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American Family Radio News - Daily Delivery Edition For Tuesday, April
20, 1999 (10:15 a.m. Central)
American Family Radio News Network

NEW CURRICULUM

President Bill Clinton is promoting a new school curriculum aimed at
curtailing violent attitudes in children. His new anti-violence
program teaches kids that they cannot hide their criticism of a
lifestyle such as homosexuality behind a cloak of religion. Clinton
says it is just another form of bigotry. Andrea Sheldon of the
Traditional Values Coalition went before the Senate Appropriations
Committee today to inform the members that part of the money they are
allotting the Department of Education, the Department of Justice and
the Centers for Disease Control is being diverted to support this
anti-Christian curriculum. Sheldon says this curriculum is part of the
Clinton Hate Crimes Initiative, and, if passed, this bill could be
expanded one day to allow for pastors to be arrested for preaching
against abortion or homosexuality.

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Aloha kakahiaka kakou.

Mahalos to Clint, Cyndi & Lee for the "heads up" . . .

Wednesday April 21 12:33 AM ET

OH Funds HI to Lobby in VT

Ohio opponents of same-gender marriage have given $40K to their
Hawai'ian counterparts for a letter campaign to voters in Vermont,
where a state Supreme Court case is pending.

Mike Gabbard is getting big-time now. Fresh from starting a New
Zealand chapter of his Stop Promoting Homosexuality International, the
Hawai'i anti-gay campaigner has now been funded by an Ohio group to
lobby Vermonters against legal gay and lesbian marriage. The
Cincinnati-based Citizens for Community Values of Ohio shelled out
$40,000 to send an open letter from Hawai'ians -- Gabbard, that is,
wearing his hat as chair of Alliance for Traditional Marriage Hawai'i
-- to each and every resident of Vermont (which luckily for them has a
relatively small population), encouraging Vermonters to contact their
own state's anti-marriage group, the Burlington-based Take It To the
People. There's a heavy irony in Gabbard taking part in this
particular campaign, after all the loud complaints i! n Hawai'i about
mainland groups' involvement in the same-gender marriage issue there.

Obviously the citizens of Vermont have little to say about what their
state Supreme Court will decide in the current lawsuit brought by
three gay and lesbian couples seeking marriage licenses -- indeed,
despite Gabbard's declaration of victory, Hawaii's own state Supreme
Court has yet to issue its final word on the similar 1993 lawsuit
there (Baehr v. Miike). But Vermonters do at least have the option to
lobby for a measure now in their state legislature to explicitly
prohibit same-gender marriages.

The letter says, "We believe that traditional marriage, between one
man and one woman, richly benefits our society. We believe that
traditional marriage provides the best place to raise and nurture our
children. We have successfully defended Traditional Marriage in
Hawai'i. We wish you the same success in Vermont." The successful
defense referred to here is the ballot initiative passed by a large
margin in November, to authorize the Hawai'i state legislature to
amend the state constitution to restrict legal marriage to one man and
one woman (something Hawai'i had already done by statute). Alliance
for Traditional Marriage was one of several religious right groups
which led the campaign for that ballot measure.

Gabbard told reporters that the letter "will make people more aware of
this issue, and hopefully spark some interest with a grassroots
effort. That's how we won in Hawai'i." (That and a seven-figure sum of
contributions from national religious right groups.)

Yet according to a Reuters report, the flyer thus far has primarily
sparked mainstream politicians to speak up for the other side, naming
Democrats Vermont House Speaker Michael Obuchowski and Lieutenant
Governor Doug Racine.

Take It To The People's President Mary Schroyer issued a statement
saying, "The letter from Hawai'i rightly focuses Vermont's attention
on this important national issue now before the [state] Supreme Court.
If same-sex marriages are legitimized in Vermont, 18 other states will
be compelled to recognize their validity. Vermont would become a
center for same-sex marriages both  nationally and internationally."

Presumably those "18 other states" are the ones which have yet to
enact explicit prohibitions against legal recognition of same-gender
marriages another state may someday perform. In fact, even they
have already been empowered by the 1996 federal Defense of Marriage
Act (DOMA) to choose to ignore another state's gay and lesbian
marriages -- at least until such time as some same-gender couple is
able to legally marry in one state, have that marriage ignored in
another state, and convince a federal court to strike DOMA down for
violating the national Constitution's "full faith and credit" clause.

Meanwhile, Vermont's own version of DOMA, introduced by state
Representative George Schiavone (R-Shelburne), has 57 co-sponsors but
is not expected to be considered in the current session. It's more a
hole card in preparation for the possibility that the state Supreme
Court refers the marriage question back to the legislature.

