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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

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SEPTEMBER 2, 1994

OH...WILL I EVER FIND A WOMAN WHO LIKES WALKS ALONG THE BEACH AND THE SMELL

OF DAMP BIRKENSTOCKS

HI, MY NAME IS DAWN & I LOVE THE SMELL OF DAMP BIRKENSTOCKS! LET'S DO BRUNCH!!

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Oompah, oompah

Musicians wait to entertain festival-goers at the Ninth Annual German Village Oktoberfest, held this year on September 9, 10 and 11. The event returns to the northern edge of German Village at the corner of South Grant and East Livingston Aves. in downtown Columbus.

The Oktoberfest offers a variety of entertainment, and something to tempt every appetite. The Cabaret Tent will feature some familiar faces including: 5:00-6:30 pm, Esther Craw and Glen Wilson

6:30-7:30 pm, Pauken & Company Sing-Along

7:30-8:30 pm, Sadie Green Sales Ragtime Jugband

8:30-8:45 pm, “Trashy” Fashion Show with Emcee Marshall Hood 8:45 pm-12:00 midnight, Mad Dog Adams of Cleveland

Crime bill includes higher sentences for anti-gay crimes

Washington, D.C.-The much-delayed federal crime bill, passed August 25 in a final vote in the Senate, includes two measures affecting lesbians and gays: the Hate Crimes Sentencing Enhancement Act and the Violence Against Women Act.

The Hate Crimes Sentencing Enhancement Act will advance the federal response to crimes in which the perpetrator intentionally selects a victim because of his or her "actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation." Specifically, the act increases penalties for federal crimes that are hatemotivated and enhances federal sentences not less than three offense levels.

"This act sends a dramatic signal to those who seek to victimize gay people, and others," said Tanya Domi National Gay and Lesbian Task Force legislative director. “The federal government declares that hate crimes will be taken seriously by the federal courts and will be punished."

Introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, DCalif, the act was modeled on the state hate crime statute in Wisconsin. That measure passed constitutional muster when it was unanimously upheld in the Supreme Court last year. Twenty-six states and Washington, D.C. have laws that enhance penalties for

hate crimes, with 12 states and D.C. including sexual orientation in those statutes. (Ohio is one of the states that doesn't include sexual orientation.)

Passage of the measure is especially timely, with several anti-gay incidents garnering media attention nationwide. Gay and lesbian activists in Salt Lake City staged a rally last month after a district court judge reduced the sentence in a case involving the killing of a gay man. While the case proved the victim had been targeted because he was gay, the perpetrator was charged merely with manslaughter and received a sentence of only six years.

"Many vicious crimes against gay, lesbian and bisexual people are not federal crimes, and will not be directly impacted by this legislation," Domi said. "However, it is imperative that the highest level of government send a message that hate crimes will not go unpunished in this society."

Along with the Hate Crime Sentencing Enhancement Act, the Violence Against Women Act was folded into the massive crime bill. That act doubles the federal penalty for repeat sex offenders and requires that federal laws treat acquaintance rape and stranger rape the same. The act also mandates restitution for the victims of sex crimes.

Saturday, Sept. 10, 1994. 11am-midnight Frontier Ranch near Kirkersville, OH $15 advance, $20 at gate

Karen Williams, disappear fear, Columbus Women's Chorus,

Susan Herrick, K.J. Denhert,

The Lesbian Business Association's

Kathryn Warner w/Sandy Ayala,

the rhythm method, Jess Hawk Oakenstar 占胆

More info: (614) 267-3953. Ticket outlets:

Ohio

Lesbian Festival

Columbus: Fan the Flames, Grapevine Cafe, Kukala's, Wall Street.

Cincinnati: Crazy Ladies. Cleveland: Gifts of Athena. Indianapolis:

Dreams & Swords. Toledo: Tallulah's. Yellow Springs: Rita Kaz Studio & Gallery

ALLEN ZAK