National/International News Gay Soldiers, Good Soldiers New York, NY- The New York Times, in its leading editorial on Sunday Sep- tember 1, endorsed the presence of gay and lesbian personnel in the armed forc- es. The Times pointed out that the De- fense Department is “two-faced” on the issue, allowing gays and lesbians to serve in civilian jobs at the most sen- sitive levels, but discharging more than 13,000 people from military service since 1982, many of whom have had out- standing careers. Describing polls show- ing most Americans think gays and les- bians should be allowed in the military, the Times concluded, “there’s no evident justification for discrimination on the ba- sis of sexual orientation.” (The New York Times) Army Recommends Discharge for Highly Decorated Colonel Seattle, WA - An Army board has rec- ommended the discharge of Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer, a 26 year veteran under consideration for Chief Nurse of all U.S. National Guard units, because she acknowledged she is a les- bian during a security clearance in- vestigation in 1989. “I had a good mil- itary record,” said Cammermeyer, “This was me telling a security clearance in- vestigator the truth, and how could that possibly be used against me by the peo- ple I had served for so many years?” The board recommended she be given an honorable discharge, despite a statement by the president of the board that she considered Colonel Cammermeyer, “one of the great Americans.” Cammermeyer plans to appeal the decision. (Washing- ton Blade) Progress in Israel Israel - The Israeli parliament recently banned employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and is con- sidering more comprehensive civil rights legislation. The decision followed a 1988 decision to legalize gay sex and a 1990 court ruling banning discrimination against lesbians and gays in business transactions. (Washington Blade) Wilson Vetoes California Civil Rights Bill Los Angeles, CA— In response to polit- ical pressure from the conservative wing of the state Republican party California Governor Pete Wilson backed off from his April support of a bill which would have protected lesbians and gays from job discrimination. The veto came only hours before the release of an in- dependent poll, reporting heavy support among Californians, including Re- publicans, for the measure. Lesbian and gay activists feel theWilson veto was de- signed to bolster the chances of Cal- ifornia Senator John Seymour in his pri- mary fight next year against anti—gay Congressman John Dannemeyer. “Sey- mour and Wilson think the bigots will be satisfied by this veto,” stated Tim McFee1ey of the Human Rights Carn- paign Fund. (The New York Times, Bur- lington Free Press, Human Rights Cam- paign Fund) Black Lesbian Wins Primary Seattle, WA- Sherry Harris, an open les- bian, defeated a 25 year incumbent and two other challengers in the primary race for a seat on Seattle’s City Council. If she wins the runoff election in No- vember, Harris would be the first openly black lesbian in political office in the United States. Harris, who received key endorsements from such groups as the November 1991 King County Women’s Political Cau- cus, is likely to win the run—off ac- cording to the Seattle Post Intelligeneer. The incumbent, Sam Smith, who faces Harris again in the run-off opposed do- mestic partnership benefits for city em- ployees and invoked anti—gay sentiment during the primary race.( Washington Blade) Bowers Strikes Again Atlanta, GA - Georgia Attorney Gener- al, Michael Bowers, infamous for his prosecution in the landmark case Bow- ers v Hardwick, has once again struck a blow at the civil rights of gay and les- bians. Bowers withdrew a job offer he had made to lawyer Robin Sharar, after learning she planned to participate in a Jewish marriage ceremony with her partner. Sharar was originally told to re- port to work on September 23, but on July 9th received a letter from Bowers, withdrawing the offer and citing “a pur- ported marraige between you and an- other woman.” Sharar has filed suit in Federal District Court, saying Bowers violated her rights to religious freedom, freedom of association, and equal pro- tection under the Constitution. (New York Times) Amnesty International Changes Policy Washington, D.C.- Afer a 12 year carn- paign, success was finally achieved in the campaign to get Amnesty Inter- national to include people imprisoned for their homosexuality among the groups it considers prisoners of con- science. Until now Amnesty Inter- national has assisted some imprisioned gay activists, but not those arrested sim- ply for being gay or on the basis of sex- ual conduct. (Washington Blade, Equal Times, NGLTF) V 100 Main Street P.O. Box 247 Burlington, VT 05402-0247 David W. Curtis ATTORNEY AT LAW I-IOFF, AGEL, CURTIS, PACHT & CASSIDY, P.C. 802-864-4531 the state. Vermont News Colors bar in Brattleboro has closed, leaving Cahoots (five doors away) as sole gay bar in the southern part of SAM (Social Alternative for Gay Men) Group is planning a New Year's Eve partycat the Sheraton Inn in West Leb- anon, New Hampshire. At a recent meeting, it was an- nounced that Sheraton management contacted SAM about arranging the event! coming calendars. Look for more details in the up- 21