Date: Tue, 05 Dec 95 00:37:22 ARG From: ales@wamani.apc.org (Alejandra Sarda) An afternoon with lesbian puppets In October, when Lesbianas a la Vista took to the streets to protest against our government's stance in Beijing, many people asked -in a respectful, concerned way- "which rights do you lack?". That question made me think our next "street event" had to be about the rights we do not enjoy. Chela Amadio and I wrote the leaflet you will find below. We brought the idea to a group meeting and everyone agreed. "Lavender Tide", our art sub-group, suggested to use puppets. Monica Pavicich, Veronica Garcia and Luciana Kerner designed and made up the two puppets we finally used: a couple of tall, red mouthed, long haired (one red, one black), smiling lesbians. Lali Eiven found the music: a bolero with lyrics stating the "we are more than just two friends" and praising the joys of "our special love", and she also directed the wonderful improvisations of our two puppeters: Monica and Bibi Lorenzano. After hours of rehersal and sewing, everything was ready for Sunday, December 3, 4 p.m. The place was San Telmo, a turistical -historical Buenos Aires area, usually crowded on sunny Sundays. Before leaving, as "security in-charge" I supplied every group member with the phone number of a lawyer who works for lesbian/gay groups. It was painful to said goodbye to two of the group members who were going to be on site, but as perfect strangers: Luciana and Valeria Herrera are underage and their presence -in case there were trouble with the police- could mean a sentence of "minor's corruption" for the rest of us. They were strangers but not idle: taking advantage of their condition of Journalism students, Valeria recorded the event on video and Luciana took pictures! Once "on site" we met many friends who had come to give us their support and warmth: Convocatoria Lesbiana (Lesbian Call); the lesbian staff of Nx magazine; many independent lesbians; Gays y Lesbianas por los Derechos Civiles (Gays and Lesbians for Civil Rights -GLDC); Act Up Buenos Aires; Rosario from Madres, Padres y Familiares de Lesbianas y Gays (Mothers, Fathers and Family Members of Lesbians and Gays); the recently created Grupo de Lesbianas y Gays Jovenes (Young Lesbians and Gays Group) ... The bolero started to sound. With the help of volunteers from Act Up y GLDC, we formed a protective barrier, to be alert in case the police would come (fortunately, it did not happened) and resorted to smiles, extended arms and a lot of assertiveness to stop the traffic. People were coming close. Many thought it was going to be a performance for children. But as soon as they listened to the bolero's lyrics and watched the puppets - under the charming and inspired guidance of Bibi and Monica- dance, seducing each other, no doubts could stand. Something "queer" was taking place there. As the dance ended with a passionate kiss, the truth was evident: those two were lesbian puppets!! Sandra Saavedra, Fabiana Tron and Chela Amadio distributed more than 200 leaflets among the public. The performance was repeated three times (with a growing attendance) and when it was over, we could only see 4 or 5 leaflets on the floor: almost everybody had taken them home. The public reacted mostly with surprise, interest and respect; a few people were indifferent but nobody was aggresive. Our two objectives - to bring lesbian-created lesbian images to the streets, for everyone to see; and to raise the public's awareness about the rights we do not enjoy as couples (or triads) were widely reached. The performance ended with the sunset and everyone dancing in the street: puppets, lesbians, gays, mothers, teenagers ... and some people from the public too. Alejandra Sarda Escrita en el cuerpo/Lesbianas a la Vista (Written on the body/ Lesbians on Sight) Piedras 1170 1ero. B (1070) Buenos Aires Argentina Phones: 54-1-307 66 56 / 931 96 48 E.mail: ales@wamani.apc.org LOVE IS A MULTIPLE DOORS STORY Raquel and Patricia are a couple. They have lived together for 10 years. Right now, Raquel is unemployed, while Patricia has a job with a good health coverage. If Raquel falls ill, they both will have to face the costs of private care and if then can't, they will have to go to a public hospital. There is no way Raquel might use Patricia's coverage. If Raquel falls seriously ill and, for instance, she has to undergo an operation, Patricia won't be able to get a payed license to take care of her. She could not take any decitions regarding Raquel's treatment either. And if Raquel dies, Patricia will have to go to work as if nothing happened because she won't be entitled to take mourning days off, for spouse death. When they met, Raquel lived in an apartment and was paying mortgage. Since Patricia went to live with her, they have been sharing the mortgage payments as they share everything. But, legally, the apartment is Raquel's. In case she dies, her family would have every right to the apartment and all the goods it might contain. Legally, Patricia would be an intruder. And the family could resort to the police to kick her out. Right now, our country's legislation does not acknowledge the existence of many types of families, i.e.: many different combinations of people who share a home and give each other emotional and material support for prolonged periods. Raquel and Patricia's problems are shared -with the particulars of each case- by heterosexual non-married couples, friends who live together sometimes their whole lives, and any other combination of people other than the nuclear family. WE KNOW YOU CAN NOT CHANGE THE LAW, BUT THERE ARE MANY OTHER THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO, LIKE FOR INSTANCE: * If you know any non-traditional family, ask them what can you do to support them. Tell them they can rely on you. * If you witness a situation where a non-traditional family is discriminated against, don't just stand there: protest! * Share this leaflet with your children, friends, coworkers. Think together how many different types of homes do exist and if it is fair that only one type enjoys legal and social recognition. LESBIANAS A LA VISTA -- ales@wamani.apc.org < Fin - End >