The planners of the annual Delaware Pride
event last weekend once again must be congratulated for coordinating a
wonderful day of pride, spirit, and fun. Having said that, I need to raise
an issue that I don’t think should go unmentioned. While I appreciate
comedy and entertainment as much as the next person, I am continually
dismayed that many of our entertainers are insensitive to diverse issues
of discrimination and inclusion. I am specifically addressing the
rendition of Ike and Tina Turner’s "Proud Mary": The
lip-synching was wonderful; the costumes stupendous. But was it really
appropriate to intersperse the act with "M**F**" this and
"M**F** that" and to end the number with "Ike" beating
"Tina"? Although I am sure this was meant to be funny, I would
like to suggest that the things we laugh at often reveal our
insensitivities to the struggle of others. Tina Turner was a battered
spouse; there are thousands of women (and feminized gay men and trans
people) battered physically and emotionally each day; there is a great
deal of spousal battering and abuse in gay and lesbian relationships that
is never discussed.
Do we as a community really want to parade our insensitivity to these
issues by applauding an act that does not take these concerns seriously?
The Rev. Tom Bohache
Pastor, Metropolitan Community Church of Rehoboth
I know I speak for the entire Board of Sussex County AIDS Council when
I say the Super "T" Benefit held Sunday, August 21, at Cafe Zeus
was a WOW! event. We owe a debt of gratitude to the event sponsors and all
of the good natured people who participated. We also want to say thanks to
the very generous people who supported the event.
We at SCAC are always gratified whenever a group recognizes the needs
of people with AIDS and are willing to do something to help.
John Furbush, Vice President
SCAC Board of Directors
While there are many GLBT evacuees from the Hurricane Katrina disaster,
they may well be poorly served or even totally unwelcome in the mainstream
systems of evacuation. Those systems are being run by the Salvation Army,
the American Red Cross, and faith-based and government groups, all of
which have a history of discriminating against the Gay Community. Host
families receiving evacuees from these sources may often not want gay or
transgenderpersons in their home, may not allow same-gender couples to
share the same bedroom, etc.
The "Action Alert!" page at toward equality.org contains
details on how gay-friendly people can house GLBT evacuees in their second
home, in their guest room, or even on their couch.
Some cannot house evacuees and want to give money—but do not want
their money going through these groups which discriminate against GLBT
persons and their families. Those wanting to give money to GLBT people
specifically or through gay-friendly channels may again go to the
"Action Alert!" page at towardequality.org where there is a link
to the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force’s list of groups to which
one may donate in good conscience.
Douglas & Corey Marshall-Steele
We are looking for safe space for members of our community who may not
be welcome in mainstream relief efforts. The network of the Association of
Lesbian Intentional Communities is collecting and coordinating offers of
rent-free short-term and long-term housing for GLBTQI victims of hurricane
Katrina. If you have housing, job leads, etc. available for gay, Lesbian,
bisexual, transgendered, queer, andintersexed,people who were displaced by
the hurricane, please send details you would like to post about the space
available and location.
Please include at least an e-mail, but a phone number would be helpful.
Mitru Ciarlante
610-657-1542
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