CANADIAN

GAY ARCHIVES

DECISION REFUSED BY SUPREME COURT

Monday, October 3, 1977, the Supreme Court refused to review a decision by the Washington State Supreme Court that in effect said homosexuals are immoral and as such, should not be allowed to teach.

In case No. 77-01 Gaylord v. Tacoma (Washington) Schoo! District, the national gay community suffered an apparent setback in the quest for full civil rights.

James Gaylord, a social studies teacher for 13 years, was accused in 1972 by a former student of being homosexual. When confronted by school officials, he admitted this, even though he had not been ac-

HIGH GEAR/OCTOBER 1977

cused of any improper sexual conduct. After firing Gaylord, school officials claimed that his particular sexual preference would impair the learning environment in that school.

Now working for the American Federation of Teachers, Gaylord himself commented, "Needless to say, I'm disappointed. For me it is the end of the road. I'm not terribly happy about losing, but someone else will win, believe me."

But David Hirschi, as assistant to the publisher of the Advocate, considers this most recent development "a serious threat, not only to the rights of gays, but of all human beings."

NGTF COMMENT ON COURT ACTION

The following statement was issued by Jean O'Leary and Bruce Voeller, Co-Executive Directors of the National Gay Task Force:

Once again the Supreme Court of the United States has failed in its responsibility to decide an issue of crucial importance to the civil rights of homosexual citizens. By failing to rule in the case of James Gaylord, who was denied the right to teach solely for being gay, the Supreme Court has added to the climate of fear and intimidation now being directed at this nation's many gay teachers. But it is important to understand that the Court's failure to rule in the Gaylord case sets no precedent of any kind, and has no effect whatsoever on previous state and federal court decisions upholding the right of homosexual teahcers to their jobs: Morrison vs. California Board of Educcation. California Supreme

Court, 1969; Acanfora vs. Montgomery County Board of Education, United States District Court, Maryland, 1972; Burton vs. Cascade School District, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, 1975; and most recently, Aumiller vs. U. of Delaware, U.S. District Court, Delaware, 1977).

The history of civil-rights litigation is replete with refusals on the part of the Supreme Court to take action. But eventually, in cases involving discrimination against blacks, women and other groups, the Court did make positive and precedent-setting rulings. The National Gay Task Force and other gay civil-rights organizations will continue to bring issues of discrimination before the courts, and we are confident that when the Supreme Court finally does rule on gay-rights issues, it will adhere to the constitutional principle of equality under the law.

LOS ANGELES

ANTI-GAY INITIATIVE

This news release is written by church board member, Hugh Hampton, who was notified by telephone last week of the upcoming elections in Los Angeles. After learning of the serious nature of it all, we contacted all baths and bars in an effort to raise funds. Our effort was not in the least successful. Our only collection was from Cleveland Depot Bath.

****

An election is forthcoming in Los Angeles, California which is asking the voters to decide the fate of the gay community just as it did in Dade County, Florida.

The Briggs Initative, as it is called, is asking the voters to repeal the law already established giving equal opportunity in jobs and housing for the gay community.

Most of us are already aware that Los Angeles is the most liberal of all cities in recognizing gay rights. It is easy for this writer to forsee the repercussions this will have all over the country. Will we accept a defeat in California as we did in Florida? If we do, we then acknowledge a future defeat right here in Cleveland and nearby cities as well.

If we do not unite in this effort, it will be Dade County, then Los Angeles, and who knows that the next city could be Cleveland who goes down defeated? Your contribution is needed. Please send your contribution to: Metropolitan Community Church Erieview Station P.O. Box 99234 Cleveland, Ohio, 44199

In a related case on the East coast, Gish v. Board of Education (Case No. 77-03) John Gish was ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation after being elected president of the New Jersey Gay Activist Alliance in 1972. As a teacher under the Paramus (N.J.) School Board, Gish said that this particular decision "violated his rights to privacy, liberty, freedom of expression and equal protection under the law." But, again the Supreme Court refused to review the case.

The American Civil Liberties Union, through Gaylord's defense, will definitely enhance it's anti-discriminatory efforts, although no presently-pending legislation is affected by these rulings.

SUMMIT COALITION

Barberton, Oh: The Summit County Coalition for Gay Rights, formerly Akron Coalition for Gay Rights, has been issued a permit by the city of Barberton to hold a rally at Lake Anna Pavillion at 1:00 pm on November 5.

