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GAY CHOIR FESTIVAL Eleven gay choirs from various countries in Europe participated at the 4th European Gay Choir Festival from 20-23 May. The Festival was hosted by "Manner Minne" in Berlin.

OSLO CONFERENCE The 10th International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) Annual Conference will be held this year in Oslo on the week commencing June 26. The conference will as usual discuss the future of the ILGA, youth, special ILGA projects and issues concerning women. Proposed workshop topics include AIDS, disabled gays and lesbians, racism, sexism, lesbian feminism as an information workshop for men, paedophilia and the occasion of the new law in Denmark regarding registered partnership for homosexual couples. There will also be reports on the ILGA Information Pools and projects which include anti-discrimination laws, consultative status at the UN and the Council of Europe, protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Lesbian and Gay Prisoners and a model anti-discrimination clause.

Possible Dangers of AZT HIV anti-body positive people who show no symptoms of AIDS and take AZT or RETROV are "courting serious danger" according to the noted AIDS specialist, Dr. Paul Volberding, of San Francisco's General Hospital AIDS Unit. Dr. Volberding, who was recently interviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle and New York Native, maintains there is no evidence that AZT can help infected people who show no symptoms of the disease, and that there is a danger of overwhelming toxicity from the drug, as well as the possibility that patients who use it while their immune systems are still functioning, before they really need it, can become resistant to the drug's helpful effects. He said that "AZT is the most potent drug we are likely to see in the next number of months. All of the information on AZT is in treatment of people with AIDS and ARC. There is no evidence for or against the long-term toxicity in asymptomatics. We hope that the side-effects would be less severe. We hope that other drugs will prove to be active. I support pressure to get other drugs tested. There is an obvious need to develop better drugs".

SECTION 28 EFFECTIVENESS BLUNTED BY NEW RULING Dame Jill Knight, the leading proponent of the UK's Section 28 (Local Government Act 1988) is sporting more than a red face after being informed that the infamous Section does not affect teachers and governors as initially intended. Furthermore, local authorities are not prevented from offering their full range of services to lesbians and gay men. This new interpretation of the law came to light with a circular issued by the Department of Environment on May 31st. The circular spells out that: "The responsibility for sex education continues to rest with school governing bodies by virtue of Section 18 of the Education (No 2) Act and Section 28 does not affect the accountability of school governors nor of teachers. It will not prevent the objective discussion of homosexuality in the classroom nor the counselling of pupils concerned about their sexuality". London's Pink Paper quoted Dame Jill in angry mood: "This is clearly not what we intended for this amendment and I do feel that we have been misled. I find the circular unbelievable as it leaves the way open for some councils to exploit the apparent legal loopholes. We were told that the place for our legislation was the Local Government Bill and not the Education Bill, it would appear we have been sold a false prospectus as all I ever wanted to do was to protect children by stopping books like Jenny lives with Peter and Martin (sic) from being shown to children". Local councils still cannot "intentionally promote" homosexuality although teachers and governors are free to do so and it remains to be seen if the Government will risk further embarrassment in amending Section 28. Some senior government ministers have already indicated a reluctance to introduce any further anti-gay legislation and indeed are not keen for there to be a prosecution under Section 28.

The Saint goes marching out On Eurovision night the world's largest - and ultimately the most extraordinary - discotheque closed its doors. After eight years in business, The Saint said its goodbyes to a packed crowd of 5,000 native New Yorkers and visitor "delegations" from throughout Europe (including Ireland). Among the artistes who performed during the over the top closing party were Betty Buckley (of "Dreamgirls" fame), Sharon Redd, The Weather Girls and Mariena Shaw, whose rendition of "Suite Seventeen", inc. "Touch Me in the Morning" had dancers in tears. Viola Wills, expected to appear, had to opt out at the last minute. GCN Issue 5 will be carrying a tribute to The Saint from a Dublin man who was present at the weekend closing party.

U.S. PRESIDENTIAL RACE In the first ever large-scale survey of the presidential preferences of U.S. gay and lesbian voters, a majority of respondents indicated a preference for the Rev. Jesse Jackson. The survey was mailed to 9,700 members of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force earlier this year. Out of a response rate of 24.1%, Jackson got a 36% preference followed by Michael Dukakis at 29% and Senator Paul Simon with 12%. No other candidate received more than 5% of the vote.

