PREVIOUS NEWS Sept. 9 to Sept. 26, 1996

UTAH LAWMAKERS ARE `NO SHOW' FOR GAY FILM

Salt Lake City, UT September 18, 1996 --- Maybe it was the sensitive topic that kept them away or maybe it was the news media.

Either way, none of the 130 Utah lawmakers, Salt Lake City School Board members or principals invited to Tuesday's private screening of ``It's Elementary: Talking About Gay Issues in School'' attended, although three legislators had viewed it earlier that day.

``I'm not surprised, but I thought at least a couple would come,'' said Charlene Orchard, who helps head the Utah Human Rights Coalition, one of five local organizations bringing the documentary to Utah for its premiere next week.

The 87-minute film, by Academy-award-winning filmmaker Debra Chasnoff, explores how experienced teachers address lesbian and gay issues with schoolchildren ages 5 through 13.

The lessons are more about teaching tolerance of others and not about affirming homosexuality, said Gary Watts, a parent of a homosexual child and organizer of Family Fellowship.

The film's public premiere is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sept. 26 at the Tower Theater in Salt Lake City and will kick off a 30-city national tour. Tickets are $10 and include a reception.

Orchard said filmmakers selected the cities ``where the gay issues in public schools were controversial and there was a lot of misunderstanding.''

In Utah, the gay and lesbian issue came to a head last spring when students at East High School wanted to form a gay-straight alliance.

The Salt Lake City School Board decided to ban all clubs not related to academic courses rather than to allow the club to form. The Legislature answered with a law prohibiting teachers from promoting any illegal activity.

In light of that controversy, ``we felt it was important for concerned policy-makers to have an opportunity to see this documentary before the public screening, since they will need to answer questions that will undoubtedly be raised,'' said Orchard.

But the only people who showed for the 3:30 p.m. screening at the state Capitol were organizers and members of the news media.

Timing may have been a factor. The Salt Lake City School Board members already had scheduled a 4 p.m. meeting and several legislative committees met throughout the day.

However, three Republican lawmakers -- anticipating scheduling conflicts - -- did make arrangements to view the movie earlier in the day.

Rep. Jordan Tanner, R-Provo, said the film was really about teaching tolerance.

``It is a good story to show the need to get this kind of education into the schools,'' said Tanner, who saw the film along with Reps. Darlene Gubler, R-Holladay and Nora Stephens, R-Sunset.

Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, did not make it to either screening.

``I had committee meetings I had to be in,'' he said. ``There were a lot of conflicting committee meetings today.''

In addition, he noted, a retirement party was planned in the afternoon for a legislator.

Filmmakers hope to raise enough money through the tour for wider distribution, especially to teachers.

But in Utah it will take changes in laws and attitudes before there are classroom discussions about tolerance of gays and lesbians.

``Nothing in that video could be taught in Utah public schools,'' said Judy Allen, HIV and AIDS specialist for the state, who has seen the film at conferences.

Allen said acceptance or advocacy of homosexuality is one of the four taboo topics for Utah teachers. The others are intricacies of sex, use of contraceptives and advocating promiscuity.

First National Poll of Gay/Lesbian Community Shows Politically Engaged Electorate that Supports Clinton by a Wide Margin

Washington, D.C. September 18, 1996 --- Two-thirds of gay men and lesbians plan to votd this November and an overwhelming majority say they'll cast thei rballots for President Clinton, according to the first national poll of gay Americans.

The survey conducted for the Human Rights Campaign, breaks ground as the first national political profile of the lesbian and gay community. It shows that, just like other Americans, gay people are most concerned about crime and drugs, jobs and the economy, education and health care.

"This is the firt national, statistically valid profile of self-identified lesbian and gay Americans," HRC Communications Director David M Smith said in releasing the survey results. "It goes a long way toward proving what the Human Rights Campaign has long maintained: that our community is politically engaged and supports the president's re-election by an overwhelming margin."

The poll, conducted by Lake Research Inc., found that among gay voters, President Clinton has a commanding lead in both a two-way and three-way presidential race. In a two-way race, the survey found Clinton would receive 75 percent of gay and lesbian votes while Bob Dole would garner 12 percent. The remaining 8 percent was either undecided or refused to answer. When Ross Perot was added to the mix, CLinton got 69 percent while Dole and Perot were in a statistical dead heat at 11 percent and 12 percent, respectively.

Democrats were solidly behind Clinton in either scenario. Interestingly, in a three-way race, Clinton would beat Dole among gay Republican voters. The survey found 29 percent of gay and lesbian Republicans would back Clinton in such a race, while 48 percent would choose Perot and a mere 10 percent would vote for Dole.