It's also a little curious that a Cincinnati group is funding the
Vermont anti-marriage activity. Back when Cincinnati's own Issue 3 (to
prohibit civil rights protections from discrimination based on sexual
orientation was on the 1993 ballot), the overwhelming majority of
funding for the "yes" campaign came from out-of-state. Issue 3 finally
went into effect last year, when a federal appellate court upheld it
for a second time and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take it up.

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Aloha kakahiaka kakou.

Have been seeking a hard copy or e copy of Gabbard's letter to the
People of Vermont.upon learning early yesterday that the letter is
co-signed by 10 Hawai`i Legisaltors.  Upon confronting one of them
yesterday, it was learned that the auspices for the request for the
signatures was to urge Vermont Legislators not to use hate and hyperbole
when discussing BTLG-related issues, which of course, we now know, is
false.  The Hawai`i Legislator that was confronted wants a copy, and so
do I, to plaster all over cyberspace.

Please email to lam...@aloha.net or fax to 808-822-0664 (not my fax #--a
temporary arrangemnet).

The ten signators with Mike Gabbard are:

    Sen. David Matsuura, D-2nd
        South Hilo, Puna
            586-7788
            586-7792 (fax)
            senmatsu...@capitol.hawaii.gov

   Sen. Jonathan Chun, D-7th
        South Kaua`i-Ni`ihau
            586-7344
            586-7348 (fax)
            senc...@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Sen. Sam Slom, R-8th
        Hawai`i Kai-`Aina Haina
            586-8420
            586-8426 (fax)
            sens...@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Sen. Norman Sakamoto, D-16th
        Moanalua-Salt Lake
            586-8585
            586-8588 (fax)
            sensakam...@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Sen. Jan Yagi Buen, D-4th
        Moloka`i- Lana`i,-West Maui
            586-7340
            586-7343 (fax)
            senb...@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Rep. Dennis Arakaki, D-28th
        Kamehameha Heights-Kalihi Valley
            586-6050
            586-6051 (fax)
            reparak...@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Rep. Bob McDermott, R-32nd
        Aliamanu-Hickham-Foster Village-`Aiea
            586-9470
            586-9476 (fax)
            repmcderm...@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Rep. Colleen Meyer, R-46th
        La`ie-Kahalu`u-He`eia Kea
            586-8540
            586-8544 (fax)
            repme...@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Rep. Mark Moses, R-42nd
        Kunia-Makakilo-Ewa-Waipahu-Kapolei
            586-8500
            586-8504 (fax)
            repmo...@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Rep. Michael Kahikina, D-43rd
        Barber's Point-Nanakuli-Maili-Wai`anae
            586-8465
            586-8469 (fax)
            repkahik...@capitol.hawaii.gov

~~pau~~

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===========================================

LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND

News Release

============================================

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, April 19, 1999

Contact:  

Matthew Roberts 312-663-4413
Peg Byron 212-809-8585, 888-987-1984 (pager)

============================================

Lambda Hires Midwest Regional Director for Chicago Office

Matthew Roberts brings public policy expertise, AIDS prevention
background

(CHICAGO, April 19, 1999) -- Matthew Roberts, a seasoned public policy
and communications professional, has joined Lambda Legal Defense and
Education Fund in the newly created position of Midwest Regional
Director.

Roberts will be responsible for administration, fundraising , and
public education work in Lambda's Midwest Regional Office, which
covers Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois,
Indiana, and Ohio.

"We welcome Matthew to Lambda's Midwest team.  He brings rich
experience in public policy and AIDS prevention issues as well as a
strong communications background," said Lambda Executive Director
Kevin M. Cathcart from the organization's New York headquarters.  
Cathcart noted, "Matthew's efforts will help us expand our litigation
resources and increase our education and policy work throughout the
Midwest region."

Roberts said, "It is a real honor to be part of the premiere legal
organization for lesbians, gay men, and people with HIV or AIDS.  My
new position here is a dream come true -- I am thrilled to be able to
use my skills for a cause in which I deeply believe and for an
organization with such an incredible track record."

He said, "I look forward to working with our donors, staff  and
constituents to expand our programs and build a sound future for
Lambda in the Midwest."

Before joining Lambda, Roberts most recently served as a managing
director of public and corporate affairs at Hill and Knowlton, Inc.,
in Washington, D.C., where he specialized in global communications
programs and public affairs in the health and technology arenas.  
Prior to that, he worked with Family Health International, assisting
the U.S. Agency for International Development in implementing AIDS
prevention programs in the public and private sectors.

Roberts also worked with a range of international groups to implement
AIDS prevention programs in Nigeria, Kenya, and Senegal.  While
earning a doctorate in public policy at Indiana University, he founded
Gays and Lesbians in African Studies, the first such group in the
discipline.

