WASHINGTON UPDATE Musically and Culturally *The multi-faceted musical and cultural talents of the lesbian/gay community will be on display in full color on October 11. Performers for the main rally include: Washington Sisters, Romonofsky and Phillips, Menage, Ten Percent Revue, Melissa, Holly Near, Robin Tyler, New York Gay Men’s Chorus, Casselberry/Dupree, Atlanta Feminist Women's Chorus, Cris Williamson, The Dyketones, and Kay Weaver. Speaking Out Speakers for the rally include: Troy Perry, of the Metropolitan Community Church; Barbara Smith, of radical black lesbian literary fame; Connie Panzarino, of physically challenged activism; and Harvey Fierstem, of Torch Song Trilogy fame. AIDS Quilt The texture of our community will shine through in a poignant and beautiful memorial to the thousands who have been killed by AIDS. The Names Project will weave together fabric panels, each bearing the name of a single person lost to AIDS. The quilt will be displayed across the Capitol Mall on October 11. Deadline for submissions of 3’X 6’ panels is September 15. For information, contact Cleve Jones, The Names Project, PO Box 14573, San Francisco, CA 94114. S&M Conference Another sort of fabric will highlight the "Safe, Sane, and Consensual" S/M-Leather Conference on October 10. For reservations and information, contact GMSMA, 132 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10011. Washington is rising to the occasion. from page 1 March brutal regime in South Africa, and then claims to oppose apartheid. As lesbians and gay men are denied the right to make love, the right of women to control their own bodies is in jeopardy. As the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution is celebrated, the right to live here - to migrate freely - is denied to both lesbians and gay men from abroad and to many others escaping oppressive living conditions, including Central American refugees fleeing wars promulgated by the U.S. government. A climate of spiraling militarism and violence leaves little room for spending on AIDS, or for a humane culture. In 1969, the Stonewall Rebellion released the pent-up yeamings that had been stilled through eons of oppression. And today, after all the suffering and all the struggling, we issue this Call for a March on Washington as we proclaim to friend and foe alike, FOR LOVE AND FOR LIFE, WE’RE NOT GOING BACK! Besides raising gay/lesbian issues, a march on Washington will strengthen our movement. October 1987, Page 7 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights OCTOBER 11, 1987 0 WASHINGTON, D.C. * It will demonstrate that we will fight to keep the gains we have won, and continue to demand decency and justice. * It will provide a means of educating and enlisting the support of other individuals, communities and movements who value freedom, and those who strive for a climate of peace, and for social and economic justice. It will proclaim to all that the time has come to stand in solidarity with thelesbian and gay movement at this time of crisis. * The ‘excitement it generates will strengthen and vitalize local organizations, providing a new vehicle for outreach and education. * The organizing process will help to galvanize the gay and lesbian community on a national scale. Working together in this cooperative effort will facilitate any plans for coordinated activity after the march. * A march will enhance the work of lobbyists and political liaisons by demonstrating that we are a large. and cohesive community with political clout. * ‘Finally, a March on Washington will give us a victory which we sorely need right now. We will return to our communities renewed with the empowerment, strength and mutual support we certainly will need for the fitture.