Page 6 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE October, 1990
North Carolina group issues call for help to defeat Helms
North Carolina Senate Vote '90, the statewide coalition working to defeat Jesse Helms in 1990, has issued a call for help to gay and progressive organizations nationwide.
N.C. Senate Vote '90 is inviting progressive Americans to join them in "Countdown to Victory" events on Saturday, October 6, as opponents of Helms rally in support of his opponent, former Charlotte, N.C. mayor Harvey Gantt. "People will be gathering at marches, rallies, potlucks, dances, concerts-all kinds of events designed to bring people together in their support for us" said Vote '90's director, Mandy Carter.
The cross-country effort is pivotal because Helm's Senate influence has persistent national repercussions and the national fundraising machine that finances
his North Carolina races is among the most lucrative in the nation.
By August 20 the Helms campaign had raised $7 million-75 percent from outof-state and the Gantt campaign had raised approximately $800,000. Vote '90 has raised $50,000.
"We need to let people know that Helms is not opposed here or elsewhere-by some small handful of single-issue activists. People from all walks of life believe the country will change for the better if Helms is sent back home," asserted Carter.
Vote '90 has helped to stage demonstrations in seven North Carolina cities, marched in the San Francisco Gay Pride celebration and marketed anti-Helms buttons, bumperstickers, t-shirts and other
Pride'90 is $1,000 in the red; has 'Heart's Desire' Benefit
The Pride '90 Celebration and Parade, which ended up with a deficit of close to $1,000 this year, is having a benefit at the Cleveland Play House. The special performance of Heart's Desire, A Musical in Four Movements, on October 28 at 7:30 p.m., will help cover the remaining bills and raise seed money for Pride '91.
The Pride '90 Committee attributes the deficit to the sudden expansion of the event. Co-chair Martha Pontoni explains, "Pride '89 was a small event. We didn't know what to expect and so had very small expenses. This year things really got out of hand. Everything was more expensive. We raised more money and more people attended, but we also spent more doing all that we did."
Heart's Desire will have its world premiere here in Cleveland from October 2 through November 4. The play is a new musical by the award-winning composer/ lyricist Glen Rover. This innovative production is a collaborate effort berween Glen and four other witters, one of which is Armisted Maupin, noted author of the popular Tales of the City series of novels.
The Cleveland Play House has added a special performance in a smaller theater
for the Pride benefit.
The Pride committee has appointed an executive committee to formally organize the event this year. Previous celebrations have been planned by a group of individuals. A formal structure including by-laws and budgets is planned. The committee is also applying for grant money to hire an organizer to help the celebration run more smoothly. "It really is a lot of work for people to do in their spare time," comments Pontoni. "With the help of an organizer we'll keep track of things better and hopefully have bigger and better celebrations every year."
Pontoni says that Pride '91 will include a film festival and a 5K run/walk. "It is our goal to have an event every day for a week, and really celebrate. But this takes money and time."
Tickets for the special benefit performance of Heart's Desire will be available only by mail through the Pride committee and only 100 are available. Tickets cost $20 and all proceeds will go directly to the Pride committee. The committee can be contacted at P.O. Box 91031, Cleveland, OH,44101, or call 621-5280. ▼
merchandise. The group was instrumental in the creation of an alternative musicians' organization, M.O.V.E. (Musicians Organized for Voter Education), and successfully registered voters at events ranging from a Billy Joel concert to rap music festivals, alternative music clubs and Allman Brothers' performances.
Local organizations are in place or in formation in major metropolitan areas including Boston, New York, San Fran-
cisco, Los Angelos, and Washington, D.C.; in rural counties and on college campuses. A calendar of special events and fundraisers is planned through election day.
A "how-to" local organizing kit is available from the Vote '90 office. Donations or requests for "Countdown to Victory" organizing kits may be sent to NCSV '90, 604 West Chapel Hill Street, Durham, NC 27701. ▼
Woman sues AT&T for domestic partner benefits
In the first domestic partnership benefits case filed in federal court, the surviving lesbian partner of a deceased AT&T employee has charged the company with discrimination for refusing to provide her with benefits routinely given to surviving family members.
Sandra Rovira claimed in a complaint filed August 22 that AT&T's denial of benefits violates a federal law which requires employers to honor the promises they make regarding benefits. Furthermore, AT&T's denial of benefits to Rovira violates its own company employment policy which includes protection against sexual orientation and marital status discrimination.
