NEW YORK'S OLDEST GAY NEWSPAPER ISSUE 105 MAY t980

Editorial: CBS-Speclal

BYELAINESMTTH

Laat Saturday night 's CBS Special Report entitled G€iy Potver, Gay Politics portrayed San Francisco gay political power in an unrealistic and totaUy negative Ught. The report attempted to cast a lewd and vulgar shadow over aU the accomplishments of the gay com­munity of San Francisco, and went on from there to evoke a sense of forebod­ing for the rest of the country's major cities. This is what the gay movemem is about, they seemed to say—that is, seizure of poUtical power for the purpose of promoting sado-masochism and sex in parks.

The concept that gays who are poUtical activists are "decaden t " and wiU bring down the moral standards of a consBitmity is an Anita Bryant idea. Out of a broad, natioQwide selection of gay politacal activities, and out of the diversity of things t h ^ gay people a te jdoing with their fledgling heedosn, CBS

jc^ tdy^jne lec tmd tiieir film wncff ja»r«>-vT^^« fo imA&ie tnc tf^y "move­ment appear to be a bUght contributing to some supposed decay of our society.

CBS cannot ask what gay people will do with poUtical power untU they examine exactly and accurately what gay people are doing with the power and influence they presently have.

The report contained the seeds of its own criticism. l l i e scenes of gay inarches in Sacramento and Washing­ton, D.C. showed a mixed group, at least half women, dressed in typical, everyday clotfaes. The expressiotts bf pride, per­sonal commitment, and deep spiritual exhUaration that were to be seen anysdierein this report were seen on the faces of these marchers, faowever quickly the camera panned past them. When 100,000 people, representing the core of gay ac t iv i s t s across the coun t ry , inarched in Washington, D . C , if at that time-CBS had put a microphone in front of some of tfaose people and a^ced tfaem arfaat tfaey were striving to-do back in Alaska and Rfaode Island, what ideab they had fbr the future, then they would have begun to get a picture of what the gay movement is about. They should have asked those marchers how much tittle they intended to devote to the support and proosotiofi of book stores, sex in parks* and sado-aaaaocfaism boutiques. For most, it does mtm even appear on their list of priorities.

After the scenes of marches, where half present were wocneii, we returned to San Franciaoo to see rooms fuO of men* men in drag* men in leather, and asea in moftw in the streets* We dberelbre know, we caa be dead sure* that tkia oould rapraaem no aume d t a n h s U af Am gap amamtaadmy. The nwdia is atiB aa sexist that dda fact was not even mentieaed* and tha a o e woosan ahawa as a leader* sprafciyig la a giaup* waa not even identified by aame.

We* as gay activists* know that a dtmm ama half was

represented. H ie segment of die gay community that wasdiown. was made to look both larger than it is and more corrupt than it actuaUy is. The gay commnnity is incredibly diverse. People within the community are exploring and experimenting with many ideas and Ufestyles. However, the coverage was selected to generate fear and misunder­standing among the general public.

This program brought angry repUes from the gay conununity in Rochester. The program could act as a deterrent to unity in our struggle for understanding and justice. But it wiU not. We wUl not let it.

The Black cotnmunity was forced to sit and watch when, beginning several years ago, the media misrepresented their movement as violent and aiming' at a Mack " take over . " We must now bear the pain of seeing our movement diScretiited as decadent and aiming at a gay "tdu£ over . "

But we wiU continue our struggle urtdi ar without a media bent on dleoraibting us .

Watch next month ' s Empty Closet fer lurther infbrmation on local and national reaction and response to this C B S ptograjna.

Pakistan lesbians A Pakistani lesbian couple desirous

of imncugrating to the United States has issued a plea for advice and/or assist­ance. The two women are Ms. Rubina Shaikh and her girlfriend, Maqsoda* who Uve with their parents in Karadhi radier than alone or together, because, they say, male-dominated Pakistazu society strongly prescribes that women live either with tfaeir parents or dieir husbands.

In hopes of movi i^ to die U.S. , die two women say they are seekmg American spotisors and temporary or permanent employment in the U.S. The fear, however, that the Immigratina and Naturalization Service and/or the State Department wiU block their way: bodi arms of the federal govemmenc aita Section 212(aK4) of die 1952 McCarraa-Walter Immigration and Nationality Aet to deny adnussicm into the country to foreign citizens who are gay or lesbian.

Persons interested in helping the two women should a ^ t e , advises tfae latemafional Gey News Association, in "discreet p a d d n g " co: Ma. Rubina Shaikh* 171/B Ssndfai MnaUm; Coopera­tive Hoiisittg Society; Karadd* Pakisti

BifTboyoott JIEW YORK—The Coalkion for

Lesbiaa and Gay Righta (CLGR) has caOed foe a boycott af Gcayfaoond Bus Lines sasd ka Annoar^Mal subsidiary in response to the compaay's aUeged •nppoft afdke Aped 29 " W a d d a g i M foe

f *

Gre^iaund has pcosided anawfous travel serviees Ibr the fandsascntaJisi Chriaiiaa nu rd i * indoding a toQ-free telephone ninaber ptftvidUig bus* train* plane, and hoc^ infaffwarion.

The CLGR dahns that sodi services

are exceptional, ' going beyond what Grreyhbund has offered other groups in the past, and beyond what is appropriate for a bus company, thus constituting de facto support for the march. -

Greyhound spokespersons have ve­hemently denied the charges. " W e are doing precisely what we do for every single other charter movement ," vice president for pubUc relations Dorothy Lorant told GCN. " W e are a tour b roke r—we h a v e a tour b r o k e r ' s Ucense—and we set up any kind of travel services for laxge groups ." She named several organizations that, like the ' 'Washington for J e s u s " march, have benefited from Greyhound's group tra­vel package in the past: among them were the Girl Scouts, high school bands, and garden clubs.

