FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:     Contact: Kevin Berrill or
								                  Robert Bray, (202)332-6483
                          Ron.DeVrou@f70.n109.z1.fidonet.org

GOVERNMENT DRAGS FEET ON ANTI-GAY HATE CRIME;

NGLTF PRESSURES JUSTICE AGENCY TO TAKE ACTION
AT CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS

Washington, D.C., March 31, 1992...Working in coalition with ethnic, religious
and civil rights groups, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) is
pressuring the U.S. Government to respond more inclusively and aggressively to
hate crimes in
America -- in particular, anti-gay and lesbian hate crimes.

	On March 26, 1992, a coalition of national organizations, including NGLTF,
testified before the House Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights for
fuller implementation of the Federal Hate Crimes Statistics Act by the
Department of Justice's Community Relations Service (CRS) agency.  CRS is the
government agency responsible for implementing the Federal law and resolving
community grievances that arise because of bias crime.  The Federal hate crime
law includes gay bashings and other homophobic crimes.

	But the federal agency has dragged its feet and at times refused to include
anti-gay and religious motivated incidents in its educational materials and
programs -- sparking a year-long battle between NGLTF and CRS to get gays
included in the agency's "mandate."

	The stage for a showdown between CRS and the hate crimes coalition was set at
the recent Congressional hearings, during which the CRS budget was up for
review.  The hate crime coalition's testimony was led by John Buchanan, People
For the American Way chair.  Also appearing were Kevin Berrill, NGLTF
Anti-Violence project director, and representatives from the American Jewish
Committee and the Anti-Defamation League.

	Citing disturbing statistics from the Anti-Defamation League and NGLTF's
recently released report on anti-gay and lesbian violence, Buchanan urged the
CRS to provide a fuller response to gay-bashings and religious motivated crimes.


	CRS "continues to avoid providing its services to conflicts based on anything
other than race, color and national origin," said Buchanan.  "People who hate do
not discriminate," added NGLTF's Berrill in a statement at the hearings.  "To
arbitrarily exclude two of the groups [gay and religious] most affected by hate
violence from CRS services is negligent and unjust."

	Created as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the CRS is only mandated to
serve communities organized around race, color, or national origin, even though
the Federal hate crime law signed by President Bush in 1990 established sexual
orientation and religious preference as hate crime categories. 

	Last fall, the NGLTF led a successful effort to secure report language in
Congressional legislation (HR 2608) that instructed the CRS to respond to hate
crimes "as defined by the Hate Crimes Statistics Act," that is, including
anti-gay crimes. 

	But hate crime activists at the hearings pointed out several examples of CRS
neglect:  The CRS Hate Crimes Hotline (1-800-347-HATE) originally refused to
take calls on gay bashings and religious motivated crimes.  CRS publications,
such as "Avoiding Racial Conflict: A Guide For Municipalities," suggest hate
crimes are motivated only by race, color or national origin, and urge
municipalities to pass ordinances based on a narrow definition.

	Meanwhile, the conflict between NGLTF and CRS erupted again at a April 8, 1992,
conference organized by the National Institute Against Prejudice and Violence, a
private group based in Baltimore, Md.  NIAPV received a $400,000 grant from the
CRS to assist community-based organizations in responding to crimes motivated by
bigotry and violence.

	However, informed sources in the coalition told NGLTF that the CRS had actively
attempted to prevent NGLTF from attending the conference.  But because of
pressure from coalition allies, NGLTF's Berrill was finally allowed to attend. 
Berrill presented extensive information about NGLTF's organizing efforts around
bias crime, and publically challenged CRS representatives about their reluctance
to include gays.  NGLTF is working with coalition members to ensure CRS, and the
NIAPV materials, include gay-related information.

	Last month, NGLTF released in "Anti-Gay/Lesbian Violence, Victimization and
Defamation in 1991" report.  The report documents a 31 percent increase in
anti-gay and lesbian incidents in five key cities across the country.

	Victims of anti-gay and lesbian attacks are urged to contact the U.S. toll-free
Hate Crimes Hotline, 1-800-347-HATE, as well as notify their local law
enforcement agency and gay and lesbian community groups.  

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