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%\advance\parskip-.4pt
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\centerline{\hl Letters For You}

{\rightskip=1in I used to publish all letters sent to HOMOCORE.
Then I said I'd try to publish all letters, and if I couldn't get
them in one issue, it's go in the next. Now, there is no way in
hell I can publish all the letters. Some were simply thrown away.
Sorry! Included are all the ones that looked ``important'' -- our
judgement.

}
Short letters are far more likely to get printed than long ones.
If you don't want a letter published, please say so. If you do,
include your name and address as you'd like to see it appear.

\bar
\begindoublecolumns
%\raggedright

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
% Dear so and so
%
% message body
%
% -- byline
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% {\it reply\dots }
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% \bar
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Hi there!

Here's three bucks -- please, send me the latest issue of
Homocore! I sent you a sample of my zine Metorismus about three
months ago -- did you receive it? I hope you did.

I'm going to write some sort of article on Homocore for a Finnish
zine called ``Toinen Valhtoehto''; could you help me with it? I
could send you some questions about your zine, sexuality etc,
etc\dots The reason I'm doing this article is that I would really
like to raise a discussion about homosexuality in our little
scene -- I want to see some homopunks here! Toinen Valhtoehto is
a zine that comes out every two or three weeks and it has a good
letters section so that's the reason why I'll write the article
for them.

I guess I should tell you something about myself. I'm 19-year-old
boy from central Finland -- this is my last year in highschool
(the final exams will be over within a month). I'm gay
(surprise!!!). My boyfriend is gay too!!! He's the only gay I've
ever got to know. Well, obviously I've met several others too but
no one seems to be willing to tell me that they're homosexuals.

I've known that I'm gay since I was about ten or twelve years
old. I have much earlier signs of my abnormal sexual desires (ha
ha) too: I remember how my father used to buy me comic books
every now and then\dots Superman, Spiderman, Batman and stuff
like that. I used to watch all those big men with big muscles and
usually I got a hard-on and I was pretty confused about it\dots I
was about 5 then. I can hear you laughing there but this thing
really happened to me!

Then came the teenage years and of course I tried to deny that I
simply wasn't interested in girls. I had a couple of girlfriend
and I had sex with them. It was kinda nice, but nothing 
special--the earth didn't move.

Last autumn me and two other guys had this long debate about
homosexuality and during that debate I found out that one of
those two guys wasn't straight. He was my best friend (I've known
him for about 7 years now). So, that's how I found my
boyfriend\dots at first I was afraid that sex might ruin the fine
relationship we had before, but so far everything's been great. 
That guy really makes me happy!

I know this letter is blatant, banal + boring but life is
blatant, banal + boring! Anyway, write back + let me know if you
can help me with the article, ok? I'll travel to New York next
April, so it may take a while for me in getting back to you. 
Stay lucky + take care! Love, Ville

Ville / Box 12 / 51601 Havkivori FINLAND

\bar

Hello again happy homocore-

I sent you a letter + poem recently and two things - sorry the
letter was kinda wet, and I meant to include a dollar for \#5 or
whichever, so here. How did the Anarchy thing come off or did it
yet\dots the vastness of Los Angeles is getting increasingly
(vivid and) oppressive these summer months. Kinda neat -- equal
doses of restlessness and torpor.

I went to the Rodia/Watts towers a while ago, boy, for me one of
the most special places, but - last went in 1981 and before that
in the mid sixties we went as a family -- it seemed a very
community run thing; a cultural and arts center, fountains, a
juice bar, lots of people. There was a palpable sense of \dots 
gathering and doing. In the seventies (the decade of ignorance)
the neglect showed. I spent a night exploring and wandering the
neighborhood and it was a definitely broken but still human
place. Now\dots the towers are covered in cruel scaffolds, no one
looks to care (there is a preservation attempt to explain the
const. look - but I know better people 've tried many times to
demolish Rodia's work looks the pres. fools will accomplish. I
think art {/it changes} in time; not like a photo to stand
unaffected) and the neighborhood is severe and vicious. Living in
the housing developments would be like having your teeth pulled
every day. Not all the people seemed miserable, but there was a
feel of\dots 

And I am desolate before the awesome neglect of and constant
torturing belittling rape by people who have the power my life is
so small that I cannot organize my anger and fear my survival
becomes moot.

Geoff Tuck / 729 E. Palm St. / Alt CA 91001-1915

\bar

Homocore:

I live in a backwards city of uptight conservatives and cultural
obscurity. I was lucky to find your zine in one of the cooler
record stores in town, but in a strange order\dots first \#5 then
\#3 then \#4. From this you should be able to figure out how
strange Seattle really is\dots 

I was happy to discover that there are other people living in
obscurity as I am. I became a different person altogether. My
friends (the few that I have) were shocked by the new me!

I like to see that people are pulling together to help each other
from the looming oppression of society. I fight it every day. We
do not need ignorance and hatred! The sad part of this is that
(at least as far as I have seen) is that other gay persons act
like we are nothing, and no part of their society. This shouldn't
be. I have been verbally abused by uptight gays who can not
accept me for my choice of lifestyle. Oh fucking well I guess! I
had to grow up in a really redneck town and deal with al lot of
shit and when I finally managed to meet other gay people, they
just wanted to make me conform to their image. I don't think that
there is anything wrong with the way that others choose to lead
their lives, but there is something wrong with trying to make
others conform to it.

After all of that I am still trying to figure out if I am gay or
not of course, that adds to the problem because everyone thinks
that by the age of 21 you ought to know. Well I fucking don't!I
do know that I live my own fucking life and I would really like
to meet some new people! This is very hard! The gay scene and the
punk scene are no different\dots too political and conservative.
Outsiders are treated with contempt.

I just don't understand at all! I am pretty easy going most of
the time I guess, and I is hard to be a part of something which
goes against my morals. I laugh at all of the people who swallow
lies in order to just be a part of something. Sick societies
breeding hatred.

I am hoping that someone would like to write to me. I am into
just about anything, and if I am not I like to experiment! I
write poetry so I've put one together for all of the outcasts out
there:

I give myself up to another I give myself up to brutal pain the
act of blood intercourse sadness and panic head in explosive pain
spinning from the rush of lust someone inside being murdered
given myself again to no fucking smile so here it is (my dick)
once again lifeless and uncaring as I should be, but I've fallen
in love with another dead illusion

I have broken the chains of depression!

Thanks to all who have put together such a zine and all of the
readers everywhere. Charge change and CRUSH OPPRESSION! Get over
those pushing you to conform! Be free! Anyone write to me \&
here's my \$1 for the next zine. 

Matt Foster / 1820 Terry Ave / Seattle WA 98101

P.S. There is a band called {\it Death in June} who I suspect to
be Homo. You ought to check out the ``Brown Book'' album and
maybe review it. It's cool but kind of weird too. One of my
friends thinks they are nazis but i'm not too sure. On the inside
sleeve it says: ``It is the plague of our age that we fight in
isolation.''

{\it Write up a review and send it in. We love to hear what turns
people on. -Cory}

\bar

Tom,

I saw your listing in Factsheet Five, and thought I'd write, even
though I doubt these conservative assholes will let your zine in.

I'm in the fuckin' joint in Missouri, and I'm hoping you can
maybe help me out in finding someone who'd like to send me some
hot fuckin' sex letters. I don't want to play any fuckin games, I
don't want any money, or any of that bullshit. All I want is some
letters from some big dick mother fuckers who like smooth hot
asses, because I've got the smoothest, tightest and the {/it
hottest}!

Someone who's into getting high, watching some porn flix, and
getting their balls and dick licked and sucked real good. When I
get out, I'll be staying in Redwood City. I want some big hard
dicks waiting for me when I get there! See what you can do for
me. Thanks,

Bully Pullin \#154784 / F.C.C. 1012 W. Columbia / Farmington MO
63640

\bar

Flipping through M.R.R seeing another Homocore ad \& realizing
that I can no longer sit here disconnected with other gays \&
lesbians I need contact. There are thousands (well not that many)
of lesbian women in their 30-40-50's here, but so few (3)
lesbians my own age. I hope to be moving down to the bay area for
college soon - maybe I can make connections. Who knows - but send
me your zine, here is some silver. Thanks,

Pamela Moore / PO Box 367 / Miranda CA 95553

\bar

Hey Tom-

Here's buck for your issue \#6, thanx for sending \#5, and for my
classified ad in. Sorry to say that my ad is in desperate need of
clarification, cause it seems to have put me on the 'quick-trick'
mailing list, so I would like ta let the readers know that
contrary to popular opinion, it was never intended as no sex at,
but was aimed at scoring some local pals to hang out with. The
bottom line being that I'm basically straight edge sexually, view
sex as an extension of friendship, and only bend over for damn
good buddies. Besides which, if I was in to quickies, One-night
stands, etc., I would not need no ad, cause I deflect enough o'
those bullshit offers on a day to day basis.

In regards to yer answer to the letters of Marc Klapper in
Gulairmoe, all I can say is, it seems that hope springs eternal
as the sayin' goes. How you could think that the ``ratio might
have been better'' is beyond me - especially after readin' yer
comment to Shawn Jeffcoat about ``when I or my friends walk
through the Castro''. If ya think those ``nasty looks'' are bad
news, try going into a Castro bar (like the Phoenix) on a Friday
or Saturday night, or maybe the 'Rawhide', or business district
gay bars. And ya damn well better not light up a clove cigarette
in the 'trax' bar! believe me, breeders don't gots no monopoly on
stupidity these days! Hell tom - about the only bars around
that's worth a damn is 'Crystol Pistol' and some south o' market
ones, and this stuff ain't confined just to the bar scene either. 
If ya ask me, I think gratuitous rejection has mostly replaced
the modern myth of gay brotherhood. Anyway, at least we do agree
on one thing, that being what ya said about ``fag-basher-bashing
would be more useful''. Having been a proponent of that hobby for
many years, I can assure you that ``violence as a tool'' is quite
an effective cure for what ails the homophobes! On the other
hand, ya seem to have backslided a bit in your answer to
Gulairmoe, concerning ``something we could do after the fact''. 
The answer is simple - wave bye-bye to the dancercise class, flip
yer ballet teacher the birdie, and start learning how to protect
your ass, cause ain't nobody gonna do it for ya! Either yer a
solution to the fag basher problem, or you're part of the
problem. Every time a wimp lets a fag basher fuck him over, he's
providing 'positive reinforcement' that pretty much guarantees
that the homophobe will do it again, to someone else. But if ya
stomp their ass and break some bones, you will find their
attitude is quickly adjusted (``Boo Hoo, I gots beaten up by a
fuckin' queer''). E'nuff said!

Singh c/o / 2140 Shattuck Avenue Drawer 2479 / Berkeley CA 94704

P.S. Anybody who know where the aryan skinheads is hangin' out,
now 'the farm' has closed down - drop me a postcard \& let me
know. Also, any quality artists, writers, etc., should be advised
that I'm looking for submissions of sinister 'n satanic artwork,
movie stills of horror/gore or sex scenes, true stories of jail
rape, \& other 'shock value' submissions for a one issue zine I'm
working on. I'm payin' gratis of five to twenty dollar for first
publication right. S.A.S.E required id ya want unused submissions
returned. Deadline is midsummers eve 1990.

