From: Date: Sat, 5 Nov 1994 08:58:13 -0500 Subject: Church tosses out our veterans. ___ACTION ALERT REQUEST___ACTION ALERT REQUEST___ Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual VETERANS of Greater New York. affiliated organization: American Federation of Veterans. 212 349 3455 (fax 233 6058) Email: swaroop414@aol.com MANHATTAN CHURCH TOSSES OUT OUR MILITARY VETERANS. (New York, Nov. 4, 1994.) Since 1992, The organization, formed by Armed Forces veterans from the New York City area LesBiGay & Transgender communities, has held an annual awards dinner that honors our most cherished members and friends, as well as outstanding leaders and benefactors. But for this years event, the members have had to deal with a major last hours problem: The church renting the hall has canceled, only 50 hours before the event, after having held a signed contract with the vets for 35 days. The Church of St. Francis Xavier is on West 16th. St., Manhattan, between the Chelsea and Greenwich Village neighborhoods. This, of course, means there is a sizeable participation by our kind, and, the church officially recognizes a Catholic Gay and Lesbian group in their Sunday program and newsletter. Indications are that the order to cancel, and the timing, comes not from the local church, but from their Bishop. The cancellation was verified by Congressman Gerald Nadler, who was among those honored last year for his continuing support. The objective of the "Rainbow Eagle Awards" is to recognize the outstanding contributions of those who have been supportive of the organization, and, the effort of our veterans to help each other. The preservation of the respect for our fellow veterans who have served, and, those who are serving, dictates our plans to continue with the awards banquet. The event has been relocated to the Carmine Recreational Center on Clarkson St, Manhattan, near the corner of 7th. Ave, and, 1 block north of Houston St. Those who would oppose us count on being able to make our expenses rise. in this, they have succeeded. There is also the diversion of the personal time and energy of our members away from projects that help vets (many who are among the homeless), towards moving the event, and, investigating our legal options. We need volunteers / memberships / donations as never before. We need you to tell your friends what the church has done. And, if you are in or near Manhattan, by all means, do attend tonight's Rainbow Eagle Awards Banquet starting at 1830 (6:30 p.m.)