From: rkelly@pioneer.unm.edu (Robert Kelly)
Subject: NGLTF Creating Change--My Experience
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 05:17:15 GMT
Organization: Space and Planetary Image Facility

NGLTF conference comments

or

How I got to L.A. and kissed Harry Hay

The summary of this long article:
Conferences needs to be held in small towns as to not culture shock conference 
goers, kissing Harry Hay was like being hooked into an electrical socket and I 
have a new cultural/spiritual viewpoint of the roles of Queers in the world.

I took more than the Vow: Sister Power Hungry Bitch and Sister X of the 
Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are really saints and if you are "gay," be 
respectful of your history--these queens deserve every bit of respect we can 
muster.  Plus, they are the nicest, sweetest, most socially aware and fun 
people I have ever hung around with.

The long article
I flew into L.A. on thursday night and immediately tried to get my car.  Do 
not believe Alamo Car Rentals when they say "Your reservation is..."  In fact, 
if you're from a small town going to a conference in a large city like L.A., be 
smart, stay at the conference hotel.

So I drive out to Long Beach--a pretentious neighborhood that holds two of the 
cheesiest gay bars I've ever seen (and I come from a town with only five gay 
bars--Bob knows cheesy.)  I stay at the bar, Floyd's, until 12:30 and decide 
that I'd rather pay for a motel rather than fall asleep at the bar. 

I awoke at six a.m. to witness a white female crack-addict try to kick down a 
door while the korean hotel-owner screamed to call the police.  As if they 
would help.

Plenary One:
Urvashi Vaid, the Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task 
Force (NGLTF) kicks things off by reading a thank you letter from none other 
president elect Bill Clinton for the Queer support.  With a record attendance 
from 43 states, over 1200 people registered for the conference.  A large--very 
large--number of Queer Nations and college student groups were there.  Urv, as 
the insiders call her, said an important part of this war was, and has been: 
"This is a pro-sex movement."  We do not need to be so caught up in the fight 
to stop having sex--after all, that is why we are fighting.

John Preston, author, and Margaret Cerullo, professor of sociology and 
feminist studies, spoke on the necessity of inclusiveness and the need for 
taking care of volunteers.  Immediately I became aware that this conference 
wasn't being held for a "conference"  -- it was a training session for all of 
the volunteers, it exists for me and that these people are not making a killing 
with it.

Preston said something extremely important: when volunteers become involved 
with a group, for whatever reason, they are saying they have a need.  It is up 
to the group, the organization they are volunteering for, to fulfill that need. 
 This information is really important for all Queer volunteer-based groups.

Inclusiveness is tantamount to our movement.  I was amazed that I did not 
experience, as I have in the past, a bunch of whining White Male Queers saying, 
"That's not misogynistic" or "That's reverse discrimination."  They were, 
instead, saying, "Let's do something about it" and "What am I doing wrong?" or 
"How can I stop it?"  To those of you who have said these things, to those of 
you who balk at "political correctness"1 because you're afraid of giving up 
what little power heterosexism has given you.  But I do have a strong resonant 
feeling that saying such things like, "I'm not sexist but..." is stupid and 
hurting political movement, not only ours but others.  I've seen it work, I've 
seen not be questioned but embraced and it works so incredibly that I see it as 
mandatory for us to learn.

If gender parity is "reverse discrimination" then Queers do not need "special 
rights."  Do us a favor and move to Colorado.2

What I attended on Friday
Workshop 1--Media Skills 101: Elements of PR
David Smith of Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and two 
others, all of whom know incredible amounts.  This was a basic info session 
about dealing with the media and how to get them there at your actions.  Much 
was said but two things were stressed: media skills are based on making the 
journalist's job easier and never use jargon.

I ate lunch at the Hilton with a friend from Santa Fe.  Gak.  Expensive.  I 
had no time to find out what there was available so I couldn't just fly out of 
there and expect to find some food.  There is nothing like having a conference 
packet larger than some of my text books--I had little time to read about the 
schedule, let alone the local eating areas.

