, 

Out in the Mountains

 rasfrompage 1

working on the more obvious external
obstacles to getting power, such as homo-
phobic laws and legislators, and homopho-
bic institutions. But we as lesbians, gay
men and bisexuals, must also overcome our
internal obstacles to getting power.

Denial is our most powerful internal
obstacle, Scondras said. We live in a form
of social aparthied in this country, where
we are free only as long as we “remain
invisible” and “stay in our places.” We
devalue ourselves when we refuse to ac-
knowledge this or insist that its not impor-
tant. We eventually have enough experi-
ences to wear down this denial.

Addictions to drugs and alcohol in the
gay and lesbian community have impeded
our progress. A Boston survey found that
37% of respondents suffered from addic-
tions. We, as a community are taking re-
sponsibility for our own by establishing
groups and centers for those with addic-
tions.

The need for approval, Scondras as-
serted, keeps us from getting power. Lesbi-
ans, gay men, and bisexuals are on an
“endless search” for the approval that has
been denied us because of our orientation.
When getting power requires “rocking the
boat,” we as approval seekers are reticent to

Pretending we’re straight, although it
has its advantages in allowing us to get
ahead in a staight world, has left us stuck
deeper in our double lives. Rather than
using our energy to get power, we are using
it to hide ourselves and to control the be-
haviorof other lesbians and gay men so that
we as a community can “pass for straight.”
These obstacles, while protecting us from a
hostile world, no longer serve us well.

Scondras also criticized the heterosex-
ist “religion,” described as “the deification
of the traditional American family.” The
basic heterosexist belief is that, “the object
of life is to propagate and that nature has
dictated that job to heterosexual couples in
a traditional family.” We as lesbians and
gay men are considered “fundamentally
defective” because we don’t participate in
this.

In response to this belief Scondras
said, we need to “expand our concept of the
family to include all people who commit
themselves to each other in an emotional
and financial way,” because the traditional
American family doesn’t exist. We also
must understand that the purpose of life is
not to propagate but to enjoy life, and to
improve the quality of life so that others
may enjoy life.

Scondras ended on a positive note by

“give the problem back to the peopm
have it.” Lesbians, gay men, and bisexual;
are realizing that we deserve more. We are
defining ourselves and valuing ourselves,
Scondras says, “Dance where you wam_
with whoever you want, and watch others
react.”

  frompage5

cial management of the Task Force, and is ».
actively involved in long-term planning I
and setting policy directions for the organi. i
zation. NGLTF’s Board is committed byits
by-laws to reflect gender parity and racial
diversity. There is also a strong commit-
ment to geographic diversity. All NGLTF
Board members make a commitment to
raise at least $1500 dollars a year for the,
organization; to attend quarterly Board [
meetings held around the country; and to ,
work with Board and staff on a variety of{
projects.

All persons interested in the positions ‘
should send a letter and resume to NGLll~‘  1
Board Nominations Committee, NGLll?,f ;
15 17 U Street NW, Washington DC 20009.
An application form will be sent to inter-l
ested persons and further contact madeto
the candidates by the Nominations Com-
mittee.

 

do in encouraging us to “be ourselves” and to
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