From kevyn@KSUVM.KSU.EDU Thu Mar 23 13:08:31 1995 Date: Thu, 23 Mar 1995 12:54:48 -0600 (CST) From: Kevyn Jacobs To: "Kansas Queer News [KQN]" Cc: "Equality Kansas Email List [EKS]" Subject: COMMON GROUND NEWSLETTER (LONG!) COMMON GROUND The official newsletter of Equality Kansas. February 1995 No. 4 ============================================== KANSAS HOUSE BILL TARGETS YOUTH: REPLACES HIV PREVENTION EDUCATION WITH SODOMY LAW A shame-based sex education bill has been introduced in the Kansas House of Representatives that replaces HIV prevention information directed at Gay teens with a recitation of the Kansas criminal sodomy law. House Bill 2301 requires school districts to instruct their students during the course of HIV prevention presentations "of the circumstances under which it is unlawful for a person to engage in sexual acts with another person pursuant to the statutory provisions contained in article 35 of chapter 21 of Kansas Statutes Annotated." Kansas Statute 21-3505 is the criminal sodomy law, which makes sex "between persons who are 16 or more years of age and members of the same sex" a criminal offense. While the bill does not exclusively specify that HIV prevention information targeted directly to Gay teens would be prohibited, the realities of the educational system in Kansas almost certainly guarantee that such information - already a rarity - would never reach those most at risk for HIV infection. "As a life-long Kansan who was infected with HIV during high school, I can tell you first-hand that most Gay teens don't receive the specific information they need to keep form becoming infected," said Doug Glaze, Equality Kansas Chair. "Most Kansas schools are already so frightened of offending anyone with their sex education programs that they don't allow the work "condom" to be used, much less discuss frankly with a Gay teen what he must do to stay alive. HB 2301 can only worsen this already-bad situation. The Kansas House would be writing gay teens off if they pass this bill." Proponents of the bill state that their sole aim is to encourage abstinence among young people by instructing school sex education programs to stress its effectiveness. "This ignores the fact that abstinence is already stressed in ALL school sex education programs, said Glaze, "and other preventative information, which is desperately needed, is difficult to obtain for those who need it most." In addition, HB 2301's sponsors are almost identical to those legislators who proposed last year's anti-Gay resolution. The bill additionally instructs schools to inform students that "abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage is the expected standard," and "that the best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases . . . is to establish a mutually faithful monogamous relationship in the context of marriage." "This bill implies that marriage automatically makes one safe from HIV infection, which is blatantly false, " said Sue Ledbetter, Legislative Action Co-Chair for Equality Kansas. "That's a dangerous message to send teens who are overwhelmingly likely to be sexually active before they marry, and it excludes Gay people who cannot marry." Ledbetter went on to comment, "The whole idea of legislators dictating to our educators what they can and cannot teach is dangerous . . . at the very least they should investigate what effects this bill would have upon programs designed to reduce teen pregnancy and HIV infection among our young people - they haven't done that." Ledbetter is not optimistic about chances of stopping the bill from passing the House. "Once the bill gets out of (the Education) committee, they most likely have the votes to pass it," she said. Equality Kansas strongly urges its members and supporters to contact their legislators, especially their state Senators, and ask them to reject this measure should it come before them for a vote. ================================ ================================ EQUALITY KANSAS Board of Directors CHAIR Doug Glaze - Topeka (Contact person for Equality Kansas at 913-354-4714) TREASURER Kathryn Minick - Wichita SECRETARY Pat O'Brien - Kansas City OUTREACH Dennis Dobson - Topeka LEGISLATIVE ACTION - Carla Dugger - Kansas City Sue Ledbetter - Wichita MEDIA ACTION - Phyllis Wisneski & Rex Rivers - Wichita FAMILY & FRIENDS - Beverly Fiedler-Wichita Beverly Barbo - Lindsborg MEMBERS - Chris Pouppirt - Hays Kathy Greenlee - Lawrence ================================================ ================================================ FROM MY CHAIR by Doug Glaze Chair of Equality Kansas WE'RE BACK! I have received a few phone calls recently from people concerned that they have not heard from us in awhile. Equality Kansas has always dedicated itself to monitoring direct legislative action. This mission necessarily limits the scope of our activities when the legislature is not in session. This does not mean that EKS becomes inactive when the legislators go home in May. It does mean, though that the nature of our activities changes. Over this last legislative break we have worked hard to keep you informed