Asked why the Ust did not include any- of the progressive groups that have organized Washington marches in the past—for women 's , gay, civU ri^ts, and anti-war causes—Lorant replied, "WeU, diey didn't a s k . " And she insisted that the "Washington for J e s u s " peofde are not getting any special treatment or disaannt. " l i k e iH ofour dMWtcni* this b a fuU-cost, fuU-markiq} char ter ."

- ' G C N

Cuban refugees

BY DAVID WILSON

President Carter annoimced earlier this week that the United States would admit up to 3,500 of the a^roximatc ly 10,000 Cubans who have taken refuge in the Peruvian Embassy in Havana. Car te r^ press statement also urged other nations ' ' to make their own contributions without delay" to *:his effort to help relocate the fleeing Cubans* noting that " this humanitarian erisis requires in immediate intemation-ail response ."

Cuban government sources have described refugees as "delinquents and moral degenera tes . " Some sotirces have alleged that tfais group includes many CUIHW Gays* since Cubans have always pfdilidy branded hofnosexuab as moral­ly unfit individuals (see Blade, Feb. . 21, 1980].

At present, d s ^ Department of Justice** imnigf ation and Naturahxation Service has a policy'of tivning all Gay paople back ai (he border. That policy l t a baan dhe aource of nmch cotttreversj a n d p i M c scmciay during dke past year and is p tasandy wMler review by the Just ice Depailmant.

Whan qoaattoaad as WI a^ieiher die policy would' ba anfctce3 daring the eorrent crisia, an jwahmriftad White House aonrce sai^ that '*it is definitely aoaastning wa. wiB hava ca new widi whan the tnne aiilvaa* He nocad aaat fifsc pffibffity wonhi ha givan «o diose rcnigaaa with fam^^ eoonactnna aheady earahljahed in the Uniwd Statea* b m that na othar syatam at* actaanlng and aelactian has hecn aiwiauntjad yat.

Oyer 200 marched on Albany in April for gay legislation. page 2.

Feds fund an Ita Citing questions of church-state

separation and the spectre of implicit' government sanction of Anita Bryant's anti-gay crusade, the National Gay Task Force has protested the cooperation of Defense Department officials in the production of Anita Btyant 's television ptograoEi, "Anita Bryant 's Spectacular— My Little Comer of the Wor ld ."

In a letter to President J immy Carter. National Gay Task Force (NGTF) Co-Executive Direesera Charles F. Bry­don and Lucia L. Vale^La wrote, " W e are deeply disturbed and dismayed by the ^t>operation and participation of elements of the Department of Defense in the television program |Mx>duced by and on behalf of Anita Bryant Minis­t r i e s . "

Noting the miUtary * s past and present record of antipathy toward gajrs, and the active participation of govern­ment in this religious-sponsored produc-t iour^rydon and Valeska questioned the adequacy of ofBcial gtiidelines and the judgment of miUtaty officials who elec­ted to exgtend government assistance.

"Beycmd this and of immediate and paramount concern to this nation's 20 miUion tax-pa3ring lesbian and gay male eitisens is the im;4icit govenunent sanction extended through this coopera­tion and participation to the virulent anti-human rights crusade directed a-gainst gay pe«»ple by Ms. Bryant and fbr which she has a national identification and reputat ion." wrote Brydon...aiid Valeska. Pointing to the anti-gay activity of Anita Bryant Ministrca, Inc- and its link with Rotec t America's ChUdren-botfa entities have the same executive directev, Edwas^ Rowe—Brydon and Vdeska atncliatsd their letter to the FrmtA^nt with a d i a O e n g e -

*nhe eentral q|i»estion in d l this b in Ms. Bryant's

ration we see as with the famnan rights

policies of -your aHbniniwration. This tsaoe—die wiBhigness of yoor adnini-atraden to activdy apply the sasiie vahia CO.the civil and hmmmm righta of gsf poa|de dint ts accorded to r a d d « M I

[ j f l MMIwnmfn th i i in ihii wa wotdd Rhe yoo io speak to

potaonaDy and to aee yoor pelacy refiaciaa^by a i diiparanents and agen-daa et Am govatriiiaam. May we hear froaa yon, Mr* Ftasident?"

2, THB EMPTY CLOSET May 1980

NY unity? This, my last article whUe stiU in

-Rochester* has been the most difficult to write.

Back in November vdien the caU for the March on Albany came, a group of Upstate activists thougfat tfaat the time had truly come for a statewide organiza­tion. The March was co help btiUd that organization. On the way to the March many things happened diat one by one dashed aU o€ our hopes. In December, upon urg ing fr^m NYC groups, we asked for NYC participation, and were led to beUeve tfaat it was there. In January, I relinquished aU direct control of tfae Marcfa and turned it over to the March on Albany Committee.

In March, we voted on the speakers who had been nominated in February. AU conferences were open to aU persons iriio wished to participate, no one was turned away. In March, we chose the speakers according to standards that were acceptable to a majority of the conferees. A person who represented a non-lediian/gay organisation, objected to tfae choice of David Thorstadt as speaker even though he had agreed not to speak on man-boy love, but only on . Lesbian/Gay unity. This compromise however, was not deened sufficient, and that organization worked tirelessly to d i s n ^ and persuade people frotn attend ing tho Match and Cooferehce, In this, they were aided and abetted by several NYC groups. They succeeded and put New York State at least another five years from unity.

