From: "Ellen McCormick" Subject: CA: Legislative Update 5-8-97 Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 15:44:16 -0700 May 8, 1997 For Immediate Release Contacts: Ellen McCormick, Legislative Advocate Laurie McBride, Executive Director Sam Catalano, Legislative Assistant (916) 444-0424 LIFE LOBBY DEFEATS "NO PROMO HOMO" BILL AND 2ND ANTI-GAY MARRIAGE BILL IN CALIFORNIA, AB 101 passes the State Assembly Appropriations Committee May 7, 1997 - A day of anti-gay rhetoric ended in the defeat of AB 1490, a bill by Assembly Member George House (R-Hughson) which would prohibit the "promotion or advocacy of homosexuality" in California's public schools. Also defeated was AB 800, by Assembly Member Bob Margett (R-Arcadia), the second anti-same gender marriage bill in the State Legislature. In an impassioned hearing on AB 800, Assembly Member Barbara Alby (R-Fair Oaks) asked where the gay and lesbian community drew the line with regard to who should be able to marry and who should not. She further questioned that if LIFE Lobby asserts this is state sanctioned discrimination because gay and lesbian people cannot marry, then "isn't the state also discriminating against fathers who want to marry daughters or 14 year olds who want to marry each other?" Laurie McBride, Executive Director of LIFE Lobby, said later, "this bigotry is so clear - they have no respect for our relationships or for anyone who differs from the 'traditional family model,' the hypocrisy is the absence of dialog about divorce rates, and wife and child abuse in the 'traditional family model.' " In the end, the bill was not able to garner enough votes to pass the committee. During the hearing on AB 1490, opponents of the bill spoke about high suicide and high school drop out rates for gay, lesbian, bisexual and questioning teens, and the need for intervention programs in schools for youth. "The bill says that schools may not 'promote or advocate homosexuality as a viable lifestyle' - there isn't such a program in California," said Ellen McCormick, LIFE Lobby Legislative Advocate, "there are, however, programs that teach respect and tolerance for all people and programs that teach young people how to deal with homophobia in the face of violence. These are programs that save lives and keep young people from dropping out of school. Though they don't 'advocate or promote,' this bill could have been used to shut them down." Both AB 800 and AB 1490 were granted reconsideration, but are not likely to pass. Also, Assembly Member Sheila Kuehl's (D-Santa Monica) measure AB 101, passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee. AB 101, the Dignity for All Students Act, which will prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in California's public schools will go next to the full Assembly floor for a vote. LIFE Lobby encourages all individuals and organizations to write to their Assembly Member and urge them to support this crucial bill. ### LIFE: California's Lesbian/Gay and AIDS Lobby has been lobbying on behalf of California's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-affected communities since 1986. LIFE is the oldest and largest institution representing these communities in California's State Capitol and is proud to celebrate a decade of service. LIFE: California's Lesbian/Gay and AIDS Lobby 926 J Street, Suite 522 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 444-0424, fax (916) 444-3059