flDarsnsss Week
continued from page 6
Rap Session on Racism In the Gay
Community
Gwyn Jones, who Is head of the North
Carolina Coalition of Black Lesbians
and Gays, helped us out on this one.
She said that she is often invited to
speak on racism in the gay community,
and that her suggestions for
alleviating the problem are always
enthusiastically accepted. But when
she calls to check on their progress,
none of her suggestions turn out to
have been followed. So she told us, "I
will not tell you what you should do to
alleviate racism in the gay conununity.
You will tell me what you are going to
do." She said that Blacks will never
be interested in the CGLA until we
prove that the CGLA is interested in
issues facing Blacks. CGLA is
perceived as a white organization, and
it is important that CGLA members--
especially white members--be seen
regularly at meetings of the Black
Student Movement.
We also talked about the Power Company
in Durham. The PC is one of only three
gay and lesbian bars in the Triangle
and the only one that admits 18-20 year
olds. But the PC has a long history of
denying admission and membership to
Blacks who are not accompanied by white
members. For many gay whites, this is
the only bar, so although they oppose
the policy they choose to pay their
three dollars instead of staying at
home. If the situation does not
improve a boycott or march may be
necessary.
Gwyn compared homophobia to racism and
said that racism will continue to exist
as long as whites don't stand up
against it. Whites must openly object
to every racist remark and action they
encounter before racism can be
eliminated. Gwyn suggested -that the
same responsibility falls on the
straight population if homophobia is to
be defeated. Blacks and Gays have to
fight for their rights, but it is the
responsibility of their oppressors to
change.
--Patrick Lamerson
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