JUNE 1980. HIGH GEAR PAGE 5

John Anderson co-sponsors gay rights bill

During Congressional briefings held on April 21 on H.R. 2074, the federal lesbian and gay rights bill in the House of Representatives, it was announced that independent presidential candidate Johri Anderson had become its 55th co-sponsor.

Anderson is a Representative

from Illinois.

Steve Endean, executive director of the Gay Rights National Lobby, which has been vigor ously backing the bill, commented that Anderson's support of it would put "significant pres-

sure" on the Democratic Party to include a lesbian and gay rights, plank in the party platform....

In an article in the May 3 issue of the Gay Community News by Denise Sudell, Endean is quoted as saying that now as an alternative to a Democratic candidate "there is a place for gay voters to

go."

Before Anderson announced his candidacy, Endean explained, Democrats had no need to appeal to gay voters with a gay rights plank because gays would

have seen the Democratic candidate as the only viable alternative. to Ronald Reagan.

A cover story interview with Anderson appeared in the May 15 issue of the Advocate in which Anderson says to interviewer Larry Bush, "Just as I'm opposed to discrimination on the basis of race, color, or .creed, I'm opposed to discrimination on the basic of sexual preferences."

Anderson told the Advocate interviewer that his commitment to gay rights was strengthened in 1978 during a tough congres-

Miami U denies funding to gay group

by Bob Roehm

OXFORD, OHIO Advocates for Gay Liberation, a recently-formed Miami University student organization, is being denied university funding. according to Dan Reid, coordinator for the group. In addition, the group is being victimized by threats and harassment of its

members.

"Fifty-nine of the sixty recognized student organizations have been recommended for funding, while our group has been ignored," explained Reid. "(M.U. president Philip R. Shriver) recommended funding for the other groups. The only group he didn't mention was AGL. We feel that this constitutes an overtly! discriminatory act against Gays on the part of the university administration."

Columbus news

continued from page 3

Unitarian Church in Columbus. His presentation, delivered during the morning service. described "growing up different," and his struggle to find himself while he was at seminary.. He read a powerful meditation (See page) which articulated well the pain of having to hide from public view one's love for another.

Wheatley was invited by the First Unitarian Church Gay Concerns Group. This group of concerned church members, Gay people, their parents and friends, meets weekly to discuss issues related to Gay people and the church. The next meeting of the group will be June 11 at 7:30, at the church, 93 W. Weisheimer. Rd. For information, call (614) 294-0982 or (614) 864-6017. MCC/COLUMBUS

Rev. Elder Freada Smith, Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, spoke in Columbus May 9. She delivered the sermon at the Wednesday evening service, and then answered questions from the congregation.

Rev. Smith described her participation in a Miami television debate with a representative of Anita Bryant Ministries. She related how each person quoted scriptures, trying to out-quote the other. Her description made this debate sound like. a pingpong game which she said she won. At the end of the program. the televisionyoremngavariharıl standing ovation...

Formed in 1979 from the former Gay People of Oxford, AGL has grown from a core group of 8-12 people to a group of over fifty active members. Weekly meetings feature such Programs as films, speakers, and discussions. Counseling and rap groups are also offered, as well as many social events. Political activities of AGL have included protests of the opening of the film Cruising in Oxford.

Union during an AGL bake sale, planned as a fund-raiser for the group..

"University officials have gone

beyond their non-supportive attihave clearly taken a firm stand against homosexuals and homosexuality. The administration cannot recognize our service to the many Gays on campus, and our commitment to human rights for all persons."

Letters in protest of this decision to deny funding, and in support of the work of Advocates for Gay Liberation should be addressed to: President Philip R. Shriver, Miami University. Oxford, OH 45056.

Threats and harassment of group members have been common. An ad-hoc organization, "Society for the Prevention of Moral Decay," posted signs around campus stating, "Suicide is an attractive alternative to "DEATH TO GAY SCUM," was homosexuality." A banner.. hung on the front porch of Together, Inc., a community Support Our Advertisers, counseling service, even though AGL does not meet there. Death threats were common. AGL's phone number was Reid's home telephone number, and he received many harassing phone calls. Vandals overturned a table of baked goods in the Student

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sional primary. His opponent, a "fundamentalist right-wing television preacher," tried to defeat him by calling him a gay rights supporter because he had voted against the 1977 McDonald Amendment, which would have exempted gay groups from getting federal legal funds.

Asked by the Advocate interviewer if he would be appearing before gay groups during his presidential campaign, Anderson replied, "Absolutely. I'd like to hear what they have to say.

and let them hear me. You know they were very helpful to me in my congressional campaign a couple of years ago...I still remember with great fondness the support from all over the country."

H.R. 2074, the House bill that Anderson is now co-sponsoring. and S. 2081, its companion bill in the Senate, would add "affectional or sexual preference" to existing civil rights laws banning discrimination in employment, housing, public services or "lederally assisted opportunities."

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