Date: Fri, 14 Jan 1994 14:35:50 EST From: ljyngltf@aol.com Subject: NGLTF meets with DOJ NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE POLICY INSTITUTE 1734 14th St., NW, Washington, DC, 20009 (202) 332-6483 / FAX (202) 332-0207 TTY (202) 332-6219 / ngltf@aol.com This is the press release on the meeting between NGLTF and the U.S. Department of Justice to discuss the situation in Ovett, Mississippi. The meeting shows several things: DOJ is taking the issue seriously; it was an opportunity to give DOJ first-hand info on the hostile/volatile situation and encourage leadership/intervention; it illustrated that g/l/b people are NOT protected under current law (contrary to Far Right claims) and that we must expand federal laws/mandates. Calls and letters to Attorney General Reno and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee would be helpful. Robin Kane NGLTF Public Information Manager ------- NGLTF MEETS WITH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS SITUATION IN OVETT, MISSISSIPPI Justice Department Outlines Internal Review to Determine Agency's Ability to Intervene; NGLTF Advocates for Leadership and Mediation Washington, D.C. -- (January 13, 1994) -- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) met with the U.S. Department of Justice yesterday to discuss federal involvement in the ongoing volatile situation in Ovett, Mississippi. Two lesbians in Ovett have been harassed and threatened because of their sexual orientation, and opponents of the women have organized two town meetings to condemn the women and plot ways to force them from town. NGLTF has called on the Department of Justice to intervene by monitoring and mediating the situation in order to insure the safety and civil rights of the women, Brenda and Wanda Henson. Attending today's meeting on behalf of the Justice Department were Nancy McFadden, Deputy Associate Attorney General; Jim Turner, Acting Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Rights Division; and six other department staff members from the Civil Rights Division and Community Relations Service (CRS). Attending today's meeting on behalf of NGLTF were Tanya Domi, Legislative Director; Martin Hiraga, Anti-Violence Project Director; and Robin Kane, Public Information Manager. Robert Raben of Rep. Barney Frank's office and Judith Schaeffer of People for the American Way also participated. In a letter to Attorney General Janet Reno last month, NGLTF Executive Director Peri Jude Radecic requested that the Department of Justice intervene in the following ways: the Community Relations Service perform mediation in the community to alleviate the potential for violence; the FBI monitor the situation for any possible hate crimes; and the Civil Rights Division investigate any attempts to violate the Hensons' civil rights. At the meeting, NGLTF encouraged the Justice Department to intervene immediately under any authority it could determine to insure the safety of the Hensons. In the long run, NGLTF is seeking to expand federal civil rights laws and mandates of individual Justice Department agencies to include sexual orientation so that the department would have the authority to intervene. At the meeting, Justice Department officials outlined actions taken thus far by the department. CRS has contacted the Hensons, the local FBI in Mississippi, the U.S. Attorney's office in Mississippi and the sheriff's department in Jones County to inform them that a federal agency is monitoring the situation. Department officials said they are considering what other action CRS may be able to take. The Department of Justice has directed the FBI to increase its monitoring of the situation and to stay in close contact with the Jones County sheriff's department. Because sexual orientation is not included in federal civil rights laws, the Civil Rights Division said the agency could only launch an investigation if there is evidence indicating violations of other generally applicable federal statutes, such as threats by mail or telephone. NGLTF agreed to forward to the Justice Department details of violent and threatening incidents aimed at the Hensons so that the agency could determine whether any of the incidents violate federal criminal code and could be cause for an investigation. Justice officials said the Attorney General's office will respond formally to the NGLTF request for intervention. NGLTF's Tanya Domi requested that Attorney General Janet Reno use the "bully pulpit" of her office "to provide moral leadership by condemning the reprehensible behavior" exhibited by the Ovett citizens who are using intimidation and violence to force the Hensons from their home. "This meeting outlined some of the limits the Justice Department faces in intervening on behalf of gay, lesbian and bisexual people because sexual orientation is not included in federal civil rights laws," Domi said. "It was an opportunity for NGLTF to press the Justice Department to intervene in any way it is able, including leadership from Attorney General Janet Reno." "I don't believe there is an unwillingness on the part of the Justice Department to protect the rights and lives of the Hensons, or anyone targeted because of sexual orientation," said NGLTF's Robin Kane. "But this situation illustrates that federal laws must be expanded to include sexual orientation so that federal agencies can intervene to protect gay, lesbian and bisexual citizens. We plan to work with the Justice Department to make sure that occurs." - 30 -