COUNTRY DANCE BAR

1260 BROADWAY

861-9847

PULSE

Placating the Constituency ANTI-GAY VOTE PASSES

olorado is generally sidered a conservative state. Political pollsters are already saying that Republican Presidential candidate Ronald Reagan will carry the Columbine state in November's general election. Yet in the area of gay rights, our delegation of five to the United States House of Representatives must be the among

considered most liberal. On July 22, the vicious McDonald Amendment surfaced in the House of Representatives and was tacked on to the appropriations bill for government financed. legal services to aid lower income people. The amendment, sponsored by Democratic right-winger Larry McDonald of Georgia, prohibits any funds appropriated to the Legal Services being Corporation from

used to "provide legal assistance in promoting, defending or protecting homosexuality." Similar to a measure introduced by McDonald in 1977, the proposal was then defeated by a voice vote. However, when McDonald called for a recorded vote, the amend-

ment passed by a margin of 290 to 113.

In 1977, the scenario was similar; the majority of the House voted against on a voice vote but voted for when it became clear that their constituencies would be able to find out how they voted.

Observers say the only way the amendment can be deleted this year is by raising the issue of the Senate floor, which is unlikely, or in the Senate State-Justice Appropriations Sub-Com-

mittee chaired by Sen. Fritz Hollings and includes Nevada Senator Paul Laxalt, Reagan's campaign chairman. Both are right-wing Republicans.

The Colorado delegation's vote was significant in that the majority voted against the amendment. Congresspersons Schroeder, Wirth and Johnson voted against the amendment while Kogovsek and Kramer went on record in favor.

It is worthy to note that John Anderson, independent candidate for the presidency, also voted against the amendment.

Crisis Management Experts MCC TACKLES GAY CUBAN PROBLEMS

Forking under pressure

is characteristic of most gay activist organizations; there are so many crises that arise that many have become experts at managing them. Such is the case with the local effort to find homes and create a supportive environment for gay and lesbian Cuban entrants.

Since the Metropolitan Community Church of the Rockies instigated the effort to help the national MCC Fellowship re-settle as many as 5,000 homeless gays four weeks ago, a steering committee composed of many different groups has mobilized to find homes, jobs and support services in the Denver

area.

Rev. Judy Dahl, Associ ate Pastor of MCC of the Rockies and spokeswoman for the local Cuban Assistance Program has reported that approximately a dozen households have been designated by a screening committee to receive a Cuban entrant as early as this week. Dahl claims that her committee has interviewed

number of volunteer households; most of those expressing interest in helping re-settle a Cuban entrant have met with the approval of the committee. However, a number of potential volunteer sponsors have withdrawn upon learning the extent of the responsibility they are expected to

assume.

Dahl stated that representatives from CAP have met with Mayor McNichols' Task Force on Refugees and Ken Hine, Governor Lamm's State Coordinator for Refugees and Entrants.

Both meetings were purely informative, according to Dahl. She emphasized that the group is not specifically asking for public assistance at this time; sponsors are expected to assume full responsibility for their Cuban guests.

While the group's current I emphasis is to find sponsoring households for gay. Cubans of both sexes, one committee has assumed the task of gathering details pertinent to linking entering Cubans with both public and private sector huIman resources and providing sponsor households with information about potential cross-cultural and communication problems. Additionally, the subcommittee is seeking translators to assist in initial introductions of the Cubans to Denver. In the longer term, the com mittee hopes to assist resettled Cubans find instruction in English. The committee has already enlisted the support of the peer counseling program of the Gay Community Center to advise sponsors in the event of unforseeable personal conflicts. Additionally, member of the committee. has offered expertise in locating and developing employment opportunities for the new Denver residents.

According to Rev. Dahl, CAPLG is still processing inquiries from potential sponsors. She predicts that CAPLG can realistically handle up to 50 Cuban entrants with its current resources. Sponsor inquiries and offers of other forms of assistance may be directed to her at the MCC at 7780101.