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TELLING GAY STORIES: THE TRUTH CAN SET US FREE
from Chuck Forester, Co—Chair of the Board of the Human Rights Campaign Fund
Ann Landers doesn't usually tell her readers One reason why Barney Frank's recent
all. That's why it came as a surprise to see the problems generated such interest in the
two recent columns when she came down lirmly mainstream press is because he is a livin ,
against readers who attacked the idea at gay breathing homosexual who is willing to taTk
marriages. One subtle writer trom Wisconsin about his personal lite. Barney has shared a
had put the case for bigotry rather bluntly: very real-lite story with Americans. He has
"Those tag ots should go back in the closet been honest about it, and that's news because
where they Ebelong." Ann's response was right people want to know about us. ‘
on target, stating her shock at the ”viciousness While few at us will have the impact of a
and intolerance" oi those opposed to Barney Frank, all at us can make a difference.
legitimizing gay relationships. Too often we are shy about sharing our
Mixed in with the anti-gay sentiments Ann personal stories with friends, tamily and
rinted were letters of support, man from coworkers. They, in turn, are reticent, fearful of
heterosexuals who knew a ay man or iesbian. attending by asking questions. In some cases
One lather wrote that he Tiad two sons, one family and friends don't know enough about
straight and one gay. Both deserved the same gay people to begin framing the questions they
rights, he said. His response should not have might have. Still, they want to know who we
surprised me, because it only confirmed a point are.
that pollsters discovered some time ago: I know from experience the kind of questions
Support for gay rights is greatest among those they have. When did you discover you were
who know a gay person. gay? Have you ever laced discrimination?
Unfortunately, most heterosexuals know only How do you meet other gay people? How did
what they learn from the mass media. Twenty your rents react? Do you enjoy being ga 3
years ago, Stonewall was but a blip on the Allpoot us should start answering those
media's radar screen. Ten years later questions for the heterosexuals we know. The
lesbian/gay stories were be inning to appear. more we talk about being ay, the more our
Today the power ot gay poTitics and the AIDS neighbors, friends and lamifies will understand
epidemic have put us on the front page at the need to combat homophobia and bigotry.
every major daily in America and the evening Our answers will give them information, the
news. Despite the attention, to most Americans, kind of information that can replace the
gays and lesbians, remain an unknown stereotypical views at gay: and lesbians with a
quantity, we're on abstract entity, not people more onest view of w a we are. Just as
with ho es, dreams and lives. important our answers can large new allies in
Until3 we tell the ublic who we are they the tight lor equality.
have little to go on. Eor example, their images Some of ou wil say, "I don't have anything
at gay men are often limited to the Religious new to add: My stories aren't interestin .
Rights slanderous view at us as sexual perverts, Don't believe it. Even it you conve the Fact
the popular media's vision at a misunderstood that your life is more like your straight triends'
boy next door dyin at AIDS, and the lite than different from It, that's important
traditional stereotypes 0% the mincing hairdresser information. It needs to be told. And it is best
and the lesbian mechanic. told to people you know. [cont on page 5]
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