I think we announced that the dance would begin at 9pm. At 9:15 there was nobody around but a few frat boys hoping to check out some poofs. I got a can of coke from a vending machine, gave it to the DJ, and said, “Let’s get the music started!” The first admitted was a carful of boys who [came] down from Kansas University’s homosexual alliance. So we were then eight [people]. The vastness of the ballroom loomed. Around 9:30 my children started coming in. Nobody counted, but I bet there were over 300. We were fabulous! The music, the sweat on the dance floor, the smoke, the vibe that this was something new, the mix, the camaraderie, the funky moves, and the outfits combined to create a memorable, magical night. Everybody asked when we’d have another event. This was the start of the [Student Homophile Association] at Wichita State University (Gardenhire Email). SHA remained active after its inaugural dance. According to a 1977 article in The Sunflower, the group reported that their purpose was to: …work to end discrimination against all homosexuals, organize forums on discussions on homosexuality, act as a communication channel to administration, faculty, and other students, to organize social and recreational activities, and to promote legal aid, peer counseling, and other supportive services for gays (Linder). Gary fondly recalls weekly men’s and women’s freeform rap sessions where members came out, shared their experiences and wishes for the future, and discussed what was going on politically in
defenseless victims of AIDS is to exhibit woeful and willful ignorance and uses misstatements of fact to justify blind prejudice against gays, the last socially acceptable form of prejudice in America (Bruce McKinney Collection 3.7, 23). GLRA took steps to inform the public on AIDS, including collecting and distributing literature, providing information in its annual Incoming Gay Student Mini-Series, and bringing Dr. Donna Sweet to speak on the subject. Steve also emphasized that GLRA’s mission was to educate and not to spread the so-called “corrupt” gay lifestyle (Bruce McKinney Collection 3.7, 23). In addition to AIDS hysteria, anti-sodomy fervor also shaped the experiences of GLRA. This can perhaps be seen by examining a controversy concerning the gathering of gays at Wichita’s Oak Park. At that time, Oak had the reputation of being a place where sexual solicitation by gays frequently occurred. According to the Parks Director at the time, there had been consistent complaints of open solicitation, public sex, late-night crowds and noise, and park assaults of homosexuals. Moreover, there were numerous arrests connected with assaults; larcenies; and liquor, sex, drug, and traffic violations. In response, park officers installed gates and began to shut down the park three hours early, at 9pm (Bruce McKinney Collection 3.7, 24). GLRA’s Steve Wheeler interpreted the situation differently. According to him the main reason people came to the park was to meet friends, play sports, and take nature walks—not to have sex. The park, he said, was a place where gay people could openly be who they are: For certain types of gays who can’t get in the bars, who aren’t religious, who can’t take someone to their house, who are just coming out and don’t know any other place to go, this is the place to go. It’s a safe place as far as anybody finding out they’re gay…it’s an OK thing to go to the park. [Here, gays] can express their love without anyone finding out. I’m not talking about sex, I’m talking about