The group hopes to draw over 200 people. Frank Petrekovich, spokesperson for the group says that the rally is to show Barberton citizens and City Council the need for an ordinance which rights to guarantees homosexuals. The Barberton City council has been less than cooperative,

although,

previously, city Councilman William Brent said that ordinances drawn up by Antioch College students at Yellow Springs, Ohio, would be used for study. Two weeks ago, the city council's welfare and safety committee declined to bring out any gay rights legislation.

Gay people from Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Youngstown are urged to attend. further information is available at all Akron-area gay bars.

OVEN

PERFOR-

MANCES

Oven Productions, Cleveland's non-profit, tax exempt production company, dedicated to presenting performances of feminist artists, will be presenting concerts this fall by Sally Piano on November 12 and Big Mama Poetry Troupe on November 26.

Oven opened its 1977-78 season on October 1, with a successful concert by Rita Coriell and several other local feminist musicians. For more information call 321-0692.

Page 1

REV. PERRY REACHES GOAL, ENDS FAST

The Rev. Troy D. Perry ended a fast for human rights on its 16th day, September 21, when aides told him his goal had been topped and $104,000 had been raised to fight an anti-gay initiative in California.

Three hundred friends and

supporters gathered for an emotion filled worship service on the portico of the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles to celebrate the reaching of the goal and the end of the fast. With tears streaming down smiling faces, those assembled sang "We Shall Overcome" in the light of a television filming.

Weakened but resolute, Rev. Perry spoke for several minutes, loud enough to be heard by the whole gathering. "We are doing God's will. Injustice must be stopped. This is just the beginning. We will fight the fight."

As the long applause faded away, the audience prepared for

their own Communion while Perry and his lover, Ramon (Chip) Garcia, received the Sacrament from the Rev. James Sandmire. Then the fast was symbolically broken. Early in the fast, Perry had promised "Garcia" that he would break the fast

on his favorite, Mexican food. He asked "Garcia” to prepare a cheese enchilada. The doctor allowed him to take one bite -and the fast was ended, but the fight was just begun.

The Board of Elders of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches founded by Rev. Perry sent a letter to the 110 member church bodies asserting that "we believe we are called in this way to return to the enthusiasm of preaching God's inclusive love for all people, so that the Christian Church might be led back to the Gospel principles on which it was founded by Christ Himself."

CENTRAL OHIO GAY COALITION

Support, Dignity/Columbus, Gay Peer Counselling (Open Door Gay Clinic), Gay Alcholics Anonymous (Gay AA), Lutherans Concerned, Parents and Friends of Gays and the Law Assoc. for Lesbian and Gay Civil LibertiesOSU

In July, Central Ohio lesbians invited representatives from the other gay organizations in Columbus to meet to discuss ways in which they could facilitate and improve communications and cooperation among the gay organizations. COGC evolved from that first "board" meeting. The purpose of this "umbrella" organization/coalition is to provide coordinated activities and communication among the Columbus Gay Community, provide a non-specialized gay/lesbain organization for gays who at present are unaffiliated by the existing gay who at present are unaffiliated by the existing gay organizations and to act as the Gay Communities liason with public officials, the media and the non-gay comunity. The gay organizations cooperating in COGC are COL, Gay Activists Alliance-OSU, Lesbian Peer bus, 7 p.m.

In September COGC began publishing a gay community calendar of events and meetings and sponsored a fundraising community-wide picnic. Future plans include a Columbus gay community newspaper, Voter's Guide for the November 8th election, and various fundraising events. A letter protesting the confused and negative stereotypical presentation of the gay male on the new TV program "Soap" has been sent to the local station and national office of ABC by COGC.

Meetings are on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at 1501 Neil Ave., Colum-

ANITA GIVES UP

Florida Citrus Commission, Her talent agency, and her First Federal Savings of Miami contract.

LAKELAND, FLORIDA Anita her; her contract with The Bryant recently told TV Reporters prior to her approval by the Florida Citrus Commission of her campaign that she is giving up any national campaign.

Her acting manager and husband, Bob Green, told NBC news, "We're not carpet baggers!" Ms. Bryant said she would be staying closer to the three things that really count to

ANITA TO APPEAR IN LIMA Anita Bryant will be making an appearance in Lima, Ohio on Wednesday, October 26, 1977. No further details are available at press time, however, all gays are urged to attend.

Ms. Bryant still plans to publish the two books she is writing, "Save Our Children" and "One Woman's Crusade Against the Sin of Homosexuality." The latter includes guidelines for people who want to set up SIMILAR Coalition is to provide Crusades.

SAVE OUR CHILOREE'S