Newspaper Page Text
PAGE 33
PAGE 39
'Heavenly
Creatures'
brings to the
screen the true
story of Juliet
Hulme and
Pauline
Parker, whose
special friendship led to
murder in the 1950's.
Gay TV has
arrived in
Atlanta.
Starting this
month you can
see 'Network
Q' and 'In the
Life' regularly.
Pictured is playwright Terrence
McNally who will appear on
'In the Life.'
PLEASE RECYCLE
TAKING PRIDE IN OUR CULTURE
DECEMBER 8/1994
Make the yuletide gay
A visit to historic Glenridge Hall (above), which benefits the AIDS service organization Childkind,
is just one way to get into the holiday spirit. Our annual shopping guide offers many more.
by ADAM J. SANK
Let's face it: holiday shop
ping, for many of us, is the pits.
But whether you celebrate the
birth of the sun or the Son, or do
not celebrate at all, chances are
you are going to be making your
share of purchases this Decem
ber. Why not make them all at
gay-friendly businesses?
Before you spend a dime,
soak up the following guide to
holiday gift-giving. In addition
to a myriad of gifts and the
places to get them, we recom
mend events to attend and ser
vices to make use of this frenetic
holiday season, as well as some
wonderful suggestions for start
ing the New Year out right. May
your holidays be gay!
FASHION
Men looking for a chic, fash
ionable goody will do well to
check out the selection at Gianni
Versace, where belts ($250-
$600), vinyl jeans and vests
($350-$l,000), and silk shirts
($1,600) would all make quite the
impressive gift if you've got the
means. As an alternative, there's
Gent-ly Owned, where you'll
find such fashion gods as
Armani, Versace and Hugo Boss
prominently displayed among
the 50-50 selection of new and
previously owned goods. For
creative styles, visit Atlanta de
signer Bill Hallman's boutique
and shoe stores, both in Virginia-
Highland. And if you find your
self in Cobb County, visit
Guffey's at the Cobb Galleria.
But after you've picked out
that fabulous party outfit, stop
by The Boy Next Door, where
dapper dress shirts, dressy vests,
and a great collection of casual
clothes are just right for in be
tween the holiday parties. And
for late night festivities? Check
out Malepak, where sexy un
derwear and leather items, as
well as a wide selection of men's
clothing, ensure a joyous holiday
indeed!
Women wanting to slip into
something comfortable—and el
egant—may find the lovely vin
tage lingerie at Stefan's just the
thing for girlfriend—or self.
Shoppers of both genders also
get to choose from one-of-a-kind
coats and all sorts of authentic
period clothing. Also take a trip
back to your favorite fashion
past at the ultra-hip Junkman's
Daughter, which has recently
combined forces with Princess
Pamela's to offer a selection of
everything from Doc Martens to
body-piercing jewelry.
Continued on Page 15
Atlanta Executive
Network comes out
by JAMES FITCH
In just three years, the At
lanta Executive Network
(AEN) has mushroomed into
a 600-member powerhouse
representing billions of dol
lars and wielding consider
able influence in the business
community and political
arena. Until this month, the
organization had conducted
business in somewhat of an
ivory tower, making itself off
limits to the media. As of De
cember 1994, though, the At
lanta Executive Network is
officially out.
"Gays and lesbians have
restored the major metropoli
tan communities [in many cit
ies]," explained AEN presi
dent Allen O. Jones. "They've
been a great economic force...
Our members directly or in
directly represent billions of
dollars in the economy."
The AEN formed three
years ago, a union of people
who recognized a void in net
working opportunities for
gay and lesbian business pro
fessionals. The group's mis
sion was to provide an envi
ronment for networking, and
to promote excellence in busi
ness and government. No
public statement was made
regarding the sexual orienta
tion of the membership.
"We stayed closed to the
media to give the organiza
tion time to have solid
growth," Jones said. "We are
not an advocacy group. We
are focused on business. This
is not a gay organization com
ing out—-it's a business group.
Although we are interested in
what's going on in the com
munity."
Jones said he was person
ally influenced toward making
a public statement by a recent
conversation he had with con
gressman John Lewis.
"[Lewis] said, 'You should
really go public,'" Jones ex
plained. "'Think of all the
teens and college students
who need to know that you
can grow up and be good,
solid citizens and be success
ful. And the politicians need
to know that you exist.'"
In July of this year, the net
work conducted a member
ship survey, the results of
which indicated 94 percent felt
it was time to go public. Mem
bers hope the move will enable
them to serve as role models
for young gay and lesbian
people, as well as to make the
organization visible to poten
tial members who may not
otherwise have discovered it.
Though media coverage is
now incorporated into the
plan, restrictions—such as
photo arrangements and es
corts for press at meetings—
continue to protect the privacy
of members as desired.
"Employment discrimina-
>*- Continued on Page 4