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VOLUME EIGHT, NO. 21—October 12, 1995—October 25, 1995—Issue 190 FREE Give the People Light and they willfind their own way. V The Wisconsin Light Maine's Anti-Gay MAP Hosts Forums to Seek Input and Advice Ballot Measure Set to Go to Voters in Less on Improved Services, Future Directions Milwaukee—As with any agency that plays an Than Thirty Days ever increasing role in our lives, the Milwaukee AIDS Project (MAP) has been the subject of Portland, ME—While writing to the Justices talk, both laudatory and critical. While some of of the U.S. Supreme Court while Colorado's the talk as been public, there have been rumors Amendment 2 case is being heard probably as well. would do little good, there is one situation where In its vigorous outreach to the Lesbian, Bisex- the Lesbian and Gay community nationwide is ual and Gay community, MAP and the AIDS being asked to help. Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW), have In less than 30 days, Maine voters will decide decided to hold two public fora to give everyone the outcome of a statewide anti-Gay ballot meas- a chance to speak. ure, Ballot Measure One, that threatens Lesbian, "We need direction from the Gay and Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Americans everywhere. community as we work to meet the increasing Well-funded national anti-Gay groups of the demands of the AIDS epidemic that lie ahead," Far Right are funneling resources into Maine to said ARCW Executive Director Doug Nelson. support the discriminatory measure. The initia- "For ten years, through this disastrous epi- tive was specially designed by anti-Gay Right demic, the community has never let us down. Wing extremists to resist the kind of court chal- We deeply value the support we have received lenges currently facing Colorado's Amendment and we want to be sure that through these fora 2. If it passes, those of the Religious Right and that there is a direct opportunity for constructive their kind plan to clone it and bring it to states criticism and good advice so we can meet the throughout the country. needs of the Gay and Lesbian community." The Gay community is being asked by Maine "Basically," Nelson said, "we want to hear and national leaders to act to help defeat the anti- from the community how we can do a better job Gay initiative, which will appear on the state's in delivering AIDS services." ballot on November 7. The purpose of these two meetings is to give The initiative would single out Lesbian and the community an opportunity to provide an as- Gay people for discrimination and exclude us sessment of ARCW's and MAP's current pro- from equal participation in the democratic proc- grams. ess. Members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Portland is currently the only place in Maine Transgender community are being invited to that includes Gay people in its non- share their opinions about everything, ranging discrimination laws. Federal and Maine state from HIV care, prevention and education, to the civil rights laws do not protect people from be- research and advocacy programs offered by ing fired or otherwise being discriminated ARCW and MAP. against merely for being Lesbian or Gay. "We have had what we consider to be a very If passed, Measure One would overturn the successful first ten years," said Neil Albrecht, law in Portland and prohibit Maine from ever Deputy Director of Programs. "Now as we including sexual orientation in its non- shape our future, we want to hear what people —Milwaukee's Theatre X will present Marcie Hoffman and Flora Coker in the Jeffrey discrimination laws. Hallowe'en Time have in mind for MAP and ARCW. Jones classic, "70 Scenes of Hallowe'en" from October 11-29 (See related story on page 10. What happens this yeAr,(0,1ftRe.Wilt04.4.1.1 "Too often, we hear rumors about how people Lesbian and Gay Americans. feel about the agency. We're expecting these Maine Won't Discriminate is the statewide U.S. Supreme Court Begins Hearing fora will allow us to gather some first hand in- coalition working to defeat the anti-Gay ballot formation." measure, and it needs your help. Current polls Colorado Amendment 2 Case The fora will be hosted by the leadership of show that the vote could go either way, so your ARCW/MAP. In attendance to receive the support can make a difference. Washington, D.C.