\bar

Dear Homocore,

In your last issue I saw a letter from a Bryan Holten from
Indianapolis. I'm a college student in Chicago, but my family
lives in Indy, so I wrote Bryan a letter.

Just recently I ran out of money for school, so I'm stuck working
in Indy for a few months. So I gave Bryan a call. When I locked
up his name in the phone book, I noticed it was Holton not
Holten. When his mom yelled for him, she yelled Byron not Bryan. 
When I told him I'd seen his letter in Homocore, he told me to
fuck off. In short, either Byron is a lousy speller and Mr.
Paranoid, or that letter in Homocore was a joke.

This is kind of funny if this guy Byron is a fag basher, but
still it's not cool, because I went to all the trouble of writing
him! So readers, please don't send in practical joke letters! 
Now this guy knows Homocore exists. He can buy it, see my address
in it, and give me shit. He probably won't, and I'm not scared of
him anyway, but I'd rather not have assholes involved with
Homocore in anyway.

If any real Indianapolis homo-punks or eccentrics would like to
write, I'd be delighted, because I'm a little bored here, I'm a
19 year-old Mohikan elf-girl who likes to read, go to the park
and swing on the swings, and listen to such music as Throbbing
Gristle, Christian Death, Velvet Underground, and 4AD bands. I'm
also involved in TOPY.

Christine Griffin / 9347 Kingsboro CT / Indianapolis IN 46236 

\bar

Hey Homocore,

Enclosed is 2 bucks. Please send me the latest issue and one of
those way cool ``anarcho-homo-logo'' buttons. I'll wear it
proudly. I've seen the oppression -- I was at a pride demo here
in Orange County and saw my friends beaten and arrested by the
riot squad bastards. Little by little the world might bet
educated, but it's a weary struggle. Keep fighting, we'll all
keep clawing \& scratching at the wall together. I'm pissed off
at the moment though 'cause my friend just called me collect from
L.A. He was at an anti-racism demo and the pigs came and
brutalized the protesters, so my friend \& some other activists
got jailed. Typical. Well, I gotta go. I'll be checking my mail.
``Fight the Power''! Bi!

Lonni Child [girl] / 2650 E. College Place Apt. \# H-27 /
Fullerton CA 92631

\bar

{IT/OK, here the typist comes across a letter, scrawled in a
rather attractive midnight blue ink.}

{\obeylines\parskip=0pt
It's not okay 
To be gay! 
Fags Suck! 
}

From all Richmond, VA Punks.

{IT/Yes fags suck, how well?}

\bar

Hey There Happy Homos,

I jes' got back from San Francisco (where I was scouting out a
place to live) and I must say that stumbling upon Homocore \#5 in
Bound Together Books was a high point of my stay in your fair
city. Where have you been all my life? Your zine is a dream come
true for a freedom-hungry long-haired, loudmouthed, 
active-pacifist, punk-hippy faggot like myself. So, before I say
anything else\dots take this 5 spot and send me ish' \#6 (when it
comes out). Also send one to my man Kent and both \#5 \&\#6 to
Colin Sick. With the leftover buck, feel free to send one to our
good buddy George ``Douche''mejian {\it [our governor here in CA
-- cory]} with my compliments. Regarding Colin; he is a D.J. at a
reasonably hip college radio station out here in ``Smell-A.'' and
exhibits an open mind, which is why I called him this morning. I
had just finished reading the H.C. letters section when Colin
played a tune called ``Ten Years After'', which, as you may know
is a lovely little ditty about the degeneration of Punk to the
gang-banging, weak fashion statement that so many ``punks'' are
perpetrating now. He followed the tune with a remark saying,
``Well, the scene isn't all bad -- the SHARP skins were at such
and such a rally, etc\dots'' After reading Gulairmoe's letter in
ish' \#5 I felt compelled to call Colin and clue him in to the
fag-bashing incident that Gulairmoe and his buddy were victim to. 
He was really cool and listened to what I had to say and told me
that he was aware of some bogus shit that these SHARP losers were
up to as well. He also said that he had written them a letter
asking what-the-fuck was up and said that they hadn't replied
yet. Anyway, he was interested in H.Core so send him an ish' on
me.

If there are any cool SHARPies out there who give a fuck you'd
better start weeding out the closet-Nazis in your ranks or you're
as hypocritical as they are!

Now, I got just one more gripe. In a letter from Johnny Rythm in
ish' \#5 he urges Jeremy to explore his sexual identity by having
``safe sex'' with ``someone clean \& AIDS free''. SHIT! I can't
believe that there are people out there who still don't know the
facts about HIV transmission. Listen up Mr. Rythm! You can fuck
someone silly as long as you both wear a love glove on your
willies and don't swallow each others cum or blood so get the
fuck off your people-with-AIDS-are-death-traps trip and get
yourself some education of sexually transmitted diseases. O.K.,
enough of that shit.

I really grooved on your zine reviews and look forward to getting
5 or 6 of them in the mail soon. Incidentally, is there anyway
that I can get my paws on issues \#1-\#3 of Homocore? If anyone
out here in Lost Angeles has 'em, pleeeese let me know. I'd also
love to hear from other hippy-punks (gay, bi, straight -- I don't
care) in my neighborhood so we can hang-out \& distribute this
rag in L.A. Call me now girls \& boys cause I'm moving to S.F.
soon.

Misplaced in L.A. 

Steffan / 1837-F 9th Street / Santa Monica CA 90404

\bar

Dear Homocore,

I bought issue \#5 a few months ago at See Hear (a really cool
store that sells all kinds of underground zines) and meant to
write you a letter but didn't until now.

Even though I live in New York City with one of the largest gay
populations in the world I sometimes feel totally alone. Being
the gay rock \& roll hippie punk that I am. When I go to the gay
bars I feel oppressed by the ``Yuppie'' wannabe-ness of it all
and when I go to the rock and roll clubs I feel like the only gay
person there. Anyway, the point of all my kvetching is just to
tell you what a breath of fresh air your zine is. Hooray, I'm not
alone!!! I've already made one good pen-friend through your
letter section and I'd like to write to more gay rock and roller
social outcasts like myself. 

Jeff Shore / 41-06 50 st. Apt. 36 / Woodside, NY / 11377

\bar

Dearest Thomas -- Larry-Bob (Holy fucking Titclamps) tells me
BIMBOX arrived safe \& sound at Homocore. That's good I guess - 
as far as I can tell the feds have only nabbed 3 of them (out of
300 sent so far). The next issue is due out in June, and features
a throbbing life-size pop-up erection. and Jeffrey
``Milquetoast'' Kennedy did a whole groovy Ann-Margaret spread
for us. Not to mention more filthy lesbo smut from Debra, which
hopefully will be accompanied by original dirty girly-girl
pictures of our pal Alison. Hey Tom, you've been screaming for
sapphic content, and baby now you've got it. Debras working on a
sequel to ``Cinderella's Hunger''. In part 2 she introduces
``cruel step sisters'', and when I spoke with her on the phone
last (she lives in S.F.) she mentioned something about 
a lubed-up glass slipper.

What did you think of ``Cry Baby''? I can't believe John Waters
didn't take the opportunity to re-enact the Female Trouble birth
scene (i.e. the umbilical cord bit) with Rikki Lake - it would
have been a great tribute to Divine, right at the climax of the
picture where it belonged. What an asshole. Iggy was great
though, and he looks better than ever. And Johnny Depp sliding
down a sewer pipe in his undies was pretty cool too, although
he's too fat for my taste - I like 'em rake thin, stoopid, and as
emaciated as hell. What about you?

We made the mistake of sending BIMBOX in for review at MRR and
those creeps gave a good nod but didn't mention we were queer. 
Assholes. Either they're lousy at reviewing zines, or they're
really stupid not to see that we like it up the ass. Now we're
being flooded with (fe)mail from all their white trash readers. 
We're still sending BIMBOX off to whoever writes though, because
let's face it - everybody knows at least 1 drag queen, and we're
confident it will fall into the right hands eventually. Also
enclosed is the accompanying disclaimer going to any
``suspected'' heterosexual MRR readers for your amusement. Rim
and hand jobs, Johnny Noxema and later: I loved Homocore \#6
especially ``why I hate leftists''. Right on. It's not just in SF
0 it's all across the country. demonstrations of any sort have
become more of a fashion/social event than a mass call for
change. Ooooh, and I hate those GLAAD assholes too. I find their
self-appointed authority far more offensive than anything Andy
Rooney or Roseanne Barr has ever said. Who the fuck do they think
they are? these obnoxious middle-class white clone organizations
really stink. the L/G zine scene should really concentrate on
keeping these assholes in line.

Well, I have to keep this short. I'm in the process of assembling
400 pop-up penises and vaginas for our next issue. Love, 

Johnny Noxema Bimbox / 282 Parliament ST. \# 68 / Toronto M5A 3A4

{\it Well, I don't hate GLAAD, just that line about ``we can't
help that we're gay, so you should leave us alone''. They missed
the point -- (1) it's none of anybodys goddamn fucken biz ``why''
I'm gay and (2) it plays into the hands of the ``we'll cure 'em
of this genetic disease'' control pigs. GLAAD does an OK job of watching TV and getting TV couch patatos to write letters 'n'
shit.

Waters' CRY BABY was pretty fucken boring. Too bad. Has Waters
lost it? We watched MULTIPLE MANIACS the other nite but my
attention span wouldn't let me. Its a much better movie.

I saw the shit you got from ``our'' feds, in the latest BIMBOX.
The feds here are getting a bit out of hand -- literally every
project I'm involved in -- computer network stuff, gay zines,
whatever -- has the feds poking around and fucking with people.
It's a free country, I guess.

Pop up a penis for me. 

\hfill -- tj}

\bar

Hello Tom, Homocore\dots I'm not REALLY back from Hell, I'm still
there! But then you don't really care where I am\dots As it is
I'm in ALASKA. Donna, that Divine Goddess of your guitar pate,
has finally sent me a Homocore soothe \& warm my soul in this
rally fucking frozen country\dots And it has, 35 is simply
fantastic.

OOOH - I lament, I want to hang out with girl-lovers!! All my
friends are alcoholic-hetero-punk-rock-trash\dots but I love
them\dots Yet daily I dream of the pleasures of girls, not even
for lust's sake, but for their wild souls and everything

Is the world truly as devoid of subversive homo girls and boys as
we sound?

I actually live in Seattle and after a year and a half there,
this is my great despair and certainly seems to be an ugly fact.
Flipping through the Homocore pages, especially the photo of the
parade float, I experience the pangs of ``what's it like to hang
out with not one, not two, but AN ACUTE ABUNDANCE of gay punk
rockers???'' OK, I don't believe a social crowd of same-sex
loving people is gonna be any less twisted or tedious than my
usual hetero-pack, but it would be SO NICE to at least get in on
the waltz. I'm not exactly sitting around waiting for my 
rock-n-roll girl to pop into my life\dots I've definitely spent
many hours at ``womens'' bars, cafe's etc. But as I say to Donna
when explaining my ongoing celibacy/non-romance It'd be like,
``how was the office honey?'' and ``how was your punk rock
show?'' It's silly. I'm as in love with this culture of music \&
etc. as I am with women. Urgh. But no honey, I just called to
SOB. I've already run up a nice fat \$80 phone bill to S.F\dots
so\dots this is much cheaper!! A little bit of homo therapy. I
feel much better now I guess. 

