HIGH GEAR

Coalition leads attack on FPA

WASHINGTON, D.C. The Gay Rights National Lobby, as party of its "Defeat the Family Protection Act" campaign, is urging local gay and lesbian groups, as well as individual activists, to follow a coaltionbuilding model similar to one adopted recently in the state of Iowa.

Iowa gays, who faced the difficult task of taking on the chief sponsor of the Family Protection Act, Senator Roger Jepsen, effectively mobilized a broad-based coalition of groups ranging from the Iowa PTA to the March of Dimes to the Des Moines Chapter of the NAACP to join with them in a dramatic appeal to the Republican Senator to participate in a public forum on the issues raised by the legislation.

Eighteen groups signed the original petition in a parchment-signing ceremony, after which the letter was hand carried to Jepsen's Des Moines office. The action was the first multi-group effort requesting Jespen's public defense of his position on the Family Protection Act, and the carefully orchestrated media event called the proposed legislation into question on several key areas.

In a series of questions underscoring their concerns, the coalition noted the apparent infringement of the freedom of speech, the separation of church and state, and the elimination of due process of law which the proposed bill may invoke.

The coalition noted that elected officials not only have responsibility to debate issues in their respective assemblies, but that each official is also responsible to represent the people "back home" who put them in office. They challenged Jepsen to both discuss the issues involved in the Family Protection Act and to listen to opposing viewpoints as a part of his responsibilities and commitments to the office of United States Senator.

Joined later by several other groups including the area's

United Methodist Bishop Wayne Clymer the coalition further challenged Jepsen to publicly acknowledge their invitation, noting the concern that public discussion was being deferred and that they feared sections of the Family Protection Act might be introduced as separate legislation or riders on existing bills.

"Because the issues incorporated in the Family Protection Act are matters of widespread concern, and if enacted would have a significant impact on the citizens of our state," Bishop Clymer wrote, "it is hoped that Senator Jepsen will return to Iowa to present his rationale for the Act and to answer the questions of persons and groups who will want further clarification and who wish to present alternative proposals to promote the welfare of our families and community life."

Steve Endean, Executive Director of the Gay Rights National Lobby, quickly agreed that the Family Protection Act isn't going to pass soon, but went on to say that it is both a threat and a good opportunity. "Clearly, the strategy of the Moral Majority and the rest of the New Right is to use various sections of the Family Protection Act as riders to other bills obviously posing a real threat to us. But in a very real sense, the Family Protection Act offers a wonderful opportunity. both in terms of mobilization and coalition building.

Endean went on to suggest that the "Iowa Model" was one excellent avenue of coalition building on the issue,. particularly relevant to states where the Senators (or Representatives) appear unsupportive.

Rich Eychaner, the principal organizer of the Iowa Coalition, has agreed to serve as a Special Consultant to the Gay Rights National Lobby. Rich will be happy to offer advice on his experience and hints on coalition building in the local communities to those interes-

ted.

Volume 8, Issue 5

February 1982

Happy Valentine's Day.

NOCI elects officers

by Ray Chesnick, Jr.

The Northern Ohio Coalition (NOCI) held its annual meeting on Monday, January 18, 1982 at Sumner Trucking Company. At this annual meeting, the following members of the Board of Trustees were elected by the general membership:

PRESIDENT Oscar Hagopian; FIRST VICEPRESIDENT Sheldon Hanselman; SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Dan Fields; RECORDING SECRETARY . Eugune Witts; CORRES PONDING SECRETARY Ray Chesnick, Jr.; TREASURER Joseph Kosileski; TRUSTEE AT LARGE Tim Simon.

All trustees began their one year terms at that meeting and will guide the work of NOCI on the upcoming 4th Annual, "We are Family" picnic.

The Festival '82 is scheduled for Sunday, September 12, 1982 at Wildwood Lake Park in Columbia Station, Ohio.

A membership drive is planned for February and March to enlist help in planning this annual event which will draw over 2,000 gays and lesbians from the Midwest. For membership applications and further information, please write: NOCI, P.O. Box 663, Lakewood, Ohio 44107.

opens

to good

'Making Love' reviews from gay community

Making Love is a cleverly written romantic drama that is the first Hollywood movie to present gays as human beings in love. Seeing Making Love will cause many non-gay filmgoers to realize that love lives of gay people really are that. The love lives of gay

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characters have been placed within both the context of complete emotional existence and the mainstream American culture. (Although many gay filmgoers will be amazed at the characters' good luck in working out all romantic cont. pg. 12