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"Three women and six men were elected to the Administrative Council of the National Gay Federation in what was an exciting yet unsurprising contest on Sat­urday 30th January. The results in order of election were: Tonie Walsh, Walter Kilroy, Barry Byrne, Ciaran Coleman, Judith Storm, Colette O'Conaill, Jim Treanor, Ann Coughlan and Claudine Maguire. The remaining three candi­dates Alistair Bate, Edmund Lynch and John Donnelly were eliminated at various points in the counting of votes which took three hours. Half of the administrative Council is made up of first-timers many of whom will be bringing with them political skills borne outside the gay movement. A full breakdown of the elec­tion results and a look at what each Council Member has to of­fer the Federation will be carried in the March-April issue of NGF News, the newsletter of the National Gay Federation. Meanwhile at the first meet­ing of the new Administrative Council (and it's the 9th Council so far) on February 5th Tonie Walsh was appointed President for the fourth year in succession. The Council President's role is one of spokesperson for the Fed­eration. Walsh has said that it will be his last year on the Ad­ministrative Council. Claudine Maguire who briefly sat on last year's Council was appointed General Secretary. She will have responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day admin­istration of the Federation and is expected to liaise closely with the new Political Action Group. One of the people to watch this year. A surprise for many has been the appointment of Colette O'Conaill as Treasurer of the Federation. O'Conaill's previous roles in the NGF were invariably confined to social areas and she is credited along with three other colleagues for the positive turn around in the fortunes of the Hirschfeld Centre in 1986. The Administrative Council will be meeting again on Friday 19th and Sunday 21st February when it is expected to make fur­ther appointments. An examination of the per­sonalities and ideologies of the new Council appears in the next issue of Gay Community News, out on March 8th."

Clause 28 of the new Local Government Bill in the UK was passed through the House of Lords by 202 votes to 122 on Mon. 1st February. As soon as the result was announced, three lesbians swooped down on ropes from the gallery frightening the peers before being hustled out. "Clause 28 of the Local Gov­ernment Bill states ""a local au­thority shall not promote homosexuality or publish mate­rial for the promotion of homosexuality."" Nor shall the authority ""promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relation­ ship by the publication of such material or otherwise."" The church also forbids ""financial or other assistance"" to lesbian and gay groups who at present re­ceive grants from local authori­ties. In the past two months great pressure has been applied in an attempt to defeat this clause which is seen by many in Britain as the beginning of the end for gay rights there. Almost as soon as the clause was introduced by Tory MP David Wilshire, a ""Stop Clause 28"" campaign was launched which brought 7 0 0 people to Parliament to lobby MPs in protest. While some Labour MPs have been very vo­cal in their opposition to the clause, the parties' leadership has been disappointingly silent on the issue. Those on the right of the party believe that the high profile gay rights had, especially at grassroots level, lost them the last election. On Saturday 9th of January, 8,000 people took part in a protest march through the centre of London. When protestors at­ tempted to enter Downing Street, police arrested 14 people. Later, outside Harmsworth Park, two women were arrested for kissing and when onlookers attempted to prevent this, a further 28 arrests were made. At the park, the crowd heard a number of speakers including Ken Skeates, the proud father of a lesbian and Chris Smith MP for Islington South and Finsbury who is Britain's only openly gay member of parliament. Linda Bellos, Leader of Lambeth Council, said; ""If this becomes law, I shall refuse to implement it"" and Helen Dawson of the As­sociation of London Authorities said that they would take the is­sue to the European Court of Hu­man Rights if necessary. The Bill will return to the House of Commons before ulti­mately becoming law. Despite this, protest continues not only in Britain but across Europe. On February 20th, there will be a large Stop Clause 28 Festival in Manchester which is expected to draw a huge crowd. On that day in Dublin, there will be a protest picket outside the British Em­bassy in Ballsbridge to show our disapproval of this legislation." Clause 28 of the Local Gov­ernment Bill states "a local au­thority shall not promote homosexuality or publish mate­rial for the promotion of homosexuality." Nor shall the authority "promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relation­ ship by the publication of such material or otherwise." The church also forbids "financial or other assistance" to lesbian and gay groups who at present re­ceive grants from local authori­ties. In the past two months great pressure has been applied in an attempt to defeat this clause which is seen by many in Britain as the beginning of the end for gay rights there. Almost as soon as the clause was introduced by Tory MP David Wilshire, a "Stop Clause 28" campaign was launched which brought 700 people to Parliament to lobby MPs in protest. While some Labour MPs have been very vo­cal in their opposition to the clause, the parties' leadership has been disappointingly silent on the issue. Those on the right of the party believe that the high profile gay rights had, especially at grassroots level, lost them the last election. On Saturday 9th of January, 8,000 people took part in a protest march through the centre of London. When protestors at­ tempted to enter Downing Street, police arrested 14 people. Later, outside Harmsworth Park, two women were arrested for kissing and when onlookers attempted to prevent this, a further 28 arrests were made. At the park, the crowd heard a number of speakers including Ken Skeates, the proud father of a lesbian and Chris Smith MP for Islington South and Finsbury who is Britain's only openly gay member of parliament. Linda Bellos, Leader of Lambeth Council, said; "If this becomes law, I shall refuse to implement it" and Helen Dawson of the As­sociation of London Authorities said that they would take the is­sue to the European Court of Hu­man Rights if necessary. The Bill will return to the House of Commons before ulti­mately becoming law. Despite this, protest continues not only in Britain but across Europe. On February 20th, there will be a large Stop Clause 28 Festival in Manchester which is expected to draw a huge crowd. On that day in Dublin, there will be a protest picket outside the British Em­bassy in Ballsbridge to show our disapproval of this legislation. In solidarity with British les­bians and gay men the National Gay Federation will be co-ordi­nating a STOP CLAUSE 28 picket in Dublin on Saturday 20th February.