"This indicates quite clearly that gay and lesbian Republicans have serious problems with Bob Dole," said Daniel Zingale, HRC's political director. "Even in a two-way race, we found 21 percent of gay and lesbian Republicans undecided.

"Plus, the poll found that Republicans in Congress are more popular among gay voters than Bob Dole," Zingale added. A total of 13 percent voted for the Republican candidate in their district in 1994, and 21 percent plan to do so this year, the survey found.

However, a clear majority -- 61 percent -- said they plan to vote for the Democratic congressional candidate in their district this year, he noted.

The survey also offers the first statistically valid picture of the gay and lesbian community, and what it found is that the gay and lesbian community looks very much like America as a whole.

For example, gays and lesbians earn wages similar to most Americans: 40 percent earn under $25,000 a year, compared to 45 percent of the country as a whole; 35 percent earn $25,000 - $50,000, the same as the national average; and 21 percent earn more than $50,000, compared to 13 percent of the general population.

Plus, almost half of self-identified gay men and lesbians -- 46 percent -- are currently involved in a long-term, monogamous relationship.

The poll also found that gay men and lesbians are similar to other Americans with regard to the issues they care about. A total of 24 percent cited crime and drugs as the issue they worry about the most' 17 percent cited jobs and the economy; 16 percent said health care; and 15 percent listed education as their No.1 concern.

And while gay voters care about gay rights issues, the survey found more than half feel they are not the most important factor when they decide how to vote for federal offices.

Among issues that affect gay and lesbian Americans, 82 percent cited a law to protect gay people from discrimination in employment as "one of the most important" or"veryt important." Eighty-percent said more funding for AIDS research and prevention was "one of the most important" issues or "very important." Seventy-five percent chose a law to enhance penalties for hate crimes against gay people. Securing the right for lesbians and gay men to marry was rated far less important than those issues, despite the recent publicity surround the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which passed Congress.

Among the poll's other findings:

"about a third of all gay Americans live in the South, a quarter in the West and Northest and about a fifth in the Midwest;

"less than half of self-identified gay men and lesbians are college graduates; more than two-thirds have a high school education or less.

The survey findings were based on questions added to a series of polls conducted by the ICR Survey Research Group for Lake Research and the Human Rights Campaign. ICR contacted 365 self-identifying gay, lesbian and bisexuals by telephone from May to September 1996.

The maximum margin of error was 5.2 percentage points.

For a complete copy of the poll, please contact Sloan Wiesen at (202) 628-4160.

Boy Who Wore Dress to School Listed As Runaway

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) September 17,1996-- - The boy who sparked controversy when he wore a dress to Burlington High School last week has been listed as a runaway with Burlington City Police.

The report came after Burlington High School officials were set to meet with Matt Stickney, 15, Tuesday morning to mediate their differences. But school officials said the session never happened because not all parties were present.

Burlington Police Lt. Emmet Helrich said Stickney was reported as a runaway at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, and there have been no reports of his whereabouts.

Stickney, who is gay, has been showing up at school in a dress, and the administration has been sending him home. Administrators say his clothing disrupts class and therefore violates the school's dress code.

About 100 BHS students had cut class Friday morning to protest the school's decision to suspend him.

In a statement Friday, the Burlington School District said it was concerned that allowing Stickney to wear the clothing he chose would disrupt learning.

"We are responsible for protecting the educational environment from disruption and maintaining a safe environment for all students," it said.

The situation has attracted national notoriety. David Hyde Pierce of TV's "Frasier" referred to Stickney in an interview on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno." And Karen Eade, executive director of Outright Vermont, a gay services organization, said a representative of the daytime Jerry Springer Show" left a card at her office Tuesday.

"This has been such a media circus," Eade said. We have a young person who is at great risk right now. There are a million different reasons a young person would feel isolated and condemned at this turn of events."

[addendum from person in area: "According to local radio here in Burlington this morning someone from OUTright Vermont (the glbt youth support group) says Matt is "in hiding" but OK.]

Summary of Testimony in Baehr v. Miike: Lesbian and Gay Plaintiffs Begin Case in Hawaii Marriage Trial

Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund presented the first witness on behalf of the lesbian and gay plaintiffs in Baehr v. Miike on Monday as the Honolulu trial began its second week in the challenge to anti-gay discrimination by Hawaii marriage law. Pepper Schwartz, a professor of sociology at the University of Wshington, discussed at length her 1983 book, American Couples, which reported on 12,000 married and co-habitating couples and about 1,000 gay male couples and 800 lesbian couples in the late 1970s to early 1980s.

