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Xref: sparky soc.motss:58235 soc.bi:18993 Path: sparky!uunet!news.mentorg.com!sdl!not-for-mail From: tal@Warren.MENTORG.COM (Tom Limoncelli) Newsgroups: soc.motss,soc.bi Subject: MOW93 FAQ (March On Washington for Gay, Lesbian, and Bi Rights and Liberation Frequently Asked Questions) Supersedes: <soc-motss-1-x@Warren.MENTORG.COM> Followup-To: soc.motss Date: 24 Jan 1993 05:21:51 -0000 Organization: Mentor Graphics - IC Group, Warren, NJ, USA Lines: 827 Expires: 02/03/93 Message-ID: <soc-motss-1-727852897@Warren.MENTORG.COM> Reply-To: Tom_Limoncelli@Warren.MENTORG.COM (Tom Limonelli) NNTP-Posting-Host: sdl.warren.mentorg.com Posted-By: auto-faq 2.4 Archive-name: soc-motss The Unofficial MOW93 Frequently Asked Questions List, with answers! (last updated Sun Jan 24 00:15:59 EST 1993) Thanks to the many, many people that helped me put this together especially Rob Buckmire <buckmr@rpi.edu>. Please send updates or corrections to "tal@warren.mentorg.com". [Note: Tom Limoncelli is not part of the MOW93 steering committee. All opinions stated are those of the individual authors. While every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the answers, no guarantees are made. Call ahead!] ------------------------------ Subject: Table Of Contents: Table Of Contents General Information (dates, etc.) What previous MOWs have there been? How do I find housing accommodations? Who do I call for travel information? Bus information? Do I need to register? Who's running the show? How do I send email to the national MOW office? Who are my representatives on the planning/steering committee? How can I make a donation to the MOW93 steering committee? How do I get more information, like the official platform? What other events are going on in D.C. then? Quotes from articles on soc.motss,soc.bi: The MOW93 platform text Tom's attempt at answering some worries about the platform. ------------------------------ Subject: General Information (dates, etc.) Name: March On Washington for Gay, Lesbian, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation Date: Sunday, April 25, 1993 Place: Washington D.C, of course! [NOTE: The official title says "Bi". It does NOT say "Bisexual". ] ------------------------------ Subject: What previous MOWs have there been? Name: Attendance: National Park Commission Reported: MOW78 ???? ???? MOW87 600,000 people 150,000 people MOW93 (projected) 1 million (projected) ??? ------------------------------ Subject: How do I find housing accommodations? The official MOW housing agencies. (MOW gets a cut.) Hotels: Washington, D.C. Phone: 800-554-2220,202-289-2220, or fax 202-483-4436. Note: Many local organizations have booked entire blocks of rooms at hotels. If this is so, contact the organization to reserve one of the rooms in the block. If you call the hotel they might tell you that they're full, since your local organization is holding all the rooms! Community Housing: ...will be coordinated through the national office. Call 202-628-0471. donors in D.C. area needed. Jim Hubbs reports that this is what the Yellow Pages lists under "commercial campgrounds": Cherry Hill Park (very close, right at Route 1 and the Beltway) 9800 Cherry Hill Rd, College Park, MD 20740 (301) 937-7116 Greenbelt Park (county park, even closer at BW Pkwy and Beltway) 6501 Greenbelt Rd, Greenbelt, MD 20770 (301) 344-3948 R. M. Watkins Regional Park (Central Ave/Rt 214 just outside Beltway) Enterprise Rd, Mitchellville, MD 20716 (301) 249-6900 Cosca Park (south of Beltway near Route 5) 11000 Thrift Road, Clinton, MD 20735 (301) 868-1397 Patuxent River Park Croom Airport Rd, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 (301) 627-6074 Cedarville Natural Resources Mgmt Area Cedarville and Forest Rds, Brandywine, MD 20613 (301) 888-1622 Capitol KOA Campground Millersville, MD, at Routes 3, 32 and I-97, east of DC (410) 923-2771 or (410) 987-7477 Duncan's Family Campground KOA 5381 Sands, Lothian, MD (301) 627-3909 or (301) 267-0993 ------------------------------ Subject: Who do I call for travel information? The official MOW travel agencies. (MOW gets a cut.) For the Midwest and Northeast: Capital Travel 271 Lark St. Albany, NY 12210 Phone: 800-800-9009 For the South and Southwest: Reservation Desk 3500 Maple, Suite 120 Dallas TX 75219 Phone: 800-662-6988 Phone and TTY: 214-522-5106 For the West and Mountain States Confident Travel 1499 Bayshore Hwy. Suite 126 Burlingame, CA 94010 Phone: 800-872-7252 Many organizations have already booked hotel space. If you are attending a conference that weekend, you might get housing through them. (In New Jersey, V.I.P. reserved a block of hotel rooms and still has space.) ------------------------------ Subject: Bus information? Besides travel arrangements