"14TH JUNE Angelica Georgini, the opera singer who became the lover of Queen Christina after her abdi­cation, is commemorated today. 18TH JUNE Raymond Radiguet, Cocteau's adolescent poet-lover (otherwise known as ""Monsieur Bebe"") who died at twenty-four and whose funeral was paid for by Gabrielle ""Coco"" Chanel, born at Saint Maur, France, 1901. 24TH JUNE On this day in 1980 at Dublin's High Court (Court No. 5 to be precise) David Norris opened his Constitutional Action against the Irish Government, taken on behalf of Irish gay people to repeal sections of the Criminal Law. 25TH JUNE Irish novelist, Forrest Reid, who correctly surmising Henry James's homosexuality, dedicated his mildly gay novel ""The Garden God"" (1905) to the American writer, only to have James condemn the book for its ""artless portrayal of sinister matters"", born today in Belfast, 1876. 26TH JUNE The first revolt by gay patrons of the Stonewall Bar against police harassment, Greenwich Village, New York City 1969, and now recognised internationally as the beginning of the modern homosexuality civil rights movement. 28TH JUNE Former Minister for Health and brilliant Irish Statesman, Dr. Noel Browne, unveiled a plaque outside the 1 year old Hirschfeld Centre, Dublin's first comprehensive gay community centre, in 1980, almost 61 years to the day that Magnus Hirschfeld, established the Institute for Sexual Science (later to be destroyed by Nazi stormtroopers) in Berlin. 30TH JUNE Today is in memory of Montezuma 1, Emperor of Ancient Mexico, who, in a grisly variation of having one's cake and eating it too, was known to have cannibalized the boys he had sodomized. Fadó Fadó METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH supports Lesbian and Gay Pride Week and invites you to view the video ""GOD, GAYS AND THE GOSPEL"" as part of the exhibition of recent Irish gay history in the Irish Film Institute, 4/5 Eustace Street, Dublin 2. Saturday 25th June between 2 and 5pm. All Welcome. M.C.C., 12 Eden Park, Sandycove, Co. Dublin. Tel: (01)842486."

