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Activism for Mainstreamers
Options for those caught between ACT UP and act-not
by Gareth Fenley
Yes Virginia, there are mainstream gay political organi
zations in Georgia. Not that you'd know it from their visi
bility during the lesbian and gay community's most recent
and most visible political battles: the attempt at sodomy
law reform and passage of hate crimes legislation in the
Georgia Legislature.
That lack of visibility—especially in mainstream
media—leaves the false impression of a yawning void
between ACT UP (of demonstration fame) and a tiny col
lection of independent lobbyists who work behind the
scenes.
Sodomy repeal is, in fact, on the agendas of at least
three Atlanta-based organizations: the Lesbian/Gay Rights
Chapter of the ACLU and two independent groups,
GAPAC and LEGAL. (A fourth group, HRCF, lobbies
only the U.S. Congress.) But few really thought sodomy
reform was at all likely in 1990. Some long-range planning
went on last fall, but the issue was on the back burner.
AIDS issues are hotter, perhaps because coalition building
is easier in that venue.
(Other gay issues—public safety, equal employment
and housing, spousal rights, child custody and the like—get
discussed a lot. But with the exception of police relations,
none is the apparent subject of concerted energy or coali
tion building.)
Before ACT UP zapped the Capitol on January 8,
sodomy hadn't seemed to be anyone’s top priority for years.
In the early 1980s, GOAL (Georgians Opposed to Archaic
Laws) was organized specifically to fight for sodomy
reform. It dissolved after the Supreme Court's slap on
Hardwick vs Bowers. Since then leadership on the issue
has bounced around, gradually losing momentum.
In 1988, Atlanta gay activist John Howell died, leaving
the ACLU's gay and lesbian chapter a $15,000 bequest
specifically for sodomy repeal efforts. That put leadership
firmly in the chapter's hands. For more than a year, howev
er, the chapter was diverted by an internal struggle with its
national parent, which claimed a large share of the bequest.
Only a few months ago it was finally settled that the local
chapter controls all $15,000. President Cathy Woolard is in
no hurry to see it spent. She says the group is making long-
range plans for wise use of the funds.
So, while the ACT UP demonstration just might have
U.S. Representative John Lewis, a staunch sup
porter of pro-gay legislation thanks to lobbying
and support from GAPAC and HRCF.
caught them napping on sodomy, several organizations do
provide a lesbian and gay perspective in traditional poli
tics. If working within or on the edges of the system are
your cup of tea, check out the four groups profiled here.
American Civil Liberties Union—Lesbian/Gay Rights Chapter
B. Palter
Mary Davis and George Brenning
L/G Chapter ACLU of Georgia.
233 Mitchell Street SW, Suite 200, Atlanta,
GA 30303, 377-8312.
Purpose: To defend the liberties guar
anteed by the Bill of Rights, with special
emphasis on gay and lesbian issues.
Officers: Cathy Woolard, president;
Nick Danna, vice president; George
Brenning, secretary/treasurer.
Membership: 45 members; more than
150 on mailing list. $32 annual dues
includes $12 for the chapter, $20 for nation
al ACLU.
Meetings: Third Wednesday of each
month, 7:30 pm, Peachtree Branch Library.
Open to the public.
Projects:
•Planning strategy for sodomy repeal.
Has $15,000 fund for this purpose
bequeathed by John Howell, a former chap
ter president
•Working with Police Advisory Board
and General Assembly on statewide hate
crimes bill.
•Hosting a national Lavender Law
Conference in October, 1990.
•Awards for advocates of gay and les
bian rights.
•Legal cases, such as the defense of
Gregory Scroggins and Paul Murray.
•Participant in Georgia AIDS Coalition
(GAC), an umbrella group of gay and
AIDS organizations.
Greater Atlanta Political Awareness Coalition
GAPAC. (Pronounced “Gay-Pac.”)
Formerly known as Atlanta Campaign for
Human Rights (ACHR, pronounced
"Acre.") P.O. Box 8420, Atlanta, GA
30306,368-7420.