mentioned in the previous question, buses are being arranged from just about every les/gay/bi organization, NOW (National Organization for Women) chapter, Planned Parenthood, Unitarian Church, Quaker Meeting House, etc. etc. Many organizations are holding fundraisers to reduce the price of transportation. [NOTE: If your state/area has a hot line people can call to list available buses, send me the phone number and I'll list it here!] ------------------------------ Subject: Do I need to register? The MOW93 steering committee is asking everyone who plans to come to the MOW to register in advance. It will help us plan, organize and implement a successful weekend. Send in your name address and phone along with at least $15. Make checks payable to March on Washington and send to MOW, P.O. Box 34607, Washington, D.C. 20043-4607. ------------------------------ Subject: Who's running the show? There are approximately 120 people on the steering committee representing the all 50 states plus U.S. territories. Every sub-community also has representation. SPONSORS: The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) and the Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF) [the two largest les/gay/bi lobbying groups in D.C.] have donated office space and staff. The third and most recent sponsor is the national office of Parents and Friends of Gays And Lesbians (P-FLAG). ------------------------------ Subject: How do I send email to the national MOW office? Send to "MOW@glib.org", however you might get faster response by calling them. ------------------------------ Subject: Who are my representatives on the planning/steering committee? March on Washington For Lesbian, Gay, Bi Equal Rights And Liberation Organizational Committees and Contacts as of 2/1/92 (As distributed by the D.C. Host committee) Access for the Differently Abled Jerome Beillard 602-770-1710 Accommodation and Registration Shirley Lesser 804-282-9219 Budget and Finance John Williams 212-995-8585 Direct Action/Civil Disobedience Rebecca Hensler 415-861-TIES Endorsements/Sponsorship Phil Attey 202-328-3398 Event Coordination and Support Jaime Rodriguez 907-338-0672 Fundraising Gwen Hall 206-632-4475 Legal Deborah 415-626-3242 March and Permits Billy Hileman 412-621-9741 Media Deborah Bell, Ken McPherson 415-621-6376 Merchandising Marlon Mays 205-433-3245 Outreach Susan Chen 412-366-3412 Platform Gypsy Tucker Production/Rally Organization Michelle Crone 518-463-1051 Robin Tyler 818-893-4075 Travel and Transportation George Maccon, Howard Armisted Mailing Address: March on Washington, P.O. Box 34607, Washington, D.C. 20043-4607 General Information: 1-800-832-2889 Regional Structure of National Steering Committee as of 2/1/92 (As distributed by the D.C. MOW Host Committee) Region 1. AK, HI, Idaho, MT, Somoa, WA Contact: George Bakan 206-323-1229 Region 2. CO, UT, WY Contact: George Bakan 206-323-1229 Region 3. Northern California Contact: Leslie Ewing 415-655-4486/415-655-0171 Region 4. Southern California Contact: Robin Tyler 818-893-4075 Region 5. AZ, NM, NV Contact: Tyrone Smith 702-896-1196 Contact: Anne L'Ecuyer 602-523-3262 Contact: Sarah Martin 602-884-8470w/602-628-8138 Region 6. AK, LA, OK, TX Contact: Bill Hunt 214-521-5444 Contact: Deb Elder 214-954-0733/249-5294 Contact: Deborah Bell 713-521-0780 Region 7. AL, GE, Mississippi, SC, TN Contact: GOCMOW, PO Box 5282, Atlanta GE 30307 404-662-4199 Contact: AOCMOW, PO Box 522, Moody, AL 35004 205-640-6543 Region 8. D.C., MD, VA, NC, WV Contact: Steve Cheney 202-387-2928 Region 9. FL Contact: Alan Terel 305-764-1694 Region 10. KY, OH Contact: Mike Radice 216-651-4439 Region 11. IA, KS, Missouri, NE Contact: Margaret Blakesley 515-276-6018 Contact: Jerry Hagerty 913-722-3478 Contact: Amy Marie Week 402-451-7887 Region 12. MN, ND, SD, WI Contact: Michael Lisowski 414-265-8500 Region 13. DE, NJ, PA Contact: Reggie Bostic 412-683-9741 Contact: Dan Miller 717-234-7273 Region 14: NY, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands Contact: Michelle Crone 518-463-1051 Contact: Barry Douglas 212-989-4692/212-382-2000 Contact: Rebecca Toledo 201-432-0263/212-536-5212 Region 15. CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VE Contact: Derek Livingston 401-831-5522/401-621-5339 Region 16 IL Contact: Valerie Faleski 312-235-3583 Region 17 Indiana, MI Contact: Marla Stevens 317-635-2712 National Steering Committee Executive Committee Scout Chicago Howard Armisted LA/D.C. Michelle Crone Albany Billy Hileman Pittsburgh Pat Hussein Atlanta Derek Livingston Providence Nadine Smith FL Rebecca Toledo NY Gypsy Tucker Sacramento ------------------------------ Subject: How can I make a donation to the MOW93 steering committee? The march will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to put on. Many of the items