The Zappalorti Society Rap Group
Many issues ago I wrote of my autobiography and my manic-depressive illness. I want to share you with you some information, history, thoughts, and feelings on a great lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender rap-support group that I attend. It is called the Zappalorti Society and meets every Saturday from 2pm-4pm at the Lesbian, Gay, Bi, & Transgender Community Center located on 13th Street and Seventh Ave in New York City. The Zappalorti Society is described in the Community Center's newsletter as a group for psychiatric survivors organized for peer support, self-help and mental health advocacy.
Would you like to know why we are called the Zapparlorti Society? Jimmy Zappalorti was a Vietnam Naval Veteran. He was Gay. Sometimes Gay guys do go into the military. He served in the Navy but became mentally ill and was discharged from the Navy. He lived on Staten Island with his parents. The short version of a long story is that Jimmy Zappalorti was gay & mentally ill, did odd jobs around his home, played with neighborhood kids and he even built himself a shack near his parent's home near the waterway. Jimmy Zappalorti was killed by thugs from a nearby bar. Before he was killed he was fearful and told people and police so, but since he was considered to be mentally handicapped his pleas went unnoticed. Jimmy Zappalorti's death brought the Dinken's Mayoral Administration to action and the killing of course was a gay-bashing. Mr. Coffman, the leader of our current group teaches all the members of Zappalorti Society the history of Jimmy Zappalorti and we remember the anniversary of the sad slaying. Feel free to come any Saturday to learn more!
On the lighter side the group is always one of the best attended, sometimes gets noisy and laughing goes on any given Saturday afternoon. But we are serious when someone has an issue, problem or crisis. We are there for each other not just for fun & games. Bert Coffman (917-286-0616) is our leader and permits an open forum. Of course, like any group, if too much cross-talk goes on, Mr. Coffman carefully structures the discussions. Our talks include but are never limited to: how we take our medicine or what we take; our diagnosis if we choose to share that; our relationship problems; fun things & social stuff including: movies, theatre, TV, etc.
Besides our group leader and of course everybody in the group helping each other there is a psychiatrist who attends our group at least once a month or so to see how the group is doing. Her name is Dr. Melanie Spritz, D.O. She is excellent with the group and everyone looks forward to seeing her when she comes. Dr. Melanie is what she likes to be called and can be found on the American Medical Association web page on the internet for further information.
In conclusion and on a brighter note the Rap-Support Group I've described above I consider my weekly dose of needed fresh air. I love the group. I try to offer feedback or tell people about my week. The group is very relaxed. Also, if you are not sure if you are gay, bi, lesbian, or have mixed feelings or have attractions towards someone that you are ashamed of, you may want to come on Saturdays and at least explore the group and/or your feelings. I suggest you tell your therapist or doctor about it too. All you have to do is basically take almost any train or bus to 14th Street near 7th Ave and walk over to the Center at 208 West 13th Street, NYC 10011, telephone 212-620-7310. We go for a meal afterwards too. Try it, you'll like it!