—The state attorney who But the attorney who will present the case community's input will be executive director Please Help will argue before the U.S. Supreme Court that against the amendment in the hearing that began Doug Nelson; Albrecht; Paul Milakovich, dep- Make a contribution. Every penny will go di- Colorado's anti-Gay Amendment 2 should stand October 10, while good attorneys should be able uty director for Administration and Chief Finan- rectly toward defeating Measure One. insists his personal opinion on the measure isn't to argue both sides of a case, she draws the line cial Officer; and deputy director for community Call in your donation by Visa or MasterCard important. on this issue. relation, Lisa Wolter. at (207) 761-1555, or make your check out to: My personal views are not relevant, and any Jean Dubofsky, the first female justice on the Also attending will be the Program Directors the Maine Won't Discriminate" and send it to: discussion of them is distracting to our role in Colorado Supreme Court, said she thinks for client services, education and prevention, approved by voters in Maine Won't Discriminate Action Funds, P.O. the case," said Tim Tymkovich, the state's so- amendment, Colorado Gay outreach, drug trial research, and public 1992, is -spirited." Box 11061, Portland, ME 04104. licitor general. "mean policy advocacy. "I think it was promoted for... reasons of Albrecht emphasized that the fora would be Republican Party Gets $5,000 from Human bias," Dubofsky said. wide open to discussion and comment by the Amendment 2, sponsored by Colorado for participants. Family Values, a Right Wing Religious group, "We encourage people to come to the fora and Rights Fund And Keeps it prohibits laws offering legal relief for discrimi- bring their ideas, questions, suggestions and , nation based on sexual orientation. It would void said. to hear- Washington, D.C.--Gay activists and House There are three Gay PACs active at the federal concerns," he "We're committed such laws already on the books in some Colo- and the Republican campaign strategists managed to find level. The largest, the Gay and Lesbian Victory ing what people have to say then using rado communities. as plan for the common ground at their first meeting, on AIDS Fund, gives money to openly Gay candidates for information we build and future." However, the constitutional amendment has held Wednesday, November programs and corporate America's efforts to local, state and federal office. The fund raised The fora will be never taken effect because of legal challenges. p.m. and on Thurs- treat Gay and Lesbian employees fairly. about $900,000 in the past election cycle and has 1, 1995 from 6:30 to 8:30 Last year, the Colorado Supreme Court upheld a from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The activists from the Human Rights Fund helped some 400 candidates since its founding in day, November 2, 1995, district court that found the measure unconstitu- forum will be held at the (HRF) ended up contributing $5,000 and, to the 1991. The Wednesday tional on grounds that it violates the guarantee of 124 N. Water Street. dismay of the religious right, the Republicans Spokeswoman Kathleen DeBold said the fund M&M Club, equal protection under the law. forum will be held at ARCW, ended up keeping it. has helped at least two Republican congressional The Thursday The state attorney general's office is appealing 820 N. Plankinton Avenue. Snacks and bever- When Republicans seized control of Congress, candidates in each cycle. This year it is giving that decision, disputing that the amendment is 'the conventional wisdom was that Gay and money to primary challengers in Maine and ages will be served. unconstitutional. Attorney General Gale Norton the forum at ARCW, tours of the Lesbian Americans were doomed," said Eliza- California, and expects to help up to 25 Gay Re- Following has also said the voters' will should be honored. will be available. beth Birch, HRF's executive director. publicans overall. facility In addition, the attorney general's job is to de- to give everyone the chance to be Yet, she said, an AIDS care program vital to The Human Rights Fund, which raised about "We want fend sate officials who were sued by Gay advo- heard," Albrecht said. the Gay community is likely to be reauthorized $760,000 in the past election cycle, contributed cates after Amendment 2 was approved. For more information on the fora, call Andy with full funding and no anti-Gay amendments, to two Republican senators and six Republican Tymkovich, a Broomfield High School gradu- Bagnall, Manager/Gay Outreach, at (414) 225- and an employment non-discrimination act has House members in the first six months of this TURN TO COLORADO, PAGE 15 1502. more co-sponsors in this GOP Congress than the year. Four GOP House members have so far last Democratic one. accepted money from the Log Cabin group, Sen. Bob Dole, (R-KS), made headlines when which was organized in March. Coalition of Organizations Formed to Support his presidential campaign solicited and then re- Rejections of money these days are rare.