Purpose: To integrate the political pro
cess with the gay community. Deals pri
marily with the Georgia General Assembly
and with Fulton County, DeKalb County,
and Atlanta government. May expand to
cover other political entities in the future.
Officers: Hubert NeSmith, acting chair;
Roger Presley, secretary; Steve Schmidt,
treasurer; Marie Murray and Peter
Whiteside, executive committee members.
Membership: Currently not a member
ship organization. The board has 15 mem
bers; seeking to add 5 more. 1,200 on mail
ing list. No dues.
Meetings: Second Tuesday of each
month, 7:00 pm, Ponce de Leon Branch
Library. Open to the public.
Projects:
•Interviewing candidates for political
office.
•Cash donations and public endorse
ments for gay-positive candidates.
•Spring and fall fundraisers. The upcom
ing April 15 event will be an Easter egg
hunt at a private home in Druid Hills, fea
turing prizes, contests, and a cash bar;
admission will be approximately $5.
•On February 11, held a reception for
elected officials. Attendees included state
senator Bud Stumbaugh; state representa
tives Jim Martin, Cynthia McKinney,
Mary Margaret Oliver, and Nan Orrock, ;
Atlanta city council members Sheila
Brown and Mary Davis; and about 175
constituents.
•Outreach booths to build awareness at
community events, such as the Business
Expo and the Gay Games Carnival.
•Participant in Georgia AIDS Coalition.
Human Rights Campaign Fund/Atlanta
HRCF/Atlanta. P.O. Box 8594,
Atlanta, GA 30306, 365-8766.
Purpose: The nation's largest lesbian
and gay political organization; lobbies the
U.S. Congress. Six months ago, HRCF
legally changed from a political action
committee to a membership organization.
A cluster of members in Atlanta form a
loosely structured local group, not a chap
ter.
Officers: Stosh Ostrow, Jackie
Johnson, and Tad Gardocki are members
of the national board; Dave Green and Mia
Mundale chair the fundraising dinner com
mittee; Cathy Woolard is a paid field offi
cer.
Membership: Number of local members
unknown; about 2,000 on mailing list. $35
annual dues.
Meetings: Each committee has its own
schedule; check with HRCF.
Projects:
•Annual fundraising dinner, a $150-per-
plate, black tie affair; attracts 550 to 650
attendees. Gerry Studds (D-Mass.) will
make the keynote speech at this year's din
ner, May 19.
•Members participate in the national
“Speak Out” program, which generates a
barrage of mailgrams from constituents.
•House parties to raise funds.
•Annual women's event.
•Humanitarian, political action, and com
munity service awards.
Georgia Senator Bud Stumbaugh,
very supportive of gay/AIDS caus
es in the 1990 General Assembly,
chats with Dick Rhodes.
Legislate Equality for Gays And Lesbians
B. Palter
Judy Colbs, Rep. Mary M. Oliver,
and Rep. Cynthia McKinney
LEGAL, “A Voice of Lesbian and Gay
Georgians in the Democratic Party.” P.O.
Box 54167, Atlanta, GA 30308, 286-7476.
Purpose: Involve lesbians and gay men
in grassroots political events. Currently
working within the Democratic Party; may
spin off a Republican club in the future.
Officers: Padraig McManus-McLoughlin,
president; Marty Worsham, vice president;
Craig Allen, secretary.
Membership: 91 members; 1700 on
mailing list. $10 annual dues.
Meetings: Third Monday of each month,
7:00 pm, Peachtree Branch Library. Open to
the public. Odd-numbered months (January,
March, etc.) feature a general membership
program, including a guest speaker, usually
an elected official. Business is conducted
on even-numbered months.
Projects:
•Voter registration drives.
•Working on behalf of gay candidates for
DeKalb and Fulton County Democratic
Committees and national Democratic
Convention delegation.
•Coordinating with other groups to
repeal the state sodomy law.
•Planning to revitalize the membership
and attract new members with activities
that require only small commitments of
money or time.
20/Southern Voice • March 15,1990