LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
GLAADlines |
News from here, there, & everywhere |
BOMB KILLS THREE IN LONDON GAY BAR On April 30 a bomb injured over seventy patrons of theAdmiral Duncan pub, a bar in the Soho section of London.A neo-Nazi organization, White Wolves, claimed responsibility for the blast, the third in a recent series of bombings targeting blacks and Bengalis. However, on May 2, police arrested David Copeland who maintained that he acted of his own accord. Prime Minister Tony Blair said, "The only good that can come out of these nail bombs is that they spur all of us, whatever race, age, creed or sexuality, to work harder to build the one nation Britain that the decent majority want, and to bring our community closer together." While the States are still reeling from the aftermath of Littleton, Colorado, it is important to consider how our counterparts abroad cope with tragedy and how national leaders are held accountable. For further information, please contact Scott Long, Director of Policy, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission at 415-255-8680 or via e-mail at scott@iglhrc.org. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS, BOY SCOUTS AGREE TO DISAGREE Each year the Boston-based Unitarian Universalist Association awards a Religion in Life emblem to hundreds of Boy Scouts. Last year the Boy Scouts of America halted distribution of the emblem, largely as a result of the UUA manual "Religion in Life," which denounced national scout leaders as being homophobic. The following compromise was recently brokered: Unitarian officials will remove all language in the manual that refers to the Boy Scouts position on lesbians and gays, while the Church will include a statement, under separate cover, articulating its opposition to Boy Scout policies. As a result of this decision, the BSA has reauthorized the awarding of the Religion in Life emblem. The UUA is also seeking a position on BSAs Religious Relationships Committee in hopes of changing the Scouts anti-gay stance. Said John A. Buehrens, president of the 250,000 Unitarian Universalist Association, "We support the belief that it is not homosexuality but homophobia which is the sin. For further information, please contact John A. Buehrens at 617-742-2100 x302. AL-FATIHA FOUNDATION TO HOLD FIRST CONFERENCE IN NORTH AMERICA THIS MAY In November 1997 an e-mail discussion group was formed as a way for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Muslims to communicate issues of common concern, and to reconcile gender identity with the religion of Islam. Al-Fatiha, which means "The Opening," was formed in 1998. During the weekend of May 28-31, New York University will host a conference with the theme, "Creating a Community." Sessions will include discussions of human rights, transgender identities and asylum issues. Said founder and director, Faisal Alam, "We are still in the beginning stages of our development where for some of us these issues are being discussed for the first time in our lives." For further information, please contact Faisal Alam at 212-752-3188 or via email at gaymuslims@yahoo.com. PRESS PASS Q PUBLISHES April 8 saw the first issue of Press Pass Q, a biweekly publication designed for editors, publishers, advertisers, photographers, and freelancers in short, all who work on publications serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Each issue will present a feature story, a digest of news involving gay and lesbian publications, commentary, classifieds, and "By the Numbers," a statistical snapshot of one aspect of the publishing industry. David Bianco, publisher of Q Syndicate, said, "For a long time, Ive felt the gay and lesbian press needed a publication that could function as a press community newsletter and a journalism review." For further information, please contact editor-in-chief Rawley Grau at 410-244-8949. MOTHERS DAY COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR The occasion of Mothers Day allows us the opportunity to honor our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, and our grandmothers for their unconditional love, support, and sacrifice. "Until just recently, the existence of lesbian and gay parents went almost unrecognized in our culture. The last ten years have changed this landscape dramatically. Our communitys family values of love, diversity, respect, caring and pride have shown the world that love makes a family," said C. Ray Drew and Kate Kendell. For further information, please contact C. Ray Drew, Executive Director of the family pride coalition at 619-296-0199 or via email at pride@familypride.org. GLAAD, the nations lesbian & gay multimedia advocacy organization, promotes fair, accurate, and inclusive representation as a means of challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 9, No. 4, May 7, 1999 |