller
beer, consumer product giant Philip Morris announced
May 30 that it will increase its charitable contributions to
AIDS research and services. The boycott, initiated about a
year ago by ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power),
was a response to Philip Morris’ financial backing of Sen.
Jesse Helms (R-NC) who is one of the most vociferous
opponents of AIDS funding and gay rights in Congress.
In exchange for ending the boycott, ACT UP/DC and
the Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF) won a pledge
from Philip Morris to "strengthen its committment to
fighting the AIDS epidemic by helping those who are pro
viding direct services and education in communities
across the country." In a statement written on ACT UP/DC
letterhead, the corporation also pledged to combat dis
crimination against PWAs and homophobia. Philip Morris,
the statement read, "continues to stand against all forms of
intolerance." Since 1987 Philip Morris has contributed
$1.3 million to several gay groups including Gay Men's
Health Crisis. Alice T. McGillion, spokeswoman for
Philip Morris, said the company would double the figure it
gave last year but would not be more specific.
Although the dollar amount the company will spend on
its promises is still unclear, Michael Petrelis, ACT UP/DC
member and originator of the boycott, said "it's going to
Part Lynch
Members of ACT UP/DC dumped Miller beer in the
streets on July 26, 1990 to signify the beginning of
the national boycott against Philip Morris.Similar
actions took place in New York, San Francisco and
Dallas.
be at least $2.6 million annually." Petrelis called on "ACT
UP's local chapters and gays, lesbians, AIDS activists,
their supporters and all fair-minded people to end the boy
cott of Philip Morris products."
Because of Philip Morris' refusal to end all contribu
tions to Helms and renounce its past support, some groups
are reserving the right to continue the boycott. ACT
UP/San Francisco, which added Miller to the original
Marlboro boycott, has pledged to continue the struggle
against Philip Morris. ACT UP/SF member Bill Haskell
said he studied the proposals for over a month, pushed for
statements against Helms' homophobic positions and then
vowed to carry on the boycott. ”PM can't have it both
ways," he argued. "Supporting Helms is inconsistent with
funding AIDS research and other homosexual causes."
Veteran activist Maxine Wolfe of ACT UP/NY dis
agrees. "I don't mean to undermine what people are
doing," she said "but the boycott was tenuous to begin
with. The money Philip Morris gave to Helms was minis
cule and understandable." They're in a tobacco state, plain
and simple." Philip Morris says it contributed $200,000 to
the Helms museum and only $19,000 to his re-election
campaign.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF),
which supported the original boycott, has declined to
endorse the settlement until it can poll its staff and Board
of Directors."The underlying reason for the boycotb sup
port for the Senator and the legacy to honor this bigot,
seems to be untouched," said NGLTF director Urvashi
See page 11
DeLaria Does
Pride '91
by David Story
The Atlanta Pride Week Committee '91 is riding high this year
with an impressive offering of entertainment, spread out over
June 22 and 23. Emceeing the festivities will be nationally
known lesbian comic Lea DeLaria, who in '86 was award
ed Provincetown's Golden Gull Award and Backstage maga
zine's award for Outstanding Cabaret Entertainer.
Never at a loss for words, DeLaria defines her humor as
such: "Lesbian comic seems like a contradiction in terms.
Lesbians can be funny- hey, look at the way we dress."
And folks, listen up! Lesbian humor is in vogue. After outing
herself on Madonna's "Truth or Dare" docu-(melo)drama, Sandra
Bernhard popped up in Bruce Willis’ "Hudson Hawk," where
she uttered that memorable line, "Bunny, BALL, BALL!"
Also, according to this month's Vanity Fair magazine,
country music superstar Dolly Parton has been known to
savor lesbian humor. Perhaps one day DeLaria will make a
cameo in a Willis flick or be booked into Dollywood. After all,
DeLaria’s wry, witty and often vulgar sensibilities garnered her
San Francisco's Cable Car Award for Outstanding Cabaret
Entertainer in '84 and Outstanding Comedy Entertainer in '85.
DeLaria will be sharing the honor of emcee along with
Channel ll's Rick Mitchell, who is a news producer at WXIA.
On June 22, at Piedmont Park between 11:30 and 3:30pm,
look for Michelle Martin and Kay Busbey, The Opal Fox Quartet,
Insane Jane, Moral Hazard and Face of Concern. These performers
range from "on the edge music" to "lesbian new wave."
June 23 will bring, between 1:40 and 9:30pm, the Atlanta Feminist
Women's Chorus, the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus, Southern
Stampede, Ann Coombs, Angela Motter, J.G. Greenway, Leigh
McClelland, Tory Beatty, Daryl Lanza, Adam Patterson,
Jim Chapeleaux, Venus Envy, Intac, Southern Line, Straight
From the Heart, Funny That Way, and excerpts from the
Harvey Milk musical "Dare to Dream," as well as an appear
ance by the renowned Atlanta jazz greats Bemardine Mitchell
and Mose Davis.
Drag performances will include the talents of the Armorettes,
Charlie Brown, Big Ruby, Eleganza, Deaundra Peek and a special
appearance by cast members of La Vita's.
Aside from the drag, the presentations on the 23rd range from
clogging and modem dancing to improvisational comedy and
jazz. Undaunted by the unfortunate cancellation of Rita
Coolidge, the Committee has planned a well-rounded pro
gram with something for everyone.
The Committee is especially pleased to offer the talents
of Bemardine Mitchell and Lea DeLaria, Recognized by
Nightlife magazine as one of New York's Ten Funniest
Women in '87, DeLaria also wrote, directed and
appeared in 'Girl Friday," which won the Golden Gull
Award for Best Comedy Group in '89.
Founder of San Francisco's "Gay Comedy Nights" and New
York's "People Who Are Funny That Way," DeLaria says that she
spends her summers in Provincetown, adding, "The rest of the year I
tour and occasionally have sex."
Let's hope she gets lucky in Atlanta.
PHOTO BY .ARIEL JONES