LAMBDA vol, 1 no. 2
PAGE TWO
PRESIDENTIAL NOTES
October, 1976
— Hou/ard Fradkin
Welcome to our second issue of LAMBDA! We hope you'll
enjoy reading this issue and mill benefit from the information
uie're passing onto you,
I'm really excited about the year ahead. We've had a lot
of neui people join us already, and I'm hopeful to reach many
more, too. '"any
The evening of October 1 marked one of our most successful
dances in a long time. Over 50 men and women danced the nioht
away til 1s30 AM in the Craige coffeehouse. The publicity for
the dance was greatly aided by a front page DAILY TAR HEEL
picture of our side of the cube announcing the "Maximum Sex"
Dance I
"Does God Love Gays?" was the topic for our September
regular meeting, attended by about 30 inquisitive folks. Two
ministers from the area, Tom Palko (Newman Foundation) and Bob
Phillips (Baptist Campus Ministry), greatly added to the
discussion by providing support, information and their
interpretations. Several members of the newly formed St. Bohn's
Metropolitan Community Church of Raleigh (Study Group) spoke
of the importance of having a separata church for gays at the
present time. Others contended that it was more important to
try to stay active in your own church/synagogue in order to help
bring changes, in church policy.
Gays have been portrayed a lot lately on the .tube. One
show. Family," was aired to coincide with one of our weekly
Q Awareness Rap Sessions (Friends Meeting House,
9-11 PM, every Tuesday). About 20 of us watched the very
rsQlistic and positive presentation of a gay friend of the
Family" come out to them and his dad. Reactions ranged from
homophobia (with the "Family's" teenage son, the "best friend")
to warm support and love from the parents and little sister.
Unfortunately, his dad turned away from him at a time when he
most needed paternal support. It was good to see "Zeke," the
gay friend, portrayed as a muscular, basketball-playing teen
ager rather than the typical limp-wristed fellow the media has
presented before.
In addition to the above events, we also have two
consciousness raising groups in full swing, led by Dan Leonard
and Allen Gray. I feel these CR groups are one of the most
important ways we provide support to newcomers as well as any
one else who has been out but not actively involved.
At our first-meeting of the year we reviewed "Boys Beware,"
a short film produced by one of the California police depart
ments to warn little boys about the "sick" men that may try
to pick them up at the basketball court or public bathroom.
The film (unfortunately) is available for free viewing from
the North Carolina state public library collection.
(continued on page 3)