A REPORT TO THE PEOPLE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT MLSC
Taken from Prime Time, January, 1977, pp. 2-8. Probably written by Galen Moon, who was President of MLSC at that time.
WHAT IS MLSC?
MLSC stands for Midcontinent Life Services Corporation, a not-for-profit, charitable conmunity service organization chartered by the State of Missouri.
WHEN AND WHY WAS THE NAME CHANGED?
The name was officially changed from Metropolitan Life Services Center on November 24, 1976. The reason for the change was that Metropolitan Life Insurance Company continued to threaten a legal suit against us if we did not change our name. Lawyers assured us we had a good chance of beating the case but we did not have money to pay for a court battle with such a prestigious and financially well-heeled concern which flew lawyers here from New York to tell us either to change or face a court challenge.
WHY WAS METROPOLITAN LIFE SERVICES CENTER CHOSEN?
It was a natural name evolvement because the concept and program was developed under the auspices of the Metropolitan Community Church of St. Louis.
ARE YOU SAYING THAT MLSC IS CHURCH SPONSORED?
No. MLSC is not church sponsored nor church related. But MCC provided space and encouragement for a trial run of the idea which Galen developed through experiences as a Commissioner to the Missouri Interfaith Commission on Aging.
WHAT IS THE IDEA BEHIND MLSC?
The original proposal was a plan to try to get older gay women and men involved in community service programs of interaction among varying age groups and differing socio-economic levels. However, as things worked out, the scope and goals had to be changed and expanded.
GET BACK TO THE BEGINNING, HOW DID IT START?
Galen says that in all the plans, programs and discussions at the meetings of the Commission on Aging, there was no recognition of problems faced by aging gay people. So, he figured gay people should do something for their own.
He wrote up a proposal and asked MCC for moral support and some working space. Then he got seven people together and formed a steering committee. Right there the beginning idea began reshaping because four of the seven were in the 20/40 age bracket.
They put out a Survey-Questionnaire asking what the St. Louis gay community needed. "Hotline" topped the list of 90 percent of the replies so that became the first project. Four members of that steering committee are still part of MLSC: Galen, Harold F., Bill P. and Byron D.
WHEN AND HOW DID THEY GET THE HOTLINE GOING?
The October 15, 1975, edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch carried a two-line classified ad in the Personal column which read: "MLSC Gay Hotline 367-0084.
(There's been an ad in the Post every day since that first one.) The 15th was on Wednesday and on the following Sunday, the hotline phones were answered 232 times. By this time some other people were getting into the MLSC action. Jim Kloepple was one who soon began using his expertise toward developing a truly professional training program for those who volunteered to answer the phones. Others who were very helpful in those days were Bill W. and Mike T., Justin S. , John S., Steve B. and Gary K.
WHEN DID THEY DECIDE TO DO MORE THAN THE HOTLINE?
They had more in mind all the time. But the need and urgency of the requests and expectations heard over the phones sort of forced the shaping of plans. Some of the workers began looking at places to rent, others to get money to pay rent and other expenses.
A set of seven connecting rooms on the second floor of the building at the southeast comer of Euclid and McPherson seemed adaptable. They scraped together the money for a one year "as is" lease. That "as is" was pretty bad. It took a lot of work and donations to make those rooms usable.
The first event in the new quarters, unpainted and unfurnished, was a reception for Leonard Matlovich, the man the Air Force cashiered because he acknowledged his gay orientation.
I AM AWARE THAT GAYS DRAWING TOGETHER IN GROUPS ARE IN A SENSE SECEDING FROM STRAIGHT SOCIETY, BY EMPHASIZING THE NEED FOR YOUNG GAYS TO JOIN SUCH GROUPS I AM, I CAN SEE, ADVOCATING GAY SEPARATION—FOR A TIME AT LEAST. JUST AS BLACKS HAVE HAD TO FORM EXLUSIVELY BLACK ORGANIZATIONS TO FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEIR GOALS ARE, SO MUST WE. WE NEED TO JOIN TOGETHER IN GAY CLUBS, GAY CHURCHES, AND GAY SERVICE AGENCIES, TO HELP UNDO THE DAMAGE DONE TO OUR SENSE OF OURSELVES THROUGH YEARS OF HOSTILITY AND REJECTION BY SOCIETY (Pull quote)
Some really neat people pitched in to get the place shaped up: Dave R., Bill P., Gidget, Jim M., Fred K., Craig P. & Gary B., Jan and Marilyn, Gregg F., Marvin K., Will W., Bob H., Ken D., Lisa, and others whose names fail to come to mind at the moment.
Dec. 29th, 1975, MLSC held open house in its new home and announced an ambitious program of outreach and service to the gay community.
WHAT REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS WERE ACCOMPLISHED IN 1976?
Actually, everything was important but some achievements stand out more than others.
One of the first decisions was that MLSC would respond to anyone needing help—gay or straight, male or female, regardless of age, race or religion. Supporting that stand, The Center was kept open from 9 AM to 11 PM every day to provide an open non-oppressive atmosphere, a retreat with library/reading room, lounge and classrooms.
The crisis-intervention/information Hotline telephone service was answered more than 36,500 times in 1976, always ready to give help to all ages of people from teens to senior citizens.
The Speakers Bureau under the direction of Dr. Marvin Kabakoff is really very important. These women and men dispell the myths, contradict the untruths, and tell the facts about the gay lifestyle. MLSC speakers confront college and university student classes and groups, hospital training units, civic, and religious meetings.