The issue of man-boy love or age of consent, as it is d s o caUed, should not be swept under the rug but rather discussed rationaUy and not emotionaUy. Who should have the find word and say about d i e issue? I say-Gay/Lesbian Youth only. I find it hypocriticd of adults to set standards for youth when it is a matter of individud choice. At the Houston Confer ence. Gay Youth declared that otdy Gay Youth can decide on problems affecting it. They would seek advise, but the find decision would be theirs. At the Albany Cotiference, Gay Youth declared that the individud faas tfae right to decide for themselves; and insist on tfaat freedom of cfaoice that Uberation movements demand for themselves. At a time when the rigfats of youth are being reaffirmed in the scfaools» government, and courts, it iU behooves the gay/lesbian Uberation

movement to deny youth the freedom of sexud choice. I and the moderates agree with tfaat stand. To continue to deny youtfa is to take sides witfa our heterosex ist oppressors.

Hiere were d s o problems concem-i r ^ who did and did not endorse the Mard l . Neidier Dignity/Integrity-Roch­ester nor the Gay Alliance of the Genesee VaUey were ever mentioned or listed as endorsers. In fact, both organixaticms endorsed the March back in January . Listed as endorser was Dignity-Syracuse which was not and is not an organization. LAGPONYS was the prime guiding influence initiaUy and was never adknowledged. At one point it was even suggested that LAGPONYS tre­asury was the March on Albany Comm­ittees. H ie overaU performance of the Committee was good, but in many instances acted as if it were no more than an arm of NYSCGO. We at the conference were even expected to be subjected to a presentation of a man who claimed to be running as a delegate to the Nationd Democratic Convention. We wanted to talk about Unity and were instead given a RaUy by soneone that none of us had ever heard of.

Diviseness within NYC and its groups with accompanying, name-caU-ing, and isms bouncing off the wd l s , led to a walkout by the serious moderates ndio beUeve that Unity is needed. Weiare not Ustening to one another and agreeing where we can agree. The areas in which we cannot agree should be'left open to constructive discussions. 1 saw many men who had been feminists lose a great d e d of fdtfa in that cause. It was made very ^>parent that gay men are not only being "dumped o n " by the heterosex-ists, but now our na tu rd allies are doing the same .To attempt to tender construct­ive criticisms and to have them labeled • * sexist • • time afrer time whUe aU criticism of gay men, no matter how cutting, is labeled "constructive" auto-maticaUy, smacks of blatent hypocrisy. I

have necver seen g a y / l e s s e n moderates so vilified by both the lefr and the rigfat. Conqnomise, evidently, is no longer" "poUticaUy correct".

All tldngs taken* we shaU continue to buUd Unity. Those who feel the need for a statewide communications net are going ahead with that idea. I, personally* am Meet ing my energy to a rurd/smaU-town gay m d e netwoi^ simUar to the lesbian network centered in Bingham­ton. The need for gay men to come together and enjoy being with one another, supportive towards aU is great. Tfae Micfaigan Womyn's Music Fest ivd last year is an exceUant example of what is needed' to b e done for gay men. Politics should hot be \^ main topic, let it be joyfrd.

This work wiU come ^ afrer t he gene rd elections in November. How­ever, groundwork has pi3a:eady begun. . My main emphasis over the next few months wiU be to actively work on the campdgn of John Anderson for Presi­dent as an Independent. Speakitig as an individud gay activist, this is the only candidate now running for President that I can fuUy support. He is staunchly for inclusion of the phrase "affectiond orientation" in the 1964 CivU Rights Act, and wiU sigh an executive order banning discrimination in the Federd Govern­ment. These pledges are written down and have been aired • on the tnedia severd times.

The ex-govemor, ex-actor, reaction­ary from California would send us aU to the gas chambers and let Anita Bryant direct it. The peanut farmer from Georgia, after telUtig us he was pro-ERA, and pro-gay/lesbian rights, gave us, predictably, —peanuts. So, we have Tweedledee and Tweedledum or John Anderson. He is a genuine choice and he can win. Third persons can become president. Lincoln won when there were, four poUticd parties that year. It can happen. Vem HaU

PEACE" U N m r * AND EQUALITY

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Effeminacy Dear Editor!

I enjoyed your observation on manner and appearance (Effeminacy* February, 1980).

WhUe 1 quite agree with your dosing statement that we must "AUow people just to be who they a r e , " I don ' t believe that we must necessarUy like it. Frankly, I find effeminacy equaUy as offensive as suburban tract housing. However, at the same time I reaUxe that persond preferetioes are simply a matter of mdividual taste; they are not to b^ misconstrued as v d u e judgements .

WhUe I do not wtdi to "pu t down" my gay brothers and sisters, neither do I desire to embrace manners or appear­ances which I find tasteless (I also refuse to join my fanuly in their .suburban, antiseptic lifestyle). If I am to be Uberated, I must be free to be selective or discriminating.

In dosing* let me say once again that I enjoyed faow you presented your perspective. Sincerely,

Louis ^ c h a r d s

Under the stars The Lesbian Resource Center and

the Gay Brotherhood of Rochester are pleased to present '.'A GayLigh t Under the S t a r s " in the Strasenburgh Planetar­ium, Wenesday, July 2 at 9:00 pm.

Our evening wiU feature a new show entided "Futurescapes , " a trilogy based on three scripts submitted by locd authors in the Planetarium's science fiction contest last year.

