Deborah Law 0:02 Good morning. This is Deborah law for Lambda Reports. Charles Koehler 0:05 This is Charles Koehler for Lambda Reports. John Hilgeman 0:08 And this is John Hilgeman for Lambda Reports. Welcome to the Gay 90s. Charles Koehler 0:13 Great. John Hilgeman 0:14 This is the first time all three of us have been here for a program together, and we're here to kind of look back at the year and look forward to the next year and maybe the next few years, and just kind of give some thoughts and remembrances and some ideas as to what's happening. Deborah Law 0:35 Very good. I have to, I have to say that this has been really a wonderful experience for me. I've really enjoyed working with both of you guys a great deal. And when we first got together in January, I didn't know exactly where we're going to go, but I'm really very proud of what we've done, and I've learned a great deal, and I have really enjoyed getting to know you both and working with you both. Thank you. Charles Koehler 0:56 Same here, and I know that this program has given me a lot of opportunities to meet some people and learn a lot of things that I never would have, opportunities I never would have had before. I'm also reflecting back on some of the early meetings that we had, of different approaches that we would have for the program and also possible titles for the program. We're all laughing, some of which I think we can say on the air, others, but we decided to settle on Lambda Reports. So yeah, John Hilgeman 1:34 We thought about the gay 90s. Deborah Law 1:36 Yeah, Charles Koehler 1:38 Get ready for the gay 90s is one, yeah, Deborah Law 1:41 But then we thought maybe we'd have to change the name if we were on the air for 11 or 12 years. Charles Koehler 1:45 That's right. Deborah Law 1:47 To go with something. I think it was more indicative of the kind of program that we wanted to put on, which more of a news and facts orientation. And I think we've done a good job. I have to laugh too, because I know when we first got together, I was just ready to go with it. It was like, okay, let's get some people in the station. Let's go do some interviews. And you guys were had done a lot more thinking about music and sort of the whole style of the show. So we worked well together. But I had to laugh because, you know, it's a good thing we had the faggot influence, because I'm not John Hilgeman 2:19 Sure before and afterwards. Charles Koehler 2:22 Well, we're really lucked out also with getting in contact with Jerry Rabushka, who did that and intro and accent music. Really, very, very helpful. As a matter of fact, he was a guest on at least one of the programs that we've done. Yeah, John Hilgeman 2:40 Our first guest was Alderman Steve Robertson. He talked about the Bias Crimes Bill, and he mentioned on that program that he would be interested in cosponsoring a bill that would ensure rights for gay people, and I guess, basically the same rights that other people in society can count on, rights to housing and access to public accommodations and things like that, things that people take for granted. Charles Koehler 3:06 Yeah, Deborah Law 3:07 Something much needed in St Louis, though his sponsorship was certainly crucial in terms of the Bias Crimes Bill, and we've already had opportunity to put it to test with the billboard (that's right) on the billboard, in terms of calling it to task, but he didn't happen to mention on that show anything about running for mayor, did he? John Hilgeman 3:30 No, he didn't. I'd sure like to see it some day. Charles Koehler 3:37 That'd be great. I was thinking also about some of the other people that we had an opportunity to talk to, such as Sergeant Perry Watkins, who was the guest of honor, I suppose, at this year's Pride Fest that was announced at the on the billboard that wasdefaced. And we've had a number of other people, both locally and nationally, such as Tom Wilson Weinberg, who's done The 10% Review. And if rumors are correct, there's talk of bringing the show to St Louis area next year. So that would be, that would be great. And we've had everything from the everyone from the sublime, such as the authors Art and Mariam Wirth, who are the authors of the book, Beyond Acceptance, they're P-FLAG members, really neat people, everyone from the sublime to the ridiculous. We've we've had George, George Peach, St Louis prosecuting attorney who seemed John Hilgeman 4:53 He didn't seem to know too many answers to too many questions that you put to him. It was kind of surprising when I listened to that interview. Deborah Law 5:01 Not really, though. Do you think? Surprising? John Hilgeman 5:04 Well, certainly there were areas that one would think that is what is he, circuit attorney? Charles Koehler 5:11 Prosecuting attorney for the city. Yeah, he seemed to, he certainly knew nothing at all about the hate crimes bill in