must be paid for before they are delivered. Your donations are needed badly. Make checks payable to March on Washington and send to MOW, P.O. Box 34607, Washington, D.C. 20043-4607. ------------------------------ Subject: How do I get more information, like the official platform? To access the Queer Resource Directory, you need to be able to use the FTP command. The Queer Resource Directory is found at nifty.andrew.cmu.edu. It used to be at cambridge.apple.com. All files that were at the old site are at the new site. To access the QRD you must issue these commands (anything in quotes): "ftp nifty.andrew.cmu.edu" OR "ftp 128.2.35.7" LOGIN: "anonymous" PASSWORD: [enter your email address here, makesure it has an `@' symbol] "cd /pub/QRD/qrd/mow" To see what is in the directory enter "dir" Any questions should be sent to me, Ron Buckmire, at buckmr@rpi.edu. ------------------------------ Subject: What other events are going on in D.C. then? Just about every major organization is hosting some kind of conference, party, gather, or protest. [Personal note: When I went to the MOW87 I only went to the actual march. I regret this decision. I missed more events that I could have imagined!] [Other personal note: I'll be givings some of the workshops at the BiNet / USA conferences.] The week before and the week after the march will be used to lobby. If you would like to visit your Congressional representatives and lobby, contact the MOW planners to sign up for training. Here is the current schedule of events: Calendar of Events (as of 9/15/92) (look for updates posted to soc.motss and the mow93 mailing list) Wednesday April 21 Historical Exhibit opens Thursday April 22 Historical Exhibit Lobbying - MOW, NGLTF, HRCF Student Conference opens Chorus Festival Masquerade Ball Victory Fund Candidate Training Friday April 23 BiNet Annual Meeting Historical Exhibit Lobbying Student Conference Rainbow Alliance Conference Chorus Festival MOW Black-tie Banquet Drag Show Extravaganza Gay & Lesbian Parent Coalition Banquet/Reception Victory Fund Candidate Training Saturday April 24 Wedding - Ceremony of Commitment Historical Exhibit Student Conference Drag Show Extravaganza Texas Two Step Party Bi National Gathering Harvey Milk Memorial Unveiling Motorcycle Run S/M Leather Fetish Conference opens Interfaith Service MSU/GALA Reunion The Purple Circuit - Theatre Reception National Minority AIDS Council Reception Prisoner Proxy Project Victory Fund Board Meeting Lesbian/Gay Bands of America Concert "Time to Shine" Day of Healing for PWAs Sunday April 25 Historical Exhibit Lesbian Physicians Conference Opens Opening Stage THE MARCH Main stage & rally MOW Volunteer Thank You Reception Monday April 26 Historical Exhibit Lesbian Physicians Conference Direct Action/Civil Disobedience Tuesday April 27 Historical Exhibit Lesbian Physicians Conference Wednesday April 28 Historical Exhibit Lesbian Physicians ------------------------------ Subject: Quotes from articles on soc.motss,soc.bi: In <1992Dec10.232305.17840@PacBell.COM> rjwill6@PacBell.COM (Rod Williams) wrote: > steven@cray.com (Steven Levine) writes: > The question (and it's my question even if it isn't Spencer's) > is why? What do we hope to accomplish by going to Washington > in April? What did we accomplish in 1979 and 1987? What were > these experiences like? What can or should we do to convince > people to go to this March? To convince ourselves? My immediate thoughts -- like yours -- of the 1987 March are of the huge numbers of People Like Me everywhere; a sense of being in a Queer City, where the straight folk seemed awkward and out-of-place; an exhilarating sense of *really* belonging to a rich and vibrant community; and the first stirring of belief that One Person -- me -- and the One Person beside me, and the One Person over there in the New Mexico contingent, and the half-million One Persons all over the Mall really could -- and would -- make a difference, and change this country and the world to make a it place for us. That was, of course, the first National Coming Out Day, and that was, I believe, the greatest accomplishment of the March. The energy that the marchers took home with them -- into every corner of the country -- led them to become more out and more active in their families, work places and communities, and led to a *national* coming out of homosexuality in the media, in politics, in the schools, in the arts, in entertainment -- just look at what's happened over the last 5 years! There are a million more of us who need that experience for the first time. And 1987's half-million need our batteries recharged. President Clinton and the new administration need to see our numbers and our faces. It's up to them whether they'll see friendly or angry faces. And this time, Time and Newsweek, ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN, The New York Times, Entertainment Tonight and the Des Moines Register will all be there. This time we're a story. That's what we've accomplished. Newsgroups: soc.motss From: steven@cray.com (Steven Levine) Subject: Re: march on washington '93 Message-ID: <1992Dec10.142429.137@hemlock.cray.com> Lines: 97 In article <1992Dec5.000110.12174@Princeton.EDU> spencer@phoenix.princeton.edu (S. Spencer Sun) wrote, concerning the March on Washington '93 > Could someone post some background and/or logistical information about > this stuff, for those of us who are new to these things? (e.g. those > that have only recently come to terms with their sexuality, etc., and > therefore have less experience and knowledge about marches and > suchlike). Some people responding by pointing him to places where he could get things like the March platform and information about the local MOW committees. But I don't think that's what he was asking for (Spencer can correct me if I'm wrong). The question (and it's my question even if it isn't Spencer's) is why? What do we hope to accomplish by going to Washington in April? What did we accomplish in 1979 and 1987? What were these experiences like? What can or should we do to convince people to go to this March? To convince ourselves? I don't think the platform answers this on a practical level. Nor do I think it is a simple issue. I attended the weekend meeting in New York City in 1986 that established the organization for the '87 March. There was lots of emotional pleading. Of allies hurling strange bitter accusations. Of extended public discussion about, among other things, South Africa and the Middle East (and their place -- or lack of it -- on the Platform). It was quite a weekend, but, except for setting up the national coordinating structures that enabled the plans for the March to take off, I don't think it had anything to do with the experience that several hundred thousand people had one year later. So maybe the question is: What was that experience? Or: what were those several hundred thousand experiences? For me it was the power of sheer numbers. More lesbians and gay men than you can count (and nobody could count us, not the Park Service, not the news organizations, not the March organizers, not Arthur Hu -- there were just too many of us) taking over a city -- significantly, the Capitol -- for a weekend. There were lots of events that weekend besides the march -- a huge public "wedding" ceremony at the IRS building, the initial display of the Names Project quilt, a massive civilly disobedient demonstration at the Supreme Court, a big concert in DAR Hall of the Lesbian and Gay Bands of America (had to slip that one in). Various organizations scheduled conferences around the March. That all of these things occurred at the same time and place compounded their significance. The weekend did not create any sort of movement, but it enabled us to see just how pervasive our movement is. The theme of the March, For Love and For Live We're Not Going Back, took on more than a slogan signifance for me, because, after that weekend, it was clear that there is no "going back." It is not possible that there will be a return to silence and invisibility. For months after the March various gay organizations throughout the country seemed re-energized. The Boston subways (I lived in Boston at the time) were filled with passengers wearing their buttons from the March. We would see each other in the mornings and compare stories -- stories of airplanes filled with March attendees, rest stops on I-95 being taken over by busloads of people returning from the March, Dupont Circle as crowded as a public space can be, homos packed like sardines in subway cars. The March changed some people. My parents came to DC for the band concert (but could not stay for the march) and left as big public supporters of gay rights. They will be coming back next April. (They told me this only after making their hotel reservations -- it would not have occurred to them to tell me that they were considering it because, as they have pointed out to me, it is not about me but about civil rights.) But this is mostly reminiscence -- What about 1993? I have my plane tickets already, I'll be performing with the Lesbian and Gay Bands of America at the Warner Theater the night before the March, so for me this is theoretical -- but what would you say if I asked you why we should go back to Washington this year? I'm sincerely curious. -Steven Levine steven@cray.com From: jakec@ralvmm.vnet.ibm.com (Jake Coughlin) Message-ID: <1992Dec14.221640.12587@watson.ibm.com> Date: Mon, 14 Dec 92 22:16:40 GMT the platform doesn't make much difference in my decision to march. in my mind, the platform is a loose