as}; ‘ 1 , " ’- , ‘
5,; A PUBLICATION OF THE LEXINGTON GAY AND LESBIAN SERVICES ORGANIZATION
FOUNTAIN 0F YOUTH THE CHURCH LADY GLSO Onllne:
by IT. Macl‘arla-ne. ' by Margaret Christopher Cartwright Peter: pjtayl00@ukcc.uky.edu
‘ The LomsVIlle Youth group describes . There were 3 religious—right fundamen- Elizabeth: bee@mis.net
Itself is a “a confidential peer support—group talists that had a fatal car crash. This landed Tammy: sappho@mis.net
for self-identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual the 3 at the gates of heaven. St. Peter was off ———————.__________———————
youth, ages 14-21.” Irecently attended one of that day so God asked them their screening ' 13: , '_ If You have a , ‘ . '
their Friday night meetings and I’m already questions before allowrng them in. God asked ,1 , ‘ ' p I .’ . ' '.
looking forward to attending again. My each of them “What does Easter mean to you? WW walling label
motivation for attending is thatI amcurrently The first fundamentalist responded, “Well, we It’s time to RENEW.
working to form a similar group for lesbian, dress-up in orange and black and go house to ' , '
gay, bisexual and questioning youth ages 14— house for candy..." ZAP! God sent him to hell. . 1’ ' V l V 3 .
21 here in Central Kentucky. The second one then gives it a try, “At our FEWER, MORE VIOLENT GAY
The Kentucky Pride Initiative — Sexual house, we decorate a tree and put presents HATE CRIMES IN REPORTED
Minority/Straight (PrISMS) Youth Alliance under it and...” ZAP1! and to hell he goes. God IN ’95
will hopefully fill the void which exists then asks the third passenger in the ill-fated The National Coalition of Anti—Violence
regarding services for central Kentucky’s auto the same question. “Easter means thatyou Programs issued a report Tuesday that said
lesbigay youth. died and were crucified on the cross. You were there were 2,212 such hate crimes targeting
My trip Louisville was as much an taken to a tomb where your body was was lesbian, gay or transexual persons in 11 major
opportunity for observation as it was achance embalmed with oils and spices. A large stone cities in 1995, down 8% from 2,401 in 1994.
to quench my curiosity regarding the closest was rolled in front of the tomb. 0n the third Documented gay—related slayings fell to 25
non—collegiate lesbigay youth group. There day, you arose, the large stone was moved away from 29. Still, the crimes in general were more
were 3 facilitators and 28 youth (14 male and by an angel.You went out and saw your shadow violent, with a 10% increase in assaults and
14 female) in attendance, including myself and then went back in for six weeks!” rapes, according to the coalition, which also
and a friend who accompanied to me. The You see, the religious right is neither. They analyzed such crimes as arson, robbery, larceny
evening’s topic was “Diversity,” but because just can’t quite get the story right. Our world and harassment.
the scheduled speaker couldn’t make it, wide congregation includes lesbian, gay, The national peak in reported violence
improvisation set in. bisexual and transgendered people. If you have against gays and lesbians was in 1992, when
The evening began with an introduction left your traditional religious beliefs because of homosexuality was an issue at the Republican
by everyone, including name and favorite car, what the religious right has taught you, National Convention, the issue of gays in the
after which 1 the group about PrISMS and reconsider. We talk about and worship aloving continued on page 11
where it will go from here. PrISMS is an and caring God that does not condemn us for
alliance of supportive organizations, acting naturally God made us and loves us. We WW,.,. WW . WW , . ,.
businesses, and individuals willing to provide talk about what “Thou shalt not commit GLSO Sponsor of the Month
their efforts both directly and indirectly to adultery” means to gay and lesbian people. We
better meet the needs of central Kentucky’s sing songs and celebrate our lives. We socialize, The Mctropolita n
lesbigay youth. A focus group is scheduled for we support each other through sickness and C 0 m m u n ity Ch ll r C h
April 12 from which an advisory council will health. We use inclusive language in our of Lexington
be formed. This council will then meet and services. “We talk about things like that.” Hope
continued on page 2 to see you Sunday morning at 11:30 am! V T ’ “