Tamra / 207 10th avenue E. / Seattle, WA / 98102

\bar

Hey Tom, Here's a copy of ``Fuck Men'', Tom and I put together
recently\dots It's \#1 (NO.2 is now available). We just got the
Bad Poetry issue, neat idea, there was some good stuff in
there\dots glad that the bit I sent for S.T.H. was of
use/interest! That club I was trying to do a Homocore show at,
ended up saying no, paranoid of ``problems'' arising. Too
bad\dots We'd like to play a Homocore show/benefit, whatever.. if
you or any one down there ever gets one together, just let us
know\dots 

tom and I had a Hairy?!!! experience (well, near scary, at least
fucked up) Friday at Gilman, trying to see bad Religion, Packed,
too many people, we walked off down a side road, and walking back
went between two skinheads peeing, I had my arm around Tom and
one said ``c'mon now none of that'' The other ``what are ya' fags
or somethin'?'' We stopped to them and said ``yeah, you got a
problem with that??'' and one said, ``yeah, I'd punch ya' but I'm
scared I might get A.I.D.S.'' Pissed, we walked off, seething
anger. we returned a few minutes later to beat them up, or better
yet, their car, but alas, they were gone, which may've been
better after all, but, I don't know, sometimes I really
wonder\dots Well take care. 

Todd / Pollution Circus / 1008 10th st \#729 / sacramento, ca /
95814

\bar

Dearest Homocore-

This is first time I've ever ordered your magazine. I've heard so
much about it. I'm glad magz like yours exist. It's alot easier
to come out and be able to say ``I'm Gay'' knowing that there are
others who share the same interests. I'm an 18 yr old punk with a
blue mohawk. I like all kinds of music though, such as oldies but
goodies, alternative, new wave, etc. I also just go accepted to
UC Berkeley!! I've been an honors student since 2nd grade only
with a blue mohawk nobody could ever tell. I used to be very
afraid of who I was because of my sexual preferences. I'm not a
femme, but I'm sure some of my friends think I'm gay. I often
used to contemplate suicide, though I was always too scared to
commit the act. I've never told anyone, except you and JD's and
other gay punk mags. I'm not as afraid anymore, now that I have
some pen pals who are also gay. When at Berkeley, I plan on being
president of the Gay/Lesbian program there. I'm going to make
Homocore the best selling mag around the country. I'll make you
famous!! We'll put the Enquirer out of business! Well, just
wanted to say you've made my life a hell of alot easier and that
I'm looking forward to next ish. Proud to be alive. 

Mr. Dante' Nuno. 422 S Chicago st / LA, CA / 90033

\bar

Homos, What's goin' on? Well, nothing has changed since my last
letter to you guys (and ladies) I'm still not gay. Although I was
almost beat up because I was hanging out with an openly gay
friend. It was neat, my friend and I ran like hell. (He says he
went back later and sprayed a pink triangle on the hood of their
truck.) Do you know any good local homocore bands that would like
to be on a comp put out by me \& Run Like Hell Productions? If
so, please just have 'em send a demo and some band info. Each
band will get a free tape. I'll be reviewing the demos and your
'zine and my 'zine ``Run like Hell'' When it's finished. I'll
send you a copy of it if you're interested. Take care and Thanks, 

Mike p.o.box 45 / Penfield, NY / 14526

\bar

{\it Tom thinks that it might be a good idea to send letters that
aren't very TIMELY if you know what I mean. Take the above letter
for example, It's from Mat and it's August now. By the time you
read this it may be OCTOBER. {\rm [nope -- it's December\dots --
tj]} Ha. The staff here goes around in circles and the mainstay
Tom's head just swirls around with it and pretty soon it's
already august. can you believe it? Can you understand it? Now's
the time to do that community service for all those parking
violations you've piled up. Right here at HOMOCORE HQ. inc. (I
don't think you can really do that but I thought it sounded kinda
funny) Anyways, If you happen to be a ``Homocore'' type band. I
would drop a letter to the above mentioned ``Mike'' and see
what's happening with ``Run like hell productions'' --donna}

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Dearest Homocore, 

My stuffed bunny Pogo Stick and I want to be famous, so please
print our picture. Sorry I'm not naked. (at least Pogo is.)

Pogo's a punk; I'm a Mohikan elf. He likes hardcore, and I like
gothic. Homocore readers can write us at 

9347 Kingsboro ct / Indpls, IN / 46236. 

We wrote you earlier this month but, that was before we got this
picture back. Love, Christine

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I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I'll be saying something you,
some of which I said to JD's just recently, seconds ago, maybe
not yet, depends if they get my letter soon. I typed for them,
was more coherent for them! NOT FOR YOU!! NOT FOR YOU!

You guys, and others, are building a vibrant parade of hope/
love/ touching, in my mind if not yours. I hear music, laughing. 
But me still here. I will not ask for b.h;tejy05ji forget it. let
me smolder in peace! I am a mad man now but lack poetic urge to
be colorful. Or am just confused, tired\dots no, will not say
lonely\dots I have bootstraps, Yes? "Up and at 'em boy!!!

But still, all I ask for is a kick in the ass\dots ..

Between work, sleep, chores, family, stagnant social habits,
things stay the same and I stay here, still\dots alone. Why? Got
to move, Staying still. No medals please, feelings for the
pathetic. I have no crutches, do I? Am I not self-sufficient
enough? Still\dots I Hate you, FUCK YOU! I hear a parade or
something, coming and going\dots by. FUCK YOU!

\bar

Hey guy's I've got a problem, I was wondering if I could get some
advice from you guys. Ok, there is this dude I really like but
he's the type that refuses to believe that he can love another
man, he's been this way for 10 years (gay that is) yet he always
seems to manage on calling home to see if I made it home ok. 
Things on that nature. I'm not sure what to do I've never run a
situation like this H-E-L-P!!! 

Shawn / 7 Gardenview dr / St. Peters, MO / 63376

{\it Give him a fucken kiss or grab his dick. No sense that
silliness going on any longer\dots -- tj}


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Dear Tom, I was quite impressed with your latest Homocore. \#5
was the first issue i've ever seen and I'll have to order some
back issues when I get some U.S. bucks. Even though I'm not gay,
I dug the zine a lot. `course, I'm not really that straight
either. I find both males and females attractive, as long as
they're kinda ``punky'' or weird looking. A lot of macho jerks
think I'm gay because I look strange and have pierced ears (among
other things!) and it doesn't bother me if a gay guy thinks I'm
attractive. I must admit, I'm curious. It's just that I haven't
tried it with a guy yet. Maybe I will, maybe I won't. the fact
that I have a steady girlfriend might have something to do with
that, although she's been in the UK for 2 months now and I'm not
sure if our relationship is still a relationship anymore, Ya
know?

Anyway, I think what you're doing is great. I say ``break down
sexual barriers.'' who cares who you have sex with? And I think
you are an alternative to both ``gays'' and ``straights'' who
feel alienated by ``normal'' gay and straight communities and
feel closer to the punk/underground scene\dots 

Dr. Weasel / 23 Nelson st. \#3 / Kingston ONT / K7L 3W6

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Dear Friends,

I was introduced to Homocore (\#4) by someone I met at the 
under-21 gay Men's Group when I was visiting Berkeley. After
returning to New York, I got the issue that was released between
then and now (\#5) and I looked at previous issues at a friends
party. Homocore is great, but the letters section is fucking
beautiful.

I used to stop by the bargain bins at Tower Records in the East
Village and see what gay music I could pick up for a-buck-or-less
per record. I found two discs about which your readers should be
told. 1. A hardcore album, but I don't know which name is the
record's and which is the performers'. (Bear with me.) Maybe it's
``Disorder'', by KAFKA PROCESS. Then again, maybe one side is by
a group called DISORDER and the flip side is by a group called
KAFKA PROCESS. {\it [There's a band called KAFKA PROCESS on the
VIVA UMKHONTO benefit comp, 86 or so -- song called `children of
love', but the lyrics seem to be in Norwegian. Address I have for
them is Mandalsgattan 1 / 0190 Oslo NORWAY --tj]} If that's true,
then the title is probably ``One day son all this will be
yours.'' The most prominent bunch of words on the cover. Anyway,
``Double Standards'' (on the ``Disorder'' side) goes: ``Make sure
you're over twenty-one/ if you want it up the bum.''
``togetherness and Unity'' (Also on the ``Disorder'' side) goes:
``I get enough bullshit/ from straights and pigs \& cops/
Ignorance and bigotry/ are things we gotta stop.'' The record was
released in 1986 by Disorder Records. (Contact -- Revolver
Distribution, The Old Malt House, Little Ann Street, Bristol 2,
England.) The sleeve also says `` Contact -- c/o X-Port Plater,
Mandals Gate 1 -- 0190 -- Oslo 1 -- NORGE.''

2. ``Petals and Ashes (Long Mix),'' a 12" single by Jeremy Kidd
and released in 1985 by Self-Drive Records (no address given). 
``This is a Self-Drive Record distributed by Red Rhino \& the
Cartel'' And recorded in Hull, Quebec. I don't know if Jeremy
Kidd was gay, but ``Petals and Ashes'' is dedicated to anarchist
Emma Goldman, who had AT LEAST one or two Lesbian relationships.

I'd like to read any information on these two records. If this
letter gets published, a big, sloppy kiss goes out all lesbians
and gay men who are even entertaining anarchist, radical or
socialist ideas. I love you. Oh thanks for the article about the
Alley Club. I had just returned from visiting Missoula, Montana,
when I picked up issue \#5. (the AmVets was the only gay bar when
I was there.)

Adam Mark Kleinkopg, Co-Op City building \#8/ 100-14B Dekruif
Place/ Bronx, NY / 10475

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Dear Homocore Staff, 

First of all let me thank you for sending me a copy of HOMOCORE
as a person in the N.Y.S. Prison System it really made a
difference in my day. Your publication really gets into the
issues as I consider myself to be a sexual dissident. I do not
conform to the age of consent laws, yes that makes me a boy lover
and I readily admit that but with consent only. I see nothing
wrong with intergenerational sex and I am paying the ultimate
price for my belief. I also do not regret a single minute spent
with a boy. To say that there are no gay children would be 
a mis-statement yet our Court system and society seems to feel
that a 
person under a certain age could not be gay but when they
reach this magic age of ``legal'' consent, well then he's old
enough to know. this is just plain immature thinking and for
other gay people to be caught up in this type of thought should
be unheard of. We as a gay community so lets not put each other
down, we will all suck a dick who cares what size it is.

