September 24th, 1997 to September 30th, 1997

Political stars shine at Task Force event:

Coretta S. King honored

by Bob Roehr

U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy's rousing introduction, Coretta Scott King's moving acceptance, or Vice President Al Gore's "surprise" appearance. Which was the highlight? The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force certainly had much to choose from at their "Honoring Our Allies" event held in Washington, D.C., Sept. 15.

Executive director Kerry Lobel told the crowd of more than 200, "We work to build a progressive movement, one that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity. We of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people are part of a broader movement for social justice and freedom."

"The heart of our work is a federation of over 30 statewide organizations, representing the fact that the center or gravity has shifted from Washington, D.C.-in fact it was never here -to the states." She pointed to New Hampshire and Maine as the latest states to enact legal protection for lesbians and gays. "Now 25 percent of the people living in this country are covered by such laws."

Sen. Ted Kennedy threw out the names of Jesse Helms and the Christian Coalition to rouse the crowd. Many of his words, when reduced to paper, seemed shallow, but his booming voice energized the room as he delivered them.

His role was to introduce the main recipient of the evening's awards. "Tonight we honor a person that carries forward her husband's dream that injustice anyplace threatens justice anywhere. Who understands completely that you cannot separate discrimination."

Coretta Scott King was brilliant in a magenta jacket and noble in accepting her award from the Task Force. "It's hard to believe that in 1997, I still get criticism for speaking out against discrimination and bigotry towards people because of their sexual orientation. ... All I can do is tell these folks that the civil-rights movement that I believe in thrives on unity and inclusion, not division and exclusion."

"I accept this award, not only with gratitude to you for recognizing me, but also with a deep appreciation for the dedication and commitment to creating a society where all citizens can live together in justice, equality, and peace."

"I accept this award as a reaffirmation of my commitment to carry forward the unfinished work of my husband, Martin Luther King, Jr. My husband understood that all forms of discrimination and persecution were unjust and unacceptable for a great democracy. He believed that none of us could be free until all of us were free. That a person of conscience had no alternative but to defend the human rights of all people."

Kennedy and King departed and the crowd grew restless waiting for the Vice President en route to the event. Then Lobel stepped back to the microphone. "As you know, the Task Force has not always agreed with everything the administration does. But I can say with all candor and sincerity that we deeply appreciate the willingness that Vice President Gore has shown to hearing our concerns."

Gore was effective in warming up an audience liberally seeded with gay and lesbian members of the administration. "It is time for all Americans to recognize that the issues that face gays and lesbians in this country are not narrow special interests, they are matters of basic human and civil rights. It is not enough for you to have a seat at the table. Everybody has got to realize that as full members of the American family, it's your table too."

"President Clinton and I are very strongly committed to doing what we can" on a laundry list of issue areas that was short on specifics. Concluding that section of his remarks, he noted that "gay and lesbian issues always have a place on our agenda at the state, local, and community levels, which is the specialty of the Task Force, and ... at the national level."

Gore seemed to future lower expectations of administration action when he said, "Let's face it, some of the greatest challenges that we face are not challenges of law but challenges of the heart. We've got to reach the day when all people understand that our diversity is our greatest strength. And everyone must be judged on the content of his or her character."

Other honorees that evening were the Mautner Project for lesbians with cancer and John Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO.

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