April 1978 Issue 82 M^M Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Another Gay Case No One Ever Accused Us of Being Sane, Here on the Empty Cloaet
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
1 i 1; ,) I. From the hometown of Frederick Douglas anct, Susan B. Anthony April 1978 Issue 82 m^M Supreme Court refuses to hear another gay case No one ever accused us of being sane, here on the Empty Cloaet. If you don't believe it* take another look at the cover. Students' right to organize stands Those are five of our staff members behind those clown faces. For this issue, in honor of WASHINGTON, D.C—The Supreme Court's decision not to review the lower **a sort of judicial storm cellar to which we the first day of the month, we've Court has declined to review a lower court court ruling makes it understood **that may flee to escape from controversial or taken some HK-rties in putting ruling , that required the University of similar decisions in other appellate courts sensitive cases. *' the paper together. We hope you Missouri to recognize the student gay on this topic are all clearly the law of the The declaration by the two conservatives group. Gay Lib. as an official campus land" that they would rather review the lower don't get confused by our mixture organization. of humor with *'straight" copy. As it has done in the past, the high court court ruling suggested to some court Too often we become so serious in Jean O'Leary and Bruce Voeller, co- refused to examine the legal issues posed watchers that the Justices were ready to our work for gay civil rights that chairs of the National Gay Task Force by gay activity and has now been force a major decision on homosexual we lose our sense of humor. Let hailed the high court's decision. O'Leary consistent in now overturning the lower activity. The NGTF's Voeller told GCN that this issue serve as a reminder. told GCN the decision was *'tremendous.** court rulings. The decision last week, if the Court had heard the case **we however, was not unanimous. The ability to laugh — even at **The court has now affirmed," she added, probably would have won." **1 think." he "the lower court decision which made it ourselves must no be lost in tbe Associate Justice William Rehnquist added, **that the issues of freedom of clear that college organizations can organ voted to hear the Gay Lib case and declared speech and freedom of assembly are such struggle. ize throughout the country.'* T.M. that the high court's discretion to decide strong classic issues, we would have won." According to Voeller. the Supreme which cases it reviews should not become —^from Gay Coannniilty Newa 3 cities have taws in the viorks/Portland appoints gay to commission San Francisco enacts gay riglits law... Undaunted by repeal attempts in others cesses around the country tends to support can pay the rent, rent to them. It affirms a HARTFORD parts of the country, several American this view. basic right to be treated as a human being. The City Council in Hartford, Connecti cities continue to entertain local gay rights SAN FRANCISCO Supervisor Harvey Milk, the nation's cut, has received a gay rights ordinance legislation and one, San Francisco, has The Board of Supervisors, in a 10 to 1 first openly gay local legislator had intro barring discrimination by dty government passed snch an CM*dtnance. In the absence vote, agreed to ban discrunination against duced the measure a montfa earlier. On the or any company whtcii contracts business of federal or state dvil rights protections homosexuals in employment.housing, and night of the vote. Milk urged his colleagues with the dty. Introduced on February 14 by li for gay and lesbian citizens, local ordi public accomodations on March 20, 1978. to *'bring into sodety those people who are Deputy Mayor Nicholas Carbone and nances continue to head the legislative San Francisco became the 41st American locked out. Cease debate and look into Councilperson Richard Suissman, the agendas for small gay rights groups across locale to enact such a law. The Board noted history. Every group that was locked out, measure affects only employment and the nation, including Rochester. Because that an estimated one in seven of San when brought in, proved helpful." other matters involving the dty itself or its discrimination most directly affects the Frandsco's 680,000 dtizens is homosexual. Under the ordinance, pers<ms claiming contractors. local dimate, and because local govern *'AI1 this says is that gay people are discrimination could file a complaint with The ordinance states that ** Neither the ment is a small enough unit, gay leaders OK,"said Supervisor Gordon Lau, after a the city's Human Rights Commission, sue City of Hartford, nor any person, firm, or tend to believe that local legislation is both two hour debate. *'We're saying is, if gay in the courts for damages, or ask the practical