HOUSTON'S GAY POLITICAL CAUCUS P.O. BOX 66664 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77266 -ReroId endorsements pace campaign

On Tuesday, Nov. 2, we will once candidates. Screenings have been first time, we have liaisons in the again have the opportunity to play an the most thorough ever conducted. police and fire departments. Since the integral role in the future of gays and Over 100 candidates screened, about election of Kathy Whitmire, numerous lesbians in Texas. GPC has screened twice as many Democrats as Repub- individuals from our community have a record number of candidates this licans. been appointed by the mayor to serve year and endorsed the largest slate in Judicial candidates were reviewed in various leadership and advisory GPC history. Many of our candidates by our attorneys panel. The screening positions in such areas as tax evalua- have long records of support for committee reviewed all races and tion, the civilian police review board human rights. made recommendations to the gen- and others. Hundreds of hours of work by GPC eral membership, who had the final There is still much to do though, volunteers have helped make our en- word. We have considered the issues and the most effective way we can dorsement process effective. Massive involved in each race, and we believe promote further change is by going to voter registration efforts have been our selection process has produced the polls and voting Nov. 2. Many of extremely productive, and as never candidates who will serve the interest the candidates on our slate have been before, the bars and businesses have of our community. adversely affected by recent legisla- taken an active role in this project. The gay and lesbian community of tive redistricting, and it is imperative An incredible amount of work has Houston has only begun to reap the that every gay man and woman in gone into the creation of our slate of benefits of this political work. For the Houston vote Nov. 2. Don 't forget the judges Gay-baiti ng (yes, it's back) In recent weeks, GPC has run a Many of our endorsed candidates are already series of articles in TWT concerning being gay-baited. This vicious attack is coming in the judicial system and its important the form of mailings to selected households and role in the gay community. Because of as some candidates blockwalk neighbor- the harassment our community re- hoods. ceives from the police department we The credibility of a GPC endorsement should all be especially concerned is once again being tested. Don't ex- about these races. Those who have pect a mailgram to alert you to this been arrested on harassment-type scurrilous attack. The mistakes charges are all too familiar with made by the homophobes in Houston 'justice'. the municipal election will Perhaps the most impressive news not be repeated. about the judicial races is the fact that More than ever before our endorsement is being sought so the gay /lesbian heavily by both Republican and Demo- cratic judicial candidates. For the gen- bloc vote must eral election, 26 Republicans and 28 produce re- Democrats screened. GPC endorsed sults for 10 Republican judicial candidates and our candi- 16 Democrats. dates. GPC votes 44-5 to endorse White After lengthy discussion at the Oct. 6 heavy gay-baiting since late summer, While White hardly comes across as meeting, GPC members voted over- he should go ahead and seek and run Mr. Perfect, most of those who spoke whelmingly to endorse Mark White for with an open gay endorsement. at the Oct. 6 meeting said they thought governor. The gay-baiting began with three White would make a better governor. East Texas state representatives and The Democratic Party nominee won Most of the doubts about White con- escalated in late September when the group's support by a 44-5 margin. cerned his role in any appeal of the evangelist Lester Roloff mailed 20,000 Most of the group felt White was 21.06 court decision, which makes the Clements campaign-financed letters clearly a far superior candidate to Gov. state's gay men and lesbians legal on Clements campaign stationery Bill Clements. citizens. According to the final court criticizing White for not immediately decision handed down Sept. 28 by a White's state campaign manager, appealing