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‘Weekday at Bernie's:

Interview with Rep. Bernie Sanders

aantinued from page 1

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pregnant‘ women and newborn children. What was your position on this HIV testing
controversy?
Sanders: We are opposed to mandatory testing.

0IT M : In view of incidents like the 1992 Republican convention, the gays in the military
debate and Senator Bob Dole's recent support of the Christian Coalition's (anti-gay)
"marriage-protection resolution," do you think that gay men and lesbians are being
exploited politically?

Sanders: The country right now is being run by extremely right wing people. In every

' instance, gays and lesbians will be used to divide America. Theywill be used in order to

obfuscate and run away from the real economic issues facing this country. They will be
blamed for many of the problems. If there is a problem in a school system, gays and
lesbians will be blamed for that. If children become drug addicts, gays and lesbians will
be blamed for that. Any social problem that exists will be targeted toward gays and
lesbians, poor people, and people of color. ‘

That is the standing operating procedure of the Christian Coalition and the right wing of
the Republican party. As long as those people remain in power, we can expect more and
more homophobia and more and more assaults on gays  because a culture is being
developed which says that it is appropriate to do that. When you have openly
homophobic people in leadership positions in the United States Congress, you can expect
that attitude to filter on down and to create very bad results.

CIT M : After her death it was revealed that U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan (D—Texas)
was a lesbian. What impact, if any, do you think this disclosure may have on her political
legacy?

Sanders: Not much. She has a strong political legacy and it will stand on its own.

Maine Group to Expand

AUGUSTA, ME -- Following the success of their campaign to halt passage of
anti-gay rights legislation, the group Maine Won’t Discriminate hopes to capitalize
on its momentum and create a new activist network in the state. An initial planning
meeting is set for Saturday, May 11th, from 1-4:00 p.m. at the Pine Tree State
Arboretum in Augusta.

In a recently drafted announcement, the planning committee stated, “We need to
pursue a community-based, grass roots organizing of projects. The network will
provide an opportunity to share resources and ideas; learn of opportunities and calls
for action; get and give help on individual projects; renew in our coming together
the energy, strength, and commitment that we bring to our work for equal rights and
justice.”

Though motivated mainly by their efforts on behalf of Maine’s lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgendered communities, the group also hopes to address other
issues pertaining to social and economic justice. “Nothing is written in stone,” they
say. “We’re hoping for a representation from as large a cross—section of the
community and allies as possible.”

Erica Rand of Lewiston and Ray Rogers of Waterville will co-facilitate the meeting.
For more information, contact Erica at 207.782.0975. V

Rozema Scores Again With

“When Night is Falling”

Reviewed by Nat Harrison

Patricia Rozema, the Canadian womyn who gave us the film “I’ve Heard the
Mermaids Singing,” shows her strengths yet again with “When Night is Falling,”
which recently showed in Vermont at Montpelier’s Savoy Theater and *via
Catarnount Arts in St’. Iohnsbury.

“When Night is Falling” stars Pascale Bussieres, Rachel Crawford, and Henry
Czemy, each of whom pulses throughout the film (and let’s not forget Bob, the little
terrierl). Bob is the catalyst for two women, Petra and a weeping Camille, to meet
while their wash tumbles in the dryers at the laundromat. That day, the two womyn’s
worlds of illusion begin colliding: Petra.-’s Fellini—esque backdrop of the Sirkus of
Sorts and Camille’s controlled Calvinist College environment.

Camille wrenches herself back and forth while Petra plays Cupid, even to the point of
shooting an arrow through Camille’s window and sitting in a tree outside her office
window. Mixed with the angst in the film are buoyant moments including a hang
gliding adventure and the scene in which Petra meets the Reverend at the College.
Add to that exquisite lovemaking, on red velvet, while the circus shimmer and soars
1n the backdrop, and the romance of the film floods in like the tide. It continues even
though the final credits, with Bob ending the story in a way that made my
companion cheer with delight.

In the United States, “When .Night is Falling” was given an NC17 rating, while other
countries such as Canada, Australia, and Germany rated it PGI3 and ran it in
mainstream theaters. “I strongly suspect homophobia, and I vaguely suspect racism,”
Rozema told the Village Voice. “Twisted: sex is fine, but a very tender love scene -

d0n’t even want to call it a sex scene  is threatening.” Instead of accepting the
NC17 rating, Rozema opted to have the film released unrated, thereby killing its
chances for mainstream showing in the United States.

