JULY 5, 1996

GAY PEOPle's ChronICLE 15

COMMUNITY GROUPS

With initiatives dead, civil rights laws are up to us

by Bill Henderson

The historic May 20 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on Colorado's Amendment 2 will invalidate any attempt, even by a majority of voters, to deny you access to constitutional protections, to the benefits of local governments, and to your right of equal participation in American society.

Further, the ruling also stated the court's view that the “special rights” rhetoric developed by the right wing especially for Cincinnati's Issue 3, and reused by conservatives in arguments before the Supreme Court considering Colorado's Amendment 2 was specious.

In the majority opinion written by Justice Anthony Kennedy the court stated clearly that such rhetoric was a blatant attempt to cover personal animosity toward people who are homosexual and deny them equal protection under the law.

However, the Supreme Court did not, nor was it asked to, rule that local or state governments which do not yet specify sexual orientation as a class protected against discrimination must do so. We must run and then win each such local or statewide race for ourselves. But now, even a majority of voters cannot create laws to stop us from seeking these protections!

I hear the Supreme Court as telling the rest of America, "Back off and let these folks just do their work, as provided by the Constitution." I hear the Supreme Court telling you, each of you, "On your mark... get set... speak up for yourself!"

In Cuyahoga County there are nearly three dozen local governments. Only two of these provide written protection against having rights denied based on sexual orientation. In Franklin and Hamilton counties the same situation or worse exists. The simple fact is

that no one will change this for you out of political generosity. (No, not even Democrats, trust me. They are not that generous.) What the court has done is clear your path of the blatant bigots. Now you must stand up, walk up, and speak up for yourself. Do you

protections from employment and housing discrimination in our city. These are good people. They are just so busy that you are going to have to remind them that this is work they must now do. Many of them have promised you this already. Maybe yours is the reminder that

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really want to claim your full and equal rights to participate in this society? Then your first steps are simple, now.

May I suggest you write to your local mayor (in Lakewood that is Madeline Cain) and ask that sexual orientation be included in

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You can also call your city hall and find our who your councilmember is. Call or write them as well. OutVoice and Ohioans Against Discrimination have worked for months with your local Stonewall to create

statewide coordination of efforts. Go to your next Stonewall meeting and help organize with your friends to do this local work! (Look for "Stonewall" under your city in the "Community Groups" section of the directory in the back of this paper.) Lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and straight folks have done heroic work locally to create these political organizations for you. Now the Supreme Court is urging you to get involved and take control for your future!

If you are unable to find a local group to help you, please call OutVoice at 216651-2341, and we will help you make contact with the nearest local organization.

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