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Contact Lens Specialist • General Vision Care • Surgical Evaluations Dr. Alan Hymowitz OPTOMETRIST 239-0292 Conveniently located in Lenox Square Mall next to Lens Crafters Anti-gay activity rising, report says Washington, DC—Political and commu nity leaders continued to crack down on gay men and lesbians last year as an anti gay campaign spread across America, says a report by the liberal advocacy group People for the American Way. "While most attention has focused on two statewide anti-gay ballot initiatives in Oregon and Idaho, a growing anti-gay cam paign is gaining ground all across America," said Arthur J. Kropp, president of People for the American Way. The organization's report, entitled "Hostile Climate," documents 134 inci dents of what it termed anti-gay activity in 37 states and the District of Columbia. The group counted statewide anti-gay ballot initiatives, federal or state legislative battles, court decisions, local ordinances, education-related activity, censorship and miscellaneous incidents related to public policy. They ranged from the introduction of 14 anti-gay bills in the Kentucky General Assembly to the cancellation of "Tootsie Day"—when boys dress as girls and vice versa—at a high school in Apopka, Fla. In Boulder, Colo., several school prin cipals canceled performances of a play about censorship, "Don't Read This." In Georgia and Oklahoma, the state leg islatures took punitive actions against pub lic broadcasting stations for showing "Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City," which featured gay characters. And in at least two states, well funded lobbying efforts prevented passage of leg islation recognizing same-sex domestic partners or offering protection for gays against hate crimes or discrimination. "Popular hate-filled rhetoric commonly used by religious right leaders is breathing life into a broad range of anti-gay policies and personal attacks," Kropp said in a statement. "The result is a political and so cial climate hostile to the principles of jus tice and fairness that safeguard every American." The same report one year ago found evidence of 132 anti-gay incidents in 41 states and the District of Columbia. KIM I. MILLS Group forms to counter Rev. Phelps Kansas City, MO—Faith in free speech is being put to the test among members of a coalition who believe Rev. Fred Phelps has stretched the limits with his verbal at tacks on gay men and lesbians. "The message of love will be stronger than the message of hate," said Ginger Ashmore, one of the coalition leaders who met Nov. 26 to discuss ways to reply to Phelps, whose small Baptist congregation consists mainly of family members. The catalyst for the meeting was Phelps' recent verbal attack on poet Maya Angelou, who is well-known for her dvil rights work, which has included standing up for gay rights. Angelou, whose car was surrounded by Phelps supporters after an appearance in Topeka recently, canceled a speech at Emporia State University after she was shouted at by the group. The coalition claims more than 70 groups as members. Their first step was to send an open letter to Angelou, urging her to come back to Kansas. "This behavior is an outrage and an em barrassment to our community," the letter said. "The actions in Topeka resulting in a lost opportunity for students at Emporia State to hear your message is inexcusable and will not be ignored." Coalition members conceded that no organized support has emerged against Phelps out of the fear that Phelps will tar get homes and businesses for his demon stration. "How about all of us who believe in ac ceptance—why aren't we out there with our signs?" Ashmore asked. Others urged a massive letter-writing campaign to Angelou in an attempt to draw media interest to the group's message. "He inspires his followers to vicious acts," said Karen Pearson of the Kansas chapter of the National Organization for Women. "We are not here to stop Mr. Phelps, neither will we remain silent should he choose to continue to spread his vicious words of hate." Throughout the two-hour meeting, the group of about 50 people continually wrestled with the free speech question as Emporia State students in the audience said Angelou has agreed to come back sometime next spring. "We consider it a blessing in disguise because Maya Angelou agreed to come back," student Connie Dudgeon said of the Topeka incident. "We are not about limit ing the free speech and assembly rights of the Phelps family. That is not the answer." CRAIG HORST