"Gay Community News is published every month in Dublin. Material published in GCN does not necessarily represent the views of the National Gay Federation. Material published in GCN is copyright. Reprint by permission only. Issue 1 Address: P.O. Box 931, Dublin 4, Ireland. Telephone: (01)732693 Typesetting: Laserworks and Co-op Typesetting Printed by: Meath Chronicle, Market Square, Navan, Co. Meath. Editorial: Bill Collins, Frank Fitzgerald, Tonie Walsh. Contributors: Bill Collins, Dorothy, Frank Fitzgerald, Tony Murphy, Judith Storm, Jimmy and Sheila Thompson, Jim Treanor, Tonie Walsh. Photography: Brendan O'Bryne, Denis O'Neill, Tony O'Shea, Sean Gilmartin Design and Layout: Niall Sweeney We welcome your opinions and contributions of any variety. Please enclose a SAE for reply. This issue is dedicated to Catherine Glendon, a founder of GCN. She will be missed by many. Photography: Viola Wills by Denis O'Neill Odyssey by Tony O'Shea GPW, Shorts Party, Condom Protest by Brendan O'Byrne, Catherine Glendon by Brendan O'Byrne. Vincent Hanley courtesy Hot Press/Halloween Ball by Sean GilmartinlHirschfeld Centre and Fr. Cleary courtesy Evening Herald. James Baldwin by Jenny Matthews/Format. Spreekt U nederlands? Parlez-vous francais? Sprechen sie deutsch? Every day we receive foreign language newspapers and magazines from mainland Europe and South America - all bursting with information about the lives of our gay sisters and brothers around the world. Unfortunately our talents do not extend to translation so the global picture remains somewhat dimmed. If you have a language talent, of any description, please contact us quickly by post or telephone and help us to lighten that global picture. Make a splash this year and subscribe to Ireland's newest and brightest gay newspaper. Tread where no-one has dared before. Dive in at the deep end with our journalists and fish out the essential information to complete your understanding of Irish gay politics, culture and the 'scene'. Subscribe today to Gay Community News. Just fill out the subscription form below. Yes! I'm going to take the plunge. Here is my subscription to Gay Community News. I enclose a cheque/postal order/draft for £5 made payable to GCN. Name: Address: Post to: Gay Community News, P.O. Box 931, Dublin 4. GCN is mailed in a stylish plain brown wrapper." "Yes, dear reader, although the memory of childhood is probably hidden in the deepest recess of your brain it is an inescapable fact that we were all babies once. Long ago, fadó, fadó. To celebrate the fact that, even as you read this wonderful ditty, faggot and dyke babies are being bom all over the world, we proudly announce the Gay Com­munity Babies Gallery starting from issue 2."

"We are the parents of Seamus Jimmy and Sheila Thompson. We hope this will be of some help to other parents of young gay people. When we were told by Seamus that he was gay we thought it was the end of the world. Here we were, good Catholic parents with a gay son. ""What could we poss­ibly have done wrong?"", we thought, ""and what were we to do?"" We told a nun about this who put our minds at rest and she told us it was not our fault but a comm­on occurrence. We also spoke to other parents and also the boys and girls (from the Hirschfeld Centre) and found them to be no different to anyone else. It strengthened our love for him hundredfold. Young people find it hard to come to terms with their sexual­ity no matter what it is due to (social pressures, etc) but it is even harder when they are gay. Not that that should matter. Therefore they need all the love and support you can give. Anyway, does it really matter who or what they are? They are the only ones who can live their lives and if we love our children truly it should not matter to us. We are everything to them and they are everything to us. It takes all kinds to make the world. Jimmy and Sheila Thompson"

"Gay Community News is published every month in Dublin. Material published in GCN does not necessarily represent the views of the National Gay Federation. Material published in GCN is copyright. Reprint by permission only. Issue 1 Address: P.O. Box 931, Dublin 4, Ireland. Telephone: (01)732693 Typesetting: Laserworks and Co-op Typesetting Printed by: Meath Chronicle, Market Square, Navan, Co. Meath. Editorial: Bill Collins, Frank Fitzgerald, Tonie Walsh. Contributors: Bill Collins, Dorothy, Frank Fitzgerald, Tony Murphy, Judith Storm, Jimmy and Sheila Thompson, Jim Treanor, Tonie Walsh. Photography: Brendan O'Bryne, Denis O'Neill, Tony O'Shea, Sean Gilmartin Design and Layout: Niall Sweeney We welcome your opinions and contributions of any variety. Please enclose a SAE for reply. This issue is dedicated to Catherine Glendon, a founder of GCN. She will be missed by many. Photography: Viola Wills by Denis O'Neill Odyssey by Tony O'Shea GPW, Shorts Party, Condom Protest by Brendan O'Byrne, Catherine Glendon by Brendan O'Byrne. Vincent Hanley courtesy Hot Press/Halloween Ball by Sean GilmartinlHirschfeld Centre and Fr. Cleary courtesy Evening Herald. James Baldwin by Jenny Matthews/Format. Spreekt U nederlands? Parlez-vous francais? Sprechen sie deutsch? Every day we receive foreign language newspapers and magazines from mainland Europe and South America - all bursting with information about the lives of our gay sisters and brothers around the world. Unfortunately our talents do not extend to translation so the global picture remains somewhat dimmed. If you have a language talent, of any description, please contact us quickly by post or telephone and help us to lighten that global picture. Make a splash this year and subscribe to Ireland's newest and brightest gay newspaper. Tread where no-one has dared before. Dive in at the deep end with our journalists and fish out the essential information to complete your understanding of Irish gay politics, culture and the 'scene'. Subscribe today to Gay Community News. Just fill out the subscription form below. Yes! I'm going to take the plunge. Here is my subscription to Gay Community News. I enclose a cheque/postal order/draft for £5 made payable to GCN. Name: Address: Post to: Gay Community News, P.O. Box 931, Dublin 4. GCN is mailed in a stylish plain brown wrapper."

