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
Expires: 02/03/93
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

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)
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)
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)
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

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.")

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             MOW93 -- Don't miss it!
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-- 
Tom Limoncelli -- tal@warren.mentorg.com (work) -- tal@plts.uucp (play)

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