From: Babngltf@aol.com Date: Fri, 23 Jun 1995 10:23:49 -0400 ************************************************* National Gay and Lesbian Task Force ACTION ALERT ! ACTION ALERT ! (202) 332-6483 2320 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 Fax (202) 332-0207 TTY (202) 332-6219 ************************************************** June 23, 1995 YOUR HELP IS NEEDED NOW TO PRESERVE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION On June 12 the Supreme Court delivered a blow to federal affirmative action programs that could seriously hurt women and people of color. In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Court outlined new rules that must be met before the federal government can apply the program to assist currently and historically oppressed groups. Yet, while the new guidelines may present future challenges, it was reassuring that seven of the nine Supreme Court Justices reaffirmed their commitment to the basic principles of affirmative action. For many Americans, the recent ruling was a wake up call to the pending battle over affirmative action. Supporters of affirmative action, including the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), fear that the Supreme Court's ruling will further embolden opponents who would attack and weaken these programs. President Clinton and the US Senate have both initiated reviews of affirmative action programs, while many right wing politicians have called for a broad range of limitations or the wholesale elimination of such programs. On June 1, California Governor Pete Wilson (R) abolished an array of state affirmative action programs in his state. With this political backdrop, President Clinton is expected to make his pronouncement on affirmative action in the coming weeks. What is Affirmative Action? Affirmative action is not a law, but a policy enacted by government agencies, other employers and universities or is ordered by the courts to remedy the continuing effects of past discrimination, compensate for present discrimination, or to prevent discrimination from recurring in the future. To be permitted by law, affirmative action must involve only qualified applicants and workers. The courts have ruled that "if a party is not qualified for a position in the first instance, affirmative action considerations do not apply." Much of the criticism of affirmative action programs stems from misinformation and from the limited incidents when affirmative action has been misapplied. Right wing groups have inaccurately labeled the programs as quota systems. However the Executive Order on Affirmative Action, which is the current standard for such federal programs, explicitly forbids quotas. Problems with affirmative action could be solved by better enforcement, NOT through changing or abolishing the policy. Is Affirmative Action a "Gay Issue?" Some might argue that race and gender affirmative action is not a "gay issue." However, race and gender affirmative action provides important redress for the race and gender discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people of color and lesbian and bisexual women. It is important that we remember and include all of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community when we fight for our rights. It is also an illusion to believe that the human dignity and civil rights of our community can be recognized and protected in a society that is working to dismantle policies geared toward remedying discrimination against any group of people. A healthy society, one in which homophobia can be eradicated, is a society which acknowledges and takes responsibility for its history of oppression and commits itself to eliminating discrimination for all people. The Radical Right is behind a wide range of measures targeting oppressed groups -- elimination of affirmative action, welfare reform, and anti-immigrant legislation-- in addition to the stripping of rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people. The Right uses the rhetoric of "special rights" and the illusion of a finite amount of civil rights, to pit one group against another. The Radical Right sees the connections between the issues and so must we. If any of these proposals succeed, the Radical Right succeeds and is stronger. What Threats Exist to Affirmative Action? In addition to the fear that President Clinton might bow to political pressure by changing or distancing himself from affirmative action programs, Congress may soon take up the issue. Rep. Charles Canady (R-12th-FL) has indicated that he will introduce legislation that would seriously undermine equal opportunity for women and minorities by dismantling federal affirmative action programs entirely. Also, Senate and House debates on a myriad of issues ranging from appropriations to regulatory reform may lead to amendments attacking affirmative action. The first Congressional attacks on affirmative action may strike as early as next week and will likely continue throughout the summer and possibly into the fall. What Can We Do? Call or write your Senators and Representative: Make the following points: x Oppose anti-affirmative action legislation in whatever form it may take. x Be Deliberate and Be Responsible. President Clinton and Senator Dole are both reviewing affirmative action. Take no steps until both studies are completed and you have been able to review the recommendations. x Don't roll back the clock on civil rights. Call or write President Clinton: Tell the President- x I support affirmative action. x Don't roll back the clock on civil rights. Lobby Your Employer to Do the Same: Congress and the President need to hear that businesses support affirmative action. Ask your employer to make a call. CONTACTS: x President Bill Clinton (202) 456-1414 voice or email: president@whiteHouse.gov or write: Executive Office of the President 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20500 x US Senators and Representatives - (202) 224-3121 voice or write: The Honorable__________ The Honorable__________ US Senate US House of Representatives Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515 - - - - - - - - The National Gay & Lesbian Task Force is a leading national civil rights0 organization that has supported grassroots organizing since 1973. For membership information, contact ngltf@ngltf.org or call 202-332-6483.