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MsColl8_Reel_001_01
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Barbara Bernstein reports from Portland, OR on national campaigns to rescind protections afforded gays and lesbians on the basis of their sexuality, spearheaded by radical right wing group, featuring interviews with Donna Redwing of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and Suzanne Pharr of the Women’s Project.
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MsColl8_Reel_002_01
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Bert Wylen interviews Alix Dobkin on May 6, 1995 about the political roots of her music, her time in Greenwich Village in the 1960s, and her journey toward lesbian identity through feminist consciousness-raising groups. Dobkin discusses her early political engagement with the Communist Party in Philadelphia, performing during a miners’ strike in Kentucky, and her commitment to women’s empowerment. Wylen and Dobkin also address her controversial stances against the inclusion of transgender women in women’s spaces and against sado-masochism, as well as her forthcoming memoir. Material used in broadcasts of WXPN’s Gaydreams.
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MsColl8_Reel_003_01
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Bert Wylen interviews George School student, Sam Bergman, and George School English and Religion teacher, Carolyn Lyday. Bergman discusses his experiences coming out as gay at the age of 15 and beginning a gay student group at his school. Lyday reflects on her position as faculty advisor to the group.
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MsColl8_Reel_004_01
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Bert Wylen interviews Babette Josephs on April 22, 1992 about her record and campaign for reelection as State Representative for the 182nd District. Josephs discusses her authorship of the Hate Crimes Bill and her belief that LGBTQ rights benefit all constituents and affect all districts. Josephs addresses Ceisler’s criticisms and defends her coalition-building efforts. Material used in broadcasts of WXPN’s Gaydreams.
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MsColl8_Reel_005_01
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Bert Wylen interviews Mike Ferens and Chuck Volz, members of the Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians (PLAGL). Wylen, Ferens, and Volz discuss the organization’s mission and core principles and debate the organization’s stance. Cecilia Holecheusky calls in from Cleveland, OH to discuss her experience working with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and her stances on abortion, having had one herself. Material used in broadcasts of WXPN’s Gaydreams.
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MsColl8_Reel_006_01
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Bert Wylen presents Vinegar and Lace: A Tribute to Gay Activist and Artist Tommi Avicolli broadcast on September 29, 1991. “For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield plays. Wylen recounts Avicolli’s childhood in South Philadelphia, his early effeminacy, and his political awakening through the Gay Liberation Front at Temple University. Avicolli recalls his fear of being outed and initial anxiety attending meetings. “Star Spangled Banner” by Jimi Hendrix plays. Avicolli speaks about his early resistance to authority, his anti-war activism, and involvement in publishing an underground paper in high school. Avicolli discusses his Catholic upbringing and eventual decision to found the group, Gay Pagans and Atheists. “That’s the Way of the World” by Earth, Wind & Fire plays. Avicolli shares his coming out story and the resulting family fallout. Bobby Avicolli, Tommi’s older brother, offers accounts of familial harassment. “Devil With the Blue Dress On” by Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels plays. Avicolli recalls performing with the Radical Queen Revue and the political nature of their drag. Avicolli reflects on his turn toward writing, both political and creative, including his work in consciousness-raising journalism, fiction, poetry, and playwriting and his involvement in founding the performance troupe Avalanche. Wylen recites Avicolli’s “Rape Poem.” Avicolli discusses the process of working through the trauma of his sexual assault. “That’s the Way of the World” by Earth, Wind & Fire plays. Avicolli reflects on the responsibilities of activism and his evolving understanding of journalistic integrity. Wylen describes Avicolli’s influence on Philadelphia Magazine journalist Lisa DePaulo, who, at his urging, reported on the murder of Anthony Milano. DePaulo recounts Avicolli’s deep empathy and insistence on honoring the complexity of the Milano family’s experience. Avicolli discusses his landmark editorial on the AIDS crisis, critiquing the sexual conservatism emerging within the gay movement and calling for a renewed commitment to sex positivity. “Crazy World” by Michael Callen plays. Avicolli discusses his reconciliation with his father after a decade-long estrangement, and reflects on his mother’s illness and death. Wylen discusses Avicolli’s farewell article “Memoirs of a South Philly Sissy,” published in Phialdelphia Magazine before his departure. DePaulo and Bobby Avicolli reflect on his decision to move west. “Fantasy” by Earth, Wind & Fire plays.
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MsColl8_Reel_007_01
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Bert Wylen interviews “Kevin,” a high school senior from the western suburbs of Philadelphia about his experiences coming out as a teenager.
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MsColl8_Reel_008_01
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Excerpt from Bert Wylen’s interview with Kate Dyer about her book Gays in Uniform: The Pentagon’s Secret Reports. Material used in broadcasts of WXPN’s Gaydreams.
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MsColl8_Reel_009_01
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Bert Wylen interviews Anna Forbes and Matt Rubin about their understanding of themselves as “straight queers.”
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MsColl8_Reel_010_01
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Bert Wylen interviews Edmund White about his experience editing the anthology In Another Part of the Forest: An Anthology of Gay Short Fiction. White reflects on the joy of curating the stories and the potential to introduce readers to new literature. Wylen and White discuss the stories in the anthology, White’s other publications, and the challenges of defining gay literature, including Edward Albee’s rejection of the idea of the gay writer. Material used in broadcasts of WXPN’s Gaydreams.
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MsColl8_Reel_011_01
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Bert Wylen interviews Corporal Erik Barker about his discharge from the Marines on the basis of his sexuality. Material used in broadcasts of WXPN’s Gaydreams.
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MsColl8_Reel_012_01
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Bert Wylen interviews attorney Jean Smith about the campaign for Measure 9 in the state of Oregon. Material used in broadcasts of WXPN’s Gaydreams.
