Submitted by:Skytalker@aol.com
Date: Wed, 25 May 94 20:20:43 EDT

New York Catholic Conference Lobbys Against Civil Rights Bill

 The New York State Assembly has passed the Sexual Orientation
Non-Discrimination Bill for the second straight year, and once again we wait
while the New York State Senate decides if it will even allow the bill onto
the floor for an open and democratic vote.

One of the groups actively lobbying against the bill is the New York State
Catholic Conference which represents the bishops of the various dioceses
across the state, as well as the Archdiocese of New York headed by John
Cardinal O'Connor. Each member of the state Senate last year received a
letter from John M. Kerry, Executive Director and lobbyist for the Catholic
Conference outlining its opposition to the bills, and the key members of the
Senate Republican majority where repeatedly lobbied by Mr. Kerry to oppose
this bill.

In his letter of last year, Mr. Kerry stated that "legislation which is aimed
at the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation must
address that issue without also seeking to accomplish, or contribute
unwittingly to, broad and far-reaching social changes by compulsion of law."
He continues, "The Catholic Church has always been and will continue to be
committed to opposing discrimination directed against any group. The Church
teaches that unjust discrimination against those with homosexual orientation
is wrong." Further, he writes, "from the perspective of Roman Catholic
teaching, homosexual activity is objectively immoral and inappropriate for
legislative support." In other words, the Conference is opposed to
discrimination but can not condone legislation which will, in its view,
create equality for gay and lesbians as a protected class of citizens.
This legislation does not endorse or validate any orientation, it just
ensures that no one will be discriminated against because of one's
orientation. In a survey conducted by an independent polling company, the
over-whelming majority of respondents who identified themselves as Catholic
support the protection of the civil rights of lesbian and gay persons. Yet
the bishops are telling our state Senators to oppose this legislation.
We, as Catholics, as citizens of New York, and as gay and lesbian Catholics
must contact our state Senators and tell him or her that as Catholics we
support the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Bill and request that if
they can not support the bill, at least allow the bill to be brought out of
the Republican Conference for an open floor vote. If they can not support the
bill, stand up on the Senate floor and tell us why they support
discrimination against us.

The Republican Conference will consider the bill once again as it nears the
end of the legislative session in June. Please contact your state Senator and
Senator Ralph Marino, the Republican Majority leader and ask that the bill be
brought to the floor for an open and democratic vote.
You can reach your Senator and Senator Marino by calling the Senate
Switchboard at 518-455-2800