FoUowing the performance, the Gay Alliaxice of Genesee Valley wiU host a champagne reception.

The performance will be captioned for tfae faearing impairecl, a n d che tmcility is wheel-cfaair accessable.

Tickets for tfae show and recpetion are $4.00 ($5,00 for members of GAGV, the Gay Brotherhood, or the Lesbian Resource Center), and wUl be avaUable in early May from the AlUance and other oudets . Contact LRC or GBR at 244 -9030 or 244-8640, or David at 461 - 2230 for detaUs.

FJ>ITOR*S NOTE: Because of an over­sight last month, Cher was not listed as being in MctrceUa's Spring Review. She had appeared at J im ' s as a special guest star.

HoUy Gerlaugh—editor Jonathan Millis—Business manager J im Gerhard—Graphics Cathy atid Nancy—Distribution Lois Judd—Picoduction editor Rosemary CahiU-^-O^y editor Stepfaanie Hdler—Photos

The Empty Closet is produced eleven times a year (July-August combined) by The Empty Closet Press for tfae Gay AUiance of tfae Genesee Valley, Inc., at 713 Mon­roe Ave., Rodiester, NY 14607, sole owner a n d publisfaer. Approximatdy 3,000 oopies of eacfa issue are distributed on tfae first weekend of the month by nuul and carrier.

The publication of the name or photograph of any person or organization in ar t ides or adver­tising in this newspaper^ ia not an indication of the aexud -;or affect-tond men ta t ion of that person or

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May 1980 THB EMPTY CLOSET 3

Who's Iddctlna who? Mothers-Fathers,

W a k e u p t I am writing this because I have a

strong feeUi^ someone has to say it. I have apofcen to my gmy friends / ^ n d stra%ht friends too and diey agree with dds statement after seekig Linda Ridi-eaaon and Itadiy AUgood's tntervtew on Channel 10 recendy.

May I ask-who 's kidding who? I h e y came < ^ Uke they had no problems and dieir ^diole existance was trouble-free.

The interview in i tsdf was disap-ptwojng. h d i m m e d die cream from A e m a t and that ' s aU! b told only one view and a narrtyw one at that, when it comes to being a parent gay or s e r a i ^ !

These two people do ru>t represent me or my friends that are parents and we wish someone w o d d teU die t ru th for a change! Anyone who is ran ing children h a s problems. If we didn't , wfay in the world do we have organizStioBS that help parents cope?

I 'm so upset because wfay in the world coddn ' t someone have been put on that told about die p l a n ' s we have to go to for siq>port, and how we handle our problems with our children.

Ju s t because Tm gay doesn' t mean I have any fewer troubles than my straigfat friends. It only makes you more aware of tfaem and inore cautious on how you handle it.

I want my chUdren to make it—but so does every other mother or father that cares. The interview was at a time when a lot of women were doing their housework and stopped to watch it, not because it was two gay .women, but because it was about a chUd.

The feedback from the program that I ' g o t 'waa o n e o f s K o c k su\di i t i i g e r . H e r e

are atnne of the questkms I got from just st taight friends. 1* If they have it so good how come I got

- d t theae ptoblems? 2. What fossadatees do these people have that t h ^ wiU dwa3fs be together and everything wiS be like they say it is? 3 . I WUMIM' how diey adi ieve such hhssfnlhiess? 4. Do ytm think diey co*died the little boy to say a ^ a t he did?

My friends fdt that tfae w h d e thoig waa a farcm a n d m^ealiatic.

There is a need to admit that* yes, 1 may be gay but 1 am alao a parent with d d k h e n who need and want and love and take. I am responsible Ibe dtenvaad yes I have proUema. I do die best 1 can fike every other loving modier or'fadber.

Lhdpe*-we aD hope-d ia t a reafistic view wiU be dtown soon. . Sal^y

Thanfcs, Riek Dear Mr. DIXCMI,

At the outset, I wish to compliment you on your reviews. They are a wdcome addition to the paper if you continue to go about them witfa a kind of joumaUstic faonesty instead bf with the gay "party-Une."

I do wish to take exception to your review, some - issues past , of a book about the landmark b ^ in N.Y. Your review may have been true to the book and yavu interpretation may have been true for those under 40 or so. But I feel you may have missed an important aspect by not placing the idiole thing in a larger context. Perhaps you have never thought about what happens when older persons are turned away because of their age d o n e . No one seems to have the guts to admit that so ofren " g a y " is neither good nor beaiuiful. Here might have been a place to do so. Sincerely,

r>on

Cruising Mr. Edwards:

I ei&joyed your recem review of CridsM^. In particidar, I agree that aU die publicity is a " h y p e " - d u e . to a greater part, to Gay Activist phMests.

Of course, it is unflattering. N<me-tfadess, it is net the ordy " g a y " movie Hollywood has produced. I don't recall protest over Dog Day Aftenu>on, ibr instance. As every sub-cuhitfe, ottrs is diverse. Frankly, I've been involved, or at least esqxksed, to heavier " s c e n e s " than a n y t U i g actually portrayed in the movie. O u ^ i t t g is a heU of a let tamer than most bars in die West VUlage.

