Newspapers / Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.) / Sept. 1, 1992, edition 1 / Page 1
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Vol. 1, No. 9 September 1992 Photographic Memory ...page 10 Sexuality and HIV ...page 12 The Carolmae’ Moet Compreheneive Gay &. Leeblan Uewepaper^w^rrmted on Kecycied FREE Teachout leaves by Keith Hartman Special to Q-Notes WILMINGTON—On July 26, Leo Teachout, whom The Advocate once described as “One of the twenty great unsung heroes of America,” resigned as Executive Director of GROW, the AIDS service organization that he helped found in this coastal city in 1979. Teachout says that his resignation stems not from disagree ments with GROW it self, but from frustra tion with the Coastal Carolina Care Consor- tium, for which GROW is the lead agency. The Consor tium was established by the state of North Carolina to distribute federal money from the Ryan White Fund. However, in a funding procedure which Teachout describes as “loony,” the state refused to release the money directly to the Consortium, choosing instead to reimburse the Consortium for its expenses a month or so after the money was spent. Since the Consortium has very little money of its own, this meant that Teachout himself was personally making interest-free loans of about $20,000 to the state of North Carolina every month, at the same time the state was earning interest on the Ryan White funds it had se questered in its accounts. As Teachout ex plained it, “This is a state which has never allocated one dime to an AIDS patient, but which is trying to earn money on the backs of AIDS patients by collecting interest on the Ryan White funds.” Teachout was also frustrated with pres sure from the state government, which wants to use the funds to hire a social worker. He feels that Ryan White funds, which are ear marked for direct service to AIDS patients, should be used to help them meet their basic needs and maintain their independence, rather than turning their lives over to a case worker. “I have problems using Ryan White money to support a healthy middle-class social worker, while many of our patients don’t know where lunch is coming from.” The last straw for Teachout came in July when the Consortium excluded him from a Continued on page 27 Q-Notes arranges trip to Quilt display by David Stout Q-Notes Staff CHARLOTTE—When The Names Project’s AIDS Memorial Quilt arrives in Washington, DC, for its final display next month, tens of thousands of people from all over the country will be on hand. On October9,10, and 11, the entire Quilt will be laid out ar ound the Mall and Eclipse areas of Capitol Hill for the last time—aird you can be there. Due to the size of the Quilt, organizere say that once this display ends, and addi tional panels begin to pour in once again, there will no longer exist an area large enough to contain the whole memorial. Therefore, due to the historic nature of this showing, Q-Notes is sponsoring a travel package to the ceremony that includes round trip travel and hotel accommodations. Trans portation to Washington, DC, will be pro vided by a European motor coach with many luxuries and appointments. Over and above the standard air conditioning and restroom facilities, the bus features four-foot tinted windows with curtains, three television monitors (located in the front, middle and rear of the coach) for showing prerecorded videotapes, and a beverage galley which Q- Notes will stock for guests. The bus will begin boarding at 4037 E. Independence Blvd. (7 story office building beside Camelot music superstore) on Fri day, Oct. 9, at 9:00 am. Permission has been received to leave vehicles in the building’s parking lot for the weekend. Complimen tary juice and doughnuts will be served at this time. The bus will depart promptly at 9:30 am, and arrival time in Washington is estimated at 6:00 pm, allowing for a stop near Durham for lunch. Once in DC, guests will be taken to the Econo Lodge National Aiiport Hotel where rooms are reserved for Fri^y and Saturday night. The Econo Lodge is just coming out of an extensive remodeling period and is look ing forward to extending full service to its patrons. Hotel management assures that it will be in top shape for the many reserva tions that will be made for that weekend. Friday evening will be free time for at tendees to relax, sight-see or go on to the Quilt. The bus will provide transportation to and from the Quilt display on Saturday and Sunday, or guests may take the hotel shuttle to the Metro subway system and set their own schedules. On both days, the bus will leave the hotel at 10 am for the Quilt and will pick passen gers up at 8 pm on Saturday to return to the hotel. On Sunday, the bus will leave from the Quilt display for the return trip home. Departure time will be at 4 pm which should put guests back in Charlotte at midnight, again allowing for a stop for dinner. In this election year, the sight of the enormity of the Quilt and the lack of gov ernment leadership it reflects could have an enormous impact on voter consciousness. Be there to remember those who are gone and fight for those who are left. Plenty of seats are still available for this whirlwind trip of memorials and history. Round trip transportation plus accommoda tions for four persons per room costs $100 each, transport and three persons per room is S110 each, transport and two persons per room is $ 120 each, and transport with single occupancy is $170. Payments may be sub mitted in full, or a minimum payment of $30 will be accepted to reserve space. The bal ance must be paid by October 1. Interested parties may also call the Q- Notes office at (704) 531-9988 to reserve space (provided payment in full or the mini mum deposit is submitted within three days). Make check or money order payable to “Q- Notes Washington, DC Trip” and mail to PO Box 221841, Charlotte, NC 28222. