Stonewall News

Stonewall to offer two sign language classes

Stonewall Union will offer two opportunities to study American Sign Language starting June 23rd and 24th. Professional ASL interpreters Meg Tucker and Rick Haffner will each teach classes that will meet once a week for ten weeks. There's a Tuesday series of classes and a Wednesday series, each from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. There is a minimum class size of 10 and a maximum of 20 for each series. Cost is $50, plus the cost of the textbook, which is optional but highly recommended. A substantial portion of the fee will be donated to Stonewall Union, and is earmarked to go towards purchase of a TTY machine. For more information about the ASL classes, call Stonewall Union at 299-7764.

Self-defense classes start in July

Stonewall Union Anti-Violence Project Coordinator Gloria McCauley has announced another series of self-defense classes, set to begin in early July. Those interested in attending this series can register at the Anti-Violence Project Booth at GayFest on June 28th, or you can call the Stonewall office (299-7764) to register. The classes are free and open to all Gay men, Lesbians and Bisexuals; you do not need to be a Stonewall member to take part.

The Anti-Violence Project is working with CHOICES to establish a support group for Lesbian victims of domestic violence. This group, which will hold a weekly meeting, is just now getting set up. For information about the group or resources for Lesbian victims of domestic violence, call Gloria McCauley at 2997764.

March security volunteer training dates set

Stonewall Union Anti-Violence Project Coordinator Gloria McCauley will be leading her ever-popular March security training workshops on the following dates: Thursday, June 18 at 7 PM at the Stonewall Union Community Center; Saturday, June 20 at 2 PM at the Stonewall Community Center; and June 28 (the morning of the March) at 10:30 AM at the Goodale Park shelterhouse. The Stonewall Union Community Center is located at 47 W. Fifth Avenue. To register for training, please call 299-7764 and ask to speak to or leave a message for Gloria, specifying which session you will be attending.

Training sessions last about two hours and emphasize non-confrontational ways of de-fusing potential conflicts between Marchers and hecklers. Role-plays include strategies for keeping wild-eyed fundamentalists from accosting innocent marchers-by.

Registration and attendance by past security staffers is requested-start looking now for wherever you stashed your T-shirt! And, as always, new volunteers will get their own new stunning yellow T-shirt to keep as a souvenir. Such a deal!

President's Corner

by Ed Pfeiffer Jr.

It's June, Pride Month, so I'm going to take a break from the series on the workings of Stonewall Union.

Twenty-three years ago, in the early hours of Saturday, June 28th, the New York police raided a bar in Greenwich Village call The Stonewall Inn. This particular raid turned out differently from the routine raids on Gay bars. This time the clientele did not peacefully enter the paddy wagons. First there were jeers, then the police were pelted with coins; events escalated to weekend of riots. A few days later, the Gay Liberation Front was established, and the words "Gay Pride" were heard.

The theme of this year's March is "Pride Equals Power."Is this true? The consciousness raising of the early seventies resulted in increasing numbers of individuals developing pride in all that they were, including pride in that part of themselves that was Lesbian or Gay. With pride came an unwillingness to hide in the closet and an unwillingness to accept things as they were. Individuals became groups, and groups became a movement.

Now it is 1992. Has the pride we have built resulted in power? The only answer I can see is a vehement YES! Civil rights for Gay and Lesbian people are now protected in six states. Five of these states laws were passed in the last couple of years. Locally, state employees and Columbus city employees are protected by executive order. In Columbus, discrimination in housing and public accommodations are outlawed. At OSU, there is the beginning of domestic partner benefits with sick leave and bereavement leave extended for unmarried partners.

Again, nationally there are larger numbers of visible Lesbian and Gay people in all levels of government. The military ban has become a national issue. Television has begun to include ordinary Gay and Lesbian characters (of course you can't say the same about Hollywood and the movies). There have been many successes, but there is still much to do.

So Pride leads to visibility. Visibility results in an understanding of our numbers. Visibility shows that we truly are everywhere. Only when visible can we gain power. So join the 10,000 marchers on June 28th. Demonstrate your pride, and we will continue to gain in power.

Executive Director's Corner by Phyllis Gorman

Stonewall Union is proud to be sharing in central Ohio's annual celebration of Gay and Lesbian pride. This is a very exciting time to be part of our communities and the theme for the 1992 commemoration of the Stonewall Riots-Pride Equals Power-could not be more appropriate. We translate our pride into power by participating in the political process at the grassroots, statewide, and federal levels. We demonstrate our pride every day as we live our lives and contribute to our neighborhoods, workplaces, and families. Please accept Stonewall Union's invitation to join the 1992 Lesbian/Gay Freedom March and Gayfest June 28th, and take the opportunity, throughout the month of June, to attend Pride events.

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