via the internet and independent publications about issues that are likely to emerge in this session. So while you may not have heard from us as often as last year, I hope most of you have heard form us at least once through those methods. If not, please contact us as to how we can more effectively communicate with you during the upcoming legislative break. Now that the 1995 legislature has convened, it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty. The House has started things off with a particularly homophobic education bill that directly targets Lesbian and Gay youth. (See article on HB 2301 front page). I cannot stress to you strongly enough the importance of contacting you-r state Senator and urging him or her to reject this measure should it come before them for a vote. In the meantime, we will be working with other groups opposed to the measure in an effort to see that it does not become law. I must warn you though, that we face an uphill battle this year. HB 2301 will not be the last measure aimed at Lesbian and Gay Kansans, nor is it likely to be the worst. We also must face the fact that the resources we have to fight such measures are limited. For these reasons, we will restrict our mailings to those measures which we estimate to be the most damaging. This means that there may be intervals during the upcoming legislative year where you will not hear from us as often as in the past. As I've told callers: No news from us this session is probably good news. (Editor's Note: you also might stay in contact with the Equality Kansas Board member in your area to get updates on HB 2301 and other bills - call Doug at (913) 354-4714 to find out how). We'll continue to work hard to keep you informed on developments in our Capitol. Please see the "recruitment form" for new board members elsewhere in this issue and think about joining us to provide leadership to our communications and advocacy link for Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Kansans and their allies. Thank you for your support of Equality Kansas. ====================================================== ==================================== RESOURCES FOR ADVOCACY IN KANSAS KANSAS STATE LIBRARY, Room 343-N, (913) 296-3296 During session, operates HOT LINE (I -800-432-3296) which gives the current status of any bill, committee meeting agenda information, as well as voting records. Call on Fridays of each week to determine what bills have hearings the following week. SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE - (913) 296-2236 "Directory of Legislative Lobbyists" (Handbook on requirements for lobbyists also available) "Legislative Directory." including home and business addresses and phone numbers of all members. LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENT ROOM- 145-N, State Capitol, (913) 296-4096 "Subject Index Report" - published every Friday during the session, includes status of all bills introduced. Will mail up to 10 copies of a bill for free. (You will need the bill number to make a request). LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH DEPARTMENT - 545-N, State Capitol, (913) 296-3181 Prepares annual "Summary of Legislation" (free) Writes interim committee reports. Answers questions from the public on specific bills. All legislators can be written c/o State Capitol, Topeka, KS 66612. The Senate and House Switchboard number to call any Senator or Representative during the session is (913) 296-0111. ===================================================== =================================== COMMON GROUND Common Ground is published by Equality Kansas and is distributed free of charge to members. Interested others may obtain a copy for the price of postage by writing P. O. Box 116, Topeka, KS 66601-0116 or by calling (913) 354-4714. Editor: Pat O'Brien (submit articles by mailing to address above to Pat's attention or by e-mailing pob@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu) Contributors: Doug Glaze, Kevyn Jacobs, Sue Ledbetter, Tobie Matava, Pat O'Brien, Chris Renner ==================================== ==================================== COMMUNITY NEWS and ANNOUNCEMENTS EMAIL COORDINATOR WANTED - Equality Kansas is looking for someone to run its e-mail network. Kevyn Jacobs has done a great job for the last several years but has resigned recently. If you are interested in applying for the job (getting the huge benefit of many more e-mail addresses at your fingertips!) contact Doug Glaze at 913-354-4714. If you need more information about what the job entails e-mail Kevyn at "kevyn@ksu.edu". YOU OR I COULD BE THERE. . . Brian Laudick was imprisoned recently for making threats to Fred Phelps. While we cannot condone threats against anybody, we do understand that Phelps' actions are at the very least questionable and possibly threatening. In the meantime, Brian remains in the Shawnee County Jail for six months. There are reports of ill treatment by prison inmates and officials because he is Gay. Brian needs to hear from us! Please take the time to write to Brian and let him know there is a community out here who