Battle Creek Enquirer from Battle Creek, Michigan • Page 16

ILBRIDES Sunday, Nov. 14, 1993 Battle Creek Enquirer Gays, lesbians say life can be scary i -w. Tomlinson-Rollins Diane M. Rollins and Robert D. Tomlinson were married Aug.

28, 1993, at the United Methodist Church of Marshall. She is the daughter of John and Sandra Rollins of Marshall. He is the son of Dr. Robert Tomlinson and Mary Stuart Tomlinson of Bangor, Maine. Honor attendants were Kimber-lee Wheeler, bride's best friend and Paul Tomlinson, brother of the groom.

The bride received her bachelors in biology from Western Michigan University. The groom received Ids bachelors in automotive engineering from Western Michigan University. After a honeymoon trip of hiking the Appalachian Trail in Georgia Burton-Moore Kimberly A. Moore of 1275 East Michigan and Timothy L. Burton of 67 Bradley Street were married Sept.

11, 1993, at Evangelical Friends Church. She is the daughter of Cecil and Carole Moore of 1275 East Michigan. He is the son of Charles and Dor-lee Burton of Flint. Honor attendants were Sharon Bennett of Battle Creek, friend of the bride and Scott Williams of Kalamazoo, friend of the groom. The bride is a 1988 graduate of Harper Creek High School.

She is employed at Mutual Savings Bank. The groom is a 1978 graduate of Lakeview High School. He is employed at Grand Trunk Railroad. Weiss-VanAuken Naomi VanAuken formerly of Battle Creek and Bradley J. Weiss, both of Madison, were married July 4, 1993, in Las Vegas, Nev.

She is the daughter of Denny VanAuken of Battle Creek and Da-vid and Patricia Heebner of Bergland. He is the son of Willard and Jean Weiss of Columbus, Wis. The bride is a gradaute of Beaver Dam High School, Lively Technical College with a cosmotology degree, graduated from Madison Business College in accounting The groom is a graduate of Columbus High School and has an associate degree in business. He is an examiner for Department of Trans- Engagements Ramsey-Crocker Announcement is made of the engagement of Karla J. Ramsey and David Crocker.

She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Ramsey of Battle Creek. He is the son of Keith Crocker of Arkansas and June Crocker of Battle Creek. The bride-elect is a graduate of Harper Creek High School and Albion College.

She is the Community Corrections Manager with Tenth District Court. Her fiance is a 1985 graduate of St. Philip Catholic Central and received his teaching certificate from Central Michigan University. He is employed by Lakeview Public Winter-Earl Announcement is made of the engagement of Toni "Sue" Winter and Evan D. Earl, both of 302 All-vena, Pennfield.

She is the daughter of Roger and Linda Winter of 20 Oxford Street. He is the son of Doug and Karen Earl of 548 East Drive, Marshall. The bride-elect received her bachelors of science in 1992 from Western Michigan University. She is a pre-school teacher, substitute teacher and vision therapist. Her fiance is a 1982 graduate of Marshall High School.

He is employed at Asmo Manufacturing. The couple were introduced by good friends and met at Stage Weddings Terry-Bennett Kristina K. Turner-Bennett and Scott M. Terry both of 1532 Summer Ridge Drive, Apt. Kalamazoo, were married Sept.

4, 1993, at Maple United Methodist Church. She is the daughter of Greg and Dorothy Bennett of 5610 Grand Traverse, Portage. He is the son of Lloyd and Susan Terry of 23590 Church Road. Honor attendants were Amy Anderson of St. Joseph, sorority sister of the bride, and Jeff Kauppi of Lexington, friend of the groom.

The bride is a graduate of Portage Norther High School and is attending Western Michigan University. She is employed at Holiday Inn. The groom is a graduate of Pennfield High School and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He is a quality control chemist at Per- Lindsey-Enyart Cherly L. Enyart of 2438 0 Drive South, East Leroy and Glenn J.

Lindsey of 341 Drive South, Fulton, were married Sept. 18, 1993, at Burlington Church of God, Burlington. She is the daughter of Dale A. and Janet E. Enyart of 2438 0 Drive South, East Leroy.

He is the son of Marie M. Lindsey of 341 Drive South, Fulton. Honor attendants were Tara Schmitz and Stephen Lindsey, brother of the groom. The bride is a 1991 graduate of Athens High School. The groom is a 1990 graduate of Athens High School and is enlisted with the U.S.

Navy, stationed aboard USS Saginaw, Little Creek, Va. Einhardt-Swafford Wendy M. Swafford of Ceresco and Victor J. Einhardt of Battle Creek were married Sept. 25, 1993, at First Congregational Church.

