RFD Issue 31 Summer 1982

numtwi/tMyo/u’ i/iw doUaM

FUTURE FEATURES AND THEMES:

d

We had o u r f i r s t RFD S t a f f G a t h e r i n g a t Running W ater i n May, and t h e r e i s a b r i e f a c c o u n t o f t h i s on p a g e 6 .

We f e e l t h a t i t was a good b e g i n n i n g a l t h o u g h v e r y few o f t h e e d i t o r s w ere a b l e t o atten d .

S i n c e t h e r e a r e so many o f us ( 1 3 p l u s 8 BBB f o l k s ) i t i s n ' t t o o s u r p r i s i n g t h a t more c o u l d no t make i t .

W e 'll t r y a g ain next y e a r .

The t h r u s t o f t h e g a t h e r i n g b e s i d e s j u s t g e t t i n g t o know one a n o t h e r was t o p r e s e n t a p i c t u r e o f t h e s c o p e o f RFD and i t s p rocess.

P a r t o f t h i s p r o c e s s i s our v o l u n t e e r e d i t o r i a l s t a f f w hich i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t and v i t a l .

A w e a k n e ss t h a t we a r e w o rk in g t o o v erco m e i s t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n b e t w e e n u s and s o many d i v e r s e p e o ­ p le.

We a l s o h av e a f a i r amount o f t u r n o v e r among t h e s e e d i t o r s , and t h i s s o m e t im e s c a u s e s l i t t l e g a p s i n o u r p r o c e s s .

There a re t h r e e new s t a f f p e r s o n s whom we would l i k e t o w e l c o m e : Don G r a v e s , Ron Whittom and A u r o r a C o r o n a .

We a p p r e c i a t e t h e i r e n e r g y and e f f o r t o f f e r e d t o RFD. The r e a d e r s u r v e y s a r e c om ing i n , and we a r e q u i t e o v erw helm ed w ith th e sco pe o f t h e p r o j e c t o f d i g e s t i n g t h e i n f o r m a t i o n .

There a r e c e r t a i n t r e n d s t h a t we c a n d i s c e r n , o f c o u r s e , b u t we a r e h o l d i n g o f f p u b l i s h i n g a n y t h i n g u n t i l we c a n d o j u s t i c e t o b o t h t h e d i v e r s i t y and g e n e r a l s e n s e o f t h e r e s p o n s e s .

We s t i l l w e l ­ come more i n p u t , s o i f you h a v e n ' t f i l l e d o u t y o u r f o r m , p l e a s e do s o .

We need t o h e a r from a s many a s p o s s i b l e .

I t i s good t o know what r e a d e r s l i k e o r d i s l i k e ; t h i s h e l p s us d i r e c t o u r e n e r g i e s to w ard a p o s i t i v e r e s p o n s e .

I t i s i m p o r t a n t t o remember t h a t t h i s i s a r e a d e r - w r i t t e n j o u r n a l , and we welcome a r t i c l e s and g r a p h i c s d e a l i n g w i t h o u r g e n e r a l f o c u s ( b a s i c a l l y r u r a l and a l t e r n a t i v e g a y l i v i n g e x p e r i e n c e s and s k i l l s ) .

We know t h a t t h e r e a d e r s h i p i s q u i t e v a r i e d and d i v e r s e and would l i k e t o h e a r from t h o s e who a r e n o t u s u a l l y r e p r e s e n t e d .

L e t us c e l e b r a t e our d iv e rs ity .

T h is i s s u e has a l o t o f p o l i t i c s in i t .

I t h a s b e e n some t i m e s i n c e we had t h a t d e p a r t m e n t r e p r e s e n t e d , and we f e e l i t i s im ­ p o rta n t, On t h e o t h e r h a n d , we h a v e a l a c k o f p o e t r y .

T h is is due t o t h e c o n f u s i o n w i t h t h e c h a n g e i n e d i t o r s and no t b e c a u s e i t i s n ' t w anted.

There a r e a l o t o f c o n t a c t l e t t e r s (a t l a s t ) which i s p a r t l y due t o a b a c k l o g w hich had b u i l t up from t h e m issin g o f th e p re v io u s i s s u e .

The BBB D e p t , i s q u i t e a n o t h e r m a t t e r , how ever.

We a r e s u d d e n l y h e a r i n g a b o u t a l o t o f a b u s e s and r i p - o f f s b y a few i n m a t e s , and we a r e not q u i t e c e r t a i n how to d ea l w ith i t .

E xp osu re o f t h e problem i s our b e s t p r o t e c t i o n f o r r e a d e r s r i g h t now.

We a r e e x p l o r i n g o t h e r ways o f o f f e r i n g c o n n e c t i o n s f o r g a y p r i s o n e r s t o g e t h e r w i t h some o t h e r j o u r n a l s .

We w i l l c o n t i n u e t o k e e p t h e BBB foru m o p e n and p r e s e n t i n RFD, b u t i t w i l l most l i k e l y b e much s m a l l e r ; we h av e a c l e a r i n d i c a ­ t i o n from t h e s u r v e y s t h a t most r e a d e r s r a t e t h i s d e p a r t m e n t low on t h e i r p e r s o n a l i n t e r e s t and f e e l t h a t i t i s t o o l a r g e and p o s s i b l y o u t o f f o c u s f o r RFD, Many o t h e r s , h o w e v e r , f e e l i t i s an i m p o r t a n t o u t r e a c h , s o we a r e w o rk in g t o w a r d r e s p o n d i n g and b a la n cin g o u r, you r, t h e i r needs.

The c o l l e c t i v e s i t u a t i o n i s s t i l l i n a f l u x .

At p r e s s t i m e ( e a r l y J u n e ) , we s t i l l h a v e no t d e v e l o p e d eno ug h d o l l a r s u p p o r t t o p u r ­ c h a s e R u n n in g W a t e r a l t h o u g h we h a v e s e v e r a l p l e d g e s and e x p r e s ­ sio n s o f i n t e n t .

We h av e t o come up w i t h t h e f u l l amount b y Aug. f i r s t , i n o r d e r t o r e m a i n h e r e . O t h e r w i s e , we w i l l h a v e t o move.

We h a v e b e e n g r a c i o u s l y i n v i t e d b y a c o u p l e o t h e r p l a c e s t o come and l i v e and work t h e r e , s o we a r e e x p l o r i n g t h o s e a l t e r n a t i v e s .

We a r e a l s o s t i l l u n c e r t a i n j u s t who a l l i s a p a r t o f t h e c o l ­ l e c t i v e a s R i c h i s s t i l l away a n d V . B . i s j u s t l e a v i n g f o r an i n ­ d efin ite tr ip .

T h i s l e a v e s j u s t Edwin and me ( R o n ) .

There a re a fe w f o l k s who h a v e e x p r e s s e d an i n t e r e s t i n j o i n i n g u s w i t h our e f f o r t , but t h e s e a r e s t i l l j u s t e x p l o r a t i o n s .

We do n e e d com ­ m i t m e n t s o f b o t h money and p e o p l e .

F ^ r h a p s b y n e x t i s s u e we w i l l b e a b l e t o r e p o r t s o m e t h i n g c l e a r and p o s i t i v e a b o u t t h i s .

Ron, C o l l e c t i v e E d i t o r

F a ll 1982 I s s u e # 32 E ro tic a T h i s f e a t u r e w i l l be co m p ile d by some f a m i l i a r f r i e n d s i n A tla n ta .

Im agin ativ e grap h ics and w r i t i n g s a r e w e lco m e . ****** ************************ W inter 1982/3 I s s u e #33 C o m m u n it ie s T h i s f e a t u r e w i l l be c o m p i l e d by a n ew ly f o r m i n g c o l l e c t i v e i n n o r t h e r n M i n n e s o t a and w i l l f o c u s o f r u r a l and u r b a n com­ m u n itie s.

E x p e r i e n c e s and i d e a s a r e w e lc o m e . ****************************** Sp rin g 1983 I s s u e #34 A lt h o u g h no t c o n f i r m e d y e t , t h i s w i l l p r o b a b ly be a f e a t u r e f o c u s i n g on S e l f - S u f f i c i e n c y and w i l l b e d o ne i n V e r m o n t .

****************************** P le a se m ail a l l c o n t r i b u t i o n s f o r a f e a t u r e them e t o RFD; we w i l l forw ard i t .

You c a n ' t b e too e a r l y .

I f a n y o f you a r e i n t e r e s t e d in p re p a rin g a f e a ­ tu r e , p le a se w rite us.

RFD i s p u b l i s h e d q u a r t e r l y i n M a rc h , J u n e , S e p t e m b e r and Decem ber a t Rt 1 B o x 1 2 7 -E B & k e rsv ille NC 2 8 7 0 5 .

ISSN # 0 1 4 9 - 7 0 9 X US PS # 0 7 3 - 0 1 0 - 0 0 N o n - p r o f i t t a x exempt s t a t u s under # 2 3 - 7 1 9 9 1 3 4 a s a f u n c ­ t i o n o f G ay c o m m u n ity S o c i a l S e r v i c e s , FO B o x 2 2 2 8 , S e a t t l e WA 9 8 9 2 2 .

RFD f u n c t i o n s a s a r e a d e r w r i t ­ ten jo u r n a l.

E d ito rsh ip r e ­ s p o n s i b i l i t y i s s h a r e d among s e v e ra l in d iv id u a ls in v ario u s l o c a t i o n s c o o r d i n a t e d by th e co lle ctiv e.

T he b u s i n e s s and g e n e r a l p ro d u ction i s cen te re d a t R u nning w a t e r Farm R t 1 B o x 1 2 7 -E B a k e r s v i l l e NC 2 8 7 0 5 . _________________________________

PRDDUCn&n Ru nning W a t e r :

Andy H a rd in Edwin B r i d g e s F o x y W ab b it Mark Sherk ow Ron Lambe S te v e K e n d a ll V .B . S v e to v its D e s e r t F a i r i e s : s e e page 20

CONTRIBUTORS: F r a n k l i n A b b o t t .........................7 , 9 J o h n A l e x a n d e r ................................ 32 A l l a d r e s . . . . ......................................4 8 J o n A u t i e l l o .......................................... 5 R i c k B a t y .........................B a c k C o v er G ordon B e r r y . . ................................24 Woody B l a c k ................................. 4 0 , 47 B l u e J a y . . ..................................... . . 1 4 Todd B o g a t a y ....................................... 20 Edwin B r i d g e s ............................3 7 . 4 2 S t e v i e B r y a n t .....................................12 Adam C h r i s t e n s e n ................... 6 1 , 62 S i d Cohen ............................................... 4 6 M i c h a e l C o l b y .....................................33 K e v in C o x ........................

47 L o u i e C rew . ..................

16 Thomas E n r i q u e z ...............................2 0 F r a n k F r e e m a n .....................................26 C r i t G o i n . . .......................................... 27 Thomas H. G o u g h ......................... . . 2 8 Don G r a v e s ................................................6 Grupo S o m o s . . . . ............................... 38 H e a r t s i n g e r ........................................ . 1 0 L a r r y H e rm s e n ........................................6 D a r r y l H o p k i n s .................................. 32 W i l l Inman............................................. 2 3 D a v id R . J o h n s o n .............................15 P a u l K n a p p . ..................... .6 Randy K r a h n .........................5 , 9 , 30 D a v id K w a s i g r o h . . 1 7 - 1 8 , 3 4 - 3 5 E . L a f la m m e ................................... 8 , 39 G a b r i e l L a r o p e r t ..................... 2 2 , 2 5 A1 M au p in ................................................13 Ken M i l l s . .............................................13 M i l o ................................................. 37 , 42 B r u c e P e n r o s e . . ............................... 4 8 A rth u r P o r t s c h e l l e r .....................2 8 S a i ......................................

48 S a t y a .................................................... . . 2 1 J e r r y S t a m p s ........... ...........................34 J i m T h o m a s .............................................4 6 Thom T um b lew eed.................................. 7 V . B ................................................................12 Dave V e g l i a n o ......................... . . . . 3 0 Ron W h itto ro .......................................... 32

DEPARTMENT EDITORS: A n n o u n c e m e n ts: Ron Whittoro Book R e v i e w s : K e v in Cox B r o t h e r s B eh in d B a r s E a s t C o a s t N: R i c h a r d C r o o k s E a s t C o a s t S : Woody B l a c k C e n . S t a t e s N: B i l l Murphy Cen S t a t e s S : T r a v i s B a co n G u lf S t a t e s : Jo e y N ap o lita n o M o u n tain S t s : Tom D o y l e P a c i f i c NW: Len R i c h a r d s o n C a l i f / N e v : D a v id F r e y C o n t a c t L e t t e r s : G a r y W i ls o n C o u n t r y K i t c h e n : A1 Maupin F i c t i o n : C h ip Moore G a r d e n i n g : Mark S e n ja r o i n G a t h e r i n g s & Ntwk: Don G r a v e s H e a lt h : J e r r y Stam ps H o m e s t e a d i n g : J e r r y N oakes P o e t r y : A u ro r a C o r o n a P o l i t i c s : Edwin B r i d g e s P r o f i l e s : J o h n A le x a n d e r S p i r i t u a l i t y : C r i t G oin

A COUNTRY J O U R N A L FOR GAY MLN EV ERY WH ER E

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ADVERTISING............................................................................................................................... ...

ANNOUNCEMENTS............................................................................................................................ 3 » 4 ARTICLES..............................................................................................................................

46 'G a y and P r o u d ” by S i d C o h e n ............................................................. *46 " T h r i v i n g a s an O u t s i d e r . . . " by L o u i e C r e w ...................................................l ft ....................................... 10-12 ARTS. 10 "T h e M usic i n My L i f e " by H e a r t s i n g e r .................................................

12 R e v i e w s : A l l A m e rica n Boy (Tom W i l s o n ) by V . B ...........................

The Hym nal; The C h o r a l M a j o r i t y ' s G r e a t e s t H i t s

by S t e v i e B r y a n t . . . 1 2 BOOK REV ................................................................................................................. .

46-4 8 "T h e G a t e o f H e a v e n ly P e a c e . . . " ( S p e n c e ) by Woody B l a c k ..............47 'G r o w i n g and U s in g H erb s S u c c e s s f u l l y " ( J a c o b s ) by J . T h o m a s .46 " H o m o s e x u a l i t y and A m e ric a n P s y c h i a t r y " ( B o y e r ) by S a i .................4 8 " J u s t Above My Head" ( B a l d w i n ) by B r u c e P e n r o s e ....................................4 8 " O u t l a n d e r " ( R u l e ) by J i m T ho m as............................................................................ 46 " Q u a t r e f o i l " ( B a r r ) by K e v in C o x . . . ....................................................................47 " U n a tn e ric a n A c t i v i t i e s " ( J a n o w i t z & P e t e r s , Ed) by W. B l a c k . . 4 0 ,1 4-15 BROTHERS BEHIND BARS. " B B B : A Need f o r F o c u s " by B l u e J a y .................................................................... 14 "M ore P r i s o n S l a n g " by D a v id R. J o h n s o n . ......................................................1 r» CONTACT LETTERS......................................................................................................................4 9 - 6 1 .............................................................................................1 2 COUNTRY KITCHEN QUEEN .................................................. 2 0 - 2 5 FEATURE............................................................................................................................... " I n S e a r c h o f P i n e s " by G o rd o n B e r r y ................................................................. 24 P o e t r y by B o g a t a y , E n r i q u e z , Inman and L a m p e r t . . . . . . . 2 0 , 2 2 , 23 " S o u t h w e s t D e s e r t P l a n t s " by S a t y a . . . . . ........................................................ 21 FICT IO N .................................................................................................................................. 5 * 2 8 - 2 9 5 " M e r i s s a ' s Mud B a t h " by J o n A u t i e l l o .............................................. ...2 8 "A P o e t P a s t H is P r i m e " by Thomas G o u g h ...................................... . .6 -9 GATHERINGS AND NETWORK....................................................................................... . . . .6 "A t L a s t - an RFD G a t h e r i n g a t RW" by Don G r a v e s . ........... . . . .7 " B l o w i n g A b o u t " by Thom T u m b l e w e e d . . . . . ......................................

34-36 HEALTH. . . .34 A p o t h e c a r y by J e r r y S t a m p s . . . . . ..............................................................

30-31 HOMESTEAD ING................................................................................................................... . . .3 0 " T o o l s F o r The H o m e s te a d " by Randy K r a h n ...................................... . .2 -3 LETTERS TO RFD..............................................................................................................

P O L IT IC S ............................................................................................................................ .3 7 -4 6 " L e t t e r t o 0 . From L . " ...................................................................................................... * 3 9 "R e ad y f o r D e m o n s t r a t i o n s ? " by Edwin B r i d g e s ............................................. 37 " R e f l e c t i o n s on T r a v e l s i n Y u c a t a n and C h i a p a s " b y M i l o .............. 42 " R e p r e s s a o Aos H o ro o ss e x u a is na A r g e n t i n a " by G ru p o S o m o s ........... 38 " S y s t e m a t i c G o v ern m ent H a ra s sm e n t o f t h e A l t e r n a t i v e P r e s s " ( R e v i e w ) by Woody B l a c k . . . . . 4 0 PROFILES AND INTERVIEWS......................................................................................................2 - 3 "Ron and D a r r y l and T h e i r C h i c k e n s " E d. by J o h n A l e x a n d e r . . . . 32 RFD INFORMATION............................................................................................... I n s i d e C o v e r s S P IR IT U A L IT Y .............................

26-27 A M essage From Your Gypsy Shaman by C r i t G o i n ......................................... 27 " T r a n s i t i o n s " b y F r a n k F r e e m a n ........................................................................ . . . . 2 6

1

s p a r k l i n g and o f f - b e a t s e n s e o f humor.

I s i m p l y found t h e b a s i s o f many o f t h e s e a n t i ­ s t r a i g h t man j o k e s t o be v e r y u n tru e.

I am p a r t i c u l a r l y th in k in g o f th e jo k e ( s ) th a t m e n t io n how s t r a i g h t men need g a y men t o t e a c h them how t o be g e n t l e .

Dear RFD, T h is i s in resp on se to Crazy Owl’ s comments on page 4 5 o f I s s u e 2 9 w i t h r e g a r d s t o "M ale P o rn o g ra p h y ."

As a one p e r s o n ' s o p i n i o n o f l i k i n g t o j e r k - o f f t o m ale p o r ­ no t h e a r t i c l e h a s m e r i t ; my m a j o r p r o b le m w i t h Mr. O w l’ s a r t i c l e , h o w e v e r, i s t h a t i t r e a l l y made no s e n s e t o roe o t h e r t h a n he was u p s e t .

Not h a v i n g t h e a r t i c l e s t h a t Mr. Owl made r e f e r e n c e t o , s o t h a t I m igh t e i t h e r a g r e e o r d i s ­ a g r e e w i t h him , o n l y l e f t me read in g h i s e m o tio n a l upheaval a b o u t a s u b j e c t t h a t he d i d n ' t b o th e r to d e a l w ith "m ale p o r ­ no".

I do hope i n t h e f u t u r e t h a t a r t i c l e s l i k e t h i s one w i l l be c l e a r e r s o t h a t some p o i n t can b e drawn r a t h e r t h a n hav ing t o re a d a n g ry ram b lin g and b o i s t e r o u s e x p o s ^ o f what Mr. Owl i s c a p a b l e o f s e x u a l l y .

An Avid R e a d e r o f RFD, J e r r y Noakes P S : We j u s t m ig h t do w e l l t o l i s t e n t o o u r s i s t e r s (wimmin) a b o u t how t h e y t h i n k and f e e l about Pornography.

Who k n o w s , ' maybe w e ' r e d o i n g t h e same t h i n g t o men t h a t men h av e done t o women.

Dear RFD, I skimmed t h r o u g h your humor i s s u e and e n j o y e d many o f t h e j o k e s and humorous f e a t u r e s you i n c l u d e d .

I d i d n ’ t , how­ e v e r , a p p r e c ia te the a n t i ­ s t r a i g h t man j o k e s t h a t you in clu d e d , would you h a v e c o n ­ sid e re d in c lu d in g a n t i - b la c k man o r a n t i- w o m a n j o k e s ? !

I d o n 't c o n s i d e r m y s e lf t o be more p o l i t i c a l l y c o r r e c t t h a n th o u .

As a m a t t e r o f f a c t , I ' am q u i t e w e l l- k n o w n f o r my

As a g a y man who h a s had c l o s e dear f r i e n d s h i p s w ith h e t e r o ­ s e x u a l , b i s e x u a l and g a y men, I h av e s h a r e d many v e r y g e n t l e moments w i t h b r o t h e r s who w e re n 't g a y .

Common p e r s p e c ­ t i v e , s e n s i b i l i t y and i n t e r e s t s have a l w a y s s e r v e d a s a b a s i s f o r my s t r o n g e s t f r i e n d s h i p s reg a rd le ss of the a f f e c t io n a l o r i e n t a t i o n or gender o f th e o th e r person in v o lv e d .

I h av e a l s o met many " g a y men" who o n l y know how t o d e a l w i t h p h y s i c a l c o n t a c t when i t was s e x u a l l y o r i e n t e d and c o u l d ' v e b'een t a u g h t q u i t e a b i t a b o u t n on-sexu al p h y s ic a l a f f e c t i o n by my m ale f r i e n d s who w e r e n ' t gay.

I t h i n k t h a t more and more men i n g e n e r a l a r e wak­ i n g up t o t h e power o f t h e h e a rt in a c t s o f p h y s ic a l a f ­ fe ct io n .

In t h e w i n t e r o f 1 9 8 0 , I o r ­ g a n i z e d a weekend g a t h e r i n g c a l l e d " N u r t u r i n g Men" i n a New H am pshire fa r m h o u s e a t w h ic h f o r t y men and s e v e r a l c h i l d r e n l i v e d a s a c o m m u n ity .

P e o p l e d i d no t d i v i d e up a c ­ cord in g to t h e ir sexu al o r ie n ta t i o n s , but r a t h e r c h o s e t o r e ­ l a t e t o e a c h o t h e r from t h e i r h earts.

W ith o u t t h i s k i n d o f r e l a t i n g t o a l l men, I would f e e l I was l i m i t i n g m y s e l f .

When I g e t c a u g h t up i n e x ­ c l u s i v e l y r e l a t i n g to other men from my c r o t c h I e n d up f e e l i n g e m p ty .

A g a i n , I f e e l t h a t I h av e l e a r n e d a tre m e n d o u s amount a b o u t g e n t l e n e s s and v u l n e r ­ a b i l i t y from " s t r a i g h t m e n ."

I s h a r e d many t e a r s and hugs w i t h men who happen t o b e l o n g to t h i s p e rsu a sio n .

I h e a rtily e n c o u r a c e you r r e a d e r s t o be open t o t h e s e e x p e r i e n c e s t o e n r i c h and b r o a d e n t h e m s e l v e s .

D e a r F r i e n d RFD, We f e e l o v e r t h e y e a r s you have r e a l l y g o n e o u t o f you r way t o t r y and p l e a s e e v e r y o n e .

You h av e done v e r y w e l l .

A l s o , we found t h a t you s u r e c a n ' t p l e a s e everyone, lik e a l l those f e l ­ low s who want t o c h a n g e RFD b e ­ cau se th e y d o n 't l i k e th e s t r a i g h t j o k e s and c a n ' t s h a r e i t w ith t h e i r s t r a i g h t f r ie n d s ( I s n 't th at s ic k ? ) L e t them go buy P l a y b o y o r o t h e r s t r a i g h t m a g a z i n e s and s h a r e them w i t h t h e i r s t r a i g h t f r i e n d s We s h a r e d t h e j o k e s o u t o f RFD w i t h o u r s t r a i g h t f r i e n d s and th e y sh a re d t h e i r jo k e s w ith u s , and we a l l h ad a g o o d l a u g h .

Some were t o p p r o f e s s i o n a l p e o ­ p le.

We j u s t wonder what t h e s e s o - c a l l e d gays s a id or d id when a s t r a i g h t f r i e n d t o l d a gay j o k e .

How much l o n g e r w i l l t h e y go on p r e t e n d i n g , s i t on a f e n c e , l i v e i n a dream w o r l d ?

R e a l l i f e i s g i v e and t a k e .

We r e a l l y f e e l s o r r y f o r t h o s e ' who had t h e i r r e s p e c t a b l e , d i g n i f i e d m o r a l s o f f e n d e d by t h e Humor i s s u e .

What a h o r ­ r i d w o r l d t h i s would be i f we c o u l d not l a u g h .

Y es, t h i s l i f e i s very s e r io u s , hard, and c o l d b l o o d e d .

B u t , t o be a b l e t o l a u g h a t o u r s e l v e s and w i t h o t h e r s and a t o t h e r s i s a v e r y w o n d e r f u l and g l o r i o u s t h i n g , and i t makes i t so much e a s ie r to face th e serio u sn ess of l i f e .

Why c a n ' t p e o p l e a c c e p t e a c h o t h e r j u s t a s we a r e , l o v e e a c h o t h e r and l o o k f o r t h e w onderful b e a u ty t h a t i s in every p erso n .

We b e l i e v e t h a t we o l d c o u n t r y g a y s who l i v e c l o s e t o n a t u r e and w ith n a t u r e t e n d more t o b e u n d e r s t a n d i n g and l o v e o t h e r s j u s t a s t h e y a r e We want t o s a y t h a n k s t o S i d Cohen f o r h i s w o n d e r f u l l e t t e r on ’’G e t t i n g O l d e r , G e t t i n g B etter".

A lt h o u g h he c o v e r e d a l l s o w e l l , I would add t h a t t h e young a r e j u s t c h e a t i n g t h e m s e l v e s o u t o f some o f t h e most b e a u t i f u l l o v e i n l i f e .

Humor i s w o n d e r f u l , b u t when the g i s t o f i t is s e p a r a t is t and h o m o - c h a u v i n i s t , i t ’ s not r e a l l y g o i n g t o h e l p us a l l t o l i v e t o g e t h e r on t h i s p l a n e t .

Now b r o t h e r s o f RFD, j u s t k e e p on i m p r o v i n g a s you h av e b e e n .

We n e e d y o u .

Thanks fo r b ein g t here.

Love,

Love and be l o v e d ,

Jo n n y Golden B e r k e l e y , CA

John Barnes A l d e r p o i n t , CA

2

1 ffiT T E

D e ar RFD,

X would l i k e t o answer our b ro th e r V .B . S v e t o v i t s ' l e t t e r (p a g e 3 , I s s u e 2 9 ) .

The r e a ­ son I 'm s o l a t e w i t h t h i s i s t h a t ray f r i e n d s i n P h o e n i x f o r ­ warded t h e l a s t two months w o rth o f m ail o n ly r e c e n t l y .

He w r i t e s , " I n h i s t o r y , t h e p e o p l e s o f t h e e a r t h h av e h u n ­ ted fo r food, e t c . " I th in k i t i s a m i s t a k e t o l o o k f o r our g u id e lin e s to the p a s t, ra th e r than t o look t o th e f u t u r e .

E v o lu tio n i s s t i l l g oin g on, what was g o o d e nough f o r our a n c e s t o r s , o r e v e n our g r a n d ­ p a r e n t s , may no t n e c e s s a r i l y be g o o d e nough f o r us a t a l l .

A r e n ' t we l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o a New Age? A G o l d e n Age o f P e a c e and Love a n d C o m p a ss io n and U n d erstan d in g ?

An Age i n w hich " t h e y s h a l l no t h u r t nor d e s t r o y i n a l l my h o l y moun­ t a i n , and t h e w o l f and t h e lamb s h a l l f e e d t o g e t h e r " (Isa ia h 6 5 :2 5 ).

I f we a r e r e a l l y h o p i n g f o r s u c h an a g e t o com e, i t i s up t o man t o b r i n g i t a b o u t , i t i s no t g o ­ in g t o b e handed t o us on a s i l v e r p l a t t e r , we a r e t h e o n e s t h a t roust s t o p k i l l i n g f i r s t .

He s a y s t h e s o - c a l l e d p r i m i ­ t i v e s o c i e t i e s o f h i s t o r y and o f t o d a y d o n ' t t h i n k i t i s b ad to k i l l .

No, o f c o u r s e n o t , t h a t i s where t h e y a r e on t h e e v o lu t io n a r y la d d e r , but b e ­ c a u s e i t i s O .K . for a c h ild t o wet h i s p a n t s , d o e s n o t make i t O .K . f o r a u n i v e r s i t y s t u ­ d e n t t o do s o .

And a g a i n he m e n t i o n s H in dus who e a t b e e f , B u d d h i s t s who e a t f i s h , e t c .

S u re , l o t s o f people s t e a l , m u rd e r, c h e a t , e t c . ; i s t h a t an e x c u s e f o r me t o do i t t o o ?

No, I d o n ' t c r i t i c i z e my b r o ­ t h e r s f o r e a t i n g m e a t , any more t h a n I would c r i t i c i z e a c h i l d fo r b e in g o n ly f i v e y e a rs o l d , or t e n or e l e v e n or w hat­ e v e r , b u t I do t r y t o open t h e i r e y e s t o what t h e y a r e d o in g .

F o r , so many o f u s , h a v i n g b e e n b r o u g h t up i n a c a r n iv o r o u s s o c i e t y , never even g i v e i t a t h o u g h t .

A few y e a r s a g o i n Denmark I r e a d a s m a l l bo o k on t h e s u b ­ j e c t t h a t i m p r e s s e d me so much I b r o u g h t f o r t y c o p i e s o f i t b a c k w i t h me t o t h e U . S . : The I d e a 1 Food b y M a r t i n u s e x p l a i n s i t a l o t b e t t e r than I can.

I h a v e a few c o p i e s l e f t a t $5 ( p o s tp a id ) .

S h a n ti,

sh a n ti,

sh a n ti,

S h r i Raman 6 0 E a s t 4 2n d S t . Rm 4 1 1 New Y o r k , NY 1 0 0 1 7

D e a r RFD R e a d e r s : I n eed h e l p w i t h an a r t i c l e I 'm w r i t i n g f o r a f u t u r e i s s u e o f RFD. The a r t i c l e w i l l b e d e a l i n g w i t h "c o m in g o u t i n th e c o u n try ".

I want t o c o l l e c t and w r i t e a b o u t s e v e r a l m e n 's a c c o u n t s o f what i t was l i k e f o r them t o p u b l i c l y adm it t h e ir gayness to t h e ir lo c a l fr ie n d s or n e ig h b o rs.

I my­ s e l f d id i t s e v e r a l y e a r s ago w h i l e l i v i n g on ray s i s t e r ' s farm i n O r e g o n .

I d i d n ' t have an y g a y f r i e n d s o r s u p p o r t o u t t h e r e and i t t o o k a l o t o f c o u r a g e and s h a k i n g i n my b o o t s b e f o r e I f i n a l l y t o l d a young (a n d c u t e ) h i r e d h a n d .

(It d id n 't s u r p r is e h im ).

But i t s u r e f e l t go o d t o be a b l e t o f i n a l l y say i t .

My r e a s o n f o r w a n t i n g t o w r i t e o f s e v e r a l m e n 's com ing o u t i s t o show o t h e r men who a r e now o u t o r hope t o b e o u t t h a t w e ' r e a l l b a s i c a l l y f r a g i l e and a f r a i d o f t h a t moment.

B u t w i t h some kin d o f p o s i t i v e support (a s I hope t h e a r t i c l e w i l l b e ) t h a t b ig step w ill be a lo t e a s ie r and p e r h a p s come a l o t s o o n e r .

So i f t h i s a p p e a l s t o you , p l e a s e j o t down you r rem em b rance o f t h e moment and s e n d i t t o roe.

S end a p h o t o o f y o u r s e l f , t o o , i f y o u 'd l i k e .

P le a se l e t roe know i f you want your name used or n o t .

T h a n k s v e r y much and k e e p up your s u p p o r t o f a r e a l l y f i n e m ag azin e.

Hugs, Randy K rahn S t a r R o u t e , Box 6 7 -C B r i d g e v i l l e , CA 9 5 5 2 6

3

ORGANIZATION CONTACTS

MJORLD FUTURE SOCIETK An Association f o r tha Study of A lt e r ­ native Futures 4916 S t . Elmo Avenue Bethesda, HD. 20819 ( 301 ) 656-8279 The CIEREMEN NETWORK i s a means of con tact for gay een in the Northwest vho do not use tobacco, a lco h o l, pot, or other s t r e e t drum) • Many ia the NETWORK are v egetarian, or e a t only l i e i t e d n e a t. CLEREMEN NETWORK e x i s t s fo r asking con tacts and for information exchange. Write Douglas A linas, 2020 Broadway E a st, S e a t t l e , W>. 98102 .

N.Y.C. Parents of Lesbians and Gay Men, I n c .

P .0 . Box *53 Lenox H ill S t a t io n , New York, N.Y. 10021. Telephone (919) 793 - 5198 . Help parents understand.

Help understand parents!

INTEGRITY, I n c .

A gay novenent within \ I / the Anglican Connunity, \ I / supports the c i v i l rig h t s ' ▼ ' o f honosexual nan and women.

For fu r th e r information contact INTEGRITY, I n c . , 9550 Connecticut Avenue N.V. #605 , Washington, DC. 20008. (202) 362-0990.

NAMBLA North Anerlcam Man/Boy Lova Assn., P .0 . Box 1?9 Midtown S t a t i o n , New York, NY. 10018. (212) 975-0987.

WOMEN’ S ISSUES ARE HEN'S ISSUES! support N. 0 . W. National Organization f o r Wonen, I n c .

925 13th S t r e e t N.W. S u ite 1098, Washington, DC, 20009.

Citizens for Human Rights P O Box 94657 Lincoln. Nebraska 68509

a newly-formed group of l o c a l c le rg y , and business & p ro fe ssio n al people who support gay r i g h t s . . . .

For more Information on how to get Involved, c o n tact C itizen s fo r Human Rights c/o the above address.

M edia Announcem ents GAY SUNSHINE PRESS w i ll publish th« f i r s t comprehensive anthology on Black sad White sen, with s p e c ia l emphasis on the Gay Black experience. Poems, sho rt s t o r i e s , essays e t c , should be submitted to Mike S s i t h , Black and White Anthology, 2?9 Collingwood,San F ran c is co , CA 9^114. Deadlinei Oct. 1 , 1982 .

North Crow Vacation Ranch

diqninV

Homosexual C a t h o l i c s !

A New Primer fo r Dis­ cussion Is published

by DIGNITY, I n c . in cooperation with the New Ways M inistry . For a copy of the booklet write DIGNITY, I n c . , 1500 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, DC. 20005» or New Ways M inistry, 4012 29th S t r e e t , Mt. R a in ie r , ML. 20822.

The National Gay Task Force has pub­ lished the following pamphlets 1 You and Your Jo b . A Gay Employee's Guide to Discrim ination, Are There Gay People Working in my Business?

Answers to Employers' Questions ( $ 2 ) , NGTF Corporate Survey( $ l ) , and a primer (ps yet u n t it l e d ) to acquaint candidates f o r public o f f i c e with f a c t s on le s b ia n and gay r i g h t s .

Contact NGTF, 80 F i f t h Avenue, New York, NY. 10011. (212) ? 4 l- 5 8 0 0 .

Friends o f D o ro th y Bookshop

North Crow i s a summer vacation ranch f o r gay men and women. The co­ rnomanagere are planning two weeklong gatherings each month (Jun eO ctober), one fo r l e s b i a n s , and one fo r gay men. The ranch i s nestle d la the f o o t h i l l s of the Mission Mountains, two miles from North Crow Canydh.

A c t i v i t i e s include f i s h i n g , horseback r id in g , dancing, hiking, and soaking in a hot tub. For f u r t h e r information send BASE to North Crow Vacation Ranch, R.R, 1, Box 62-A, Ronan, MT. 59864.

Ce /eb r a t i o n s a.na

G rabber/hcjs COMING ATTRACTIONS SOUTHWEST: A S p i r i t u a l G a th e rin g o f R a d i­ c a l F a e r i e s , S h a m a n s, Magic Queer Men, and F a e r y W a r r i o r s w i l l b e h a p p e n in g n e a r San D i e g o August 2 9 - S e p t e m b e r 4 , 1982.

R e g is tr a tio n fee is $90, due by August 1 .

Those u n ab le t o p a y t h e f u l l amount may make a p a r t i a l payment and c o n t r i b u t e o t h e r e n e r g y , a l s o to be a r r a n g ­ ed by August 1 .

To r e g i s t e r , o r f o r more i n f o r m a t i o n , w r i t e : StoneW ater C i r c l e PO Box 8 2 8 3 3 San D i e g o , K a l i f o r n i a 92138.

GAY-LESBIAN ARTS ALLIANCE TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL GAY AMERICAN ARTS FESTIVAL Studio, l i t e r a r y , and performing a r t i s t s are being sought by Chicago's Gay-Lesbian Alliance as i t prepares to host the 3rd Annual Arts A llia n c e .

Primier '8 2 , scheduled f o r the l a s t two weeks of September, w ill Include g a lle ry shows, th e a t e r p ie c e s , con­ c e r t s , dance r e c i t a l s , poetry readings, photography e x h ib i t io n s , f i lm s , l e c ­ t u r e s , and other a r t s a c t i v i t i e s .

Address i n q u irie s to GLAA, 1922 North Dayton, Chicago, I L . 60614.

RECENT PAST GATHERINGS

books, reco rds, cards, a r t s & g i f t s , mail order s e r v i c e , community b i l l ­ board. 331 East Boulevard #3, C h arlotte , NC. 28203.

Cambridge Documentary Films, I n c . , a non-p rofit filmmaking and d i s t r i ­ bution c e n t e r , has the following film s f o r re n t on d a ily and weekly basest Pink T ria n g le s , K i l l i n g Us S o f t l y , Rape Cu ltu re, I n t o x ic a t in g Dreams, Taking Cur Bodies Back, The Barefoot. Doctor of Rural China, and Eugene Debs and the American Movement.

For information and r a t e s contact Cambridge Documentary Films I n c . , P . 0 . Box 385 , Cambridge, MA. 02139.

NORTHEAST:

NORTHWEST: Summer S o l s t i c e G a t h e r i n g - A w eek-long c am p -o u t, in c lu d in g w o r k s h o p s / s e s s i o n s on s o c i a l s k i l l s , com m unity o r g a n i z i n g , h e r b a l h e a l i n g , m a s s a g e , and p hotog r aphy.

C o n tact: Jason Q u ic k silv e r, PO Box 1 2 5 , S e a t t l e , WA 9 8 1 0 1 .

SOUTHEAST: Running W ater Summer G a t h e r ­ i n g s : J u n e 12 - J u l y 5 .

A s e r i e s o f fou r fo cu se d weekends: J u n e 1 1 - 1 3 P r a c t i c a l H o m e s te a d ­ in g S k i l l s Ju n e 1 8 -2 1 C e le b r a t in g w ith the A rts Ju n e 2 5 -2 7 P o tp o u rri - H e a lin g s, Gay F a t h e r s , I n t e n s i v e G a r d e n i n g J u l y 2 - 4 B u i l d i n g Community ( R u r a l and U r b a n ) V i s i t o r s a l w a y s welcome a t : Running W ater F a r m , R t . 1 , Box 1 2 7 - E , B a k e r s v i l l e , NC 2 8 7 0 5

4

T h i r d Annual R u r a l G a t h e r i n g o f G e n t l e Gay Men. "Ce­ le b r a tin g O u rselv es" Ju ly 3 , 4 , & 5.

For f u t u r e g a t h e r i n g n o t i c e s c o n t a c t : B l u e Heron F a r m , Rt . 1 , B o x x 1 4 4 , D e k a l b , NY 1 3 6 3 0 SOUTHCENTRAL: Rumor h a s i t t h a t t h e r e i s a burgeoning f a e r i e fa m ily in t h e A u stin / S a n A nto nio r e g i o n o f T e x a s and t h e y had a sm a ll, in tim a te S o l s t i c e F ire .

Anyone know a n y t h i n g else ?

We h av e b e e n h e a r i n g o f t h e s e g a t h e r in g s m o stly to o l a t e to p u b l i c i z e , and o f t e n o n l y i n ­ d ire c tly .

P le a s e send n o t i c e s o f g a t h e r i n g s t o RFD b e f o r e our p u b l i s h e d d e a d l i n e s f o r th e is s u e p receed in g th e s e a ­ s o n o f your e v e n t . (i.e ., F e b . 15 f o r summer s o l s t i c e g a th e rin g s! )

"How much f u r t h e r , J i m ? " e c h o e d my q u e a s y v o i c e from t h e b a c k s e a t o f t h e R a b b i t .

C a lifo rn ia area.

When i t was m ixed w i t h t h e n a t u r a l l y - h e a t e d m in e ra l w a te r , i t produced a t h i c k warm b l a c k mud.

"O h, a n o t h e r 12 m i l e s t o g o , ' R i s s a . . .

I hope y o u ’ r e not g e t t i n g l a s t - m i n u t e s c a r i e s b a ck th ere.

I t ' s b ad e n e r g y , you k n o w ." " I know,

I k n o w ."

I s a id ,

" I n 12 m i n u t e s I ' l l

I 'll

b e t h e y o u n g e s t one t h e r e ,

yo u , M e r i s s a . "

I t h a n k e d Ramon a s I s l o w l y s an k i n t o mud up t o my n e c k !

At f i r s t I w an te d t o e s c a p e .

But I g o t over t h a t .

A f t e r a m in u t e o r two I t h o u g h t how s o o t h i n g and h e a l i n g t h i s j u s t m igh t b e f o r me.

Anyway, J i m and S t e v e were n e a r b y and THFY seem ed q u i e t and c o n t e n t e d .

Ten s lo w m i n u t e s passed .

By now I s q u i r m e d i n t h e b a t t e r , p u n p ­ i n g ray l e g s up and down.

Now I knew how s t e w meat f e e l s a f t e r s im m e r i n g i n a p o t o f g r a v y !

h a lf-h e a rte d ly .

I f o n ly th e y c o u ld s e e th e b u t t e r f l i e s d an cin g i n s i d e my s t o m a c h .

T h e y roust be d o in g t h e Sam ba!

S o m e tim e s I do wonder how I g e t m y s e l f i n t o th ese t h i n g s . ..

L a s t summer we went w h a le w a t c h ­ ing in th e P a c i f i c O cean.

We saw m o s t l y g r a y s and h u m p b a c k s .

And t h e s p r i n g b e f o r e t h a t I h e l p e d w i t h t h e b a l d e a g l e n e s t i n g p r o j e c t up no rth .

And now I ’ m on my way t o a mud b a t h !

"B etch

be back f o r

Ramon k e p t h i s p r o m i s e and h e l p e d me i n t o a c o o l shower .

Jim ."

I t f e l t go o d t o r i n s e t h e mud away.

The l a s t s t e p t o me was b e s t o f a l l : The M i n e r a l Tub B ath .

T h i s was a f u n w h i r l p o o l o f warm b u b b l y w a t e r , r u s h i n g e v e r y w h ic h w ay.

I wanted t o s t a y i n t h e r e f o r e v e r ! Ramon l a u g h e d when I sa 'id I l e f t a l l my " t o x i n s " b e h i n d i n t h e W h i r l p o o l b ath .

" W e ll, th en c o n s id e r y o u r s e l f founder o f th e 'Y o u t h f o r Mud F r e e d o m ' m o v e m e n t . " HA! J i m c a n a l w a y s f i n d my f u n n y b o n e . . .

I 'll b e 12 n e x t March 1 0 t h .

S o m e t im e s I r e a l l y do f e e l " o l d " f o r my a g e .

I mean, f e e l i n g grown up.

But not e v e r y o n e h as a f a t h e r l i k e J i m .

He and S t e v e a r e a l w a y s d o i n g n e a t t h i n g s t o g e t h e r .

And t h e y a l w a y s want me t o t a g a l o n g .

F i n a l l y , Ramon b r o u g h t us i n t o l i t t l e b o o t h s .

He wrapped us i n c l e a n d r y b l a n k e t s t o r e s t .

And, a s an added s u r p r i s e , he g e n t l y p l a c e d i c e c o l d c l o t h s on o u r f o r e h e a d s !

As I r e l a x e d , I thought about th e l a s t h o u r.

Once a g a i n I had t a k e n p a r t i n a new e x p e r i e n c e .

I fe lt refresh ­ ed.

How l u c k y f o r me t o f e e l c o n n e c t e d t o t h e B a r t h and t h e p e o p l e who s u r r o u n d me. (0

We a r r i v e d a t A n n a 's Hot S p r i n g s a l i t t l e p a s t high noon.

B e i n g S e p t e m b e r , i t was what I c a l l " s t i c k y - l e g " h o t : T h a t ' s when you h a v e s h o r t s on and a r e s i t t i n g on t h o s e p l a s t i c c a r s e a t s .

L i k e r i g h t now!

"Be b r a v e , M e r i s s a .

Be b r a v e . " my I n n e r V o i c e t o l d me.

(I u su ally l is t e n to h e r .)

The woman a t t h e f r o n t d e s k was h e l p f u l . " D id we want THE itfDRKS?" s h e a s k e d .

Jim th o u gh t i t b e t t e r t o p a s s up t h e m a s s a g e t h i s t i m e .

We'd do j u s t t h e b a t h .

She t o l d us t h a t Ramon would b e o u t s oo n t o b r i n g us i n t o t h e d r e s s i n g r o o m s .

I was s o happy t o l e a r n I w o u l d n ' t b e s e n t i n t o a sep a ra te bath in g a re a .

Was i t b u s y h e r e t o d a y !

The M i n e r a l S te a m room was t r e a t m e n t #1 f o r us s i n c e a l l o f t h e " T u b s " were f u l l .

The stearofooro was h o t and no t w e l l lit.

I t f e l t s tra n g e b re a th in g in m o istu re th a t made my n o s e t i n g l e .

I w a t c h e d b e a d s o f w a te r form a l l o v e r me.

L ik e m a g ic .

Ramon c h e c k e d on u s e v e r y fe w m i n u t e s . s i p on w a t e r i f we w a n t e d .

We c o u l d

So o n Ramon c a l l e d us o u t o f t h e s t e a m and i n t o the "T u b s ".

Phew!

A s h a r p odor f i l l e d t h e a i r a s we came n e a r t h e m .

K in d o f l i k e p e a t m o s s . . . or o l d e g g s .

Ramon had no t r o u b l e r e a d i n g ray rip p led nose.

He g l a d l y e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e mud was a v o l c a n i c a s h powder f o u n d i n t h e C a l i s t o g a ,

P ho t o by Randy Krahn

5

As t h e new e d i t o r f o r t h e G a t h e r i n g s and N etw ork D e p t . , I was a s k e d t o come t o Ru nning W ate r f o r a s t a f f g a th e rin g .

I t was t o b e a t i m e t o f o ­ c a l i z e and s h a r e R F D 's v i s i o n w i t h i t s d e p a r t ­ ment e d i t o r s .

We h e l d h an d s and b o n d in g s t a r t e d .

We c h a n t e d and c a l l e d t h e G o d d ess a s t r i b e s d i d l o n g a g o .

S p a r k s f l e w up and t h e f i r e was sm o k y .

We d a n c e d and s a n g and were c l o s e t o g e t h e r .

The v i s i o n was c o n i n g r e a l .

I d i d n ' t know what t h i s meant and d i d n ' t know what a g a t h e r i n g was e i t h e r .

B u t I wound my way t h r o u g h t h e m o u n t a i n s t o t h e a r r o w on t h e map and p a r k e d .

I g o t my t e n t , s l e e p i n g bag and s h o u l d e r bag and h e ad e d down t h e t r a i l t o t h e

In tim a cy cane e a s i l y t h a t n ig h t . when s u r r o u n d e d b y men who c a r e .

It's

n atu ral

S a t u r d a y was a w e l l p l a n n e d d a y .

R F D 's p a s t was e x p l a i n e d and i t s p r e s e n t d i s c u s s e d , a s were th e reader su rv eys.

Many p e o p l e want t h e ma­ g a z i n e t o be many d i f f e r e n t t h i n g s , w h i l e t h e e d i t o r s h av e t h e i r v i s i o n t o o .

How t o f o c u s and p r e s e n t i t t o o k h o u r s o f d i s c u s s i o n .

M eanw hile t h e c o l l e c t i v e i t s e l f i s g o i n g t h r o u g h changes a s o u tlin e d in th e S p rin g Iss u e c o n c e rn ­ i n g t h e home o f RFD. T h i s i s s t i l l u n d e c i d e d and w o n 't b e r e s o l v e d f o r w e e k s .

The d e c i s i o n o f w h e t h e r t o move o r s t a y i s d i f f i c u l t .

May t h e c o l l e c t i v e h av e s t r e n g t h and c o u r a g e a s t h e d e c i s i o n com es.

P h o to b y P a u l Knapp I p aid a n ic k e l to th e p ast th e garden to see a m ountain c a b i n .

Men Two t e n t s were a l r e a d y

b r i d g e t r o l l and w a lk e d t h e h e a d q u a r t e r s o f RFD, were s t a n d i n g i n f r o n t . up.

Ron Lambe was t h e f i r s t t o g r e e t roe.

He and Bdwin B r i d g e s h av e b e e n i n s t r u m e n t a l i n k e e p i n g t h e v i s i o n a l i v e and g e t t i n g RFD t o i t s r e a d e r s .

He p u t me i n t o t h e v e r y c a p a b l e h an d s o f V . B . fo r a tou r o f th e a c r e a g e .

V . B . i s t h e c o o k and c u r r e n t p ro o f t h a t R u ssia n a r i s t o c r a c y i s n ' t dead b u t d a n c i n g w i t h G o d d e s s m a g ic i n N o rth C aro lin a.

V . B . showed me t h e g a r d e n , f o r e s t , o r c h a r d , P a p a cy ( t h e o u t h o u s e , i n o t h e r w o r d s ) , F a i r i e F i e l d , sw eat l o d g e and m a n s e .

The farm com es c o m p le te w ith v ie w , u s u a l l y a hazy o n e , o f t h e su rrou n d in g m o u n ta in s.

I t ’ s q u ie t th e re .

More men c a m e .

S u p p er was a t i m e t o m e e t , c o m p a n ie d by go o d v e g e t a r i a n d i s h e s .

ac­ By t h e c l o s i n g c i r c l e i t seemed t h a t n o t a s much nad b e e n r e s o l v e d a s p e r h a p s l a i d o u t i n t e r m s o f c l e a r e r o p t i o n s and p o s s i b i l i t i e s .

Yet t h e v i s i o n o f RFD a s a j o u r n a l f o r c o u n t r y and c o l l e c t i v e l i v i n g by and f o r g a y men r e m a i n s s t r o n g and w i l l become s t r o n g e r i n t h e f u t u r e .

T h a t n i g h t a f i r e was s t a r t e d and t h e o p e n i n g c i r c l e form ed.

I h a d n ' t s a t w i t h so many m a l e s a r o u n d a c a m p f i r e s i n c e Boy S c o u t d a y s .

The s o n g s were now f a i r i e s o n g s and we were f a i r i e s in g e rs .

6

The c l o s i n g c i r c l e showed how r e a l t h a t v i s i o n i s t o t h e men who were t h e r e , how i t g a v e s t r e n g t h t o t h o s e s t a y i n g and t h o s e g o i n g away.

F o r one weekend was f o rm e d a com m u nity o f l o v e r s .

Memory w i l l k e e p i t a l i v e and d e s i r e w i l l re n e w i t a g a i n and a g a i n e v e n a c r o s s m i l e s and t i m e .

Blowing About..

by Thom Tumble weed

M e n t i o n must be made o f t h e S a t u r d a y n i g h t f o r ­ mal d i n n e r w h e r e , among many r a d i a n t and l u s c i ­ o u s b e a u t i e s , we were g r a c e d by t h e p r e s e n c e o f an e n c h a n t i n g R u s s i a n d u c h e s s , D o r o t h y L am o u r, S p r i n g B y i n g t o n and M i n n i e P e a r l (who i s j u s t a s s w e e t and down home i n p e r s o n a s s h e i s on TV ).

A l o c a l c o u n t e s s a l s o made an a p p e a r a n c e .

Her f i n e l i n e a g e h e l p e d m a i n t a i n h e r g r a c e e v e n a s h e r t r a i n b e a r e r s k e p t l o o k i n g up h e r d r e s s .

P r i n c e s s D i h a d n o t h i n g on h e r .

I f w e 're lu c k y , t h e r e m ig h t b e a p h o t o s e c t i o n o f t h e e v e n t i n a fu tu re is s u e .

PART X - A Ga+Eering o f Faeries a i Blue. Heron

Farm,

Aufumnal Equinox , 17SI The f i r s t g a t h e r i n g I ' d e v e r b e e n t o was t h e one a t H a r b i n Hot S p r i n g s i n Decem ber o f ' 8 0 .

One n i g h t , a s I was p r e p a r i n g d i n n e r , two f a i r ­ h a i r e d g e n t l e b o y s w alke d i n .

I s t a r e d a t them i n awe, b e c a u s e I seemed t o r e c o g n i z e t h e m , a s I would my own b r o t h e r s .

A month l a t e r , one o f them would becom e Shawn, my c o - w o r k e r , h o u s e ­ m a t e , and much t r u s t e d b r o t h e r .

The o t h e r one was S c o t t , who was t o b eco m e my b e s t l o v e r , and reason fo r v i s i t i n g B oston .

F u t u r e c o lu m n s o f t h e N etw ork and G a t h e r i n g s D e p t. w i l l h o p e fu lly in clu d e a h i s t o r y o f f a i r i e g a th e rin g s, b o t h l o c a l and n a t i o n a l .

Anyone w i t h a kn o w le d ge o f d a t e s and p l a c e s i s a s k e d t o w r i t e Don G r a v e s , c / o RFD, t o h e l p g iv e background in fo r m a tio n .

A n o th e r p a r t o f t h e c o lu m n w i l l d e a l w i t h how t h e n e t w o r k i s w o rk in g t o d a y .

A g a i n , we need s u b m i s s i o n s fro m y o u , t h e r e a d e r s , t o t e l l what you a r e d o i n g , by y o u r s e l f , w i t h a l o v e r or c o l l e c t i v e , t o r e a c h your own v i s i o n o f how you want t o l i v e .

T h is sh o u ld in c lu d e in fo r m a tio n on how and why y o u ' v e g o t t e n s t a r t e d , p r o b l e m s and s u c c e s s e s a n d how y o u ' v e c o n n e c t e d w i t h o t h e r s f o r s p i r i t u a l , s o c i a l and p r a c t i c a l s u p p o r t ( s u c h a s f i n d i n g someone who c a n h e l p you b u i l d a s p r i n g h o u s e ) .

S h a r e what y o u ' v e done and w h e re y o u ' r e g o i n g .

I was on my way t o E u r o p e , s t o p p i n g on t h e e a s t c o a s t f o r a few w e e k s .

I heard about t h i s G a th ­ e r i n g , and d e c i d e d i t would b e g r e a t t o sp e n d a weekend w i t h f a e r i e b r o t h e r s b e f o r e l e a v i n g t h e • S ta tes.

An o l d b l u e F a l c o n p u l l e d up a l o n g s i d e a c u r b w h e re t h r e e o f us w ere w a i t i n g .

B r y a n was d r i v ­ in g t h e c a r .