At asiy ra te . I really wish that the dvic activists amongst die gay oonuna-nity would h e a Utde less defensive, over-sensitive, or paranoid—whichever

apfAyn. It a h e n seems to one dmt Wa^ed-ottt individuals or institutions gain more poMicity from onr own overrreactiona dian diey would generaUy

' ^ M F o r some r ^ a e n . 1 ahP4y s luocnria* over-reaction and immediate defensive-n e s s widi a certain adolescent immacuri-' ty. 1 w o d d like to see more gay activists develop a greater sense of sdf-cenfi-. tlettce and maturity. Tm growing so tired of civil activists who seemoonstandy to vaadUate between being cry-bebies or braggerts . I don ' t care who tfaey repre­sent (Blacks* women, Americaa liwfians, Btnigrees, e t c ) or ^Hiar they 're t ap is , they begin to bore me. One begins to ^ m k our Society is a composite of maloontems.

n o we ver, ocsove I d u r e s s vBrtbcr* let me say once again diat I enjoyed yoor ' review, in every respect. Pleaae keep v p the good wodc. Sincerdy,

Lotiis Richards

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4 THE EMPTY CLOSBT May 1980

COLLECTIVE Theatre FriencU>

On the evenings of May 2, 3, 9, &10 at 8:00pni, and on the aftemooa of May 4, at 2:00pm, the Robert Anderson play SILENT NIGHT. LONELY NIGHT wiU be presented at Calvary St. Andrews Church, 95 Averill.

r

This is the third production I have produced and directed in the sanctuary of this lovely inner-city church. Al­though not direcdy aimed at Gay/Les­bian audiences, I feel the plays I've chosed pertain to areas of our lives that we share in common vrith all persons: basic and necessary communication in relationships* the living out of lives through the expectations of others, right and wrong, morality and inmnorality, justice and injtistice.

SILENT NIGHT, LONELY NIGHT concerns the loneliness of several per­sons who are drawn to each other ou Christmas Eve in a New England guest house. When we are called upon to focus on that loneliness, the question 4s Adultery Ever Moral is seen in new light. Perhaps the Gay/Lesbian comm­tmity will see that the question does pertain to us .

I h e beauty of the play is that it ofiEers characters who are decent people-persons who are clearly trying to do ^'i^iat is r igh t " . In their pain, we can see thetn aa victims; in their strengths we Can see thesa as champions.

Calvaiy St. Andrews is an inner-city c h u r ^ with a nussion to see that justice does reign. They recendy chose to be a More Light Congregation'*, which is to say that they welcome with fully open arms and minds all persons, especially Including Gay/Lesbian folk. One only needs to worship with them on a Sunday morning to see that this IS t rue.

They also have chosen to s t^port this production a a fund-raiser for a Youth Work Camp, a mission camp which gives work experience to yoiu-n persons and at the, same time helps imder-priveleged families to complete necessary improvements on their homes. Your attendance can have far reaching

benetits beyond your own entertain­ment .

Please consider sharing with us in this venture.

Sincerely,

Keith D. Hershberger

Thoughts at random

BY ROSEMARY CAHILL

Talk about irony! In the last issue of The Clothes Closet, which is what one of my neighbors insists upon calling this publication, we found an interesting combination of letters to th^ editor. It seems that a former politician is all i ^ s e t with us "dev ia t e s , " folks. And one of our supporters is telling us to get together. Vicld Russo is right. (It has been my experience that she often is.)

If there is anything that shoxild bring us together, it is the bigoted outcries of people Uke che aforemention­ed former County Legislator. Most of all, we must not let these people deter us from engaging in responsible and reas­onable pohcical activity. While he is not alone in his ignorance, he is hardly atypical. Sure, get angry at these t3rpes—but do it in a productive way.

Certairdy there will be disagree­ment among us from time to time regarding methodology, emphasis, etc. I don't know how many times X*^^ saud something Uke **Gay people are just like everyone e l s e . " What I meant was not diat we are all alike, but that we all differ. We all come in various ages, shapes, sizes, backgroimds and points of view. InteUigcmt individuals certainly should be able to disagree on some isolated issties and still work together for a common goal. We ARE all in this together, you know, and the Gay AlUance exists for the benefit of all gay people. If at any time we are able to help each other, we shotdd be doing it. *It serves no purpose to develop elitist attitudes.

In a plain brown envelope please send a first dass Empty Qoset subscrfiption to the name and address listed below. Enclosed is a S6.00 check to cover poetaae and handling.

Name.

Address.^

MMI to: 713 Monroe Ave.

AN EMPTY CLOSET YEAR IS 11 MONTHS. JULY-AUGUST IS A r O M B i r « D ISSUE.

Gay Christians Roman Catholic - Episcopalian An Ecumenical Organization All Persons Welcome

KOI4AN C A T H O U C LCTUHGY every Sufvlay. 5 p.m. Coffee Hour. 6 p.m. St Luke's Church 17 South Fitzhugh Street

PASTOHAL PEER COUNSELING For referral caU 244 8640 or 244 9030

V

dignity-integrity rr ; rocliester sai^pi tv ttHovtli FHakagh Swaet C(3."" N.v. laau

May 1980 THE BMFDTCLOSET ^

•^ n - - l* ' ' \ •y:*^

W--

Flight of Phoenix The Flight of Phoenix, a band of

women, soared in Rochester on April 12 lifting the full capacity crowd at the 485, v i t h the high powered sound of rock Se roll. The sparking energy glowing between performers and audience as they moved to the tumultuous sound could have lit up the city for the night.

The Flight of Phoeiux is an excellent band whose diverse repertoire encom­passes contemporary rock dr roll and oldies. Their material includes music by such musicians as Janis Joplin, Heart, Santana and originals. Although they consider themselves a rock Sc roll band foremost, they do bring an understand-

Jan i s Joplin. It s e e n ^ appropriate that Phoenix, a

bird that rose in fire from ashes, was brought to Rochester by Rising Produc­tions and 485, both new providers of etitertaiiunent to the lesbian-gay conun­unity.