"At last the season was changing and the longer evenings were welcomed. People too seemed to change with the seasons. Some were inspired by the birds to sing and laugh, until the clouds came and the rain returned. But how Aggie loved the rain! Needless to say that's why she lived in Dublin. She was a woman of many moods and Irish weather suited her frequent changes of mood amicably. She worked in an antique shop in town and was embodied by her work, the people who bought and sold their heirlooms and the general comings and goings of Dublin life. The familiarities of faces in the streets pleased her greatly. Dublin was her home, her security, but she often had the need to travel if only to escape the certainty that each time she left her flat she would meet at least one person she knew. The obscurity of a large far­ away city excited her and each time she travelled her appetite for travel increased. She hungered for those places that she had yet to see. On her travels she encountered so many different people and she loved the variation. One such person, named Skye, was outrageous in her personality and dress and her outlook on life. Their meeting was one which would normally have turned sour but Skye's personality, being one to look on the lighter side, resulted in their becoming close friends. Aggie was rushing to catch her flight home, she had not booked her ticket and fate being what it is she met Skye in a similar predicament. They were both hoping to buy a cancelled ticket. There was one seat left and Skye being the more assertive purchased the ticket and left for Dublin leaving an, to say the least, annoyed Aggie to wait for the next flight. Aggie made the most of her wait cursing the woman who snatched her seat. She eventually arrived back in Dublin having quite forgotten her misfortune. Her renewed security at being home once more put her in a good mood and she settled back into life with happy memories of her recent trip. It was a mild summer evening and Aggie had little to busy herself with. She had just settled down to cocoa and a good book when there was a rhythmic knock on the door. She opened and was greeted by a smiling face that soon changed to one of shock. In unison she exchanged ""YOU!"". Skye was quick off the mark saying how small a world it was. Aggie was dumbstruck and tried to smile. But many thoughts ran through her head. Skye waltzed in the door and sat in Aggie's chair and helped herself to the full mug of cocoa. Then she began to ramble on, something that Aggie would grow accustomed to. Skye was overjoyed to find a friend so quickly. Aggie sat down and listened to this strange woman who had invaded her life so easily. She was a very private person and yet she could not find offence in Skye's manner. Then Skye got up to make her exit as quickly as she had entered. But as she opened the door to the next flat Aggie realised only then that this woman was her new neighbour. All week she had heard so many strange noises coming from the next door and now she knew why. She closed her door in her usual quiet manner and jumped when she heard Skye slam hers. She stood there next to the door somehow bewildered. She felt cold and decided to go to bed. As she passed her chair and the empty mug she thought of Skye and laughed at how strange she felt. It was some weeks before they met again. Aggie was busy at work arranging the sale of some crockery. She hadn't thought much of her new neighbour. She was smiling to herself about the first night Skye came to visit when she heard the door. She turned to see Skye with her usual smiling face. Aggie, surprised, felt a blush creep up to her face, which surprised her even more. She asked Skye how she came to be in the shop. ""Oh, I got the bus,"" said Skye quite coolly. Aggie wanted to know how Skye knew where she worked but decided it better to leave her question unanswered. ""I'm going to a party tonight"". Aggie's head churned to think of an excuse but before she could Skye asked if she could borrow something to wear. ""It's a fancy dress and I thought you might have something that's unusual."" Aggie felt embarrassed once more. ""Sure."" ""O.K. that's great. I'll call in later,"" and before Aggie could say anything else Skye flew out the door. She felt perplexed and thought of nothing else for the rest of the day. Aggie opened her wardrobe doors. She wondered what Skye would be interested in. Her clothes were quite normal she thought to herself as she thought about Skye she found herself smiling again. Trying to imagine Skye in some of her clothes, that would be unusual. She left her bedroom and noticed it was late. There were no sounds from next door. So she went to bed thinking Skye forgot or found something ""unusual"" in her own wardrobe. She woke with a start, it was one in the morning and there was a loud impatient knocking on the door. Thinking the house to be on fire or some disaster imminent, she jumped out of bed and ran to the door. Skye stood there smiling. Aggie, relieved, smiled also. ""Cute legs,"" said Skye and Aggie realised she'd forgotten to put her robe on. She retreated to her bedroom with Skye hot on her heels. She picked up her robe and held it close to her body. ""I thought you were going to a party?"" ""Well I thought it would be more fun to spend the night with you"". Aggie was speechless to say the least. Skye took a step closer and kissed Aggie tenderly on the lips. Aggie thought to resist but her body yielded gratefully. They embraced each other, their bodies touching for the first time. Aggie could feel the softness of Skye's breasts against hers. Skye's hands gently flowed over her body, she kissed her deeply, and started to open her nightshirt. Aggie felt so many emotions at the same time. But something felt so perfect. Skye cupped her right breast and brought her mouth to Aggie's erect nipple. She sucked gently to the delight of Aggie, who thought the world more beautiful than ever. But then nothing else seemed to matter. Skye placed Aggie on the bed and after removing her own clothes lay beside her. Caressing her warm body their bodies soon mingled and became entangled. The warm, soft flesh was pleasing to them both. Skye smiled at Aggie once more. Aggie looked into her dark, hazed eyes then Skye began to slide down Aggie's body. She muzzled her breasts, sucked her nipples, bit her stomach. Never stopping or staying in any one place, she was everywhere at once. She moved down Aggie's legs kissing and tasting. Aggie felt on the brink of Heaven. She gasped then as she felt Skye's warm tongue sink into her moist folds. Teasing gently Skye felt her body throb. Her dreams were now coming true. Aggie had attracted her from the first day at the airport. Now that was far away. She tasted Aggie again. They rolled over and over. They pulsated and then in each other's pleasure they had the greatest pleasure and sank into each other's bodies. Who was this woman she now held in her arms? She held her closer, afraid to speak for fear she would break the dream and wake up. Soon she slept. Skye was content just lying next to Aggie. But as dawn approached she slipped out of bed put on her clothes and left quietly. To be continued."