He was t h e p a t r o n o f t h e farm where t h e g a t h e r i n g was t o b e h e l d , a b o u t 10 h o u r s d r i v e t h r o u g h New E n g l a n d , and i n t o New York S t a t e , n e a r t h e C a n a d i a n b o r d e r .

A s p e c i a l n o t e o f hope and s t r e n g t h t o W i l d f l o w e r , B l u e J a y and L i t t l e B e a r who a r e s t a r t ­ i n g a new s a n c t u a r y i n n o r t h e r n M i n n e s o t a .

They w i l l s h a r e how t h e i r v i s i o n i s c o m in g t r u e i n th e f e a t u r e s e c t i o n o f t h e W inter i s s u e .

To g e t t h e r e , w e 'd c h o s e n a r o u t e t h a t would t a k e us a c r o s s Lake C h a m p la in b y f e r r y .

I t was a l o v e l y n i g h t , w i t h a f u l l moon.

We went up on t h e d e c k o f t h e b o a t , and had a p l e a s a n t c r o s s i n g , c o n v e r s i n g , g e t t i n g t o know e a c h o t h e r en r o u t e .

One f i n a l n o t e t o t h e g o o d men a t R unning W a t e r .

W h e re v e r you a r e , e v e n i f you g o s e p a r a t e w ay s, your v i s i o n i s t r u e and w i l l g i v e you s t r e n g t h .

J u s t d o n ' t f o r g e t t o a s k f o r a hug when you want i t .

Once we r e a c h e d t h e o t h e r s i d e o f t h e l a k e , we had o n l y a b o u t two more h o u r s t o g o .

The s k y had g o t t e n c l e a r e r , and t h e moon was i l l u m i n a t i n g t h e way.

At 2 AM, bumping a l o n g on d i r t r o a d s i n t h e c o u n t r y s i d e , we r e a c h e d our d e s t i n a t i o n .

"LADIES IN WAITING"

T h e r e were s m a l l m o u n t a i n s a l l a r o u n d , t h e a i r was c o o l and s w e e t .

You c o u l d s e e a f a i n t g lo w com ing from a c a b i n a b i t up on a r i d g e , o v e r ­ lo o k in g th e v a l l e y .

We u n p a ck e d what t h i n g s we c o u l d c a r r y up i n t h e d a r k , t h i n g s we would n e e d , e s s e n t i a l l y , to sle e p th a t n ig h t.

We c r o s s e d t h e s m a l l s t r e a m and made our way »p t h e p a t h p a s t t h e g a r d e n s l a d e n w i t h t o m a t o e s and squamh to th e house.

P hoto by F r a n k l i n

We w e re c u r i o u s t o s e e how many p e o p l e would com e, and seemed t o a g r e e t h a t 2 0 o r 30 would b e a g o o d num ber.

By t h e l o o k s o f t h i n g s , t h e r e were a t l e a s t t h a t many.

In t h e c e n t e r o f t h e h o u se was p i l e d a g r e a t s t a c k o f p a c k s and f a e r ie p a ra p h e n a lia .

On t h e s o f a , b y t h e woods t o v e , were some r e c l i n i n g young men.

A few o t h e r s , in a s s o r t e d s t a t e s o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s , were s e a t e d a r o u n d .

Abbott 7

f u r t h e r d e c i d e d t o b r e a k up i n t o s m a l l e r g r o u p s f o r t h e m o rning so we c o u l d work more c l o s e l y on a p e r s o n a l l e v e l .

Someone g o t up and d i r e c t e d us t o a k e t t l e o f h o t s o u p , and l o t s o f brown b r e a d t o t a k e t h e c h ill o ff.

Some o f t h e d o z in g b o d i e s s l o w l y r e ­ g a i n e d t h e i r e n e r g y and o f f e r e d us w e l c o m i n g , s l e e p y s m i l e s ( t h e b e s t k i n d ) , and i n f o r m a t i o n about a c c o m o d a tio n s.

My g r o u p o f s i x d e c i d e d t o d i s c u s s p e r s o n a l s t r u g g l e s t h a t w e 'd b e e n h a v i n g a t home, o r where we w o rk .

How i t f e e l s t o b e t h e o n l y g a y b l a d e a m i d s t an i m p e n e t r a b l e f o r e s t o f s t r a i g h t men.

I t was a s e r i o u s p r o b l e m f o r many o f us l i v i n g i n s m a l l t o w n s , w h ic h we l o v e , y e t f e e l s o m e t im e s a l i e n a t e d ^ i n .

J o h n m e n t io n e d how t h e s e g a t h e r i n g s p r o v i d e d him w i t h a " f i x " s o t h a t he c o u l d r e t u r n home and know t h a t , a t l e a s t som ew here, t h e r e were p e o p l e l i k e him i n t h e w o r l d , p e o p l e who c o u l d be s o f t ( o r h a r d ) , and l o v e o t h e r men o p e n l y and a l i v e .

We d i s c u s s e d ways o f d e a l i n g w i t h s t r a i g h t , p i g g y men, ways t o b e u p f r o n t and h o n e s t w i t h o u t r i s k i n g t h e l o s s o f o n e 's incom e, (or l i f e ) .

I w a n te d t o s l e e p o u t s i d e , s i n c e t h e h o u se was cro w ded and i t s m e l l e d s o s w e et o u t s i d e .

I was im m e d ia te ly o f f e r e d a t e n t by a s m ilin g f a e r i e w ith a b l a c k b e a r d .

A f t e r some n o u r i s h i n g s o u p , I t o o k t h e t e n t and w andered up t h e h i l l .

The g r a s s was a b i t damp, b u t t h e r e were p l e n t y o f f l a t r o c k s , m a r k in g t h e way t o t h e meadow.

As I b e g a n s e t t i n g up t h e t e n t , my e y e s grew accustom ed to th e m o o n lig h t.

I n o tic e d about f o u r o t h e r t e n t s s i t u a t e d in o t h e r c o r n e r s o f the f i e l d .

I was j o i n e d b y a com panio n and we w ere soon s n u g g l e d up i n g o o s e down, a s s o f t a s dream s.

I t was much e a s i e r t o r e l a t e i n s m a l l e r g r o u p s , words came e a s i e r , and i t was l e s s t h r e a t e n i n g t h a n i n a huge g r o u p o f p e o p l e .

The m o rning sun r o s e q u i c k l y , e c h o e d i n by t h e sq u a k o f b u s y c h i c k e n s , and t h e b a y i n g o f a l o n e cow.

I t was a warm day a l r e a d y .

I zipped t h e t e n t o p e n , and found a t r e m e n d o u s l y c o l o r f u l day o u t s i d e .

In t h e m e a n t im e , someone k e p t r u n n i n g from g r o u p t o g r o u p , a s k i n g us e a c h t o s en d a d e l e g a t e t o r e p o r t on t h e a c t i v i t i e s o f e a c h o f t h e g r o u p s .

T h a t a f t e r n o o n , w o rk sh o p s w e re g o i n g on on t o p i c s s u c h a s R a c i s m , and Gay A m e rican S i g n L a n g u a g e .

O u t s i d e , a man was t e a c h i n g t h o s e i n t e r e s t e d how t o c a r d and s p i n w o o l .

And some o f us were s u n ­ b a t h i n g o r d o in g o u r n a i l s i n a v a r i e t y o f r a i n ­ bow c o l o r s .

I w a l k e d down t o w a rd t h e h o u s e , and saw o t h e r b r o t h e r s g e t t i n g up .

T h e r e were o t h e r t e n t s th a t I hadn’ t n o tic e d th e n ig h t b e f o r e , n e s t le d i n t o th e s o f t s i d e s o f th e m ou ntain.

As e v e n i n g a p p r o a c h e d , t h e main m eal was p r e p a r e d and many o f us g a t h e r e d t o make m u s i c .

One o f t h e s p e c i a l t h i n g s a b o u t t h i s g a t h e r i n g was a l l t h e s i n g i n g t h a t we d i d t o g e t h e r .

Some o f us b r o u g h t s o n g s t h a t h ad b e e n x e r o x e d , so we c o u l d a l l j o i n in s i n g i n g ; som ething v e ry u n i f y i n g .

I s t i l l s i n g some o f t h e s o n g s t o m y s e l f now, and c a n remember a l l t h e j o y o u s t i r o e s t h a t went a l o n g w i t h th e m .

We had a l a t e n i g h t c i r c l e a r o u n d a f i r e .

One b r o t h e r , who was s t u d y i n g t h e o c c u l t , l e a d us i n a few r i t u a l s , u n t i l i t s t a r t e d r a i n i n g .

It t u r n e d i n t o q u i t e a t h u n d e r s t o r m , and I made f o r t h e s a f e t y o f t h e t e n t where I w i t n e s s e d t h e e x p l o d i n g s k y and h e r m a g n i f i c e n t f i r e w o r k s d isp la y .

The h o u s e was b u s t l i n g l i k e a b e e h i v e i n p r e ­ p a r a t i o n o f t h e m o rning b r e a k f a s t .

The home r a d i a t e d w i t h more warmth t h a t t h e w o o d s to v e was m a k in g , and t h e e x c i t e m e n t o f a l l t h e s e p e o p l e m e e t i n g f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e , was i n d e e d m ag ic.

T h e r e were 4 0 o f us by t h i s t i m e .

I t o o k my b r e a k f a s t o u t s i d e i n t o t h e g a r d e n .

P e o p l e were from a l l p a r t s o f t h e N o r t h e a s t .

H a l f were from t h e b i g c i t i e s l i k e New Y o r k , B o s t o n , and M o n t r e a l , and t h e o t h e r h a l f w ere from c o u n t r y v i l l a g e s and f a r m s i n New E n g l a n d .

I had come t o t h i s g a t h e r i n g m o s t l y a s a c h a n c e t o spend a w h i l e i n t h e c o u n t r y w i t h g a y b r o ­ th ers.

I t t u r n e d o u t t o b e much o f a r e w a r d i n g a d v en tu re.

I c h e r i s h t h e t i m e s I was a b l e t o roam i n t h e f o r e s t n a k e d } a c h a n c e t o b e f r e e and t h i n k a b o u t t h e m onths a h e a d .

A f t e r b r e a k f a s t , we a l l made a f a e r i e c i r c l e , h o ld in g hands.

We t o o k t u r n s i n t r o d u c i n g o u r ­ s e l v e s i n a d i f f e r e n t way.

One would b e g i n b y s a y i n g h i s name, and f o l l o w i t w i t h a s h o r t o u t b u r s t o f sound and/or body movement.

T h is a c t i v i t y would b e f o l l o w e d i n u n i s o n by t h e r e s t o f th e g ro u p , ech o in g each i n d i v i d u a l ' s e x p re ssio n .

E v e r y o n e was t o t a l l y d i f f e r e n t .

Some yawned o r l a u g h e d , and o t h e r s h o o t e d and sw irle d .

I t h ad t h e e f f e c t o f r e a l l y l o o s e n i n g e v e r y b o d y u p , and g i v i n g a f e e l i n g o f f a m i l i a r i ­ ty to th e group.

I was e s p e c i a l l y p l e a s e d w i t h t h e a t t i t u d e s o f t h i s g r o u p , humble and o p e n , g i v i n g e a c h b r o t h e r a c h a n c e t o e x p r e s s h i m s e l f and b e a c k n o w l e d g e d by th e r e s t .

E v e r y o n e had a c h a n c e t o s p e a k , and e a c h p e r s o n used t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o s a y som eth in g.

O f t e n t i m e s we h av e s o m e t h i n g t o s a y , w h ic h we f e e l may b e u n i m p o r t a n t b u t i n a c t u a l i t y , i t t u r n s o u t t o b e o f g r e a t i n t e r e s t t o many o t h e r s .

F o r i t i s o f t e n t h a t we h av e t h e same p r o b l e m s , and c o m m u n i c a t i n g and s h a r i n g them we work on them t o g e t h e r .

We went on t o d i s c u s s t h e day's a c t i v i t i e s , and d e c i d e d t o h a v e a c e n t r a l m e s s a g e b o a r d , where w o rk sh o p s c o u l d b e a n n o u n c e d , e t c .

I t was

What t o t a l l y

8

Amazing F a e r i e s

we a r e .

I went t o t h e s o u t h o f F r a n c e - and a n s w e re d an ad I ' d s e e n i n an RFD. I s p e n t a month on a g o a t f a rm w i t h a g a y b r o t h e r .

I r e a l l y l i k e the l i f e o f a s h e p h e rd , but R oland f e e l s i s o l a t e d from any g a y p e o p l e .

T h ere a r e f r i e n d s , wonder­ f u l p e o p l e on s u r r o u n d i n g f a r m s , b u t no g a y s .

It's d ifficu lt.

The m o u n t a i n s a r e b e a u t i f u l and p e o p l e a r e s w e e t , g r e a t f o o d and w i n e .

The go o d l i f e , eh?

We s h o u l d s en d a t r i b e o f f a e r i e s o v e r t o l i v e n t h i n g s up.

PART n - . . . on ~ho E u ro p e .

A f t e r t h e f a e r i e g a t h e r i n g i n New York S t a t e , I c ro ss e d the sea to I r e la n d .

Such a c h a n g e i n pace.

I v i s i t e d my f a m i l y i n t h e s o u t h w e s t on a sm all farm .

I fo u n d a d r u i d c i r c l e o u t i n the c o u n t r y s id e .

A c i r c l e o f b ou ld ers l e f t from t h e p r e C h r i s t i a n " t h o s e were t h e " d a y s .

I c o u l d f e e l t h e m a g ic i n t h e c i r c l e , b u t t h i s was t h e c l o s e s t I g o t t o f a e r i e s i n SW I r e l a n d .

"WHAT GOES U P . . . "

D u b l i n was a c o m p l e t e l y d i f f e r e n t s t o r y .

The g a y com m unity welcomed me w i t h open h e a r t s .

I was e v e n g i v e n a room i n a l o v e l y h o u s e and i n v i t e d t o sp e n d m o n t h s .

The g a y com munity i s going s t r o n g in D u b li n .

T h e y h o u s e t h e Communi­ c a t i o n s S e r v i c e and L i b r a r y ( a r c h i v e s o f t h e IGA - I n t e r n a t i o n a l Gay A s s o c i a t i o n ) .

I was q u i t e i m p r e s s e d w i t h t h e IGA, a two y e a r o l d g ro u p which b e g a n i n I t a l y .

They a r e h o l d i n g t h i s y e a r ' s c o n f e r e n c e in J u l y in W ash in gton , DC .

D u b l i n i s a f i n e , s m a l l and c o z y c i t y .

It r e ­ m ains a c e n t u r y a p a r t .

I ' d g o b a c k any t i m e .

L o t s o f d e d i c a t e d p e o p l e w o rk in g f o r c h a n g e . ( I r i s h law s t i l l p r o h i b i t s s e x b e t w e e n m e n .)

A f t e r a m onth, I c r o s s e d t h e s e a t o t h e n o r t h o f E n g l a n d where I v i s i t e d an a u n t i n t h e co u n try sid e .

There a re th a tc h e d c o t t a g e s th a t lo o k l i k e s t o r y b o o k c a s t l e s , j u s t l i k e you dream o f ; and g r e a t g r a f f i t i i n t h e l o o .

P h o t o by F r a n k l i n

A b b o tt

Chambery i s a s m a l l town i n s o u t h / c e n t r a l France.

I fo u n d a c h a rm in g g a y com m unity t h e r e ; i n t o t h e a r t s and f i n e p a s t r i e s .

They lo ok a f t e r each o t h e r w ith c a r e a s w e ll as th e v i1la g e .

G e n ev a i s a f i n e o l d c i t y , i f not v a t i v e ; t i d y w ith b a n k s.

P eop le t h e p o l i c e and e s t a b l i s h m e n t .

I c o n g r e g a t in g in t h e b athroom s a l l not a v e r y p l e a s a n t s m e l l .

There movement i n S u i s s e ; l e t ' s hope i t Geneva s o o n .

a b it conser­ seem t o f e a r fo u n d g a y men th e tim e is a gay l i b reaches

And i n I t a l y - t h e f a e r i e s h av e b u r s t o u t o f t h e i r c o c o o n s v i b r a n t w i t h c o l o r s and m a d n e s s .

Even i n w i n t e r when i t ' s s n o w i n g , t h i n g s a r e h o t.

O r g a n i z i n g i s g o i n g on i n e v e r y c i t y , and a n n u a l f a e r i e g a t h e r i n g s ( a c t u a l l y " g a y c a m p ") h a p p e n in g and d r a w i n g p e o p l e from a l l o v e r E u ro p e t o d e v e l o p g a y p o l i t i c a l i s s u e s .

T h is i s c e n t e r e d a t LAMBDA i n T o r i n o .

A gain, I found i n c r e d i b l y h o s p i t a b l e p e o p l e a l w a y s w illin g to sh are a bed.

P h o to by Randy K rahn London i s s u c h a b i g c i t y , i t c a n b e q u i t e ov erw helm ing.

The museums a r e g r e a t , you c a n s e e what a f o r c e B r i t a i n was b y a l l t h e a r t s h e 's a p p ro p ria te d .

I ' v e been s t a y i n g w ith gay v e g e t a r i a n s h e r e ; t h e y ' r e q u i t e f r i e n d l y and a c t i v e .

I ' v e never had a warmer b e d . . .

I t d o e s g e t t o b e t i r i n g t h o u g h , and I l o n g t o r e t u r n t o a s p a c e o f my own where I c a n t a l k my l a n g u a g e w i t h p e o p l e I u n d e r s t a n d and v i c e versa.

P a r i s i s g r e a t , e v e n i n t h e snow.

T h e r e 's l o t s o f room (a n d f u n d s ) f o r g a y a c t i v i s m now, w i t h t h e s o c i a l i s t go v e rn m e n t# Many o r g a n i z a t i o n s fo r v a rio u s l i f e s t y l e s a re th e r e althou g h I d i d n ' t s e e any f a e r i e s .

J u s t t h e n i c e s t buns in th e w o rld .

Some I ' d f o l l o w a n y w h e r e .

T h e r e 's much t o do and a l o t o f w a l k i n g I d i d .

My f e e t h u r t , b u t i t ' s s o b e a u t i f u l t o j u s t walk - a n y ­ where .

S o , I r e t u r n t o A m erika l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o s e e i n g you a t g a t h e r i n g s , e t c .

F o r now, n o r t h e r n C a l i f o r n i a i s my home.

W r i t e i f you lik e .

I t ' s one o f my f a v o r i t e p a s t - t i m e s b e s i d e s g o a t s and m o u n t a in w a l k s , warm s u n , o c e a n swimming and s n u g g l i n g w i t h a g o o d buddy.

9

B j o e r l i n g had a d i s t i n c t i v e , h a u n tin g q u a l i t y t o h i s v o i c e t h a t made i t n o t o n l y u n f o r g e t t a b l e , b u t made me f e e l deep e m o t i o n .

In my o p i n i o n , h i s was t h e g r e a t e s t t e n o r v o i c e o f t h i s c e n ­ tu ry!

Hear him s i n g on S e r a p h im 6 0 1 6 8 / c a s s e t t e 4 X G - 6 0 1 6 8 and S e r a p h i m 6 0 2 1 9 / c a s s e t t e 4 > C - 6 0 2 1 9 .

One o f t h e g r e a t e s t r e c o r d i n g s e v e r made h a s t o be P u c c i n i ' s T urand ot w ith B j o e r l i n g , B i r g i t N i l s s o n , R e n a t a T e b a l d i and E r i c h L e i n s d o r f c o n ­ d u c t i n g on 3 -RCA A 3 L 3 - 3 9 7 0 / c a s s e t t e A G K 3 -3 9 7 0 .

H e ' s b e e n d ead f o r 2 2 y e a r s b u t I c a n s t i l l h e a r him s i n g i n g my f a v o r i t e t e n o r a r i a "N e s s u n D o r ma" from T u r a n d o t . ( L u c i a n o P a v a r o t t i , t h e most p o p u l a r t e n o r o f t o d a y h a s e v e n s a i d t h a t he l e a r n e d t h a t a r i a from h e a r i n g B j o e r l i n g ' . )

When I was t e n y e a r s o l d , I remember h e a r i n g J a n e Froraan s i n g " I B e l i e v e " and l e a r n i n g t h e son g o f f t h e r e c o r d .

My m o th e r c o a c h e d me i n d e l i v e r y and I sang i t i n ray f i f t h g r a d e c l a s s at sch o o l.

(My v o i c e a t t h e t i m e was a c l e a r , h igh s o p r a n o .)

What i m p r e s s e d me m ost a b o u t Froman was h e r f e e l i n g -----I ' l l n e v e r f o r g e t i t .

T h e r e was a m ovie made a b o u t h e r l i f e , "W ith a Song i n My H e a r t " s t a r r i n g S u s a n H ayward.

From a n 's v o i c e i s h e a r d s i n g i n g i n t h e s o u n d t r a c k on C a p i t o l M 11891.

When my v o i c e c h a n g e d I was a b l e t o k e e p t h e h i g h v o i c e b u t k e p t i t u n d e r c o v e r and o n l y sang a t h o m e---m y m o th er l o v e d i t b u t no one e l s e u n derstood.

I becam e a c l o s e t c o u n t e r t e n o r . . . (w h ic h b r i n g s me t o one o f my e a r l y m e n t o r s . )

Almost a t t h e same t i m e I " d i s c o v e r e d " R i c h a r d D y er -B e n n e t (2-V an guard T 9 5 / 6 ) .

He sang t r a d i ­ t i o n a l f o l k s o n g s i n d i f f e r e n t l a n g u a g e s and p lay ed the c l a s s i c g u i t a r .

H is o b v i o u s e n t h u s i ­ asm was i n f e c t i o u s .

He l o v e d what he sang and t h r o u g h h i s r e c o r d i n g s i n t r o d u c e d roe t o s o n g s I ' d n e v e r h e a r d b e f o r e -----" L o n e s o n g V a l l e y " , " S p a n i s h i s t h e L o v i n g T o n g u e " , "No M a r y " , " S e a r c h i n g f o r L a m b s ", h i s humorous r e n d i t i o n o f " F r o g Went A' C o u r t i n ' " , 'K3o Down M o s e s " , "T h e B o n n i e E a r l o f M orey", "B a r b a r a A l l e n " , "W altzin g M a t ild a " t h e w o r l d o f f o l k s o n g and t h e w o r l d o f o p e r a op e n e d t o me s i m u l t a n e o u s l y .

M a r i a C a l l a s was t h e g r e a t e s t s i n g i n g a c t r e s s o f our tim e .

Her e a r l y r e c o r d i n g o f P u c c i n i ' s T o s c a on n o n - b u d g e t A n g e l 3 5 0 8 w i t h t e n o r G u i s e p p o Di S t e f a n o , b a r i t o n e T i t o G o b b i and V i c t o r De S a b a t c o n d u c t i n g i s c o n s i d e r e d by many, i n c l u d i n g m y s e l f , t o b e t h e g r e a t e s t o p e r a reco rd in g o f a l l tim e .

I t ' s an i n c r e d i b l e t o t a l e x p e rie n c e .

E v e r y o n e ' s i n t o p form and C a l l a s ' l a r g e r t h a n l i f e p o r t r a y a l com es r i g h t o f f t h e v in y l!

A lso , h er e a r l y r e c o r d in g (h er l a t e r r e ­ c o r d in g s a re v o c a l l y uneven) o f G aetan o D o n i­ z e t t i ' s L u c i a d i Lamraermoor w i t h D i S t e f a n o , G o b b i and T u l l i o S e r a f i n c o n d u c t i n g , 2 - S e r a p h i m 6 0 3 2 / c a s s e t t e 6 0 3 2 and V i n c e n z o B e l l i n i ' s Norma ( a b o u t a D r u i d p r i e s t e s s ) w i t h E b e S t i g n a n i on 3 -S e ra p h im 6 0 3 7 / c a s s e t t e 4X 3G -6037 a r e d e f i n i ­ t i v e p o r t r a y a l s and n o t t o b e m i s s e d .

B o th w o rk s a r e o p e r a ' s m ost p o p u l a r e x a m p l e s o f " B e l C a n t o " ( b e a u t i f u l s i n g i n g ) w i t h m e lo d y and drama in abun d an ce.

C a l l a s a l s o s i n g s o p e r a a r i a s on T u r n a b o u t THS 6 5 1 2 5 . ( I ' m no t f a m i l i a r w i t h t h i s r e c o r d i n g b u t I 'm p r e t t y s u r e i t ' s an e a r l y * o ne and t h e r e f o r e w o rth b u y i n g . ) T ito Gobbi is c o n s i d e r e d b y many t o b e o p e r a ' s g r e a t e s t s i n g ­ in g a c t o r .

You c a n e x p e r i e n c e him s i n g i n g h i s a r t i s t i c p o r t r a y a l s i n s o n g s and a r i a s on 2 S e ra p h im S - 6 0 2 1 .

G iu sep p e D i S t e fa n o i s r e p r e ­ s e n t e d s i n g i n g I t a l i a n o p e r a a r i a s on S e r a p h i m 60126.

My f i r s t r e c o r d e d o p e r a , J u l e s M a s s e n e t ' s Marion, w i t h s o p r a n o V i c t o r i a de l o s A n g e l e s , t e n o r H e n r i L eg ay and b a r i t o n e M i c h e l D ens w i t h P i e r r e Monteux c o n d u c t i n g , s t a r t e d me s i n g i n g a s a ten o r.

I f e l l in lo v e w ith th e b ig te n o r a r i a "Ah f u y e z d o u c e i m a g e " .

W h a t e v e r hap p en e d t o H e n r i L e g a y ----- d o e s a n y o n e o u t t h e r e know?

I s t i l l fe e l h is v o ic e .

That re co rd in g i s s t i l l a v a i l a b l e o f 4 -Seraphim 6 0 5 7 .

V i c t o r i a de l o s A n g e l e s i s s t i l l my f a v o r i t e s o p r a n o .

Her v o i c e c a n be h e a r d s i n g i n g S p a n i s h s o n g s t h r o u g h t h e a g e s on S e r a p h i m - 6 0 2 3 3 and S p a n i s h S o n g s o f t h e R e n a is sa n c e Serap him -6 0 3 4 9 , p lu s th e b e s t P u c c in i La Boheme e v e r w i t h t e n o r J u s s i B j o e r l i n g , b a r i ­ t o n e R o b e r t M e r r i l l and S i r Thomas Beecham c o n ­ d u c tin g 2-S erap h im S - 6 0 9 9 / c a s s e t t e 4X 2G -6099.

T h e r e a r e many v o i c e s f l o a t i n g t h r o u g h me, v o i c e s t h a t t o u c h e d my h e a r t -----t e n o r R o l a n d H a y e s , t h e f i r s t b l a c k c o n c e r t s i n g e r whose c a ­ r e e r s p an n e d f o u r d e c a d e s fro m t h e 1 9 2 0 * s t o th e 6 0 's .

T he o n l y a v a i l a b l e r e c o r d i n g i s o ne o f him d o in g s p i r i t u a l s on V a n g u a r d - 3 5 2 .

Tenor Hugues C u e no d , a n o t h e r " m o v in g " v o i c e , made an e x c e l l e n t r e c o r d i n g a few y e a r s a g o o f J o h n Dowland l u t e - s o n g s a t a g e 6 9 w i t h J o e l C o h e n , d i r e c t o r o f renow ned E a r l y M usic g r o u p - - T h e B o s t o n C a m e r a t a , p l a y i n g l u t e and C h r i s t i n e J a c c o t t e t , h a r p s i c h o r d on T u r n a b o u t 3 4 5 1 0 .

You c a n h e a r Cuenod a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f h i s c a r e e r , i n t h e 1 9 3 0 ' s , on a now l e g e n d a r y r e c o r d i n g o f C l a u d i o M o n t e v e r d i m a d r i g a l s w i t h N ad ia B o u l a n ­ g e r c o n d u c t i n g , Seraphim 6 0 1 2 5 .

I d o n ’ t remember when I f i r s t h e a r d J o h n J a c o b N ile s s in g .

He d i e d l a s t y e a r , h a v i n g am as s ed the l a r g e s t p r i v a t e c o l l e c t i o n o f f o l k songs in th is cou ntry .

Known f o r h i s a r r a n g e m e n t s o f such s o n g s a s " B l a c k i s t h e C o l o r o f My T ru e L o v e ' s H a i r " , and co m p o ser o f t h e C h r i s t m a s song " I Wonder a s I W a n d e r " , N i l e s s a n g i n a h a l f t e n o r / h a l f f a l s e t t o , a c c o m p a n i e d h i m s e l f on t h e d u l c i m e r and was s t i l l g i v i n g c o n c e r t s i n h i s 8 0 's .

I went t o one o f h i s l a s t i n C o lu m b u s , O hio.

H is r e c o r d s a r e s t i l l a v a i l a b l e .

Try " B e s t o f J o h n J a c o b N i l e s " on T r a d i t i o n 2 0 5 5 E .

10

C ou ntertenor R u s s e ll O b e rlin i s a ls o re p re s e n te d on a r e c o r d o f M o n t e v e r d i m a d r i g a l s s i n g i n g " Z e f i r o T o m a " in duet w ith C h a r l e s B r e s s l e r - - i n what i s p r o b a b l y , a l o n g w i t h "Au f o n d du t e m p l e s a i n t " from G e o r g e s B i z e t ' s The P e a r l F i s h e r s , t h e most g o r g e o u s m ale d u e t on r e c o r d - - w i t h Noah G r e e n b e r g and t h e New York Pro M u s i c a on O d ysse y 32160087.

My f a v o r i t e , s o o t h i n g , d e e p m e l l o w , b a r i t o n e ' v o i c e G e r a r d S o u z a y s i n g s m o s t l y F r e n c h and German s o n g s on S e r a p h i m S - 6 0 2 5 1 .

Hans H o t t e r , another b e a u t i f u l b a r i t o n e , s in g s S c h u b e rt, Schumann and R i c h a r d S t r a u s s on S e ra p h im S - 6 0 0 2 5 .

My l i s t o f g r e a t v o c a l r e c o r d i n g o f t h e c e n t u r y would h a v e t o i n c l u d e 1 ) E l e a n o r S t e b e r s i n g i n g Samuel B a r b e r ' s " K n o x v i l l e Summer o f 1 9 1 5 " ( w i t h h i s " H e r m i t S o n g s " sung by L e o n t y n e P r i c e ) on O d y s se y 3 2 1 6 0 2 3 0 .

2) S t e b e r , a g a in , sin g in g H e c t o r B e r l i o z * r o m a n t i c song c y c l e " L e s N u i t s d ' e t e " (Summer N i g h t s ) and o t h e r s o n g s , O d y s s e y Y -32360.

Her i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s a r e p e r f e c t i o n l 3 ) s o p r a n o E l i z a b e t h S c h w a r z k o p f s i n g i n g Hugo W o lf l i e d e r on S e r a p h i m 6 0 1 7 9 .

T h i s i s a m a g ic a l p e rfo rm a n ce . . . t r u l y b e w itch in g 1 N a t a n i a D a v r a t h h a s one o f t h e l o v i e s t , c l e a t soprano v o ic e s I 'v e ev er h e a rd .

A "m u st" a l ­ bum, t h e f o l k - o r i e n t e d " S o n g s o f t h e A u v e rg n e "

by J o s e p h C a n t a l o u b e 2 - V a n g u a r d T - 7 1 3 / 4 .

A ls o on V a n g u a rd " T w o f e r s " i s t h e b e s t 2 - r e c o r d v a l u e on t h e m a r k e t , V a n g u a rd T . 5 7 / 8 .

Legend­ a r y b a s s P au l R o b e s o n , t r u l y a s i n g e r f o r a l l s e a s o n s , sin g in g the fo lk s o n g s , opera a r i a s , s p i r i t u a l s and s h o w tu n e s t h a t made him a w o r l d ­ wide f a v o r i t e .

Y o u ' l l a l s o f i n d him s i n g i n g S o n g s o f Freed o m on O d y s s e y 3 2 1 6 0 2 6 8 E .

The c o u n t e r t e n o r v o i c e i s t h e h i g h e s t p i t c h e d m a le v o i c e and was a p o p u l a r v o c a l sou nd q u a l i t y d uring th e M e d ie v a l, R e n a i s s a n c e , B a ro q u e . T o ­ d ay i t i s r a r e l y h e a r d e x c e p t i n a u t h e n t i c p e r ­ fo rm ances o f e a r l y m u sic.

A lfred D e l l e r , the E n g lis h c o u n t e r t e n o r , alm ost s in g le h a n d e d ly b ro u g h t t h i s v o c a l q u a l i t y b a c k i n t o p ro m in ence a f t e r more t h a n 2 0 0 y e a r s o f n e a r - t o t a l n e g l e c t .

D e l l e r , who d i e d l a s t y e a r , was a consumm ate a r t i s t who r e i n t r o d u c e d t h e v o c a l m u s i c o f H enry P u r c e l l ( 1 6 5 9 - 9 5 ) E n g l a n d ' s g r e a t B a r o q u e com­ p o s e r , and h i m s e l f a c o u n t e r t e n o r , t o t h e w o r l d .

H is "Ode f o r S t . C e c i l i a ' s D a y " i s my f a v o r i t e p i e c e o f m u s i c and one o f t h e g r e a t m a s t e r p i e c e s o f W estern m u sic .

I t ' s a v a i l a b l e on V a n g u a rd S -286E .

A n o th e r m a s t e r p i e c e "Come Ye S o n s o f A r t " w i t h t h e c o u n t e r t e n o r d u e t "S o u n d t h e T r u m p e t s " i s a v a i l a b l e on V a n g u a rd H M - 1 4 / c a s s e t t e CA—4 0 5 0 4 7 .

A P u r c e l l song album w i t h D e l l e r , A p r i l C a n t e l o and M a u r i c e B e v a n , V a n g u a rd S - 2 8 0 , and t h e F a i r y Q u e e n - - a n " e n t e r t a i n m e n t " more t h a n an o p e r a - - o n 2 - V a n g u a r d S - 3 1 1 / 2 more t h a n j u s t i f y h i s r e p u t a t io n as E n g la n d 's g r e a t e s t c o m p o s e r . D e l l e r a l s o h a s two s o l o alb u m s o f f o l k s o n g s t h a t I h i g h l y recommend: W e s t e r n Wind, V an g u ard 7 3 0 0 5 and The T h r e e R a v e n s , V an g u ard S-299E .

An e x c e l l e n t b u d g e t r e c o r d i n g o f H e i t o r V i l l a L o b o s ' a r i a from t h e B a c h i a n a s B r a s i l e i r a s No. 5 h a s B r a z i l i a n s o p r a n o B^du S a y X o , f o r whom i t was w r i t t e n , and V i l l a - L o b o s , h i m s e l f , c o n d u c t ­ i n g on O d y s s e y 3 2 1 6 0 3 7 7 .

(A nother c l e a r , l o v e l y v o i c e , S a y a o a l s o s i n g s M o zart a r i a s , e x c e r p t s from M a s s e n e t ' s Manon e t c . ) The b a s s v o i c e c a n h av e t h e r i c h e s t , most l u s ­ t r o u s sheen in v o c a l sound.

Two o f my f a v o r i t e b a s s o ' s a r e E z i o P i n z a s i n g i n g M o zart a r i a s , O d y s s e y 3 2 1 6 0 3 3 5 and " i n r e c i t a l " , O d y s s e y Y - 3 1 1 4 8 and Kim B o r g s i n g i n g M u s s o u rg s k y s o n g s on N onesu ch 7 1 2 1 5 .

A ls o , a "m u st" e x p e r ie n c e : Feodor C h a li a p i n , th e g r e a t R us­ s i a n b a s s o s i n g i n g a r i a s and R u s s i a n s o n g s on S e r a p h i m 6 0 2 1 8 , and ' t h r e a t S c e n e s fro m J u s s o u r g s k y ' s B o r i s Godounov and B o r o d i n ' s P y i n c e I g o r , e t c . " on S e r a p h i m 6 0 2 1 1 .

More m e m o rab le t e n o r s : 1 ) T i t o S c h i p a -----t o e x ­ p e r i e n c e t h i s u n iq u e v o i c e f u l l y , buy D o n i z e t ­ t i ’ s o p e r a Don P a s q u a l e , 3 - S e r a p h i m 6 0 8 4 , i n w hich h e p e r f o r m s .

The s e t i n c l u d e s a r e c i t a l r e c o r d i n w hich S c h i p a s i n g s o p e r a t i c a r i a s .

I t ' s e x q u i s i t e I He had a h i g h l y r i c t e n o r and s p e c i a l i z e d i n t h e F r e n c h and I t a l i a n r e p e r ­ to ire .

2 ) F r i t z W u n d e r l i c h - - o n e o f t h e most b e a u tifu l v o ice s e v e r.

I would h a v e t o c o n s i ­ d e r him w i t h B j o e r l i n g and S c h i p a t o b e one o f my t h r e e f a v o r i t e t e n o r s .

Hear W u n d e r l i c h " L y r i c t e n o r " on S e r a p h i m S - 6 0 0 4 3 / c a s s e t t e 4>G6 0 0 4 3 , V o l . I I O p e ra A r i a s i n German and I t a l i a n on S e r a p h i m S - 6 0 0 7 8 and V o l . I l l i n G e rm an , S e ra p h im S - 6 0 1 4 8 .

3 ) J o h n McCormick s i n g i n g I r i s h s o n g s on Camden S - 4 0 7 E and / or A ra b e s q u e 8124/c a s s e t te 9 1 2 4 .

(A lso , a 2 -r e c o r d s e t o f a r i a s and a r t - s o n g s on 2 - A r a b e s q u e 8 1 0 5 / c a s s e t t e 9 1 0 5 .)

4 ) R ich a rd Tucker s in g in g th e Je w ish High H o ly Day " K o l N i d r e S e r v i c e " on O d y s se y Y -35207. /. /

A n o t h e r E n g l i s h s i n g e r , K a t h l e e n F e r r i e r , had t h e roost b e a u t i f u l v o i c e I ' v e e v e r h e a r d - - a n i n c r e d i b l e " l i g h t " c o n t r a l t o w i t h much f e e l i n g and a g l o w i n g p r e s e n c e c o m b in e d t o make h e r a legend in her l i f e t i m e .

Her r e c o r d i n g o f G u s ­ t a v M a h l e r ' s "D as L i e d von d e r E r d e " (T he Song o f t h e E a r t h ) w i t h B ru n o W a l t e r and t h e V i e n n a P h i l h a r m o n i c i s my f a v o r i t e v o c a l r e c o r d i n g , a v a i l a b l e on t h e r e c e n t l y d e f u n c t Richmond la b e l.

A n o th e r r e c o r d t o g e t i s F e r r i e r ' s i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f M a h le r 's p o ig n an t " K in d e rt o t e n l i e d e r " ( S o n g s on t h e D e a t h o f C h i l d r e n ) w i t h P u r c e l l s o n g s , e t c . on S e r a p h i m 6 0 2 0 3 , or i n a box s e t w i t h B ru n o W a l t e r c o n d u c t i n g Mah­ l e r ' s Symphony No. 5 - - ( r e r o e m b e r t h e theme from t h e m o v ie " D e a t h i n V e n i c e " ) - - o n 2 - O d y s s e y 32260016E. A l s o , i f you becom e a d i e - h a r d a f fecio n ad o or ju s t a p p r e c ia te b eau ty then co n ­ s i d e r F e r r i e r ' s song and " t r i b u t e " album on A rabesque 8 0 7 0 / c a s s e t t e 9 0 7 0 .

COfiT/ h u e a on pcuje. J b

11

Re V/'c/die 'Recoridram (n ^ ttiie i)

The Hym nal, T h e C h o r a l M a j o r i t y ( $ 4 ) ; T he C h o r a l M a j o r i t y ' s G r e a t e s t H i t s ( c a s s e t t e t a p e ) ( $ 5 . 5 0 ) ; fro m t h e C h o r a l M a j o r i t y , 964 V a l e n c i a S t . , S an F r a n c i s c o , CA 9 4 1 1 0 .

A l l Aroerlean Boy by Tom W i l s o n on A boveground R e c o r d s , Box 1 1 2 7 6 , M i n n e a p o l i s , MN 5 5 4 1 1 .

Turn o f f th e b u b b le m ach in es - f l e e th e t h r o b ­ b i n g d i s c o s - smash t h e rauzak - g e t t h e e t o a c a b a r e t - c u m - d i n n e r t h e a t r e and b e p r e p a r e d t o e n t e r a t i m e warp b a c k t o t h e e r a o f t h e " s o c i a l l y - r e l e v a n t " off-Broadw ay m u sical o f th e ea rly '6 0 's .

H owever, d o n ' t b e e x p e c t a n t o f p o l i s h , f i n e s s e , o r e v e n a m e m o rab le v o i c e , f o r c e r t a i n l y Toro W i l s o n i s not g i f t e d w i t h th is.

N o n e -th e -le s s , h is vocal q u a lity is r e ­ l a t i v e l y c h a r m in g i n i t s q u a r t e r - t o n e f l a t n e s s .

L i s t e n i n s t e a d t o t h e e x c e l l e n t b ac k u p s i n g e r s , t h e m u s i c i a n s , t h e r h y t h m s , and t h o s e m e l o d i c l i n e s o f t h e few w e l l c o n c e i v e d c o m p o s i t i o n s i n t e r s p e r s e d b e t w e e n e a s i l y f o r g o t t e n nu m b e rs .

T he C h o r a l M a j o r i t y , much l i k e t h e w i d e l y a c ­ cla im ed S i s t e r s o f P e rp e tu a l In d u lg e n c e , has drawn on humor and p a r o d y t o c o n f r o n t s e l f r i g h t e o u s r e l i g i o u s g r o u p s and t h e i r e x t r e m i s t a t t a c k s on l e s b i a n s and g a y men.

When s t r e e t p r e a c h e r s h a v e met t o a n t a g o n i z e g a y s on t h e s t r e e t s , th e C h o ra l M a jo r it y has assem bled t o s i n g , o f t e n d i f f u s i n g what m igh t h a v e becom e an angry c o n f r o n t a t i o n .

At o t h e r t i r o e s t h e y h a v e p r o v i d e d e n t e r t a i n m e n t f o r g a y com m u nity g a t h e r ­ i n g s and f u n d r a i s e r s .

S o n g s s u c h a s "He L i k e s Me" w ith i t s b o u n c i n e s s and s h a r p rhyme s c h e m e ; "You W o n't b e W a i t i n g L o n g " w i t h i t s l o v e l y m elody c o m b in e d w i t h a l ­ most p o l i t i c a l l y c o r r e c t w o r d s ; "Two Men D a n c i n g " f o r i t s campy g h o s t - r i d e r s - i n - t h e - s k y s t y l i s t i c s ; and " T h e y D o n ' t Want t o Hear U s " f o r i t s r e m i n i s ­ c e n t d r i v e o f The F a n t a s t i k s ' " I Can S e e I t " a r e , i n my o p i n i o n , w o r t h t h e p u r c h a s e o f t h i s alb u m .

Dan M a r t i n ' s f l u t e o b l i g a t t o s and Toro W i l s o n ' s c l a r i n e t p r o v i d e i n t e r e s t i n g e f f e c t s on v a r i o u s s e l e c t i o n s , and 1 would l i k e t o h e a r p o s s i b l e d u e t s b e t w e e n t h e s e two men i n an a l l i n s t r u ­ m ental c o m b in a tio n .

Hank B a r o n and J o e y C i o f f i a r e s tr o n g w ith see m in g ly t r a i n e d e x p e r ie n c e as b acku p v o c a l i s t s and d e s e r v e a g r e a t d e a l o f r e s p e c t w o rk in g w i t h t h e r o u g h , and a t t i m e s , e l e m e n t a r y h a r m o n i e s p r o v i d e d f o r them ( " A l l A m e rican B o y " , s i d e 1 band 1 , f o r e x a m p l e ) .

And, p r a i s e be - R o s s K ap lan h a s t h e g o o d s e n s e and e x c e l l e n t r e t i c e n c e no t t o l e t h i s s y n t h e ­ s i z e r o v e r p o w e r any o f t h e c o m p o s i t i o n s a s i s s o o f t e n fo u n d i n t h i s a g e o f e l e c t r o n i c m u s i c .

H is a b i l i t y t o b l e n d t h e a r t i f i c i a l sound w i t h th e o th e r i n s t r u m e n t a l i s t s i s to be lauded h i g h ­ ly .

R e c e n t l y , t h e y h av e i s s u e d a hymnal c o n t a i n i n g t h e i r f a v o r i t e numbers and a c a s s e t t e t a p e r e ­ c o r d i n g o f t h e i r own p e r f o r m a n c e .

T h e ir songs a r e m o s t l y o l d , f a m i l i a r C h r i s t i a n hymns s e t w i t h new l y r i c s .

The p a r o d y l i n e s a r e o f t e n humorous and s o m e t im e s t o u c h i n g .

"Am azing G r a c e " b e co m e s "Amazing G a y s " ; "T h e O ld Rugged C r o s s " i s now " T h e O ld C l o s e t D o o r " .

One more s e r i o u s t r a n s f o r m a t i o n y i e l d s "Were You T h e r e When T hey M urdered H arv e y M i l k ? " .

E s p e c i a l l y t h o s e who know t h e s e t u n e s fro m y e a r s o f i n d o c t r i n a t i o n w i l l a p p r e c i a t e some o f t h e s u b t l e c h a n g e s . " F i g h t t h e T h u g l e t t e s , J o i n CUAV" t o t h e q u a i n t t u n e " J u s t a C l o s e r Walk W ith T h e e " e n c o u r a g e s support fo r th e n eigh borhood s e l f - d e f e n s e p r o ­ j e c t , Community U n i t e d A g a i n s t V i o l e n c e .

The t e x t s o f f e r a w i l d b l e n d o f camp s e n s i b i l i t y , s e x u a l i n n u e n d o , p o l i t i c a l r h e t o r i c , and e m o t i o n ­ a l a p p ea l.

The s a t i r e i s s o m e t im e s s o b i t i n g a s to s e rio u sly offen d a s e lf-r e s p e c tin g C h ristia n ("A sk t h e S a v io u r t o d a te you, f o n d l e , s q u e e z e , and v i b r a t e y o u .

He w i l l f e l l a t e y o u .

He w i l l s a t is f y y o u ").

Some l y r i c s s p e a k t o t h e n e e d s o f t h e p o o r , women, and t h e e l d e r l y w i t h t o u c h i n g s i n c e r i t y , a s i n 'G o d R e s t You M e rry S u s a n J o n e s " ( a w e l f a r e m o t h e r whose f u n d s were c u t " t o s a v e us fro m t h e w e l f a r e s t a t e b u t n o t fro m p o v e r t y " ) .

Some s o n g s d e a l w i t h c u r r e n t i s s u e s w i t h i n t h e S a n F r a n c i s c o c o m m u n ity .

M ost, how ever, ap p ly t o co m m u n itie s e v e r y w h e r e .

Now a s t o t h e t o t a l i t y o f e a c h s e l e c t i o n - i n d i ­ v i d u a l l y a s w e l l a s c o l l e c t i v e l y - t h i s album i s not g r e a t , nor i s i t m em orab le a s com p are d t o o t h e r m e n 's m u s i c a r t i s t s ( C h a r l i e Murphy, B l a c k b e r r i , G e o f f M organ, f o r e x a m p l e ) , and I d e f i n i t e l y w i l l not a t t e m p t a c o m p a r i s o n w i t h t h e wororoyn w h o 'v e had t h e i r " a c t t o g e t h e r " f o r a lo ng t i m e ; how ever, I f e e l t h a t W ilso n has come a lo n g way from h i s f i r s t a lb u m , 'G a y Name G a m e ", and i s g r a d u a l l y r e v e a l i n g a g r o w in g m a tu rity in h i s m u sical a b i l i t y .

B u t, th ere a r e some c o m p o s e r s l i k e W i l s o n whose m u sic m ig h t be b e t t e r s e r v e d by o t h e r s i n g e r s .

- V . B . o f RunWa

At t h e i r b e s t t h e s o n g s a r e f u n n y , h e a r t w a r m i n g , and e v e n l i b e r a t i n g .

A few son g s p ro v e d i s a p ­ p o i n t i n g when t h e y a r e e x c e s s i v e l y r h e t o r i c a l , i n s e n s i t i v e , or sim p ly u n t r u e .

S o m etim es, in m o cking t h e i n c o r r e c t p o s t u r e o f t h e s e l f - r i g h t ­ e o u s z e a l o t s , t h e y become a l m o s t e q u a l l y o f f e n ­ s iv e .

At o t h e r t i m e s t h e l y r i c s s a n c t i o n s t e r e o ­ t y p e s w e 'd do b e s t t o a v o i d ( e . g . , "How we p r a n c e a b o u t b e c a u s e we a r e g a y " ) .

W h i l e t h e s e s o n g s do n o t s p e a k t o e v e r y o n e , many w i l l f i n d them t o be a s o u r c e o f amusement and c o n so la tio n .

T h e r e a r e many gems and a few r o c k s in th is c o l l e c t i o n .

T h e g r o u p o f f i v e s i n g e r s p e r f o r m u n a c c o m p a n ie d and w i t h p i a n o .

The q u a l i t y o f t h e r e c o r d i n g , w h i l e n o t s t a t e - o f - t h e - a r t , i s r e s p e c t a b l e and th e s in g in g i s f a i r l y good.

I t i s both a docu­ ment o f t h e i r work and e n t e r t a i n i n g l i s t e n i n g .

T h i s m u s ic i s made f o r s i n g i n g a l o n g .

It is made f o r our c o m m u n ity .

- S t e v i e Bryant 12

m in u tes.

Add o n i o n s and c e l e r y and c o n t i n u e s t e a m i n g u n t i l a l l v e g e ta b le s a re ju s t te n d e r.

Remove from k e t t l e and a l l o w t o c o o l u n t i l luk ew arm .

3.

S l i c e a l l steam ed v e g e t a b l e s i n t o ^5 - i n c h c h u n k s w h i l e s t i l l warm.

4.

Combine s t e a m e d v e g e t a b l e s , raw v e g e t a b l e s , p a i s l e y and h e r b s .

5.

I E .

8 C ( 3 l] 0 @ 0D

R e c ip e s t h i s is s u e a re d esigned t o t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f summer p r o , duce.

F i r s t , we p r e s e n t some e co n o m ica l but t a s t y u ses o f s te a m e d and raw f r e s h v e g e t a ­ b l e s w h ic h many o f you who l i v e in th e c o u n tr y w i l l have a v a i l ­ a b l e i n your g a r d e n s .

These a r e f o l l o w e d by two e l e g a n t l y s i m p l e r e c i p e s f o r s h e r b e r t and c o o k ie s.

We a l s o h a v e a c o n ­ t r i b u t e d r e c i p e fo r D ate Loaf w hich would make a d e l i c i o u s t e a or c o f f e e s n a c k .

SALAD OF STEAMED AND C R IS P FRESH VEGETABLES P r e p a r a t i o n t i m e : 10 m i n u t e s C o o k in g t i m e : 2 0 - 2 5 m i n u t e s C o o l i n g and f i n i s h i n g t i m e : 1 5 -2 0 m inu tes Needed e q u i p m e n t : A s t e a m e r o r a k e t t l e w i t h a l i d and a m e t a l c o l a n d e r w hich w i l l f i t in i t We h av e n o t g i v e n p r o p o r t i o n s s o t h a t you may v a r y t h e mix t o s u i t your own t a s t e and a c c o r d ­ ing t o s e a s o n a l a v a i l a b i l i t y , and f o r t h e number o f mouths t o be f e d .

1.

P r e p a r e s m a l l new p o t a t o e s by t r i m m in g e y e s and s c r u b ­ bing w e l l .

S c r u b and p a r e c a r ­ ro ts.

P e e l and q u a r t e r o n i o n s .

T rim and s t r i n g c e l e r y .

Cut g r e e n and / or r e d p e p p e r s i n t o m a tch stick s t r i p s .

Chop s c a l ­ l i o n s , p a r s l e y and f r e s h h e r b s o f your c h o i c e .

2.

P la c e w ater in steam er k e t ­ tle.

P l a c e p o t a t o e s and c a r r o t s in ra c k or c o l a n d e r , k e e p i n g them i n one l a y e r a s much a s p o s s i b l e .

Cover, b rin g w a t e r t o b o i l and s t e a m f o r 20

Make v i n a i g r e t t e b y m i x i n g 1 p a r t v i n e g a r and 3 p a r t s sa la d or o liv e o i l p lu s s a lt and p e p p e r .

Pour o v e r t e p i d v e g e t a b l e s and s e r v e on a b e d of cool greens.

S e r v e w ith w h o le g r a i n b r e a d . v e g e t a b l e s and s e r v e on a bed o f cool green s.

S e r v e w ith w h o le g r a i n b r e a d .

VARIATIONS: T u rn ip s, p arsn ip s or c e l e r i a c cou ld be s u b s t i ­ t u t e d o r added t o t h e v e g e ­ t a b l e s to be steam ed.

I f you u se c e l e r i a c , t r i m i t c a r e - ' f u l l y and c u t i t i n t o c h u n k s b e f o r e stea m in g ; i t i s q u it e h a r d and r e q u i r e s l o n g e r co o k in g .

PASTA OR RICE SALAD Omit p o t a t o e s from a b o v e r e c i p e .

Add ch o p p e d and s e e d e d p e e l e d to m a to e sa n d q u i c k l y cooked g reen peas or b ean s.

Toss w i t h c o o l p a s t a o r r i c e and d r e s s w i t h home made m a y o n a i s e o r l i g h t c re am and h e r b s .

SIMPLE SHERBERT P u re e f r u i t i n a b l e n d e r , fo o d p r o c e s s o r o r fo o d m i l l , s w e e t e n i t w i t h s u g a r t o t a s t e , and then f r e e z e i t to th e c o n s i s ­ t e n c y o f mush.

F o r e v e r y cup o f p u r e e , b e a t one egg w h i t e u n t i l s t i f f and f o l d i t i n t o the c o ld p u r e e .

R efreeze the m ixtu re.

To p r e s e r v e t h e l o v e ­ l y p a s t e l c o l o r s o f summer f r u i t s and b e r r i e s , add V t s p . v i t a m i n C powder ( p u r c h a s e i n h e a l t h food s t o r e s ) t o th e m ixtu re w h ile p u r e e in g .

To make p e e l i n g o f p e a c h e s , plums and a p r i c o t s e a s y , c u t a s m a l l " X " i n t h e end o p p o s i t e t h e stem and d ro p i n b o i l i n g w a t e r f o r 20 s e c o n d s ; t h e s k i n w i l l slid e o ff e a s ily .

BUTTER COOKIES P r e p a r a t i o n t im e : 10 m inu tes p l u s two h o u r s r e f r i g e r a t i o n B a k i n g t i m e : 12 t o 14 m i n u t e s Needed e q u i p m e n t : M ix in g b o w l , l a r g e wooden s p o o n , b a k i n g sh eet.

9 tb s 1 egg, 6 tb s 1 cup ^ cup

b u t t e r , room t e m p e r a t u r e sep arated sugar u n sifte d flo u r nu ts

Combine 8 t b s b u t t e r , egg y o l k , s u g a r and f l o u r i n bowl .