cares. Brian Laudick, c/o Shawnee County Jail, Topeka, KS 66603. HIV PREVENTION. The Kansas Department of Health & Environment is seeking individuals to participate in its HIV Prevention Community Planning Group (CPG). Begun last year under the authorization of the Centers for Disease Control, the CPG program involves those effected by HIV and AIDS directly in the planning process for HIV Prevention Programming for the first time. The CPG program is specifically looking for individuals who can represent/address the needs and concerns of the following populations (or combined populations): HIV+ (men & women) Injection Drug User Family members of HIV+ people Gay-identified youth Gay-identified men of color Gay-identified men from rural areas Sex Workers Bisexual Men Prisoners Partners of HIV+ Men who have sex w men but are not Gay-Identified Homeless For more information about how you can contribute to HIV Prevention Planning for Kansas by participating in the CPG program, contact: Jeanine Ambrosio, HIV Prevention Community Planning Coor., Bureau of Disease Control, AIDS Section, Suite 605 Mills Bldg., 109 S.W. 9th, Topeka, KS 66612-1271, Call 913-296-5223 LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING LESBIANS AND GAYS CONFERENCE IS A SUCCESS! The Washburn University School of Law's Lesbian/Gay Network sponsored Conference held on February 4th included topics on: Hawaii: What the Courts have said about Lesbian/Gay marriage; Free speech vs. Hate speech; AID & Disability - Dealing with the Social Security Administration; Wills & Trusts for Lesbian/Gay couples; and Sodomy laws. Speakers included some of the best Lesbian/Gay attorneys in the state. The entire conference was videotaped for future reference, and the Network has generously offered to make these tapes available for EKS member organizations. If you would like copies of these tapes, please call Scott Curry at 913-354-4714 for more information. LAWRENCE PFLAG GROUP FORMED- A chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays has formed in Lawrence and welcomes participation by individuals and families throughout the region. Meetings are held in Lawrence on the first Sunday of the month that is not a holiday. Lawrence PFLAG may be reached at P.O. Box 1284, Lawrence, KS 66044-1284, or by leaving a message at (913) 842-0225. MAINSTREAM COALITION FORMS IN MANHATTAN - Calling itself the Flint Hills Mainstream Coalition, a bi-partisan grassroots group of citizens met on Sunday, February 5, 1995 to form a local organization to resist the encroachment of religious fanatics into local politics. The meeting drew 50 people, including State Senator Lana Oleen (R) and three of the ten candidates running for school board in Manhattan: Larry Weaver, Deb Nuss and Joleen Hill. The name "Flint Hills Mainstream Coalition" was adopted, tentative statements of principle and purpose were approved and fundraising plans were established. The stated purpose of the organization is to "preserve the traditional American values of separation of church and state, freedom of religion and speech, pluralism, individual rights, the importance of family, public education, and tolerance and compassion for all, and to educate and inform citizens on the issues of the day, and to educate elected and appointed public officials and political candidates about attempts to impose religious ideologies on their community's government and public educational institutions. For more information about the Flint Hills Mainstream Coalition, contact Jami Ramsey at 913-539-3828. Donations, which are not tax-deductible, may be sent to: The Flint Hills Mainstream Coalition, c/o Virgene Crane, 3819 Emerald Circle, Manhattan KS, 66502 ====================================================== ====================================================== KANSAS LESBIGAYS TAKE TO THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY by Kevyn Jacobs, KSU student and former EKS board member. Kevyn now writes a regular weekly column on LesBiGay issues for the Kansas State Collegian. His e-mail address is kevyn@ksu.edu. In the past few years, the Internet has changed the way that Queers communicate and organize. Activists in Kansas have been at the forefront of this revolution, learning to use e-mail and computers to organize in ways that were undreamed of just a few short years ago. E-mail networks are probably the most widespread of these organizing tools, connecting far-flung activists and supporters from all parts of the state with almost instantaneous written communications. E-mail is advantageous, as it is faster than regular mail, and usually cheaper than long distance telephone service. Since 1993, Equality Kansas has operated a statewide list of activists, tying together Equality Kansas members and supporters into a state-wide web of Equality Kansas information. This network allows Equality Kansas to get information out to members fast, and also allows communication between Equality Kansas and other organizations such as NGLTF, the News-Telegraph, student groups like LesBiGayOK at KU, and other state organizations like Missouri on the