Actions at Republican convention have little impact
Adapted from reporting by M. David Stein
National media lacked coverage of gay demonstrations at the Republican National Convention in Kansas City from Aug. 16-19, 1976, but that doesn’t mean none occurred. It may, however, have signaled a change in social action going forward.
“Street demonstrations are on the way out,” said Gerry Young, principal organizer for gay convention activities. “Security is too tight to get close to delegates and other people in power, and the media are starting to shut us out also. There are other things, like direct lobbying, that have more effect for the effort.”
Young estimated that 75-100 people participated in each gay demonstration. During rallies surrounding the Republican platform, Young said people were prevented from carrying pro-gay signs.
“They didn’t even want us to wear our buttons,” he said.
A proposed gay-rights plank was submitted before the convention, but was rejected without any discussion.
At the Democratic and Republican conventions in 1976, the National Gay Task Force circulated a petition for support of gay rights; 650 Democratic delegates and six Republican delegates signed it.
Police behavior was restrained at the Republican convention. Kansas City officers refrained from arresting 12 gay demonstrators when they defied a ban on protesting in the area where delegates’ busses arrived at Kemper Auditorium.
Philadelphians to lead national gay Episcopalian group
Adapted from reporting by Frank Broderick
Two leaders from the Philadelphia chapter of a group for gay Episcopalians took on roles with the national organization.
The Rev. Ron Wesner was appointed president of Integrity and Rev. John Lenhardt was named national treasurer at the organization’s annual convention held Aug. 5-8, 1976, in San Francisco. The two were co-conveners of the Philadelphia chapter of Integrity.
Barbara Gittings, a Philadelphia-based gay-rights activist, delivered the keynote address at the convention. She mentioned a letter she received from an 18-year-old woman in Nebraska who begged for someone to talk to. Gittings called loneliness one of the main problems gay people face. She said gay organizations have a responsibility to reach out and break the isolation.
Lenhardt said the 1977 Integrity convention would be held in Philadelphia at St. Mary’s Parish with the complete support of the Episcopalian diocese.