the grassroots organization that we’re building.” An organization has been formed, Maine Won’t Discriminate, to lead the fight against this year’s initiative. The initiative asks voters to limit “protected classifications” to several categories, including race, sex, disability, religion, but excluding sexual orientation. It also seeks to repeal any law in the state which currently prohibits discrimination based on any category outside the list. Currently, only Portland has such protections city-wide, although the initiative would also repeal a statewide hate crimes law. In 1992, voters in Portland rejected a referendum seeking to repeal a human rights protection for gays in that city by a three—to-two margin. But in 1993, voters in Lewiston passed a‘ referendum repealing human rights protection for gays, by a margin of two-to-one. (The Washington Blade) Boston parade billed as protest, Gays excluded BOSTON -- A veterans group does not have to include gays in its St. Patrick’s Day parade because it is being billed as a protest against inclusion of gays, a federal judge ruled. U.S. District Court Judge Mark Wolf said the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council may hold the parade March 19, because the group has said it wants to use the occasion to protest previous court decisions allowing members of gay groups to march. March 19, a Saturday, is two days after the holiday. Wolf said the difference —- holding an event considered a protest as opposed to one that would otherwise be seen as a parade -— allows the veterans to exclude participants from the Irish-American Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Group of Boston, or GLIB. “If GLIB’s inclusion in the 1995 march were compelled, the veterans’ protest would be confused and muted; indeed, the veterans’ protest would be silenced because they would again cancel, the parade,” Wolf wrote in his decision. The judge, however, went to great lengths to say that he does not agree with the exclusion, even if it is allowable under the First Amendment. GLIB has tried for several years to march in the veterans’ group parade through south Boston. State courts have ordered the group’s inclusion. Last year, the Allied War Veterans Council cancelled the parade rather than allow GLIB to march. In July, the veterans filed a lawsuit against the city, arguing that it could not force the veterans to accept a special parade condition that allowed GLIB to march. Wolf ruled in their favor. Still undecided, however, is the question of whether GLIB can be excluded from what is traditionally called a parade. The Supreme Court has agreed to review lower court rulings that say a parade is a “public accommodation,” thus gays, lesbians and any other group cannot be excluded. A decision is not expected before the event in March, however. (AP) Members of Congress denounce Armey WASHINGTON, DC -- Seventeen members of Congress frorrirll different states appeared at a Capitol Hill press conference arranged by the Human Rights Campaign Fund to denounce hate speech used by House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX) in the U.S. House of Representatives. Armey denied responsibility for referring to Rep. Barney Frank (D—MA) as “Barney fag” in a briefing for radio reporters in the House Gallery. “The House leadership is calling on welfare mothers to take responsibility for their lives. The least Mr. Armey can do is take responsibility for his words,” said Daniel Zingale, HRCF Public Policy Director. “His denial of the problem has not cleared the air. He and the rest of the leadership should denounce hate speech and reject the agenda of anti—gay extremists who may be encouraged by this kind of language. Mr. Armey should make a clear statement against discrimination and in favor of equality for all Americans.” ‘ Armey has a 0% voting record on issues affecting lesbian and gay Americans, according to HRCF’s report on the lO3rd Congress. He has voted to deny schools funds for suicide and violence prevention counseling to help gay youth, to write into law the discriminatory ban on gays in the military and to summarily discharge HIV+ service members. While 51 House Republicans have instituted employment policies protecting lesbian and gay employees from discrimination, Armey has refused to do so. “In light of the violence going on in his own home state, Mr. Armey should be more careful about the effect of his words,” Zingale said. “This is the language of criminals who commit hate crimes, not responsible members of Congress.” Court says no to gay marriages WASHINGTON, DC -- A three—judge panel of the DC Court of Appeals ruled that the DC government can deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples. All three judges agreed that the DC marriage statute applies to male—female ‘couples only, and that the marriage clerk who refused to issue a license to Patrick Gill and Craig Dean did not violate the DC human rights law. That law prohibits discrimination based on sex or sexual orientation in public accommodations. All three also agreed that denying same-sex couples a marriage license in DC does not violate the constitution’s guarantee of due process. “It’s upsetting, after all these years, after working so hard to try to legalize same-sex marriage,” said Craig Dean of the court opinion. “Of course, we still think we’re right and that gays and lesbians do and should have the right to be legally married. Where we’ll go from here is still too early to tell." Dean said all three judges disagreeing with the couple’s arguments diminishes the likelihood of a successful appeal.” (The Washington Blade) March 1995 Youth group on internet CYBERSPACE -- A support group for gay youth has been formed on the Internet. “soc.support.youth.gay-lesbian—bi” is a “newsgroup” accessible on the lntemet’s “usenet” bulletin boards. Newsgroups with the “soc” prefix are disseminated to nearly every computer system hooked to the Internet and come into existence only after a lengthy discussion and voting process. _The vote on soc.support.youth.gay-lesbian-bi was 3,142 to 94. Anyone with usenet access can vote. There are more than 9,000 usenet newsgroups in all. The two most popular gay ones are “soc.motss” and "alt.politics.homosexuality." Both were included when America Online recently made portions of the Internet available to its millions of users. “motss” means “members of the same sex." The cryptic acronym is somewhat successful at keeping homophobes from finding gay newsgroups. (Outlines) Canada set to outlaw anti-gay discrimination OTTAWA, ON -- Canadian Justice minister Allan Rock confirmed that the March 24 The we've made to a nities in Vermon April 28 Famil child custody, pl and religious iss Interactive Telev your calendar. Cg Look for the Ver the sites for specif let your views be kno ractive TV and VCLG ions. Congratulations to the all-volunteer staff of Out In The Mountains Ten Years and going strong! The Vermont%Coalition for Lesbian & Gay Rights appreciates the important work you have done e dates in ity. " ses or phone Bennington Medical Office Bldg, Suite 29, 140 Hospital Drive. 442-6780.‘ Brattleboro VABEC, 157 Old Guilford Rd, #3. 257-2697. Randloph Center VT Interactive TV offices, VT Technical College. 728-3391. Rutland Stafford Technical Center, Rm 222, 8 Stratton Rd. 775-7176. St. Johnsbury Streeter Hall, St. Iohnsbury Academy, 7 Main St. 748-1478. So. Burlington NYNEX Bldg, 800 Hinesburg Rd. 658-2418. Waterbury State Office Complex, 103 So. Main St. 241-3590 No admission charge for these events, but we encourage you to donate or join VCLGR. Watch for our fall conference! Questions? Call Sue at 728-4121 or Christopher at 365-9139.