Move. This February, the Equality Kansas E-mail network spun off an independent e-mail network called Kansas Queer News, which essentially serves as an on-line, statewide "Electronic Queer Newspaper." KQN carries clippings from local newspapers covering local queer issues, announcements of events and functions of different organizations in the state, editorials, and of course, lots and lots of information on Fred Phelps. Local networks such as Manhattan Queers and LesBiGay exist too. Local Bulletin Board Services, such as the Land of Awes in Wichita provide information sources for the LesBiGay community Land of Awes also produces an on-line magazine called the Electronic Gay community magazine, which is available for IBM-PC compatible machines. Students, faculty and staff of all of the universities in Kansas are eligible for free e-mail accounts through their universities - and you don't need to own a computer, either, if computer labs are available on campus. Employees of many libraries and schools in Kansas are also eligible for low-cost e-mail accounts with the Information Network of Kansas. Low cost commercial services such as American On-line are available for under $ 10 a month, and some FidoNet BBS's such as The Land of Awes in Wichita provide indirect e-mail connectivity for a nominal charge. E-MAIL ADDRESSES FOR EKS MEMBERS & ALLIES Equality Kansas - equalityks@qiclab.scn.rain.com Gay & Lesbian Alliance for Resources & Education (Emporia) - glareesu@esuvm1.emporia.edu Human Rights Project (KC)- HRProject@aol.com Kansas Queer News - kqn@vector.casti.com KS Com. on Gay & Lesbian Concerns (NASW)pob@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu Land of Awes BBS (Wichita)- BBS: (316) 269-4208 rex.rivers@f9.n291.z1.fidonet.org LesBiGayOK (KU)- Ibgsok@ukanaix.cc.ukans.edu Manhattan Queers - mq-owner@qiclab.scn.rain.com Nat'l Gay and Lesbian Task Force - NGLTF@aol.com News-Telegraph (Midwest) - newstele@aol.com Simply Equal (Lawrence) - SimEqual@aol.com Unity & Pride Alliance (Topeka) - UnityPride@aol.com ========================================= ========================================= CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARCH 4 - CHALLENGING THE AGENDA OF THE RADICAL RIGHT Columbia, MO Sponsored by Committee for Reason and Justice. Call Vicki at (314) 449-2475 for registration information. Featured .speakers: Skipp Porteous, John Swomley & Donna Redwing. MARCH 5 - GLAAD MEDIA TRAINING LED BY DONNA REDWING & MISSOURI TASK FORCE FOR LESBIAN AND GAY CONCERNS POLICY INSTITUTE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Columbia, MO Sponsored by MOTFPI - Call (800) 576-5128 to register for Sundays event -fee of $10 waived for those attending Sat. conference. MARCH 16 - HRP OPEN HOUSE AND MEMBERSHIP KICK-OFF Kansas City, MO Sponsored by Human Rights Project. Come visit the new office! Call (816) 753-1672 for more information. MARCH 24-26 - COMING TOGETHER: A NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ALLIES TO DEFEND DIVERSITY & DEMOCRACY Atlanta, GA Sponsored by the Center for Democratic Renewal - Scholarships Available - Call (404)221-0025 for more information. =============================================================== ==================================================== LEGISLATIVE TARGETING TO STOP THE CONSERVATIVE ANTI-LESBIAN/GAY BILLS IN KS by Doug Glaze 1995 is going to be a dangerous year for Kansas' Lesbian and Gay residents. Last year's elections handed social conservatives, who are bent on barring Lesbians and Gay men from public life as much as possible. control of the Kansas house of Representatives. Republican Tim Shallenburger, a sponsor of last year's anti-Gay Cornfield Resolution, was elected Speaker of the House last month, ousting moderate Republican Bob Miller. Shallenburger promptly appointed other anti-Gay legislators to chair various House committees. It is these committees which introduce and deliberate proposed legislation before it is given to the full House for a vote. Despite promises from Shallenburger and others that economic, not social, issues will dominate the conservative agenda in the 1995 House session, legislative observers familiar with conservative tactics in past House sessions believe it is only a matter of time before anti-Gay legislation is introduced and passed. Darlene Cornfield, in particular, is expected to continue to be a source of anti-Gay proposals in the current House sessions. Cornfield, a Republican representative from Valley Center, attended a national symposium for conservative lawmakers last year on how to "combat militant homosexuality." If we are to organize successfully against anti-Gay proposals from Kansas conservatives, we must focus our efforts on the Kansas Senate. The Senate is controlled by moderate Republican, who disagree with conservatives on many social issues. Kansas Senators, who are up for re-election in 1996, will be under an extreme amount of pressure from conservative groups to pass House-sponsored social legislation. The Senators will need a lot of support from non-conservative groups and constituents to justify voting