Date: Fri, 21 Mar 1997 13:19:12 -0800 (PST) From: Rex Wockner Subject: NC3161: HRC release on its Ellen ad From: communications Subject: HRC to Air Job Discriminination Ad When 'Ellen' Comes Out ________________________________________________________ NEWS from the Human Rights Campaign 1101 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20005 email: hrc@hrc.org WWW: http://www.hrc.org ________________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, March 20, 1997 HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN TO AIR AD DURING COMING OUT EPISODE OF `ELLEN' TV Spot Delivers Message That Job Discrimination Gay Americans Face Remains Legal in 41 States TAKE ACTION -- HOST AN HRC "ELLEN" HOUSE PARTY! http://www.hrc.org/events/ellen/index.html WASHINGTON -- A new television ad to raise awareness that job discrimination based on sexual orientation remains legal in 41 states is set to air April 30 during the historic coming out episode of ABC's "Ellen," the Human Rights Campaign announced today. "While most Americans oppose job discrimination against gay people, most are completely unaware of the fact that it is still perfectly legal in 41 states for employees to be fired from their jobs simply because they are gay," said HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch. "The coming out episode of `Ellen' offers a unique opportunity to shed light on this injustice and increase public awareness of the need for all Americans to be included in basic legal protection from unfair discrimination on the job." The episode will make prime-time television history when its star, played by Ellen DeGeneres, becomes the first lead character on a network sitcom to come out of the closet and honestly acknowledge being gay. The ad, entitled "Shoes," features a woman who has just been fired from her job because of her sexual orientation. A conversation between her co-workers reveals that the firing, while unfair, is not against the law -- a fact that, like most Americans, one of her colleagues is shocked to learn. The ad then offers a phone number for the Human Rights Campaign that viewers can call to get more information. The ad was created by the Semans Co., based in Alexandria, Va. With 59 ABC affiliates willing to air the spot, HRC plans to place it in 29 markets across the country. The ABC network turned down HRC's request to make a single nationwide purchase of air time, citing its policy against "controversial issue advertising." Seven affiliates were also unwilling to accept the spot. News conferences in each of the markets in which the ad has been placed, as well as in those declining to run it, are set to publicly unveil the commercial one week before its air date. While HRC Communications Director David M. Smith expressed regret that the network itself will not carry the ad nationally, he complimented ABC and its parent company, Disney, which produces "Ellen," for their own employment policies and for their courage in airing the coming out episode. "ABC and Disney are model corporate citizens when it comes to treating their lesbian and gay employees fairly and equally in their personnel policies," said Smith. "It is unfortunate that ABC declined a national ad buy that would have maximized our limited resources, but both companies deserve enormous credit for this historic episode of `Ellen' in the face of pressure from religious political extremists opposed to any fair and accurate portrayals of lesbian and gay Americans on television." The placement of the ad is being made possible by a generous contribution from Jessica Stevens, chief executive officer of Telegen, a Silicon Valley high technology firm based in Redwood City, Calif. "As someone who has been open and honest about being a lesbian for my entire adult life, and knowing the importance of coming out as one of the best ways to dispel myths and end discrimination, I greatly value this opportunity to give something back to my community," said Stevens. "I feel very fortunate that, after spending the past several years building my business, I am now in a position to help educate America about the basic fairness of our movement's goals." Currently, HRC is planning to air the ad in the following markets: Albany, N.Y.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Bismarck, N.D.; Boston; Buffalo, N.Y.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Columbia, S.C.; Dallas; Denver; Erie, Pa.; Fargo, N.D.; Grand Rapids, Mich.; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Madison, Wis.; Manchester, N.H.; Memphis, Tenn.; Minneapolis; New Orleans; Phoenix; Portland, Maine; Portland, Ore.; San Antonio; San Francisco; Seattle; Traverse City, Mich.; and Washington. (Note: This list is subject to change.) The spot was declined by the network's affiliates in Chicago; Houston; Knoxville, Tenn.; Nashville, Tenn.; New York; Philadelphia; and Wilmington, N.C. The Human Rights Campaign, along with the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Republican and Democratic members of Congress, as well as President Clinton, are supporting national legislation that would address the issue highlighted in the ad. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which came within one vote of passing in the Senate last year, would protect Americans from job discrimination based on sexual orientation. The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian and gay political organization, with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that lesbian and gay Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. ________________________________________________________ "SHOES" Revised #301 Human Rights Campaign VISUALS: Overhead shot of Personnel door opening. Reverse long shot of woman walking down hallway of large corporation. AUDIO: Female: They fired her? VISUALS: Close up of her shoes as she walks by two other pairs (a man and a woman). Camera stays on two pairs of shoes. AUDIO: Male: Yes. Female: But that isn't fair. Female: It isn't legal. Male: Yes it is. VISUALS: Hands taking down a diploma, then an award from the wall, placing in a box. Next a picture and a last look out the window. Voiceover: In 41 of our 50 states, a person can be fired just for being lesbian, gay or bisexual with no legal recourse. 85% of Americans don't know that. VISUALS: Two pairs of shoes in office doorway. AUDIO: Male: Betty? Female: Is there anything we can do? VISUALS: Card/black on white with HRC logo. http://www.hrc.org Voiceover: Call the Human Rights Campaign at 1-800-XXX-XXXX to find out how you can help. Anti-gay job discrimination drives us apart. Americans want solutions that bring us together. - 30 -