Bay Area Reporter, Volume 28, Number 2, 8 January 1998

56 Pages·18.6 MB·English

If you’d rather be cruising Reba the male lady The menopause that refreshes ■
instead of browsing, check out San Francisco Peggy Shaw grows up - way up -
Digital Queers’ Cruiser 6.0. mourns Empress IV. in her provocative new stage show.
page 13 page 21 see Arts section d
by Mark Mardon
N
ext Monday is D-Day for medical
marijuana clubs throughout Califor-
On that day, January 12, Repub¬
lican Attorney General and guber¬ mt
natorial hopeful Dan Lungren has threat¬
ened to shut down cannabis clubs
statewide. His action, if carried out by state
police (with or without local police coop¬
eration), will leave patients who rely on *0*lCHS
doctor-prescribed marijuana with little or
Mayor Brown at DP press conference. no access to the herb.
Duly forewarned of the crackdown, one SABOTAGED
Landmark San Francisco buyers club has closed its THIS CLUB
doors, another is suspending normal opera¬ MlL CLOSE
tions and rethinking the entire pot-club con¬ 31 DEC. 7RM
cept, and two others are staking their
ground, happily dispensing pot as usual
DP law is while girding for police raids.
“I’m not sure what’s going to happen,”
said Todd Swindell of Flower Therapy, “but
I’m aware of Lungren’s intent to shut the
i success, clubs.”
Nonetheless, Swindell added, “We have
every intention of staying open.”
“We’re staying open till the tanks come
rolling in,” said Dennis Peron, who not only
runs the Cannabis Cultivators Club (CCC,
formerly the Cannabis Buyers Club), but is
busily gathering voters’ signatures, hoping to
1,270 city firms page 19 ► The writing's on the wall: CHAMP closes before the cops get there.
now offer benefits
Gay Latino replaces fired
S
by Cynthia Laird
ix months, ago, San Francisco lesbian parking commissioner
enacted its landmark domestic
partner benefit ordinance,
which requires firms doing
business with the city to offer benefits M
to domestic partners of employees if
those benefits are offered to spouses. by Cynthia Laird ceived a bachelor of science degree in man¬
According to figures released by agement from the Massachusetts Institute of
Mayor Willie Brown Tuesday, January Technology, Sloan School of Management in
6, nearly 91 percent of the 3,269 com¬ ayor Willie Brown swore in openly 1982. ,
panies that have had their applica¬ gay Latino Jose Cisneros as the Since 1995, he has been active in the
tions reviewed by the Human Rights newest member of San Francisco’s Human Rights Campaign (HRC), as a mem¬
Commission (HRC) are in compli¬ Parking and Traffic Commission ber of its Federal Club; it’s the largest lesbian
ance with the law. This reflects nearly Monday, January 5; Cisneros re¬ and gay political organization in the coun¬
a threefold increase in the number of places Sharon Bretz, the outspoken lesbian page 18 ►
companies offering domestic partner commissioner whom the mayor unceremo¬
benefits, according to HRC’s progress niously fired last month.
report. Cisneros, who was recommended to
As the mayor pointed out, the ben¬ Brown by soon-to-be treasurer Susan Leal, ACT UP 22
efits of the law extend beyond the Bay said he is eagerly looking forward to becom¬
Area: the 1,270 city contractors that ing an active commissioner and will be at¬ BAR Talk 44
offer domestic partner benefits cover tending his first meeting in a couple of
a nationwide pool of approximately weeks. Classifieds 25
642,757 employees. The new commissioner, who moved to GLAAD 11
“When this all started, only five the city five years ago from Boston, is a man¬
companies nationwide provided such ager in marketing and financial services for Mailstrom 7
benefits,” the mayor said at his regular Lotus Development Corporation. He coor¬ Mister Marcus 40
news conference. “Now, more than dinates marketing activities for customers,
600 do nationwide, and 1,200 do in media, Lotus/IBM business partners, and in¬ Jose Cisneros Obituaries 20
San Francisco. Obviously, this trend dustry groups with a total budget of over $1
has a direct impact on - and reduces million. Prior to that, Cisneros worked as a Open Forum 6
the number of - persons without senior product manager for cc:Mail/Notes in He was also an assistant vice president at the Our Man Friday 9
medical coverage.” Mountain View, where he managed localiza¬ Bank of Boston for six years. Working in the
According to HRC’s six-month re¬ tion and translation of Lotus products into international banking division, he managed Out & About 42
port of the equal benefits law, decla¬ over 20 international languages. a loan portfolio of over $100 million and Out There 30
rations have been received from 5,484 While in Massachusetts in the late 1980s marketed the bank’s services to corporations
different contractors.since the ordi¬ and early 1990s, Cisneros was a senior prod¬ in North and South America. Personals 47
nance went into effect pJuangee 11, 61 9►97 . huec t dmesaingangeedr, fdoerv Oelnoep eSdo,u arcned Dmivairskioente, dw CheDre- maCnaisgneemroesn tc aotm Bpolesttoend Ugrnaidvuerastiety s’stu Gdrieasd ui¬n Sapphistication 10
ROM based financial information products. ate School of Management in 1986 and re¬ Sports Complex 24
2 BAY AREA REPORTER 8 January 1998
lilll'IJI
Guerneville gay man
sues county for $2M
Sheriff to discuss case at Jan. 21 meeting
by Lois Pearlman
£> gay man from Guerneville
is suing Sonoma County
for $2 million, alleging
sheriff’s deputies battered and ar¬
^ / Permanent rested him in his home over a
noise complaint.
Hair Removal Although a jury found him
guilty of resisting arrest in the Oc¬
NOW IS THE TIME TO START tober 18 incident, Richard Gilmore
TREATMENT FOR SMOOTH SKIN
PERMANENTLY BY SPRING OR SUMMER says deputies should not have ini¬
tiated the episode in the first place.
Free Consultation He also says that deputies had re¬
John Frizzell sponded to the wrong house, pos¬
Registered Electrdogist sibly choosing his because of the
[phone] large gay flag in front.
“I’m suing because, number
one, I don’t feel I did anything
wrong; number two, I was at¬
tacked in my own home by the
sheriffs; and, number three, I Richard Gilmore: "I don't think this should happen to anyone."
don’t think something like this could issue a “first notice” about
IlMM/i New Year, New You!
should happen to anyone,” he told the loud music, but the men re¬
Thi« Year the Bay Area Reporter. fused.
make the fitness resolution The lawsuit stems from an al¬ “I asked what their names were,
tercation between Gilmore and and both told us to leave,” Satter¬
two officers from the Guerneville white’s report states. “Gilmore then
substation of the Sonoma County started towards the sliding door of
Sheriff’s Department, Steve Sat- the house, and I followed, telling
terwhite and Wade Eubanks, him to stop. I started to follow
YOUR which took place at the home Gilmore to prevent him from flee¬
Gilmore shares with his partner ing or obtaining a weapon,” the re¬
Richard Cartiere. port continues.
