Date: Sat, 4 Nov 1995 08:20:31 -0800 (PST)
From: Rex Wockner <rwockner@netcom.com>
Subject: STUDDS TO QUIT CONGRESS


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Rex Wockner
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                  STUDDS WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION
                          by Rex Wockner

	U.S. Rep. Gerry Studds, D-Mass., the first openly gay member of
Congress, announced Oct. 28 that he will not seek re-election in 1996.

	Speaking in an historic Edgartown church on Martha's Vineyard,
Studds said his decision was based on "a profoundly personal issue, not a
political one" and that it was time to move on to "other challenges." 

	The Reuter news service elaborated, "Democratic observers have
said Studds, 58, has appeared unhappy since the 1994 Republican resurgence
cost him the chairmanship of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries
Committee, which was later dissolved." 

	In a prepared statement, Studds said: "To everything, as the
Biblical verse goes, there is a season -- a time to plant and a time to
harvest. It is now time for me to chart a new course: by no means to
retire, but to find new endeavors, both public and private, that will
allow more than an occasional weekend or evening to catch up on things
neglected for a quarter century, like reading and writing and actually
using my tide chart; to be a better partner, brother, uncle and friend;
and to be a useful human being in new ways that the demands of elective
office have precluded for most of my adult life. 

	"Since embarking on this improbable journey," Studds continued, "I
have been very conscious that each of us is allotted only so many hours
and so many days on this earth. ... It's probably divulging no great
secret to admit that I do not thrive on what some consider indispensable
parts of the job. I am not by nature a particularly gregarious person. I
get annoyed by frequent interruptions. I get tired of hearing myself talk.
And there are already far too many people in Washington who confuse
themselves with the monuments." 

        Studds spokesman Mark Forest said Studds' health and his
relationship with his lover are both in fine shape. 

        "I honestly think he's looking for a break," Forest said. "The job
requires tremendous energy and a total commitment to one's work. Gerry has
always enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and partner, and
putting out his lobster traps, fishing, reading."

	Studds has been in Congress since 1972 and was re-elected six
times after being censured by the House in 1983 for having had sex with a
17-year-old male Congressional page in 1973. 

	Studds came out of the closet on the floor of the House during 
the 1983 scandal -- thus becoming the first openly gay U.S. Congressman.

	There are two other open gays in Congress -- Rep. Barney Frank, 
D-Mass., and Rep. Steve Gunderson, R-Wisc., who also is not seeking 
re-election.

                              == end ==

Copyright (c) 1995 Rex Wockner and subscribed publications/broadcasts. 
May not be reprinted in a newspaper or magazine or reposted electronically
without author's permission.