A Publicmion b the LexiN TON GA And LesbiAN Senvices OR ANilATlON
V
Apnl + 1994
DANGER IN THE lECISLATURE Notional Gov/Lesbian Crisis Line
As [H t f th GLSO N t t th (800) 247-4283
1s issue 0 e ews wen o e .

presses, the Kentucky House of Representatives Teenage Gov/Lesblon Support
had just decided to shelve House Bill 10, which (800) 347'TEEN
proposed an amendment to the state constitution Thurs-Sun. 7pm—Mldnight
to allow the General Assembly to ban sodomy , ,1
and provide for punishments. The bill in its LESb'AN BATTERINCI
original form would have punished all instances by DEbbiE AUIT
0f sodomy, including between consenting adults, I have lived in a small, rural community in
gay people, and even straight mamed couples. south-central Kentucky for four years as an out
There was, however, a proposed change to the dyke in an even smaller, closeted lesbian
bill which would have singled out same-sex community. I write this after a long week of
sodomy only.- watching my good friend being battered again by

The blh wrll apparently not be voted on’_ due her lover, and holding her while she cried. This
to a decision or the House majority committee, is not the first time a friend has been beaten by
Whleh selected two other constrtutronal her lover, abused by the person we all usually
amendments to consider instead of the sodomy trust the most
amendment. The House limits itself to two Potlucks and politics are fine, but it is long
constitutional. amendment proposals per past time that our community began to deal with
legislative session. _ .. . what is happening to our lesbian sisters. We

There rs still a possrbrlrty that the Senate Will need to acknowledge this is happening, learn to
push a sodomy amendment; several different understand the turmoil in these women’s lives,
options have been filed there. And in the House, start confronting the batterer, and support the
Rep. Greg Stumbo defended the shelving of HB survivor.
10 by promising that sodomy would be addressed What is lesbian battering? Battering is the
during this session by some means other than a violent and coercive behaviors that one lesbian
constitutional amendment. . uses to control the thoughts, beliefs, and conduct

Stumbo, deflecting criticism from Republican of another lesbian, or uses to punish her for
supporters 0f the anti-sodomy measure, said on resisting that control and violence. Under this
the House floor that, although he does not definition, individual acts of violence are not
necessarily condone sodomy, it should not be battering. But when the assaulted partner
prohibited through the state constitution. changes her actions in order to avoid further

Supporters Of HB 10 complained that if the abuse (e.g. is afraid to say or do something
connnued on PM“ 6 continued on mg: 4

CLSO News ’ Apnil 1994 , 1