Date: Thu, 01 Jul 1999 17:32:17 -0700 From: Jean Richter Subject: 7/1/99 P.E.R.S.O.N. Project news, pt. 2 1. CA: More articles on the defeat of AB 222 ========================================================== Date: Mon, 07 Jun 1999 11:10:12 -0700 From: "Richard, Jennifer" Subject: IVDB 6/5: Gay rights bill falls a vote short Published Saturday, June 5, 1999     By Ted Gotsch Daily Bulletin One vote ended up making all the difference for a bill that would have barred discrimination against homosexual students and employees in schools. The Assembly on Friday voted 40-38 in favor of the legislation, one short of a majority needed in the 80-member chamber. And one of the no votes was by Assemblywoman Nell Soto, D-Pomona. The freshman lawmaker, who had been the target of heavy lobbying campaigns from activists on both sides of the issue, stayed true to her promise she made last week to vote against AB 222. In doing so, Soto said she "did the best thing for my district." The legislator said she had heard from her constituents, and a vast majority did not want her to support the measure. "It wasn't easy for me. It took more courage for me to do what I did," Soto said "I was listening, and I think people knew that." Those in favor of the "Dignity for All Students Act," however, said Soto's vote allowed bigots to continue their campaign of hate. Assemblyman John Longville, D-Rialto, a co-sponsor of AB 222, said "malicious allegations" that incorrectly made some believe that children would be taught to be homosexual allowed the wrong side to prevail. He said those who used lies as a way to pedal their version of God's views should pay closer attention to God's will. "They will have a special place reserved for them in hell for violating the First Commandment," Longville said. "They use the message of Jesus to push Satan." Christopher Calhoun, a public policy advocate for the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, said children ultimately will suffer because Soto and eight other Democrats turned their backs on them. "It is a very sad day for the youth in California," he said. "It's a sad day for people who have to face discrimination, discrimination people such as Nell Soto have endorsed with their vote." Calhoun said the Pomona lawmaker's vote was perplexing, considering earlier in the day she was the deciding yes vote for AB 1001, a bill that would not allow discrimination against homosexuals in housing and employment issues. Soto said she backed AB 1001 and not AB 222 because the first one dealt with adults trying to earn a living or find a place to live, while the other dealt with children. Calhoun said her decisions on the bills indicate a double standard. "Really, what is the difference between nondiscrimination law in employment and in schools?" he said. "What kind of sense she can make on (AB 1001), I'm not sure." Those on the opposing side of the issue also were unhappy with Soto's decision to split her votes. Bob Pamplin, director of Inland Valley Citizens for Community Values, said it defeats the purpose to favor gay rights in one case, but not the in another. "I can't help but feel good that AB 222 lost," he said. "But I've said from the beginning that this is an agenda. To have this lifestyle forced on (the public) is just repugnant." Reply-To: listserver@channelq.com Date: Mon, 7 Jun 1999 11:36:09 -0700 From: "Channel Q" To: (LGBT Political Activists), queerpolitics@abacus.oxy.edu Subject: Good LA Times Article on AB 222 Debate LOS ANGELES TIMES Monday, June 7, 1999 http://www.latimes.com Capitol Journal Debate Over Bill to Ban Gay Bashing Takes Ugly Turn By GEORGE SKELTON SACRAMENTO-The Assembly had not gone through a debate this mesmerizing in two years-two years to the day. And it was a debate over the same issue: gay bashing in schools. [Deleted article. filemanager@qrd.org] ***************************************************************** This message has been distributed as a free, nonprofit informational service, to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. Please do not publish, or post in a public place on the Internet, copyrighted material without permission and attribution. (Note: Press releases are fine to reprint. Don't reprint wire stories, such as Associated Press stories, in their entirety unless you subscribe to that wire service.) Forwarding of this material should not necessarily be construed as an endorsement of the content. In fact, sometimes messages from anti-gay organizations are forwarded as "opposition research." _________________________________________________________________________ This message has been distributed as a free, non-profit informational service, to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. Please do not publish or post in a public place on the Internet, copyrighted material without permission and attribution. Forwarding of this material should not necessarily be construed as an endorsement of the content. Some messages may be from anti-gay organizations and are forwarded as opposition research. Date: Mon, 07 Jun 1999 15:47:22 -0700 From: "Richard, Jennifer" Subject: Good Modesto Bee Article Teens face different struggle By MARIJKE ROWLAND BEE STAFF WRITER (Published: Monday, June 07, 1999) Amanda Wood knows that people will talk. The Beyer High School senior expects a few comments, stares and hushed whispers when she walks by. After all, rumors and teasing are as much a part of most students' high school experience as U.S. history and homecoming. But as an openly gay student, she knows exactly how much people will talk. The line between idle gossip and hateful taunting is easy to cross. For students like Amanda, that line can mean the difference between surviving and suffering through high school. [Deleted article. filemanager@qrd.org] Jennifer Richard, Senior Consultant, Office of Assemblymember Sheila Kuehl, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814. e-mail: Jennifer.Richard@asm.ca.gov , direct line: (916)319-2346, fax:(916)319-2141. For Legislative Info: www.leginfo.ca.gov . ============================================================================== Jean Richter -- richter@eecs.berkeley.edu The P.E.R.S.O.N. Project (Public Education Regarding Sexual Orientation Nationally) These messages are archived by state on our information-loaded free web site: http://www.youth.org/loco/PERSONProject/