"Gay Community News is published every month in Dublin. Material published in GCN does not necessarily represent the views of the National Gay Federation. Material published in GCN is copyright. Reprint by permission only. Issue 1 Address: P.O. Box 931, Dublin 4, Ireland. Telephone: (01)732693 Typesetting: Laserworks and Co-op Typesetting Printed by: Meath Chronicle, Market Square, Navan, Co. Meath. Editorial: Bill Collins, Frank Fitzgerald, Tonie Walsh. Contributors: Bill Collins, Dorothy, Frank Fitzgerald, Tony Murphy, Judith Storm, Jimmy and Sheila Thompson, Jim Treanor, Tonie Walsh. Photography: Brendan O'Bryne, Denis O'Neill, Tony O'Shea, Sean Gilmartin Design and Layout: Niall Sweeney We welcome your opinions and contributions of any variety. Please enclose a SAE for reply. This issue is dedicated to Catherine Glendon, a founder of GCN. She will be missed by many. Photography: Viola Wills by Denis O'Neill Odyssey by Tony O'Shea GPW, Shorts Party, Condom Protest by Brendan O'Byrne, Catherine Glendon by Brendan O'Byrne. Vincent Hanley courtesy Hot Press/Halloween Ball by Sean GilmartinlHirschfeld Centre and Fr. Cleary courtesy Evening Herald. James Baldwin by Jenny Matthews/Format. Spreekt U nederlands? Parlez-vous francais? Sprechen sie deutsch? Every day we receive foreign language newspapers and magazines from mainland Europe and South America - all bursting with information about the lives of our gay sisters and brothers around the world. Unfortunately our talents do not extend to translation so the global picture remains somewhat dimmed. If you have a language talent, of any description, please contact us quickly by post or telephone and help us to lighten that global picture. Make a splash this year and subscribe to Ireland's newest and brightest gay newspaper. Tread where no-one has dared before. Dive in at the deep end with our journalists and fish out the essential information to complete your understanding of Irish gay politics, culture and the 'scene'. Subscribe today to Gay Community News. Just fill out the subscription form below. Yes! I'm going to take the plunge. Here is my subscription to Gay Community News. I enclose a cheque/postal order/draft for £5 made payable to GCN. Name: Address: Post to: Gay Community News, P.O. Box 931, Dublin 4. GCN is mailed in a stylish plain brown wrapper."

editorial It would seem that all our worst fears are being realised. Many of you will have been following with interest the attempts by the British Government to enact homophobic legislation in the form of Clause 28 of the Local Government Bill 1988. Clause 28 of the bill reads; 'a local authority shall not promote homosexuality or publish material for the promotion of homosexuality.’ Nor shall an authority 'promote the teaching in any maintained school of the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship by the publication of such material or otherwise.' Outrageous as this is, what is even more frightening is the underlying thinking behind such legislation; the ultimate recriminalisation of homosexuality and a state clampdown on gay people which some feel could end with persecution and 'witchhunting' of not only gays but other minority groups in the U.K. At the moment the bill is still going through the committee stage in the House of Lords before it is ultimately returned to the Commons and voted on. Because of the large Tory majority in the Commons this bill will undoubtedly become law. Various attempts by opposition MPs to have the clause amended have ended in failure. Various gay and allied groups have been tirelessly lobbying parliament as part of the 'Stop Clause 28' campaign and have received support from among others Britain's only openly gay MP, Chris Smith of the Labour Party. Unfortunately the official Labour Party response has been lukewarm. The leadership of the party believe that a lot of the blame for the 1987 election defeat was the highlighting of gay rights issues at local government level. On Saturday 9th there was a large turnout for the march and demonstration through the centre of London protesting Clause 28. Despite the 38 arrests made the march is being seen as a great success by gay groups because of the large turnout (upward of 8000) and the amount of resistance shown by ordinary gay people. The lessons to be learnt are that not only must gay rights be fought for but that when they have been won, they must be protected. Solidarity is the key to success and with this in mind, Gay Community News is asking all our readers to join with us in showing our disapproval of this oppressive legislation and our solidarity with our British brothers and sisters by coming along to the picket on the British embassy.

"Safer Sex Guidelines The medical group of the Terence Higgins Trust in the UK has recently published a new set of safer sex guidelines. Wet and dry kissing, cock sucking and rimming (licking or eating ass) have been downgraded to LOW RISK activities in the transmission of the HIV virus (thought to cause AIDS). The THT says it ""cannot recommend oral sex as safe in the sense of carrying no risk. But it is demonstrably safer than anal sex."" Dr. Robin Bell of the THT Medical Group went on to say ""it is up to each of us to decide how 'safe' we are prepared to make our sex lives"". Leather Lesbians London leather lesbians now have a new motorbike group called Black Widows. The group intends organising Summer trips out of London, video parties and suchlike. Interested Irish motorbike dykes should contact Tina in London at (031) 326 5272. Jewish Helpline Britain's first ever Jewish Les­bian and Gay Helpline opened on February 8th on London 833- 8126. The line has been set up to provide information, advice, support and counselling to Jew­ish gay people and also aims to help family and friends in both the Jewish and lesbian/gay com­munities. This unique phone line is open every Monday and Thursday from 7p.m. to 10p.m. M.C.C. In Ireland M.C.C. the Metropolitan Com­munity Church, which has a pri­mary ministry and outreach to the gay community with branches throughout the world, is about to start a church in Ireland. The church's Irish representa­tive, Deacon Michael Foley, in­tends pastoring in Dublin after several years’ involvement in U.K. groups such as the Gay Christian Movement, Christian Action on AIDS, Quest and M.C.C. in Birmingham. Gay Community News will be carrying a feature on M.C.C. in a forthcoming issue. Further in­ formation in the meantime from Box 88-1, GCN, PO Box 931, Dublin 4. Provincial Activities Group It would be foolish to think that beyond Dublin there is no gay activity. One group def­initely believes that more should be done to cultivate gay life beyond the major cities. This is the Provincial Activities Group. The difficulties in being gay in a rural area are obvious and any effort to bring people together should be applauded and encouraged. Monaghan, Drogheda, Sligo, Wexford, Clon­mel and Limerick have had meetings so far. Clearly keep­ing people informed and pub­licising the venues for meet­ings is very important for good attendances and for building up momentum. Gay Community News will be giving the group a priority in publishing their venues and reporting on how meetings go. Tel-A-Friend will also be able to give details of meetings to anyone who would be interested."