Roberts' arrival enables Patricia M. Logue to focus exclusively on
civil rights work as Supervising Attorney.  Since the office opened in
1993, Logue has overseen Lambda's sexual orientation litigation as
well as all areas of Lambda's Midwest operations.  "I am thrilled that
Lambda is making this move to strengthen our Midwest office in the new
millennium," said Logue.  "I am proud of all that we have done to date
and look forward to handing many of the reins to Matthew.  His skills
are perfectly suited to expanding our substantive work while keeping
up our tradition of cost-effective operations."

Lambda's extensive Midwest work has strengthened civil rights
protections for many in the region, on a range of issues affecting
people with HIV/AIDS, lesbian and gay parents, students, and workers.

Founded in 1973, Lambda is the nation's oldest and largest legal
organization serving lesbians, gay men, and people living with HIV and
AIDS.

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AFA ACTION ALERT 4/22/99

American Family Association <><
Dr. Donald E. Wildmon, President
ABC FIRES STAFFER FOR ANTI-CHRISTIAN COMMENTS

Dear AFA ACTION ALERT Subscriber:

Many of you have e-mailed ABC Online and received a reply like the one
I received below.

AFA applauds Disney/ABC for taking immediate action against an
employee who ridiculed the Christian belief of a viewer who had
complained about a recent show.

The viewer, Mr. Jim Nuegent, sent an e-mail to the ABC Website to
complain about the increasing number of homosexual characters and
pro-homosexual storylines that have been appearing on ABC's prime time
lineup.  Nuegent, whose e-mail mentioned what the Bible says about
homosexuality, was spurred to complain by the April 4 episode on the
legal drama THE PRACTICE, which dealt with a lesbian couple that
wanted to get married.

Neugent received a reply from the ABC online Webmaster which said,
"How
about getting your nose out of the Bible," and "try thinking for
yourself
and stop using an archaic book of stories as your crutch for your
existence."

HERE IS WHAT I WROTE ABC ONLINE - Tuesday, April 20, after verifying
the
exchange with Mr. Jim Neugent:

Dear ABC Online:

The below message has been forwarded to us from many concerned
supporters
position on
the matter?

Regards,

Buddy Smith
Executive Assistant
American Family Association, Inc.

HERE IS THE REPLY I RECEIVED FROM ABC ONLINE - Wednesday, April 21:

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

We regret that a representative of ABC inappropriately expressed his
personal views in response to a viewer's comments, and we sincerely
apologize for the disrespectful tone of his answer.

This employee no longer works for the company.  We take our viewers'
feedback very seriously, as well as their right to express it; and we
expect
all our employees to do the same.

Thank you for taking the time to write to us.

ABC Online Webmaster

MR. NUEGENT ALSO SHARED THIS REPLY HE RECEIVED FROM ABC TELEVISION
NETWORK:

Dear Mr. Neugent:

We apologize for the e-mail message that was sent to you with comments
that
reflect neither the view of ABC nor of its executives.
Viewer mail is traditionally handled by our Audience Information
department
for response. Your message was inappropriately handled by a programmer
from
ABC.com. I want to assure you that the response that you received does
not
in any way reflect the views of ABC Television, and most importantly
is not
at all consistent with the manner in which KATV, our valued partner in
Little Rock, would ever treat their audience/community members.

Unfortunately, as in any organization, there are bound to be a few
individuals that step out of line. To that end, we completed a
comprehensive
investigation into the matter earlier this afternoon. While the
individual
was deeply contrite and wanted to apologize to you, we felt that his
actions
were reprehensible and terminated him immediately.

Specifically in response to your original concerns regarding the
subject of
homosexuality in our programming, the ABC programming
department has tried to treat such subjects in a sensitive manner. We
recognize that we are serving a large, diverse audience with a wide
range of
attitudes towards all types of entertainment programming. We believe
that
programs thoughtfully reflecting social issues existing in our present
society constitute proper television faire. We appreciate your
original
comments and take serious note of your thoughts on the potential
direction
of future story lines.

We are glad that you brought the e-mail incident to our attention. We
truly
regret that this happened, and we hope you understand
by our actions that we will not tolerate this kind of behavior from
any
member of our staff.

Finally, I would like to once again add that the response that you
received
should in no way be attributed to our partner in Little
Rock, KATV.  As you well know, KATV has been the news and public
affairs
leader in Little Rock for years, and will be for many more. A finer,
more
committed television station does not exist. I would not want their
reputation to suffer in any way due to our mishap.

Please accept our apologies and regrets.

