"Scoop"' Jackson of- ien said he believed ' Demo Convention Targeted for Rally ithat homosexuality ^caused the disintigra- tion of American fam­ ilies. The trouble with Such assessments; of course , is that they ignore the fact that us. SUPREME COURT RULES homosexuals have al- Vays been around and ihey have always come from families. Until someone invents test- i^ube gays, we shal 1 SODOMY LAWS CONSTITUTIONAL continue to be con­ ceived like everyone Ise. Jackson like sev­ by Lamont Downs between consenting a* Justices Marshall, Bren­ titious names of John eral members of Roch- The Supreme Court. dults outside the frame nan and Stevens (a Ford Doe ajxd Robert Roe. To- ster * s zoning board, Defender of freedom. of marital/family life. appointee, incidental­ ^tally" ignored by the seem preoccupied with a Hope of last resort. The decision was issued ly) . The decision stem­ Court was a North Caro­ narrow view of "fantily*' For some time, a without a hearing and med from a civil suit lina case submitted at These people forget popular gay myth has without explanation, filed last year by two the same time by the that over 30* of urban been developing of an over the objections of lovers, using the fie- operator of a "massage" households have a sin­ ultimate Supreme Court parlor, who is current­ gle parent. They also decision, a magical ly serving a one-year seem preoccupied with ticket to Oz that would sentence following an the "gay is sick" legalize consensual arrest and trial smack­ viewpoint. sex-acts, unilaterally NYC March July 11 ing of entrapment. As the only estab­ ban discrimination in every conceivable area, The civil suit from lished media pledged to The New York State The NYSCGO demands are which the decision stem­ giving a positive view and generally end in Coalition of Gay Organi­ med was originally filed of gay lifestyles, we rose petals blossom­ l)that all existing ing on poison ivy. The zations (NYSCGO), has consensual sodomy laws in Richmond, Virginia as take this issue to fo­ announced plans for a be repealed, and 2)that a challenge to the cus on the crossroad theme has cropped up in mass protest march and State's sodomy statute. between our lifestyle many places, from Advo- gay civil rights legis­ eate seifs articles to . rally Sunday, July 11, lation be passed immed­ The Virginia court up­ and our family rela- at Madison Square Gar­ iately. held the State statute tianships• Patricia Nell Warren's den, site of the 1976 by a 2-1 decision, rul­ Perhaps Sen. Jack­ Front Runner. Democratic National Con­ Representatives ing that the Suprene son should i?ead this On March 29, 1976 vention. The demonstra­ froSii' affiliate groups Court privacy decisions issue. We've also.cpnx tion its,,beipg . called to of the Gay Alliance of th9 U^S. SupTTcnc qoui^t the Genesee Valley at­ affected only marraige, Jteefn< aomding «4»p4#s . euiH^I^Mred thp bjila^^e raise two d«Mnands'be­ the home aad family Co «:ii«r O StApT^fmo Court tended the NYSCGO c^n- with a 6-3 o«cl;Kion up­ fore the public at a Y«nt.ion, which w«is held life.- William Page; Justices(see Pg. 1) holding the right of time when popular and president of the Gay and tovmembers of the media attention will be in Syracuse on April American Psychiatric States to regulate focused on New York City 24 and 25. Human Rights League of Association (see pg.Xl) private sexual conduct The seven delegates Queens County (New York) who attended from Roch­ has commented that "the You of course y caji lower court ruling, ad­ send this to anyone in Evans \^on 't go ester joined-rcpresjcn- tatives from about fif­ mittedly by the judges your family. We'Id en­ involved, was based on courage you to take ty organizations across the state in workshops their interpretation of time to dialogue after­ 'Judaic/Christian bib­ wards, as well. on media, religion, counseling, legislation lical concepts.' This We've been dialog- Primaiif Results is clearly a violation ing a lot on the E.C. and gay relationships, of the United States staff. Our family has NYSCGO's legislative Constitution...a court spread out too. We are Gay Activist Patti ing thousands of dol­ lobbyist, Lynn Taylor, decision on any level sharing more of the Evans won't be repre­ lars." "Uncommitted reported that the New based upon religious responsibility. The senting the 35th Con­ slates (in places lixe York State gay rights concepts is patently un­ staff box will dis­ gressional District Buffalo) did well be­ bill (A-3211A) has now constitutional ." close that' three new (western Monroe County) cause they had the sup­ been reported out of positions have been at the Democratic Nat­ port of the local par­ committee and