I am looking for pen pals and please feel free to write. It is
always great to receive a letter from friends. Yours, 

Wayne Hunt. P.O.Box AG-85A8050/ Fallsburg, NY/ 12733

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Dear Tom and HOMOCORE,

I'm just writing to tell you of an amazing experience my dear
friend Hatied McCloud has just written my about. I'm sure you'll
find it interesting! Ms. McCloud is originally from Dawson City,
famous for the goldrush, yet equally infamous for it's large
lesbian community. Lately though, she's working at Resolute Bay
(population 200); for those of you unfamiliar with Canadian
geography: I'm talking about the High Arctic, a mere snowmobile
trip away from the North Pole. you can imagine how isolated it
is\dots so I regularly send her news from ``down south'', which
includes a few xeroxed pages from HOMOCORE, (I hope you don't
mind\dots it's too expensive to ship the whole damn thing), which
I consider to be one of the most interesting gay magazines to
come out in a long time, (with the exception of J.D.'s\dots my
favorite, but that's only due to Canadian nationalism).

Anyway, the isolation, along with the intense weather and various
other factors create a very repressive environment. Let's just
say that Gay Liberation is a totally foreign concept to most
Northerners. However, to make a long story short, one day Hatie
was extremely surprised to find a ``French Faggot Ice Fisherman''
(her quotes) wearing a HOMOCORE anarcho-homo-logo button show up
on her doorstep! (apparently it's not that hard to get from
Montreal to Resolute.) Wow! Look how popular and world-famous you
are? HOMOCORE has reached the farthest reaches of the Far North!
Hatie promises to send some photos, and I'll be sure to forward
you guys a few of them\dots they should be very interesting! 

Ronald- Ann \& Vilja Selde / \#3-651 Avalon rd. / Victoria, BC /
Canada / V8V 1N8

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HI,

I'm really glad that there are others like me. For years I have
had no one and now, I hope I might. I never went to fag bars
because people used to make fun of my hair. So then I became
kinda normal looking and I became a go-go boy, all those perverts
liked me. But no one young even looked twice at me when I danced.
All those yuppie fags never tipped. I made my living off old men
(they were pleading and moping for lost youth - they hoped to buy
it from me.) But I was never a hustler, I couldn't stand the
thought of someone paying me to talk to them, someone paying me
just to hug or kiss them, because inside they were so miserable
and alone. Sometimes when I go out in public, and people walk
past me - I expect them to walk up to me and start touching me.
It's so hard to separate that world and normal reality. I have
been a go-go dancer off and on for five years. And I always
wanted to stop. I've always ended up dating yuppies, and fashion
victims who didn't understand me inside. they always ignored my
soul, and only looked at how I dressed and how it displeased
them. So, now I ask\dots is there someone out there who can
accept me as I have been? A stripper and a vagrant and a runaway.
I need to know, because I'm getting lost inside myself and I'm
losing what I believe in. (You can say it's all up to me. and it
is.) But where can I fit in? Who can I talk to? Must I go back to
dancing and smiling a false smile for a roomful of people who
have died inside?

The answer to my search is not found in the faces of the dying,
or in the faces of the desperate, and the perverse. But in the
faces and souls of the living, who believe in what they believe
and never falter.

I am peter, twenty-one, brown hair, brown eyes, 5'6 1/2", 135
lbs., is there someone, anyone, people who will hold my hand? 
Cause you know I'll be there to hold yours. 

Peter Julion / box -379 Anderson Hill Rd. / purchase Ny /
10577-1400

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Gadzoox man, I'm absolutely appalled at your answer to Summer
from Ashby who's being locked in a 4'x 4' locked room for 7 hours
a day for wearing combat boots to school. Your 
lay-down-and-take-it attitude of ``shit, what a terrible school''
and ``luckily it (high school) eventually ends'' was a pretty
lame answer you must admit and a real disservice to someone who
needs help. The correct answer of course would be to kill the
people responsible and I'm only half joking because most jail
cells are bigger than four foot square and at least they let ya
out for an hour a day for exercise - jeez.

Another ideas is to call up current affair or inside edition and
get them to do a story, they love this kind of shit or call up
the local newspaper and get some press, publicity is just what
summer needs here. Also she should call up the ACLU and see what
can be done through legal channels. I should think false
imprisonment and/or child abuse charges would be a good starting
point. Making noise with publicity is just the ticket here
because a private school can ill afford bad press since it
depends on paying customers to keep it's doors open [isn't it
interesting that Summer says that she got suspended from school
but still has to go? But of course if they sent her home dear old
dad might want his money back. So instead, they keep her (and
their money) and put her in a "learning cell" - sheesh]

Alas however, later in her letter, but in a different context,
Summer says ``I'm lucky my parents are so great'' \dots well\dots
I \dots uh\dots hmmm\dots perhaps she might want to rethink that
stance and begin to solve her problem at home. I realize of
course, that except for parental unity that all this is quite
moot since I'm writing this in June and school is most probably
over however the point remains the same to Summer or anybody else
in a jam-don't let the bastards win without a good fight. So I
wish nothing but love, luck, and success to Summer and hope she
comes out a winner.

Also a swift kick in the nuts and a lobotomy to that jerk from
Japan that somehow justifies sex with children by using police
statistics. Shit, since when are the cops experts on child abuse? 
or anything else for that matter. I don't really care to get into
it, so I'll just say I only hope the asshole gets run over by a
bullet train.

In a lighter vein since so many people are interested in T-shirts
and yer no artist, why not have readers send in their logo ideas,
print up the best ones in a future issue and have everyone vote
on one then you'll have one. Anyway, good zine and I'll be
looking forward to the next one. 

mr/s opinion / Olympia, Wash.

{\it What the fuck -- what was I supposed to do? I don't even
have her address -- I printed everything I got. I'm only a zine
editor, no special magical powers here. Why don't you try to help
her, instead of complaining to me? -- tj}

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Dear Tom -

I've enclosed a copy of a magazine I came across awhile ago. I
wrote to the P.O. box to see if there were any other issues, and
got an XNTRIX catalog which has Poison Girls records and tapes
listed for sale, as well as copies of ``The Impossible Dream''. 
This one enclosed (no. 3) is definitely the best- thought you
might enjoy seeing it. Also available is a T-shirt with the
``Desires, Not Jobs'' centerfold printed on it.

A thought of something that might be included in a future
Homocore- something about safe sex guidelines. I've recently read
(as perhaps you have) that AIDS is affecting adolescents to a
rather alarming degree- perhaps because people think that if they
stay in their own age group there's no danger, ignorance of safe
sex, etc. Safe sex, like all sex, is hot and great. Live and love
\& love. I tried putting something together but it wasn't
``happening'', I'm trying to find something in print that isn't
too square and clinical that would be appropriate for
appropriation. 

Bye now- love, Rick Robertson/496 LaGuardia Pl./No. 270/NYC NY
10012

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Dear Homocore, 

Hi. I was just given an ish of yours and enjoyed it immensely. It
truly is my cup of sweat. I'm a gay skinhead. I've been shaving
my dome since I was 20. I'm now 34. I remember when the ``punk''
scene (in the late 70's) was fresh, vital, raw, real, and robust,
but now it's all too mechanical, paint-by-number and trendy. My
shaved head is an acquired taste in Chicago's gay community, but
a friend of mine and I find the gay scene in this town to be all
too snooty, catty, and cliquish. I put a personal in the Chicago
Reader a few months ago and no one replied. I was hurt, but
realize that a shaved head may have select appeal. My address is
at the conclusion of this note,and if there are any gay skinheads
in the Chicago or nearby Indiana area, please write. I am
monogamy oriented, and always have been, and always will be. Even
if You're not scalped, and you're in your 20's, smooth and with
no beard or mustache, please write. I compiled a list of films
where actors had their heads shaved. I did NOT include a film if
the actor wore a skullcap, or was by nature bald. Feel free to
print it. Thank you. 

CY / PO Box 1036 / Homewood IL 60430

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Dear Homocore, I am a seventeen year old gay punk. Life in
Missoula sux. Thank god for Homocore. The scene here is really
lame. However, there is one gay hardcore band here called ``Into
The March''. They are my only friends. Everyone at my school
gives me shit because of my sexual preference. I am planning on
moving to the Bay area when I graduate and go to art school. What
is the scene like there? Please send me your most recent issue of
Homocore. I want to correspond with other gay punks. Skate to
die! 

Steve Ackert / 1219 S Higgens av / Missoula MT 59801 / ph(406)
543-8117

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Dear Tom, 

I finally got a copy of Homocore, \#5 (I sent bucks for two
issues in a row and messed with your system). It was great to see
my story excerpt! Last night I read about you in Poetry Flash. At
2 am found out Allen Ginsberg called you a ``weird looking genius
kid''. ``Wowee Zowie,'' I thought, ``I gotta get that thank you
note off to my good pal the genius kid, Tom.'' Are you sick of
getting teased about it yet? I sent my novel off to the
Alyson/Different Light contest like you suggested \& didn't make
the finals altho my writing buddy \& friend Barbara Ruth did. 
Seems to be a consensus that this draft needs yet another
rewrite. Oh, well. It's getting better, that much is clear. One
big bit of feedback I'm getting- kids can't be this together \&
responsible, this sexually experienced, this anti-racist, 
non-sexist and non-homophobic. Some of that is true \& some is
not. I've started talking to folks more about it but there's
complicated parts to unravel. I wrote out of an initial complete
enthusiasm for punk

{\it[oops -- the typist stopped here, tired after typing a
zillion letters. That's OK but -- it went in the trash with all
the ``ALREADY TYPED'' letters. Oh well! -- tj]}

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Homocore Dears,

Boyz, Gurlz, Hi from Boston! Just received my 1st issue. Yeah,
like some light has been shone on this gay Kid finally! There is
alot of people in the closet who are skins, punks, deadheads,
metal kidz and so on. Ya know, i knew i was gay way back when i
saw Aerosmith's picture on ``Get You Wings''. Looks like Steve
Taylor was inviting us all to his pecker! Lord of the Thighs! 
Anyhow, i love your rag and i'm sending more money to help you
dudes and dudettes. Also found a local ad near me, hope it works!
Yes, a guy! Kisses to all lesbian girls and gay boys everywhere.
luv ya's, 

Dave Macmillan 65 Conwell Ave. 2, Somerville, MA 02144

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Hey,

It's me, Kendon. I guess I was pretty fired up when I wrote that
last letter. I was talking to Tom some months after I wrote it
and thought of pulling it out, but I read it again and decided to
leave it. If I spilled my guts all over you, I still won't
apologize; some of you need it. Since I wrote the letter, I had
moved to San Francisco and Back. I learned a thing or two and
gained a new respect for sex workers, but I still say take
warning of the mentalities that can victimize pornography (pro or
con). There are great powers in this world of wickedness and
morals. (Why do you think they have bouncers at the Lusty Lady?)

