National Notes

January 22, 1993 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

police officers who have given me and our department quality performance and loyalty."

In an interview with reporter David O'Connor, Ribera commented that he did not intend for his letter to become public, but he hopes it will help in getting the military's ban on gays lifted. The chief pointed out his "unique expertise in that I had probably directly managed more openly gay officers than anybody in law enforcement,"

Aspen stamps its boots

The Aspen Gay Ski Week has been the most visible pawn in the Boycott Colorado movement. The Saga Ski Club of San Diego has elected to attend, based on the support to gays demonstrated by the city, and the wishes of Aspen's gay community. The club plans to cancel the 1994 trip unless it is "of direct benefit to Aspen in its goal to rescind Proposition #2."

The International Gay Travel Association (IGTA) has urged that the Aspen Gay Ski Week not be boycotted and that "friends and clients attend in even greater numbers than before to show the State of Colorado the millions of dollars they can lose by offending the gay tourism market." IGTA points out that it controls in excess of $1 billion in tourism revenue and that it could easily divert it from the state. IGTA also urges all gays and lesbians to write to Colorado for Family Values, P.O. Box 190, Colorado Springs, CO 80901, to express outrage and waive our financial clout.

The "Aspen Peace & Justice Center" has been formed to work for the repeal of Amendment 2, support legal efforts, coordinate and network with statewide efforts, educate, provide fundraising services, and work for a national civil rights amendment to protect lesbians and gays. The group is holding a protest candle light march and rally on January 23 in the city. Speakers include ex-umpire Dave Pallone, author Rob Eichberg, and entertainer Liza Minnelli. The Center can be reached at P.O. Box 744, Aspen, CO 81612; 303-9254649.

Orlando gay center forced to

move

The Gay & Lesbian Community Services Center of Central Florida (GLCS), based in Orlando, received a notice to vacate from its landlord in December. GLCS is faced with the task of moving within 30 days, incurring costs for relocating phone systems, additional deposits and fees. According to a letter from GLCS president David Bain, "This couldn't have happened at a worse time. Donations to our organization are historically low during the holiday season and our next major fundraiser is months away."

"We are asking the entire Central Florida Community to come together and assist us in making a successful transition to our new home. What we need the most is money,' Bain said. GLCS is a recognized non-profit organization and can be reached at P.O. Box 533446, Orlando, FL 32853.

Miami Beach includes gays in its new human rights ordinance

Updating a story in last month's Chronicle, the City of Miami Beach has passed a lesbian-gay inclusive human rights ordinance which goes into effect on March 1. This makes Miami Beach the first city in Dade County to embrace sexual orientation protection since the 1977 anti-gay campaign of Anita Bryant overturned the existing protection law in the county.

The ordinance prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, handicap, marital status, familial status, or age. Several exceptions have been permitted in the law, similar to those

found in human rights laws of other cities and states that include sexual orientation.

The Miami Beach ordinance exempts employers with fewer than five full-time employees, and housing occupied by no more than four independent families with the owner as one of the residents. Religious organizations have several specific exemptions from the "religion" portion of the law, and then a whole section exempting them from any of the sexual orientation provisions.

The ordinance specifies that complaints be mediated, that annual reports of violations be issued, and that the city conduct “educational and public information activities that are designed to promote the policy." Penalties after mediation fails to resolve the discriminatory practice are up to $250 for the first offense, and up to $500 for subsequent offenses within a five-year period.

Gay man named president of Minnesota senate

State Senator Allan Spear (DemocraticFarmer-Labor-Minneapolis) was elected president of the Minnesota Senate on January 5, the opening day of the Minnesota legislative session. Spear, who has served in the Senate for 20 years, was elected on a roll call vote of 41-22, defeating a ranking Republican. He was sworn in immediately following his election by Minnesota Chief Justice Sandy Keith. Spear is now the most senior openly gay or lesbian elected official currently serving in any state and the first to assume a top leadership position in a state legislature.

