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VOL. 12, NO. 21 • OCT. 23, 1981 e IN TWO SECTIONS 504P OUTSIDE OF D.C./BALTIMORE AREAS THE GAY NEWSPAPER OF THE NATION'S CAPITAL VI/ EN.P.-Nermemi ID A wi vita a *IN AM 11 a\ T 111 W /111, al MP AK Y YAM 111111 I I IN R 1111111 am r... a um i Conflict arises over '82 march by Lou Chibbaro, Jr. Leaders of the National Organintion of Lesbians and Gays [NOLAG] —who just two weeks ago voted to schedule another national Gay rights march on - Washington for next May 2 — are now hotly debating whether the date should be changed, Talk of changing the date follows news this week that militant demonstra- - lions against President Reagan's eco-nomic policies are set to occur here and Continued on page A-11 This scene from the October 14, 1979 March on Washington may be duplicated on May 2—or some other date in 1982, depending on resolution of a conflict. _Organizers see diversity, others see red NOLAG-the new national group by Lou Chibbaro, Jr. Discussion at a national Gay rights conference in Los Angeles last April had been progressing congenially until a delegate from California introduced a "sexual freedom" resolution. The reso-lution defended drag queens, transvest-ites, and transsexuals as well as those who engage in such activities as "sadomasochism, cross-generational sex, and prostitution." Suddenly, delegates began screaming at one another. Some said failure to pass the resolution would betray sexual minorities within the Gay community. Others said the resolution's passage would be interpreted as condoning child molesting and exploitation of Gay young persons, both male and female. A number of delegates threatened to walk out and denounce the conference if the motion passed. Eventually, the resolution was de-feated by a vote of 35 to 33, with six delegates abstaining. When the dust had settled, delegates lauded themselves for addressing, rather than avoiding, issues considered vital to many Gays. By the time the conference adjourned, the delegates had founded the National Organization of Lesbians and Gays [NOLAG], declared themselves united, and confidently predicted the new group would emerge as an influential, national Gay rights organization. The sexual freedom issue was only one of 29 resolutions discussed at the conference and the only one that gener-ated such emotion. Yet, controversy and emotional debate have surrounded many of the delegates who attended NOLAG's founding conference, lead-ing some critics to charge that NOLAG members appear to be overly concerned with being "ideologically pure" rather than pushing for realistic, achievable goals. NOLAG spokespersons, however, insist they have turned controversy into an advantage. "Lesbians and Gay men make up a diverse group," said NOLAG member Eric Rofes, a Gay activist from Boston. "There is strength in diversity, and we intend to build on this strength." Spokespersons say NOLAG differs from most existing Gay groups by breaking from the long standing policy of avoiding involvement in issues that don't directly relate to Gay rights, mak-ing it a "multi-issue" organization. Among the issues approved at the confeimce, for example, was a resolu-tion condemning U.S. involvement in El Salvador, one calling for U.S. partic-ipation in a 1946 United Nations treaty addressing worldwide genocide, and another approving a boycott of products from the Adolph Coors Brewing Com-pany of Golden, Colorado. Another difference from other groups, NOLAG supporters say, is a demon-strated commitment to attract large numbers of Lesbians and minorities such as Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians. And still another difference, according to members, is a populist oriented structure whereby all members participate in decision making through annual conferences and elected Continued on page A-10 Protest planned at Falwell banquet by Jim Marks When Jerry Falwell hosts a recruiting and fundraising dinner at the Twin Bridges Marriott Hotel in Arlington, on Tuesday, October 27, there will be pro-testers outside. Their message: "We will not tolerate Falwell's attempts to organize his hate group in our city." The chief force behind the October 27 demonstration is Buddy Maupin,a union organizer for AFSCME. Accor-ng to Maupin, when he received woird of the planned dinner, he realized that it provided a good opportunity for a mass action. He began calling various organi-zations, such as the local chapters of the National Organization for Women and the Reproductive Rights Network Nationwide, the Gay Activists Alliance, and Dignity [Gay Catholics]. He also leafletted in the Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, and Capitol Hill areas and at various local colleges. Although this is not a Gay organized demonstration, Maupin said that Gays have been the most enthusiastic suppor-ters of the idea. Further planning for the demonstra-tion took place at an Oct. ber 20 meet-ing at the University of Maryland. The participants at the meeting gave various reasons for opposing Falwell. Some objected to his efforts to limit free speech and impose censorship; others were upset by his efforts to base legisla-tion on religious tenents, and still others Continued on page A-3 Gay man named to police review board by Brad Green Mayor Marion Barry announced the appointment October 15 of Joe Tom Easley to the new board being charged with reviewing complaints against offic-ers in the district's Police Department. Easley is a professor at the Antioch School of Law and a prominent local - Gay activist. It was Rasley's efforts on behalf of the Gay Activists Alliance that helped secure the passage of legislation creating the new board. Known officially as the Citizens Review Board, the new panel is respon-sible for investigations into specific complaints against individual officers alleging harassment, excessive use of force, or the use of demeaning language. Based on its investigations the panel will recommend specific discinplinary action, if appropriate, against the officer involved. If the Chief of Police proposes to take any action other than that recommended by the board, the mayor may then step in to resolve the dispute. F.asley's appointment was one of five selections to the board announced by the mayor. Easley will fill one of two three year terms. The other initial appointments are for one and two year terms. Easley is the only openly Gay person named to the board so far. The chairman of the City Council, Arring-ton Dixon, is required to make two • .• Continued on page A-3
