doesn’t happen too often. The'rest have to eke out a living with
cult followings.

Gay and lesbian musicians know that more than anybody.
Despite how much talent one may have, breaking into the big
time is nearly impossible unless s/he denies certain aspects of
his/her life. That is why Doug Stevens and The Outband will
never sign on with a major label. Besides, he is gay and proud
and not about to go back into the closet to suit anybody. His
album, Out in the Country, is typical of independent releases in
that distribution can be difficult. The album has been out awhile,
however, it has only been recently that I’ve been able to get a
copy of it.

I am happy to say that it was worth the wait. Stevens has a
twangy voice reminiscent somewhat of George Jones. Unlike
Jones, Stevens sings songs like “White Trash”: “I’m pure white
trash from Tupelo / that’s ‘bout as country as you can go. / ‘Bout
manners and class, I don’t give a hoot, / I’m from the sticks and
I’m queer to boot.” The title song tells about growing up gay “out
in the country”. I think “Born in Mississippi” touches a nerve that
ought to be familiar to any gay or lesbian coming from rural
areas: “But Mississippi you’re calling me now, / from the city
where I have lived for too long. / Mississippi let go of my heart. /
How can a man like me go back to Mississippi?” Stevens also has
a couple of AIDS related songs, “H.I.V. Blues”, sort of a
modem—day version of “T.B. Blues”, and “Act Up”, a rallying cry
for justice and a cure.

His backing band, the Outland, is very good, featuring some very
talented players such as Nydia “Liberty” Mata, who has been
active in women’s music for a long time, on percussion and
vocals, John Cordes on fiddle and mandolin, and Desiree on
guitar and vocals (she has the lead vocals on the song “Cactus
Country”). You can almost imagine yourself line dancing or
two—stepping to these guys.

Let’s hope that this isn’t the last we’ll hear from Doug Stevens
and the Outband. It’s great to hear gay—affirming country for
once, especially country music done as well as this. Nashville
doesn’t know what it’s missing.

You can get Out in the Country from Outcast Productions; 38-11
Ditmars Blvd.; Suite #234; Astoria, NY 11105. It is available in
both CD and cassette. V

February 1995
Jim Morgan:

Human Rights Commissioner
and openly gay man

Cleland E. Selby

WATERBURY -- In 1988, Jim Morgan was recognized as S0-
cial Worker of the Year. Jim Morgan currently is a psychiatric
social worker at the Vermont State Hospital in Waterbury. Also
in 1988, Jim Morgan was appointed as one of the five commis-
sioners of the newly created Vermont Human Rights Commis-
sion (HRC). Jim Morgan is openly gay.

Jim, along with the other members of the HRC, is being sued
for one million dollars by one of the persons the Commission
determined as a violator of others‘ civil rights. "I never envi-
sioned that this whole process could become so contentious,"
Jim said in a voice reflecting sadness, not anger.

Jim is very unlike most political appointees. Prior to his ap-
pointment, he had no personal contact with then-Governor
Madeleine Kunin. But on a very regular basis he wrote her in-
formative letters about hate crimes that were being committed
in the state. And on a very regular basis she responded to his
correspondence with her own letters. "And I think that's got to
be why I was appointed."

One of the concerns Jim raised about the public hearings is that
one basic piece of information seems to have been lost. Ap-
proximately fifty percent of the allegations brought to the HRC
have been determined to be based upon reasonable grounds.
The other fifty percent have not.

"We have been very careful to use the established standards
when we hear cases. There are different standards for different
situations." When one speaks with Jim, one quickly becomes
aware of how committed he has been to the responsibilities he
has assumed as a Commission member.

Jim's term expires in July. "I have had a lot of very good sup-
port from a lot of people, including the gay and lesbian com-
munity." This year could be the year that Vermont lesbians and
gay men show their support for Jim by contacting Governor
Dean, requesting that Jim's record speak for itself, and in so do-
ing speak of the need for his reappointment. V

TELEPHONE (802) 524-9595

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