2.

When i n g r e d i e n t s a r e com ­ p l e t e l y b len d e d , d iv id e dough i n t o two b a l l s and r o l l each p a r t in t o a c y l in d e r about l * a - i n c h e s i n d i a m e t e r and 6 in ch e s lo n g .

1.

3.

Wrap e a c h c y l i n d e r paper; r e fr ig e r a te hard - about 2 h o u r s .

4.

P r e h e a t oven t o

i n wax u n til

375 d e g r e e s .

5.

G r e a s e 2 b a k in g s h e e t s w ith rem ain in g b u t t e r .

Remove dough from r e f r i g e r a t o r and s l i c e each c y lin d e r c ro ss w ise in to ^ -in c h rou nd s.

P la ce each ro u n d on a b a k i n g s h e e t .

D o n’ t crowd them t o o c l o s e l y t o g e t h e r , t h e y may e x p a n d .

Brush to p s w i t h t h e r e m a i n i n g egg w h i t e and p l a c e alm o n d , w a ln u t o r p e ­ c a n on e a c h c o o k i e .

6.

B ak e f o r 12 t o 14 m i n u t e s , ju s t u n t il edges are b a re ly brow n.

The f o l l o w i n g r e c i p e was s e n t t o us b y Ken M i l l s o f W a t e r l o o , O n ta rio .

Many t h a n k s , Kenl We need more c o n t r i b u t e d r e c i p e s .

DATE LOAF

1 c up d a t e s

- chopped, f in e 1 t s p b a k in g soda 3/4 cup b o i l i n g w a t e r

not

too

Pour w a t e r and s o d a o v e r d a t e s and l e t c o o l 3/4 cup brown s u g a r 1 tbsp b u tter 1 egg ( w e l l b e a t e n ) 1 c up f l o u r ( m e a s u r e b e f o r e s iftin g ) % cup c h o p p e d n u t s , i f d e s i r e d Mix a l t o g e t h e r and b a k e 1 hour i n m o d e r a t e o v en VARIATION: for d a te s .

13

S u b stitu te a p rico ts

brothers behind bars p l u s t h e i n c o n v e n i e n c e o f c l o s e go v e rn m e n t scru tin y of h is l i f e s t y l e .

We s u s p e c t t h a t t h e r e a r e more i n s t a n c e s where our r e a d e r s were r i p p e d o f f , b u t d o n ’ t c a r e t o d e a l w i t h t h e problem d i r e c t l y or f a c e f u r t h e r e m b a r a s s m en t.

B u t f a c e i t we r o u s t , i n o r d e r t o p r o t e c t e a c h o t h e r fro m more o f t h e s a m e .

Vie h a v e h e l d b a c k a l l p r i s o n e r c o n t a c t l e t t e r s from p u b l i c a t i o n i n t h i s i s s u e t o g i v e you a c h a n c e t o t e l l us i f you h av e had t h i s h a p ­ pen t o you o r j u s t h av e a g o o d i d e a on how we c a n b e t t e r p r o t e c t a l l o f us from s u c h a f o u l u se o f our b e s t e m o t i o n s .

RFD' s f o c u s i s t o be a j o u r n a l o f a l t e r n a t i v e c u l t u r e f o r g a y men l i v i n g i n t h e c o u n t r y and c i t y .

The B r o t h e r s B e h i n d B a r s d e p a r t m e n t g re w i n r e s ­ p o n s e t o g e n u i n e n e e d s , and we need now t o i n ­ s u r e t h a t we m a i n t a i n a c l e a r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f how i t r e l a t e s t o o u r p r i m a r y c o n c e r n s and v isio n s .

The B r o t h e r s B e h i n d B a r s d e p a r t m e n t o f RFD i s i n t h e m i d s t o f b o t h a l o n g and s h o r t t e r m c r i s i s b e c a u s e we h av e not b e e n c l e a r on how i t r e l a t e s t o our g o a l s f o r RFD. The l o n g terra c r i s i s i s s i m p l y one o f s i z e .

T h i s s e c t i o n h a s grown t o be t h e l a r g e s t s i n g l e d e p a r t m e n t and c a u s e d us t o t r i m down e v e n t h o s e d e p a r t m e n t s which a r e c e n t r a l t o o u r f r e s h l y d e f i n e d RFD f o c u s j u s t t o make room f o r i t .

We d i s c u s s e d t h i s p r o b l e m a t o ur s t a f f / c o n s u l t i n g c i r c l e g a t h e r i n g and d e c i d e d t o e x ­ p l o r e some a l t e r n a t i v e s t o t h e p r e s e n t p o l i c y and f o r m a t .

We h av e t h e i d e a o f j o i n i n g w i t h s e v e r a l o t h e r g a y m a g a z i n e s w hich h av e s i m i l a r s e c t i o n s fo r gay p r i s o n e r s .

The r e s u l t would be a l a r g e r d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r th e p r i s o n e r c o n t a c t l e t t e r s , s i n c e our i d e a i s t o p r i n t t h e s e c t i o n a s an i n s e r t which would t h e n be in c lu d e d in e a ch o f th e p a r t i c i p a t i n g m a g a z in e s.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST AREA REPORT

The l a s t t h r e e months h e r e i n t h e P a c i f i c - N o r t h ­ w e s t h av e b e e n q u i e t .

A few new s u b s , from W a l l a W a l l a , and a few l e s s s u b s , from 0 5 P .

Seem s t h e Oregon c e n s o r b o a r d i s s t r o n g h a n d e d .

T h e i r r e h a b , p ro g ra m t h i n k s t h e r e i s a c u r e f o r h o m o se x u a lity .

S o u r c e s i n s i d e W a lla W a lla t e l l me t h a t C a r l Harp was p o i s o n e d , a c o n t r a c t k illin g .

C a r l w a s n 't a b l e t o s le e p w ell b e ca u se he t h o u g h t he was g o i n g t o be a s s a s s i n a t e d i n h is s le e p .

C a r l had many o u t s t a n d i n g l a w s u i t s w hich were f o r t h e r i g h t s o f a l l p r i s o n e r s .

T h at one was p r e t t y e a s y t o s o l v e ; now h e r e ’ s a more d i f f i c u l t p r o b l e m .

We h av e b e e n a l e r t e d t o a number o f c a s e s o f m a i l f r a u d w hich w ere g e n e r a t e d i n t h e P arch m an , M i s s i s s i p p i p r i ­ son s y s t e m .

We h av e a l s o b e e n warn ed by s e v e r a l RFD r e a d e r s o f s i m i l a r c o n f i d e n c e s ch e m e s i n t h e F l o r i d a and I n d i a n a p r i s o n s y s t e m s .

It h u r t s t o h av e t o s a y t h i s , b u t t h e s e sch e m e s were aim e d s p e c i f i c a l l y a t RFD r e a d e r s i n what a p p e a rs t o be a d e f i n i t e p a t t e r n .

The P a r c h ­ man c a s e i n v o l v e d f o r g e d U . S . p o s t a l money o r d e r s and c o s t o n e o f our r e a d e r s o v e r 3 1 0 0 0 ,

D ear B r o t h e r s : I commend you on makin g your p u b lica tio n a v a ila b le to p r i ­ s o n e r s and e x t e n d i n g h e l p by f r e e a d v e r t is in g for purposes of co n tact.

H o w ever, your r e a d e r s s h o u l d be a l e r t e d t o t h e f a c t t h a t i t i s n o t uncom­ mon f o r many t o p r e y on t h e em otions o f in n o c e n t p e n p a ls by un can ny c o n g a m e s .

R e c e n t l y , I becam e t h e v i c t i m o f a scam t h a t h a s roe d a z e d t o t h i s moment and my p o c k e t b o o k $ 1 ,0 0 0 e m p tier.

T h i s i s not t o m e n t io n f u r t h e r i n v o l v e m e n t w i t h U . S . Go v ern m ent o f f i c i a l s

- len

and a p o s s i b l e law s u i t a g a i n s t me I My " f r i e n d " i n P arch m an, M i s s i s s i p p i , whom I h av e b e e n w r i t i n g f o r a y e a r , fo un d i t b e n e f i c i a l to d esign forged U . S . P o s t a l money o r d e r s f o r p ro fit.

S i n c e s h a r i n g my n i g h t m a r e w i t h o t h e r s , I h av e d i s c o v e r e d many o t h e r i n n o c e n t g a y s h av e b e e n b i l k e d o u t o f e v e n l a r g e r sums o f money.

M ost, how ever, a re u n w illin g t o t e s t i f y a g a in st the c r im i n a l s .

PNW BBB

quest a "p riso n e r p r o f i l e " from t h e w a r d e n ' s o f f i c e .

The p r o f i l e d o c u m e n ts a r e p u b l i c k n o w le d g e and a r e a v a i l a b l e fo r th e a s k in g .

Had I o b t a i n e d s a i d p r o f i l e from t h e warden s t Parchman b e f o r e w r i t i n g my frie n d ( i n c i d e n t a ll y , h e 's s t r a i g h t but c o n v in c i n g l y w r i t e s a s a g a y ) I would have been sp ared th e em barrassm ent o f an e x a m i n a t i o n o f my p e r ­ s o n a l l i f e by U . S . p o s t a l o ffic ia ls .

Your t r u l y ,

A word t o t h e w i s e s h o u l d be su fficie n t.

PRIOR t o w r i t i n g t o p r i s o n e r s , o ne s h o u l d r e ­

14

Robert

S m ith

_____________________ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

^r~L$orj c^Ictqj

- ^ J o r c

bj

c£ )ou oicL 3 ^ (j& b r ib B r v

De a r RFD, T h i s i s a comment on D a v i d F r e y ' s a r t i c l e on p ris o n Slang in the Spring '8 2 i s s u e .

I don't p u t down g a y s / f a g g o t s / f a i r i e s / e t c . and I d o n ' t s e e why he h a s g o t t o pu t down p u n k s .

Where d o e s he come o f f w i t h t h i s " g a y e r t h a n t h o u " attitude?

H e l l , i t i s bad e n u f f f o r a boy t o g e t g a n g - r a p e d i n t o a s e x r o l e he woul d no t o t h e r ­ w i s e g e t i n t o , w i t h o u t some s e l f - r i g h t e o u s g a y c omi ng a l o n g t o s l a g him o f f - - we h a v e t o p u t up w i t h e n u f o f t h a t s h i t f rom t h e r a p i s t s w i t h ­ o ut t h e g a y s , who s h o u l d be ( a nd u s u a l l y a r e ) our a l l i e s , j o i n i n g i n , j u s t ' c o s we ha ppen t o l i k e women o u t on t h e S t r e e t .

I want t o t h a n k D a v i d F r e y f o r h i s a r t i c l e on Prison slan g.

I t was v e r y a c c u r a t e and t o t h e point.

Being here in p r i s o n , the slang i s easy t o p i c k up w i t h o u t h a r d l y t r y i n g .

He r e i s some o f t h e sla n g I ' v e l e a r n e d s i n c e I have been behind b a r s : Baby bo y - someone who i s younge r t h a n you b u t i s a l r i g h t w i t h most o t h e r s .

Bandit a p e r s o n who r a p e s g u y s i n p r i s o n ; f u l l name i s B o d i e B a n d i t .

Cap - a n o t h e r

I c e r t a i n l y d o n ' t f e e l g u i l t y about i t - - I never had a ny c h o i c e i n t h e m a t t e r when I was made a punk t h r o u g h g a n g - r a p e s o b a d I had t o ha ve s u r ­ g e r y a f t e r w a r d s ; and h a v i n g a d a p t e d t o i t I ' v e become a damn g o o d p u n k , and an p r o u d o f t h e fact.

I d i d n ' t e v e n " s n i t c h " on t h e g u y s t h a t g a n g - r a p e d me e v e n t h o I c o u l d ha v e b r o u g h t s u i t f o r a b u n d l e o f money i f I h a d , and I r e s e n t F r e y ' s s u g g e s t i o n t h a t punks a r e e a s y t o tu r n snitch.

Cutie p ie f a c e s , or Fish

word f o r bl ow j o b ,

or

"skull".

- young b o y s w i t h no h a i r "tender honey".

on t h e i r

- new p r i s o n e r s

just

c omi ng

into prison.

G - s h o t - a p i c t u r e o f a nude p e r s o n o r o f a p e r s o n in n o th in g but h i s / h e r underwear.

House - a n o t h e r or " s h a c k " .

I ' m no more s c a r e d o f p r i s o n v i o l e n c e t h a n a ny s a n e p e r s o n , and j u s t b e c a u s e I ' m a punk i n s e x u a l m a t t e r s d o e s n ' t mean I w o n ' t f i g h t o v e r s o m e t h i n g more s e r i o u s t h a n a n o - l o n g e r - e x i s t i n g v i r g i n i t y ; I ' m i n t h e Hol e now and ha v e b e e n f o r f o u r mo nt hs f o r f i g h t i n g o f f f o u r b i g g u y s who t h o u g h t t h e y c o u l d g e t away w i t h s p i t t i n g on me.

I n f a c t , I ' v e had t o f i g h t a t e v e r y j o i n t I ' v e been i n i n ord er t o e s t a b l i s h t h a t f a c t .

It's p e o p l e l i k e F r e y who make t h a t n e c e s s a r y .

Jap

name f o r

your c e l l ,

or

"crib",

- a p e r s o n who h a s done s o m e t h i n g s t u p i d .

J u i c e - When a p e r s o n i n p r i s o n h a s j u i c e , a b l e t o move a l l a r o u nd t h e p r i s o n w i t h o u t t r o u b l e from t h e g u a r d s .

Kicks

he's much

- gym s h o e s .

K i d - a young boy who b e l o n g s t o s o me o n e .

Lame - a p e r s o n who i s not t o o s ma r t know w h a t ' s h a p p e n i n g i n p r i s o n .

I t h i n k i t i s f i t t i n g t o c l o s e t h i s l e t t e r with a c o u p l e v e r s e s f ro m " C l a s h " , No. 1 punk ba nd o f t h e world:

and d o e s n ' t

P u s s y - your a s s h o l e .

"On my own I f a c e d a ga n g o f j e e r i n g

— R i de

In s t r a n g e

- a longstanding,

close

and t r u s t e d

friend.

streets S ha nk

When my n e r v e s were pumpi ng and I f o u g h t my fear in I d i d not r u n ,

- homemade k n i f e .

S k e e t - a word u s e d when you cum e i t h e r by f u c k i n g someone i n h i s a s s or j a c k i n g o f f .

I was n o t d o n e .

Snow - w h i t e b o y s or g i r l s .

S o you r o c k a r o u n d and t h i n k t h a t You're the t e r f e s t

Swap out - a p e r s o n who w i l l s uc k someone o f f and t h e n f u c k h i m; two g a y men, o r " f l i p f l o p " .

In th e world,

S wi p e - your d i c k .

But y o u ’ r e It gets

t h e who l e wi de w o r l d

streets

Took o f f

away f rom where

T u r n o ut - when a guy h a s b e e n f u c k e d or " r a p e d " and d o e s n ' t r e a l l y c a r e ; i s t a l k e d i n t o i t w illingly.

the roughest

You a i n ' t

- raped or b u s t e d o u t.

been t h e r e . "

U n d e r c o v e r - a p e r s o n who i s d o i n g s o m e t h i n g t h a t not many o t h e r s know a b o u t .

Oil "Donny t h e Punk" I n p r i s o n , USA

Wig - your h a i r .

15

CL5 o.f\ Du^Sider, Ev^n as an DcdcasE in

SmdUouJn (hnencau

- bu Louie Creu)

( fir s t 'pO-bi'sheJ inEjcac&d/np i^ihfiTEnJ^u^CiKfgrMcepnjl>e6tiJlC/^a^ From 1 9 7 3 t o 1 9 7 9 , my s p o u s e and I l i v e d i n F o r t V a l l e y , a town o f 1 2 , 0 0 0 p e o p l e , t h e s e a t o f Peac h County, s i x t y m i l e s n o r t h ­ e a s t o f P l a i n s , r i g h t in the geographic cen ter of Georgia.

I taught E nglish at a l o c a l b lack c o l l e g e and my s p o u s e was v a r i o u s ­ ly a nurse, h a ir d r e s s e r , choreographer for the c o l l e g e e r , and f a s h i o n d e s i g n e r .

2^ ^ C a fiMui-E>

^ Ulsc.}&*!«&%{&,M l)

correspondence r e l a t e d to the v e s t r y 's back­ room m a n e u v e r s .

Prompt ed i n p a r t by s uc h o f ­ f i c i a l s , the l o c a l c i t i z e n s for years r o u tin e ly h e c k l e d us i n p u b l i c , s om e t i m e s t h r e w r o c k e s a t our a p a r t m e n t , t r a i n e d t h e i r c h i l d r e n t o s p i t on us from t h e i r b i c y c l e s i f we d a r e d t o j o g , and b a d g e r e d us w i t h h a t e c a l l s on an a v e r a g e o f s i x t o e i g h t t i r o e s a we e k.

m ajorettes,

One s u c h e p i s o d e o f f e r s a p a r t i a l c l u e t o t h e c a u s e o f o ur s u r v i v a l .

I t was l a t e summer, 1 9 7 5 or 1 9 7 6 .

I was on my m o t o r c y c l e t o p o s t m a i l a t t h e s t r e e t - s i d e b o x j u s t b e f o r e t h e one d a i l y pickup at 6 : 0 0 p.m.

About 5 0 y a r d s a wa y , f u l l y a u d i b l e t o about 7 0 p e d e s t r i a n s m i l l i n g about t h e c o u r t house and o t h e r p u b l i c b u i l d i n g s , a g r o u p o f p o l i c e o f f i c e r s , a l l men, b e g a n s h o u t i n g a t me f rom t h e s t e p s o f t h e i r h e a d q u a r t e r s : " L o u i s e ! F a g g o t ! Que e r ' . " ’

cater­

The two o f us h a v e o f t e n b e e n a s k e d how v*e s u r ­ v i v e d as a g a y , r a c i a l l y i n t e g r a t e d c o u p l e l i ­ v i n g o p e n l y i n t h a t s m a l l t own .

We a r e s t i l l p e r h a p s t o o c l o s e t o t h e G e o r g i a e x p e r i e n c e and v e r y much c a u g h t up i n o u t s i m i l a r s t r u g g l e s i n c e n t r a l Wisconsin t o o f f e r a d e f i n i t i v e e x p l a ­ n a t i o n , but our t e n t a t i v e c o n j e c t u r e s s h o u l d i n ­ t e r e s t a ny o ne who v a l u e s t h e r o l e o f t h e d i s s i ­ d e n t i n o ur d e m o c r a c y .

Anyone who h a s e v e r t r i e d t o e a s e a m o t o r c y c l e f r om a s t i l l p o s i t i o n w i t h o u t r e v v i n g t h e e n ­ g i n e knows t h a t t h e f e a t i s i m p o s s ib le : t r y as I did to avoid th e s u g g e s t io n , I s ounde d a s i f I we r e rid ing o f f in a h u ff.

About h a l f - w a y up t h e s t r e e t , I thought t o myself, " I ' d rather ro t in j a i l than f e e l t h e way I do n o w . " I tu rn ed around, drove back - - t h e p o lic e m e n s t i l l s h o u t i n g and l a u g h i n g - - and p a r k e d i n t h e l o t o f the s t a t i o n .

When I wa l ke d t o t h e s t e p s , only the lone b l a c k policeman remained.

S u r v i v e we d i d .

We e v e n t h r o v e b e f o r e our d e ­ parture.

P r o f e s s i o n a l l y , my c o l l e a g u e s and t h e R ege nt s o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y System o f G e o r g i a a warde d me t e n u r e , and t h e Chamber o f Commerce a warde d my s p o u s e a c a r e e r medal i n c o s m e t o l o g y .

S o c i a l l y , we had f r i e n d s f rom t h e f u l l r a n g e o f t h e economic c l a s s e s i n t h e community.

We had a t t e n d e d s i x f a r e w e l l p a r t i e s i n o ur ho no r b e ­ f o r e we c a l l e d a h a l t t o f u r t h e r f e t e s , e s p e ­ c i a l l y sev era l planned at too great a s a c r i f i c e by some o f t h e p o o r e s t f o l k s i n t h e t o w n .

Fur­ t h e r m o r e , I had b e e n away o n l y f o u r mont hs when t h e c o l l e g e b r o u g h t me b a c k t o a d d r e s s an a s s e m ­ b l y o f G e o r g i a j u d g e s , mayors, p o l i c e c h i e f s , and w a r d e n s .

We a r e s t i l l c a l l e d two t o t h r e e t i m e s a week by s c o r e s o f p e o p l e s e e k i n g my s p o u s e ' s a d v i c e on f a s h i o n , c o o k i n g , o r t h e l i k e .

" D i d you s p e a k t o m e ? " I a s k e d hi m.

"No, s i r , " he r e p l i e d e m p h a t i c a l l y .

I n s i d e I badgered t h e desk s e r g e a n t t o t e l l her c h i e f t o c a l l me a s s oo n a s s he c o u l d l o c a t e h i m, and I i n d i c a t e d t h a t I woul d p r e s s c h a r g e s i f n e c e ss a ry t o prevent a r e c u r r e n c e .

I explained t h a t t h e p o l i c e m i s c o n d u c t was an open i n v i t a ­ t i o n t o more v i o l e n t hoodl ums t o a c t o u t t h e o f f i c e r s ' f a n t a s i e s with impunity in the dark. » I p e r s u a d e d a b l a c k c i t y c o m m i s s i o n e r and a w h i t e o n e , t h e l a t t e r our g r o c e r a n d t h e f o r ­ mer o ur m o r t i c i a n , t o t h r e a t e n t h e c u l p r i t s w i t h s u s p e n s i o n i f e v er such misco nduct o c c u r r e d a g a i n .

I t was not a l w a y s s o .

In 1 9 7 4 my s p o u s e and I were d e n i e d h o u s i n g whi c h we had " s e c u r e d " e a r l i e r b e f o r e t h e r e a l t o r saw my s p o u s e ' s c o ­ lor.

HUD d o c ume nt e d t h a t t h e r e a l t o r t h o u g h t t h a t " t h e b l a c k man l o o k e d l i k e a c r i m i n a l . " Once t h e town was up i n arms when a b i s h o p a c ­ c u s e d t h e two o f us o f c a u s i n g a t o r n a d o whi c h had h i t t h e town e a r l y i n 1 9 7 5 , an a c c u s a t i o n whi c h a p p e a r e d on t h e f r o n t p a g e o f t h e n e ws ­ paper. " T h i s i s t h e v o i c e o f Go d.

The town o f F o r t V a lle y i s harboring Sodomites.

Would one e x p e c t God t o k e e p s i l e n t when h o m o s e x u a l s a r e t o l e r a ­ ted?

We remember what He d i d t o Sodom and G o m o r r a h " ( The Macon H e r o l d , March 2 0 , 1975: 1 ) .

A y e a r l a t e r my E p i s c o p a l v e s t r y a s k e d me t o l e a v e t h e p a r i s h , and my own b i s h o p summoned roe for d i s c i p l i n e for r e l e a s ­ ing t o t h e n a t i o n a l p r e s s

Over a y e a r l a t e r , l a t e one F r i d a y a f t e r h i s p a y ­ d a y , a b l a c k f r i e n d o f my s p o u s e k n o c k e d a t our door t o o f f e r a s h a r e o f h i s S c o t c h t o c e l e b r a t e h i s r a i s e - - o r s o he s a i d .

Thus p r i m e d , he a s k e d me, "You d o n ' t r e c o g n i z e roe, do y o u ? " "No," I admitted " I ' m t h e l o n e b l a c k p o l i c e m a n t h a t day you were heckled.

I came by r e a l l y b e c a u s e I t h o u g h t you two mi gh t want t o know what h a ppen e d i n s i d e when L o u i e s t o r m e d up t o t h e s e r g e a n t . "

16

t h a t I c o u l d s e c u r e s p a c e f o r my d i f f e r e n c e s by handling r o u t in e m a tte rs c a r e f u l l y .

I f one s t a y s on good t e r m s w i t h s e c r e t a r i e s , m e e t s a l l d e a d ­ l i n e s , and w i l l i n g l y d o e s o n e ' s f a i r s h a r e o f t h e b u s y work o f i n s t i t u t i o n s , one i s u s u a l l y a l r e a d y w e l l on t h e way t o w a r d s e a r n i n g c o l l e g i a l s p a c e , i f not c o l l e g i a l s u p p o r t .

In G e o r g i a , I r o u t i n e ­ l y v o l u n t e e r e d t o b e s e c r e t a r y f o r most c o m m i t t e e s on wh i c h I s e r v e d , t h e r e b y h a v i n g e n o r mo us i n f l e n c e i n t h e f i n a l f or m o f t h e g r o u p s ' d e l i b e r a * t i o n s w i t h o u t m o n o p o l i z i n g t h e f orum a s most o t h e r molders o f p o l i c y do.

My s p o u s e ' s many t a l e n t s a nd s e n s i b i l i t i e s made him an i n v a l u a b l e a d v i s o r and c o n f i d a n t e t o s c o r e s o f p e o p l e i n t h e community.

Of c o u r s e , l i v i n g a s we d i d i n a h a i r d r e s s e r ' s s a l o n , we knew a g r e a t d e a l more about t h e r e s t o f t h e p u b l i c t ha n t h a t p u b l i c knew a b o u t u s .

" Y e s , " we s a i d . " W e l l , a l l t h e g u y s were c r o u c h i n g b e h i n d t h e p a r t i t i o n t o k e e p you from s e e i n g t h a t t h e y were listening.

T h e i r e y e s b u l g e d when you t h r e a t e n ­ e d t o b r i n g i n t h e F . B . I . and s u c h .

Then when you l e f t , o n e s p o k e f o r a l l when he s a i d , ’ But s i s s i e s a r e n ’ t s up p o s e d t o do t h i n g s l i k e t h a t I ' " I r o n i c a l l y , I b e l i e v e t h a t a ma j or r e a s o n f o r our t h r i v i n g on o ur own t e r m s o f c a n d o r a b o u t our r e l a t i o n s h i p h a s b e e n our commi t ment t o r e s i s t t h e i n t i m i d a t i o n h e a p e d upon u s .

For t o o long l e s b i a n s a n d g a y m a l e s ha ve u n w i l l i n g l y e n c o u r a g ­ ed a b u s e s a g a i n s t o u r s e l v e s by s e r v i n g a d v a n c e n o t i c e t o a ny b u l l i e s , be t h e y t h e b a r n y a r d p l a y g r o u n d v a r i e t y , or t h e B i b l e - w i e l d i n g p u l ­ p i t e e r s , t h a t we woul d whimper o r r u n i n t o h i d ­ i n g when c o n f r o n t e d w i t h e v e n t h e t h r e a t o f e x ­ posure.

I t i s e a s y t o c o n fu s e s e n s i b l e non­ v io l e n c e with cowardly n o n r e s i s t a n c e .

My s p o u s e a n d I a r e f o r t u n a t e i n t h e f a c t t h a t we l i k e t h e e no r mo us amount o f work whi c h we d o .

We a r e not mere o p p o r t u n i s t s w o r k i n g h a r d o n l y a s a gi mmi c k t o e x p l o i t t h e p u b l i c f o r l e s b i a n and g a y i s s u e s .

B o t h o f us worked i n t e n s e l y a t o u r p r o f e s s i o n a l a s s i g n m e n t s l o n g b e f o r e we were a c k n o w l e d g e d d i s s i d e n t s w i t h new e x c e s s i v e p r e ­ ssures to e x c e l.

We f e e l t h a t now we m u s t , how­ e v e r u n f a i r l y , b e t w i c e a s e f f e c t i v e a s o u r c om­ p e t i t o r s j u s t t o r e m a i n e mpl o ye d a t a l l .

I n my v i e w , v i o l e n t r e s i s t a n c e woul d b e c o u n t e r ­ p r o d u c t i v e , e s p e c i a l l y f o r l e s b i a n s and g a y s who a r e o u t nu mb e r e d 1 0 t o 1 by h e t e r o s e x u a l s , a c c o r d ­ ing t o K i n s e y 's s t a t i s t i c s .

Yet o ur p e r s o n a l e x ­ p e rie n c e suggests t h a t s p e c i a l kinds o f c r e a t i v e n o n v i o l e n t r e s i s t e n c e a r e a m a j o r s o u r c e o f hope i f l e s b i a n s and ga y m a l e s a r e g o i n g t o r e v e r s e t h e p h y s i c a l a nd m e n t a l i n t i m i d a t i o n wh i c h i s our d a i l y p o r t i o n i n t h i s c u l t u r e .

Our s u r v i v a l h a s a l s o depende d v e r y much on our t h o r o u g h k n o wl e d g e o f t h e s y s t e m , o f t e n k n o w l ­ e dg e more t h o r o u g h t h a n t h a t o f t h o s e who woul d use the system a g a in s t u s .

F o r e x a m p l e , when my b i s h o p summoned me f o r d i s c i p l i n e , I was a b l e t o show him t h a t h i s own c a n o n s g i v e him no a u t h o ­ r i t y t o d i s c i p l i n e a l a y p e r s o n e x c e p t by e x ­ communication.

I n f a c t , s o h i e r a r c h i c a l ha v e t h e c a n o n s o f h i s d i o c e s e b ecome, t h a t t h e o n l y l a i t y who e x i s t wo r t hy o f t h e i r m e n t i o n a r e t h e f e w l a y p e r s o n s on v e s t r i e s .

R e s i s t a n c e t o o p p r e s s i o n c a n b e random and s p o n ­ t a n e o u s , a s i n p a r t was my d e c i s i o n t o r e t u r n t o c o n f r o n t t h e p o l i c e h e c k l e r s , o r o r g a n i z e d and s u s t a i n e d , a s more t y p i c a l l y h a s b e e n t h e r e s i s ­ t a n c e by w h i c h my s p o u s e a n d I h a v e s u r v i v e d .

I b e l i e v e t h a t o n l y o r g a n i z e d and s u s t a i n e d r e s i s ­ t a n c e o f f e r s much ho pe f o r l o n g r a n g e c h a n g e i n any c o m m u n i t y .

T he random a c t i s t o o s oo n f o r ­ g o t t e n or to o e a s i l y ro m a n tic iz e d .

Once we h a d c o m m i t t e d o u r s e l v e s t o o ne a n o t h e r , my s p o u s e a nd I n e v e r g a v e much t h o u g h t f o r o u r ­ s e l v e s t o t h e t r a d i t i o n a l d e v i c e most g a y s ha ve us ed f o r s u r v i v a l , t h e n o t o r i o u s " c l o s e t " i n wh i c h one h i d e s o n e ' s i d e n t i t y f rom a l l but a s e l e c t group o f f r i e n d s .

In the f i r s t p l a c e , a b l a c k man and a w h i t e man i n t e g r a t i n g a G e o r g i a s m a l l town s i m p l y c a n n o t b e i n c o n s p i c u o u s .

More i m p o r t a n t l y , t h e j o i n t c h e c k i n g a c c o u n t and other e q u i t a b l e economies fundamental t o the q u a l i t y o f o ur m a r r i a g e a r e p u b l i c , not p r i v a t e acts.

Our d e n i a l o f t h e o b v i o u s would ha ve s e ­ c u r e d c l o s e t s p a c e o n l y f o r our s u f f o c a t i o n ; we woul d h a v e l i e d , "We a r e a s hame d and l i v e i n secret."

E s p e c i a l l y h e l p f u l h a s b e e n o ur k n o wl e d g e o f communication p r o c e e d u r e s .

Fo r e x a m p l e , when an a r e a m i n i s t e r a t t a c k e d l e s b i a n s and g a y s on a TV t a l k show, I r e q u e s t e d e q u a l t i m e ; s o w e l l r e ­ c e i v e d was my r e s p o n s e t h a t f o r two more y e a r s I was a r e g u l a r p a n e l i s t on t h e t a l k show, t h e r e ­ by r e a c h i n g mos t r e s i d e n t s o f t h e e n t i r e m i d d l e G e o r g i a a r e a a s a known g a y p e r s o n , y e t one s p e a k i n g not j u s t t o s e x u a l i s s u e s , b ut t o a f u l l r a n g e o f r e l i g i o u s and s o c i a l t o p i c s .

When I was o c c a s i o n a l l y d e n i e d a c c e s s t o m e d i a ,

A l l o f o ur r e s i s t a n c e s t e m s f ro m our s e n s e o f our own w o r t h , o ur c o n v i c t i o n t h a t we and o ur k i n d do not d e s e r v e t h e s u f f e r i n g whi c h h e t e r o s e x u a l s c o n t i n u e t o en c o ur a g e or condone f o r s e x u a l o u t ­ casts.

D r . M a r t i n L u t h e r Ki ng u s e d t o s a y , " T h o s e who go t o t h e b a c k o f t h e b u s , d e s e r v e th e back o f th e b u s . " Our s u r v i v a l on o ur own t e r m s h a s dep e n de d v e r y much on our knowi ng and r e s p e c t i n g many o f t h e r u l e s o f t h e s y s t e m wh i c h we r e s i s t . We a r e not sim ply d i s s e n t e r s , but c o n s c i e n t i o u s o n e s .

F o r e x a m p l e , we a r e b o t h v e r y h a r d w o r k e r s .

As a c o n t r o v e r s i a l p e r s o n , I know t h a t my p r o f e s ­ s i o n a l i s m c omes under f a r more s c r u t i n y t h a n that of others.

I l e a r n e d e a r l y i n my c a r e e r

P hoto by D avid 17

K w a sig ro h

g o s s i p f l a r e d , I knew t h e v a l u e o f c a n d i d e x ­ p l a n a t i o n s t h o u g h t f u l l y p r e p a r e d , x e r o x e d , and c i r c u l a t e d t o e no ug h f o l k s t o a s s u r e t h a t t h e g o s s i p s woul d ha v e a c c e s s t o t h e t r u t h f u l v e r ­ sion.

F o r e x a m p l e , t h e v e s t r y , whi c h a c t e d i n s e c r e t , was c a u g h t b y s u r p r i s e when I s e n t c o ­ p i e s o f t h e i r h a t e f u l l e t t e r t o most o t h e r p a r i s h i o n e r s , t o g e t h e r with a copy o f a psalm w h i c h I w r o t e p r o t e s t i n g t h e i r t u r n i n g t h e House o f P r a y e r i n t o a C o u r t Ho us e .

I a l s o was a b l e t o e x p l a i n t h a t I c o n t in u e d t o a t t e n d , not i n d e f i a n c e o f t h e i r wi t hd r a wn i n v i t a t i o n , b u t i n o b e d i e n c e t o t h e much h i g h e r i n v i t a t i o n i s s u e d t o us a l l by t h e r e a l h e a d o f t h e C h u r c h .

In J a n u a r y , 1 9 7 9 , i n t h e f i r s t o pen m e e t i n g o f t h e p a r i s h s i n c e t h e v e s t r y ' s l e t t e r o f unwelcome th re e years e a r l i e r , the e n t i r e parish voted to c e n s u r e t h e v e s t r y f o r t h a t a c t i o n a nd t o e x t e n d t o me t h e f u l l wel come whi ch t h e v e s t r y had t r i e d t o deny.

On l y t h r e e v o t e d a g a i n s t c e n s u r e , a l l t h r e e o f t hem a m i n o r i t y o f t h e v e s t r y b e i n g censured.

My s po us e and I ha v e b e e n v e r y c o n s c i o u s o f t h e r i s k s o f our c o n v i c t i o n s .

We ha ve v i e we d our c r e d e n t i a l s - - my d o c t o r a t e and h i s p r o f e s s i o n a l l i c e n s e s - - not a s b a d g e s o f c o m f o r t a b l e r e ­ s p e c t a b i l i t y , b u t a s a s s e t s t o be i n v e s t e d i n s o cia l change.

D r . Ki ng d i d not s i t c r y i n g i n t h e A l b a n y j a i l , "Why d o n ' t t h e s e f o l k s r e s p e c t me? How d i d t h i s h a p p e n ? What am I d o i n g h e r e ? " When my s p o u s e and I h a v e b e e n d e n i e d j o b s f o r wh i c h we were t h e most q u a l i f i e d a p p l i c a n t s , we ha v e no t n a i v e l y a s k e d how s u c h t h i n g s c o u l d b e ,

nor ha v e we d w e l t o v e r l y l o n g on s e l f - p i t y , f o r we h a v e known i n a d v a n c e t h e p r i c e s we mi g h t ha ve t o p a y , e v e n i f t o l o s e o ur l i v e s .

Our r e a l i s m a b o u t d a n g e r and r i s k h a s h e l p e d us t o p r e s e r v e our s a n i t y when e v e r y o n e a b o u t us h a s see me d i n ­ sane.

1 remember t h e j o y wh i c h my s p o u s e s h a r e d w i t h me o v e r t h e f a c t t h a t he ha d j u s t b e e n f i r e d for h is e f f o r t s to organize other black nurses to p r o t e s t b e in g t r e a t e d a s o r d e r l i e s by t h e wh it e managers o f a l o c a l h o s p i t a l .

N e v e r , h o w e v e r , h a v e we a f f i r m e d t h e i n j u s t i c e s .

F i n a l l y , we s i m p l y c a n n o t b e s u r p r i s e d by a ny e v i l and a r e t h u s l e s s l i k e l y t o be i n t i m i d a t e d by i t .

H e nc e , we f i n d o u r s e l v e s h e i r s t o a s p e c i a l h y b r i d o f c o u r a g e , a f orm o f c o u r a g e t o o o f t e n i g n o r e d by t h e h e t e r o s e x u a l m a j o r i t y , b u t w i d e l y m a n i f e s t among s e x u a l o u t c a s t s , not t h e c o u r a g e o f b r a v a d o on b a t t l e g r o u n d s o r s p o r t f i e l d s , but t h e d e l i c a t e c o u ra g e o f t h e l o n e p e r s o n who p a t i e n t l y w a i t s o ut t h e s t u p i d i t y o f the herd, the cagey courage t h a t has o perated many an u n d e r g r o u n d r a i l w a y s t a t i o n .

(Xir s u r v i v a l i n s m a l l t o w n A me r i c a h a s b e e n h e l p e d l e a s t , I s u s p e c t , by our a n n o y i n g i n s i s t e n c e t h a t p o t e n t i a l f r i e n d s r e c e i v e us no t o n l y i n o ur own r i g h t , b u t a l s o a s members o f t h e l a r g e r l e s b i a n / g a y and b l a c k c o m m u n i t i e s o f whi c h we are a p a r t .

Too many w h i t e s and h e t e r o s e x u a l s a r e p r e p a r e d t o s i n g l e us o ut a s " g o o d q u e e r s " o r " g o o d n i g g e r s , " o f f e r i n g us t h e r e b y t h e " r e ­ wards" o f t h e i r f r i e n d s h i p o n ly a t t o o g r e a t a c o s t t o our i n t e g r i t y .

My p r i e s t d i d not whip up t h e v e s t r y a g a i n s t me t h e f i r s t y e a r we l i v e d openly t o g e th e r .

He was p e r f e c t l y happy t o have o ne o f h i s " c l e v e r q u e e r s " t o d r e s s h i s w i f e ' s h a i r and t h e o t h e r t o h e l p him w r i t e h i s a n n u a l report.

We became s c a n d a l o u s o n l y when t h e two o f us b e g a n t o o r g a n i z e t h e n a t i o n a l g r o u p o f l e s b i a n and g a y - m a l e E p i s c o p a l i a n s , known a s INTEGRITY; t h e n we * e r e no l o n g e r j u s t q u a i n t .

We t h r e a t e n e d h i s i mage o f h i m s e l f a s t h e a r b i t e r o f c ommuni t y m o r a l i t y , e s p e c i a l l y a s h e f a c e d s c o r e s o f q u e r i e s from b r o t h e r p r i e s t s e l s e w h e r e .

Many l e s b i a n s and g a y m a l e s a r e t ame d by d e p e n ­ d e n c i e s upon c a r e f u l l y s e l e c t e d h e t e r o s e x u a l f r i e n d s w i t h whom t h e y ha ve s h a r e d t h e i r s e c r e t , o f t e n never r e a l i z i n g t h a t i n t h e m se lv e s a l o n e , t h e y c o u l d p r o v i d e f a r more a f f i r m a t i o n and d i s ­ c o v e r f a r more s t r e n g t h t h a n i s b e i n g c u l t i v a t e d by t h e t e r m s o f t h e s e " f r i e n d s h i p s . " Lesbians and g a y m a l e s ha v e a l w a y s b e e n t a u g h t t o s u r v i v e on t h e h e t e r o s e x u a l s ' t e r m s , r a r e l y on o n e ' s own t e r m s , and a l m o s t n e v e r on t h e t e r m s o f a c om­ m u n i t y s h a r e d w i t h o t h e r l e s b i a n s and g a y m a l e s .

Heterosexuals are o fte n thus the l o s e r s .

The h e t e r o s e x u a l a c q u a i n t a n c e s c l o s e t o us e a r l y on when we were l e s s v i s i b l e who d r o p p e d us l a t e r a s our n o t o r i e t y s p r e a d we r e i n most c a s e s f o l k s o f d e m o n s t r a b l y much l e s s c h a r a c t e r s t r e n g t h t h a n t h o s e h e t e r o s e x u a l s who r e m a i n e d our f r i e n d s e v e n a s a s s e r t e d our d i f f e r e n c e with th o u g h tfu l independence.

P h o to by D avid

My s p o u s e a n d I h a v e n e v e r b e e n e x c l u s i v e nor a s p i r e d t o move t o a ny g h e t t o .

In December, 1 9 7 8 , on t h e n i g h t t h e Macon r a b b i and I had s u c c e s s f u l l y o r g a n i z e d t h e a r e a ’ s J e w s a nd g a y s t o p r o t e s t a c o n c e r t by A n i t a B r y a n t , I r e t u r n e d

K w a sig ro h

18

f a i t h i n God a s Unboundi ng L o v e .

To t h e s e we p r e f e r t o make our s e c u l a r w i t n e s s , more by what we do t h a n by what we s a y .

home t o w a t c h t h e v i d e o t a p e o f t h e mar ch on t h e l a t e news i n t h e company o f e i g h t h o u s e g u e s t s i n v i t e d by a y s p o u s e f o r a s u r p r i s e p a r t y , not one o f them g a y ( f o r some s t r a n g e r e a s o n n i n e out o f t e n f o l k s a r e n o t ) , not o ne o f t hem o b l i g a t e d t o b e a t t h e e a r l i e r m a r c h , and not one o f t hem u n e a s y , a s most o f o ur a c q u a i n t a n c e s would ha v e b e e n a few y e a r s e a r l i e r b e f o r e we had u n d e r t a k e n t h i s r e - e d u c a t i o n t o g e t h e r .

I n c o n c l u s i o n , I am n o t m a s o c h i s t e nough t o choose t h e hard l o t o f sexual o u t c a s t in s m a l l ­ town A m e r i c a .

Had I t h e c h o i c e t o c h a n g e m y s e l f b u t not t h e w o r l d , I woul d c h o o s e t h e e a s i e s t r o l e s a n d r e t u r n a s a w h i t e ma l e h e t e r o s e x u a l c i t y - s l i c k e r m i l l i o n a i r e , not b e c a u s e w h i t e s , m a l e s , h e t e r o s e x u a l s , c i t y - s l i c k e r s , and m i l l i o n ­ a i r e s a r e b e t t e r , b ut b e c a u s e t h e y ha ve f e v « r d ifficu lties.

Yet, given only the ch o ic e of c h a n g i n g t h e wo r l d more e a s i l y t h a n c h a n g i n g my c o l o r , my b i o l o g i c a l p l u m b i n g , my l o c a l e , o r my i n h e r i t e d b a n k a c c o u n t , I am g r a t e f u l f o r t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o b e a d i s s i d e n t i n a c o u n t r y whi c h p r e s e r v e s a t l e a s t t h e i d e a l o f freedom even i f i t d e n i e s freedom i n s c o r e s o f s p e c i f i c i n s t a n c e s .

I was not t o l d i n my e i g h t h - g r a d e c i v i c s c l a s s i n Alabama what a h i g h p r i c e one woul d h a v e t o p a y f o r e x e r c i s i n g f r e e d om o f s p e e c h , a s when what one s p e a k s i s r a d i c a l l y c o n f r o n t i n g t h e d o ­ c i l e and i g n o r a n t m a j o r i t y , but I an g r a t e f u l t h a t I had a good e i g h t h - g r a d e c i v i c s c l a s s , l e a r n i n g t h o r o u g h l y t h e me c h a n i s ms one must us e t o change t h i s gove rnm ent .

F o l k s who work f o r s o c i a l c h a n g e ne e d t o be v e r y c a r e f u l t o a l l o w room f o r i t t o h a p p e n , not t o allow r e a l i s t i c a p p r a i s a l s o f r i s k s t o prevent t h e i r c u l t i v a t i o n o f t h e v e r y c h a n g e whi ch t h e y germinate.

Our s u r v i v a l h a s b e e n h e l p e d i n no s m a l l way by our c a n d o r a nd c l a r i t y i n r e s p o n s e t o rumor and g o s s i p , whi c h a r e among our b i g g e s t e n e m i e s .

On my campus i n G e o r g i a , I v o l u n t a r i l y s poke a b o u t s e x u a l i s s u e s t o an a v e r a g e o f 5 0 c l a s s e s p e r y e a r o u t s i d e my d i s c i p l i n e .

In itially , t h o s e e n c o u n t e r s s h a r p e n e d my w i t s f o r t o u g h e r n a t i o n a l f o r u m s , b u t l o n g a f t e r I no l o n g e r needed t h e s e o c c a s i o n s p e r s o n a l l y f o r r e h e a r s a l , I continued to accept the i n v i t a t i o n s , thereby reaching a vast m a jo rity o f the c i t i z e n s o f the s m a l l t own whe r e we c o n t i n u e d t o l i v e .

I used t o e n j o y t h e humor o f s h a r i n g w i t h s uc h g r o u p s f a c t s whi ch wo u l d make my d a y - t o - d a y l i f e more pleasant.

For example, I r o u t i n e l y noted t h a t when a m a l e s t u d e n t i s s h o c k e d a t my s i m p l e p u b l i c , ’’H e l l o , " he would l o o k b o t h ways t o s e e who m i g h t h a v e s e e n him b e i n g f r i e n d l y w i t h t h e gay p r o f e s s o r .

By d o i n g t h i s he i s t e l l i n g roe and a l l o t h e r k n o w l e d g e a b l e f o l k s f a r more new i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t h i s own body c h e m i s t r y t h a n he i s f i n d i n g o ut a b o u t m i n e .

More i n f o r m e d ma l e s t u d e n t s woul d r e p l y , " H e l l o " when g r e e t e d .

Wi t h t h i s me t h od I d i s a r m e d t h e h a t e f u l n e s s o f one o f t h e i r more d e b i l i t a t i n g we a pons o f o s t r a ­ cism .

S o m e t i m e s I t h i n k a s o c i e t y ' s c r i t i c s roust a p ­ p r e c i a t e t h e s o c i e t y f a r more t h a n o t h e r s , f o r the c r i t i c s t y p i c a l l y take very s e r i o u s l y the s o c i e t y ' s i d l e p r o m i s e s and f o r g o t t e n d r e a r o s .

When I o c c a s i o n a l l y s e e t he m , I c e r t a i n l y d o n ' t f i n d many o f my h e t e r o s e x u a l e i g h t h - g r a d e c l a s s ­ m a t e s p r o b i n g much f a r t h e r t h a n t h e i s s u e s o f our common Form 1 0 4 0 h e a d a c h e s and t h e i s s u e s a s d e ­ l i v e r e d by t h e e v e n i n g ne ws .

T h e i r l i v e s seem o f t e n f a r d u l l e r t h a n o u r s and t h e mai n a d v e n ­ t u r e s i n p i o n e e r i n g t h e y e x p e r i e n c e coroe v i c a r ­ i o u s l y , t h r o u g h t e l e v i s i o n , t h e m o v i e s , and f o r a few, thro ug h b o o k s .

I n d e f i n i n g roe a s a c r i ­ m i n a l , ray s o c i e t y may w e l l ha ve h i d d e n a ma j o r b l e s s i n g i n i t s c u r s e b y f o r c i n g me o u t o f l e ­ t h a r g y i n t o an o n - g o i n g , r i g o r o u s q u e s t i o n i n g o f the e n t i r e p ro cess.

Not o n l y do I t e a c h The Ad­ v e nt ur e s ^ o f H u c k l e b e r r y F i n n , my s p o u s e and I ha ve i n an i m p o r t a n t s e n s e had t h e c h a n c e t o be Huck and J i m f l e e i n g a d i f f e r e n t f o r a o f s l a v e r y a nd i n j u s t i c e i n a v e r y r e a l p r e s e n t . <&

All personal r e fe re n c e s in p u blic d iscu ssio n s i n e v i t a b l y i n v a d e o n e ' s p r i v a c y , b u t I ha v e u s u a l l y found t h e i n v a s i o n a s m al l p r i c e t o pay for th e o p p o rtu n ity t o educate the p u b l i c to the f a c t t h a t t h e i s s u e s whi c h most c o n c e r n s e x u a l o u t c a s t s a r e n o t g e n i t a l , a s t h e c a s t e r s - o u t ha ve s o l e w d l y i m a g i n e d , b u t i s s u e s o f j u s t i c e and simple f a i r n e s s .

R e s i s t a n c e i s u l t i m a t e l y an a r t whi c h no one masters t o p e r f e c t i o n .

E a r l y i n my s t r u g g l e s , I s a id to a gay c o l l e a g u e l i v i n g openly in r u r a l N e b r a s k a , "We must st amp on e v e r y s n a k e . " Wisely he c o u n s e l e d , " O n l y i f you want t o g e t f o o t p o i ­ soning."

I o f t e n wi sh I had more o f t h e wisdom mentioned in E c c l e s i a s t e s , t h e a b i l i t y t o ju dge a c c u r a t e l y , " Th e t i m e t o s p e a k and t h e t i m e t o r e m a i n f rom s p e a k i n g . " Much o f t h e t i m e I t h i n k i t wi se t o p a s s p u b l i c h e c k l e r s wi tho ut ackowl e d g i n g t h e i r t a u n t s , e s p e c i a l l y when t h e y a r e cow ardly h i d in g in a crowd.

When I ha v e f a c e d b u l l i e s h e a d - o n , I h a v e t r i e d t o do s o p a t i e n t l y , d i s a r m i n g t hem by my own c o n t r o l o f t h e s i t u a ­ tion.

Of c o u r s e , I am not g u a r a n t e e d t h a t t h e i r v i o l e n c e c a n t h u s be a b o r t e d e v e r y t i r o e .

Two m a j o r s o u r c e s o f o ur s u r v i v a l a r e e s s e n t i a l l y v e r y p r i v a t e - - o n e , t h e i n t e n s e c a r e and l o v e my s p o u s e a nd I s h a r e , and t h e o t h e r , our s t r o n g

19

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green jointed stems.

It is not only pleasanttasting, but has tonic and stimulant properties, and is especially good for cough, colds, and stomach aches. The drug, ephedrive, comes from the Chinese relative of this herb.

The beauti­ ful green color of the tea may stain your teeth, however, if you use it often.

For most people, a mention of the U Southwest conjures up visions of craggy red cliffs, sand dunes, stark mesas, and barren vistas. Yet, in reality, the desert provides homes for numerous creatures in both the plant and animal worlds. Desert life is quite varied, but all desert cratures have adapted themselves somehow to survive with limited water.

In the higher altitudes, we find the omnipresent JUNIPER (genus:juniperus), a handsdme, dark green tree. The bluish berries are useful as a blood-purifier and for digestive problems.

The Cree people use the berries as a diuretic (helps make you pee) and as a stimulant.

Knowledge of desert plants has saved many a backpacker, pioneer, and desert dweller from hunger and thirst. These plants provide food, building materials, utensils, medicine, cloth­ ing, and any number of everyday items for the desert dweller.

Navajo children make beads of the seeds, and wear them to keep away negative entities. They also chew the berries to cure stomach troubles, diarrhea, and dysentery.

The leaves of the juniper have been reduced to scales that clothe the smaller branches.

These scales are coated with a waxy cuticle that keeps moisture in.

CREOSOTE (chaparral) is a vigouous six foot bush which abounds even where nothing else will grow.

It has yellow flowers in March and July and small fuzzy white balls on the branches. When it rains, it is often the creosote that gives the desert its exhilarating smell. Creosote is a tonic (it revitalizes the whole body) and can be used in tea form for enemas, sore throat, and bronchial complaints.

The juniper is actually distributed around the world and is mentioned in ancient herbal texts of the Hebrews, Greeks, Arabians, Romans, and others.

MISTLETOE, a common parasite of the Juniper tree, is a useful remedy for reducing fevers.

A hot bath of creosote twigs will make your skin come alive. The whole twig and leaves can be used as a scrub brush in place of aloofa sponge. The Papago people of southern Arizona use the tea to wash wounds and sores. Pimas use this plant as a poultice, and they also use the encrustations (lac) on the branches to mend pottery and cement arrowheads.

MESQUITE (prosopis juliflora), a common desert tree has roots that extend 50-60 feet downward in search of water. the Aztecs called this tree mizquitl, and used it for eye infections, as have the Mescalero Apaches and Pimas for at least a thousand years. Papagos use the inner bark for chronic indigestion.

The mesquite tree fruits in April to June.

In autumn, the pods ripen and are edible, either raw or ground into meal called pinole.

People recognize YUCCA ------(genus:yucca) by its clusters of flowers atop a tall stalk, Its leaves are __ smooth as aposed to the similar-looking agave which has serrated leaves. While the leaves of yucca have been used by numerous peoples to make sandles, mats, and baskets, the plant also has numerous uses as a food. The buds, flowers, seeds, fruit, and stalk are all edible.

From the yucca root is made soap and shampoo, mash the roots, let the pulpy mass dry, and it's ready to use.

It's very concentrated. Even the flowers will lather right up if the roots, are unavailable. Hopis use the yucca in special rituals. And the yucca, itself creates a little pronuba month which fertilizes the yucca in exchange for seeds which are eaten by the moths.

MORMON TEA (ephedra viridis) is a commonly-used drink and medicine among the native peoples of the Southwest.

The plant consists of yellow-

The PINON (pinyon, pinus cembroides) is a friendly companion of the juniper.

Together, the two trees are called a "pygmy forest" in the Southwest.

Lack of water keeps them smaller than in many parts of the world.

The pinon is a main food source for many native peoples (including the Paiute of California). Pine nuts (Indian nuts) come from the c'ones of this tree. To Pre­ pare the nuts for eating, char the cones in a fire.

This both loosens and roasts the seeds. Next, beat out the seeds, and they are ready to eat. You can shell them or grind them up, shell and all.

The nuts are mature when the green cone turns brown in Sept­ ember or October.

The resin of the pinon can be used for water-proofing pottery. _ Pinons carry on immoral sexual acts with fungus which lives in its roots.

The fungus provides water for thepinon, while the tree gives food to the fungus. Have they no shame ?

