Coming out

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We canwimprove younghulifer LESBIANS 57. UNITED MOST people take their sexuality for granted - most heterosexual people, that is. They live in a heterosexual world where it is perfectly "normal' to fall in love with someone, eventually get married and probably have kids.

But what if you're gay? What if you love another man or another woman? You don't fit in with what's supposed to be normal. You're "different". You won't get married to your partner, you won't have kids and you certainly won't find- that the world accepts your sexuality as it would if you were straight. The normal path people follow right from boyfriend comics like Jackie and smutty school boy jokes through to divorce isn't for you.

In most cases when young people first realise they're gay it's a painful, unpleasant and confusing experience. All of a sudden what most people never have to think twice about becomes an enormous problem.

And it's not so much a problem caused by gay people themselves, but by a largely prejudiced, intolerant and LABOUR Movement Lesbians have been meeting as a group for threee months now. We felt the need to organise as lesbians to support each other and to take intiatives against our own oppression.

We live in a society in which heterosexuality is presented as the "natural" norm; sexuality is seen as unchanging fixed from birth. We believe that heterosexuality is a political• institution which works to keep us all and Gay YS Group.

ignorant society. A case of "If you don't conform there must be something wrong with you"

For many gays their sexuality is a dark secret they live in fear of someone discovering. For those who come out it can be hell. All of us have felt some form of rejection from family and friends which often leads in turn to a feeling of complete isolation. Most of us have experienced some form of verbal and physical abuse, and losing your job is common. So who do you turn to for support? How all Bays cope with coming Class This last question is important because it raises the question of class. Coming out is much more difficult for work0:0053% By Denise Fowler straitjacketed within the nuclear family to serve the needs of capitalist and patriarchal society.

Lesbians and gay men are subject to severe punishment for refusing to be straitjacketed like that. In addition we are oppressed as are all women within a male dominated society, but in particular as women who are obviously refusing to accept our defined roles as wives and sibilities are greatly increased. You probably move in so-called liberal minded circles where prejudices are less hardened. But the crucial thing is that you have the economic status and power to lead a social life with other gay people. You have the money to go out to the clubs, to enjoy the gay scene.

Your economic position gives you more opportunities to do more things. But what if you're working class, possibly unemployed and therefore with very little money? How easy is it then to get out and meet other gay people, especially if you don't live in one of the big cities? That's when you really feel isolated. That's when your class determines the possibilities for your life.

Sexuality should be an important issue for all socialists who are concerned to fight oppression wherever it is found. None of us are free, straight or gay, whilst the capitalist ruling-class has the power to determine for us the way we live our lives. From mothers, to be the em stional nurturers of men. Wor en, putting women first in this NIl pose a very great threat to the status quo.

Neither gay men or straight women, that within the labour movement's can fully appreciate our oppression. As activists in many campaigns within the Trade Unions, the Labour Party and elsewhere we recognise the need to make alliances with both these groups to challenge the sexism and heterosexism within the being very young we are conditioned into believing that some things are acceptable, while others are not. Sexuality is a part of this process. What we want as socialists is for people to have control over their own lives and that must mean the freedom to define their sexuality as they choose.

It is vital for young working class gays an lesbians to get the help they need. The YS can take the lead here and give whatever support is necessary in the struggle to overcome oppression.

They will not win the fight without solidarity from other socialist comrades. We all have an interest in uniting in struggle and smashing the system which maintains our oppression. Its not easy persuading significant sections of the YS to support their gay comrades, but if we consistently push, and win the arguments in people's minds we'll be that much closer to a socialist perspective which seeks to end all oppression, economic, sexual, racial or otherwise.

labour Movement be on our terms.

We are at present operating as discussion and campaigning group. The next meeting is on racism at 7pm April 27th. Then there is a business meeting on 28th at 12.30pm. Both at A Women's Place, Hungerford House, Victoria Embankment, London WC2 (Disabled access).

Furhter information contact Sarah, =/o Feminist Library address as above. Tel 01-9300715.

he winter' levels of atomic radiation. cannot be excluded' irreversible nuclear winter conditions.

yet) and make conditions even worse.

Weapons').

Diary 50p 50p a single copy, "How politics were kept out and 40p per copy for 5 of the People's March" or more, and 30p per copy for 20 or more, from SUPA, 83 Peckham High Street, London SE15. Please add an amount for postage. by Satvinder Singh and Tony Purtill

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Who said that? Heseltine? Dr. Owen? Nope, 60 top trade SHOCKING as it may be, the Queen has had to move her official birthday forward a week!!! The reason? Reagan is attending an economic summit in London on June 9.

In response to Reagan's visit CND has been pressed into organising a national demonstration on June 9.

It wasn't easy getting them to call it, but the pressure built up for a demonstration within the disarmament movement over the last few months, and now there will be major mass actions over the weekend of June 9.

Clearly the event could huge.

Council CND's National Council I have decided that the theme of the demonstration should be 'Return to sender' - meaning Reagan should take Cruise back with him. "To us NATO By Judith But in reality there are lots of reasons to demonstrate against Reagan.

Just look at the warmongering politics of the Reagan administration. Reagan is hellbent on keeping the position of power and strength enjoyed by the US bosses and their partners, the British bosses and Tories.

International Just look around the world. You can see Reagan and Thatcher supporting and arming vicious and barbaric regimes like the one in El Salvador - where 36,000 civilians have died and further 3,000 "disappeared' in the last five years.

In the Middle East, Reagan holding the nuclear trigger.

NATO's strategy of "first means free societies, strike" which led to the deployment of Cruise in Europe has spread to the Middle East.

The 'Rapid Deployment Force' is nearly fully operational which means that Reagan will be able to respond to any 'threat' to the West's vital interests — whether it be oil supplies being cut off or the working class and oppressed peoples fighting for their liberation — by sending in the marines and threatening the 'go-nuclear' if he doesn't get his way.

Serious It's about time the YS woke up to the threat posed by Reagan's and Thatcher's warmongering and started to take the movement against; the missiles and war seriously.

It could start by hleping organise massive youth. contingent June 9 for Reagan supports El Salvador death squads Demonstrate

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ing class gays. If you're middle class your social pos-

of a People's Marcher