February 10, 2005: Headlines: COS - Central African Republic: Gay Issues: Metro Weekly: Central African Republic RPCV Kathleen DeBold decided to get involved in gay and lesbian activism, a path that led her to the Victory Fund and her current position heading up the Mautner Project for Lesbian Health

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Central African Republic: Peace Corps Central African Republic : The Peace Corps in the Central African Republic: February 10, 2005: Headlines: COS - Central African Republic: Gay Issues: Metro Weekly: Central African Republic RPCV Kathleen DeBold decided to get involved in gay and lesbian activism, a path that led her to the Victory Fund and her current position heading up the Mautner Project for Lesbian Health

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-151-196-48-182.balt.east.verizon.net - 151.196.48.182) on Saturday, February 12, 2005 - 1:19 pm: Edit Post

Central African Republic RPCV Kathleen DeBold decided to get involved in gay and lesbian activism, a path that led her to the Victory Fund and her current position heading up the Mautner Project for Lesbian Health

Central African Republic RPCV Kathleen DeBold  decided to get involved in gay and lesbian activism, a path that led her to the Victory Fund and her current position heading up the Mautner Project for Lesbian Health

Central African Republic RPCV Kathleen DeBold decided to get involved in gay and lesbian activism, a path that led her to the Victory Fund and her current position heading up the Mautner Project for Lesbian Health

Still Laughing
Kathleen DeBold and Barbara Johnson
by Sean Bugg
Published on 02/10/2005

Caption: Kathleen DeBold and Barbara Johnson

Thirty years later and they still make each other laugh. As Kathleen DeBold and Barbara Johnson, both 49, tell the tale of how they met as teenagers on a Florida college campus in the early 1970s, they joke and tease and crack each other up with ease.

It all dates back to Dec. 1, 1974, when, Johnson says, "We admitted we loved each other."

"We'd already been busy," DeBold grins.

The teenage lovebirds met at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Fla., which they both had chosen to attend based on fliers they had spotted in their respective high school counselors' offices.

"We called it ‘Fagler,'" DeBold says. "It was all theater, arts and women's sports."n

As English majors, they both shared many classes, and over their freshman year became close. Barbara had begun the discovery of her sexuality while hanging out in gay bars with gay male friends -- and there meeting a Navy woman who got things rolling. Kathleen, on the other hand, was essentially always out, having been "a tomboy type."

But they didn't completely admit their feelings for each other that first year. When they returned from summer break, Barbara had expected things to pick up exactly where they left off. But Kathleen was mad about the sailor Barbara had met, and avoided contact with Barbara.

"So I was just pining," she says, watching Kathleen's dorm room from her own room's window.

It wasn't until Kathleen heard from a mutual friend that Barbara had gone out in frustration to try to meet up with the aforementioned sailor that the two had a heart to heart.

"Kathleen said, ‘I love you," Johnson says. "When she asked me if I felt the same I said, ‘I think so.' I didn't want to scare her off."

Although they were finally able to declare their love, the reception to their relationship wasn't positive. Johnson lost her scholarship.

While there were many lesbians at the school, DeBold says, a great many of them were in the athletic program and closeted.

"They didn't like it when people were out," she says.

They left Flagler behind to return to Maryland, where they had both been raised. Johnson's parents "freaked out" about the relationship, but never forbade them from seeing each other. At one point, her parents set up a meeting with DeBold's parents. When they got together, the assembled adults told the two madly-in-love girls to go upstairs and wait in Barbara's room. DeBold laughs at the cluelessness of the straight parents.

"What did they think was going to happen?" she grins.

Setting out on a relationship during a time when role models were scarce, they both delved into the gay and lesbian community's history to find what models and examples there were. In particular, they spent a lot of time in the women's movement.

The most profound impact on the growth of their relationship came with DeBold's decision to join the Peace Corps in the early 1980s, which sent her to Africa for most of the decade.

"It forced me to grow up," Johnson says. "I had been codependent."

They weren't sure if their relationship would survive the separation, but they maintained a passionate correspondence and managed to see each other in a handful of cherished visits.

DeBold returned in 1989, and this time they did pick up where they left off, although it wasn't easy. Years of working in impoverished communities left DeBold frustrated with the consumer-oriented ways of 1980s America.

That was when DeBold decided to get involved in gay and lesbian activism, a path that led her to the Victory Fund and her current position heading up the Mautner Project for Lesbian Health. Johnson's own path has led to her recent nomination for a Lambda Literary award for her writing in Once Upon a Dyke.

The success of their relationship lies in "trying not to take each other for granted," says DeBold. "We try to be aware of how lucky we are."

Monday night is date night, which cannot be missed, as even their coworkers have learned when work tries to intrude. And they always have something outside their house.

"It keeps it special," DeBold says.

The time they spent apart also gave them much of the strength they needed to stay together as a couple.

"We grew up as individuals when we were apart," Johnson says. "If you have interests that are separate, you have to maintain those interests. If you have to give it up you resent it."

"We do share so much, though, and that helps," DeBold says. "It's easier when you're really in love. That, and the mindblowing sex."

Pause.

"Sometimes with each other."

Laughter.

So what's kept them in love with each other for 30 years, two months, and a handful of days?

"I just love her so much," Johnson says. "I just can't imagine being with someone else. I can't imagine that anyone else would fulfill so much."