The lesbian and gay plaintiffs in Baehr v. Miike are represented by Lambda senior staff attorney Evan Wolfson and Honolulu civil rights attorney, Dan Foley, through the Hawaii Equal Rights Marriage Project.

Schwartz, whose book is now considered the most cited textbook in the field of sociology concerning this topic, concluded on the witness stand that, "Marriage as an institution buffers you as a couple... married couples have an advantage that keeps them together longer than any of the other three categories of couples. Marriage has protective qualities."

Asked if she felt marriage for gay and lesbian couples would do harm to society or to the institution of marriage, she replied. "No, I do not. Marriage will strengthen gay and lesbian relationships which ultimately will be good for society."

Also during direct examination by Wolfson, Schwartz reinforced the findings of nine other studies conducted by her colleagues which had come under fire last week from the state's expert witnesses. Those studies, including one by Charlotte Patterson who is scheduled to testify today, find that lesbians and gay men raise happy, healthy, and well-adjusted children.

Schwartz took the stand in Hawaii's First Circuit Court on the fifth day of the non-jury trial before Judge Kevin Chang. Hawaii's highest court has ruled that the state must show it has a compelling interest in discriminating against lesbians and gay men if it is to continue to refuse to allow same-sex couples to marry.

Schwartz, who earned masters and doctorate degrees in sociology from Yale University, is a full professor at the University of Washington, considered by many to have one of the top 10 sociology departments in the country. An expert on the topics of families, sex, human sexuality, gay and lesbian couples and their families, and research methodologies. Schwartz is the author of hundreds of published research journal articles and seven books.

For the state's cross examination, Deputy Attorney General Rick Eichor raised inflmmatory questions twoard Schwartz, often interrupting her, prompting Judge Chang to repeatedly instruct him to allow the witness to finish her answers. In a ploy apparently directed to the media and against the objection sof Wolfson, the state even tried to equate civil marriage for gay and lesbian couples with incest and polygamy. The Hawaii Supreme Court, in sending the case back to the circuit court, already addressed the fact that this case would in no way affect incest and polygamy laws already in place.

The state also tried to twist Dr. Schwartz's own data to imply, as a state witness said last week, that lesbian and gay couples break up more often than do heterosexual married couples and so provide unstable and unsuitable environments for children. But Dr. Schwartz reiterated that this very finding leads her to conclude that it is the institution of marriage or lack of marriage which account for variations in break-up rates -- not the sexual orientations of the couples.

On Tuesday, testimoney on behalf of the lesbian and gay couples was to continue, with child psychologist Charlotte J. Patterson taking the stand. Patterson has expertise in the development of children raised by lesbians and gay men and same-sex couples, and was to testify on those issues as well as respond to issues raised by state witnesses, such as the significance of biological relationship, family and parental configuratio, and parents' sexual orientation, sex, or gender in the development of their children.

Day One of State's Case: Tuesday, September 10, 1996

Last Tuesday, the trial opened promptly at 8:30 a.m. HST before Judge Chang. Eichor made opening remarks for the state, displayin in the front of the courtoom a poster with the statement the state has a compelling interest in the healthy well-being and development of children. Foley responded in his opening argument, telling the judge that experts would testify that lesbians and gay men have been found to be good parents who protect their children. The rest of the day was spent on the state's lead witness Dr. Kyle D. Pruett of Yale University School of Medicine and Yale Child Study Center.

Pruett, a psychiatrist, testified that, "Optimum development is best served for most children by being raised in intact families by their mothers and fathers." He said that "in terms of probabilities," same-sex marriage would provide "a more burdened nurturing domain."

Wolfson cross-examined Pruett and led him to comment that same-sex couples are as capable as heterosexuals of being positive parents; that gays and lesbians should be allowed to adopt and provide foster care for children; that a parent's sexual orientation does not disqualify her or him from being a good, fit, living parent; and that in some situations, a gay parent could provide the best care and nurturing for a child. Wolfson, turning to the poster board displayed by the state, received agreement from Pruett that the state has a compelling interest in promoting the optimal development of children in all families, including those headed by single mothers, adoptive and foster parents, and same-sex couples.

Day Two of State's Case: Wednesday, September 11, 1996--

Dr. David Eggebeen of Pennsylvania State University was the second state's witness. He testified that the majority of men and women expect to marry, they expect to stay married for life, and most expect to have kids. He cited data that lesbian and gay couples break up more frequently than co-habitating and married heterosexuals. Under cross-examination by Wolfson, Eggebeen, a sociologist, acknowledged that his information was based on a single study.

