'Morality' march planned for. D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. A national march on Washington for righteousness and morality" has been set for April 29, 1980. According to the Gay Rights National Lobby, the march-known as both "Washington for Jesus" and "One Nation Under God"--may seriously threaten the lesbian/gay movement, as well as a number of other human rights movements.
"Washington for Jesus" appears to be gaining widespread support in the fundamentalist Christian community. The goal of the march's organizers is to have one million persons attend.
Among its supporters are two prominent persons with extensive religious broadcasting networks at their disposal--Dr. Pat Robertson. President of the Christian Broadcasting Network (the "700 Club") and Jim Baker, President of the PLT ("Praise The -Lord") network.
Greyhound is providing travel assistance including a toll-free number. 800-528-0369.
it is feared that the rally's organizers will use the cover of a religious event to try to impose their own brand of political "morality" on elected officials and that they will attempt to influence Congress on a wide variety of issues, including prayer in public schools. abortion, and the civil rights of gays.
"Christian Voice" said that while it is not sponsoring the "Washington for Jesus" rally, it
what may be the actual intentions of the "Washington for Jesus" march and that it urges lesbian and gay male organizations across the country to help expose it as a political event.
GRNL suggests contacting local news media and asking that they investigate. The march has a toll free information number. 800-528-0369, which those interested can give to the media and use themselves. There may be more information to be obtained from "your state coordinator.".
GRNL also suggests making appointments to visit members of Congress when they are in their home districts during the month of April, or visiting their staff members if they themselves are unavailable.
GRNL is not asking activists to come to Washington to lobby. arguing that it would be too difficult and too expensive to try to organize such an effort in the period of time before the March. and pointing out that it is not necessary to "go to Washington" to lobby representatives.
GRNL suggests being espe cially vocal in asking Members of Congress to watch for and oppose any anti-gay amend ments that might be tacked onto otherwise unrelated legislation.
An information packet on such amendments is available on request from GRNL It expects a number of such amendments to
would be actively working to OGRC workshop
make it a success.
Said Steve Endean. Executive
come up this spring, as it is much easier to tack an anti-gay measure on another piece of legislation than to try to get it passed by itself as a separate bill.
"Washington for Jesus" litera-. ture indicates that activities occuring on both April 28 and 29 will include a youth rally at RFK stadium, a march and rally on the Mall, and constituent lobbying with members of Congress.
In the generally distributed literature there are no references to the issues to be addressed in the meetings with members of Congress..
Only hand-picked persons will be allowed to participate in the congressional visits. It is feared that these visits are being tightly orchestrated to present a uniform right-wing message.
According to the Blade, published in Washington, D.C., Ted Pantelo, National Coordinator of the organization, said that his group would be interested is supporting the anti-gay resolution introduced in the House of Representatives (House Concurrent resolution 166) by Larry McDonald from Georgia. The bill is sponsored by the "Christian Voice." the first openly anti-gay lobby in Washington.
The Gay Rights National Lobby can be contacted at 930 F Street, NW, Suite 611, Washing. ton, DC 20004. Its phone number is 202-462-4255
Director of the Gay Rights Communication skills
National Lobby (GRNL). "Count. less numbers of innocent people will attend this rally because of their commitment to their religion, unaware that they are being used by the New Right to advance its anti-human rights anti-civil liberties goals "
Endean said that not only lesbians and gay men will be made uncomfortable by the "Washing ton for Jesus" march and rally. "Jewish leaders." he said. "must feel extremely apprehensive about the march's stated intention to point America back to Jesus-slated for the same day as our nation's memorial to the Jewish victims of the Nazi · Holocaust. And surely Catholics. who gathered by the tens of thousands in Washington last October to hear the Pope, must feel ill at ease when they hear what is expected to be an over'whelmingly fundamentalist Prorestant Rally described, 'what a thrill it will be to see the Church of the United States come together in the nation's capital" The Gay Rights National Lobby said that it is contacting religious, labor, and political organizations to inform them of ON THE COVER
Although hit's been a mild winter, we couldn't help day dreaming in anticipation of warmer days to come...
Photo by Barbar Lee. Taken at the Cleveland Museum of Art.
explored in Dayton
Communication skills as they relate to Gay issues were explored at a workshop held March 15 in Dayton, Ohio. Sponsored by Ohio Gay Rights Coalition and Dayton Gay Center, the Communications Workshop was planned for Lesbians and Gay men of Ohio and for individuals of the Dayton area involved in the helping professions.
During the morning session. the group was divided into small groups so that simulation games could be used to identify and strengthen various communication skills Giving positive feedback, maintaining a focus during the conversation, drawing the other person out, and making an understanding response. were stressed during this session.
The afternoon session offered four areas of special interest:. Individual Communications. Group Dynamics. Communications and the Media, and Communications in a Helping Situation.
OGRC member Rick Moore reflected on the workshop. "Most people don't stop and think about how well they are communicating. The small groups helped bring out and clarify real inner feelings and perceptions in a positive context."
