Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and TransgenderedHealth Science Librarians
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and Transgendered
Editor: Bill Fleming
Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center
CONTENTS
Introduction
1. As If We Never Said Goodbye - Your Editor Gears Up for Seattle
Business
2. SIG Program 97 (Robb Mackes)
3. Simon LeVay - a Selected Bibliography (Karen Zundel)
4. Volunteers Needed for Conference (Bill Karnoscak)
5. Get a Room! - Seattle Accommodations (Bill Karnoscak)
6. Gonna have a Clambake! Seattle Social Activities (Bill Fleming)
People
6. Batavia Downes - Celebrity Reporter
7. "Getting to Know..."
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AS IF WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE - YOUR EDITOR GEARS UP FOR SEATTLE
by Bill Fleming, Academic Computing Resources and the Library of Rush
University, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center
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It seems but a short time ago when I drove away in a cab from the Radisson Suites in Kansas City en route to the K.C. airport (where I switched my flight to the next morning, got a $200 American Airlines voucher, and grabbed a cab back to the Radisson so Sabrina could spend just one more night with Kelly and Jill... "Charlie's in danger!"). Has it really been 9 months since the last annual conference? Are there only 3 months left to the 1997 annual conference in Seattle? Wow. Time really does fly.
Now is about the time when those of us who will be fortunate enough to make the journey to Seattle will start to think about the conference. Inside this issue you will find information on this year's program (which promises to be the best yet), group lodging, and social activities. We will also be treated to another installment from everyone's favorite medical "librarian" .....Batavia Downes. And boy, does she have a scoop for you! Also included is yet ANOTHER new feature. "Getting to know..." will feature 5 SIG members who were asked to answer a few questions about themselves. Perhaps we can find out something new about that person we only know from a signature file in a listserv posting.
Please forward any comments, questions, and most of all SUBMISSIONS to yours truly at the address below. Thanks....and see you in Seattle.
"Punch it, Bree!"
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Your editor can be reached at:
bfleming@lib.rush.edu
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SIG PROGRAM, 1997
by Rob Mackes, Warren Hospital Medical Library
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With the 1997 Annual MLA Conference in Seattle, WA, fast approaching, it's time to formally announce program plans. Our speaker will be Simon LeVay, Ph.D. The title of Dr. LeVay's talk is "Changing Our Minds: Queer Science and the Use/Abuse of Research into Homosexuality." From LeVay's synopsis:
"Over the 24 years since the American Psychiatric Association deleted homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, there have been significant changes in the way gays and lesbians think about themselves, as well as in the way they are viewed by heterosexual men and women. In general, the move away from a pathological view of homosexuality has been accompanied by an increasing belief that a person's sexual orientation is a central and immutable aspect of his or her being a given. Paradoxically, however, there has also been an increasing emphasis on people's right and ability to their own sexual life-paths. Simon LeVay, a neurobiologist and gay man who reported in 1991 on brain differences between gay and straight men, will discuss what science has to say about the development of sexual orientation, and where "biological fate" and "chosen lifestyle" may intersect. He will also discuss how the science may impact, either negatively or positively, on the psychological well-being of gay people and their status in society."
Our program this year is being co-sponsored by the Mental Health Librarians Section, and is scheduled for Sunday 25 May from 2-3:30 pm. Hope to see you there!
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Robb Mackes can be reached at:
rtmackes@fast.net
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SIMON LEVAY: A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
by Karen M. Zundel, McKeesport Hospital
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BOOKS (by Simon LeVay)
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LeVay, Simon. Albrick's gold. New York: Masquerade Books, 1997.
ISBN: 1563335182.
A fictional account dealing with social aspects of homosexuality
research.
LeVay, Simon. City of friends: a portrait of gay and lesbian community
in America. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1995. ISBN: 0262121948.
[see Book Reviews below]
LeVay, Simon. Queer science: the use and abuse of research into homosexuality.
Cambridge: MIT Press, 1996. ISBN: 0262121999.
