Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 21:40:40 -0700 From: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Subject: GLAADLines - May 3, 1999 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 3, 1999 GLAADLINES Contact: Jerry Weinstein GLAAD Publications Manager (212) 807-1700 x18 weinstein@glaad.org http://www.glaad.org News and Breaking Stories about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community INDEX TO STORIES: 1. BOMB KILLS THREE IN LONDON GAY BAR 2. UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS AND BOY SCOUTS AGREE TO DISAGREE 3. AL-FATIHA FOUNDATION TO HOLD FIRST CONFERENCE IN NORTH AMERICA THIS MAY 4. PRESS PASS Q PUBLISHES 5. MOTHER’S DAY COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR BOMB KILLS THREE IN LONDON GAY BAR: On April 30 a bomb injured over seventy patrons of the Admiral Duncan pub, a bar in the Soho section of London. A neo-Nazi organization, White Wolves, claimed responsibility for the blast, the third in recent bombings targeting blacks and Bengalis. However, on May 2, police arrested David Copeland who maintained that he acted of his own accord. Prime Minister Tony Blair said, "The only good that can come out of these nail bombs is that they spur all of us, whatever race, age, creed or sexuality, to work harder to build the one nation Britain that the decent majority want, and to bring our community closer together." While the States are still reeling from the aftermath of Littleton, Colorado, it is important to consider how our counterparts abroad cope with tragedy and how national leaders are held accountable. For further information, please contact Scott Long, Director of Policy, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission at (415) 255-8680 or via e-mail at scott@iglhrc.org . UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS AND BOY SCOUTS AGREE TO DISAGREE: Each year the Boston-based Unitarian Universalist Association awards a Religion in Life emblem to hundreds of Boy Scouts. Last year the Boy Scouts of America halted distribution of the emblem, largely as a result of the UUA manual "Religion in Life," which denounced national scout leaders as being homophobic. The following compromise was recently brokered: Unitarian officials will remove all language in the manual that refers to the Boy Scouts position on lesbians and gays, while the Church will include a statement, under separate cover, articulating its opposition to Boy Scout policies. As a result of this decision, the B.S.A. has reauthorized the awarding of the Religion in Life emblem. The UUA is also seeking a position on BSA's Religious Relationships Committee in hopes of changing the Scouts' anti-gay stance. Said John A. Buehrens, president of the 250,000 Unitarian Universalist Association, "We support the belief that it is not homosexuality but homophobia which is the sin.'' For further information, please contact John A. Buehrens at (617) 742-2100 x302. AL-FATIHA FOUNDATION TO HOLD FIRST CONFERENCE IN NORTH AMERICA THIS MAY: In November 1997 an e-mail discussion group was formed as a way for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Muslims to communicate issues of common concern, and to reconcile gender identity with the religion of Islam. Al-Fatiha, which means "The Opening," was formed in 1998. On Friday, May 28-31, New York University will host a conference with the theme, "Creating a Community." Sessions will include discussions of human rights, transgender identities and asylum issues. Said founder and director, Faisal Alam, "We are still in the beginning stages of our development where for some of us these issues are being discussed for the first time in our lives." For further information, please contact Faisal Alam at (212) 752-3188 or via email at gaymuslims@yahoo.com. PRESS PASS Q PUBLISHES: April 8 saw the first issue of Press Pass Q, a biweekly publication designed for editors, publishers, advertisers, photographers, and freelancers in short, all who work on publications serving the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Each issue will present a feature story, a digest of news involving gay and lesbian publications, commentary, classifieds, and "By the Numbers" a statistical snapshot of one aspect of the publishing industry. David Bianco, publisher of Q Syndicate, said, "For a long time, I've felt the gay and lesbian press needed a publication that could function as a press community newsletter and a journalism review." For further information, please contact editor-in-chief Rawley Grau at (410) 244-8949. MOTHER'S DAY COMES BUT ONCE A YEAR: The occasion of Mother's Day allows us the opportunity to honor our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, and our grandmothers for their unconditional love, support, and sacrifice. "Until just recently, the existence of lesbian and gay parents went almost unrecognized in our culture. The last ten years have changed this landscape dramatically. Our community's family values of love, diversity, respect, caring and pride have shown the world that "love makes a family," said C. Ray Drew and Kate Kendell. For further information, please contact C. Ray Drew, Executive Director of the family pride coalition at (619) 296-0199 or via email at pride@familypride.org. GLAAD is the nation's lesbian & gay multimedia advocacy organization. GLAAD promotes fair, accurate, and inclusive representation as a means of challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. To subscribe, contact Wonbo Woo at (212) 807-1700 or at woo@glaad.org. 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