HIGH GEAR PAGE 3

Congressional briefings to explore

gay rights

WASHINGTON, D. C. The Gay Rights National Lobby (GRNL) has announced that Congressional briefings on H.R. 2074, the national lesbian/gay civil rights legislation, will take place on April 21.

The purpose of the briefings, which are officially sponsored by Representatives Ted Weiss and Henry Waxman, is to educate members of Congress and their staffs, to demonstrate the breadth of support for the issue, and to gain visibility for the issue.

GRNL pointed out that there are so many bills which compete for the attention of Congressmen

and their staffs that it is difficult to gain attention and effectively educate on bills which won't be acted on immediately. Steve Endean, lobbyist for the GRNL, said, "We are hopeful that the briefings will gain critical attention for the need of federal civil rights legislation for lesbians and gay men. And, quite frankly, to the extent that the briefings are well-attended, they give us a chance to dispel myths and possibly impact any anti-gay amendments that may surface in the coming months."

Congressional briefings differ from hearings in that they are not

official action of Congress and do not officially relate to the process of moving a bill through subcommittee and full committee. Those opposed to the legislation do not testify during briefings. Endean said that hearings during an election year were not realistically possible.

The Congressional briefings are expected to include testimony from religious, political mental health and community leaders, in addition to testimony from lesbian and gay communities.

FCC fairness doctrine applied

By David Morris

WASHINGTON, DC The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ruled that

Dallas, Texas television station WFAA-TV was exercising legitimate editorial discretion in February, 1979 when it cancelled its weekly broadcast of sermons by evangelist James Robison for his anti-gay comments.

After a history of complaints from a variety of groups Robison had attacked, including other religious denominations, the station dropped "James Robison Presents" when he delivered a sermon condeming homosexuality as a "perversion of the highest order" and claiming that gay people prey on children. The station claimed that under the FCC fairness doctrine it would be required to grant equal time at no charge to those wishing to respond to Robison's attacks.

Equal time was subsequently given to the Dallas Gay Political Caucus to answer Robison's comments.

Tammy Ledbetter of the James Robison Evangelical Association of Hurst, Texas told GCN that the

FCC had avoided the relevant issue in its ruling and that the organization's concern was that religious broadcasters would be unable to deliver their message if the fairness doctrine applied.

In an article in the Dallas MornIng News Robison is quoted as saying, "(The ruling) means I cannot speak about Biblical morality without undue recourse by any group which might disagree. That means programs on incest and Playboy specials may be aired regularly, but not those on moral integrity and decency, based on Biblical principles."

But Campbell Read of the Dallas Gay Political Caucus told GCN that Robison had ulterior motives for requesting the FCC hearing. "It's just for publicity," he said. "He's made a name for himself out of this whole business because he put it out to the public that his show had been taken off television for preaching that homosexuality is a sin. Wher I made the complaint to WFAA in March '79, I made it clear I had no problem with that. And yet he constantly deceived the public. He knew what he was doing. He

violated the ninth commandment (lied), but it seems to him that is a lesser sin than the sin of homosexuality."

Read claimed the ruling was a "minor victory" for his organization. "I think it was fair and impartial," he said. Robison's been complaining about government interference in our lives. Here the FCC comes up and says that it's not their prerogative to intervene in this matter. They're doing just exactly what Robison would want by not interfering and yet he obviously doesn't like it."

Cincinnati news

Courtesy of G.C.G.C.

Gay Studies at UC

The University of Cincinnati is rapidly turning into a Midwest center for gay studies and activities. Geography Prof. Robert McNee has designed an interdisciplinary course in Gay Studies which has been approved by UC for winter quarter, 1981. Associate Prof. Dee Graham, who is doing research on lesbian mothers, will be team teaching the class with Prof. McNee.

Walter Williams, who has just been promoted to Associate Professor of History is studying gay American Indians.

Prof. Ron Federico, of the Dept. of Social Works, is heading the local chapter of the Gay Academic Union. Profs. McNee, Graham, and Williams are active members of the Union, as are

many UC students. The UC Gay-

/Lesbian Alliance and the UC Women's Center have sponsored several successful social events and speakers on campus.

Harris Halpern has been awarded an M.A. in Psychology for his thesis on homophobia. The results of his research show that straights that are anti-gay also tend to be opposed to women's rights as well as being religiously orthodox, less educated, and having authoritarian

personalities. One implication of this thesis is that gays, feminists and civil rights groups have the most to gain by supporting each other.

Musical notes

Best-selling feminist recording artist Cris Williamson will give a live concert on Sunday, May 18 at 4 p.m. Advance tickets ($5) are available at the Crazy Ladies Bookstore.

The seventh annual Women's Music Festival will be held May 29 to June 1 in Champagne, III. For information write to: Box 2721 Station A, Champagne, Illinois 61820.

