Workers at Park Fear AIDS if Gay Night Held

If the private “Gay and Lesbian Night,” which a Los Angeles Superior Court ruled could be held at Six Flags Magic Mountain, had been scheduled for Sunday, some of the teen-age staff on the weekend shift said they doubted if they would have shown up for work.

“My parents wouldn’t let me work,” insisted ticket taker Chandra Haas, 16.

“I’d call in sick,” said Dennis Bernier, 17, who also collects tickets.

“I wouldn’t come to work either. What if you had to clean the bathrooms? We’re all worried about AIDS,” said Joy Gerussmeyer, 16.

Reactions such as these do not surprise officials of the Valencia park. They argued in court that their 1985 decision not to schedule an exclusive gay and lesbian party was made, in part, with the knowledge that many young employees would not show up for work. Officials said the teen-agers--who make up about 75% of the park’s 2,000-member work force--are afraid of catching acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Last year, when Sylmar resident Valerie Heekin inquired about reserving the park for a “gay pride” event, park officials denied the request. They based their decision on a 1979 experience with “Gay Night at Magic Mountain.”

When that private party was held, several teen-age employees did not show up for work and there were about 75 complaints the next day from parents of employees.

But last week, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert H. O’Brien discounted Magic Mountain’s staffing problems when he ruled that the park’s decision illegally discriminated against homosexuals.

Park officials, who said they have never discouraged homosexuals from visiting the amusement park during regular hours, said they will reconsider holding the private party.

But the court’s ruling did not assuage the fears of young Magic Mountain employees interviewed on Sunday.

“With that disease going around, I just don’t know if I would want to work or not,” said Jeannie Benedict, a cashier.

‘This Is a Family Park’

“This is a business, and it should be allowed to do what it wants,” said Jerry Wilson, 17, taking time from his window washing duties. “I can understand Magic Mountain’s position. This is a family park and they want to promote that image.”

Some young workers who expressed anxieties about contracting AIDS were reminded that medical authorities say the deadly disease is most commonly transmitted through sexual contact--particularly among homosexuals--unscreened blood transfusions or unsterilized syringes.

They remained adamant, however, about not working during an exclusively gay party.

“Maybe our fears are unfounded, but nobody knows for sure how easy it is to get AIDS,” said Debbie, a merchandise employee who declined to give her last name. “I guess some people think it’s better to go out of your way to be safe.”