framework to bring together the diversity of the gay and lesbian community. is there really so little for you in the platform that you'll miss this opportunity to hit washington? why don't you want to send a strong message to clinton and congress? the sheer numbers of people will send more of a message than the damn platform. From: shore@dinah.tc.cornell.edu (Melinda Shore) Message-ID: <1992Dec15.043139.26068@tc.cornell.edu> Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 04:31:39 GMT In article <1992Dec15.015407.16075@gordian.com> mike@gordian.com (Michael A. Thomas) writes: >Adding superflous or only vaguely related issues detracts from the >real point of the march: gay rights. Is that the "real" and only point of the march? Those who are expending the energy to make it happen seem to be taking a broader view. If you climb out of your gay box and try to place our gay experience in a broader context, it becomes almost impossible not to notice that we're talking about identity politics. Like other minorities and women, we don't face disenfranchisement because of what we do, but rather who we are. Given that, it becomes obvious that our struggle is the same. And, if you try to advance the cause of only one group without providing that kind of context, you run the considerable risk of heading towards maintenance of existing imbalances with a reordered hierarchy. Ick. From: wolfe@wolves.Durham.NC.US (G. Wolfe Woodbury) Message-ID: <1992Dec14.015223.27749@wolves.Durham.NC.US> Date: 14 Dec 92 01:52:23 GMT Even so, I *WILL* be in DC for the March, and I will be there to lobby several folk and congress critters, and I will make my voice join in "harmony" with everyone else. Harmony is NOT unison, our song is not a somber plainsong chant, but a rich polyphonic tapestry of music, and a tapestry of life! We are a diverse people, and we celebrate that diversity. Conflict and disagreement are common, "normal" occurrences when folk get together and work together. The trick is to not let to conflict become the focus, but the means to the achievement of the real purpose. I may not agree with every single point of the platform, but I understand its intent and agree with be underlying principles of respect for the individual, and the celebration of and acceptance of the pluralism that is the reality to this country. Don't get hung up on the tyranny of the word, come and be part of the solution. ------------------------------ Subject: The MOW93 platform text: From: Michael Bryan <michael@resonex.com> The third meeting of the National Steering committe for the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Equal Rights and Liberation was held over the weekend of October 3 and 4, 1992 in Denver, Colorado. The finalized platform (the March demands) and the calendar of events (as of 9/15/92) were presented to the NSC. The following is the platform of the 1993 March On Washington, voted on and approved by the NSC. Action Statement Preamble --- The Platform The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender movement recognizes that our quest for social justice fundamentally links us to the struggles against racism and sexism, class bias, economic injustice and religious intolerance. We must realize, if one of us is oppressed, we all are oppressed. The diversity of our movement requires and compels us to stand in opposition to all forms of oppression that diminish the quality of life for all people. We will be viligant in our determination to rid our movement and our society of all forms of oppression and exploitation, so that all of us can develop to our full human potential without regard to race, religion, sexual orientation/identification, identity, gender expresssion, ability, age or class. The March Demands 1. We demand passage of a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Civil Rights Bill and an end to discrimination by State and Federal governments including the military; repeal of all sodomy laws and other laws that criminalize private sexual expression between consenting adults. 2. We demand massive increases in funding AIDS education, research, and patient care; universal access to health care including alternative therapies; and an end to sexism in medical research and health care. 3. We demand legislation to prevent discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people in the areas of family diversity, custody, adoption and foster care and that the definition of family includes the full diversity of all family structures. 4. We demand full and equal inclusion of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people in the educational system, and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender studies in multicultural curricula. 