October 1980 HIGH GEAR Page 3

Senate deletes anti-gay clause

WASHINGTON. D.C. (GRNL) In what has been described by the Gay Rights National Lobby as a "temporary victory," the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee has deleted. the anti-gay "McDonald amendment" from the Legal Services appropriation legislation, H.R. 7584. A motion by Senator Dennis DeConcini (D-Arizona) to delete the amendment passed by a voice vote, apparently by a 6-2 margin. Senator Paul Laxalt (RNV), author of the anti-gay "Family Protection Act," and New Right Senator Jake Garn (R-UT) supported retention of the McDonald amendment in the Senate bill. Senator Lowell Weicker (R-CT), who is the rank-

ing minority member of the Subcommittee and is also a.cosponsor of S. 2081 (the gay fair employment bill), was a vigorous supporter of the pro-justice position.

Although he was pleased with the Subcommittee result, Steve Endean, GRNL Executive Director, who has been coordinating strategy for the Senate fight, indicated that he is certain that the Senate will see further action on the Legal Services anti-gay prohibition. "We are firmly convinced that the origin of this antigay amendment is a New Right strategy to force a roll-call vote in this election year. It is likely that the amendment will be reintroduced on the floor of the

OGRC appears at State Fair

By Rick Moore

COLUMBUS One man called

it a recruiting station. Another couldn't understand how gay people could sit ublic display to a crow passing onlookers. A woman cringed and uttered, "Oh my God!" Some caught a glimpse of the booth several yards away and walked by with their heads firmly fixed in the opposite direction. A few stopped to relate the Sodom and Gomorrah story or to quote lines from Leviticus.

Several persons passed the booth more than once. After four or five trips they casually picked up a GEAR and continued on their way. Many stopped and talked. They signed petitions, picked up brochures and purchased books or buttons. Several were gay or perhaps had. gay friends and relatives. Others believed they had never met a gay person. Regardless of reaction, almost all noticed the booth and the presence of gay people was recognized.

The Ohio Gay Rights Coalition fair booth maintained that presence daily during the Ohio State Fair, August 12-24. Staffed by gay or gay supportive women

and men from across Ohio, the initiated three years ago to proannual state fair booth was vide outreach to the gay/lesbian and straight public.

The booth distributes literature, offers references to local organizations around the state, collects petition signatures for gay rights legislation, and provides the heterosexual public a chance to ask any questions, according to Jay Webster. OGRC Board advisor to the fair committee. Highlights of the 1980 booth, says Webster. include distribution of the question and answer brochure, "Have You Ever Wondered?" and the new OGRC publication, "You and the Law." which discusses the legal rights of gay people in Ohio.

The booth also brought a provocative speaker to the Columbu Gay Alliance. Working at a nearby commercial exhibit was Larry Lidz, former vice president of the New York City Gay Activists Alliance. Lidz was invited to speak August 19th concerning his views on gay activism during the Stonewall riots and today.

Harassment at Columbus bars

By Bob Roehm COLUMBUS-(Columbus Free Press) Have you been harassed or discriminated against because you're Gay? The Columbus Gay Alliance is looking for documentation of such incidents.

Police harassment of patrons, slow response to calls, and unequal enforcement of traffic laws (e.g.. jay-walking) are common near Gay bars in Columbus. Often these incidents go unreported, because the victim is afraid of publicity.

While job discrimination against Lesbians and Gays is still 'legal in Columbus, discriminalion in housing and public 'accommodations is against the law Earlier this year 'a' campus-

area bar reportedly prohibited same-gender couples from entering. despite the fact that such discrimination is unlawful.

Gay Alliance wants to record incidents of discrimination, whether legal or not, for its files. In order to work for equal protection for Gays and Lesbians. Gay Alliance must be able to produce evidence of discrimination.

Write down all pertinent information to document the case. Remember names, places. times. badge numbers. Write down everything you can. Then contact Gay Alliance. G.A. has forms in its office to record incidents. For information call 422-9212; or

Senate."

position.

Endean went on to urge strong In just one of the efforts to response by the lesbian and gay defeat the expected floor vote in communities. "At this time, it is the Senate, the Gay Rights critical that our, movement, our National Lobby has sent a "Concommunities and, for that matter, gressional Action Alert" to all people who believe in equal 16,000 targeted in its Constituent justice, expend every ounce of Network. The purpose, of energy to put constituent pres-course, of the Alert, which sure on for the Senate vote. Later..only after Senate action has been completed, it will be important to thank our friends in both Houses and to demand accountability from those that voted for the anti-justice

includes two postcards to be sent to the Senators, is to mobilize pro-justice constituent pressure. The Gay Rights National Lobby contends that constituent pressure is the key to a successful legislative strategy. "As long as

Members of the House and Senate blieve that their constituents oppose justice for gays, and that a pro-justice position is dangerous politically, we are going to end up on the short end of these votes," Endean said.

To become a part of the Constituent Network, just send a post card or letter saying, "make me part of your Constituent Network." Congressional Action Alerts are sent in discreet envelopes. Write GRNL, P.O. Box 1892, Washington, D.C. 20013.

