September 18, 1992

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Page 5

Gay hams file bias complaint under new Connecticut law

by Robert Laycock

The Lambda Amateur Radio Club (LARC), an international association of lesbian and gay amateur radio operators with members in Cleveland, has filed a discrimination complaint with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities against the American Radio Relay League, a major U.S. ham radio organization.

The Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, which is representing LARC in this action, alleges the League has violated Connecticut's newly-established gay rights law by rejecting LARC's membership recruitment ad in their monthly journal, QST.

The dispute began almost seven years ago when LARC submitted an ad for publication to the League, which is incorporated in Connecticut. The text of LARC's ad was routine for ham clubs seeking members, simply announcing LARC's name, address and target memberships: lesbians and gays interested in radio.

The League initially published the ad for one month in November, 1985, then abruptly cancelled it claiming "the right to decline or discontinue advertising for any reason." League staff and board members have insisted the ad is "advocacy" and inappropriate for publication since being lesbian or gay has nothing to do with amateur radio.

Sixth annual Fall Hayride kicks off Halloween season

The Sixth Annual Fall Hayride is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. In keeping with tradition, this hayride will have a Halloween theme. The event will again be held at Boyert's Farm in Medina (see ad in this issue).

The Fall Hayride has been sponsored by Monotones for the last five years. Monotones is a social group for gay and lesbian monogamous couples who live in Northeast Ohio. Bob, a hayride committee person, stressed, "The hayride is open to everyone: gay, lesbian, couples, singles... Anyone who is interested in a fun country hayride." Tim, Bob's "other half,” said, "Last year there were people here from all over the area. They were from Cleveland, Akron, Lorain, Elyria, and of course Lakewood. We even had people come up from Columbus just for this event."

The Fall Hayride of 1991 broke attendance records, according to John A. Barrick, project manager for this year's event. "Last year we had more than 250 in attendance," he said, "and our goal this year is to break 350." When asked about the proceeds, Barrick responded, "It allows Monotones to give over $600 back to the community and to community organizations." Monotones has been a proud sponsor of the Pride celebration for the last two years, as well as sponsoring N.O.C.I. yearly, Barrick said.

The DJ this year will be "Debbie the DJ." Debbie is a disk jockey for Mix Drinkery and for the Cleveland City Country Dancers. She has a wide variety of musical selections including your favorite "club-style" tunes.

Tim also reported that throughout the evening, the Cleveland City Country Dancers will be teaching simple square dances and showing how the pros do it by giving a few demonstrations. Square and contemporary dancing will continue throughout

the evening. If you prefer a quiet, relaxing night, or creating your own music, campfires will be available for your enjoyment.

Apple cider, coffee and donuts, and a complimentary pumpkin are included in the ticket price. Greg, another committee member, said, "If you want something besides coffee or cider, you can bring whatever you want to drink, including alcohol if you wish. Bring your own beer, can, cooler, whatever." This year's hayride also will have hot dogs, chips and soft drinks available for purchase.

Creative photo mementos can be purchased from the Monotones. Costumes are available to add a bit of fun to your country hayride photograph. For the animal buffs among you, the stables will be open. Boyert's is a working farm with a wide variety of four legged animals that you can pet.

Shopping will be available at the Boyert's gift shop which has a beautiful and very inexpensive selection of house plants as well as arts and crafts, gift baskets, dry flowers and much more. In addition this year, there will be an opportunity to shop at a table displaying merchandise from Gifts of Athena Bookstore. Barrick said, "Gifts of Athena, 5 Cent Decision, and Mix Drinkery have generously offered to sell tickets for us again this year. Last year, they were responsible for selling well over half of the hayride tickets.” The ticket price is $10.00 in advance and $13 at the door.

The Hayride will take place rain or shine. Greg said, "The DJ, dancing, bookstore and the food are all inside. So even if it does rain, there will be plenty of dry things to do inside the barn. This is not an old, smelly, leaky barn. This is a large, modern, sturdy enclosure."

For more information about the Monotones, write to: P.O. Box 771102, Lakewood, OH 44107-0047

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LARC counters that QST publishes ads for other radio clubs comprised of Jehovah's Witnesses, atheists, followers of Ayn Rand, and others.

"We are tired of tolerating the petty ways in which the League has continually discriminated against LARC simply because we are a network whose membership comprises lesbians and gay men," said LARC president James Kelly of Philadelphia. "Change in the League's bigoted policies is long overdue."

Suzanne Goldberg, attorney with Lambda Legal Defense, said "The Connecticut legislature has declared that discrimination based on sexual orientation is illegal. Organizations like the League may not lawfully permit their bias and bigotry to govern their actions. Under the Connecticut law, we can now hold them legally accountable."

The American Radio Relay League is the nation's largest ham radio organiza-. tion, representing approximately 500,000 licensed operators in the United States. The Federal Communications Commission looks to the League for the "official" opinions of the amateur community.

Since 1985 LARC has politicked with League board members and found some supportive. LARC has also found support among mainstream hams outside the League.

The nationwide Radio Amateur Information Network and the International Amateur Radio Network have each broadcast interviews with LARC members. The independent magazine Amateur Radio CQ carries LARC's ad. Locally, straight amateurs have voiced their support to area LARC members.

73 Amateur Radio Today, however, just cancelled LARC's ad after two years. Publisher Wayne Green attacked LARC's le-

gal action in a letter to Kelly stating, “Suers belong in the sewer... The righteousness of your claims are irrelevant...“

Calling gays "God's error," Green said, "I've come to the conclusion that homosexuality is ungodly. In God's scheme, homosexuality seems on a par with any other birth defect..." Green's September editorial is Homophobes!"

sub-titled "We're

The national Westlink Report also attacked LARC. In a front page editorial in April, Managing Editor Burt Hicks stated “

66

this controversy requires a statement of facts..." and then recited a catalog of biblical scriptures. He continued, "[LARC] and its ACLU fellow travelers might better invest a few minutes with the Scriptures, rather than seeing how much hate and discontent they can generate."

The League has denied it discriminates and has now agreed to carry LARC's ad. Before withdrawing the complaint, LARC is seeking the League's official written assurance that discriminatory actions will not resume later.

The League has also responded to the Human Rights Commission's notification of a complaint, denying any discriminatory practices. The Commission is now in the process of assigning an investigator to the

case.

Amateur radio is different from Citizen's Band (CB) radio. Amateur operators and their stations are licensed by the FCC and operate internationally on a variety of bands and frequencies. The hobby also uses special satellites, and amateurs can transmit computer and television signals to each other as well as voice and Morse code. ▼

Robert Laycock is a Cleveland amateur radio operator, callsign KA8UHL.

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