Other fine and useful desert plants, too numerous to discuss at length, include: cottonwood (the inner bark treats scurvy), wild mustard (eaten as greens), desert holly (jelly from the fruit is delicious), jojoba (the oil of the nut is thankfully being used in place of whale oil for a number of products) white sage (for lung problems), yellow dock (for liver problems and as a food), and sage­ brush (in Peyote rituals and sweat lodges and also for stomach problems, colds, and headaches) I hope I have whetted you appetite, for there are hundreds more.

A desert, yes. Barren, no,

21

For David Greenbaum When 3pring comes I am always shaking with anticipation.

In May the desert sky is clear, not the tiniest cloud scars its face: Th s is the blue that pulls at myheart, It calls me close, it promises a taste of chocolate or pineapple.

Hear the blue sky singing I leap who cannot fly.

6rab/Uel

I keep pieces of this blue in my house, a handkerchief, a sleeping bag, books.

Sometimes I am embarrassed: it is so indiscreet, so pagan.

L oa

L Ouueatff

Winter 1978-1979

Crimes Against Nature His eyes taught me to speak without words.

Never lovers--likely never would be-and my eye--talk still halting when he was shot dead at a gay bar in Phoenix.

He listens for the voices of the wind, steps out onto the red plain.

Safely robed in this choir, he nolonger hesitates: While the sky is still alive, he begins, before the rock returns to purple.

He turns north to where the mesa looks out onto the sky He scans the path the bear will take.

Now he stands to. Now he waits.

Spring 1981

My god! I never knew him I never held him. all I've got is his eyes Papago eyes dancing the picture of Manny dancing dancing his poems in the church.

Remembering Forgotten Dreams I could take him anywhere, I gave up scooting him from people's chairs: He was so short-haired cleanly black and white no one cared.

Who was it parked by the 30? club?

Waiting there by the door Waiting Two Indian faces come out bam! bam!

Now whem I go to the bar where the cops d o n ’t choose to serve or protect, Where people can be shot and no one is found guilty, The hair stands up on my neck I see his eyes.

I used to take him hitchhiking: He got the rides.

Everyone asked What kind is it?

But I couldn't take him swimming raiscle and bone, no fat, he sank for all his paddling.

And I didn't take him to Santa F e .

It was so cold. I knew he'd suffer. .r.e folks I left him with were good (the girl really loved him).

He couldn't take their divorce, no, it was me leaving, so he ran away.

Let the city council pass some law forbidding some kind of discrimination that no one cares about-I see his eyes.

I w o n ’t be grateful When it's queer for a man to love a man And to soot a man-No one is found guilty.

I see him slowly walking soundless, head down.

Santa Fe wasn’t worth it.

(9/78 ; 6/81)

Fall 198I

22

laufbe/o/ietum&fettAfaHugho, nuanwnk tpeakwa vi/uo

you have come to me when irises raised alien flags in desert soil fat with dung; you've come when we both sweated chill under blasts of swamp cooler while, outside, sun went berserk down arroyos bitter with salt stones; last night you ran in out of rainwind from under this wet winter's lowering sky

your body carries salt rime from bering strait and alaska; your hair broods with dark rage of mastodon flesh ages made gentle in your Jaws; your smile is genghis come reaching another way long before horses felt his thighs as i feel yours; you have married your sister, the desert, she has borne you and your child, she's still carrying: all these witnesses you bring me now in this time, two brothers, lovers, one desert wrought and surviving, one broken in city wilderness but healing, we generate between us ranges of new ways to be. we do not get child except that child in us each, for we get life, in the rich dunes of your flesh, tawny with stored sun, i taste tomorrow and, in my longing tongue and lips, work roots into fresh ancestries. in these eroded ruins of my body you wake ancient wise serpents, mesmeric speaking vines. a new continent genders betwixt our savage serenities. your seed in my throat, brother, goes into sinews of new gods, androgynous of our daring, comrades of our desert city laugh our risking is uterus of a new world, ancient snake becomes a new road, speaking vines begin to sing â&#x20AC;&#x201D; o your obsidian eyes burst, hard green fire a mountain in me turns to flesh, cries Will Inman Tucson, Arizona

advent his body pressed on the tied-to gate his eyes leaned on me over parted lips: i could translate his message, but could he? i waited with blunted expression possibly he wanted only to think his thoughts without my overt break into that arena: i stood at the top of high stairs behind a door far below, he worked an imaginary cape before an invisible bull when, finally, he asked me what i do alone so much, i knew he wanted me to come down with him into the sun's naked eye where we could sacrifice the stale blood of long-dead beasts but i knew wrong: that moment for him was a beginning: that sun stripped us, clothed us in glory: i untied the gate and he followed me into the house like one anointed he was fiercely shy but his laughter â&#x20AC;&#x201D; when i showed him secrets he'd hoped for â&#x20AC;&#x201D; was real, i held his body to me like an Advent, his horns still work in my chest with the hungers of god Tucson, Arizona 25 December 1979

23

Will Inman

Xn Search o f 7*t/ua "You know, there are pine trees up in the mountains here," the old man crowed as he squinted across Main street.

His face was a web of wrinkles, sun-etched from the seventyfive years he'd lived in this high desert town of Bisbee, Arizona.

paa* e 'A

However, my encounter with the old man continaed t(? piay Upon ray mind’ and the following day I decided to give myself and my dog some exer­ cise and fresh air and tromp around some places that would have the most likely environment for the pines. , 'Jbe morning, like most mornings here, was brilliant, and the sky was that deep autumn blue that helps one understand the space beyond the planet.

I threw some fruit, nuts, binoculars, and water into a knapsack, threw the Brittany Spaniel into the back of my car, and drove as far as I could up the dirt road toward Juniper Flats.

I parked the car, grabbed my knapsack and "allowed" my Brittany to rocket out the door to begin her relentless zigzag in search of quail.

Be cause they like the high peaks of surrounding ranges, few people bother to explore the Mules.

In the Southwest, a nixer who climbs a mountain is disappointed if he can see less than a hundred miles in every direction.

On this sharp, clear day I was not disappointed. All the dark giants ofthe area loomed against the horizon, the Huachucas, the batalinas, the Penalenos, the Chiricahuas, all mountain ranges over 900 feet in elevation.

I've hiked alot of these mountains," I said, "and I've never seen any pines. Where are they?"

The old man continued to stare across the street, his liquid eyes strangely blue and green.

"They're there," he said.

"They're there. Used to be lots more, but they're there." With that he pressed his age knobbed hands to his knees and pushed himself to a standing position. He stepped into the street and crossed over. My eyes followed him until the hunch backed figure with the dark stain on his trousers disappeared around the c o m e r of the post office.

f burned my attention from mountain reverie to he task I had planned.

I had been on Juniper flats many times before, so there were few f eer}> and few places that could hide the doubtful pines, I took out my binocul ars and searched the north face of Escobrosa Kidge. North facing slopes would be the only places other than deep ravines where pines might be able to survive.

I focused on part­ icularly large clumps of pinions and silver oaks, hoping that somewhere on the ridge a few pines might hold on to life. Nothing.

I sat for a few minutes and stared, as he had, not focusing on life on Main Street, but thinking of the brief conversation I'd had with the stranger.

There had been no lead in to this talk about trees; the old-timer hardly seemed to recognize my presence before he spoke. Yet, he spoke to me as though what he said was important to him, and important to me.

The Mule Mountain ridges protect the can­ yon town of Bisbee, press against the Mexican border in Southeast Arizona. They are friendly in form, mostly soft, round-shouldered and draped in grass and emory oaks, small live oaks with the same grace in miniature as those California Valley oaks which are now, after fifty years of suburban cancer, nearly a mem­ ory.

The climate of the Mules is more gentle than one might expect. Because they lie so far south, few winter storms can grab them, and when a storm does reach down this far, it us­ ually drops rain rather than snow. The highest

24

™ e Mules is only a little more than b°° low for a snow pack and doubtful,

+uthlfv.latltude» for suPPorting any pines other than pinion.

The two of us were sitting on the "sunny side" bench next to the bakery to catch the warmth of mid-morning.

I pushed my hands into the pockets of my hiking shorts, and stretched my bare legs out to catch the rays.

I turned to look at my bench partner.

I took in the baggy stained pants hanging limply over legs no thicker than kindling, the dull black boots, the bare arms, thin, mottled, white, the wattled neck, the crinkled face and protruding red blotched beak. He hocked and spat.

Now for those who do not live in the desert southwest, or for those who do live here but live in one of the large cities where irrigations turn communities into Disneyland, the possibility of there being pines tucked away somewhere in a high desert mountain range may not seem like a particular­ ly exciting proposition. But to those of us who live intimately with the natural southwest desert environment and have seen the struggle anything green has to go through to live with the sun-scorched Junes, wind dessicated Aprils, or months of seasonal or unseasonal droughts, our hearts quicken at the thought of a pine tenaciously holding on to life in a place where life should not exist for it.

I decided to search.

0

Behind me to the north was one of the larger peaks of the Mules.

It is a peak used by the army for microwave transmission, and it has a prinitive road winding to the top. After checking to find my Brittany coursing through the grass and Mountain Mahogany, (She had just flushed a covey of Montezuma Quail), I trudged up the hard baked road to where I could see the oiniy part of the mountain I had never viewed the north slope.

Billed with expectation, binoculars clutched anxiously in hand I topped a didge that allowed me to view the entire north slope of Hfd l * Dejection. Mountain mahogany, .. i0ry and silver oak, pinion, grass, juniper.

J ™ up une roaa, an organic locomotive desperate for air. She lav juniper, her tongue flipping dark drops -?h looked as resigned to never grasp» ?Uai1 as 1 was to never seeing a pine in the Mules, There were no pines.

taking the hike back to the car, I df^idad t£Vlgrab aJsnack and enjoy the mavelous \istas. he quest may have been unsuccessful, ? S f ttei 1C.°f a 9uest is in the search, tne other half is in the discovery.

I was alive a

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on a day that was transceningj I was important that day because I was there to interpret those blue horizons, those rusty cliffs and 3harply defined ridges.

I was important because I was there to understand the deep greens of living tissues that grabbed at the sun and changed its energy to their own.

I found a large sunny boulder on which to perch myself and admire the view to the west.

I took a crisp bite out of my apple as my eyes moved from far horizon to nearer foothills to slopes close in . . . to understand the deep greens.

With a start I grabbed my binoculars and focused on a gentle north slope a quarter mile away and at least 500 feet lower than where I was presently sitting - were the pines. Apache pines-. Not just a few, but maybe two hundred.

Long needled pines, wind hissing pines, life scented pines. Their tall forms marched down the slope to a ravine, then meandered down into even lower elevations.

They were short, as Apache pines go. Some were asymetrical, a few ghost gray forms stood as life memories, y^t I shared their pride at having survived, marooned and alone, with generic memories of moister times.

Later, as my dog and I returned to our canyon home, I realized that the true Southwesterner will always be searching for pines.

The £nd 25

tongue i n t o a v a g i n a ? " b e f o r e a c c e p t i n g a l i f e ­ s a v i n g hand.

You may c o n s i d e r t h i s s e n t e n c e crude.

I t i s no more c r u d e t h a n t h e s t a n c e we t a k e t o wa r d s o t h e r s o f a s l i g h t l y d i f f e r e n t sexual persuasion.

This a r t i c l e i s a r e s u l t o f the c o l l e c t i v e e x ­ p e r i e n c e s o f 2 2 y e a r s a s a man i n t r a n s i t i o n .

H o p e f u l l y , a l s o a man i n t r a n s c e n d e n c e i n v a r i o u s wa y s .

Our p h y s i c a l , p s y c h o l o g i c a l , e m o t i o n a l , s u b - c o n s c i o u s , s p i r i t u a l a s w e l l a s our s e x u a l selves are in constant flu x .

I am not t h e man I was l a s t y e a r .

I am c e r t a i n l y n o t h i n g l i k e t he man I was a t 2 0 y e a r s o f a g e .

Y e t , a t 4 2 , I am one a nd t h e same p e r s o n .

The i n n o c e n c e o f a s i x y e a r o l d ’ s s h y d i s c o v e r y o f a n o t h e r b o y ’ s b o dy , i n p l a y , i s l o c k e d deep i n s i d e .

Alongside is a 16 y e a r - o l d t e e n who was s e d u c e d by an i n s e n s i ­ t i v e , p u s h y l o g g e r who o n l y had s e 1 f - g r a t i f i c a t i o n i n mi nd .

T h e r e i s t he 2 0 y e a r - o l d l i f e - g u a r d and s t u d e n t t o r n b e t w e e n a b e a u t i f u l c o l l e g e g i r l and a m y s t e r i o u s , s t r a n g e ye t f a m i l i a r , e r o t i c f e e l ­ i ng f o r a new ma l e f r i e n d i n h i s 3 0 ' s .

Since t h a t " y i n - y a n g " s e e s a w whi c h r e s u l t e d i n much p a i n and c o n f u s i o n , I have wandered i n t o t h e h e t e r o s e x u a l w o r l d on t h r e e l e n g t h y o c c a s i o n s .

Upon e a c h v i s i t t o t h e o t h e r s i d e 1 f ound j u s t a s many men and women " i n c l o s e t s " a s t h e r e a r e i n my h o mo s e x u a l w o r l d .

A sec re tiv e , schizoid e x ­ i s t e n c e a s a g a y i n a s t r a i g h t w o r l d d o e s not n e c e s s a r i l y a c l o s e t make.

Many s t r a i g h t women and men, some a c t u a l l y b i - s e x u a l , a r e l i v i n g t h e i r d a i l y l i v e s i n c l o s e t s o f much more d u r a b l e , more e x p e n s i v e c o n s t r u c t i o n t h a n a ny g a y c l o s e t I ' v e e v e r i n h a b i t e d or v i s i t e d .

Most o f us a r e " b o x e d - i n " i n v a r i o u s wa ys.

We a r e a l l o f us p r o d u c t s o f our i n d i v i d u a l , a c c u m u l a t i v e p r o ­ g r ammi ng .

I t i s o n l y i n f o u r ways t h a t t h e s e c l o s e t s or b o x e s a r e e v e r t r a n s c e n d e d , i n my observation.

T h i r d ly , as perhaps the re ig n in g v e h i c l e for transcendence of s e l f , is s p i r i t u a l i t y .

I do not mean r e l i g i o n .

As Marx dubbe d r e l i g i o n , t h e " o p i a t e o f t h e m a s s e s " , s o e x a c t l y d oes r e l i g i o n i n h i b i t s p i r i t u a l transcen den ce as well as s e x ­ ual r o l e tra n s c e n d e n c e .

V e r y , v e r y few p r a c t i ­ t i o n e r s o f any o f t h e r e l i g i o n s f ound i n s uc h g r e a t abundance a l l o ve r t h i s p l a n e t a c t u a l l y put t h e p r i n c i p l e s pr o po unde d i n t o p r a c t i c e i n th e ir daily liv in g .

I t i s i n most c a s e s a c t u a l ­ l y t h e means by whi c h t r u e c o m m u n i c a t i o n or personal transcendence i s hindered.

This f a i l ­ ur e t o u s e t h e means f o r common u n d e r s t a n d i n g and t o l e r a n c e i s t h e r e s u l t o f t h e m e n t a l m a n i ­ p u l a t i o n s o f men's l i m i t e d minds.

The s p i r i t o f l i f e i s not a l l o w e d t o e x p r e s s i t s e l f .

It can­ not f l ow f r e e l y i f c o n t r o l l e d b y m a n ' s s i l l y mi nd .

I t f l o w s o n l y when we l e t g o t o i t .

T o ta l surrender i s a con d itio n o f personal transcendence.

You c a n ' t f l ow w i t h t h e r i v e r i f y o u ' r e c l i n g i n g t o t h e bank, or busy b u i l d ­ i n g a dam t o d i v e r t i t .

Get th e d r i f t ?

An open h e a r t , an open mi nd, a humbl e p e r s p e c t i v e i n d i ­ c a t e s a p e r s o n o f s p i r i t u a l s t r e n g t h ; not a t ­ t e n d i n g a c e r t a i n c h u r c h on S u n d a y s , i f t h e r e i s n ' t a good f o o t b a l l game on T . V .

Being a member o f D i g n i t y and l o a t h i n g " s t r a i g h t s " i s not s p i r i t u a l .

I t may be r e l i g i o u s i n t h e p r e ­ sent c o n t e x t o f r e l i g i o n ' s r o l e in t h e world pict ure.

The f o u r t h a v e n u e f o r movi ng b e y o n d our " b o x e d " c o n s c i o u s n e s s , o u r r o l e s , our e c o n o m i c , p o l i t i ­ c a l , geographic c o n s t r a in t s , is everyone’ s f a ­ v o r i t e , yet l e a s t un de rs to od in s tr u m en t o f f r e e i n g ma nki nd f rom t h e p r i s o n o f t i m e and space...SEX " B u t , b u t , b u t . . . " , you s a y i n ^ ^ ^ a l l i n c r e d u l i t y . . . " t h a t ' s what c a u s e d most o f The f i r s t mode o f e x t r i c a t i n g o n e s e l f i s a r t - t h i s c o n f u s i o n , h a t r e d , m i s c o m m u n i c a t i o n and e x p r e s s i o n s i n v a r i o u s a r t i s t i c means - - be i t ||H| f e a r " .

Y e s , you a r e q u i t e c o r r e c t ' .

Man i s a dance, s c u lp t u r e , f i lm , p a i n t i n g , ohotography, complete paradox.

The v e r y means by wh i c h he w r i t i n g or m u s i c .

R a r e l y d o e s t h e r e c i p i e n t or f f l l c a n f r e e h i m s e l f i m p r i s o n s h i m.

J u s t as s p i r i t " s h a r e r " o f t h e a r t i s t i c e x p e r i e n c e c a r e whe t he r O j i s t h e v e r y e s s e n c e o f h i s b e i n g , s o s e x i s t h e the o r i g i n a t o r o f th e a r t i s t i c e x p e r i e n c e i s 1 1 4 0 i n s t r u m e n t o f h i s s a l v a t i o n or d e s t r u c t i o n . h o m o s e x u a l , b i - s e x u a l , t r a n s - s e x u a l or h e t e r o ­ S e x i s an i n t e g r a l p a r t o f s p i r i t .

Without sexual.

Do we need t o know t h e p r i v a t e s e x u a l s p i r i t ( c a l l i t l i f e , e n e r g y , God - w h a t e v e r d e t a i l s o f David Bowie, E l t o n J o h n , P e t e r T c h a i ­ l a b e l s u i t s you b e s t ) t h e r e c a n n o t be t h e c o n ­ k o v s k y , M i c h a e l a n g e l o , L e o n a r d o Da V i n c i , Andre scious m anifestation of liv in g .

S e x i s an i n ­ G i d e , W i l l i a m S h a k e s p e a r e , G e r t r u d e S t e i n or tegral part of that process.

Oh, t h e r e ha ve Bernardo B e r t o l u c c i in order to a p p r e c i a t e t h e i r been c e l i b a t e s . . .bu t t h e y have not e x p e r i e n c e d a r t i s t i c c o n t r i b u t i o n s i n t h e r e a l m s o f human a l l l i f e o f f e r s in that c a se .

Our g e n i t a l s expression? were not put b e t w e e n o ur l e g s t o ha ve t hem i g ­ nored.

We a r e meant t o p r o p e r l y u s e our s e x S e c o n d l y woul d come n a t u r e - - t h e e n j o y m e n t o f o r g a n s a s much a s o ur mout h, our h a n d s , our l e g s , n a t u r e or t h e c o n q u e s t o f n a t u r e , a s i n t h e f i e l d and our b r a i n s need t o be " p r o p e r l y u s e d " .

The of sports.

I n s p o r t s , man p i t s h i m s e l f a g a i n s t d e f i n i t i o n o f p r o p e r u s a g e w i l l make i t s e l f most h i s roost f o r m i d a b l e o ppo n e n t . . . n a t u r e i t s e l f . e v i d e n t a s you l i v e your d a i l y l i f e .

We r e a p I t i s a l l t h e more d r a m a t i c , m y s t e r i o u s , d e a t h what we s ow.

L iterally: I f you're into a s e l f defying s p e c t a c l e because nature i s the god­ g ra tify in g , n a r c i s s i s t i c , "taking" t r i o , well, mo t h e r / g o d - f a t he r o f us a l l .

Yet we c h a l l e n g e t h e n your l i f e w i l l r e f l e c t t h i s .

T r o u b l e s and h e f t i r o e and t i m e a g a i n , t o t e s t our m e t t l e . f r u s t r a t i o n s , unmet e x p e c t a t i o n s and d i s a p p o i n t ­ L o s t i n t h e t h r o e s o f d i s c o v e r y or i n t h e myri ad me n t s w i l l l i k e l y a b o u n d .

I f you're into a c h a l l e n g e s o f v a r i o u s s p o r t s , man f o r g e t s h i s s h a r i n g , " o t h e r " o r i e n t e d , g i v i n g mode o f l i f e , s e x u a l i n c l i n a t i o n s for a time a t l e a s t .

I w e l l , t h e n your l i f e w i l l l i k e l y r e f l e c t t h a t . mi ght add e p i s o d e s o f n a t u r a l d i s a s t e r t o t h i s .

You w i l l be s o u g h t o u t f o r a d v i c e , you will have R a r e l y d oes a v i c t i m o f a f l a s h - f l o o d , o f a ' t r u e ’ f r i e n d s , you w i l l s t u m b l e a c r o s s a l l t h e dr o wni ng or an a p a r t m e n t f i r e , a s k f i r s t : " do s e x you may n e e d , and t h e r e will be c o n t e n t m e n t you p r e f e r s u c k i n g a c o c k t o s t i c k i n g your i n your h e a r t .

26

e t c . ' and t h e y a l l f e l t t h e same way a s I d o . . . and we s h a r e d our h e a r t s and m i n d s . . . H o w c o u l d t h e r e be h a t e and w a r ? "

The e b b and f l o w o f s e x u a l i n c l i n a t i o n , t h e d i ­ v e r s i t i e s o f " s t r a i g h t " and o f " g a y " c o n s c i o u s ­ n e s s a r e s t i l l e m a n a t i n g from t h e m a i n s t r e a m o f life.

We a r e a l l b r o t h e r s a nd s i s t e r s .

Is i t not t i m e t o o v e r c o me our p a r a n o i d i n s e c u r i t i e s and s t a n d up a s m a t u r e , i n t e g r a l c o m p o n e n t s o f a f a n t a s t i c voyage in l i v i n g ?

When you know who you a r e and why you a r e h e r e on t h i s E a r t h , t h e need f o r i n d i v i d u a l e x p r e s s i o n i s not t h r e a t e n e d by t h e u n i f i e d a s s i m i l a t i o n o f us a l l .

"As f a r a s I ' m c o n c e r n e d you c a n ' t s e p a r a t e t h e h e a r t , mind and g e n i t a l s .

I f you d o , you g e t an i m b a l a n c e .

T he y a r e k i n d o f l i k e t h e t h r e e corners of a tria n g le .

Not a l l t r i a n g l e s h a v e e q u a l s i d e s , s o d i f f e r e n t p e o p l e ne e d d i f f e r e n t amount s o f s e x , l o v e and m e n t a l s t i m u l a t i o n . " T h e s e a r e q u o t e s f rom l e t t e r s I h a v e r e c e i v e d and ha ve b e e n t h o u g h t p r o v o k i n g f o r roe.

I n A p r i l , I b e c a me a member o f t h e R e s i d e n c y C o u n c il h e re a t Sho rt Mountain.

I am now on t h e Board o f D i r e c t o r s as t r e a s u r e r o f the c o r p o r a ­ tion.

Q u e s t i o n s cum up a s t o what my p r i o r i t i e s a r e i n r e l a t i o n t o communi t y n e e d s and p e r s o n a l needs.

Who am I and what do I h a v e t o o f f e r ?

We p a s s t h r o u g h b i r t h , c h i l d h o o d , a d o l e s c e n c e , and y o u t h and becum a d u l t s .

As o u r n a t u r e d e ­ v e l o p s , g r e a t f o r c e s o f power a c c r u e w i t h i n u s .

T i mi ng i s i m p o r t a n t .

Our power s h o u l d he us e d c r i t i t i v l y and n o t an e x e r c i s e d s e l f - a b u s i v e fantasy.

We a t t a i n t o t h e power o f t h e g r e a t o n l y through r e s o l u t e n e s s t o r e a c h a g o a l .

Resoluteness is holding to o n e 's inner f a i t h and c o n v i c t i o n s when i t i s most d i f f i c u l t t o do so.

When I f e e l s i t u a t i o n s a r e r e v e r s i n g a t a tempo t h a t woul d c a u s e a s c a t t e r i n g , i t i s n e c c e s a r y f o r me t o cum t o a h a l t , e v a l u a t e p a r t i ­ c u l a r s and r e g r o u p .

My power i s i n » y own authority to act accordingly.

To f o l l o w my i n t u i t i o n and f l o w w i t h i t t o an a r e a wher e I c a n r e - e v a l u a t e and r e - g r o u p .

I f I were t o c o n ­ t i n u e t o a d v a n c e a g g r e s s i v e l y , I would e x p o s e m y s e l f t o r e b u f f and a b u s e .

A wise r e t r e a t does not j e o p a r d i z e my s u c c e s s t o wa r d my g o a l , b u t b r i n g s me g o o d f o r t u n e and h a p p i n e s s .

I becum g r o u n d e d , c e n t e r e d and c r i t i t i v e .

I like t o f e e l w h e r e v e r I a m, I t a k e an a c t i v e i n t e r e s t i n my s u r r o u n d i n g s .

I l i k e t o f e e l s a f e t o be w i t h o u t f e a r o f c o n s e q u e n c e s o f ray a c t i o n s .

Ex­ p l o r i n g new i ma g e s and u n d e r s t a n d i n g ray r e s p o n s i ­ b i l i t y a s an i ma ge maker t h r o u g h ray c o n c e r n f o r f u l f i l l i n g t h e e t h i c a l , c u l t u r a l , m o r a l , and s p i r i t u a l n o b i l i t i e s o f o n e ' s n a t u r e i s an i m­ portant p r i o r i t y .

I c o n s i d e r m y s e l f a who l e p e r s o n , I am g r a s s r o o t s .

I am g r o w i n g .

My r e ­ l i g i o n i s my r e a l i t y .

I have been a s l a v e t o the system.

I now c h o o s e t o b e r o a s t er o f ray a c t i o n s and t a k e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t hem.

S p r i n g h a s s pr un g and t h e s e a s o n k e e p s us b u s y .

Hot Damn.

I wi s h t o s h a r e some o f t h e f e e d ­ b a c k I h a v e r e c e i v e d f rom you a l l r e c e n t l y .

"Now some o f t h a t s t u f f i s j u s t a l i t t l e w e i r d , I f i n d t h e wh o l e g o d s and g o d d e s s c l a p t r a p quite rep u lsive.

To be c a n d i d , I know t h a t t h i s i s g r o s s l y u n f a i r , b u t I f i n d t h e whol e idea o f l e s b ia n s re p u ls iv e .

Ga y s d o n ' t b o t h e r me s p e c i f i c a l l y , b u t t h e f a e r i e s d o . " B e i n g p u b l i c a b o ut my g y p s y l i f e s t y l e h a s n ' t b e e n e a s y r e l a t i n g t o my b r o t h e r .

I f i n d my­ s e l f always re d e f in i n g m y s e lf . " T h e c l o n e i s a c l o s e t c a s e who t a k e s o r d e r s f rom t h e l a r g e c o r p o r a t i o n s whi c h a r e t h e c a u s e o f most o f t h e w o r l d ' s p r o b l e m s .

More t h a n any o t h e r g r o u p o f p e o p l e , c l o n e s smoke t o b a c c o , d e m o n s t r a t i n g t h e i r i g n o r a n c e and wi s h t o k i l l themselves.

They a r e u n h e a l th y in a l l a s p e c t s o f b ody and mind and g a y p e o p l e must b e c a r e f u l not t o f o l l o w t hem a s m o d e l s . "

I am l e a r n i n g t o l o s e ray ne e d t o h a v e e v e r y t h i n g w i t h i n ray c o n t r o l .

I am e x p e r i e n c i n g c h a n g e . I h a v e d i s c o v e r e d i n m y s e l f t h a t ray need f o r c o n ­ t r o l h a s l i m i t e d ray r e l a t i o n s h i p s i n t h e p a s t .

I now wi s h t o e x p a n d and wi den my a w a r e n e s s .

I am l o o k i n g f o r a f f i r m a t i o n , c o n f i r m a t i o n , n u r t u r a n c e , and h e a l i n g .

I f e e l ray g e n t l e n e s s , s p i r i t , and c r i t i t i v i t y a r e i m p o r t a n t c o n t r i b u ­ tions.

I aro c o n v i n c e d I c a n make ray t o u c h f e l t b e c a u s e I aro becuroroing i n t o u c h w i t h ray s i l l y ' n e s s , f a e r i e n e s s and b e i n g m y s e l f w i l l b e t h e most i n v e n t i v e t h i n g t h a t ray f r i e n d s , t h i s c om­ m u n i t y o r w h e r e v e r I aro, h a s e v e r s e e n .

" Got t h e l a t e s t RFD w i t h e n c l o s e d q u e s t i o n n a i r e , b u t so f ew o f t h e q u e s t i o n s a p p l i e d t o roe, t h a t I'm not r e s p o n d i n g .

By t h e way t h e y made up t h e survey, I can t e l l they are eager to appeal to a more s t r a i g h t - o r i e n t a t e d g a y ma l e and t h i s i s a shame b e c a u s e RFD c a n n o t c o m p e t e w i t h t h e AD­ VOCATE and o t h e r c l o n e p u b l i c a t i o n s . " "Some o f t h e t h i n g s you s a i d i n t h e l a s t i s s u e o f RFD b r o u g h t t e a r s t o ray e y e s .

I was o n e o f t h o s e p e o p l e f o r whom t h e P e c o s G a t h e r i n g was somewhat o f a bummer e x p e r i e n c e .

I never r e a lly f e l t a part o f th in g s."

Hope e a c h o f you e n j o y t h e summer m o n t h s , and I'm l o o k in g forward t o our next m e e t i n g . . .

Hot Damn. . .

Love and K i s s e s ,

" T h e way I l o o k a t s e x u a l i t y a nd s p i r i t u a l i t y i s t o make l o v e t o a l l t h e h o t l o o k i n g ' n i g g e r s , s p i c k s , c h i n k s , h i l l b i l l i e s , P o l l o c k s , Arabs,

27

Cjl JT

I s a t snug and s e c u r e i n ray c o t t a g e e n j o y i n g t h e f e e l i n g o f j u s t b e i n g rae.

O u t s i d e , a u t u n n was g e n t l y r a v a g i n g ray g a r d e n . I t h o u g h t o f t h e mapl e t r e e t h a t s t a n d s i n t h e c o r n e r o f my y a r d : how i t s l e a v e s were c h a f e d i n t o r e d n e s s by t h e r u s h ­ i n g wind and g r a d u a l l y numbed by t h e c o l d u n t i l t h e y had no f e e l i n g l e f t , and l o s t t h e i r g r i p and f e l l away.

I t h o u g h t t h i s on p u r p o s e t o t e a s e myself i n t o a c h i l l , the b e t t e r t o e n jo y the c o m f o r t o f my c o t t a g e when I l e t my mi nd r e t u r n t o ray i m m e d i a t e s u r r o u n d i n g s .

I was f r e s h out o f c o l l e g e a nd had j u s t moved i n t o t h e b asement a p a r t m e n t o f a d e c a y i n g m an s i on .

B e n , a p o e t , f i f t e e n y e a r s o l d e r t h a n I was, l i v e d on t h e f i r s t f l o o r .

A f r i e n d s h i p de v e lo pe d out o f g r e e t i n g s a t t h e m a i l b o x e s , a t t h e t r a s h c a n s , and o u t o f common g r i p e s a g a i n s t our l a n d l o r d .

Simple g r e e t i n g s oo n e v o l v e d i n t o v i s i t s a nd s h a r e d c o n f i d e n c e s .

D u r i n g o ne v i s i t i n h i s a p a r t m e n t , he had pus he d a l l o f t h e c u mb e r s o me , d a r k , V i c t o r i a n f u r n i t u r e t h a t h e ’ d g o t t e n o n l y a month ago b a c k a g a i n s t t h e w a l l s and had hung h e a v y r e d and g o l d e n c l o t h l i k e t a p e s t r i e s from t h e c e i l i n g s o t h a t h i s r ooms s eemed l i k e t h e t e n t s o f some s u l t a n .

P i l l o w s c o v e r e d t h e c a r p e t s t h e way l i l y pa ds choke a pond.

Wi t h a hookah b e t w e e n u s , we s a t c r o s s - l e g g e d o p p o s i t e one a n o t h e r and smoked opi um.

I n t h e amber l i g h t f rom a s i n g l e , s ha ded l a n t e r n , B e n ' s g o l d e n e y e s seemed c o l o r l e s s .

I knew t h a t I l o v e d him from t h a t moment when he s a i d t o me u n e x p e c t e d l y , w i t h a wi ck e d g r i n , " yo u r s e x - l i f e i s a s open t o rae a s t r e e - r i n g dating i s to a f o r r e s t e r .

Like cou nting the age o f a t r e e f r om i t s g r o wt h r i n g s , I o n l y need t o c o u n t t h e number o f c i r c l e s under yo u r e y e s t o t e l l how many b o y s y o u ' v e b e e n w i t h t h i s we e k ! "

I t was l a t e a f t e r n o o n , n e a r d i n n e r t i m e .

I was l a z i l y c o n s i d e r i n g g e t t i n g up t o pour m y s e l f a n o t h e r g l a s s o f b ur g u ndy when I h e a r d a kn o c k a t my d o o r .

I rose and o pe ne d i t , a d m i t t i n g a g u s t o f wi nd and a f i g u r e i n a br o wn , ho o de d c o a t .

He pushe d t h e hood b a c k a s I c l o s e d t h e d o o r , and I saw t h e f a c e o f my me n t or B e n .

"It's long!

g r e a t t o see yo u !" I s a id .

Where h a v e you b e e n ? "

" I came t o sem i-orbit hand I had t h o u g h t our

"It's

b ee n so

s a y g o o d b y e , " Ben s a i d , p a c i n g a r a p i d i n f r o n t o f rae so t h a t t o g r a s p h i s t o e x t e n d mi ne i n t o s p a c e wher e I t r a j e c t o r i e s woul d c r o s s .

♦'You mean y o u ' r e

leaving

again?

So s o o n ? "

" Y e s , I m u s t ! " he s a i d , my hand no t him from c o n t i n u i n g i n h i s t r a c k .

" W e l l , a t l e a s t spe nd some t i m e w i t h me. o f f your c o a t , and I ' l l make d i n n e r .

"I can't stay, B i l l y , " k e e p on t h e m o v e . "

he s a i d .

I was h i s

restraining

"I'v e

got

instantly!

And y e t , l o v i n g him was n e v e r e a s y .

Though y o u n g e r , I was t h e p r a g m a t i s t and he was t h e mystic.

We were s o u n l i k e e a c h o t h e r t h a t I c o u l d not u n d e r s t a n d what he saw i n me t o l o v e .

S o me t i m e s I s u s p e c t e d t h a t he saw i n me some i d e a l i z e d , y o u n g e r v e r s i o n o f h i m s e l f : t h e Ben t h a t mi gh t h a v e b e e n b u t w a s n ' t .

And I s om e ­ t i m e s f e l t t h a t he was s e e k i n g a s e c o n d c h a n c e a t l i f e t h r o u g h me.

Take

to

I s a i d n o t h i n g f o r a moment and j u s t l o o k e d a t him.

I t was a new Ben I was s e e i n g !

His f a c e l o o k e d t h e same a s when I ' d s e e n him l a s t .

He had t h e same s c r a g g l y , g r a y i s h - b r o w n h a i r t h a t a l w a y s l o o k e d l i k e i t ne e ded w a s h i n g , t h e same bus hy e y e b r o w s , t h e same S a n t a C l a u s n o s e and l i p s , but t h e r e was a new w a t c h f u l n e s s i n h i s eyes.

He seemed u n a b l e t o l o o k a t any o b j e c t f o r l o n g , a s i f he e x p e c t e d some demon t o s p r i n g o u t a t him from j u s t be yond h i s l i n e o f v i s i o n .

I n l o v e , he g a v e h i m s e l f c o m p l e t e l y .

I t was B e n , t h e e s t a b l i s h e d p o e t , who e n c o u r a g e d roe t o t r y w r i t i n g poems o f my own, and who l a t e r c a ­ j o l e d h i s p u b l i s h e r i n t o p r i n t i n g my f i r s t , t h i n v olume .

I t was Ben who came t o my d e f e n s e i n p r i n t when t h e c r i t i c s l a b e l e d me " d e c a d e n t " .

I i m m e d i a t e l y r emembered t h e c o o l and c a l m Ben I ' d f a l l e n i n l o v e w i t h some t e n y e a r s a g o .

He had a b e a r d t h e n , and my h a i r l i n e w a s n ' t r e c e d i n g !

28

And he woul d demand ray a t t e n t i o n o f t e n d u r i n g t h e day or nudge me awake a t any t i m e d u r i n g t h e night to share h i s l a t e s t v i s i o n .

The y were m ea n in gless, t h e s e v i s i o n s o f h i s ; a jumble of i m a g e s , i n c o h e r e n t p h r a s e s , f l a w e d l o g i c and

misunderstandings.

B ut b e c a u s e I l o v e d hi m, I a c c e p t e d them a s t h e p r e c i o u s g i f t s t h a t he i n ­ t e n d e d them t o b e .

Like h i s p o e t r y , they i n ­ f o r med t h r o u g h i n t e n t i o n r a t h e r t h a n s e n s e .

And i n t r u t h , when he was a l l c a u g h t up i n t h e t r a p p i n g s o f h i s own e n c h a n t m e n t s , I c a u g h t a g l i m p s e i n him o f t h a t i d e a l i z e d v e r s i o n o f h i m s e l f t h a t I t h o u g h t he l o o k e d f o r i n me.

I s a n k i n t o my f a v o r i t e c h a i r a nd t r i e d d e s p e r ­ ate ly to think.

I wa nt e d s o much t o h e l p hi m, y e t I was a f r a i d o f s a y i n g t h e wrong t h i n g t o t h i s u n w i l l i n g Mohammed.

A f t e r a second o f s i ­ l e n c e , whi c h seemed l i k e an e o n , I d e c i d e d t h a t I c o u l d o n l y be o f u s e t o him i f I s p o k e from t h e same p l a n e o f r e a l i t y t h a t he was l i v i n g i n , and a s k e d , " I s i t a p a r t i c u l a r m o u n t a i n ?

Like E v e r e s t ? Or Rus hmo r e , w i t h f a c e s ? "

And when d i d I s t o p l o v i n g h i m?

After l i t t l e more t h a n a y e a r , t h o u g h t h e r e i s no e x a c t d a t e nor e v e n t t h a t I c a n r e m e m b e r .

I gr e w away from him s l o w l y , a s a p e r s o n and a s a p o e t .

And j u s t a s g r a d u a l l y a nd g e n t l y , he w i l l i n g l y l e t me g o .

"None o f t h o s e , " Ben s a i d . " I know t h i s moun­ tain: I t ' s t h e o ne I saw when I was young and meant t o c l i m b , b ut n e v e r d i d .

I t has four c o n ­ c a v e s i d e s whi c h c u r v e and t a p e r t o a s i n g l e peak, l i k e a g i g a n t i c c a n i n e - t o o t h .

I ts ridges a r e s h a r p , b l a c k and v e r t i c a l a s i f c h i p p e d from f l i n t b y t h e p r e s s u r e - f l a k e t e c h n i q u e .

Its r o c k y f l a n k s a r e g r a y and i t s uppe r t h i r d i s snow-covered.

Eve n i n t h e d a r k o f n i g h t , one s i d e o f i t i s l i g h t e d by t h e s u n , whi c h t u r n s t h e snow t o mounds o f g o l d e n c u s t a r d v e i n e d by r i d g e s o f s t r a w b e r r y - r o s e so b r i g h t t h a t t h e y h u r t your e y e s .

And i n t h e shadow o f t h e p e a k , t h e snow i s b l u e f l e c k e d w i t h b r o wn , l i k e a r o b in 's egg.

I c a n h e a r t h e m o u n t a i n movi ng w i t h a sound l i k e a i r - b u b b l e s c r a c k i n g t h r o u g h i c e on a f r o z e n p o n d ! "

B u t b e c a u s e Ben was t h e s p e c i a l p e r s o n t h a t he was, we s u r v i v e d t h e t r a n s i s t i o n s f r o m f r i e n d s t o l o v e r s a nd b a c k t o f r i e n d s a g a i n .

We r e m a i n ­ e d c l o s e t h r o u g h t h e y e a r s o f mu t ua l s u c c e s s u n t i l t h i s s p r i n g , when he s u d d e n l y d i s a p p e a r e d without w arn in g.

T h e s e m e m o r i e s o n l y made me more w o r r i e d a b o u t t h i s new t e n s e and a g i t a t e d Ben who p a c e d a b o u t i n my l i v i n g r o o m . " S t a y l o n g e no ug h t o warm y o u r s e l f , t h e n , " I s a i d , and d i r e c t e d him t o an a r m c h a i r by t h e fireplace.

He a l l o w e d h i m s e l f t o b e l e d and s a t on t h e e d g e o f t h e c h a i r i n s i l e n c e , w i t h h i s head c r o o k e d , a s i f l i s t e n i n g f o r som et hi ng.

He s t o o d and d r a i n e d h i s g l a s s w i t h one g u l p , t e n s i n g a s - i f he c o u l d h e a r t h e m o u n t a i n moving a s he s p o k e .

"I can 't w rite!

I c a n 't sleep!

The m o u n t a i n ' s a l w a y s mo v i n g , and i f I d o n ' t ke e p p a c e w i t h i t , i t w i l l c a t c h me and c r u s h me i "

I p o u r e d wi ne f o r t h e two o f us a nd h a s t i l y a s ­ s e m b l e d a s m a l l f i r e f r o m b r a n c h e s and wood c h i p s , h o p i n g t h a t t h e wi ne and t h e f i r e woul d c a l m h i m.

Ben l e a n e d down s u d d e n l y and hugged me; t h e n p u s h e d me a wa y . ' G o o d b y e , B i l l y , " he s a i d , and b e f o r e I c o u l d e v e n c a l l h i s name, he p u l l e d up h i s ho o d , r a n t o t h e d o o r , o pe ne d i t and was g o n e

" I c o u l d n ' t l e a v e w i t h o u t s a y i n g g o o d b y e , " Ben s a id , ta k in g a sip o f wine. " I t ' s f o r good th is tim e."

I r a n t o t h e do or a s q u i c k l y a s I c o u l d t o c a t c h a l a s t g l i m p s e o f hi m, b ut I was t o o l a t e .

In a b l a s t o f wi nd , a h a n d f u l o f wa r p e d , brown l e a v e s dashed t h e m se l v e s t o p i e c e s a g a i n s t th e d o or .

I l e a n e d a g a i n s t t h e d o o r - j a m b , t h e c o l d wi nd b r i n g i n g t e a r s t o my e y e s , l i s t e n i n g u n t i l t h e b r i t t l e sound o f l e a v e s b e i n g t r a m p l e d d i e d away i n t o t h e street.

" B u t why B e n ? Where ha v e you b e e n ? " " E v e r y w h e r e , " Ben s a i d , one p l a c e . "

"never

s t o p p i n g a t any

" Ar e you w o r k i n g on s o m e t h i n g new? I a s k e d . t h a t why y o u ' r e t r a v e l i n g ? "

"Is

"Working?" he s a i d with a b i t t e r laug h.

"I h a v e n ' t w r i t t e n s i n c e I l e f t s i x mont hs a g o .

How c a n I w r i t e w i t h w h a t ' s h a p p e n i n g t o me ? "

I c l o s e d t h e d o o r , s i g h i n g , and went b a c k t o my c h a i r t o f i n i s h my g l a s s o f w i n e .

I truly fe lt f o r B e n , b u t t h e r e was no h e l p I c o u l d g i v e h i m.

T h i s was t h e p r i c e he had t o p a y f o r y e a r s o f j u - j i t s u i n g h i s mind i n t o y i e l d i n g up me mo r a b l e images, I re a so n e d .

T h i s ha p p e n s t o p o e t s who do not d i e young 1 ^

He h e l d up h i s hand t o p r e v e n t me from s p e a k i n g , and l i s t e n e d a moment b e f o r e c o n t i n u i n g . " B i l l y 1 I ' m b e i n g f o l l o w e d by a m o u n t a i n : " he s a i d q u i c k l y , i n a v o i c e not much l o u d e r t h a n a whisper .

I was s o amazed a t what he s a i d t h a t I c o u l d think o f nothing to say.

I couldn't believe t h a t he meant i t l i t e r a l l y .

My mi nd r a c e d l i k e the wheels o f a s l o t machine, f l a s h i n g a l l u s i o n s and s y m b o l s t h r o u g h my t h o u g h t s , b u t c omi ng t o r e s t on no m e a n i n g f u l c o m b i n a t i o n .

"What do you mean by m o u n t a i n ? " I a s k e d a t

last.

"A m o u n t a i n .

A r e a l m o u n t a i n : he s a i d .

"I f i r s t noticed i t in spring.

I ' v e been running ever s i n c e . "

29

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tecbd Horn e s re a,

loo Is r o r 7 by

ftaLudy

K ra h n

edi-fed by Dave, Vetjlia.no manure i n t o t h e w h e e l b a r r o w , a s w e l l a s c o l l e c t ­ i n g l e a f r o o l d and t u r n i n g t h e c o mpo s t p i l e .

Use i t t o keep t h e bur n p i l e n e a t or f o r s t a b b i n g r o t t e n melons.

I t ' s b e e n r a i n i n g a l l week b u t t h e mor ni ng t o d a y b r e a k s b l u e and b r i g h t .

G r e a t day f o r g e t t i n g t h a t d i t c h dug t o d i v e r t a l l t h a t r a i n w a t e r from the homesite.

Wi t h a l l t h e e n t h u s i a s m you c a n m u s t e r , you g r a b t h e s h o v e l and o f f you g o , right ?

SPADING FORK: T h i s i s l i k e a p i t c h f o r k , b ut w i t h o n l y 4 t i n e s , much s t u r d i e r t h a n p i t c h f o r k tines.

Handles can be long or m i d - s i z e d .

I p r e f e r the m id -sized handle because o f l i g h t e r w e i g h t and g r e a t e r m a n e u v e r a b i l i t y .

Use i t i n t u r n i n g heavy s o i l ; i t i s d e s i g n e d t o p i e r c e d e e p e r t h a n t h e common s h o v e l .

I t i s a l s o good f o r d i g g i n g and s i f t i n g out r o o t c r o p s .

Not n e c e s s a r i l y !

I ha ve come t o d i s c o v e r s o m e t h i n g i n t h e l a s t s e v e r a l y e a r s o f d i g g i n g h o l e s , movi ng d i r t , t r i m m i n g w e e d s , u n l o a d i n g manure and a l l t h o s e o t h e r numerous c h o r e s t h a t r i s e up d a i l y on t h e homestead: Using t h e r i g h t t o o l , at t h e r i g h t t i m e , f o r t h e r i g h t p u r p o s e makes a l l t h e d i f ­ f e r e n c e b e t w e e n a h a r d , d r e a r y j o b and t h e c h o r e t h a t moves s m o o t h l y t o c o m p l e t i o n .

The p r o b l e m , h o w e v e r , i s t h a t a l o t o f f o l k s j u s t a r e unaware o f what t h a t r i g h t t o o l i s .

I ha v e go o d memor­ i e s o f when I " d i s c o v e r e d " what a g r u b hoe c o u l d d o , or u s i n g a 5 - f o o t p r y b a r , or t h a t g r a n d e x ­ t e n s i o n o f ray h a n d : t h e p o t a t o f o r k .

S o , I woul d l i k e t o p a s s on a f ew o f t h o s e d i s ­ coveries.

The l i s t , f o r t h e s a k e o f b r e v i t y , i s not c o m p l e t e .

I have n e g l e c t e d r e g u l a r s h o v e l s , r a k e s and v a r i o u s o t h e r common hand tools.

But i t d o e s c o n t a i n some t o o l s t h a t I h a v e f o und t o b e r a t h e r e s s e n t i a l f o r wo r k i n g on t h e l a n d .

PICK-END MATTOCK: T h i s t o o l i s why t h e s h o v e l m e n t i o n e d i n my o p e n i n g p a r a g r a p h was " w r o n g " .

S u c h a s h o v e l may b e a b l e t o d i g my d i t c h a l o n e , b ut I a l w a y s g r a b t h e p i c k - e n d m a t t o c k t o a c ­ company my d i t c h d i g g i n g e f f o r t s .

The m a t t o c k h a s a p i c k on one s i d e and a f l a t " h o e " b l a d e on t h e o t h e r .

Use t h e p i c k i n h a r d , r o c k y s o i l t o b r e a k up t h e s t r u c t u r e .

Use t h e " h o e " s i d e i n t o p s o i l and s o f t s u b s o i l t o b r e a k o f f l a r g e chunks o f e a r t h .

The s h o v e l now c a n b e u s e d t o s po o n o ut a l l t h e l o o s e m a t e r i a l .

POINTED PRY BAR: D i d you come a c r o s s a l a r g e r o c k i n t h a t d i t c h , out o f r e a c h o f t h e p i c k end m a t t o c k ? G r a b t h e p r y b a r .

My b a r i s 5 feet long.

I t h a s a f l a t t e n e d , c u r v e d end f o r prying with l e v e r a g e .

T he o t h e r e n d t a p e r s t o a p o i n t and i s us e d f o r s t a r t i n g a p r y s l o t or for tra ckin g rock.

Digging a 3 fo o t p o s t h o le in c l a y or s a n d s t o n e i s p o s s i b l e when t h e p i c k i s unusable.

Movi ng l a r g e l o g s o r s l i d i n g a s m a l l s he d a l o n g t h e gr o u n d i s e a s y w i t h t h i s p r y b a r .

GRUB HOE: I u s e mine t o move a l o t o f d i r t i n a h u r r y , as in s p re a d i n g out a p i l e o f t o p s o i l o r c o l l e c t i n g g r a v e l or s o i l t o f i l l i n a p o s t hole.

Use i t a l s o t o c ho p t o u g h weeds o r do g a r d e n work wher e a r e g u l a r hoe i s t o o l i g h t ­ weight.

The b l a d e i s wide and v e r y d u r a b l e .

PITCH FORK: No hay t o p i t c h ?

No p r o b l e m .

The p i t c h f o r k h a s many u s e s b e yo nd h a y .

So c h o o s e a s t u r d y f o r k , w i t h 5 or 6 t i n e s .

You’ l l be s i f t i n g s t o n e s out o f t o p s o i l , l i f t i n g h e a v y

POTATO FORK: ( A l s o c a l l e d t h e C a n t e b u r y Hoe) Next t o t h e m a t t o c k , t h i s i s my f a v o r i t e t o o l and I p r o b a b l y u s e i t f o r more d i f f e r e n t j o b s

30

t h a n a ny o t h e r l a n d t o o l .

I ' d never hea rd o f i t u n t i l I b ought t h i s c u r i o u s " c u l t i v a t o r " a t a farm a u c t i o n .

The f o r k I b o ug ht h a s 4 s t u r d y " f i n g e r s " l i k e a s p a d i n g f o r k , b ut t u r n e d down l i k e th e f i n g e r s o f a garden r a k e .

I t has un­ e q u a l l e d p u l l a c t i o n when a p p l i e d t o a p i l e o f almost an y th in g .

I u n l o a d t h e t r u c k by u s i n g t h e p o t a t o f o r k t o p u l l t h e m a t e r i a l from t h e pi ck up bed i n t o t h e wheelbarrow; p u l l heavy b r u s h i n t o p i l e s ; c h o p and l e v e l s pa de d g r o und and p u l l l e a f m o l d o ut f rom under l ow b r a n c h e s .

I t i s l i k e h a v i n g a huge i r o n c l a w w i t h s t r o n g fingers.

D e f i n i t e l y , i t g e t s a heavy r a k in g j o b over q u i c k l y .

As t h e name i m p l i e s , use i t a l s o f o r gru b b in g around i n t h e s o i l t o expose root crops.

GRASS HOCK: Not o n l y f o r g r a s s .

Use t h i s t o o l f o r g a t h e r i n g i n g r e e n s f o r t h e l i v e s t o c k or wa c ki ng down t h i s t l e s and we e d s .

Makes q u i c k work o f J e r u s a l e m a r t i c h o k e s .

Keep i t s h a r p l

SQUARE NOSE SHOVEL: Make t h a t l o a d i n g o r u n l o a d ­ i n g j o b e a s i e r a nd f a s t e r .

The s q u a r e n o s e s h o v e l w i l l move d i r t , s a w d u s t , g r a v e l , e t c . , i n t h e most e f f i c i e n t way by h a n d .

Unlike the c u r v e d spa de s h o v e l , t h i s s h o v e l moves f l a t a g a i n s t t h e t r u c k b e d or g r o u n d .

The s q u a r e s h a p e u t i l i z e s t h e maximum l o a d c a p a c i t y .

Use i t f o r s p r e a d i n g m a t e r i a l , making i t l e v e l and p a t t i n g i t down a f t e r w a r d s .

CLEANING TOOL: Make t h i s one y o u r s e l f .

Form a p i e c e o f 1 i n c h wood i n t o a s m a l l p a d d l e and sharpen the edge.

Use i t t o s c r a p e mud and d e b r i s o f f your t o o l s when t h e j o b i s d o n e .

A c l e a n t o o l i s a longer l a s t i n g t o o l .

H I - L I F T J ACK: B e i n g m u l t i - p u r p o s e i s d e f i n i t e l y a go o d q u a l i t y f o r a ny t o o l t o ha ve and t h i s type o f ja c k i s c e r t a i n l y m u lti-p u rp o s e .

It is v e r y s t r o n g , v e r y b a s i c and v e r y e a s y t o u s e .

I t h a s a l i f t i n g h e i g h t o f a b o u t 3 f e e t and a l o a d c a p a c i t y o f 7 , 0 0 0 pounds.

This t o o l can b e us e d w i t h c h a i n s t o a c t a s a w i n c h .

(I p u l l e d a n e i g h b o r ' s c h e v y out o f a d i t c h t h i s winter, tw ice .)

Prop t h e f l a t p l a t f o r m a g a i n s t a s t e e l o r wooden f e n c e p o s t and j a c k i t o u t o f the ground.

I t s d e s i g n l e t s i t g o wher e h y d r a u ­ l i c or bumper j a c k s c a n ' t be u s e d .

It c o s ts a b o u t $ 4 0 . 0 0 b ut i s wo r t h i t and w i l l l a s t many years.

W r i t e , H i - L i f t , Drawer 2 2 8 , B l o o m f i e l d , Indiana 47424 .

The t o o l s t h a t f o l l o w a r e not f o r t h e g a r d e n o r s o i l , b ut I c o n s i d e r t hem a l s o t o be on t h e "necessary" l i s t .

Your t o o l s a r e your f r i e n d s .

T h e y a r e an e x t e n ­ sion of y o u r s e lf.

S o t r e a t them w e l l and t h e y w i l l perform a c c o r d i n g l y .

