Attentian Gay/Lesbian/Bi Ansteorrans

[Gunnora Hallakarva]

Heilsa, All.

        As the Ansteorran contact for the group, I wanted to once again let
anyone who is interested know about the S.C.A. wide alliance of
gay/lesbian/bisexual folks, plus those who are their friends, supporters,
and divas, known as the Blue Feather Guild or simply as "Blue Feather."
The group has an e-mail list, and some areas publish Blue Feather
newsletters as well. Below, I provide information about the group, its
background, goals, beliefs etc.  As well, if anyone has any questions
regarding Blue Feather, or about gay/lesbian/bi issues in Ansteorra, please
feel free to contact me directly at  <gunnora at bga.com> or at any event you
find me attending.  I would like to hear from those who may be interested:
Is there any need for a more formal structure for Blue Feather in this
kingdom, such as a household or guild?  Is there any interest in having
social activities at certain Ansteorran events, in the tradition of the
annual Blue Feather Ball at Pennsic?

        The primary reason for the establishment of Blue Feather, and for its
continued existence is education: to encourage and facilitate research on
homosexuality in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and to teach other
members of the Society about homosexuality in the Current Middle Ages.  We
also exist as a social organization, to facilitate interaction among the
members of the Society, especially those who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
Large social gatherings of Blue Feather members occur at Pennsic and
Estrella, and at other large events as well.

        About the name: the Blue Feather as a symbol and referent for the
gay/lesbian/bisexual members of the Society is based on the custom of the
female Italian troubadours, who wore a blue feather in their hair to indicate
that their desires were for the gentler sex.  Our badge ("Argent, a feather
azure") was registered by Lord Laurel in December 1990 to Moses von dem
Falken for House Blue Feather.

        One of my primary goals is to make sure that people know we're out
there.  I spent my first seven years in the SCA  trying to pretend to all my
friends that I was
straight, because the SCA was such an important part of my life and I was
afraid to be out because at that time there just were no visible queers in
sight in Ansteorra.  I had a couple of folks I wondered about (one or two I
really suspected that I knew about, as they had TWIT bumper stickers, from
the Texas Weekly Gay Social Guide, "This Week In Texas" but these were men
and I didn't know them very well at all).  

        The situation has very much changed here in Ansteorra.  It has been
joked
that it seems like our whole Laurel's Circle is gay (we do have several
openly gay and lesbian Laurels), plus other well-known and respected gay and
lesbian peers and nobles, so there is a good group of gay and lesbian role
models in our kingdom now.  But if there's anyone lurking out in the
backwaters, especially in the more distant shires where they may not often
receive visits from or travel much to where they can see one of the openly
gay but highly respected members of the Kingdom. then I want to make sure
that I reach those people too.

        After I hear back from the readers of the Ansteorra list, then I plan on
going and talking to the Crown about Blue Feather, and I'll finish up with
an announcement in our Kingdom newsletter, The Black Star.  I'm hoping to
get a listing for Blue Feather on our Kingdom web page as well.

        Please contact me if you have comments or questions!

Wassail and God Jul,
::GUNNORA::

===============================================
Background and Basic Information about the Blue Feather Guild

<><><>
A QUESTION OF BLUE FEATHERS...
====================================
(Q) Who can wear the registered badge and/or blue feathers as a token of the
group?

(A) Anyone who wishes to do so.  We encourage our supporters, gay and straight,
to display our symbol and badge.  We only ask that you wear it with honour
and courtesy.
.................................
(Q) What is the difference between light and dark blue feathers?

(A) As a general rule, dark blue feathers are wom by homosexuals and bisexuals,
while light blue feathers are wom by our supporters...
.................................
(Q) If I'm straight, can I belong to Blue Feather, camp with the group, go to
meetings and so on, or can I only be a 'friend'?  Do I have to be asked to
join?

(A) Anyone can participate, so long as they commit to display honour, chivalry,
and courtesy to all, no matter what their sexual orientation.  Several of the
'Founding Members" are straight.
.................................
(Q) I always wear blue feathers as part of my garb, and I don't want anything to
do with Blue Feather.  What should I do?

(A) If anyone asks you about the blue feathers, simply state that they're
part of
your garb and are not meant to show any special affiliation.  If you're
really worried, you might tattoo a disclaimer on your forehead.  Something
like "This blue feather is not an official publication of Clan Blue Feather,
and does not delineate official..."
.................................
(Q) Why bother with all this, when gay people were just burned at the stake?

