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GAYLE'S CHRONICLE

An Independent Chronicle of the Ohio Lesbian and Gay Community

SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPT.

MAY 1 1 1994

Volume 9, Issue 22 May 6, 1994

PAT YOUNG

KSU prof denied partner benefit

by Barry Daniels

On April 26, an arbitrator for the American Association of University Professors announced his decision that Kent State University had not discriminated against Associate Professor of Sociology Robert Johnson when it denied his request for health benefits for his domestic partner. The decision represents an important defeat in the ongoing struggle for civil rights for gay people in Ohio.

Johnson requested support of the Kent AAUP chapter-of which he is an officer-early last year after his request for health benefits for his longtime domestic partner was denied by the university. Following AAUP procedures a hearing with Vice Provost Myron Henry was scheduled. Henry upheld the original decision and the AAUP filed a grievance with the University which went to arbitration in December 1993.

The AAUP argued that denial of the benefits to Johnson's partner was discriminatory in light of the language about sexual orientation in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The AAUP believed it had a strong case, especially since during the past year, universities, businesses, and municipal governments around the country have been extending benefits to samesex domestic partners of their employees. Those involved were also aware that there was a good chance

The

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the chosen arbitrator would be a heterosexual from a small town background. This was the case and Johnson, although dismayed, did not seemed surprised by the decision. Johnson noted that the language of the decision was "clearly heterosexist." He said that the decision was based on a very technical interpretation of the language of the contract. For example, since the contract calls for no discrimi-

nation in compensation of employees, the arbitrator argued that health benefits are not technically "compensation."

Johnson stressed that the decision should "very much be viewed as the beginning rather than the end of the process." There are various ways Johnson could proceed. Although a civil suit is possible, he Continued on Page 9

Sailor now has to fight the new ban

Norfolk, Va.-The Navy has resumed discharge proceedings against Lt. j.g. Dirk Selland, a gay sailor who wants to stay in the service.

Selland, 25, has been asked to appear before an administrative board to answer charges that he violated the military's new "don't ask, don't tell" policy covering lesbian and gay service members. No date has been set for the hear-

ing.

Selland, the Atlantic Fleet's only openly gay sailor, will be given a chance to prove that he does not

The Navy's decision comes just weeks after a legal compromise paved the way for Selland to stay in the service.

The Navy agreed in a motion filed in Norfolk federal court to withdraw a separation notice issued to Selland a year ago for violating the military's old gay ban.

Seiland has dropped a lawsuit challenging that ban in U.S. District Court in Washington.

The

compromise allowed

Selland to continue on active duty but did not preclude the Navy from filing new charges under the new

have a "propensity to perform policy, which prohibits military

"homosexual acts" and should be allowed to serve.

Glavolan

officers from asking about a recruit's sexual orientation.

gement, care ill, sad podi-

is also VNA

for the termi-

NA he won and major

INSIDE

✓

COOL

Rainbow Wrangler Ted (r) does the Tush-Push with a visiting Canadian cowboy during the Third Annual Spring Roundup April 15-17. The Wranglers hosted a dancing tour of Cleveland landmarks, including this stop on Public Square. See Section B.

Atlanta partners law

ruled unconstitutional

Atlanta Atlanta officials say they will appeal to the Georgia Supreme Court a reported Superior Court ruling that the city's domestic partners ordinance is unconstitutional.

Judge Isaac Jenrette was to officially enter his written ruling in early May, but he told attorneys for the city and six people who challenged the Atlanta ordinance he has decided the law is unconstitutional, the Atlanta Journal-Con-

stitution reported April 22.

The law allows city employees and their unmarried partners to register as domestic partners and receive city insurance benefits.

The judge ruled "the domestic partnership ordinance was outside (the city's) authority under the municipal home rule act and the Georgia Constitution," said David J. Myers, attorney for the plaintiffs. Continued on Page 6

Author John Preston

dies at 48

Portland, Maine-John Preston,

a nationally known author of gay literature and an activist involved in AIDS-related issues, has died after a long battle with the disease. He was 48.

Preston, co-founder of the nation's first gay community center and an editor of The Advocate, died April 27 at his Portland apartment, friends said April 28.

After preaching safe sex through much of the 1980s, Preston was devastated to learn in 1987 that he was infected with the virus that causes AIDS. He said his sexual behavior reflected the safe sex message contained in his writings and lectures.

Overcoming his initial depression, he went on to write The Big Continued on Page 6

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