Moore explained how values clarification is important for any person in. a helping situation: "Hidden value judgements manage to express themselves, even
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when attempt to be understanding and non-judgmental. The afternoon session (Communications in a Helping Situation) used role-playing to enhang awareness of hidden balur judgments."
The Communications and Media session focused on public access and commercial televi-' sion channels. Representatives from these media outlets spoke on ways that Gay groups may best take advantage of their ser vices. Methods for producing programs and for gaining access to these channels were discussed. "A lot of beginnings were explored at the workshop." stated Howard Getz, OGRC board member and conference organizer. "The workshop opened up several possibilities which, with interested individuals, could be developed into additional programs "Possible future topics include: public speaking to community groups. media ideas such as Gay programs for public access television channels, and helping a person respond to common Gay issues' explored on commercial television.
UCRC plans to sponsor future events around the state of Ohio. Members of the organization receive a discount on any fees involved. For information about OGRC or about future events. please write c/o P.O. Box 8393. Columbus, Ohio 43201.
Columbus news
by Bob Roshm
Over 100 people attended the MCC/Columbus Founding Sun day celebration March 2. The two-year history of the group was read during a special worship service. Present were many who were active during MCC's early years in Columbus, including Pinkie and Shep of the Twylight Lounge, MCC's first meeting place. Letters of greeting from persons who could not attend were read to the assembled group. A delicious potluck dinner rounded out the celebration, with food, fun, and fellowship in abundance.
DIGNITY/CENTRAL OHIO
Dignity/Central Ohio will sponsor a dinner-dancé May 10 at the Saxon Club, 794 S. Front St. This event will commemorate the fourth anniversary of Dignity in Columbus and Central Ohio. The evening will begin with mass at 7:30, followed by a roast bef dinner at 8:30. Rhonda Rivers, a law professor at Ohio State University, will speak, following dinner. A dance will round out the celebration. Price, including dinner, is $10.95. Reservations must be made by May 8 to Dignity/Central Ohio, P.O. Box 2591. Columbus, Ohio 43216.
Weekly meetings of Dignity/Central Ohio are held Sundays at 7:30, at St. Augustine's Church, 1550 E. Hudson St. Liturgy is followed by a social in a adjoining building. On April 20. the discussion topic will be. "Should Gays have custody of their children, and why?"
An Inflation Fighter's party (cheap) will be held April 19, phone for location. Dignity/Central Ohio phone number is (014) 276-7615.
tral
GAY ALLIANCE
Gay Alliance sponsored swimming party March 7, at the home of one of its members. A warm, indoor pool was often filled while others played cards and other games. The party featured a special showing of The Wizard of Oz, taped earlier that evening
Gay Alliance meets weekly at 9:00, in the Ohio Urban Memorial Room, 1739 N. High St. On April 15, the topic will be,Top or Bottom? The power of S&M relationships!" Rhonda, Rivers, a law school-professor at Ohio State, University, will speak April 22, on "Our Straight-Laced Judges: the Legal Position of Homosexuals in America. The May 6 discussion topic will be, "The Gay Image: Chic vs. Drag." For information about Gay Alliance, please telephone (614) 422-9212.
ALTERNATIVES
Alternatives continues to meet 2nd and 4th Sundays of each month, and is searching. for, a new meeting place. For location information, call Al at (614) 221-7870.
Linda Lillery will appear April 26, in a concert sponsored by Women's Music Union. An exciting women's rhythm & blues and jazz musician, she appears on Olivia Records. Her concert will be at Hillel, 46 E. 16th Ave:, at 8:30. For child care information, call Women's Music Union at (614) 267-1270.
LESBIAN PEER SUPPORT
Women interested in beginning consciousness-raising groups for lesbian women will be meeting in a weekly group which has its first meeting on Thursday, April '10. This will be a self-led group for those who would like to serve in a leadership capacity for other consciousness raising groups. For information about this group or other Lesbian Peer Support services, please gall (614) 291-7756.
GAY PEER SERVICES
Men's rap groups are held every Thursday at 7:30, at the Open Door Clinic, 237 E. 17th Ave. Gay Peer Services offers a variety of services to Gay women and men, including individual counseling, rap groups, and support groups. For information about programs, please call (614) 294-6337.
Gays and Boston police
improve relations
..
BOSTON, MA Because of improved responses by police here, lesbians and gay men are more willing to report assaults and robberies. Mayor Kevin White's liaision with the gay community says
Robin MacCormack told lis,teners to WEEl radio's "Bay State Reform" that "We think..at this point that the problem is being addressed a whole lot better than it was, say, a year or two ago."
MacCormack said that although the problem of attacks on gay people continues, “arrests have been made and success-
fully prosecuted in court."
The improved police attitude.. toward crimes'against gays results from a massive campaign to educate officers, MacCor mack said. And, he said, the work has begun to pay off.
"Some time ago, gay people would be assaulted and wouldnot report It," he said. “Now it's. being done, and they have a little more confidence in the police department,' seeing the response; that they've been getting." AN -courtesy of Gay Community Nawa