GSA Distributes Magazine, Aims For Greater Awareness

The Harvard-Radcliffe Gay students Association (GSA) last night distributed in dining halls the first edition of a new magazine devoted to literature and art by and about homosexuals.

The group plans to give out 1800 free copies of the 18-page publication, Lavender Portfolio, which is designed "to acquaint none-gay people with the talents of gay people in a positive light," said Donald E. Tarver '82, the magazine's editor and a GSA member.

"These is still not an awareness that there are gays here," explained Tarver. "In this way, we are hoping to reach people who have ignored other types of messages, like Gay and Lesbian Awareness Day [as annual GSA conference]," the North House resident and outgoing president of the Harvard Yearbook added.

Harvard University Gays, a Boston-area alumni group, helped raise the $850 needed to get the new publication off the ground, said Tarver, who last year mediated a dispute between the GSA and the yearbook over an article in the book that made joking reference to gays in Adams House. He added that the GSA will try to mist enough money through donations and advertising to print two more editions next academic year.

Jonathan L. Handel '82, vice president of the GSA and another one of the six ranking editors of Lavender Portfolio, echoed Tarver in stressing that the magazine has a dual purposes. "Artistically, the point is to present work with gay consciousness from gay people. Politically, I think the point is that it is another step in showing people who we are."

Both students said they expect the magazine, which includes work by undergraduates and area residents to be well received by the Harvard community. "It's all artistic, and presumably. Harvard people should be able to appreciate that kind of artistry," said Tarver.

The initial edition of Lavender Portfolio is dominated by work oriented toward males because of the difficult in recruiting women contributers. Tarver explained. "We are hoping that because of the first issue, more women will come forward," he added.

In addition to poetry, short essays, cartoons and photographs, the magazine includes a humor section that pokes fun at various University administrators and professors.

John B. Fox, dean of the College, is described as leading a course entitled Procedures 2840. "Robert's Rules of Order," which is described as follows "Practical seminar in the art of procedure How to maintain an objective while obtaining the desired result. Particular emphasis placed on the use of the index and underlining in the table of context Flashcards to be provided."

"The actions we are parodying were pretty pointed themselves," said Handel, "and often pointed at GSA."