Sanders Co-sponsors Gay Rights Bill

by Larry Wolf

During the week of April 12, Repre-
sentative Bernie Sanders (Independent)
made good on his campaign pledge to learn
more about the need to include lesbians and
gays under Federal Civil Rights legislation
and became a co-sponsor of the Civil
Rights Amendment Act of 1991 (HR 1430/
S 574).

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Representative Sanders states: “I agree
this is an important piece of legislation, and
I am proud to be a cosponsor.

“There is little question that Americans
face hostility and prejudice because of their
admittedorperceived sexual orientation. In
addition to the trauma which discrimination
inflicts on individuals, it robs our nation of
the talents of millions of its citizens.

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"The US government has not fulfilled
its responsibility to protectall of its citizens
from discrimination. I believe HR 1430
provides important and fundamental pro-
tection to lesbians and gays.

“Further, I have recently co-signed a
letter to President Bush requesting that he
change the Pentagon’s archaic and de-
structive policy of barring all gays and
lesbians from the military. The letter urged
him to afford our gay and lesbian troops the
same well-deserved respect he has given to
our other servicemen and women.”

According to the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force, there are currently
100 cosponsors for the Civil Rights
Amendment Act of 1991. This represents
an all-time high for the level of support for
the bill.

By becoming a cosponsor, a legislator
not only goes on record as supporting the
bill, but also becomes an advocate for its
passage. Vermont's senators, while gener-
ally supponive of gay and lesbian issues
when they come to a vote, have not signed
on as co-sponsors. The NGLTF is about to
start a postcard campaign to increase sup-
port for this legislation. Call them at (202)
332- 6483 for more information.

The Civil Rights Amendment Act of
1991, also known as the Federal Gay and
Lesbian Civil Rights Act, would extend to
gays and lesbians the provisions of the
1964 Civil Rights Act which bars discrimi-
nation on the basis of race, color, sex,
religion and national origin in housing,
employment, federally assisted programs
and public accommodations. This amend-
ment was first introduced by Bella Abzug
in 1975. It has gained increasing support in
each legislative session since then.

It is worth noting that one of the largest
single actions taken to end racial discrimi-
nation was President Truman’s executive
order which created a racially integrated
armed services. It would be a major step
forward if George Bush took a similar step
with respect to lesbians and gays in the

military.

Special Note: As 0ITM‘s
editorial staff changes, the
pa er will take a short break
an resume publication with a
July/August issue in mid-
summer.