St Louis that directly affected him. He was, Deborah Law 5:27 I mean, not surprising from what should be the definition of the job, but considering the way this man has approached his job, and not only in reference to the gay community, but the Afro American community in St Louis, his disregard for the populations of St Louis. I mean, on the one hand, I'm shocked by it, but yeah, I'm not surprised by his ignorance. John Hilgeman 5:55 We've also had the hilarious. Joan Lipkin. Deborah Law 6:00 That was a fun show, yeah. And actually, her show has been a fun show. And in fact, if anybody hasn't seen it, I know there are two shows this evening, a four o'clock show on eight, and they're planning a wild show for New Year's Eve tonight, an eight o'clock show. So I don't know if there are any tickets left, but you may want to check it out for your last chance, though you were mentioning, and I know that there has been some talk if this the show may go on the road, that there have been some out of town producers looking at it, and I know that they have talked to the cast about the possibility of traveling with it, but that was a great interview to do, and then to also be able to listen to the music and to talk to Joan. Certainly, I think the response was beyond her wildest expectations in terms of what is the three extensions that the show has had and playing the sellout crowds. And I think it's part of the role that we, I feel like we as a lesbian and gay community are experiencing in St Louis. She had some rocky times in the beginning getting publicity, and then everybody had to come around and say, My God, this thing is playing just packed houses and extending well beyond the lesbian and gay community in St Louis. Charles Koehler 7:07 I think that the play is significant from the standpoint that it I think it demonstrated to the lesbian and gay community that there are people out there that are really interested in the whole topic and what it was talked about. I think a lot of credit, of course, goes to Joan and also the her co-author of the play, Tom Clear, the lyricist, their their abilities, but also, I think it has a lot to say, what, what the St Louis areas is experiencing in realization that that there is a lesbian and gay community out there. John Hilgeman 7:55 I think that billboard was a fantastic the money was raised for that, and it was up there, and it got a lot of attention in the media, especially after somebody defaced it, and then, of course, it was all fixed up, cleaned up again. But I think things are really kind of hopeful for the lesbian and gay community in St Louis. I mean, there's going to be a lot of rocky times ahead, I know, but still, I think we've come a long way, just looking back 10 years and seeing how, you know little seemed to be happening, and how some major things are beginning to happen, and maybe the sleeping giant is beginning. I guess. Deborah Law 8:36 I think it is certainly not to disregard the major things that still have to be done. But I think the billboard was very exciting, and I was very excited when I heard about it, when I saw it. I hadn't even prepared myself for the kind of rush that I felt when I saw that thing right up there at the corner of 44 and Jefferson. So I think the other thing that's very that was very good about Joan's play, and then I think factors into sort of our sense of self in a community is it's not only the homophobia we fight as a lesbian and gay community, but just being Midwesterners, that lack of confidence or pride. And it was great to go to a show that was about the Midwest, and it was about St Louis, and we could enjoy ourselves, you know. And I thought that was another very positive point. And I think part of why there was such a great response, like it was like Charles Koehler 9:30 No sense of identity. One of the things that that he mentioned earlier, also is how things have changed over the past 10 years. And one of the things I was reflecting on is, for instance, the Pride Fest of this past year. It had the largest attendance ever, and that ten, that tendency seems to be be growing. I wonder how things might look toward the future. It any thoughts on that? Deborah Law 10:01 Well, hopefully it will like double and triple and quadruple. I know there's a much larger lesbian gay community out there, and someday I would like to rival some of the other celebrations that happen in other communities in terms of numbers and strength that we show. I think we have made strides in terms of people being more forthcoming, and we have moved out of closets. And others who have not yet felt that they could make that choice are saying that our lives are not destroyed as a result of what we have done. I think it was a rugged year for the lesbian and gay community on a national level. I mean, there were a lot of things lost that had been won in previous