——————-———————-—R ‘5'“ LEXINGTON GAY SERVICES ORGANIZATION I POST OFFICE BOX 11471 . "TOG .. LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY 40511 GAY 8n PROUD" ' ‘ JULY 19.3 " frgsimgnftial‘mnsage Keith Elston. President Gay Pride Month is over. It's time to take a rest and reflect on some of the ' things that happened and some hopes for the future. During June, there were Gay Pride marches in many major cities and several candlelight vigils to bring attention to the need for more funding for AIDS research. _ Billy Graham said that AIDS was God's vengeance against gays. He neglected to say why God was punishing Haitians or other high risk groups. So what else is new? Kentucky Representative William Natcher made an eloquent Speech to Congress on the need for more money to fund AIDS research and became a sponsor of several allocation bills for that purpose. Representative Larry Hopkins voted in favor for several of the bills. Many thanks for the concern. At King's Island, over #00 gay men and women stood out in the crowd as our red shirts let everyone know "We Are Everywhere”. GLUE in Louisville Sponsored an entire week of activities including an interfaith service, gay theatre, talent shows, a dinner dance at the Hyatt Regency and the annual Otter Creek Picnic. Finally, GSO showed its pride this year with a discussion and presentation of the film "Greetings" and our first annual "Pride Picnic“ at Jacobson Park. Now we turn to the future. The gay community could gain a lot of things. There could be a written directive forbidding employment or housing discrimination. Sodomy laws could be repealed or declared unconstitutional. The 1964 Civil Rights Act could be amended to include "sexual orientation". The gay rights movement COULD do all these things and much more I: we can gain each gay persons support. In David Goodstein's "Opening Space” in the Advocate, it is suggested the problem is gay leaderships "youth. poverty and fear of dealing with powerful authorities" Iplead guilty to being young and impoverished, however, I will not back away from authority figures nor anyone who wishes to suppress our rights to be what we can really be. - Lastly, everyone is encouraged to express their opinions or concerns before the Board and also participate in all GSO activities. There is and always will be a place for each of you in GSO, whether it is behind the scenes or leading the parade. We're here for you. Consider this your personal invitation.