Newspaper of the University of Southern California
Tuesday October 8,19% Vol.CXXDCNo.28
Headlines
Extra Fancy's lead talks music, life
Brian Grillo, lead singer of the band Extra Fancy, is interviewed by staff writer Rad Probst. Grillo discusses the band's future, its music and his role in the entertainment industry as a gay role model
Diversions, page 6
Suspensions cost linemen Saturday
With USC defensive tackle Darrell Russell out with a suspension and the offensive line depleted with injuries, California managed to dominate the trenches en route to its 22-15 win Saturday.
Sports, page 12
Psychiatrists don't have to be taboo
In an age when stress is high for most Americans, editorial columnist Jessica del Mundo affirms that seeking professional help is something that should be embraced, not condemned, by society.
Viewpoint, page 4
F.Y.I.
Prop. 209 session, free gay workshop
Joe Hicks will talk about Proposition 209, the California Civil Rights Initiative, today at noon in the United Ministry Lounge in the University Religious Center.
Hicks was the executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and he aebated David Duke at Cal State Northridge.
Bring your own lunch. For more information, call (213) 740-2667.
•	• •
L.A. Shanti, an organization created to serve those affected by HIV/AIDS, will be holding free workshops for single gay men.
The Dating Gayme will meet on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at West Hollywood Elementary School, 970 N. Ham mono St., West Hollywood. Parking is free.
For more information, call John Copeland at (213) 962-8197 or (818)908-8849.
DailyTrojan
Vigil responds to alleged misdeeds
By Kamron Barron
Assistant City Editor
In response to allegations claiming the Central Intelligence Agency was involved in cocaine trafficking in South Central Los Angeles, community members have joined together in an effort to bring attention to the issue and continue the investigation.
At a candlelight vigil held Thursday evening at the Martin Luther King Jr./Drew University Medical Center in the Compton area, thousands of people, including many local officials, joined to express their anger and frustration at the government they say has attempted to annihilate the African-American community in and around neighborhoods in the USC area.
"This is not a one-night affair; this is a problem that is bigger than we can ever have imagined," said Danny Bakewell,
president of Brotherhood
Crusade, which sponsored the event. "Not only have they put drugs in our community ... but they have set up one of the largest and most epidemic kinds of targeting of a community in the world."
Brotherhood Crusade, a nonprofit fundraising organization, funds various health, education, welfare and economic development programs in the Los Angeles County area, said Leo Gray, a fundraiser for the group.
Among the focuses of tne event was the issue of babies born with or affected by drug addictions, specifically cocaine addictions.
Inez Beckon, assistant director of public affairs at the Martin Luther King Jr./Drew University Medical Center, said the hospital treats more people affected by drugs than other local hospitals.
"They chose the site, from what I was told, because we are
(See Vigil, page 2)
Kamron Barron / Dally Trojan One of many who protested alleged CIA intervention in drug trafficking at Drew University Medical Center Thursday.
National Coming Out Week underway
Jarry L. Underwood Jr. / Dally Trojan Greg Louganis speaks at Bovard Auditorium Monday night.
By Jennifer Arrache
Staff Writer
Dozens of students, surrounded by displays of famous gay, lesbian and bisexual people, gathered for the kick-off of National Coming Out Week in Hahn Plaza Monday.
The display was an attempt to "celebrate those people in history who have made contributions to our lives," said Joseph Rios, executive director of the Gay, Lesbian, Bi Assembly.
Coming Out Week is hosted by GLBA in commemoration of the 1987 March on Washington for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Rights. According to the GLBA press release, "National Coming Out Day is celebrated worldwide to remember the first gay rights march in the nation's capital and to further the visibility of gay, lesbian and bisexual peo-
ple."
"We are opening more than closets right now; we are opening winaows to opportunity,” Rios said.
The display in Hahn Plaza featured portraits of famous gay, lesbian and bi celebrities such as Elton John, Walt Whitman, k.d. lang, Langston Hughes, Tennessee Williams, James Baldwin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
On Friday, which is National Coming Out Day and the first day of the Trojan Family Weekend, GLBA will sponsor Trojan Family Pride Day. "It shows the parents that their students are further ahead than they were," said Thomas Saul, a freshman majoring in engineering. "Many parents are less likely to be accepting and this shows that society and the younger
(See GLBA, page 3)
Assembly welcomes international students
By Erin Phibbs
Staff Writer
The International Student Assembly, an organization that serves the needs of several ethnic and multicultural organizations on campus, is currently welcoming all incoming students to look into the opportunities and experiences available within the organization.
"We are basically an umbrella organization of 19 member clubs, funded by the Program Board," said Burcin Baytekin, vice president of ISA. "We are here to make international students feel more at home and to encourage interaction between international and domestic students."
ISA represents the international community of students and is divided into 19 individual clubs based on ethnicity and country. The individual clubs are set forth to help the international students get in touch with other students from their home countries and to assist with the transition to the United States and USC.
Several international students who serve on the board explained how ISA creates a
common ground for international students to meet and relate to one another.
"It's easier being in ISA than (being) on your own—by yourself," said Bangladesh representative Nahar Mohsin, a junior majoring in electrical engineering. "It is easier and more fun to discuss things you have in common with people from your own country. We meet in our individual groups of ISA, but we also meet outside together by having barbecues or just hanging out together."
Sri Lanka representative Pandu Wijetunga, a graduate student majoring in engineering, commented on the possibility of returning to his home country once he was finished at USC, a common concern facing international students.
"There's a 99 percent chance I'll go back after I'm done with my doctorate," Wijetunga said. "My professor says I'll most likely stay. He says I'm the type that needs to be close to the cutting edge. If I go home, 1 might not be close to the technology. It would take a lot more time and effort to further my career in my home country than it would here in the U.S.”
The ISA provides a forum for students to
collaborate with other students on issues solely relevant to international students. Whether it be adjusting to the language gap or convening to celebrate cultural holidays, students have the opportunity to identify and socialize with others from their home countries.
ISA traditionally hosts and sponsors two main events, the International Food Fair and International Night. Both will take place during International Week, which is scheduled for Nov. 4-9. International Week is held each year to promote and celebrate international culture and community at USC. Dates and times for International Week events will be posted in the Daily Trojnn the week of the events.
"Our most famous event of the year is the Food Fair," Baytekin said. "It gives us as international students an opportunity to introduce our cultures to others on campus."
The general assembly meetings of the ISA are held every Friday at 3 p.m. in Topping Student Center 205 and are open to all students. The ISA board is presently seeking an administrative coordinator and three to five
(Sec Assembly, page 3)