Copyright 1992 by UPI
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	AUSTIN, Texas (UPI) -- A newspaper's decision to sell a lesbian couple
space for a photograph and story about their union has thrust both the
women and the newspaper into the center of a controversy.
	Sara Strandtman and Karen Umminger decided more than a year ago to
formalize their relationship with a ceremony, which was held last
weekend at the First Unitarian Church in Austin and attended by about 90
people.
	The Austin American-Statesman's decision to carry a paid notice of
the ceremony in its Sunday editions produced a barrage of calls to the
newspaper supporting and condemning the action.
	``Well I'd say we've received quite a few calls but they are probably
more in favor than in opposition,'' publisher Roger Kintzel said
Wednesday. He estimated that about 60 of the 100 calls supported
publication of the notice.
	Kintzel said he personally made the decision to accept the ad because
the newspaper established a policy about 18 months ago not to
discriminate in advertising on the basis of sexual orientation.
	Christian radio talk show host Jack Chambers called a news conference
Tuesday to denounce the notice, and other stations in the city say they
have been jammed with calls about the marriage.
	``It is an insult to the momentus, happy occasion of the other
married couples whose accounts of their weddings are portrayed on this
page,'' said Chambers. ``The purity of these pages has been marred by
the stain of immorality.''
	Chambers said the root of his criticism is that Texas law forbids
homosexual relationships and allows only people of the opposite sex to
be joined in marriage. But a state district judge has overturned the law
that makes same-sex relationships illegal, a ruling that has been upheld
on appeal and before the Texas Supreme Court.
	Officials of Austin radio station KLBJ said about 70 percent of the
calls it received Tuesday were opposed to the lesbian marriage and
unhappy that the American-Statesman treated the union the same as a
marriage between people of the opposite sex.
	When the newspaper carried a notice of the couple's engagement
several weeks ago without a picture, no complaints were made.
	Stradtman and Umminger are honeymooning in New Mexico and Colorado,
but in an interview before they left, both seemed surprised by the
reaction to their union and the newspaper's decision to carry the
announcement.