GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE OCTOBER 1, 1993

National Coming Out Day is October 11

National Coming Out Day is an annual event recognized by lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and their supporters as a day to celebrate the process of accepting and being open about their sexual orientation. Held every year on October 11, National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is commemorating its sixth year with festivities being held across the country encouraging people to take the next step in the coming out process.

This year, the first since NCOD merged with the Human Rights Campaign Fund, events are being planned in major cities across the United States.

In Los Angeles, thousands are expected to participate in a multi-faith spiritual service "Come out in Faith," hosted by Rev. Troy Perry of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, Rev. Dusty Pruitt, and Rev. Malcom Boyd.

In Dallas, Rob Eichberg, one of the founders of NCOD, will be a keynote speaker for "A Celebration About Truth and Living Powerfully." The event will be held in the Cathedral of Hope, the church of Mel White, former ghostwriter for Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Oliver North and other prominent Christian right political figures. Joining Eichberg and White will be special guest Hedi de Jesus, U.S. Air Force, who is currently fighting a discharge for homosexual conduct.

In New York City, the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center is hosting "In Our Own Write," an event featuring Kiss of the Spider Woman author Terrence McNally and writers Cheryl Clark and Paula Martinac.

In Washington, D.C., a dance for lesbian and gay youth is being sponsored by the gay, lesbian and bisexual student groups of Georgetown and George Washington Universities.

In Las Vegas, a festival featuring noted veteran Miriam Ben Shalom, author Michaelangelo Signorelli, and Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Roberta Actenberg has been planned by the Las Vegas Pride committee.

In Sunnyside, New York, the organization Queens Lesbians and Gays United will host "Coming Out Story Tellingan Open Microphone Event."

In White Plains, New York, a NCOD benefit concert for "The Loft" will include performances by comedians Bob Smith and Lynn Lavner.

Additional NCOD events are planned in Atlanta, Chicago, Pasadena, Denver, Omaha, Santa Fe, Seattle, and many other cities.

NCOD also has an international appeal. In Montreal, Canada, a dance marathon and film festival will take place. Switzerland's events mark that country's third year celebrating the day.

But personal statements are even more important than large celebrations. "Each of us who comes out also has a tremendous impact on those around us. Closeted lesbian and gay family members who find out their 'favorite Aunt Sarah or Uncle Jim' is also gay, immediately adopt a better sense of self worth and optimism about living a happy and productive life free of the deceit and shame they face in the closet," says Eichberg. "Heterosexuals who find out family members are gay rapidly learn the negative stereotypes they have of lesbian and gay people are false. It's important to provide them with those role models."

National Coming Out Day is held on October 11 to commemorate the 1987 March on Washington for Gay and Lesbian Rights, and the inaugural visit of the Names Project Quilt to the nation's capital. The first NCOD was held in 1988 as a positive and pro-active statement of pride on the part of the lesbian and gay community and received media recognition from over 41 mainstream and 58 lesbian and gay publications as well as attention from the Oprah show, USA Today, and National Public Radio.

Several celebrities and prominent figures have come out this year and made it easier for others to take that first step and come out. "When people like tennis great Martina Navratilova, singers k.d. lang, Janis Ian and Melissa Etheridge, media mogul David Geffen, and former Mr. Universe and Mr. Olympia Bob Jackson-Paris come out, they send a strong message to those in the closet that coming out and being honest about who you are is a better and happier way to live," said Eichberg.

Notes Tim McFeeley, Executive Director of the Human Rights Campaign Fund, "Coming out and having a political impact are integrally linked. Every poll shows that American voters who know a family member, loved one or someone close to them is lesbian, gay or bisexual, support federal protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Coming out to the people who love and respect you is the most important political act you can do."

For more information on National Coming Out Day, call Deborah Massa at 202-628-4160, fax 202-347-5323, or write to 1012 14th St., N.W., Suite 607, Washington, DC 20005. ✓

Foreign gays are seeking asylum in the U.S.

by Laney Salisbury

New York-Mohammed is so tormented by the dangers facing gays in his native Iran he talks of nightmares in which his family joins the secret police to hunt him down. "If I went back to Iran, I'd be dead in a day," said Mohammed.

The 32-year-old designer is one of a growing number of applicants seeking asylum in the United States citing persecution

'Just because there is a death penalty doesn't mean gays are being persecuted."

in their native countries for their sexual orientation. In Iran, the penalty for homosexuality is death by hanging or stoning.

Mohammed, who agreed to discuss his case only on condition that his name not be used, applied for asylum in April 1993 to avoid returning to the Islamic republic.

His is one of three test cases being pursued by the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund in an effort to ease federal asylum rules for lesbians and gays. But the Immigration and Naturalization Service says homosexuality does not give anyone an automatic right to asylum.

Lawyers handling such cases estimate that since the United States in 1990 repealed a law that excluded all gays and lesbians from immigration, about 20 people have applied for sanctuary based on claims of anti-gay persecution abroad.

So far, only one person has received asylum based on sexual orientation. In August an immigration judge in San Francisco granted refuge to Brazilian Marcelo Tenorio, who, according to lawyers, said he had been hunted down by anti-gay commando groups aided by police.

That case does not necessarily set a precedent for other cases.

Mohammed came to this country in 1984 on a work visa. That expired, and he stayed on illegally. In April, he went to Lambda attorney Noemi Masliah and agreed to be-

come a test case for the gay asylum issue. Mohammed said that because he is a member of HOMAN, an international Persian gay and human rights group, Iran's zealous clerics may know he is gay.

In addition to Mohammed, Lambda's test cases involve a Russian lesbian in San Francisco and a Nicaraguan gay man with AIDS in Texas,

"Sexuality can't be changed. That notion is gaining increased acceptance," said Masliah, who is on Lambda's board.

If asylum is granted, the individuals would be able to seek permanent residency. At that time, the Nicaraguan also would have to seek a waiver of federal rules barring people with AIDS.

"We brought these cases to reflect the full reality of the persecution against lesbians and gay men," said Lambda attorney Suzanne Goldberg.

According to U.S. law, applicants for asylum must show a "well-founded" fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.

Goldberg said most persecuted gays fall under the category of belonging to a social group.

Immigration authorities disagree.

"The only avenue homosexuals can apply is under membership to a social group, yes. But do all homosexuals meet the definition of a social class? No." said Duke Austin, senior spokesman for the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Austin added that the agency decides its political asylum claims on a case-by-case basis and if one group is given special treatment "it would potentially open the door" to scores of other groups, classes and organizations.

Gerald Neuman, a law professor at Columbia University, said of the gay cases: "There is no consistent U.S. policy, no set down rules on how to decide them."

Neuman, an immigration specialist, said a major challenge in asylum cases is convincing immigration judges that a nation's anti-gay laws constitutes persecution.

"There is a shadowy line between what the government may decide is a just or unjust law," said Neuman, adding that politics and moral beliefs may influence policy.

Referring to Iran, he said, "Just because there is a death penalty doesn't mean homosexuals are being persecuted."

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