Agreeing that couples such as Bob and Elizabeth Dole do get married for reasons other than having children, Eggebeen was asked by Wolfson, "You wouldn't suggest their marriage was any less important or nurturing than other marriages?"

"No," the sociologist replied.

The state's witness further agreed with Wolfson that marriage can improve a relationship's stability and people's mental and physical health. Eggebeen said that gay parents can be the best parents in some circumstances for children. Despite three state objections, two of which were upheld by Judge Chang. Eggebeen also acknowledged that he is personally opposed to same-sex marriage based on his religious beliefs, and he thinks that homosexuality is wrong.

Day Three of State's Case: Thursday, September 12, 1996--

A third state expert witness, Dr. Richard Williams, a Brigham Young University expert on scientific research methods, testified on Thursday about methodology flaws in nine U.S. studies in which researchers found no evidence that children of lesbian mothers developed differently from children of heterosexual mothers. During cross-examination by Wolfson, Williams admitted that he felt homosexuality was "morally wrong," and that any sexual activity outside the bonds of a male-female marriage was a sin. Williams also made it clear that he does not have high personal regard for the social sciences such as psychology and sociology, he does not believe in the theory of evolution, and he opposes the Equal Rights Amendment.

Testimony ended at noon HST, at which time Wolfson spoke to the media outside the Honolulu Circuit Court building. "In three days, the state has failed to show any evidence that gays and lesbians cannot ... make good parents for children," he said. "All of these expert witnesses from the state concede that gay men and lesbians should be allowed to adopt and raise children, and that gays and lesbians can, and in fact do, raise happy, healthy and well-adjusted children," he added. Wolfson said he thought it was unfortunate that the state is saying there is only one kind of optimal family for children -- the biological mother and father living together in a married arrangement. "What about single mothers, single fathers, adoptive parents, step-parents, as well as same-sex couples? For many children living in these alternative arrangements, if they have loving, nurturing parents who put the needs of their children first, for those children, they already have an optimal family," he concluded.

Day Four of State's Case: Friday, September 13, 1996---

The state presented its fourth and last witness, Honolulu psychologist Thomas Merrill, who echoed the state's main argument, that biological mothers and fathers are the best parents for children. He also said data comparing gay parents to non-gay parents is sparse.

Under cross-examination by Dan Foley, he conceded that lack of data on children raised by interracial couples should not justify banning interracial marriages.

'Ellen' May 'Come Out' this Season, Report Says

New York NY, September 14, 1996 --- In what would be a first for network television, Ellen DeGeneres' character on ABC's "Ellen" may come out as a lesbian this season, according to TV Guide.

The series' producers and star are lobbying for the character to come out of the closet, and they have already paved the way in the season's first nine episodes, the magazine reports in its Sept. 28 issue.

"Ellen" centers on Ellen Morgan, a single woman in her mid-30s played by stand-up comic DeGeneres. Past episodes have dealt with Ellen's unsuccessful relationships with men and her mother's frustration that Ellen hasn't married.

DeGeneres' own sexual orientation has been the subject of speculation in and out of the gay community. She has refused to discuss the matter. She also declined to comment on the TV Guide article.

However, her manager, Arthur Imparato, told the magazine: "If you look hard at the whole series, there are a lot of elements over the years that could be laying the groundwork for that story line."

No prime-time network series has ever had a homosexual as its central character.

The title character on "Love, Sidney," which aired on NBC from 1981 to 1983, was conceived as gay. The show, starring Tony Randall as a commercial artist, was based on a TV film in which his character was gay. But on the series, no mention of Sidney's sexual orientation was made.

"We're certainly seeing more gay and lesbian characters than ever before, and the Ellen character coming out would be a fantastic thing," said Alan Klein, a spokesman for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

In one of the upcoming episodes of "Ellen," TV Guide says, Ellen is standing behind a closet door in her new house. On stepping out of the closet, she says, "Yeah, there's plenty of room, but it's not very comfortable."

Later in that episode, her parents announce plans to divorce and she says: "How do you think I feel? What if I said something shocking to you -- like my whole life has been a lie and I'm really.... left-handed."

On Friday, an ABC spokesman referred calls to Disney Television, which produces the series through its Touchstone subsidiary. A Disney spokeswoman declined to comment.

Gay Teenager Protesting School's Refusal to Allow His Dress

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) September 13, 1996 --- A gay Burlington High School student is challenging a school principal's decision to stop him from wearing a dress to school.

