(Following is the text of a press release issued by the Lambda
Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. on April 1, 1994).

CONNECTICUT HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TAKES FIRST STEP TO STOP
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST GAY HAM RADIO CLUB

(New York, NY, April 1, 1994)  In one of its first rulings under
Connecticut's law against sexual orientation, the Connecticut
Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities announced that it
had reasonable cause to believe that the American Relay League
(ARRL) had discriminated against a gay ham radio club when it
refused to publish the gay club's notices in its classified
advertising section.

     In its March 18 decision in a case brought by Lambda Legal
Defense and Education Fund, the Commission affirmed the case
investigator's finding that ARRL's refusal to publish the Lambda
Amateur Radio Club (LARC) ad was motivated by the club member's
sexual orientation. Rejecting the ARRL's defense that it excluded
LARC's ad because the group is "issue oriented," the Commission
held that "the issue in this instance is clearly the fact that
LARC's members identify themselves as Gay."

     "The Commission's ruling illustrates that Connecticut's law
against sexual orientation discrimination will be a significant
tool in stopping anti-gay acts," said Lambda staff attorney
Suzanne Goldberg who represents the club along with Robert G.
Miller, John Lynch and Catherine McGrath of the New York law firm
Brown Raysman & Millstein.

     While the ARRL has refused to publish LARC's ad for nearly
ten years, it has continued to publish classified advertisements
for other ham radio clubs including Jehovah's Witnesses, Ayn Rand
enthusiasts, missionaries and animal rights groups. "The ruling
is an important first step toward achieving just treatment for
the Lambda Amateur Radio Club," said Goldberg.

     "It is time for responsible individuals at the ARRL to
publicly acknowledge the unfairness of their past practices,
adopt and publish a non-discrimination policy which includes
sexual orientation, and to work with LARC in the spirit of
cooperation and good will which has always characterized the
amateur radio service," said LARC president James Kelly.

     A full hearing on the case is scheduled for June.

     Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund is the nation's
leading non-profit legal organization working to protect and
advance the rights of lesbians, gay men, and people with
HIV/AIDS. Headquartered in New York City, and with offices in Los
Angeles and Chicago, Lambda has regional and national expertise
in all aspects of sexual orientation and HIV-related policy and
law.


-END PRESS RELEASE-

     The Lambda Amateur Radio Club is an international ham radio
club which offers club membership, benefits, and a sense of
community to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered
individuals and to all individuals who are supportive of sexual
minorities and who share a common interest in amateur radio. LARC
promotes friendship and good fellowship; provides mutual help and
support to members; conducts an ongoing outreach program(s);
provides public service; and promotes the Amateur Radio Service.
The only requirements for membership in LARC are a positive and
supportive attitude toward all members of sexual minorities and
an interest in amateur radio. LARC does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual
orientation, marital status, or disability. This policy extends
to all policies, procedures, and activities of the organization.
For more information write: LARC, POB 24810, Phila. PA 19130 or
call (215) 978 - LARC.


-END-

We can use all the help we can get since this organization, the American 
Radio Relay League, is fighting us every inch of the way.

If you'ld like to help, call or fax the ARRL and protest their refusal
to disavow their past discriminatory policies!

ARRL telephone: 203 666 1541
FAX: 203 665 7531

Let us know if you contact them. Thanks again!

Jim Kelly
President
Lambda Amateur Radio ClubR

--
Jim Kelly, Amateur Radio Licensee KK3K (jimkelly@astro.ocis.temple.edu)
M.A. Candidate - Political Science - Temple University       \
President - Lambda Amateur Radio Club for Sexual Minorities   \
Standard Disclaimers Apply - LARC info: (215) 978 - LARC     / \
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