Guilford Alliance news [January 1989]

              The
Guilford  Alliance
The Gut/ford
Alliance For
Gay and
Lesbian
Equality
January 1989
Issue Number 3
Greensboro
Mi-UmmMou
Effort
December 15 was a historic day for civil rights in
Greensboro, as well as a
half-milestone for its gay
and lesbian citizens.
The Cily Council considered a set of recommendations addressing anti-
gay discrimination, afirst
for this city. Although we
did not gain the victory we wanted that day - (the resolution that
was passed was not strong enough to provide the protections
we need) - we moved the civic discussion of our issues into a
new phase. We also demonstrated the diversify and size of our
constituency and supporters by bringing out over 70 concerned
citizens for that meeting.
In addition, the backdrop to public discussion has changed
distinctly with the Greensboro News and Record taking a strong
positive stand on our anti-discrimination efforts in not just one.
but two editorials. It is clear that our own community is
strengthening and our alliances are deepening. The following
is a recap of the anti-discrimination efforts and a projection of our
next steps. Although we are disappointed about December 15.
we've learned alot. made some importantfriends, and are ready
for the next phase.
Last January the Alliance complained about discrimination
against gay men and lesbians to the City Council and were
referred to the Human Relations Commission. We talked to the
HRC and a subcommittee was appointed to hear our complaint.
On the basis of the extensive testimony that was presented, the
subcommittee made several recommendations to the HRC.
Basically, these recommendations recognized that discrimination, violence, and harassment did exist in Greensboro and
proposed several "remedies", including altering the current
anti-discrimination ordinance to include protection for gay and
lesbian citizens, persons with handicaps, and persons who are
discriminated against on the basis of age.
The HRC considered the subcommittee recommendations and
madetheirown recommendations. Someof their recommendations were addressed to the City Council and some went directly
to the City Manager's office. The only subcommittee recommendation not forwarded favorably was trie one calling for a change
in the City's anti-discrimination ordinance. Instead, the HRC
proposed a resolution calling for "fair treatment for all citizens."
The Alliance did not feel that the resolution was direct enough to
be of any use. ft never used the words "gay. ""lesbian, ""handicapped" or any term which would attach it to the original
complaint raised by the Alliance. As a result, the Alliance
prepared its own resolution to present to the City Council. The
only changes we proposed were to acknowledge that discrimination, violence, harassment, and un-fair treatment had happened to homosexual citizens in Greensboro and to insert the
words "age. handicapping conditions and sexual orientation"
into the HRC version of the resolution.
At the December 15th City Council meeting. HRC recommendations and resolutions were presented to the Council members.
Two speakers. Kevin Drewery (who spoke about incidents of
discrimination in our community) and Maura Fallon (who presented the resolution), addressed the council before theirofficial
discussion of the recommendations began.
All of the discussion centered on the resolutions. Council
members Dorothy Bardolph. Earl Jones, and Alma Adams
vocally supported our new resolution. Council member Joanne
Bowie. Mayor Vic Nussbaum. City Attorney Skip Warren and Executive Director of the Human Relations Department John Shaw
vocally supported the HRC resolution. The major position of
"their" side rested in the contention that a resolution calling for
fair treatment for all citizens included gay and lesbian citizens as
well, and that we were already protected under a clause in the
City Ordinance prohibiting unfair treatment of any individual. In
rejoinder. Earl Jones pointed out that" Before the Civil Rights Act
was passed, there was a constitution that in theory was
supposed to include blacks. But my parents could not drink from
certain water fountains." The discussion among the Council
members was cut short when Joanne Bowie suddenly called for
a vote on the HRC resolution, which was passed by a7 to 2 vote.
Alma Adams and Joanne White voting against the more general
resolution. Dorothy Bardolph and Earl Jones voted for the HRC
resolution, not knowing the size of their support from other silent
members of the council and afraid we would leave with nothing
that day.
The news coverage of the meeting and it's outcome has been
very fair, objective, and informative. All three TV stations
covered the meeting on their evening news broadcasts. The
Greensboro News and Record has done a wonderful job with a
prominent story, two very favorable editorials (one appeared the
day before the council meeting) and the inclusion of 2 letters to
the editor. Headlines like "Gay bias resolution is rejected."
"Ending gay discrimination" and "Stop discrimination against