"Safer Sex Guidelines The medical group of the Terence Higgins Trust in the UK has recently published a new set of safer sex guidelines. Wet and dry kissing, cock sucking and rimming (licking or eating ass) have been downgraded to LOW RISK activities in the transmission of the HIV virus (thought to cause AIDS). The THT says it ""cannot recommend oral sex as safe in the sense of carrying no risk. But it is demonstrably safer than anal sex."" Dr. Robin Bell of the THT Medical Group went on to say ""it is up to each of us to decide how 'safe' we are prepared to make our sex lives"". Leather Lesbians London leather lesbians now have a new motorbike group called Black Widows. The group intends organising Summer trips out of London, video parties and suchlike. Interested Irish motorbike dykes should contact Tina in London at (031) 326 5272. Jewish Helpline Britain's first ever Jewish Les­bian and Gay Helpline opened on February 8th on London 833- 8126. The line has been set up to provide information, advice, support and counselling to Jew­ish gay people and also aims to help family and friends in both the Jewish and lesbian/gay com­munities. This unique phone line is open every Monday and Thursday from 7p.m. to 10p.m. M.C.C. In Ireland M.C.C. the Metropolitan Com­munity Church, which has a pri­mary ministry and outreach to the gay community with branches throughout the world, is about to start a church in Ireland. The church's Irish representa­tive, Deacon Michael Foley, in­tends pastoring in Dublin after several years’ involvement in U.K. groups such as the Gay Christian Movement, Christian Action on AIDS, Quest and M.C.C. in Birmingham. Gay Community News will be carrying a feature on M.C.C. in a forthcoming issue. Further in­ formation in the meantime from Box 88-1, GCN, PO Box 931, Dublin 4. Provincial Activities Group It would be foolish to think that beyond Dublin there is no gay activity. One group def­initely believes that more should be done to cultivate gay life beyond the major cities. This is the Provincial Activities Group. The difficulties in being gay in a rural area are obvious and any effort to bring people together should be applauded and encouraged. Monaghan, Drogheda, Sligo, Wexford, Clon­mel and Limerick have had meetings so far. Clearly keep­ing people informed and pub­licising the venues for meet­ings is very important for good attendances and for building up momentum. Gay Community News will be giving the group a priority in publishing their venues and reporting on how meetings go. Tel-A-Friend will also be able to give details of meetings to anyone who would be interested."

"Safer Sex Guidelines The medical group of the Terence Higgins Trust in the UK has recently published a new set of safer sex guidelines. Wet and dry kissing, cock sucking and rimming (licking or eating ass) have been downgraded to LOW RISK activities in the transmission of the HIV virus (thought to cause AIDS). The THT says it ""cannot recommend oral sex as safe in the sense of carrying no risk. But it is demonstrably safer than anal sex."" Dr. Robin Bell of the THT Medical Group went on to say ""it is up to each of us to decide how 'safe' we are prepared to make our sex lives"". Leather Lesbians London leather lesbians now have a new motorbike group called Black Widows. The group intends organising Summer trips out of London, video parties and suchlike. Interested Irish motorbike dykes should contact Tina in London at (031) 326 5272. Jewish Helpline Britain's first ever Jewish Les­bian and Gay Helpline opened on February 8th on London 833- 8126. The line has been set up to provide information, advice, support and counselling to Jew­ish gay people and also aims to help family and friends in both the Jewish and lesbian/gay com­munities. This unique phone line is open every Monday and Thursday from 7p.m. to 10p.m. M.C.C. In Ireland M.C.C. the Metropolitan Com­munity Church, which has a pri­mary ministry and outreach to the gay community with branches throughout the world, is about to start a church in Ireland. The church's Irish representa­tive, Deacon Michael Foley, in­tends pastoring in Dublin after several years’ involvement in U.K. groups such as the Gay Christian Movement, Christian Action on AIDS, Quest and M.C.C. in Birmingham. Gay Community News will be carrying a feature on M.C.C. in a forthcoming issue. Further in­ formation in the meantime from Box 88-1, GCN, PO Box 931, Dublin 4. Provincial Activities Group It would be foolish to think that beyond Dublin there is no gay activity. One group def­initely believes that more should be done to cultivate gay life beyond the major cities. This is the Provincial Activities Group. The difficulties in being gay in a rural area are obvious and any effort to bring people together should be applauded and encouraged. Monaghan, Drogheda, Sligo, Wexford, Clon­mel and Limerick have had meetings so far. Clearly keep­ing people informed and pub­licising the venues for meet­ings is very important for good attendances and for building up momentum. Gay Community News will be giving the group a priority in publishing their venues and reporting on how meetings go. Tel-A-Friend will also be able to give details of meetings to anyone who would be interested."