is now Reaction to the de­ created for News, ional Convention. Ms. ty machine," Evans as­ on the calendar for a cision was swift. Vir­ Features, and Opin­ Evans, vice-president sessed. Here we were vote on April 29th. She tually every gay organi­ ions. Another change of the local Gay Al­ fortunate to have a feels that ef the 76 zation in the country to look for is Laeyn's liance of the Genesee lais'sex fairs attitude votes needed to pass the issued statements on new column The Devil's Valley, Inc., began her on the part of local bill there are at pres­ the decision within Advocate(pg.5). Enjoy bid as an alternate party leadership. ent possibly 60 posi­ 24 hours of its announ­ the Empty Closet, let delegate on the slate When viewed within tive votes committed. cement , incidentally us hear from_ you. committed tc Birch Bayh. the category of uncom­ The conference garnering reams of val­ When Bayh abandoned his mitted slates (rhiire firmed up plans to hold uable publicity as a re­ New York campaign, the were four in all), Evans sult. Locally, televi­ a massive non-violeht sion and newspaper in­ uncommitted slate re­ can be considered a vic­ demonstration at the terviews were given by mained on the ballot, tor. The slate inclu­ 1976 Democratic Nation­ gay leaders Marjory Da­ circulating flyers that ding Evans garnered more al Convention. vid, Michael Robertson ^announced their support votes than ^ny of the In light of the and William Coplon, for Minnesota Senator other three uncommitted recent U.S. Supreme and aiT editorial appear­ j>*^- Hubert H. Humphrey. slates. Victory is also Court decision, organi­ ing in the Rochester The former Bayh claimed when Evans' to­ zers of the m^rch feel Dmmocrat £ Chronicle slate placed fourth in tals are compared to that the NYSCGO action condemned the decision. Contents the field of five other specific delegates/ will prove to be one Nationally, U.S. Repre­ slates. Carter delegates alternates. In raw votes, of the largest non-vio­ sentative Edward Koch FEATUREf and alternates held a Evans, a political new­ lent demonstrations of (New York) issued a comfortable 1000-vote comer, outdistanced a gay solidarity to date. statement condemning 4 Years Later 6 margin over second former mayor (Frank "The U.S. Supreme Court the decision as "an in­ Future Parent 7 runner Henrv Jackson's Lamb) and the wife of decision has had a cat­ sensitive handling of 1 Home-2 Mothers...6 (]>oto/ious homophobe) a well-known city coun­ alysing effect on the an issue affecting the ~ Parental Letters...? delegates/alternates.) cilperson (Molly Pari- gay community," stated lives of millions...the Don't Want to know.6 The Udall slate ran si), both of whom ran NYSCGO spokesperson Ar­ Court's decision will third, by another 1000- on other uncommitted thur Goodman. "Gay pe­ not convince homosex­ DEPARTMENTS vote margin. Evans anS slates. Patti ranked ople from all over are uals to become hetero­ her colleagues placed second out of the seven expected to seize this sexuals. But it will Bulletin Board....11 above another uncommit- - people on her own slate. opportunity to peaceful­ make it more difficult Calendar back ted slate beaded by ; Evans made a better show­ ly demonstrate to the for those who believe Closetary Comix....8 former Mayor Frank L'omb. ing than the two black public the need for pos­ in individual freedom Devil's Advocate...S Uncommitted slates delegates and the two itive action on gay lib­ to change the State laws Directory 8 did not. do well in the labor leaders on the erties by vocalizing to provide equal protec­ Empire State 2 34th (eastern Monroe slate. their determination in tion for homosexuals in Letters 4 County) or the 3SthL ^ Expressing no re­ a ilanner that cannot be housing, employment,' Newsfronts 3 congressional districts. grets for her efforts ignored." and public accomoda­ Next Month 5 Evans blamed lack fff •. ^ Evans saidr "I found Rochester's gay tions » as well as to Open I 4 fund* for the poor, showj^. that making personal groups are now making repeal the State dodomy in%* "Our entire wdget . follow-up plans to lead laws." (To date, the Quotes 2 acquaintances within cioaet has not received Socisl Scene 5 was under $300/* (vans Rochester political a large contingent to ^ noted, "while Carter r circles was a truly in­ the July 11 demonstra­ and Jackson were tpaad^ valuable experience." tion. continued next page * ' May 1976 THE EMPTY CLOSET page 2 t.'. May 1976 THE EHFYY CLOSET pag€ 3 / ^TTiUB/^T^fiud^ iyno^'ium - will agi^in selves....we want to I i)llllll| Jbany )t>e |eW in New York City, sfaoV the community that '» i bn thanksgiving weekend, there are good^ aspects iiilil; I i.