the court decision which federal judge in Dallas, any Texas Dwayne Holman, asked those struck down 21.06, the state sodomy district, county or city attorney has 30 gathered at the meeting for the group's statute. endorsement. days to appeal the decision. The at- torneys can also ask for a 30-day ex- While the White campaign had not The letter, mailed Sept. 17, charged tension of the appeals period. sought a public GPC endorsement that White had broken a promise he Although the attorney general can earlier, Holman explained, Linda Gale would not pursue a lawsuit that sought appeal the decision, the group gen- White's positive experience at the to shut down Roloff's children's erally agreed White's steadfastness in Sept. 19 Montrose Jam convinced her homes. Then Roloff blasted White: the face of tremendous pressure to ap- the gay community strongly prefers "But when the Sodomites and peal and his decision to seek the GPC White over Clements. Holman. said homosexuals went to court and won endorsement make the possibility of a White's campaign staff then reas- their case, he has, of this date, not state appeal extremely remote. seen fit to appeal it." sessed the gay endorsement and Holman emphasized that while determined it would be advisable to The vast majority of those present at White's office prohibits him from taking seek gay support. the well-publicized GPC meeting a public stand on pending litigation, he After all, Holman told the caucus, if clearly considered Clements an personally opposes any form of White has already suffered through unacceptable candidate. "organized hatred." Campaigns targeted for volunteer needs----. Bullock, Richards,

With over 40 endorsed candidates in work - like helping with mailings, phon- Mauro, Hightower the general election, GPC members ing or making signs - call volunteer also win support have decided to target certain races in coordinator Gary Grant at 481-8241 or , terms of volunteer support. GPC, 521-1000, and leave a message. Bob Bullock, candidate for state But just because a candidate has not Remember, it's not only the bloc comptroller, has been endorsed by gay been targeted doesn't mean volun- vote that gives GPC its impact, it's and lesbian organizations statewide. teers aren't needed. If you are in- the number and visibility of GPC cam- His experience as comptroller and his terested in doing general campaign paign workers. record on human rights earned his en- dorsement. Candidate Headquarters Our endorsed candidate for state treasurer is Ann Richards. As a Travis Governor - Mark White (D) 650-6275 County commissioner she proved Comptroller - Bob Bullock (D) (512) 480-9000 herself an able administrator of public - Treasurer - Ann Richards (D) 869-1061 (Nancy Brame) funds. A dedicated feminist, Richards Land Commissioner - Garry Mauro (D)I (512) 480-8181 has also taken strong stands on human Agriculture Commissioner - rights issues, including gay rights, and Jim Hightower (D) 995-1151 (Robert Jara) has received gay endorsements state- State Senate wide. Chet Brooks (D) 477-3634 General Land Commissioner can- John Whitmire (D) 868-5000, 861-0388 didate Garry Mauro, also endorsed State Representatives statewide, is the former executive Ron Wilson (D) 738-5145, 733-2883 director of the state Democratic Party. Paul Colbert (D) 728-3192 As deputy comptroller of tax ad- Debra Danburg (D) 526-2313 ministration for State Comptroller Bob Bullock, Mauro proved his manage- Judicial ment abilities . R. Richard Trevathan (R) 221-6350 Sharolyn Wood (R) 221-5661, 652-0778 Jim "No More Bull" Hightower, can- Brent Burg (R) 221-6234 didate for Texas agriculture commis- D. Ann Cochran (D) 222-6333, 864-4287 sioner, has served as legislative aide to Michael O'Brien (D) 965-9080, 373-1095 the Senate Agriculture Committee, Ed Landry (D) 221-5101, 869-9751 founded the Agribusiness Account- ability Project in 1970 and was editor of the Texas Observer. Punch card voting to vote --- faster and easier ---Where Precincts Polling Places The new punch card system for 4 Travis Elementary, 3311 Beauchamp voting is easier than the old voting 32 American Legion Post, 3006 Brazos at Anita machine system. If you have not voted 33 Wharton Elementary, 900 W. Gray with the punch card you should know 34 Felix Mexican Restaurant, 904 Westheimer that most voters are in the same situa- 37 American Legion Post, 2715 Waughcrest tion, and your precinct officials will be 38 Woodrow Wilson Elementary, 2100 Yupon glad to assist you. The procedure is as 39 S.P. Martel Auditorium, 3511 Yoakum easy as 1,2,3. 