JUNE 1982

PAGE 7

Politicians Endorsed

The Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club (ERDC), Cleveland's gay political organization, has endorsed Cincinnati City Councilman Jerry Springer for the Democratic nomination for governor of Ohio. The Springer endorsement led a list of five other endorsements announced at the club's April meeting.

The five other candidates on ERDC's endorsed slate are Senator Howard Metzenbaum for Senate and U.S. Representatives Mary Rose Oakar, Louis Stokes, John Seiberling, and County Commissioner Edward Feighan for Congress.

ERDC's sole criteria for endorsement is a candidate's position on gay civil rights. The candidates' positions were determined by their response to a direct mail questionnaire from ERDC. In addition the members considered the candidates' campaign statements, past behavior in office, and mass media reports.

Only candidates entering the Democratic primary election were considered in the endorsement process. "We lack the resources and personnel necessary to look at the Republican primary candidates at this time," said Rick Berg, ERDC president. "Although this is regrettable, we prefer to limit the number of endorsements. That way we can assure the gay community that we have carefully screened all the candidates in the contests we choose to consider."

The club will consider both Democratic and Republican candidates for the general election in November. A Republican would be endorsed over a Democrat if the Republican were clearly a stronger advocate of gay civil rights, according to Berg.

Two of the three gubernatorial candidates sought the club's support, according to Berg. "I consider this an indication that both Springer and former Peace Corps director and Democratic candidate for governor Richard Celeste feel gay votes could significantly affect the outcome of the election. To my knowledge, this is the first time that any major state-wide candidates have actively sought gay support," Berg explained.

ERDC's membership feels that Springer's commitment to gay civil rights are stronger than Celeste's. Springer, a two-term Cincinnati City Councilman and former mayor, has been a long-time supporter of human rights. His first campaign mailing explained his opposition to the Moral Majority's position of legislating private morality standards, including sexual practices. He also agreed to fight discrimination based on sexual orientation by issuing executive orders, if elected governor.

Senator Howard Metzenbaum was endorsed for re-election to the U.S. Senate because of his strong support for human rights. The club also noted that many anti-gay right-wing groups, such as Moral Majority and Christian Voice, have called for Metzenbaum's defeat.

ERDC strongly endorsed Congressman Louis Stokes for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives from Cleveland's east side district. Stokes has been a co-sponsor of the gay civil rights bill in the House of Representatives each of the three times it has been introduced in the past six years.

Representative Mary Rose Oakar, endorsed for re-election to Congress from Cleveland's

west side district, voted against the McDonald Amendment last summer at the urging of gay constituents. The McDonald Amendment to the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funding bill would have prohibited use of the LSC by gay citizens. Oakar stood up to this affront to gay people under stiff pressure from Moral Majority lobbyists.

Endorsed Congressman John Seiberling, representing Akron and Summit County is seeking re-election. Seiberling, like Oakar, has resisted legislation which would create new and legal discrimination against gay people.

In one of the most hotly contested races in the Democratic primary, ERDC has endorsed County Commissioner Edward Feighan to represent Cuyahoga County's new suburban district in Congress. Feighan's opponent is incumbent Representative Ronald Mottl. Mottl has consistently voted in favor of anti-gay legislation including the McDonald Amendment. He has also consistently refused to communicate with any representatives from the gay community. The club believes that Feighan would be open to dialogue with his gay constituents and would represent them more effectively in Congress.

ERDC has issued its endorsements to inform local gay voters of these candidates' positions on gay civil rights. These positions are difficult to determine because most pro-gay candidates believe it is beneficial to keep their positions quiet. The club hopes that gays will vote in large numbers for the endorsed candidates and show them that their pro-gay stands will be rewarded at the ballot box.

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