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by Rick Cullen
TEXTS
AND CONTEXTS:
AN INTERVIEW WITH
CHOLI's
WALT RATUCHNY
(continued from page 3)
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RC: In the long term view is CHOLI committed to
owning its own center or leasing?
WR:
Our long term goal is to own our own center. I'd like to
have something that's on a sizable lot that has a large
parking area so we don't have to worry about that. Currently
we can use the parking area across the street, although
the parking is not a delight. We've worked with the Town
of Babylon, which has been accommodating in clearing the
streets for us.
RC:
In the time you've been involved with CHOLI, what would you
consider your greatest accomplishment?
WR:
My greatest accomplishment is seeing the development of
all the programs and activities at CHOLI. It has also been
great seeing people in their 60s and 70s coming through
the door of an LGBT organization for the first time in their
lives. You say to yourself "Wow!" One of my greatest
pleasures was and is seeing people in this age group feeling
comfortable at CHOLI and their discovery that there's more
to being a GLBT person than who you go to bed with or being
sexual.
RC:
Do you have young people that attend CHOLI regularly?
WR:
Yes,
we have some younger people though we try to encourage them
to use LIGALY
or Pride
for Youth in conjunction with their CHOLI involvement.
RC:
If you could accomplish anything you wanted at CHOLI in the
next year, what would that be?
WR:
I think that a bank account in excess of $250 K...
RC:
I give you a chance to be idealistic and you talk about the
bank! (Laughter). Aside from financial solvency, which understandably
any organization like CHOLI would wish to strive for, is there
anything else you would like to achieve?
WR:
Yes. For CHOLI to be recognized as a vital part of the L.I.
LGBT community. That would be the greatest accomplishment.
RC:
Can you tell me who are the current members of the CHOLI Board?
WR:
Sure. Right now I'm the President; Beverly Boyarsky is the
V.P. and Media Director; Anisa Johnson is Secretary; Tom
Hroncich has taken over our grant writing task; Ralph Colamussi
and Venise Charles are our Fundraising Directors; Linda
Eastman is our Outreach Director and Donna Riley our Program
Director. Unfortunately, Rob Cooper, who has been on the
Board for some time, is leaving. It will be a quite difficult
task finding a replacement for him.
RC:
In all this time that you've been a member of CHOLI, what's
the biggest difference CHOLI has made in our Community since
its inception?
WR:
I think it's brought a lot of people out that weren't involved
in the LGBT community previously. I've been out for "several"
years. I say to myself, where did all these people come
from? A lot of people don't socialize in bars because they're
older or for other reasons and CHOLI is a great place to
socialize. Its a very safe experience; we've very seldom
had any problems on that score.
 RC:
On a personal note, do you have a "significant other?"
WR:
Yes, Rob Jackson. We've been together 7 years. This is my
second relationship. My first relationship of over 20 years
was with John, who passed away some time ago.
RC:
When you're not working hard for CHOLI, what are your hobbies?
WR:
I love to go to the beach - I like to walk ten miles a day
along the seashore; I also like to bike ride and dance.
RC:
We have spoken about what CHOLI has contributed to the L.I.
LGBT Community. Let's take a different tact now. What would
you say has been the greatest contribution CHOLI has made
to your life?
WR:
The greatest thing is the people I've met. I've made made
many close friends and that is the thing that gives me the
most satisfaction.
RC:
I know we've spoken about new groups coming into CHOLI because
of its meeting facilities and other services, but have there
been other groups and/or Community activities that have been
spawned by CHOLI?
WR:
Quite definitely, yes. We worked with Venise
Charles on the first L.I.
Drag Invasion and it has become a very successful community
tradition. CHOLI also organized the first LGBT Film
Festival held at the Cinema
Arts (Centre) Theater in Huntington, which has also
become a great Community cultural tradition in itself. They
both began at with and for CHOLI. However, the most precious
legacy is the tradition of community service and leadership
supported by CHOLI. CHOLI encourages the development of
a general volunteer base and encourages those with new creative
ideas to implement those ideas. CHOLI has also benefited
from these new activities and events. We are now working
on a project to honor people who helped CHOLI come into
being which we hope will become another L.I. LGBT tradition.
RC:
So that CHOLI's goal is to be a facilitator for the natural
growth of our community rather than an entity which controls
its development?
WR:
I hope so because otherwise I'd be wasting my time.
RC:
Thank you Walt for your time, consideration, and the great
work you are doing on behalf of our Community.
Interviewer's
Note: This interview was completed in or about mid-July,
2001. Since that time Walt has announced that CHOLI is having
serious financial difficulties and is now in the process of
being evicted from its site in Deer Park, N.Y. I sincerely
urge all those who support the goals and existence of CHOLI
to contribute financially in order to save the Deer Park center.
To make contributions kindly contact CHOLI at 631-242-9727
Photos
by Louis Trapani © 1999-2000
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