Transcripts

BILL CATLIN: Calling itself Community United Against Violence, the group said one purpose of its announcement is to draw attention to the recent death of Robert Churchill. Churchill is the latest victim in a string of 11 gay murders in the Twin Cities. During November, the group will be organizing activities to heighten awareness of violence, especially violence against homosexuals. One member of the task force, Father John Holman of Saint Paul, called on the religious community to examine its role in violence against gays and lesbians.

JOHN HOLMAN: I think that they need to be guarded in their statements about human sexuality, particularly the homosexuality, because oftentimes the things that they say can be classified as verbal abuse, which is then translated by thugs into physical abuse.

BILL CATLIN: Yesterday's announcement comes at a time of heightened tensions between some leaders of the gay community and police. There have been complaints that the police aren't doing enough to solve unsolved gay murder cases. Minneapolis City Council member Barbara Carlson, one of the supporters of Violence Awareness Week, came partially to the defense of the police when a reporter raised a question about resentment on the part of some police investigators.

BARBARA CARLSON: I do believe that the police department is working very hard to solve these murders. I do believe that there is also possibly some homophobia on the police department. And I don't believe that police ever like anybody getting involved in their business.

So I think that there probably is some jealousy or some concern that members of the gay community have shown their concern by really-- you can see that these people have banded together. They've gotten involved with their press. And they're willing to help.

ANTHONY BOUZA: There are things that disturb police officers on all fronts.

BILL CATLIN: Minneapolis Police Chief Anthony Bouza.

ANTHONY BOUZA: The permanent reality is that however they feel, they go out and do a professional job. So the cases are going to be investigated. And we're all going to do our duty. And the amount of persiflage and rumor mongering and gossiping that goes on within and without the police agency is really not very relevant to our purposes.

BILL CATLIN: Bouza admits, though, that there is antipathy towards gays among members of the Minneapolis Police Force. But he reiterates that his department is a group of dedicated professionals who don't let such attitudes get in their way. He adds that he has disciplined officers for pejorative statements about gays. This is Bill Catlin in Minneapolis.