[see Book Reviews below]
Simon LeVay has explored the historical attempts at curing
homosexuality, current evidence of biological links with homosexuality,
and the moral implications of these findings. Cures have included
testicle transplants, electroshock therapy, and heterosexual therapy.
Genetic evidence for homosexuality may either strengthen gays' arguments
for their orientation, or provide an opportunity to change a fetus'
orientation.
LeVay, Simon. The sexual brain. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1993. ISBN: 0262121786.
[see Book Reviews below]
LeVay's discovery of a difference in a part of the hypothalmus between
gay and heterosexual men has spurred research on genetic causes of
homosexuality and helped the cause of gays fighting discrimination.
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ARTICLES (by Simon LeVay)
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Dolce, Joe. And how big is yours? (size of hypothalmus in gays) [interview
with Simon LeVay]. Advocate: The National Gay and Lesbian Newsmagazine,
June 1, 1993, no.630, p.38.
Controversial medical researcher Simon LeVay gives his views on
homosexuality and his recent findings that the hypothalmus of
homosexuals is smaller than those of straight people. Though his
findings have stirred negative insinuations on homosexuals, he claims
to be a staunch gay cause advocate.
Harris, Sherry; Haynes, Todd; Hollibaugh, Amber; James, John S.; LeVay,
Simon; Schulman, Sarah; Shilts, Randy; and Vaid, Urvashi. We can get there
>From here: ideals and strategies. [lesbian and gay liberation]. The Nation,
July 5, 1993, v.257, no.1, p.26.
Eight involved people discuss the political and social implications
of the gay and lesbian liberation movement and the strategies of
the movement.
LeVay, Simon. After the war is over. [gays winning war against homophobic
attitudes]. Advocate: The National Gay and Lesbian Newsmagazine, March
21, 1995, no.677, p.49.
Gays are slowly but surely winning the battle against homophobic
attitudes and are ceasing from viewing themselves in terms of
heterosexual standards. As they try to overcome the remaining
obstacles to acceptance, it is important that they develop a clear
understanding of what being gay means.
LeVay, Simon. A difference in hypothalmic structure between heterosexual
and homosexual men. Science, Aug. 30, 1991, v.253, no.5023, p.1034.
LeVay, Simon and Hamer, Dean H. Evidence for a biological influence in male
homosexuality. Scientific American, May 1994, v.270, no.5, p.44.
Work by Roger Gorski and others at UCLA has shown that a group of
cells in the medical preoptic region of the hypothalmus, known as
INAH3, play a role in determining sexual behavior. Recent research
shows that straight men have at least twice the number of INAH3
cells as women or gay men.
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ARTICLES (about Simon LeVay's research)
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Bailey, J. Michael. Is sexual orientation biologically determined?
CQ Researcher, Mar. 5, 1993, v.3, no.9, p.209.
Pro and con views are presented whether or not homosexuality is
genetically determined. On the pro side are Simon LeVay's brain
studies as well as twin studies indicating a biological basis for
male homosexuality.
Barinaga, Marcia. Is homosexuality biological? [research on the
hypothalmus suggests the answer may be yes]. Science, Aug. 30, 1991, v.253,
no.5023, p.956.
Begley, Sharon and Gelman, David. What causes people to be homosexual?
A study pinpoints a difference in the brain. Newsweek, Sept. 9, 1991, v.118,
no.11, p.52.
Crabb, Charlene. Are some men born to be homosexual? [brain tissue differences].
U.S. News and World Report, Sept. 9, 1991, v.111, no.11, p.58.
Ezzell, Carol. Brain feature linked to sexual orientation. [hypothalmus
and homosexuality]. Science News, Aug. 31, 1991, v.140, no.9, p.134.
Gallagher, John. Hypothalmus study and coverage of it attract many barbs.
Advocate: National Gay and Lesbian Newsmagazine, Oct. 8, 1991, no.587, p.14.
In an interview, Simon LeVay says both pro and con criticism
misinterpreted his study.
Gelman, David. Born or bred? [genetic causes of homosexuality]; includes
related profiles of gay men. Newsweek, Feb. 24, 1992, v.119, no.8, p.46
Discusses whether homosexuality is an emotional disorder.
