More than an attack on free speech'

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Saturday 11 Fehruary is the date set for a demonstration in protest against the recent conviction of Gay News for blasphemees libel.

Gay Mary Whitchouse in July 1977 is part of a growing backlash against boited gains made lesbians and gay men in the last ten years. At its most hornfic, this backlash saw the murder of North of Ireland, lan Paislcy from Sodomy campaign, and is fighting Festival of Light -Offences Act to Northern male homosesuality is stil Its most recent manifestation was the attack by 20 National Front thugs on the Vauxhall Tavern In following the Fascist pickel ar the Education TV Centre of the Inner London Education Authority. In this attack, two gay people were sensousty injured, and the pub itself was seriously damaged.

PROSECUTION The defence of Guy News is thus far more significant than ust detending a newspaper The pro super i a and suppor for the media, the church and the has made physical violence against gays almost respectable. Although many have rightly attacked the paper for is sexism and hostility to radical ideas, as the only mass circulation paper for homosexuals Gay News plays a vital role in reaching pay people who are isolated, frightened and repressed encouraging them to recognise the validity of their sexuality.

DEFENCE The National Gay Defence Committee is fighting by to spread an understanding of of the paper. stresses that the prosecution of Gay News is more than an attack on free speoch and rights gays COOLESCE 15 BATE OF RI attempt to crush the demand advanced by boch the say and the women's movement for the right to control tbeir own lives.

The Gay News Committee noods and deserves support. It has drawn up a mocci reso union which can he moved in trade union branches, trade councils, student umions, anti-fascist committees and Labour Party branches. resolution reads:

This branch deplores the erasion of civil biberties evidenced by the recent use of an antiquated blasphemy law to convict Gay News and its editor Denis Lemon.

-This branch repeal of the blasphemy and the quashing conviction of Gay News and its editor and urges its members to support. demonstration in London on 1] SCOTTY The demonstration is assembling outside Temple underground ar ipm and will rally in Tralalan Suare The Delence Committee it which groups or individuns showerse can be contacted c/o 146 Mayall Rd, London SE24, relephone (01) 274 0845.