against anti-Gay social legislation. The following Senators of both parties may be considered 'moderate' on many social issues, though not necessarily friendly towards Lesbian and Gay concerns. We would like EKS members to write or call these Senators in an attempt to make them more so. When contacting these Senators, please express your concerns over the House of Representatives' attempts to push divisive 'social issues' over (and to the exclusion of) other pressing issues that deserve their attention. It is also important that as many people as possible 'come out' to them as being openly Lesbian or Gay - many of these Senators have expressed to various people that they have rarely or never been contacted by Lesbian or Gay constituents. Please note that this list is intended to serve only as a guideline to assist you in contacting your representatives in the most effective way possible, and is by no means intended to be comprehensive. This list is not in any way to be construed as an endorsement of the following candidates by either the KS Choice Alliance or EKS. Dick Bond (OP) Rib Gooch (Wichita) Dave Kerr (Hutchinson) Mark Parkinson (Olathe) David Corbin (Towanda) Anthony Hensley (Topeka) Audrey Langworthy (PV) Marge Petty (Topeka) Richard Rock (Arkansas city) Alicia Salisbury (Topeka) Doug Walker (Osawatomie) Bill Wisdom (KC) Christine Downey (Newton) Paul Feleciano (Wichita) Sherman Jones (KC) Jerry Karr (Emporia) Lana Oleen (Manhattan) Lilian Papay (Great Bend Sandy Praeger (Lawrence) Pat Ranson (Wichita) Carolyn Tillotson (Leavenworth) Bob Vancrum (OP) When writing or calling any elected official: 1. ) Always be polite. 2) Always use their title and "The Honorable" when addressing letters. 3) Always discuss a specific subject - a specific bill and number if possible. 4) Always include your personal experience if relevant. 5) Handwritten letters are best (if readable), and receive the most attention. 6) Ask the official to take a specific stance, their support or defeat of a bill. 7) Include your full name, address, and phone number in your correspondence. Offer to help your legislator - often the legislator has not heard your particular point before, and may want to know more. 8) Ask your legislator for suggestions. 9) Try to stick to one point of an issue -a legislator is more apt to listen and remember your point if it is brief and immediately relevant. 10) Always ask for a reply. The first bills that negatively affect Lesbian and Gay Kansans have now been introduced in the KS House and are likely to pass there. These include HB 2301 (discussed on page 1), House Bill 2092 which would rescind the Quality Performance Accreditation program (conservatives are using this bill to kill the QPA program in part because it demands that all people, including Lesbians and Gays be treated frankly and objectively during the presentation of relevant course material) and House Resolution 5009 (this bill would amend the State Constitution with language that would give parents the "exclusive right" to determine how their children will be taught in public schools (it creates the legal basis to allow creatlonlsm to be taught and allows parents to censor school libraries and curriculum). WE ARE THE PEOPLE! Write/call your legislators today ! ============================================ ============================================ HOUSE BILL #2301 UPDATE: Friday, February 24th, an emergency meeting was called by the House Education Committee and the bill was passed out of Committee by an 11-10 vote. The bill was sent to the floor of the house and on Wed., Mar. l, it was passed by the House by a margin of 88-36. The bill has been revised and the section advising the pupil that it is `unlawful for a person to engage in sexual acts with another person of the same sex in the State of Kansas` was removed from the bill. However, several amendments were added to the bill and they included the following: Teach that ABSTINENCE FROM SEXUAL ACTIVITY OUTSIDE OF MARRIAGE IS THE EXPECTED STANDARD FOR ALL SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN. TEACH THAT THE BEST WAY TO AVOID SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES AND OTHER ASSOCIATED HEALTH PROBLEMS IS TO ESTABLISH A MUTUALLY FAITHFUL MONOGAMOUS RELATIONSHIP IN THE CONTEXT OF MARRIAGE. ACTION: Abstinence is an important component of any comprehensive sexuality education program and comprehensive programs enforce abstinence through teaching skills such as refusal, communication and decision making. Fear-based sex education is inappropriate and relies on distorted medical information, displaying sexist, homophobic and racist biases and relies on fear and shame to promote abstinence, Research indicates that does not work. Call your Senators and ask them to vote against this bill. (913-296-7300) EQUALITY KANSAS and P-FLAG members from around the state lobbied legislators and prepared testimony for the House Education Committee and we were successful in influencing the committee to remove certain portions from the bill, but the intent of this bill is to eliminate comprehensive sexuality