Cozy, Convenient, According to police reports According to Gilmore and
and witness testimony, Gilmore Cartiere, they had already identi¬
FRIENDLY, DELICIOUJ, and Cartiere were entertaining a fied themselves to police, and felt
handful of Gilmore’s business as¬ that they had complied with the
Intimate, Special, sociates at a dinner party when deputies’ wishes by turning down
the two deputies and a deputy the music. Gilmore then left the
Romantic & Fun Place Let Daniel help you trainee climbed onto the couple’s deck and went into his house fol¬
build the body you back deck, saying they were re¬ lowed by Satterwhite, according
For Lunch & Dinner in Noe Valley want. Personal wspoomndanin sgh toou tai ncgo.m plaint about a to GGiillmmoorree.’ s and Satterwhite’s
What Are You Waiting For? training designed to Although one of the party versions of the incident continue
WED-SUN get results fast! Call guests quickly responded to a to diverge. Satterwhite’s report
deputy’s request to turn down the says Gilmore turned and swung a
4l23-24th ST. (at Castro) for free consultation
loud music that was playing, wine glass at him. Gilmore says
283-5398_ 415-281-9670 Gilmore’s response to the officers Satterwhite grabbed him from be¬
\---J was “belligerent, hostile, and ar¬ hind.
gumentative,” according to one “I went to close the sliding
deputy’s testimony. screen door, but without a verbal
Based on Gilmore’s statements warning or caution, the deputy
and Satterwhite’s report, it appears charged through the door and
that Gilmore was upset because he pushed it open. And as I turned to
believed the noise complaint had the stereo, one or more policemen
been made by a next-door neigh¬ pushed me against a wall and
bor who had made similar calls in started manhandling me rough,”
the past. According to Gilmore, reads a statement from Gilmore.
that neighbor had harassed the For the next nine to 10 min¬
men because they are gay. utes, according to the police testi¬
As it turned out, the complaint mony at Gilmore’s trial, Satter¬
had been made by a neighbor white and Eubanks punched and
across the street, who called 911 shoved Gilmore and applied
to report a woman screaming for painful holds until he submitted
help. In a tape of the call, which to handcuffing. Gilmore covered
was played at Gilmore’s trial, the his face with his hands', but did
neighbor described the location not strike the deputies, and no¬
of the noise as several houses body was seriously injured.
down from Gilmore and Cartier’s Municipal Court judge Frank
home. Gallagher sentenced Gilmore to a
year of probation and a $500 fine.
Deputy dogged The maximum sentence for mis¬
What happened next, accord¬ demeanor resisting arrest is a
ing to police reports, was that Sat- $1,000 fine, and up to one year in
terwhite asked Gilmore and jail.
Cartiere for their names, so he page 4 ►
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8 January-1998 BAY AREA REPORTER 3
LAliil
San Leandro backs gays
But PIPE dreams of bigotry
by Ron Lazar John Cambra, the unofficial
leader of PIPE, was not at Tues¬
day’s meeting; it is believed that
he San Leandro Unified only one PIPE member was there
School District (SLUSD) and did not address the board,
II Board of Trustees reaffirmed leading some to wonder just how
the district’s mission statement at much support there is for the
its Tuesday, January 6 meeting, anti-gay group. Many students,
voicing its support of all student parents, teachers, and other resi¬
groups at San Leandro High dents told the board they support
School, including the gay and lesbian students at the wii.iiiiiJArra^jw^Tnr
Gay/Straight Alliance Club. East Bay high school.
Trustees also directed Superin¬ Last fall, Cambra alleged in a GLSEN's Grant Peterson Cet Fast Belief From.,,
tendent Thomas L. Himmelberg letter to the editor of a San Lean¬ • Back Pain • Neck Pain • Headaches • Hip Pain • Sciatica
to look into adopting an Alameda dro newspaper that two lesbian “there are gay, lesbian, bisexual •• JAouintot AIncjhuerise s• & K Wneoer ko rC Aonmkple C Paasiens • Muscle Aches
County resolution calling for sen¬ students had engaged in a public and transgendered people in this
sitivity around gay and lesbian is¬ display of affection on campus. world, and in the schools. It’s ter¬ LEaoscya tSetdr eoent Ptharek iMngu n•i EKv Leninine g- &1 0W Meienkuetnesd FHroomur st he Castro
sues that the county’s Board of The letter sparked a wave of ha¬ ribly important not just that those House Calls In Emergencies
Education passed several years rassment of the girls. The harass¬ kids are safe, but that these issues Advantage Chiropractic
ago. Many other school districts in ing acts including throwing ob¬ are discussed, so that straight kids PAIN RELIEF CENTER
the county have adopted the mea¬ jects, verbal abuse, and hate let¬ have an opportunity to question Call Today for a Consultation
sure, known as Resolution 1381; ters, resulting in the two girls no their own values and to determine €8 587-7000 T
San Leandro is one of a minority longer feeling safe on campus, certain things for themselves, be¬ 2369 Ocean Ave. (2 Blks East of Junipero $erra) S.F.
that has not taken action on it. and have forced them to leave cause they need to know that peo¬
The high school’s Gay/Straight their high school to complete ple are gay and there is nothing
Alliance Club is officially and their education in an independent wrong with it.” T
heartily supported by the entire study program.
school board - plus Himmelberg, The forces that have rallied in
Principal Leigh Akins, and a ma¬ support of the teacher’s and stu¬ The public may make
jority of faculty, parents, and stu¬ dents’ gay rights are considerable. comments to the San Leandro Quit Smoking For Good.1
dents - but after a lesbian science The San Leandro Times reported Unified School District either in
teacher came out during last Octo¬ on December 18 that a coalition writing or in person at the The 2-Hour Quit Smoking Program
ber’s on-campus Diversity Week, a of “over 50 parents, students, and January 20 and February 3
small opposition anti-gay group community members formed a SLUSD meetings at the City
called People Interested in Public group to counter PIPE.” The Council Chambers Room, 100% Satisfaction
Education (PIPE) was hastily group is called Project Safe. located at 835 E. 14th St. in Guaranteed
formed, led by a local Realtor. Also closely following the un¬ San Leandro. For more info,
PIPE’S agenda asks that “per¬ folding saga is Grant Peterson, call SLUSD at [phone], Donna Hale ,MA (Former smoker)
sonal lifestyle choices” be exclud¬ President of the San Francisco/Bay or GLSEN at [phone];
ed from any curricula, and that Area Chapter of the Gay, Lesbian, or contact the Parents for Safe Certified Hypnotherapist
the SLUSD “reject parts of joint and Straight Education Network Schools Coalition at P.0. Box CALL NOW! 331-6600
resolution No. 1381 adopted by (GLSEN), the country’s leading 128, San Leandro CA 94577, e-
Alameda County Superintendent educational organization which is mail: [email protected]
of Schools that pertain to lifestyle working to end homophobia in
choices.” But if PIPE expected our schools. In an exclusive inter¬
SLUSD to reject its own progress, view with the B.A.R., Peterson No hay
the expectation seems to have judged the essential need in the
been dashed by SLUSD’s reitera¬ schools for safety. “When I talk [to
tion of its mission statement, homophobes] about making
which “clearly affirms the right of schools safe for all kids, then they
all students, staff, and say that they want to talk about Problema
parents/guardians to be free from the other side of the issue.
hate crimes, or any hate-inspired “Are they saying that they don’t
activity which degrades an indi¬ want schools to be safe for all kids?”
vidual on the basis of race, eth¬ Peterson would like the issue
nicity, culture, heritage, sexuality, of safety, rather than sexuality, to
or religion.” Also, SLUSD an¬ come first, and believes education If you want to speak Spanish fast,
nounced, “The board and district of the straight kids is of primary
support the right of students to importance. He feels that kids solution.
form and conduct the must be able to discuss the truth
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4 BAY AREA REPORTER 8 January 1998
Victoria Forrester
BANKRUPTCY
law office to be special guest at
THOMAS R. BURNS
Alameda dinner Jan. 15
Attorney at Law
Member, National Association
Of consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
by Cynthia Laird shared concerns regarding divi¬ (NAACP) and a fair housing or¬
‘ froPCARMSHMENTS, REPOS AND FORECLOSURES siveness and hostility. Residents ganization, both of which have
had noted uncivil exchanges at existed in the city since the 1960s,
- n ad hoc group called city council meetings by members several other groups have formed
Alamedans Together: A of the audience and speakers be¬ over the last several years, primar¬
rrrsss i Campaign for Civility, fore the council; racial incidents at ily to represent various ethnic
made up of members from sever¬ Alameda schools; the complaint communities and to combat inci¬
al local organizations including and attacks on Forrester; the toss¬ dents of racism.