You missed it you say? Fear not. All is not lost. The Phoenix will fly again in Rochestet on June 20 and 21, 10 pm -1:30am at the 485 on 485 E. Main St. Additional room will be available for dancing that night as the back room will be opened that has not been previously used. For a mere 2 dollars at the door, you can move, dance or whatever to the sights and sounds of this sensational group- >

logo ;s no more first class

1 ^

Mon - Sat T h u r * • Pri

I O A M - 8PMI f Q A i M * O i»M

3 4 0 0 MOfiro^ Avonuo Hmmi t o Uo«w*s T t ioa to r

~^H

\]For Mothor'8 day

^ Cta Mother 's Oay this year I wiH be titdehtating my continuing sunrival as a

^.-^fesbtan mother. A few years ago, I ^fdi^tight I was the otdy one in the world. ythSayear I will celebrate in the company tof 'a multitude of my sisters who a re mothers and who are Lesbians, too. We lirill celebrate the strength and joy that we have gained through supporting each

{o4ser, and sharing our coming out as inothers in the Lesbian community.

WHO IS A LESBIAN MOTHER? W e are vomen who denied our

Lesbtan feelings—consciously-^f uncon­sciously, and foUoved blindly the expec­ted pattern: get married and have dliitiren. Some of us left our husbands D SMne of us are mothers because we oonsciotisly chose to make a home for a child, as biological or adopted parents, alone or in a loving relationship. A n d ' atm& of us Lesbian mothers are women who have joined v i th a mother tn creating a family: in consciously accept­ing t h e responsibility for loving her childrern. This woman, too, i s a mother. Some of us have had children, and have made the painful decision to leave diem, or have had that decision t h r i m upon us by the courts.

HOW MANY ARE WE? Somewhere I read that from onefifth

to one-chird of all Lesbians are mothers. "T^'Riiess it dcpe t ic l s o n w^KetKet y o u ' r e

counting the millions who are still in hiding. More and more of us are emerging all the time. We are the first generarion of women who have called ourselves **Lcsbian mothers. '* Just the combination of those two words is strange to many people, and seems a contradiction. But there have always been Lesbian mothers, or rather Les­bians who have been mothers. Up until rafauively recently, a woman who left a marriage for a gay lifestyle was expected to automatically give up her kids. It was a code not only of the general society, b a t ef the gay communicy as well. Ir is a measure of our oppression and former overwhelming self-hatred tha t even we believed it was best for the child not to have an identification with a mother who v a s a Lesbian. We are indebted to chose few Lesbian mothers who refused to hace themselves that much, and knew-they not only had a right, but also a

responsibility to their children. They fought against tremeadous pressures in order to Meep their children, and have made it a little easier for us who are their followers. (If you are a Lesbian mother who kept your children m^en it v a s not as accepted, say 20 years ago, I'd loi^e to have a talk with you!)

Many more mothers .are opting to retain custody now because of many factors: the feminist and gay rights movemems have given us more pride and confidence in the beneficial effects of the Lesbian lifestyle upon children; soaring divorce rates means that tnany more women are leaving unacceptable marriages and striking out on their own; greater public awareness of the existence of other gay and Lesbian parents; greater si^^port through orga­nizatioas, such as 9AGV,LRC,.and the Lesbian Mother 's Support Grot^.

WHAT OF THE PROBLEMS? In our celebrilition of Mother's Day,

let us try not to dwell on the problems of being a Lesbian mother. They are o v e r ^ e l m i n g . Let us celebrate with aU our might that we are surviving; we are growing; we are learning; reaching out to our sisters in the Lesbian community, and we have been responded to. We have shared the pain and^the financial btirden of assisting one of our sisters in her struggle to gain custody of her children. She knows that each of us constantly carries in her own soul the dark fear that it could have been us instead of her. And then at cimes we almost wish we didn'c have custody and the constant econoTnic a nd emotional drain that comes with the never-ending responsibility for children.

We wish that we didn't always have to be che one to have to leave che party early to relieve a babysitter. Or the one with the child that we're praying will be quiet through the meeting, because we didn't have the cime to fiad a sitter, or the money to pay for o n e — Enough of the problems. We are here co celebrate. We have a future. We shall make it good for us and our children, with a Uctle help from our friends....

WHAT DO WE WANT? We Lesbian mothers want more

than mere survival, though I'm sure many of us would be graceful for even that. We want the right to succeed in rearing our children in loving, support­ive families of our o v n choosing.

Our society says not only to ns, but to any single mother, that if you're not

3ENEPIT

AUCTIOI^ ^SOKlPAy

8ac}^c r firary ^od^^sh^r, N. /

DINNER J T T - . > $5^<^^

m&Ri^ei f9ocH. H,

piarried^ you are not m e n t to succeed, but only to survive ia the most marginal of existences. Ifyou as a woman are not part of a patriarchal family group—hus­band, wife, and children—you are not acceptable. You have not bought the formula. You have not subjected yourself and your children to that ownership, which defines yova^ existence. Lesbian motherhood especially runs counter to all of the codes of our society, whxt^ is why wc are still so severely oppressed. Why our children are stiH so frequently taken away from tis. It is because we are noc only not subject to the codes of society and ftee to question them, but as mothers, we can pass our beliefs to the next generation as well, in the most efficient cradle of learning; the family. We are dangerous to society, if society depends for i«a continuing existence upon the survival of patriarchy. Of ownership of one human being by another.