education programs from our schools. IT MUST BE DEFEATED! ===================================================== ===================================================== NETWORK FOR UNITY & TOLERANCE Statement of Purpose To insure access to diverse ideas, to promote open communication among all groups in our society who mutually respect all people and cultures, to educate and inform the general public on issues dealing with activities of the extremist right. NETWORK Will be the catalyst to bring together diverse groups with a common thread....they have been attacked by the extremist religious right, or are potentially under such attack. The Network will serve as a clearing house of information for member organizations and the media, a multi-partisan network that will provide a vehicle for developing joint strategies to counter the activities of the extreme right political movement. POSSIBLE GOALS AND DISCUSSION 1. ADOPT AGENDA 2. ESTABLISH STANDARD OF BEHAVIOR AND CONDUCT FOR MEETING 3. IDENTIFY ALLIES: keeping in mind that not every group may join in every battle, but make it our goal to reach out to a broader constituency. Keep in mind the old organizer's saying if you're comfortable with everybody at the table, your coalition is too small. 4. DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNICATION NETWORK AMONG GROUPS. Keep in mind the importance of a diverse communication network, computer bulletin boards, mail, newsletters, fax-nets, telephone-trees etc. 5. KNOW YOUR OPPONENT-RESEARCH IDENTIFY ACTIVITIES IN YOUR COMMUNITY. Get on their mailing lists, send representatives to their public meetings, read their literature, listen to talk radio and T.V. programs, also identify affiliations check out faculty, staff, board of regents, large donors, radio and T.V. stations, newspapers, bookstores, campus organizations and gather names of leaders etc. 6. HOW DO WE AVOID BASHING OUR OPPONENTS FOR THEIR RELIGIOUS VIEWS? Religion is to be respected, we don't want to give the extremist right grounds to accuse us of religious bigotry - it works in their favor every time. The battle is over politics and policy and they may be wrong on the issues and have ideas and motives we don't agree with but they have as much right to participate in the democratic process as we do. 7. DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY PLANS FOR ORGANIZING. Take your local extremist right groups seriously. They won't go away. If they loose a battle they may retreat but they will be back, the fire that drives them won't be dying anytime soon. 8. HOW TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC? These strategies may include community meetings, speakers' bureaus, editorial writing and visits to local paper, local talk programs, etc. FIRST SUMMIT MEETING WILL BE SAT. APRIL 1, 1995 Unity Temple on the Plaza 707 W. 47th KC MO 9:30-4:00 $10.00 fee for room rental and a sack lunch will be provided For reservations Contact Sharon Lockhart (913)642-1614 or Sue Ledbetter (316)265-5736 SPONSORED BY EQUALITY KANSAS ============================================================== ====================================================== NEW FROM THE HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT by Tobie Matava I am pleased to have the opportunity to introduce myself and the Human Rights Project to each of you. I realize that some of you may already be members of or at least familiar with the Human Rights Project. As the new Executive Director, one of my goals is to continue working on building coalitions with groups and individuals. It simply makes sense to focus on both for our outreach focus on both sides of the state line. In the past year, lesbian and gay concerns have taken on an increasingly higher profile in political debates at the national, state and local levels. Despite the defeat of most ballot initiatives sponsored by the religious right in 1994, those of us living in the heartland know that the hatred remains. Anti-gay activists from Pat Robertson, to Paul Summers in Springfield, MO and Fred Phelps in Topeka, have waged a high profile attack on gay men, and lesbians. Even more alarming is the quiet war being waged by stealth candidates at the very foundation of our communities, in our schools and neighborhoods. We must continue to work together to identify and expose all candidates who are attempting to subvert the electoral process by using it to spread their agenda of hate and discrimination. There is much that we can do as individuals: make sure your vote is an informed one, monitor legislation that is being introduced in the State Capitol and let your Representative know your opinion. We need to raise up our voices so that they will be heard over the rhetoric of the Radical Right. Now is not a time to be complacent, you can be sure that the other side is active and pushing for their agenda. For example, on the national level Dr. Henry Foster, nominee for Surgeon General, is being criticized and demonized by a variety of conservative groups. Foster has a commitment to AIDS prevention and education and he has served as a Planned Parenthood