NATION/WORLD UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, October 11, 1995
7A
High court considers gay-rights issue
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Several Supreme Court justices expressed doubts yesterday about a 1992 Colorado constitutional amendment that bans all state and local laws giving homosexuals special protection against discrimination in matters such as housing and employment.
The amendment was thrown out by Colorado's highest court, which said it denied homosexuals an equal voice in government.
"I've never seen a statute like this," Justice Anthony M. Kennedy told Colorado Solicitor General Timothy M. Tymkovich, who argued for reinstating the amendment.
Justice Sandra Day O'Connor wondered whether the amendment would allow public libraries to refuse to lend books to gays.
"Here the class seems to be adopted for its own sake," Kennedy said.
And Justice John Paul Stevens asked, "What is the rational basis for the people outside of Aspen telling the people in Aspen they cannot have this nondiscrimination provision?"
Justice Antonin Scalia appeared more sympathetic to
Tymkovich's argument that ordinances protecting gays against bias in housing, employment and public accommodations constitute special protection.
"They are laws that provide special protection to that particular category of person," Scalia said. People are not entitled to such protection if they are rejected for a job because of the way they comb their hair, he said.
The case argued yesterday does not address the morality or legality of homosexuality or gay conduct. But the justices' ruling, expected by July, may indicate their views on the continuing validity of the high court's 1986 ruling that let states outlaw consensual homosexual conduct.
The decision could be the court's most important gay-rights ruling in a decade.
If anti-sodomy laws are allowed under the Constitution, Scalia asked, doesn't it follow that the Colorado amendment also is constitutional?
The Colorado amendment, approved by 53.4 percent of the state's voters, would cancel ordinances in Denver, Boulder and Aspen that protect gays against bias in housing, employment and public accommodations. It also would bar the state and local governments from enacting such protections in the future.
Jean E. Dubofsky, lawyer for the cities and for the homosexuals who challenged the Colorado amendment, said the provision was invalid because it deprived a group of the opportunity to seek protection from discrimination.
The amendment has not been enforced because it was immediately challenged in court by gay men and women and the three cities whose ordinances would be canceled.
Gay rights advocates said local anti-discrimination laws provided civil rights protection but no special privileges. The voters' approval of the amendment led gay activists to organize a boycott of Colorado tourism that cost about $40 million in convention business.
The Colorado Supreme Court said the voter-approved amendment deprived homosexuals of equal participation in the political process.
But the state argues that gays have no such fundamental right. Unlike racial minorities, homosexuals are not considered a suspect class entitled to heightened judicial protection.
Seventeen states* and 157 municipalities have laws or policies prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Gay rights laws in the U.S.
Comprehensive state law
Number of municipalities by state
State executive order
Alaska 1 Hawaii 2 Md. 6 N.Y. 1 Texas 3
Ariz. 2 Idaho 1 Mass. 6 N.C. 6 Utah 1
Calif. 2 Ill. 6 Mich. 9 Ohio 5 Vt. 1
Colo. 6 Ind. 3 Minn. 4 Ore. 4 Va. 3
Conn. 3 Iowa 3 Mo. 2 Pa. 8 Wash. 8
Fla. 6 La. 1 N.J. 3 S.C. 1 W.Va. 1
Ga. 6 Maine 1 N.M. 1 S.D. 2 Wis. 4
*And the District of Columbia
Knight-Ridder Tribune
SOURCE: Human Rights Campaign Fund
Colorado's appeal has won support from conservative and religious groups and the states of Alabama, California, Idaho, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota and Virginia.
Backing the amendment's opponents are religiously affiliated gay groups, cities including Los Angeles and Atlanta. Seven states — Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, Nevada and Washington — also oppose the amendment.
Jury selection begins in Selena murder trial
The Associated Press
HOUSTON — Once bomb-sniffing dogs had swept the courtroom, jury selection began in the murder trial of the woman accused of gunning down singer Selena.
Yoianda Saldivar, president of the singer's fan club, shot the beloved 23-year-old Grammy Award winner to death March 31 at a motel in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Selena went to the hotel to fire Saltivar; Selena's family suspected the woman of embezzled $30,000.
Lawyers trying to seat a panel of 12
jurors and two alternates got through only 20 interviews Monday.
About 66 potential jurors were to return yesterday.
"It's going slower than I thought it would," said Carlos Valdez, the district attorney and lead prosecutor.
In a statement to police, Saldivar, 35, acknowledged pulling the trigger of the 38-caliber gun aimed at the singer.
Before surrendering, Saldivar kept police at bay in a parking lot with a gun to her head for 9 1/2 hours.
"All we have to prove is it is an intentional act," Valdez told prospective
jurors.
Saldivar's defense attorney suggested the gun went off accidentally.
"I want jurors who can understand that a weapon can accidentally discharge," defense attorney Douglas Tinker told prospective jurors. "This is not a complicated case. The issue before you is if she did not intentionally do it, she is not guilty of murder."
