Date: Fri, 15 Sep 1995 08:28:58 -0400 From: BT11360@aol.com I received the following via snail mail and post it FYI. Bernie ------------------------------------------------------- >From The Desk of Phill Wilson 5 September 1995 Dear Brothers and Sisters Federal legislators reconvened today in preparation for the conclusion of the 104th Congress (I don't know about you, but I'm scared). On their agenda are a number of items that are of *particular* importance to you and I. Among them AIDS funding, by way of the Ryan White CARE Act, reautorization of Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA), and the dismantling of Office of AIDS Research. As African-Americans, Affirmative Action is under attack, as well as Urban Renewal Plans designed to bring desperately needed jobs to our inner cities. As Lesbians & Gay men, ENDA (Employment Non Discrimination Act) an exclusion of People with HIV from military are on the agenda. If you were asleep during the 104th Congress' initial 100 days....Now is The Time to Wake Up! The conservative "revolutionaries" have declared war on the poor, people of color, people with AIDS, Seniors and anyone else who may call on our government to live up to the principles on which it was founded (in other words, they've taken out a contract on America, hired their assassin, and his sights are on you...be afraid, be very afraid). >From 20-23 September, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) will sponsor it's 25th annual legislative conference and we need to be there. As a part of the CBC weekend, the National Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum (BGLLF) in conjunction with other organizations will sponsor the first annual Black Gay & Lesbian Lobby Days and Briefing. How many times has a legislator voted for homophobic legislation or against increasing AIDS funding? How many times have members of the US Congress participated in the politics of hate and divisiveness at the expense of a woman's right to choose, or programs that provide basic health services and lunch programs for children? The theme for this year's CBC conference is "The Conscience of Congress". Now is the time for us to raise the consciousness of African-American elected officials on issues that are important to us as Black Lesbians and Gay men. Our brothers and sisters are dying from AIDS and breast cancer. Our children are being taken away from us, denied quality education and are being doomed to poverty, drugs, and prison. Our parents are being threatened with the loss of access to social security, Medicare and Medicaid...all services that they rightly deserve. Now is the time for you to come to Washington, meet with your elected officials and tell them what is important to you. The BGLLF will make an appointment for you, will train you in the discipline of lobbying, we'll even let you know who your Congressperson or Senator is (if you don't know already). All you have to do is be there and be prepared to make your feelings known. We would like for you to arrive in DC, the evening of 9/20. Appointments will be scheduled Thursday and Friday, (9/21 & 22). Becaause of the CBC weekend, most appointments with members will probably occur on Thursday. If your CBC member is not available on Friday, we will make an appointment for you with her/his deputies. There will be a training and orientation on each day (from 9-10am). There will also be a Black Gay & Lesbian/CBC reception from 4-7 pm, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Friday afternoon (4-7pm). Please join us for a joint fund-raiser with the 365 Days Foundation, on Sunday, 24 September (6-8pm), at the Embassy Row Hotel (2015 Massachusetts Avenue, NW). I can't stress to you enough how important it is for African-American Lesbians and Gay men need to participate in this activity. I've never experienced such a hostile environment in Washington. They've already done great harm to the people we love and care about. Someday, we will all be asked (at least those of us who will be alive) "What did you do? What did you do to stop the dying? What did you do to stop the persecution? What did you do to stop the hate?" This is an opportunity for you to say, at least on one occasion, when called, I responded! To RSVP, for any of the activities, or for more information please contact Troy Fernandez, 213 993.1609, or Christopher Kush at 202 319.9766. Kindly RSVP as quickly as possible so that we can make your appointments in a timely fashion. Take Care of Yourself and your blessings. I am looking forward to seeing you, 20 September. Yours in the Struggle, Phill Wilson National Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum (NBGLLF) 1219 So. La Brea Los Angeles CA 90019 213 993.1609 213 993-1592 facsimile