Subject: Church tosses out our veterans.
From: <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 5 Nov 1994 08:58:13 -0500

___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:  [email-masked]

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.)