Matt Stickney is promising to take his case - and what he calls his right to free expression - to court if necessary.

``Females can dress any way they like to, so why can't males do the same,'' said Stickney, who was wearing a long, flowing black dress, a black wig, lipstick and eyeliner. ``I'm 15 and I'm gay. This is how I dress to express my personality.''

About 15 of Stickney's friends stood in front of the school Wednesday to protest Principal Ridgley Schott's decision.

Stickney was told on Monday that he couldn't wear a dress to school after he did so for three days last week.

Schott said he acted in the interest of preserving order in the 1,000-student school.

``Our issue isn't this kid's inclinations one way or another,'' Schott said. ``We can't conduct the business of school with him dressed like that. That's where we're coming from.''

Schott said a student had shouted a derogatory remark into a classroom where Stickney was seated. Other students are more interested in talking with Stickney than in paying attention to their classes, Schott said.

Stickney's friends say the school administration is acting hypocritically.

``It's kind of sad that we are told, pushed even, to express our individuality and here he's being persecuted for it,'' said Jessica Morley, 16, a senior.

Schott said he was aware that dress codes change - women weren't allowed to wear anything other than skirts a generation ago, for example. He contends, however, that the school is not ready for male students wearing dresses.

A bystander to the protest, Seth Walker, 17, said he felt it was all right for Stickney to wear a dress.

``He's asking for harassment - it's high school, you know,'' Walker said. ``But it's also a free country.''

Senate Passage of Unconstitutional Anti-Gay Marriage Bill Will Not Stand, HRC Says

Washington, D.C. September 10, 1996 --- The Senate's passage of the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act is nothing more than election-year gay bashing and is destined to be undone, the Human Rights Campaign asserted today.

"The Human Rights Campaign is appalled over the passage of the Defense of Marriage Act," said Elizabeth Birch, executive director of HRC, the largest national gay and lesbian organization. "Denying lesbians and gay men equal marriage rights will not stand. HRC vows to continue to fight this legislatively and in our country's courts of law and public opinion."

Birch also deplored the Senate's failure to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill to outlaw discrimination against gay people in the workplace. However, she said some important acomplsihments were achieved nonetheless.

"We are saddened by today's vote and believe that it underscores why we must stay focused and engaged this election year and elect a Congress that supports treating people equally and fairly," she said at a news conference after the two votes. "The civil rights struggle in this country has been a long journey and we will, with steadfast commitment, continue working toeard the day when America's promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness will be true for gay Americans as well."

The vote on ENDA "represents a small but profound victory," Birch said.

"The U.S. Senate, for the first time in the history of this country, debated and voted on a major piece of civil rights legislation for gay people," she said. "Though the outcome is not what we had hoped, it lays a strong foundation for work in the next Congress."

The Senate voted 85-14 on the Defense of Marriage Act, a bill to allow states to ignore same-sex marriage performed in any other state. No state currently recognizes same-sex marriages.

Shortly after passing the anti-gay marriage bill, the Senate defeated the Employment non-Disrimination Act by a vote of 50-49. Currently, it is legal in 41 states to fire employees merely for being gay or lesbian.

"With today's vote, we have witnessed the struggle for gay rights being embraced by the longstanding civil rights struggle in this country," Birch said. "We have concretely established this as a bipartisan issue. And finally, it is no longer a question of "'if" we will pss the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, it is only a mater of 'when.'"

Birch also called on President Clinton, "in the strongest possible terms," to veto the Defense of Marriage Act.

"This bill is discriminatory, unconstitutional and nothing more than election-year gratuitous gay bashing," she said. "The Defense of Marriage Act violates a conerstone of our nation's most basic principal of fairness, that all people are equal in the eyes of the law."

Lambda Statement on DOMA Passage and ENDA Defeat

"Although Congress has targeted gay people for discrimination, this law will not stop us from winning equal marriage rights in the long run," Cathcart said. "Our Hawaii case is just the first step in this struggle."

From Hawaii, Lambda Senior Staff Attorney Evean Wolfson said, "The Senate has made a shameful place for itself in history today. Gay couples will be free to marry eventually, thanks to the courage of the plaintiffs in this case, and espite the cowardice of politicians who were afraid to even hear our side of the case."

"No one should be fooled. There was never a chance of an even trade with these bills," Cathcart added with the defeat of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act following passage of DOMA. "Congress has shown it is the enemy of civil rights and a pawn of religious extremists, even while society and the courts make great strides toward fairness and acceptance for lesbians and gay men."