(A) Sometimes, someplaces, yes, they were.  Each culture has its own attitudes
concerning homosexuality.  In many societies ... bisexuality was considered
the norm.  Try finding out what your personna's attitudes would have been.
(and remember, your attitudes were probably formed in twentieth century North
America, one of this world's more homophobic cultures...
.................................
(Q) What if someone makes a pass at me because I'm wearing a blue feather?

(A) No one should assume anything because a somebody is or is not wearing a blue
feather.  If you want to know why a person is wearing one, ask them politely.
 Most gay people go through the same approach and courtship rituals that
straight people do. (In fact, in many cases, a gay person will be more
tactful and circumspect than a straight person would ... a homosexual
proposition still carries five to ten in some states, not to mention the risk
to life and limb if the proposed-to takes offense.) If vou don't respond to
the initial overtures, they'll probably assume that you aren't interested.
 If worse comes to worst, try, "I'm flattered by your attentions, but my
interests lie elsewhere." End of problem.
.................................
condensed from an article by Sine ne Moriag that originally appeared in the
April XXV issue of AEstel, the newsletter of the Principality of AEthelmearc.

<><><>
 ABOUT BLUE FEATHER
=================================================
The primary reason for the establishment of Blue Feather, and for its
continued existence is education: to encourage and facilitate research on
homosexuality in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and to teach other
members of the Society about homosexuality in the Current Middle Ages.  We
also exist as a social organization, to facilitate interaction among the
members of the Society, especially those who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

About the name: the Blue Feather as a symbol and referent for the
gay/lesbian/bisexual members of the Society is based on the custom of the
female Italian troubadours, who wore a blue feather in their hair to indicate
that their desires were for the gentler sex.  Our badge ("Argent, a feather
azure") was registered by Lord Laurel in December 1990 to Moses von dem
Falken for House Blue Feather.

About the organization: There isn't any, really. - There are two newsletters
that serve as information sources and maintain a contact list, but there is
not a "Head of Clan Blue Feather" and group activities are organized either
by consensus or by an interested person.  The group began when an
advertisement appeared in the June XXUI issue of Pikestaff, the newsletter of
the Eastrealm, calling for interested people to contact Seosamh O Choda.
 Seosamh began publishing "... But Its Period!" in July, and the name was
chosen at Pennsic XXV.  Since then, there have been several meetings at
Pennsic, a number of Blue Feather events, and a second newsletter has begun,
The Blue Feather, published by Tristan Alexander.

Kingdom Contacts:
===========================
CAID:	Master Giles Hill of Sweetwater  (gileshill at aol.com)

ANSTEORRA:  Mistress Gunnora Hallakarva (gunnora at bga.com)

ATENVELDT:  Master Dagan Fenwick (not yet on-line)

THE WEST: Mistress Tangwystyl verch Morgan
Glasfryn	(hrjones at uclink.berkeley.edu)

THE EAST: Lord Joshua the Imperfekt  (bluefairy at aol.com)



CHARTER FOR THE BLUE FEATHER IN CAID
====================================

To All Who Shall Read or Hear these Present Words do We, Timothy and Trista,
King and Queen of Caid, send due Greetings and Salutations.

Inasmuch as Blue Feather is the gay/lesbian/bisexual study group within this
Our Society, and

Insofar as We are well-pleased by the efforts and endeavours of the members
of Blue Feather within this Our Realm, and

Being minded to encourage research, education, and among Our subjects, and

Whereas We are desirous of recognizing the contributions, past and future,
made by the members of Blue Feather,

Now therefore are We, Timothy and Trista, King and Queen of Caid, pleased to
Create, Charter and Recognize Blue Feather an official group within this Our
Realm and Domain, with all the prerogatives, privileges, and responsibilities
thereto appertaining

Timothy, Rex Caidis
Trista, Regina Caidis

In witness whereof We have upon All Hallows Eve, the 31st day of October,
XXVII as, (being 1992 in the common reckoning) set Our hand hereto, and
caused the Great Seal of Caid to be affixed.

============================================================
Wassail and God Jul,
::GUNNORA::

Gunnora Hallakarva
Herskerinde
===========================================
Ek eigi visa (th)ik hversu o(dh)lask Lofstirrlauf-Kruna
heldr hversu na Hersis-A(dh)al