Dutch Gay News October 18th 1995



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Amsterdam Gay and Lesbian Switchboard reports Loss

AMSTERDAM. In its annual report 1994-1995 the Amsterdam Gay and Lesbian Switchboard set up nearly 10 years ago reports a loss of nearly DFL 3000,- (US$ 2000,-). The volunteer-run organisation receives an annual grant from Amsterdam city council of some DFL 5600,- (US$ 3800), but most of the over 30,000 Guilders the organisation had at its disposal last year came from sponsoring whereby organisations and private persons could "buy a day" for DFL 195,- (US$ 120,-). Nearly 60 organisation "bought a day", among these religious groups, general practicioners, law-offices, gay bars, dancings and an institute specialised in training beauticians. At the moment some 20 volunteers (4 women and 16 men) devote part of their spare time to "man" the phone. The GLS cooperates with groups in countries like Israel, the Baltic States, and Russia. The organisation provoked some discussion this spring when it decided to stop giving information on where to cruise in Amsterdam to "not give away the game to gaybashers".

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Third Homo Expo to be Held in Leiden

LEIDEN. After having been held in Hilversum for two successive years this year the city of Leiden, known for its ancient University and its cheese will host the "Homo Expo". From the 3rd to the 5th of November over 20,000 people are expected to visit the gay lifestyle fair for which the Hilversum premises turned out to be too small. The fair will be opened by a choir consisting of Leiden's gay and lesbian town councilmembers. Changes from previous years include: more stands, the Leiden location at the "Groenoord Hallen" being about twice as large as the Hilversum one, extra stages for the performing arts and a lesbian film theatre featuring among other films like: Go Fish, Thin Ice, Desert Hearts and Salmonberries. Also this year for the first time at the Homo Expo GISAH (Gay Integration Through Sports Actvities Holland) will organise a volleyball-tournament and demonstrations in several sports including the martial arts will be given. The volleyball-tournament will be open for a maximum of 15 men's and 5 women's volleyball teams and Health minister Mrs. Erica Terpstra, a former Olympic swimmer herself, will present the prize for the best team at the Ceremony Protoclaire. A number of well-known artists like drag queens Dolly Bellefleur, Nicky Nicole and gay Choir "Noot aan de Man" will perform. Less-known artists and more daring performances can be seen at a sideshow. According to a spokesperson for the Expolaan organisation, organisers of the event, any act and organisation is welcome to join, provided their activities do not violate Dutch laws on morality. In last monday's edition of the media-programme "de Verwarring" ("Confusion") on gay radiostation MVS however it was reported that a place at the fair was withdrawn after having been initially granted to gay lifestyle magazine "Squeeze", which is to appear later this year, for, according to "Squeeze", "no appearant reason". The official reason of the withdrawal was said to be the nature of Squeeze's act (scarcely-clad hunks marching up and down the fair), but there are strong suspicions other participants feared the competition from a new gay paper and may have pressured the organisers of the event into denying "Squeeze" a place at the fair. The Homo-expo is a sign companies are catering more and more for the lesbian and gay taste and are trying to get their share of the "gay guilder". Holland's gay community is looking forward to what already may be termed one of the gay highlights of the year and if it's anything like last year, well worth a visit.

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