Transcripts

BOB POTTER: The Minnesota human rights law currently forbids discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, marital status, among other things. Repeal of a gay rights ordinance in the city of St. Paul left Minneapolis as the only community in the state that protects homosexuals.

DFL Representative Karen Clark from Minneapolis led a parade of witnesses before the House Law Reform subcommittee. She stated that 10% of the population is homosexual, and that the biggest single area of discrimination is employment. She says people are often denied promotions or are fired if they are found to be homosexual. Clark says the other 90% of the population could someday benefit from the law, too.

KAREN CLARK: Without this type of legislation being on the books, all that is necessary for you to experience discrimination as a lesbian or gay person does is that someone would accuse you of being lesbian or gay.

BOB POTTER: A number of clergymen from a variety of denominations spoke on behalf of the bill. A clinical psychologist said lack of civil rights protection increases stress and causes mental health problems among homosexuals. One witness identified herself as the mother of four children, one of whom is gay.

SPEAKER 1: The pain of discrimination is not only felt by the gay person alone. It is also felt by the family members. I really have to be anonymous because he might lose his present job and his present apartment if they knew he was gay. I feel it's very unfair. I urge that you pass this bill.

BOB POTTER: Another witness identified herself as a lesbian with a son age nine and a daughter age seven.

SPEAKER 2: The time I came out, people did not understand how I could be a lesbian and a mother. But I've come to understand that it appears that one out of every four lesbian women are mothers. And I'm struggling to provide a safe home for my children. And that home is not safe. If I can be taken out of my job when somebody finds out I'm a lesbian, that leaves me without a means of support. And that leaves them without a means of support.

BOB POTTER: Minnesota Democratic National committeeman Dick Hanson lives near Glenwood. And he spoke on behalf of the bill.

DICK HANSON: As a gay man living in rural Minnesota, I would like to testify to the fact that there are indeed lesbian and gay men in rural Minnesota, and many more than most people might think.

BOB POTTER: One gay man spoke against the bill, saying it would put more government control on the private sector and would lead to an increase in violence against homosexuals. Other opponents said they had not received sufficient notice of the hearing, which was posted this week, not last. And the subcommittee approved a motion by GOP representative Tony Onan to lay the bill over. Chair Shirley Hockenson says that the measure is still alive.

SHIRLEY HACKENSON: It stays in subcommittee here until next year. There's a possibility of some interim hearings on the bill.

BOB POTTER: Do you think that this was an easier way for the subcommittee to essentially kill the bill than to vote directly no on it?

SHIRLEY HACKENSON: No, we haven't killed the bill. I had previously talked with Representative Clark about what I anticipated, might be the motion here today. And she wanted to proceed with a hearing on her bill anyway.

BOB POTTER: And Chief Author Karen Clark says she is satisfied with the results for the time being.

KAREN CLARK: There has not been a hearing in this body since 1977. And the problem of harassment and of discrimination has been escalating. And the only way that we get ourselves back on the agenda is through hearings like this. Hopefully the next time there will be a vote, there will be a willingness on the part of the committee members to act. And I feel like this was a first step. We realize that it's going to take some time.

BOB POTTER: DFL Representative Karen Clark from Minneapolis, Chief House Author of a Gay Rights Bill. This is Bob Potter at the Capitol.