Even the New York Times refused to run fan ad showing the two lovers lying together,

tastefully covered.’ Rozema joked about airbrushing a mustache on one of the womyn ..

I0 make it look more acceptable. And though the controversy may help boost ticket
33185. Rozema warned, “I’m afraid the raincoat brigade is going to come out and be

really disappointed!” V :

May 1996

OIT M : What are your thoughts about your upcoming reelection campaign?

Sanders: We only won by 3 percent last time. We are taking on the Republican National
Committee which will pump $110,000 in hard money into my opponent’s campaign and
maybe an equal amount in soft money. We are taking on the ruling class in the State of
Vermont and the big money interests. We are taking on the NRA. We are taking on the
Christian Coalition. I think we have a tough race. We are asking and will ask for the
support of all progressive forces in the State of Vermont, including the gay and lesbian
community. .

OITM: Do you have a final message for the readers of OITM?

Sanders: My message is that all people who are concerned about progressive politics, who
are concerned about civil rights, who are concerned about the economic well—being of the
middle class and the working class of this country, have got to appreciate how frightening
the times are in which we live.

The current United States Congress is the most reactionary Congress in the modern history
of America. Their leadership is not only homophobic, but much of it is sexist and
anti—women. There is currently a war being waged by Gingrich and his friends against the
low income people of this country and against the working class of this country. If a
Republican becomes President of the United States, and if the Republicans retain control
of the House and the Senate, what you can expect are Constitutional amendments to l‘.:.m
abortion in America and you can expect legislation which will make life much rrmre
difficult for the gay and lesbian community.

What I would like to leave with the gay and lesbian community is my belief that 4
progressive forces have got to work together in opposition to the Republican leaders,’ tip
and the Republican party. Now I understand that the Democratic party also has nryry
serious problems, which is why I am not a Democrat. I believe we've got to move tow rd
a third party which represents ordinary Americans. . .that's not going to happen tomorrow.
For the present moment, I think we really need what used to be called a "United Front"
effort where people understand they've got to come together with other groups.

People have got to be concerned about what is happening to kids. You have to be
concerned about what’s going to happen to the elderly. The bottom line of all that is,
whether people want to or not, they’ve got to begin to think politically.

As Americans, we don’t think politically very often. You may be interested in your
concern, somebody else is interested in their concern, but people are not looking at the
overall picture. So when you ask me about this or that issue affecting the gay and lesbian
community, in my opinion, that is not the way to approach it. The way to approach it is to
understand that so long as Gingrich and his friends stay in power, everything that you
believe in, everything that you want to see for the gay and lesbian community is not going
to happen. In fact, the terror and the pressure will only be significantly increased. That’s
what the story is and "people have got to understand that.

These are frightening times. You’d be shocked to hear the openly homophobic remarks
made by people there...Republicans in general. People are going to have to stand up
and get organized and understand that the opposition is very strong. Our job is to
educate and to organize, and we look forward to working with the gay and lesbian
community in that direction V

Burlington, Vermon
8 6 3 - 2 3 4 3

/we///gof/eeéaatre

open every day noon-2 am April 1st All New Lunch Menu
Music, coffee, food, fun, smoking!
Sundays-Champagne Brunch — special brunch menu—mimosas

;60"&//

  

First Friday, Women’s Dance 5—9pm

Saturday, April 6 Pluto & Persephone
Fashion Show 11pm

Every Saturday Sat 8-10 I ' i
Retro Cocktail Lounge

-First well drink or 12oz. dra‘ on the Pearl
1st...Sunday

G.L.B. T. Pride ’96 Fundraiser

7—10 $3200 DJ Dancing etc.

Come support your community

All proceeds go to Pride without Borders

2nd...Sunday
Lipliner—Drag Show w/hostess Colette and special
guest Too Tall Tina 9PM
3rd...Sunday '

Women’s Cabaret
Monthly women’s entertainment
6—10»$3 Cover .
4th...Sunday Bucks Tea Dance 7-10 PM

WedneSdayS—Heartattack DJ Roberto & Friends

Satul‘dayS——Masspool DJ Dan Shaw

Mondays— '
Free Pool & “all you can eat” Wings $5.

 

Weekly Events
Sundays-Brunch 11-4
Tuesdays—$l Bud Drafts