years, and it was a very rugged election in terms of various city ordinances that were defeated or, you know, rights were taken away. So it's very exciting. And I don't think it's just a relative issue. It's very exciting that we in St Louis, I feel are on a good role. And I think you know, the work that happened at the community college, which you were instrumental in, you know, is something to be another feather in our cap, in terms of what happened in 89 Charles Koehler 11:09 Also the media's response to the whole lesbian gay community, the fact that, I believe it was this past year for the first time, the St Louis Post Dispatch used the word gay on the front page. John Hilgeman 11:23 It's a major breakthrough in the headlines. Charles Koehler 11:25 Significant breakthrough where I believe it was only about a year ago. Two years ago, it was after March that there was, there was some question as to why the Post Dispatch continued to use the term homosexual John Hilgeman 11:43 They seemed to have been terribly committed to that word. So somehow, Deborah Law 11:47 I think they think it was felt that gay would confuse their readership. Yes, they would think we would all be happy, but … Charles Koehler 11:56 never said Deborah Law 11:57 … you were holding forward a piece of paper that you had John Hilgeman 12:00 A couple pieces of paper here that I just was thinking Steve Endean, who was interviewed one time from the Human Rights Campaign Fund on a speak out campaign of signing people up to have telegrams go to people in Congress on key issues. He called a couple nights ago, and he said that this last year, over 25,000 people have been signed up for this Deborah Law 12:24 Wonderful. John Hilgeman 12:25 that the people who were supporting the Americans for Disabilities Act said that this was there was more support from this particular campaign than from any other source. And also he's saying that he's hoping that within a year or year and a half, there'll be 100,000 people who will have signed up for this. And so the on key issues that affect the gay and lesbian community, you know, these letters will be going out, telegrams will be going out. So the people in Congress will begin to realize that we really do exist, Deborah Law 12:58 Forceful constituency, that's incredible. And for people who might not know what it is, you actually pledge for so many issues, or so many times X amount of dollars so that you can have a response to your congress people supporting or saying, you know, you should vote against a certain bill that will affect our community. I think the other thing is the incredible coalition building that happens as a result … Charles Koehler 13:23 Exactly. Deborah Law 13:24 … many people who are affected by many of these acts, not just our community, and by working together, is going to be the only way that we can begin to shape this country into the democracy that it purports to be. Charles Koehler 13:35 It's for all those people that have meant to write their congressmen all these years and never have this is an easy way to make sure. Deborah Law 13:42 If they haven't bought someone a Christmas present or a Hanukkah present, it's the greatest thing you know, they don't have time to do it someone else. John Hilgeman 13:50 One thing that's been a real tragedy this last few years is AIDS, and I could just reflect myself that I lost a close friend the day he died, was the day that our program started airing, … Charles Koehler 14:05 Exactly. John Hilgeman 14:05 … the 26th of March, and the Quilt is a thing that he was very much involved with AIDS Memorial Quilt. And there was a large display this last October in Washington, and we're hoping to have one kind of focused involving heavily the black community in March here in St Louis, hopefully it would get off the ground at some point in the near future. But also, there's going to be a large display in Springfield, Illinois, of 2300 panels in April. Deborah Law 14:41 Great, Charles Koehler 14:41 Great. I believe that's about all the time we have. One of the things that we need to know is what you want to hear as listeners, what you want to what you want from Lambda Reports. We're asking for your opinions, what you like, what you don't like, what you want to hear, whatever After all, Lambda Reports is a program by and for the St Louis lesbian and gay community. So we would encourage you to write us at Letters to Lambda post office. Letters to Lambda Post Office Box 8304, St Louis, Missouri, 63132, that's Letters to Lambda, Post Office Box 8304, St Louis, 63132, or you can call the station here during regular business hours, at 721-2323, at 721-2323, Charles Koehler 14:46 We must say, good night, good morning, Charles Koehler 15:45 good morning. And I think we should all welcome our listeners to the Speaker 1 15:45 Gay 90s. Transcribed by https://otter.ai