"Safer Sex Guidelines The medical group of the Terence Higgins Trust in the UK has recently published a new set of safer sex guidelines. Wet and dry kissing, cock sucking and rimming (licking or eating ass) have been downgraded to LOW RISK activities in the transmission of the HIV virus (thought to cause AIDS). The THT says it ""cannot recommend oral sex as safe in the sense of carrying no risk. But it is demonstrably safer than anal sex."" Dr. Robin Bell of the THT Medical Group went on to say ""it is up to each of us to decide how 'safe' we are prepared to make our sex lives"". Leather Lesbians London leather lesbians now have a new motorbike group called Black Widows. The group intends organising Summer trips out of London, video parties and suchlike. Interested Irish motorbike dykes should contact Tina in London at (031) 326 5272. Jewish Helpline Britain's first ever Jewish Les­bian and Gay Helpline opened on February 8th on London 833- 8126. The line has been set up to provide information, advice, support and counselling to Jew­ish gay people and also aims to help family and friends in both the Jewish and lesbian/gay com­munities. This unique phone line is open every Monday and Thursday from 7p.m. to 10p.m. M.C.C. In Ireland M.C.C. the Metropolitan Com­munity Church, which has a pri­mary ministry and outreach to the gay community with branches throughout the world, is about to start a church in Ireland. The church's Irish representa­tive, Deacon Michael Foley, in­tends pastoring in Dublin after several years’ involvement in U.K. groups such as the Gay Christian Movement, Christian Action on AIDS, Quest and M.C.C. in Birmingham. Gay Community News will be carrying a feature on M.C.C. in a forthcoming issue. Further in­ formation in the meantime from Box 88-1, GCN, PO Box 931, Dublin 4. Provincial Activities Group It would be foolish to think that beyond Dublin there is no gay activity. One group def­initely believes that more should be done to cultivate gay life beyond the major cities. This is the Provincial Activities Group. The difficulties in being gay in a rural area are obvious and any effort to bring people together should be applauded and encouraged. Monaghan, Drogheda, Sligo, Wexford, Clon­mel and Limerick have had meetings so far. Clearly keep­ing people informed and pub­licising the venues for meet­ings is very important for good attendances and for building up momentum. Gay Community News will be giving the group a priority in publishing their venues and reporting on how meetings go. Tel-A-Friend will also be able to give details of meetings to anyone who would be interested."

"Safer Sex Guidelines The medical group of the Terence Higgins Trust in the UK has recently published a new set of safer sex guidelines. Wet and dry kissing, cock sucking and rimming (licking or eating ass) have been downgraded to LOW RISK activities in the transmission of the HIV virus (thought to cause AIDS). The THT says it ""cannot recommend oral sex as safe in the sense of carrying no risk. But it is demonstrably safer than anal sex."" Dr. Robin Bell of the THT Medical Group went on to say ""it is up to each of us to decide how 'safe' we are prepared to make our sex lives"". Leather Lesbians London leather lesbians now have a new motorbike group called Black Widows. The group intends organising Summer trips out of London, video parties and suchlike. Interested Irish motorbike dykes should contact Tina in London at (031) 326 5272. Jewish Helpline Britain's first ever Jewish Les­bian and Gay Helpline opened on February 8th on London 833- 8126. The line has been set up to provide information, advice, support and counselling to Jew­ish gay people and also aims to help family and friends in both the Jewish and lesbian/gay com­munities. This unique phone line is open every Monday and Thursday from 7p.m. to 10p.m. M.C.C. In Ireland M.C.C. the Metropolitan Com­munity Church, which has a pri­mary ministry and outreach to the gay community with branches throughout the world, is about to start a church in Ireland. The church's Irish representa­tive, Deacon Michael Foley, in­tends pastoring in Dublin after several years’ involvement in U.K. groups such as the Gay Christian Movement, Christian Action on AIDS, Quest and M.C.C. in Birmingham. Gay Community News will be carrying a feature on M.C.C. in a forthcoming issue. Further in­ formation in the meantime from Box 88-1, GCN, PO Box 931, Dublin 4. Provincial Activities Group It would be foolish to think that beyond Dublin there is no gay activity. One group def­initely believes that more should be done to cultivate gay life beyond the major cities. This is the Provincial Activities Group. The difficulties in being gay in a rural area are obvious and any effort to bring people together should be applauded and encouraged. Monaghan, Drogheda, Sligo, Wexford, Clon­mel and Limerick have had meetings so far. Clearly keep­ing people informed and pub­licising the venues for meet­ings is very important for good attendances and for building up momentum. Gay Community News will be giving the group a priority in publishing their venues and reporting on how meetings go. Tel-A-Friend will also be able to give details of meetings to anyone who would be interested."

"We regret to announce the death of Catherine Glendon. Who was Catherine Glendon? Catherine Glendon was one of the women who ran the coffeebar at the Hirschfeld Centre. Who was Catherine Clendon? Catherine Glendon was a friend to all - an enemy to none. Who was Catherine Glendon? Catherine Glendon was a person who treated everyone, gays, straights, transvestites, as people. She interfered in nobody's business but had a ready ear to listen to all our troubles. No matter how busy she was, she never stinted the few minutes needed to give a friendly word of encouragement to all of us with problems. To our muttered words of thanks she responded with that self- deprecating laugh that we all knew so well. Who was Catherine Glendon? Catherine Glendon was my friend. I am proud to have known her and apologise to none because I mourn her with unmanly tears. Of her may it be said in a slight rewriting of the oration for the fallen. ""She shall grow not old as we who are left grow old. Age shall not weary her or the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember her."""

