DAYTON'S STAB AT LIBERATION

¥ 1 17

HIGH GEAR/JULY 1977

PA PAGE 7

CLEVELAND HOSTS PRIDE

Photos by Al Morrill

GAY PEOPLE

ARE

FIGHTERS

By John Nosek

In an atmosphere of electrified tension, the Dayton City Commission is contemplating the inclusion of the words "sexual preference" in its new affirmative action plan. The ordinance would ban discrimination against homosexuals in the hiring of city employees.

Mayor James H. McGee, three commissioners and the personnel director say there is no need for the clause. But Dayton gays, under the spokesmanship of Dennis Murphy, co-director of the Dayton Gay Center, counter that they need the legal protection.

The proposed clause was recommended in a proposal by a twelve member task force two months ago. Since then, the plan has been sitting on. the desk of City Manager James Alloway, who must decide whether to refer the affirmative action plan as is to the city commission. Sources close to Alloway told the Journal Herald 'that he is undecided on the gay issue.

Meanwhile, Mayor McGee claims he doesn't know what "these people" (homosexuals) want. But several gays, including a city policeman, a policewoman, two teachers, and two civil employees, confided to a Journal Herald reporter that they "would be fired on the spot" if it was discovered they were homosexual. One policewoman said she keeps her sexuality a "dread secret," and all agreed, "this is a question of simple human rights. We want to be honest to ourselves and others."

But chances for passage of said resolution appear slim. The Miami referendum against gays created a backlash in Dayton, out of proportion to other Ohio cities. Several days after the Dade County vote, a belligerent group of straight toughs smashed car windows and slashed tires of automobiles parked outside one local gay bar (That bar has since beefed up its security force considerably). Gays were also subject to ridicule on local radio stations and lambasted by letter writers in both the Dayton Daily News and the Journal Herald (where very few pro-gay letters appeared). Remarked one

Dayton gay to High Gear:"You just can't believe the people's reaction here. They're downright hostile. If we were to holdi a Gay Pride march in Dayton today, I'd be afraid one of us. would be shot."

sexuality or any other sexual preference is a factor in municipal hiring policies.... There is no evidence that the city of Dayton now discriminates against homosexuals in hiring. The phrase, sexual preference; therefore seems to create an issue where none really exists.... Insisting on including 'sexual preference' now could be the catalyst for an inflammatory and destructive debate. Given the climate of the times, that debate could actually foster discrimination and hatred rather than resolve it."

Although there has not been any complaint filed with the Dayton Civil Service Board during the past 12 years about discrimination on the basis of homosexuality, when asked if an admitted homosexual who was otherwise qualified, would be hired by the Police Department, director Grover O'Connor said, "I'm not going to duscuss that.. I won't talk about that with you (Dayton Daily News)." O'Connor was then asked if the public has a right to know about the police department's hiring policy. He replied, "No."

The Dayton Daily asked the same question to Fire Director Jerry Weissinger. He said his department has no rules or regulations

regarding

homosexuality. Weissinger added, however, "There would be problems in hiring homosexuals. There would be strong peer pressure by the other employees against that person. I don't know how it would work out."

The battlelines are drawn in Dayton. Those opposed to including "sexual preference" in the affirmative action plan rationalize the reference away because "there is no need." These "know nothings" seem bent on keeping gays in the closet and are encouraging a policy of dishonesty and deceit. In short, their attitude is, there is no problem; therefore, ignore the issue until we're forced to deal with it.

Proponents of the "sexual preference" clause, especially those who are gay, advocate a policy of openness and honesty; but who of them can be expected to lay their job on the line by coming out to prove that rampant prejudice against gay people already exists? Indeed, an employer can always argue that an employee was dismissed for other reasons

Given the reactionary backlash that has violently enveloped gays since the Miami referendum, the response of the establishment media, and the In a June 24 editorial, the lack of coherent gay organizaJournal-Herald stated: "We see tion, it seems unlikely that the no need for the Dayton City city of Dayton will include Commission to include in an or"sexual preference" in its new dinance to cover @qual emaffirmative action plan. This is ployment opportunities the unfortunate, because of any words 'sexual preference.' Ohio city, Dayton seems to need it the most.

...

we question whether homo-

JAYS

HAVE

RIGHTS

ANITA

not su AUITA