Poet reads stories on lesbianism

In a sparsely attended poetry reading on Friday, black and lesbian poet Julie Blackwomon read stories and poems about lesbianism from her book Voyages Out II. Only 10 University members attended the hour-long reading at Stiteler Hall, which was part of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian Awareness Days. Audience members laughed as Blackwomon read a humorous short story about a woman who gave up other women for Jesus soon after accepting her sexual orientation. "Was I upset?" the lover asked. "You're damn right I was upset." The lover in the story sarcastically adds that Jesus was into sadomasochism and bisexuality because he is nailed to a cross and is always with other men. In another poem, the "Emancipation of Fanny Gordon," a woman denies her sexual orientation until she is 62 years old. During her lifetime, she marries and has children -- always denying her feelings for other women. "I find that poem rather sad," Blackwomon said after reading the poem. In her poem "Love Poem For Survivors of Ongoing Child Abuse," Blackwomon said recovery is a continuing process. "Sister, you are not alone, you are not guilty, it is not your fault," Blackwomon read. Blackwomon then read exerpts from "Ophelia," a short story about a white woman, who insists that her inner self was black, and her black lover. The story traces the development of the two from the time they meet to the time they form a relationship. After the reading, Blackwomon autographed copies of her book and answered questions from the audience. College junior Doreva Belfiore, treasurer of the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Alliance, said the low turnout could be attributed to lack of publicity. But she added that she was still pleased. "We wanted to feature a local gay or lesbian writer," she said. Belfiore also said she enjoyed Blackwomon's short stories -- especially about the conflicts between black and white lesbians. "She treats it in a humorous way but brings out the issue and confronts us with it," Belfiore said.