Patricia Schroeder: “Both Robert D. Novak and George F. Will in columns published on the op-ed page (``Inviolable Clinics . . . Vulnerable…”

“Both Robert D. Novak and George F. Will in columns published on the op-ed page (``Inviolable Clinics . . . Vulnerable Churches,'' December 9, 1993) suggest that gay lobbying groups were responsible for the delay in Congressional enactment of the clinic access bill in the closing days of the recent Congressional term. Mr. Novak and Mr. Will claim that Senator Orrin Hatch's amendment applying penalties to protesters who obstruct access to churches was blocked by gay lobbyists. This charge is completely untrue. Before Senator Hatch's amendment was ever discussed, both the Human Rights Campaign Fund and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force encouraged Senators to support the clinic access bill without amendments. While some individual members of the gay community may hold differing views, the only two national gay lobbying groups made it clear to supporters of the bill that they would accept inclusion of the Hatch language. Mr. Novak quotes Senator Hatch as saying ``I am certain that the homosexual lobby was involved here,'' but he is wrong. The Hatch Amendment is acceptable because it protects the religious freedom of gays and non-gays alike. Opponents of the clinic access bill appear to be attempting to create divisions where they do not exist.”