Hostile Climate

Hostile Climate 1995 is People For the American Way's annual state-by-state report on anti-gay activity. In this year's edition, researchers documented 180 national, state or local incidents in 43 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Rather than documenting incidents of violence or harassment directed at individuals, Hostile Climate focuses primarily on incidents that have broad policy implications or set significant precedents. These include statewide and local ballot measures; federal, state, or local legislative battles; court decisions; education-related activity, and arts censorship. The Religious Right plays a prominent role in much anti-gay activity and is particularly outspoken against sex education and AIDS education, arguing that providing students with information about HIV transmission amounts to the "promotion" of sexual activity, homosexual activity especially. In the U.S. Congress, for example, Sen. Jesse Helms and Rep. Robert Dornan continued their efforts to undermine AIDS education and service provision.

Hostile Climate 1995 (124pp.) is available from People For the American Way, 2000 M Street NW Suite 400, Washington, DC, 20036, for $9.95/copy for PFAW members and $10.95/copy nonmembers (sorry, pre-paid mail orders only).