Lesbian/Gay Pride Speakers -

SSG. Miriam Ben-Shalom:

Challenging the military

Sergeant Miriam Ben-Shalom was honorably discharged in 1976 (under the Department of Defense administrative policies pertaining to homosexuality) for truthfully answering questions from superior officers about her sexual orientation. The Army admitted that there was absolutely no evidence of misconduct whatsoever, and that she was an exemplary Drill Sergeant.

Ben-Shalom fought her forced discharge. The courts upheld her rights to remain in the military in 1980, and again in 1987, when the Army was forced to allow her to serve out her original term and to re-enlist. She became the only soldier at that time to challenge the military and win actual reinstatement and the right to re-enlist. On October 18, 1989, Ben-Shalom was promoted to staff sergeant and was nominated for her battalion's "Soldier of the Year" award.

In 1990, Ben-Shalom was instrumental in organizing The Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Veterans of America, a national veterans' organization dedicated to serving Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual veterans and active-duty personnel. She was elected unanimously as National Chairperson for the group in May of 1990. You may have seen her in appearances on Phil Donahue, Geraldo, Sally Jessy Raphael, and Nightwatch.

Ben-Shalom will speak on Gay men, Lesbians and Bisexuals in the Military at the Rally following the March. You can hear her speak on Saturday, June 27th, at the Stonewall Community Center, 47 West Fifth Avenue, starting at 5:30 PM. A reception for her and Kevin Berrill will be held at the Community Center starting at 6 PM. The 5:30 PM presentation is free; the reception is a benefit for the March, and we are asking a $5 donation.

The Columbus Chapter of Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Veterans of America will host a party for Ben-Shalom at The PX inside Tradewinds II, 117 East Chestnut Street, from 9-10:30 PM. Call the group at 299-7764 (days) for more information.

Kevin Berrill:

Leading the Fight Against Anti-Gay Violence

When the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force publishes its annual report on anti-Gay/ Lesbian violence, it's Kevin Berrill who puts it together. Berrill has been director of NGLTF's AntiViolence Project since 1982, and speaks across the country about how to organize similar projects on the local level. He is a frequent spokesperson on anti-Gay violence issues in national media, and is co-editor of the recently published anthothogy, Hate Crimes: Confronting Violence Against Lesbians and Gay Men.

Violence against Lesbians and Gay men is rising, Berrill reported March 19th. He blamed the increase partially on "official gay-bashing in politics and popular culture." Berrill singled out Patrick Buchanan, Republican candidate for the presidency, as being particularly vicious in his attacks against our community, but noted insulting anti-Lesbian jokes told in public by Vice President Dan Quayle and by former Democratic presidential candidate Bob Kerrey.

Berrill will lead "Hey Queer!", a free workshop addressing anti-Gay/Lesbian hate crimes, beginning at 4 PM, June 27th, at the Stonewall Community Center, 47 West Fifth Avenue. At 6 PM, he and Miriam Ben-Shalom will be guests at a public reception, to be held at the Community Center as well. We are requesting a $5 donation for the reception, a benefit for the March.

Berril currently serves on the board of the Campus Violence Prevention Center. He is writing a book for Lesbians and Gay men on confronting violence.

Suzanne Westenhoefer:

A truly out Lesbian comedian

Suzanne Westenhoefer is currently one of the most sought after up-and-coming comics. Dorothy Derringer of The Village Press comments, "It's almost painful to laugh so hard for so long...she's a wonderful spokesperson for the Gay and Lesbian lifestyle." Westenhoefer is now a regular at New York's Catch a Rising Star, performing as the only Gay comedienne at this premiere Manhattan comedy club.

She performs at both Gay and non-Gay comedy clubs across the country. This summer, she is appearing at the Pride Rallies in New York and Baltimore, and will emcee the Rallies both here and at New Jersey's first Gay Pride Rally, June 6th in Asbury Park. Westenhoefer has also appeared on Sally Jessy Raphael, in a show called "Breaking the Lesbian Stereotype." Is she really a Lesbian? Let her explain softball and decide for yourself. Come see her at the Rally June 28th.