David Norris became a Senator while the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg gave the new Senator one point against the Government . . . the Irish Congress of Trade Unions published historic guidelines on the protection of lesbian and gay workers and Fr. Michael Cleary stood up and said yes to the criminal law being repealed . . . Brendan McGahon, Fine Gael TD for Louth said no; "They're unnatural, same as a fella chasin' sheep" . . . which didn't stop 4,500 "sheep shaggers" from phoning Tel-A-Friend the Gay Switchboard in the year end to June . . . Larry Kramer's justly famous play about AIDS, The Normal Heart, opened in the Project Arts Centre in Dublin and NGF dispensed politics and condoms outside the Papal Nuncio's . . . Viola Wills took several hundred people over the rainbow and Odyssey brought us back to our roots in more ways than one . . . the NGF Youth Group launched its Youth Line and collection of hairy and beautiful legs . . . which even Fr. Bernard Lynch displayed in the Strongbow/Green Apple production AIDS - A Priest's Testament, a rare insight into the life and work of a very courageous person ministering to PWAs in New York . . . New York was very popular with Vincent Hanley who introduced us to the best of its music while disc jockeying occasionally at Flikkers Dance Club. He'll be missed as will Catherine Glendon. Two fine, young people . . . we’ll also miss the great outsider, James Baldwin who had as much to say about his gayness as his colour . . . Simon Nikoli was eventually released from Prison and Lesbians & Gay Men Against Apartheid organised a benefit concert for him in Dublin . . . which was also the venue for the historic AID to Fight AIDS reunion of the Radiators organised by Gay Health Action . . . Robert Armstrong was jailed for 10 years after raping a woman which contrasts nicely with the suspended manslaughter sentence he got in 1983 for murdering Declan Flynn, which only goes to prove for some that gay people's lives are cheap . . . cheap thrills and plenty sleaze were in abundance at the Flikkers Hallowe'en Ball where 400 faggots and dykes saw out the Hirschfeld Centre's eight year history . . . three days before the institution was destroyed by fire . . .

David Norris became a Senator while the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg gave the new Senator one point against the Government . . . the Irish Congress of Trade Unions published historic guidelines on the protection of lesbian and gay workers and Fr. Michael Cleary stood up and said yes to the criminal law being repealed . . . Brendan McGahon, Fine Gael TD for Louth said no; "They're unnatural, same as a fella chasin' sheep" . . . which didn't stop 4,500 "sheep shaggers" from phoning Tel-A-Friend the Gay Switchboard in the year end to June . . . Larry Kramer's justly famous play about AIDS, The Normal Heart, opened in the Project Arts Centre in Dublin and NGF dispensed politics and condoms outside the Papal Nuncio's . . . Viola Wills took several hundred people over the rainbow and Odyssey brought us back to our roots in more ways than one . . . the NGF Youth Group launched its Youth Line and collection of hairy and beautiful legs . . . which even Fr. Bernard Lynch displayed in the Strongbow/Green Apple production AIDS - A Priest's Testament, a rare insight into the life and work of a very courageous person ministering to PWAs in New York . . . New York was very popular with Vincent Hanley who introduced us to the best of its music while disc jockeying occasionally at Flikkers Dance Club. He'll be missed as will Catherine Glendon. Two fine, young people . . . we’ll also miss the great outsider, James Baldwin who had as much to say about his gayness as his colour . . . Simon Nikoli was eventually released from Prison and Lesbians & Gay Men Against Apartheid organised a benefit concert for him in Dublin . . . which was also the venue for the historic AID to Fight AIDS reunion of the Radiators organised by Gay Health Action . . . Robert Armstrong was jailed for 10 years after raping a woman which contrasts nicely with the suspended manslaughter sentence he got in 1983 for murdering Declan Flynn, which only goes to prove for some that gay people's lives are cheap . . . cheap thrills and plenty sleaze were in abundance at the Flikkers Hallowe'en Ball where 400 faggots and dykes saw out the Hirschfeld Centre's eight year history . . . three days before the institution was destroyed by fire . . .