Rovira had a committed relationship with Marjorie Forlini, who was an AT&T sales and marketing manager from 1980 until her death from cancer in 1988. The two women shared a home for most of their twelve years together, and had formalized their relationship with a ceremony. For the last ten years, they had raised Rovira's two children.
After Forlini's death, Rovira, who was the executor of Forlini's estate, applied to AT&T for its sickness death benefit. This benefit, the equivalent of a year's salary, is routinely provided for the surviving spouse and dependant children of AT&T employees to assist them with the loss of a wage earner. As Forlini's surviving
Pontoni wins Northern Ohio Coalition's 1990 Ozzie Award
Martha Pontoni, publisher and editor of the Gay People's Chronicle, has received NOCI's Ozzie Award honoring outstanding achievement in Cleveland's lesbian and gay community. Pontoni won for her involvement with the Lesbian-Gay Pride Committee and the Pride '90 Celebration
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and Parade. This is the first time that a women has ever been the recipient of the award.
NOCI's board president Gene Witts said that Pontoni "provided something that was missing from Cleveland for ten years. She gave us the opportunity to
THE WOMEN'S COFFEE HOUSE COLLECTIVE
WOMEN ONLY EVENT
Presents
OPEN TALENT NIGHT
·
Music • Poetry • Visual Arts Dance Bring your creativity!
Saturday, November 10
8 p.m. 12 Midnight • Franklin Ave. Circle Church 1688 Fulton Rd., Cleveland (corner of Franklin & Fulton)
To register or for Information call: 631-2057 $5.00 more if you can / less If you can't
Spaghetti Dinner all you can eat-one fixed pricel
march down Euclid Avenue."
The Ozzie Award, named after NOCI founder and former board president Ozzie Hagopian, has been given each year since 1984 at NOCI's "We Are Family" picnic. Past recipients include: Brian and Norman of the Leather Stallion Saloon for their fundraising efforts (1989); Dale Melsness, for the NAMES Project (1988); Tom McComsey, founder of the Leather Stallion and board member of NOCI who started the Spring into Summer Dance (1987); and Ron Spencer, for the Gay Invitational Fellowship Tournament (GIFT) in 1986. Witts said that the NOCI board decides who will presented with the award, and that it is a surprise to all the members of NOCI and participants of the picnic. He added that response has been positive this Letters
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decisions arise from our commitment to our business, to our stockholders and employees, and to being a good corporate citizen in our communities. Such decisions are sometimes complex but we attempt to make them honorably, with full awareness of their complexity.
In the same spirit, we ask that those who disagree with Senator Helms not judge us simply, but with the knowledge that we, like themselves, are trying to do right as we see it, and to act for the best in a
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partner, Rovira requested the benefit for herself and her children, whom Forlini had raised as her own. Yet, AT&T refused to extend the benefit on the grounds that Rovira and Forlini were not legally married and that the children were not Forlini's natural or adopted children.
Lambda Legal Defense director Paula Ettelbrick noted, "Companies have passed policies that, in name, provide equal treatment for lesbians and gay men in the workplace. In reality these protections are seldom enforced and almost never translate into equal pay for lesbians and gay employees. Just as AT&T could not be allowed to pay sickness death benefits only to white employees or only to male employees, they should not be allowed to deny lesbian employees their right to equal compensation."
Over the last several years, Lambda Legal Defense and other gay rights groups have been working to establish legal and employment rights for lesbian and gay couples. One aspect of this work is getting employers and society at large to recognize that the term "family" includes, committed gay and lesbian partnerships. The most notable victory thus far was won last summer when New York State's highest court ruled that a gay couple was legally considered a family under New York city's rent control laws.▼
year. "Everyone agreed she deserved it," he said.
Pontoni, responding to the award, said, "I was so touched about receiving the award. It means a lot to me. It shows that the barriers of separation between the gay and lesbian communities are breaking down. To be honored by an organization which is so male-oriented is proof positive that we are supporting each other as a community." Pontoni added that the award is really for the whole committee, especially Susan Schnur who was Parade Chairperson this year.
Pontoni was not able to accept the award in person because of a death in her family, but plans to write a letter of thanks to the board of NOCI. [See Letters, page 3.] ▼
complicated world.
Jack R. Nelson Vice President, Corporate Affairs Philip Morris Corporation 120 Park Ave., New York, NY 10017
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