Sincerely,

Daren Benzi
ABC Television Network

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Isn't ABC a bunch of cowards?  No wonder they're suffering in the ratings
process.  I can't believe they still have that stupid "Two Guys, a Girl and
a Pizza Place" on.  You know the show that replaced Ellen?  It's a rather
interesting title,  from a Freudian point of view...two guys , one girl...it
implies gangbang.  It's as if they are trying to make up for the homo
mistake with Ellen, with an extreme hetrosexual act of two guys dominating a
woman.

I can't believe they were actually scared by a crackerbarrel named Buddy?

If these parents don't want their children to watch "The Practice", perhaps
they can play with their video games instead?  How about a nice game of
DOOM?

R.

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***********************************************
NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE
PRESS RELEASE

Contact:
Betsy Gressler, Deputy Political Director
202-332-6483 ext. 3306
800-757-6476 pager
bgress...@ngltf.org

1700 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20009
www.ngltf.org
***********************************************                  

NEW HAMPSHIRE   SENATE VOTES TO REPEAL ADOPTION BAN;
GOVERNOR COMMITTED TO SIGNING INTO LAW

   "The Senate knew this bill was about supporting the best
   interests of children seeking adoptive or foster parents"
   -- Brendan Denehy, Out and Equal ­ New Hampshire

WASHINGTON, DC --- April 21, 1999 --- The National Gay and Lesbian
Task Force today celebrates the New Hampshire Senate¹s 18 to 6 passage
of a bill to repeal that state¹s 1988 ban on adoptions in which "one
or more of the adults is a homosexual." The bill, HB90, passed the
House on March 18, 1999. Governor Jeanne Shaheen has pledged to sign
the bill.

"This is a tremendous victory for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and
transgendered families," said NGLTF executive director Kerry Lobel.
"But the real winners today are the overwhelming number of children
waiting to be adopted into loving, caring families. The best interests
of the children should always triumph over bigotry."

"We're very pleased that the measure passed. The Senate knew this bill
was about supporting the best interests of children seeking adoptive
or foster parents," stated Brendan Denehy, spokesperson for Out and
Equal ­ New Hampshire, the statewide GLBT group that lobbied for
passage of the measure. "We hope today¹s vote sends a message to other
states that being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered does not
disqualify them from being good parents."

After New Hampshire's repeal becomes law, only Florida will continue
to ban such adoptions, based on a 1977 law. This year, Arkansas
passed a regulation banning foster care and Utah banned adoptions of
children who are wards of the state. Similar anti-gay legislation has
been introduced this year in Texas, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Arizona.

New Jersey became the first state to mandate the GLBT and unmarried
couples should be evaluated using the same standards as heterosexual,
married couples. Some other states allow joint adoption as a matter
of common law. Three state Supreme Courts ­ Vermont, Massachusetts,
and New York ­ have expressly permitted second parent adoptions in
which a lesbian or gay man adopts a partner¹s child. Many states'
lower court have similar rulings. New York has enacted regulations
providing gay people the same level of eligibility in adoption as
non-GLBT applicants.

For more information, also contact Brendan Deheney, Out and Equal ­
New Hampshire, 603/358-6160. For other state legislative activity,
please consult the 1999 Legislative Updates issued by the Task Force
at http://www.ngltf.org/legupdate99. For a complete review of 1998
activity, reference "Capital Gains and Losses," a state by state
review of GLBT and HIV/AIDS-related legislation at
http://www.ngltf.org/cgal98.

-30-

_____________________________________________________________________

Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society.
_________________________________________

This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media
Department.  If you have a question regarding this post, please direct it to
the contact at the top of this message.

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St. Louis Post-Dispatch
April 21, 1999

     CAPITOL BRIEFS : Senate weighs bill targeting hate crimes

     Misdemeanor crimes based on gender, sexual orientation or
disability
     could receive tougher penalties under a bill that received final
     approval Tuesday from the Missouri Senate.

     Under the plan, judges and juries would have the option of adding
     additional penalties to crimes like trespassing or harassment if
the
     crimes are motivated by race, color, religion, sex, sexual
orientation
     or disability of the victim. A judge or jury could make the
penalties
     jump to one of two types of felonies.

     During debate Tuesday, the sponsor, state Sen. William Lacy Clay
Jr.,
     D-St. Louis, read a magazine account of the dragging death of a
black
     man, James Byrd Jr. in Jasper, Texas, last June.

     "Let's not stand here and act like these crimes don't occur,"
said
     Clay. "We need to send a message."

     Sen. Steve Ehlmann, R-St. Charles, questioned the need for the
     proposed law. While the crimes in question are reprehensible,
Ehlmann
     said, the punishment should be the same no matter who is the
victim.
     Historically, different laws applied to noblemen and commoners.

     "We're moving backward," he said. "Why can't we simply treat an
     assault as an assault?"

     The bill is SB 328.

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