She is the daughter of David Swafford of Marshall and Carol Swafford of Ceresco. He is the son of Carol Einhardt and the late Robert Einhardt of Battle Creek. Honor attendants were Andrea DeGolia and Eric Einhardt. The bride is a 1988 graduate of Harper Creek High School and received her cosmetology license in 1988 from Calhoun Area Vocational Center. She worked at Kellogg Company during the summer and is now employed as a nail technician at Minges Creek Salon.

The groom is a 1983 graduate of Harper Creek High School and Karla Ramsey and David Crocker Schools. A June wedding is planned. Toni Winter and Evan Earl Coach in Marshall. A May 9, 1994, wedding is planned in Las Vegas. 3.

xv Kristina Turner-Bennett and Scott Terry rigo Company in Allegan. After a honeymoon trip to White-fish Bay in the Upper Peninsula, the couple are at home in Kalamazoo. Cherly Enyart and Glenn Lindsey After a short leave from the Navy in Michigan, the couple will return to Norfolk, Va. 1 Wendy Swafford and Victor Einhardt served six years in Army Reserves. He is a member of Labors Local Union 259 and employed by Hoffman Bros Excavating Company.

After a Carribean Cruise, the couple are at home in Harper Creek. JJJiuigMjiajiiiiiuj.4,jtiiji.jiiiii1U1iijtj SCARY, From IB services," Spencer says, though he adds "they would not be welcomed into the membership of our church." The Rev. William Fitzgerald of St. Pkilin Catholic Church describes his position as more "in the middle." While he admits "our church has made it pretty clear we can't condone an active (homosexual) lifestyle," he stresses that "(gays) would certainly be most welcome in our church; they would be received with respect and appreciation for whatever it is they bring. We want to extend the same human dignity to gay people as anyone else." The United Church of Christ (Congregationalists) believes that "homosexuality is a morally neutral life condition.

What matters is not the sameness (or difference) of gender in a relationship but rather the moral quality and character of that relationship," the General Synod said in a 1983 statement. Todd Mills, 30, a hairdresser at The Hair Palace, says there was no choice for him. And he tried to change. It was just a few years ago that he got involved in a Pentecostal church and was encouraged by the news that his "cure" from homosexuality was on its way. "The pastor told me that I was going to be his first miracle.

He told me that he was going to cure me through divine intervention." Yet, after weeks of prayer, Mills still found himself attracted to men. "Once they realized the miracle didn't work, the people in the church were pretty cool toward me. Now, whenever I see one of them, they look at me like 'oh, what a But even with the bitterness that followed, Mills says the ordeal "didn't stop me from believing in God. I had faith before I met them and I still have faith. In a way, that experience made my faith stronger." Scholfield seeks encouragement in Kalamazoo's Phoenix Community ChurchUnited Church of Christ.

"I can be who I am there. It feels accepting. To be able to take com munion as I am, without secrets, is just great," she says. In the workplace While some companies have attempted to minimize homophobia through sensitivity training and bias workshops, most gays in Battle Creek walk softly when it comes to the workplace. Yet, Battle Creek employers say that may not be necessary.

"As part of our equal employment opportunity policy, we don't discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation," says Anthony Hebron, manager of corporate publicity at the Kellogg Co. "We promote fairness in employment opportunities for all people." Kay Taylor, Battle Creek Health System's vice president, says gay and lesbian employees would suffer no threat if their sexual orientation was discovered. "We value our employees for their credential skills and quality; their relationship with us is based on their performance," she says. Fruin, Scholfield, Mills and Michael Wilk are "out" to co-workers in the workplace. Wilk, 27, is a student and waiter at two local restaurants.

"I'm not going to he. If they have a problem with it, it's their problem I've already dealt with it," says Wilk. "I just can't imagine going around saying 'I'm I just couldn't do it. There would be too much guilt. There would be too much bottled up." 'AIDS is everywhere' Smiles fade and stares become distant when AIDS is discussed.

"Person upon person upon person has died quietly in Battle Creek," says Scholfield. "Family members have died. Partners have died. It is just devastating." Fruin discloses that his partner, Russell, died last year. He describes those darkest days of his life "I went through hell" he says and laments the lack of vah- Cll Jr Diane Rollins and Robert Tomlinson Jr.

and white water rafting in Tennessee, the couple are at home in Livonia. Kimberly Moore and Timothy Burton After a honeymoon trip to Mackinaw Island, the couple are at home in Battle Creek. Naomi Van Auken and Bradley Weiss portation, Madison, Wis. After a honeymoon trip to Las Vegas, Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam, the couple are in Madison, sfl I to. Francis and Rachel.

