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Dyketactics!
(Side A) Victoria Brownworth opens this episode of Amazon Country by announcing that an Amazon Country employee lost her house, belongings and pets to a fire, so they're starting a collection for her through the Women's Cultural Trust. Various other announcements regard upcoming events, a lesbian support group, and the council elections at the Gay Community Center.
Roberta Hacker interviews Linda Norwood and Sherrie Cohen of 'Dyketactics!' to discuss their lawsuit against the police, the first time in history that lesbians have sued the police for brutality, excessive force, and harrassment. This lawsuit regards police action on December 4, 1975, when 'Dyketactics!' (and other groups) attended a (Philadelphia) city council meeting to help urge passing of the "Gay Rights Bill" by the committee. Philadelphia's Civil Defense Squad immediately approached and used excessive force against the women, prompting 'Dyketactics!' to file a lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia for lesbophobic police brutality. Linda and Sherrie encourage women to attend the trial in order to support them. They also ask for feedback so that they can better represent and stand up for the lesbian community. When Victoria asks what they hope to get out of the trial, 'Dyketactics!' dsecribes their hopes to raise consciousness around the need for gay rights.
(Side B) Linda and Sherrie discuss the positive reception they've had regarding the trial, and announce that there will be a community meeting hosted by 'Dyketactics!' to discuss the disbursement of the (potential) compensation from the lawsuit into the lesbian community. -
Gay Rights Bill Council Hearings
This is a gay rights hearing with speakers arguing both in favor and opposed to the proposed bill. Those in favor urged the council to allow the parliamentary process to move forward so the bill could be debated and voted on. They argued for equality under the law and the importance of respecting the process. Those opposed expressed concerns about the bill extending homosexual rights beyond government employment, potentially affecting private schools and rentals, and equating homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle. They maintained that homosexuality is not morally or socially equal to heterosexuality. Several speakers share personal life experiences. Eleanor Cooper is featured identifying herself as a spokesperson for Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights and a member of Lesbian Feminist Liberation.
U-Matic tapes note that the recordings include the following speakers:
Harrison Goldin
Feather Keane
David Dinkins
Eleanor Cooper
Abraham Modowitz
female doctor
Gay cop
MOS audience
Interview with Pat Bond
Rabbi Dennis M
Eugenia Lee Hancock
Robert Selden (cut-off after 1 sentence) -
Target City Hall [D.I.V.A. Footage], 1989
Handheld video recording of the ACT UP action "Target City Hall" on March 28, 1989. -
Target City Hall, 1989
Produced by DIVA TV, this video focuses on the ACT UP action known as Target City Hall when activists demonstrated against access to AIDS drugs and Mayor Ed Koch's response to the crisis at the New York City Hall. -
LHA Daughters of Bilitis Video Project: Barbara Grier, November 27, 1987 (Tape 1)
Barbara Grier discusses her personal experiences with developing her identity. She describes lesbian nightlife and particular lesbians frequented in her youth. -
Marge, June 4, 1980
Marge speaks of the bars in Buffalo, NY in the 1950s, specifically Bingo's, Chesterfield, Dugan's, Mardi Gras, and Carousel, which had more of an established lesbian clientele. She tells how Carousel changed from a lesbian to gay crowd in the late 1950s and eventually closed because of allowing "careless" behavior. She felt patrons of gay bars in the 1950s were more respectful than at the time of the interview in 1980. Marge was arrested for serving a minor female, which she felt was an attempt to close the bar where she worked. The tape cuts off at the end of the second side.