Gessen, Masha and McGowan, David. Raiders of the gay gene: scientists trying
to prove that sexuality is biologically determined are the new media darlings.
Advocate: The National Gay and Lesbian Newsmagazine, Mar. 24, 1992, no.599, p.60.
States that Simon LeVay's research cannot be held as conclusive in
view of LeVay's statements that his study was limited by both size of
data and data insufficiency.
Gorman, Christine. Are gay men born that way? [medical study; includes article
of studies done on rats]. Time, Sept. 9, 1991, v.138, no.10, p.60.
Grady, Denise. The brains of gay men. Discover, Jan. 1992, v.13, no.1, p.29.
Says that LeVay speculates that the missing section [of the hypothalmus]
cause the lack of desire for women, but acknowledges that conversely,
homosexual behavior may cause the change in size.
Horgan, John. Gay genes revisited: doubts arise over research on the biology
of homosexuality. Scientific American, Nov. 1995, v.273, no.5, p.26.
Researches claim to have disproved Simon LeVay's theory.
Kevles, Daniel. J. The X factor: the battle over ramifications of a gay gene.
The New Yorker, Apr. 3, 1995, v.71, no.6, p.85.
Discusses LeVay and Hamer's research on the X chromosome.
Maddox, John. Is homosexuality hard-wired? [structures in the hypothalmus
possibly related to sexual orientation]. Nature, Sept. 5, 1991, v.353,
no.6339, p.13.
Marshall, Eliot. When does intellectual passion become conflict of interest?
[includes profile of Simon LeVay]. Science, July 31, 1992, v.257, no.5070, p.620.
Vines, Gail. Obscure origins of desire. New Scientist, Nov. 28, 1992, v.136,
no.1849, p.S2 [New Scientist Supplement: Secret Life of the Brain].
Pro and con sides to LeVay's gay gene theory.
Wheeler, David L. A researcher's claim of finding a biological basis for
homosexuality rekindles debate over link between brain morphology and behavior.
The Chronicle of Higher Education, Sept. 4, 1991, v.38, no.2, p.A9.
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VIDEOS
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Biological aspects of homosexuality. New York: Cornell University Medical
College, 1993. 3 videocassettes.
From the Conference on Biological Aspects of homosexuality. Part 3
features Simon LeVay discussing the biological nature of homosexuality.
Born or bred? New York: ABC Distribution Co., 1991. 1 videocassette; 15 min.
Primetime Live television program.
Simon LeVay discusses the possibility that gay men are a product of
genetic structure rather than environmental influences.
Conference on human sexuality focusing on homosexuality and ordination
(Sept.30-Oct. 1, 1994) Glendale, CA: Presbytery of San Fernando.
4 videocassettes; 377 min.
In Plenary Session III of the conference Simon LeVay presents a
medical perspective.
LeVay, Simon. The sexual brain. Tri-Beta Biological Society Conference, 1995.
1 videocassette; 75 min.
Simon LeVay discusses his research centering upon a biological basis for
determining sexuality.
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BOOK REVIEWS
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"City of Friends" reviewed in:
CHOICE, June 1996, v.33, no.10, p.1686 [author: E. Broidy]
Library Journal, Oct. 15, 1995, v.120, no.17, p.79
[author James E. Buskirk]
Publishers Weekly, Oct. 30, 1995, v.242, no.44, p.54
"Queer Science" reviewed in:
Advocate, June 25, 1996, no.710, p.80 [author: Gabriel Rotello]
JAMA, Sept. 11, 1996, v.276. no.10, p.836 [author: Domeena C. Renshaw]
Lamda Book Report, July 1996, v.5, no.1, p.14 [author: Lawrence Mass]
Library Journal, July 1996, v.121, no.12, p.150 [author: Gregg Sapp]
New York Times, Aug. 11, 1996, p.8, col.1 [author: Roy Porter]
"The Sexual Brain" reviewed in:
Archives of Sexual Behavior, Dec. 1995, v.24, no.6, p.670
[author: Michael J. Baum]
BioScience, Feb. 1994, v.44, no.2, p.102 [author: Anne Fausto-Sterling]
Discover, Mar. 1994, v.15, no.3 p.64 [author: David Nimmons]
The New Yorker, Apr. 3, 1995, v.71, no.6, p.85 [author: Daniel J. Kevles]
Times Literary Supplement, Jan. 14, 1994, no.4737, p.5
[author: Richard Gregory]
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Karen Zundel can be reached at:
mckmedlib@shrsys.hslc.org
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR CONFERENCE
by Bill Karnoscak, Academic Computing Resources and McCormick Learning
Resource Center, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center
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Call for Action and Activity (Ok, what we really need are volunteers!)
