PAGE 12 Q-Notes T March 1994
Diversity can be a drag
Compiled by David Prybylo
Q-Notes Staff
“I warn you, Jeff Yarbrough, these kissy-
poo fag preachers telling you it’s OK to play
with gerbils and worship the rectum will
send you to hell and Fred Phelps is the best
friend you fags have got in this world.”
—The Rev. Fred Phelps, a Topekaactivist
known primarilyfor protesting at funerals of
gay men who have died from complications
from AIDS, in a letter to the editor of The
Advocate.
“Another filthy media fag has died of
AIDS. The fag dominated entertainment and
media worlds are making ahero ofthis gerbil
mongering moron, and touting his anal cop
ulating lifestyle as a glorious thing to be
emulated by American youth.”
—Phelps again, in a news release issued
Feb. 19 concerning the death of journalist
and author Randy Shilts.
“It’s always been a fantasy of mine to
[make videos], and I’m so glad that everyone
in the business is so nice and friendly—it’s
like a big family. I thought I was too old to
get into it. I thought that everyone in the
business was supporting their herion addic
tion or something like that. A lot of people
could learn from the professionalism of this
industry.”
—Pom newcomer Grant Larson discuss
ing his profession in the Jan. 28 issue of
Frontiers. Larson is one of the stars of
Romeo & Julian, billed as the first gay porn
musical romance.
“It definitely would be one of a kind.”
—Chris Ourand. a spokesperson for the
National Association of Senior Living Indus
tries, on a proposed retirement community
for gays and lesbians being planned in Flor
ida.
“On the night of Jan. 17, following the
earthquake in Los Angeles, Pat Robertson
went on the 700 Club television program to
announce that gay people were responsible
for (1) the earthquake, (2) the blizzards in the
Eastern U.S., (3) the floods in the Midwest,
(4) the hurricane in Florida, and (5) the
famine in Africa.
“He ‘reasoned’ that these natural disas
ters were the judgement of God upon Amer
ica because the right-wing hasn’t risen up
and ‘done something’ about us.”
—Bud Clark, in a letter to the editor of
The Washington Blade.
Continued on page 18
by Gene Poteat
Special to Q-Notes
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the membership of I.M.A.G.E.S. (Incorpo
rating Multiculturalism Among Groups and
Educating Students), a recently formed stu
dent organization at UNC-Charlotte. As their
first major project, they presented a female
impersonator show on February 22nd as part
of the school’s “Diversity Week” activities.
“We thought a drag show featuring pro
fessional performers would be a unique way
of educating as well as entertaining the straight
population,” says Drew Yates, the group’s
chairperson. Prior to the show, flyers giving
a brief history of the art and influence of
female impersonation were distributed, and
after the entertainment, performers answered
questions from the audience.
“These performers, all of whom are gay,
hold degrees, pay taxes, even own businesses
and can speak well for themselves and the
diversity of the gay community,” Yates noted.
In response to critics who charge that this
type of show only reinforces stereotypes,
Yates, who is openly gay, asks, “How else do
you dispel the myths? Although some gay
people on campus are not happy with us, at
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some point we [the gay community] have to
choose if we want to be visible — putting it
out there to show people that we, including
gay female impersonators, are all okay. The
goal of I.M. A.G.E.S. is to promote the aware
ness of the cultural diversity of the campus
community through educational programming
such as this.”
The event, funded by the University and
held on campus, faced only minor opposition
from students and faculty, including picket
ing by a small group of Young Republicans.
According to Yates, “Overall, the student
body and the administration have been very
supportive of the organization’s activities.”
The formation of IJvI.A.G.E.S., which
grew out of a leadership retreat sponsored by
UNCC last May, coincides with the emer
gence of multicultural organizations on col
lege campuses across the nation. Extending
beyond the boundaries of ethnic issues, these
groups strive to foster an appreciation as well
as an understanding of cultural differences
whether they be regarding race, gender, cus
toms, religion, sexual orientation, etc. Ac
cording to Yates, “[I.M.A.G.E.S.] advocates
respect and acceptance of those differences
without asking for approval.” The organiza
tion is open to all students interested in “broad
ening their diversity base.”
Other events co-sponsored by the group
included “Diversity Jeopardy,” a variation of
the popular game show featuring categories
such as Ageism, Sexism and Racial Discrimi
nation, a poster contest celebrating diversity
through visuals, Humanitarian/Diversity
Awards,and “Can WeTalk?”, an open forum
for students to discuss any issues they deem
important.
At one point, Yates was concerned that
I.M.A.G.E.S. would be perceived as a “gay”
organization. “It has been a problem, but,”
added Yates, “after the response to this show
and the discussion that followed it, I believe
we will be seen not as a gay organization, but
simply as an organization whose leadership
happens to be gay.” Future activities include
the possibility of a multicultural fashion show
and working with UNCC CARES to provide
assistance to various charities.
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