Keep them s h a r p and oiled .

I us e a l a r g e b i n o f s a n d / o i l mi x t o s t i c k ray m e t a l g a r d e n t o o l s i n , k e e p i n g o f f m o i s t u r e and r u s t .

Keep a t o o l r a c k handy i n t h e g a r d e n t o l e a n t h e t o o l s a g a i n s t when not i n use d u ri n g t h e day.

Never l a y a t o o l f l a t on t h e g r o u n d .

Prop i t up s o me wh e r e .

Store t hem i n t h e s h e d e v e r y n i g h t .

For c a re o f wooden h a n d l e s , I u s e t h i s p r o v e n me t h o d : S a nd l i g h t l y t o r emove r o u g h s p o t s , t h e n a p p l y s e v e r ­ a l c o a t s o f b o i l e d l i n s e e d o i l d i l u t e d 259* w i t h paint th in n er.

P a i n t t h e l i n s e e d o i l on and t h e n wi pe o f f e x c e s s b e t w e e n c o a t s .

Use an 8 inch m i l l b a s t a r d f i l e t o sharpen s h o v e ls , tUowels, e t c .

P h o t o b y Randy Krahn CURVED PRUNING SAW: T h i s i s my " f a n n o " saw, made by F a n n o Saw Wo r k s , C h i c o , C a l i f o r n i a .

I h a r d l y ever use i t f o r p r u n i n g .

I almost always use i t i n s t e a d o f t h e chainsaw f o r sm a ll dia m eter t r e e s and p o l e s o r f o r s a wi n g d i m e n s i o n l umber when p e r f e c t i o n o f t h e c r o s s c u t saw i s n o t n e ­ cessary.

The f a n n o saw c u t s on t h e p u l l s t r o k e , h e l p f u l i n t i g h t or u n b a l a n c e d s p o t s .

I t has l a r g e t e e t h and c u t s v e r y f a s t and e a s i l y .

It's one o f my b e s t f r i e n d s i n t h e f i r p o l e g r o v e .

I n w r i t i n g t h i s a r t i c l e , I came a c r o s s a few good i n f o r m a t i v e p i e c e s .

T h e r e i s an a r t i c l e on g a r d e n t o o l s i n t h e m a g a z i n e , C o u n t r y J o u r n a l , March, 1 9 8 2 .

I t h a s a good l i s t o f s o u r c e s .

A b e a u tifu lly illu s t r a t e d catalog is a v a ila b le f r e e f rom S mi t h & Hawken T o o l Company, 6 8 Homer, P a l o A l t o , CA 9 4 3 0 1 .

ANVIL PRUNER: T h i s l i t t l e gem c u t s a l l summer l o n g , d o i n g a b e t t e r and c l e a n e r j o b t h a n ray pocket k n if e or other types o f s h e a r s .

Use i t t o cut t w i n e , sn i p s unf lo we r h e a d s , p l u c k squash o f f the vin e, e t c .

Experience i s the b e st t e a c h e r .

So e x p e r i e n c e t h e p r o d u c t i v i t y o f a go o d t o o l d o i n g a good job.

Y o u ' v e t a u g h t y o u r s e l f o ne o f t h e r e a l b a s i c s o f l i v i n g with the land,

31

^Interview s

S

Ran r\an anauarrui andBarru] anaiWQktans juL.

(T h e f o llo w in g i s a re sp o n se to q u e s tio n s t h a t were a d d re sse d to D a rry l Hopkins and Ron W hittom , two men who "h av e been t o g e t h e r f o r 14 y e a r s . " ) In J u l y 1 9 7 8 , 1 too k a w eek 's v a c a t io n , drove through N orth C a r o lin a , stop p ed in A s h v llle and sp e n t the n ig h t.

W hile in A s h v ille and w h ile d r iv in g back home (Newport News, V i r g i n i a ) I k ep t t h in k in g t h a t th e r e was so m eth in g b e t t e r t h a t we co u ld do; we were both m aking good money (D a r r y l was a m a c h in is t, and I had been m anager o f an a n tiq u e shop - a r t g a l l e r y ) , though we w e r e n 't happy.

When I re tu r n e d home from v a c a tio n I th o u g h t I would f e e l D a rry l o u t ab o u t a ch an g e, so I threw the id e a o f bu yin g a c h ic k e n farm a t him , which I e x p e c te d him to lau g h a t .

I e x p e c te d some d is c u s s io n a t to what we co u ld do.

W e ll, much to my s u r p r is e ( s h o c k ) , he lik e d the id e a .

We im m ed iately s t a r t e d lo o k in g f o r a farm .

Our house s o ld s i * days a f t e r we put i t up f o r s a l e .

We p u rch ased th e farm a s a p a r t n e r s h ip , though I c la im th e e n t i r e farm (ex p en se/ in co m e) f o r t a x r e a s o n s D a rry l b e in g a s i l e n t p a r t n e r .

We lo o k e d a t many farm s and the o n ly o n es we co u ld a f f o r d were th e on es t h a t had "gone to p o t ."

In F e b ru a ry 1979 we s e t t l e d on th e one h e re in G i r d l e t r e e , Md., p r i c e $ 90, 000, farm h ou se, b a m , 2 sh e d s , c o m c r i b , pump house and 3 c h ic k e n h o u ses ( 32,000 cap . fo r b r o i l e r s ) .

The e n t i r e farm was in h o r r i b l e c o n d it i o n ; we t o r e down th e c o m c r i b , one sh ed , and r e b u i l t the b a m .

We put $ 7 ,5 0 0 down on th e farm and sp e n t an a d d it io n a l $ 1 8 ,0 0 0 f o r r e n o v a tin g th e c h ic k e n h o u ses (su c h a s i n s t a l l i n g an alarm s y s t e m ,i n s u l a t i n g th e c h ic k e n h o u s e s , p u tt in g up new fe e d b i n s , ad d in g 6 " o f d i r t to the f l o o r s , put in a 25KV d e i s e l g e n e r­ a t o r , e t c . , e t c . , e t c . , and a re s t i l l w orking on the c h ic k e n h o u s e s!

On March 19th we have been t o g e t h e r f o r 14 y e a r s , though we have n e v e r been a s c l o s e a s we have l o r th e l a s t th r e e y e a r s s in c e b u y in g th e fa rm .

We know of no other lo cal gays (other than in S a lis ­ bury, which is about 25 miles away). We do have friends up from the Norfolk area once in a while, though many old friends we never see as they c a n 't take the farm l i f e ; not being able to run out in the s tr e e ts to cru is e ; there is no one to impress with th e ir designer clo th e s; and they don't care fo r greens, chicken and dumplings, and Kool-aid. I would rather they not come; I don't want to be bothered by these people.

I am a c t i v e in th e a r t s h e re on th e s h o r e .

I am th e c u r r e n t p r e s id e n t o f th e o p era s o c i e t y , and I too have some a d d it io n a l income a s an a p p r a is e r o f a n tiq u e s and f i n e a r t s (h av e been a p p r a is in g f o r 12 y e a r s ) .

L a s t y e a r we pu t up a l i t t l e green h o u se ( 8 x 1 2 ) to r a i s e bedd in g p l a n t s f o r o u r gard en and j u s t to have so m eth in g to p u t* around in on r a in y d a y s . We put in a f a i r l y l a r g e garden ( 7 5 x 1 0 0 ) , so I f r e e z e and can a l l t h a t i s p o s s i b l e d u rin g th e summer.

I t r y to bake a l l o f ou r b rea d s and make m ost o f o u r own c l o t h e s .

When we moved on th e farm th e farm house was in h o r r i b l e c o n d it io n ( a t th e tim e th e id e a o f b u rn in g i t to th e ground and l i v i n g in a t e n t sounded g o o d ), b u t s in c e moving we have scra p e d and p a in te d th e house o u ts id e and i n ; I made s h u t t e r s ,p u t in storm windows, and i n s u la te d th e h o u se , put on a new r o o f , and put in a new s e p t i c sy stem .

We have a back p o rch ,w h ic h had been used a s a lau n d ry room.

The f l o o r was r o t t e n and th e r o o f le a k e d .

We s t a r t e d f i x i n g i t up, and i t i s now o u r t . v . room.

I t i s o f f th e k i t c h e n , a sm a ll room w ith l o t s o f windows, and i t i s ou r f a v o r i t e room.

We have a gas fu rn a c e in th e l i v i n g room, though we keep c u r t a i n s o v e r th e d oor from th e k i t c h e n , keep th e fu rn a c e down low , and h e a t th e k itc h e n and t . v . room w ith a sm all c o a l s t o v e .

T h ere i3 no h e a t u p s t a i r s in th e bedroom s.

Then on April 15, 1979, we got our f i r s t flock of birds (ch ick en s); I had never seen one outside of a meat case in a grocery s to re ! We raise about five flocks a year (52,000 per flo ck ), and we produce a 4& - 5 lb. bird. We gross about $ 2 0 ,0 0 0 a year from the birds. The farm is paying for i t s e l f , but if Darryl didn't work fu ll time we couldn't make i t . We are looking into other ventures here on the farm, so he could work here. We have 2 1 J acres, 17 of which are in production, winter wheat, and soybeans; we lease out the crop land at the present time.

We have put in a sm all p a t i o , and a re in th e p ro .cess o f p u tt in g up a 6 ' wood fe n c e around th e p a t io and p a r t o f th e y a rd .

Ws l i v e on a dead end road ( n e x t to l a s t

32

and d o n 't know a n y th in g ab o u t i t , we f e e l th e y sh ou ld c o n t a c t us and maybe spend a few days h e re w ith us to g e t a f i r s t hand lo o k .

We have had bad f l o c k s d is e a s e problem s ( a i r - s a c , E c o l i , broo d er-p n eu m o n ia, d e r m a titis , e t c . ) L a s t J u l y ( 9 8 ° ) o u r b ir d s were 7 £ weeks o ld .

We l o s t 750 b ir d s in a p e r io d o f 2 h o u rs, and i t i s alw ays th e l a r g e s t / b e s t c o c k e r e l s t h a t d ie fir s t.

The n e x t day we l o s t a n o th e r 2 0 0 .

T h is l o s s o f 950 b ir d s a t m arket tim e wiped o u t o u r fe e d c o n v e r s io n which i s one o f th e main th in g s t h a t w ill d eterm in e th e p r i c e o f th e f l o c k .

fa r m ).

I d o n 't c a r e f o r c l o t h i n g ( b u t I d o n 't t h in k G i r d l e t r e e would u n d e r s ta n d ), bo I d ecid ed to put a fe n c e up f o r s u n b a th in g , j u s t in c a s e someone l o s t does d r iv e down o u r ro a d .

S in c e m oving we have put in a sm all h e rb g ard en , a few f r u i t t r e e s , b l a c k b e r r i e s , r a s p b e r r i e s , a 150' row o f s t r a w b e r r i e s , a 150' row o f a s p a r a g u s , a few g ra p e v in e s and a b e e h iv e .

We a r e g e t t i n g read y to t r y ou r hand a t winem aking t h i s y e a r , though n e i t h e r o f us knows a n y th in g ab o u t i t .

There a re v ery few p eo p le who grow b ir d s w ith o u t a c o n t r a c t to one p r o c e s s o r .

We grow o u r b ir d s f o r one m a jo r company.

R a is in g b ir d s i s a 24 hour a day jo b , though o n ly a few ho u rs need be sp e n t w ith th e b ir d s a d ay.

I f th e ho u ses a r e c lo s e d up a s th e y a r e now in M arch, (o u r b ir d s a re fo u r weeks o ld ) and th e e l e c t r i c sh ou ld go o f f , we co u ld l o s e many hundred in o n ly an hou r o r two.

L a s t y e a r we bought a 2 1 ' Penn Y at b o a t , a s we bo th v e ry much l i k e f i s h i n g , and we a re h a v in g a 35 ' s a i l ­ b o a t b e in g b u i l t (th ou g h th e y say i t w i ll ta k e 3-4 y e a r s to c o m p le te ).

Fans have to run to p u ll o u t th e ammonia in th e h o u s e s ; a l s o o u r w a ter pump i s e l e c t r i c though we h e a t th e h o u ses w ith p ro p an e.

One o f th e main problem s i s t h a t th e company w ith whom I grow can come h e re tomorrow and want so m eth in g e l s e done to th e h o u ses by a c e r t a i n d a t e , and i f I d o n 't do i t , they w i ll drop me ae a g ro w er.

I f e e l th e company I grow w ith i s the b e s t , b u t th e y a r e known f o r sp en d in g ay m o n e y ... Though I may sound down on anyone g o in g in to r a i s i n g c h ic k e n s , I would n o t g iv e up th e farm and move back to a c i t y to make good money. . . we d o n 't need i t i f we have to g e t back in to th e r a t r a c e a g a in .

I f anyone shou ld be c o n s id e r in g c h ic k e n r a i s i n g , we a d v is e them g e t t i n g in tou ch w ith u s , o r a t l e a s t someone in c h ic k e n farm in g b e fo r e th ey make th e p lu n g e l! I The o n ly change I would c o n s id e r ( i f so m eth in g sh ou ld happen and we were to l o s e th e farm ) would be to buy 20-30 a c r e s in th e m o u n tain s, and have no e l e c t r i c i t y , te le p h o n e , e t c .

But Lord I hope t h i s d o e s n 't happen u n t i l K itch e n Aid and C u ls i n a r t come o u t w ith b a t t e r y m od els!

Roughing i t i s f i n e to a p o in t ................................. 4*

D a rry l and I d is c u s s e d y ou r q u e s tio n ab o u t a d v ic e to w ould-be c h ic k e n fa r m e r s .

I f th ey a r e c o n s id e r in g i t

33

THE APOTHECARY

BY JERRYSTAMPSRD, I n the

last

25 y e a r s

have pr oduced P B B ' s yls),

PCB' s

(poly-chlorinated

ever y a r t i f i c i a l icides

galore,

vegetation, wi t h

flavor

the s k i e s asbestos

i magi nabl e,

2,4,5-T

to d e s t r o y

wast es,

l ead o x i d e s ,

fibers,

sulfur

until

not a c l e a n

be found i n

the

years

i ons,

nitro­

the wes t er n hemi s pher e

begins it

is

c o mp l e t e l y in

can

(ex­

pr oduc es

and v e g e t a b l e s

the B and T c e l l s .

been c h e m i c a l l y hormones, dyed,

fertilized,

s pr a y ed wi t h

insecticides,

f l a v o r enhanced and God knows what

else.

We smoke c i g a r e t t e s

unknown c h e mi c a l s duct

f ed growt h

i n the Un i t e d S t a t e s

not have

l oaded wi t h

( t he o n l y

ingredient

labeling)

additives

t ha t

c h e mi s t r y

to read the l a b e l .

experts the mi l k

it

tell

us

is

wel l

t ha t our a i r level

filled

t ha t

fluoride

level

toxic

pose no pr obl em o f current

levels

i n very hi g h

toxicity

at

and on and on.

t i n u e t h a t wh i l e

t her e has

on the combi ned e f f e c t s

is

the

a c t as a g e n t s whi ch a l t e r

up"

more or areas

is

of

t he r e. also

an

and as s uch must have and c o- enzymes the c e l l

in i t s is

but

to remove the

present

necessary

present

itself

effort

the B c e l l ' s if

bl o o d c e l l s ) - -

the B c e l l s

"cleaning

of

itself

located

to pr oduce

sensing

and the co- enzyme i s

rifice"

gland,

and the T c e l l s

The c a t a l y s t

reaction

and by

to i n c r e a s e

cleaning

t her e

rea­

to " s a c ­

to a l l o w

the

to go on when the t o x i n a t t e mp t s

to d e s t r o y

the c a t a l y s t or

the enzyme.

t e et h and bones ,

the BHT and BHA i n p r o c e s s e d

whi l e p o s s i b l y

ction

t hat

added to our d r i n k i n g wat er to our

level,

two

in f r on t of

bones

process

not o n l y

the e f f i c a c y

l ead o x i de

to b r e a t h e ,

of

the B c e l l

toxin.

o f DDT i n

bel ow the da ng er o us be s a f e

very b e n e f i c i a l that

the

also

its

or has

The B c e l l s

catalyst

to p r o t e c t

in organic

Thi s

and d i r e c t i n g

the r i g h t

Our s c i e n t i f i c

can have a h i g h e r

and s t i l l

and ea t

a degr ee

this

process

in size

s mal l

of substances

e n z y ma t i c p r o c e s s

wi t h so many

t ak es

function

This

whi ch does

f oods

cellular troubl e

consumed p r o ­

proces s ed

the c e l l

direct

of

At about

l y mp h o c y t e s ( wh i t e

to c l e a n less

ver y

the l o n g

We e a t

have

by chem­

or d e s ­

hormones whi ch s t i m u l a t e

two t ypes

that

large.

the c h e s t

the n or t h or s out h p o l e ) .

of

or

or f u n c t i o n s .

to d e c r e a s e

c ept maybe at fruits

is

atrophied.

the marrow o f

the c e l l

injuring

s y s t ems

either

the c e n t e r o f

heart,

polio

t hr ough a l t e r a t i o n

the g l a n d

it

pu ber t y

radiation

br e at h o f a i r

capabl e of

the c e l l

At b i r t h

mumps,

but i mmuni t y or

to i n v a s i o n o f

toxins

troying

etc.,

e n z y ma t i c m e t a b o l i c

and f i l l e d

compounds,

gen compounds and a c c i d e n t a l l ea k s

ical

and l a k e s

positive

s uch as me a s l e s ,

resistance

pest­

c h l o r i n a t e d and

our d r i n k i n g wa t e r ,

wi t h

diseases

whoopi ng coug h,

biphenyls),

p o l l u t e d our s t r ea ms

industrial

fluoridated

our i n d u s t r i e s

( p o 1y - b r o ma t e d b i p h e n ­

their They c o n ­

been no s t u d y

of al l

they can f i n d no e v i d e n c e

f ood, doses,

t hes e

to s u s p e c t

things, that

t here s h o u l d be any pr o b l ems .

Do you s t i l l wonder why you d o n ' t f eel w e l l ?

Fortunately Me d i c a l aware t h a t

scientists the

have a l wa y s

been

thymus g l a n d f u n c t i o n e d

body i mmuni t y,

not

i mmuni t y whi ch

is

the humoral responsible

meas ures in

1).

type of for

of

resisting

t her e are some p r o t e c t i v e

that

can be t aken:

Live

in

the c i t y

the c o u n t r y or g et out

or to the c o a s t once i n a

wh i l e and br e a t h e the c l e a n e r a i r .

34

2) ables

.

Produce as many o r g a n i c

and f r u i t s

as you can at home.

t h o r o u g h l y what you c a n ' t

Wash

.

chemi cal s , fresh

Av o i d t o x i c

B vi t ami ns

s oap and

sprays,

.

Maintain

fruits

it

et c .

and v e g e t a b l e s ,

p r o d u c t s where p o s s i b l e

to g et

raw d a i r y

may l i m i t

in

large

and f i s h .

function. also

is

indirectly

against yoghurt

and s our ed mi l k

products erals

chemi cal

t o g e t h e r wi t h

apparently

co- enzymes

vi t ami ns

C is

probably

toxifies routine

f o r ever y

even h e l p s pecially

it

and s k e l e t a l of

a ppear s

against

to be i n c r e a s e d when the two are

when combi ned wi t h

protection

is

due to i t s

as an a n t i o x i d a n t , in a large

variety

reduce

as

es­

works

in

lab­

to w i t h s t a n d p o i s o n s Gi nseng w i l l

the cas e of

a greater

of

also

prescription

dos e and i t w i l l cancer

radiation far

less

its

detoxification

weaknes s

Apparently

the l i v e r , potential

toxic materials it

to be

n au s ea ,

i n some way to p r o t e c t number of

radiation

dose

burn b e i n g s een.

even more i m p o r t a n t l y

carbohydrate

enabl es

it

in­

for

a

and p o s s i b l y the body

this

must be g o t t e n

the f ood we e a t or s up pl eme nt ed.

ability

the b o d y ' s and i n

been shown to g r e a t l y

toxic side ef f e c t s

and r a d i a t i o n

reactions,

has

strychnine.

a d m i n i s t e r e d wi t h

of met abol i c

it

it

doubl e

radiation

and wi t h a s m a l l e r

large

the body,

easily

1s

daily

cally

creasing

S i n c e we do not produce

however,

It

use by the body

me t a b o l i s m. in

S i b e r i a n or Panax)

and a l l o w them to work more s p e c i f i ­

co- enzyme and c a t a l y s t

t hos e

their

the

therapy,

T hi s

particularly vi t a mi n

(either

dr u g s allow,

consi dered

rutin.

involving

mus cl e and the e f f e c t ­

both s e l e n i u m and v i t a m i n E

It will

increase

de­

radiation

on both

together.

including

reactions.

type o f p o i s o n i n g .

protect

action

the body.

iveness

and mi n ­

is

within

cardiac

a n i ma l s

the most i mp o r t a n t

fact,

a similiar

but

the

and s t r a i n whi ch

toxins

oratory

and/or

he a r t

to p r o t e c t

E has

regi men.

the body from l ead and ever y o t h e r k n o wn - - i n

normal

act

toxic materials,

from s t r e s s

These

It

for it

i n some way to p r o t e c t

to w i t h s t a n d

s uppl ement one can take.

heavy met al

does

ability

as c a t a l y s t s

in c e r t a i n met abol i c

V i t a mi n vi t a mi n

act

necessary

pr oduce

Gi ns emg

pesticides--

products.

toxic

a p a r t o f ever y R u s s i a n C o s mo n a u t ' s

a degr ee o f p r o t e c t i o n

DDT and r e l a t e d

wh i l e

V i t a mi n

t aken f o o ds whi ch have been

the body or

p a r t o f a co-enzyme

from e x t e r n a l

acts

h e a r t mus cl e

There are c e r t a i n

to e i t h e r pr oduce a

Not o n l y

the h e a r t

shown to o f f e r

In a l l e r g i e s

an a n t i o x i d a n t ,

dos es

s ys t em whi ch i s

it

needed.

is of

the r e l e a s e of h i s t a m i n e .

S e l e n i u m,

and c l e a n meats

dos e

anti histami ne within

it

s o u r c e of

large

the 10 to 20 mg.

acid

form

be b a l a n c e d .

an e x c e l l e n t

apparentl y acts

natural

grains,

is

will

but a r a t h e r

pantotheni c

ho u s e h o l d

a good d i e t - - w h o l e

i n a B- c o mpl ex v i t a m i n

the B v i t a m i n s

necessary

gar den s p r a y s ,

4)

t aken

B r e we r ' s y e a s t

c o mp l e t e l y .

3)

best

since a l l

produce and must

buy at the mar ket wi t h a l i g h t rinse

is

veget­

from

Today,

due to the i n c r e a s e d e n v i r o n me n t a l

toxin

levels

falls

far

the recommended 40 mg.

fact,

I woul d recommend at

s h o r t o f what we r e a l l y least

per day

need.

In

10 t i mes

t h a t amount or even more dependi ng on whet her or not we smoke and our ex po s u r e Pantothenic crease

a c i d has

the s u r v i v a l

by 200% wi t h radiation

its

been shown to i n ­

laboratory

s u p p l e me n t a t i o n

exposure,

decrease a l l e r g i c

of

to t o x i n s .

and i t

reactions

a n i ma l s prior

to

has been shown to i n humans

50 to 80% when taken on a r e g u l a r

by

basis.

It

Dhoto b y D a v i d K w a s i g r o h 35

THEAPOTHECARY, CO NTINUED

to w i t h s t a n d seems

a great

to work

capacity

of

deal

of

to i n c r e a s e

stress.

the oxygen c a r r y i n g

in

i t whi ch p r o t e c t

the body o r g a n s

i n o t h e r ways.

tection

are u n d o u b t e d l y due i n p a r t

factors

to i t s

germani um c o n t e n t ,

el ement a l s o

found i n

These p r o ­

a necessary

large quantities

in

garlic.

Kel p i s endocrine

a great

but s p e c i f i c a l l y of

radioactive

f r ee

p r o t e c t o r o f the whol e

s ys t em due to

iodine

fallout

is

converted

abs o r bed

s ys t em wi t h

the t h y r o i d

rapidly

amount.

reactor.

thus

to beg i n

radius

taking

them t ha t

that

it

I

toxify

t ha t

a periodic

The l i q u i d s

The body i s

a ver y

and a bus e,

sophisticated

to a l mo s t ev e r y

but

like

a machi ne

t h i n and c e r t a i n m e t a b o l i c

to do much,

And a n y t h i n g

also

sit­ it

s y s t ems

beg i n

to

but we can do s o me t h i n g .

the e f f i c a c y

increases

can

We may not be

t h a t we can do to l e s s e n

of e n v i r o n me n t a l

increases

machi ne

the d e f e n s e s wear

f u n c t i o n p o o r l y or not at a l l .

it

and de­

t hat we take even more

take so much u n t i l

effects

whi ch are

flush

and b e n e f i c i a l .

capabl e of a d j u s t i n g

a bl e

fast

or 7 days woul d

large q uan t i t i es

ever y s uppl ement

uation

and t h a t

ev e r y body o r g a n and h e l p s make

effective

just

this but

mea s u r e . )

24 hour s

be very b e n e f i c i a l . consumed i n

in

daily

t her e was no da n g er o u s

f eel

be f o r

S.

of one at omi c

persons

3 tablets

a prophylactic

Finally, whet her

was

to p e r s o n s

amount o f r a d i o a c t i v e e m i s s i o n s i t was

(I

the U.

its

of

pollution

the

not o n l y

the mac hi ne,

and o t h e r Dame J a n e t J a n t i n a No or Brown on

F i v e more me mo r a b l e s o p r a n o s , a b a r i t o n e , a c o n t r a l t o a n d , a most u n u s u a l song r e c i t a l !

1 ) L o t t e Lehmann, a " s i n g u l a r " a r t i s t , who c o u l d have p r o m o t e d a n y t h i n g by t h e t o n e o f h e r v o i c e .

Hear h e r i n a l a t e " g r e a t ” r e c o r d i n g " S o n g s o f V i e n n a " on O d y s s e y 3 2 1 6 0 1 7 9 .

Also, a 2 -re c o rd s e t whi ch d i s p l a y s a l l f a c e t s o f h e r a r t , 2 Seraphim 6 1 0 5 .

2) E ile e n F a r r e l l , America's g r e a t d r a m a t i c s o p r a n o , on O d y s s e y Y - 3 1 7 3 9 .

3 ) M i l i z a K o r j u s , an e t h e r e a l c o l o r a t u r a ( t h e h i g h e s t p i t c h e d f e m a l e v o i c e ) on A r a b e s q u e 8 0 1 3 / ca sse tte 9013.

4 ) C l a u d i o Muzi o i n Art o f I t a l i a n C ^ e r a on S e r a p h i m 6 0 1 1 1 a n d , f i n a l l y , 5 ) d r a m a t i c s o p r a n o Ros a P o n s e l l e i n e x c e r p t s f rom B e l l i n i ' s No r ma , e t c . , on RCA V I C - 1 5 0 7 .

L e o n a r d W a r r e n was one o f A m e r i c a ' s and t h e world's great dramatic b a r ito n e s .

Hear him s i n g i n F r e n c h , I t a l i a n and L a t i n on RCA V I C 1595.

C o n t r a l t o M a r i a n An d e r s o n was A m e r i c a ' s f i r s t b l a c k M e t r o p o l i t a n Ope r a s t a r .

She s i n g s s p i r i t u a l s , i n h e r r i c h , r e s o n a n t v o i c e on RCA AVM1- 1735.

As a " f u n " t a s t e o f g r e a t v o c a l a r t , t r y " a most u n u s u a l song r e c i t a l " w i t h mezzo C h r i s t a Ludwig and W a l t e r B e r r y , b a s s - b a r i t o n e on S e r a p h i m S - 6 0 0 8 7 .

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Continued ~rnom po-ge^ 11 Any l i s t o f g r e a t m e z z o s o p r a n o s woul d h a v e t o i n c l u d e 1 ) t h e dyna mi c Conchita Supervia, the d a r k e s t , r i c h e s t a nd most s e d u c t i v e mezzo I ' v e ever heard.

Hear h e r d i s p l a y h e r m a g i c power i n a r i a s a nd S p a n i s h s o n g s on S e r a p h i m 6 0 2 9 1 .

2 ) A n o t he r u n f o r g e t t a b l e v o ic e , mezzo-"witch" Jen n ie Tourel sings s o n g s and a r i a s i n v a r i ­ o us l a n g u a g e s on a 2 - r e ­ c o r d " T r i b u t e " al bum, 2-Odyssey Y2- 3 2 8 8 0 .

3 ) F i n e me z z o , C h r i s t a Ludwig s i n g i n g t h r e e o f M a hler's e x q u i s i t e Ruckert l i e d e r s o n g s on S e r a p h i m S - 6 0 0 7 0 a n d , 4 ) B a k e r s i n g i n g Dowl and s o n g s w i t h man, G r a y s t o n B u r g e s s and W i l f r e d None s uch 7 1 1 6 7 .

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Any q u e s t i o n s f o r The A p o t h e c a r y may be d i r e c t e d t o RFD o r t o J e r r y S t a m p s , 33 Van B u r e n , E u r e k a S p r i n g s , Arkansas 72632.

36

T h i s i s s u e o f RFD c o n t a i n s an e x c e p t i o n a l l y l a r g e amount o f what we c o n s i d e r " p o l i t i c s " .

Judging f rom e a r l y s u r v e y r e s p o n s e s , t h e r e i s some d i s ­ agreement about t h e a p p r o p r i a t e n e s s o f t h i s s e c t i o n i n RFD, and t h e d e f i n i t i o n o f t h e s c o p e of "p o litics".

T h e r e h a s b e e n o n l y one p a g e o f p o l i t i c s i n RFD i n t h e l a s t y e a r , s o p e r h a p s t h e emphasis in t h i s i s s u e i s long o ver due .

However, t h e a r t i c l e s t h a t h a v e b e e n s u b m i t t e d by r e a d e r s and a r e i n c l u d e d h e r e r e f l e c t a g r o wi n g t e n s i o n i n t h e w o r l d whi ch i s b e g i n i n g t o g e n e r a t e a more w i d e s p r e a d and q u i c k e r a c t i o n r e a c t i o n c y c l e , and c o n s e q u e n t l y an o v e r wh e l mi ng amount o f i n f o r m a t i o n , wh i c h by t h e t i m e i t r e a c h e s roost o f u s , h a s b e e n s o d e p e r s o n a l i z e d and h o mo g e n i ze d a s t o a p p e a r i r r e l e v a n t and m e a n i n g l e s s t o our l i v e s .

The f o l l o w i n g a r e a l l i n c o n t r a s t , q u i t e p e r s o ­ n a l a c c o u n t s by RFD r e a d e r s and s u p p o r t e r s .

The common t h r e a d b e t w e e n them seems t o b e t h e c o n ­ n e c t i o n s b e t w e e n " n a t i o n a l s e c u r i t y " and g a y repression.

C o n t r a r y t o p o p u l a r b e l i e f , we do not e x i s t i n i s o l a t i o n f rom t h e r e s t o f t h e w o r l d - t h e " u s " and " t h e m " m e n t a l i t y .

The t h i r d world i s s e r v i n g as a pr o v i n g ground f o r the CIA's eventual plans for us.

N ationalistic f e r v o r ( o t h e r w i s e known a s " p a t r i o t i s m " ) c a n u n l e a s h a r e i g n o f t e r r o r u n l i k e a ny o t h e r f o r c e , with the p o s s i b l e e x c e p t io n o f r e l i g i o n .

By c o n t i n u i n g t o e x p o s e t h e l i e s and m a n i p u l a ­ t i v e p s y c h o l o g i c a l w a r f a r e b e i n g waged by t h e U . S . Cove rnr oent and i t s r u l i n g c l a s s , we c a n d i f f u s e t h i s e f f o r t t o p r e p a r e us f o r " 1 9 8 4 " , whi c h i s l o o k i n g c l o s e r e v e r y y e a r .

Re a d t h e f o l l o w i n g a s i f i t we r e you who we r e b e i n g p e r ­ s e c u t e d f o r your l i f e s t y l e , b e l i e f s , r a c e , e t c . , f o r a f t e r a l l - i t c a n ha ppen h e r e .

T he b e g i n ­ n i n g s h a v e b e e n s u b t l e , a s our c u l t u r e r e q u i r e s , b ut e v e n t u a l l y a ny and a l l t a c t i c s o f r e p r e s s i o n c a n b e somehow j u s t i f i e d .

The f i r s t o p e n l y g a y and l e s b i a n p o l i t i c a l c a n ­ d i d a t e s i n L a t i n America a r e running f o r the l o we r h o u s e o f t h e M e x i c a n c o n g r e s s , a s no mi n e e s o f t h e PRT ( R e v o l u t i o n a r y W o r k e r s P a r t y , a f f i l i ­ a t e d w i t h U . S . S o c i a l i s t Wo r k e r s P a r t y - SWP).

A r a l l y i n M e x i c o C i t y o p e n i n g t h e i r c a mp a i g n was a t t a c k e d b y r i g h t - w i n g t h u g s , p r o v o k i n g w i d e s p r e a d c o n d e m n a t i o n o f t h e v i o l e n c e , and s u p p o r t o f l e s b i a n and g a y r i g h t s t h r o u g h o u t the Mexican l e f t .

While t h e s e four c a n d i d a t e s h a v e no c h a n c e o f w i n n i n g a g a i n s t t h e p a r t y whi c h h a s c o n t r o l l e d M e x i c o ' s g o v e r n m e n t f o r 6 0 y e a r s , t h e r e s p o n s e o f s o l i d a r i t y whi c h t h e i r open c a n d i d a c y h a s g e n e r a t e d f o r g a y r i g h t s amid t h e " m a c h i s m o " o f L a t i n A me r i c a i s a s i g n i f i c a n t s t e p towards the r e c o g n i t i o n o f gay p eo p le as a f o r c e t o be c o n s i d e r e d b y t h e M e x i c a n g o v e r n me n t and i t s o r g a n i z e d o p p o s i t i o n .

Some a d d i t i o n a l s o u r c e s o f i n f o r m a t i o n we s h o u l d b e a wa r e o f i n c l u d e Ga y Community News ( 2 2 Br o m-

f i e l d S t . , B o s t o n , MA 0 2 1 0 8 - w e e k l y , $ 2 5 / y r ) and Body Pol i t i c ( Box 7 2 8 9 , S t n A, T o r o n t o , O n t . , Ca n a da M5W 1X9 - 1 0 i s s u e s / y r , $ 1 4 / C a n . , $ 1 6 / U S ) , b o th o f which a t t e m p t to r e p o r t gay r e l a t e d e v e n t s i n L a t i n A m e r i c a , and h a v e had f e a t u r e a r t i c l e s from t h e a r e a .

By t h e way, I a l s o r e ­ commend t h e s e two p a p e r s a s t h e b e s t s o u r c e s o f g a y news and w r i t i n g o f n a t i o n w i d e / w o r l d w i d e iropor t a n c e .

A l s o c o v e r i n g g a y i s s u e s , L a t i n A m e r i c a , and g e n e r a l " p e o p l e ' s i s s u e s " i s Torch/La Antorcha ( PO Box 1 2 8 8 , NY, NY 1 0 1 1 6 - m o n t h l y , 3 i s s u e s / $ 1 , 1 y r / $ 5 ) , t h e ne ws pa pe r o f t h e R e v o l u t i o n ­ a r y S o c i a l i s t L e a g u e , wh i c h i s t h e most v o c a l and c o n s i s t e n t s u p p o r t e r o f g a y r i g h t s o f a l l p o l i t i c a l o a r t i e s i n t h e US .

W h i l e somewhat p o l e m n i c a l , i t d e f i n i t e l y p r e s e n t s a more r e a l ­ i s t i c v e r s i o n o f t h e news t h a n t h e s t a n d a r d media.

P h o t o by M i l o

Maya Arch - Ux mcxl, VuccL-fan J u s t p u b l i s h e d , and s t r o n g l y r ec ommended, i s Guatemala!

The H o r r o r and t h e Ho p e , a 2 8 8 - p a g e summary o f t h e p o l i t i c a l and c u l t u r a l u p h e a v a l i n one w a r - t o r n c o u n t r y .

B a s e d on e x t e n s i v e r e s e a r c h and p e r s o n a l c o n t a c t s i n G u a t e m a l a , and e x i l e s in other c o u n t r i e s , i t is a graphic s t a t e m e n t o f t h e t e r r o r o f mass murder o f Mayans, C h r i s t i a n s , j o u r n a l i s t s , s c h o l a r s , and a l l who dar e speak a g a i n s t the m i l i t a r y r u l e r s .

The bo o k makes a s t r o n g c o n n e c t i o n b e t w e e n t h i s r e ­ p r e s s i o n and t h e US G o v e r n m e n t , a s w e l l a s d escribing the opposition.

E dited by Rarihokwats, and p r o d u c e d by F o u r A r r o w s , a g r o u p o f i n d i g e n o u s p e o p l e o f t h e US, C a n a d a , M e x i c o , and G u a t e m a l a , i t i s a v a i l a b l e f o r $6 e ach ( 5 f o r $ 2 0 , 10 fo r $ 3 6 ) p l u s p o s t a g e , f rom Fo ur A r r o w s , PO Box 3 2 3 3 , Y o r k , PA 1 7 4 0 2 .

We roust r e s i s t a l l a t t e m p t s a t mass m e d i a / g o v e r n mental bra inw ashing o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n .

An i n ­ f o r me d and a c t i v e c o n s c i e n c e i s o u r b e s t d e f e n s e .

In hopes f o r t h e l i b e r a t i o n o f a l l p e o p l e . . .

Edwin B r i d g e s P P litic a l Editor RFD C o l l e c t i v e

0 MOVIMENTO DE LIBERALAO HOMOSSEXUAL BRAS/LE/RO CENUNC1A

REPRESSAO AOS HOMOSSEXUAIS NA ARGENTIN A R e p r e s s i o n a g a i n s t h o m o s e x u a l s , by p o l i c e o r by s o c i e t y a t l a r g e , i s not a new e v e n t i n a t r a d i ­ t i o n a ll y s e x is t s o c ie ty lik e Argentina.

But t h e m i l i t a r y r e g i m e i n power s i n c e 1 9 7 6 i s r e s p o n s i ­ b l e f o r an i n c r e a s e d and s y s t e m a t i c p e r s e c u t i o n .

Thousands o f g a y men, l e s b i a n s and p r o s t i t u t e s have b e e n j a i l e d , b e a t e n , a b u s e d , b l a c k m a i l e d and some e v e n a s s a s s i n a t e d d u r i n g t h e c o u r s e o f " p o ­ groms" a g a i n s t hom ose xu als.

A g i g a n t i c ' s y s t e m o f d a y - t o - d a y r e p r e s s i o n was s e t up d u r i n g t h e p r o g r a ms o f " m o r a l c l e a n - u p " b e f o r e t h e w o r l d s o c c e r games o f 1 9 7 8 .

The m i l i t a r y , not s a t i s f i e d w i t h m a s s a c r i n g a l l p o l i t i c a l and l a b o u r o p p o s i t i o n , went on t o b u i l d a n i m p r e s s i v e a p p a r a t u s o f v i g i l a n c e and c o n t r o l : two p o l i c e m e n a t e v e r y c o r n e r , p a t r o l c a r s and r i o t wagons e v e r y w h e r e , s h o c k t r o o p s i n s u r p r i s e " b l i t z " o p e r a t i o n s , numerous a g e n t s i n p l a i n c l o t h e s r o a m i n g t h e s t r e e t s and b r e a k i n g i n t o p r i v a t e homes .

S i m pl e s u s p i c i o n , or m e r e l y a p o l i c e c h a r g e o f h o m o s e x u a l i t y , i s g r o u n d s f o r d e t e n t i o n f o r 30 days.

In c e r t a i n p r o v i n c e s , t h e a r r e s t i s e x ­ t e n d e d t o 9 0 d a y s , e s p e c i a l l y when t h e " s e x u a l p e r v e r t " i s c h a r g e d wi t h " f r e q u e n t i n g m i n o r s " younger t h a t 1 8 . " F r e q u e n t i n g " i s not t h e same a s making l o v e : s e x wi t h someone y o u nge r t h a n 21 i s p u n i s h e d by 3 t o 8 y e a r s i n p r i s o n .

sent o f the c o u r t s .

In t h e o r y , o f f e n d e r s can a p p e a l t h e s e n t e n c e b e f o r e a j u d g e , b ut i t ' s d i f f i c u l t t o do so a f t e r b e i n g b e a t e n and o b ­ liged to sign a c o n fess io n .

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o f human r i g h t s .

Some p o l i c e m e n h a v e e v e n t a k e n s p e c i a l c o u r s e s t o i d e n t i f y ga y men and l e s b i a n s i n t h e s t r e e t .

One l e s b i a n , a f t e r b e i n g a r r e s t e d , was t a k e n by p o l i c e on w a l k s t o downtown c a f e s i n o r d e r t o i d e n t i f y h e r f r i e n d who was l a t e r i m p r i s o n e d and t o r t u r e d .

Any g a y p e r s o n c a n be i d e n t i f i e d and a r r e s t e d by m a s s i v e o p e r a t i o n s a g a i n s t d i s c o t h e q u e s or d i s ­ c r e e t m e e t i n g p l a c e s o r e v e n by an i n d i v i d u a l policeman.

Some c o p s s e x u a l l y p r o v o k e t h e i r v i c t i m s t o b l a c k m a i l o r a r r e s t t h e m.

When a cop i n d i s g u i s e e n t e r s t h e ho u s e o f a ho m o s e x u a l i t i s u s u a l l y t o r i p him o f f .

Any h o m o s e x u a l a t ­ t e m p t i n g t o d e n o unc e a r i p - o f f or e x t o r t i o n r u n s the r i s k o f being a r r e s t e d .

I n t h e c i t y o f T ucuman, a h o m o s e x u a l who i n f o r m e d t h e p o l i c e about the murderer o f C l a u d i o Reynoso, k i l l e d i n 1 9 8 0 , was t o r t u r e d a nd f o r c e d t o c o n f e s s h i s p e d e r a s t y and c h a r g e d w i t h " c o r r u p t i o n o f m i n o r s " .

A s l o w and t i m i d r e v i v a l o f a f ew g a y b a r s i n Bue no s A i r e s i s t h r e a t e n e d p e r m a n e n t l y by p o l i c e raids.

I n some c a s e s , t h e r e i s c o o p e r a t i o n b e ­ t we e n c h u r c h and p o l i c e ; f o r e x a m p l e , t h e p o l i c e made 2 0 0 a r r e s t s i n a r a i d i n " l a C a y o l a " b a r ( i n C a s e r o s d i s t r i c t ) a f t e r i t was d e n o u n c e d by t h e b i s h o p o f San M a r t i n .

A n o t he r r a i d , on t h e c l a n d e s t i n e d i s c o t h e q u e "San F r a n c i s c o " l o c a t e d on a b o a t a n c h o r e d i n t h e h a r b o u r , ended i n t h e d e a t h o f d e s p e r a t e young p e o p l e who t r i e d t o e s ­ c a p e by j u m p i n g i n t o t h e r i v e r .

S t r i c t l y s p e a k i n g , h o m o s e x u a l i t y i s not a g a i n s t t h e law i n A r g e n t i n a .

However, c e r t a i n p o l i c e r e g u l a t i o n s - - d a t i n g m os tly s i n c e 1932 t o 1949 - - a re being invoked t o l e g a l i z e r e p r e s s i o n .

S i m i l a r p o l i c e r e g u l a t i o n s , n e v e r l e g i s l a t e d by p a r l i a m e n t , p u n i s h v a g r a n c y , d r u n k e n e s s , and p r o s t i t u t i o n ( whi c h h a s b e e n u n d e r g r o u n d s i n c e 1930).

Because o f the r e g u l a t i o n s , th e re i s n o t h i n g t o p r e v e n t p o l i c e from s e n d i n g g a y p e o ­ ple to prison.

T h e r e was a l s o a huge p o l i c e b o a t o p e r a t i o n t o a r r e s t 3 4 0 c u s t o m e r s o f a n o t h e r un de rground gay b a r on a h i d d e n i s l a n d o f t h e d e l t a o f t h e P a ­ rana R iv er.

I n Mendoza, a l a r g e g r o u p o f homo­ s e x u a l d e t a i n e e s was a b a n d o n e d d e e p i n a d e s e r t c o u n t r y s i d e near th e border w ith t h e p r o v i n c e o f San L u i s .

This d a y -to -d a y t e r r o r i s m p r e v e n ts gay people f rom w a l k i n g f r e e l y i n p u b l i c .

Even p r i v a t e m ee ti ng s a r e banned, in a v i o l a t i o n o f t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l r i g h t t o meet - - whi c h i s a l s o s us p e n d e d by t h e " s t a t e o f s i e g e " .

Claiming t h a t they a re going to check for c r im i n a l r e - * c o r d s , p o l i c e c a n i m p r i s o n any c i t i z e n f o r 7 2 hours.

So f a r o n l y p o l i t i c a l and " e co n o m ic " p r i s o n e r s have been c o n f i n e d i n d e f i n i t e l y in c o n c e n t r a t i o n c a m p s , b u t t h e camps a r e a t h r e a t f o r h o m o s e x u a l s d a r i n g t o demand t h e i r r i g h t s .

From t h e m i l i t a r y p o i n t o f v i e w , h o m o s e x u a l i t y is "subversive” .

In o r d e r t o support t h i s p e r s e c u t i o n , the p r e s e n t d i c t a t o r s h i p i mposed new c r i m i n a l c o d e s i n t h e p r o v i n c e s o f Mendoza i n 1 9 7 9 , and C o r d o b a i n 1980. i n t h e C o r d o b a l a w, a model f o r r e p r e s s i o n i n a l l p r o v i n c e s , t h e r e i s mandat ory i n t e r n m e n t o f v e n e r e a l p a t i e n t s ( a s w i t h l e p e r s and t h e i n ­ sane).

These r e g u l a t i o n s a r e a p p l i e d d i r e c t l y by t h e c h i e f o f p r o v i n c i a l p o l i c e w i t h o u t c o n ­

Of t h e p o l i t i c a l and c u l t u r a l e l i t e s , o n l y t h e u n d e r g r o u n d f e m i n i s t movement h a s r e c o g n i z e d the fa c t o f a n ti-g a y p e r s e c u tio n ; as a r e s u l t , t h e f e m i n i s t s have become v i c t i m s o f t h e same

38

persecution.

The r e s t seem r e a d y t o l a y t h e same m a n t l e o f s i l e n c e o v e r t h e q u e s t i o n a s t h e one sp rea d over t h e m a s s a c r e s o f homosexuals under n a n i s m and S t a l i n i s m . . .

Within western c o u n t r i e s , Argentina i s in the f r o n t l i v e o f s t a t e r e p r e s s i o n a g a i n s t homosexu­ ality .

I n s t e a d o f s howi ng s i g n s o f l o o s e n i n g , the d ic ta to rsh ip is tightening the g r ip s .

A s m a l l g r o u p r e c e n t l y f ormed i n A r g e n t i n a c o n ­ t i n u e s t b e s t r u g g l e s t a r t e d by t h e F r e n t e de L i b e r a c i o n H o m o s e x u a l , f ounde d i n 1 9 7 1 and d i s s o l v e d under p o l i c e r e p r e s s i o n i n 1 9 7 6 .

T h i s new g r o u p , from t h e u n d e r g r o u n d , i n s i s t s on d e n o u n c i n g p e r s e c u t i o n a s a way t o h e l p o v e r c o me t e r r o r .

We a s k t h a t t h i s p r o t e s t be made known t h r o u g h ­ out t h e w o r l d , and be i n c o r p o r a t e d a s a d e n u n ­ c i a t i o n o f one o f t h e many v i o l a t i o n s o f human r i g h t s in A rgentina.

Gr upo Somos Caixa P o stal 22196 S a o P a u l o - CEP 0 1 0 0 0 BRAZIL

S e p t . 2 , 1981 Sao P a u l o , B r a z i l De a r 0 : When I was i n A r g e n t i n a I l o n g ­ ed f o r - - and c a r r e s s e d - - t h e i d e a o f b e i n g a b l e t o t e l l you e v e r y t h i n g t h a t ha pp e n e d t o me with out having t o bury i t in baroque, herm etic p ro s e , vain a r c h a i s m s , and v a r i o u s h i e r o ­ glyphs - - j u s t to avoid the s y s t e m a t i c c u r i o s i t y o f our post o f f i c e .

Even now t h a t I ' v e l e f t A r g e n ­ t i n a , I h e s i t a t e t o s en d a i r mail the (d e s p e r a t e l y l i t e r a l ) t e a r s that I c r i e d during a s e r i e s o f c o n f i n e m e n t s and o t h e r e n c o u n t e r s wi t h t h e men who d r e s s i n b l u e - - o e r h a o s t h e y ' r e my " b l u e s " .

Sufficient t o s a y t h a t I was b u s t e d t h r e e t i r o e s i n F e b r u a r y and Ma r c h.

The f i r s t t i m e was i n Mendoza where I was b e a t e n up m e r e l y f o r t h e c r i m e o f my e r o t i c p r e ­ f e r e n c e s - - a c t u a l l y , even worse, j u s t s u s p i c i o n .

After every in d is c r e t io n - - i n ­ e v i t a b l e i n s p i t e o f my p r e ­ c a u t i o n s , s p e n d i n g my l i f e s e ­ c l u d e d a t home, s h a k i n g when t h e b e l l r a n g - - I was consumed by d e p r e s s i o n and over whe l me d by p a r a n o i a : i f i t had go n e o n , i t would h a v e l e d me t o p h y s i ­ c a l and m o r a l e x t i n c t i o n .

B e s i d e s , I ' v e h a r d l y worked since Ju ly '8 0 .

My b o s s went

b a n k r u p t , owi ng me a j u i c y but n o n e x is te n t honorarium.

I s t r u g g l e d f o r s i x mont hs t o g e t p a i d a few m i s e r a b l e p e s o s .

A l l i n t h e m i d s t o f an i n d e s ­ c r i b a b l e t e r r o r , c a r e f u l not t o c r o s s th e s t r e e t over h e r e b e ­ c a u s e t h e c o p s were o v e r t h e r e ; g o i n g t o t h e movi e m a t i n e e f o r f e a r o f b e i n g stopped a t n i g h t ; s u b m i t t i n g t o a v i s i t by t h e pow ers-that-be a f t e r I applied for a passport (the a p p l i c a ­ t i o n p r o c e s s l a s t e d f o u r mont hs and t o o k roe t o g r i m o f f i c i a l b u r e a u s where not e v e n l a w y e r s c a n e n t e r ) ; r e f r a i n i n g from g o i n g t o t h e c a f e s wher e t h e i n t e l l i g e n t z i a meet ( I ' m so f r a g i l e i f t h e r e ha p p e n s t o be a r a i d ) , l o s i n g thus a l l c o n ­ t a c t with t h e e x h a u s t e d l o c a l in tellectu al e lite .

E v e r y t h i n g - - f rom r i s k y messages I sen t t o B r a z i l a b o ut t h e a n t i - g a y pogroms i n A r g e n t i n a , t o my humbl e Dooms . . . e v e r y t h i n g t u r n e d i n t o more and more t e r r o r .

In the l a s t few d a y s t h i s t e r r o r h a s b e e n

39

renewed b e c a u s e o f l e t t e r s from f r i e n d s and r e l a t i v e s t h a t ne v e r a r r i v e d , a s i g n t h a t something s t r a n g e i s happening.

Eve n s o I ha v e t o r i s k r e t u r n i n g t o c e r t i f y my d i p l o m a i n B ue no s A i r e s .

Also I h a v e t o g e t - - how d a r i n g a l e t t e r f rom t h e l o c a l w a t c h ­ dogs s a y i n g t h a t I d o n ' t have a r e c o r d , and I have t o r e n t my a p a r t m e n t and r e c o v e r my l a s t few c e n t s - - r e d u c e d t o r i d i c u l o u s r e p e e s by a p e s o d e v a l u a t i o n o f 300 p e r c e n t .

Here i n B r a z i l I f a c e t h e t y p i c a l problems o f a f u g i ­ t i v e t h r e a t e n e d by an omi nous " a li e n s law".

I survive p r e ­ c a r i o u s l y , s h e l t e r e d by a l e s b o - f e m i n i s t who i s a b o u t t o a b a nd o n her h o u s e .

I don't know where I ' m g o i n g t o end up.

Without B r a z i l i a n papers i t i s hard t o get a j o b .

I'm also a fra id of fa llin g into t h e h a n ds o f a d e s p a c h a n t e ( a woman who t r i e s on t h e one hand t o g e t you l e g a l r e s i ­ d e n c e and on t h e o t h e r hand e x a g g e r a t e d sums o f m o n e y ) .

I t ’ s a nightmare.

But I ’ ve already decided to stay here.

I ' l l come b a c k a f t e r a month and a h a l f i n Bue nos A i r e s .

I ' l l leave for futu re e p i s t l e s a l l t h e e n d l e s s t he me s t h a t swarm l i k e b e e s i n t h e h o n e y ­ combs o f g o s s i p .

Kisses

f rom L .

SYSTEMATIC GOVERNMENT HARASSMENT OF THE ALTERNATIVE PRESS a.n /V happen a.yd in ? b y U /oody A RevieMf o f •••

B /sc b

The CIA, prohibited by a clause in its charter from conducting domestic surveillance, claimed it was seeking links between internal dissent and outside foreign influence. Although no such foreign influence was ever proved, the CIA went far beyond mere information-gathering to illegal surveillance and disruption.

Unamerican Activities edited by Anne Janowitz and Nancy J. Peters including The Campaign Against the Underground Press by Geoffrey Rips Published by City Lights Books, San Francisco $7.95 (pbk) This collection of essays is a fascinating and horrifying study of the United States government's attempts to silence dissent, especially the al­ ternative press. Although the bulk of this book concentrates on the covert and often illegal ac­ tions against the underground newspapers of the late sixties and early seventies, one essay sum­ marizes the U.S. history of repression, and sev­ eral articles illuminate current trends and im­ plications for the future under the Reagan ad­ ministration.

What follows is a sampling of information from this book. Although the verbs in this article are cast primarily in the past tense ("were harassing"), there is no evidence that these practices have been discontinued; on the contrary, there is evidence that such actions are continu­ ing and will increase ("are harassing”).

BACKGROUND Guardians of the status quo wanted to ensure that power flowed from the top down; they did not want citizens to realize their own power to influence national policy. Alternative ways of doing things and independent community action were seen as antisocial threats. The government's real inter­ est was "not in encouraging coherent political thinking, but in smothering any real challenge to the established order." Controlling economic and social realities was more important than le­ gal and moral principles.

In their investigative work and serious research, the underground press raised urgent issues un­ touched by mainstream media. They did not rely on government and Pentagon sources and did not exemplify the one-way transmission of news and information. The repressive forces of govern­ ment wanted to destroy this force promoting po­ litical and social change, this basis of com­ munication and increased political power for dissenters.

