Press Release
For Release Saturday, August 21, 1993

Libertarian Party of Washington State
P. O. Box 20732
Seattle, WA  98102

(206) 329-5669

"Libertarian Party of Washington 

Passes  Resolution in Support of 

Hands Off Washington Campaign"

        
        The State Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of 

Washington State passed a resolution in support of  the Hands Off Washington  
Campaign at special meeting held on Saturday, August 21, 1993.  The 

Libertarian Party of Washington State is the first political party in the 

state to endorse the Hands Off Washington campaign and efforts of Washington  
Citizens for Fairness.

        Based on Libertarian principles of respecting the sovereignty and  
dignity of each individual, the Libertarian Party of Washington, has stated  
unequivocally that bigotry and intolerance have no place in our society.  
Further, it is the policy of the Libertarian Party that the only legitimate  
intrusion  by the State into our lives is to protect life and property against  
the agression of others.  


        The proposed anti-gay initiative has brought to the forefront the need  
to discuss and define what the term "special rights" really means.   The  
Libertarian Party has long supported equal rights, not only for gays and  
lesbians,but for all citizens and has been opposed to laws which grant special  
privileges to any group

        The Libertarian Party has long endorsed the legitmate rights of gays  
and lesbians.  As early as  1976 our Presidential candidate Roger McBride ran  
on a platform that included the following:{1}

Repeal of all laws regarding consenual sexual acts between adults (with the age  
of consent reasonably defined).   This would include abolition of laws  
prohibiting prostitution and solicitation, whether gay or straight.

Repeal of legislation prohibiting unions between members of the same sex, and  
extension to such unions of al legal rights and privileges presently enjoyed by  
partners in heterosexual marriages.

An end to the use of loitering statutes and entrapment procedures as a means of  
harassing gays and prostitutues.

An end to the collection by government agencies of data on the sexual  
preferences of individuals.

Elimination of regulations specifying homosexuality as a justification for  
denying or revoking state licenses (for doctors, lawyers, teachers,  
hairdressers, etc.).

Repeal of laws prohibiting cross-dressing.

Recognition of the right of a homosexual parent to be awarded custody of his or  
her natural child, and of the child to choose the homosexual parent as  
guardian.

Elimination of laws specifying homosexuality as grounds for denying the right  
of adoption.

Equality of treatment of gay people in regard to government service, including  
particularly membership in the armed forces.

        " These positions were stated  back in 1976.  One might asked what were  
the Democrats and Republicans were saying in 1976," remarked Dave Doss, Pierce  
County Vice-Chair who introducted the resolution.

        In the 1992 Presidential campaign Clinton promised to lift the ban on  
gays and lesbians in the military and to support gay rights in general.   He  
stated, however, that he  definitely would not support same sex marriages.  
Clinton's stand for gays and lesbians achieving equality is appears equivocal  
at best.  The Libertarian Party's  planks on gay and lesbian rights are not  
viewed as "special rights", but rather legimate  human rights which should not  
be subverted by the government.
        
        Members of the Libertarian Party maintain that the positions that were  
incorporated  back in 1976 have remained in  the current platform and are just  
as important today.   Although gays and lesbians are the immediate targets of  
anti-gay initiatives, there is no doubt that anyone's rights  could be  
infringed upon. 


        Mr. Doss further stated, "How can we as Americans say we live in a free  
society when a segment of the population is  being denied the fundamental right  
to live their lives to the fullest human potential?  This resolution affirms  
that the Libertarian Party remains the only political party that will not  
compromise its principles to either the religious right, or to political  
expediency.  Libertarians believe that freedom and liberty must apply equally  
to everyone." 

        
Suggested Distribution :

TWIST   Libertarians for Gay and Lesbian Concerns
Seattle Gay News        National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Libertarian Party News  Northwest Libertarian
GayNet (Electronic BBS) Seattle Times
Seattle  P-I    Tacoma News Tribune
ACLU-W  Libertarian News (National)
GLAIDS BBS  tomh@GLAIDS.WA.COM
QRD buckmr@rpi.edu


FOOTNOTES********************************

{1}     Source : "Gay Rights: A Libertarian Approach" by Ralph Raico,  1976
MacBride for President Committee pamphlet.