Date: Tue, 12 Dec 1995 08:32:13 -0500 (EST) From: David Casti Subject: ACTION ALERT: Gay Marriage Divides Town Submitted by: Mike Cramer On December 7, 1995 the front page main article was about the controversy in a small Michigan town called Byron Center when the band and choir director of the high school, Gerry Crane, revealed the person he recently married was another man. The article quotes various residents, the majority of whom are against gays. The views range from "we just need him to change and repent" to "even though I don't agree with the lifestyle, he's a good teacher". Many parents have taken their children out of his classes, written letters to officials demanding he be fired, and passed out literature warning of the evils of people like Crane. On December 18 the Byron Center board of education is to announce its decision on Crane's future, Crane is not tenured. The Detroit Free Press does not have an internet edition, but their gopher system says their articles are posted on Compuserve via GO DETROIT and on AOL in the news library portion of America Online. Can someone check these areas and post more detailed information ? I expect a lot of anti-gay anti-marriage letters to the paper. Please contact them with your views. The address is: Editor, Detroit Free Press 321 West Lafayette Blvd Detroit, MI 48226 Fax 313-222-6774 Main phone 313-222-6400