February 1994 IAT TO 'I'III IIAT 9 TIIUHP Tllo HEART HEALTHY FRESH WHOLESOME ORGANIC & CONVENTIONAL FOODS Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, For the past months, the continuing saga of Martha and Belinda has been mildly intriguing, however, reading Belinda Darcy’s epilogue in the December issue was disheartening. I found her observations of Burlington, Vermont women offensive and nar- row-minded. Not all American heterosexual women have long hair, wear make—up and prance around in high—heeled shoes, nor do all lesbians like short hair and basketball. These confining perspectives on gender are scary and dangerous. I question Belinda’s flippant comment that women who are not traditionally feminine are “Homo Wannabes” -— according to whose standards? I would ask Belinda and the larger gay/lesbian community to examine their own assumptions about how people should behave. Zealotry is dangerous, and dualistic thinking such as Belinda's plots people against each other., rather than ad- dressing the oppressive ideologies that exist in our culture against women and GLB people. This “Us” versus “Them” mentality is neither humorous nor productive. For many of us, gender—specific stereotypes are exactly what we call into ques- tion on a daily basis. and not for members only 274 North Winooski Ave. Burlington 863-3659 M-S 9:30-7:30 Sunday 12 to 5 There are many straight, bisexual, and gay people who can be al- lies for each other. I applaud gender blending, and I think more people should do it! Hooray for lipstick lesbians, drag queens, and androgynous women and men. It is imperative to challenge our prescribed categories of men and women, and heterosexuals and gays. Such comments as Belinda’s often go unchallenged, yet only until gender boundaries are continually questioned can Il.l.HOH AI-I.I.1V!Il LIIVIII II AIVlIIIII:l a «II we as a society come to fully accept individuals, regardless of sexual orientation and gender. After all, it is not always the ap- pearance that makes an individual’s politics. Such assumptions only unnecessarily separate people from each other. In the fu- ture, I trust OITM to affirm GLB lifestyles and at the same time avoid divisive strategies that isolate people. Sincerely, Kiraten L. legro V DO” "3 Wed., Feb. 2 Juice Bar $3.00 8pm — lam v Thus., Feb. 3 Disco Free 7:30 — 2am I Love You Forever Friday, Feb. 4 Women’s Dance $6.00 5pm—9pm Jean Cindy’s Fabulous Food Wed., Feb. 9 Juice Bar $3.00 8pm — lam T hus., Feb. 10 Disco Free 7:30 — 2am Sun., Feb. 13 Valentine’s Day $15.00 5- 8pm Dinner Party — Craig Mitchell Spinning _ (Soup, Appetizer, Salad, Entree’, Dessert and one Drink) Your Buslness Card Ticketscan be bought in advance Wed., Feb. 16 Juice Bar $3.00 10pm — lam can be here Thus., Feb. 17 Disco Free 7:30 — 2am f 1 Wed., Feb. 23 Juice Bar $3.00 8pm — lam or On _ a [[101] Thus., Feb. 24 Disco Free 7:30 — 2am y Sun., Feb. 27 Champagne Brunch $9.95 10230 — 2:30 C all Order from the Menu T Pearls — Daily, 7:30 ’til dose at 860-1922 . 135 Pearl Street - Burlington, VT - 863-2343