"Pisces (February 20-March 20) Pisces: at the moment you don't seem to be the person you should be, so stop worrying; relax and get out and start meeting people, especially friends that you have not seen. So enjoy lfe! Also, towards the end of the month you could be very busy with a lot of projects on your hands. Getting a loan from a bank will bring a lot of delays. Aries (March 21-April 20) Aries: you seem at the moment to be very careful, and you wonder why? There are a lot of choices ahead of you in the business end of your life, but you seem to be looking for easy money. Stop dreaming and putting things on the long finger. Bring a bit more hope and a little more of an aim into your life and start living. Taurus (April 21-May 21) Taurus: you seem to be just about to come out of limbo and boy/girl things should be happening for you, especially with the amount of ideas you have been having and anything to do with your career is a good thing. Also your love life will be on the upsurge, so all in all June seems to be a month of action for you. Gemini (May 22-June 21) Gemini: stand your ground this month and you will be happier for it. But please stop worrying about things that are not the issue. Towards the end of the month there seems to be a need for you to get away for a break, so start saving. A reunion with someone from your past could spell trouble, so don't say you haven't been warned. Cancer (June 22-July 21) Cancer: my, my, you seem to be in a bit of a rut this month, but don't let that stop you. Something as simple as going to a movie, or going for a walk on your tod will brighten you up. Other than that, you know, you do have a lot of things going for you which should give you a reason to smile. So, with that smile on your face, get out and about and try new things; you will be a better person for it. Leo (July 22-August 23) Leo: life for you at the moment seems to be going nice and smooth, which can only be a good thing. A new project will set your sights high, and you will come in for a bonus for doing so well. A letter of good news will mean a lot for you. Virgo (August 24-September 23) Virgo: everything it seems is on the move for you and a lot of changes will come from this, which gives me a feeling of a journey, so it could be a good thing. Working with your head, or someone else's, will get you places, so stick with your gut feeling and I hope everything will work out for you. Scorpio (October 24-November 22) Scorpio: someone you call a friend is gossiping, so be careful, it could result in a quarrel. Follow your instincts and stick with them. If you have been working too hard try and relax, as you seem to be bearing the brunt of the strain. A complex problem will be solved and you will slap yourself for not thinking of it sooner, for the solution is simple. If you work with your hands you will break new ground and will gain a lot. Sagittarius (November 23-December 21) Sagittarius: all the negative things you have been going through in recent months are about to end, and towards the end of the month everything, and I mean EVERYTHING should be going your way. A chance meeting with someone creative will mean something special for you. Capricorn (December 22-January 20) Capricorn: recent plans have gone haywire, but that should not bother you, for you are the type of person with ideas, and big ideas at that, so stop talking about it and start doing. An old friend will give you that shoulder to lean on, but don't overdo it on the leaning, as it could backfire on you. Aquarius (January 21-February 19) Aquarius: you seem to be biding your time to make that move on someone and, for some reason, I don't like it. If it helps you, well and good. Money will be tight this month, but that should not stop you from having fun. Dreaming about far and distant lands could be a good thing, so why don’t you? Make plans and follow them through. You won't regret it."

Anne Marie McCarthy BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED Starring Hugh Cronin and Jessica Tandy. Dir Matthew Robbins. Yet another from the 'Steven Spielberg Presents' stable of lovable aliens who arrive in times of trouble to help their hapless human counterparts. Hugh Cronin and Jessica Tandy star as Frank and Faye, an old and long married couple living in a tenement in East 8th Street New York. Also living in the building is a young single pregnant Hispanic girl, an artist with artist's block and an ex­ fighter who never talks. An unscrupulous property developer has his eye on the site and employs a local street gang to terrorise the inhabitants of 817 East 8th Street. A miracle as Frank says is needed. Since the stage is now set and the good guy and bad guy parts have been cast a miracle is obviously on the way. However these days, and particularly in anything to do with Spielberg, miracles and divine intervention usually come in the form of creatures from outer space. Faye, Frank's wife is the first to see the miniature spaceships, however since she is, to put it vulgarly, ninepence to the shilling, she is not believed. Finally hoever the whole building has seen them and hope returns once more to all at No. 817. Instead of having borrowers in the building they have fixers. What with the tenants banding together and the building beginning to regain some of its former glory, the time has come for the evil developer to act with renewed force. Batteries Not Included is a 'nice' film and the little spaceships are especially cute.They even get together and produce offspring, one of them, because it won't work, giving the film its name. Harry (Frank McRae), the taciturn ex-boxer who uses advertising slogans instead of speech reckons its batteries were not included when it was made. It is mainly a kid's film. Unlike E.T. which appealed across all ages I don't think this one will. However if you can borrow a child its a pleasant way to spend a wet afternoon.