5. We demand the right to reproductive freedom and choice, to control our own bodies, and an end to sexist discrimination. 6. We demand an end to racial and ethnic discrimination in all forms. 7. We demand an end to discrimination and violent oppression based on actual or perceived sexual orientation/identification, race, religion, identity, sex and gender expression, disability, age, class, and AIDS/HIV infection. ------------------------------ Subject: Tom's attempt at answering some worries about the platform. From: tal@plts.uucp (Tom Limoncelli) Newsgroups: soc.motss,soc.bi Subject: Re: NOTICE - Details of the March on Washington Date: 12 Dec 1992 19:44:18 -0500 Lines: 130 Message-ID: <1ge112INNe3@plts.uucp> The article in WCT (Windy City Times) and the points that Yorton brought up are going to be brought up time and time again as the march approaches. Why? Because a cursory reading of the platform will bring many people to these conclusions. So, we must be prepared to answer these concerns. They are valid concerns, and I believe they can be addressed and explained to 99% of the critics reactions. We must be ready to answer these concerns when asked by the gay, les, bi, supportive straight, and otherwise communities. [BUT FIRST, this tangent: One group I'm involved with has numerous lawyers in it. It is funny that only the non-lawyers read a paragraph and panic saying, "Could we be knocked down on xxx?" The lawyers that are involved, since it's their job to know such things, always are ready to explain to the uninitiated precidents behind such clauses and show how they aren't "trouble spots". I have a lot of respect for people that can keep all that knowledge in their heads. I think we'll see parallels in this situation.] I guess the most important thing to remember is that nobody marches because they believe in the entire platform. You march because you agree with one or more of parts of the platform. Now re-read the platform and see if it makes more sense to you. Now I'd like to rattle off some explanations that I feel need to be said. They are my own words, I am not on the MOW93 committee though I keep in close contact with my MOW rep. 1) "What's this reproductive freedom thing?" Well, the legal basis for Roe v. Wade is a certain part of the constitution (right to privacy; specifically between a doctor and a patient). This same part of the constitution is used as the legal basis for much anti-discrimination legislation. You take away Roe v. Wade, you weaken the 12th. You weaken the 12th, you make it difficult for sodomy to be legal. Believe me, in judicial circles this is very important. 2) "What's this racism stuff?" Well, "nobody is free until we are all free" is the basis here. Leaving the ideology aside, we find that it has been difficult for the medical research community to study AIDS in the black community due to racism. AIDS must be fought differently in the black community because there are different social constructs. AIDS must be fought differently in the latino community because it is spreading differently. You can't use a "white plan" to fight AIDS everywhere. AIDS is not the only place that this happens. There are many projects that are stalled for the same reason. 3) "What's all this trangendered stuff?" Well, if open your history book to June of 1969, you'll find the story of Stonewall, the beginning of the modern gay rights movement. You'll also find that Stonewall was fought by drag queens. Funny that. Now do you think they should be included? 4) "But what will the religious communities say?" I'll be marching at MOW with my minister. In fact, I might be going down to the MOW in a bus sponsored by my church, not my local gay organization (they got a better rate). OH, you mean the funnymentalists. Are you implying that if we took out references to transgendered people they'd suddenly jump for joy and support our cause? 5) "Ok. Let me re-phrase that. Aren't we giving them an easy target by including transgendered people?" Oh, that's a horse of a different color. These are the people that have said that gay rights bills will allow gay teachers to have anal sex in their classrooms in front of their students. I think no matter what we say they'll have some stupid response that is full of lies. Maybe you'd like to join the MOW media committee which is working to get well-worded responses to the media, hopefully minutes after the fundies say such things. Forearmed is, uh, well, forearmed. Maybe you should read the current draft of the National Gay and Lesbian Rights Bill (available in the QRD?). It will only get weakened on it's way to the White House. So, read it and see how mundane it is, you'll be surprized. 