Newsgroups: bit.listserv.gaynet
Date:         Wed, 22 Jul 1992 18:16:05 -0400
From:         gaynet@ATHENA.MIT.EDU
Subject:      GayNet Digest Volume 5 Issue 569

In this issue:
                                 Movies
                              London info
                         Vatican and Repentence
                      Democratic Convention Notes
                                  fish
               "One Life To Live" -- Wednesday's synopsis

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Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 07:27:42 -0700 (PDT)
From: Loren Meissner <lmeissne@u.washington.edu>
Subject: Movies
Mime-Version: 1.0

I think Michele ("movies etc") missed the point. While I agree that movies
make impressions, rather than ranting about what's out there, if one feels
strongly enough about it, why not make one's own movies and art, rather
than ranting and raving (with its horrible implications of "political
correctness" and censorship a-la Jesse Helms). While I am not quoting him
directly, that's approximately the point Gus Van Sant made here at
UWashington last Fall when confronted by the "politically correct" about
the "Dutch Boy" scene in "Private Idaho." He said that he wasn't trying to
deliver any political message, and encouraged the "complainers" (my word,
not his) to go out and make their own movies. Also, if you don't like a
film, don't pay to see it.  Many of the film studios are businesses, and
the law of supply and demand does have an impact. However, a word of
caution here. Be sure that if you are "boycotting" something that you
think through the issues for yourself, and the decision to boycot is
really yours rather than letting a bunch of "politically correct" people
do your thinking for you. Recent films which were on "politically correct"
boycott lists included "My OWN PRivate Idaho" and "Meeting Venus"> In my
view, the boycott calls for both films were silly. Homosexuals are people
too and do silly things. Should straights boycott films showing straight
people doing silly things because it does not project a "politically
correct" straight" image?
--------
All this is just IMHO (In my humble opinion). Please no flames or personal
attacks. As you can see, this posting attacks no one, just expresses
concerns about "political correctness" and censorship. Please send any
polite, well-thought out and rational responses to gaynet for posting, as I
have no time to handle personal e-mail on this subject.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 11:16 EDT
From: DATAR@NSRCL1.MIT.EDU
Subject: London info

Dear Fellow netters, I too shall be in jolly ol' England from the 29th of July
to 5th Aug. i would appreciate info on things to do, see, avoid etc. etc.
i would also like to hear from netters in England. I shall mostly be in England
(actually London).  contact me at Datar@nsrl31.nsrl.rochester.edu.   Sameer

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Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 10:30:44 -0600 (MDT)
From: WERLING <awerling@NMSU.Edu>
Subject: Vatican and Repentence

Peter Coloumbe writes:

> Jim, Don't forget the whole point of all this: the power of
> repentance!  As far as I understand the Catholic position (and
> I'm not R.C. so I can't speak from the insider's view) queers are
> "sickoes" who have the possibility of being REDEEMED by the power
> of God IF we truly desire it and pray for forgiveness,
> redemption, repentance from our queer ways, etc.  Apparently, the
> Vatican is just advocating human action on what it perceives to
> be divine justice.  It's loathesome to be sure, but we shouldn't
> forget this important aspect of the Vatican's view because this
> is the mentality that fuels the perpetual myths supporting
> "transforming" ministries and the misconceptions of millions that
> a sexual orientation is somehow "chosen."

What fuels it even more is the teaching of the church that it's OK to have
homosexual feelings, but not engage in homosexual *acts*.

What I think people fail to realize is that the feelings are deeper than
those that lead people to sex...

-
Andrew Werling     awerling@nmsu.edu
Welcome to Planet Yip!  Private Bathrooms for All Visitors.  Lots of
Lemon Water!  Chastity Belts hanging from every available spot!!!

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 22 Jul 92 13:37:42 EDT
From: An Anonymous Sender

HI!!!  Just wondering if I could do this.  Sorry about the interruption.

"I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is.  I
only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that
differentiate me from a doormat, or a prostitute."   -Rebecca West, 1913

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 10:42:50 -0700
From: Daniel Kodmur <dkodmur@ocf.Berkeley.EDU>
Subject: Democratic Convention Notes

Though I have always been a staunch Democrat, I would have considered myself a
grudging  Clinton supporter prior to the convention. The ticket was just too
damn conservative for me.  But I have been converted, which was the whole idea,
I guess.  The people who made me a believer were not just Clinton and Gore,
though I was impressed with both of them.  The people who made me proud were
Bob Hattoy and Elizabeth Glaser, and I thought it was time someone paid tribute
to them on the net. For all, the posturing at the convention about "speaking
truth to power," these two really did it.

I was very proud of Bob Hattoy. I wish I could write him and tell him so. To be
 able to talk openly and forcefully about HIV after only a month of being
 diagnosed
is no small accomplishment.  He spoke directly to George Bush, and he spoke
words of truth and pain.  I was elated by what he said.

I must admit I was less optimistic about Elizabeth Glaser. After all, this is
a woman who has exploited the "innocent children with AIDS" rhetoric, often
drawing an all-too-clear distinction of moral culpability between them and
others. She has even had Reagan at her fundraiser, seemingly oblivious to the
evil irony of the gesture.

I must say she surprised me.  She has come a long way. She no longer appears
to be a divisive force in the AIDS community. Her speech was sad, truthful, and
devastingly direct. I was very proud of her, too. I am glad she is on our side
now........

I am writing this for three reasons. One, I wanted to get some discussion going
on here about the speeches. Two, I wanted to know if netters had any contact
information for either Hattoy or Glaser. Three, I wanted to know if the DNC is
planning on putting out a highlight film of the convention, and if so, who we
could lobby to ensure that the speeches on HIV were included.

Any help would be appreciated. Feel free to respond publically or privately.

Take Care Everyone,

Danny

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Date:         Wed, 22 Jul 92 11:05:33 MST
From: Melissa <MHERBERT@ARIZVM1.ccit.arizona.edu>

Another question - In which nation(s) is marriage between members of the same
sex legal?  Denmark?  Any others?  Thanks much.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 22 Jul 92 13:53:56 -0500
From: William Robboy <wrobboy@umaxc.weeg.uiowa.edu>

Newsgroups: bit.listserv.gaynet