Date: Mon, 10 Apr 1995 10:46:43 -0500 (CDT) From: Kevyn Jacobs To: "Kansas Queer News [KQN]" Subject: Public statement regarding the resignation of LesBiGaysOK director April 8, 1995 Please post this statement from LesBiGay Services of Kansas. As you might imagine, we have been extremely busy dealing with this delicate situation on a round-the-clock basis since late Tuesday night. If you have not yet heard about it, suffice it to say that our campus newspaper saw fit to publish the criminal record of Eric Moore, our former Director, revealing that he was convicted in January 1990 of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child. Although Mr. Moore has fulfilled his sentence, we realize that this type of issue, particularly within our community, is one which inspires extreme emotional response. It is perfectly natural to feel anything from anger, betrayal, and disgust, to pity, sympathy, and simple confusion. At this time of varying emotional responses it is extremely important to keep sight of the larger picture. Our enemies are the same that they have always been. Members of the extreme religious right hate us for who we are, and will never be at a loss for reasons to justify their hatred. There will never be a time when all Lesbigay people reach a state of perfection that somehow convinces these people to stop hating us. For that reason, it is of the utmost importance that we all attempt to deal with our emotional responses as best we can, while remaining solidly committed to fighting our one real enemy. If we become divided and fragmented over this or any other one issue, we risk losing everything. Further, we must not fear being judged as a whole for the actions of an individual. If we believe that stereotyping is wrong, then we must firmly stand against it, both within and outside our community. At this point, the most positive thing that we can do is to speak out firmly and clearly against child abuse, and particularly against sexual victimization of children. Talk to your friends, write letters, and organize discussions. Most importantly, inform yourself. We have received 21 pages of information and statistics from NGLTF about who really commits this sort of crime in our society. If you need copies you may e-mail me: scottman@falcon.cc.ukans.edu Most importantly, do not further sensationalize this situation by generalizing or embellishing it. We must behave as rationally as possible in a very emotionally charged time. Take lots of deep breaths. Scott Manning Acting Director LesBiGay Services of Kansas ----------------------------------------------------------------------- April 6, 1995 To: Friends and Supporters of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Gay Services of Kansas Effective Tuesday, April 4, 1995, Eric O. Moore resigned from his position as Director of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Gay Services of Kansas. Although we laud Eric for his many efforts and contributions to the University as well as the community, he is no longer associated with our organization. No one within this organization was aware of Eric's previous criminal record until late Tuesday night. Many people will question our decision to allow Eric to speak at the lecture by Mr. Louganis last night. This decision was carefully debated among our officers. We came to the decision that Eric's message last night was of enough importance to allow him to speak. >From the Constitution of our organization, we would like to share with you our Preamble, as follows: Lesbian, Bisexual, and Gay Services of Kansas is preeminently dedicated to the belief that gays, lesbians, and bisexuals are human beings. It is unfortunate that we find ourselves defending our lives by pointing out our humanity. Because we are human beings, we should be afforded the same rights and responsibilities under the law as other citizens of the University of Kansas and beyond. We observe that many lesbian, bisexual, and gay people face special and unique problems because of sexual orientation. Most of these problems are a product of the society of which we are a part. We strongly believe that, by taking responsibility for the part of society which we comprise, these problems can be understood, and eventually put to rest. At this difficult time we ask you, our supporters, to continue to give our organization your support and friendship. We firmly believe that any form of sexual molestation is absolutely and always wrong, particularly when it involves children. However, we unequivocally decry any and all attempts to stereotype and scapegoat members of our organization as well as the lesbian, bisexual, and gay community based on the actions of any one individual. Stereotyping leads to homophobia and violence.