Out in the Mountains

Hyacinthus & Apollo:
Celebrating the Love
of Men

by Bill Lippert

As spring flowers burst from the warming soil,
few blossoms have a sweeter scent than the
Hyacinth. How many of us realize that this
beautiful flower commemorates the mythological
love of two men for each other?

Every spring since I first stumbled uponthe story
of Apollo & Hyacinthus, the sweet-smelling
fragrance of the Purple Hyacinth has symbolized
a special affirmation of the deepness of love
between two men.

As recounted in an article by Robert Barzan,
"Gay Male Mythology," the ancient Greek story
of Hyacinthus and Apollo commemorates this
love.

Apollo, one of the most popular of Greek gods,
fell in love with the handsome Hyacinthus and
the two became constant companions. To the
Greeks Apollo was a model of virility, and god
of prophecy, music, poetry and healing.
Hyacinthus, on the other hand, was a mortal of
royal blood, the son of a Spartan king. Besides
being his lover, Apollo was also an instructor to
Hyacinthus, teaching him the arts of music,
poetry and the skill‘of athletics. It is through
Hyacinthus that these gifts are said to have come
to the rest of humanity.

Apollo and Hyacinthus enjoyed playing athletic
games. One afternoon, as was the Greek custom,
they hurled the discus. Apollo threw first, but as
Hyacinthus ran to‘ retrieve the disk, it bounced
and struck him in the head, mortally wounding
him. Apollo took his friend into his arms and
lamented the death of his beloved:

"Oh, that I might be able

To earn back your life

Or forfeit my own along with yours!
Though the rule of fate

Restrains us in this,

You will yet be with me forever,
Held in my lips‘ remembrance,
The Lyre struck by my hand,

My poems will sing of you,

And as a new kind of flower,

You will bear a mark

That describes my groans of grief."

(from Ovid's Metamorphoses - Translated by
Arthur Evans)

As Hyacinthus died, Apollo turned his spilled
blood into the beautiful purple hyacinth to
commemorate his beloved.

In ancient Sparta, this myth captured the hearts
of the people, and a three-day feast, the
Hyacinthia, was celebrated annually in the
spring with athletic games, dances, banquets and
a holiday from work.

As spring flowers finally begin to burst forth, we
shall enjoy the daffodils, celebrate the Easter
lilies, and anticipate the roses of summer. But as
we revel in the spring blossoms, let us linger
with the the fragrant beauty of the Purple
Hyacinth and remember the love of Apollo and
Hyacinthus, affirrning still today the goodness
of love between two men. V

Letters to the Editor

Continued from page 3

Soaking up Soaps in St. J.
Hello Fellow Soap Fans!

Have you been following Soap Opera Di'gest’s
choice for best show of 1995? If not, then you're
missing out on what Marlena DeLacroix of Soap
Opera Weekly calls "the daytime equivalent of
Must-See TV."

For the past several months, "All My Children" has
"had a gay character. This is not a first, but never has a
gay storyline had so many emotional ties to the main
characters of a show.

Michael Delaney is a gay teacher. His students
include Scott Chandler (whose mother Cindy died of
AIDS in the equally controversial and compelling

Calendar  

April
2

ADDISON COUNTY YOUTH INITIATIVE MEETING — For
all people, young and old, interested in supporting g/1/b/t/q youth in
Addison County. 7 p.m., Ilsley Library meeting room (downstairs),
Middlebury. Call Hugh at 802 388-6503 or Thelma at 802 623-6131.

6

WOMEN OF THE WOODS (W.O.W.) SPRING FLING — Easter
egging, scavenger hunt, skiing, sliding, snow-shoeing, etc. Food will
be provided. 2 p.m., Washington. For more info, call (802) 229-0109.

RUTLAND AREA POTLUCK — A monthly potluck for the
Rutland g/l/b/t community and friends, sponsored by Men's Health
Project. Bring a dish and anything else to share (games, music, etc.).
6:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, Rutland. For more info, call
Chris Tebbetts at (800) 649-2437.

10

OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS DEADLINE — for material to be
printed in the May issue. For information, call Hugh (802) 388-6503.

10-13

"BREAKING THE CODE" — Hugh Whittemore's play performed
by the Champlain College Players. Tickets $6 adults, $4
students/seniors. 8 p.m., Alumni Auditorium, Burlington.

13

CHILTERN MOUNTAIN CLUB—bikes and hikes Patriots Day
Weekend in Vermont. Call Bob (617) 226-3812.

CHILTERN MOUNTAIN CLUB—spring skis at Killington. Call
Mike (603) 644-7658.

14

INTERWEAVE POTLUCK — Potluck brunch for l/g/b/friends and
families. Feel free to attend service at 11:00 am. Brunch at 12:30 pm,
First Unitarian Universalist Society (downstairs), 152 Pearl St.,
Burlington. For more info, call Lisa at (802) 862-0251.