Out on the Island (OOTI), is ing of a Molotov cocktail at Felix’s In addition to OOTI, commu¬
planning a community-wide home; and over two years of hos¬ nity groups that have indicated
event to be held on Thursday, Jan¬ tile anti-gay rhetoric in letters to they will participate in next week’s
FREE TELE.PH(ONE CO)N SULTATION buiarrtyh d1a5y, . MAalarmtine dLau stchheor oKltienagc Jhre.’rs ntheew esdpiatpoerr o. Af tth teh eAirla fmirestd am Jeoeutirnnga,l eovf eCnto mincmluedrcee: ,A Xlaamnethdoa sC, hAafmghbaenr
415 543-9900 Victoria Forrester, who was group members watched the Support Group, Filipino Ameri¬
cleared last month by the Com¬ video Notin Our Town, which de¬ can Community Service Organi¬
703 Market Street Sui^H 09 mission on Teacher Credentialing, picts positive community re¬ zation, Central American Refuge
is scheduled to be the special sponse to hostile or divisive oc¬ Committee of the East Bay, Coali¬
guest, and her sixth grade class currences elsewhere. tion of Alamedans for Racial
will provide a tribute to King dur¬ At the community event, a Equality, the SSHRB, Alameda
ing the evening’s program. shared potluck dinner will be fol¬ Rotary Club, City of Alameda De¬
In a related development, the lowed by a tribute to King by the mocratic Club, Republican
Alameda City Council unani¬ sixth graders. Entertainment will Women’s Club, California School
mously passed a resolution last include a variety of multicultural of Professional Psychology, West
month declaring the municipali¬ musical performances and the End Concerned Citizens, Alame¬
ty to be a hate-free city. The reso¬ launching of a citywide unity da Chapter of the NAACP, Alame¬
lution states in part that the peo¬ campaign. A proclamation from da Children and Youth Collabora¬
ple of Alameda “find hate violence the city’s Social Services and tive, Alameda Ministerial Associa¬
to be cowardly, appalling, and un¬ Fluman Relations Board (SSHRB) tion, and the Organization of
wanted,” and resolves to “stand to¬ will be read. It denounces hate vi¬ Alameda Asians.
gether with all people of good olence in Alameda, and partici¬ Felix and Thompson said that
faith across the country, and sup¬ pants will be asked to support the Alamedans Together is the broad¬
port this national effort to push following three value statements est coalition yet to say that it is not
back the rising tide of hate vio¬ of Alamedans Together: 1) We acceptable in Alameda to attack
lence by involving the diverse value compassion, respect for, and communities or individuals for
Alameda communities in an ef¬ the dignity of all Alamedans; 2) who and what they are, nor to
fort to address hate violence.” We value civil discourse in dis¬ perpetuate rhetoric based on hate
The Alamedans Together group cussing issues; 3) We value an in¬ and prejudice. T
was initially convened by Ben Felix clusive city of people with differ¬
and Sioux Thompson, OOTI exec¬ ing opinions and ideas.
utive board members. The pur¬ Alamedans Together is the lat¬ The event will be held from
pose of next week’s gathering is to est move on the part of city resi¬ 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Christ
bring together city residents from a dents in a concerted response to Episcopal Church, 1700 Santa
variety of cultural and ethnic incidents of racism and homo¬ Clara Avenue, corner of Grand
groups, in order to share a meal, phobia, as well as a reaction to the Street. People interested in
enjoy entertainment, and affirm vocal efforts of a small group of attending should bring a dish to
CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO that the island city is enriched by local right-wing organizers. In ad¬ share. For more information,
its diverse communities. dition to the Alameda Chapter of call Lois Workman at (510)
The group started meeting the National Association for the 865-1557, or Norma Smith at
It’s not too late to register
several months ago because they Advancement of Colored People [phone].
for Spring Semester '98 classes offered at
Guerneville suit a Santa Rosa bookkeeper who did turn down the music, and didn’t
Castro/Valencia Campus not participate in the verdict, went ask for their names.
◄ page 2 even farther in her comments. “Something needs to be done
“I felt he was not guilty, and I about the tactics of the law en¬
starting Tuesday, January 20 But the jury foreman at the would stand by it,” she said. “I be¬ forcement,” commented Gardner.
trial, who said jurors had to find lieve it’s a gay issue. They [Gilmore “This brutality has got to stop.”
Space is still available in many evening credit courses Gilmore guilty because he had and Cartiere] have cause to be Sonoma County Sheriff James
“technically” violated the misde¬ leery and concerned [when police Piccinini said he could not com¬
offered at the Castro/Valencia Campus, 450 Church St. meanor code for resisting arrest, come onto their property]. Of ment on Gilmore’s lawsuit be¬
(partial listing below). Select the courses of your choice and criticized the county for bringing course they’re somewhat para¬ cause he had not yet seen it. How¬
apply now! Walk-in registration for new students is available the case to trial at all. noid, and rightly so.” ever, he is planning to address this
starting January 5th at 50 Phelan Ave. Some courses can be “In general, the jury did not Gardner went on to describe case and other community issues
feel particularly comfortable with how police handled a similar sit¬ at a meeting of the Russian River
added by attending the first class meetings. Credit courses are what we were charged to do,” said uation when they responded to a committee of the Sonoma Coun¬
still just $13 per unit for all California residents, including the foreman, Lyle Keseker-Dot- noise complaint against her next- ty Human Rights Commission
holders of Bachelor's and higher degrees. son, an independent Catholic door neighbors, a heterosexual Hate Crimes Network next
priest from Santa Rosa. “Our gen¬ couple, and one of the neighbors Wednesday, January 21. The
eral perspective is that this should was rude to the police. She said meeting is scheduled to begin at 6
CREDIT COURSES never have happened.” the officers just stood outside the p.m. in the Guerneville Library
Course No. Course Title Days/Times Room No. Alternative juror June Gardner, couple’s door and told them to Forum Room. ▼
BCST 106 Queer TV: Les/Gay Ident. M 6:30-9 :30pm 211
ENGL 58A Contemp Women Writers & Poets Th 6:30-9:30pm 220
GLST5 Intro to Queer Studies M 6:30-9:30PM TBA
GLST21 Issues in Lesbian Relationships T 6:30-9:30 PM 208
GLST25 Lesbian/Gay Avantgarde of '50s W 6:30-9:30pm 224 TO HIV/AIDS INDIVIDUALS
HIST 1 20th Century U.S. History T 6:30-9:30 PM 301
HIST 45 Lesbian/Gay American History W 6:30-9:30pm 222
MUS 27C Music & Queer Identity T 6:30-9:30 pm 222 Selling your life insurance to anyone
TJi A 23 Vocal Production & Audition T 6:30-9:30pm SANC
other than Dedicated Resources
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San Francisco Admissions Office at [phone]
DEDICATED Hi RESOURCES
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Se Habta Espanol ▼ Licensed in California & Florida T A Viatical Settlement Co. ▼ www.dedicatedresources.com
8 January 1998 BAY AREA REPORTER 5
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he famed City of Refuge Choir lets loose at Lesbians and Gays of African Descent for Democratic Ac¬
• legs & thighs
tion's sixth annual Kwanzaa celebration. The always festive event was held at the San Francisco
Main Library Dec. 30. • buttocks & groin
HRC taking new GLBT member bids
Claria Clinic
by Cynthia Laird People of color, people with dis¬ Manuel Dacalanio, Quang Dang, 3030 Ashby, Suite 101
abilities, and people living with Gina DeVries, Edward Kaufman,
Berkeley, California, 94705
HIV/AIDS are particularly en¬ Yosenio Lewis, Shadow Morton,
- he San Francisco Human couraged to apply. Terry Person, Sam Rodriguez,
Rights Commission (HRC) is Applicants must be residents of Wally Sherwood, Judith Steven¬ Call for a FREE Consultation
m seeking new members to San Francisco who can make a son, and Rachel Timoner. The 510.883.0880
serve on one of its more active ad¬ commit to LGBTAC meetings on committee is chaired by HRC
visory bodies, the Lesbian Gay Bi¬ the third Tuesday of every month Commissioners Martha Knutzen
smeixtuteael T(LraGnBsgTeAnCde).r TAhdev idseoardyl Cinoem t¬o wato 5rk:3 o0n ps.pmec.,i aal npdro ajercet sw. illing to andI nAtgearer sJtaeicdk sp. ersons need to BOW WReiglilsitaermed VGetearineartyh
apply is Thursday, January 22. Last year the LGBTAC focused send a letter of interest and/or a WOW
The LGBTAC identifies and on several issues, such as violence one-page resume detailing their
addresses the issues and concerns on Muni, queer family issues, community involvement and MEOW
of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and misogyny in the communities, areas of expertise to the commis¬
transgender communities in the and HIV/AIDS funding availabili¬ sion no later than 5 p.m. Thurs¬ Full Spectrum
city, and advises the HRC on ty for people of color and women. day, January 22. ▼ Home Pet Care Services
those issues. The committee is The committee will discuss issues [phone]
looking for members who are of racism, the leather community, Emergency/After Hours
knowledgeable and skilled in the poverty, welfare reform, and a va¬ Materials should be sent to
areas of HIV/AIDS, anti-violence, riety of other community con¬ Larry Brinkin at the HRC, 25
disability, education, civil rights, cerns in the next few months. Van Ness Avenue, Suite 800,
health, youth, diversity, gender, Current members on the LGB¬ San Francisco CA 94102-6033.