40 Poe Elementary, 5100 Hazard at South Boulevard 1. Insert the card from the top of the 53 First Baptist Church, 201 E. 9th at Harvard machine near the two alignment 57 Reagan High School, 13th at Arlington prongs so the two holes at the top of 60 Lanier Junior High, 2600 Woodhead your ballot fit over those prongs. 70 Memorial Elementary, 6401 Arnot 2. Open the ballot booklet and turn to 123 South Main Baptist Rec Building, 200 Colquitt page 1 where the first races will be 139 Lamar High School, 3325 Westheimer listed. You will find a metal stylus at- 194 Hermann Park Regional Building, 2020 Hermann Drive tached by a chain to be used to 200 Center for the Retarded, 3550 W. Dallas punch out the box for the candidate 233 Will Rogers Elementary, 3101 Weslayan at Richmond of your choice in each race. Keep 360 Weslayan Plaza Shopping Center, Weslayan at Bissonnet _ turnTng the--ballot!5ooKlet untilyou 431 Cunningham Elementary, 5100 Gulfton have punched in all races in which 434 St. Philip Presbyterian, 4807 San Felipe you wish to vote. 3. Remove the card and place it in the If you would like to vote early, Some people may have problems ballot box. absentee voting is scheduled for Oct. voting in their precinct-no card, no 13-29 in 12 locations. name on list. If you do, ask to talk to Don't be embarrassed to ask for your precinct judge. If that doesn't help. Many people ask for assistance Anyone interested in helping hand resolve the situation, call the GPC of- their first time, and election officials will out GPC cards at the polls on election tice at 521~1000 or Debra Danburg's be happy to assist you. day is encouraged to vote absentee. campaign office at 526-2313.

Membership /t's only $15 This is the new GPC membership card. but it adds up to much more

GPC has about 11,000 names on ~itsmailing list.ihat means tne com- - munication network probably reaches about twice that number. But only about 350 people are In February of this year I economies, we are enclosinq dues-paying members. GPC has an was honored by being elected a GPC membership form. By annual budget of about $25,000. president of Gay Political becoming a member you can There's rent, utilities, mailings and Caucus. With that honor came help make GPC a more effi- on and on. many responsibilities, the cient and professional organi- So the $15 annual membership most important being the zation. A sound financial base dues - a requirement for voting - is financial security of this organ- will mean that board members essential if the caucus is to remain ization. We have survived over and other members will be financially healthy. the past few years because of able to devote more of their A goal of 1,000 members has your generous support at many, many volunteer hours been set. To encourage present fund-raisers and the sacrifices to helping GPC candidates members to bring in new members, community businesses have and other important work and the caucus is offering two free plane made to host these events. less to raising money just to tickets to San Antonio to the top To help the caucus become pay the rent. membership booster. The next two financially secure and plan Sincerely, runners-up, a man and a woman, budgets for tighter and tighter Larry Bagneris Jr. will receive watches. oc-"\ B2- ~~~~~~~~The endorsements State Senate Family District Courts Treasurer District 11 - Chet Brooks (D) 308th - M.D. Leal (R) - Ann Richards (D) District 13 - Craig Washington (D) U 309th - Brent Burg (R) Land Commissioner District 15 - John Whitmire (D) County Criminal Courts - Garry Mauro (D) State Representative NO.