W.O.W. TAX DEADLINE PARTY AND PLANNING
MEETING — Potluck with video or outdoor activity if spring-like.
1 1 a.m., Plainfield. For directions, call 454-8654.

2ND SUNDAY OUT — Coffeehouse & dance. Pyralisk in
Montpelier. 7-10pm.’Cover charge. Call Amy at (802)244-1203.

17

AIDS 101: What Everyone Needs to Know About I-[IV/AIDS —
Monthly educational session on HIV transmission, prevention,
antibody testing, statistics, and trends. Free admission and condoms. 7
p.m. at Vermont CARES, 30 Elmwood Avenue, Burlington.
Information and RSVP to (802) 863-2437.

BEYOND 076: Implications for the Prevention of Perinatal
Transmission of HIV — A full-day conference for health
professionals. All day at the Capital Plaza Hotel, 100 State Street,
Montpelier. For more info, call Susan at (802) 229-2557.

24

AIDS DAY AT THE STATEHOUSE — All day in Montpelier. For
more info, call Susan at (802) 229-2557.

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH ORAL SEX? — A workshop for
gay/bi men sponsored by the Men's Health Project. 6:30 p.m., Fletcher
Free Library, Burlington. For more info, call Chris at (802) 863-2437
or (800)649-2437.

storyline that resulted in Emmys for both her portrayer Ellen Wheeler
and David Canary, who plays both Scott's adoptive father Stuart and his
uncle Adam), Bobby Warner (whose parents are supercouple of the
eighties Cliff and Nina Warner), and Laura Kirk (who is not Brooke's
deceased daughter although Brooke is currently competing with Janet for
surrogate motherhood). Michael is also the brother of Laurel Dillon
(who has been murdered by homophobes in a hate crime directed at
Michael), making him Tim and Amanda's uncle, and Trevor's
brother-in—law.

The writers and producers have gone out of their ways to compare the
"Christian" Right with Nazi Germany. Michael came out in class during
a discussion on how the Nazis segregated people by tags; he declared
that he would have been forced to wear a pink triangle. Stuart, Adam,
Palmer, Gloria, Dixie, Jack, Myrtle, and several other characters have
defended Michael by stating that everyone is different in their own way
and no one should be judged because of it. Stodgy old Enid Nelson
(remember Greg?) has taken up the crusade against Michael (just as she

10

26

CHERIE TAR'IT STARS in her new review
Cherie “Tar1are”—She came, She saw, She ate it
raw! (a lounge act) 8 pm Blairs, Plattsburgh. A
Benefit $5.00.

INSIDE OUTRIGHT VT— A one hour
introductory group for g/l/b/q young people under
23 wanting to know more about Outright. An
opportunity to learn what services Outright offers
including what a typical peer support looks like and
how it works. Meeting the last Friday of every
month form 7-9pm. 1.800.GLB-CHAT.

27

CHERIE TAR'IT STARS in her new review
Cherie “Tan:are”—She came, She saw, She ate it
raw! (a lounge act) 9pm 135 Pearl, Burlington. A
Benefit $5.00 cover.

OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS — Envelope stuffing
for May issue, 10:00 am; Staff/Board Meeting for
all interested at 1:00 p.m. 109 South Winooski
Avenue, Burlington. Come find out how you can get
involved with the newspaper and related publishing
ventures. For more info, call Hugh at (802)
388-6503 or Steven at (802) 864-6399.

28

MEN'S TEA DANCE — Sponsored by the
Mansfield Bucks for the Men's Health Project. DJ,
snacks provided, no cover. 7-10 p.m., 135 Pearl,
Burlington. For more info, call (802) 863-2437.

MAY
4

W.O.W. MOONLIGHT MONTREAL TRIP —-
See the Old City, the Biodome, and go on the cruise
if you dare. Meet at the Park'n'Ride in Montpelier at
8:30 am. RSVP by April 20 to 454-8654 to arrange
overnight accomodations.

10

OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS DEADLINE for
materials to appear in our special June "Pride" issue.
For more details on submission procedures, call
Hugh at 388-6503. V

 

did against HIV+ Cindy) and other characters are
being forced to take sides and question their own
beliefs, most notably Trevor, who twice has freaked
out upon seeing Michael dining out in public with
another man. (His wife Laurel's response to his
accusation that two men eating together in public
meant there was something sexual going on: "I'll
remember that the next time Dixie invites me to
lunch here.")

Daytime viewers are being treated to a storyline that
boldly tackles the audience's negative opinions and
stomps them into the ground. Gay and gay-friendly
soap fans need to let the networks know that we are
an important demographic who should not be
ignored. Let's all show our support by tuning in! ~

Steve Eowell
St. Johnsbuiy, Vennont V