page 9 . February 1986 . Out in the Mountains

Social workers lobby politicians

The National Association of Social
Workers Lesbian and Gay Issues
Committee (NASW-LGIC) Vermont chapter
was formed in August of 1983 by Jim
Morgan and Liz Hurwitz. Since its
inception, the committee has been active
in establishing contact with Vermont
legislators. The committee corresponds
most months with Governor Kunin,
Senator Stafford, Senator Leahy and
Representative Jeffords.

Initial communication with these
officials is seen as educational,
attempting to sensitize them to the
discrimination and violence directed at
the lesbian and gay men's community.
The committee has furnished government
officials with studies of discrimination
and violence and with updated news of
specific incidents.

Some responses to this information
have included:

Governor Kunin, Nov. 20, 19853

"I share your abhorrence of the
senseless violence directed at gays. I’m
sure that you will also want to discuss
the recent incident in the Rutland area
with the Attorney General’s office."

Senator Stafford, June 26, 1985:

"I simply do not believe that Congress
should be trying to legislate the sexual
preferences of individuals, and I
thoroughly believe that there are
adequate laws on the books now to
protect Lesbians and Gays...It seems to
me that if any changes in the laws are
needed to protect your rights, it is at the
state level."

In response to a request, December 19,
1985, for Stafford to appoint a member
of his staff as a liaison to the Lesbian
and Gay community, Stafford replied: "I
do not assign particular staff members to
work as liaison with specific Vermont
groups." On November 3rd, upon receipt
of several studies of discrimination and
violence, Stafford replied: "It is helpful

to have this information."

Representative Jeffords, August 1985:

"(I) understand your frustration over

housing and employment problems facing
gays and lesbians. In general, I look with
disfavor at interference, governmental or
otherwise, in the personal lives of our
lcitizens. In today's political climate,
‘merely maintaining, much less expanding,
civil rights protections is proving to be
‘difficult."

October 28, 1985: "I do not intend to
230." (House of
Representatives bill to more fully protect

cosponsor HR
civil rights).

Senator Leahy, September 30, 1985,
regarding HR 2624 and S 430 (proposed
civil rights legislation):

"To date, these bills have not been
reintroduced in the 99th Congress. If and
when they are, you can be assured that I
will study them carefully...violence against
homosexuals is unconscionable and the
incidents...should be prosecuted to the
fullest extent of the law. To facilitate a

_ better exchange of communication

between our offices, I have asked Joyce
Saadi-Allen of my staff to serve as

liaison."

The NASW—L&GIC has also recently
re-established contact with state
legislators and housing activists working
on the landlord- tenant bill. An effort is
being made to include restrictions against
discriminatory housing and rental
practices in the language of the bill.

In Burlington, the committee continues
to pursue communication with Alderperson
Ted Riehle. Riehle, who voted against a
resolution supporting the civil rights of
Lesbians and Gay men in a city council
debate last June, indicated a willingness
at that time to discuss incidents of
discrimination with several community
members. Riehle has not responded to
subsequent efforts to schedule a meeting.

NASW-L&GIC has an informal
speakers bureau (as do other Lesbian and
Gay organizations in the state). Most
recently, we have spoken at the
University of Vermont and Adelphi
University School of Social Work.

If you are a social worker or helping

professional who has a little extra time

and energy to put into the committee's
activities, or has new ideas, please
contact the committee by writing:
NASW — L&GIC Vermont Chapter
P.O. Box 147
Woodstock, VT
05091

The committee urges community
members to pursue further communication
with elected officials by writing to them

at the following addresses:

Senator Robert T. Stafford
United States Senate
Washington, DC

20510

Senator Patrick Leahy
Attn: Joyce Saadi—Allen
United States Senate
Washington, DC

20510

Representative James M. Jeffords
2431 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC

20515

Governor Madeleine Kunin
Attn: Elizabeth Bankowksi
Pavilion Office Building
State Street

Montpelier, VT

05602

 

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