>Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1993 00:54:36 EST >From:scottngltf@AOL.COM >Subject: Activist Alert Dec93 ACTIVIST ALERT - December 1993 == APPLAUD APPLE Williamson County Texas commissioners voted on Nov. 30 to deny tax breaks to Apple Computer because the company offers health benefits to the domestic partners of its gay employees. Apple had stated prior to the vote that it would not change its policy, and would choose another site if it did not receive the tax breaks offered to other companies moving to the area. The vote will cost the county 700 jobs and an $80 million Apple complex. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that a government entity has used its power to punish a company for treating its gay employees fairly. Apple has recently been the target of a phone-fax-mail zap by the Religious Right, attacking the company's non-discrimination and domestic partnership policies for including gay and lesbian employees. Thank Apple Computer for its domestic partner policy and for not buckling under anti-gay bigotry. Write to Apple Computer, RE: Policies, 20525 Mariani Avenue, Mail Stop 72P, Cupertino, CA 95014. == QUESTION DELL Meanwhile, Dell Computer, in Austin, TX, received the tax breaks denied to Apple. Dell Computer has no domestic partnership policy and does not ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. Dell has not responded to inquiries from NGLTF. Write, call or fax Dell to suggest implementing non-discrimination and domestic partnership policies. Contact Grace Alcala, Manager of Employee Relations, Dell Computer, 9505 Arboretum Blvd., Austin, TX 78759-7299; (512) 338-4400; (512) 728-8922 (fax). == LESBIAN NURSES NEEDED NGLTF, in conjunction with other groups, is waging a battle with the Harvard researchers responsible for the 18-year-old Nurses Health Study. This is an on-going study of more than one hundred thousand female nurses to obtain general health information in all areas of women's health. The researchers are now considering whether to ask respondents about their sexual orientation and sexual activity. We desperately need nurses (lesbian, bisexual or straight) to write the researchers and encourage them to add the questions about sexual orientation and sexual activity. Please call Marj Plumb, NGLTF Health Policy Director, at (202) 332-6483, ext. 3310 or fax her at (202) 332-0207 and leave your name, address, phone number and fax (if you have one), so that she may send you important information about this study and who to write to. HEALTH CARE REFORM & YOU NGLTF is preparing an analysis of the President's Health Security Act and its impacts on the health concerns of gay, lesbian and bisexual people. The document will be available in mid-December. NGLTF is also establishing a nationwide network of lesbian, gay and bisexual health reform activists who want to receive ongoing mailings about health care reform and who will contact their federal legislators regarding reform. For a copy of the Health Security Act analysis, write to NGLTF Publications Dept., 1734 17th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009. (202) 332-6483, ext. 3327. To join the nationwide network of lesbian, gay and bisexual health reform activists, contact Marj Plumb, NGLTF Health Policy Director, at (202) 332-6483, ext. 3310. == INTERNATIONAL NETWORKING The International Gay and Lesbian Rights Commission has launched the East/West Pen Pal Project to serve as a liaison between gay men and lesbians in the West and those in Eastern and Central Europe and the former Soviet Union. The Project is currently seeking new people interested in becoming pen pals. For information, write to IGLHRC Pen Pal Project, 520 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA 94114. == ACTIVISTS BEWARE The Lambda Report is an anti-gay political hit rag that twists quotes from gay activists to advance a Far Right agenda. Beware of Peter LaBarbara, author of the Lambda Report, which is published by the producers of the "Gay Agenda" video. == THE MARRIAGE BATTLE IN HAWAII The Hawaii Equal Rights Marriage Project (HERMP) is spear heading a legal and political effort in the state of Hawaii to legalize marriage for lesbians and gay men in late 1994 or early 1995. Considered a landmark decision already, Baehr v. Lewin, announced in May 1993 by the Hawaii State Supreme Court, declared the prohibition of same sex marriage as a violation of Hawaii's state constitution protecting citizens from discrimination based upon sex. To pre-empt a possible court decision legalizing gay marriages, State House Judiciary Chairman Terrance Tom announced this month that he will introduce a bill to clearly prohibit state licensing of same-sex marriages. Tom has reasoned that the state issues licenses to couples who appear to present the "biological possibility" of producing offspring. This project requires continued legal work and a massive public education effort that is relying on supporters throughout the country. For more information or to send tax-deductible donations write and call the Hawaii Equal Rights Marriage Project, c/o Gay & Lesbian Community Center,1820 University Avenue, Suite 8, Honolulu, HI 96822; (808) 942-3737. == CONGRESSIONAL ACTION The House and Senate passed the Hate Crimes Sentencing Enhancement Act last month by overwhelming margins in both chambers. This piece of legislation advances the federal response to crimes in which the perpetrator intentionally selects a victim because of his or her "actual or perceived race, color , religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation." The legislation increases penalties for hate crimes under the federal law; enhances federal sentences not less than three offense levels and demands proof beyond a reasonable doubt that a hate crime occurred. The House passed a stand alone measure while the Senate passed an Omnibus Crime Bill package that included the hate crimes issue. This legislation will be going to conference committee in January to resolve differences between the chambers. Please write your member of Congress and ask them to support final passage of the Hate Crimes Sentencing Act. U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510; (202) 224-3121; U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515; (202) 225-3121. For further information call Martin Hiraga, NGLTF Anti-Violence Organizer, at (202) 332-6483, ext. 3307 or Tanya Domi, NGLTF Legislative Director, ext. 3308. == ROMANIA TO STIFFEN ANTI-GAY LAWS The Romanian Senate recently proposed tightening the country's already strict anti-gay laws. Draft legislation being considered would increase penalties for same-sex relations and encounters that cause "damage to health," and prohibits the "public incitement or enticement" of homosexuality, thus limiting the right to assemble and organize. Demand the defeat of these measures and an end to penalties for same-sex activity. Write to the Hon. Adrian Nastase, President, Chamber of Deputies , Parliament of Romania, Palatul din Dealul Mitropoliei, Bucharest, Romania. Send copies of letters to the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, 514 Castro St., San Francisco, CA 94114; (415) 255-8680. ---------------------------------------------------------------- NGLTF membership is $35 for individuals, $60 per household, $120 for organizations, $20 for limited income. The first $35 of your gift will be allocated to NGLTF's lobbying programs, and is not tax-deductible. The balance of your gift supports the organizing, educational and media activities of NGLTF Policy Institute and is fully tax-deductible. Make checks payable to NGLTF Policy Institute, 1734 14th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20009-4309. If you would like to join NGLTF via email- send a note to NGLTF at NGLTF@aol.com with your donation amount, credit card number and expiration date (Visa and Mastercard only) along with your full name, address, city, state and zip code. If you have an item you think should be included in ACTIVIST ALERT, please email NGLTF at NGLTF@aol.com, or mail us at NGLTF Policy Institute,1734 14th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009-4309; fax (202) 332-0207. All entries should be national in scope or should allow for activists from around the country to respond. ----------------------------------------------------------------- scottngltf@aol.com ======================== Mailing Address: * NGLTF Policy Institute * 20 years serving the 1734 Fourteenth Street NW * Gay/Bi/Lesiban/Transgender Washington, DC 20009 * Community