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Gay Veto ‘act Of War’ (Press, 15 March 1984)

This is a Generative AI summary of this newspaper article. It may contain errors or omissions. Please note that the language in the summary is reflective of the original article and the societal attitudes of the time in which it was written.

Summary: Gay Veto ‘act Of War’ (Press, 15 March 1984)

On 14 March 1984, a significant protest took place in San Francisco, driven by the city's prominent gay community in response to California Governor George Deukmejian’s veto of a proposed bill aimed at prohibiting job discrimination against homosexuals. The legislation had been the result of an eight-year struggle in the state legislature and was seen as a crucial step forward for gay rights. Following the veto, demonstrators gathered and marched through the streets of San Francisco, starting from Castro Street, a predominantly gay neighbourhood, and making their way to the Civic Centre. The protesters chanted phrases such as "Gay rights now" and used whistles to express their dissatisfaction with the governor’s decision. Governor Deukmejian had a history of being unsupportive of gay rights and his veto was perceived as influenced by the potential backlash he would face from conservative constituents. In his statement regarding the veto, Deukmejian asserted that the supporters of the bill did not provide sufficient evidence of widespread job discrimination against homosexuals, which he deemed necessary for such legislation. Mary Dunlap, a prominent San Francisco lawyer and advocate for gay rights, reacted strongly to the governor’s decision, characterising the veto not only as an assault on gay rights but also as a broader attack on civil rights in general. This event highlighted the tensions surrounding LGBTQ+ issues during this period and showcased the determination of activists advocating for equality in the face of resistance from political figures.

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Publish Date:15th March 1984
URL:https://www.pridenz.com/paperspast_chp19840315_2_65_13.html