Community Resource Directory

AGENDA Seeks Pen Pals

They say it's lonely at the top. We're not quite at the top, but t sure is lonely way up here on the fifth floor of a seven story office building!

With a circulation of 20,000 we're now reaching readers all over Washtenaw County. Peering out our window, over the row of rooftops, we wonder who you all are and what you think of AGENDA? Is there an artide to which you had a particularly strong reaction? We welcome your letters. Letters received in the first half of the month are more likely to be printed.

VOLUNTEERS: As always, AGENDA is seeking volunteers. Please call if you can help distribute the paper at the end of the month , if you can assist with fundraising, or if you have bookkeeping computer skills to lend. AGENDA also needs writers and reporters. If you'd like to talk to us about ideas for stories or are willing to take a reporting assignment, please call! We are still in need of writers to cover cultural events.

COMMUNITY RESOURCE DIRECTORY (CRD): July is "CRD revitalization month" at AGENDA. This means we are working to make the CRD bigger and better. CRD entries are now formatted as articles with headlines. These anieles, written by group representativos, should contain information about the group's current activities or news that is relevant to the group's purpose. CRD entries will continue to include group meeting times and places. For a minimum fee, your organization can greatly increase its public visibility through the CRD. CRD entries for August are due July 15. Call for more information.

ADVERTISING: AGENDA is seeking to increase its non-business advertising. AGENDA ads can work for community organizations in many ways: recruitment of new members, publicizing upcoming events, highlighting an issue, advertising job openings, advertising items for sale, or announcing meetings. AGENDA is also a great place to advertise publications and political campaigns. The deadline for camera-ready ads is the 23rd of each month. Please reserve space by the 15th. AGENDA also offers art production services. Write or cali for an advertising rate card. We are also seeking ad representatives to work for AGENDA. Call if interested!

SUBSCRIPTIONS: AGENDA, by definition, is FREE. "Free" (def.): 1. At liberty; not bound or constrained, 2. Politically independent, 3.Uninhibited, 4. Costing nothing; gratuitous, 5. Publicly supported. Question: Why subscribe to a free" newspaper? Answer: To support the continued existence of a "free" newspaper. If you read and like AGENDA, consider subscribing. With a $15 per year subscription you can support AGENDA while increasing its readership. Send a gift subscription to a friend who has moved away from Ann Arbor!

DEADLINES for August edition July 11: News/feature first draft. July 15: Calendar & Community Resource Directory listings.

AGENDA, 202 E. Washington 512, Ann Arbor, Ml 48104, 996-8018.

Anti-Gay Violence Up in 1987

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has released a study reporting that incidents of harassment and violence against lesbians and gay men rose by 42% in 1987. In Michigan, 232 ncidents of violence and harassment were reported; this figure is the 1 2th highest level among 32 States and the District of Columbia. Michigan groups have reported 185 cases of harassment, 3 physical assaults, 20 incidents of vandalism or intimidation, and 6 bomb threats. This backlash against our community is attributed to fear and anger concerning AIDS. 15% of all the reported incidents and 5% of the physical assaults included verbal reference to AIDS or were directed against people with AIDS.

A recent survey undertaken by Michigan State University has shown that people familiar with AIDS tend to be more tolerant of people with AIDS than are persons who are unfamiliar with the facts about the disease.

OTHER NEWS: A Federal Appeals court has recently set aside its landmark ruling that struck down the U.S. Army's ban on homosexual people. The 25 judge 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has granted a requestfrom the Reagan Administration to referthe case to an 11-member panel for a hearing. The Appeals Court did not offer any reason for referring the case.

On a local level, members of the Lesbian and Gay Rights Organizing Committee (LaGROC) recently held hands and put their arms around one another during a "shopping trip" to the Briarwood Mall. The group is endeavoring to educate the public about homosexuality and to urge citizens to support the rights of lesbians and gay men. Other "public displays of affection" have been held at such campus bars as Dooley's and Charley's.

Gay Liberation's Purpose is to provide information, counseling, and related social services for people concerned about sexual orientation: (1) maintain Hotline for crisis intervention, peer counseling, referral; (2) provide tactual information to offset prejudice and misinformation about lesbians and gay men; (3) work to obtain human and civil rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation; (4) help lesbian and gay men's groups organize; (5) link to other community groups.

Community services include: a Hotline: crisis intervention, peer counseling, referral. Education: workshops and conferences on lesbian and gay male concerns, with an emphasis on how people in the "helping professions" and "teaching professions" can work positively with lesbian and gay male clients, patients, students. Speakers Bureau: phone for information. Human & Civil Rights: information and referral to help people under discrimination because of their actual or presumed sexual orientation or because of their presumed "cross-gender" characteristics; lobbying for human and civil rights. Community Organizing: information and assistance in organizing groups, setting goals, addressing conflict, linking with other groups and resources.