advisory board member. make sure you register your opinion with your U. S. Senator about the confirmation of Dr. Foster. Write or call the U. S. Senate, Washington, DC, 20510 or call (202) 224-3121 (Editor's note: KS Sen. Nancy Landon Kassebaum is Chair of the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee that will be holding the hearings on Dr. Foster's nomination). In a recent town meeting in Kennesaw, Georgia, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich confirmed to Cathy Woolard, Human Rights Campaign Fund Deputy Director, that he has promised Radical Right leader Lou Sheldon that he will probably hold hearings on "the Gay Agenda," and gay-related school curricula sometime in August. Rev. Sheldon is best known for advocating the confinement of HIV-positive people in concentration camps. He has mobilized boycotts and campaigns against any positive portrayals of lesbians and gays in the media. Sheldon was behind legislation that sought to impose federal control on schools with programs that address lesbian and gay concerns. The Radical Right will use these hearings to promote negative images of gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans, legislation that will single out gay youth for discrimination in public schools, where they already face intolerance and harassment. Please write to the Speaker and urge him to resist pressure from Sheldon and other extremists and to focus instead on the real issues. Remind him of his pledge to stand against persecution and make it clear that by holding hearings he is simply catering to extremists on the right and setting the stage for homophobic rhetoric. Write to: The Honorable Newt Gingrich, U. U. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515. At the Human Rights Project we plan to continue to build coalitions and visibly work to dispel the myth of the "gay agenda," and to fight to fulfill our mission which is to: Advocate for the extension of civil rights laws to include sexual orientation. Educate policy makers and the community in order to create an inclusive society that respects diversity. Empower Individuals to create social and political change that recognizes and celebrates the sexual orientation of all persons, including lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transvestites, transsexuals and heterosexuals. If you would like additional information about HRP or what's happening on the national level, please call or write us at P. O. Box 32812, Kansas City, MO 64171 -7812, or call (816) 753- 1672. We have an opportunity now to be proactive. Let's not wait for a crisis, or for the theocrats to make the first move, now is the time for us to organize, lobby and campaign for the extension of civil rights to everyone regardless of sexual orientation. ================================================ ================================================ AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL TARGETS KS FOR SODOMY REPEAL By Chris E. Renner (Co-Chair Amnesty International Members for Lesbian and Gay Concerns - Italy) In 1994 Amnesty International Held the Breaking the Silence Campaign, the first campaign directed by AI to address the issues and concerns of gays, lesbians and bisexuals. The campaign was successful in raising awareness of the human rights violations sexual minorities suffer in the US, as well as Costa Rica, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Denmark, Canada, France and Italy. It is about to begin on one of its most ambitious goals: the repeal of sodomy laws in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Montana and Tennessee which target solely homosexual activity. In particular, AI is concerned that sections of the Kansas and Missouri Criminal code provide imprisonment for individuals who engage in homosexual acts between consenting adults. Provisions of KSA 1993 Supp. Section 21-3505 (a)(l), the Criminal Sodomy law, provide for up to 6 months in jail for Sodomy between persons of the same sex, with sodomy defined as oral or anal copulation or oral contact with genitalia. It should be pointed out that the inclusion of genitalia is a break from the general rule where lesbianism is usually not mentioned in Anglo-Saxon law. If an adult in Kansas or Missouri were to be imprisoned solely for private, consensual, homosexual acts, Amnesty International would consider that individual to be a prisoner of conscience. The International Secretariat in London, UK, has given AIUSA permission to actively work on the repeal of the discriminatory laws using the participation of local citizens which is a departure from AI's guidelines. In taking this step, AI has realized that any attempt at organizing through AI's traditional methods of operations, letter writing campaigns and direct lobbying, would be unsuccessful, if a coalition of gay/lesbian/bisexual and civil rights groups are not formed to build a solid base of support for a future challenge to the sodomy laws. Individuals, groups and local AI groups are needed to work intensively in repealing these laws. It is important that we begin by working within the State