In order to execute all of the SIG-related efforts at the annual meeting, we entreat your support. This is especially true of SIG Members who will actually be present at the annual meeting in Seattle.
Listed below are some of the areas (and some specific tasks) which need various amounts of energy and attention. Once you've read this list, and you know you are going to be at the conference, please do not delay in letting Sally Harvey or myself know you're willing to pitch in. If you have questions about the list, said contacts can answer them as well.
(Hope to) See you in Seattle.
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Bill Karnoscak can be reached at:
btk@lib.rush.edu
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GET A ROOM! - SEATTLE ACCOMMODATIONS
by Bill Karnoscak, Academic Computing Resources and McCormick Learning
Resource Center, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center
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Seattle, as the conference site for the 1997 Annual meeting of MLA, has a natural queer tie-in: it's nicknamed "The Emerald City" (strains of "Over the Rainbow" come in about this point. Now I hope I don't have to spell this out for anyone!)
In this pre-conference article of the newsletter I hope to provide information on the accommodations which SIG Member Richard Klein graciously has arranged for us. Traditionally, our SIG has tried to provide lodging in a LGB-owned and/or friendly place. We are motivated to do this for several reasons: It is generally cheaper than the "official" conference hotels, which are still expensive, even at the convention rate!; smaller, so as to provide a sense of community, and usually a short walk to the main hotel and convention sites (let's us get a little exercise and gets us away from the main conference site madness and mania).
Those who have been around awhile might recall the 1994 San Antonio lodging site (The Park Motel, to which our Ms. Zundel has often referred to as the Bates Motel...). We have, however, come a long way since then: The Kalorama Guest house (DC'95), and the glorious art-deco Radisson (KC'96).
Getting to the point, however, this year's SIG hotspot is the Pacific Plaza Hotel. It is located at 400 Spring Street, Seattle WA 98104. This is a 10-15 minute walk to both the main conference hotel (Sheraton Seattle Hilton & Towers) and the convention center.
We have a preferred rate of $90/night (double occupancy available -- NO triples, however, due to local fire code ordinances). There is a 15.2% lodging tax (which comes to $103.68/night). Call TOLL-FREE at 1.800.426.1165 from 9a-6p (Pacific time) Monday through Friday. Our group name is Lesbian Gay Bisexual Special Interest Group of MLA. You must give our group name to the reservationist in order to qualify for the $90 rate. (I made my reservation on 2.13.97 and found out from "Joel" that the Promise Keepers [Christian Sexist Male Oppressers; my opinion, not Joel's] are in town the same weekend and no more rooms with two double beds in them were available for Friday 23 May; take note). So if you're hoping to snap up one later that weekend, you better reserve fast! Our original booking agreement was for 20 rooms, 15 w/ 1 Queen bed and 5 w/ 2 double beds. They will be flexible and deviate from that arrangement based upon availability.
See you in Seattle...
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Bill Karnoscak can be reached at:
btk@lib.rush.edu
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GONNA HAVE A CLAMBAKE! SEATTLE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
By Bill Fleming, Academic Computing Resources and Library of Rush
University, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center
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Well, perhaps a clambake is not what people would have in mind for a really fun social activity, but it worked in Carousel! Just WHAT is there to do in Seattle? Well, I'm sure there's plenty. In Kansas City, SIG members found a wide range of things to do: riverboat gambling, shopping, drag shows, jazz, karaoke. I've never been to Seattle, but it's a lot bigger than Kansas City, and I've been told that it's absolutely WONDERFUL, and so I can't help but be excited about the prospects for social activity.
