gay people's

H R

August 1989

N I

Cleveland Volume 5

Issue 2

CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

Library

SOCIAL SCIENCES DERUN 71989

FERIODICAL

Soc

L E

Cleveland, Ohio

An Independent Chronicle of the Lesbian & Gay Community

Partners law challenged

by Allen White

Gay activists are predicting a rough battle over attempted repeal of San Francisco's domestic partnership law, and they say that, while public opinion polls show a broad range of support for the measure among city residents, the prospects of victory in November range from fair to slim.

The city attorney's office suspended the law at noon Thursday, July 6, after conservative religious opponents of the measure turned in 27,000 signatures on petitions calling for a referendum on the matter. 18,000 valid signatures are required to put the measure on the ballot. Political consultant Dick Pabich, who leading candidate to head the camcaign, said a victory will not be easy. “It s going to be very, very hard for us to win," Pabich said, "People are talking that we have 60 percent of the support. Well, that may be true, but this election wil be a teeny turnout, a very conservative electorate. It isn't that we can't do it, b. that it will be very hard work."

A public opinion poll conducted in April for the San Francisco Examiner indicated that 58 percent of San Francisco residents support the right of unmarried couples to the same employee benefits as married couples.

-"I think it is going to cost a lot money. There will be an intensive get-out-thevote effort in our own community to try to boost the turnout. It requires a lot of staff, money and volunteers. I think it will cost $100,000, maybe more."

Supervisor Harry Britt, the sponsor of the ordinance, agreed. "We should not assume we are going to win. The profile of the electorate that votes in an off-year election is extremely conservative. The religious right, as the petition campaign

Another State of Mind

on the block

Linda Malicky, owner of Another State of Mind, has put the lesbian and gay bookstore up for sale and plans to move to Nashville, Tenn., by the beginning of next year to join her lover.

Malicky hopes to sell her store by Septeer 5. If a buyer is not found by then, she will begin proceedings to close the 'store.

Malicky feels good about the time she spent building up her business and believes the bookstore is an important resource or Cleveland's gay and lesbian community. In addition to enjoying access to a wide variety of gay and lesbian books, Cleveland gays visit the store for community information and for its warm atmosphere.

Another State of Mind is a source of community information. Several large bulletin boards are filled with newspaper clippings, flyers about national and local events, business cards and the like. Copies of the Chronicle, What She Wants, Valentine News and other free publications also are available. All of this is in addition to a variety of national news and entertainment magazines. Malicky also sells tickets for upcoming events.

Sometimes the store functions as a hot line. Malicky answers daily calls from

shows, can generate a lot of support. These people can register thousands of voters. I think we will win, but it will take money, a sophisticated political operation."

Supervisor Wendy Nedler, a supporter of the domestic partners law and an elected official with a wide base of support in the conservative areas of the city, is equally concerned. Asked if domestic partners would fail, she said, “I guess the political answer 'I hope not'. The realistic answer is that it will be nip and tuck."

"I think it is possible they [opponents of the law] can win," Supervisor Richard Hongisto said. "It is something that should not be taken lightly."

The petition drive was led by the Rev. Charles McIlhenny, pastor of the conservative First Orthodox Presbyterian Church in the Sunset District, and by Rabbi Lionel Feldman, who leads no congregation and according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, "has dropped out of sight."

It was reported in the Independent that the petition drive was backed by Phyllis Sclafly's Eagle Forum. Additionally, a number of Roman Catholic priests are known to have encouraged their parishioners to participate.

Supervisor Britt said the November ballot issue has ramifications far beyond San Francisco. "Whatever happens this November, this is just round one in a series of confrontations. Until America says 'no' to right-wing religious zombies, we are not safe. These people on the national level are possibly the most organized, the most militant force in the whole country."

Reprinted with permission from the Bay Area Reporter, San Francisco.

people with questions about what's happening in the area.

Scaling to new heights is one of the purposes of Stonewall Climbers, new organization that will offer climbing expeditions to gay, lesbian and bisexual climbers. Details on page 12

Mace sprayed at Columbus march

by Douglas Braun

Columbus' Lesbian-Gay Pride March on Sunday, June 25, was part of a successful week of events organized by the Stonewall Union. However, there were a few problems with some of the march counter-protesters.

According to Michael McFadden, director of Stonewall Union, some marchers were sprayed with "a type of aerosol irritant." Seven or eight people, mostly Stonewall security, complained of eye irritation and coughing. Several people went to the medical tent to have their eyes flushed.

It was initially thought that the problem was exhaust from motorcycles in the

march. McFadden said police arrested one protester after a witness saw the protester spray a marcher with mace.

Assault and intimidation charges have been filed. The intimidation ordinance took effect in Columbus at the beginning of the year. This will be the first time it has been used on behalf of a lesbian or gay person.

The Stonewall Union is urging people who were assaulted or who have any information, to call 614-299-7764. If anyone has photos of protesters Stonewall would like copies, for which the photographer will be reimbursed. Please write to Box 10814, Columbus, OH 43201

But patrons go to Another State of N.Y. court: Lover is 'family'

Mind for more than information. The store's comfortable atmosphere makes it a great place for a cup of tea and some conversation. Malicky said a lot of people find the bookstore a safe place to come out. Although gay and lesbian literature is available in other bookstores, "it's a whole different feeling to be in a store where everywhere you look there's a little piece of you," she said. At Another State of Mind, you can be almost sure that the next person who walks in the door is going to be a lesbian or gay man. Although Malicky will miss her store, Continued on Page 3

by Rady Ananda

The New York Court of Appeals ruled July 6 that a gay man could be considered a family member of his deceased lover, thereby expanding the legal definition of a family as it relates to New York City's rent-control regulations.

Midge Branchy brought suit against his landlord, Stahl Associates Co., in an effort to retain the lease for the Manhattan apartment he shared with his lover for the past 10 years. Lease Blancher

died of AIDS in 1986 and Branchy has been fighting eviction since that time.

In New York City, leases pass from parent to child or spouse to spouse under the rent-control laws. Branchy maintained he should have had succession rights even though his name wasn't on the lease. The landlord argued that the laws in New York apply only to "those related by blood, marriage or adoption." Judge Harold Bar disagreed, holding for Branchy because of "the time, love Continued on Page 3