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number as we will be contacting participants prior to departure. Herzen berg stays by David Jones Q-Notes Staff Joe Herzenberg, the only openly-gay elected public official in North Carolina, says he will not resign his position on the Chapel Hill Town Council after pleading guilty to state tax evasion. On August 10,1992, Herzenberg pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of failing to pay state tax returns for 1989 and 1990. He received a six-month suspended sentence and paid the back taxes for those years, with penalties and interest, as part of a plea-bar gain arrangement. State officials also said that he had not filed a state income tax return since 1978 or an intangibles tax return since 1986. Herzenberg was the top vote-getter in the 1987 election and was elected Mayor Pro- Tern by the Chapel Hill Town Council, per forming the functions of the mayor when the elected mayor is not available. His term expires in 1995. He is also a founder of the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Democrats, and is an activist in national and local lesbian and gay organizations. Herzenberg visited local newspapers the day of the court decision to issue a written public apology. While not attempting to defend his actions, he has explained that he did not file a state return in 1978 because he did not have the money to pay all of his taxes that year. He says he did not file state returns in succeeding years for fear of getting caught. He reportedly admitted that his explanation “was not a very good one.” The two Chapel Hill newspapers immedi ately called for his resignation. Many of Herzenberg’s traditional political opponents also called for him to step down. At the same time, there was a groundswell of support for Herzenberg. Signs appears along local roadways saying “Stick With It, Joe.” Supporters said that Herzenberg had done an excellent job as a member of the Continued on page 13 Frank backs Pride P.A.C. any amounts from $10 to $4000. For mem bership in Pride P.A.C. a $35 donation is requested. Barney Frank, an openly gay congress man from Massachusetts, spoke at the Pride P.A.C. fund raiser held Friday night, August 14, in Durham. Congressman Frank gave a very empowering speech to over 140 people talked about how far the gay and lesbian community has come, yet how far we have to go. by Mark Beal and John Durrance Special to Q-Notes CARRBORO, NC—The North Carolina Pride Political Action Committee (NC Piide P.A.C.) consists of like-minded individuals who believe in changing existing laws that affect lesbians and gay men. The P.A.C., started in January 1992, is working to iden tify, educate, and elect state legislators and candidates who will be supportive of gay and lesbian issues, and most especially those can didates who support repeal of the Crime Against Nature Law which makes certain sexual acts between consenting adults illegal. Pride P.A.C. has sent questionnaires to all 300 candidates for state legislature. The ques tionnaire includes such questions as: (a) if introduced, would you vote to repeal the Crime Against Nature law? and (b) would you be in favor of a statewide law which outlaws discrimination of gays and lesbians in jobs and housing? This should help iden tify those who are supportive of gay and lesbian equality. The information gathered will be used to determine which candidates are worthy of support and which must be defeated. After the results of the questionnaire aie analyzed. Pride P.A.C. will make endorse ments, contributions, and begin recruiting “grass roots” volunteers to work in cam paigns of supportive candidates across the state. With redistricting, retiiement and defeat of some incumbents, there will be many new faces in the next legislature. This gives the P.A.C. a rare occasion to work with candi dates and educate them on our needs before they get to the legislature. Working on an organized level within our political system will promote change. Pride P.A.C. offers a means for everyone to get involved at different levels. This November is the beginning of Pride P.A.C.’s direct in volvement. Funds and “grass roots” support will be given to candidates supportive of gay and lesbian issues. Now is the time that the P.A.C. must begin building both financial and voluntary re sources. Once the appropriate candidates are identified, volunteers will be needed in all districts to operate phone banks, stuff enve lopes and do all around campaigning. Volun teers will also be needed at the office in Carrboro. Donations are gladly accepted in During his speech, congressman Frank recounted his involvement with thecivil rights movement in Mississippi. He said, “The civil rights issues concerning blacks in 1964 are very similar to the civil rights issues concern ing gays in 1992.” Congressman Frank believes that “grass roots” organizations, springing up around the country will have a definite impact upon human rights legislation as it affects gays and lesbians in the 1990s. The event raised $6000 for endorsement of state legislators in favor of gay and lesbian issues. If you would like to back the P.A.C. with a financial donation, volunteer or need addi tional information, please call Mike Nelson at (919) 968-8900 or write PO Box 813, Carrboro, NC 27510
Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.)
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Sept. 1, 1992, edition 1
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