Date: Tue, 23 May 1995 13:09:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: Rex Wockner <rwockner@netcom.com>
Subject: LAGUNA BEACH GAYS FIGHT BACK 

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      * Copyright (c) 1995 Rex Wockner and affiliates. *
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      * NOTE: "K Turner" is correct name in graf 7     *
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              4,500 AT LAGUNA PRIDE WEEKEND
        Petition Drive Launched Against City Council
                     by Rex Wockner

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. -- In the shadow of the City Council's
refusal to endorse the event, 4,500 people turned out for the
second annual Laguna Pride Weekend May 5-7.

	Highlights included a two-day Pride Pageant at the Festival
of Arts Grounds and a volleyball tournament at the West Street
Beach.

	Headline entertainment acts were 70s disco divas Evelyn
"Champagne" King, best-known for her hit "Shame," and Thelma
"Don't Leave Me This Way" Houston.

	Despite having unanimously endorsed last year's pride
weekend, the City Council voted 4-1 last month not to do so this
year.

	Openly gay Republican Councilman Wayne Peterson, who voted
against the endorsement, said the Council had "decided to get out
of the business of endorsing or supporting organizations" and the
pride organizers "just happened to be the first group that came
and asked for an endorsement."

	"This was not gay-bashing. This was not homophobia. ...
We're not going to endorse any more," Peterson said.

	Among the people who did not buy that explanation is openly
lesbian School Board member K Turner. She and numerous volunteers
collected more than 1,000 signatures on petitions during the
weekend asking the City Council "to reconsider its new position
on endorsing community events."

	"I've watched public bodies for many years," Turner said,
"and they usually make their policies and then measure requests
against the policy, rather than wait for a request to come in and
then make policy. So, I think they didn't have the sequence
correct."

	The petition states: "During a time when violence against
gays and lesbians is at an all time high, and some organized
groups are using hatred and bigotry against gays and lesbians to
advance their cause, we need city leaders to stand with gays and
lesbians in support and understanding. By not supporting this
event, the City Council is sending a message that gays and
lesbians are less welcome in Laguna Beach than in years past."

	"All is not well" in Laguna Beach, agreed former openly gay
Mayor Robert Gentry. "The November election brought three new
Council members to the City Council and ... the attitude about
open gays and lesbians is changing.

	"Being openly gay or lesbian is becoming more acceptable all
the time but asking for our civil rights and affirmation is often
not," Gentry said. "We all must become more active in our
movement and our communities. We need many more people at the
tables where decisions are being made. Would the Laguna Beach
City Council fail to endorse this wonderful weekend event if two
or three openly gay or lesbian people sat on that body? I think
not. We can no longer rely on others to take care of us."

	Laguna Beach, population 24,000, has long been one of the
gayest cities in America despite being located in very Republican
Orange County. Laguna Beach Community Business Association
President Doug Reilly estimates the city's gay population at one-
third, or 8,000.
    
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