Date: Mon, 23 Jan 1995 18:28:27 -0500 January 23, 1995 To Reporters/Editors, Attached is a new publication of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, called "News in Progress." I will produce this tip sheet on a weekly or bi-weekly basis for the use of reporters and editors who cover gay, lesbian and bisexual issues. "News In Progress" will highlight pending news stories from across the nation and will focus on stories where votes are taking place, meetings are being held, or other actions are being taken by advocates for gay and lesbian civil rights as well as our opponents. "News In Progress" will include basic information on hot topics predominantly outside the Beltway, with contact information for the players out in the field who are making a difference. I hope this publication is helpful to you in covering news stories and connecting similar battles happening across the nation. The political changes that have occurred in Washington due to the November elections are reflected on the state and local level, increasing the number of Radical Right legislators who often advocate a targeted anti-gay agenda. These changes will create a new atmosphere and increased challenges for our community in state legislatures, city councils and local school boards around the country. Please feel free to comment on "News In Progress" and let me know how else I can be of assistance to you. Sincerely, Robin Kane Director of Public Information 2320 17th St., NW Washington, DC 200009 202-332-6483, ext. 3311 202-332-0207 fax 202-332-6219 TTY ***************************************************** National Gay and Lesbian Task Force NEWS IN PROGRESS Contact: Robin Kane (202) 332-6483 ext. 3311 (800) 757-7736 pager 2320 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 ***************************************************** JANUARY 23, 1995 Des Moines, IA -- Curricula Battle -- Meeting January 24 Issue: Radical right organizers last week initiated statewide legislation to de-fund diversity curriculum in Iowa public schools. The measure was introduced in response to a recent controversy about inclusion of homosexuality in school curricula in Des Moines. Bill Horn (of The Report, a conservative fundamentalist group that produced "The Gay Agenda" video) organized a 3,000-person anti-gay rally January 2 against the proposed curriculum changes, and 1,500 people attended a marathon session of the school board on January 3. NGLTF is offering organizing assistance and will hold a "Fight the Right" training next month. The Superintendent of Public Schools is expected to put forward some new information about the implemenation of the curriculum changes during the next school board meeting on January 24. Local contact: John Schmacker, Des Moines Gay and Lesbian Resource Center, 515-282-7925 NGLTF contact: Robert Bray, field organizer, 415-552-6448. Dallas, TX -- Local Civil Rights Ordinance -- Council Vote on January 25 Issue: The Dallas City Council on January 11 amended its hiring rules to forbid public employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. Following an uproar from opponents of the new rule, the Council then voted on January 18 to take another vote on the new anti-discrimination policy. The Council will again vote on the measure at this week's Council meeting on January 25. NGLTF has offered information about similar policies and their impact. Openly gay council member Craig McDaniels authored the measure. The local Christian Coalition has said it did not have enough opportunity to express its opposition and is now organizing against the measure. Local contact: C.C. Cox, Dallas Gay and Lesbian Alliance, (214) 826-4979; or Council member Craig McDaniel, phone (214) 670-5415. NGLTF contact: Robert Bray, field organizer, 415-552-6448; Robin Kane, public information director, 202-332-6483, ext. 3311. Jones County, MS -- Murder Trial -- Trial Begins January 30 Issue: A trial begins on Monday, January 30 in which Marvin McClendon will be tried for the October 1994 murders of two gay men: Robert Walters and Joseph Shoemake. The murders occurred in Laurel, 15 miles from the feminist-lesbian retreat Camp Sister Spirit, which was in the news last year as the target of an organized campaign by some townspeople to drive the women out of the area. The same sheriff's department that failed to make arrests in the ongoing harassment of Camp Sister Spirit and has openly expressed anti-gay sentiments was also responsible for investigating the October murders. NGLTF continues to have no confidence in the local law enforcement and has called for a federal investigation. Meanwhile, Judge Billy Joe Landrum granted a request by McClendon's defense attorney to test the murder victims for HIV. Those results were released to the prosecuting and defense attorneys and may be used as part of a "homosexual panic" defense. Local contact: Pat Hussain, Southerners On New Ground, (404) 212-9695. NGLTF contact: Beth Barret, communications associate, (202) 332-6483, ext. 3215. Tampa, FL -- Anti-Gay Initiative -- March 7 Ballot Vote Issue: The Florida chapter of the American Family Association, headed by David Caton, has placed a measure on the March 7 local election ballot that would repeal the section of the local human rights ordinance that bars discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on sexual orientation. In 1992, Tampa voters repealed the ordinance, but that vote was thrown out due to flaws in the petitions that placed the measure on the ballot. Citizens for a Fair Tampa is battling the local referendum (Referendum 1), calling the measure discriminatory and bad for business. Another Florida city, West Palm Beach, just faced a similar repeal referendum earlier this month. That referendum was defeated in a 56 percent to 44 percent vote. Local contact: Gary Barlow, field coodinator, Citizens for a Fair Tampa, (813) 227-6457. NGLTF contact: Robert Bray, field organizer, 415-552-6448; Robin Kane, public information director, 202-332-6483, ext. 3311. Oklahoma City, OK -- State House Resolution on Anti-Gay Initiative Issue: Notorious anti-gay state legislator Bill Graves last week introduced a House Joint Resolution (HJR1018) that would submit a state constitutional amendment to a state-wide referendum. It would prohibit any state, county, or municipal government from adopting or enforcing laws, policies or regulations "whereby homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual orientation...shall constitute or otherwise be the basis of or entitle any person...to have minority status, quota preferences, protected status or claim of discrimination." The measure would also prohibit "teaching of homosexuality, lesbianism, or bisexuality as natural lifestyles" and prohibit adoption and foster care by gays/lesbians/bisexuals. Local activists are convening community leadership to discuss strategy. Conservative Democrats still control the leadership of state legislature, but like many other states, the recent November elections eliminated many allies of civil rights for gays and increased the number of Radical Right members. Local contact: Pat Reaves, Simply Equal, Oklahoma City, (405)524-7510. NGLTF contact: Robert Bray, field organizer, 415-552-6448. --end--