'Stop the war on women'
By Minnie Bruce Pratt
The International Action Center will march in Washington on April 25 with an anti-war contingent sponsored by the International ANSWER coalition--Act Now to Stop War and End Racism.

Contingent organizers stress: "Come out to march for women's reproductive rights and against the economic oppression of women and end the war abroad--and at home!"

The historic march on Washington is called to oppose the Bush administration's accelerated attacks on women's reproductive rights, including access to abortion, con traception and sex education.

Organizers of the overall march include Black Women's Health Imperative, Feminist Majority, NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, National Organi zation for Women and Planned Parent hood. This coalition has stated that the goal of the April 25 mass march is to up hold "choice, justice, access, health, abortion, global and family planning." (www.marchforwomen.org)

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Boycott Over Gay Marriage Bill Lacks Followers

Stillwater (AP) Many stillwater businesses are apparently seeing little fallout from a call to boycott them over a hometown legislator's push to ban gay marriage.
Still, some merchants remain concerned that the loosely organized boycott by some gays and lesbians might cost them customers.

The boycott, which is not endorsed by any of the established state's gay and lesbian advocacy groups, is an attempt to put pressure on Stillwater Republican Sen. Michele Bachmann, who has proposed that a constitutional amendment limiting marriage to heterosexual relationships be put before voters in November.


Advocates of the boycott have spread the word primarily through e-mails, which many Stillwater area businesses have also received.


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Presbyterians watch minister's case for constitutional impact
LISA CORNWELL
Associated Press
CINCINNATI - Presbyterian Church (USA) members and other church observers around the country are closely watching the next phase in the case of a Cincinnati minister convicted of violating church law by performing same-sex marriages.

On April 29, the Presbyterian court in northwest Ohio that oversees churches in Ohio and Michigan will rule on whether the Rev. Stephen Van Kuiken violated the denomination's constitution. Church observers say the case could have a major impact on the authority of the Presbyterian constitution at a time when various Protestant denominations are struggling with challenges to the authority of their governing documents. The denomination is headquartered in Louisville, Ky.



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Gays Plan to Protest at GOP Convention
By SARA KUGLER
The Associated Press
NEW YORK - President Bush's efforts to ban gay marriage are driving gay rights activists to plan protests and other attention-grabbing events in New York City this summer during the Republican convention.

Protesters opposed to the war in Iraq and other Bush administration policies have long focused on the four-day convention that starts Aug. 30 and is expected to draw 15,000 journalists. Gay rights groups, however, are just now eying the convention as an ideal forum to stage protests, raise money and stimulate the national debate.

"This is an issue that has really swept the country from coast to coast and is dominating public discussion about civil rights," said Kevin Cathcart, director of Lambda Legal, a gay rights group. "I don't see that quieting down."

Bush publicly backed a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriages after the high court in Massachusetts ruled it is unconstitutional to prevent gay couples from marrying, and as several cities nationwide began issuing thousands of marriage licenses to gay couples.


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Some officers had moral concerns about same-sex benefits
BY JOSEPH MORTON
WORLD-HERALD
Concern from police officers was one reason that the Omaha police union gave Thursday for dropping its demand for some benefits for its members in same-sex relationships.

The explanation marked the first time that the union officially commented on the controversial part of its proposed new labor contract with the city in the nearly two weeks since the provisions regarding gay officers' use of paid time off became public.

The union also cited concerns of City Council members and pending legal issues over domestic partnerships as reasons. The union also said the benefits have become a source of public controversy.

"The Omaha police union negotiating team has withdrawn its request for domestic partner benefits, since it is apparent that the controversy has overshadowed the importance of the overall contract and its savings to the city," the union said in a press release.