Gay Liberation meetings vary according to purpose; we do most of our work in sub-committees (counseling, groupwork, education, civil rights). Call for time and place. Gay Liberation includes U-M students, staff, and faculty, and people from the larger community. We have a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. At present we have approximately fifty members. We're a registered non-profit organization.

Gay Liberation, co 4117 Michigan Union, Ann Arbor, Ml 48109, info: 763-4186; hotline: 662-1977.

Project to Aid Vietnamese Agriculture

Hunger and malnutrition have sharply risen in northern areas of Vietnam recently. This crisis is due, in part, to adverse weather conditions in the region, but the primary responsibility for this problem rests squarely on the shoulders of past and present U.S. administrations. During the Vietnam War, the U.S. conducted a saturation bombing campaign which not only cratered much of Vietnam's arable land, but left unexploded munitions buried throughout the countryside, making farming operations extremely dangerous. Through the U.S. defoliation campaign, the spraying of carcinogenic Agent Orange has permanently altered the ecosystem, thus hindering Vietnam's efforts to increase agricultural output.

The U.S. policy of oppression against the people of Vietnam has continued since the Vietnam War. Under the Trading With the Enemy Act, any transaction between Vietnam and a U.S. citizen or firm must be licensed by the State Department. The Reagan Administration also pressures its allies n the regbn to economically soiate Vietnam. This has managed to stifle the development of the transportation and industrial infrastructure, which is necessary to increase agricultural output in Vietnam.

In response to this situation, the Ann Arbor Vietnam Coop Assistance Project (AVCAP) has recently formed. AVCAP is presently conducting a fundraising effort, in conjunction with Oxfam USA, to send an electricity generator to the Van To Village Co-op in Vietnam. AVCAP is also sponsoring a presentation by Rev. Barbara Fuller at 8 pm on Thurs. July 7 in the West Conference Room of the U-M Rackham Building. Rev. Fuller is a founding member of the Interfaith Council for Peace, a Vietnam anti-war activist, and an expert on the current economic and political situation in Vietnam. She will speak about the Vietnam War, the economic blockade, her recent fact finding trip to Vietnam, the crisis of hunger there, and how AVCAP's project fits in with Vietnam's efforts to develop its agricultural sector. Admission is free and all are welcome.

AVCAP's goals are: 1. To assist the development of Vietnamese agriculture by sending aid to the Van To Village Co-op in Vietnam. 2. To educate the community about the devastating effects of the Vietnam War and the U.S.'s present economic embargo against Vietnam. 3. To highlight U-M's role in promoting the Vietnam War by conducting weapons research for the Pentagon, and U-M's current niche in the military-industrial complex. 4. To help forge links between the citizens of Ann Arbor and Vietnam, in the hope that this will hasten the

(see AVCAP, page 10) 

AVCAP (continued from page 9)

pace of reconciliation between the two countries and that it will encourage the U.S. government to (as it once promised) help reconstruct the war-devastated Vietnamese economy.

AVCAP meetings are Tuesdays at 8pm in Rm. 4202 Michigan Union. AVCAP is seeking people who are interested in working on this project. If you cannot attend our meetings but would like to become involved, please leave a message at the Rackham Student Government office, 763-5271.

AVCAP, c/o Rackham Student Government, 2006 Rackham Bldg., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, 763-5271.

Solidarity Discussion Series Begins 

Solidarity is an organization committed to building a non-sectarian socialist movement in the U.S. We are socialist activists who participate in the struggles against racism and sexism, as well as the struggles for lesbian and gay rights. We firmly believe that any socialist movement worthy of the name must join in these struggles now rather than perpetuate the illusion that they can either be separated from or take a back seat to the class struggle.

We oppose the growing U.S. drive toward war, whether that be in the Middle East or Central America. We support the PLO in its struggle against Israeli oppression. We see the need for international solidarity among working people and the oppressed in a period of concessions, deindustrialization, unemployment and the growing debt crisis. We believe in a creative rethinking of social ism for the 90s in which an open environment and a variety of views are more important than presenting a monolithic face to the world or engaging in pretenses of being the vanguard."

A discussion series sponsored by Solidarity this summer offers socialist interpretations of a number of political struggles. Recent topics have included U.S. foreign policy, racism, and the labor movement in the U.S. Discussions, initiated by a speaker, are held every other Thursday at the Guild House, beginning at 7:30 pm. Discussions in July will be on the 14th and the 28th. The first of these, featuríng Dianne Feeley and Erik Meiander, will focus on the U.S. left and in particular on its relations with the liberation struggles of women and people of color. The meeting on July 28 wil feature Elissa Clark, who will speak on socialist feminism. Ali who are interested in these topics or who would like to learn more about Solidarity are invited to attend.

