Baltimore Alternative, February 1987

У^ОГШаЛЛ- С&рч- /)с£лЛ • The BaItimore A Шмшляу 1987 Vol. 2. No, 2 ■MAa Another Voice, AnotUer Free Charm City Hosts Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference from l to R, front row: James Credle, Judy Greenspan, AHida Black, Betsy Revard. Back row ■ Johnette Banks, David Turner, Mary Nancarrow and Andre Powell The AL TERNA Т/ VE is proud to announce that two of its staff writers, Johnette Banks, and Andre Powell were elected as delegates. At the West Hollywood meeting last week Andre was also named National Media Coordinator. By Johnette E. Bonks The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Baltimore provided the site for the first regional planning conference for the October 11, 1987 Gay and Lesbian march on Washington. Sixty-four attendees representing six of the seven Mid- Atlantic states participated. They spent the day at workshops, special issue and subregional caucuses and electing regional delegates. Workshops addressed four necessary areas of march organizing. They included fundraising, attracting media coverage, outreach and logistics. Special interest caucuses addressed the needs of peoples of color and the physically challenged. Subregional caucuses provided forums for specific issues particular to each subregional area. A major objective of the conference was to elect eight regional representatives to the national steering committee. Prospective delegates submitted written statements reflecting their desires to be elected. They were each allotted two minutes in which to verbally elaborate on their qualifications. By mandate of the national steering committee, representation must reflect total gender parity (50% womyn) and at least 25% participation by peoples of color in each regional delegation. By Garey Lambert BALTIMORE-AIDS Action Baltimore has announced a Saint Patrick's Day Gala at the Hippo featuring Ed Williams' Big Band, an impressive array of door prizes, and a lavish buffet. Black tie is optional. The affair is also a testimonial to three prominent members of the Baltimore Gay Community: Chuck Bowers, Walter Beall, and Jack Faulh. "I've organized a lot of benefits, and participated in an awful lot of fundraising activities for a lot of people," says Pat Moran, Charles Theatre manager and AIDS Action Baltimore volunteer, "and I've come to depend on these guys. They're always there when the commun¬ ity needs them. They're incredibly generous, and I think it's lime for their efforts to be recognized. What better way to do it than this?" Lynda Dee, who also volunteers for AIDS Action Baltimore, echoes Moran's sentiments. "We've been planning to do this fundraiser for some time, and approached Chuck (Bowers) back in December. He donated the Hippo for the night. Then, we asked his help for the "Caravaggio Benefit" at the Charles, and enlisted the help of Walter and Jack. And we thought, 'You know, we always call on these guys, and they never say no, so maybe the St. Patrick's thing ought to Eighteen candidates ran for election. The eight elected were Johnette E. Banks- MD; Allida Black-DC; James Credlc-NJ; Judy Greenspan-DC; Marry Nancarrow- PA; Andre Powell-MD; David Tumcr- DC; and Betsy Revard-DC. Regions were to elect four representatives. Due to the large pay tribute to them.' It was going to be a surprise, but I guess after this it won't be.” "It's a testimonial that is long, long overdue," says Pat Moran. "We're just pleased that we have the opportunity to do it." Proceeds from the Saint Patrick's Gala at the Hippo will benefit AIDS patients directly through the various patient services programs throughout Baltimore, including Johns Hopkins's AIDS clinics and the newly opened University Hospital AIDS clinic, as well as HERO'S patient services department "We want to emphasize," says Pat Moran, "that all the profits from our fundraisers go directly to patient services. We pay our expenses, which we keep as low as possible, so that we can get the most for the money people so generously give to us. It goes right to the patients." The Saint Patrick's Day event will feature Ed Williams' Big Band in the Hippo's Dance Bar from 8 to midnight. There will be a buffet and a cash bar. Door prizes will include a "basket of cheer" and a year’s pass for two to the Charles Theatre. Other door prizes will be available in advance, as well as at the door. Flyers with more information will soon be available at the Hippo, at the Charles Theatre, at Lambda Rising on geographical and population size of the Mid-Atlantic area, eight delegates were elected. Voting equity will be maintained by allowing the region only four votes on national decisions. Delegates will participate in a national planning meeting in Los Angeles, CA, January 17 and 18, 1987. Glen Burnie Man Shot in Severn Murder Victim BALTIMORE — The body of a 42-year- old man was found in a Severn field. Identified as William Richard Christian, the man had been shot once in the head. No murder weapon was found at the scene. Mr. Christian's body was found by a local hunter near the construction site of Provinces Branch Library north of Fort George G. Meade. Detectives are currently trying to contact anyone who knew Mr. Christian, Chase Street, at the Gallery Bar, as well as the other bars. Testimonial Fundraiser for AIDS Action Baltimore Set for Hippo Ed Williams' Band Headlines Tribute to Chuck Bowers, Walter Beall, and Jack Fauth N.Y. Court Supersedes Supreme Court Closure New York State's highest court, the Court of Appeals, last week effectively superseded the U.S. Supreme Court and reversed the closing of a Buffalo adult bookstore that permitted sex acts to occur on the premises. The Empire State said that the state constitution provides a greater protection of individual expression than the federal constitution. The decision came after the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year ruled that the closing of the Village Book and News Store was allowable under the First Amendment because of sex acts occurring on the premises. But the court remanded the case to the New York Court of Appeals for adjudication of the state constitutional issue. Erie County District Attorney Richard Arcara was disappointed at the New York court's ruling. "It was our position, which the Supreme Court of the United States agreed with, that acts of masturbation, prostitution and fellatio have nothing to do with books or other expressive activity," he said. But the lawyer for the bookstore said that he hoped other state courts would look to their own constitutions and find that they "provide more rights of free expression than the First Amendment." His wishes echoed those of Associate Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan, who has repeatedly urged high state courts to look to their own constitutions when interpreting individual rights because the U.S. high court has turned away from extending those rights under the federal constitution. — P.G.N., 12/26/86-1/1/87 who had no permanent address, and who had been estranged from his family for over 15 years. Lt. Michael Fitzgibbons, head of Anne Arundel County's Crimes Against Persons section, says, "We have been unable to establish Mr. Christian's whereabouts prior to his death." Although it is known that Christian served in the Army during the Vietnam War after attending Andover High School in Linthicum, no known residence or employment address has been discovered. Construction crews in the area of the library have been contacted in an attempt to find employers or acquaintances. Anyone with information about Christian or the circumstances surround- „ ing his murder should contact Detective Don Hauf at 987-3462. In this Isssue UR0ICULTURE . 3,4 .5 EDITORIAL PAGE . 6 ACROSS AMERICA 8 MOTHER’S MEMOIRS.. 13 SIGHTS N SOUNDS... 14 SPIRITUALITY . 16