NATIONAL NEWS...

NY COURT KILLS EO 50

The New York Court of Appeals, highest in the state, has ruled that Mayor Koch's Executive Order 50, forbidding job discrimination against gay people by city contractors, is unconstitutional. Announced June 28, the 6-1 ruling explicitly centered on the scope of the mayor's authority rather than on the ends he was trying to accomplish through the order.

Written by Justice Wechtler, the majority opinion stated: "The sole issue we address is whether the Executive may forbid discrimination by city contractors on a ground not covered by any legislative enactment.... An attempt by the Mayor to broaden the class of persons protected from discrimination by private emplovers... however commendable, is an enactment of policy which the City Charter leaves to the City Council."

After the ruling Mayor Koch expressed sympathy for gay people and predicted that justice will ultimately prevail.

This decision apparently ends one aspect of the long legal battle between the mayor and the New York Archdiocese over gay rights.

Rather than appealing the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, the city administration and the gay community will concentrate on ensuring gay rights through legislation.

On June 20 a new gay civil rights bill was introduced into the New York city council, which for 14 years has refused to enact such a measure. This new bill forbids discrimination against gay people in the standard categories of employment, housing, and public administration. To make it more palatable to the Archdiocese and other opponents, its wording specifically disclaims any intent to condone a homosexual lifestyle. Forbidding any use of quotas, it also allows religious institutions to limit employment to persons of their own denominations.

Chances for passage of a city gay rights bill are increased by the impending retirement of Thomas Cuits, the majority leader or City Council. An ally of the New York Archdiocese and a bitter enemy of gay rights, Cuits has kept the previous bills within the General Welfare Committee, refusing the Council an opportunity to vote on them.

ATTORNEY TWISTS FACTS

A new twist in arguments by the Roman Catholic hierarchy against legislation ensuring civil rights for gay people may be signalled in a statement by John Hale, attorney for the New York Archdiocese in its suit against the city over hiring gay people.

In recent months the hierarchy began insisting that its refusal to hire gay men or lesbians and its denial

stu-

of recognition to gay dent organizations cannot be called discrimination.

New

In a letter to the York Times protesting an editorial that supported gay rights, Hole writes, As matters now stand, homosexuals have every right given to other citizens." And when gay people demand legal protection, Mr. Hale argues, they are claiming more than their fair share.

TRIALS OF THE TRIBE

The July 9 issue of the Village Voice includes a special 11 page section, Gay Life: Trials of the Tribe: Thought provoking and controversial, its content should stir up arguments.

Larry Bush's article, "Escape from the Ghetto," poses basic questions about gay political activity and gay journalism. Both the Eleanor Roosevelt Gay Democratic Club and the Gay Peoples Chronicle may take comfort in his brief assessment of gay political leaders and newspapers at the local level as "often effective and serious. His analysis of our national institutions is far from kind. It includes a devastating set of gay trivia questions for which we wish be had provided the answers. Bush calls the Democratic Gay Caucus and the Human Rights Campaign Fund politically inept. His caustic insider's account of the Advocate describes it as neither serious nor effect-

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BY: Casmir Kuczynski

LESBIAN APPOINTED

The National Gay Task Force, largest gay rights organization, has appointed lesbian Rosemary Kuropat its director of administration and finance. In creating this new position, the NGTF board of directors is dividing the functions formerly exercized by Executive Director Virginia Apuzzo, who resigned to become deputy director of the New York State Consumer Protection Board. Kuropat will share these with Jeff Levi, who as director of governmental and political affairs for the NGTF will remain at its Washington office. Kuropat will direct administration and finances from the New York office.

Kuropat's background involves a career in business rather than political action. Formerly a marketing officer for Chase Manhattan Bank, she became a partner in Soho Lexicographics, a small New York marketing firm.

At the meeting where it selected Kuropat the NGTF board of directors also discussed measures to reduce the organization's $71,000 debt and agreed to continue discussions with the Gay Rights National Lobby about a possible merger.

CHICAGO DOES WHAT

CWRU

WON'T

The University of Chicago recently joined à large number of colleges and universities that include sexual orientation in their statements disclaiming discrimination in admitting students or hiring people. The Chicago administration acted in response to a campaign by GALA, the campus gay and lesbian organization, with cooperation from other student groups and the faculty.

Two years ago the Case Western Reserve University Lesbian/Gay Student Union asked its administration to include a similar reference to sexual orientation in its nondiscrimination disclaimer. After consulting the university attorney, the CWRU administration replied that although it does not discriminate against gay people, it had decided not to add an explicit disclaim-

er.

triggered an increase in clients and calls at the city-operated blood-screening program, many callers described themselves as heterosexual.

ROCK HUDSON HAS AIDS After a flurry of rumors, some eyebrow-raising announcements, retractions, and further announcements, it became clear that actor Rock Hudson has AIDS and went to Paris for treatment that is available only in France. A spokesperson insists Hudson has no idea how he acquired AIDS.

Hotlines throughout the country reported a sharp increase in calls. In Cleveland, where the news

aspects of gay culture he calls "esoterica from the sexual playground.

Bush's main point is that real change cannot come from the gay movement, but can only be achieved by openly gay people working in mainstream society.

In "Kramer's Complaint Richard Goldstein dissects Larry Kramer, author of Faggots and The Normal Heart, describing him as a gay homophobe whom nongays appreciate because he tells them what they want to hear about gay life.

Barbara Smith's "Soul on Ice" is a provocative analysis of black gays and lesbians.

The Voice's cover cartoon by Howard Cruse (who writes Wendell) is superb, showing male and female gay couples about to be clobbered by church and state. Its echoes of late 19th-century anyitrust cartoons add another layer of meaning. We hope Cruse or the Voice will make

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Some gay spokespersons anticipate a backlash against us for somehow infecting a sterling example of heterosexual American manhood. Others predict that Hudson may serve the community by making AIDS a respectable disease.

VOICE

VOL XXX NO. 28 THE WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF NEW YORK JULY 9, 1986

$1.25

Talking Heads Start

Making Sense By James Nold Jr. (P. 77)

GAY LIFE

Trials of the Tribe

RICHARD GOLDSTEIN:

LARRY KRAMER'S COLD HEART

CINDY PATTON:

BRAVE NEW LESBIANS

ARMISTEAD MAUPIN:

TALKING WITH ISHERWOOD

and More (P. 12)

Search and Destroy Greg Tate on the New York 8+(P.31)

Buck