Gay Democrats mobilizing to fight intolerance

Erin Neff

Monday, July 23, 2001 | 10:25 a.m.

Dan Hinkley made quite a splash Saturday evening in organizing Southern Nevada's first gay Democratic club -- and not just by falling into the pool.

About 60 people, some with checks in hand, came to the organizing meeting at a Las Vegas home hoping to mobilize the gay community against what many decry as growing intolerance against gays.

"It's imperative that we form," said Hinkley, who is organizing the Southern Nevada Stonewall Democrat Club. "Right now the atmosphere for gays and lesbians in Washington is toxic."

Hinkley cites President Bush's faith-based initiative, which would give federal grants to faith organizations, as one of many problems. The initiative, which passed the House over the weekend, allows the organizations to restrict the way they spend the money, and as a result, it could limit whom the organizations hire.

"Are we going to allow intolerance in America again?" Hinkley asked.

Assemblyman David Parks, D-Las Vegas, addressed the crowd Saturday with an assessment of the recently concluded legislative session. Parks, the only openly gay state legislator, was disappointed in the session, largely because he said leadership did not give one of his bills the support it needed.

Assembly Bill 496 would have extended certain benefits to unmarried couples, including provisions governing inheritances, sick-leave benefits, medical decisions and funeral arrangements. It would have allowed employers to extend insurance to unmarried partners.

It also would have allowed couples -- gay or straight -- to formalize those rights by entering into a "reciprocal beneficiary relationship." This would be a legal agreement between two unmarried adults, entered into by filling out forms provided by the attorney general's office.

But strong opposition from Richard Ziser's Coalition for the Protection of Marriage made lawmakers hesitant to support the bill.

Many privately said they didn't want to approve AB496 and face re-election when Ziser's marriage initiative is up for a second vote on the same ballot in 2002. Ziser's initiative would amend the Nevada Constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and woman.

Parks said he would reintroduce the measure -- if re-elected -- during the 2003 Legislature.

Saturday's meeting also included a presentation from Fred Bilodeau, president of the Desert Stonewall Democrats of Palm Springs, Calif. After being introduced by a Hinkley, who with a misstep fell into the pool, Bilodeau spoke at length about how the Las Vegas gay community can mobilize.

Hinkley is starting the Las Vegas club with three agendas in mind: organization, education and mobilization.

Southern Nevada Stonewall Democrats plan to meet with legislators, community leaders and local politicians to discuss issues such as discrimination and gay families.

Hinkley said Ziser's campaign has led to increased hostility toward gays -- especially in the form of harassment of effeminate schoolchildren.

"It's critical that we mobilize to combat that," Hinkley said.