Columbus news

By Bob Roehm

MCC/COLUMBUS

MCC/Columbus is searching for a new worship location. The current meeting place, a church building at the corner of Twelfth and Indianola, is being "sold and according to pastor Rev. Rob demolished by a developer." Shivers. A contract for sale will

be signed September 16, and, according to sources, apartment buildings are expected to be built on the site.

MCC rents the current building from Summit United Methodist Church, which is selling the building as part of a cost-saving program. "We are exploring several avenues to locate a new place to worship," explained Shivers. "These include raising the funds to buy our own building."

MCC/Columbus has been granted the status of chartered church in a June 12 vote by the UF/MCC Board of Elders. A chartering service will be held November 9 at 2:00, at a place to be announced. Depending on arrangements at the new location, there will be a potluck dinner following the service.

The Great Lakes District will hold a November 7-9 conference, hosted by MCC/Columbus. Delegates from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin, and the rest of Ohio will gather for worship, business meetings, and workshops. Participating in the conference will be the Rev. Elder Charlie Arehart and District Coordinator Val Bouchard.

Conference headquarters will be the downtown Holiday Inn, 175 E. Town St. The conference opens Friday at 8:30 with wors ship, communion, and special

music. Workshops will be offered during the day Saturday, including a workshop titled "Gays and the Law." Following 8 p.m. Saturday worship, entertainment will follow. performed by members and friends of MCC/Columbus..A cash bar will be available. A 10:30 informal worship service will open the Sunday session. Meals may be eaten at the Holiday Inn with the conference.group by prearrangement through the church.

The public is cordially invited write PO Box 8296: Columbus: to any or all of these events. For information..call MCC at (614) OH 43201

262-189.

DIGNITY/CENTRAL OHIO

The Dignity Region V advisory board meeting will be hosted by Dignity/Central Ohio November 14-16. The weekend will begin with a welcoming cocktail party Friday evening. Business will be conducted during the day Saturday. Celebration of the Eucharist will be Saturday evening at 8:00, and a dinner will follow. All events will be held at St. Augustine's Church, 1550 E. Hudson St. Volunteers are needed to serve at the Friday cocktail party and at luncheon and dinner Saturday. To volunteer, call Dignity/Central Ohio at (614) 276-7615.

An October 25 "progression party" will begin at 8:00 in the St. Augustine's parking lot. A caravan will proceed from there to the first house. Different courses will

be served at each house. Reservations for this party are. required. To reserve your place, call (614) 276-7615 by October 20

A benefit show will be hela November 10 at the Twylight Lounge, 2467 Cleveland Ave. Dignity's own Felicia Furnace and Bobbie Lee, as well as other performers, will be featured in 9:30 and 11:00 shows. Donations at the door will be $1.00.

Dignity/Central Ohio meets weekly for 7:30 liturgy and social at St. Augustine's Church, 1550 E. Hudson St. For information, call (614) 276-7615.

GAY PEER SERVICES

Gay Peer Services is in the process of planning a youth group, hopefully to begin in January 1981. This group will be designed for gay young people between the ages of 15 and 17, according to Jerry Jones, coordinator for the program. "We are seeking legal advice to see what we can and cannot do."

explained Jones. "For example, counseling requires a parental release, but a rap group is not counseling."

Format for the proposed group will be presentation of a topic, followed by a question-andanswer period. The purpose of the group will be to provide peer interaction between gay young people in a "neutral". setting, i.e.

the Open Door Clinic. Further Information will appear as it

becomes available.

GAY ALLIANCE

Do you have any clippings. written memories, old newsletters, or other memorabibla from Gay Liberation Front, Gay Activist Alliance, or Gay. Alliance? G.A. is collecting material for a history book, hopefully to be published in the near future. Please donate any material you have to Brian Knedler, P.O. Box 8269, Columbus, Ohio 43201, or drop it off at Room 307, Ohio Union, 1739 N. High St.

Gay Alliance meets Tuesdays at 9:00 in the Ohio Union. Most meetings are in the Memorial Room, with the exception of the November 18 meeting, which will be held in Buckeye Suites A & B. The October 21 meeting will begin with socializing in the G.A. office (Rm. 307), and then will

move to the Memorial Room at 9:30.

"Homophiles and Homophobes" will be the title of the October 28 G.A. meeting. Speakers representing the various presidential candidates will speak. The November 11 meeting will deal with "Black and White Relationships." The remaining meetings (Oct. 21, Nov. 4, Nov. 18) will be business meetings. Instead of the usual meeting October 14, G.A. will attend the 7:00 showing of Grand Hotel and The Women at the University Flick, 1980 N. High St.

For information about Gay Alliance programs and services. as well as referral information tc other. Columbus organizations, call the Gay Infoline at (614) 422-9212.

ALTERNATIVES

Alternatives, an educational and social group for gays and non-gays of differing lifestyles, meets second and fourth Sundays at 7:30, phone. for location. The group will be sponsoring a gay Cuban refugee, and donations of food and clothing are needed. An English class for Cuban refugees is being taught, co-sponsored by Alternatives and MCC/Columbus. For infor mation, call (614) 475-4887.

TRANSSEXUAL GROUP

An informal social group fc transsexuals is forming i

Columbus. For information, CF David, taxenstrife, al 1616

890-0032