Civil rights leader speaks

Wilmette Brown has battled racism and homophobia around the world since the 1960s. And last night she brought her message to the University. In a forum co-sponsored by the Program for the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Community at Penn and the Penn Women's Center, Brown spoke on the topic of "Organizing Across the Divides of Race, Nation, Poverty, and Sexual Orientation." Brown is one of the founders of International Black Women for Wages for Housework, a group which promotes the recognition of women's work in the home. In her speech, Brown addressed several different topics, including her personal beliefs about the direction of the gay movement, welfare reform and government policy regarding AIDS. She described her first priority as "connecting with other people to promote The International Black Women for Wages for Housework." Brown also praised the media for its recognition of young people and minorities within the gay, lesbian and bisexual community, but expressed concern over the lack of coverage of gays with disabilities and lesbian single mothers. "I think it is important to acknowledge women's work in the community," said Gloria Gay, associate director of the Penn Women's Center. "Often we don't acknowledge the work done in the home." In addition to the rights of housewives, Brown is a strong supporter of the rights of the gay, lesbian and bisexual community. "From the perspective of the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Association, often times the gay movement has set an agenda for white males and females," said Ruth Kauffman, program assistant for PLGBCAP. "Ms. Brown addresses the issues of the gay community across the divides of class and race," she added. The event, which drew an audience of more than 35, was sponsored by 16 different campus groups, according to Gay. "The number of groups reflects the broad appeal of the speaker," she added. Currently, Brown is working to stop the trials of the AIDS drug AZT, which are being held in Europe. "We consider them to be genocidal experiments," she said. Brown is also trying to bring blacks and whites together in the British gay pride movement and is coordinating opposition to Britain's Child Support Act. Additionally, Brown has worked to eliminate the stigma attached to welfare. "Welfare is the power to refuse a wage job," she said. "The unwaged work of lesbians spent fighting AIDS should be paid for." Brown is also active in the anti-nuclear, health and environmental movements and their relation to the minority community.

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