LAB is forming an "All Dyke Choir" to have weekly rehearsals culminating in concert performances by June. The choir will sing feminist music and is directed by a graduate of the Eastman School of Music; call Holly at 281-2437.

Dignity news

Cincinnati gay Catholics are hosting the Midwest Dignity Convention with over 150 guests coming to the Quality InnRiverview, July 4-6. In preparation for this convention, Dignity officers are meeting with Archbishop Bernardin.

WFAA-TV reinstated "James Robison Presents" in July, 1979 after Robison agreed to avoid after Robison agreed to avoid $1,000 each controversial topics, but the station reserves the right to delete portions that might result in complaints. The program is currently broadcast by about 90 television stations throughout the country. Although a New York station reportedly deleted antigay comments from the audio portion of one of Robison's broadcasts last summer, WFAATV is the only station to cancel it so far.

GAU awards scholarships

Gay savings and loan to open in S.F.

A gay savings and loan association, probably the first anywhere, is getting ready to open for business this summer in San Francisco.

A story in the March 20 issue of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the organization,

known as Atlas Savings, had received its state permit and was waiting for federal insurance approval.

John A. Schmidt, a San Francisco insurance agent elected chairman of the board of the organizing group, told Chronicle

ON THE COVER

reporter Lloyd Watson "Atlas Savings is being formed by and for members of the gay community, a group that has either been intentionally or unintentionally overlooked by most of the savings and loan industry.

"Our research shows that there is a lack of new savings and loan facilities in the major gay population growth areas. In addition, many gays have told us that they would receive more objective treatment from a financial institu-

tion owned and operated by

other gay people."

courtesy of GCN

embarking on a new home financing venture, Schmidt said that he was, none-the-less, very optimistic about the new organization's chances for success.

"In a city such as San Francisco," he said," there will always be a housing need. And our market will be a large and affluent one."

Atlas Savings plans to be open for business by the 1st of September.

Akron gays

The initial capitalization for on the move

On the most famous couples Atlas Savings. Schmidt said, was

of

of the 20th Century was Serge Diaghilev, the Impressario, and his protegee Vaslav Nijinsky, the great dancer. This is a scene from Paramount's new movie Nijinsky" showing the lovers, played by Alan Bates and George de la Pena, enjoying a holiday in Athens. See entertainment section.

to have involved the sale of 160,000 shares of stock at $12.50 per share, the total to be $2 million.

"We have already received pledges for almost $3 million from 600 would-be shareHolders he said sutive ons

Agreeing that right now is not the best possible time to be

GOLD Magazine. Cascade Community Church and The Community Center/Akron will be moving to 475 West Market Street in Akron, Ohio on or about May 15th!

watch for a special poster release in the Akron area bare and establishments

The Gay Academic Union (GAU) Scholarship Fund recently awarded its 1980 scholarships to six recipients, each of whom will receive $1,000.

John D'Emilio, a doctoral candidate in American History at Columbia University, received support for his dissertation, "The Gay Movement in the United States Before Stonewall."

Michael Gorman, a University of Chicago doctoral candidate in anthropology, was recognized for his disseration, "A Different Coming of Age: A Cultural Account of Religion and Identity in the Gay World."

The dissertaion, "The Circle of the Ninth Muse: Natalie Clifford Barney, Renee Vivien, and Their Contemporaries," won support of Karla Jay, a doctoral candidate in comparative literature at New York University.

California State University at Fullerton student David Latham, an M.A. candidate in research

Northwestern University.

And support was also granted to Barbara Smith, a doctoral candidate in English literature at the University of Connecticut, for her dissertation, "Four AfroAmerican Women Writers: A Black Feminist Appaisal."

Two alternatve "honorable mention" recipients were in addition announced: Fernando Chang-Muy, a doctoral candidate in English literature at the University of Miami; and Carole Matthews, an M.S.W. candidate at the University of Southern California. Chang-Muy is preparing a textbook for secondary and university teachers outlining a gay literature course, while Matthews is working on a thesis titled "Lesbian Jews' Reconciling a Dual Identity." Both will receive financial assistance if and when additional funds become available.

The GAU Scholarship Fund was established in 1978, award-

psychology, received GAU suping $650 to each of five recipients candidate in research

port for his research project, "Gay Needs Assessment of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Treatment Service in Orange County, California."

A second research project, "Homophobia: Why People Hate Gay People," won support for Paul Slogel; & doctoral candidata.. in communication studies at

last year (four of the 1979 recipients received $350 supplements for 1980). Tax-deductible donations to the Fund, the GAU reports, may be sent to: GAU Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 927, Los Angeles, California 90028. courtesy of GAY RIGHTS GUARDIAN

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