GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 24, 1995

Zero tolerance

COMMUNITY FORUM

The following letter to the editor was sent

to the Toledo Blade.

To the Editors:

We as a society must develop the attitude that no form of hate crimes including bashing will be tolerated, no matter what the excuse or rationale of the perpetrators, period. There are no exceptions for this negative behavior against any person no matter what your belief system nor position in the community.

Just when we think that progress is being made in the area of human rights for all people, we are hit with a glaring example that shatters the illusion, and the cold reality of life returns.

These aberrations do not take place in Toledo, they just happen in other places, is the common misperception. Victims are often hesitant to report them for fear of exposure, which provides a feeding ground for those phobic individuals who bash. It is even more disconcerting when those who are supposed to protect and serve the populace engage in those behaviors.

The incident at the Diplomat is a painful example. No one should have to be subjected to the verbal abuse that was documented on the 911 tape and the physical abuse documented on the security camera. It is completely inappropriate behavior.

What can we do as individuals to stop hate crimes such as gay bashing and to support human rights for all?

THE OPEN PRAIRIE by Joe Noover

•Educate by setting positive examples in your own life.

•Get the facts on a given issue. •Verbalize your disapproval of hateful remarks and do not engage in them to be polite.

•Do not support those who foster hate in the media and political arena.

•Cut off financial support for the haters. •Question why is it necessary to oppress people to achieve your goals.

This blatant example of gay bashing makes one wonder what group will be the next target for hate.

Sincerely,

James B. Wozniak

Community Forum

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The following letter was sent to the president of Concerned Women of America. CWA recently ran an advertisement in newspapers nationwide launching a campaign to condemn both Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual History Month and the National Education Association for supporting it.

Dear Beverly [LaHaye, CWA president],

We would like to thank you for your mailing to your members to promote the existence of Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual His-

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years as they see fit. It may take a while for history to be inclusive of gays and lesbians, but it took time for blacks and women to be accorded respect in our history books. But in the end, rest assured, accuracy and tolerance will win and hatred and prejudice will lose. Someday, we pray that you will join the side of tolerance.

Sincerely, National Coordinating Council Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual History Month Project, Inc.

tory Month. Our organization is very small Looking for crusaders

and just beginning. We have very limited funds. One of our biggest obstacles to gaining observance of Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual History Month has been the lack of visibility our project has received.

Thanks to the CWA, our problems are nearly solved. Today, millions more people know that October is Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual History Month than knew even two weeks ago. Your letter to your members and the publicity the letter has generated has given the observance the visibility it so richly deserves.

We must quarrel with your assessment of the NEA and of the goals of History Month, however. We seek an accurate portrayal of history. The time for the systematic exclusion of the contributions of gays and lesbians from history is past. People are people. The vast majority of America is coming to recognize that stereotypes and prejudice are wrong and unfair. The elimination of lesbian and gay people from history, or the elimination of a person's homosexuality from a discussion of their life, is an affront to academic freedom.

The NEA is to be congratulated for supporting the celebration of a lesbian and gay history month as one possible means of educating and reducing stereotypes. People, including teachers (gay or straight) will celebrate history month this year and in coming

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To the Editors:

Let me say first that I have a major civil rights allegation against the Ohio State System of higher Education and perhaps the office of the governor. Second, I want to note that the so-called “Gay community" has been unwilling to do anything about it. The staff of the Chronicle has refused to investigate and report on the matter, the "Gay" attorneys who advertise in this paper have refused to become involved in the case. If the "Gay community" does not care or express interest in government sanctioned bigotry-then in my opinion it gets what it deserves.

The crux of the matter is that I have been denied employment and educational opportunities at two state universities from 1992 to the present. The basis of the denial of these opportunities was (is) my sexual orientation and possibly also ethnicity and differential ability. There are state laws, city ordinances, a governor's executive order, and published university policies and procedures against such action. Yet, everyone in both the concerned university administrations, city, and state governments say it's not their job to investigate the complaint. As I said the socalled "Gay" attorneys who advertise in the Chronicle are afraid to get involved, the nonGay firms I have contacted want at least $10,000 to begin a case (how a person is

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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Volume 11, Issue 11

Publisher:

Business Manager:

Managing Editor:

Associate Editor:

Martha J. Pontoni

Patti Harris

Doreen Cudnik Brian De Witt

Reporters & Writers: Barry Daniels, John Graves, Jeff Hirst, Dawn Leach, M.T. Martone, Michael Miller, Daniel R. Mullen, Timothy Robson, Paul Schwitzgebel, Thom Sommers, John Young Photographers:

Art Director: Production/Admin.:

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Barbara Bodemer,

Beth Leonard Christine Hahn Gina Adkins David A. Ebbert Rivendell Marketing 212-242-6863 David A. Ebbert 800-426-5947

The Gay People's Chronicle is dedicated to providing a space in the Ohio lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community for all of its members to communicate and be involved with each other. This means that every Chronicle, to the best of its ability, will be equally dedicated to both men's and women's issues, as well as issues that affect the entire community. This balance will provide lesbians and gay men with a forum to air grievances and express joys.

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supposed to obtain such money while a victim of employment discrimination I don't know). Calling the ACLU was no helpthey only want to talk to other attorneys or reporters—and when you write them all you get is a card that says, “We are very busy so get a private attorney." Stonewall has been no help whatsoever.

Perhaps I was stupid to join the fight for equality by starting a Gay and Lesbian Alliance on a campus where there was none. Perhaps it's ridiculous to expect the Chronicle to do some good honest investigative reporting. Perhaps it was naive of me to think that those attorneys who ask for gay business are interested in fighting the cases that will win us true liberation from grotesque official oppression. Perhaps I was a fool to think justice was available to the average person (or victim of abusive use of state power) and not just a commodity sold to the highest bidder.

Are you an attorney or member of an organization who can help in this fight? Give me, Patrick J. Pacalo, a call-I have a stack of documents and internal memoranda that will knock your socks off. Perhaps my cynical friend who will remain nameless here is correct when he says "the only things that count in the gay community are money and who you are seen in the bars with." Unless some of the laws and policies on the books are enforced-we are going to get nowhere. I am willing to share a healthy percentage of any recovery to anyone who will represent me-any fellow "crusaders" out there? If so, feel free to call: 216-265-0996.

Patrick J. Pacalo