I've seen the desperation in the eyes of people who wonder about
the fate of the world and it's not scary standing form the
observant view. I could give them an ``I have a dream speech'',
or tell them that we are all doomed. I'm torn between the two. 
Surely, someone's gotta understand that! Sometimes I wish I could
hurry up the major disasters that await us rather than wait and
watch the suffering. Some say, ``then Don't watch it.'' It
doesn't go away. We all are responsible for a lot. Some want to
peacefully demonstrate, but that is so naive to think that you
can stop hatred, violence \& greed by getting your head kicked in
by a cop (stormtrooper) and carted off to jail, only to pay bail,
which contributes to the system of unjust suffrage. I strayed a
bit, so for now back to the reason I wrote this letter

To answer the question asked by the gal/guy who signed
him/herself ``i''. I answer the question ``what do I think the
purpose of Human Life is?'' with ``To co-exist with other life
forms and prosper,'' but I won't. To tell you the truth, I don't
know. I could bring in my spiritual beliefs, and you and God
knows who else would dismiss me as a religious nut. If love and
compassion for all living things is nutty, then I wish that all
could be as nutty as I am and then I probably would not get
stepped on for being a ``niceguy''. Instead I am, which in turn
makes me very bitter and militant. So far all that I could muster
up is that maybe we were meant to condemn everything we see. One
day we'll condemn too much of everything and we will have to pay.

Animal Liberation is just a shred of what we must endure. We have
to liberate each other. ALF can destroy labs and snicker about
it, but they are enemies of the American Way and once they take a
look at what's behind the American Way, the self satisfaction
factor will shatter. I am tired of doing things to satisfy
myself. I love myself very much for at least trying to do this
through another source. Information. There is so much people
don't know about themselves, The Tax Paying Citizen. And there is
a weak spot in the conditioning of Americana, or western thinking
(no, not eastern thinking either, there's a weak point in that as
well.) I know about the robotic 9 to 5ers and those are the eggs
that have fried daily. How can you think when your job and taxes
and God knows what else has it's thumb on you? You can't breathe
at all. I understand that. I hope you understand that I don't
want that. I want real freedom and real responsibilities, not the
``taxes done before Feb 21st'' or ``don't forget to vote.'' One
day we will be without Animal Experimentation or the Seduction of
the Government Walls. They conned us into believing we needed
them, but the reason we need them in the first place was (well I
can't blame it on the Government entirely) our fore fathers greed
which lead to our own greed. We could also watch the world die
because of our greed. I have nothing against the people in the
movements, but I have something against the glory seeking ,
corrupt, know-it-alls who really only know what's going to raise
their status and/or line their pockets.

I'm to lazy to proofread, so I'll put my guts in an envelope and
we'll see how far it gets.

Kendon Smith

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Dear Tom, 

I've been pondering the question of writing or not. I guess it's
pretty obvious what I've chosen to do. I didn't want to write in
fear of someone spotting my name, but finally I said fuck it who
cares none of my friends read the zine cuzz they are all
straight, except one count that one friend who is gay. I'll start
by telling you about myself. About 3 months ago I finally told my
friend (the one who is gay) about me being attracted to girls.
I've always been attracted to them, I guess I wanted to deny it
and kept saying it was wrong and not normal, but I realize it is
true. I haven't told anyone else except a girl who I wrote to
through this zine (thanx Trish). It's been pretty tough for me
just getting to this point, but I know I have a long way to go.
This zine has helped a little, but I need something more. I get
real depressed when I think about past experiences w/guys and my
childhood experiences w/girls. Now I feel it has something to do
with the way I feel now. I guess I'm basically in the closet of
confusion (Ha). I'm not even willing to classify myself yet.
There is no one I can relate to or talk to with them
understanding me. I'm really afraid to tell my straight friends
my feelings cuzz of rejection. I have a very small social life, I
mean small, a club once a month, not even that, concerts hardly
ever. When I do go out it's with straight friends so I pretend I
am too. It's really bringing me down when I always cover up my
true feelings, there isn't much else I can do. I know of a gay \&
lesbian support group but I have no automobile and no other way I
can get there without the third degree. So zines are my only
outlook. Well I guess this is it, sorry about the length, I had
to tell someone. Also for those of you who read this and know
what I'm going through or been through it, please I beg of you to
write. Thanx.

Heidi Steele / 3331 Gall Blvd / Zephyrhills FL 33541

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Dear Tom,

Hi! I saw your name and address in a ``Factsheet Five'', and
thought I'd write and explain my circumstances.

To begin with I have read your ``Homocore'' publication before
that another inmate had received, but has since moved.

My name is John Methfessel, I'm a young gay white male, 25, have
brown hair, blue eyes, 5'6", and a good build.

I am writing because I would very much like to receive your
publication, but you should know that although you only ask for
\$1.00 for ``Homocore'', I just can't afford to send it without
going without some basic things like toothpaste or shampoo.

You see Tom, I'm serving 2 years for passing bad money orders
here in Missouri, and don't know anyone because I'm from
Wisconsin. The dept. of corrections here in Missouri only gives
\$3.00 dollars a month to prisoners, and with that I must buy my
tooth paste, shampoo and other basic things.

It's very hard to be a gay young person in prison. So if you can
find some love for me in your heart. Please let me receive your
publication and know that I'm not alone. Take care tom! Sincerely
Your Friend always.

John Methfessel

P.S. I get released in 14 months and plan on moving out west
(CAL). Where's the best place to live (i.e. L.A., San Francisco,
San Diego etc.?) I really would like to know!

John Methfessel / P.C.C. / 2-C / 45755 / Rt. 2 Box 2222 / Mineral
Point MO 63660

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this is a poor quality B/W photocopy of a color collage, i think
that it loses something in the translation. anyway here is a
couple bucks, for issue \#7 and i still would like a copy of
issue \#5 if it is around. thank you.

by the way, i am still looking to contact anyone in the cleve.
area, let's organize something.

i have been thinking about the acceptance of stereotypical gays
in an otherwise homophobic society. the only reason that i see
for this is the fact that the media-fed public feels safe with
media-typical persons and ideas. i also wonder if this is the
cause of the indifference expressed when confronted by the drug
``problem'' in a lot of poor, and mainly black, neighborhoods? it
would seem to fit. it seems that most of the fagbashings are
against individuals on the fringe (i.e. not stereotypical) of the
homosexual society. this may be because they do not fit into the
``media-fag'' role and are threatening to societies TV corrupted
brain (dare i use the word mind?)

Back in my highschool days (ended prematurely), i was a 
gender-blurred punk, and i received a lot of bullshit from my
fellow students, whereas the decidedly gay, preppie, disco-bunny
of the school got no harassment at all. more power to him. it all
boils down to fitting into the preconceived, media-made 
(TV-news-papers-mags) characters. my advice is throw away your
TVs and start being what you are meant to be -- whatever that may
be. of course my advice is not useful to everyone, i am living in
an oppression-free atmosphere with a cool job and relatively
accepting family and friends, so it has probably been less
painful (?) for me to be who i am.

don't accept our society as the norm\dots it isn't, it is a front
built up by straight-uptight-white-males. find space and make it
yours, step outside the boundaries that they have so conveniently
set up for you. hold me back!!! i'm on a rampage!!! everything is
so interconnected that i could go on like this for pages. maybe
this could be printed as a serial. politics, philosophy, diet,
buying-power, forced consumerism, ecology vs. big business. do we
all knows this and are we all just acting accordingly, or are
there people who would like to know more? let me know. write a
response to Homocore or a letter to me. ok, i'm done. write. ok.
ok.

scott simmerly / 11119 lake ave. \#102 / cleveland OH 44102

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Dear Tom and Homocore readers,

Just thought I'd finally write to provide some input (being a
loyal reader since issue \#3) and to balance the scales regarding
the ``women's input, lack of'' issue that's surfaced recently. I
have stuff to discuss but first I'd just like to comment on/reply
to, some other letters:

Summer: The ACLU puts out a series of legal handbooks, two being
THE RIGHTS OF YOUNG PEOPLE by Martin Guggenheim and Alex Sussman,
and THE RIGHTS OF STUDENTS (I don't know the author). Other books
in this series are targeted to women, gay people, etc. You should
be able to find these either in a public library or you can order
them from a bookstore. Inform yourself as to what your ``school''
is legally able to do for you. Unfortunately, because your school
is private they probably have the right to discipline you however
they want as long as they don't physically abuse you. Good luck
to you. Your experiences are typical of one who educators try to
squash every remnant of individuality out of.

Dan: I agree with you about the conditioning, 
or self-conditioning you experience when you can't live openly
gay; not necessarily out of repression but because you have no
opportunity to express it. My solution is just to keep myself
educated regarding political and social aspects of gay/lesbian
issues, then, it becomes much more than just sexuality. But no
matter how aware one is it is frustrating having no one to talk
to.

So now, of course, comes the me part- I'm lesbian, black female,
early twenties. Okay? I've always been a freak and outcast and
I'm proud of it. The way I see it, being an outsider is probably
one of the more direct ways of learning to think for yourself and
forming your own opinions. Shaping myself instead of being shaped
has made it difficult for anyone to categorize me, which is just
as much a disadvantage when it comes to having a group of people
to fall in with who you feel completely comfortable with.

For example, most of my gay friends are male. I don't have many
women friends because in going out (to the ``wonderful'' bars)
they can tend to be extremely cliquish, either in pairs or
groups, and I don't intend to force myself on anyone. My straight
acquaintances don't have any suspicion I'm gay- it's not that I'm
not willing to tell but it just isn't an issue- I sincerely
believe it's not any of their business unless I suspect they'll
be sympathetic and further, it usually isn't relevant if you're
intentionally holding back on all aspects of friendship, keeping
it on a superficial level just in case they find out and reject
you.

Next, the people who know I'm gay think I'm bi because I admire
men. But I admire gay men, for God's sake! And just because they
tie in admiration of the physical with sexual desire doesn't mean
I do. I find nothing wrong with being a lesbian who on an
objective basis can admire a guy's appearance. To complicate this
issue, these objects of desire are usually effeminate and
slightly built. So what does that mean? That I don't want or can
handle a ``real man'' but can consider an ``imitation'', as some
narrow-minded individuals might suggest?

To get really genderfucky, consider being- consider 
ima\-gin\-ing- consider fantasizing: - being lovers with a
crossdresser of the opposite sex - being with a transvestite to
your sex {\it [do you mean transsexual? --Becca]} (woman with
male to female trans., man with female to male trans.) - if you
believe in lesbian roleplaying, being able to be butch or femme
at whim - being a gay woman who sometimes feels like a gay man,
or a gay man who sometimes feels like a woman. Lastly, imagine
yourself with your sexualities intact as a member of the opposite
sex. Would you be gay, straight, bi, asexual? Or with a
preference yet celibate?

Anyway, back to the outcast mode, I've always been ostracized for
being too smart, too silent, too ugly (not true people), not
feminine enough, etc, etc. As a black person I have to feel
afraid to come out within my community because of all the
stereotypes blacks have about gays. Even though I'd disprove many
I'd be setting myself up for enormous amounts of abuse,
especially from men who in my neighborhood think any woman is
public property. Back in school I was hated for getting good
grades, and probably cause every male could tell I was a latent
dyke even before I knew. And because I mainly identify myself
through what music I listen to, so-called "white" music, that was
yet another division. Even the white kids I was in classes with
didn't listen to the fringe music I did.

