From kevyn@KSUVM.KSU.EDUFri Aug 4 06:44:39 1995 Date: Wed, 2 Aug 1995 19:34:14 -0500 (CDT) From: Kevyn Jacobs To: "Kansas Queer News [KQN]" Cc: GLB-NEWS Subject: (USA, KANSAS, WICHITA, DOLE) Wichita Activists at Sen.Dole's Office FROM THE LIBERTY PRESS OFFICIAL LES/BI/GAY NEWSMAGAZINE OF KANSAS AUGUST 1995 ========================================== COMMUNITY MEMBERS SPEAK AT SEN. BOB DOLE'S OFFICE BY Tracey Hughes WICHITA - Members of Wichita's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community took part in an educational forum at Senator Dole's downtown office on July 6, 1995. The meeting was organized by Todd Brown, who is involved with the Human Rights Campaign Fund (a political action group in Washington D.C.). Members of the forum also included Victor Wells*, Denise Hemmingway, Ted Sweet, and Tracey Hughes. During the meeting, the participants shared person al experiences about issues in the workplace related to their sexual orientation. (* Due to concerns about job safety, the name of this participant has been changed.) Experiences and feelings that were shared during the meeting included the following: being singled out for extra assignments; receiving conflicting instructions on how tasks were to be performed; direct anti-gay comments from management when other employe es weren't around; being accused of "inappropriate behavior;" feeling responsible for "damage control" due to rumors by co workers; fear of being fired purely for being gay; fear of losing benefits by leaving a job voluntarily; encouraging diversity/ sensitivity training; concerns about "guilt by association;" and losing a base of support when other gay coworkers leave a job. The group also expressed that lesbian,gay, bisexual, and transgendered people are not seeking "quota" or "preferred" status in employment; instead, the goal is for equality in the workplace through education and changing negative attitudes. David Spears, the State Director for Senator Dole's office, was present at the forum. Mr. Spears felt that it was helpful to have the meeting and hear personal stories directly from people who were affected by this form of discrimination. Mr. Spears noted that he would be passing on the information from the meeting to Senator Dole's Washington, D.C. office. To express concerns or suggestions regarding job discrimination to Senator Dole's office, please call (316) 263-4956 (Wichita) or (202) 224-6521 (Washington D.C.). ==================================================== Reprinted with permission of the Liberty Press. Kansas submissions gladly accepted. Subscriptions are $18.00 per year. The Liberty Press, P.O. Box 16315, Wichita KS, 67216-0315. Phone 316.262.8289. ====================================================