HIGH GEAR/AP 197-8

NGTF MEETS WITH BUREAU

Norman A. Carlson, Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, at a top-level meeting held at the Justice Department on March 16, pledged that National Gay Task Force representatives and other members conducting sensitivitytraining sessions for prison staff at upcoming seminars in Atlanta, Dallas and Denver. He also offered representatives of the gay community the opportunity to go through these stafftraining sessions as full participants, and mentioned the possibility that additional sensitivity training sessions on the concerns of gay inmates might eventually be held at the 38 Federal prisons themselves.

Among those participating in the Washington meeting, along with NGTF Co-Executive Director Jean O'Leary, were Presidential Assistant, Midge Costanza, and Assistant Attorney General, Patricia Wald. "It was a most important and encouraging first step in our relationship with the Bureau of Prisons," O'Leary said, "and we account it among the most productive sessions we've had with Federal agencies to date."

Another direct result of the

meeting was a promise by Carlson to appoint a member of his staff to deal directly with complaints from gay inmates, particularly from those who fear or have experienced sexual assaults, and to act as a liaison

with the gay community. A promise was also made to supply NGTF with full details of Bureau guidelines on classification of prisoners, parole recommendations and the like; and statistics on segregation of prisoners and related matters such as denial of educational and recreational facilities.

In order to evaluate materials received from the Bureau as well as complaints received from inmates in Federal and state prison facilities, and to continue the process of negotiation with prison authorities, NGTF is establishing a prison project, to be headed by Carolyn Handy, who was also present at the meeting. Handy, a resident of Washington, D.C. and a seven-year employee of a Federal agency, is a co-founder of the National Organization of Black Women, a member of the board of directors of the National Women's Education Fund and a member of the National Women's Political Caucus. She is also a former Onondaga County (N.Y.) Human Rights Commissioner and Area Commissioner for the New York Governor's Area Council.

In addition to the meeting's concrete results, NGTF representatives were heartened by Carlson's emphasis on the fact that the Bureau of Prisons and the National Gay Task Force have "a mutual goal, to eliminate violencein prisons," and his suggestion that the Bureau will shortly be revising

its manuals to reflect its under-

standing that prison rape is not a "homosexual" problem, but a problem related to violence in general.

The Bureau's position has been that dissemination of gayoriented materials in the prisons, and visitation by gay ministers would contribute to violence by identifying prisoners as gay, and no discussion of these issues took place at the meeting since they are currently

in litigation, but NGTF representative came away with the impression that the Bureau's in creased understanding of the nature of sexual assaults in prisons represents an important first step toward resolving the issues which still divide the Bureau and the gay community.

Also present at the meeting, representing the gay com munity, were David Rothenberg, Executive Director of the Four-

tune Society and former NGTF board chairperson; The Rev. Troy Perry, moderator and Elder, Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches; Nan Hunter of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund; and Robert Arthur and John Wahl, attorneys representing the Metropolitan Community Church Prison Project.

On the government side, also in attendance were Robert

STRUGGLE IS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

Senator George S. McGovern spoke out for gay rights at a meeting held recently by the New Alliance for Gay Equality (New AGE). More than 1000 people attended the event, held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.

The event was sponsored by 52 individuals, organizations, and businesses, including Shirley Warren Beatty, MacLaine, Barbra Streisand, Marlo Thomas, data Boy and the Young Republicans.

McGovern stated that there should be no controversy over personal rights to privacy and freedom from discrimination. "I had to accept this invitation because of the basic principles you and I stand for in all the struggles against discrimination. I don't think anyone needs to be told this is a controversial area, but I don't think there's any need for controversy over someone's freedom to personal privacy and against prejudice." McGovern is said to be

INSTALLATION OF PASTOR -The Rev. Howard Gaas, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church in Cincinnati, kneeling with back to camera, is installed as pastor of the congregation. Those participating in the Installation service, from left,

considering Senate sponsorship of a gay rights bill.

"The issue here is essentially what it was 15 years ago," he claimed, "when John Kennedy spoke of the very premise of American democracy, that equal rights and equal opportunity are inherent in the life of this land."

Other speakers at the event included openly lesbian Dr. Josette Mondanaro, recently

reinstated head of the state drug abuse program; the Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the Metropolitan Community Church; Linda Hopkins, star of "Bessie and Me;" and California Assemblypersons Willie Brown and Art Agnos, sponsors of the state gay civil rights bill.

New AGE is an organization formed in Los Angeles last summer in response to the

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Maulsom of the President's Domestic Council; Eric Richard of the Department of Justice, Marilyn Haft and Seymour Wishman, assistants to Ms. Costanza; Curtis Sitterson, representing the Bureau's General Counsel; and Dr. Peter Nacci, who is conducting a sexuality study for the Bureau, and who will be meeting with representatives of NGTF and the gay community next month.

defeat of the gay rights ordinance in Dade County last June. Its Board of Directors is composed of ten lesbians, ten gay men, five non-gay women and five non-gay men. In addition to its educational goals, the present focus of New AGE is to defeat the Briggs initiative, which would call for the firing of gays in California's public schools.

SAN FRANCISCO SUPPORTS GAYS

San Francisco will shortly be added to the growing list of U.S. cities which have passed ordinances banning discrimination in areas of employment, housing and public accommodations based on sexual or affectional preference.

All but one of this city's supervisors approved the homosexual rights ordinance that many consider the most stringent and encompassing in the nation.

are, the Rev. Ted Richmond, Detroit; the Rev. William Black, hidden to right of Mr. Richmond, rector of the Church of Our Saviour, host parish; the Rev. George

McDermott, Indianapolis; the Rev. Wayland Melton, assistant rector of the

The ordinance is further evidence of the growing political power of homosexuals in this area. Estimates of San Francisco's gay population vary from one in seven to one in three.

Late last year Harvey Milk, the first admitted homosexual, running for the office of supervisor, was elected with the voting power of area gays.

"This is the most stringent gay

host parish; the Rev. Karen Wheeler, Akron; the Rev. Elder James Sandmire, from the national office of MCC, Los Angeles; the Rev. Elder Nancy Wison, Detroit and the Rev Angeline Umbertino, Akron. Picture by W. RODEHAVER, JR.

rights law in the country," said Supervisor Milk." This one has teeth; a person can go to court if his rights are violated once this is passed." Under the ordinance, persons claiming discrimination could file a complaint with the city's Human Rights Commission, sue the courts for damages or ask the district attorney to initiate ac. tion.

Milk described homosexuals here as "ecstatic" that the longdelayed ordinance has been approved by such an impressive margin.

"All this says is that gay people are OK," said supervisor Gordon Lau after a two hour debate. It says "if gay people can do the job, hire them; if they can pay the rents, rent to them. It affirms a basic right to be treated as a human being."

Some supervisors indicated concern that many area residents who are already upset by the "demands" of "large minorities" like the homosexual community would either leave the city or react punitively if the ordinance goes through.

Other supervisors expressed concern that the ordinance would be upheld if tested in the courts.

Gays have formed alliances with labor and other minority groups and this combined political pressure undoubtedly persuaded hesitant supervisors to view the measure as a civil rights measure and not as an endorsement of homosexuality. Mayor George Moscone has .said he will sign the legislation when it comes across his desk. He has often demonstrated his

support of homosexuals in speeches calling them at times "my people." He has appointed openly gay individuals to boards and commissions over which he has appointment authority.