and women’s issues. It aims to TAC are: Simone Antigone, Vir¬ The fax is [phone].
achieve diverse racial and ethnic ginia Benavidez, Ray Bernstein,
representation in its composition. Robert Bray, William Bland, Repeat after me,
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integrated the two. Includes: • Flexible time committments • Respect for diverse styles of learning
“Practicing Together as a Gay
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Heartland (Kentucky),” “Gurus and Lovers,” “Zen in Black
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Journey,” “Queer at Heart: Dharma Practice and the Gay Self.”
Plus historical articles, fiction, and poetry (Allen Ginsberg and SAT. JAN. 10, 10:30 a.m. or WED. JAN. 14, 6:30 p.m.
others). Available at Different Light Bookstore, 489 Castro Street,
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[Tb order Queer Dharma, send checkTor $19.95 ppd. to: ew
! G. S. Press, P.O.B. 410690, San Francisco, CA 94141
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6 BAY AREA REPORTER 8 January 1998
Cover your ass ^
HayA REA If EPORTER
Volume 28, Number 2
8 January 1998
ere’s an invariable rule of journalism: this should expect to die in a jail beaters. Only in matters of sex are
PUBLISHER Long past deadline, as everything is cell. Those who survive to their re¬ people willing to shred the United
Bob Ross set to go to press, important stories lease date may find themselves listed as a I States Constitution and .propose in¬
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER will break. Such was the case this week, when violent sex offender - not a pleasant way definite incarceration.
Mark Allen Thompsen we got a late and sketchy report about a Cal¬ to live out one’s life, we suspect. We wonder what the efforts
NEWS EDITOR ifornia appellate court’s ruling that people The lesson here is: “Protect at “establishing their rehabili¬
Mike Salinas with HIV who have unprotected sex have yourself by protecting others.” tation” will entail. Rehabilita¬
committed aggravated criminal assault. On a related note, the state tion has always been given
ARTS EDITOR Guevara v. The Superior Court of Santa of Texas scheduled a public hearing this more lip service than priority in American
Chris Culwell Cruz County, which formed the basis for the week on a proposal to keep sex offenders in prisons, and if Texas enacts the proposal
POLITICAL EDITOR ruling, happened to concern a heterosexual custody even after they’ve served their without setting plans and guidelines to gen¬
Wayne Friday incident, but the 'triplications are probably prison terms. The sweetly-named “civil uinely rehabilitate inmates, it is simply
ASSISTANT EDITORS greater for the gay male community (which commitment” law (which we always going to warehouse offenders until they die.
Dennis Conkin still has three-quarters of the AIDS cases in thought was a marriage before a justice of By the way, Shapiro lobbied for the pro¬
Roberto Friedman San Francisco) than for our straight coun¬ the peace) would allow the state to institu¬ posal by pointing out similar laws have al¬
Patrick Hoctel terparts. The judges ruled that even though tionalize sex criminals after their prison ready been enacted in Washington and
Cynthia Laird the sex in question was consensual, the de¬ sentences have been completed. Kansas ... and California. So be careful.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS fendant was guilty of assault with a deadly State Senator Florence Shapiro, who Finally, because this thought won’t leave
weapon because he was HIV-positive and called the hearings, told reporters, “Just be¬ our mind and we don’t want people to mis¬
David Bianco • Erin Blackwell • John Blanco
Jaime Cader • Philip Campbell neglected to inform his partner (who was cause a sex offender is no longer considered understand our feelings about unprotected
Jim Coughenour • M.R. Covino HIV-negative - not that that might matter). a criminal by our statutory definition does sex, we encourage people to avoid it unless
Marianne Dresser • Beth Elliott • Pithy Galore In other words, so-called “bareback sex” not mean the person no longer poses a they can be totally sure it won’t adversely af¬
Chad Jones • Liz Highleyman • Robert Julian without a condom may start earning serious threat to our communities. Sending these fect their HIV status. Again, we suggest gay
John F. Karr • Jeffery Kennedy
Matthew Kennedy • I.A. Kisselman jail time in California. high-risk individuals back out into society men try the internal condoms that provide
Vicky Kolakowski • Ron Lazar • Simon LeVay In light of the new ruling, it is essential for without establishing their rehabilitation is a sensation as close to skin-against-skin as
Daniel Mangin • Mr. Marcus • Mark Mardon every HIV-positive person to clearly indicate irresponsible and dangerous.” it’s possible to get and maintain safety. They
Jerry Metzker • Gary Morris • Karen Ocamb their status to anyone with whom they have Um, yes, Florence, that may be true; but aren’t perfect, but they are certainly prefer¬
JLimois PProevaernlmzaanno •• DMeabroyr aRhi cPheairfders sex. They will probably find that some po¬ it is also true about drunk drivers and wife- able to death and/or a life behind bars. ▼
Adrian Roberts • Bob Roehr • Shan Schwartz tential sex partners won’t care - because they
Marv. Shaw • Heather Shirkey • RickThoman are already infected, or they assume they’re
Paul Thomason • Stephanie von Buchau infected, or they don’t care if they’re infected
Helen Vozenilek • Dick Walters (about whom we’ll reserve judgment; they’ll
have their own problems without our op¬
ART DIRECTION & DESIGN probrium) - and will willingly participate in
Adrian Roberts unprotected sex; others will be forced to con¬
AD PRODUCTION & LAYOUT sider what they’re about to do, and will de¬
Jorge Alonso mand protected sex or none at all. For that
reason, because it will spare more infections
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
at a time when young people in particular are
Jeff Wagener
at risk, the ruling will have benefits.
PHOTOGRAPHERS Unfortunately, there are also drawbacks.
Jane Philomen Cleland In the absence of research into reinfection is¬
Darlene/PhotoGraphics sues (an unconscionable absence, if you ask
Gregory H. Fleischer us) the state may well decide all unprotected
Marc Geller
sex by people with HIV is criminal. And
Rick Gerharter
Ron Lazar based upon its past history, we aren’t sure we
Phil Migilarese, Jr. can trust the state to provide decent care to
those people with HIV who find themselves
EDITORIAL CARTOONIST behind bars. The HIV in Prison Project that
Joe Hoover has fought so hard for infected prisoners in
the past is now gasping for life and may be
GENERAL MANAGER nothing but a memory by next month, so it’s
Michael M. Yamashita unlikely it can help.
ADVERTISING MANAGER Frankly, most people who get busted for
David McBrayer
ADVERTISING SALES Abort/alt/delete
Matt Lewis
NATIONAL SALES
REPRESENTATIVE
Rivendell Marketing by Tom Sena came up, included a blatant sneer at pro-lif¬ little over a month, by ten weeks she is suck¬
LEGAL COUNSEL ers. and explicit hurrays for the champions ing her thumb, and so on. She is alive! There
Thomas E. Horn, Esq. of “choice.” And so, in time, did I. After all, is never a time after her conception when
MEMBER think it was Gilbert and Sullivan who this is what we all thought, right? Could we she is not.
