GAA denounces Voeller

The Gay Activists Alliance has denounced Dr. Bruce Voeller for his scheme to enrich himself and the avowed enemies of gay people.

Dr. Voeller, through the Royce Carlton Agency, is sending advertising to gay groups asking that they sponsor "debates" between Voeller and any of several well known anti-gay bigots. The groups which are being solicted for these debates are not being informed of the fact that for

The following is a press release from the Gay Activists Alliance:

every "debate" they pay for the bigot gets a share of the money. Dr. Voeller gets his money, the agency gets its money, and, by giving money to their enemies, gay people contribute to their own oppression.

On the advertising material which is used to solicit gay money for these "debates." Dr. Voeller's former presidency of GAA is cited as a credential. This may suggest to some that GAA

approves of or participates in this nefarious scheme. The Gay Activists Alliance wants it to be known that we not only do not support it, but we denounce it.

The meaningful debates on gay rights and gay liberation are happening in the homes, streets and neighborhoods of America, not in staged tableaux which are used to fund our enemies in their efforts to wipe gay people from the face of the earth.

Insemination info sought

DETROIT, MI On January 26 and 27, the Policy Council of the Michigan Organization For Human Rights met at the Metropolitan Community Church in Detroit. Delegates from 24 groups across Michigan attended. Besides business sessions and committee meetings, two workshops were featured: "Affirmation, Not Denial," a values clarification workshop hosted by the MOHR Education -Committee, and "Legislative initiatives" featuring Rick Stokes of San Francisco.

Rick Stokes, known from the movie Word Is Out, also spoke at a public forum held at the University Hills Christian Reformed Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan, where he spoke on non-victim crimes and sexual minorities.

The Policy Council adopted several resolutions, the most

RICK STOKES

substantive being to establish two task forces. Under Records Officer, Peggy Nelson, a Task Force On Investigating Discrimination Against Lesbians Seeking Artificial Insemination, was established. This project grew out of frequent complaints coming in to the MOHR Office that Michigan doctors who perform artificial insemination, particularly in the Detroit can be used as a means for enforcing nondiscrimination for lesbians and single women.

A second resolution established a Human Services Task Force which was charged with publishing a comprehensive directory of services to lesbians and gay men in Michigan, including legal, medical, counselling. V.D. screening, substance abuse, and support groups. The directory will be on sale by late 1979.

NGTF reschedules dialog

The National Gay Task Force has rescheduled the National Week of Dialogue with the Media About Gay and Lesbian Concerns. The new date for the educational program is March 24th through the 31st, 1979 (not February 11-17 as previously announced). A variety of logistical problems and difficulties with printing and production schedules caused a delay in the availability of supporting printed materials for the Week of Dialogue events.

Bill Doubleday, education officer for the project, said, "We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause some groups which have already made

plans for the February date. But we believe it is essential that effective printed materials be in their hands well in advance of the Week of Dialogue."

Doubleday emphasized that those groups which cannot reschedule their activiies should contact Group Officer Ms. J.E. Myers at NGTF. 'We will do everything we can to be of assistance if they need printed materials in February," he said.

Groups which had not previously planned to participate in the program now have an opportunity to become involved in the project. If these groups are interested in participating in the March event, they should also

Frat okays gays

Hanover, Pa. Phi Tau, a major fraternity at Dartmouth College, has amended its membership non-discrimination clause to include the protection of gays. The new clause forbids discrimination on the basis of sexual preference in the selection of brothers. So far as is known, the amendment is the first written statement concerning sexual preference in the entire college fraternity system.

More than two-thirds of the 43 on-campus members of the fra-ternity voted to add sexual preference to the list of criteria which may not be used in choosing

new members. The other criteria are race, religion, national origin, and sex. Phi Tau President Frank Smith said that the members voted to add the clause "as a reminder for us and a reminder for brothers ten or twenty years from now of the house's beliefs." He added that the vote was intended as an internal moral stance rather than a "political statement." "We aren't tyring to start any movement, it's just in the house."

Phi Tau was one of the first fraternities to break with its national organization in 1956 over racial and religious discrimination poli-

contact Ms. Myers (call 212-7415817, or write NGTF at 80 Fifth Avenue, Room 1601, New York, New York, 10011).

