NOVEMBER 25, 1994 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 11

SPEAK OUT

With the Right now in power, organization is a must

by Peri Jude Radecic

The history of the gay and lesbian civil rights movement is one of many victories and, unfortunately, many defeats. The 1994 clections are no exception. The gay and lesbian community celebrates the defeat of the anti-gay ballot initiatives in Oregon and Idaho. We congratulate the No On One and No On Thirteen campaigns for their successful effort in discrediting the right wing's deceitful, mean-spirited scapegoating of gay, lesbian and bisexual

people by showing the

nates Congress. In local communities, antigay and anti-choice ballot measures are being joined by measures that limit basic government services, persecute immigrants, censor our schools and libraries and remove protective environmental and labor laws.

The cultural warriors Pat Buchanan and Pat Robertson are hearing their battle cries against immigrants, strong sexual harassment laws, welfare and other entitlement programs echoed in every sector of society. Having created an economic mess with trickle-down economics they are proposing we mop up the mess with new immigrants, gays and les-

public the real face of We are moving from a strategy of promoting our

gay America.

We also share the con-

cern of gay men and lesVisibility to one of building bins, the poor, bians in Alachua organization.

County, Florida whose

neighbors voted away

protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation. The voters of Alachua County voted instead to preserve their special right to discriminate.

The American people voted to hand political control of the United States Senate, House of Representatives and many governorships to a Republican Party more lopsided toward Far Right politics than ever before. Acting out of fear, many voters supported candidates far from the mainstream Republican Party.

The real tragedy of these elections is that too many voters believed the lies, accepted the stereotypes and voted against the public interest by supporting anti-gay, racist or sexist candidates and initiatives. Voters in state after state elected Far Right candidates and supported Far Right agendas that were foreign even to the platform of a conservative Republican Party.

Our challenge at the federal level will be unprecedented. Pushing proactive AIDS, health care, anti-discrimination and hate crime measures in an increasingly hostile environment will be daunting. At the same time, we will be fighting to fend off proactive radical right measures. In all the years of an active gay and lesbian civil rights presence on Capitol Hill, there has never been a wholly Republican Congress.

We call on President Clinton to use his executive veto power to prevent a congressional assault on the lives of any groups used as scapegoats by the Far Right. It is the responsibility of Congress and the President to protect people of color, women, gays and lesbians, new immigrants, the elderly and the disabled from attack by an arch-conservative Congress.

What is of even greater concern than the loss of Democratic seats to Republicans, is what these results indicate about the mood of the nation's electorate. We are concerned about the growing influence of the right wing on American political, economic and cultural life. The Republican Party-newly invigorated by right wing infiltration-domi-

MONEY TO BURN

For the hottest deals in town, people "in the know" know that the Gay People's Chronicle Classifieds are the best place to start shopping!

Sell Your Stuff in the Chronicle Classifieds, It's only $10. for the First 25 Words! Send Your Check or Money Order With Your Classified to: GPC PO Box 5426 Cleveland, Ohio 44101

women, the disabled, the elderly, our public schools and po-

lice forces and middle-class voters who rely on many of the basic government services the right hopes to privatize or destroy.

The Far Right is capturing the public debate surrounding too many of these issues. What was once a right-wing solution to crime has become a mainstream crime bill that proposes to lock up criminals and throw away the key on the one hand, as we remove the schools, job programs, educational opportunities and investment climate that might discourage crime on the other.

What was once a right wing solution to undocumented immigration has become a popular ballot measure in California. Proposition 187, passed overwhelmingly by a margin of 2 to 1, will punish the children of undocumented immigrants. I can not believe that this is the true direction of American politics. When all we can do is build jails and

PROGRESSIVE

URBAN REAL ESTATE

PURE

PHONE: 589-9696

1017 Fairfield Ave. Cleveland, OH 44113

Open Sunday, Nov 27, 1-3 pm 324 Groveland Club: $56,900

Three bedroom Dutch Colonial on private street north of Lakeshore offering Lake Erie access; possible in-law suite. Jayne Mansfield-pink pedestal sink in bathroom. With woodburning fireplace, garage. West Blvd: $79,900

Craftsman bungalow with spacious kitchen, formal dining room, first floor master bedroom and full bath; great floor plan for entertaining. Nice lot with herb garden; two car garage.

Franklin Blvd: $110,000

Large rehabbed Victorian in excellent Ohio City location. Five bedrooms, three full baths. Crown moldings, pocket doors, fireplaces.

Ohio City: $84,900

Stunning contemporary rehab. Spacious rooms, lofted kitchen with skylight. All new mechanicals; off-street parking. Special financing available.

North of Lakeshore: $98,900

Four bedroom colonial located on a private beach club street (a real beach too, with sand). All rooms are large and nicely finished and most provide lake views. Brand new kitchen with green house window. Big ol' front porch; lovely, well-maintained yard, garage and extra parking.

Near West Side: $67,500

Ready to go restaurant and two residential units in immaculate condition. Good tenants in apartments, two car garage. Exquisitely 60's rental unit fit for Napoleon Solo. Restaurant includes all equipment. Located in high traffic, high visibility area.

Your community real estate company. Ask us about our other listings.

not build communities, we are heading in the wrong direction.

The victories of the Far Right are the product of years of practice. They've practiced their divide and conquer strategy for years in campaigns against abortion, school desegregation, pay equity for women, and programs to aid the poor, the disabled, the elderly and children. On the national level, they've expended millions of dollars on voter research to learn how to turn American voters against one another so that theocratic special interest groups can turn back basic rights for everyone and reserve special rights for themselves.

We have successfully promoted a visibility strategy that is fast moving us from the margins to the mainstream of American life.

At the same time we are achieving greater victories than could ever have been imagined even ten years ago, we are also faced with unprecedented challenges. It is time for us to get back to basics.

We are moving from a strategy of promoting our visibility to one of building organization. We will build across our differences to those with whom we share a common dream of equality and justice, we will build local organizations that will expand our base of power beyond the urban gay meccas. And one day we will finally create a place for us at the table of national politics that can no longer be sacrificed to political expediency.

Peri Jude Radecic is executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

U4ia

First Fridays!

December 2

Cyclone Sisters

Featuring Keli, Tina, & K.J.

-

DECEMBER 30 PRE-NEW YEARS EVE PRIDE BASH

w/Live Entertainment

JANUARY 6

Odd Girl Out

Doors Open 9:00pm • Dancing til clo w/DJ Sue Marie • $5.00 Cover Presented in

on with Bluefish Productions and Pride Inc.

216371

10630 Berea Road • Cleveland, Ohio

OPEN

Monday & Wednesday 9am-7pm

Tuesday & Friday 9am-6pm

Saturday 9-3

Between Detroit & Madison, East of 117th

(216) 631-7111

MADISON AVENUE

ANIMAL HOSPITAL

17306 Madison Ave., Lakewood, OH 44107 521-7060

DR. MATT BIGELOW

The New

Science Diet Health

Blend Food is in.

Come by today to find out how you can keep your pet healthy and earn money back by feeding this superior new diet.