"One of the biggest problems faced in any discussion of transvestites is that there is no precise definition of the term. Literally it means “cross­ dressing” but this embraces a huge field ranging from the female impersonator to the male whose sole dressing consists of female underwear. The former would repudiate the term trans­vestite while many so-called authorities would relegate the latter to the category of fetishist. For the purpose of this discussion the term will be applied solely to the male who dresses in full female clothing. Much pseudo-scientific clap­ trap has been written and spoken about transvestites. Many writers have written learned words dealing with the why and the wherefore from observations of a small sample. Many of these works have been written to prove a point rather than in an attempt to assist transvest­ites to come to terms with their perceived problems. The present author has been a transvestite for some 30 years and in that period has met hundreds of others yet would only offer these notes as being based solely on personal observation and so being purely personal opinions. It is generally agreed that transvestism is a compulsive condition. Those with the synd­rome feel that they simply must dress to a greater or lesser extent and to a greater or lesser degree. On dressing there is a release of tension and in most cases the desire or com­pulsion becomes of lesser inten­sity so that a period of non­ dressing will intervene before the next compulsive phase. If, however, the transvestite is frus­trated in his desire to dress other more serious psychological manifestations may occur. Un­fortunately at this stage the transvestite may seek psychiatric assistance instead of that of a therapy group. In general psy­chiatrists (especially in this country) have little knowledge of the causes or even more seriously of the progress of the phenomenon and so are inclined to consider it as a mental aberration and so treat it with aversion therapy or in some cases more serious, so called, cures. The term “therapy group” used above, is an unfortunate one as it implies that the trans­vestite is ill and can be “cured” by being involved in group activities. This is untrue but it has been found impossible to coin a suitable phrase to describe the group, hence, the term “therapy group” has been borrowed. Far from attempting to “cure” the transvestite the groups, which ideally should be run by the transvestites themselves, exist simply to en­able transvestites with some form of identity crisis (for want of a better term) to meet others and so enable them to over­come the acute mental problem that exists for many of them. This so-called mental problem presents itself as a persistent feeling that they are odd, one of a kind, perhaps even bad. Meeting other transvest­ites soon shows that far from being a solitary condition, the transvestite syndrome is wide­ spread and is found in all sections of society. Groups should ideally provide an opportunity for dressing so that apart from the obvious advantage of getting advice on dress and make-up from those better able to do so there is also the great relief whereby many who are unable to dress at home are enabled to do so and so get rid of a dangerous source of frustration. The sexuality of the trans­vestite varies considerably em­bracing, at either end of the spectrum, the aggressive hetero­sexual and the gay transvestite. The majority of transvestites appear to occupy the middle-ground exhibiting a greater or lesser degree of bisexuality. If the sexuality of this middle group is examined an interesting fact appears to emerge. While in his male role the transvestite is attracted to fem­ales and to other dressed trans­vestites. In his female role he is similarly attracted to these groups but with the addition of an attraction to males. Another unexplained phenom­enon is the number of males who, while repudiating any suggestion that they had homo­sexual tendencies, welcome a relationship with a transvestite. Many theories have been put forward to explain this phen­omenon but without success. A transvestite group under the auspices of NGF operates in the Hirschfeld Centre. This meets every Wednesday from 8:00 to 10:00 and is open to all transvestites irrespective of sexual preference. Since the group operates on a strict need to know basis (no quest­ions are asked) it is impossible to break down the member­ship into categories. However, from what little information is available it does not appear that it is attracting support from gay transvestites. This is puzzling. Perhaps the explanation is lack of communication and it is hoped that this article will encourage gay transvestites to avail of the facilities. It must, however, be mentioned that some researchers maintain that the gay trans­vestite does not exist and they are supported in this view by a number of gay act­ivists. This hypothesis is based on the presumed antipathy of gays towards females and they continue to argue, based on this rather unstable premesis, that since gays are only sexually attracted towards members of their own sex then the use of female clothing by a trans­vestite, other than in a caricaturish manner, will prevent this attraction. Other researchers do not give any credence to this theory and the facts appear to contradict it. Many cases of successful and fulfilling homo­sexual relationships are known where one of the partners is a practising transvestite. A num­ber of cases are known where telephone callers have told the group facilitator that they were gay, providing evidence to this effect, but were also transvestite. This would appear to be an example of the dangers of attempting to allocate roles on slender evidence. It is surely of the utmost importance that people are left to provide their own labels rather than that they should be allocated boxes based on our prejudices! A major problem in the area of gay transvestites is that the group appears to be confused in some people’s minds with another group which, although transvestite, has strong anti-gay feelings. It needs to be strongly emphasised that the NGF group welcomes all transvestites. Readers would be do­ing a great service if they could stress this fact in any discuss­ions they may have concerning the gay/transvestite interface. Facilities available to the group consist of a room to sit and talk with other trans­vestites together with dressing facilities. In addition arrange­ments can be made for either a one-to-one chat or coun­selling should a transvestite so wish. An interesting phenomenon is that very few of those who have availed of the facilities do so on a regular basis. It would appear rather that instead of using the group on a club basis they are using it as a therapy and so only attending when they have a problem. While this is understandable it would be simpler to arrange activities — talks on make-up etc. — if the group were assur­ed of at least a minimal regular attendance. On the other hand, many facilitators of caring groups feel that a large attendance militates against their prime function, that is to provide assistance to those in need. It is argued that when a group is large it tends to split up into small groupings and that the newcomer is immediately intimidated by these. There would appear to be a great deal of truth in this. The present group is averaging six and this appears to be optimum. The facilitator has found it extrem­ely difficult to provide one-to-one counselling when there has been a larger attendance. This article has only scrat­ched the ground regarding trans­vestites. If any group is interest­ed in a “real live” transvestite giving a talk or taking part in a question and answer session at one of their meetings this can easily be arranged."

