From: markm@ogicse.cse.ogi.edu (Mark Morrissey)
Newsgroups: soc.motss,soc.bi
Subject: OR:9 Sappho Letter
Date: 26 Sep 92 14:58:35 GMT
Article-I.D.: ogicse.43238
Distribution: world
Organization: Oregon Graduate Institute (formerly OGC), Beaverton, OR

A friend has asked me to post a letter which she sent to the Sappho
maillist.  Included at the end of the letter is the contact information
for the Lesbian Community Project, which I have been inadvertantly
leaving out of my posts on groups active against the OCA.  The LCP is
very active against the OCA as well as a front line fighter for
the community in all areas.  They did not spring up to fight the OCA,
but have been here for the community for quite a long time.

Here is her letter.  Be prepared to experience some emotion.

--mark
p.s. Thank you, Dorsie.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Sapphites:

For months now, you've been hearing about the OCA (Oregon
Citizen's Alliance) and their anti-gay initiatives.

They lost their bid in Portland, Eugene, and Corvallis.

They won in Springfield.

Now they may win statewide.

If the OCA has their way, Oregon would become the first state
in the nation to amend their constitution to TAKE AWAY civil rights
for a class of citizens.

Friday, July 17, the state Elections Division announced that the 
OCA initiative and six other initiatives had qualified for the
November 3 state ballot.

According to the Oregonian, 

"The OCA petition is a statewide version of a measure approved by
Springfield voters in May.  The measure would declare homosexuality
an abnormality and a perversion, ban specific legal protections
based on sexual orientation, and forbid government funding for
"promotion" of homosexuality.  It also would require state schools
to teach that homosexuality is abnormal and perverse."

The OCA claims not to hate gays and lesbians, simply to hate "perversity".

They are willing to take my civil rights away to prove it.

I am a lesbian.  I am also a mother.  I have three wonderful children.

I do not want my children's teachers to tell them that I am abnormal
and perverse.  I do not want to have the state investigating me in
my own house because I am a mother and a lesbian.  I do not want to 
lose my children to a "good Christian home" because of the OCA.  

I do not want to lose my job, or the right to pay taxes in this state,
or the roof over my head because of the OCA.

Please, please..help us fight the OCA!  They are being funded by
the 700 Club and Pat Robertsons' organization among other right wing
groups.

You can contact the offices of the Campaign for a Hate Free Oregon
at 503-245-5351.  No on Hate (Portland) at 503-239-9430.  Right to
Privacy PAC at 503-228-5825.  

Please, do what you can to mobilize money and volunteers to fight
for civil rights in Oregon.  If we lose here, the OCA and other
right wing groups will bring their hateful and hatefilled agenda
to your home town.

Thank you,

Dorsie Hathaway

========================= end of Sappho letter ========================

Address for Campaign for a Hate Free Oregon:

PO Box 3343 
Portland, Oregon 97208
Phone 503-245-5351

Address for the Lesbian Community Project

PO Box 5931
Portland, Oregon 97228
503-223-0071

BTW, LCP is the largest Lesbian organization in the nation.