Outline of structure and ideas for letter to state senators and representatives.

1. State the concern/problem! Blatant discrimination against people on the basis of sexual orientation and lifestyle, despite the repeat of the Ohio sodony How in 1974 and quaranteed constitutional rights and profecetons. Discrimination in housing, employment, public ac comodations and child custody.

2. State the remedy:

Pass an amendment to the civil rights act such that discrimi nation on the basis of sexual orientation or lifestyle is prohibited, and anand the child custody criterion such that hanosity per se is not prima facie evidence of unfitness as a parent.

3. Establish the precedent for such con

a. Repeal of the Ohio sodany law, effective Jan. 1974. b. Existence of specific anti-

discrimination legistation in three Ohio cities: Columbus, Yellow Springs and Cleveland Weights.

c. Introduction of such antidiscrimination legislation into the Legislatures of several states .g. California, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, New York, Connecticut, Hawaii,

etc.

d. U.S. House of Representatives bill H., 2008 which would prohibit discrimination og the basis of sexual or af fectional orientation. Spon Bor: Ed. Koch MY.

⚫. Support for civil rights protection for homosexuals by numerous professional assoeletions, religious organi zacions, and other organizations:

1. American Medical Association

2. American Psychiatric and Paychological Associations 3. American Bar Association 4. American Public Health As sociation

S. American Association for

the Advancement of Science 6. National Education Associ ation

7. United Pederation of Toochers

8. National Board YWCA

9. National Council of Churchos

10. The American Jewish Com bitter

1. United Church of Christ 12. Unitarian Universalist As-

sociation

13. National Association of Soetal Workers

14. District of Columbia Board of Education

4. Acknowledge the opposition and UNDERMINE LC: Primarily two groups oppose this legislation religious fundamentalists and those overwhelmed with fear and ignorance about the homosexual lifestyle. a. Religious Amdamentalists who insist that everyone confors to a biterol interpretation of the Bible. This is not. so disguised form of religious Intolerance as the U.5. Su preme Court has consistently upheld one's freedom of religion and right to believe or not believe in particular religious beliefs despite the Christian heritage of this country.

b. It seems totally incongruous

for one group of citizens to be deprived of their constitutional rights based on the myths, fears, prejudice and ignorance of other groups. It imperative that simple prejudice not be given the significance of statutory

Jaw

S. Closing

Include a request for a reply with a definitive statement of position as regards this concern.

Here is a sample letter; if it seems too long, justthe first paragraph is well worth sending.

Honorable

return address dato

Ohio Senate for Chio House of Representatives)

State House

Columbus, Ohio 43245

Dear Senator Representative

(or

I am concerned that the Ohio Legislature has not adopted legislation which prohibits discri mination on the basis of sexual orientation. No action has occured despite the blatant discri -minution which occurs daily in employment, housing, public accomodations, and child custody

against gays and those choosing alternative lifestyles. 1 feel that it is imperative that the Legislature addresses this concorn in the current session and amonds our state's civil rights nes and child custody criterion such that discrimination on the basis of semmi orientation or Lifestyle is prohibited. Until such legislation is adopted, citizens will continue to have grave difficutey finding remedy in the courts for this unfair and unlawful discrimination. Precedents for this legistation have been established in Ohio. In 1974 Ohio's sodomy law was repealed. Three thio cities have within their city codes specific protection for gay teens. They are Columbus, Yellow Springs and Cleveland Heights. Mmerous bills have been introduced in other seate legislotures which include the protections suggested above. These states include Oregon, New York, Minesota, Conneçesent, Califor nia and Hawaii. Likewise, nuterous organizations and professional associations have passed resolutions in support of this anti-discrimination Legistation. Organizations such as the AMA, the American Bar Assoc., the Aerican Psychiatric and Psychological Associations, the United Church of Christ and others. On the national level Rep. Ed. Xoch has introduced H.B. 2998 inco the U.S. House of RepresentaIlves and Senator A. Cranston plans to introduce a bill spe. cifically protecting employment this session.

While there are some people and groups who would oppose this legislation, namely those of fundamentalist religious beliefs or those uninformed and highly prejudiced against gays, I beJieve that most citizens recogmize and support the concepts of basic and inalienable civil rights. I hope you wit recognize these opponents for what they are, namely Intolerant and fearful persons who wish to deprive others of their right to be free and self-determining. To me it is deplorable that in the past this type of prejudice has had the weight of the law.

Thank you for your interest. I look forward to hearing your views on this legislation.

Sincerely, [name]

A. C. &. . . A Califor Gay Cong) P.. 455 Easterton, 44105

Abro Undersity Gays

University of A

Antich Gay Cer och College Yellow Springs, (513) 107.7331 st. 17

45357

Athena Bay Activists All eted Cust 16 Cotege St. Athens, 45700

Baldwin-Kabine day up Gr Ha Box 576

Baldvin Malace College

Bares, 44107

wling Green Gay Don P. 0.9

Carly Station

Bowling Green State erity Bowling Green, OH 45403 (438) 364-2451

Centru de Lesbians

P. D. Bon #393 Club, OH 43201 (014) 291-9114

Cleveland Free Chine 13201 Eve

Cleveland, 44105 6210) 734-4000

Cleveland Gay Center 2705 Duet B.. Cleveland Is

Cleveland Cry Federatio 2999, 35, Cleveland, OH 44145

Cleveland's Counseling .. Box 18472 Cleveland, 4410 (916) 327-455

County of Celebration P.. 18226

Cleveland Rs. 4430

Coventry Books 1824 Coventry Rd. Cleveland Hts. I (316) 932-8141

Dayton Gay Center

665 Sa Ava Dayson Os 4540

Dayton Gay Radio Program

WYSO-FX

Day,

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Dandy Main Center

Cleveland, as

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biguity/r-Conten 143. de St. Aran, ON 44304 (226) 237-770

Ogly Chand P. 9. B Cleveland, (224) 701-0042

Digity/Chan

Digity/Columbus Columbus. Ol

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Felip NEG Cleveland, OH 44199 (216) 406-3649

Gay Art Ance 323 Ohio Und

1939 M. High St. Columbus, OH 43210 (614) 422-9214

Gay Caucus

Box 2166

Lowery Center

Wooster, 44691

Gay Crocus--Touth Against

Ker and Fascism

P. O. Box 12576

6. Cleveland, O

Gay Clinic

cie Open Dor Clinic

23. 17th Ave. Columbus, O

(614) 204-6447

43301

aration Arch Cl, 10

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(216) 443-258

65 2. Mater Cat 45219 ($13) 241-0001

Gay ample of O 12.

Gay Rap Gym

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Gay Rights Org Tongstown State Souley

445-06

Center

Young, di 44503

The Gay Dvitch

P. 0.6477

Cleveland,

(216) 324-4637

Gay Unle

/ Hal Close

Director of Student Activitie The Langs Caster The College of

ter

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Gay Mosen Bappi of one's 1959. Migh St. Columbus, OH 45210 (614) 866-44

Gay Mom's Peer Coming Group

adversity Statio Cold, OH 43210

Gay Men's Peer Coming Grog

39. High Street Coluntur.

43330

(614) 886-574

The High Gear aft P.A. x 6177 Cleveland, 44100 (916) 321-6632

Bights Aliance

ele Dave Shavi 600 Pearl Street Bowling Green, 45402

East Gay Liberation Front University Center

233 حجة

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