If convicted of murder, Saldivar could get life in prison
A SWAT team and two bomb-sniffing dogs swept the courtroom before prospective jurors arrived, and 10 officers patrolled the floor.
Selena, whose full name was Selena Quintanilla Perez, was beloved by fellow Mexican-Americans who listened to Tejano, a spirited Spanish-language blend of country and polka.
The trial was moved to Houston because of pretrial publicity and Selena's popularity in her hometown of Cornus Christi.
Of 155 prospective jurors initially questioned, about one-third said they had heard of Selena.
More than 2.5 million copies of her albums have sold since her death.
Set-Sun Fri. Men-Tues
Halloween Curse™ 1:55 4:45,720,950
Dangerous Minds™ 2:00 4:40,730,950
The Big Green™ 2:00 4:15,730,950
Big Beig, Steal Little™1:45 4:15,700,940
To Die For™ 2:40 4:30,710,940
Dead Presidents™ 1:45 4:20,700,945
except Wednesday
$350 Adult Before   Hearing  Babies
Adult A M. Impaired
Crown Cinema
BEFORE 4 PM, ADULTS $3.00
( LIMITED TO SEATING )
SENIOR CITIZENS . $3.00
VARSITY
1015 MASSACHUSETTS 847-5190
Seven $ ^{a} $ 4:55,7:15,9:45
HILLCREST
925 IOWA 841-5191
CINEMA IWIN $1.25
311 IOWA 841 5791
The Net $^{10-13}$ 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Pocahontas $^{16}$ 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Assassins $^R$ 4:55, 7:25, 9:55
To Wong Foo $^{PG}$ 5:00, 7:15, 9:30
Devil in a Blue Dress $^R$ 5:15, 7:30, 9:45
American Owl $^{N*13}$ 5:15, 7:15, 9:30
SHOW TIMES FOR TODAY ONLY
STUDENT UNION ACTIVITIES
SUA FILMS
Wed. Oct. 11 - Thursday Oct. 12
medium cool
WEDNESDAY 10:00PM
THURSDAY 7:30PM
DO THE RIGHT THING
7:30PM
WEDNESDAY 7:30PM
THURSDAY 10:00PM
ALL FILMS SCREENED AT
WOODRULE AND FORUM.
LEVEL 5. KASSIS CARES
FREE WITH SUA MOVIE CAM.
Call 361-1-SHOW For Mom Is So
ECM* Opportunities for Participation, Involvement, or Inquiry
Volunteer and Intern Placement Fair
(USA, International, Lawrence)
October 19 (Thursday), 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
October 20 (Friday), 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Information on volunteer placements, internships, and paying positions in environmental concerns, housing, health care, peace with justice issues, community organizing, day care, and a myriad of other options for short or long term.
Sample Intern Positions:
WORSHIP
Access: Networking in Public Interest, Boston; Action for Corporate Accountability, New Haven, CT, Alaska Ct. For Environment, Anchorage; Asian American Resource Workshop, Boston; Center for Psychology and Social Change, Cambridge, MA; Environmental and Energy Study Institute, D.C.; Land Stewardship Project, Marine on St. Croix, MX; Tennessee Environmental Council, Nashville; Wyoming Wildfire Federation, Cheyenne; Friends of Third World, Pt. Wayne; Dakota Resource Council, Dickinson...
And Many More Through Over 290 Organizations
Sample Volunteer Positions:
hergee Worker, Chinatown, San Francisco; Medieval Village Restoration, France-Italy; Assistance Programs, Italian Switzerland; Construction Development, Toqo-Ghana-Zaire-I India-Phlipines-Syria-Syria; Green Turtle Research, Costa Rica; Outdoor Education, "Four Corners" region; Appalachian Trail Maintenance, Georgia to Maine; Archeology, Colorado; Physically Disabled, London; Minority Apprenticeship Program for Community Organizing; USA-Russia: Ecumenical Work Camp, Monastery of St. Dmitri Prilutsky in Volga; Homeless/Medical Clinics, Baltimore-Washington D.C.-Milwaukee; Camp Counselors, Alaska; Conference Center, New Mexico.
On Sunday afternoons, 5:00-5:35, ECM holds a worship service that is student planned and led - followed by refreshments.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Information on volunteer placement in Lawrence (60 organizations) with Praxis Request
And Many More Through Over 280 Organizations
AND
Karen Anderson Lisa Blair Steve Bradt
Rev. Patty Brown Barnett Lauren Yoshinobu-Buskirk Dr. Albert Cook
Andrew Dummer Suzanne Galle Sarah Heeb
Rev. John Gingrich Dr. Richard Givens Rev. Hal LeMert
Rev. Francis Hendricks Laura Hubert Linda Maxey
Rev. Jeff Light Dr. Sadye Logan Jeria Slas
Bill Pugh Dr. Dale Rummer
Dr. Kurt Thurnalier Rev. Julia K. Wharff
INTERACTIONS
Join other students every Thursday, 5:30-7:00 PM for conversation, food, common prayer and topics of interest. Topics have involved Inter-Faith Dialogue, Images of Jesus in Film, and Creation Spirituality. Kim Forehand (folk singer) Oct. 12 on "Creativity and Spirituality."
ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAKS
Voluntary Service-Community-Spiritual Awareness Northern New Mexico Village Life:16th century to 20th century Denver & Santa Fe Exploring the Urban Terrain Eagle Pass Texas Piedras Mexico Between Two Views: Building on the Border New Mexico Living in Navajo Culture
CHRISTMAS GIVING MARKET
Celebrate Christmas with gifts that keep on giving. The sale of handmade crafts benefits third world artisans. Alternative gifts, such as rabbits, goats, trees, bricks, concrete are also available. These will be distributed to families in need through Heifer Project International and Lawrence/KU Habitat for Humanity. With each of these purchases, individuals receive cards that can be given as a gift in house of friends or family, be a customer or volunteer.
(weekafterThanksgiving)
UNIVERSITY FORUM
Oct. 25 Origin Myths of the Milky Way, Dr. Barbara Anthony-Twarag, Professor of Physics and Astronomy, University of Kansas.
Nov. 1 TBA
Oct. 18 Encountering the Sacred: Nature, Religion, and the American Landscape, Rev James D.Herron, University of Kansas Chaplin for American Baptist Denomination and PhD candidate in Religion and Plains Culture
Oct.11 The Kaw Valley:A New Vision, Eileen Lawson, co-Founder of Friends of the Kaw, and Joyce Wolfe, Executive Director of the Kansas Land Trust
Nov. 8 Habitat for Humanity, History in Lawrence and Bevond,
Rev. John Gingerich, first Lawrence Habitat affiliate President,
and Dr Richard Beach, Habitat activist.
Nov. 15 SERVAS: The New Way to Travel, Dr. Harry Shaffer, Professor Emeritus of Economics, University of Kangas.
Nov.29 Bigos Politics:The Changing Nature of Polish Governance, Dr.Kurt Thurmaier, Assistant Professor of Public Administration and Punishment,Ford University,University of Korea
Dec. 6 Windows of the Spirit, Conchita Keyes, Kansas Art Commission and freelance artist.
Is There Vocation In Your Career?
How does taking classes, choosing majors relate to a meaningful life?
"Vocation 'not only affects career choice but what it means to be a man or woman living interdependently with the natural world and in a culturally diverse society. ECM offers some ways to explore your vocation."
Sexuality and the Sacred A Presentation by Dr. James B. Nelson
Open classroom with Dr. Nelson where there will be an opportunity for conversation on his publications and current concerns as a professor of Christian Ethics. In addition, several of his books will be available for purchase and signing by the author during the reception beginning at 4:45 p.m.
Professor of Christianity
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
Thursday, October 12 * 3:00 to 5:15 p.m.
at the PCM (one block north of the Kansas Union)
Thursday, October 12 • 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 12 at 7:00 p.m.
in the Jawhawk Room at the Kansas Union
Sexuality and the Sacred
Students: $2.00 Faculty and Others: $4.00
Sponsored by ECM, Canterbury House, Lutheran (ELCA) and United Methodist campus ministries of the University of Kansas.
LINK AND JUBILEE CAFE
Volunteers needed for Saturday, Nov. 18, to prepare/serve food through LINK to approximately 90 persons needing a meal
HUMAN SEXUALITY IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Volunteers needed for preparing/serving breakfast every Tuesday in "cafe" atmosphere with menu choices.
Dr. Dennis Daley will be teaching a non-credit class in the Spring semester, Wednesday evenings, 6:30-8:30 PM, beginning Jan. 17... enrollment beginning October 20. $28.00 for 10 sessions.
COFFEE HOUSE
Opening in November, a coffee house in ECM Center basement will open volunteers welcomed along with programming suggestions!
GRADUATE STUDENT FELLOWSHIP Small group reflection, monthly dinners and other social activites are options available.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM
STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM
David Bigge
Ryan Boyd
Andrew Dummer
Corey Evans
Sarah Heeb
Neysa Koury
Heather Labash
Sonja Ratzlaff
Kristen Reed
Jerli Sias
Chenoa Simmons
Jeff Williams
Rev Thad Holcombe, ECM Pastor
- Ecumenical Christian Ministries at the University of Kansas is open to anyone interested. It is a ministry of the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA), UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN denominations, and First Presbyterian, Lone Star Church of the Brethren, Plymouth Congregational Church, and West Side Presbyterian congregations of Lawrence, Kansas and St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Eudora, Kansas.
ECM Center is at 1204 Oread (1 block north of Eudora Union). tel. 843-4933
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