(Lambda is the oldest and largest gay legal organization and is co-counsel for three lesbians and gay couples in Baehr v. Miike, the landmark equal marriage rights trial in Hawaii.)

ENDA Defeat a Loss for Equality

Washington, D.C. September 10, 1996 --- People For the American Way Action Fund called today's U.S. Senate vote on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act a landmark in the history of the American civil rights movement, even though the bill was defeated, 50-49.

"Today the injustice of anti-gay discrimination was debated before the American people, and a significant number of U.S. Senators affirmed that 'We the People' includes gay and lesbian Americans," said Elliot Mineberg, People for the American Way Ation Fund Legal Director. "Unfortunately, too many Senates were swayed by the distortions of the Religious Right political movement. But getting a floor vote on ENDA in this conservative-controlled Congress is a victory for the civil rights community. And it sets the stage for ultimate victory in the next Congress."

Mineberg said the most remarkable aspect ot Tuesday's vote might wwell be the powerful alliance that was forged in a few short weeks -- an alliance that included labor, women, the elderly and civil rights leaders from three generations. "Together we forged a new alliance for the 21st Century," Mineberg said. "It is an alliance that stands for all of us. For the woman in Georgia who was fired from her job as an award-winning cook when her company adopted a written policy against hiring gay people. For the married, heterosexual man in Kansas who was refused a teaching job because a school employee suggested he may be gay. For the Detroit postal worker who had no legal recourse after he was harassed and beaten at work. It is for these poeple that this alliance stood -- and will stand again to pass ENDA in the next Congress."

Mineberg called at earlier vote on the anti-gay Defnese of Marriage Act "an unfortunate caputulation to election-year politics" and lauded the courage of senators who cast their votes against it. "Today the civil rights community and the the U.S. Senate almost pulled the END rabbit out of the DOMA hat," Mineberg said. "ENDA is not going to disappear. The coalition that has come together to affirm the promise of the civil rights movement will make sure that anti-discrimination legislation takes center stage in the next Congress."

(People For the American Way Action Fund is a 300,000 member constitutional liberties organization that works to proect the civil liberties of all Americans.")

PFLAG STATEMENT ON ENDA/DOMA VOTE

STATEMENT OF MITZI HENDERSON, PFLAG PRESIDENT WHO PRESENTED TESTIMONY DURING SENATE DOMA HEARINGS ON TODAY'S GAY RIGHTS SENATE VOTES

September 10, 1996 PFLAG -- Today's passage of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the Senate is a great disappointment to the members of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). It did not, however, come as a surprise. It is no secret that religious conservatives, who claim to promote family values, have forced same-gender marriage to the forefront of the political debate just in time for the elections. Why else would Congress be working so hard to take away rights that our lesbian and gay friends and family members do not even have?

While the defeat of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) did deal a double blow to families, the one vote margin of loss offered hope to PFLAG members across the country. To have an anti-discrimination bill debated, and almost passed, in the same election year that has encouraged hateful rhetoric about same-gender marriage marks a significant shift. We are proud of the Senators who today saw through the political smokescreen to cast a vote against workplace discrimination.

PFLAG, through testimony, telephone calls, and an ad in Thursday's Roll Call newspaper, has tried to educate our nation's leaders about the harmful effects of anti-gay speeches, like those heard during earlier Congressional DOMA debates. Today we heard several Senators demean our gay and lesbian loved ones. But we also heard more Senators than ever before stand up to defend the rights of tax-paying Americans, regardless of their sexual orientation. Our loss on paper, of today's votes, is eased by the knowledge that we are making progress in our education of our leaders about our gay and lesbian friends and family members.

Mitzi Henderson testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee during the DOMA hearings conducted in July, following the testimony of PFLAG Vice President, Nancy McDonald, during the House DOMA hearings. A local PFLAG leader also testified in support of ENDA before a House Committee in August.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons, their families, and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and secure civil rights. Founded in 1981, PFLAG is now organized in 400 communities throughout the country, with 65,000 household members.

Socialist Candidates Denounce Clinton & Dole for Backing Congress' Anti-Gay Measure

Statement of Socialist Candidates

New York, NY September 10, 1996 --- Socialist candidates Monica Moorhead and Gloria La Riva today denounced the Sente's bigtoed votes in two measures affecting gay rights.

By 85 to 14, the Senate joined the House in voting to deny federal recognition of same-sex marriage if Hawaii or another state grants that right. And by 50 to 49, the Senate killed a bill to ban anti-gay discrimination on the job.