Lesbian love is iK>t about ownership and control. It is all about inclusion and freedom, simultaneously. In our faso' i3^es, we want the freedooa to succeed in teaching our children about the new world wc envision. Think of the tremen­dous impact on the next generation we wiU have if we do succeed. Then we shall surely have something to celebrate on Mother 's Day

Mother's meet LESBIAN MOTHERS SUPPORT GROUP

The group was founded in 1978 as an outgrowth of LRC, and the coales­cence of many long-term ties among the many Lesbian mothers among us . We joined together out of common needs, a common latiguage, and as an opportuni­ty to support each other.

Our meetings are held the last Monday of each month, 7:30 p.m. , at the homes of our members. After a business meeting, we discuss a topic of common concern, e.g. co-parenting; coming out to your kids; making it economically-

We have also had a number of social gatherings and meetings, we have welcomed new members into our midsts, creatging new ties, and strengthening old one. The children too, have develop­ed important friendships.

We have sponsored a number of fundraising events this year to support one of our inembers, who is waging a custody battle for her children. We held a Halloween Dance, along with LRC, at Snake Sisters Cafe; a garage sale; a coffee houseD and a showing of the film Queen Christirut with Greta Garbo.

An3rone interested in joining should contact LRC at 244-9030.

a womyn's place 793 Gerrard Street

Toronto (416) 463-5268

<5l Aodhjctkan*

FOXY A woman'a rock band from Buffalo

Aiay 9 A 10, 1080 from 10 p.m.-1:30 a jn 4W Eaat Main Straat, Rochaatar* Hmm York

Admlaalon $2 at tha door

THERESE EDELL &

BETSY LIPPITT FiMay May 16, IMO at 9 p j n .

YWCA. 17S Nortft a M o n Avonuo. flochoatar. TldcalatS

York

^a^Qtoawy .aaamnfoeAmmm. macoraArchhm. l a M k h t m ! ^ ^ J j a r a ^ ^ . a m , m a t o Pmoucaons. a s mtmar sttamt. m t S m S r ! ^

gy WEtaVATION ONLY P H A a g - 3

6 THB EMPTY CLOSBT May 1980

aZZMatstat Kst, 2 4 4 - 4 9 6 0

THURS. 10 p.m.—'2 a.m. ••2 for 1 n ight "

SUN. 3 p.m.—7 p.m. : * 2 f o r 1 "

i^AON.—FRi. 4 p.m.-^7 p.m •*Spln the Rooster" " • \ %

OPEN DAILY 11am

€:^ »aCv..' - - i : - " . • ' . -• " . '.-.-

I

Home of the Rochester Rams

DISCO & BAR UPSTAIRS

SATURDAY 3-6pm '2 for 1 '

1065 E. Main at Goodman

The #1 Sunday Spot

l i «

FRIAR'S INN 2 4 a iWonroe Avenue I l l i li li il III 11 li li

m ai m »dK •jauauBL;Bua j« • iv at'*:*' m\ ;ii.ai m iW

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TRY THESE INFLATiON-BUSTiNG SPECiALS. 9:30 to closing

Mon.—Local Beer, Schnapps, Wine & Soft drinks — .50

Tues.- Every other drink — .26 Wed.- Jim's Original 2 for 1 Thurs. & Sun.- Every 3rd drinkFree

NEVER A COVER CHARGE OPEN DAILY 7:30 PM

123 North St. Phone 546-6590

Happy Honr Mon. - Sat. 3^pin- '7pnt

Open Mon. > Son. 2 pm • 2 am '^Disco Nightly**

WeU drinks .65 Top shelf .75

Beer .65 & .75

RatDskeller

W'Ts^ LIO^*' \ W U WV W' :O i ^ ^or> rr r> wwrnrftmr^

Happy Hour Wed. , Thurs., Fri.,4-7

Martini or Manhattan - $1.00 Ale or Beer -.70 Well Booze -.75

SUNDAYBar Booze .75 12-7pm WEPNESDAY-AII Beer .50 7-2am

MONDAY-2 for 1 10-2am SATURDAY-2 for 1 7-10pm

89 Eim St. 232-9480

TAKA ilLonngB

2l9Monrof»^v

COCKTAIL HOUR Tues.-Fri.4-8p.m. Every 3rd drink free

Wed. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. 2 for 1

Sun. 7-9 p.m. free pizza Beer.75

INFLATION FIGHTER BAR W E KEEP OUR PRICES DOWN BECAUSE

FRANKLY. M Y DEAR. W E DO GIVE A D A M N

OPEN noon-2:00am dalty PIANO BAR ' SINQ-A-LONQ Fr i .& Sat. Nites, 10pm-2wn

HAPPY HOUR noon-7:00pm daily Manhattan .90 DraftBaar .5S-.60

Martinis .90 Highballa .75

S t a r t OUR SUNDAY 'BEULAH' ORINKS ARE T H E BEST BUY IN TOWN

" Hoo' 2* 2 • no~L. 395Andrew8St. 232-4719

MaTl980 THB EMPTY CtOSET 7

oomnutment. Ber and Carol have smce Rnished

the project and returned home to Balthnore, hut otir community is a better tme fer their contribution.

f a l l i n g ail dykes

H. GERLAUGH

^;. What if yau were new in town and needed a crew of people in a hurry to do a research project? That 's what Bev Knapp and Carol Fraxier from Baltimore wondered when they w«re .authorised to superrise a transportation,research pro­ject here in Rochester.