I could go on and on about divisions and definitions and
everything else. My rule is to label yourself; if you have to,
but don't restrict yourself or limit yourself to those labels. 
Especially if someone else has placed that label on you.

I'd be interested in entering a dialogue or just being penpals
with anyone, male or female (especially), I don't mind how you
define yourself, what stage you are at in coming out, and all
that. I'd really like to hear from MA, CT, NY (NYC), CA (SF and
LA), and Atlanta. I'm not punk per se but I listen to that as
well as basic alternative, industrial, jazz, house and new beat,
new age, folk and fringe folk, just about anything. My particular
interests are photography (not doing, looking), print media
(magazines), writing, Eastern philosophy and religion, karate and
general fitness, dancing and all kinds o'shit. I'm very well read
and have very broad interests so I'm open to learning about and
discussing areas such as anarchism and politics, whatever, not
just weighty issues either but just to talk. I'm also trying to
start writing song lyrics and poetry on a regular basis so any
feedback and ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks everyone,

Sebastian Elle Marina c/o L. Mitchell / PO Box 31989 / Hartford
CT 06103

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Dear Homocore,

Last Sunday was the Gay Pride parade which I took part in and
though it was nice to feel a sense of community with the other
few hundred thousand people there, now that it's five days later
I feel somewhat alienated and confused. One of the difficulties I
have with gay people (myself included but I'm working at getting
over it) is the importance placed on looks. I've always been
heavy and the rudeness and discrimination I've felt at the hands
of my gay brethren hurts a whole lot more than the homo jokes
make by my straight friends. You'd think that with all of the
bullshit and oppression that gays have experienced that they'd be
a little less superficial. Perhaps it's all of the emphasis
placed on sex.

On the other hand I feel a lot more comfortable with my straight
rock and roll friends (most of the time) even with the dumb
jokes. I've told many of my friends about myself and for the last
few weeks I've been wearing my Homocore button to gigs and I've
gotten no flak from anyone, though I did have to explain to a few
people that no, it isn't an Aerosmith button!! Rock and roll is,
has been and always will be the driving force in my life, more so
than my sexuality. Reading Homocore has helped me begin to bridge
the gap between these two seemingly mutually exclusive aspects of
my life. For this I thank you.

A great book that I think everyone should read is ``Even Cowgirls
Get The Blues'' byXQNAP P<X's not specifically a gay story
but anyone who has ever felt ``queer'' can relate to it because
it's all about individuality and loving the part of yourself that
makes you different even when that difference is really painful. 
It's also really funny. I've read it about five times and it's
helped me through some really rough times.

Well, I guess that's about it for now. Again, thanks for being
here and for being what you are. I'd love to hear from other gay
Rock and Rollers wherever you are.

Sincerely, Jeff Shore / 41-06 50 St. Apt. 36 / Woodside, NY 11377

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Homocore:

Please send me \$5 worth of magazines. I have \#5 1/2 (Bad
Poetry). Send me any back or new that you can. I'm writing this
in a laundromat in my boring little town so please help! Soon!
and that's also why I don't have 5 1/2 with me to see who I send
this to.

Thanks! I have waited for Homocore for a few years and now that
I'm almost 30 and well, it's the only thing that makes sense to
me. I know one other guy in this town who likes ``core'' but
don't talk to him much because his personality shifts when he
drinks and I don't drink and I don't even know if he's queer and
I don't even know if he knows, (that's the kind of town it is) I
was in the Bay Area before I got too close to the scene, and now
I'm in nowhere-land.

Please don't send me a button because nobody would know what it
means. I could have pink triangles all over my body and well, it
just isn't worth the energy to explain it to them.

Jerry Shihinski / 242 S. Poplar St. / Mt. Carmel PA 17851

\bar

Dear Mr. Jennings-

As promised, here is my letter ``suitable for publishing'' if
you'd like.

First, drugs: What do you get when you cross an intelligent
youth, drugs, and an oppressive government? Basically, an
individual who is for all intents and purposes- HARMLESS. I take
drugs. I like drugs. But, I leave my head clear for enough hours
to involve myself in the most powerful weapon against oppression;
namely, information. ``Information is not knowledge; knowledge is
not wisdom.''- Frank Zappa. Information is a weapon and knowledge
is power. You take drugs on your days off. Otherwise, you take a
permanent vacation with many daze off.

Second, women: Judy Chicago, major artist behind the creation of
the DINNER PARTY said it best, ``women are so fucking 
ignorant- and it pisses me off!'' Thank-you, Judy, for your
wisdom. I firmly believe that the plight of women would be
greatly eased were they informed, educated, etc. Most women have
fish bowls for heads with a goldfish or two poking about inside.
Many of them like being like that because it feels comfortable to
behave stupidly. I do not dislike women. William S. Burroughs,
gay writer, does dislike women and is totally open about it. He
constantly kills them off in his books and has even imagined
procreation without the need for women. In THE JOB, he is asked
about this in an interview. Trust me, he'd prefer they all be
eliminated.

Insofar as women writing into Homocore: Mr. Jennings, why don't
you try a less patriarchal approach? The sunglasses and stern
expression have got to go. As is, you look like an expressionless
redneck inviting lesbians in for a condescension beach party. If
I were a lesbian, I wouldn't write to a guy like that. You look
too scary. Why don't I come up there and tickle you? Maybe I
could get you to eek- SMILE- act girlish, anything but the
policeman look! I'm not trying to put you down. I think you're
doing something very important. Just remember- as a fag it is
your duty to outdo the straights by opening your heart to the
world around you. Try it. I think you'll like the results.

Third, AIDS: I hate AIDS! But that doesn't mean that sex can't be
fun. I believe that the more love in your fucking (with the help
of a rubber, surgical gloves for fisting, and grape flavored
latex for rimming or eating twat), the less likely you are to get
AIDS and die. Have fun and spread love, not disease! Sleaziness
is fun- but not death-sex! Yuck!

Fourth, music: There are many purposes for music and art. The
most important are to use these to woo men (or women, if you're a
woman). Music changes sex from a functional to a spiritual action
shared between souls to heal and elevate. Simple orgasm is dull,
making love all day is cool.

Another important function of music is to make you think. In
seduction, your genitals are made to think. They swell up with
blood, preparing for a conversation with another person's body. 
In political art, you get to question your identity, socially and
spiritually. This is where you hope that your musicians aren't
alcoholics or ignoramuses. If they take drugs all the time,
listen to them on your daze off. If they have something to say
and they entertain you, thrive on this (well, I don't need to
tell you to because you will anyway). If they have something to
say but put you to sleep, throw the music out. This isn't art. 
It's academic bullshit.

In conclusion, I think that the underground scene is important,
is abundant with life and creativity, and has possibilities for
advancing this world to a higher level of consciousness. But
don't be fooled. The very governments we live under prefer us on
drugs because it anesthetizes our want or ability for change. 
Watch out. Also, education is made so unpleasant that we often
are borderline literate (not so much on reading and writing, but
on knowledge and information). Remember- you don't have to be a
student to make use of the University libraries. Skip the classes
if you choose, but read the books! And don't steal them. The
government would like for you to steal good books and lose them.
That way the next guy will be IGNORANT. It's a sneaky form of
book-burning. And do you as a person in the underground, want to
help the government spread ignorance and therefore control? No.
Use the fucking xerox machine.

These comments are general. I'm not intending to accuse anybody. 
But I know that there are people out there who need to hear this.

Tom, good luck with Homocore. I think that you're doing a great
job. Just remember that the government never tells us it loves
us- because it doesn't. And to tell people that you love them
will do more to crush oppression than any stern expression ever
would. With much love -

Daniel A. Ryan / 4301 E. 29th St. \#515 / Tucson AZ 85711-6369

{\it Addendum to Daniel Ryan's piece of shit --

You don't dislike women? Could have fooled me with your bullshit
misogynist fishbowl analogy. And what is this DIE OF AIDS crap in
your zine? I don't know, I don't even feel like yelling at you --
your thoughts on women don't affect my life. Unfortunately what
males think and feel about women DO affect women's lives and your
attitude is just another affirmation that my theory ``CASTRATION
IS THE ANSWER'' is the only way. --~becc\circleA}

\bar

Dear Homocore Crew, 

Thanks for sending issues \#4 and \#6. I'm impressed to say the
least! I never realized how many homopunks were out there. Where
I live, there aren't any. I've been into punk/hardcore for
several years now, and most of my friends consider me an oddity,
or worse, that I'll grow out of my ``homo-ness''. Sorry, folks,
but I don't think that will happen anytime soon.

Hope to see more from that right on dude, Lawrence Livermore. I
showed ``Fag Bashing 66'' to some of my straight friends, and I
think it opened up some eyes and made them rethink their
attitudes about sexuality. 

Still, we have a long way to go. For instance, my friends and I
recently went to see the movie ``Pump up the Volume''. For those
of you who haven't seen it, it concerns a loner guy who runs a
pirate radio program and talks to kids with problems. In one
scene, he talks to a kid who is considering suicide because he is
a homosexual. During the movie, whenever some kid discussed his
problems, the audience seemed genuinely concerned. However, when
the homo kid talked about his desperation and guilt, the audience
began to scream ``faggot'' and ``get AIDS and die''. When he
finally killed himself, some people in the theater laughed. I was
horrified. I will never understand how people can be so fucking
closeminded. After the movie, my friends and I discussed peoples'
reaction to the above mentioned scene. They were puzzled as to
why I was so concerned about it. I responded ``For you, it's a
scene in a film. For some of us, it's life.'' Anyway, thanks for
letting me ramble on. I needed to let out some frustration.
Anyone out there who'd care to drop me a line (discreet please, I
still live at home), write to:

Mike / 3099 Prior Drive, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio / 44223 

A great big sloppy kiss to all at Homocore! 

\bar

Dear Homocore, 

I was brought up by bigoted, homophobic parents in St. Paul, MN
on the East Side. I heard, told and enjoyed racist jokes and the
like until about a year ago. I didn't mind being called a
``chick'' and felt that I was born only to ``serve a man''. My
best friend enlightened me greatly and frankly, I'm ashamed at
the kind of person I was. I look back at myself and wish I could
kick myself! ICK!!! I was horrible!!! 

I can now describe myself as being anti-racist, non-homophobic,
feminist, anarchist!!! I went to the Gay Pride March in
Minneapolis and marched in the 90' sun for something that I can
REALLY believe in! I gladly laid down in the middle of Lyndale
and Hennipin avenues and symbolically died for aids (I refuse to
give it capital letters!) 

If you can please print this, I'd be very appreciative! I'm also
hoping my friend sees this and turns red when she sees in print
how much I'd like to thank her for spending alot of time and
doing alot of explaining to me to make me a better person! Thanks
Gypsy!!! 

Also, I would like to become more active in marches and such. I
don't really know how to find out about these things. If anyone
in my area can help, please drop me a line at the following
address: 461 W. Maryland \#107, St. Paul, MN 55117. Also, is
there a zine like this more devoted to the lesbian/bi crowd? I'm
straight, I think, and would like to do stuff for the womyn in my
community. 

