Page 2 HIGH GEAR

Pastor appointed

NEWS

Anita picketed in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio Over 150 members and friends of the Ohio

confronted, these church members admitted that they, too,

were sinners, as were all people, in their view. They could not justify their singling out of Gay Peo-

as their target. They were approached later by police, who told them to stop handing out tracts until they had a permit. However, the finger-points and

chants continued.

Gay community, met on Anita Bryant's appearance here in Columbus with a strong show of solidarity, strength, and cooper-ple ation. The peaceful demonstration, planned and coordinated by Central Ohio Gay Coalition, was held during the early evening of November 27, in front of the Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Columbus. Anita Bryant was appearing inside then at the 60th Annual Ohio Farm Bureau Convention, at a special awards and recognition event. Her appearance, promoted by the Farm Bureau as "for entertainment purposes only" was donated by the Florida Citrus Commission. As she sang inside demonstrators carried signs and chanted slogans.

Groups involved included Dignity/Columbus, Mcc/Columbus

Gay Alliance, Lesbian Peer Support, Woman's Action Collective, Parents and Friends of Gays and Ohio Gay Rights Coalition. Many were involved who were not allied with any particular group. "We're trying to include all the people who are oppressed by Anita Bryant, not just Gay people," according to C.O.G.C. member and High Gear Columbus Associate Editor Rob Davis, quoted in the Dayton Daily News. "We're including women, Jewish people and blacks," (Ms. Bryant testified against an open housing ordinance in Dade County, Florida about ten years ago, and her opinions against women, Jewish people and Gay people are because of the way she reads the Bible). Her wide-sweeping opinions against most minorities, and the opening community among the various minority efforts here in Columbus helped to cause the large turnout. People are realizing that we not only have to watch out for ourselves, but we also have to watch out for each other. Cooperation and community spirit have certianly been strong due to this joint effort. We have been threatened, now we are growing.

Members of the Bible Believers Baptist Church in Columbus stood and watched the demonstration, trying to pass out Bible tracts to those in the march. Finger points and chants of "You Sinners" were common. When

Police reported that the demOnstration was most peaceful. There were no reports of problems, and the marshalls reported no serious difficulties. One demonistrator decided to yell obscenities at one point, and he was approached by two marshalls (and three policemen). He stopped yelling within 15 seconds or so. This type of immaturity is what is remembered by our enemies the most. This is why we must be overly mature and respectful in all we

do. To gain our equality, all too often, we must be better than everyone else.

One quiet moment was the pained silence when the death earlier that day of Harvey Milk, the first openly Gay public offiannounced. The grief of that cial in San Francisco, was event certianly strengthened

many people's resolve. To the background of chants from the Bible Believers and the traffic nearby, the song "We Shall Overcome" rose from the crowd as the marching continued. Singing continued through much of the rest of the demonstration.

The demonstration followed by a community celebration in the MCC building in Columbus About 100 people were present for this event, which featured speakers from the many involved organizations. Community strength and cooperation were celebrated. This gathering was an appropriate closing for a most strong showing in Columbus. Hopefully, we will carry the newly found unity with us for a long time.

The Rev. Dr. David L. Downing, Church at Springfield, Ohio, for Pastor of Faith Community the past several years will

become the Pastor of United Community Church at Dallas, Texas shortly after the first of the year.

Dr. Downing was also elected ted Christians Fellowship at their recording secretary for the Unireent conference at Dallas. Both

church and fellowship have min-

istries geared toward the Gay community.

More on 50-50

Some explanation is required as to what a 50-50 contest is. In such a contest tickets are sold and the money collected is divided in half between the organization holding the contest and the contest winner.

For the 50-50 contest being conducted by HIGH GEAR 3000 tickets have been printed. Each ticket is being sold for one dollar. Tickets are selling quite well right now and it is not impossible that the lucky winner of our

Conservative tinge in new Senate

drawing will end up with $1500. So try your luck. The more people that buy the bigger the prize gets. The more lucky the

lucky person becomes. You also help to support those who sup-

port you.

Those affiliated with GEAR, HIGH GEAR, or on GCCC Staff are not eligible to take part.

Buy some tickets from a GEAR representative soon. The contest ends March 15.

Gay rights and the Congress

By R. ADAM DeBAUGH With the electin of a new Congress, prospects for Gay civil rights legislation take on a different dimension from the way such legislation was received in the 95th Congress.

There has yet to be a Gay rights bill introduced in the Senate, nor has there been any kind of roll-call vote on Gay rights issues there as has been the case in the House of Representatives, so it is difficult to document individual Senator's positions on the issue. We have gained a few friends there in the recent election, but for the most part the more conservative tinge of the new Senate may not bode well for Gay people at all.

There are two ways we can document support for Gay rights in the House of Representatives in the 95th Congress: cosponsorship of the national Gay civil rights bills, H.R. 2998 and H.R. 7775, and voates on the McDonald amendment in June, 1977, which could have prohibited the Legal Services Corpo-

ration from being involved in any litigation involving Gay rights of homosexuality.

Of the 133 members who voted

against the McDonald amendment (or for Gay rights0, 14 did not run for re-election. Of the 119 who ran for re-election, 108 (or 90.8 per cent) won and 11 (or 9.2 per cent) were defeated.

At the end of the 95th Congress there were 39 co-sponsors of the national Gay civil rights bills. Two resigned from Congress to run for other offices, Yvonne Braithwaite Burke of California, and Don Fraser of Minnesota, and one retired from the House, Michael Harrington of Massachusetts. Of the 36 remaining, one did not get reelected, Robert N.C. Nix of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

in balance, the House of Representatives will look much the same as it did in the 95th Congress. Enough conservative members were defeated or retired to balance off liberal losses. We have retained a solid core of members who have cosponsored Gay rights legislation

or who have put themselves on record by voting against the McDonald amendment so that we can be assured that we have a base of support in the House.

Things to look for in the 96th Congress start with the introduction of the national Gay civil rights bill early in the session, probably January, 1979. Steve Endean. Executive Director of will be spearheading the lobby the Gay Rights National Lobby, ing effort, with the close cooperation of the staff of the Washington Office of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. We are currently holding discusions with a wide range of people about what the bill will look like next year and who the prime sponsor will be.

In addition, it is possible that hearings will be held in the 96th Congress. That decision is yet to be made. The main thrust in the House will be to get as many cosponsors on the bill as possible. We are also hoping for a Gay rights bill to beintroduced in the US Senate, and Senators need

to be urged to co-sponsor such a measure in the 96th Congress.

Other issues of concern to the Gay community will be the Equal Rights Amendment (which is still awaiting three more states for ratification); probable introduction of a third U.S. Criminal Code reform bill (by now it will be the "Grandchild of S-1"); possible threats to the family planning material on homosexuality, aborservices funding of educational tion, and birth control; and the chance of additional "McDonald Amendment" kinds of surprises.

What is needed more than anything else is for Gay people and supptive non-Gays to write letters or telegrams, or make telephone calls or personal visits, to both their Senators and Representatives in the House urging co-sponsorship of the national Gay civil rights bill. Please send copies of any letters you may send to UFMCC Congressional File, Suite 210, 110 Maryland Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002.

Courtesy of Gays on the Hill,

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