Hebner Rachel is a volunteer for Mid-Michigan Chapter of Huntington's Disease Society of America. The couple resided in Battle Creek until May 1954 and in Lansing until October 1986. Edwina and Joseph Seiler The bishops draw from their own failed effort to develop a pastoral letter on women, and from the growing men's movement, to encourage Catholics to strive for equality of the sexes in dividing household and parental responsibilities. Carol Joe Ferrari Ill I III MIIH Jim SanchezEnquirer CONTENT: Terry Fruin says he is comfortable in Battle Creek and has friends here. dation he received.

"When he died, I wasn't even mentioned in the obituary. And I cared for that man for two years," he says. "A lot of people just can't understand what I went through." Mills savs he recently broke off a relationship because his partner tested HIV positive. "I knew I couldn't bury him. I knew I couldn't do it," he says.

"I felt awful. I didn't feel like I was a very good person for doing that, but I just didn't think I could go through it." Mills, Wilk and Fruin have each lost several friends to AIDS. "(AIDS) is everywhere," says Wilk. "You just have to be careful. The biggest thing that has changed is people aren't promiscuous anymore.

Monogamy is very important." Social isolation Despite the tragedies, the three men insist they don't live consumed by fear of AIDS. Instead, they concentrate on what is good. And they agree there is much nearby to celebrate like weekend trips to Chicago and summers in Saugatuck. In Battle Creek, though, gays charge there isn't a lot to do. "This is not surprising," says Robb Hankins.

As executive director of the United Arts Council, Hankins says "one of our challenges is dealing with all the non-mainstream groups and how those groups do not have access in the county to the kinds of social activities they want." He suggests two reasons for the social isolation that gays feel in Battle Creek. "First, it's because they are basically invisible compared to other minorities and therefore it's difficult to ask agencies such as the United Arts Council to be pro- J. j. ii i viaing services 10 uiem, ne says. The second reason for the isolation is more problematic.

"It's this: is the moral climate in Calhoun County ready to accept this particular Hankins asks. Hankins admits this is "a conservative market" and says programming events specifically for the gay community might prove troublesome. "I am not saying we wouldn't do it I believe the arts should serve everyone but it would be naive for us to think that, if we did that, there wouldn't be a lot of reaction." Some gays, though, put to rest the myth that most gravitate toward big cities. "I kind of like living in a small town and I think Battle Creek has come a long way," says Wilk. "Bat- tie Creek isn't that bad; I think peo- '--pie here are loosening up a little.

It's what you make of it." Though Mills hopes to live in Chicago one day, Fruin says life in Battle Creek is comfortable, if not ideal. "Plus, I have some great friends i here," he says. At 49, Scholfield is happy in Mar- shall and admits "I don't want to start over. "My church is important to me and that's here. Besides that, (mak- 1 ing a lot) of money doesn't replace friends." Still, she dreams of change.

"I just want to be able to have a i job without my sexual identity be- ing an issue. "I just want to be able to go to work and talk about my lover talk about going cross-country ski- -ing or going to a concert over the weekend and not have it be an issue." OB Hours: 9:30 AM PM Sat. 10 AM-3 PM Battle Creek's Lowest One-Hour Prices no limit on rons discounted with this coupon Call to Compare i i i I Anniversaries The Hebners Francis and Rachel Hebner of 483 N. Kensington, Dimondale, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house from 2 to 6 p.m., Nov. 21, at Windsor Estates Clubhouse, 6661 Canal Road, Dimondale.

The event will be hosted by their children, Stuart Hebner of Aurora, and Janice Klaiss of Charlotte. The couple have three grandchildren, four step grandchildren, one great-greatgrandchild and one step great-greatgrandchild. Francis married the former Rachel Reams on Nov. 18, 1943, at Gulfport Air Force Base, Gulfport, Miss. He retired from Michigan State Police in December of 1983.

She retired as elementary school secretary with Lansing School District in June 1984. The Seilers Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Seiler of 110 Osborn Road, Bronson, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Saturday, Oct. 30, 1993, at St.

Mary's of Assumption Church. Joseph married the former Edwin Horkey on Oct. 30, 1943, at St. Mary's Church. Following the renewal of the vows, the family held a celebration dinner at Excalibur Restaurant.

Catholics revise marriage document In perhaps their most comprehensive attempt to address relations between the sexes, a committee of U.S. bishops is proposing a document on marriage that encourages Roman Catholics to move beyond the sexual stereotypes they grew up with. Just Add Rice. The Bridal Collection is designed to put you at ease with some very important decision making. We provide qualified professionals to assist you in selecting and planning everything from dresses tuxes to flowers invitations.

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