As I did last year, I am going to prepare a "helpful" guide to Seattle, with the help of both local magazines and a friend who once lived there. Perhaps our "artist in residence" will be inclined to produce another priceless masterpiece for the cover.
Our Seattle contact, Tamara Turner, has agreed to scout out local restaurants for the SIG-sponsored dinner. In terms of any other social activity.....that's up to you. Last year I led a committee which tried to plan some social activities. Right now we're seeking out someone who would be willing to do the same this year. Plan a social or two....be gracious....get people to drink....you know, that sort of thing.
Please let Bill K. know if you're interested, and then....start planning.
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Bill Fleming can be reached at:
bfleming@lib.rush.edu
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BATAVIA DOWNES....CELEBRITY REPORTER
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Well, Batavia has had quite an exhausting and exhilerating time of it as of late. She survived the holidays, barely, and is trying to ecide if the climate is to her liking. Whilst everyone has been busy as bees, Miss Downes has been looking in all sorts of low and sordid places for information on you diverse readers of this small attempt at literacy.
I must say that you are a discreet bunch! Well, some of you, but I shall tell the tale, throw caution to the wind, and let everyone know the exploits of one William Fleming. Before Miss Downes begins this tale of woe.....she received it third hand and has nothing to do with the acuracy of the reporting. Batavia is only concerned with telling a colorful tail, oops, tale! (These HOMOnyms really present problems!)
Well on a recent trip to the cultural mecca of New York City, said Miss Fleming found herself in a rather touchy predicament! While obtaining a small repass, the one quarter of a pound beef patty au gratin with Pomme Frite and an incredibly large beverage of an effervesent variety, at Ronald's Golden Rainbow Room, in aformentioned city, upon leaving the establishment was accosted by some young thugs....thirty, perhaps one thousand....it does not matter. A small request of pocket change was made by the throng assembled. Sensing a problem among the masses when told that "Me, travel with pocket change! You must be MAD!" Miss Fleming, with an immpeccable sense of timing, thought that a brisk stroll was now the order of the day. A small select group from the assembled throng felt that they would like to pursue the issue of pocket change, and hoped to catch up with Miss Fleming. Being a power walker they were not able to keep up with our girl and fell behind, eventually leaving Miss Fleming to her own devices. Along the way, having decided to maintain proper form while taking exercise, the repass was jettisoned. With her lungs full of fresh New York City air, food was no longer an issue.
After the invigorating stroll, Miss Fleming was ready for the evenings activities. Not knowing which chic little bistro or supper club to grace, M. Fleming felt that "Choose the one with the classiest name!" A local tavern by the name of "King" was selected. Miss Downes has felt that anything connected with royalty is always suitable. Upon gracing the doorway of the tavern M. Fleming was overtaken by the many gay merrymakers within. Not being a local, it seemed that such a large number of patrons was due to some sort of local competition being held that evening. Being a curious sort of person, our dear friend investigated the competition and was very pleased to find out that it related to the health science field. The tavern was holding a "Deep Throat" contest. Always a fan of ear, nose and throat matters, Miss Fleming thought she would stay and witness the events. But, having taken such a brisk walk earlier in the evening Miss Fleming was unable to stay for the main event. I am sure that all of my readers will be interested in finding out about such local customs....so I am asking if any of our "Big Apple", no relation to "Adam's Apple" readers would like to explain this very colorful local custom.
I don't have anymore information about the Fleming excursion to NYC as Miss Downes occasionally runs into problems with her e-mail and lost the rest of the message. There were a couple of sentences left, but the words bear and feather boa didn't seem to have any connection.
On the SIG (as in significant) front, my pleas for information through my contact Mr. Smith, went pretty much unheeded. There were a couple items that did pop up.........Mr. Mitch (not Miller) Walters was "Spotlighted", Miss Downes can certainly identify with that!, as a research manager. What does a research manager do anyway? Miss Downes asks the question, and so does an article published in the newsletter of the Research Interest Group of MLA. RIG, SIG, MLA.....Miss Downes really is sick of all this alphabet soup!