6) "But aren't the demands saying that drag queens should be able to teach our children in drag?" Well, my initial response is, "most drag queens are so good that you might not notice!" Seriously, the law does not strike down professional responsibilities such as proper dress codes. Whether or not drag is proper attire is another issue for another day. [related tangent: When "physical handicap" was added to the wording of the national civil rights bill (the current one) people said, "What if a blind person wanted to work as a traffic cop?" Well, such bills are worded in a way that specifies that such exceptions are permitted. The Equal Rights Amendment basically says that UNLESS A JOB REQUIRES A CUNT OR A COCK, men and women of equal qualifications must be given equal consideration for the job. The National Gay and Lesbian Rights Bill is phrased the same way; though I don't think it says "Unless a job requires a man is proficient at giving head..."] 7) "I'm still not convinced. I'm not going to MOW93." Fine. MOW87 was a turning point in my life. It changed my life like no other event ever has. It empowered me. It made me feel that I wasn't alone. It had a positive effect on all aspects of my life. I'm not a professional writer or poet, so I can't convey the emotions enough. If you don't go, I'm not going to kidnap you and force you. 8) "What do prisoner's rights have to do with gay/les/bi rights?" (a) Psst: don't tell anyone but there are gay/les/bi prisoners. (b) Remember what I said about going to support the parts that you like, not the whole platform? (c) Why are you closing your mind? I read that part and said, gee, this is important to someone in the gay/les/bi community. I should research it. (I did) Maybe I'll learn something. (I did) 9) "Why does the platform encourage bilingual education?" Well, I don't know. I'm told it's an issue in many parts of the U.S. What does it have to do with the march? Again, someone found it important enough to include. If you are going to stay home because of this, I really feel sorry for you. 10) "The media is going to be there. Should we be careful to, well, you know. Make sure everyone is, uh, fully clothed?" Should we require everyone to wear business suits? Seriously, while the demands imply that the parade is 100% political, it is also for ourselves. We are a diverse group and we should show it. It educates as many of "us" as it does of "them". The MOW87 didn't get any national bills passed but everyone that walked away from it felt energized by it. You'd be amazed in talking to the current group of American activists how many of them view MOW87 as the start of their career. If MOW93 has twice as many people attending, just imagine how better staffed our current efforts would be if twice as many activists were "born" this April? So, my reaction is simply that we must represent our entire community... and make sure the media committee makes friends with the press and makes sure they spotlight what we want. :-) 11) "Fine. You've convinced me. However, don't you think we're diluting the platform?" The platform must be inclusive to draw as many people as possible. What do you think is going to be remembered about the march: The platform or the march itself? The march will go down in history, will draw a new generation of activists, and will bring our visibility to the government like never before. If adding a plank will draw a segment of our community, or if an unexpected community says that they'll attend if it is added, I'm all for it. 12) "These are listed as 'demands'. Does that mean that people that don't agree with a plank must stay home?" Again, "NO!" The use of the word "demand" is 2 parts historical and 1 part "asking politely for civil rights never gets you anywhere". Don't let one word keep you home. If you are afraid that the word "demands" will scare politicians, please suggest a new word. "A List Of Requests" would be laughed out of a congressperson's office. 13) Why is the second demand for "universal access to health care"? "Universal access to health care" does NOT mean "national health care". Do you realize that many segments of our community HAVE MONEY FOR MEDICAL CARE but are denied it anyway? Do you realize that drugs are tested ONLY on men because women's biological cycles might interfere with the tests, however the drugs are then proscribed to women? Do you realize that medical/drug researchers are required to use out-dated definitions of "lesbians" and "gay men" which make their results useless? (The CDC definition of "lesbian" is "any women that has not had sex with a man since 1974.") ************************************************* ************************************************* MOW93 -- Don't miss it! ************************************************* ************************************************* -- Tom Limoncelli -- tal@warren.mentorg.com (work) -- tal@plts.uucp (play) Unix is a trademark of, WHATT????