"I think it's the same thing," DeBold says. "It's just being so happy."

Pause.

"But I still think it's the mindblowing sex."





When this story was posted in February 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:

The Peace Corps Library Date: February 7 2005 No: 438 The Peace Corps Library
Peace Corps Online is proud to announce that the Peace Corps Library is now available online. With over 27,000 index entries in 430 categories, this is the largest collection of Peace Corps related stories in the world. From Acting to Zucchini, you can use the Main Index to find hundreds of stories about what RPCVs with your same interests or from your Country of Service are doing today.
Bush's FY06 Budget for the Peace Corps Date: February 7 2005 No: 436 Bush's FY06 Budget for the Peace Corps
The White House is proposing $345 Million for the Peace Corps for FY06 - a $27.7 Million (8.7%) increase that would allow at least two new posts and maintain the existing number of volunteers at approximately 7,700. Bush's 2002 proposal to double the Peace Corps to 14,000 volunteers appears to have been forgotten. The proposed budget still needs to be approved by Congress.

February 5, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Date: February 5 2005 No: 420 February 5, 2005: This Week's Top Stories
Peace Corps swears in 12 new Country Directors 4 Feb
Kenneth Hawkinson studies oral traditions of Mali 4 Feb
Tony Hall urges politicians to bring religious faith to office 4 Feb
Dodd opposes Gonzales nomination 3 Feb
Dr. Robert Zeigler to head Rice Research Institute 3 Feb
Taylor Hackford going into television with "E-Ring" 2 Feb
President Bush's past promises in State of the Union 1 Feb
Moreigh Wolf says gays cannot volunteer with partners 1 Feb
Coleman to chair Peace Corps Subcommittee 1 Feb
Vasquez assesses need in Southeast Asia 31 Jan
James Bullington says Bush Inaugural speaks to PC 31 Jan
Allen Andersson creates foundation to promote libraries 31 Jan
Joseph Opala to film "Priscilla's Homecoming" 31 Jan
Donna Shalala embarks on aggressive UM expansion 31 Jan
Thomas Dichter says Poor Countries Need Smarter Aid 30 Jan
Alberto Ibargüen to head Knight Foundation 28 Jan
Helen Sheehy organizes "Endangered Peoples" exhibit 28 Jan

RPCVs mobilize support for Countries of Service Date: January 30 2005 No: 405 RPCVs mobilize support for Countries of Service
RPCV Groups mobilize to support their Countries of Service. Over 200 RPCVS have already applied to the Crisis Corps to provide Tsunami Recovery aid, RPCVs have written a letter urging President Bush and Congress to aid Democracy in Ukraine, and RPCVs are writing NBC about a recent episode of the "West Wing" and asking them to get their facts right about Turkey.
RPCVs contend for Academy Awards  Date: January 31 2005 No: 416 RPCVs contend for Academy Awards
Bolivia RPCV Taylor Hackford's film "Ray" is up for awards in six categories including best picture, best actor and best director. "Autism Is a World" co-produced by Sierra Leone RPCV Douglas Biklen and nominated for best Documentary Short Subject, seeks to increase awareness of developmental disabilities. Colombian film "El Rey," previously in the running for the foreign-language award, includes the urban legend that PCVs teamed up with El Rey to bring cocaine to U.S. soil.
Ask Not Date: January 18 2005 No: 388 Ask Not
As our country prepares for the inauguration of a President, we remember one of the greatest speeches of the 20th century and how his words inspired us. "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."
Coleman: Peace Corps mission and expansion Date: January 8 2005 No: 373 Coleman: Peace Corps mission and expansion
Senator Norm Coleman, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee that oversees the Peace Corps, says in an op-ed, A chance to show the world America at its best: "Even as that worthy agency mobilizes a "Crisis Corps" of former Peace Corps volunteers to assist with tsunami relief, I believe an opportunity exists to rededicate ourselves to the mission of the Peace Corps and its expansion to touch more and more lives."
RPCVs active in new session of Congress Date: January 8 2005 No: 374 RPCVs active in new session of Congress
In the new session of Congress that begins this week, RPCV Congressman Tom Petri has a proposal to bolster Social Security, Sam Farr supported the objection to the Electoral College count, James Walsh has asked for a waiver to continue heading a powerful Appropriations subcommittee, Chris Shays will no longer be vice chairman of the Budget Committee, and Mike Honda spoke on the floor honoring late Congressman Robert Matsui.
RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid  Date: January 4 2005 No: 366 Latest: RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid
Peace Corps made an appeal last week to all Thailand RPCV's to consider serving again through the Crisis Corps and more than 30 RPCVs have responded so far. RPCVs: Read what an RPCV-led NGO is doing about the crisis an how one RPCV is headed for Sri Lanka to help a nation he grew to love. Question: Is Crisis Corps going to send RPCVs to India, Indonesia and nine other countries that need help?
The World's Broken Promise to our Children Date: December 24 2004 No: 345 The World's Broken Promise to our Children
Former Director Carol Bellamy, now head of Unicef, says that the appalling conditions endured today by half the world's children speak to a broken promise. Too many governments are doing worse than neglecting children -- they are making deliberate, informed choices that hurt children. Read her op-ed and Unicef's report on the State of the World's Children 2005.

Read the stories and leave your comments.






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Story Source: Metro Weekly

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Central African Republic; Gay Issues

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