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COMMUNIT^ONNECTIONI
SERVING WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA’S LESBIAN, CAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDERED COMMUNITY
JOHN MCCAIN COURTS EXTREME RIGHT IN CALIFORNIA
WITH SUPPORT OF ANTI-CAY BALLOT MEASURE
ASHEVILLE
WELCOMES
POET MARK DOTY
McCain's Support of Proposition 22
Sends Wrong Signal to Moderate
Voters, Says HRC
WASHINGTON - GOP presidential can
didate John McCain moved further to the
right today by announcing his support of
Proposition 22, an anti-gay California bal
lot measure that seeks to limit marriage.
McCain's support for Proposition 22 -
known as the Knight Initiative — comes
as a surprise because earlier in a town
meeting he had said that he opposed the
measure which is also opposed by many
of California's leading Republicans.
While McCain's support for this divisive
initiative might help him lure right wing
voters away from George W. Bush, it may
be at the expense of support from moder
ates who have helped carry him thus far
in the primaries, according to the Human
Rights Campaign
"We are disappointed that McCain's
Straight Talk Express has done a U-turn
on this divisive issue and has chosen to
pander to the right wing," said HRC
Political Director Winnie Stachelberg.
"But brazen appeals to the more extreme
elements in his party could lead to the
alienation of moderate voters." During
a town meeting McCain said he would
not vote for Proposition 22. According
to the Associated Press, minutes after
the town hall, when reporters asked
him about his response, McCain said he
had misunderstood the question and he
noted he had voted for a similar mea
sure in the Senate that would essential
ly outlaw gay marriage. "I would vote
for Proposition 22," McCain said.
Many prominent California Republicans
have opposed the Knight Initiative.
Some leading Republican opponents
include: Rep. Tom Campbell, R-Calif;
Ward Connerly, Regent, University of
California; All Republican candidates for
mayor of San Diego; San Diego Mayor
Susan Golding; and Assemblyman Jim
Cunneen.
The Human Rights Campaign is the
largest national lesbian and gay political
organization, with members through
out the country. It effectively lobbies
Congress, provides campaign support
and educates the public to ensure that
lesbian and gay Americans can be open,
honest and safe at home, at work and in
the community.
Poet Mark Doty
See Story on page 4
ACLU PRESENTS DIVERSITY
PROGRAM AT UNITARIAN CHURCH
SOUTHERN REGIONAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING
SET FOR MARCH 30 - APRIL 2 IN ATLANTA
On March 21 (7 p.m.) at the Unitarian
Universalist Church (Edwin &
Charlotte) the Western North Carolina
ACLU chapter will hold a diversity pro
gram featuring gays and lesbians in
Asheville who are part and parcel of
our community fabric. The program
will feature several gay men and les
bian women who work and play in
From the Gut
Second Anual Feminist Art Show opens
From the Gut, Feminist Art Show,
produced by Ellen Pfirrmann and
Gavra Lynn, opened, Friday, March
3rd, to a huge turn-out. The show
which is in it's second year is filled
has grown to include 34 artists.
Asheville in the same vocations as
thousands of other citizens. There will
also be a panel discussion after several
"jobs" are fulfilled in a job search skit.
Admission is free — except, bring
twodesserts. One for you and one for
someone who forgets to bring two
desserts.
Located on the river in the New
Urthonia Gallery, 191 Lyman st., the
show will include a month long
series of lectures and dance events.
See calendar and page 2 for more
information.
APPLICANTS FOR VICTORY
TRAINING INSTITUTE SOUGHT BY
GAY AND LESBIAN VICTORY
FOUNDATION; SESSION TO
FEATURE LOCAL OPENLY GAY
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
WASHINGTON - The Gay and Lesbian
Victory Foundation today unveiled its
southern regional leadership training,
scheduled to take place Thursday, March
30, through Sunday, April 2, in Atlanta.
The foundation’s Victory Training
Institute is seeking applicants and
expects participants from throughout the
country, especially from the southern
United States. Local openly gay and les
bian public officials from Georgia will be
among the featured speakers.
The sessions are designed to educate
local gay and lesbian community lead
ers about the political process and give
them the skills they need to become
more active in public life. To make the
series accessible to community leaders
across the nation, the organization will
hold trainings in every region of the
country. More than 600 local leaders
have been trained by the Victory
Foundation in past years, many of
whom have gone on to successful
careers in public service. Among the
alumni of Victory Training Institute is
Atlanta City Council member Cathy
Woolard, who became Georgia’s first
openly gay or lesbian elected official.
The Gay and Lesbian Victory
Victory continued on page 14