^h i s kind of teti^>orary job, we know from experience that gomg through an employment agency ofren results in a group of unreliable workers. A person's study can become bogged down from an inadequate staff. So we decided to check into the local gay conmmnity to hire a trustworthy crew.**

Afrer contacting the Gay Alliance, they were able to locate enough lesbians (most of thetn tmemployed) to work on the traffic study. *'Cooperation is the ]^iilosophy behind hiring within our own cofimnmity. We need a research team, they need j o b s . " Bev went on to say that in order to be successfrd that workers and planners need to feel involved in the process. People take more responsibility for a job for which they fee! some

• iDA l i OraS B O m i fat teat, $110/mo.. Phooe 329-7066 or 328-9236 alter 5 p.m. n X S ISLAND, Room for sablet m Cherry Grove at the Beadi Hotel & Clab, Reasonable rates, 716-886-0943. SraUCE CP yoor house or apart-ment for Spring. Cat!

ment fior Spring. Call "Cary's Inter­ior Contracting." Carpentry wocfc, minor wiring and plumbing, paper hanging, etc. For estimate csU 2471338, if no ans.. 473-5482 to leave message . References availabie. THE F O U H H A N N U A L Round-up of Oay People in Alccrfsolics Anony­mous will be held Memorial Day weekend, May 24-27, in Boston Mass. Workshops, meetings, dance, sodal events. AA and AL-anon. Open to all persons with a desire to stop drinking. For further informa­tion and registration, write: GPAA Roond-Up. Box 8683, JFK Station. Boston, Mass., 02114.

yD.CLINIC

HOURS Sunday tfara lliiiraday

Locken $2.00 Rooms $3.25

Weekends & HoUday Eves. Lockers S0.2S Rooms $4.25

Specials DaUy - 7am-3pm

Therese Edell 's album ' * From Women's Faces" is unique because although her songs deal with women loving women, they are not typical "Lesbian love songs" . She writes sc^gs to her mother, sister, niece and other grotips of women. 'Her songs show an acceptance of the lifest^es these women accept for themselves while showing her own love fer women and thelife she has chosen.

Therese was in Rochester last Apri{^ and she not only inoved the audience with her tender and emotional songs, but she also charmed us with her story-t ^ h n g . Her opetmess in her songs and warmth towards the audicmce proved to make it an emotionaUy strong yet entertaining night.

Betsy L^>pitt will be accompanjring Therese on violin and an outrageous soprano voice. Her talent was a definite highlight of the evening. Together they are djmamic and will make for a fine evening.

They will be here Friday May 16th at 9 pm at the YWCA at 175 N. Clinton Ave. in Rochester. Tickets are %S. and available from: Snake Sisters, Paul 's Groc^ry-644 Monroe Ave., Record Ar­chive at 1394 Mt. Hope Ave., Record

Theater at Midtown Piaxa and 2525 W. Henrietta Rd. or by mail' frcmi Risiog Productions.

Picnic coming Hie steering committee for the 6ch

Annual Gay Commuiuty Picnic has held its preliminary meeting. Whitey LeMamc will coordiiiate the picnic agaiirthis year. Several in^Kirtant organizing positions are stiU b e be filled, for which volunte^^ are wi^cosne. ^

For the third year lA a row. Geneajge Vally Park has been chd^ten as the piciic site. H ie date wiH be S«mdiy, July 1 3 * .

Last year ' s picnic sponsors were ^ Bachelor Forum, J im ' s , the Aventie P t ^ , Hitch Hiker Sauna. Friar 's Iim. Ati Riverview, Roman Sauna, Rosies, ^ Rathskeller, and Tara 's .

According to Whitey, there arc now thirteen gay bars and restaurants in the area and they all will be asked to help sponsor this year 's picnic.

Each year the picnic involves scores of people working both at the picnic and behind the scenes.

This jrear's picnic is espected to draw over one thousand people.

COMING U P . . . SUMMER FUN

y y T X T T p PROM NIGHT . . . " t h e w a y i t m i g h t

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ h a v e b e e n " watch f o r p o s t e r s

T T T T Y O ^AY NIGHT UNDER THE STARS,

Strasenburgh Planetarium, 9 p.m-, ^^

r e c e p t i o n f o l l o w i n g

T T T T X T ' - | Q GAY COMMUNITY P I C N I C ,

Genesee V a l l e y Park

M MMtt Miwt m n 3254238

Rochester, New rork

ICASY M A I N

325-9591 ROCHESTER'S ALTERNATIVE CLUB

OPEN Six Nights a Week 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Sundays 6 p.m.-midnight

Cocktail Hour with Freddie Bass Tues.-Frl. 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

6 p.m.-midnight SUNDAYS •9 p.m.-2 p.m. TUESDAYS

2-for-t all mixed drinks. .50 all Beer L I V E JENTEI^TAINMCNT

ROGER ECKERS & his 16 piece Band M a y 1 , 2 . 3 & 8

fioisy May 9 & 10 ProduccKJ by Rising Productions

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ISSUE 105

MAY 1980

NEW YORK'S OLDEST GAY NEWSPAPER mm»

A.^««. v ^ i ^ .

Contents:

Defense aids Anita Bryant |MH|e1

Qay CulMin ref ug

March on AlkMiny

pagel

paae2

Qay night under the stars page 3

Lesbian Mother's day pages

- ^ ^ ' ^ ' * * " ' ^ •*» *ri fc. ^ . 1.1 'o.fc.j.^-.