·1 - Bill Ragan (D) Agriculture Commissioner District 131 - Ron Wilson (D) No.2 - Don Hendrix (D) - Jim Hightower District 132 - Paul Colbert (D) NO.3 - Jimmy Duncan (D) Railroad Commissioner District 135 - No endorsement No.6 - No endorsement - No endorsement District 136 - No endorsement NO.9 - AI Leal (D) justice of the Supreme Court District 137 - Debra Danburg (D) County Courts at Law Place 2 - Bill Kilgarlin (D) U District 146 - AI Edwards'(D) U No. 1 - Ed Landry (D) Court of Criminal Appeals District 147 - Larry Evans (D) U No.4 - No endorsement Place 2 - No endorsement State District Courts Harris County District Clerk Associate justice, Court of Appeals, 113th - Geraldine Tennant (D) - No endorsement District 1 125th - Michael O'Brien (D) U.S. Senate Place 3 - Walter Boyd (D) 157th - Felix Salazar (D) - No endorsement Place 4 - Murry Cohen (D) 182nd - Richard Trevathan (R) U.S. Congress, Representatives Place 5 - No endorsement 184th - Carrol Weaver (D) District 7 - No endorsement Place 6 - Frank Price (R) 185th - No endorsement .- District 8 - No endorsement Associate justice, Court of Appeals, 208th - Thomas Routti (D) District 18 - Mickey Leland (D) District 14 209th - Michael McSpadden (R) District 25 - No endorsement Place 1 - Robert Scott (R) 228th - Richard Moore (D) Governor Place 2 - No endorsement 232nd - A.D. Azios (D) - Mark White (D) Place 4 - Joe Draughn (0) 248th - Woody Denson (D) Lt. Governor Place 5 - Jimmy James (R) 257th - Sam Em ison (D) - No endorsement (U indicates unopposed) 262nd - Doug Shaver (R) Attorney General 270th - Ann Cochran (D) - No endorsement 281st - Louis Moore (R) Comptroller 295th - Sharolyn Wood (R) - Bob Bullock (D) Election central at Kindred Spirits

Crisp show to help Coming events This season's election central Guest Recovery House Rally should be the best ever. After the polls A political rally for the upcoming close Tuesday, Nov. 2, everyone is in- Quentin Crisp, a man whom Time Nov. 2 general election is scheduled vited to Kindred Spirits for free food, magazine calls one of the "reigning for 2:30 p.rn. Oct. 24 on Mary's patio. good company and TVs for election queens of England," will be presented Come meet the candidates and gear returns. A cash bar will be available. to Houston, Nov. 28 at the Tower up for the election. T,heatre in a benefit performance for Workshop Switch board the Montrose Guest Recovery House, "Healthy Lifestyles: Choices for Gay a a residential facility for recoverying gay Men" is a half-day workshop spon- only call away and lesbian alcoholics. sored by the Montrose Clinic, the Mon- trose Counseling Center and the The Gay Switchboard - perhaps Crisp, as described by New York University of Texas-M.D. Anderson best known by the giant moving phone Times critic Richard Eder, is " ... witty, system designed to help participants in the Gay Pride Parade - is still mov- touching ... " with " ... the artistic choose behavior which avoids disease ing along. Of course, they always deference that marks the genuine per- and promotes well-being. The con- welcome more calls about legal prob- former. His interest in ideas more than ference is set for Saturday, Nov. 13, at lems, bars, counseling and just about in himself ... He is the message in the a place to be announced later. A $5 fee anything. They also need volunteer bottle." will be charged to defray expenses. For counselors who can give a few hours a week. information, please call the Montrose "An Evening With Quentin Crisp" The switchboard has also begun Counseling Center, 529-0037. Pre- will be presented at 8 p.m Nov. 28 at sponsoring the Friday night Commun- registration is urged. the Tower. Seats are $10, $15, $20, ity Coffee House in Bering Memorial with special patron seats at $50 and Tree lighting United Methodist's Activities Center. $100. The Montrose Christmas tree will be The church is located at Mulberry and lighted at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 on top of Hawthorne. The price of all tickets is tax-deduc- Mary's. The popular 7:30 p.m. coffee house tible. Patron tickets include an invita- Season's greetings will be followed by an informal rap ses- tion to an after-theatre party with Crisp. The Dec. 15 GPC meeting actually sion from 9-11 p.m. Tickets are available at the Tower will be a holiday party. Everyone's in- The switchboard can be contacted at Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. vited to the Holiday Inn next door to the 529-3211 from 6 p.m. to midnight every For phone and credit card orders GPC office. That's 4640 Main, and day. (Mastercard and Visa) call 522-2452. 7:30 p.m.