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LEXINGTON GAY/LESBIAN SERVICES ORGANIZATION, P.O. BOX 111171, LEXINGTON, KY I#0575
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KENTUCKY TO HOLD PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY Former governor of Arizona and
presidential candidate Bruce Babbitt has also
Kentucky is one of the twenty-one states expressed his support of the federal gay
and territories which will hold presidential rights bill.
preference primaries or caucuses on March 8. Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis
‘ This date has been dubbed "Super Tuesday" has perhaps the most confusing record
due to the large number of delegates being concerning gay and lesbian rights. Dukakis
chosen for both the Democratic and Republican pledged support of the recently defeated
National Conventions. Massachusetts Gay Rights Bill, but according
For Democrats, several of the nationally to some gay and lesbian organizations in
recognized candidates deserve consideration by Massachusetts exerted very little effort to
lesbian and gay voters. Four of the leading persuade legislators to back the bill. Dukakis
Democratic contenders sent their must also contend with his executive order
representatives to the October 10th Convention several years ago which banned gay people
of the National Association of Gay 8 Lesbian from being foster parents in Massachusetts,
Democratic Clubs. Representatives of Senator even if they had previously been deemed
Paul Simon (IL), Sen. Albert Gore Jr. (TN), qualified. This policy also had the effect of
Rep. Richard Gephardt (MO), and the Rev. banning Massachusetts gays and lesbians from
Jesse Jackson vigorously pledged their adoption since foster parent status is required
candidates' support for programs to fight of potential adopting parents in Massachusetts.
AIDS. Their support for programs promoting None of the Republican presidential
gay civil rights was also pledged, but with candidates have voiced support of gay and
somewhat less enthusiasm. lesbian issues. At the extreme, candidate Pat
Sen. Simon became the first presidential Robertson, a former 700 Club minister, has
candidate, and the eighth Senator, to stated II| have no intention of giving the
co-sponsor the federal gay rights bill in streets of America to radical homosexuals,
Congress. An aide to Simon stated that the drug pushers and organized crime.“
Senator ”has come face to face with the reality Kentucky has a closed type of primary
of why this bill is needed in a way that he system, which means registered Democrats and
hadn't before." Republicans vote only in their respective
The Rev. Jackson has demonstrated his primaries. Registered Independents may not
solidarity with the gay rights movement most vote in either the Democratic or Republican
clearly of all the candidates. Jackson primaries. To vote in Kentucky you must be
addressed the October 11th March on at least 18 years of age, a US citizen, and
Washington where he stated "We are together have lived in the state for 30 days.
today to say we insist on legal protection Registration is required. The deadline for
under the laws for every American . . . for registering to vote in the March 8th
women‘s rights, for the rights of sexual Presidential Preference Primary is February
preference." Jackson recently established a 8th, so don't delay. You may register at the
Gay/Lesbian Desk at his national campaign Voter Registration Office of the County Clerk,
headquarters to advise him on lesbian and gay 162 East Main Street, Room 131 from 8:30 am
issues. Gay activist Randy Miller, hired to to l1:00 pm, Monday through Friday. For more
head the Desk, stated that Jackson advocates information, or to verify your registration
a presidential order banning discrimination on status, call that office at 255-7563 or
the basis of sexual orientation in federal and 253-3021. If you have moved since the last
military employment, and is a proponent of the time you voted you may have to register
federal gay rights bill. again.
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