VILLAINS The primary agencies conducting surveillance, harassment, intimidation, and illegal covert actions were the FBI, the CIA, and Army Intelligence. All of the following government agen­ cies cooperated in surveillance and information gathering: Internal Revenue Service; Secret Service of the U.S. Treasury Department; Im­ migration and Naturalization Service; Passport Office of the State Department; Bureau of Alco­ hol, Tobacco, and Firearms; Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs; National Security Agency; U.S. Postal Service; Inter-Agency Committee on Intelligence; Law Enforcement Union; and state and local police departments.

PROCEDURE

THE BIG THREE Until the death of director J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI was virtually free from congressional over­ sight or executive review. In 1956 the FBI began its vast counterintelligence program (COINTELPRO).

"Under COINTELPRO, the FBI planted stories about 'subversives' in the media, wrote scurrilous letters from fictional sources, opened mail, forged public documents, pressured universities and employers to dismiss targeted workers, en­ couraged 'friendly' organizations and local police to harass dissidents, exploited IRS tax records, and infiltrated legal organizations."

The FBI gathered confidential financial, family and employment information on dissidents, sup­ porters, and sympathizers. Letters including clippings advocating free sex and use of nar­ cotics were to be sent to students' parents, parents' employers, university officials, and wealthy donors. Letters identifying faculty members who gave time, money, or support to the alternative press were to be sent to uni­ versity officials, members of the state legis­ lature, boards of regents, and to the press.

"Any government subsidies to these individuals should be stopped."

Agents were encouraged "to confuse and disrupt New Left activities by misinformation. For ex­ ample, when events are planned, notification that the event has been cancelled or postponed could be sent to various individuals." The FBI also set up its own phoney news services, the New York Press Service, and the Pacific Inter­ national News Service in San Francisco.

Army Intelligence started "Midwest News" in Chicago. The 113th Military Intelligence Group passed money and arms to the Chicago Police Department Intelligence Unit which, in turn, financially encouraged the Legion of Justice, a violent paramilitary organization. When courtordered to destroy its domestic intelligence files, the military instead turned them over to state and local police departments.

On the surface, the FBI never wanted this poli­ tical repression of the dissident press to be recognized for what it was. No one was ever charged on political grounds; instead, charges relating to obscenity and narcotics statutes were usually pursued (but magazines like "Play­ boy" were not prosecuted).

40

Dissidents who defended themselves were arrested for assault. When one dissident reported to po­ lice that his car had been firebombed, he was told to remove it from the street or it would be impounded at his expense.

"Individuals responsible for these acts of vio­ lence were never identified, much less prosecuted.

Police would not only not provide protection, but would not investigate; or the investigation would be lax and inconclusive."

In 1967 the CIA set up both operations CHAOS and Project Resistance. Favorite techniques included paying agents provocateurs or plant­ ing spies within dissident organizations and publications. The CIA trained local and state agents in spying techniques and offered them surveillance equipment. The CIA came up with the idea, which the FBI executed, of intimidating financial backers of dissident papers into with­ drawing their support. Money from record company advertising was the main target. Several under­ ground papers folded when Columbia withdrew its advertising revenues.

COMMON HARASSMENT TECHNIQUES With or without search warrants, police would enter offices and confiscate typewriters, cameras, darkroom and graphic equipment, business records, and desks. They also took books, personal belong­ ings, financial records, subscription lists, and copy for future issues. Even if charges were la­ ter dropped, these materials were never returned.

Files were destroyed, windows smashed, libraries damaged. What wasn't seized could be photographed.

Arrested on a variety of charges, editors were forced to waste an incredible amount of time and money on legal proceedings. Even if acquitted, trial proceedings could take a year. And if bail could not be met, lengthy imprisonment without conviction resulted. The sheer expense of legal fees (punitive defense fees) was enormous. Con­ victed editors could be put on probation. This, in effect, was censorship since, if the editor printed something the court did not like, the editor was subject to parole violation.

Reporters and photographers could be charged with "disorderly conduct," "unlawful assembly, citing to riot," and "interfering with an of­ ficer during a civil disturbance."

The FBI put pressure on landlords to raise rent or evict journalist tenants. "In Austin, Texas, the city condemned whatever building 'The Rag rented for its offices."

Printers were intimidated by local political pressure, visits by the FBI, threat of prose­ cution by the Attorney General, and/or the threat of boycott by advertisers and customers.

Putting pressure on distributors was a favorite government tactic. Shippers were convinced to raise their rates prohibitively. Newsstands were fined for selling obscenity, and others became afraid to carry the papers. Street vendors were arrested for violating vagrancy and pornography laws and, in one instance, for "carrying a dan­ gerous weapon"— the seller's umbrella. Coinoperated vending machines were simply confiscated.

Getting college authorities to ban underground press on college campuses was effective until a federal appeal board found the practice uncon­ stitutional. The U.S. Postal Service could con­ fiscate an entire printing, for example, for printing abortion referral information.

VIGILANTE VIOLENCE When all else failed, repressive authorities could turn to their friends, private rightwing organizations, for anonymous vigilante violence against the dissident press. The FBI organized, trained, and equipped the Secret Army Organi­ zation (SAO), the militant wing of the Minutemen.

The Legion of Justice received money, tear gas, mace, and electronic surveillance equipment from the Army's 113th Military Intelligence Group.

Vigilante violence included firebombings, bomb and kidnap threats, destruction of printing equipment and typewriters, theft of records and copies of newspapers, bullets through windows and cars, sliced tires, and physical harassment.

41

THE PRESENT AND FUTURE In order to make the government accountable and keep it responsible, citizens must have access to knowledge of what the government is doing.

Government surveillance is effective only if it is done secretly. After Watergate, certain gov­ ernment reforms were instituted, most importantly amendments to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Under the FOIA, citizens are able to obtain copies of information in government files relating to them or their organizations. Most of the facts in Unamerlean Act: iyit ies were ob­ tained from information released under the FOIA. Naturally, organizations Involved in covert or illegal activities would like to keep these activities secret and screened from public scru­ tiny.

Ronald Reagan and his administration are dedi­ cated to drawing just such a curtain of secrecy around government activities because, according to the conservative Heritage Foundation, "The threat to tjie internal security of the Republic is greater today than at any time since World War II." Reagan has labeled dissidents "subver­ sive" and "terrorists." On April 15, 1981, Rea­ gan pardoned two former FBI officials after their conviction for authorizing illegal breakins in the early seventies. He commended their work against dissident groups, saying they helped "bring an end to the terrorism that was threatening our nation."

To quote Allen Ginsberg, "Now citizenly Thoreauvian pacifism (i.e. nonviolent antinuclear ac­ tion) has been called 'terrorism' and actual government-inspired bombings, beatings, thievings & lies have been excused by the President of the U.S. as patriotic action 'on high prin­ ciple’ in pursuit of government interest.

Several steps to beef up government "security" are being considered or have been taken by the Reagan administration. One step is allowing the CIA to operate on the domestic front, spying on (and conducting covert operations against?) U.S. citizens. A second step is gutting the FOIA, and restricting the flow of information about and from the government to citizens. Another step, the "names of agents" bill, makes it illegal to disclose the names of present and former CIA operatives, even if this information is already a matter of public record.

The Heritage Foundation also recommends resur­ recting Congress' standing internal security committees, such as the House Unamerican Acti­ vities Committee responsible in the early fif­ ties for the witchhunt against communists, gays, and dissidents of every stripe.

All of these procedures lessen the possibility of government mistakes and illegal activities being discovered, much less corrected. These steps will enable the government to supress dissent and to cover up its true motives and real operations.

R e f lech ons on Tra vels in Vuca+an and C h ia p a s , M e x ic o 1781-82 PART I

: P O LIT IC A L

AMD

REVOLUTIONARY

Havi ng j u s t r e t u r n e d f rom a t wo - mo nt h t r i p t o t h e Y u c a t a n and a d j o i n i n g s t a t e s o f M e x i c o , my mind r e e l s w i t h t r e a s u r e d me mo r i e s and c u l t u r e s ho c k by day and I awake e x h a u s t e d f r o m dreams o f my experiences.

As I b e g i n t o w r i t e t h i s i n New O r l e a n s , a k i n d o f w a y - s t a t i o n on t h e r e t u r n t o m i d d l e T e n n e s s e e , I am t r y i n g t o e x t r a c t a c o ­ h e r e n t t he me from t h i s m y r i a d f l o w o f e x p e r i e n c e o f v a r i o u s r a c e s and c u l t u r e s .

I n M e x i c o I l i v e d and t r a v e l e d i n d a i l y c o n t a c t w i t h t h e p o w e r f u l c u l t u r e o f t h e Mayan p e o p l e s , whose a n c i e n t r u i n s c o v e r t h e l a n d and whose prouri s p i r i t o f i n d e p e n d e n c e s i mme r s b e l o w t h e surface.

I was a l s o e x p o s e d a l m o s t e v e r y day t o news o f C e n t r a l Ame r i ca i n t h e r e g u l a r and l e f t ­ i s t p r e s s whi c h i s not a v a i l a b l e t o us h e r e i n the S t a t e s .

M ilo LESSONS

Salvador.

H e a r i n g o n l y t h e US p r e s s and TV a c ­ c o u n t s , i t i s e a s y t o f o r g e t ( o r n e v e r t o be a ware o f ) t h e r e p e a t e d US i n t e r v e n t i o n s i n N i ­ c a r a g u a i n t h e 1 9 2 0 ' s and 3 0 ' s , t h e m a s s a c r e o f 3 0 , 0 0 0 S a l v a d o r e a n s by t h e m i l i t a r y i n 1 9 3 2 , or t h e US/CIA o v e r t h r o w o f t h e l e f t i s t Ar be nz g o v ­ e r nme nt o f G u a t e m a l a i n 1 9 5 4 .

This l a t t e r e x ­ p l o i t was a c c o m p a n i e d by CI A s p o n s o r e d a e r i a l bombi ng o f G u a t e m a l a C i t y .

S o , i t becomes a p ­ p a r e n t t h a t t h e s e r e v o l u t i o n s and c i v i l wa r s i n C e n t r a l A m e r i c a a r e not t h e p r o d u c t s o f "commun­ i s t s u b v e r s i o n " , S o v i e t , or e v e n Cuban i n f i l t r a ­ tion.

The y a r e p a r t s o f a p r o c e s s o f s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t t y r a n n y whi c h g o e s b a c k t o t h e e a r l y y e a r s o f t h i s c e n t u r y and b e f o r e .

W h i l e I was a f f e c t e d i n a p r o f o u n d way by t h e c u l t u r e and s p i r i t o f t h e Mayan p e o p l e , t h e most i mme d i a t e e f f e c t on my work and l i f e b a c k h e r e i s t h e f o c u s i n g o f my p o l i t i c a l work somewhat i n o r d e r t o p r o m o t e f r i e n d s h i p and s o l i d a r i t y b e ­ t we e n p r o g r e s s i v e p e o p l e i n t h e US and t h e r e ­ v o l u t i o n s g o i n g on i n C e n t r a l Ame r i ca now.

The region is in a p r o c e s s o f being c om p le te ly d i v i ­ ded i n t o two d i s t i n c t power b l o c k s .

On t h e one hand, we ha ve n a t i o n s a l l i e d t o one d e g r e e or a n o t h e r t o t h e U S : C o s t a R i c a , Honduras, E l S a l ­ v a d o r ' s m i l i t a r y j u n t a , and t h e b r u t a l m i l i t a r y d i c t a t o r s h i p in Guatemala.

Costa Rica is of l e s s e r i m p o r t a n c e t o US a i ms b e c a u s e i t h a s no army.

The o t h e r t h r e e n a t i o n s a r e r e f e r r e d t o as " The T r i a n g l e o f I r o n " and a r e b e i n g e n c o u r ­ age d t o c o - o r d i n a t e t h e i r r e p r e s s i v e p o l i t i c a l and m i l i t a r y f o r c e s t o p r e v e n t " o t h e r N i c a r a g u a s " in C e n tr a l America.

On t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e r e a r e now s e v e r a l p r o g r e s s i v e or r e v o l u t i o n a r y regimes in the a r e a , p a r t i c u l a r l y the S a n d in is t a go v e r nme nt o f N i c a r a g u a , Panama, and t h e p o p u l a r fo r c e s o f El S alv a d o r.

Mexico i s a s e p a r a t e c a s e , s in c e i t i s the l a r g e s t nation in the r e ­ g i o n and s h a r e s a l o n g b o r d e r w i t h t h e USA. Its g o v e r n me n t l e a n s t o wa r d s u p p o r t f o r N i c a r a g u a and t h e S a l v a d o r e a n r e v o l u t i o n , but e x e r c i s e s t h i s s u p p o r t l a r g e l y on t h e d i p l o m a t i c f r o n t .

F o r o b v i o u s r e a s o n s , i t c a n ' t a n t a g o n i z e t h e US t o o much by e x e r c i s i n g m i l i t a r y power i n t h e region.

The Re a ga n a d m i n i s t r a t i o n i s h e a v i l y t h r e a t e n e d by t h e p r o s p e c t o f f u r t h e r p o l i t i c a l c h a n g e s i n t h e r e g i o n , and i s f o s t e r i n g t h e p o l a r i z a t i o n o f t h e r e g i o n by i t s p o l i c y o f i s o l a t i o n o f , and i t s c a l l s f o r a t t a c k s upon, R e v o l u t i o n a r y N i c a ­ ragua.

The t w o - a n d o n e - h a l f y e a r - o l d v i c t o r y o f t h e S a n d i n i s t a s o v e r t h e Somoza r e g i m e ha s c o m­ p l e t e l y c h a n g e d t h e b a l a n c e o f power i n t h e a r e a , and h a s g i v e n i mp e t us t o t h e d e m o c r a t i c and r e v o l u t i o n a r y f o r c e s i n G u a t e m a l a and E l

f u l f o r my r u d i m e n t a r y kn o wl e d g e o f S p a n i s h , whi c h e n a b l e d me t o r e a d t h e d a i l y p a p e r s o f Yu­ c a t a n a s w e l l a s o c c a s i o n a l l e f t i s t p a p e r s from Mexico C i t y .

A p p a r e n t l y Re a ga n and Hai g a r e o pe nl y e nc o ur a g in g m i l i t a r y i n t e r v e n t i o n by o t h e r L a t i n A me r i c a n g o v e r n m e n t s a g a i n s t N i c a r a ­ gua - - under t h e p r e t e x t o f i n t e r d i c t i o n o f t h e " s h i p m e n t o f s u p p l i e s from C u b a " .

The l a t e s t ( F e b . 2 2 ) I h e a r d was t h a t A r g e n t i n i a n t r o o D s mi gh t be i n v o l v e d i n s uc h an a c t i o n .

A n o t he r

42

a i d t o m i l i t a r y r u l e r s a l l i e d w i t h a f ew s e l l ­ out c i v i l i a n p o l i t i c i a n s .

This p o lic y created the p re s e n t " c i v i l i a n " - m i l i t a r y j u n t a in E l S a l ­ vador .

p r o b l e m a r e a t h e US i s t r y i n g t o meddl e i n i s t h e A t l a n t i c c o a s t o f N i c a r a g u a , wh i c h h a s n e v e r b e e n f i r m l y c o n n e c t e d t o a ny g o v e r n m e n t i n Mana­ gua.

P r i m a r i l y i n h a b i t e d by b l a c k " C a r i b e " p e o ­ p l e and M i s k i t o I n d i a n s , t h i s a r e a p r e s e n t s s p e c i a l problems fo r the S a n d i n i s t a s .

The a v a i l ­ a b l e f a c t s a r e c o n f u s i n g and somewhat c o n t r a ­ d i c t o r y , but i t i s c e r t a i n t h e r e i s u n re s t in t h e a r e a , a nd t h e p r o b l e m s a r e compounded by US and Honduran m e d d l i n g , p r o b a b l y w i t h t h e ai m o f e s t a b l i s h i n g a r i v a l r e a c t i o n a r y g o v e r n m e n t on the A t l a n t i c c o a s t as a beachhead for i n v a s io n o f t h e who l e c o u n t r y . ( I f you want t o c h e c k out N i c a r a g u a ' s b e a c h e s , t r y t he P a c i f i c c o a s t ) .

R e p o r t s i n t h e US p r e s s on t h e r e g i o n w i l l r e ­ port anti-government claim s o f "genocide" against the Indians.

I fin d t h i s hard t o b e l i e v e , a l ­ though i t i s t r u e t h a t t h e S a n d i n i s t a s a r e t r y ­ ing to i n t e g r a t e t h e s e people in t o the n a t i o n a l p o l i t i c a l and e c o n o m i c l i f e and t o s e c u r e t h e i r A t l a n t i c c o a s t from f o r e i g n a t t a c k .

7 'etnple.

o-f X riscr/p-fions -

As g a y p e o p l e , our p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n s o l i d a r i t y work w i t h t h e p e o p l e o f L a t i n A m e r i c a and t h e i r p r o g r e s s i v e movement s w i l l s t r e n g t h e n o ur u n d e r ­ s t a n d i n g o f t h e s o c i a l and p o l i t i c a l c h a n g e s t a k i n g p l a c e i n our h e m i s p h e r e a n d w i l l a l s o a i d i n c u l t u r a l and p o l i t i c a l l i b e r a t i o n f o r ga y men and l e s b i a n s i n t h e L a t i n c o u n t r i e s .

In May, 1 9 8 1 Body P o l i t i c r a n an a r t i c l e on g a y men i n t h e New N i c a r a g u a , wh i c h b e a r s r e a d i n g b y a n y ­ o ne i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e r e v o l u t i o n t h e r e .

Ga y l i b ­ e r a t i o n a s we e x p e r i e n c e i t i s not known o f t h e r e , and t h e r e a r e enormous c l a s s d i f f e r e n c e s whi c h s ha p e t h e r e l a t i o n s among g a y men.

The S a n d i n i s t a g o v e r n m e n t a p p a r e n t l y d o e s not have a p r o g r a m f o r g a y l i b e r a t i o n , a s t h e y f a c e many o t h e r t a s k s on t h e e c o n o m i c and c u l t u r a l f r o n t s whi c h t a k e p r e c e d e n c e , b ut n e i t h e r do t h e y show a ny s i g n s o f a r e p r e s s i v e p o l i c y A l a Cub a .

The r e c o r d o f Cuba ( a n d t h e USSR a f t e r 1 9 3 5 ) on t h e s u b j e c t o f g a y o p p r e s s i o n i s a d i s m a l one I was on t h e T h i r d C o n t i n g e n t o f t h e V e n c e r e n o s B r i g a d e i n 1 9 7 0 , and e v e n t h e n i t was e v i d e n t t h a t homophobi a was p a r t o f o f f i c i a l g o v e r nme nt p o l i c y - - t h i s became e v e n more o b v i o u s i n 1 9 7 1 when an o f f i c i a l E d u c a t i o n a l and C u l t u r a l C o n ­ g r e s s a t t a c k e d h o m o s e x u a l i t y among t e a c h e r s and c u lt u r a l workers.

G a y s were a l s o c o n s i g n e d t o " m i l i t a r y u n i t s to i n c r e a s e p ro d u c tio n " in the 1 9 6 0 ' s and a f t e r w a r d s .

Out o f t h e C l o s e t s , an a n t h o l o g y e d i t e d by K a r l a J a y and A l l e n Young, c o n t a i n s some i m p o r t a n t d o c u me n t s f rom t h i s p e r ­ i o d , a s w e l l a s a r t i c l e s w r i t t e n by g a y p e o p l e who were on t h e V e n c e r e n o s B r i g a d e , ( e d . n o t e i s e e a l s o A l l e n Y o u n g ' s Ga y s Under t h e Cuban R c v o l u tion) More r e c e n t l y , I have h e a r d s t o r i e s f rom r e f u g e e s , s uc h a s t h e c a s e o f a l e s b i a n who had worked f o r t h e r e v o l u t i o n and had r i s k e d h e r l i f e i n t h e L i t e r a c y Campai gn o f 1 9 6 1 , b u t who was d e n i e d e n t r y t o t h e p a r t y b e c a u s e o f h e r sexual preferen ce.

T h e r e a r e a l s o r u mo r s t h a t t h e Cuba ns h a v e l i g h t e n e d up l a t e l y , b u t I ha v e not s t u d i e d t h e r e c e n t e v e n t s v e r y c l o s e l y .

I do not want t o a t t e m p t t o d e n y , i g n o r e , or down­ p l a y t h e o p p r e s s i o n o f g a y s a nd l e s b i a n s i n Cu b a .

However, we must n o t a l l o w o u r s e l v e s t o be u s e d

ph-len<£ue.} CPa.pa.5

The s t r u g g l e s i n G u a t e m a l a and E l S a l v a d o r a r e both c e r t a i n t o i n t e n s i f y , as " e l e c t i o n s " a re s c h e d u l e d i n b o t h c o u n t r i e s i n Marc h.

Recent ( F e b . 1 0 ) news from G u a t e m a l a was t h a t f o u r g u e r i l l a o rg a n iz a tio n s , including the G u e r i ll a Army o f t h e Poor ( BGP) had f o r me d a u n i f i e d f r o n t , s i m i l a r to the R e v o lu tio n a ry Democratic F r o n t (FDR) o f E l S a l v a d o r . jHasta l a V i c t o r i a Siempre1 Our s u p p o r t f o r p r o g r e s s i v e and r e v o l u t i o n a r y c h a n g e i n C e n t r a l A m e r i c a , whi c h w i l l h a v e a ne e ded e f f e c t upon t h e s i t u a t i o n , i s b a s e d not o n l y upon h u m a n i t a r i a n p r i n c i p l e s , b u t upon our own s e l f - i n t e r e s t a s w o r k e r s , s m a l l b u s i n e s s p e o p l e , s t u d e n t s , and/or members o f r a c i a l / s e x u a l g r o u p s whi c h ha v e a s t a k e i n p o l i t i c a l c h a n g e a t home.

The Re a g a n r e g i m e , f r o n t i n g f o r t r a n s n a ­ t i o n a l c a p i t o l , not o n l y a i d s the S al v a d o re a n J u n t a w i t h w a r l i k e r h e t o r i c , b ut w i t h gu ns and war m a c h i n e r y - - e v e r y d a y , e v e r y hour' .

I t does t h i s w h i l e d e c l a r i n g t h a t g o v e r n me n t s h o u l d not p a r t i c i p a t e i n s o c i a l pr og rams t o a i d poor p e o ­ p l e , o l d e r w o r k e r s , p e o p l e o f c o l o r , women, e t c . o f c o u r s e , w h i l e we o p p o s e R e a g a n ' s p o l i c i e s , l e t us not f o r g e t t h a t t h e y a r e t h e p o l i c i e s o f t h e US t r a n s n a t i o n a l c o r p o r a t i o n s - - whi c h would be i mp l e me n t e d i n one form o f a n o t h e r by any a d m i n i s t r a t i o n - - D e mo c r a t o r R e p u b l i c a n - whi c h i s i n p o w e r .

C a r t e r ' s much f l a u n t e d "Human R i g h t s P o l i c y " r a p i d l y be ca me a c o v e r f o r

SJ'One Penises - Uxma-I, Vocarhah.

43

by t h e US g o v e r n m e n t on t h i s m a t t e r .

It i s a c o n t r a d i c t i o n whi c h must b e f a c e d and d e a l t wi t h - I am not s u r e howl I am s u r e , h o w e v e r , t h a t u n t i l t h e b l o c k a d e and wa r mo n g e r i ng p o l i c i e s o f t h e US t o wa r d Cuba a r e h a l t e d o r a t l e a s t m o d e r a t e d , t h e r e w i l l be no r e ­ l i a b l e way t o c o m mu n i ca t e w i t h o r a i d our g a y s i s t e r s and b r o t h e r s i n C u b a .

I believe s t r o n g l y t h a t t h e w o r l d - w i d e t r e n d away from US c o r p o r a t e c o n t r o l o f " u n d e r - d e v e l o p e d " a r e a s i s i n e v i t a b l e , and i t i s t o b e s u p p o r t e d l G i v e n t h i s f a c t , and g i v e n o ur p o s i t i o n i n s i d e t h e USA, a ny s t r a t e g y f o r o ur own s u r v i v a l and l i b e r a t i o n must t a k e t h i s i n t o a c c o u n t , p r e f e r a b l y from t h e o u t s e t and not m e r e l y a s an afterthought.

We w i l l a l l e v e n t u a l l y have t o d e a l w i t h o ur c l a s s b a c k g r o u n d s and our p o s i t i o n a s N o r t h A m e r i c a n s , and u n d e r s t a n d how t h e s e f a c t o r s i n e v i t a b l y a f f e c t our p o l i ­ t i c a l o u t l o o k and a c t i o n s .

This a r t i c l e is w r i t t e n by a w h i t e m a l e , from t h e S o u t h , and from a " m i d d l e - c l a s s " b a c k g r o u n d .

C E N T R A L AMERICA U P D A T E May

17,

/9SZ

E v e n t s i n C e n t r a l A me r i ca ha ve c o n t i n u e d t o p l a c e t h i s r e g i o n i n t h e s p o t l i g h t o f news c o v e r a g e , but due t o t he n e t i t a l l g e t s p a s s e d t h r o u g h , most A me r i c a n s r e m a i n w o e f u l l y i g n o r ­ ant o f o v e r a l l p o l i t i c a l t r e n d s f o r t h e r e g i o n .

Over 2 mont hs a g o , when I had j u s t r e t u r n e d from M e x i c o , I w r o t e an a r t i c l e f o r RFD. S i n c e s o many weeks ha ve p a s s e d s i n c e i t s w r i t i n g , I o f f e r t h i s a s an addendum.

In t h e s e w e e k s , i n L a t i n A m e r i c a , we h a v e s e e n : p o s t - e l e c t i o n c oup i n G u a t e m a l a ; v i c t o r y o f r i g h t wing f o r c e s i n S a l v a d o r e a n e l e c t i o n ; A r ­ g e n t i n a ' s capture o f the Malvinas ( F a l k l a n d s ) ; and t h e d e f e c t i o n o f g u e r i l l a h e r o Eden P a s t o r a (Commandante C e r o ) f rom t h e S a n d i n i s t a s i n Nicaragua to Costa R i c a .

I ' m not s u r e o f t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f t h e l a t t e r e v e n t , but t h e o t h e r t h r e e p o i n t t o f u r t h e r c o n f l i c t and p o l a r i z a t i o n .

The f r u s t r a t i n g t h i n g f o r me up h e r e i n t h e h i l l s i s t h e l a c k o f a ny i n f o r m a t i o n , much l e s s r e l i a b l e d a t a , about C e n t r a l America.

It w o n ' t be i n t h e d a i l y p a p e r s - or on r a d i o ( e v e n NPR) .

Of c o u r s e i t may be f o un d i n s p e c i a l i z e d o r r a d i c a l p u b l i c a t i o n s , b ut o n l y mo nt hs a f t e r the f a c t .

The most I ' v e h e a r d a b o u t C e n t r a l Ame r i ca i n we e ks was on R a d i o H a v a na ’ s s h o r t wave b r o a d c a s t one n i g h t .

I n p a r t i c u l a r , good and a c c u r a t e i n f o r m a t i o n on L a t i n Ame r i c a i s h a r d t o come b y .

I would u r g e e v e r y o n e who r e a d s t h i s a r t i c l e t o s e a r c h o u t some p r o g r e s s i v e b o o k s t o r e o r s o l i d a r i t y g r o u p and g e t a book or p a m p h l e t on t h e s i t u a ­ t i o n t h e r e and r e a d i t I Our a w a r e n e s s o f e v e n t s and h i s t o r y o u t s i d e our b o r d e r s i s w o e f u l l y inadequate l I am p r e s e n t l y r e a d i n g " S p e c i a l E me r g e n c y I s ­ s u e " (no. 31) o f Contemporary Marxism, a j o u r n a l e d i t e d by M a r l e n e Di xo n and S u s a n n e Jonas.

T h i s i s s u e i s e n t i t l e d " R e v o l u t i o n and I n t e r v e n t i o n i n C e n t r a l A m e r i c a " , and i t a p p e a r s t o ha v e a g r e a t d e p t h and v a r i e t y o f v e r y c u r ­ r e n t i n f o r m a t i o n and a n a l y s i s .

It is a v a ila b le from Bo ok s a s S e e d s , 200\ Andrew J a c k s o n , H u n t s v i l l e , Al a b a ma , o r from S y n t h e s i s P u b l i c a ­ t i o n s , D e p t . 3 2 , PO Box 4 0 0 9 9 S a n F r a n c i s c o , CA 9 4 1 4 0 .

T h i s i s s u e number 3 c o s t s $ 5 . 0 0 US. I n c o n c l u d i n g , I wi sh t o r e l a t e a comment p a s s e d on t o me a c o u p l e o f y e a r s a g o by a l e s ­ b i a n f rom A r k a n s a s who h a s b e e n a c t i v e i n v a r i o u s k i n d s o f s o l i d a r i t y work and uni o n o r g a n i z i n g i n t h e US and who was i n N i c a r a g u a p r i o r t o t h e o v e r t h r o w o f t h e Somoza r e g i m e .

She s a i d t h a t a g r o u p o f L a t i n A me r i ca n women whom s he was t a l k i n g w i t h s a i d t h a t w h i l e t h e USA woul d b e t h e l a s t n a t i o n on e a r t h t o h a v e a s o c i a l i s t e c o n o m i c s y s t e m , i t would be t h e f i r s t t o o v e r c o me o p p r e s s i o n b a s e d on ma l e s u p r e m a c y , s e x i s m , and thp n u c l e a r f a m i l y .

So, w h i l e we ha v e a l o t t o l e a r n a b o u t c o - o p e r a t i v e e c o n o m i c s from t h e " u n d e r d e v e l o p e d " s o c i a l i s t , w o r l d , i t w i l l ha ve a l o t t o l e a r n from us r e g a r d i n g s e x r o l e s and g a y l i b e r a t i o n .

The f u t u r e f o r humanki nd i s b r i g h t , but i t w i l l t a k e a l o t o f work f o r us a l l t o g e t t h e r e intact . r ' S o l a d a r i d a d c on l o s p u e b l o s de Ame r i c a L a t i n en L u c h a l

Sdnee-b Scene. - M e rid a ., Yuca.-fa.n Anyway, b a c k t o t h e m a j o r e v e n t s we d i d h e a r o f - March 2 8 saw t h e e l e c t i o n s i n E l S a l v a d o r , whi c h s ounde d g r e a t f o r US p o l i c y , e x c e p t t h a t t h e " wrong g u y " won.

The e x t r e m e T i g h t e s t ARENA P a r t y o f Ma j o r R o b e r t o D ' A b u i s s o n g a i n e d c o n t r o l o f t h e c o n s t i t u e n t a s s e m b l y i n an a l l i a n c e with o t h e r r i g h t e s t g r o u p s .

Ma j o r D'Abuisson i s now p r e s i d e n t o f t h i s a s s e m b l y , whi c h w i l l c h o o s e a new p r e s i d e n t . J o s e Na­ poleon Duarte, the c u rr e n t p r e s i d e n t , i s p r e t t y much o u t o f i t , a l o n g w i t h h i s C h r i s t i a n Demo­ crats.

B e f o r e t h e e l e c t i o n s , S e n . J e s s e Helms (R-NC) e c h o e d t h e S a l v a d o r e a n f a s c i s t s i n d e ­ n o u n c i n g D u a t t e a s a communi st o r l e f t i s t and c a l l i n g for h i s d e f e a t .

E ve r though t h e S t a t e Department c l a i m s t o have p r e f e r r e d v i c t o r y o f the C h r i s t i a n Democrats, th e re i s d e f i n i t e l y a f a c t i o n i n S t a t e , a t t h e CI A, and i n C o n g r e s s whi c h we l c o me s t h e f a s c i s t v i c t o r y and a c h a n c e

44

t o " d e f e a t t h e commXi ni s t s " w i t h f o r c e o f a r m s .

No " w i n n i n g o f h e a r t s and m i n d s " h e r e , j u s t m a s s a c r e s b y t h e army and a new t e s t i n g g r o und f o r US m i l i t a r y t o y s .

These ev en ts portend a c o n t i n u e d a nd i n t e n s i f i e d p o l a r i z a t i o n i n E l Salvador.

The FMLN g u e r i l l a s and t h e R e v o l u ­ t i o n a r y D e m o c r a t i c F r o n t (FDR) no l o n g e r o f f e r t o n e g o t i a t e w i t h a f a s c i s t r e g i m e , and t h e m i l i t a r y men who now c o n t r o l t h e g o v e r n me n t a l s o ha v e no d e s i r e t o t a l k , S o , we ha ve p r o b a b l y a l o n g and d r a wn - o u t g u e r i l l a war c o n t i n u i n g f o r the f o r e s e e a b l e fu tu re in El S alv ad o r.

l a n d s , i n h a b i t e d by s h e e p and s h e e p h e r d e r s , k e l p and k e l p e r s , a nd, o f c o u r s e , p e n g u i n s , were p a r t o f A r g e n t i n a u n t i l B r i t a i n s e i z e d them in 18 3 3 .

So, i t i s "turnabout i s f a i r p la y " f o r G r e a t B r i t a i n , and t h e y now h y p o c r i t i c a l l y s pe ak o f s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n f o r t h e " F a l k l a n d I s l a n d e r s " w h i l e d e n y i n g them B r i t i s h c i t i z e n ­ s h i p and r e f u s i n g t o l e t t hem g o v e r n t h e m s e l v e s either.

T he war i n t h e S o u t h A t l a n t i c h a s b e e n a d i s a s t e r and s e t b a c k f o r US f o r e i g n D O l i c y s i n c e Ha i g wa n t e d t o b e f r i e n d s wi t h t h e A r g e n ti n e m i l i t a r y j u n t a as wel l as T h a t c h e r ' s c o n s e r v a t i v e government.

The war h a s p r o b a b l y at l e a s t t e m p o ra r ily caused the sh e lv in g o f US/CIA p l a n s t o h a v e A r g e n t i n a i n v a d e N i c a r a g u a .

S p e a k i n g o f N i c a r a g u a , I am a t p r e s e n t making p l a n s t o v i s i t t h e r e under t h e a u s p i c e s o f a r e l i g i o u s g r o u p , C l e r g y and L a i t y C o n c e r n e d (CALC).

We hope t o go t h e r e i n m i d - J u l y and be t h e r e f o r t h e 3r d a n n i v e r s a r y o f t h e S a n d i n i s ta Revolution.

I am v e r y e x c i t e d a b o u t t h e p o s ­ s i b i l i t y o f another t r i p to C e n tr a l America, b u t am a l s o c o n c e r n e d a b o ut t h e s c e n e t h e r e b e c a u s e new and i n f o r m a t i o n i s so h a r d t o come by.

N i c a r a g u a i s a c o u n t r y i n an i n t e n s e p e r i o d o f c l a s s s t r u g g l e , and f o r e s e e a b l e f u t u r e i n E l o f c l a s s s t r u g g l e , and t h e R e v o l u t i o n s t i l l goes on.

The l i t e r a c y c a mp a i g n seems t o have b e e n s u c c e s s f u l l y c o n c l u d e d , and now t h e r u s h o f r e v o l u t i o n a r y e u p h o r i a i s pe rh a ps wearing off.

The S a n d i n i s t a s a r e f a c e d w i t h t h e t a s k s o f r e - c o n s t r u c t i n g an economy d e v a s t a t e d by y e a r s o f war and p l u n d e r by t h e Somoza d y n a s t y .

I d o n ' t know a ny b e t t e r way t o f i n d o ut what ha p p e n s t o a n a t i o n i n r e v o l u ­ t i o n t h a n t o go t o N i c a r a g u a and s e e f o r m y s e l f .

No g o v e r n ­ ment i s g o i n g t o do e v e r y t h i n g r i g h t , and I ’ m s u r e t h e S a n d i ­ n i s t a s ha v e made t h e i r s h a r e o f mistakes.

In p a r t i c u l a r , the scene with the M isk ito Indians on t h e A t l a n t i c c o a s t s e e ms t o h a v e b e e n h a n d l e d i n an u n ­ n e c e s s a r i l y h e a v y - h a n d e d man­ ner.

I f ound t h e S t a t e D e ­ partm ent's charge of genocide t o have b e e n a b i t h y p o c r i t i ­ c a l , c o n s i d e r i n g our own p o l i ­ c y t owa r d n a t i v e p e o p l e , a s w e l l a s our b l i n d e y e t o g e n o IT Z .A M N A " cide of n ativ e peoples in BraPrincipal' z i l and G u a t e m a l a .

UnfortuGod n a t e l y , i n d ig e n o u s p e o p l e never f a r e t o o w e l l i n t i m e s o f s o c i a l change.

I n G u a t e m a l a , t h e r e was a l s o a s h i f t o f power from G e n e r a l L u c a s G a r c i a , t o a f or m e r g e n e r a l and c a n d i d a t e E f r a i n R i o s M o n t t .

A f t e r some i n i t i a l c o n f u s i o n a b o ut R i o s Mont t b e c a u s e o f h i s r a m b l i n g e v a n g e l i c a l s e r mo ns d e l i v e r e d o v e r n a t i o n t e l e v i s i o n , he a p p e a r s t o have b e e n e mb r a c e d by b o t h t h e G u a t e m a l a n o l i g a r c h y and t h e S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t a s a s u i t a b l e l e a d e r , providing a p r e t e x t for resumption o f m i l i t a r y a i d , whi c h was c u t o f f under C a r t e r .

However, t h e new j u n t a i s j u s t a s r i g h t - w i n g and r e p r e s ­ s i v e a s t h e o l d one - R a d i o Havana r e p o r t e d c o n t i n u i n g m a s s a c r e s o f p e a s a n t s and c h i l d r e n i n v a r i o u s a r e a s o f t h e c o u n t r y , and a c o n t i n u a l flow o f r e f u g e e s i n t o a d j o i n i n g C h i a p a s , a s t a t e o f Mexico.

So, u n f o r t u n a te l y for G u a te ­ mala, the f o r e c a s t i s fo r continued p o l a r i z a t i o n and g u e r i l l a w a r .

I f R i o s Montt c a n h o l d t h e a l l e g i a n c e o f t h e l a n d h o l d e r s and i n d u s t r i a l i s t s , he c a n p e r h a p s g o v e r n w i t h some c o n t i n u i t y , but i f t h e war i n t e n s i f i e s w i t h o u t s t o p p i n g t h e g u e r i l l a s , t h e r e c o u l d be s u c c e s s i v e c o u p s .

Maya

What a b o u t Eden P a s t o r a , "Commandante C e r o " who d e f e c t e d to C o sta Rica in April 1982?

I really d o n ' t u n d e r s t a n d what ha p p e n e d o r why he s p l i t .

P e r h a p s he i s t o o i n d i v i d u a l i s t i c t o work under a c o l l e c t i v e regim e, perhaps the S a n d in is t a s t r a s h e d hi m, I d o n ' t know.

This i s a p r e tty s e r i o u s m a t t e r , t h o u g h , b e c a u s e he c a l l e d f o r i n s u r r e c t i o n a g a i n s t t h e FSLN ( S a n d i n i s t a s ) .

By t h e way, G u a t e m a l a i s p r e s s i n g i t s t e r r i ­ t o r i a l c l a i m on t h e n a t i o n o f B e l i z e , and a l w a y s h a s t h e o p t i o n o f an a t t a c k on t h a t c o u n t r y i n o r d e r t o d i v e r t t h e p e o p l e ' s a t t e n t i o n f rom d o ­ m e s t i c v i o l e n c e and p o v e r t y .

T h e r e a r e l o t s o f u n a ns we r e d q u e s t i o n s , and I a t l e a s t want t o s e e t h e S a n d i n i s t a s i d e o f i t , i f not t h e who l e t r u t h .

We we r e r e mi n d e d o f t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f t h i s i n i n v a s i o n by t h e r e c e n t s e i z u r e o f t h e M a l v i n a s or F a l k l a n d I s l a n d s by A r g e n t i n a .

These i s ­

A l i t t l e h i s t o r y i s in order in c l o s i n g .

The F r e n t e S a n d i n i s t a de L i b e r a c i o n de N a c i o n a l

45

(FSLN) i s named a f t e r Aug us t o C e s a r S a n d i n o , who l e d t h e armed s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t t h e US M a r i n e i n v a s i o n o f N i c a r a g u a i n t h e 1 9 2 0 ' s and 3 0 ' s .

He was a t r u e p a t r i o t , who f o u g h t and d e f e a t e d t h e M a r i n e s i n many e n g a g e m e n t s .

He was ne ve r d e f e a t e d , b u t a f t e r t h e M a r i n e s l e f t , he was mur de r e d by t h e Somoza N a t i o n a l G u a r d .

A fas­ c i n a t i n g s t o r y o f US p o l i c y i n N i c a r a g u a and t h e g u e r i l l a war o f S a n d i n o i s t o l d i n G r e a t G u e r i l l a Warr i o r s b y C a r l e t o n B e a l s , who v i s i t e d and l i v e d w i t h S a n d i n o a s a c o r r e s p o n d e n t f o r The Nat i o n .

By t h e way, S a n d i n o was a v e g e t a r i a n !

H i s t o r y does r e p e a t i t s e l f a f t e r s o n s o f t h e o l d g e n e r a l Somoza a r e t h e o n e s who c o n t i n u e d to plunder Nicaragua u n t i l J u l y 19, 1979.

The FSLN was f ounde d i n 1 9 6 2 , and went t h r o u g h s e v e r a l ups and downs o f f o r t u n e until victory.

Their s t r u g g l e g o e s o n , and I ho pe a t l e a s t t o h e l p i t c o n t i n u e w i t h o u t US inter feren ce.

a fashion.

The

--Jim Thomas Growing and Using Herbs Successfully oy Betty E.M. Jacobs Garden Way Publishing, Charlotte, V T 05445 U.S. $6.95/CDN $8.50

" T h e y l i t t l e know, who d e s p i s e me s o , T h a t s hami ng me d o e s c a u s e my p r i d e t o g l o w . " So s p o k e , i n s o n g , J u d a h H a l e v i , t h e t w e l t h century "Singer of Z io n ."

T he more t h e y ( t r y ) t o shame u s , t h e more t h e y h a t e u s , t h e more t h e y d e s p i s e u s , t h e more t h e y f e a r u s , t h e more t h e y h a r r a s s u s , t h e more t h e y l i e a b o u t u s , t h e more my p r i d e i n b e i n g g a y , g l o w s and g l o w s .

This -is the third book resulting from the author's eight years experience as a commercial herb grower. The book gives basic horticultural infor­ mation and culinary uses for 64 herbs--anise to wormwood. It includes methods of propagation for the perennial herbs; information on harvesting drying, storing and freezing; marketing; and ideas for herb products to make for your own use or for sale.

Why do t h e y d e s p i s e u s ?

B e c a u s e we a r e d i f f e r ­ e n t : i n our d i f f e r e n c e - i n our g a y n e s s we o u t ­ s h i n e t h e m. weapon?

But how many o f us a r e p r o u d i n b e i n g g a y ? t o r t u r e s do we h o l d w i t h i n o u r s e l v e s ? to " p a s s " , fulfilm ent

Jacobs and her husband had a commercial- herb farm on Southern Vancouver Island, so it would seem their experience would be most appropriate to the cool, wet climate of the Pacific Northwest.

Pr i d e ♦

As l o ng a s we a r e p r o u d we c a n t a k e t h e i r and t hr o w t h e i r l i e s b a c k i n t h e i r f a c e s .

The c l o s e t g a y s t r y themselves the f u l l

The stories mainly concern the relationships be­ tween women, and their process of coming out.

The title story is one of the best. It's about Ann, an older woman emotionally mangled by hus­ band, family, and alcoholism, and Fran, a younger teacher. "Outlander" describes their life to­ gether and their very gradual, but finally com­ plete, acceptance by the dour villagers, after they move to the New Hampshire countryside in the 1930s.

Rule is also the author of Lesbian Images, a book of essays, and of several novels. One of them. Contract with the World, rates as "significant" or maybe even "great."

GA Y AND P R O U D - h y S id Cohen

the gays g r e a t e s t

This is a collection of thirteen short stories and twelve essays by one of the two prominent Canadian lesbian/feminist writers. Rule was born in the United States and came to Canada in the 1950s.

The essays say a lot about the place of gay authors in contemporary literature. In "Fucking Pariahs on the Schoolroom Shelf,” Rule makes the wry point that she doesn't have the problem other Canadian authors are facing with wouldbe censors. She was never on secondary school reading lists in the first place. Recently Rule was asked for permission to include one of her stories in an anthology for secondary school use. "A Television Drama" is "the only story about violence I ’ve ever written."

MO+EDtfD+EK

is

o o

To one who is not, as Ike used to say, an expert in these matters, Rule's dissection of the rela­ tionships of the women in her stories seems per­ ceptive and sensitive. At least the different perspective is interesting.

MAST A LA VICTORIA SIEMPRF!

What

REVIEWS--------------------------------------------Outlander by Jane Rule Naiad Press, Box 10543, Tallahassee, FL 32302 U.s. $6.95/CDN $8.35

The horticultural information in the book seems sound, but some of the advice on marketing seems peculiar. For example, Jacobs devotes a lot of space to growing parsley and chives commercially, w e l l organized truck farmers mass produce both herbs in the area, and it would be very difficult to compete with them. The book should be invalu­ able in learning how to grow herbs--just don't expect to get rich--and most of the advice seems both sound and efficient.

abuse

What

thus denying of their lives.

I t should be u n de rs to o d by a l l t he l e a s h i n g o f p e r s e c u t i o n upon us - t h e n e e d s o f g a y s o f e v e r y persuasion to clo se ranks.

We s h o u l d and must r e s i s t by t h e mi gh t o f our s p i r i t and p r i d e .

Ga y and pr o u d we a r e , and g a y and p r o u d we s h a l l always b e .

Growing . . includes excellent line drawings of the herbs , a bibliography of herb books, a list (incomplete) of suppliers in the U.S. and Canada, and a list of arboretums with herb col­ lections .

--Jim Thomas

46

To diagnose the present situation and prescribe a corrective course requires insight, undimmed intelligence, and the righteous fuel of uncom­ promised morality. Do we have the wisdom to see what actions will change or transform our situa­ tion for the better? Do we possess the ethical courage to initiate and complete such change?

Are we willing to demonstrate self-discipline and self-sacrifice? Passive enjoyment is not achievement, and consumption is not accomplish­ ment .

The Gate of Heavenly Peace/The Chinese and Their Revolution, 1895-1980

by Jonathan D. Spence The Viking Press $19.95

Apart from the reflections it inspires, this book is enormously ambitious and very successful, --Woody Black

Imagine an exciting historical novel about revo­ lutionaries who drive out foreign imperialist ag­ gression and overcome domestic class exploita­ tion. Imagine all the passion of melodrama com­ bined with the epic sweep of national revolution.

The Gate of Heavenly Peace contains this and mor e , only it's all true and documented.

Jonathan Spence personalizes the last tumultuous century of Chinese history by following the ca­ reers and personal fortunes of three Chinese writers. Using their writing to illuminate the cultural and intellectual currents of the times, Spencer describes the major figures and events shaping their lives.

How inspiring it is to read about real life he­ roes who idealized moral and aesthetic values rather than materialistic ones. These people did not back down in the face of difficult ethical choices but, instead, chose paths requiring cour­ age, mental discipline, and self-sacrifice. They faced crushing ignorance, brutalizing poverty, self-effacing societal customs, and counter-pro­ gressive religious traditions. And they fear­ lessly attacked "ideological illness."

In the end the revolutionaries succeeded. Tem­ porarily transforming their society, only to fall prey to the same forces which have betrayed so many revolutions: bureaucracies and special interest groups seeking power and influence to solidify their positions and using censorship, harassment, and intimidation to silence the criticism so necessary for further growth and development.

Quatrefoil by James Barr; introduction by Samuel M. Steward Alyson Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 2783, Boston, MA 02208 $6.95 (pbk) Quatrefoil opens in 1946 with Phillip Froeiich traveling to Seattle to face a court martial for disobeying a slovenly officer aboard ship, Phillip meets Commander Tim Danelaw, married but avail­ able, and begins to struggle with his emerging sexuality. Set against Phillip's impending mar­ riage, his feudal midwestern family, and the military's bravado, his relationship with Tim lurches through to the novel’s end--and a barely averted suicide.

In 1950, when Quatrefoil first appeared, the country had just recently been shocked by the Kinsey statistics on homosexual experiences among post-adolescent males in the U.S. Gays in the military were believed to be a threat to national security, and the popular press grouped homosexuals with violent criminals.

According to the. publisher, "many gay men remem­ ber this book for the influence it had on them at a time when positive gay role models were almost non-existent. . . . It was a rare chance to counteract the negative imagery that sur­ rounded them." And Samuel Steward, in his intro­ duction, hails the characters' triumphant story as "a tribute to the human spirit."

This book considers economics and politics, as well as morality in personal and national char­ acter. Which forces strengthen character, which enfeeble it? What builds and maintains morale?

This Chinese history indicates that periods of leisure and idleness lead to creative stagna­ tion and spiritual despondency, while periods of hardship and stress forge productive crea­ tions aflame with spiritual courage and deter­ mination .

Consideration of ideological illness and spiritu­ al malaise brings to mind certain parallels with the U.S., and speculations regarding our own situation. Here in this land of intellectual laziness and stultifying hedonism, the standard of living is equated with the number of electri­ cal appliances possessed and the amount of kilo­ watt hours of energy consumed. Amidst such de­ bilitating materialism, who wants to pursue the demanding difficulties of intellectual rigor when seductive pleasure can grease the easy slide to indolence and apathy with drugs and fastmoving but vacuous entertainment? Advertising creates unnecessary appetites in the passive, bored, and sensation-hungry public. Material consumption and greedy self-indulgence are encouraged.

47

However, this groundbreaker had a price. Phillip and Tim carry on, in public or alone, so as to offset any possible suspicion about their viri­ lity. Tim is consistently patronizing as he "educates" Phillip, and the pair display their misogynist colors toward T i m ’s wife, Phillip's fiancee, and her mother. (And yet, Phil's sis­ ter gives support and only wants him to be happy with his life.) To accept one's gayness meant to make the most of a terrible situation, and the love between two men necessitated a crude parody of the "infidelity," jealousy and physi­ cal violence of heterosexual couples.

It's difficult to find the positive role models in all this, and curious that Alyson has chosen to inaugurate their series of reprints of the most important early gay novels with Quatrefoil.

Luckily, it is the one unfortunate exception in their otherwise admirable catalogue. There is the historical importance of knowing how we were portrayed and what our brothers and sis­ ters were reading. But Barr's unsympathetic characters and unremarkable prose make this novel a dubious find.

--Kevin M. Cox

|— ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ B O O K

R E V IE W — — —

---------------- — of their song, and in their love for each other-stems from being Black. Black may be a fatal flaw in the eyes of the world, but it nourishes the roots of the pride and compassion which he cele­ brates throughout this book. It shines through Mama Montana, doggedly trying to care for the wayward daughter of a faraway friend. It shines through the ancient eyes and voice of the child evangelist, Sister Julia, as she leads her flock to a storm of exultation, and again, when she resolves to escape her abusive father in order to raise her baby brother, Jimmy.

Just Above My Head

by James Baldwin Dell Publishing Company $3.50 (pbk) "I onc.e heard myself shouting at some asshole white producer," Hall Montana recalls, "who was giving me some mealy-mouthed crap about my broth­ er's private life being a problem, If he likes boys, then buy him a bathtubful, you bear? Buy him a boatload! V/hat the fuck ao you like?

I'll never forget that cat's f a c e s o m e people look at you like you've farted when you try to tell them the truth, or when they know you mean what you say." (p. 22)

Jimmy emerges beautiful, too, with "a grin like a lantern, and a voice like Saturday nights." (p. 52) He holds a crush on Arthur from childhood on, and sets about becoming partner and accompa­ nist to the singer with a comic vigor and direct­ ness. This sweet and stormy partnership brings Arthur to fame and takes them both through the fourteen years before Arthur's sudden and equivo­ cal death.

The brother in question, Arthur, is a gospel singer of some renown. He is also a faggot. And he's dead. Hall was his manager through much of his career, and he now feels compelled to defend his brother's reputation against the inevitable gossip. This defense, the story of Arthur's life and loves, forms the core of James Baldwin's recent novel, Just Above My Head.

Hall is not a faggot, which he's quick to make clear, but he also makes it clear that he loved Arthur very dearly, and that he saw nothing wrong in Arthur's being a faggot. Not that he was happy to hear it, mind you. When Arthur edges toward self-revelation with the story of his sexual ini­ tiation, Hall tries "to see the scene as a minor, adolescent misadventure, as cotmnon as dirt. . . .

Nothing so terrible had happened, after all; much worse might have happened." (pp. 59-60) Such resistance gives depth to his later acceptance and support.

A second strike against Arthur, and Hall as well, of course, is that they're Black. The three other boys from Harlem who join Arthur in a quartet all meet ruin in that stew of racial hate called the American melting pot: Crunch goes mad; Peanut is murdered while working for civil rights in Georgia; and Red becomes a junkie. The prejudice which spawns these calamities runs like an undercurrent beneath Hall's story.

And yet Hall knows that the beauty these boys display--in their easy camaraderie, in the joy

The book celebrates love, love in great variety and great intensity, love as the wellspring of life. Its only fault may be squeezing too much love into too small a space to be perfectly be­ lievable, but we can easily forgive Baldwin that.

For, with his long lyrical lines, his complex, tantalizing, narrative style, and his warm, penetrating characterizations, he has woven an emotionally rich fabric for our enjoyment and edification. And we are center stage. Baldwin tells the story of being gay in a straight world, just as he tells of being Black in a white world: "Our suffering is our bridge to one another.

Everyone must cross this bridge, or die while he still lives--but this is not a political, still less, a popular apprehension." (p. 113) --Bruce Penrose

REVIEW--------------------------------------------------BOOK

Hall leaves us with Jimmy, who, two years later, is picking himself up out of the ashes of his time with Arthur. He is grieving mightily, but we know that he will shake those ashes off his feathers and fly again, resplendent in the plu­ mage of love.

Homosexuality and American Psychiatry, The Poli­ tics of diagnosis by konald Sayer Published by Basic Books, Inc. (New York) $12.95 Well, 'taint worth $12.95, but maybe you can get your public library to order the book, because it is worth reading. In the course of detailing the people and infighting around the 1973 vote (by the membership of the American Psychiatric Association) which removed homosexuality from the list of psychiatric disorders, Bayer credits both gay activism and open-minded scientists with changing the attitude against homosexuality among the membership of the A.P.A. One of the principals, Dr. Robert Spitzer, wrote of the book, "In this important book, remarkable for its combination of scholarship and readability, the author tells the whole story with the ob­ jectivity and accuracy of a historian, and with the punch of a spy story." And I do so like a happy ending.

48

SP EC IA L IN T E R EST S De a r B r o t h e r s

and S i s t e r s ,

T r e e l o v e r s e v e r y w h e r e , I am tryin g to gather information on t r e e s and a b o ut t h e s e m a g i k a l b e i n g s : c o r r e s p o n d e n c e s , sym­ b o l i s m s , r i t e s , r i t u a l s , magi­ c a l and m e d i c i n a l u s e s and p r o ­ p e r t i e s , myths/truths/legends, meditations, e t c .