Thanks for letting me share my story, I hope to enlighten others
as my friend has done for me!!! 

--Stiletto

\bar

Dear Sir or Madam or Other as the case may be: I'm anxious to try
your underground gay magazine. If it's free, thank you very much.
If it costs please let me know how much or if I've enclosed the
wrong amount. Please send it to me in a purple and yellow striped
envelope with naked men on the outside so everyone will know I'm
getting something special. (I hope the mailmen doesn't keep it
for himself.) If you're out of purple and yellow envelopes send
it whatever way is convenient. 

Thank you very much, 

Johnny Gallo / 1021 Pacific St. / Santa Monica CA 90405

\bar

Hi there! 

Here's Mike from Monterey, in the Mex-northern. I hope all are
very well in San Pancho. I write you this boring letter 'cos I'm
interested in HOMOCORE zine which I enclosed the sufficient bucks
(I guess\dots ) for the current issue of these zine. You know,
I'm the editor of a shit zine called MEXI-CORE and I want a
review in the next issue (\#3) of their zine. Here in Monterrey
there are a big-small punk-HC scene w/bands like ABUSO (abuse),
CABEZAS PODRIDAS (rotten heads), DISOLUTION SOCIAL (social
dissolution), DERECHOS HUMANOS (human rights), REAL ANIMAL\dots 
recent acts have been dividing the northern scene by idiots from
Salillo and S.L.P. (cities) but the Mexican scene continues
growing up. Is Mexico City the city with the most of bands, gigs,
collectives, acts, people, zines, punk festivals\dots In Tijuana
SOLUCION MORTAL begins again (they started up in 1987), but they
aren't a punk band musically (just stay the ideal, image and
philosophy and a ``name'') they're a crossover band now. In
Mexico City there are lot's of bands enlisted some of them:
MASSACRE '86 (iden), XENOFOBIA (xenophobia), CADAVERES (corpses),
ATOXXXICO (iden), REMANENTE (remainder), HEREJIA (heresy), RABIA
(rage), M.E.L.I.-MUETE EN LA INDUSTRIA (death in the industry)
and much more. Well, I think is all now. Bye. 

Curriculum Mortis / Alvaro / Escenas Belga, Griega Y Polaca / 
G-3 / Arnes Plasthjarna / Vortex / D.I.Y.

\bar

Tom J, and Homocore readers/folks- 

Hay, my name is George, I'm 16, and I'm from icky suburban
Detroit. I got a copy of your zine from Lawrence at LOOKOUT!
INC.- which I really enjoyed reading. I'm a straight male (don't
hate me yet!) but I really loved the articles; all and all, You
are a very informative ``good read''. I'm writing because I'm
unhappy with my lifestyle. My parents (stepdad, at least) are
very strict, although I make it to the occasional good show
Detroit has to offer, But at my age/situation it's hard to get
meet/know good people, or find anything to do. I did however
recently get a fake I.D.- I'll be 21 in nov.-YAH!) in issue 5, I
read about the Alley club, and saw the comic ``MARY DON'T SLAM''
it got me thinking how great it would be to have such great
places/ situations/ people, and got depressed with my mediocre
suburban punk-teen lifestyle. Friend and scene wise, I'm rather
lonely. I have ``friends'' I can spend time with, even a
girlfriend, but none of my friends are too free-thinking, or
really into the scene, or mostly normal-folk in punk's clothing. 

There's so much sex I'd like to explore-well, I've tried most
everything possible, straight, and my girlfriend and I have
AMAZING sex (beginners (almost) luck?- who knows) it's just that
without viewing girls as objects, i'd like to explore more (safe)
sex, uninhibited, just with different partners. I'm not straight
because I'm scared. At this point in my life, males aren't very
appealing at all- (sometimes, even as friends.) For years I've
almost wished I could be a girl- it seems in high school girls
aren't beat up as often for being sensitive or ``sissies''. It
also seems girls have an easier time finding more partners easily
to have all the sex the want. (Maybe I'm wrong.) But' as a guy,
I'll probably never be raped, and at least less often harassed by
the opposite sex, sooo my big ``thing'' is, though, girls can be
(..gulp.) LESBIANS. Aw wow, is female on female sex fascinating
to me. I don't try to view lesbians (or any females) as objects,
and treat EVERY human with respect, so I don't think I'm a pig,
but maybe. I don't know any lesbians, though. It's just as
natural to me to be incredibly turned on by lesbians as it is for
many of all of you to be gay/straight or whatever your sexual
orientation is. The thing is, if I was to put a classified in
your respectable little 'zine that I was a guy, straight, and was
very interested in corresponding with/meeting lesbians, what kind
of reaction would I get? Is that offensive? (as a straight person
I'm not sure) is that sexist? I'm far from politically correct
and still very unsure of what philosophy to subscribe to. Do many
guys share these urges? Lesbians, how do YOU feel about my
desires, am I offensive? It's my ultimate sexual goal in life to
finally find two gals to help me explore this silly (I guess)
lust o' mine, but it'll probably just remain a fantasy, I guess. 
Oh, well, guess I'll remain horny and curious.

One question: In my lttle redneck suburb, the only readily
available ``drugs'' are alcohol and weed. well unless you count
airplane glue, magic markers, or nitrous oxide. I haven't found
any lsd in ages. If it's possible could somebody help me get
hooked up, via mail? Is it possible to do so with small
quantities, undetected? I guess honesty is all I can offer, but I
promise to pay reasonably for at least 2 hits. 

Well, anybody - straight/gay/ m or f/ any race, age hairy, bald,
whatever, write!

If you choose to write, please, put nothing revealing on the
envelope (oppressive environment - dad sometimes gets the mail
before I do.) But please fill my mailbox with sex, joy,
friendship, guidance, and love. Tom j. and all you homocore
fellas/gals what you're doing is really appreciated!

george / 2459 Cora / Wyandotte MI 48192

\bar

Hey- Mr. Jennings-

Long time no write- Anyways, please send me Homocore \#7 if it's
been made. I know that you spoke of raising the price to \$2. 
If you need more \$\$, let me know.

Oh yeah- some friends of mine think you should try \& smile more
too. You know, you might look kind o' cute with a big fat grin on
your face.

I finally read your whole Bad Poetry issue. Guess it was a
mistake to send you ``Songs for the Butch'' then. Oops. Well,
take care you illustrious punkster. Love, 

Daniel A. Ryan / 4301 E. 29th st. \#175 / Tucson AZ 85711-6369

\bar

Dear Tom,

Thankx a bunch for Homocore \#6 and the Homocore Bad Poetry \#5
1/2. I love them. Homocore is one of the first ``alternative'' or 
``underground'' publications (whatever they're called) that I've
ever seen and although I'm not a ``punk rocker'' type of guy, I
am a 26 year old homosexual and I can relate to many instances
described in many of the reader/writers letters. I see the parole
board next week and hope to be out soon, so I am glad, even
overjoyed in finding out about Homocore when I did. You know - in
my area, you just hear about ANYTHING out of the NORM! Hey - for
all the readers of Homocore\dots in \# there is so much GREAT
TALK of issue \#5, but your flyer says ``SOLD OUT'' - so if a
reader has one to get rid of, I'd really appreciate it if they
could send me a copy. It MUST be good! And as you know - I can
send stamps to pay for it (whoever was to send it to me).
Remember, I'm in a Michigan Prison. Yo - Ken Grooms (AZ), Jeremy
(Reading, MA), Dan Schubert (S.F.), Wilum Pugmire (Seattle), and
everybody else out there\dots HANG IN THERE! BE KOOL! And keep
your voices of opinion and such in the public. I have learned a
lot about other people and also myself since learning of so
publications that print actual everyday peoples voices. If each
letter of experience printed in Homocore and other publications
help just one person who reads it, then its all VERY WORTHWHILE!
I'll close for now. Please don't forget (someone!) to send me an
issue \#5! Also - I love to write letters. I make my own greeting
cards too! So - everyone, feel free to write me. 

Jefferey Lebeda \#187278 / 2500 Sheridan Rd. / Muskegon MI 49442

\bar

Hey Comohore!

Please send me \#7 and \#8. Seeing letters from women in \#6 made
my day! I'll try to submit something soon. I'm BI and FINALLY
turning 21! Bob Mould plays in Santa Cruz on Nov 14th and that
will be my first ``legal'' show. I do love your zine and would
love to see more stuff regarding women - I'll try not to be a
hypocrite and send something myself. KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON !

Susan Nilsson / 1129 Walk Circle / Santa Cruz CA 95060

P.S. For (lesbo/bi) women looking for alternatives to
``politically correct'' lesbian separatists shit check out 'ON
OUR BACKS' - expensive but sometimes worth it especially the punk
lesbos in the May-June issue. 

\bar

Homo people -

I got up this morning and it was a new day and I had to say
something out loud. Only I didn't know what it is except it
vibrates to your rag so that's where I'm sending it so deal with
it or whatever. Actually I need some outlet and validation. Don't
have to tell you it isn't the most warm and wriggly world out
there for us that are Freaks by self-definition or otherwise.
But, your mag is opening a space\dots WHO LOVES WHO? HOW DO YOU
DECIDE?? OR DO YOU? (imagine a picture of two people kissing that
we couldn't print on both sides of the words) P.S. Here's \$1 for
\#6, don't print my address if you run the letter - I'm paranoid
of the hate out there even in my own backyard. AUGGHH!

Well, I drew a little picture and I feel better even if it isn't
sans-flaw. You know that thing - ``flawless!'' Is that a straight
jacket or what? 

Love and the Mother's Sex energy to us all (along with the
father's, ain't no sexist pig)

\bar

Hi, Homocore:

I got one issue of this zine in Amsterdam and I found it really
great! I live in Madrid and here you are not very likely to find
homocore people. Most gays are elegant-dressed, empty-minded
stupid guys. Anyway I am trying to join homocore people here for
making things like a zine, a group of direct action, a music
band\dots Always as hardcore gays, speaking about ourselves and
our things. Sure it's not easy in here: we are to few and there's
too much to do. We are trying, anyways. Last year I lived in
Basque Country and I met some homocore gays and we made a zine (I
send you one, Tom. Hope you like it and understand Spanish).

Here, I suppose, things are quite different from Frisco. I tell
you what I do: I am on squatting, on autonomous anarquism, on gay
movement, on radikal fights against U.S. army in Nicaragua,
sexism, and celebration of the ``discovery'' (that is, bloodly
colonisation) of America by the Spaniards in 1492. There are lots
of things to fight for, and you'll never take a rest. That's why
when I read your zine I shouted and danced. ('What have you
smoked?' My friends asked me). It's very nice to know there are
people lots of miles away working on the same things you are on.
We are far from making a zine like 'Homocore' or demonstrations
as you do in Frisco (not many people here) but I'm sure we'll be
able to, some day. Let me tell you my labels: I am 23, dark
haired, sociologist, gay, thin, tripper and core. If any of you
core gays want to write me telling me things from S.F. or are
planning a trip to Europe and want to contact me before, here is
my address: 

Pedro Cremades / Fomento / 21 Madrid / SPAIN

A last favour: if any of you have some of these sold out Homocore
zines (\#1,\#2,\#3,\#4) please send them to me (or make copies).
thanks! Well, that's all. Fight and resist! Hasta Pronto. Pedro> 

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Dear Tom and Homocore -

Decided it was time to write a real letter instead of the one-line crap I've sent in the past. First to get the bizness out of
the way, here's a buck for \#6 and also \$2 for a couple of those
anarcho-homo buttons if there's any more left.

