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200

Gays seek equality

in Washington march

From First Page

The chants and signs were stantly late, gay 1970's.

Someone loves you who is gay,' one banner.

Closets are health hazards come out," urged another. Two-four-six-eight, we don't chanted

*over-populate," delegation.

one

It (lesbianism) was good enough *for Gertrude, and good enough for Alice B.," sang one group of young women to the tune of "Give Me That Ol Time Religion," in reference to author Gertrude Stein and her companion Alice B. Toklas.

ฟ

Washington, a large, potent gay political organization is the Geftrude Stein Democratic Club.)

One young man walked alone holding a sign that said simply, Gay Dentist."

I'm a nice, Catholic lesbian, nurse," read another sign carried by a lone demonstrator.

We are gay, we are strong, 25 million can't be wrong," was another favorite chant, referring to the estimated U. S. population that

is

either openly homosexual.

or

secretly

And it is by sheer force of numbers that the homosexual community hopes to win its major objectives: repeal of what it considers repressive laws against their private life-styles, passage of laws to prohibit job and housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and the signing of an executive order outlawing federal hiring discrimination against homosexuals.

"Two-four-six-eight, gays pay taxes just like straights," was the way a chanter put it.

But if one is to judge how acceptable the gay lifestyle is to mostAmericans by the looks on the faces of the policemen who handled the march, the homosexual community still has a lot of lobbying to do.