Monica Moorhead said, "The ruling class is the real force behind the politicians' election-year effort to whip up homophobia -- as as big business is behind the racist anti-immigrant propaganda, the welfare cuts and all the other attacks against the working class and oppressed."

Moorehead, an African American woman, is running for president of the United States on the Workers World Party ticket. "The bosses want to divide and confuse the workers," she said.

"Diverting mass anger away from themselves and instead scapegoating immigrants or welfare recipients or lesbians and gays in a favorite tactic. That;'s the only reason they're still blocking basic civil rights for a major segment of the populace. That's why federal law still permits discrimination against gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people in jobs, housing, public accommodations, and benefits like marriage, Social Security, etc.

"That -- to serve the bosses' interests -- is the real reason the Senate defeated the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and passed the vicious 'Defense of Marriage' Act. And it's why President Clinton will sign the anti-gay marriage law.

"Clinton is disgusting. He's a puppet of the right wing. He shows that by signing DOMA just like he showed it by signing the welfare cuts."

"Whether you're Black, Latino, Native, Arab or white, woman or man, gay or straight, young or old -- if you're not rich, you have no more reason to vote for Clinton than for Dole. They both work for the bosses. "The only answer is to unite against the attacks and keep on fighting."

Gloria La Riva, a Chicana trade unionist, is WWP's vice presidential candidate. "The Senate may have voted down equality this time. But the demand will not die," she said.

"A federal gay-rights law will undoubtedly pass before too long. It already has in nine states. This movement is gaining momentum and winning broad public support. Social attitudes are changing so much that it's even safe to predict the right to same-sex marriage will also be won in the foreseeable future. This proves how fast mass consciousness can shift under the impetus of a social movement demanding justice."

La Riva noted that the most consistent support for gay rights in Congress has come from members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

"The demand for equal rights is so compelling that it cannot be stopped. ENDA was defeated by only one vote. Clearly, the bill will be back. A stronger version will eventually pass -- one that bans discrimination across the board, not just in employment, and one that protects transgendered people as well as lesbians, gays and bisexuals," Loa Riva said. "But to get it, we can't rely on Democratic politicians. It will take an independent, militant struggle."

Before DOMA Debate: Hawaii Plaintiffs Call for Equal Civil Marriage Rights

Lesbian Couple Explains Why They Want to Get Married

Washington, D.C. News Conference September 10, 1996 ---
WHO: Hawaii marriage trial plaintiffs, Ninia Baehr and Genora Dancel, with Kevin M. Cathcart, executive director of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, co-counsel in the case.
WHAT: Explain why civil marriage laws should not discriminate against lesbians and gay m en, as landmark Hawaii marriage trail begins.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 10, 1996, 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: The Senate Swamp, Washington, D.C.
CONTACT: Peg Byron, public education director, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, 212-995-9475, 1-800-314-5149 (pager)

"Ninia and Genora obviously are not a threat to Western civilization or anyone's marriage. They real threat is from bills like DOMA that attack the Constitution and promote hate aginst lesbians and gays. There is no defense of marriage here," said Kevin Cathcart, executive director of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund.

WASHINGTON -- Gay Marriage Bill Scheduled for Vote In Senate Tuesday --- Democrats change course

Excerpted from an article by Carolyn Lochhead, San Francisco Chronicle Washington Bureau

Washington, D.C. Sept. 10, 1996 --- ... Instead, Democrats accepted a separate vote, also scheduled for Tuesday, on the Employment Non- Discrimination Act, known as ENDA, a measure long sought by gay advocates. Attaching it to the gay marriage bill had been the linchpin of the gay lobby's strategy to kill the legislation or, at a minimum, rescue something positive from it.

Although the attempt to amend the Defense of Marriage Act lies in tatters, it did open the door to an extraordinary three-hour Senate debate yesterday on job discrimination against gays and lesbians, the first ever.

Supporters implored the Senate to take what they called the next great step in the civil rights struggle; opponents warned of an avalanche of new quotas, litigation and what they denounced as the elevation of immorality to the status of a civil right.

ENDA would ban sexual orientation as a basis for firing, hiring, promotion or compensation in the workplace. The armed services, small businesses, religious institutions and nonprofit groups would be exempted.

Kennedy noted that in 1953, President Eisenhower issued an executive order requiring the dismissal of all homosexual employees in the government. Today, Kennedy said, surveys still show that three-quarters of gays and lesbians hide their sexual orientation at work and that many face open hostility on the job. It is currently legal in 41 states to fire an employee on the basis of sexual orientation, Kennedy said.