I wrote a letter more than a month ago and before I could mail it
I was put in the hospital and then had to move. That letter
totally disappeared so I'm trying again to get one of.

I had really wanted another copy of \#4, but saw that there
wasn't any left. I had \#4 about a week and then it was disposed
of by my ``oppressive environment'' (basically my mom chucked it
in the trash). If anyone wants to send me a xerox of any or all,
I'd be very grateful.

Well, anyways, I live about an hour from Los Angeles in a
suburban hell called Camarillo whose main claim to fame ia a
state mental hospital located here. I'm not really into
hardcore/thrash all that much, more gloom/industrial/art type
stuff. But I've always had a fascination with mohawks, skinheads,
leather boots, tattoos and such. My first sexual experience was
with a younger punker dude with a big mohawk and a penchant for
drugs and pain.

Some groups I listen to: P.I.L., X, Pixies, Replacements, R.H.
Chile Peppers, Cult, Meat Puppets, Robyn Hitchcock, Tom Waits,
Violent Femmes, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Caterwaul, Durutti
Column, Bauhaus, Love and Rockets, Christian Death, Shriekback,
Legendary Pink Dots, Wire, Diamanda Galas, Throwing Muses, Camper
van Beethoven \dots enough already.

I also like classical and avant-garde things. At the moment I'm
recovering from several nasty hassles with bouts of depression -
doctors fuck you over so bad with all their bogus medicine shit
they don't know what their are doing even. I've been in
``recovery'' wards 4x so far and doctors only screwed me up worse
before they brought me down from highs. Then they leave you in a
pit of depression and say goodbye. 

Well enough dreary shit - stick this letter in \#6 if it isn't
out yet, other wise \#7's fine. Print my name and address so
anyone interested can write - Anybody - I'd be glad to get some
mail in this lonely little town.

Thanks and keep up the great job on Homocore.

Brandon Alexander / 430 Chapala / Camarillo, CA 93010

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Dear friends,

I'm a dyke from Zurich and I've read about your zine several
times in MRR and Flipside which here in Switzerland are available
thru the record trade. Anyway, the ads just made me nosy and
furthermore I've afraid the ``Watchtower'' might be slightly
below my level. So please send me 1 copy of the latest HOMOCORE
issue and 1 ANARCHO-HOMO-LOGO button as well, \$5 are inclosed.

Keep on doing whatever you're doing and may God be with your
grandma's canary. Your ??????

Carmen Hausherr / Jennlerstrasse 11 / 8048 Zurich SWITZERLAND

(Carmen, I hope I got all the words correct, is all Swiss
handwriting so hard to read. It looks nice, but hard to read)

\bar

Homocore;

I just opened issue six a little while ago, read a bit, and
decided to finally write in since I've been reading Homocore for
over a year now. I think that all of you who put together the
zine and contribute to it in anyway are to be congratulated. I've
read numerous letters in Homocore with the similar theme of ``I
thought I was the only one out there''. I felt the same way when
I first read an issue of Homocore and I still feel like I'm in a
minority consisting of a handful of people. I'm glad that there
is this zine to bring a lot of us together, share each others
thoughts etc. But still where are all the Homopunks in Philly and
surrounding areas? I know of very few, and the few are great
friends nonetheless. Anyone feeling the same way can get in touch
with me easily. I love to get lots of mail, so please write to: 

Bob Paulshock / 1251 Crease St. / Philadelphia, PA 19125

Also looking for three housemates to share expenses with. Cheap
rent, safe neighborhood, few blocks from pub. transportation too!
Enclosed is the \$1 for the next issue. Can't wait! Thanks again
for just being there. That's all for now. BoB.

\bar

Tom,

Thanx a megaton for sending copies of HOMOCORE! I was very
impressed with their content! Call me unaware, but I was
surprised at the large amount of homosexual influence in the
hardcore scene. I guess this may be due to the largely homophobic
scene I am part of. I myself used ro be very homophobic a couple
years back, until a couple of my close friends ``cam out of the
closet'' so to speak. After that I started to evaluate the whole
sexuality thing, and I came to realize that homosexuality is
exactly as natural and normal as heterosexuality, differing only
in the choice of who you are with. The more contact I come into
with homo and bisexuals, the more respect I have for their
sexuality. You must be a very strong group of individuals to deal
with all the predjucide!

A big thanks to you is in order for the articles you sent. Rest
assured that I will do my best to put them into print and pass
those that I don't use on to others. Also, my zine, SUPERFICIAL
REICH, is dead. I now do a zine called FREE THOUGHT, with two
other guys (not to be confused with the straght-edge fanzine out
of Maryland). Issue \#1 is not too great (as you can see by the
copy I sent), but \#2 will be 1000 times better! If anyone
reading HOMOCORE would like a copy of FREE THOUGHT \#1, you can
get one for \$1.25 or 75\cents\ plus two 25\cents\ stamps. 

Also, anyone who is involved in any radical gay activist groups
or anarchist groups get in touch. Front Range Anti-Racist Action
is very interested in working with gay activist groups
(anarchists, please directly to my personal PO box only).

Christian / Box 8720 / Ft. Collins CO *)524-8720

Front Range Anti-Racist Action / Box 102 / Greeley CO 80632-0102

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Hi Tom!
Thanx a lot for your reply and zine. I did enjoyed it! Here's my
new issue to trade for your's, I have also reviewed your zine! I
do agree with what you say ``fuck sexual conformities\dots etc!''
{\it[I stole the line from the NLP article a long time ago --
tj]}  I feel that there is nothing bad a man to make love with
another man of course, in the case that nobody treats each other
like the ``shitty gay'' or shit like that. Sex has no borders, I
have masturbated with the imagination I'm making love with
another man and didn't feel any kind of guilty!! I still love
women so nothing has affected me! Please keep on sending your
next releases. I'll do the same for my zine. Thanx for all again
and keep in touch!

Panos Tzanetatos - DECAPITATED PRODUCTIONS / Aspasias 55 /
Helargos I55 6I - Athens GREECE

PS. Please return back my stamps!

\bar

Finally I write.

First of all, thanks for letting me MC the Fugazi show,
expecially on my own terms. It was a blast (literally). For those
who dunno, when Val \& Tom asked me to do the show, {\it[the last
big HOMOCORE show / May 90 / Russian Center -- tj]} I said I
would if they'd let me harrass the audience -- which I enjoyed
thoroughly. I'm sure a lot of people left thinking I was a
complete asshole, just for asking them to THINK about what they
were doing. It's not that I think everyone should be an
intellectual or anything -- that would be {\it ridiculuous}. But
goddamn it, we're getting fucked with so heavility these days by
The Powers That Be in this Corporate Oligarchy called AMerica,
and the occasions are few when a large group of us {\it [over
1000 people at that show!! -- tj]} can feel some common hope that
we can overcome the shit and live our lives as we see fit. And
like I say, seems like five years ago so many more of us were in
a State Of Alert -- so I figgur a little prodding never hurts.
Leave the cattle prodding to the Real Assholes. There's work to
be done, like smashing those cattle-prods over their 
sphincter-ruled heads. So I'm a little militant these dats. Big
Deal. And besides, a lot of people (including the bands) said
they were really into what I was doing. Glad to hear even a
whisper of agreement.

So I'm back in Boulder. So many people asked me, ``What are you
doing in Boulder CO?'' I've asked myself that many times.
Basically, it's not too bad for a little white-washed 
safe-to-be-liberal new age zen-capitalist deadhead 
yuppie-infested daddy's money college town. The hills are
gorgeous and peaceful (except for the occasional mountain lion),
and I'm getting a LOT of work done. Writing some fiction (I'm
planning to send you a story), a punk screenplay, reading a lot,
and basically trying to figure out all the problems with western
civilization {\it[when you get done with that there's dishes in
the sink --tj]}.


Also I've been infecting Boulder \& Denver with HOMOCORE
propaganda. Wax Trax in Denver snatched up a small stack of zines
I brought back from SF. Boulder has a decent little punk culture,
though it is in the Land of a Thousand Closets. And though I'm
not into crowbars, I have been approached by a few straight boys
and scattered alternative fags with some curiosity. There's a
very strong lesbian community here, but the gay male population
is quite disparate -- mostly preppies \& yuppie cowboys, who want
little to do with alternative or truely progressive ideas.
There's one homogenous \& assimilative gay disco, which mostly
serves to keep these fellows feeling OK about their yuppiehood.
AIDS is just starting to hit the area, and as bad as it sounds I
suspect it will eventually militarize the population.

There's a small ACT-UP in Denver, and I just read someone's
trying to tart one in Boulder -- I mean to enquire. Trish McCarl,
this punk dyke in Woulder who wrote ya's a letter in issue 5, is
great to have around, considering there's maybe half a dozen
homopunks in Colorado, and most of them aren't talking. Eric
Gunner (some of you know) lives in Denver, and is getting a few
of us to mark in their Gay Parade under an anti-assimilationist
banner. I'll be there.

Saw Fugazi last Friday in Denver. First time they've played
there, and they rocked peoples' pants off. There's a small but
strong young \& scene in Denver (still reasonably homophobic of
course) -- the crown was very cohesive. The place was very weird
though 00 the Azlan Theatre, which is staffed and run by
Skinheads. How Fugazi ended up playing there is beyond me. The
Azlan makes you sign an ``Insurance Liability'' form when you
enter (I signed Norman Bates), so they're not responsible if you
get hurt ``slamming''. Actually it's so the bouncers \& friends
can beat the shit out of anyone they care to. There was a little
violence, and Ian stopped the show a couple of times to calm
people down. The crowd was definitely with the band, though. I
doubt I'll go there again. I don't know why anyone does, except
there's a scarcity of venues. So here we have Skins explointing
us only to subvert us, and subverting the shows in the process.
Can't we get our shit A LITTLE more together than that? Fucking
mid-America.

By the way, it was GRAND to see everyone I could on my trip back
there; and I actually am sorry I couldn't see or spend more time
with ya's. But as Arnold Schwartzenegger said, in his sexy
Germanic way -- I'LL BE BACK.

Well, that's my report. Hope the letter isn't TOO long. I've also
included a report of ZuZu's Petals Art Gang, a copy of the
complete rant from the Fugazi show which got disrupted by the
audience, and I poem I read at the show. Love to all, from the
bottom of what's left of my heart.

Yours in con-spiracy,

Richard Loranger / 1327 Pine \#1 / Boulder CO 80302

PS. Hey, if anyone I know in SF is driving through here or
visiting this summer {\it[sic -- tj]}, and has room for a guitar
or two, PLEASE drop me a note and I'll call you. My electrics are
stuck in the city and I'm jonesing.


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