National Gay Newspaper Guild wrote that every one of us is born a lit¬ all be wrong? But surely her body, such as it is, isn’t re¬
United Press International is tie liberal or a little conservative. The The problem was, though, that I was not ally her own? Can there be any doubt that,
implication is that one’s political and philo¬ really sure that we were right. My uncertain¬ develop though she may, she is fundamen¬
sophical beliefs are as unchangeable as one’s ties persisted, no matter how many argu¬ tally part of her mother’s body and so with¬
skin color: determined if not at birth, then ments I marshaled in my mind, to allay my out a life and rights of her own, at least till
not very much thereafter, and held uncriti¬ doubts and coax me into full agreement she’s born and living on her own? I asked
cally from that time on. But that is not the with gay dogma. This was not hard to do. such questions hopefully; but again, I had
case - at least with me. My beliefs about I was able to find excellent reasons for to be honest. The “product of conception,”
Bay Area Reporter abortion changed radically. favoring abortion rights with very lit¬ as abortion advocates euphemistically de¬
395 Ninth Street In the fall of 1988, NOW threw a rally on tle trouble. Relying on them would scribe her, has from her very begin-
San Francisco, CA 94103 the national mall here in Washington, DC, give me an effortless coast right into ning a new and unique combina-
415.861.5019 • 415.861.7230 trumpeting abortion and its many benefits. abortion activism, with the bonus " tion of genetic codes, funda¬
Much of the media picked up their tone, li¬ of feeling that my place in the les¬ mentally different from either of
onizing NOW in glowing and congratula¬ bian and gay community, my com¬ her parents. These codes deter¬
A division of Benro Enterprises, Inc. © 1998 tory terms. One newspaper that joined in munity, was approved and mine her gender, her fea¬
Published weekly. Bay Area Reporter reserves the general brouhaha was the capital city’s secure. And most of all, I tures, the colors of her
the right to edit or reject any advertisement only weekly lesbian and gay publication. Its could stop wondering skin, hair, eyes, so many
worh iwchh icthhe apduvbelritsihseesr bileleligeavle sit eism isn wphoiocrh taste front-page cheer for NOW caught my eye about whether or not we of her essential character¬
might result in legal action against and gave me the impetus finally to rebel were right. I would never istics, possibly even in¬
Bay Area Reporter. Ads will not be rejected against the myth that if you’re homosexual, have to think about it again. I would simply cluding her sexual orientation. In short,
solely on the basis of politics, philosophy, then of course you are for abortion. be part of the group mindmeld, and there she’s a separate human being, different from
religion, race, age, or sexual orientation.
I had moved to the District of Columbia would be simple answers at last. her mother. What other “part of the
Advertising rates are available upon request. only three years earlier from South Caroli¬ Yet all these enticements, and all my rea¬ woman’s body” has its own genetic code?
Our list of subscribers and advertisers is na. I had never lived in any city that might sons for settling in the pro-choice camp, None. She is her own person with her own
ocorinefnidtaetniotina l oaf nadd vise rntoiste sros,l dp. hTohteo gsreaxpuhael rs, and qualify as “big,” or become part of an actu¬ faded like a dream when, in all intellectual body, and her body has its own rights. Real¬
writers published herein is neither inferred nor al gay community, and so these years were honesty, I forced myself to look at the cen¬ izing this clinched it for me. I threw up my
implied. We are not responsible for unsolicited filled with adapting to a new life, not only tral problem which never goes away: the life hands and said, “I give up. I am pro-life.” ▼
manuscripts or artwork. in a “big city,” but in a community of peo¬ and humanity of the unborn child. In being
iff VERIFIED ple like me. It was astonishing; it was heav¬ truthful with myself, I had to acknowledge
en; and I desperately wanted to fit in. Al¬ that her life is a fact. It does not rely on any The author founded and serves as a vice
^ "A AUDIT CIRCULATION most unconsciously, I absorbed the man¬ philosophical preference, and one never president of the Pro-Life Alliance of
ners and mores of the people around me, needs to drag the Bible or religion in by the Gays and Lesbians (PLAGAL), now an
including what seemed to be their unani¬ hind-legs to try to prop it up. I researched organization of almost 800 members on
mous consensus on this or that burning po¬ the biological facts of her body: that her three continents with active groups in
The Bay Area Reporter is printed on 100% litical topic. Inevitably, abortion was among heart has begun beating by the time she is Boston, Philadelphia, Washington,
recycled paper using soy-based inks. them. Bar conversations, when the subject three weeks old, she emits brain waves after Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Seattle.
8 January 1998 BAY AREA REPORTER 7
Dinner reservations Unilateral decision at AHP A TRADITIONAL APPROACH TO PSYCHOLGICAL & SPIRITUAL HEALING
I got my December 11 B.A.R. late this week, but [The following letter was sent to Dr. James W. Dilley,
wanted to comment on George White Eagle’s letter MD, Executive Director, UCSFAIDS Health Project:] Transpersonal Jungian
regarding the quality of his holiday dinner. You are, by now, certainly aware of client concerns Therapy for Individuals,
I can t understand how any self-respecting Native around the recent decision to force all AHP support Couples & Groups
American could celebrate “Thanksgiving,” but if he groups to meet at the new AHP Market Street offices.
does, and he gets the meal free, it beats me why he As a member of an on-going support group, I can as¬ • Over 25 Years Experience
thinks he has anything to complain about. sure you that the decision was heither communicat¬ • Offices in San Francisco & the East Bay
ed clearly nor accurately to either the groups or the • Affordable, Sliding Fee Scale
R. Johnson group facilitators. In most cases, the fact that the de¬ • Jungian/Shamanic Groups Now Forming
San Francisco cision which had been made was all-encompassing
and was irrevocable was only discovered by support
ETVC and ridicule group members after the fact. Licensed Psychologist #PSY6906 415-931-1934
[The following is an open letter to ETVC President I find it very interesting that, in light of intense
Erin Souza:] coverage in the gay press about patient or client-fo¬
I am writing to express my anger and indignation cused care (focused primarily on the San Francisco
at a portion of Sandra Brewer’s column in the latest AIDS Foundation), AHP unilaterally made this deci¬
issue of the ETVC Newsletter. I quote this item ver¬ sion without any input from clients who were to be
batim, although the italics are mine: directly affected by the decision. Without dwelling on
“Also in October, the NBC program Union Square the merits or demerits of the decision itself, it is
featured a cross dresser depicted as a responsible mem¬ telling that AHP appears to have taken the attitude
ber of society. When a woman even pointed out that he that AHP general staff and clinicians are in a far bet¬
wasn’t gay, he responded, ‘You see, I’m normal.’ Despite ter position to determine what is in the best interests
her witty reply, ‘I didn’t say that,’ the spirit was one of of the client base served by the organization than are
public acceptance slowly replacing the ridicule we’ve the clients or group facilitators themselves. This runs
endured for so long.” contrary, as I am sure you are aware, to current trends
Apparently, ridicule of the gay community is not a in patient and client-focused models of care.
problem for “Ms. Brewer.” When clients of AHP have attempted to find out
According to this column, apparently sanctioned why the decision was made and why it must include
by ETVC, gay people are neither “normal” nor “re¬ all support groups regardless of the special needs of
sponsible members of society.” However, a individual groups, the staff at AHP has con¬
straight man with a wife and children in sistently failed to offer any strong rationale
the suburbs, who prefers to prance | for the decision. Many of the reasons given
around San Francisco in a dress one for the change in policy have been super¬
night a month, patronizing businesses ficial or clearly insulting to the intelli¬
owned and operated by gay people who gence of the clients AHP serves - “The
are not “normal” or “responsible,” is decision has been made” and cannot be
somehow a paragon of “normalcy” to revisited, and “Change is always diffi¬
be emulated! cult.” No matter how necessary AHP
It is this kind of attitude on the part may feel that the new policy is, the fail¬
of ETVC members that destroys all the ure/refusal to address client concerns,
work that Ginny Knuth did in trying to forge a bond and the patronizing attitude are profoundly disturb¬
between ETVC and the gay community in San Fran¬ ing.
cisco. It is this kind of attitude that causes many in The clients served by AHP are intelligent individ¬
the gay community to view ETVC as a group of mid¬ uals who are quite capable of engaging in a meaning¬
dle-aged, middle-class, hypocritical homophobes. ful dialogue with AHP staff. Most importantly, AHP
I suggest that ETVC owes the gay community an exists to serve the needs of its client base, not dictate
apology for publishing this defamatory tripe. policy to them. Much damage has already been done.