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Transcript | VOL. 12, NO. 21 • OCT. 23, 1981 e IN TWO SECTIONS 504P OUTSIDE OF D.C./BALTIMORE AREAS THE GAY NEWSPAPER OF THE NATION'S CAPITAL VI/ EN.P.-Nermemi ID A wi vita a *IN AM 11 a\ T 111 W /111, al MP AK Y YAM 111111 I I IN R 1111111 am r... a um i Conflict arises over '82 march by Lou Chibbaro, Jr. Leaders of the National Organintion of Lesbians and Gays [NOLAG] —who just two weeks ago voted to schedule another national Gay rights march on - Washington for next May 2 — are now hotly debating whether the date should be changed, Talk of changing the date follows news this week that militant demonstra- - lions against President Reagan's eco-nomic policies are set to occur here and Continued on page A-11 This scene from the October 14, 1979 March on Washington may be duplicated on May 2—or some other date in 1982, depending on resolution of a conflict. _Organizers see diversity, others see red NOLAG-the new national group by Lou Chibbaro, Jr. Discussion at a national Gay rights conference in Los Angeles last April had been progressing congenially until a delegate from California introduced a "sexual freedom" resolution. The reso-lution defended drag queens, transvest-ites, and transsexuals as well as those who engage in such activities as "sadomasochism, cross-generational sex, and prostitution." Suddenly, delegates began screaming at one another. Some said failure to pass the resolution would betray sexual minorities within the Gay community. Others said the resolution's passage would be interpreted as condoning child molesting and exploitation of Gay young persons, both male and female. A number of delegates threatened to walk out and denounce the conference if the motion passed. Eventually, the resolution was de-feated by a vote of 35 to 33, with six delegates abstaining. When the dust had settled, delegates lauded themselves for addressing, rather than avoiding, issues considered vital to many Gays. By the time the conference adjourned, the delegates had founded the National Organization of Lesbians and Gays [NOLAG], declared themselves united, and confidently predicted the new group would emerge as an influential, national Gay rights organization. The sexual freedom issue was only one of 29 resolutions discussed at the conference and the only one that gener-ated such emotion. Yet, controversy and emotional debate have surrounded many of the delegates who attended NOLAG's founding conference, lead-ing some critics to charge that NOLAG members appear to be overly concerned with being "ideologically pure" rather than pushing for realistic, achievable goals. NOLAG spokespersons, however, insist they have turned controversy into an advantage. "Lesbians and Gay men make up a diverse group," said NOLAG member Eric Rofes, a Gay activist from Boston. "There is strength in diversity, and we intend to build on this strength." Spokespersons say NOLAG differs from most existing Gay groups by breaking from the long standing policy of avoiding involvement in issues that don't directly relate to Gay rights, mak-ing it a "multi-issue" organization. Among the issues approved at the confeimce, for example, was a resolu-tion condemning U.S. involvement in El Salvador, one calling for U.S. partic-ipation in a 1946 United Nations treaty addressing worldwide genocide, and another approving a boycott of products from the Adolph Coors Brewing Com-pany of Golden, Colorado. Another difference from other groups, NOLAG supporters say, is a demon-strated commitment to attract large numbers of Lesbians and minorities such as Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and American Indians. And still another difference, according to members, is a populist oriented structure whereby all members participate in decision making through annual conferences and elected Continued on page A-10 Protest planned at Falwell banquet by Jim Marks When Jerry Falwell hosts a recruiting and fundraising dinner at the Twin Bridges Marriott Hotel in Arlington, on Tuesday, October 27, there will be pro-testers outside. Their message: "We will not tolerate Falwell's attempts to organize his hate group in our city." The chief force behind the October 27 demonstration is Buddy Maupin,a union organizer for AFSCME. Accor-ng to Maupin, when he received woird of the planned dinner, he realized that it provided a good opportunity for a mass action. He began calling various organi-zations, such as the local chapters of the National Organization for Women and the Reproductive Rights Network Nationwide, the Gay Activists Alliance, and Dignity [Gay Catholics]. He also leafletted in the Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, and Capitol Hill areas and at various local colleges. Although this is not a Gay organized demonstration, Maupin said that Gays have been the most enthusiastic suppor-ters of the idea. Further planning for the demonstra-tion took place at an Oct. ber 20 meet-ing at the University of Maryland. The participants at the meeting gave various reasons for opposing Falwell. Some objected to his efforts to limit free speech and impose censorship; others were upset by his efforts to base legisla-tion on religious tenents, and still others Continued on page A-3 Gay man named to police review board by Brad Green Mayor Marion Barry announced the appointment October 15 of Joe Tom Easley to the new board being charged with reviewing complaints against offic-ers in the district's Police Department. Easley is a professor at the Antioch School of Law and a prominent local - Gay activist. It was Rasley's efforts on behalf of the Gay Activists Alliance that helped secure the passage of legislation creating the new board. Known officially as the Citizens Review Board, the new panel is respon-sible for investigations into specific complaints against individual officers alleging harassment, excessive use of force, or the use of demeaning language. Based on its investigations the panel will recommend specific discinplinary action, if appropriate, against the officer involved. If the Chief of Police proposes to take any action other than that recommended by the board, the mayor may then step in to resolve the dispute. F.asley's appointment was one of five selections to the board announced by the mayor. Easley will fill one of two three year terms. The other initial appointments are for one and two year terms. Easley is the only openly Gay person named to the board so far. The chairman of the City Council, Arring-ton Dixon, is required to make two • .• Continued on page A-3 |