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Drag Out Those Costumes
For Ghostly Galavant

The Friends of the Cabildo 12th annual Ghosty Galavant is Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Escorted tours will depart every 20 minutes from the 1850 House Museum Store on Jackson Square at 523 St. Ann St. The tours last two hours and begin at 9am with the last tour at 3pm. Adult tickets are $13 or $11 for members; cards must be presented. Children 8 and under, accompanied by an adult, are $8.

Enjoy private courtyards usually closed to the public. See apparitions of Jean Lafitte, Marie Laveau and others. You are invited to be part of the show by appearing in costume. Make this part of your Halloween weekend. For additional information, call 504.523.3939.

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Positively Positive Program Scheduled
by Brad Benedict

The Joie de Vivre Metropolitan Community Church of Baton Rouge extends an invitation to everyone to attend "An Evening of Positive Voices" set for Sat., Aug. 1 at the Uniting Campus Ministry Bldg., 333 E. Chimes St., just north of the LSU campus. The concert will be provided by the Dallas-based "Positive Voices." This group was founded by Jackson Myars in Aug., 1994 to serve as a musical outlet for HIV-positive people while making music of hope, strength, courage, and faith for everyone living with HIV/AIDS, whether infected or affected.

A cocktail reception from 5pm 'til 7pm will begin the evening's events. This will take place at Dr. Carlton Carpenter's home, 1895 E. Lakeshore Dr., just off the LSU lakes. The ticket for the reception is $10. This will give everyone a chance to meet members of "Positive Voices" and enjoy a variety of beverages and cheeses.

There will be a silent auction prior to the concert at the Uniting Campus Ministry Building. A hot or cold meal awaits guests in the social hall from 7pm to 9pm. Tickets for this part of the evening's activities are $20.

The final event of the evening will be the concert in the sanctuary from 9pm 'til 10pm. The performance will include new and old secular selections and will serve as an inspiration to all attendees. Tickets for this part of the program are $10.

Persons attending all three events can save $10 by purchasing all three tickets in advance for $30. For tickets or more information, call the church office at 504.383.0450. All profits will benefit the mission and ministry of JDVMCC and the Persons Living With AIDS Crisis Fund.

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Parole Possible
For TX Hate Crime Murderer

Presently, Gaylan Earl Randle is being considered for parole after serving a relatively short sentence for the murder of Houston banker Paul Broussard. Broussard was beaten and stabbed to death on July 4, 1991 by a group of ten young men. The youths had driven into the Montrose area of Houston to "beat up some queers."

"Paul's brutal murder was a hate crime that horrified many Texans especially in the Gay community. This was followed by the insultingly light sentences his murderers received. Only four of these murderers got prison sentences-most of them got ten years probation," said Dianne Hardy-Garcia, executive director of the Lesbian Gay Rights Lobby of Texas. "Paul's mother, Nancy, fights continuously to keep her son's killers behind bars. She needs our help to do that and the Lesbian Gay Rights Lobby of Texas asks that we all join Nancy in her effort to prevent Randle's parole."

Rodriquez asks that people write the Texas Department of Criminal Justice today to ask them to stop Gaylan Randle's parole.

"Gaylan Randle has never shown any remorse for the murder of my son. He received only ten years probation for taking my son's life. He violated his probation and that is why he is serving time now," explained Nancy Rodriquez. "It is extremely hard to believe that Paul's killers have served so little time. It hurts me to think that Paul's life is over and the men who took his life are already back on the street. Paul deserves better than that-his life was worth more than that!"

Nancy Rodriguez and the LGRL ask that letters urging that Gaylan Randle (TDJC #727682) be denied parole. Please mail letters to: Raven Kazen, Texas Victim Services Division, Texas Department of Justice Criminal, P.O. Box 13401, Austin, TX 78711.

"These letters make a real difference to the parole board. Each letter shows the parole board that people cared about Paul and that they are opposed to Randle's early release," said Ms. Rodriguez.

"The fact that Paul's murderers are already eligible for parole is a clear illustration of the reason we need tougher hate crime laws in Texas. In the wake of the brutal hate crime in Jasper, many Texans and state legislators will be working together to pass the strong and effective hate crime laws."

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Hormel App't May Be Clinton's Decision

Senate Majority Leader Trett Lott says there will not be time for a vote on James Hormel's nomination as ambassador to Luxembourg before Congress recesses for the summer, according to the Web site of the Advocate. That said, the ball is now back in President Clinton's court: When lawmakers are in recess, presidents may make interim appointments for specified periods without congressional approval. Clinton has used that power repeatedly in the past on other issues but has not said whether he will employ it for Hormel, who would be the first openly Gay U.S. ambassador. [GLAAD]

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