AHP’s inability to deal forthrightly with on-going
Victoria Secret client concerns is not helpful by any stretch of the
Cocktail Princess to the Ruby Empress imagination. Until AHP accepts the fact that an MD
San Francisco or a MSW after a person’s name is no mandate to de¬
value the opinions and needs of clients, I cannot see
Transgender kvetch this situation improving.
Thank you for giving the review of Ma Vie en Rose
such prominence, a film I will probably see based on John Kouletsis
the thumbs-up I got from transgender activist Tama¬ San Francisco
ra Ching. While I liked the tone of the article, I could
have done without the hackneyed “Girls will be boys” Ugly situation at the Windmills
headline, a weak attempt at humor on a topic quite I was wondering why there hasn’t been an article
serious to my community. It seems the media can al¬ on the problem at the Windmills. Quite the busy area
ways rely on transgenders for cheap laughs - espe¬ day and night, it has recently been practically denud¬
cially the mainstream - but it hurts worse coming ed, but the worst part is extreme police activity, espe¬
from the queer community. Okay, your headline is cially at night, when they park, unnoticed, at the care¬
Peking clever - satisfied? taker’s house, then sneak over to the more trafficked
I also disagree with the writer’s assessment of the areas.
“unasked question hovering around the edges of the I’m sure if you checked at City Hall or a police sta¬
film.” While “what harm to society, or the individual?” tion, you’d find lots of tickets, and probably some ar¬
is a good start, “What is the nature of gender?” cuts to rests.
the heart of the matter. My impression is the author They even harass people just walking through (un¬
regards genitalia as the supreme arbiter, constantly re¬ less they appear to be hetero). People need to know
ferring to the central character as “he” and a “boy.” about this ugly situation. Personal Injury
Does the author also refer to pre- and non-operative
transsexuals in the masculine? Does the writer even Larry E. Fisher Medical Malpractice
stop to question the binary gendered culture that im¬ San Francisco Discrimination
poses this morphologically-based gender classifica¬ Relationship Agreements
tion? And even if he can’t count higher than two (gen¬ [We have done that story, but reminders like this
ders), can’t he at least give the young transsexual char¬ may save some readers embarrassment. Thanks.] Wrongful Eviction
acter some respect by using the preferred pronouns Wills & Estate Planning
for an MTF transsexual? Adjustments in Transylvania
Finally, while I’ve no doubt this film will be most¬ [The following was sent to “Queer Science” colum¬ FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
ly enjoyed by queer viewers (I include transsexuals in nist Simon LeVay:]
this category), I believe the film is of “special rele¬ I’m a Unitarian Universalist minister up here in Boone Callaway
vance” to mainstreamers and anybody else ignorant Hayward, gay, openly so, and glad to be able to read
of the concerns of transgenders and the very nature of your thoughtful bi-weekly articles in the B.A.R. Your
gender itself. So there. last article on Transylvania [Mailstrom, December 11]
was especially timely, since I have a good American
Christine Beatty friend living there now and teaching at a seminary
Victor A. Barcellona, DDS
San Francisco there. He is gay, and Rumania has been an adjust¬
ment, but I think little by little he is making headway.
[Editor’s note: The headline was “Boys will be girls,” Since he is working for the Unitarian churches there
not vice versa. Counting is nice, but so is reading.] (of which there are many), and U.S. dollars are help¬ Cosmetic, Preventative & Restorative Dentistry
ing to support those churches (since Ceaucescu did
Transphobia in the GGWSL everything he could to harass them and wear them
[The following was sent to Sports Complex colum¬ down), they are beginning to open up to women in
nist Jim Provenzano:] the ministry, and even to the possibility of talking
Thank you for the article you wrote about LYRIC’s about sexual issues ... at least in a tentative way.
efforts to play in the Golden Gate Women’s Soccer Thanks for your work, and upholding critical,
League. We appreciate your time and energies to chal¬ clear thinking in this age of crystals and psychics,
lenge transphobia and create sports opportunities for things which dominate the queer community as far
all youth. We have received lots of positive support as I can figure out.
since your article was written! Have a swell 1998!
Mark Belletini Member, American College of Prosthodontists
Rebecca de Guzman Parish minister, 450 Sutter Street, Suite 1229
Lavender Youth Recreation and Information Center Starr King Unitarian Universalist Church [phone]
San Francisco Hayward, CA MOST INSURANCE AND CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
8 BAY AREA REPORTER 8 January 1998
Powell’s no friend of kids Animal crackers
What a difference a [The following was sent to Supervisor Gavin Newsom:] Isn’t it time to start re-thinking the concept of
Mayor Brown said, “Under no circumstances medical research? Isn’t it time to start re-evaluating
should anybody denigrate Colin Powell’s efforts as it the unsuccessful search for a cure for AIDS? Isn’t it
Dentistry By relates to children. To thank him ... seems to be ... a time to really get that we have no cure? Isn’t it time to
matter of common courtesy.” A Chronicle editorial understand why? Why we don’t have a cure for AIDS.
Jim P. Const, D. asks, “Do courtesy, common sense, and respect have Why we don’t have a cure for cancer, heart disease, di¬
a place in City Hall politics?” I ask the same question abetes, emphysema, or the common cold!
Cosmetic • Preventive • of you and Willie Brown. The answer is: We are human beings, and all med¬
This isn’t just about gays in the military. It’s more ical research is based on data and results from the use
elementary than that. It’s about courtesy, common of animal experimentation. Isn’t it time to know the
450 Sutter Street. Suite 2fl sense, and respect for all people. It’s about protecting truth? Example: A rat is not the same as a human
415 391-2559 children, straight and gay, from bigotry. being, yet tons of research and clinical tests are done
- Children develop homophobia and other forms of on rats. And the reality is: rats do not have gall blad¬
bigotry through a process of education and socializa- • ders, and they can produce Vitamin C. Yet another
MC VISA AMEX & Most Insurance Accepted tion administered by adults. It is the responsibility of untold reality is that dogs are used for experimenta¬
parents, teachers, clergy, military leaders, politicians, tion on heart bypass surgeries, and they do not have
indeed all adults, to provide children with an envi¬ a natural blood-clotting mechanism, the same as hu¬
ronment and an example which are free of bigotry mans.
and hatred. It is the right of children to be protected Do you get what I’m saying? We are different from
from discrimination and harassment. They deserve animals. So how can the results from animal experi¬
to learn to feel good about themselves and others re¬ mentation be valid?
gardless of differences, so that when they are adults, Yet the biomedical world continues to promise
PHOTO BY STEVEN UNDERHILL they will not feel uncomfortable or intimidated by the cures based on fraudulent science.
1998 mere presence of people who are different from Once we realize that animal experimentation is
themselves. scientific fraud, only then will we open the doors to¬
Your year The example presented by Colin Powell in his ward a cure for AIDS. And another reality is that there
publicly-stated position on gay people continues the are numerous alternative methods of research avail¬
look great! tradition of denigrating gay people, and promotes the able. The only way they are going to be utilized is
culture of homophobia in the military and other when the people start demanding it.
START NOW! American institutions. It should not be so hard for Question: Have you ever wondered why the pre¬
Powell and Brown to understand that to denigrate the sent drugs have so many side effects? Answer: Because
K JfBri 1 personal training humanity of other people teaches children to hate. they were manufactured and based on animal testing.
