Q-NOTES
September 1991'
PRIDE IN PRINT ■
Switchboard, Charlotte (704) 525-6128
AIDS Hotline, Charlotte (704) 333-AIDS
PFLAG Hotline, Charlotte (704) 364-1474
AIDS Hotline, Columbia (803) 779-PALS
Switchboard, Wilmington (800) 732-5461
(704)531-9988 Vol6,No.9
MAP controversy continues
Board agrees to meet with gay leaders
by Dan Kirsch
Q-Notes Staff
Meetings, discussion and rumors continue
in the wake of the July 8 forced resignation of
John Conley, former executive director of the
Metrolina AIDS Project. After a unanimous
vote of no confidence in Conley, the Board of
Directors has begun a search for a new execu
tive director. In addition, a group of volun
teers has started a group called SAVE MAP,
and is circulating petitions calling for the
resignation of Board president Sister Mary
Thomas Burke. The petition also asks for “a
reorganization of the policy-making body of
MAP to reflect the interest of and account
ability to the community it serves.”
Over 30 concerned community persons
attended the July 12 MAP Board meeting.
The Board did not discuss the firing or its
aftermath, but did introduce Ed Nadelman as
Interim Executive Director. Nadelman is past
executive director of United Family Services.
At the end of the meeting, David Parsons, a
MAP volunteer and donor, asked to be recog
nized. Reluctantly, Burke allowed Parsons to
begin speaking, but when she realized the
information being shared, asked Parsons to
stop and submit his thoughts in writing. After
additional posturing. Parsons was allowed to
finish his statement.
Parsons said that he was involved “for the
best interests of the clients. How can we
overlook that?” Parson’s statement included
a history of the events surrounding the situa
tion, starting with a July 1 letter that appeared
in Q-Notes from MAP volunteer Charles
Foesch. The letter was in regards to decisions
made by the Board that affected education,
client information, and raised the question of
board honesty.
The statement also included information
about the hiring of an “administrative con
sultant’ [to replace Conley] (worked nine
days for $2,550, or $73,000/year); that volun
teer coordinator Dan Van Mourik resigned
his position; that the MAP newsletter has
ceased publication; and that there was still no
letter of explanation sent to clients and volun
teers, only to donors. Parsons went on to say
“The board’s ability to raise money and make
contacts must be recognized, but not when
that takes precedence over clients and educa
tion. If you can provide one valid reason for
such a drastic action, I urge you to come
forward. If not, I fear no resolution will be
forthcoming. It is time to explain your actions
and clear the air concerning these charges.”
Letters add fuel to the fire
At that same meeting, Michael Meredith,
a client, volunteer and donor, distributed a
scathing letter to board members and the
press, saying that “in the past year or longer,
I have been insulted, threatened and sexually
harassed by select members of the MAP
Board.” The letter outlined Meredith’s per
sonal run-ins with board members over sev
eral issues, and concluded by telling the board
he could “only deliver a vote of ‘no confi
dence’ to you as well! We need to move past
this to begin a process of healing.”
Following the meeting, the board went
into closed executive session. Board member
Dr. David H. Moore resigned during that
meeting, and released a statement to Q-Notes
about his resignation to “underscore the pet
tiness, mean-spiritedness and small-
mindedness of a gay community of which I
used to be so proud, but which now fills me
with disappointment and pain.” The letter
thanked the board for their dedication to the
organization, and then questioned how the
gay community at large could think the board
“remotely homophobic?”
Moore continued, “In seven years of liv
ing with this virus, and in over three years of
living with AIDS, I’ve been blessed. No
friend, family member, neighbor, co-worker
or employee has turned against me. Now,
Continued on page 4
Singing Sisters Carolina-bound
Twins bring special blend
by The Dalmatian
Q-Notes Staff
As she was preparing to leave for the
Michigan Women’s Music Festival, Wash
ington sister Sandra graciously took the time
to talk with me about her and sister Sharon’s
upcoming Charlotte appearance, their back
ground and their music.
These twin sisters of color are originally
from Columbus, Ohio, but now reside in
Lincoln, Nebraska.
Not only have they excelled in education
(one has a master’s degree; the other a PhD.),
they have also perfected the art of eclectic
music. Theirs is a cornucopia of Caribbean,
gospel, a capella, swing, and pop (pigeonhole
them? Don’t even try it!).
of snap, crackle and pop
In a career that dates back to 1982, the
Washington Sisters have continuously toured
a circuit that primarily plays universities,
women’s music festivals, and numerous folk
and cultural festivals.
By the time they arrive for their Charlotte
appearance, September 28. at the Unitarian
Church, Sandra and Sharon will have re
leased their second LP, entitled Take Two.
Both Understated, their long-play debut,
and the new set of tunes were produced by
singer/songwriter Teresa Trull (a fine artist in
her own right).
When I asked Sandra what it was like
working with Trull, she simply replied “a
blast,” adding, “she can keep fifteen things
(musically) in her head at once.”
From having endured the painstaking pro-
Continiied on page 15
Chambers tells followers of
conventions plans for ‘sodomy sex’
by Dan Kirsch
Q-Notes Staff
Another letter filled with misinformation
about the PFLAG Convention has been sent
to members of Concerned Charlotteans by
their president, Joseph R. Chambers. The
letter also praises Senator Jesse Helms for
introducing “the most sane legislation to start
controlling the spread of AIDS,” and asks his
followers to send a letter to encourage the
continuance of “existing restrictions against
letting AIDS victims and HIV-carrying im
migrants into our country.”
