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Gay Activists in SF
Close United Airlines Ticket Office

On Sept. 12, activists in support of San Francisco's equal benefits ordinance held a rally and shut down United Airlines' ticket office. Activists were arrested blocking the entrance to the ticket office. The rally, organized by Equal Benefits Advocates, protested United's recent decision to file a lawsuit to block San Francisco's landmark equal benefits ordinance, which requires any entity contracting with the City or County of San Francisco to provide the same benefits to its employees' domestic partners that it provides married spouses.

"United Airlines is 'rising' to new heights of homophobia by suing San Francisco to block this ordinance," said Carol Stuart of Equal Benefits Advocates. "While United is actively fighting San Francisco, Merrill Lynch and Thrifty Car Rentals last week joined thousands of companies and will offer domestic partner insurance to its employees."

The 1996 legislation has had a profound impact on benefits for Lesbian and Gay employees nationwide. "In 1996, 500 companies nationwide offered domestic partner benefits. Now, over 3,000 companies are in compliance," said Jeff Sheehy of Equal Benefits Advocates, one of the arrestees. "Studies show that spousal benefits makes up more than 40% of an employees' total compensation. American Airlines estimates that their Lesbian and Gay market brings in over $140 million in revenue per year. We will deny this market to United even if it means blocking ticket offices. Enough is enough, this appalling inequity must end!"

Equal Benefits Advocates are calling for a national boycott of United Airlines until it withdraws its lawsuit and works towards offering equal benefits for all employees.

"How can United Airlines market so heavily to the queer community, and then join Pat Robertson to deny us equal pay for equal work?" continued Geoff Kors of Equal Benefits "United should not receive one dime from our community until it stops its coercive actions against San Francisco and offers dom

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Two New Jeff Palmer Calendars
Celebrate the Beauty of Men

Jeff Palmer's 1999 AIDS Benefit Calendar, FOCUS, will be available in general release beginning in early Oct. Stunning black and white photographic images are the hallmark of this best selling male nude calendar featuring thirteen new photographic images including powerful and beautiful images of men alone and men with men-sensual and erotic, but non-sexual. The 11"X11" month-at-a-glance calendar reminds daily to "FOCUS on a future without AIDS."

All mail orders for the AIDS Benefit Calendar that are received by Oct. 15, 1998 will receive an artist signed 8'X10" photo of an image from the 1999 calendar (a $65 value)-free! Proceeds from the sale of the calendar are distributed to agencies across the US that provide direct services to people living with HIV and AIDS. More than $400,000 has been distributed since the first calendar issue in 1990.

New this year is the 1999 Passion Calendar, published by 10% Productions, which also presents 13 photos by Jeff Palmer, all images of couples, celebrating Gay male sensuality and sexuality. This beautiful black and white calendar features erotic, sensual, tender and stunning photographic images of men with men, as captured by the extraordinary vision of the celebrated artist Jeff Palmer. Each month, these beautiful pairings will have you remembering old passions and creating new ones.

To receive the 1999 AIDS Benefit Calendar or the 1999 Passion Calendar, send $13 each plus $3.00 shipping and handling to: Jeff Palmer Originals, Dept. NO, PO Box 230034, Encinitas, CA 92023-0034. Contact Jeff Palmer and the AIDS Benefit Calendar on the Internet at www.jeffpalmer.com.

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Eureka Springs, AK Diversity Celebration

Eureka Springs, AK will be hosting its second Diversity Celebration Weekend this year on Nov. 6-8, and cordially invites all LesBiGay visitors to join family and friends for three days of fun and relaxation in the Ozarks.

Wander through the many fine art galleries, tour lavishly restored and decorated Victorian homes, trout fish on the White River, or hike along the lake, taking in the sights and sounds of the Ozarks. Or rejuvenate your body and spirit in the atmosphere of Eureka's healing springs, treating yourself to a massage and full menu of body work, including steam baths, reflexology, facial masks, and more.

Fri. and Sat. dance both nights away, topping things off with a third dance on Sun. afternoon, along with a drag show performed by the "Girls from Tulsa" and local entertainers.

Or shop 'til you drop with an early holiday shopping spree at the unique shops in Eureka's historic downtown district, where a number of shops will be offering discounts to Diversity celebrants. The Eureka Springs Diversity Cooperative, a collective of over 100 Gay-owned or Gay-friendly businesses and services, attests to the town's welcoming and supportive atmosphere.

The Diversity Celebration Weekend also happens to coincide with Eureka's Food and Wine Festival, when many restaurants will outdo themselves with delectable cuisine and special wine selections that should please most palates. Also, LesBiGay visitors are offered a variety of options for lodging-charming bed and breakfast inns, grand old hotels, cottages and motels from the inexpensive to the elegant. And many have found this hideaway in the Ozarks to be an ideal spot for a holy union or commitment ceremony.

Early reservations for the weekend are advised. For more information on the schedule of activities or Diversity Cooperative listing, please check out the Web site at www.shimaka.com/eureka/diversity or call the event sponsors, The Emerald Rainbow, at 501.253.5445.

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Task Force to Host 9th Annual
"Honoring Our Allies" Reception

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force will host its 9th annual "Honoring Our Allies" awards reception on Mon., Oct. 5 in Washington, DC. Four outstanding individuals will be honored for their exceptional commitment to equality for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender people. In addition, Congressman Barney Frank will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his trailblazing leadership in this struggle. Last year's Honoring Our Allies reception featured Vice President Al Gore. The event will be held at the Galleria at Lafayette Centre at 1155 21st St. from 6:30-8:30pm.

This year's distinguished recipients are Cristina Saralegui, international television personality and founder of Up With Life/Arriba La Vida, a foundation dedicated to AIDS awareness and education among Hispanics; Honorable John Lewis, Congressman from Georgia since 1987 and veteran civil rights leader; Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, DC's Congressional Delegate who has tirelessly and consistently worked against anti-GLBT legislation in Congress; Reverend Cecil Williams, pastor of Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco who has challenged the limits of spirituality, compassion and diversity in his ministry; and, Honorable Barney Frank, openly Gay, progressive congressmember from Massachusetts who has been at the forefront of the effort for GLBT equality.

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