Newspaper Page Text
INews
DC Department Store
Adopts Benefits for
Same-Sex Couples
Washington, D.C.—Duane Rinde never imagined shop
ping would become such a civil rights struggle.
Last December, Rinde, an employee of Woodward and
Lothrop, commonly called "Woodies," applied for a spouse
discount card for his lover, Robert Teir.
Woodies refused his request based on marital status—
setting off a confrontation with local gay and lesbian
activists that has shaken the retail giant and resulted in dra
matic changes to the store's employee policies.
Rinde filed a union grievance against the store and
charged that woodies violated D.C. and Montgomery
County, Maryland anti-discrimination laws.
The Gay and Lesbian Activist Alliance (GLAA),
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) and other
groups immediately called for a meeting with store execu
tives and launched a campaign to pressure the store to
change its policy. GLAA also initiated a call for a consumer
boycott.
Following negotiations, Woodward and Lothrop agreed
to grant discount cards to the partners of both gay and non
gay employees, add "sexual orientation" and "marital status"
to its Equal Opportunity policy, and said it would advocate
similar benefits elsewhere in the retail industry. Following
negotiations, GLAA called off the store boycott.
Activists commended Rinde's courage and praised the
management of Woodies for changing its policy.
"It is significant that a major private employer is stepping
out to take the lead in providing fair and equal treatment to
gay and lesbian employees," said Roger Doughty, GLAA
president.
In addition to clearing the record of Rinde and granting
him and his lover a discount card, Woodies agreed to:
•Immediately implement gay and lesbian sensitivity
Doug Hinoclh "The Washington Blade"
Local heroes: Duane Rinde and lover Rob Teir
training for all personnel at its Chevy Chase store (Rinde's
location) and training for all management and staff on issues
of race, sex, and sexual orientation bias and discrimination;
• Change its corporate EEO policy to include non-dis
crimination based on marital status and sexual orientation;
• Take an advocacy posture on family diversity issues
with the D.C. Domestic Partnership Benefits Commission,
the Metropolitan Washington Board of Trade and the
National Retail Merchants Association;
• Change its employee discount card to a "co-purchaser
privilege card" based on an application by the employee,
with cohabitation and shared financial responsibilities as the
only criteria for obtaining the card.
"I believe Woodies—in addition to wanting to do the
right thing—realized there are thousands of gay and lesbian
consumers who shop and work at their stores," said Robert
Bray, NGLTF public information director. "It was in their
best interest to be on the good side of gay economic clout"
Added Edward Slavin, Jr., Duane Rinde's attorney, "With
the once recalcitrant Woodies now granting equal spousal
discount benefits to gays and lesbians, can Hechts and
Sears—or the Exxons and IBMs of the world—be far
behind? Gay and lesbian market power can bring this
about."
Supreme Court Nixes
Review of Gay Cases
Ben-Shalom faces discharge from military
by ClifT O’Neill
Washington—Serving lesbian and gay activists a major
setback, The U.S. Supreme Court has, without comment,
declined to hear two cases challenging standing policy
which excludes lesbians and gay men from America's
armed services.
"(The Supreme Court action) shows that the govern
ment still believes it can discriminate against especially
hated minorities," stated Patrick Berrigan, attorney for
Miriam Ben-Shalom. "Homosexuals remain the only
minority that can't count on constitutional protections."
By refusing to hear the cases of Ben-Shalom v. Marsh,
in which the lesbian Army drill sergeant was fighting for
reenlistment, and Woodward v. United States, in which a
gay man was seeking to enlist, the Court let stand lower
court rulings upholding the military's anti-gay stance.
While the court's refusal does not change the policy, it also
does not bar future challenges to it.
The action does end Ben-Shalom's 16 year battle—in
which she won virtually every previous phase of her strug
gle—to remain in the Army.
"I feel devastated," said Ben-Shalom. "Would you
understand it if I said, 'What in the name of God do I need
to do to be a citizen of this country and be fit to serve her?
To have the same responsibilities and privileges as any
other citizen?"'
Berrigan argued that the Army violated Ben-Shalom's
First Amendment right to free speech and her constitution
al protections under the Equal Protection Clause by penal
izing her for stating that she was a lesbian.
The Woodward case centered on James M. Woodward,
a Naval Flight Officer candidate who was denied enlist
ment in 1972 when he checked "yes" when asked if he had
same sex attractions, but denied having acted upon them.
It's going to be the biggest
office party of the year!
Business Expo
SOUTHERN
Cooperatively sponsored in support of
the Gay &. Lesbian Community
VOICE
Saturday, April 7, 1990
Colony Square Hotel
10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Grand Ballroom
You are invited to spend the day meeting over 90 business owners, professionals and crafts people.
• Ehibits Galore •
• Door Prizes •
• Free Snacks and Hors D'Oeurves •
• Cash Bar •
Advance Tickets $5.00 available now at Charts Books & More, 419 Moreland Ave. NE, and The Boy Next Door, 1449 Piedmont Ave. NE
Tickets at the door $6.00
A/Southern Voice • March 15,1990