? I Stress reduction The money raised by Colin Powell is for a men¬ In closing, I ask a special favor of the editor of the
Lean muscle growth toring program for children. Before Powell deserves Bay Area Reporter: Please do not simply try to invali¬
Fat reduction thanks from the gay and lesbian community of San date my letter, but research my facts, instead of your
HIV clients welcomed Francisco, or is allowed to act as mentor for its chil¬ usual angry put-down response. Because, dear editor,
dren, he needs to change his tune. He needs to sing I only want to stop the countless deaths of my gay
In-home training openly and loudly of respect, tolerance, and inclusion brothers, and stop the countless deaths of innocent
is also available.
for all Americans in all aspects of American life. It’s animals. Don’t you?
fi*CALL BILL elementary. If you want to thank Mr. Powell person¬
ally for what you view as a good deed, then you Reverend Judy Fine
^ [phone] should just do it. But please do not thank him for me Healdsburg, CA
1JBAward-winning Body Builder or the other people of SF who do not think that his
( Certified Personal Fitness Trainer public stance against a large segment of our nation’s [The editor wearily responds: It is anyone’s preroga¬
Associated with population is exemplary for kids. tive to value desperately sick humans and laboratory
51/NERGV' animals equally, but that prerogative does not translate
--’fitness’- Dan Solliday into a right to stop research that saves those humans’
\ — ' STUDIO San Francisco lives. Sorry. The protease inhibitors that have cut AIDS
nrcAivm mortality by 60% were tested on animals, so it is fool¬
A hero’s mantle? ish to say the search for a cure is doomed because of an¬
General Powell’s accomplishments include, in imal experiments; the search isn’t totally successful yet,
LOOKING TO PUT YOUP part, the following: but only an idiot could argue we would be closer with¬
BEST FACE FORWARD? • Argued before the Congress that homophobia out animal tests. We do support the concept of using
was and is essential to national security. No, thanks. human faith healers instead of animals, but until that’s
Whether it’s wrinkles you’d like • Challenged his Commander-in-Chief publicly legal we reiterate our support for animal testing and
to eliminate or just a change in over policy, making it more difficult, if not impossi¬ suggest the good reverend pondera variation on her ini¬
appearance you desire. ble, had he had to do implement the president’s pol¬ tial questions: Isn’t it time to start re-thinking the con¬
Dr. Michael Echavez can help. icy. No, thanks. cept of religion ? Why, after 2,000 years of ministers
• Created a permissive atmosphere for subordinate making a living by selling Christianity, is there still evil
BOARD CERTIFIED field and line officers to feel secure in belittling their in the world?]
Specialist In: Commander-in-Chief publicly, for which several
• Facial Plastic Surgery were paid the heavy price of retirement with full ben¬ Is your prostate in the right hands?
• Collagen • Chemical Peels nies. No, thanks. Gentlemen over 40: do not leave the welfare of
• Hair Replacement Surgery • Telegraphed America’s lessons learned in “its war your prostate entirely in the hands of medical profes¬
• Laser Skin Resurfacing
in Vietnam”: that we would not deploy or engage an sionals. After the detection of my friend’s prostate
COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION WITH enemy anywhere unless we did so with such over¬ cancer, I was staggered at how little was known by so
whelming numbers as to ensure greater friendly fire many people about this walnut-sized item of theirs,
MENTION OF THIS AD casualties then hostile fire injuries. Any potential in¬ the prostate, and their PSA (Prostate Specific Anti¬
ternational sociopath with a wristwatch and a globe gen) levels. (E.g., “PSA, isn’t that a measure of tire
Aesthetician available in office for facials
could do the arithmetic, and see that any retaliatory pressure?”)
waxing and skin care
strike would be weeks or months away, if at all. As I wrote to the physician-in-chief at Kaiser Per-
Evening appointments available This may have led directly to the need to mount manente, with the advent of usage about a decade ago
the largest hostile military amassment on foreign soil of PSA levels as an indication of prostate problems, I
490 Post Street, Suite 500 in the history of the US for the most embarrassing believe it should be incumbent upon healthcare peo¬
turkey shoot the US has ever endured, and for what? ple to offer and encourage this test (via blood sam¬
San Francisco
Cheap raw crude for cheap refined gasoline, and to ple) to their middle-aged male clients.
[phone] save political and national “face.” Force is only an ef¬ Consider the case of my friend.
fective deterrent if it can be used without prescriptive About 15 years ago, the physician noted a nodule
conditions. Powell rightly put limits on the use of on the prostate by DRE (Digital Rectal Examination),
force, although swiftness of response can prevent a and it was watched regularly.
worsening of events or reduce casualties, but he A routine hernia repair was performed in 1996,
wrongly (treasonously) telegraphed this policy to the with no prostate checkup.
enemy time and again via public media and speech¬ My friend complained of frequent urination in
es. This ensured that America’s kids would be placed late 1996 (with a new physician), and was told by that
in harm’s way, unnecessarily. No, thanks. physician, “I get up twice per night, at your age [69].
• Helped formulate the policy of removing the It’s expected.” Period. No mention of a PSA test.
press from the battlefield. No, thanks. Later in 1996 (new physician, again), a routine
• The US troops were rushed home from the Gulf physical was performed, including DRE. My friend
to a “heroes’ welcome” without quarantine or pre¬ was told the prostate felt fine. No PSA test.
cautions about infecting the home populace with Autumn 1997, he was given another routine phys¬
Serving Our likely unknown short- or long-term acting chemical, ical, and finally a PSA test was explained and given.
biological or viral agents. No, thanks. Reading 27 - alarmingly high - biopsy ordered, can¬
• Finally, lent his name to an effort to help raise cer found, Stage T2C.
money for children, after making a few million on ex¬ My feeling is that extremely valuable time was lost
Community ploiting his ‘status of circumstance’ as American in this case, due to an uninformed patient. And he
Hero. (Late, perhaps, but shows promise, so perhaps was uninformed due to the above instances of not
a reserved thanks here, although under the circum¬ going the whole route available at the time.
stances, this may be the least he could do.) Message: The well-known fact is, the earlier the de¬
since 1965 Our need for heroes should make us more cau¬ tection, the easier and surer the treatment.
tious about who we empower or burden with that Question: Do you know your PSA level? If not, find
mantle. out now!
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8 January 1998 BAY AREA REPORTER 9
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week old, this column is would make an excellent diplo¬
not going to start off mat. Helms won the battle, but in
1998 with a tired old review of the terms of his public image, he def¬
past 12 months. Every other initely lost the war. AY A LESBIAN MAI
writer and newspaper has already The Middle East peace process TEI Till OPERATOR It
done that. Nor will we make any lost big in 1997, despite the good Ambassadorship, yes: Jim Hormel The World's Largest Gay & Lesbian Party is on February 28
predictions concerning what’s intentions and hard work of Sec¬
ahead. However, it is worth men¬ retary of State Madeleine Al¬ ever going to court. Congress and
tioning a few political highlights bright. The Palestinians and the the White House will fight over
from 1997 and ruminating a bit Israelis appear further than ever the “budget surplus” (the first one
on what to expect in the near fu¬ from any meaningful resolution in many years), falling all over
ture. of their problems. Plus, the leader each other to see who can first
Nationally, the losers of 1997 of Iraq now knows he can push propose a tax cut instead of ap¬
included the tobacco companies. the rest of the world around - or plying the money elsewhere (like
They paid out tens of millions in at least keep everyone on tenter¬ education, Social Security, etc.).
fines, had their customer num¬ hooks. In politics, 1998 will see Di¬
bers drop drastically, and As for the victors ... anne Feinstein running for gov¬ /vWdi
in California saw legisla¬ well, labor is some¬ ernor - and winning - in Califor¬
tion pass that prohibits thing of a winner. It nia. Mayor Brown will forgo play¬
smoking in bars. In DC has once again be¬ ing sports commentator and fi¬
Vice President Al Gore come a real force in nally try to do something mean¬
was both a winner American (Democ¬ ingful about the homeless, the Price includes R/T airfare ex-LA with
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of other good choices. tion, the Paula Jones case, etc. surer Susan Leal on the Board of
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Newt Gingrich out of office. Ronald Reagan’s were at this sador to Luxembourg despite op¬
Their attempt backfired, with point in his second term. position from a few homophobic
Gingrich coming out of the whole For the Republicans, William GOP senators. Assemblywoman
affair seemingly even stronger Weld lost his skirmish with Helms Carole Migden will emerge as an
than before. but emerged as a potential leader even more powerful legislative
Senator Fred Thompson (R- of his party’s moderate/progres¬ leader in Sacramento following Holistic/Drug Free Treatment
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touted committee to expose cam¬ vention. Magazine mogul Steve parture due to term limits. State Are you suffering from:
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given the chance, the GOP-con- tors will have to hang it up this defeat Republican Matt Fong Call for FREE Consultation
trolled Congress turned tail and year. Governor Pete Wilson and win re-election next Novem¬
refused to pass any .meaningful heads into his final year in office ber in a tight race. A well-financed 1237 Van Ness Ave., SF • 415.775.42 04 • Open Saturdays
campaign finance reform. Evi¬ with no place else to go (maybe a lesbian attorney could very well
dently, neither party wants to nice piece of beachfront property ruin Public Defender Jeff
harm the various cash cows that outside San Diego?). Brown’s summer by filing against
bankroll their campaigns. In local news, the 49ers finally him in the June election.