I wanted to go to a brown-bag lunch session with Animals in AIDS research, but 
I didn't think my stomach would hold up.

Workshop 2--Media skills 201: Advanced tactics
Robert Bray, the Director of Public Information for NGLTF, is an incredibly 
sharp and knowledgeable media person.  The focus of this workshop was sound 
bites, distilled messages for the media to quote, and spin, where a news story 
is tailored to a reporter.  Also emphasis on networking, providing resources, 
and "never lie to the media" was stressed.

I had to choose between Sexism in the Movement, Artists Organizing, Leadership 
Development and Securing Grants in this workshop slot.  I hope to buy the rest 
of the other's tapes for my library.  It was a hard decision, but I feel well 
worth it.

Workshop 3--ACT UP, Queer Nation: What's Next
You know I had to pay some attention to Queer Culture.  This was meant for me 
to have fun, and it wasn't at all.  Lots of ego about "Are we a movement?" "Who 
are Twe'" "Queer bashing by gay assimilationists is occurring."  I spoke once 
and only once (shocking, I know.)

What I said:
        Continue to gender fuck
        Read your feminism... gender roles and gender fuck are intricately 
tied together
        Don't let anyone tell you "You're too angry."  You have a right to 
your anger. 
        Help others.  Other movements, other Queers, other anyones--not only 
is it great PR, but you get to be queer OUTSIDE the queer movement for an 
entire other reason.  It is good to get a break.
        Export queerness to other movements.  Just as we have pulled from the 
Native American, the Jewish, the African American, the Women's, the Chicano, 
and the Labor movement, they should be allowed to pull from ours.

Everything I said here, with the exception from the last, was taken quite 
well.  The moderators, on the other hand, tried to use the time as a "What is 
our movement?" and "Who are we?" discussion.  I left half-way through.  We were 
getting nowhere.

What I could have gone to: Attack on Queer Art (censorship) and Coming Out as 
an Activist (By Lynn Sheppold of National Coming Out Day, located here in Santa 
Fe). 

I was exhausted.  I went to the quiet room for a break and stayed there until 
some networking sessions happened.

Networking/Special Interest
I dropped in on the GLAAD Networking group to firm up some interests and grab 
business cards.  Lots of things were talked about, the room was unbearably hot 
and I went to hang with the Queers at the Performance Art downstairs... only it 
was all over.  This was where I met the Sisters for Perpetual Indulgence for 
the first time and several other activists, most notably the media specialist 
for ACT UP-Los Angeles.  Probably one of the most nerviest and sharpest of 
people I've met in a long time. 

I still hadn't reached my rooming situation, so I drove out near his house, 
left a message on his answering machine as to where I was and told him that I'd 
be sleeping in the car.  He came and got me at 2 a.m., we talked until 4:30 or 
more, I woke up at 7:30 and drove to LAX Hilton.

One thing about LA, if you don't like driving on crowded roads, driving for 
what seems like hours, or not understanding turning rules, then just stay away 
from LA.  It is a nightmare.  On the other hand, you can go anywhere, any time, 
and not feel hindered by the size of your community.  

Saturday began with four individuals speaking.  Most poignant was Richard La 
Fortune, a Yupiit Nation member--located in Alaska--and works for National 
Native American AIDS Prevention Center, about how many Native American tribes 
possessed positive roles for Queers and how destructive xtianity and anglo 
culture has been to them.3

I left that speech crying.  I went to the restaurant and relaxed as much as 
possible.  For more personal notes, which I am willing to share, please contact 
me.

Workshop 4--Survival of Indigenous People.
This is where I got to kiss Harry Hay, the practical founder of our movement.  
While I don't like a some of what Harry Hay has said, I do respect a lot of 
what he has done.  His biography is a little romanticized.  He stilll, and 
always will, remain an inspiration.  Harry and Richard La Fortune hosted this 
communication, and this is where I met Amy (Aimee?) from Queer Nation Seattle.  

