Catch the BUb to the
1989 ^ay ^ride iMarcH on
See Page 4 for Details
Q-NOTES
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June 1989 ' I
Switchboard, Charlotte (704) 525>6128
AIDS Hotline, Charlotte (704) 333-AIDS
PFLAG Hotline, Charlotte (704) 364-1474
AIDS Hotline, Columbia (803) 779-PALS
Call Line, Wilmington (919) 675-9222
PRIDE IN PRINT
BEST BETS
June 8 PFLAG
June 9 Gay/Lesbian Forum
Charlotte Cable Ch.33
June 10 Mature Gay Men
June 18 Charlotte Pride Picnic
Bryant Park 1:00 P.M.
June 24 Bus Trip to Raleigh
for the iSth Annual
Pride March
June 25 Integrity
8:00 P.M.
June 25 Queen City Friends
INDEX
Ask the Pastor
Page 4
Book Review
Page 10
Business Cards
Page 11
Classifieds
Page 11
Calendar
Page 2
Horoscopes
Page 8
Living With Lillian
Page 11
Organizations
Page 2
Social Highlights
Page 7
The Soft Spot
Page 3
To Your Health
Page 8
State Of The GAY Union
Prior to Stonewall
By P. Scott Ferguson
Q-Notes Staff
Documentation of the homosexual sub
culture and its oppression in American Soci
ety exists for at least four hundred years prior
to the Stonewall riot incident of June 1969.
Unlike heterosexuals, gay people have
been burdened by a pernicious myth equat
ing homosexuality per se with its most nega
tive manifestations. Team this negative public
image with ignorance and a general lack of
understanding and the result is the homosex
ual who has been oppressed not only by the
church and state, but he has also been turned
away by friends and family. Thus, working,
living, and loving; the homosexual has his
torically been condemned to secrecy and
invisibility.
Oppression resulting from a homosexual
orientation has been overwhelming. Follow
ing is a summary of only a small percentage
of the incidents recorded in our history books,
starting with the first documented execution
of a homosexual.
...1566...a homosexual french interpreter
was murdered by Spanish military authori
ties in St. Augustine, Florida; a victim of
religious and political rivalry between Spain
and France.
...1636...John Cotton proposes to the
Massachusetts Bay Colony that homosexual
relations between women be placed on a par
with male homosexuality as a capital offense
punishable by death.
...1656..New Haven Colony enacted leg
islation prescribing the death penalty for
lesbianism as well as male homosexuality
Lutherans Concerned Hosts Benefit
By Chris Barcley
Lutherans Concerned, a support group for
lesbian and gay Christians, held a benefit
skate party on May 17 at the Roll-Around
Skate Center on Delta Road. An estimated
40-50 people were in attendance to raise
approximately $400 for the organization.
The group which has been in existence for
about two years, serves the gay people who
have had problems with churches. Accord
ing to Tim Eudy, co-chair of the group,
Lutherans Concerned is a, “bridge between
gay and lesbian people and the church..so
they can ease back into the church.” The
money raised at the event will go to help the
group with such programs as “adopting” a
person with AIDS, acting as a secondary care
giver.
Lutherans Concerned has monthly meet
ings with average attendance of 20 to 25
Tim Eudy with Lutherans Concerned
people. Although affiliated with the Lu
theran Church, the organization if available
to everyone.
Mayoral Candidate
Welcomes Gay/Lesbian Input
By Bill Allen Goad
Charlotte mayoral candidate Craig Ma-
dans spoke for two and half hours with some
of the leaders of Charlotte’s Gay and Lesbian
community on May 23, 1989.
The meeting was held at the home of Don
King, who organized the forum at Madans’
request. During the exchange, Madans talked
about issues important to him in the cam
paign, and listened as gay men and lesbians
spoke of their concerns. Madans expressed
surprise when told that Charlotte has no civil
rights ordinance and listened attentively to
statements about the need for job protection
for gay men and lesbians and concerns about
Gay/Lesbian relationships with police.
According to King, “We made no com
mitments to Craig’s campaign, and he made
no commitments to us.” Madans said that he
would welcome input on issues he feels
important to the city from anyone, including
gay men and lesbians.
Madans and Rousso are both democratic
candidates and will face off in the Demo
cratic Primary. The Primary winner will
challenge republican Myrick in the Novem
ber general election.
Don King said that he hopes to be able to
arrange meetings with A1 Rousso and Mayor
Myrick also.
...1777-1779...Thomas Jefferson in arms
with a group of liberal reformers suggested a
revision of Virginia law eliminating the death
penalty for sodomy—they proposed, instead,
castration.
...1778...a lieutenant in George Washing
ton’s army was dishonorably discharged for
attempting sodomy with another soldier.
Later he was kidnapped and castrated by
members of his battalion.
... 1810...Maryland, a Mr. Davis was found
guilty of assault and attempted sodomy upon
a nineteen year old male. He was sentenced
to four months in jail, fifteen minutes in the
pillory, and fined $500 (1810 dollars).
Mr. Davis appealed and lost. However,
this was the first recorded legal appeal in
volving an American sodomy trial.
... 1846...Edward McCosker, an Irish New
York City policeman was charged with
making improper advances to other males
while on duty. He was discharged from his
civil service position because of alleged
homosexuality. The case was never tried.
SEE GAY Page 8
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In paths untrodden,
In the growth by margins of pond
waters,
Escapedfrom the life that exhib
its itself.
From all the standards hitherto
publish’d, from the pleasures,
profits, conformities,
which too long I was offering to
feed my soul,
Clear to me now the standards
not yet publish’d clear to me
that my soul.
That the soul of the man I speak
for rejoices in comrades.
Here by myself away from the
clank of the world.
Tallying and talk’d to here by
tongues aromatic,
No longer abash’d, (for in this
secluded spot I can respond
as I would not dare else
where,)
Strong upon me the life that does
not exhibit itself, yet contains
all the rest.
Resolv’d to sing no songs to-day
but those of manly attachment.
Projecting them along that sub
stantial life.
Bequeathing hence types of
athletic love.
Afternoon this delicious Ninth-
month in my forty-first year,
I proceed for all who are or have
been young men.
To tell the secret of my nights
and days.
To celebrate the need of Com
rades.
Walt Whitman
Calamus, Leaves of Grass
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