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Mayor Willie Brown seeing his mayor. The Republican Party will Body Building
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something he boasted he could fix year against incumbent Represen¬
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District (and Tauscher will be in Francisco's
Crystal balls
for the fight of her political life). Only
In 1998,1 see the GOP holding Former Santa Clara Supervisor
on to both houses of Congress, Ron Gonzales will defeat Coun- Cutting Edge
though probably by smaller mar¬ cilwoman Pat Dando to become
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Gephardt. Many others, like Vir¬ Finally, back to Washington,
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The hateful Jesse Helms N.J. ex-Senator Bill Bradley, will chocolate-brown Labrador
wound up with the short end of make noises about entering the “Buddy,” will shamelessly suck up
the stick when he alone blocked race to succeed Clinton. to First Cat “Socks,” who suffered
any hearings on the nomination Special Investigator Kenneth a crisis after Chelsea Clinton’s 290 DIVISION l§
of pro-gay, moderate Republican Starr of Whitewater fame will fi¬ departure for Stanford and has re¬ SAN FRANCISCO |£
Governor William Weld of nally close up shop and go to Pep- portedly gotten very territorial as
Massachusetts to become ambas¬ perdine (after having squandered of late. The two will eventually mum
sador to Mexico. Helms’s fellow $60 million on a hopeless effort). share space in the Oval Office,
Republicans sat timidly by and let President Clinton will settle the though Socks will retain the cor¬
[AinInggI
the vituperative chair of the For¬ nasty Paula Jones case and avoid ner that gets the afternoon sun. ▼
NUT
10 BAY AREA REPORTER 8 January 1998
Wring out the (same) old...
by Beth Elliott local school board, which slapped Making a case for an agenda is new grooming standards for pris¬ cepting the personal limitations
a gag order on her while the precisely what is protected by the oners in California. No more long that are the consequences of their
courts sorted out her employ¬ First Amendment. Anyone op¬ hair or beards for men, one stated acts to fastidious attention to out¬
f the Law Thinks That, Sir, ment? Well, the school district, no posed to a particular “agenda” is reason being that knives, drugs, ward observances. As I recall, hu¬
Then the Law is an Ass Dept.: doubt taking its lead from the in¬ equally free to say it’s crap, even to IV needles, and other contraband mility factors into a lot of reli¬
To help Out NOW! continue famous Hardwick v. Bowers case, say it’s dangerous. But you may were being smuggled therein. Op¬ gions as the first step to hearing
its attempted resurrection from claims the teacher has no right to suppress an agenda only in ex¬ tp onents of the proposed reg¬ the message of the divine.
the dead, here’s another item free speech about her case, her tremely cases where you can 1 ulations objected, among Ballet High Will Call You
about Utah for them to vet for self-discovery, or just about any¬ prove beyond a doubt that it other grounds, on the Dept.: One of the Bay Area holi¬
signs of being an Internet hoax thing else that might be tainted presents a clear and present premise that for many day anti-traditions is deconstruct¬
item. Since I read this in one of with the dreaded L-word, because danger. An agenda of pro¬ prisoners, the growing of ing Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker.
the dailies, however, they might case law to date denies any “right” viding free samples of hero¬ “ facial or scalp hair was a re¬ Whether the call is answered by
want to hold their fire: to same-sex intimacy. in to kindergartners comes ligious obligation. the long-running Revolutionary
“Utah Says No Free Speech for The school board’s position, of to mind, which leads I didn’t bother mak¬ Nutcracker Sweetie or the newer
Lesbians,” the headline read, course, is absurd. Even where to my next point: ing this remark to any¬ Hard Nut, there’s something
which certainly caught my atten¬ “sodomy” laws are in force, any¬ Apparently, these one, because I thought about the original Nutcracker, its
tion. Do you remember the story one who cares to has a right to folks in Utah it so obvious that status as a holiday tradition and
about the schoolteacher/volleyball point out the absurdity of those don’t like _ any number its popularity with the non-Bo¬
coach, a “nice married lady” who laws, to say those laws do the very word getting Sapphistication of pundits hemian, that gives some people
fell in love with another nice mar¬ things they prohibit (i.e., suck). out thatjfih- would beat fits.
ried lady (as nice married ladies Now remember, these are the peo¬ trary to their me to it, but Myself, I can’t see the antipa¬
have been known to do since be¬ ple who go on and on about our propaganda, gays and lesbians ... if these people are that serious thy. Nutcracker certainly has some
fore I came out), shocking the having a “homosexual agenda.” aren’t mother-rapin’, father-stab- about their religious duties, where more-than-acceptable credentials:
bin’, father-rapin’, child-molesting the hell was that commitment It was composed by a gay man
-"P* monsters. I’m sure they’re just fu¬ when their religion was telling and gained its popularity right
rious at word getting out that them not to steal, not to kill, not here in San Francisco, where the
w w some nice married lady fell in love
with another nice married lady.
Everyone wants to appropriate
However, that happens to be the
truth. No constitutional right to ‘girl stuff/ meaning everyone gets
interfere with the suppression of
the truth? Baloney. to have it but girls themselves.
Tin-Pan gets gold star. SPfttsh decorfmggllent casual service, some Speaking of avoiding the truth,
exceptionally g/ml food... Tin-Pattwnhines the best of I couldn’t help but think of the Granted, some of what girls like
neighborhoodfriendliness with the tmdiness of a destination parental warning ABC slapped on
restaurant f—Michadf Batten $ Chronicle U/6AJ7 Ellen while seeing football playoffs can be pretty cringeworthy... like
interrupted with promos for
ABC’s post-Monday Night Foot¬ those effing Spice Girls.
line otfn tnhoe r(aatsitrreo u'sn imt aofsfto srtdyalibslhe aAnsdia inu crtutiisuign er ooms ball line-up. For one show, they
Daily lunch specials and fabulous brunches on Saturday and Sunday displayed (over and over) clips of
Open 7 days a week from llAM-llrM (Midnight Friday and Saturday) a nekkid hetero couple making to beat anyone up, or do any of first performances oPthe full-
the Sign of the Double-Finned the other things that landed them length work since its premiere
Tin-Pan Asian Bistro Guppy in a shower stall with glass in jail? Just wondering, y’know? were staged. My old lover, Kristie,
2251 Market St, San Francisco doors ... and falling out of the For those who got religion in and I went to it every year: we’d
415.565.0733 • fax US.M.07IH
shower chest-to-chest. prison, well, their thinking about start the evening with dressing up
Another First Amendment their lives and working to turn for Nutcracker, then come home
issue made it into the media re¬ them around is an admirable for a late supper of fresh cracked
cently, then disappeared before I thing. But somehow, I think the crab with drawn butter, sour¬
could take note of how it was re¬ deity of their hearts would prefer dough bread, and a nice cham¬
What do you want in a Dentist? solved. That woufd be proposed them payingjheir dues and ac- pagne or California sparkler. Af¬
terwards, we’d retire to my wa-
terbed and make mad, passionate
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