The second is a blond, I mean, "blind" item: a certain librarian of the vertically challenged ariety, I am not sure what that means, but I believe in using BIG words. All my dear readers are librarians you know. Well, back to the blond, I mean blind......this person of the male type might soon be singing the "Grand Canyon Suite" and living in a Hogan. Miss Downes just hopes that he does not accesorize with turquoise! Miss Downes favorites are opals. If you can put the words "rush" and "rosary" in the same sentance you are on to the blond....blind item. A change is in store for our blind man and he will be joined by a certain "Upstate" "Salty"commodity. Not everyone gets to work for the high priestess of MLA! Enough said!
Batavia did receive a submission from a lovely, not as lovely as Batavia, person from New York City.....Miss Downes actually had to change her hose, and loosen her girdle after reading it! The writing was almost as good as hers! So rather than edit such a wonderful piece of prose ( please be good enough not to notice any errors ) I give it to you and your reading pleasure unadorned.
Ms. Downes:
This is all the dish I have:
Don't mess with this Librarian! This November, Jean
Sullivant completed a five-hour intensive "Introduction to
Weapons Defense". She reports that she can now knock
you silly and disarm you if you attempt to attack her with a
knife, gun, club, or other blunt instrument, so be nice to her
in Seattle. She hopes to take the full 35-hour weapons
course in September 1997.
Meanwhile, as this goes to press, she is enjoying a
long-awaited three-week stay in Australia, New Zealand
and Fiji with her partner of fifteen years. She is, though,
hopelessly confused by the concept of an "International
Dateline", and is completely convinced that she will
actually arrive at her destination the day before she
departed. No matter which day she arrives, however, she
promises that her seat back will be upright and her tray
table will be in its original locked position. She also
promises that she will only used "approved electronic
devices" while on the plane.
April promises to be a busy month for Ms. Jean, as well, as
she performs in a bizarre, yet tasteful number with the
oh-so-gay Times Squares Exhibition Team at the
oh-so-straight New Jersey State Square and Round Dancing
Convention. Although she cannot yet reveal content of the
number, she assures us that it will involve juggling of
scarves while dancing. She is also assisting in coordinating
a basic self-defense workshop for gay men and lesbians in
New York City that month. She continues to find her
social life much more interesting, eclectic and rewarding
than her "gainful" employment.
Well, Miss Downes mascara is running after that!
For those of you that sit until the end of movie credits, and read fine print....I thought that you would like some coming attractions for my next literary effort.
My next column will feature:
"My day as a medical librarian" - Miss Batavia Downes will shadow some lucky librarian and write of her experience. Red heads, please apply!
"Beauty tips for daylight, and office lighting" - lets face facts, life is not one big spotlight!
"How to accesorize carpal tunnel braces" - Batavia fears that those who wear them may think they work all by themselves!
" The proper way to accept awards at professional meetings"- how to be gracious, as you spot 10 to 12 people at a time leaving for the powder room!
That's all for now dears......Batavia can't write another word!
If you would like to contact the above author....please contact her agent. Miss Batavia Downes will appear ANYWHERE on whim or invitation, just ask. Please contact her agent Mr. Brian Smith.
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Batavia Downs can be reached via her agent, Brian Smith
bsmith@lakenet.org
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GETTING TO KNOW....
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NAME: Jack Adcox
NICKNAME: Let's see during my college years it was (Adele - "the
southern belle") as a child and still to some of my family members
it was/is (Jackie); recently as associated with the SIG it it (Kelly).
BIRTHDAY (not birthdate): August 22, 1961
I WAS RAISED IN: Fayetteville, North Carolina
WHERE I LIVE NOW: Graham, North Carolina
I HAVE A DEGREE/DEGREES IN/FROM: I attended Westminster Choir College in
Princeton, New Jersey
I WORK FOR: Health Sciences Consortium
MY BIGGEST PET PEEVE: Sitting near someone who insists on talking during a
movie
MY FAVORITE FOOD: Anything Italian
TO RELAX, I: like to go to a quiet beach at sunset and listen to the ocean
waves.
