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The News & Entertainment Paper for N.C.’s Gay Community IN THIS ISSUE: Discovering this woman*s music may be one of the nicest things to happen to you in 1980 p. 9 Media Notes p. 5 Gays & the Law p. 4 Gay Awareness p. 4 Book Reviews p. 6 Ask Dan p-7 DEADLINES 'for next issue: Issue #13: Cover date: 4/24 For copy: 4/11 For ads: 4/14 Issue #14: Cover date: 5/8 For copy: 4/25 For ads: 4/28 “Morality” March On Washington Planned WASHINGTON, D.C. (IGNA)—A national March on Washington for "righteousness and morality" has been set for April 29,1980. The March, known as both "Washington for Jesus" and “One Nation Under God," may have serious implications for the gay movement, as well as other human rights movements. The goal of the organizers is 1 million people for the event. Informed sources indicate that well over 100,000 persons have already made reservations to attend. With massive financial resources at their disposal and extensive television and radio programs available to them, there is a possibility that March organizers will reach their goal. Among the more prominent supporters of the March, according to a report from the Gay Rights National Lobby, are Dr. Pat Robertson, President of the Christian Broadcasting Network (the "700 Club") and Jim Bakker, President of the Charlotte-based PTL Network. God & Government Many fear that the rally’s organizers will jttempt to use the cover of a religious event to try and impose their own politics on elected officials. Generally-distributed literature on " Washington for Jesus’’ cites several activities occuring on both April 28 and 29, including a youth rally at RFK stadium, constituent lobbying with members of Congress on the 28th, and the March and Rally on the Mall. This literature contains no references to the issue to be addressed in meeting with Members of Congress. Internally-circulated literature, however indicates in highly emotional religious language the political goals of the event. Fille with phrases like “. . . when governmen usurps the role of God, it becomes tyranny,' this material clearly shows a disregardfor tht principle of separation of church and state. Cutsinger Found Guilty SEATTLE, WA (GCN)—Roger Lee Cutsinger, who gained national attention last fall when he was discharged from the U.S. Army because he is gay, has been convicted ol first degree murder in the death of his roommate, Larry Duerksen. According to Gay Community News, the county prosecutor Gregory P. Canova called 29 witnesses during the one-week trial; Defense Attorney Carl Hultman called none. Hultman argued instead that the state’s case, which was strongly based on circumstantial evidence, was constructed of ‘theory and fantasy.’ Hultman contended that the prosecutor has failed to establish Cutsinger’s guilt. Earlier, his motion foi dismissal on the grounds of circumstantial evidence was denied. Cutsinger has consistently denied the allegations of murder. It is alleged, however, that he changed his story several time: between the time of his arrest and the time ol the trial. The prosecution did not seek the death penalty, as the murder does not fall within the strict definition of ‘aggravated homicide. Cutsinger faces a term of up to life in prison “Frame laws, statutes and ordinances ,” reads one statement of goals for Washington, “that are in harmony with God’s word. Repeal those rulings, laws, statutes and ordinaces which have offended Him.” This statement, an internally-circulated document from “Washington for Jesus" entitled “A Christian Declaration,” then enumerates such things as homosexuality, divorce, pornography, fornication, . and “humanism” as examples of conduct contrary to “the clear commandment of the Word of God." Abortion is also believed to be a high target on their list. In addition to alerting the lesbian and gay communities of the potential threat of the event, the Gay Rights National Lobby is contacting religious, labor and political organizations and Members of Congress to inform them of the real motivations of the “Washington for Jesus” March. Steve Endean, Executive Director of GRNL, noted that “countless numbers of innocent people will attend this rally because of their commitment to their religion, unaware that they are being ‘used’ by the New Right to advance its anti-human, anti-civil liberties goals. ” A Gay Western Weekend SANTA BARBARA, CA. (IGNA)—Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden were hosts at a ‘Gay Western Week-end’ at their 200 acre Laurel Springs Ranch, a mountain-top spread d outside Santa Barbara. The week-end long party was a political fund-raiser for the ’ Campaign for Economic Democracy founded ’ by Hayden and his wife to foster cooperation between the citizen activist organization and the gay community. Forty gay males paid $50 each for three days and two nights featuring a hoe-down, barbecue, softball, swimming and hiking. Sam Hurst, the CED staff director described the 1 to 2 million homosexual voters living in California as ‘an emerging political constituency’ and the party as part of ‘an ongoing attempt to build a political relationship with a respected constituency.’ Hurst said CED works closely with the Gay Community Services Center of Los Angeles. Australian Claims US Residency Based On Gay Marriage LOS ANGELES, CA (IGNA)—An immigration judge has put off any ruling pending appeal in the case of an Australian homosexual who contends that he should not be deported just because he is married to a man. Tony Sullivan, an Australian citizen visiting the United States, married an American woman six years ago so that he could stay in the country with his lover, another man. But a year later, Sullivan had the marriage annulled because he and his lover, Richard Adams, a 32-year-old Hollywood man, could no longer tolerate the “psychological environment” created by their deception. Sullivan and Adams were then married by an ordained minister in April, 1975 in Colorado, a state which, according to their attorney, had a marriage law that “seemed to be gender-neutral.” But U.S. District Court Judge Irving Hill ruled that Sullivan could not stay, basing his decision on his own interpretation of Colorado law, which, he said, does not recognize same-sex marriages. The lawyer for the defendant, David Brown, told the media that a ruling was postponed until April 21, “which happens to be their fifth anniversary.” Congress To Be Briefed On HR 2074 WASHINGTON, D.C. (GRNL)—The Gay Rights National Lobby announced another historic first in the development of the campaign for national lesbian/gay rights legislation: Congressional Briefings on HR 2074, to take place on April 21, 1980. The purpose of the Briefings, which are officially sponsored by Rep. Ted Wiess and Rep. Henry Waxrnan, is to educate Members of Congress and their staffs, to demonstrate the breadth of support and to gain visibility for the issue. GRNL pointed out that so many bills compete for the attention of Congressional representatives and their staffs that it is difficult to gain attention and effectively educate on bills which won’t be acted on immediately. Congressional Briefings differ from Hearings in that they are not an official action of the Congress and do not officially relate to the process of moving the bill through Subcommittee and full Committee. Asked why the Lobby was supporting Briefings rather than Committee Hearings, Steve Endean (lobbyist for GRNL) indicated that Hearings in an election year are not realistically possible. Another difference between Briefings and Hearings is that those who are opposed to the legislation do not testify. “White Night” Suits Filed San Francisco (IGNA)—The first group of damage suits stemming from the disturbances that followed the May 21 verdict in the Dan White murder case have been filed in San Francisco Superior Court. The suits, which range from assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress to negligence, have been filed against the city and county of San Francisco, the Police Department, former Police Chief Charles Gain, Mayor Dianne Feinstein, former District Attorney Joseph Freitas, and a number of unnamed police officers. More than 20 plaintiffs are seeking $1 million each in damages from each defendant. In addition, the plaintiffs are expected to seek medical expenses, general damages, and damages from alleged loss of civil rights. Among the cases are suits emanating from what has come to be known as the Elephant Walk incident. In that incident, which occurred after midnight on the morning of May 22, police stormed into the Elephant Walk, a gay bar, continued on page 2
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