building networks and support systems to fight these laws. In particular AIMLGC in Kansas is looking for a liaison to work with local AI groups, ACLU members, and the gay/lesbian/bi community. To receive a packet of AI materials detailing how people can help work against the sodomy laws in Kansas or to indicate interest in working on the project, please write: AIMLGC-AIUSA, 53 Jackson St., #1162, Chicago, IL 60604, email: aimlgc@igc.apc.org, telephone: (202) 546-8794 OR the Mid-West Regional AIMLGC Representative Michelle Mohr, 1250 1/2 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43201. ========================================================= ========================================================= BUILDING COALITION AS AGENTS OF SOCIAL CHANGE by Pat O'Brien It is easy for many of us to feel overwhelmed by the many forms of systematic oppression that are so pervasive in American society today. We become immobilized, not certain of which direction to turn next, which fire to hold back from scorching us further. As important as it is for my self-image to agitate visibly and actively against the practices that most immediately affect my safety and well-being as a lesbian and those many lesbians, bisexuals, and gay men that are a part of my web, I also believe that I must take on the mantle of "ally" to build an all-inclusive movement for social change so that we can all walk in a world free of injustice and hatred. Andrea Ayvazian defined an ally as a "member of a dominant group in our society who works to dismantle any form of oppression from which she or he receives the benefit" (p. 6). This definition challenges me to take personal responsibility for the changes that we know are needed in society, and so often ignore by believing that we can only be successful if we focus on one issue at a time. I don't think we have the luxury to wait until gay and lesbian people enjoy civil rights to recognized that violence against Jews and African Americans has increased in the last year, that immigrants of all nationalities are targeted in all kinds of punitive policies (including those that would deny benefits to people who have been tax-paying citizens for some time). Single women with children are increasingly impoverished by harsh "reforms" that are not meant to end poverty, but only to eliminate guaranteed income support as well as supplemental food and subsidized housing. When we consider the different manifestations of systematic oppression and find ourselves in any of the categories where we are dominant we have the potential to be remarkably powerful agents of change allies. Allies are whites who identify as anti-racists, men who work to dismantle sexism, able-bodied people who are active in the disability rights movement, and Christians who combat anti-Semitism. Allied behavior is clear action aimed at dismantling the oppression of others in areas where you yourself benefit--it is proactive, intentional, and often involves taking a risk. There have been many times when straight allies have stood up with lesbian, gay, and bisexual people to resist discrimination. Most recently, at the Lawrence City Commission study session where the amendment to include sexual orientation to the human rights ordinance was under consideration, I was proud to see many allies in the crowded chamber. May we continue to create the rooms in which we can all stand united! *Ayvazian. A ( 1995). Interrupting the cycle of Oppression: The role of allies as agents of change. Fellowship, 61 (1-2). p. 6-11. ============================================= ======================================================== EQUALITY KANSAS REPRESENTS YOUR VOICE ACROSS KANSAS! One month after an anti-Lesbian & Gay resolution called the Cornfield Resolution was proposed by radical right legislators Equality Kansas was born in response. Since its founding in July of 1993, Equality Kansas has: Organized our Activist Network of over 1,000 people across the state of Kansas. Organized the postcard and door-to-door campaign that convinced legislators in the 1994 session not to introduce the divisive Cornfield Resolution. Established a working relationship with state and national groups like the Kansas Choice Alliance, N.O.W., the National Gay/Lesbian Task Force, and the Human Rights Campaign Fund. Founded, published, and distributed Common Ground, our newsletter to members. Testified before the Kansas House of Representatives in 1994 against attempts to establish initiative and referendum in Kansas. Joined with other groups to oppose HB 2301 and other anti-Gay/Lesbian bills in the 1995 legislative session. YOUR MEMBERSHIP MAKES THIS IMPORTANT WORK POSSIBLE! Name: Address: City, State, ZIP County: Telephone: E-mail address: KS Senator: KS Rep. Yes, I would like to support Equality KS with my membership. Enclosed find $10 for my yearly dues and subscription to Common Ground. I am supportive of your efforts, but cannot become a member at this time. Please (DO) (DO NOT) share my name with other affiliated organizations. Please clip and mail to: EQUALITY KANSAS P.O. BOX 116 TOPEKA, KS 66601-0116