Any i o t a , x e r o x p a g e s , names o f b o o k s o r anything e l s e a p p r e c i a t e d .

B l e s s e d Be! G l e n n Alan F i s c h e r 2 3 3 3 N. A s h l a n d #3- C C h i c a g o , IL 60614

6-----*^

Dear B r o t h e r s , L e t roe come d i r e c t l y t o t h e point in the th ir d paragraph.

I am n o t w r i t i n g t o d i s c l o s e or see k r e c i p e s f o r p o t i o n s or o r g a n i c h o n e y b u n s o r b l i s s ; nor t o d is c u s s r a b b i t ranching or s p o u s e h u n t i n g or d a n c i n g under t h e g r e e n May moon w i t h our weewees h a n g i n g o u t .

My p u r p o s e i s t o a p p e a l f o r h e l p w i t h an o b s e s s i o n .

For some t i m e now, I ha v e b e e n d o ­ ing c o l l a g e s .

I woul d l i k e t o do an e p i c one o f h u n d r e d s o f c a v o r t i n g wi nge d f a e r i e s i n t h e woods .

Or i n t e a c u p s .

Or i n Egypt.

Or s o m e t h i n g .

Anyway, the background w i l l take c a r e of i t s e l f .

What I need a r e photos.

Color photos.

Of you (all).

F u ll f r o n t a l nudity is n o t n e c e s s a r y , b ut d e s i r a b l e (w ell, is n 't i t ? ) .

Remember, t h e s e p i c t u r e s a r e f o r a r t and w i l l no t b e us e d f o r my own p r u r i e n t i n t e r e s t s a ny more than i s a b s o l u t e l y n e c e s s a r y .

finish.

The t h i n n e r t h e p a p e r backing, the b e t t e r .

3 . The i mage s h o u l d b e s h a r p , d i s t i n c t , not b l u r r e d .

4 . The s h a p e o f t h e s u b j e c t and a c c o u t r e m e n t s s h o u l d b e made up o f s t r a i g h t and smooth ly curving l i n e s .

Trying to c u t o u t a f e a t h e r b o a t o l oo k n a t u r a l i s next to im p o s sib le.

T he n a g a i n , i f i t ' s a good p i c t u r e , d o n ' t worry about i t .

I ' l l work a r o u n d i t .

5 . The l a r g e r t h e p i c t u r e , t h e c l o s e r t o t h e f o r e g r o u n d you w ill be.

Oh, b y t h e b y , i f any o ne woul d l i k e t o d o n a t e o r t r a d e 3-D o r o t h e r t a s t e l e s s p o s t ­ c a r d s or be p a r t o f a p o s t ­ card chain l e t t e r (quite l e ­ g a l ) , p l e a s e l e t me know.

From t h e l a p o f Our Lady o f Ar t z e n c r a f t s .

The f o l l o w i n g c r i t e r i a a p p l y : 1 . The p i c t u r e MUST b e i n c o l o r .

2 . The p i c t u r e s h o u l d h a v e a g l o s s y r a t h e r than a matte

Due t o some e d i t o r i a l d i f f i c u l t i e s , a l a r g e number o f c o n t a c t l e t t e r s ( 6 3 ) ha ve a c c u m u l a t e d for t h i s i s s u e .

T h i s h a s n e c e s s i t a t e d some means o f c l a s s i f y i n g them f o r e a s i e r r e a d a b i l i t y .

The c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s w e ' v e u s e d a r e d e f i n e d a s : SPECIAL INTERESTS - t h o s e s e e k i n g c o r r e s pondence/assistance in p a r t i c u l a r areas o f art/knowledge TRAVEL - s e e k i n g c o n t a c t s f o r e x t e n d e d t r i p s CORRESPONDENCE - p r i m a r i l y s e e k i n g c o r r e s ­ p ond enc e, witho ut r e g a r d t o a r e a or p o s s i ­ b i l i t y of intimate relatio n sh ip s COLLECTIVES - t h o s e s e e k i n g o r o pe n t o c o lle c tiv e living situ ations CONTACT & SITUATIONS - t h o s e s e e k i n g t o buy, s e l l , or share l i v i n g s i t u a t i o n s o r make c o n t a c t w i t h o t h e r s i n a s p e c i f i c geographic area RELATIONSHIPS - t h o s e s e e k i n g r e l a t i o n ­ s h i p ^ ) with o t h e r ( s ) a r e a not o f p r i me importance We hope t h e s e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s ha ve n o t m i s ­ c o n s t r u e d t h e i n t e n t o f any o f t h e s e l e t t e r s , and t h a t a f t e r r e a d i n g t h e g r o u p y o u ' r e most i n t e r e s t e d i n , y o u ' l l c o n t i n u e t o read through t h e o t h e r s - we d o n ' t want t h i s s y s t e m t o s e t up l i m i t s and b o u n d a r i e s .

You a s k e d f o r more c o n t a c t l e t t e r s - w e l l , here they a r e .

Max C l o r e 6 2 1 N. H i g h l a n d A v e . NE A p t . B A t l a n t a , GA 30306

NdfiC Contact with someone special ~ another

reader

RFD p r i n t s c o n t a c t l e t t e r s f r e e o f c h a r g e . n a t i o n s , o f c o u r s e , a r e a l w a y s we l c o me .

Do ­

P l e a s e c o n d e n s e your l e t t e r t o 2 0 0 words or less.

B r e v i t y i s t h e s o u l o f w i t and s a v e s page space for o t h e r s .

S p e l l i n g and p u n c t u a t i o n w i l l be c o r r e c t e d u n l e s s you s t a t e t h a t y o u ' d p r e f e r t h e l e t t e r t o be p u b l i s h e d " a s i s . " P l e a s e b e p o s i t i v e i n s t a t i n g your i n t e r e s t s and a f f i n i t i e s .

Sa yi ng " n o " t o any p a r t i c u l a r t r a i t or human c h a r a c t e r i s t i c may u n n e c e s s a r i l y o f f e n d s o me o n e .

A l s o remember t h a t p l a c i n g a c o n t a c t l e t t e r e n g e n d e r s t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o a ns we r a l l r e ­ plies.

S end your l e t t e r B a k e r s v i l l e , NC

49

t o : RFD, R t . 1 , 28705.

Box 1 2 7 - E ,

Hoping t o h e a r brotherhood,

from y o u .

In

Gerhard E. Mueller Ca r 1 - D i e m - S t r . 97 7410 Reutlingen 1 West Germany

F r ie n d s h ip s are important to me, and I l o o k f o r w a r d t o ma k­ i n g some new o n e s t h i s summer.

I hope t o h e a r f rom you.

TO MOVIE MEMORABILIA COLLECTORS: I c o l l e c t p r e - 1 9 5 0 mo v i e p o s t e r s and a good f r i e n d c o l l e c t s o l d mo v i e m a g a z i n e s .

U nfortunately, p r i c e s a r e r i d i c u l o u s i n Los Angeles.

I f you h a v e any p o s ­ t e r s or magazines ( p r e - 1 9 5 0 ) t h a t you want t o t r a d e o r s e l l , p l e a s e l e t me know.

Barry Cherin Box 8021 N o r t h H o l l yw o o d , CA

91608

Experienced singer of c l a s s i ­ c a l and f o l k m u s i c s e e k s e x ­ perienced lu t e n i s t / g u i t a r i s t t o f orm p r o f e s s i o n a l duo.

Anyone out t h e r e ?

N.W. COAST CYCLIST NEEDS OVER­ NIGHT STOPS San F r a n c i s c o g a y a c t i v i s t w i l l b e s o l o b i c y l i n g f rom V a n c o v e r , B . C . b ac k t o S . F . i n August .

I'm lo ok in g f o r f r i e n d l y p e o ­ p l e a l o n g t h e way t o s t a y a n i g h t or two w i t h .

I'm a h o r ­ t i c u l t u r e t e a c h e r , s i n g e r , and good c o o k .

P l e a s e d r o p me a n o t e or c a l l .

L a r r y Wi sc h 1 3 9 2 Page S t . #2 San F r a n c i s c o , CA 9 4 1 1 7 (415) 861-2553

Wr i t e : He a r t s i n g e r c /o RFD Rt 1 Box 1 2 7 -E B a k e r s v i l i e , NC

De ar RFD R e a d e r s ,

28705

TRAVEL I am p l a n n i n g t o t r a v e l t o t h e S t a t e s and Ca n a da d u r i n g August and p a r t o f S e p t e m b e r .

I ’ll be f l y i n g t o NYC and r e n t i n g a c a r t o t r a v e l t h r o u g h some o f the ru ral a re a s o f the S t a t e s , wh i c h I p r e f e r t o t h e b i g c i t ­ ies.

Though my r o u t e i s not y e t f i x e d , I would l i k e t o he a r from p e o p l e t h a t I mi ght v i s i t , i n o r d e r t o g e t t o know them and t a k e b a c k some m e m o r i e s .

D u r i n g my j o u r n e y s , whi c h have been mostly b u s in e ss t r i p s , I ha ve f o un d t h a t a l t h o u g h s c e n e r y and h i s t o r i c monuments mi ght b e b e a u t i f u l a nd w o r t h w h i l e , what r e a l l y counts afte rw a rd s are t h e p e o p l e you ha v e m e t .

If you go t o wa r d p e o p l e , no m a t ­ t e r what r a c e or a ge or c o l o r , w i t h a f r i e n d l y s m i l e , an open h e a r t , and a p o s i t i v e mi nd, you w i l l a l w a y s r e c e i v e t h e same in re tu r n .

W e a l t h i s not what c o u n t s in t h e worl d, but the i n n e r r e a d i n e s s t o r e c e i v e and a c c e p t p e o p l e a s what t h e y a r e .

I ' m p r o b a b l y much a s d e s c r i b e d above.

I ' v e worked m o s t l y d o ­ ing s o c i a l work.

I'm i n t o p h y s i ­ cal fitn e ss (I l i f t weights).

I l i k e the o u td o o rs, b i c y c l i n g .

I ha v e a m o t o r c y c l e .

I ' m w r i t i n g RFD b e c a u s e I ' m g o ­ i ng t o b e t r a v e l i n g a r o u n d t h e c o u n t r y for a good p a r t o f the summer and I ' d l i k e t o meet some p e o p l e a l o n g t h e way.

My p l a n s a r e n ' t c o m p l e t e y e t , b ut a s o f now i t l o o k s l i k e I ' l l b e g o i n g up t o New York ( a nd p e r h a p s New E n g l a n d ) and t h e n h e a d west t h r o u g h P e n n a . and o ut t o C a l i f . , Oregon and W a s h i n g t o n , and t h e n b a c k through the s o u t h w e s t , s t opp in g i n T e x a s , and s o u t h t o F l o r i d a .

T ha t p r e t t y much c o v e r s t h e country.

The k i n d o f p e o p l e I ’ m most i n ­ t e r e s t e d in meeting a r e mature, pro b ab ly older than c o l l e g e age: 25-45, self-s u p p o rtin g , p r e t t y d i r e c t i n t h e i r communi ­ c a t i o n s , who know and a c c e p t themselves f a i r l y w e ll.

Inter­ e s t e d i n some t h i n g s .

Not t o o t r i p p e d o ut on a ny one way o f viewing th e world ( e . g . , r a d i c a l , relig iou s, w holistic, e t c .) .

Have a s e n s e o f humor a b o u t t h e m s e l v e s and t h e i r b e l i e f s .

And p r e t t y much t r a d i t i o n a l l y m a s c u l i n e or s t r a i g h t - a p p e a r i ng - - y e t a f e e l i n g p e r s o n .

L i b e r a l or p r o g r e s s i v e s o c i a l / p o l i t i c a l values/consciousness.

Healthy l i f e s t y l e .

50

Pat Land PO Box 1 0 1 3 6 T a l l a h a s s e e , FL

32302

CORRESPONDENCE D e a r RFD R e a d e r s , I ’ m 6 ' 2 " , 1 4 0 l b s . ( t h i n ) , 22 y e a r s o l d , r e d h a i r and o c c a ­ s i o n a l l y b e a r d e d , wi t h s t r a n g e e y e s - - I ' m t o l d b r o wn , g r a y , b lu e , green in p a r t s .

I'm P i cean with a r t i s t i c l e a n in g s .

I'm a p a c i f i s t - - I ' d be a Qua k e r i f I b e l i e v e d t h a t C h r i s t was Go d; I ' m j u s t a h a i r away f rom b e i n g an a t h e i s t .

People should l i v e in p e a ce, with r e ­ s p e c t t o wa r d o t h e r p e o p l e , f e l ­ low a n i m a l s , a nd t h e e n v i r o n m e n t .

I ' m a g a y roan l i v i n g i n a ( c u r ­ r e n t l y ) t o t a l l y s t r a i g h t commune/ c ommuni t y i n W e s t e r n M a s s a c h u ­ setts.

I g r e w up i n t h e New York m e t r o p o l i t a n a r e a a nd , knowi ng b o t h c o u n t r y and c i t y , I ' v e chosen to l i v e in th e coun­ try.

Though I am s t r a i g h t a c t in g / a p p e a r i n g , almost e v e r y ­ b ody i n t h i s commune knows I ' m g a y and a c c e p t s i t .

D ifferen­ ces are accepted h e re .

The one c h a r a c t e r is t i c required is a positive attitu d e.

Al l o w p e o ­ p l e t o ha v e t h e i r d i f f e r e n c e s and e n j o y them f o r t h e i r d i f ­ ferences.

Accept p e o p l e as people; w ell, t h a t 's a s t a r t .

I'm l o o k in g f o r pen p a l s .

Liv­ i n g i n t h e c o u n t r y p u t s roe o ut o f the gay ma in stre am, so I ' d a p p r e c i a t e communication wi th p e o p l e who h a v e s o m e t h i n g t o t e l l a b o u t t h e m s e l v e s and w i t h p e o p l e who want t o know some more a b o u t me.

Peace, Andrew Bush R e n a i s s a n c e Community Box 2 8 1 T u r n e r s F a l l s , MA 0 1 3 7 6

COLLECTIVES

De ar F r i e n d s ,

H e l l o My D e a r !

I ' m a B r a z i l i a n b o y who wa n t s t o g e t f r i e n d s f rom t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s o r a ny o t h e r p l a c e i n the world.

I wonna g e t f r i e n d s who a r e g a y men.

I woul d l i k e you t o p u b l i s h my ad and my name.

I w i l l a ns we r a l l l e t t e r s t h a t I r e c e i v e I And, I woul d l i k e t h a t ev erybody c o u l d send me a p i c t u r e w i t h t h e l e t t e r .

I t ' s no t n e e d e d , b u t I would like i t .

I'm b l o n d , 1 . 7 5 m eters t a l l , h a v e g r e e n e y e s , and i f s o me ­ one i s i n t e r e s t e d I ' l l s a y much more. . .

I g o t some i s s u e s o f RFD ma g a z i n e f rom a f r i e n d and I was v e r y s u r p r i s e d .

I l i k e your ma g a z i n e v e r y much b e c a u s e o f your r e l a t i o n s h i p with n a tu re .

I'm t r y in g to l i v e i n harmony w i t h n a t u r e and my f e l l o w roan a l t h o u g h i t ' s not e a s y i n a b i g c i t y like B erlin.

We ha v e a l m o s t two m i l l i o n r e s i d e n t s h e r e in B e r l i n .

The r e a s o n I ' m w r i t i n g you i s t h a t I would l i k e t o e x c h a n g e l e t t e r s w i t h A me r i ­ c an gay p e o p l e .

I would l i k e t o c r e a t e a Ger raan/Ameri c a n f r i e n d s h i p movement f o r gay p e o p l e .

I f gay people f r om t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s come t o Ge r ma ny , t h e y c o u l d a s k f o r our f r i e n d s h i p c e n t e r t o f i n d cheap a cco m odation .

Also t h e r e should be a p o s s i ­ b i l i t y f o r German g a y t r a v e l ­ le r s to find h o s p ita lity w i t h A me r i ca n g a y s .

T h a n k s mu c h, F r a n c i s c o Domi ngos M ar e c h a l Deodoro 249 B e n fic a F o r t a l e z a , C E , BRAZIL 6 0 . 0 0 0

I'm v e r y i n t e r e s t e d in e x ­ c h a n g i n g l e t t e r s w i t h A me r i ­ c a n s b e c a u s e I woul d l i k e t o h e a r more a b o u t g a y l i f e in America.

I ' m 24 y e a r s o f age and I ' m i n t e r e s t e d i n r e l i g i o n , p h i l o s o p h y and nature l i f e .

Thank yo u !

Love,

De a r S i r , I woul d l i k e t o ha v e my name i n c l u d e d i n yo ur m a g a z i n e , t o a ttra ct friends.

The b o y s c o u l d w r i t e roe i n E n g l i s h or P o r t u g u e s e , and s e n d me p h o t o s , s t a mps and o t h e r i n t e r e s t i n g things.

S o , I w i l l be g l a d t o a ns we r t he m .

Here I g i v e you my c h a r a c t e r ­ i s t i c s ! I am 1 . 6 7 m e t e r s t a l l and 21 y e a r s o l d , u n i v e r s i t a r i a n , and woul d l i k e v e r y much t o c o r r e s p o n d w i t h Ga y s i n any part o f the world, e s p e c i a l l y to exchange ideas .

Your s t r u l y , Franco Roberto Rua M a c e i o - 1 4 7 1 H e nr i q u e J o r g e - 6 0 . 0 0 0 F o r t a l e z a , C e a r a , BRAZIL

Uwe Kr u g e r c /o B e r n a r d Put z S c h l e s i s c h e S t r . 25 1 0 0 0 B e r l i n 36 Germany

I ' m a 3 0 y r . o l d Ame r i c a n I n d i a n , a r t i s t , rug weaver, p o t t e r , b e a d w o r k e r ; would l i k e t o c o n t a c t some o t h e r Ame r i c a n I n d i a n s or S o u l S i s t e r s - O r i e n ­ tals also.

I ' m we1 1 - r e no wn e d a s a c r a f t s m a n o f my T r i b e .

Anyone 21 and up p l e a s e s e n d photo.

D. Goodman Box 4 3 M e x i ca n H a t , UT

51

84 5 31

My p a r t n e r and I a r e l o o k i n g for a collective/coromunal living situ atio n , preferably r u r a l and a nywhere i n t h e U . S .

We a r e w a n t i n g t o c o n n e c t w i t h p e o p l e who a r e s e n s i t i v e , f e m i n i s t and p o l i t i c a l and who a r e i n t o u c h w i t h some s o r t o f inner s p i r i t u a l i t y .

We have been l i v i n g in r u r a l so u th ern Or e gon f o r t h e l a s t two y e a r s .

We a r e b o t h L . A . r e f u g e e s .

C u r r e n t l y we l i v e i n A s h l a n d and e a c h o f us i s i n v o l v e d i n a me n ' s / wo me n ' s s u p p o r t g r o u p .

Our c o m b i ne d s k i l l s i n c l u d e o r g a n i c g a r d e n i n g , c a n n i n g and f o o d d r y i n g , some k n o wl e d ge of m e d i c i n a l p l a n t s and t h e i r p r e ­ paration, c re a tiv e writing, r o o f i n g , h o u s e p a i n t i n g , c om­ mu n i t y o r g a n i z i n g , some c o u n ­ s e l i n g s k i l l s and body work i n c l u d i n g o r t h o b i o n o m y , Touch f o r H e a l t h , p o l a r i t y and b i o ­ kinesiology.

We a r e v e g e ­ t a r i a n s ( l a c t o ) and u s e d r u g s s p a r i n g l y and c o n s c i o u s l y .

We b e l i e v e t h a t i n t e r p e r s o n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s a r e what p r o v i d e us w i t h t h e l o v e and s t r e n g t h t o grow and c h a n g e , and want t o c o n n e c t w i t h p e o p l e who a r e r e a l l y p u t tin g energy in t h i s direct io n .

On a p e r s o n a l l e v e l . . . I ' m K a t h l e e n , 41 and a f e m i n i s t .

I ' v e l i v e d on t h e west c o a s t f o r 2 0 y e a r s and g r e w up i n Minneapolis.

I ha ve two c h i l d r e n who l i v e w i t h t h e i r f a t h e r . For the p a s t t h r e e y e a r s I ' v e b e e n s h e d d i n g my c i t y armor and l e a r n i n g t o l i v e more h a r m o n i o u s l y w i t h m y s e l f , o t h e r s and n a t u r e .

I ' m C o l i b r i , 30 y e a r s o l d , and I ' v e been in volv ed In a n t i s e x i s t men's s t r u g g l e s a s well as other p ro g re s s iv e s t r u g g l e s f o r a number o f y e a r s .

I've b e e n g e t t i n g i n t o u c h w i t h ray s p i r i t u a l i t y but f i n d t h e p e r s o n a l and p o l i t i c a l s t r u g ­ g l e s t o be l a c k i n g whe r e I presently liv e .

I f we s ound l i k e p e o p l e you woul d l i k e t o g e t t o know, p le a se c o n t a c t us.

Kathleen & C o l i b r i 2 3 1 Van Ne s s A s h l a n d , OR 9 7 5 2 0

D e a r RFD; We a r e two g a y men: K e i t h , 3 0 , and E n r i q u e , 2 9 , who ha ve b e e n t o g e t h e r 4h y e a r s .

We now l i v e i n t h e SF Bay Ar e a and a re lookin g to r e s e t t l e in a more r u r a l e n v i r o n m e n t .

De ar F o l k s : I 'n a freelance writer liv in g in F lo rid a fo r p r o fe s s io n a l r e a s o n s , r a i s i n g enough money to get myself in to the country a g a i n ( I g r e w up i n r u r a l C o n ­ necticu t).

I ' m g a y , 3 1 , under no f i n a n c i a l o b l i g a t i o n s , w i t h no d e p e n d e n t s ; f o l k s t e l l me I look l i k e a bear (red dish b e a r d and a l o t o f f u r ) , and I seem t o h a v e l i t t l e t r o u ­ b l e maki ng f r i e n d s w i t h f o l k s f rom a l o t o f d i f f e r e n t b a c k grounds.

I ' m l o o k i n g f o r a s e r i o u s home­ s t e a d i n g s i t u a t i o n , communal perhaps, r u r a l , s e l f - s u f f i ­ c i e n c y - d i r e c t e d and n o n - U t o p i a n .

A r e s p o n s i b l e a n a r c h y i s OK, and I ' d l i k e t o l i v e w i t h p e o ­ p l e unenchanted with f l i p p a n c y and i r r e s p o n s i b l e t r a n s i e n c e .

I c a n b r i n g t o a h o m e s t e a d my exp e rie n ce with coo k in g, h e rb s , food s t o r a g e , o r g a n i c g a r d e n ­ i n g , s e w i n g , o f f i c e ma n a g e ­ m e n t ; I c a n g e n e r a t e i nc ome w i t h my w r i t i n g and my s m a l l h e r b b u s i n e s s , whi c h I o p e r a t e out o f my home.

I can bring some money and a g o o d s e l f sufficiency library.

I sing, a c t , s p e a k CK F r e n c h , s t u d y Ol d E n g l i s h and l i s t e n w e l l .

I'm a l s o f i n e in bed.

P l e a s e w r i t e or c a l l tion, please).

Our i d e a s - - h o pe s - - p l a n s a r e flexib le.

Enrique i s a cook, and one p o s s i b l i t y we b o t h l i k e i s a r e s t a u r a n t or s ome thi ng sim ilar.

He c o o k s p r i m a r i l y v e g g i e , s i m p l e and n u t r i t i o u s food.

Keith i s a musician ( v i o l i n , v i o l a ) and h a s worked p r i m a r il y in a r t s j o b s .

He i s no t n e c e s s a r i l y bound t o c o n ­ tin u e in t h a t , cou ld help in the business sid e of a restauran t or w h a t e v e r .

We a r e n o t s upe r adept at a s e l f - s u f f i c i e n t c o u n t r y l i f e s t y l e but f e e l i t i s time t o l e a r n .

We know we need f e we r p e o p l e a r o u n d t h a n at present.

We l i v e f a i r l y q u i e t l y with Calam ity J a n e , our d o g . we e n j o y t h e u s u a l r e c r e a t i o n a l d r u g s ; w e ' r e not c o m p l e t l y monogamous b u t a r e d e f i n i t e l y a c o u p l e i n our own minds.

We a r e o r i e n t e d t o wa r d a simple l i f e .

We would a p p r e c i a t e h e a r i n g from RFD r e a d e r s and a r e open t o o p ­ p o r t u n i t i e s r a n g i n g from a b u s i ­ ness p r o p o s i t i o n t o a semicommunal g r o u p o f g a y o r s t r a i g h t folk.

We ha ve l i m i t e d $ t o c o n ­ t r i b u t e ; Enrique i s q u a l i f i e d f o r VA b e n e f i t s .

Thanks.

Keith H e r r i t t Enrique Martinez 5 4 2 9 Panama A v e .

Ri chmond, CA 94 804

(d iscre­

Love, Rand Lee No. 3 Hi g g s Lane Key W e s t , FL 33040 (305) 296-6403

De a r B r o t h e r s , I am w i l l i n g t o s h a r e e v e r y ­ thing I have.

A f t e r 21 y e a r s o f l i f e i n s o c i e t i e s wher e p o s s e s s i o n i s t h e norm and s h a r i n g i s a m i s u n d e r s t o o d or b a r e l y t o l e r a t e d q u i r k , I am r e a d y t o j o i n w i t h o t h e r s who b e l i e v e t h a t t h e good l i f e i s o ne o f g i v i n g and r e c e i v i n g among F r i e n d s .

That i s a l l the r h e t o r i c I can muster.

I am w r i t i n g b e c a u s e I want t o j o i n a c ommuni t y t h i s f a l l , and I want t o h e a r from p e o p l e who t h i n k we mi gh t b e good f o r e a c h o t h e r .

I love

52

t o w r i t e , so even f r i e n d l y f o l k who d o n ' t h a v e a p l a c e f o r me a r e wel come t o g e t i n t o u c h .

T h e s e a r e some o f t h e t h i n g s I am: A r i e s w i t h C a p r i c o r n r i s i n g , 21 y e a r s o l d , c a l l i ­ g r a p h e r , vegan ( t o t a l - v e g . ) , S p a n i s h - s p e a k e r , poet devotee o f t h e Calamus, L o ver, c o r n u c o p i o u s c o o k . I w o n ' t t a k e up s p a c e h e r e w i t h more " s t a t i s ­ t i c s ” --su ch th in g s are b est al low ed to bloss om i n t o view fo r F r ie n d s , in j u s t the rig h t season.

I am i n t h e m i d s t o f a B . A . d e g r e e i n G r e e k and L a t i n ( t h e le a st m a t e r ia lis t ic subject I c o u l d f i n d , w h i l e many o t h e r s scramble fo r the $ ) .

I want to divest myself of a c i t y a p a r t m e n t a nd o t h e r p o s s e s s i o n s I am u n c o m f o r t a b l e w i t h , l e a v e the u n iv e rs ity for a while, and move i n t o t h e c o u n t r y .

I am i n f i n e h e a l t h , 6 ' 1 " , 1 6 0 p o u n d s , t h a n k s t o swimmi ng, g o o d e a t i n g , and a h e a l t h y mi nd and s p i r i t .

T aur us has b e e n s t i r r i n g i n me f o r some t i m e now, a nd I am r e a d y t o u n le a s h him.

I work h a r d and g e t dee p s a t i s f a c t i o n from t h e things of the Earth.

B e s i d e s u n g r u d g i n g h a r d wor k, I c a n o f f e r my c r e a t i v i t y , my pen, t r a n s l a t i o n s o f Greek raanl ove p o e ms , s i m p l e f e a s t s f o r s o l s t i c e s and s u n s e t s , and my L o v e .

I woul d l i k e t o l e a r n s k i l l s , b o t h p h y s i c a l and s p i r i ­ t u a l , from my B r o t h e r s and S i s ­ t e r s : e m b r o i d e r y and c a r p e n t r y , yo g a and P a g a n i s m .

Above a l l , a s I s e t o u t on t h i s new s e g ­ ment o f my l i f e , I f e e l open t o e x p e r i e n c e s , w i l l i n g and v e r y a b l e t o l e a r n from F r i e n d s .

I s e e k a c ommuni t y i n t h e c o u n ­ t r y o r a t o wn , l a r g e o r s m a l l , p r e f e r a b l y e a s t or e a s t - c e n t r a l , men o n l y o r m i x e d , a l l g a y o r n o t , a f ar m o r a r e s t a u r a n t o r...

I ne e d o n l y room (some p l a c e t o p i t c h my s l e e p i n g b a g ) and b o a r d .

In r e t u r n I g iv e w hat ev er I c an o f m y s e l f .

I am t h i n k i n g o f an e x t e n d e d s o j o u r n - - o n e t o two y e a r s ( b e ­ g i n n i n g i n August o r S e p t . ) , p o s s i b l y more.

But I am i n ­ t e r e s t e d in a l l id e as.

I'll a ns we r a l l r e p l i e s .

Peace t o A l l , K e n n e t h Ha l e 59 Cedar S t .

S o m e r v i l l e , MA

02143

h a p p e n s we would l i k e t o f i n d o u t whe r e and when s u c h r i ­ t u a l s a r e c e l e b r a t e d s o we c a n a t t e n d t h e m.

CONTACT A

and SITUATIONS

fo r^he a s t

I h a v e an o l d l o g c a b i n on a b e a u t i f u l l o t on my many a c r e farm.

T h i s woul d b e a b e a u t i ­ f u l p l a c e f o r somebody who w a n t s t o r o u g h i t s ome wha t .

The p l a c e h a s e l e c t r i c i t y and a spring.

I ' m not a s k i n g a ny money f o r r e n t .

The p l a c e n e e d s some work t o make i t c o m f o r t a ­ b l e , but i t i s l i v e a b l e .

I live a h a l f - m i l e up t h e r o a d f rom t h e cabin so I'm a v a i l a b l e fo r help or t o o l s .

T h e r e a r e a few g a y men a r o u n d t own and we h a v e a gay group.

I ' m 2 8 y e a r s and p r e tty easy going.

I ' m maki ng t h i s o f f e r because I ' d l i k e to s e e s omebody l i v i n g i n t h e p l a c e t o k e e p i t up.

Thank y o u , David S ta n le y RFD 1 , 2 9 2 -A H o u l t o n , ME 0 4 7 3 0 (207) 532-9815 g—

W h i l e i t woul d be n i c e t o know o f g a y s who a r e d o i n g t h i s i n PA, a nywhe r e a l o n g t h e E a s t e r n s e a b o a r d woul d be a v a i l a b l e to us.

I hope you c a n h e l p us out i n c o n n e c t i n g w i t h some upcomi ng c e l e b r a t i o n s t h a t we c o u l d a t t e n d .

T h a n k s f o r your h e l p .

S in c e r e ly yours, Don G r a v e s 6 0 4 W. U ni o n B l v d .

B e t h l e h e m , PA 1 8 0 1 8

RFD R e a d e r s We would l i k e t o w r i t e o r s p e a k with p eop le, p r e f e r a b ly couples who h a v e homes i n t h e c o u n t r y n e a r NYC, f o r p o s s i b l e e x c h a n g ­ i n g t h e u s e o f our a p a r t m e n t i n New York C i t y f o r t h e i r h o u s e .

T h i s c o u l d b e a weekend a r r a n g e ­ ment , o r p e r h a p s f o r a week o r two.

A l s o , we woul d l i k e t o g e t t o g e t h e r w i t h f e l l o w RFD r e a d e r s i n New York C i t y .

We a r e b o t h i n our l a t e t w e n t i e s , n o t i n t o d r u g s ; we d r i n k a l i t t l e , both a t t r a c t i v e , e t c .

C a l l or w r i t e - -

. . . . I want t o g e t t h e word o u t t h e r e f o r whoever wa nt s t o s p e n d t h e s p r i n g and sum­ mer i n a s e m i - p r i v a t e s e t t i n g (with a l l the s o - c a l l e d ameni­ t i e s o f c i v i l i z a t i o n c l o s e by) on an i s l a n d t h r e e m i l e s o f f t h e c o a s t o f Ma i ne h e l p i n g t o r e s t o r e an o l d f a r m h o u s e , l i v i n g on o r g a n i c v e g i e s , w i l d f r u i t s and h e r b s and d e l i c i o u s sea foods ( l e a r n i n g t o f o r a g e ) .

P l e a s e w r i t e t o me.

I woul d p r e f e r t o c o r r e s p o n d with p e o p l e who c a n make a c o m m i t ­ ment o f a t l e a s t t h r e e m o n t h s ; carp en ters, p a i n te r s , m usicians, h e a l e r s . . . W e ne e d s k i l l e d and u n s k i l l e d h e l p e r s .

Most i m p o r t a n t , we need a " c r e w " wi t h t h e a f f i n i t y o f a r e a l family.

The whol e s i t u a t i o n i s a b s o ­ l u t e l y without p re ssu re o f a ny k i n d .

The i s l a n d i s mag­ n i f i c e n t w i t h a summer p o p u ­ l a t i o n o f about 2 , 0 0 0 .

There i s a woods and a b a y t o e x ­ p l o r e , and s p a c e s whi c h you may c a l l your own.

We c a n a l l work t o g e t h e r and l e a r n f r om one a n o t h e r and ha ve a p a r t y w hile doing i t .

So l e t me h e a r from yo u .

Wi t h l o t s

of love,

D a r r e l l Rolerson The Dharma Farm I s l e s b o r o , Mai ne 0 4 8 4 8

— a

Two men, 3 0 and 3 1 , want t o meet r u r a l g a y s i n e a s t e r n Pennsylvania for p o s s i b l e f r i e n d s h i p and t o s h a r e an in te r e s t in country l iv i n g .

We a r e i n t e r e s t e d i n m e e t i n g o t h e r ga y men who c e l e b r a t e seasonal r i t u a l s , the h a r ­ v e s t, p la n tin g , the s o l s t i c e s , a s w e l l a s t h e f u l l moon.

My p a r t n e r f i r s t g o t me i n t e r ­ e s t e d i n t h i s a number o f y e a r s a g o w h i l e l i v i n g i n S a l t La ke C ity.

We f o u n d a n i c e moun­ t a i n t o p and, went up t h e r e e a c h f u l l moon.

He h a s a d i f f e r e n t f or m o f r i t u a l t h a n I d o ; he worships p e r s o n i f i c a t i o n s of po we rs w h i l e I w o r s h i p t h e po we r s t h e m s e l v e s .

We' ve o f t e n wonde r e d i f t h e r e mi ght b e o t h e r s who c e l e b r a t e N a t u r e ' s c y c l e s a nd , s i n c e r e a d i n g RFD, we know t h e r e a r e .

Our g o a l i s t o b uy some l a n d where we c a n h a v e our own r i t u a l s i t e t h a t can b e s h a r e d w i t h o t h e r s , b ut u n t i l t h a t

J o e y Spak J a m i e Kl ei nbauro 4 4 0 West 2 4 t h S t . A p t . 6 - B New Y o r k , NY 1 0 0 1 1 (212) 691-0464

— C o n t a c t wa n t e d w i t h men s e e k i n g to l i v e in cou ntry.

We a r e two men ( 3 1 a nd 3 2 ) l i v i n g i n s e p a r a t e o w n e r - b u i l t homes on 1 0 0 - a c r e f a r m .

Independent, e v i r o n m e n t a l 1y s e n s i t i v e , no e l e c t r i c i t y , not t u r n e d o f f to bar s c e n e , hard-working, seekin g o t h e r s to j o i n t o c r e a t e s m a l l - s c a l e c ommuni t y of individuals stressin g c o ­ operation.

We do not e s p o u s e dogmatic c o l l e c t i v i s t p h i l o ­ sophy.

We a r e not a Wal den I I .

We do b e l i e v e m u t ua l s u p p o r t creates strength.

Ken & P h i l i p Box 65 McDonal ds C o r n e r s O n t a r i o , Ca n a da KCG 1MO

53

S o u th ea st D e a r RFD, We a r e l o o k i n g f o r o ne or more g a y men t o s h a r e our f a r m and f a m i l y .

I am a g a y young man w i t h a w i f e ( M a r i ­ a n n e ) and two s m a l l b o y s ( a g e s 3 and 4 ) .

I am a p a r t - t i m e c o n t r a c t o r and have b u i l t my own p a s s i v e s o l a r h o u s e .

We ha ve 1 3 0 a c r e s o f woods and f i e l d s i n a v e r y b e a u t i ­ f u l and v e r y r u r a l a r e a .

Please w r it e or c a l l (304) 462-7443.

We l o v e t o have v i s i t o r s a ny t i m e .

Sincerely, J i m Hartman Burnt House,

WV

26336

De a r R F D e r s , Am t r y i n g t o l o c a t e a s t a b l e g a y p e r s o n o r c o u o l e , ma l e o r f e m a l e , t o l i v e on a s m a l l r u ­ ra l property ju s t outside of Winchester, V ir g in ia .

My l o v e r and I ha v e had t o move t o t h e c i t y ( D . C . ) t o wo r k , and o ur weekend v i s i t s t o our c o u n t r y home j u s t c a n ’ t k e e n i t up t o o ur s a t i s f a c t i o n .

We a r e w i l l ­ ing to rent the p ro p e r ty very c h e a p l y t o someone who w i l l l o v e i t t h e way we do and who i s w i l l i n g t o do r o u t i n e m a i n ­ t e n a n c e work on t h e g r o u n d s and h o u s e .

We would s t i l l want t o v i s i t and p o s s i b l y s t a y on we e ke nds t o h e l p w i t h t h e work.

The ho u s e i s s m a l l , o l d , and i n ne e d o f much r e n o v a t i o n , b u t i s v e r y l i v e a b l e a s i s , and i s comfortably furnished.

There a r e n e a r l y e l e v e n a c r e s with t h e h o u s e - - h a l f wooded and h alf cleared.

Two s t r e a m s c r o s s t h e p r o t e r t y ; t h e r e i s a small orch ard , a la rg e asparagus bed, a young b l u e b e r r y p l a n t i n g , and a l o t o f room t o g a r d e n .

B i g h t g e e s e and an e v e r - c h a n g ­ ing p o p u l a t i o n o f c a t s a re p e r ma n e n t r e s i d e n t s .

C a l l us evenings in th e c i t y at (7 0 3 ) 8 4 1 - 0 0 4 0 (not c o l l e c t ) , or w r i t e t o our W i n c h e s t e r a d d r e s s .

B i l l and R e t e PO Box 2 3 2 5 W i n c h e s t e r , VA

2 2601

--- 8 Dear RFDor s , I am i n t e r e s t e d i n h e a r i n g from l o c a l r u r a l g u y s whom I c a n v i s i t on my d a y s o f f f rom wo r k i n g and l i v i n g i n t h e c i t y , t o e n j o y n a t u r e and t h e outdoors.

I am 3 1 , 5 ’ 1 1 " , 155 l b s , mo ustach e, b l a c k h a i r and b l u e e y e s , I enjoy s k i n n y d i p p i n g and p l a y f u l romps i n t h e woods.

Thanks, Henry R o b e r t s o n 98 P eac h tree Place Warner R o b i n s , GA

G r e e t i n g s from W i l l i a m s b u r g , V irginia.

I ’ m new t o RFD but no t new t o g a y l i f e .

I'm 32, 5 * 1 0 " , w/m, 154 l b s , b l u e e y e s , t h i n n i n g brown h a i r .

I enjoy q u i e t t i m e s a t home o r w i t h f r i e n d s , good w i n e , a movi e o r video d i s c s .

I e n j o y roost t y p e s o f music.

I ' m not i n t o d r u g s .

Some smoke OK, l i g h t u s e o f l i q u o r OK. I don't enjoy the bar s .

I am l o o k i n g f o r someone who i s c a r in g , loving, understanding, h o n e s t , who i s n ' t a f r a i d o f work} who c a n p u l l h i s own weight.

I ' m not o f f e r i n g a f r e e r i d e , e v e n t ho ugh I w i l l helf> somewhat .

I l i v e on a b o u t 5 a c r e s i n a l a r g e o l d 2 - s t o r y ho u s e whi c h I'm remod eling - - 3 bedrooms, den, e t c .

B e h i n d my h o u s e I ha ve a n o t h e r h o u s e - - v e r y s m a l l , u n r e n t e d ; and a b a r n , root c e l l a r , garage, s c a tte r e d other b u ild in g s.

L o t s o f room, lo ts of privacy.

I ' m wo r k i n g on t h e who l e p l a c e t o i mpr ove i t ; a l l i t needs i s t h e r i g h t p e r s o n t o make i t a home.

I l i v e a b o u t 2 m i l e s f rom c o ­ l o n i a l W i l l i a m s b u r g , 10 m i l e s f rom J a me s t o wn and York t own, 4 0 m i l e s f rom Ri chmond and N o r ­ f o l k , and 6 0 m i l e s f rom V i r ­ g i n i a Beach.

T h e r e i s much t o o f f e r in t h i s a re a .

W illiam s­ burg i s a b e a u t i f u l slow, q u i e t p l a c e t o l i v e with mil d w e a t h e r.

I m y s e l f c a n b e t h e most c a r i n g , b o n e s t , l o v i n g p e r s o n you w i l l ever meet, as I e xp e c t th e p e r ­ s on I am s e e k i n g t o b e .

I am a h a r d worker who e n j o y s l i f e f o r what I make i t .

I don't b e l i e v e l i f e o r t h e w o r l d owes me a n y t h i n g } I f e e l I owe i t .

I f you a r e p l a n n i n g on comi ng t o t h i s a r e a f o r a d a y , a week or l o n g e r , c o n t a c t me; I may b e a b l e t o f u r n i s h you w i t h a room, t e l l you whe r e t o g o , etc.

The m o t e l s i n t h i s a r e a are very o v e r r a t e d .

P l e a s e i n c l u d e a p h o t o when corre sp on d in g , as well as a phone number, and your l i k e s and d i s l i k e s .

F r e d Whi t t om 4 9 7 Que e ns C r e e k Road W i l l i a m s b u r g , VA 2 3 1 3 5

31093

54

Want ed by g a y c o u p l e - a F a r m ­ hand, Houseperson.

We a r e l o o k i n g f o r someone who ne e ds a home and h a s no o t h e r c om­ mitments.

Someone who i s s ome­ what o f a l o n e r b ut g e t s a l o n g with people in d i f f e r e n t c i r ­ cumstances.

You must b e i n go o d h e a l t h p h y s i c a l l y and mentally.

No b a d h a b i t s ( d r u g s and d r i n k i n g ) o r s o s e x u a l l y a c t i v e t h a t i t ' s a l l t h a t ' s on your mi n d .

You must b e t r u s t ­ w o r t h y and h o n e s t and a b l e t o pa s s a background i n v e s t i g a ­ tion.

We a r e l o o k i n g f o r s ome ­ one who h a s t h e a b i l i t y t o do h a r d p h y s i c a l ( f a r m ) l a b o r and enjo y i t ; m e c h a n ic a lly i n c l i n e d ; ho us e wo r k when need b e , i n c l u d ­ i ng some c o o k i n g .

You must e n ­ jo y the outdoors in a l l types o f w e a t h e r , and c a r e f o r p l a n t s a n i m a l s , and o c c a s i o n a l c h i l ­ dren.

Are you a s e l f s t a r t e r ?

A p e r s o n w i t h i m a g i n a t i o n who c a n work a l o n e and do what roust b e done w i t h o u t b e i n g t o l d ?

We ne e d someone who c a n manage t h e f a r m and h o u s e w h i l e we work.

We a r e d e v e l o p i n g t h e f a r m , i n tim e, in to a gay r e s o r t .

As we grow i n b u s i n e s s and s u c c e s s , you w i l l grow w i t h u s .

I f you ne e d a home, p e o p l e who c a r e and s h a r e , a p l a c e t o grow and d e v e l o p your t a l e n t s , t h e n may­ b e you a r e t h e p e r s o n we a r e looking f o r .

I f s o , c o n t a c t us.

J o h n w. C o n n o l l y T r i p l e CC Farm R o u t e 1 , Box 2 0 3 H i d d e n i t e , NC 2 8 6 3 6

De a r R e a d e r , My name i s D a v i d .

I ’ m 37 and l i v e i n New O r l e a n s .

I should b e l i v i n g i n t h e m o u n t a i n s or a t l e a s t back in the Appalach­ i a n Pi edmont where I l i v e d f o r 4 1/3 y e a r s .

I hope t o move f rom t h i s c i t y , e n c h a n t i n g though i t i s , in a year or s o , o r a t l e a s t t h a t ' s what I ’ ve been t e l l i n g m yself fo r the last 3 years.

I t ' s a ma z i ng what a p e r s o n c a n g e t u s e d t o : n o i s e , c o n g e s t io n , h e a t , hu­ m i d i t y , high s a l a r i e s . . .

I'm planning to r e c o n n o i t e r t h i s summer - l o o k i n g f o r my " b e s t p l a c e " t o l i v e , any suggest io n s?

While i n G e o r g i a , I d id a f a i r amount o f b a c k p a c k i n g .

A re­ c u r r e n t f a n t a s y on t h e t r a i l was t o h a v e a " p a r t n e r " a t my side.

F o r me " p a r t n e r " i s a c o g e n t wo r d .

I t e v o k e s a wide range o f q u a l i t i e s , c a p a b i l i ­ t i e s , j o y s and no d o u b t , s a d ­ ness. , A c t i v i t i e s whi c h f i l l roe up duri ng p r i v a t e time so t h a t I c an " g i v e " t o o t h e r s i n c l u d e : h ik in g , canoeing, b i c y c l i n g , reading ( h i s t o r y , s c ie n c e , b i o ­ graphy), lis te n in g (to frien d s, c l a s s i c a l m u s i c , t o t h e wi nd i n t h e t r e e s ) and l e a r n i n g a b o u t m y s e l f and ray God. G e n t l e r e a d e r , i f you a r e i n r e ­ sonance with the above, I ' d l i k e t o h e a r f rom y o u .

Sincerely, David PO B o x 5 7 3 6 1 New O r l e a n s , LA

70157

I f anyone i s i n t e r e s t e d i n p o s s i b i l y r e l o c a t i n g t o Ark­ a n s a s , I woul d l i k e f o r t hem t o w r i t e me.

I am 4 6 y e a r s o l d , w h i t e raale, have a s m a l l o r g a n i c farm , l i v e out o f L i t t l e Rock, and woul d l i k e t o ha ve someone who i s i n t e r e s t e d i n c o u n t r y l i f e t o l i v e and work t o g e t h e r w i t h rae.

I have c h i c k e n s , g e e s e , d u c k s , h o g s , g o a t s , a nd a f ew c a l v e s .

T h e r e was a g o o d a r t i c l e a b o u t two men r a i s i n g t u r k e y s i n a recent issu e.

J u s t goes t o show t h a t i f two p e o p l e h a v e a g o a l o r s o m e t h i n g i n common, i t can be done.

I woul d a p p r e c i a t e h e a r i n g f rom a n y o n e who may j u s t l i k e t o c o r - , respond with a n o t h e r .

I f you a r e someone i n p r i s o n who may be l o o k i n g f o r s omeone t o h e l p o r a p l a c e t o g o a f t e r you a re o u t , I w i l l w r i t e t o you.

Thanks, J a m e s Owens 1 3 3 2 3 M i d d l e t o n Road L i t t l e R o c k , AR 7 2 2 0 6

Dear F r i e n d s , I am on 4*S a c r e s n e a r t own and t r y t o be s e l f - s u p p o r t i n g .

I ' m j u s t " co m i n g o u t " a s a farm er-country type.

I woul d l i k e t o g e t t o g e t h e r with a n o t h e r i n t e r e s t e d i n maki ng a s o u t h F l o r i d a home.

Write a n d l e t me know how you f e e l a b o ut d e v e l o p i n g a ho ne and l i f e s t y l e in south F l o r i d a .

Dean 3 8 0 0 S . W . 1 0 2 Ave .

B-206 Mi a mi , F L .

33165

'Sowth

den-Lra. /

I woul d l i k e v e r y much t o c o r ­ r e s p o n d , o r b e t t e r , t o meet t h e men r e p r e s e n t e d b y t h e d o t s i n E a s t T e x a s a nd N o r t h w e s t L o u ­ isiana.

T h e r e seem t o b e s u b ­ s c r i b e r s i n Longview o r M a r s h a l l , S h r e v e p o r t , V i v i a n and M a n s f i e l d .

L e t's get together.

I'm sure t h e r e i s much we c a n s h a r e .

6 0 y e a r s o l d - 5 ' 7 » - 14 5 # w h i t e - c a n c e r 8 y e a r s ago and l o s t r i g h t l u n g - on d i s a b i l i t y .

Lost lover in a c cid e n t 3 years a go - 16 y e a r s o f h a p p i n e s s .

L o o k i n g f o r same i n someone e l s e - can be r e t i r e d or d i s ­ a b l e d , b u t I am not i n a p o s i ­ t i o n t o suppo rt someone.

The p l a c e i s p a i d f o r and I need h e l p i n k e e p i n g i t up.

Have t h e u s u a l a n i m a l s and l a r g e garden to can for w in t e r .

Age i s no o b j e c t a nd want s ome­ one who w a n t s t o gr ow w i t h s o me o n e .

I am t u r n e d o f f by a heavy p e r s o n .

I was r a i s e d i n Iowa - worked i n commercial a r t s in Chicago and am no t a c o u n t r y w e s t e r n f a n or a r e d n e c k .

Straight l o o k i n g and a c t i n g - l o o k i n g f o r s ame .

In loving p e a c e , Lee S p r u e l l R o u t e 2 , Box 3 4 8 - A L i n d e n , TX 7 5 5 6 3

I am i n AA by c h o i c e , b u t i f someone c a n d r i n k w i t h o u t t h e u s u a l p r o b l e m s , OK. I ev en smoke p o t when I p l e a s e .

55

I am v e r y b r o a d m i n d e d , b u t men i n b e d and o u t o f b e d .

Make me an o f f e r position.

like

or even a p r o ­

R o b e r t A l l e n Eden RR 7 , Box 6 9 L e b a n o n , MO 6 5 5 3 6

De a r RFD R e a d e r s

-

We're a gay c o u p l e , been g e t h e r 17 y e a r s , l o o k i n g f r i e n d s , work i n t h e c i t y and l i v e i n t h e c o u n t r y . l o o k in g f o r gay c o u p l e s , CK f o r s i n g l e s a l s o .

to­ for We're or

We c a n and f r e e z e a l l our own v e g e t a b l e s and f r u i t f rom our t r e e s .

We b u t c h e r our own p o r k , b e e f and c h i c k e n s .

We want h o n e s t and s i n c e r e f r i e n d s and no d r u g s o r wayo ut s t u f f .

We may b e odd t o some b ut b e l i e v e God d o e s a c c e p t g a y p e o p l e , as long as th ey t r y t o do g o o d , h e l p o t h e r s and h a v e l o v e f o r your f e l l o w persons.

We b e l i e v e i n p r a y e r and f o r g i v e n e s s , and l o v e t o sing gospel songs; of c ou rse , when i n s o - c a l l e d s t r a i g h t c h u r c h e s , we were a s k e d t o l e a v e b ut a r e a c c e p t e d i n t h e M e t r o p o l i t a n Community C h u r c h , a c h u r c h where a g a y p e r s o n o r a ny p e r s o n i s a c c e p t ­ ed i f t h e y a r e g a y o r n o t .

T h e y ' r e s p r i n g i n g up a l l o v e r t h e USA and now i n f o r e i g n countries.

S u r e t h e y have p r o b l e m s , who d o e s n ' t ?

But i t ' s w o n d e r f u l t o be a c c e p t e d and not r e j e c t e d .

We d o n ' t b e l o n g , b ut do a g r e e wi t h i t .

I f anyone out t h e r e i s p a s s i n g through, p l e a s e w r i t e , fo r f r i e n d s h i p or wh ate ver, i f i t ' s to say h i .

P l e a s e do w r i t e and w e ' l l a n s w e r ; we need more k i n d n e s s , l o v e and u n de r­ s t a n d i n g , e s p e c i a l l y a mongs t the gays.

Would l o v e t o know more a b o u t gay communities.

Do t a k e t i m e t o d r o p us a l i n e .

We ' d l o v e t o h e a r f rom o ur b r o t h e r s o u t there.

Ar t & Pa ul 1 0 3 6 0 C o n c o r d S c h o o l Road S t . L ouis, M issouri 63128

Dear RFDer s !

— CO N FACT LETTERS

De ar B r o t h e r s , Out h e r e i n t h e m i d w e s t , t h e sun s h i n e s b r i g h t l y most o f t h e t i m e and t h e r a i n f a l l s l i g h t l y at other tim es.

This town i s on t h e e dg e o f t h e Oz a r k M o u n t a i n s and i s known for i t s sp rin g s.

Eureka S p ri n g s i s t h e t o wn ; f u l l o f f u n k y p e o ­ p l e , some o f whom a r e g a y .

I l i v e h e r e , p r a c t i c e Chinese M e d i c in e , t e a c h yoga, keep bees and w r i t e p o e t r y .

I ' m 55 and i n a f or m e r l i f e s p a c e , used t o be a c o l l e g e p r o f e s s o r .

P e o p l e f rom 4 0 t o 55 a r e s c a r c e h e r e b e c a u s e f ew o f us were born during the " g r e a t d e p r e s ­ sion" of the 1 9 3 0 's .

I f you a r e b e t w e e n 4 0 and 55 and h a v e a " h i p p i e / g a y " c o n ­ s c i o u s n e s s , w r i t e a l i n e o r two a nd/or s t o p i n f o r a v i s i t . I ' d l i k e t o meet yo u .

Wi t h F a e r i e

Spirit,

C r a z y Owl, Chuck H a l l 15 K a n s a s S t .

E u r e k a S p r i n g s , AR 7 2 6 3 2

Somewhere t h e r e must b e , A "good o l d boy" - - j u s t l i k e me, A p e r s o n who i s normal and looks s t r a i g h t , F u l l o f vim and v i g o r - - e v e n w i l l i n g t o c a r r y h i s own weight 1 Not i n t e r e s t e d i n b a r s or b a t h s , But i n s t e a d - - a r e l a t i o n s h i p that l a s t s .

Someone young and f u l l o f sp irit, I ' l l be s i m i l a r - - n e v e r f e a r it 1 For I'm a t a l l T e x a n - - n o t w i l l ­ ing t o j u s t b e , And l o o k i n g f o r someone t o come l i v e w i t h roe.

S o why not a ns wer t h i s b i t o f prose, Wi t h a p h o t o and more - - 1 ' 1 1 r e s p o n d a n d - - w h o knows?

F r a n k Hi nds Box 9 3 Harwood, TX

7 86 32

I ' m a d r o p - o u t t e a c h e r f rom a p r i v a t e s c h o o l on t h e West C o a s t now i n t o c o u n t r y l i v i n g on a s m a l l r a n c h i n t h e f o o t ­ h i l l s o f t h e Ozarks o f M i ss o u ­ ri.

Am i n t o r e d o i n g a 9 - r o o m t u r n - o f - t h e - c e n t u r y f armhous e i n t o a s ho wpl ace wi th a w e l l r o unded s e l f - s u f f i c i e n c y s e t ­ up i n o p e r a t i o n i n c l u d i n g t h e beginnings o f a b e e f herd to be i n c r e a s e d w i t h t h e s p r i n g calving.