Another thing to be proud of is that MLSC has earned acceptance as a respectable and dependable community service organization which receives cooperation from many community service and governmental agencies.
We also take pride in the fact that the high standards of training for volunteer phone workers put us into the forefront of the newly established Metropolitan Association of Service Hotlines. One goal of MASH is up-grading all hotline services in the metro area.
SEEING MANY GAY PEOPLE IN POSITIONS OF SERVICE WILL HELP ERADICATE THE IMAGE SOME OF US HAVE OF OURSELVES AS SELF-CENTERED AND SHALLOW—AN IMAGE THAT TO SOME EXTENT MAY HAVE REPRESENTED PAST GENERATIONS OF MEN WHO, PREOCCUPIED WITH THEIR GUILTS AND FEARS, WITHDREW INTO THEMSELVES OR RESTRICTED THEIR INTERESTS TO THOSE OF A CLOSED CIRCLE. (Pull quote, Dr. Howard, Brown in his book, FAMILIAR FACES, HIDDEN LIVES)
Another important accomplishment is the compilation of a referral list of professional practioners in various fields who look upon and deal with gays as equal human beings. (Trying to get treatment from a professional person who considers homosexuality a disgusting disease frequently compounds a gay person’s troubles.)
HOW MANY VOLUNTEERS WORK THE HOTLINES?
It takes about 35 to cover a week's schedule and I think I could name close to a hundred people who are or have been on those schedules. There's Wayne, John G., Lily, Gina, Tom A., Richard R., Craig, Judy, Jim T., Jon S., Ken J., Ken D., Dave R., Bill L., Larry D., Don L., Don Me., Lisa, Al, Chris, Becky and Bonnie, Joel, Chip, Pat, Leonard, Mike, Bob B., Bob H., Byron, Fred, Paul, Margaret, Marvin, John S., Terri and Drew, and... that's not a hundred but give me a little time and I'll add some more to the list.
WHY DO THEY PUT THEIR TIME, TALENT AND MONEY INTO MLSC?
Because they're concerned about other people. They want to help make this a better place in which to live. They're trying to overcome some of the damages done by those who through ignorance, prejudice, or rear, teach and preach homophobic lies and hatred.
IS THERE ANY PROOF ANYONE HAS BEEN HELPED?
There's proof all right but not the kind you publicize because identification could easily open the way to harassment and possible suffering.
In a recent issue of Prime Time was a letter saying, "Thanks for saving my lover's life." A mother calls and says she's grateful for our helping her understand the son she had forced out of the home, that he's now back where he belongs and is going back to school. There's a black highschool student whose psychology teacher described homosexuality as a virulent disease which had the potential for destroying civilization unless all the "fags and queers" are eliminated. That boy was desperate when he called the hotline. Now he recognizes that teacher as a homophobe and he's furnishing information to be used for filing a complaint.
Hardly a day passes that doesn't bring at least one sincere plea for help. MLSC through members and contacts tries to help find Jobs, housing, food and clothing.
In fact, if MLSC were nothing more than the Hotline it would be worth the time and money required to keep it going. Being there with facts and truth, to answer questions, to tell where you can go for help where you won't be hassled because you're gay, or just to listen when loneliness and fear are threatening the caller.... YOU DON'T NEED PROOF FOR SUCH VALUES.
WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION?
The usual corporate setup with by-laws voted into being by the membership, a nine-member Board of Directors who serve staggered three-year terms, and a president, vice-president, secretary, and a treasurer appointed by the Board. The Board establishes policy and direction, the officers put those decisions into action.
The present Board is a good one, four women and five men, all with proven ability and concern for the status and welfare of the community. Board members are: Marvin Kabakoff, Fred Kerr, Jim Marshall, Pat Murrell, Richard McAfee, Margaret Pompa, Lisa Wagaman. Judy Weber, and Wilbur Wegener. The Board appointed Galen Moon as president, Richard McAfee as vice-president, Michael T., as treasurer, and Pat Murrell, secretary of the previous board, continues to act as recording secretary until a new selection is made.
IN ONE OF THE BROCHURES IS A REFERENCE TO A BOARD OF ADVISORS, WHAT'S THAT ABOUT?
This is in the formative state but it refers to a group of professional and publicly active men and women who concur with the aims and goals of MLSC and who are willing to give advice and suggestions for improving and strengthening its programs.
WHERE DOES ALL THE MONEY COME FROM TO KEEP THIS GOING?
What do you mean "all the money"? There's never enough. It's a constant struggle to pay the bills. MLSC has had no funding and no paid employees thus far in its work. What money we've had comes from donations and membership fees. There have been a couple of fundraising benefit shows and a building fund drive but we are still short. Another $5,000.00 is needed to put the MLSC Building in operating condition. We need plumbing work, electrical work, carpentry, interior and exterior painting. The basement needs to be ceiled and painted so it can be used for meetings, coffeehouse and recreation area.
We'll take help in the form of money, materials and labor. There must be enough concerned people in the St. Louis area to see that this building can become an efficient landmark of changing times—a center of help, information, and education for gay esteem.
WHAT'S AHEAD FOR MLSC?
Let's get that answer from Galen and others. The beginning was in Galen's head and much of what has evolved is the result of his visions with a lot of good dedicated help from some truly beautiful people who believe that in helping others we also help ourselves.
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