Allan Spear was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1972. He came out as an openly gay man in 1974 and has been easily reelected six times. He is a founding member of the National Network of Lesbian and Gay Officials.

Spear's election to the position was virtually assured on November 5 when he became chosen as the nominee of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus, which controls the Senate. He defeated a conservative Democrat who is a leading opponent of gay-lesbian rights and freedom of choice.

Spear served as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1983 to 1992. In addition to his new position of leadership, he will now chair the Senate Crime Prevention Committee. As senate president, he is the chief presiding officer of the state senate and decides which committee will hear each bill. He will be the chief state senate author of Minnesota's lesbian and gay rights bill in the 1993 legislative session.

In addition to his senate duties, Spear is an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota. He lives with his partner in his South Minneapolis district.

AIDS Action Council sets 1993 agenda

With the hope that the new year may bring a significant turnaround in the fortunes of the AIDS community, the Washington-based AIDS Action Council will focus in 1993 on increasing federal funding for AIDS-related programs, realizing health care reform, pushing for programs which can help prevent the transmission of HIV and pressing for improved drug treatments.

"In other years, we have set our goals with an attitude of grim determination," notes AIDS Action Council Executive Director Daniel T. Bross. "This year we have done so with a degree of hope. The national playing field has been leveled by the election of Bill Clinton president, giving AIDS Action relatively better odds of accomplishing our agenda." AIDS Action Council has reorganized its staff and expanded its board of directors in order to enhance its lobbying capacity in the face of the new political climate. Among key issues the newly expanded organization will tackle are prevention, health care reform, treatment issues and appropriations.

We Promised To Meet Your Needs...

...And We're Doing It

Our commitment to meeting the spiritual needs of the Lesbian/Gay community is stronger than ever. We treasure our calling to minister to you, your family, your friends and significant others.

In this light we're expanding the services we provide to include educational seminars, spiritual renewal weekends, the use of our building by other groups, providing work space for those wanting to make AIDS quilts for the Names Project, satellite services reaching out to our community in the outskirts of Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga counties. Don't be surprised if you hear about an Emmanuel service in your area!

We're increasing the use of bilingual and multi-cultural liturgy in our services. Our music will be incorporating traditional, contemporary, African-American, and Hispanic gospel to minister to your heart and soul. We know that diversity is the spice of life. Thus, we intend to use our diverse backgrounds for the spiritual growth of our community.

Now You Can Worship With Us on Sunday Evenings

Many of you, our friends have told us that you'd love to worship with us if we had an evening service. We added that, too! We celebrate God's love and kindness every Sunday morning at 10:45 am and EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT at 6:30 p.m. We are committed to making the Sunday evening service responsive to the spiritual needs of those who attend. What does this mean? Participants will help to develop the worship style, liturgy, and select the music we use. This is your opportunity to assist in the development of a worship service that meets YOUR needs.

Homosexuality and The Bible Seminar Saturday, January 23rd at 1 p.m.

Ever had any questions about the Bible and homosexuality or bi-sexuality? Let's face it, we all have. Come hear the Reverend Paul Turner, of Toledo, Ohio as he leads us in the discovery of the true meaning of scripture. We'll examine Scripture which has traditionally been used to oppress our community, review it, interpret it's true meaning and prove God's love and acceptance of who we are, daughters and sons of the loving creator. There will be time for questions and answers and some fellowship afterwards. ($3.00suggested donation at the door, more for those who can and less for those who can't).

The Reverend Turner is a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan College where he majored in Theological studies and minored in psychology. He is a certified Crisis Intervention Specialist and a certified HIV counselor.

The New Emmanuel MCC: Cleveland's Lesbian-Gay Spiritual Community. We're doing everything we can to earn your confidence, reach out to our community, program and minister to your needs and be a multi-cultural spiritual home for all the community.

Sunday morning service 10:45 am EVENING SERVICES 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study, 7

10034 Lorain Avenue 651-0129

p.m.

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