THE LAST GOOD MOVIE I SAW WAS: In Love and War
THE LAST GOOD BOOK I READ WAS: Who has time to read??
MY MOST EMBARASSING MOMENT: When my dog decided to pee on the foot of a
man I was dating....the dog and the man NEVER got along after that
event. That's ok though it didn't work out anyway (my dog has really
good intuition about these things--by the way my dog's name is Merlin!)
PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS, BUT I'M REALLY: Very SHY!
BEHIND MY BACK, PEOPLE SAY I'M: If they say it behind my back how do I know
what it is?? They probably say I'm ugly or something like that.
THE PERSON I WOULD MOST LIKE TO MEET IS: Bill Cosby
AS FAR AS T HE SIG GOES: I really enjoy the social contacts I have developed
as part of the SIG. Professionally, the SIG provides me with some
networking possibilities. But for me its a good place to meet people
who are a part of my field and who share a common personal connection
with me. I love the SIG....and everyone I have interacted with at past
meetings. I probably need to be more involved however!
WORDS TO LIVE BY: "Cover me Bree!!" (Not to be confused with cover me with
Brie....however in the right circumstances those MIGHT be words to live
by......white wine would be a must!)
***************************************
NAME: Garry Forger
NICKNAME: G
BIRTHDAY (not birthdate): August 21, 1972
I WAS RAISED IN: Liverpool, New York
WHERE I LIVE NOW: Tucson, AZ
I HAVE A DEGREE/DEGREES IN/FROM: Syracuse University
I WORK FOR: In transition at the moment
MY BIGGEST PET PEEVE: Bigots
MY FAVORITE FOOD: Chocolate
TO RELAX, I: Eat chocolate, run, read
THE LAST GOOD MOVIE I SAW WAS: Evita (yes, I liked it)
THE LAST GOOD BOOK I READ WAS: Cracks in the Iron Closet: travels in Gay and
Lesbian Russia by David Tuller
MY MOST EMBARASSING MOMENT: When Jerry Perry got drunk at the Kalorama at the
MLA meeting in DC and broke the sherry bottle on the stairs.
PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS, BUT I'M REALLY: Not awfully bright.
BEHIND MY BACK, PEOPLE SAY I'M: Not awfully bright.
THE PERSON I WOULD MOST LIKE TO MEET IS: Hillary Clinton
AS FAR AS THE SIG GOES: Love the people in it, and love seeing everyone at
the meetings. It provides a reason to go to MLA!
WORDS TO LIVE BY: "Don't be held back by self imposed limitations."-Sharon
Quist
****************************************
NAME: Sally A. Harvey
NICKNAME: Sass (or honeybunch, if you are Jackie)
BIRTHDAY (not birthdate): August 2
I WAS RAISED IN: Omaha, Nebraska
WHERE I LIVE NOW: Irving, Texas
I HAVE A DEGREE/DEGREES IN/FROM: B.A. English, U of Nebraska at Lincoln.
M.L.S. U of Arizona
I WORK FOR: UT Southwestern Medical Center
MY BIGGEST PET PEEVE: People who "play the victim"
MY FAVORITE FOOD: Really good Mexican
TO RELAX, I: Read, get massages, run, garden
THE LAST GOOD MOVIE I SAW WAS: Rainman - I'm a little behind!
THE LAST GOOD BOOK I READ WAS: Women who run with the wolves
MY MOST EMBARASSING MOMENT: Too numerous to go into!
PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS, BUT I'M REALLY: A closet New Ager
BEHIND MY BACK, PEOPLE SAY I'M: Disorganized?
THE PERSON I WOULD MOST LIKE TO MEET IS: Alice Walker
AS FAR AS THE SIG GOES: My fondest hope is that it lasts and positively
contributes to our profession and community.
