Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 16:19:26 -0500 From: glaad@glaad.org (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Subject: GLAADLines 02.23.98 GLAADLINES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 1998 News and Breaking Stories about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community contact: Don Romesburg (415) 861-2244 romesburg@glaad.org http://www.glaad.org "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL" VIOLATIONS AT ALL-TIME HIGH: On a report released February 19, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) announced a 27 percent rise in command violations, where commanders asked, pursued and harassed suspected gay servicemembers in defiance of the military's own policy. According to the report, "Conduct Unbecoming: The Fourth Annual Report on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue'," this is the fourth straight year of increased violations. A 39 percent increase in "Don't Ask" violations and a 23 percent increase in "Don't Pursue" violations in 1997 were coupled with a 38 percent increase in incidents of anti-gay harassment. Frequently, to extract confessions during gay investigations, military superiors would issue threats of criminal charges, confinement, non-judicial punishment and outing. "Lack of leadership. Lack of training. Lack of accountability. All are to blame for the military's persistent failure to abide by its own laws," said SLDN Co-Executive Director Michelle Benecke. For more information contact Michelle Benecke (SLDN) at (202) 328-3244. HAWAII HOUSE GIVES A GO TO GAY MARRIAGE CON-CON: On February 20, the Hawaii State House unanimously approved a bill allowing voters to determine in November whether or not to have the first state constitutional convention, or "con-con," in over two decades. At such a convention, radical religious groups are pushing to amend the constitution to explicitly define marriage in a way which excludes gay couples from receiving equal rights. According to Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Communications Director David Smith, the issue of same-sex marriage is being used as a wedge issue to attempt to force a con-con, which would open the constitution to amendment on a host of issues on the far right's agenda. He added that as the bill moves to the state senate, opposition to the ballot initiative is much stronger and HRC hopes it will be blocked there. For more information contact David Smith (HRC) at (202) 628-4160. MICHIGAN ACTIVISTS SAY PROPOSED LOCAL LAW TARGETS GAY PEOPLE: An ordinance Sterling Heights (Michigan) police have proposed to its city council would possibly allow law enforcement to confiscate the vehicles of people who flirt suggestively in public parks. The law, intended to crack down on people looking for sex in city parks, states that "no person shall be in or near any place frequented by the public or any public place for the purpose of inducing, enticing or procuring another to...engage in any sexual activity." According to Triangle Foundation Executive Director Jeff Montgomery, enforcement of such laws are used to single out men having or seeking sex with other men, while women or straight couples go ignored. "All you have to do is carefully look at the wording," Montgomery said, noting that the law would put anyone at risk of arrest and having their car impounded "if you make a date that ends up leading to sex. This is an incredible abuse of police authority and court action. The really sick part on the part of law enforcement is they know that most of these people are going to be so humiliated and the potential for the destruction of their life is so great they won't fight the charges." To date, the City Council has tabled the ordinance. For more information contact Jeff Montgomery (Triangle Foundation) at (313) 537-3323. WNBC TO AIR ST. PAT'S PARADE DESPITE LESBIAN AND GAY IRISH PROTESTS: Despite a meeting with the Irish Lesbian and Gay Organization (ILGO) on February 12, WNBC in New York is standing by its decision to sign a multi-year contract with the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) to broadcast New York's March 17 St. Patrick's Day Parade. Since 1990, the parade organizers have banned ILGO from participating. At the meeting, ILGO asked that WNBC: refuse to air the parade until the parade become inclusive; put pressure on the AOH to include all Irish groups regardless of sexual orientation; and broadcast a program exploring the issue of sexual orientation and ethnic identity near their coverage of the parade. WNBC President Dennis Swanson said the parade would be aired and that WNBC would not get involved in pressuring the AOH to be more inclusive, but that he would consider a public affairs program on the issues involved. He gave no assurance that such a program would air near St. Patrick's Day. "During the meeting Swanson kept saying that he believed the parade was 'good for WNBC.' We couldn't seem to get him to understand that supporting such blatant bigotry against lesbians and gay men could never be 'good' for his television station," said ILGO member Lisa Fane. In addition, 85 ILGO members will go on trial in the city on March 5 on charges related to 1994 AOH protests. For more information contact Lisa Fane at pager (917) 780-0347. LESBIAN AND GAY LAWYERS CONFERENCE IN THE BIG APPLE: On February 28 at New York Law School, the "Lesbian and Gay Law 1998" conference will bring together lesbian, gay and bisexual lawyers from around the country to discuss pressing issues of law and the legal profession related to sexual orientation. For more information contact Daniel Schaffer (Lesbian and Gay Law Association Foundation of Greater New York) at (212) 353-9118. To report events that merit media coverage, or news stories breaking in your area, please contact us. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is the nation's lesbian & gay media advocacy organization. GLAAD promotes fair, accurate, and inclusive representation as a means of challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. To subscribe contact Don Romesburg at (415) 861-2244 or at romesburg@glaad.org. 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