Many people were educated even further about what Richard spoke of in the 
Plenary and Harry wove a tale of how he met the leader of the Ghost Dancers.  
If you don't know about Ghost Dancing, if you don't know about Harry Hay, or 
Wounded Knee... I encourage you to read as much as possible about these and 
other subjects.

Lunch Brown-bagger--Time management for Activists.
This was good, but not great.  

Workshop 5--Police/Gay Community Relations
I went to this thinking, "Gosh, this will help us deal with the cops in 
Albuquerque.  Well, the smallest city represented on the panel was St. Paul, 
Minn. which isn't all that small--plus, they have a police chief who has a 
lesbian daughter.  Does anyone want to go recruit Bob Stover's daughter or son?
Gak. 

Well, it was a nice panel, but not effective for what we are facing in 
Albuquerque.  There are some class issues which I believe exist here in 
Albuquerque which are unique to our city also.

Workshop 6--Queer Culture: TZines, Queens and Scenes
Another unguilty pleasure for me at the conference.  The people doing this one 
were great.  One was the editor for Better Homos and Gardens (now Turbo Queer), 
who is now being sued by Better Homes and Gardens.  One was a body piercing 
performance artist.  One was the layout/designer for Tantrum, another Tzine.  
The moderator, GGreg Deborah Taylor, was the owner of the Product in West 
Hollywood or San Fran or somewhere, a Queer bar.  He dressed in these 
incredible spandex/lycra things that look as if they walked right off the Star 
Wars set.  He was sharp, intelligent, witty and wrapped in plastic.  What more 
could you ask in a man?

He also explained his outreach drag fest he had at Disneyland, that bastion of 
progressive thought, which had us all rolling on the floor.  All-in-all, an 
excellent session.  Presidential Candidate Joan Jettblack was supposed to be 
there, as well as Elvis Herselvis, the Dyke Elvis impersonator.  But they 
weren't so it was a little annoying.

I missed a lot of other sessions on this one: first, the Countering Religious 
& Right Wing Rhetoric, Care and Feeding of Volunteers, Lesbian /Gay images in 
TV/Film (by GLAAD/LA). 

Networking
I went to see the computer people, where one member of the NGLTF requested how 
we can educate each other via computers.  I met Ron Buckmire there, which is 
now the fourth motss-keteer I have met outside of my own city.

I then jumped over to Queer Nation networking group to meet some fellow 
queers.  I was amazed at the organization of the people of QN:Atlanta and 
QN:Seattle, and other people there.  QN's have deploded all over the place, but 
these folks have strong dedication keeping them together.  Hailing from the 
quasi-defunct Albuqueerque Tribe, I am happy to know others keep at it.

I then ate at a nice Italian restaurant with my friend, Mark Eggert, in Long 
Beach.  I decided to go to an ACT-UP LA benefit in Santa Monica and I knew I 
just couldn't drive all the way back to Long Beach.  I mentioned this to Sister 
X of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.  He said that he'd just have to wrap 
me up and take me home in a doggy bag.  Somewhere during that day or that 
night, I agreed to be an altar boy for the Sisters the next day.  I had no 
idea, but what the hell, you only live once.

I have always admired Drag Queens and their ilk to go out there and bust some 
societal walls.  I went out of my way to talk to several of the piercers and 
the queens that were at the conference.  Sister Vicious Power Hungry Bitch made 
me feel welcome and we had a great time.  I have never felt "gay" or totally 
"bisexual" but Queer, that does define me well.  The definition didn't matter 
to the Sisters, they liked having me around--or at least said they did.  And it 
was very wonderful to be in that environment.  

The only other environment I have been in like that was a Lesbian feminist 
forum.  While they distrusted my sex, all-in-all, I felt welcome there to be 
myself.  It was very nice.  So why can't my student group be like that?  So 
couldn't our Queer Nation be like that?  We'll see.

