Panelists Debate Nature Of Rights Sought by Gays

Before an audience of more than 100 at the Kennedy School of Government, panelists voiced disagreement over whether rights sought by gays, lesbians and bisexuals are civil rights or special rights.

John Bennett, mayor of Aspen, Colo., began by discussing the recent passage of Amendment 2, which removed gays in the state from a list of 14 minority groups protected from discrimination.

Boulder, Aspen and Denver have already opposed this amendment in court and have won. The amendment passed, Bennett said, because "the language in the ballot was misleading."

"My perspective is not the same as the state's," Bennett said.

While supporters of the amendment argued that gays seek special rights, Bennett said the law's purpose "is not special protection, but equal protection."

David C. Locke '51, a retired Republican Massachusetts state senator, said, "in my opinion it is special rights."

Locke said that the ultimate motive of the amendment's opponents is to legalize marriage between gays, lesbians and bisexuals, and they should not mislead the public by saying they only desire equal rights.

But Boston City Councilor David Scondras '67 said that "the lesbian and gay community does not want to be special anymore." Scondras, who is gay, said laws prohibiting discrimination against gas are vital for protection in intolerant communities.

"It's not about special rights," said Scondras. "It's about ending violence."

Tim McFeele, Director of the Human Rights Campaign Fund, said that in any other state, "the Colorado type amendment would probably pass." Since the argument for the amendment was to persuasive, he said, human and gay rights groups "really have to train people in the states" to avoid similar problems in other states.

McFeeley also said "people are unfamiliar about sexuality and want to stay that way." But Locke insisted that American. talk and worry too much about sexuality

"Let's low key it," Locke said "We don't have to make it our daily dirt, morning, moon and night."

One audience member raised a question about the speech restraints imposed on a Michigan University student who sought to speak about his religious beliefs against homosex task.

The question provoked a strong response from Soonders, who asked, 'At what point is the freedom to say whatever you want and do whatever you want dangerous,"

Soonders attended the need for return of homophobic attitudes because "people are being taught to their people like me"

The event, which was sponsored by both the Gay Lesibian and the Kennedy School's Committee on issues of Sexual Orientation, was moderated by Alan Altshuler, director of the Taubman Center for State and Local Government at the Kennedy School

"Let's low key it," Locke said "We don't have to make it our daily dirt, morning, moon and night."

One audience member raised a question about the speech restraints imposed on a Michigan University student who sought to speak about his religious beliefs against homosex task.

The question provoked a strong response from Soonders, who asked, 'At what point is the freedom to say whatever you want and do whatever you want dangerous,"

Soonders attended the need for return of homophobic attitudes because "people are being taught to their people like me"

The event, which was sponsored by both the Gay Lesibian and the Kennedy School's Committee on issues of Sexual Orientation, was moderated by Alan Altshuler, director of the Taubman Center for State and Local Government at the Kennedy School