Groups join forces to

end discrimination

Gays and lesbians in Ohio have joined forces with other minorities and advocacy groups in the recently-formed Ohio Civil Rights Coalition. Members of the Coalition are working together to oppose discrimination in housing, employment, credit and other financial transactions, insurance, transportation, public accommodations, architectural accessibility, and other aspects of public life.

The Coalition held its first press conference on December 1, in order to increase awareness of the group by the state legislature, the public, and the media. Copies of the Coalition's agenda statement, "Discrimination is Bad Business," were distributed to state lawmakers.

Members of the Coalition include the NAACP, the Ohio Council of Churches, Ohio NOW, the Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, Out Voice/Citizens for Justice, Mobile (an organization advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities), the Ohio Employment Lawyers Association, the Ohio Housing Coalition, and the National Conference of Black Lawyers.

The primary purposes of the Coalition are to support strong civil rights laws and to oppose legislation designed to weaken civil rights laws. Another goal is to improve the performance of, and increase funding for, the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, a state agency charged with enforcing Ohio's existing civil rights laws. The Coalition seeks to coordinate and stimulate statewide lobbying on civil rights issues in Ohio, and to facilitate networking among civil rights organizations and advocates across the state.

One of the founding members of the Coalition is Mike Smalz, an attorney at the Ohio State Legal Services Association. According to Smalz, the Coalition got its start in the fall of 1992, when representatives from interested advocacy groups joined forces to save House Bill 321. House Bill 321 was designed to bring Ohio into compliance with federal fair housing laws. How-

ever, various statewide business organizations and lobbying groups almost persuaded a committee of the Ohio House of Representatives to include an amendment to the bill which would have weakened Ohio's employment discrimination laws. With the assistance of the fledgling Coalition members, the offending amendment was defeated, and House Bill 321 was passed as a fair housing bill.

After Bill Clinton was elected President, the Coalition sought to influence the process of appointing federal judges, by reviewing existing nominees and making recommendations of their own. The process of reviewing judicial nominees attracted other advocacy groups to join the Coalition, including gay and lesbian groups.

Coalition members now include OutVoice, a state gay and lesbian rights organization, and Citizens for Justice, a political project of OutVoice. Jerry Bunge, Project Director of Citizens for Justice, explained that "human and civil rights are under attack today and we must all work together. With the Coalition, that's exactly what we're doing."

So far, the Coalition members have been unified in their objectives. That unity will be put to the test later this month, when the group will vote on whether to participate as an amicus (friend of the court) in the legal challenge to Issue 3, the ballot measure which would revoke legal protections for gays and lesbians in Cincinnati.

Both organizations and individuals may be members of the Coalition; however, the only voting members are organizations. To qualify as a member of the coalition, an organization must have a strong record of supporting the civil rights objectives of the Coalition. Yearly dues for organizations range from $25 to $100. Individuals can join as associate members, dues for individuals are $25 per year. Persons interested in membership may call Mike Smalz at 614-299-2114 for more information.

The countdown has begun to Stonewall 25

A major milestone in the history of the modern lesbian and gay struggle for freedom and equality is fast approaching: Stonewall 25, the quarter century anniversary of New York City's Stonewall Riots.

On that fateful June evening in 1969, marginalized gays began fighting back against police oppression and society's condemnation. Today, we have many small victories to celebrate, but the fight is far from over. In fact, fundamentalist forces are on the offensive, seeking to reverse the meager rights gays and lesbians currently enjoy.

That's why we all must get ready to be in New York on Sunday, June 26, for Stone-

wall 25: the International March on the United Nations to affirm the human rights of lesbian and gay people.

The first major planning meeting to organize an Ohio contingent takes place on Saturday, December 18, starting at 9 am at the National Offices of the United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Ave., in downtown Cleveland. Every local gay and lesbian group has been contacted and asked to participate in whatever way they can. This is an opportunity for all in the community to come together and create an exciting event. Plan to be at the meeting, and at Stonewall 25. For more information, contact Victoria Carter through the Center at 522-1999. ▼

DECEMBER 10, 1993 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

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