The Week of Dialogue with the Media is a national educationai program focused on dealing with the media about lesbian and gay concerns. Printed resources will be available to participating groups for their use during the Week of Dialogue, including a programming guide; a comprehensive Media Manual for Gay Organizations; a leaflet for gay people on what they can do about the media as individuals; and a leaflet for media professionals about gay issues and accurate reporting.

cies. In 1972, Phi Tau was the first house to accept women members. The issue of sexual preference was raised over a year ago when the Gay Student Support Group asked all campus fraternities to take a position on homosexual membership. Though several fraternities have agreed to study the question, Phi Tau is the first to take any written position whatever. Several officers of other fraternities noted that, though there was no official policy for discriminating against gays, a person's being gay would "hurt his chances."

Courtesty of GPU News, 2/79

HIGH GEAR Page 3

New co-director for black gays

COLUMBIA, MD. National Coalitions of Black Gays announced the appointment of Rev. Delores P. Berry as its codirector. Berry is founder and past director of Baltimore Coalition of Black Gay Women and Men, assistant pastor of Metropolitan Community Church in Baltimore and active with Ultimate Woman, Baltimore Gay Alliance and Baltimore Gay Community Center. She is also affiliated with MCC's Task Force on Racism and Task Force on Women. Recently, Rev. Berry was appointed to MCC's New Freedom Evangelist Team of Universal Fellowship which will

be taking her around the country for the next 12 months.

·

Berry will be sharing the directorship with A. Billy S. Jones, founder of NCBG a Black gay/lesbian political organization. Berry's primary responsibilities will be to help establish and strengthen NCBG chapters throughout the United States, to help promote interst in the Third World Lesbian/Gay Conference slated for October 5-7 in Washington, D.C., and to help sensitize non-Black and non-gay organizations about the needs and interests of Black lesbians and gays.

--Courtesy of Gay Community News, 2/17/79

Oregon task force

The Oregon Task Force on Sexual Preference has released its final report which contains 31 recommendations in the areas of government service and employment; health and medical treatment, education, programs for senior citizens: employment, housing and public accomodations; criminal law and police relations; and families and children.

Each of the 31 recommendations was passed by unanimous vote of the 12 member task force with was appointed at the request of Governor Bob Straub in 1976.

by state agencies and changes in the state regulations which would facilitate dealing with gay people on a more equal basis.

The 160-page report which was presented to Governor Straub will be available to the public in February. Copies of the Task Force on Sexual Preference Report are available for $5 each including postage from Task Force on Sexual Preference. 607 Corbett Building, Portland Or 97204. (4 weeks should be allowed for delivery by 4th class mail. For first class mail, an extra $1.50 should be included)

The Oregon report is the first D.C. mayor

government report of its kind in the nation. In addition to chapters on each of the subject areas indicated above, there are also sections directed at the most common areas of public concern: "A Matter of Morality?" A Threat to Marriage and the Family?" "Is Sex Just for Reproduction?" and "The Concern about Child Molesting."

Governor Straub called the report "extraordinarily comprehensive and thoughtful" and "the product of scholarship, compassion and concern." He also surmised that it will "have a farreaching effect in reducing the

barriers of unthinking prejudice that have been raised against the homosexual citizen."

for gays

Washington DC's new mayor, Marion Barry, has pledged that gay people will be represented in his administration and that he

will continue to be a strong supporter of gay rights. Speaking to a large crowd at the Gay Activists Alliance Inaugural Ball. Barry said. "I will not allow anyone to attack gay rights. I don't care if 2,000 or 10,000 gays voted for me. My commitment to gays is one of a basic human rights issue."

Washington's gay community has been credited with having a large part in electing Marion Barry as mayor. Not only did many gay people vote for him, but hundreds of others helped out with contributions and campaigning. Barry himself would not credit the gay community with providing his winning margin, but he did say. "We won with a broad coalition. It is difficult to say that any one group made the difference, but I am appreciative

Among the 31 recommendations was one that "discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and marital status should be prohibited in employment, housing, and public accomodations." Another suggested that "colleges and uni'versities which train social workers, clinical psychologists and others who counsel parents of the strong, visible support we and children should include in got from the gay community." their curriculum training in the counseling of parents and child-courtesy of Gaylife, 1/26/79 ren when the parents are homosexual." This recommendation also said that "A homosexual parent and his or her children, along with the other adult in the home, should be viewed as a viable family unit."

sexual." This recommendation Cover photo

Other recommendations concerned treatment of gay people

Fred looks askance at his dance partner who is telling him about some of the doings described in Larry Kramer's novel Faggots. Review In this issue.