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Page 8 — The Barb, November, 1977 j The Elections Did the Gay Vote Really Count? By Gil Robison as told to James Atlanta — When Emma Darnell came in with only 4.1% i the vote, it appeared that ] First Tuesday’s efforts had been ) in vain and the gay vote had not j materialized. But a closer look : tells a different-story . . Emma Darnell’s campaign has j been compared to Leroy Johnson’s (he ran against, Jackson in the previous election.) Both were black , Moore protest candidates — suppon of them indicating that within the black population there was dissatisfaction with Jackson’s treatment of black people. In that earlier election, Leroy Johnson received 3% of the vote. The difference between his score and Darnell’s 4.1% - could be due to several things, but the most likely is gay political involvenfent. A pattern emerges when one studies the returns in different districts. Emma scored highest in District 10 which is 98.1% black and lowest in District 8 which is 2.3% black. She scored second highest in District 11 which is 78% black. District 6, the area mot of First Tuesday’s registered voters lived in, was ranked 6th despite the fact that it contains the lowest registered black population (1.9%). If District 6 had followed the same racial pattern set by the other districts it would have placed eleventh. The Midtown precinct drew in the most support for Darnell in that district. There she received 8.2% of the vote — twice the . city average. , Another point to consider is • that Emma Darnell did not put' any effort into the Northside area. Her strongest dvocates Perry’s Human Rights Fast Succeeds s 2 2 Blue Sky Atlanta’s Sportswear Exchange 1018 Peachtree Walk 2 i Los Angeles - Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the Metropolitan Community Church, ended his fast for human rights September 21, after over reaching a stated goal of $100,000 to benefit the California Fund for Human Dignity. The fast was broken on the 16th day in a Communion and then Perry was allowed one bite of a cheese enchilada prepared by his lover. “We are doing God’s will,” Perry said to 300 friends and supporters gathered at an impromptu worship service. “Injustice must be stopped. This is just the beginning. We will fight the fight.” The fight Rev. Perry referred to concerns State Sen. John Briggs who is circulating petitions for a ballot incentive that would purge gay teachers from California schools. He predicts he will have twice the signatures necessary to succeed. “There are no rights being violated here,” Briggs declared. “The gays have all the rights and they are making all the money. My campaign is based on love and children.” Briggs’ actions are furthering the drive against homosexuals started by Anita Bryant in Dade County. Alarmed at the situation, Rev. Perry had announced his Fast To The Death on September 6. Twenty pounds lighter, Perry met with over two dozen gay leaders to plan strategies against the Briggs’ campaign. there were the First Tuesday, group. The only other organisation to back Emma Darnell Was AFSCME. Both organizations share common grievances at the Mayor’s lack of support and concern. So the issue of gay civil rights was • raised in the election. In itself, this was an advancement. Channel 11 reported First Tuesday’s Forum very favorably and- referred to it as “an historical occasion.” The Constitution and Journal Jalso picked up on the issue. The nature of the election left it pretty clear (hat Jaekson would win. The entire election was characterized by. apathy and dullness. As a result the gay presence could not show up in a dramatic way, but it did show up for those who notice — and politicians notice. David Goodstein, publisher of The Advocate had started the money rolling when he donated $5,000 to the fund The goal was topped when a Kansas City businesswoman sent in $20,000, shooting the total to $104,000. Some donations were for al little as one or five dollars. Perry expressed his gratitude to all contributors. “But this is only seed money,” Perry declared, “This is just enough to start the fight. We will need over a million dollars to carry the struggle to the end.”