Lesbian and Gay Activism Expected in 1996 Conventions

Activists are planning a high level of Lesbian and Gay activity at the Republican Convention in San Diego this August. The group is hoping to retaliate against the “radical right, ” who dominated the 1992 Republican convention with inflammatory rhetoric against Lesbians and Gays. The activists warned both Republicans and Democrats that Gays and Lesbians are a powerful voting block and will be watching the 1996 race closely. They site the research of John D’Emilio, a professor at the University of North Carolina, who found that Gays and Lesbians represented three out of ten votes cast in the 1992 elections.