and logical. The continued suc people can do the job. hire them; if thry district attorney to initiate action. contliiBed on page 8 The war is on in Wichita, Eugene, St. Paul ...3 cities prepare for referenda battles The repeal ofthe Dade County gay rights by such challenges. EUGENE register, and operanng a speaxers Oureau ordinance by public referendum last June Wichita's referendum, scheduled for In Eugene, Oregon, Harriet Merrick, to talk to local community groups. A appears to have inspired similar attempts May 9, has drawn a lively local response, co-chair of the implementation committee non-gay advisory committee of political in other dties around the country. Petitions though leaders on both sides seem anxious of the Eugene Citizens for Human Rights, and social leaders, and a Christian league, to put the gay rights issue to a public vote to keep it from becoming a national media reports that a referendum on the gay is fomiing to aid gays. have been filed in Wichita, Kansas. St. event. The Homophile Alliance took a poll ordinance is scheduled for May 23. Merrick feels that chances of winning Paul, Minnesota, and Eugene, Oregon. last Fall and found public sentiment Opponents of the ordinance are led by the referendum are good. "We've had Similar efforts have been reported in running heavily in favor of repeal. But Maureen Gieber, a housewife, who repor good educational work here in the last five Seattle. Washington. through the efforts of the Alliance, things tedly has a broad spectrum of support. She years." she said, '*and we*re getting lots are beginning to turn around. A large spearheaded a campaign which resulted in of support and advice from a variety of community groups, as well as from gay WICHITA number of religious and dvic groups have the collection of ten thousand signatures in one week, shortiy after passage of the gay groups around the state, including the The gay rights ordinance in Wichita, recently come out publicly as **The Portland Town Council.^' Kansas, was passed last September. Ever Religious Caucus for Human Rights*' rights law in October. Six thousand were since its approval it has drawn the ire of supporting the Alliance and the gay-rights needed. ST. PAUL conservative forces there, led by ministers ordinance. Energy and funds will continue The gay community, says Ms. Merrick, Events in Minnesota follow the same of fundamentalist churches. Like the Dade to be expended in the last month of the is mobilizing a massive campaign—can County scenario, bible-thumpers pledged a campaign. vassing, polling, getting supporters to referendum, and even imported Anita Bryant to further their cause. According to Robert Lewis of the Homophile Alliance of Sedgwick County, the anti-gay forces garnered thirty-one thousand signatures. U.S. Navy ceases automatic dischaige Only ten thousand valid signatures were required. NEW YORK, N.Y.—The U.S. Navy has acts may now have their cases reviewed by still room for abuse under the new' Dr. Bruce Voeller, co-executive director issued a new regulation which for the first the Secretary of tbe Navy before being regulation. "It does not." Berg said, of the National Gay Task Force, visited time permits retention of sailors who have disdiiarged. Previously this privilege was "state causes for discharge. Nothing says Wichita in December to consult with engaged in homosexual activity. accorded only to officers. that gays can serve in the Navy and there is leaders of the lesbian and gay community The new regulation, 1900.9C. sUtes that Former Navy Ensign Vernon Berg, who enough latitude that a commanding officer <Mi the referendum. He later arranged a the separation from the service of thoae IS suing the Navy after his discharge, told can do what he wants to do." Berg was meeting in New York with the American who engaged in homosexual acts Is GCN the new regulation is a "significant discharged in 1975 after admitting being CivU Liberties Union (ACLU) and other customary rather than essential. It does not change and a substantial victory, h tmkes gay to his commanding officer. dvil liberties and feminist groups to carry the language of earlier regulations away the Pentagon's ability to hand out Under the new regulation a member of discuss the feasibility of challenging the which described homosexuals as persons dtshonorabte discharges arbitrarily." he the Navy who has committed a homosexual constitutionality of referenda on gay rights. "who cannot be tolerated.In a mtHtary said. act. * *and who does not profess or The chances for such a challenge appear organization." B'^rg, W'ho has had his discharge demonstrate prodivity to repeat such an slhn. though ACLU has offered to res«»rch Under the new regulation, enlisted Jed to honorable by Secretary of the act may be considered for retention in the local referenda statutes in areas threatened persons accused of committing homosexual Hraham Oator.