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".
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.