At four a.m., I got two hours of sleep to awake to Sister Bitch standing above 
me (I was sleeping on a futon on the floor).  There is nothing quite like a 
tall thin man wearing neck to ankle zebra-striped spandex.  Quite a sight, I 
must admit.

For the next hour, I and Jean-Yvves, a Sister from the Paris branch, watched 
amazingly as X and Bitch transformed themselves.  Jean-Yvves, who has only been 
doing drag for two years, was amazed that they could do all of their make-up 
under on hour.

Workshop 7-- Drag Activism
Originally I was going to go to the History of Censorship forum, but since I 
said I would be an altar boy, I was going to be a good altar boy.  Having none 
of my leathers, I was the most tame of the entire bunch.  Also, the other altar 
boy, had a pierced tongue.  Curious, I asked what it was like to kiss someone 
with a pierced tongue... he obliged.  My experience? definitely a plus.

The sunday service was a calm one presented to a packed house.  Basically, it 
was communion, where instead of wafers and Welches Grape Juice, they gave 
condoms and "I took the Vow" cards for free.  Many of the Drag Queens, the 
Queers, young and old--one was there, the Duchess, from her imperial court, 
even attended.  All-in-all, I am very proud and happy that I have been an altar 
boy for the Sisters.

I skipped Paul Monette--the closing plenary--but from what I heard, he did the 
Sinnead thing and ripped up a picture of the Pope.  The Catholic Queers were, 
of course, duly offended.  Personally, I couldn't care less either way.  If the 
word got out that the world really does ignore the Pope, rather than playing 
lip service to him, it would be a lot more damaging.

I hung with the rest of the burnt-out Queer Nations in the lobby of the LAX 
Hilton and watched, over the course of several hours, the hotel straighten 
itself out.  I even heard about how a person in the elevator was glad that all 
those Lesbians were finally gone.  Funny, she was talking to one as she said it.

At the conference evaluation, I sharpened my pen and wrote out all I think 
that could improve next year's conference.  I spoke of computers, post 
traumatic stress syndrome in activists, doing something more for student rather 
than having ex-students tell student how well they performed and so on.  Next 
year's conference will be held in Washington DC.  





Foot notes--this is political opinions, take with you what you want

1       Political correctness is a buzzword, which is to say, someone can say 
"political correctness" and have it mean a whole variety of things and not 
really have said anything.  It is not a political oxymoron, like "Military 
Justice" or "peace keeping missiles"--it is a label that people can apply and 
have it mean what ever they want.  I try not to use "politically correct" at 
all.  I urge others to do the same.

2       Horizontal hostility is a coalition-building problem.  An example of 
horizontal hostility is racism within Queer community--i.e. a (not-so-) butch 
fag calling a femme fag "Faggot" and so on.  I've seen the previous example in 
my presence within members of our student group.  Horizontal hostility is the 
hostility from the dominant culture (white patriarchy) that we suffer from: 
just because we're all Queer doesn't mean we're immediately or 
not-so-immediately excused from racism or sexism (or other crap crammed down 
our throats from the dominant culture.)   If we are going build coalitions over 
racial/culture/sex/gender boundaries, then we are going to have to embrace:
        the questioning of gender roles, studying the roots for sexism and 
homophobia, to include a political agenda based on what we find
        racism workshops and cultural competence
        issues of barriers and accessibility
        the Queer/Gay line and how we represent both in our actions
If one of us cannot speak for whatever reason, be it racism, sexism, our own 
homophobia, or that they are simply given no voice, then we are not serving our 
students, we are not serving ourselves.  Enough of this soapbox.

If you are a victim of such stupidity, or see it happening, call the 
perpetrator to the carpet, if you feel empowered enough.  If you don't, tell 
someone or leave a note, or something... I encourage you to speak out.  You 
have a right to your voice.

3       Guilt in the anglo culture is a waste of energy.  Don't feel guilty 
for what happened in the past... feel empowered for the future--you aren't 
going to continue the oppression that makes our society hate us and others.  



Robert Kelly 
rkelly@pioneer.unm.edu
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