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THE 1988 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: THE REPUBLICANS
by Craig Clere

This year's presidential election will be In putting forth his answer to NGLTF's
held on November 8. As a voter, each of us survey, Bush has evaded the basic attitude
can directly impact whether Vice-President upon which he bases his reaction to gay and
George Bush or Massachusetts Governor lesbian rights. He revealed his underlying
Michael Dukakis becomes our next president. thoughts in 1980, while running against
With the growing number of AIDS infections President Reagan for the Republican
and deaths, the increasing visibility of the nomination. At that time Bush told the Los
gay and lesbian community, and the dramatic Angeles Times, I'l don't think American society
rise of anti-gay violence, the choice of should be asked to accept that homosexuality
president becomes a tremendously significant is a standard which should be held up for

' event in each of our lives. acceptance. I just don't believe that, and I'm

In Kentucky individuals must be not going to push for it."
registered by October 11 in order to vote on Prior to the New Orleans convention
Election Day. Registration is available in Bush endorsed protection against AIDS-related
Fayette County at the Voter Registration discrimination, but declined to have such 3
Office of the County Clerk, 162 East Main provision included in the Republican Party
Street, Room 131 from 8:30 am to 14:00 pm, platform. Bush also discussed the
Monday through Friday. To verify anti-discrimination policy in terms of its effect
registration or for more information, call the on children, whom he called "innocent
Voter Registration Office at 255-7563 or victims," implying he believes AIDS is a just
253-3021. punishment for other people.

This month GLSO News focuses on the Senator Quayle has voted with anti-gay
gay issues records of the Republican team, Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina every
Vice-President Bush and Senator Dan Quayle. time gay-related issues were presented to the

Responding to this year's survey of Senate. Quayle has voted to: restrict AIDS
presidential candidates by the NGLTF, Bush prevention activities by groups "who promote
stated his opposition to gay rights legislation. or encourage homosexual sexual activity“;
Despite recent governmental activity directly oppose providing federal money for indigent
attacking gays and lesbians, Bush stated: "No people for the $10,000 annual cost of AZT;
one group should have special privileges exempt religious-affiliated schools from the
granted by government." Most notable of Washington, D.C. gay-rights ordinance;
these actions are the 1986 Hardwick decision confirm the nomination of Robert Bork to the
3y the Supreme Court. This decision pointed U.S. Supreme Court.
specifically to homosexual acts while upholding Quayle, of course, has the distinction
state sodomy laws. More recently, the Senate (problem?) of having an identifiable record in
oassed legislation intending to legalize the Senate, unlike Bush. During the Reagan
discrimination against homosexuals by District years, both Republicans have supported the
)f Columbia religious organizations which president's lack of leadership on AIDS. It
~eceive federal funds. Additionally, during seems anyone satisfied with the Reagan record
:he past several years, nearly every piece of on gay-rights issues will probably be satisfied
iederal AIDS education legislation has been with the Bush-Quayle team.

;ubjected to revisions preventing use of funds Next month GLSO News will present
’or activities which might be construed to opinions on gay and lesbian civil rights and
:ondone homosexual sex. AIDS held by the Democratic ticket of Gov.
Michael Dukakis and Senator Lloyd Bentson.
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