WORDS TO LIVE BY: You reap what you sow, and water seeks its own level
*****************************************
NAME: Bill Fleming
NICKNAME: My family has various names: Will, Willie, Billy...Most recently I
have become Bree (aka Sabrina)
BIRTHDAY: June 5, 1965
I WAS RAISED IN: Danville, Illinois
WHERE I LIVE NOW: Chicago, Illinois
I HAVE A DEGREE/DEGREES IN/FROM: B.S. Mathematics/Computer Science,
University of Illinois, Urbana
I WORK FOR: Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center
BIGGEST PET PEEVE: People who jump on bandwagons
MY FAVORITE FOOD: Chef Boyardee Ravioli, sushi (but not together)
TO RELAX, I: Watch television (Simpsons, 3rd Rock, Men Behaving Badly), listen
to Elton John CDs, walk along the lakefront (in the summer)
THE LAST GOOD MOVIE I SAW WAS: Mother
THE LAST GOOD BOOK I READ WAS: SCTV, the Early Years by Dave Thomas
MY MOST EMBARASSING MOMENT: There are so many.....how about the time I broke
through a line waiting to buy a ticket for a movie, bolted through the
doors of the theater past the ushers, running upstairs because I HAD
to make use of the "facilities" before something even more embarrasing
happened (I had Chinese for dinner). The usher followed me and
(shouting through a stall door) demanded that I "stop" what I was
doing and leave the building. Things were worked out and I got to
stay, but now I wonder if it was worth it....the movie I went to see
was "Shy People" with Barbara Hershey and Jill Clayburgh....ick.
PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS, BUT I'M REALLY: terribly insecure
BEHIND MY BACK, PEOPLE SAY I'M: a bitch
THE PERSON I WOULD MOST LIKE TO MEET IS: Cher
AS FAR AS THE SIG GOES: I sincerely hope that it can grow in all aspects,
giving each of us a group of professional AND personal resources.
WORDS TO LIVE BY: If you can't make what you're doing fun, it's not worth
doing.
*******************************************
NAME: Fritz Whitcomb
NICKNAME: Fritz (My real name is Raymond Frederick Whitcomb, Jr.!)
BIRTHDAY (not birthdate): May 5
I WAS RAISED IN: Wauseon, Ohio (find *that* on a map!)
WHERE I LIVE NOW: Chicago, IL in BoyzTown
I HAVE A DEGREE/DEGREES IN/FROM: B.A in English from Hiram College (Hiram, OH).
M.L.S. from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
I WORK FOR: The John Crerar Library / The University of Chicago
MY BIGGEST PET PEEVE: dot matrix printers out of paper.........
MY FAVORITE FOOD: anything Italian with wine!
TO RELAX, I: spend time with my partner, Greg, go to the theatre or art
museum, and read.
THE LAST GOOD MOVIE I SAW WAS: Beautiful Thing
THE LAST GOOD BOOK I READ WAS:
Brown, Todd D.
Entries from a hot pink notebook /
New York : Washington Square, 1995
Book 306 p. ; 21 cm. ISBN: 0671890840
MY MOST EMBARASSING MOMENT: A champagne brunch with my friends and partner at
the Palmer House for my birthday last year.....I was talking after we'd
drunk several bottles and said a few things too loudly and well......
we terrorized a few straight families!
PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS, BUT I'M REALLY: shy and nervous around new people
BEHIND MY BACK, PEOPLE SAY I'M: a bitch.....(ok, who's talking behind my
back?!?!?) :)
THE PERSON I WOULD MOST LIKE TO MEET IS: Katherine Hepburn
AS FAR AS THE SIG GOES:
--------------------
Fritz Whitcomb
Science Reference Librarian/Bibliographer for Physics, Astronomy and Technology
Coodinator of Science Networked Resources
The John Crerar Library -- http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/LibInfo/Libraries/Crerar/
The University of Chicago Library -- http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/
INTERNET: rfwhitco@midway.uchicago.edu
TC(v1.12): T6C2(4)L2c h++ d- a- w- y(+) e++ t++(1,4,6,8,10) k++m2+ q-
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WORDS TO LIVE BY: "Run, Barbara, run!" -- the boyz at SideTracks on ShowTunes night.
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This page was last updated on September 15, 2004. Credits