Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1998 11:53:22 -0800 From: Eros Publishing Subject: Letter To The Editor Dear Sisters & Brothers in Solidarity, This weekend come see a pro-union musical and support the musicians' union organizing drive at the Civic Light Opera! In the process you will also be supporting some gay and lesbian labor activists. Last month 80% of the professional musicians at CLO signed a public petition for union representation. When presented with a formal request for recognition, the president of the CLO board of directors, Judy Quinton, responded by saying that the board was "100% anti-union." CLO refuses to meet with us for at least a month. We want them at the bargaining table now. Part of the "we" includes an openly gay man and an openly lesbian woman. Max Baldonado is one of the leaders of the musicians' union organizing committee. He identifies strongly as a gay man, a professional musician, and a labor activist. Last summer Max marched in the LGBT Pride Parade as part of the Rainbow Marching Band. In the upcoming production at CLO, he plays five reed instruments. Ironically this upcoming production at CLO is Rags, a pro-union musical set in the garment industry in NYC at the turn of the century. Rebecca, a naive Russian immigrant, arrives at Ellis Island with her young son. They struggle to make a life for themselves in the new world. Rebecca works in a sweatshop, and she becomes active in her union. We are encouraging pro-labor LGBT people and friends to attend Rags this weekend. We are planning a rally this Friday night, 11/20/98, from 7:15 - 7:45, featuring the Labor Chorus. On Sunday afternoon, starting at about 1:30, the Raging Grannies singing group will enliven union activities outside the theater before showtime. CLO is located in Summit School at 11051- 34th Ave., NE in Lake City, across from Nathan Hale High School (about 2 miles east of Northgate Mall). See the show! The Boston Herald described Rags as "a beautiful and stirring experience!" Reserved seating on Friday, 11/20/98, and Saturday, 11/21/98, costs $14, $16, and $18. Sunday's show, 11/22/98, costs $14 (unreserved seating only). Come 45 minutes early to engage in pro-union actions. Call CLO to reserve your ticket and to express support for the musicians' organizing drive. The theater's number is 206-363-2809. Also RSVP to the union office, so we know that we can count on you, 206-441-7600. Or e-mail me. The CLO board might force us on strike before too long, so it's important to see the show right away. BTW, the openly lesbian woman is me. I am a union organizer for the musicians' union. I also co-chair an organization of LGBT labor activists and our allies, the Out Front Labor Coalition/ Gay Pride at Work, AFL-CIO. I hope that Max and I can count on your support for our important struggle at the Civic Light Opera. --- cheers & solidarity, Sarah Luthens w- 206-441-7600 h- 206-322-4926 American Federation of Musicians Local 76-493 http://www.wolfenet.com/~aubrey/aubrey.htm