From: NGLTF@aol.com Date: Thu, 8 Feb 1996 17:21:04 -0500 Subject: NGLTF Closes Books on 1995 State Legislative Gay Activity ************************************************* PRESS RELEASE National Gay and Lesbian Task Force 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 Contact: Robert Bray 415.552.6448 or Tracey Conaty 202.332.6483 x3303 ************************************************* NGLTF Closes Books on 1995 State Legislative Gay Activity 1996 Holds Greater Challenges as Right Wing Hits the Ground Running: 33 Anti-Gay Measures Introduced in January February 8, 1996....Today, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) released its final edition of Beyond the Beltway 1995: A state-by-state-survey of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender-related legislation and announced preliminary findings of a survey of gay-related measures introduced thus far in the 1996 legislative year. Though last year was active with more than 100 measures introduced, a barrage of recent anti-gay legislation introduced in the last month indicates this year may see even more activity. Fighting off what NGLTF believes was a record level of hostile legislative attacks by the Right in 1995, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (g/l/b/t) activists nonetheless made significant gains in advancing non-discrimination provisions and other pro-gay measures. Rhode Island became the ninth state in the nation to implement a statewide non-discrimination measure when it passed a law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation in public and private employment, credit, housing, and public accommodation. Passage of the Rhode Island bill was one the year's most significant highlights. Low lights included defeat of a strong, gay-inclusive hate crimes bill in Texas and defeat of an enhanced penalties bill for those convicted of hate crimes in Louisiana. In addition to opposing bills that would ensure basic civil rights for gays and lesbians, the Radical Right took the offensive and introduced numerous hostile measures. This included a Montana bill that would have required gays and lesbians convicted under the state's sexual deviance law to register with local law enforcement for life. There was also the Arizona bill, signed by the governor, that prohibits school districts from portraying "homosexuality as a positive alternative lifestyle." All told, 1995 saw 105 gay-related measures move forwarded in 35 states. (An earlier version of this report released last June indicates 97 pieces of legislation. The final report includes activity in late-running legislative sessions and previously undetected bills.) The number of measures that would positively impact g/l/b/t people exceeded the number of anti-gay measures. NGLTF tracked 64 pro-gay measures compared with 41 anti-gay ones in 1995. Though there were more pro-gay than anti-gay measures in 1995, the potential impact of the anti-gay measures eclipsed that of the positive measures. This is because the vast majority of the anti-gay measures were specifically targeted at gay people, while many of the positive measures were not. They simply included sexual orientation in a broader list of other characteristics. - more - If January is a foreshadowing of the year to come, activists across the country will be on the defensive, battling hostile legislation with much of it initiated by right wing extremists. Based on reports from the field, including gay lobbies and other field groups, and a search of legislative databases, NGLTF has learned that 33 anti-gay measures have already been introduced, compared with 22 pro-gay measures. More anti-gay measures are expected. Like 1995, the anti-gay provisions are specifically motivated by homophobia, while most of the pro-gay measures, though inclusive of gays, are not specific to gays. Of the current anti-gay measures, many focus on the areas of family and education. This year, anti-gay marriage bills are leading the way. Seventeen states have introduced legislation banning same-gender marriage. Though gay and lesbian couples do not have the right to legally marry anywhere in the U.S., the legislation is seen as a preemptive strike against the anticipated Hawaii court decision later this year that may uphold the right of same-gender couples to marry. Other anti-gay legislation introduced in January includes a Missouri bill that would prohibit public schools from disseminating materials that portray homosexuality as acceptable, and an Oklahoma bill that declares tolerance of homosexual behavior inconsistent with the traditional values of Oklahoma. "Radical Right extremists have hit the ground running in 1996 and anti-gay marriage legislation is their tactic du jour," stated Robert Bray, NGLTF Media Director. "The impact of this legislation is not only to curtail or prevent basic rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people, but to stir up anti-gay sentiment. The myths, stereotypes, and outright lies associated with homophobic legislation can also cause harassment, intolerance and even violence," added Bray. Like last year, many of the pro-gay bills introduced are hate crime measures that include "sexual orientation" as well as many other characteristics. These bills, because of their inclusion of sexual orientation, are often vigorously opposed by homophobic extremists. Such is the case in Texas, where Joe Isassi was murdered in Corpus Christi in an anti-gay attack on May 20, the same day the Texas legislature voted down a tougher hate crime law. Last month on January 4 in Katy, Texas, a Houston suburb, Fred Mangione was stabbed 35 times by neo- nazis out to "get a fag." A local religious extremist group joined in opposition to Texas's tougher hate crime bill, claiming it would give "lighter sentences for crimes against non-homosexuals or non-minorities" and that the law would "include child molesters." This tougher hate crime bill will be introduced again in the 1996 session, and similar opposition is expected. In a recent closed-door and illegal meeting of Utah Senators, the virulently anti-gay film "Gay Rights, Special Rights" was screened, a detailed description of anal intercourse was offered, and a copy of "Heather Has Two Mommies" was passed around by "admitted" homophobic lawmakers. And in Iowa, a rally to "protect marriage" will be held on February 10 and will reportedly include presidential candidates Keyes, Buchanan, and Gramm. Along with an already introduced anti-gay marriage bill, The Report, a national radical right group, will reportedly be introducing a bill preventing homosexuality from being discussed in a positive light at state universities, a bill that would defund libraries that have pro-gay material, and a bill ending anonymous HIV testing. The governor of Iowa also recently endorsed a fundraising letter by The Report. To obtain a copy of Beyond the Beltway 1995, call NGLTF Publications Department at (202) 332-6483 ext. 3327 or email a request to NGLTF@NGLTF.org. The cost of the report is $5. ###