The Criminal Law in Ireland Today "In Ireland today all contact of a sexual nature between males is illegal and “wrongdoers” are liable to arrest, charge and imprisonment. The present anti-gay laws are contained in two old Eng­lish statutes, both over 100 years old, which, although re­ pealed in all parts of the U.K., still remain in full force and effect in the Republic of Ireland.These crimes are: — Buggery: Contrary to S.61 of the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861, which carries a max­imum sentence of penal ser­vitude for life. This penalty applies even where this “abom­inable crime” is commited bet­ ween consenting adults in private. Gross Indecency: Contrary to S.ll of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 1885, which carries a sentence of two years imprisonment. This covers all other sexual contact and is commonly known as “the laying on of hands”. A similar view is taken by the Roman Catholic Church which permits one male to love another as his neighbour, but not in a permanent relation­ ship. Thus it is that we are criminals and sinners, doomed to imprisonment in this life and eternal damnation in the next. This line of approach is illogical, unrealistic and tot­ally unacceptable. Why do we want these laws changed? What adults do in private is their own business, and who has the right to impose their moral values on someone else, especially where the part­ies are consenting, are adult, and where no-one is being hurt? However, there are other reasons too. The most basic and fundamental problem of any gay person is that of try­ ing to come to terms with his/her sexuality and having done that, to live, what is for him/her, a normal, productive and happy life in society. The difficulty is with people’s un­ educated and intolerant views towards homosexuality. It is difficult enough for any gay person to shake off the shack­ les of a conditioned up-bringing in Ireland today, all the more so for a non-gay person to feel or understand what it is to be gay. Non-gays should not crit­icize what they do not under­ stand, but learn to accept what is different, and equally good. So the main difficulty in living a gay lifestyle is the lack of understanding and the poor attitude of society in general. In order to improve the lot of gay people, it is necessary to improve the perception of gays in the eyes of society. Efforts are being made, and are continuing towards this end. People in general, and in many cases gay themselves, must be informed that a large number of gay people exist in every society, that they are the same as everyone else except in their sexual orientat­ion and that they do not con­ form to the stereotype of “pansey” or child molester in a trench coat. Coverage in the media of gay activities, gay publications and the various gay groups have all helped to raise the profile of gay people. The fact that gays are regarded as criminals in the eyes of the law lends credence to the anti-gay attitudes of many people. It is for this reason that political and legal pressure is being brought to bear with a view to having these laws changed. This has included recent ele­ction of David Norris to the Senate. Tonie Walsh running as an independent candidate in the local elections, lobbying of political parties and supp­orting other groups with sim­ilar goals to our own. By far the most direct challenge to these laws has been the Norris case in the High Court, subse­quently appealed to the Supreme Court, where three of the five judges found that these laws were not inconsistent with the constitution. This case has since been brought to the European Court of Human Rights, where it is claimed that the laws are in breach of Article 8 of the Convention, the right to priv­acy. The case has been there for about two years and will probably take another year. It seems that the Irish Government will be found to be in breach of Human Rights and Fun­damental Freedoms, as was the British Government a few years ago when Jeff Dudgeon in Northern Ireland successfully brought a similar case against them. This would not auto­matically change the law here, but it would mean that the Irish Government would feel morally bound to change the law, as happened in Northern Ireland. The relevant question would then be what would replace these laws. In the U.K. the new laws are very restrictive and to stay within them a couple must be over twenty-one, con­senting, and in a locked bed­ room. Threesomes are out. This has also meant a much more rigorous enforcement of the law and the use of ‘pretty’ police officers to entrap people in public toilets. In Ireland, the call is for homosexual relationships to be put on a par in all respects with hetero­sexual relationships, including the age of consent. In order to be able to influence any pro­ found changes in our laws we must be in a position to apply direct and indirect pressure on our politicians. All gay people, and others who support our just call for equality are asked to do their bit for this worthy cause. Examples of what can be done include: 1: Becoming members of polit­ical parties and attempting to change policies from within. 2: Campaigning through trade unions. 3: Writing letters to newspapers supporting gay issues and com­ plaining where anti-gay articles are printed. 4: Perhaps the best way is to join the Political Action Group of the National Gay Federat­ion which operates from the Hirschfield Centre. In the final analysis, the test will be whether or not we will be able to change the think­ ing of enough politicians. We already have Senator Norris on our side, can you help us to get more?" "In Ireland today all contact of a sexual nature between males is illegal and “wrongdoers” are liable to arrest, charge and imprisonment. The present anti-gay laws are contained in two old Eng­lish statutes, both over 100 years old, which, although repealed in all parts of the U.K., still remain in full force and effect in the Republic of Ireland.These crimes are: — Buggery: Contrary to S.61 of the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861, which carries a max­imum sentence of penal ser­vitude for life. This penalty applies even where this “abom­inable crime” is commited bet­ween consenting adults in private. Gross Indecency: Contrary to S.ll of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 1885, which carries a sentence of two years imprisonment. This covers all other sexual contact and is commonly known as “the laying on of hands”. A similar view is taken by the Roman Catholic Church which permits one male to love another as his neighbour, but not in a permanent relation­ship. Thus it is that we are criminals and sinners, doomed to imprisonment in this life and eternal damnation in the next. This line of approach is illogical, unrealistic and tot­ally unacceptable. Why do we want these laws changed? What adults do in private is their own business, and who has the right to impose their moral values on someone else, especially where the part­ies are consenting, are adult, and where no-one is being hurt? However, there are other reasons too. The most basic and fundamental problem of any gay person is that of try­ing to come to terms with his/her sexuality and having done that, to live, what is for him/her, a normal, productive and happy life in society. The difficulty is with people’s un­educated and intolerant views towards homosexuality. It is difficult enough for any gay person to shake off the shack­les of a conditioned upbringing in Ireland today, all the more so for a non-gay person to feel or understand what it is to be gay. Non-gays should not crit­icize what they do not under­stand, but learn to accept what is different, and equally good. So the main difficulty in living a gay lifestyle is the lack of understanding and the poor attitude of society in general. In order to improve the lot of gay people, it is necessary to improve the perception of gays in the eyes of society. Efforts are being made, and are continuing towards this end. People in general, and in many cases gay themselves, must be informed that a large number of gay people exist in every society, that they are the same as everyone else except in their sexual orientat­ion and that they do not con­form to the stereotype of “pansey” or child molester in a trench coat. Coverage in the media of gay activities, gay publications and the various gay groups have all helped to raise the profile of gay people. The fact that gays are regarded as criminals in the eyes of the law lends credence to the anti-gay attitudes of many people. It is for this reason that political and legal pressure is being brought to bear with a view to having these laws changed. This has included recent ele­ction of David Norris to the Senate. Tonie Walsh running as an independent candidate in the local elections, lobbying of political parties and supp­orting other groups with sim­ilar goals to our own. By far the most direct challenge to these laws has been the Norris case in the High Court, subse­quently appealed to the Supreme Court, where three of the five judges found that these laws were not inconsistent with the constitution. This case has since been brought to the European Court of Human Rights, where it is claimed that the laws are in breach of Article 8 of the Convention, the right to priv­acy. The case has been there for about two years and will probably take another year. It seems that the Irish Government will be found to be in breach of Human Rights and Fun­damental Freedoms, as was the British Government a few years ago when Jeff Dudgeon in Northern Ireland successfully brought a similar case against them. This would not auto­matically change the law here, but it would mean that the Irish Government would feel morally bound to change the law, as happened in Northern Ireland. The relevant question would then be what would replace these laws. In the U.K. the new laws are very restrictive and to stay within them a couple must be over twenty-one, con­senting, and in a locked bed­ room. Threesomes are out. This has also meant a much more rigorous enforcement of the law and the use of ‘pretty’ police officers to entrap people in public toilets. In Ireland, the call is for homosexual relationships to be put on a par in all respects with hetero­sexual relationships, including the age of consent. In order to be able to influence any pro­ found changes in our laws we must be in a position to apply direct and indirect pressure on our politicians. All gay people, and others who support our just call for equality are asked to do their bit for this worthy cause. Examples of what can be done include: 1: Becoming members of polit­ical parties and attempting to change policies from within. 2: Campaigning through trade unions. 3: Writing letters to newspapers supporting gay issues and com­plaining where anti-gay articles are printed. 4: Perhaps the best way is to join the Political Action Group of the National Gay Federat­ion which operates from the Hirschfield Centre. In the final analysis, the test will be whether or not we will be able to change the think­ing of enough politicians. We already have Senator Norris on our side, can you help us to get more?"