I'm in t h e m i d - 4 0 ' s , 6 ' , 165#, brown h a i r , b l u e e y e s , s i n c e r e , g e n t l e and l o y a l .

Am l o o k i n g for a t o g e th e r , i n t e l l i g e n t , masculine, co u n try -o rie n te d s o u l - m a te 18 t o ? f o r s h a r i n g my s c e n e i n a p e r m a n e n t 1 - t o - l r e l a t i o n s h i p f o r mut ua l t o t a l l i f e t i m e s e c u r it y in the l i f e ­ style.

Please w r it e !

W ill ia m Tyrone R o u t e 1 , Box 82 South G r e e n f i e l d ,

MO

a r o u n d u s , r e m i n d i n g us o f a w i n t e r s o o n t o c om e .

But we w i l l be t o g e t h e r and we w i l l b e prepared.

The g e e s e a r e f l y i n g s o u t h f o r a n o t h e r y e a r b u t we must s t a y .

Now we h a v e t i m e t o e njo y e v eryth in g t n a t t h i s time o f year has t o o f f e r .

I consider myself a ''Grizzly Adams" a t h e a r t and l o v e r i v e r fl o a t i n g , canoeing, exp loring , prospecting for gold, e t c .

I f my g o a l s ounds l i k e your dream t h e n l e t ' s g e t t o g e t h e r and make i t h a p p e n .

I f you o r a ny o ne you know mi gh t b e i n ­ t e r e s t e d p l e a s e c o n t a c t me.

Thank you'.

Jim Jo n e s PO Box 106 B e t h e l , MN 55005

65752

Norih Cerrito. 1 De a r B a c k To N a t u r e F r i e n d s , I ' m l o o k i n g f o r an h u m b l e , n o n ­ ma t e r i a l i s t i c l o v e r / m a t e t o s q u a t w i t h me i n N o r t h e r n C a n a d a .

We woul d l i v e o f f t h e l a n d and e v e n t u a l l y be s e l f - s u f f i c i e n t .

Some t h i n g s b e i n g i n a w i l d e r ­ n e s s e n v i r o n m e n t means t o m e . . .

S t a n d i n g on a f r o z e n l a k e w i t h darkness approaching, the s i l ­ h o u e t t e d t r e e s v i s i b l e dimly t h r o u g h s o f t l y f a l l i n g s now­ f l a k e s everywhere.

Cu d d l e d t i g h t i n our t o a s t y b e d , t h u n d e r b o o mi ng , d r a wi ng up c l o s e r , so s e c u r e , and t e a c h i n g us t o b e th a n k fu l fo r the s h e l t e r o f each o t h e r ' s loving arms.

The wi nd, blowing through t h e s c e n t e d wh i s p e r i n g p i n e s , wh i c h seems t o s a y i n i t s own way how l u c k y we a r e t o h a v e f o u n d e a c h o t h e r and s h a r e t h e r e s t o f our n a t u r a l lives together.

T he warm b r e e z e D a r t i n g o ur h a i r a s we h i k e t h r o u g h t h e w i l d e r n e s s wi t h our p a c k s , o r i n our c a n o e w i t h e v e r y t h i n g we need t o s u r v i v e w h i l e e x p l o r i n g t h e ways o f t h e w i l d and l e a r n i n g t o g e t h e r .

A m i d n i g h t swim i n a v i r g i n l a k e under r e f l e c t i o n s o f an o r a n g e moon.

Talking i n t o the night by a g l o w i n g c a m p f i r e , i n t e r ­ r u p t e d o c c a s i o n a l l y by a h o o t i n g o w l , a s p l a s h i n g f i s h , or a howling w o l f .

The l e a v e s a r e d i f f e r e n t now, f a l l i n g a l l

56

De a r RFD, W e l l h e r e I am i n C e n t r a l Iowa l o o k i n g f o r Mr. R i g h t , who m i gh t l i v e nearby.

I am i n my 5 0 * s , t h o u g h a g e means n o t h i n g t o me.

I am h e a v i l y i n v o l v e d i n t h e F i n e A r t s a t Iowa S t a t e U n i v .

I am t a l l , t h i n , k e e p m y s e l f f i t a s a f i d d l e , and am r e a d y .

What i s most i m p o r t a n t t o me i s t h e i n n e r p e r s o n , someone who i s c a r i n g and l o v i n g , l i k e s t h e same t h i n g s I d o , who c h e r i s h e s f r i e n d s h i p and a f f e c t i o n , and i s not a f r a i d t o s a y what he t h i n k s , i n s p i t e o f a l l the b u l l go in g around.

Someone who l o v e s h i m s e l f and h i s b o d y , so i s not i n t o d r u g s o r s mo k i n g .

I a d m i r e t h o s e who l o v e t h e o u t o f d o o r s , n a t u r e , h i k i n g and c y c l i n g , who c a n s i t b e f o r e a b a r r e n t r e e i n w i n t e r and a d ­ m i r e i t s s h a p e , or s e e t h e marvels o f l i f e in the u n fo ld ­ ing o f a g r e e n l e a f .

Anybody l i k e t h a t around?

Ed PO Box 1 4 8 2 We l ch A v e . S t a t i o n Ames, IA 5 0 0 1 0

RFD & F r i e n d s ,

A m i go s ,

Sure i s n i c e h e r e i n s o u t h e a s t ­ ern M innesota.

Spring is s t a r t ­ i n g t o come i n s m a l l s p u r t s .

It f e e l s wonderful.

Cool but wonderful.

This i s probably my f o n d e s t t i m e o f t h e y e a r besides f a l l .

But I l o v e w i n ­ t e r v e r y much a l s o .

De a r RFD R e a d e r s , G r e e t i n g s f r om t h e s h o r e s o f La ke S u p e r i o r i n n o r t h e r n M i c h i ­ gan.

T h i s i s t h e la nd o f four d e f i n i t e s e a s o n s , o f deep snow and snowbound w e e k e n d s , o f s p e c t a c u l a r s c e n e r y and o f a b a s i c simple l i f e s t y l e .

I am s e a r c h i n g f o r a l i f e - m a t e to share a quiet ru ra l l i f e w i t h p l e n t y o f t o g e t h e r and alone time.

I h a v e no r e a l p r e f e r e n c e s o t h e r t h a n he be un de r 4 5 y e a r s o l d and someone who r e s p e c t s h i s own body and mind and a p p r e c i a t e s n a t u r e a nd l i f e .

I ’ m 4 0 , 5 ' 1 0 " , 165 l b s . , b l u e e y e s , brown h a i r , ha v e an a v e r a g e b ody and a f arm b a c k ­ ground.

I ha ve i n t e r e s t s o f t r a v e l , landscaping, reading, r a i s i n g o f a g a r d e n and s m a l l c r o p s , camping, h i k i n g , b e in g outdoors, cross-country s k i­ i n g , f i l m s and a r t .

I'm a d e c e n t c o o k and an a v e r a g e 35mm photographer.

I ' m s e r i o u s and p l a y f u l a s n e e d e d , g e n t l e and e n j o y b e i n g w i t h f r i e n d s and a l s o q u i e t t i m e s a t home.

B e c a u s e o f owning l a n d h e r e I am u n a b l e t o r e l o c a t e .

I ha v e p l a n s t o b u i l d a low m a i n t e ­ n a n c e home and woul d l i k e t o s h a r e t h e b u i l d i n g and e n j o y ­ i n g o f t h e home w i t h someone special.

Presently I raise s m a l l c r o p s o f s we et c o r n , s t r a w b e r r i e s , p o t a t o e s and a large garden.

I f a ny o ne f i n d s t h i s l e t t e r o f in te r e s t, I 'd appreciate hear­ i n g f rom t h e m .

C o n t i n u e t o grow and l e a r n and e n j o y each day.

Sincerely, Deric G arnell RR 1 , Box 2 6 3 Ho ug ht o n, MI 49931

Perhaps t h i s i s t h e time o f y e a r t o meet new p e o p l e .

The w e a t h e r i s g r e a t and t r a v e l l i n g s h o r t d i s t a n c e s i s i n my b l o o d .

A t r i p on my t e n s p e e d woul d b e nice.

I c o u l d b r i n g my t e n n i s r a c k e t o r ray d o g , i f b y t r u c k .

Nothing l i k e working o u t s i d e on a warm summer d a y .

Or swimming i n a c o o l l a k e ; c a n o e ­ i n g woul d b e n i c e .

Handsome, g a y , 3 4 , w h i t e , t a l l , " b e a r d , m a s c . , f o l k a r t i s t and w r i t e r s e e k s same i n n o r t h e r n New M e x i c o .

I'm pl a n n in g a t r i p to San ta F e and T a o s i n t h e f a l l and woul d l i k e t o meet o t h e r f r e e s p i r i t s to explore cosmic, e r o ­ t i c , s p i r i t u a l , l o v e m a k i n g and/ or c r e a t i v e f r i e n d s h i p .

U n t i l t h e n I summon Q u e t z a l c o a t 1 f o r our e v e n t u a l m e e t i n g .

P lease re p ly with photo.

Hasta luego La wr e nc e Lembo PO Box 9 9 4 4 4 San F r a n c i s c o , CA

94109

I ’ ve b e e n a r o u n d a w h i l e , s a y l i k e 41 y e a r s .

Good s i z e , 1 8 0 l b s . a nd 5 ' 1 1 ” .

I ’ ve run out o f t h i n g s t o Someone e l s e ’ s t u r n .

say.

R i c h a r d Gwynne 16 SB 2nd S t .

F a r i b a u l t , MN 5 5 0 2 1

West G r e e t i n g s Good RFD, Some o f my b e s t f r i e n d s have o r i g i n a t e d from t h e s e p a g e s o f contact l e t t e r s .

And now t h e q u e s t f o r o ne more s p e c i a l f r i e n d : a man t o b e a me nt or and c o m p a n i o n , a c o - c e l e b r a n t o f t r a v e l , c l a s s i c a l music, f in e food, q u ie t country l i v ­ i n g i n an a v a n t g a r d e s o l a r home o v e r l o o k i n g t h e P a c i f i c Ocean n e a r San F r a n c i s c o .

A man who woul d e n j o y t h e h a r d work o f p l a n t i n g t r e e s , b u i l d ­ i ng f e n c e s , i n s t a l l i n g i r r i g a ­ t i o n system s, gardening, main­ t a i n i n g r o a d s and t a k i n g c a r e o f t h e 325 a c r e s e r e n e e n v i r o n ­ ment .

A man who a l s o e n j o y s t h e r e l a x a t i o n o f n u d i t y , ma s ­ s a g e , swimming and s u n n i n g . My s o u g h t - a f t e r c o -ste w a rd should b e an i n t e l l e c t u a l w i t h emo­ tion al passion, a r t i s t i c joys and p h y s i c a l p l e a s u r e s .

De ar RFD R e a d e r * : W i t h i n t h e n e x t few m o n t h s , I am p l a n n i n g on p u r c h a s i n g a small p arcel (1 5 -2 0 a c r e s ) o f l a n d i n S t e v e n s C o u n t y , Wash, (th e n o r t h e a s t e r n corner o f the s t a t e ) in order to b egin e s t a b ­ l i s h i n g a more s e l f - s u f f i c i e n t l i f e - s t y l e , l i v i n g on t h e l a n d .

Needless to say, the fu tu re is no t w i t h o u t a n x i e t i e s , t h o u g h many ha ve b e e n a s s u a g e d by e x ­ c e l l e n t a r t i c l e s i n RFD. How­ e v e r , some o n g o i n g i s s u e s s t i l l remain: the e sta b lish m e n t o f a s e l f - s u s t a i n i n g economic b a s e , p r e f e r a b l y on t h e l a n d , and t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f a c ommuni t y n e t wo r k o f g a y men and l e s b i a n s in the re g io n .

Being a c h e f , handweaver/spinner ( s h e e p l o v e r ? ) and h a r p s i c h o r d ist^, I hope t o u t i l i z e some o f my s k i l l s t o s u p p o r t m y s e l f ; w r i t i n g t o RFD, I hope t o make c o n t a c t w i t h o t h e r s who s h a r e my i n t e r e s t s i n s e l f - s u f f i c i e n ­ cy, e s p e c i a l l y in the n o r t h ­ e a s t e r n Washington, s o u t h e a s t ­ e r n B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a , and n o r t h ­ w e s t e r n I da h o r e g i o n .

Peace,

I would g r e a t l y a p p r e c i a t e h e a r ­ i n g f rom o t h e r s who h a v e made t h e move b a c k t o t h e l a n d and who woul d s h a r e t h e i r e x p e r i e n ­ c e s and i n s i g h t s i n s e l f - s u f ­ f i c i e n c y w i t h me.

Harold S e i e l s t a d PO Box 5 6 1 2 Redwood C i t y , CA

S t e p h e n Beckham 3 1 0 1 0 E . Lake Mort on D r . , K e n t , WA 9 8 0 3 1

Drop a l i n e i f y o u ' r e c u r i o u s about t h i s q u e s t for companion­ ship .

57

94063

SE

I f you t h i n k Oregon mi gh t ha v e what you ne e d — o r i s p o l i t i ­ c a l l y c o r r e c t c ompa r e d t o whe r e you a r e - - w r i t e me.

I w i l l be t h e n e ig h b or t o t h e north o f t h i s 20.

S i n c e r e l y , w i t h P e a c e and Brotherhood,

De a r RFD, I am l o o k i n g f o r a s o n , l o v e r , partner?

I am 4 7 y e a r s o l d , own a s m a l l p a r c e l o f l a n d i n H a w a i i and ne e d someone t o s h a r e w i t h me.

I h a v e b e e n a Me r c ha nt Seaman most o f my a d u l t l i f e and ha ve n e v e r had a c l o s e r e ­ l a t i o n s h i p w i t h any o ne s i n c e I am g o n e s o much o f t h e t i m e .

Ti me i s g e t t i n g n e a r f o r me t o q u i t t h e s e a and s e t t l e down.

Howe ve r , I w i l l c o n t i n u e t o travel.

I hope t o f i n d a y o u nge r man who n e e d s a f a t h e r i m a g e .

I'll t r y t o answer a l l l e t t e r s .

Maybe someone g e t t i n g o u t o f p r i s o n woul d b e i n t e r e s t e d .

I'm not bad l o o k i n g .

My hobby is cooking.

I'm 6 * 2 " , 220#, b l u e e y e s , bl ond h a i r , non­ d r i n k e r , and l i k e t o g a r d e n and r a i s e a n i m a l s .

Thanks, Stan Clark 126 Mi ddl e R d .

K u l a , Maui , HI

Re x H a r o l d Alraanor Ra n g e r D i s t .

PO Box 7 6 7 C h e s t e r , CA 9 6 0 2 0

T he G o d d e s s h a s b l e s s e d me w i t h f i v e a c r e s near W a t s o n v i l l e , C a l i f o r n i a , 90 m ile s south o f San F r a n c i s c o .

I'm lookin g for someone t o s h a r e t h e b e a u t y o f t h i s l a n d a s w e l l a s t h e work and r e w a r d s and p a y m e n t s .

I'm 2 9 , a s o c i a l w o r k e r / w a i t e r who a s p i r e s t o be a f a r m e r .

Please c o n t a c t me: Al a n 700 Spring S t .

S a n t a C r u z , CA

95060

RFDers,

96790

RFD B r o t h e r s , I am w r i t i n g i n h o p e s o f making c o n t a c t w i t h someone a c r o s s t h e m i l e s ne a r and f a r - who mi ght be i n t e r e s t e d i n securin g 20 a c re s o f r i c h b o t t o m l a n d i n O r e go n .

It i s 3 0 m i l e s from C r a t e r Lake and f i v e m i l e s n o r t h o f C h i l o q u i n (a l i t t l e I n d i a n t o w n) .

The e l e v a t i o n i s 4 1 0 0 f e e t .

T h e r e a r e no b u i l d i n g s on i t and wa t e r i s a c c e s s i b l e ( w i t c h e d at 60 f e e t ) .

There i s l o t s o f s u n , f r e s h a i r and r i c h , ric h s o i l - - a f i r e climax v e g e t a t i v e c ommu n i t y .

The l a n d i s o v e r 3 0 0 m i l e s f rom a ny e x i s t i n g n u c l e a r p l a n t s or p o t e n t ia l nuclear p la n ts ( i . e . , R e n o , C a r s o n C i t y , and Tahoe area).

I am w i l l i n g t o f i n a n c e i t a t 10% w i t h 20% down on $ 1 0 0 0 par acre fo r a 10-year c o n t r a c t t o the r i g h t person or p e r s o n s .

Ma gda l en F a r m, Wo l f C r e e k , Or e go n - - f o r m e r home o f RFD, is av ailab le for re n t.

Creekland, b e a u tifu l 80-acre mo u n t a i n v a l l e y f a r m , 3 l i v i n g s t r u c t u r e s and l a r g e b arn with s m a l l s t u d i o .

Year-round c r e e k .

Buried i r r i g a t i o n for 20 a c r e s o f p a s t u r e , k i t c h e n g a r d e n and one a c r e g a r d e n .

Gravity f e d ho u s e w a t e r .

E lectricity $ 4 0 0 a mo n t h.

W rite: George J a l b e r t 1518 Waller S t r e e t S a n F r a n c i s c o , CA 9 4 1 1 7

De a r

Possible Contacts!

D i s c o v e r e d RFD q u i t e by a c c i ­ d e n t and am g l a d t o make your a c q u a i n t a n c e . . . I am 2 2 , b i s e x u a l l y g a y , b ut f o r t h e p u r ­ p o s e s o f t h i s ad I am more t h a n w i l l i n g t o be e x c l u s i v e l y g a y . . . I am a w r i t e r o f p o e t r y and s c i e n c e f i c t i o n / f a n t a s y s t o r i e s ; I am a w r i t e r by temperment, needing a l o n e n e s s and t h e c r u s h o f s o c i e t y , v o l a t i l e and q u i e t , a go o d

58

f r i e n d and a l o n e l y h e r m i t a l l r o l l e d i n t o one p a c k a g e t h a t must b e t a k e n a t h o n e s t f a c e v a l u e (d* u h . . . ) .

I wi s h t o , a b o v e a l l , communi ­ c a t e with gay pe rs o n s (not j u s t g a y men) b e c a u s e o f my i n t e r e s t i n g a y a c t i v i t i e s and gay t h o u g h t .

I a l s o have t h i s ( e r , ) f a n t a s y I would l o v e t o see f u l f i l l e d : a patron o f the a r t s , or someone who t h i n k s t h e y l o v e l i t e r a t u r e e no ug h t o h a n d l e one o u t o f t h e many w i l d - e y e d w o u l d - b e w r i t e r s o ut here/there.

T h a t ' s what I want .

I need t o g e t away from the tr a d it i o n a l for at l e a s t a y e a r , t o t r y my hand a t t h e m a r k e t s w i t h my " s t u f f " .

If you a r e w e a l t h y enough t o h a n ­ d l e a y o u n g ' u n l i k e roe w i t h s i m p l e t a s t e s , t o o much i m a ­ g i n a t i v e e n e r g y and a h e a l t h y a d d i c t i o n t o b o o k s - we would be w e l l - m a t c h e d .

I l i k e t h e c o u n t r y and t h e cities.

I woul d p r e f e r t h e S a n F r a n c i s c o a r e a , b u t ha v e t r a v e l l e d e no ug h t o know t h a t new d i g s i n c r e a s e t h e i t c h o f my mu s e .

I want t o ha ve a l i t e r a r y chance in h e l l , I need t o g e t my body i n s h a p e ,

( AAAAARGH. . o) and I wanna s h a r e body and s o u l w ith some­ one t o o .

Age i s no h a n d ic a p ; a ttitu d e i s .

T h o r n t o n G r e y Kimes Bo x 1 0 1 7 , 3 0 S o u t h 9 t h S t .

M i n n e a p o l i s , MN 5 5 4 0 2

De a r B r o t h e r s , My name i s M i c h a e l .

I am 26.

I ha v e medium brown h a i r and b e a r d .

I am a g a r ­ d e n e r by t r a d e .

I l i k e t o sew w i t h my t r e a d l e m a c h i n e , d a n c e , w a l k , s i t and do b e a d work, l e a r n m e c h a n i c s , l i s t e n to a l l kinds o f music.

I e n j o y a good f i r e , a g o o d f r i e n d , and a warm c u p o f t e a .

I woul d l i k e t o meet some f o l k s in the northwest.

And f i n d a honey t o o .

Please w rite, M i c h a e l Yarr ow PO B o x 2 0 1 T r i n i d a d , CA 9 5 5 7 0

Dear

- o r maybe j u s t a warm f r i e n d ?

I l i v e in a t r a i l e r , u su a lly s i x mont hs i n t h e U . S . , s i x i n Mexico.

T h i s mor ni ng I was o u t i n my i n f l a t a b l e c a n o e w i t h sm al l e l e c t r i c motor, g l i d i n g a l o n g on t h i s b e a u t i f u l l a g o o n h e r e by T e a c a p a n , S i n a l o a , e n ­ j o y i n g e v e r y minute o f i t , * w a t c h i n g so many k i n d s o f b i r d s and e v e n some d o l p h i n s on t h e way b a c k , n e a r t h e o u t l e t i n t o t h e s e a , and t h i n k i n g t h a t i t woul d b e e v e n g r e a t e r j o y t o s h a r e t h i s with a no t he r n a t u r e lover.

Dear RFDers, I am l o o k i n g f o r a p l a c e t o l i v e and f o r some work ne a r Menl o P a r k , CA. I w i l l be attending graduate school t h e r e b e g i n n i n g i n l a t e Aug­ u st, 1982.

U n t i l t h e n , I am w a l k i n g w i t h t h e Wo r l d P e a c e Walk f r o m S a n F r a n c i s c o t o New Y o r k .

About me— v e g e ­ t a r i a n , f a t h e r o f o ne 4 - y r . o l d s on who w i l l be w i t h me o n e o r t wo d a y s e a c h week, Libran, 35-years o ld , p h y si­ c a l l y f i t and e m o t i o n a l l y available.

I would l i k e t o l i v e with other s e l f - a f f i r m e d f a e r i e s who t h i n k s p i r i t u a l i t y and v i s i o n a r e i m p o r t a n t .

I w i l l a t t e n d school in the a f t e r n o o n s , Monday t h r u T h u r s ­ d a y , a nd am a v a i l a b l e f o r work at a l l o ther t i m e s .

Any work i s ok f r o m s c r u b b i n g floors to adm inistration.

Please w rite .

My m a i l i s forwarded a s I walk.

Blessed Be l Agg i e c/o 144 9 S a i n t James C o n c o r d , CA 9 4 5 2 1

Pkwy.,

R E LA T IO N SH IP S De ar RFDer s , I am a WGM, 2 2 y e a r s o l d , 6 ’ t a l l , 1 7 8 l b s , brown h a i r and e y e s , l a r g e b u i l d , ma t u r e and sincere.

I woul d l i k e t o e x ­ c hange l e t t e r s w i t h o t h e r gay males, 20-45, for p o s s ib le r e ­ lationship.

W ill r e l o c a t e for that " s p e c ia l p erso n ."

Straight­ f o r w a r d , n e a t , l e v e l and h o n e s t p e o p l e p r e f e r r e d , a l s o t h o s e who l o v e o u t d o o r s and t h e s i m p l e life.

W i l l send pho to t o those who s e n d me o ne o f t h e i r s .

Also, l a c k o f i n t e r e s t i n s e x woul d b e a big problem!

G r e e t i n g s A l l Dreamweavers, F r e e S p i r i t s , and L o v e r s o f Life I L e t ' s e x p l o r e l i f e ' s many wo nd e r me n t s t h r o u g h c h a n n e l s o f c r e a t i v e communications.

P h y s i c a l l y h e a l t h y and s t r o n g , 9/4/57, 5 ' 1 0 " , 140 l b s . Taurus rising/Venus in Libra.

C h ris t-lik e features with sandy f l ow in g h a i r , t r i m b e a r d , and q u i e t h a z e l eyes.

C z e c h and I t a l i a n d e s ­ cent .

Keen on a m a l g a m a t i n g my p o e t r y , s o u n d , and movement i n t o p e r ­ f o r m i n g a r t s whi c h c o n v e y h o l i s t i c messages fo r the i n ­ spiration of self-"b etterm en t" I'm a t r a v e l e r i n t i m e , w e l ­ c omi ng i n t i m a c y , l a u g h t e r , a nd dee p u n d e r s t a n d i n g i n f r i e n d s h i p a nd one s p e c i a l brother lover frien d sh ip .

I lead a s im p lifie d l i f e s t y l e o m i t t i n g d r u g s , TV, and t h e l i k e . . .although a l i t t l e mel­ l ow wi ne e s p e c i a l l y d u r i n g a f u l l moon and w i t h c a n d l e l i g h t i s j u s t t o o com pelling to r e ­ sist .

So i f y o u ' r e open and h o n e s t a nd f e a r l e s s o f e x p r e s s i o n , w ell. . .

A t o a s t t o broadened h o r i z o n s !

Be w e l l and do w e l l .

See you a t t h e Rai nbow G a t h e r i n g .

Respect f u l l y , Tim Mc A n a l l y Rt 1 , Box 7 1 La wson’ s T r a i l e r C o u r t T a n n e r , AL 3 5 6 7 1

S o u l m a t e Out T h e r e ,

Z a r r u s Wind c/o Potzner 222 E. 84t h S t .

New Y o r k , NY 1 0 0 2 8 (2 12 ) 734 - 7 5 4 8

59

A c c o r d i n g t o my b i r t h c e r t i f i ­ c a t e , I ' m o v e r s e v e n t y , b u t you d o n ' t ha v e t o b e l i e v e t h a t .

I am i n t o yoga ( t e a c h and p r a c t i c e ) s o d o n ' t smoke, d r i n k o r e a t meat.

I l o v e t h e mushroom t r i p , but t h a t ' s the o n l y "dope" I e v e r t a k e , and t h a t maybe o nc e or twice a y e a r .

I b e l i e v e in Maithuna, T a n t r i c , n o n - o r g a s m i c s e x , g u i d i n g t he e n e r g i e s up t h e s hus humna, d o n ' t a l w a y s manage t h a t b u t k e e p on trying.

Would l o v e t o f i n d someone on t h e same t r i p , i f so please w rite.

I o n l y have a f o r w a r d i n g a d d r e s s ; s o me t i me s m a i l t a k e s a w h i l e t o r e a c h me, so p l e a s e be p a t i e n t .

I s pe ak S p a n i s h , F r e n c h , D u t c h , E n g l i s h ? , a l i t t l e Ge r ma n, a l i t t l e Bahasa Indonesian, a v e r y l i t t l e b i t o f J a p a n e s e and Swedish.

Onl y f i v e f e e t t a l l , s h o r t I mean, a b o u t 1 1 5 l b s . , l o n g h a i r and a b e a r d .

Love, S h r i Raman c / o Room 4 1 1 6 0 E a s t 4 2 nd S t .

New Y o r k , NY 1 0 0 1 7

Dear F r i e n d : I am an e a r t h y and b e a r d e d i»ons r o o k e r , 4 4 , who i s s e e k i n g a s e n s i t i v e l o v e r or b r o t h e r f o r a s e r io u s r e l a t i o n s h i p based on f u n , a w a r e n e s s , a nd l i b e r a l tra d itio n a l values.

My p a s s i o n s a r e n a t u r e , e x o t i c f o o d , r o m a n t i c l i t e r a t u r e , Wer­ n e r H e r z o g , and a n i m a l wa r mt h.

Ramon F . G a r c i a 6 8 0 5 N. S t e r l i n g A v e .

Tampa, F L 33614 (813) 879-4447

-----CONTACT LETTERS

I am a w h i t e m a l e , 39 y e a r s o l d , S a g i t t a r i u s , t a l l , i n v e r y good s ha p e l i v i n g f o r t h e l a s t 4 y r s i n t h i s p l e a s a n t , human c i t y o f M o n t r e a l , by p r o f e s s i o n a r c h i ­ t e c t , now r u n n i n g a b u i l d i n g company w i t h two f r i e n d s .

I p l a n t o s e l l i t towards the e nd o f t h i s y e a r , a s t h e s t r e s s h a s become t o o much l a t e l y and a b a d a c c i d e n t t o l d me t o s h a p e up o r e l s e .

I am v e r y down t o e a r t h , l i k e t o laugh a l o t (ABOUT m y s e l f , t o o ) and t h i n k o f movi ng t o t h e c o u n t r y .

I ha v e some e x p e r i e n c e i n f a r m w o r k , am n o n- s m o k e r ( b u t n o t necessarily vegetarian), s t i l l l i k e my d i r t y l e a t h e r w e a r , t h e o l d m o t o r c y c l e and t a t t o o s .

I am u n c u t ( b e c a u s e E u r o p e a n ) w e l l e q u i p p e d , i n t o g i v i n g and t a k i n g , ri mming and f u c k i n g and w r e s t l i n g i n t h e d i r t .

Hope t o meet a h e a l t h y s t r o n g and f r e e b u d d y .

P r e f e r him t o b e 2 5 t o 4 0 y e a r s o l d , and b e o ne who l i k e s t h e s m e l l o f s t a b l e s and a n i m a l s .

I am i n t e r e s t e d i n a c e r t a i n Yaqui way o f k n o wl e d g e and hope t o meet some c r a z y b u g g e r s when I s t a r t my v a c a t i o n i n J u l y .

Can and w i l l w o r k , b u t c a n pa y f o r my s t a y .

P le a se include photo.

D i s t a n c e i s no p r o b l e m .

P l e a s e w r i t e soon.

Wolf Zimmerli 3426 S t . Denis M o n t r e a l , Q u e b e c , Ca n a d a H2X3L3 (514) 845-0645

Ga y C h i n e s e m a l e , 3 0 , 5 ' 6 V ' t a l l , s l i m , h a n ds o me , m a s c u l i n e , w e l l - e d u c a t e d and b u s i n e s s o r i e n t e d , i n t e r e s t e d in seeking long term f r i e n d , companion, lover.

P r e f e r w h i t e ma l e w i t h b e a r d , m o u s t a c h e d , h a i r y body under 4 0 y e a r s o l d .

Can t r a v e l and v e r y w i l l i n g t o r e l o c a t e f o r r i g h t gu y a ny whe r e i n US and C a n a d a .

Reply s e r i o u s l y w i t h p h o t o and a d d r e s s t o : P.L. c / o Box 1 7 9 S t r o u d , O n t a r i o , Ca n a da LOL 2MO

I am a 3 0 y e a r o l d , 6 * , 1 5 5 l b s a t h l e t i c , m a t u r e and e d u c a t e d man.

I a c t i v e l y pursue a h e a l t h y mi nd and body a s a ho b b y , a s an i n t e r e s t and a s a p r o f e s s i o n .

I'm a s e m i - v e g e t a r i a n , i n t o c l e a n s i n g f a s t s and s e e k a h i g h ­ e r c o n sc io u sn e ss through c le a n l i v i n g and h o n e s t r e l a t i o n s h i p s .

B a r s , s e x u a l p e r m i s s i v e n e s s and f a s t l i v i n g a r e n o t f o r me.

Are t h e r e a n y MEN o u t t h e r e who c a n b e s a t i s f i e d w i t h a monoga­ mous r e l a t i o n s h i p ?

I ' m no t l o n e l y nor do I w r i t e t h i s l e t t e r t o i n c r e a s e my s e x u a l encounters.

Ho we ve r , I do wi s h t o c o r r e s p o n d and ha ve f r i e n d s ( a l o v e r , o f c o u r s e ! ) who s h a r e my i n t e r e s t s and p h i l o s o p h y .

I f you a r e hu n g - u p on s e x , d r u g s , a l c o h o l or r o c k 'n r o l l , d o n ' t bother to w rite .

I ’ m no t a bore!!

I l o v e s e x , go o d w i n e , m u s i c and a j o i n t now and t h e n myself.

My l i f e i s o ne o f mo­ deration.

I find a lot of s a ­ t i s f a c t i o n i n my l i f e s t y l e and w i s h t o c o r r e s p o n d and v i s i t w i t h o t h e r g a y men who a r e not in a panic o f d esperation s e e k ­ i ng s a t i s f a c t i o n t h r o u g h b o o z e , d r u g s , and o n e - n i g h t s t a n d s .

S t e ve PO Box 9 4 1 E u g e n e , OR

97440

I am a h a p p i l y m a r r i e d man, a ge 3 2 , who w i s h e s t o g e t i n t o u c h w i t h men who c a n a p p r e ­ ciate th is fa c t.

I ne e d s ome ­ one t h a t can cope wit h t h e f a c t t h a t ray f a m i l y c omes f i r s t , and t h a t I d o n ' t ha v e a lo t o f free time.

I am 5 ’ 8 " , 1 6 0 l b s , brown h a i r and b l u e e y e s .

Have a g r e a t many home t y p e i n t e r e s t s and n e v e r g o c r u i s i n g o r b a r hopping.

I ' m n o t i n t o S&M or anything unkind.

I love to g i v e p h y s i c a l l y a ny way p o s s i ­ b l e t o p l e a s e a s t r o n g man.

Please w rite

-

S.W. PO Box 342 B a t a v i a , IL

60510 *>

Hi y a R F D e r s 33 y e a r o l d ( C a p r i c o r n ) , 5 ' 1 0 " , 1 4 5 # guy i n t o g a r d e n i n g ( i n ­ d o o r s and o u t d o o r s ) , e n j o y i n g n a t u r e and t h e o ut o f d o o r s .

A l s o l i k e swimmi ng, h i k i n g , cooking, books, music, a n im als , w i n t e r n i g h t s around a f i r e , etc.

Would l i k e t o meet s ome ­ one g a y t o s h a r e l i f e i n c o u n ­ t r y s e t t in g (farm, whatever).

Would l i k e t o r a i s e c h i c k e n s , r a b b i t s , garden, e t c .

Would l i k e t o h e a r from gu y s i n t e r e s t e d in a ru ral/ co u n trytype l i f e s t y l e .

De a r F r i e n d s a t

RFD, ’

t

I ' d s u r e l i k e t o h e a r f rom your r e a d e r s .

I ’ m 32, with brown h a i r and e y e s , 6 ' , 180 l b s .

I'm l o o k in g fo r a relationship.

But w h a t ' s d i f f e r e n t a b o u t me i s t h a t I love t r a i n s .

I t ' s been v e ry h a r d t o f i n d someone w i t h t h e same i n t e r e s t s - - someone who i s h o n e s t and w i l l p u l l h i s own w e i g h t .

I ’ ve b e e n d i s ­ appointed with a l l th e se people lookin g fo r a f r e e r i d e .

Well you know, you j u s t c a n ' t run a railroad lik e that.

I'm r e a l l y not t o o bad l o o k i n g , and a f f e c t i o n a t e t o o .

I ’d make someone a r e a l f r i e n d and companion.

Hope t o h e a r f ro m ya s o o n , G . L . Hughes PO Box 7 4 8 6 S p o k a n e , WA <5—

99207 *>

De a r RFDer s , I f you a r e b e a r d e d , h u ng , mus­ c u l a r , handsome and d e f i n i t e l y " t o p " and want t o g e t t o know a handsome I t a l i a n , t h e n a n ­ swer t h i s c o n t a c t l e t t e r i m ­ mediately.

Of c o u r s e , i f you d o n ' t f i t t h e above d e s c r i p ­ t i o n you may s t i l l a ns we r t h i s c o n t a c t l e t t e r , b u t you c a n t a k e your t i m e a b o u t i t .

Warmest r e g a r d s ,

I f you want t o w r i t e and e x ­ change p h o t o s - - g r e a t 1

Eric PO Box 3 1 8 2 Omaha, NE 6 8 1 0 3 (4 0 2 ) 3 4 5 - 8 6 2 4

Ray 309 Ft. (404

60

Pecorado S t u a r t Rd. A p t . 2 8 O g l e t h o r p e , GA 3 0 7 4 2 ) 861-2052

D a rk - h a ire d , horny, muscular, bearded l a id - b a c k g e n t , 24 , woul d l i k e t o meet s i m i l a r p e r ­ s on f o r f u n t i m e s and r e l a t i o n ­ ships.

P r e f e r someone who d o e s no t smoke o r us e d r u g s , o r someone who u s e s them r a r e l y .

LOOKING FOR LAYOUT BUDDIES'.

Want t o pu t your c r e a t i v e e n e r g i e s t o wo r k ? We need you t o h e l p us p r o d u c e RFD - t y p ­ i n g , l a y o u t , p a s t e - u p (down?), e tc., etc.

August 1 5 - 3 0 .

Make your r e s e r v a t i o n s now!

Write : RFD Rt . 1 , B o x 1 2 7 - E B a k e r s v i l l e , NC 2 8 7 0 5

W ill a s s i s t t o t a l l y with r e l o ­ c a t i o n or con sid er r e l o c a t i n g .

Living arrangements very f l e x i ­ ble.

At t h e moment j o b r e q u i r e s e x t e n s i v e t r a v e l so d o n ' t be d i s c o u r a g e d i f y o u ' r e no t r e a l c l o s e t o whe r e I l i v e .

I f you a r e none o r some o f t h e t h i n g s d e s c r i b e d a b o v e , w r i t e anyway.

W i l l a ns we r a l l .

Randy 2 3 1 8 - 2nd Ave. Box 234 S e a t t l e , WA 9 8 1 2 1

D ear'st Brothers

in S p i r i t :

W i t h i n t h e f o o t h i l l s of N . C . "(H ickory), there resid es a t a l l ( 6 ' 2 ” ), slim (135 l b s ) , blond, blue-eyed, long-haired ch ild o f the ' 6 0 ' s ; s t i l l w aiting for a b i g - b e l l i e d b e a r o f a man t o s h a re t h e l a n d , good ti ro e s, hard t i m e s , t e a r s , s m i le s , s e n ­ sual, serious learning process called l i f e .

F a n c y c a r s , money, b i g c i t i e s b o r e t he h e l l o u t o f me; b u t g o o d smoke, a c h e s s b o a r d , home c o o k i n ' (my s p e c i a l ­ t y ) , a s m a l l g a r d e n , homemade w i n e , and a warm e m b r a c e a r e a l l t h a t 's r e a l l y necessary for t h e good l i f e .

I'm 2 7 , w h i t e , g a y , proud p h o t o ­ j o u r n a l i s t , who d o e s n ' t r e a l l y know what h e wa n t s t o b e when he gr ows up.

He l p me d e c i d e .

Kevin Witherspoon PO Box 2 1 2 6 H i c k o r y , NC 2 8 6 0 5

De a r F r i e n d s , Are t h e r e a n y g i r l s o u t t h e r e who r e a d RFD? I f s o , i woul d e n j o y h e a r i n g f rom y o u .

I'm 28 ; stand roughly 5 ' 7 " ; enjoy playing s o f t b a l l , f i s h i n g , and h u n t i n g .

My h a i r i s l i g h t b r o wn , e y e s are h a z e l.

I ' v e a l wa y s l i v e d i n a s m a l l town and hope t o c o n t i n u e t o do s o .

The a b o v e i s b r i e f , but I ' v e never w r i t t e n a contact le tte r before.

Anyway, i f t h e r e ' s a n y ­ thing that arouses your i n t e r e s t , p l e a s e dr o p roe a l i n e a t t h e address below.

(Sorry, b u t l e t t e r s must f i r s t go through a f r i e n d in order t o prevent c o n ­ f u s i o n a t home.

No, he w o n ' t be o p e n i n g t h e l e t ­ t e r s - merely a c tin g as middleman. ) Take c a r e , S and ra Arnold c / o W. Young 1 1 2 W. C h u r c h S t . #2 A r o e r i cu s , GA 3 1 7 0 9

61

Published mowBtly^jy

Vancouver

Cr*y Communf+y

Cen+Tfc Socie+y.

Alernterski p in V G C C ( includes puWlieadiorO - $ lo/ y VGC.C A/ewis sokjcrip+ien alone. - f S .o o / y e a r Alai/i o : V G CC Mcuis , P.O. Boy Z 2 S 9 / V a n co u v e r,

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_______________ _____ ______ £. C. V4A 3U/2.

A " B a ck +o -Me Land ' Jo u r n a l

L A N D W A R D Scio, Oregon

HO!

97374

I 1 1 your (6 la a u e e ) . . . . $ 4 . 2 0 ( I 2 y ears (12 I s s u e s ) . . $ 7 . 4 0 f~l 3 y ears (18 I s s u e s ) .$ 1 0 .6 0 1 I Add $ 1 .0 0 e x t r a fo r Canada, Mexico and fo re ig n s u b s c r ip t io n s . ( I n t e r n a tio n a l Reply Coupons welcom ed.)

z

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G»y Sa s k a tc h e w a n i s a Q u a r t e r l y M w r l t t t t r w h ic h s e r v e * a much broader a r t a than Saskatchewan w i t h p e r t i n e n t g a y .n e w s, a n n o uncew entt, r e v ie w s , c o n t a c t s , etc.

The p o p u l a r i t y o f t h e p u b ­ l i c a t i o n i s g r o w i n g a nd i t i s now t h e s e c o n d - a o s t w i d e l y r e a d p u b l i c a t i o n f o r l e s b i a n s and gays in E n g lish Canada.

The p u b l i c a t i o n e x i s t s on d o n a t i o n s e x clu siv e ly .

I f y o u 'd l i k e to r e c e i v e i t se n d a d o n a t i o n t o : Sa s ka tch e w a n Gay C o a l i t i o n , P . O . Box 7 5 0 8 , S a s k a t o o n , Sa s k a tch e w a n , Canada

Md<]£i2 tne tTor Connl r e s i d e %*plc I {W rin g . 3n u ll slock., b ee s, genU ninQ , h ealth , nature ena

^'Secduscll/eCdre

4 *U*l (orsll backyard farmers/ O u r <3™ i v/ ear. tsr,

twne.tUadera, dunks toyou

One u u r o n l ^

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Km*** Rkrmca and UM« N r. o. « O X • I C| LrtMCWTY. N S W V O M K II7S4

THt COALITION SHIRT In Green/bivf; available on Light blue.

Sand or Green/vhite baseball ahirt SI per shirt benefits The Southern Vermont Lesbian-Gay Coalition

^ 8,oo

Farming Uncle I n t r m in m u J ' J o u r n a l

in the m ountain*

TERACT USTQN Or

person11 ads ere &RC£ !

2 ST ffduceeion, “uch,

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I/H I n c o r p o r a t e d P . O . B o x 16041 H o u s t o n , TX 77222

S u e s S M L. S7.S0 each postpaid Carrington Screenprints. Box 16 Hariboro, Ver»ont 05344 THE R F D SHIRT In Purple on Sand. Light blue, and Blue/vhite baseball shirt

NORTH CAROLINA: D IS C O V E R T h e N e w s & Entertainment Paper for N .C .’s G ay Community

ip io n t p o g e Subscription $12 yT Sample Copy $1 00 Ad rotes available on request P O Box 25642 Raleigh, NC 27611 (919) 829 0181

APPLYING PERMACULTURE* TECHNIQUES Sept. 24 to Oct. 8. 1982; Woodbury. Tenn.

Hands-on Workshop for homesteaders/farmers wanting to establish or make transition to sustained yield Sand use Specifically related to climatic rones )-6-~. with presentation and discussion of theory, resources. & strategy, and lots of do­ ing Die course is for folks whove read Permaculture l Sc 11. have some related experience, and who are living on/with the land for more information, send S A S E to.

Milo Guthrte Short Mt. Rein habitation Protect Rt 1, Box 93a Gassauay, T N 17095 (application deadline August IS, 1982).

62

$2 per shirt benefits

R F D

ADVERTISE

INI

RED

L E S B IA N S & GAY M E N : IF Y O U ’R E L O O K IN G FO R an accountant * bar ' bath * bookstore * dentist ' doctor • dog groomer * hotel * lawyer * publication ' social group * switchboard " synagogue * travel agent * therapist * youth group " or any other business or organization specializing m serving gay people, you need:

\

/ Northern Lambda Nord \P L C O M M U N I Q U E

Box 9 9 0 Caribou, Name (H 7 3 6 Articles o} interest to the lesbian/ gay male community of Nothern Maine, North western New brunswick, 8nd T6rruscouata, Quebec. D e a d W for submissions is the Jtrst oj- each month. Subscription. rakc:*7/yr, NLN membership :*1 0 (includes Comm.) or % (for low-income people,also inc, Comm)

*

G A Y ELLO W P A G ES NATIONAL EDITION: USA & CANADA $10; outside N. America $12.

NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY EDITION includes Manhattan bar notes & women's section $3.50; outside N America $4 50 NORTHEAST EDITION covers Connecticut.

Delaware. District ot Columbia, Maine, Maryland.

Massachusetts. New Hampshire. Ohio.

Pennsylvania, Rhode Island. Vermont.

W. Virginia. $3.50; outside N. America $4.50.

The.

tonatounc* Bax m M D Vfega StaOon. Ham Tart, NY 10014 A* books duawtiy by fitsicuss nun. your rune & addmt fcapf ftncttyconhoattiai 1o M i butmna or otgantiahon sand stamp*} sad address*; busmass sn anvatopa

A^on-Ht\y

----i-Q— 0-f

Maui's Gay/Bi/Lesbian Community Organization

Subset- 1 p + lon ' $3 oo/yecu r

D*>\ to <my tagh ban* chargas tortorai^n amcDom ar paymants twn) outvda tha USA must Cm w> US tunas, by tost CmK^Aontr, On* In Canada GAYTLLOW PAGES a awNat* tom Glad Day Boots 64BA Yonga St foronto. Onfano MAY ?A6

P.O. 8 ox 5 0 * f Z ; /CaKufui, MI 9 1 ,731

The W )isc VOoman shares her wisdom u>iih t$ou times a uear around the solstices and equinoxes- 3ub*crtpttonS:ty,00 for four * i £ i? f U ? su *' 18 'aM® JHe 7cm c k of the Goddess Within, y.O, Box i 92^1, Sacramento, C A 9 5 6 1 7 ___________

INTRODUCING A NA TIONAL GAY/BI CONTACT CLUB FOR M on tk Women C onfidential

•

Mall forwarding a n d Photo Reprint Service A vallable

inexpensive • Convenient SAW TO D ea n fnterprlset P O. Box 26044 San Jose. C A 96169

M eet By Phone o r M a ll"

Handmade quality hammocks from Y U C A T A N , M E X IC O All sizes and colors, for indoors and outdoors Holds from 1 to 4 friends in sensuous comfort F R E E Color Brochure: M O N E Y -B A C K G U A R A N T E E W e are a grass-roots, RFD-supporting, country business Star Route, Box 67-C, Dept. F Bridgeville, C A 95526

■■mmartusKx A ugust 2 0 - 2 1 - 2 2 C a m p P in O ak . L a k e o f O z a rk s, M o . ★ ★ ★ ★

Celebrating brotherhood Craft/W orkshop space Healing Am phitheatre ★ Caring for ourselves/others

* Dining hall * Spirituality ■k H iking, sw im m ing * S h a rin g our joy & pain A Sleeping cab ins/cam p in g space

Thp cam p will accom m odate 200 people. Vegetarian meals provided. Kcqlslra lion is $25 ($30 alter August 1) plus one workshift per person. Children accom panied by parenting adults $2 each Physically challenged persons or those with special needs should write in advance detailing requirements Workshop conveners or those wishing to do cultural presentations are encouraged to com e; please write Send

reg is tra tio n fe e ,

Donations needed'.!

a d d r e s s , p h o n e n u m b er, n u m b er o f c h ild ren , to: MMF 4 0 0 1 C a m p b e ll K a n .,a . C ity, M o. 6 4 1 1 0

Sliding tcale considered u p o n request

N o refundm a fte r A u g u et 1 A ll re g istra n t# w ill r e c e iv e fu r th e r in fo rm a tio n , m o p e, e tc .

63

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Information sf *nd 'de«s as a stimulus for thought and a catalyst for action’-

Name.

A q u a r ter ly

S treetC ity , Zip Code.

jo u r n a l

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tw a .su b e c rlp tlo n s SOI n s T Bth s tr e e t, su ite SO, m la m l.n 3 3 1 3 6

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M.: Gentle Men Kor Gender Justice; Start m\ subscription with M. n Name: Address:

I live abroad. Here's an International Monty Order lor $17 00.

28705 L □___JYES YES

□

NO

NAME

ADDRESS

m a ile d in a d i s c r e e t ,

STATE p la in ,

ZIP

s e a le d en v elo p e,

RFD w e lco m e s g i f t s u b s c r i p t i o n s .

W e 'll your p e r s o n a l m e s s a g e i n s c r i b e d w i t h i n .

Send me a publicity packet (leaflets, press release, ad copy).

P l e a s e e n t e r a 1 y e a r (4 i s s u e ) s u b s c r i p t i o n m a i l e d 2nd c l a s s t o a d d r e s s w i t h i n USA @ $ 8 . 5 0 / y r

Koirte Jf B a r 727- £ Batersvllle. UC.

TOWN

Zip------

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S ^ u h scn p H o ri fo r m

I S THIS SUBSCRIPTION A RENEWAL?

30b N. Brooks, Madison M l 53715 Here's JlO.OO for four issues.

I live in Canada or Mexico. Here's $11 00

City:

P l e a s e e n t e r a 1 y e a r (4 i s s u e ) s u b s c r i p t i o n in one o f t h e f o l ­ l o w in g c a t e g o r i e s : D o m e stic s u b s c r i p t i o n m a ile d f i r s t c l a s s <§ $ 1 4 . 0 0 p e r y e a r S u b scrip tio n to fo re ig n ad ­ d r e s s ( i n c l y d i n g Canada & M exico) @ $ 1 4 . 0 0 p er year S u b s c r i p t i o n f o r an i n s t i ­ t u t i o n p r o c e s s i n g throu gh • ta s u b s c r i p t i o n s e r v i c e (§ $ 1 2 .0 0 per y e a r .

E n c lo s e d i s a c o n t r i b u t i o n to h e l p s u p p o r t RFD, a n o j i - p r o f i t o rg a n iz a tio n .

D on ation s a re ta x -d ed u ctib le.

□ □ □

(

T o t a l amount e n c l o s e d (make c h e c k s o r money o r d e r s p a y a b l e t o RFD) .

sen d a g r e e t i n g c a r d a n n o u n c in g t h e g i f t s u b s c r i p t i o n w i t h P l e a s e o r d e r g i f t s u b s c r i p t i o n s on a s e p a r a t e s h e e t .

64

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M ail a l l c o r re s p o n d e n c e ( a d v e r t i s i n g , s u b s c r i p t i o n s , b u s i n e s s , s u b m i s s i o n s , f e a t u r e r e l a t e d m a t e r i a l , or l e t t e r s ) t o : RFD, R o u t e 1 , Box 1 2 7 - E , B a k e r s v i l l e , NC 2 8 7 0 5 .

A D V E R T

B A C K

I S

I NG

I S S U E S

C O P Y R

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D O N A T

I O N S

F E A T U R E S

M A I L I N G

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L iS U B M I S S I O N S

S U B S C R I P T I O N S

We welcome a d v e r t i s i n g g r o u p s and b u s i n e s s e s .

- p a r t i c u l a r l y from g a y owned and o r i e n t e d P l e a s e w r i t e f o r Ad r a t e c a r d .

We s e l l b a c k and s i n g l e i s s u e s a t $ 3 . 0 0 e a c h . a l l I s s u e s e x c e p t N os. 1 , 2 , & 4 .

We have c o p i e s o f

RFD i t s e l f i s n o t c o p y r i g h t e d .

H owever, e a c h a c c r e d i t e d c o n t r i b u t i o n h e r e i n ( p h o t o , d ra w in g o r w r i t t e n m a t e r i a l ) r e m a i n s t h e p r o p e r t y o f t h o s e c o n t r i b u t o r s and n o t h i n g o f t h e i r s may b e r e 足 u s e d i n w h o le o r p a r t w i t h o u t t h e i r p e r m i s s i o n .

Any n o n - a c c r e d i t ed m a t e r i a l may b e r e - p u b l i s h e d f r e e l y ; RFD would a p p r e c i a t e men足 tio n , of cou rse.

The due d a t e s f o r F a ll W inter S p r in g

m a te ria l to re c e iv e 1982 I s s u e #32 1982/3 I s s u e 433 1983 I s s u e 434

fu ll, c o n s id e r a t io n : Aug. 1 , 1 9 8 2 Nov. 1 , 1982 F eb . 1, 1983

RFD e n j o y s n o n - p r o f i t t a x exempt s t a t u s and d o n a t i o n s t o i t a r e ta x d ed u cta b le.

T h i s i s a v e r y i m p o r t a n t way o f c o n t r i b u t i n g t o t h e p r o d u c t i o n and s u r v i v a l o f RFD.

F o r i n f o r m a t i o n on f u t u r e th e m e s and f e a t u r e s fron t cov er.

see the

in sid e

I f you move, l e t RFD know; s e c o n d c l a s s m a i l i n g s a r e g e n e r a l l y NOT f o r w a r d e d by t h e P o s t O f f i c e .

T hey d e s t r o y the m , and you can m iss t h a t i s s u e .

We p u b l i s h t h e names o f a l l c o n t r i b u t o r s and t h e a d d r e s s e s o f con tact l e t t e r w rite rs , of co u rse.

We w i l l NOT s e n d t h e names o f s u b s c r i b e r s t o a n y o n e and c o n t r i b u t o r s c a n be r e a c h e d t h r o u g h w r i t i n g t o RFD. We welcome m a t e r i a l o f a l l v a r i e t i e s f o r p o s s i b l e i n c l u s i o n i n fu tu re is s u e s .

WRITTEN MATERIAL: N e a t l y t y p e w r i t t e n and i f p o s 足 s i b l e d ouble sp aced i s h e l p f u l , but not r e q u i r e d .

We p r e f e r t o NOT e d i t a n y o n e ' s work any more t h a n i s a b s o l u t e l y n e c e s s a r y , so p l e a s e s en d your s u b m i s s i o n a s you would h a v e i t a p p e a r .

A lso , i n d i c a t e any i n t e n t i o n a l s t y l i z e d v a r i a t i o n from s t a n d a r d E n g l i s h .

GRAPHICS: B l a c k and w h i t e o n l y , p l e a s e .

Do n o t e x c e e d t e n i n c h colum n w i d t h .

PHOTOS: B l a c k and w h i t e w i t h h i g h c o n t r a s t .

P le a se i d e n t i f y s u b je c t as w e ll as th e p h o to g ra p h e r.

A SA.SE ( s e l f a d 足 d r e s s e d , stam ped e n v e l o p e ) i f you want your work r e t u r n e d t o yo u .

R e g u l a r s u b s c r i p t i o n s a r e $ 8 . 5 0 f o r one y e a r ( f o u r i s s u e s ) .

F irst C l a s s m a i l ( a d v i s a b l e f o r t h o s e who move a r o u n d a l o t ) and f o r e i g n (in c lu d in g Canada) s u b s c r i p t i o n s a r t $ 1 4 .0 0 I n s t i t u t i o n a l subs g o in g through a S u b s c r i p t i o n S e r v i c e a r e $ 1 2 . 0 0 .

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