Republicans, however, predicted that the bill would force employers to ask workers about their sexual orientation to defend themselves from discrimination charges. Utah Republican Orrin Hatch, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, warned of ``a litigation bonanza.''

`MORAL OBJECTIONS'

Hatch also said many employers ``have honest moral, religious-based objections to hiring homosexuals.'' Missouri Republican John Ashcroft asserted that unlike race and gender, homosexuality ``is clearly a choice -- a choice that can be made and unmade.''

Ashcroft said schools should be allowed to not hire gays and lesbians, citing a case in Virginia where a boys' gym teacher was discovered appearing in gay pornography. ``He led a double life,'' Ashcroft said. ``On the West Coast a gay porno star, on the East Coast, a gym teacher.''

L.A.P.D. Gets Sexual Orientation Seminar

Los Angeles, CA Sept. 9 ,1996 --- Hollywood Supports, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), announced on August 20, the delivery of the first "Sexual Orientation Issues in the Law Enforcement Workplace" seminar for supervisory-level personnel of the LAPD. The seminar is a two-hour expanded and specialized version of Holywood Supports' 90-minute seminar on "Sexual Orientation in the Work Place."

In the first phase of delivery of this seminar, over 1,800 LAPD personnel at the level of Sergeant through Lieutenant, together with civilian supervisory personnel, will participate. Starting next Spring, the seminar is expected to be extended to more than 7,000 line officers and all civilian personnel.

Hollywood Supports Executive Director Richard Jennings explained that, "Our 'Sexual Orientation in the Workplace' seminar is a unique program, designed to help establish a more productive work environment by ensuring greater inclusion and helping to foster a workplace climate of openness, teamwork and cooperation. We've combined a highly interactive approach -- which studies show is the most effective form of workplace training -- with a primary focus on the advantages to law enforcement agencies of diversity awareness regarding sexual orientation."

According to Deputy Chief David Gascon, Commanding Officer, Human Relations Bureau, "This seminar is one of the core issues of a massive in-service training delivery program that we consider paramount for the development of all of our personnel, and essential in our providing quality service to an incredibly diverse community."

The LAPD first approached Hollywood Supports for help in designing and delivering this program early this year at the suggestion of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Police Advisory Task Force. The Police Advisory Task Force, or LAGLPATF, has been responsible for the ongoing recruit training on sexual orientation as a law enforcement issue that has been conducted at the Police Academy for the past 10 years. LAGLPATF suggested Hollywood Supports as a partner on this major project due to Hollywood Supports' expertise in designing and implementing a unique, interactive "Sexual Orientation in the Workplace" seminar program for the entertainment industry.

Hollywood Supports also had expertise in creating specialized versions of this seminar for the news media and for lawyers, and had previously trained teams of journalists and lawyers to serve as facilitators in conjunction with its existing team of entertainment industry-based facilitators. Hollywood Supports also runs one of the country's most successful "AIDS in the Workplace" seminar programs, which has delivered over 2200 seminars for the entertainment industry nationwide over the past four years.

To design this special version of the seminar, Hollywood Supports and the LAPD assembled a team of experts that consisted of Police Commissioner Art Matttox; representatives of LAGLPATF (including Donna Wade, who trains recruits under the LAGLPATF program and is a LAPD reserve officers, and Sandra Farrington-Domingue, who chairs the Los Angeles City gay and lesbian employees organization); Officer Lisa Philips, who trains recruits as part of the LAGLPATF program and is the LAPD's liaison to the lesbian and gay community; Dr. Robin Greene, Human Relations Training Coordinator; other LAPD personnel; and staff and volunteers of Hollywood Supports.

After a curiculum for the seminars was finalized, a team of facilitators consisting of eleven existing Hollywood Supports' facilitators and eight LAPD officers received 30 hours of specialized training from Hollywood Supports to prepare them to deliver this version of the seminar.

The seminars will be delivered at the rate of two per week over the next six months at different LAPD locations. Each seminar will be conducted by one LAPD officer and one Hollywood Supports volunteer facilitator. While most of the facilitators for the seminar are openly gay or lesbian, some LAPD facilitators and Hollywood SUpports volunteers are heterosexual.

Hollywood Supports "Sexual Orientation in the Workplace" seminars have also been conducted at the District Attorney's Office for Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, and the Metropolitan Water District, as well as numerous organizations, inside and outside of the entertainment industry, including AT&T, CBS, Walt Disney Company, Fox Inc., Knight-Ridder Newspapers, MCA/Universal, KCET and numerous law firms.

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