Solidarity, 507 W. Hurón Apt 1, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, 665-2709.

LASC Plans July 17 Celebration

On July 19, 1979 the Nicaraguan people overthrew the brutal, U.S. backed Somoza dictatorship. Since that time, despite U.S. efforts to crush it, Nicaraguans have been working to create a just society and a prosperous nation.

Join LASC and AMISTAD on Jury 17 in celebrating the ninth anniversary of the Nicaraguan revolution (two days early, on Sunday). There will be speakers, music, booths, and a good time tor all at the West Park bandshell (by Seventh and Miller) from 2 to 7 pm. Please come out and show your solidarity with the Nicaraguan people and with all those fighting for self-determination in Latin America.

LASC's purpose is to support the legitimate aspirations of Latin American peoples to self-determination. LASC aims to increase awareness in the U.S. about contemporary realities in Latin America and the U.S. role in the region. Because current U.S. foreign policy perpetuates violence and injustice, LASC acts as a community of concerned citizens to pressure our government to change its military, political, and economic policies toward Latin America.

LASC sponsors educational events such as films, slide shows, and speakers. The outreach committee provides speakers for University and high school classes as well as for other groups interested in Latin American issues. If you would like somebody to speak, contact us at 665-8438. The LASC newsletter La Palabra reaches about 800 subscribers. It contains a summary of our activities and updates on the news from Latin America.

LASC meetings are Wednesdays at 8 pm in Room 2435 Mason Hall. The second and fourth meetings of the month will be devoted to the study of Latin American issues. Examples include: the struggle for liberation in El Salvador, the U.S. militarization of Costa Rica, and the role of the U.S. in political debate within Nicaragua. At the first and third meetings we will conduct regular LASC business. All are welcome to join in our meetings. Information about weekly activities can be obtained by visiting or calling the LASC office. The office is staffed from 12 to 1 pm on weekdays, and messages can be left on the answering machine at all other times.

Latin American Solidarity Committee (LASC), 4120 Michigan Union, Ann Arbor, Ml 48109, 665-8438.

WHE-AC Brings Hunger Issues Home

WHE-AC continues to have a table at the Farmer's market every Saturday morning from 9am to 12 noon. In addition, we are co-sponsoring a talk by Rev. Barbara Fuller entitled "U.S. Policy of Oppression: The U.S. and Vietnam, the War and its Aftermath." It will be on Thursday July 7 at 8 pm in the West Conference Room of the Rackham Building. We are also preparing for the Art Fair and upcoming fall activities including the Oxfam Fast and working with an Overseas Development Network project.

WHE-AC is a campus-based group made up of students and non-students dedicated to examining the causes of hunger in the world and working toward solutions. WHE-AC has been active for the past five years. It supports Oxfam America, which is an international agency that funds self-help development projects and disaster relief in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. If you are interested in working with WHE-AC or would like to learn more about us, feel free to attend a meeting.

WHE-AC meetings are Wednesdays at 6 pm in Room 4202 Michigan Union. All are welcome!

World Hunger Education-Action Committee (WHE-AC), 4202 Michigan Union, Ann Arbor, Ml 48109, 663-4301.

WAND to Present Controversial Film

Sunday, July 10, WAND will present the movie "Amazing Grace and Chuck' at its monthly meeting. The film is about a 12-year old little leaguer and a professional basketball star who give up their careers to protest nuclear weapons. The movie, starring Gregory Peck, was pulled by the distributor before it was able to appear in most major U.S. cities! Why?! The meeting will be held at St. Aidan's/Northside Church, 1679 Broadway, Ann Arbor. New members are always welcome. Doors open at 7 pm, the meeting begins at 7:30 pm and the movie will begin at 8 pm.

WAND's goals are to educate ourselves and the public about the dangers of continued nuclear arms buildup, to influence our Congressional representatives by informed lobbying, and to empower people, especially women, personally and politically.

WAND meetings are held the second Sunday night of the month at St. Aidan's Northside Church, 1679 Broadway, Ann Arbor. Cali our Information Hotline at 761-1 71 8 for a message announcing important lobbying information, meeting times, and upcoming events. Our Speaker's Bureau provides trained speakers who will address groups, classes, and public forums and rallies on a variety of issues. Contact Tobi Hanna-Davies at 662-7869. Washtenaw County Women' Action for Nuclear Disarmament, Inc. (WAND) P.O. Box 1815 Ann Arbor, Ml 481061815, 761-1718

We regret that some of the events of groups listed in the Community Resource Directory did not make their way into the Calendar.