From: Date: Wed, 11 Jan 1995 17:38:33 -0500 Subject: HELMS INTRODUCES HATE LEGISLATIO ***************************************************************** PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND The Nation's Largest Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Political Group ***************************************************************** To contact the HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND, please call us at (202)628-4160, fax us at (202) 347-5323 or write to us at PO Box 1396 Washington, DC 20013. WE CANNOT RESPOND TO E-MAIL. ***************************************************************** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11, 1995 EXTREMISTS MAY PRESSURE GOP TO PUSH A DIVISIVE AGENDA: HELMS INTRODUCES HATE LEGISLATION TARGETING GAY WORKERS Bills Filed During Congress' First Week Would Promote Hate Speech and Discrimination Against Federal Employees WASHINGTON -- In the first indication that anti-gay extremists in the new Republican-controlled Congress may target lesbian and gay Americans in discriminatory legislation, Sen. Jesse Helms (R- N.C.) has introduced two bills that would promote hate speech and discrimination against federal workers. The Helms bills mark the first two pieces of anti-gay legislation introduced in the 104th Congress, according to an analysis by the Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRCF). "In a move that contradicts the Republican promise to keep focused on the business of the nation, Jesse Helms has begun to execute his own private contract on gay Americans in the first few days of the 104th Congress," said HRCF Executive Director Elizabeth Birch. "This is the first indication that Jesse Helms intends to use his newly acquired power in Congress to pursue his anti-gay obsession, a clear breach of the Republican promise to address issues that are important to Americans. Voters who changed the face of Congress have overwhelmingly rejected discriminatory measures of the ilk that Helms is proposing." The first bill, numbered S.23, would give a special exemption from workplace non-discrimination policies to government employees who voice prejudices against lesbian and gay coworkers. S.25 would target lesbian and gay employees for discrimination by denying their employee organizations the same rights to free association and free speech guaranteed to other employee groups. Twenty-two employee groups for lesbian and gay federal workers have formed, similar to groups representing African-Americans, Latinos and women in the federal work force. "This legislation would promote hate speech and discrimination against federal workers," said HRCF Public Policy Director Daniel Zingale. "Americans overwhelmingly believe that no one should be singled out for discrimination in the workplace. Helms' hate legislation flies in the face of this fundamental American value." Following a growing trend in the private sector, at least 17 major federal agencies have included lesbian and gay people along with other workers in their non-discrimination policies. No federal law protects people from being fired or otherwise discriminated against in the workplace on the basis of sexual orientation. "The federal government is only now catching up to corporate America, where half of the Fortune 1000 companies have non- discrimination policies protecting their gay and lesbian employees," said Birch, who recently left a high-level management position at Apple Computers to lead the largest national lesbian and gay equal rights organization. "A growing number of successful corporations also have gay employee groups and diversity training. If successful companies like Apple and Xerox provide equal protection to their employees, the federal government would do well to follow their example." HRCF polled Members of Congress last year on their own employment practices, and found broad bipartisan support for the principle that gay and lesbian people should not be singled out for discrimination in the workplace. 82 Republicans and 231 Democrats -- including majorities of both parties in the Senate -- confirmed that they do not discriminate in their offices on the basis of sexual orientation. In addition, a post-election poll of voters in the November election found that majorities of Republicans, Democrats and Independents support equal rights in the workplace for lesbian and gay people. In a random survey of 800 voters conducted Nov. 8 and 9 by the independent polling firm of Mellman Lazarus Lake, Inc., 70 percent said gay people should not face unfair job discrimination -- with 64 percent of Republicans, 71 percent of Independents and 77 percent of Democrats supporting the idea. Anticipating the Helms bills and supporting its lobbying activities on Capitol Hill, HRCF has activated its 5,000-member Federal Advocacy Network (FAN) to generate calls and letters to Congress from local advocates in all 50 states. HRCF's Speak Out program is generating 31,159 letters to the Senate and 14,203 letters to the House asking Members to reject legislation that singles out lesbian and gay people for discrimination. HRCF is also coordinating communications activities with the federal Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Employees (GLOBE) organization. - 30 - 1101 14th Street, NW Suite 200 Washington, DC 20005 phone:(202)628-4160 fax:(202) 347-5323