Imagine, if you can, If fallen French strongman Napoleon Bonaparte were alive and well today and decided, upon retiring from politics, to settle into a quiet suburban existence in America. Napoleon certainly wasn't the nicest ruler in history, but chances are that the diminutive dictator would had good taste in his choice of personal surroundings. If Napoleon would have decided to emigrate to Suffolk County, chances are his dwellings would look something like the house shared by partners Barry Jones and Jim Coppola. Barry and Jim's house is truly elegant, described by Barry as "French Empire" and "Neo-classic." In addition to the European influence, touches of Eastern culture abound, including Japanese samurai figurines and accents from ancient Egypt and China's Ming Dynasty. Barry's own personal preference for cherubs and Versace are also visible. Yet despite a home fit for an emperor, Barry and Jim go out of their way to make their house comfortable and homey. At the door I was greeted by Ashley, their teacup Yorkie who got understandably upset that I was competing for her owners' attention that night. She was trying, in her own adorable way, to make her presence known throughout the interview. Ashley is in turn joined by a white, corpulent, impossibly cute cat named Baby. Ashley and Baby play fight as if they were auditioning for the new flick "Cats and Dogs..." anyway, back to the interview. Barry and Jim have been together about two and a half years, but they haven't yet retired into cozy suburban isolation. For as we pass by the blindingly white kitchen with its Roman-influenced touches of ivy trim, we enter what the two boys call the "Dock of the Bay Room." This room (filled to capacity!) was designated to store all the gift baskets, prizes, and donated auction items which lucky winners will receive this year at the Long Island gay community's most anticipated party: the 13th Annual Dock of the Bay Summer Party. This year's event is being organized by the neophyte GALFOLI, The Gay and Lesbian Foundation of Long Island. Over coffee, Barry and Jim discussed their roles and involvement in GALFOLI: its formation, mission, and future.

Barry Jones is the President of GALFOLI. His incredible devotion to the HIV- and AIDS-affected community goes back to his involvement with PWAC (People with AIDS Coalition of Long Island) since 1989. Barry spent many days volunteering his time and energy to improve the quality of life for those affected by HIV and AIDS. For Barry, AIDS activism didn't mean just donating money to AIDS research, distributing literature, or wearing a red ribbon. Having had several close friends who suffered with (and, sadly, eventually died from) the disease, Barry was volunteering in the in hospitals in the early 90's, working with the affected population on a personal, one-to-one, hands-on basis. His optimistic presence was welcomed by not only the patients but the nurses as well! Barry was also involved in the Long Island group STAT, Stopping AIDS Together. Barry spoke very passionately about his work, clearly a labor of love, yet the whole time retained a mannered and calm persona. His efforts have never ceased. Most recently he has appeared on Steven Sebor's TV show "The Long Island Rainbow Connection" to discuss the face of HIV/AIDS 20 years into the epidemic, particularly the tragedy of the rise in new HIV infections among young Black and Hispanic gay men.

Only once in our interview does Barry (almost!) lose his cool, in describing an incident in which an organization (which shall remain nameless!) accepted funds from PWAC, then attempted to distance itself from any gay imagery or symbolism. Barry confronted the powers that be of that organization, but unfortunately his protest was met with a less-than-satisfactory "settlement." If anything, the incident motivated Barry and Jim to become even more protective of the interests of the gay and lesbian community. "Dock of the Bay this year will be all about COMMUNITY," Barry adds. Jim added that this year there will be a resource table which he encourages everyone to visit.

Barry was President of PWAC for five years. It was in 1999 when Barry met and became romantically involved with Jim Coppola, who was volunteering for PWAC. Jim serves as Treasurer of GALFOLI. Both Jim and Barry started to feel "burned out" from their hard work with PWAC, but still wanted to be involved with the LGBT community, particularly with fundraising. The idea to start their own 501(c)(3) organization dawned upon them. At that time, the organization AFOLI (AIDS Foundation of Long Island), a conglomerate of groups who had organized Dock of the Bay since 1989, was on the verge of dissolving, with only three Board members remaining. A month after leaving PWAC, Jim and Barry approached AFOLI and stated that they were still interested in fundraising for the community. AFOLI voted Barry and Jim to the Board. The couple proposed the idea of starting a new group, one that would focus on lesbian concerns in addition to AIDS awareness. The Board of AFOLI was open to the idea, and many of them helped the new group, christened GALFOLI, to get established. A new Board was elected. Jim and Barry realized that if GALFOLI was to be representative of the entire gay and lesbian community, then the group would need more diversity on its Board. The men initiated the talents of Camille Gnolfo, owner of Forevergreen and hard-working community activist, for help. Camille, who is being honored at this year's Dock of the Bay, helped get more women in our community involved, thus bringing "a new energy," as described by Barry, to GALFOLI. "Our Board members and volunteers are amazing," Barry adds. In addition to Camille, Barry and Jim also wished to acknowledge the efforts of Tony Scardese, who was originally on the Board of PWAC; Bill Borman, Vice President of GALFOLI; Dennis Matareno; Pat Perry; and Ronnie Philips-Moreno, a new Board member (Visit her website at TheLongIslandLesbian.com). "GALFOLI is strictly a fund-raising organization," adds Jim. "We aren't allowed to get involved politically." To get everyone excited about Dock of the Bay, there will be a Kick-Off Party at Deluxe in Levittown on Wednesday, July 25th. Barry wishes to acknowledge Charlie Greco from Luxe for his support. "Charlie is a special person. From the beginning, he has always supported gay and lesbian causes. He had fundraisers for PWAC at Malibu nightclub. He has donated liquor for Dock of the Bay. It was Charlie who suggested a fundraiser at Deluxe." Barry also wished to thank Peter Miller, who will be hosting the Kick-Off Party.

The mission of GALFOLI is to provide funding and fundraising support to other 501(c)(3) organizations for projects and programs that meet the needs and/or quality of life of the GLBT community of Long Island. GALFOLI is devoted to ensuring that money that is raised in the Long Island GLBT community benefits the people in that community, their family, and friends. All funds are disbursed through grants to local grass roots agencies for HIV/AIDS, breast cancer and GLBT causes. To learn more, become a volunteer, make a donation, get on the mailinglist, or learn about more upcoming events, check out www.galfoli.org. What a great website!

In their spare time, Jim and Barry like to go hunting for antiques and take trips to the Hamptons and Fire Island. Their involvement in the gay and lesbian community sometimes makes it difficult for them to "get away!" Everywhere we go, we find members of the community-- it always turns into networking!" Barry states. Jim and Barry have high hopes for GALFOLI as well as this year's Dock of the Bay Summer Party. "The support for Dock of the Bay has been amazing" Jim adds.

Barry Jones, Jim Coppola, and all the other Board members and volunteers of GALFOLI have been working hard to make this year's Summer Party the best yet! Don't miss it. Remember... you can go out partying... or you can go out partying for a CAUSE! The choice is yours!

See ya there!

Related Articles:
Dock of the Bay Articles
Profiles of the DOTB Honorees for 2001
Helen of 608... 'Nuff Said!
This Father Knows Best! Suffolk Legislator Jon Cooper
Camille's Crusade
Tom Maligno: Unsung Hero
Also see Barry Jone's monthly column here, Socially Speaking

Photos:
Ashley photo by Barry Jones & Jim Coppola
Barry Jones & Jim Coppola (top) by Jed Ryan
All other photos by Louis Trapani (c) 2000-2001