The International Parents and Friends of
Lesbians and Gays Convention will be held at
the Charlotte Omni Hotel October 11-14.
Earlier in the summer. Chambers had sent his
followers pre-addressed postcards, which
asked the Omni to cancel the convention as
they should not support homosexuality. The
Omni declined, and plans for the convention
have continued.
Chambers now tries to discredit the mo
tives of PFLAG by telling his supporters that
“PFLAG is not a benign Father and Mother
support program. How can you claim to pre
serve the family when you encourage and
champion marriage and sex between two
homosexual men or two lesbian women? It is
illegal in North Carolina and immoral ac
cording to Holy Scripture. The chief agenda
is to fool the public and hide their immoral
deeds behind a facade of preservation of the
family. A ‘support group’ image is just what
they need to squeeze dollars from tax money
and corporations.”
More numbing is Chambers description of
how the convention has “a slick plan so
homosexuals can make contact for sodomy
sex.” Convention planners have created a
crown-shaped name tag with places for ‘genu
ine imitation jewels’ in order to help identify
delegates to one another. Chambers takes the
description for the Diamond jewel, twisting
its meaning to suit his purposes. According to
Chambers, “Diamonds are going to be worn
to designate those looking for social contacts
(sexual activity),” when in fact, the Diamond
is for single parents attending who wish to
attend dinner or workshops along with other
single parents.
Chambers goes on to say “They are using
our city symbol with an inverted triangle as
their promotional logo. The inverted triangle
has long been recognized as a symbol of the
occult, frequently denoting the ‘unholy trin
ity’ of Satan, the Antichrist and the false
prophet.”
National PFLAG leaders have lawyers
researching this latest letter for possible legal
action.
In the meantime. Chambers has called for
a “March For The Family,” 9; 30 am-Noon on
Saturday, September 14. “Bring your kids in
strollers and/or wagons and come join in the
fun. We need every Concerned Charlottean
family to come and march with us as we say
to Charlotte, ‘We Love and Support Our
Families.’”
Out & About
M«etings, .‘irftctal ili|^ii{$hts,
Community News. Etc.
▼ Tuesday/3
First Tuesday will learn all about the
PFLAG Convention from Marcia Solomon,
7:30 pm, S t. Peter’s Episcopal Church (comer
of 7th and Tryon). Info; Dick Woodhouse,
704/334-1886.
▼ Thursday/5
Can you hear the chorus singing? ONE
VOICE returns for its second full season.
New members are welcome tonight and next
Thursday. A busy year of singing and fund
raising is planned, ^1 to culminate in Denver
next July at the GALA Festival IV. Rehears
als start at 7:00 pm promptly at Holy Trinity
Lutheran Church, 1900 The Plaza. Info: Dan,
704/536-1372.
T Saturday/7-Sunday/8
Bold Moon Womyn’s Gathering — work
shops, a mailcetplace, hearty vegetarian fare,
games, campout, with music by Tracy Drach
and stories by Louise Kessel. Net proceeds
will benefit Spiral Wimmin’s Land Trust.
$12.50-521.00. Info: 919/375-3764.
▼ Sunday/8
Richmond, Virginia, holds its Lesbian
and Gay Pride Festival, with a parade,
awards, a keynote address by Mandy Carter,
and entertainment by the Flirtations. Noon-
5:00pm. Info: 804/353-4133.
The Our Family Celebration community
chorus has the first of its five Sunday night
rehearsals, leading up to its October 12 per
formance. All are welcome to come learn/
sing 2-3 numbers. 7:30-9:00 pm. Holy Trinity
Lutheran Church, 1900 The Plaza. Info: Dan,
704/536-1372.
T Monday/9
The Central District of the Palmetto AIDS
Life Support Services (PALSS) is recruiting
volunteers to work directly with persons with
AIDS or to answer the 24-hour crisis line.
Training sessionsbegin tonight. Info: PALSS,
POBox 12124, Columbia SC 29211.
Free bowling (and general meeting)! The
Queen City Rollers, Charlotte’s gay/lesbian
bowling league, gets together tonight to pre
pare for the official league start up in one
week. Meets 9:00 pm Monday’s at Brunswick
Coliseum Lanes. Info: Billie Rose, 704/545-
0801.
▼ Tuesday/10
Monthly meeting of the Charlotte Gay/
Lesbian Leadership Coalition, 7:(X) pm,
place to be announced. Info: Matt Chila, 704/
532-8484
▼ Wednesday/ll
BearMenofCharlottel Anew 1992 calen
dar is unveiled at the newly renovated
Bloomingdeal’s (formerly Legends Mens-
wear). Meet some of those hot men you’ve
seen around town. A fundraiser for ONE
VOICE. Free. 7:00-9:00 pm, 3949 E. Inde
pendence Blvd. Info: Larry Hahn, 548-0771.
▼ Friday/13
Mama mia! Thatsa some meatball! Those
folks at First Tuesday are in the kitchen
again cooking up another batch of tasty spa-
Continued on page 4
INDEX
Page
AIDS Update 9
Between the Covers 24
Business Briefs 19
Distribution List 26
Fun and Gaymes 22
Hey, Helen 16
Letters To The Eklltor 12
Metrolina Briefs 10
Pet of the Month 24
PFLAG Update 18
Quirks & Quotes 17
The Soft Spot 15
...Sounds Good 21