FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:  Gregory King (HRCF), (202)628-4160;
          Robert Bray (NGLTF), (202)332-6483
          Ron.DeVrou@f70.n109.z1.fidonet.org

LESBIAN & GAY, AIDS, WOMEN'S GROUPS MEET TO COORDINATE
1992 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ACTIVITIES;
DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN CONVENTIONS TARGETED

Washington, D.C., April 16, 1992...Representatives from a variety of lesbian and
gay, AIDS, and women's organizations met in the nation's capital on April 4,
1992, to coordinate their organizations' efforts for the 1992 Presidential
election.

	Among the groups represented were ACT UP/New York, ACT UP/DC, National
Federation of Log Cabin gay and lesbian Republican clubs, Human Rights Campaign
Fund (HRCF), National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), Mobilization Against
AIDS, Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, Gay and Lesbian Parents group, Queer
Nation/Houston, Queer Nation/National Capital Area, NOW, National Abortion
Rights Action League, National Women's Political Caucus, Gay Men's Health
Crisis, AIDS Action Council, Radical Faeries, Metropolitan Community
Church/D.C., the New York State Democratic Committee, and the Gertrude Stein
Democratic Club.  The open meeting was called by Tim McFeeley, HRCF executive
director, and Urvashi Vaid, NGLTF executive director.  Invitations were sent to
scores of groups and individuals around the nation.

	The day-long meeting provided a forum for activists to update others on their
election-related plans and coordinate activities.  Participants outlined
activities currently underway or planned throughout the country -- including
AIDS marches, receptions, "get-out-the-vote" drives, direct actions, platform
testimony, delegate lobbying, and more.  Attendees noted the political diversity
of the meeting and characterized the session as a very positive move toward
working together. 

	A significant portion of the meeting focused on events scheduled around the
Democratic Convention in New York City, July 13-16, and the Republican
Convention in Houston, August 17-20.

	"The meeting showed that diverse queer and AIDS activist groups can effectively
work together without attempting to homogenize each other's tactics and
agendas," said Paul Mullan and Gary Jarvis of Queer Nation/Houston.

	Attendees agreed to communicate through a series of monthly conference calls
and other meetings.  Participants from New York
- more -
and Houston have agreed to host planning meetings in their respective cities for
activists prior to the conventions.  A subgroup focusing on the Republican
Convention has already agreed to meet in May in Houston to organize logistics
and actions.

	"We want to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to communicate and
coordinate their activities," said Tacie Dejanikus, HRCF deputy field director. 
"There is no reason why all our organizations cannot keep each other informed of
our plans and actions."

	"By working together and using a variety of tactics -- from direct actions and
cocktail receptions to massive marches and media activism -- we can continue to
push gay and lesbian visibility and our issues into the forefront of the
presidential campaign," added Robert Bray, NGLTF public information director.

	Among the announcements made at the meeting were:

	--  HRCF and NGLTF will coordinate and distribute election year information
under the umbrella coalition, Gay and Lesbian VOICE '92 (Voters Organized In
Coalition for the Elections).  VOICE '92 will maintain a running schedule of
election-related events.  Submit calendar items to HRCF, 1012 14th St. NW, #607,
Washington, D.C. 20005, (202)628-4160.  VOICE '92 will also maintain an "action
center" at the conventions.

	--	A massive AIDS march sponsored by the coalition, United For AIDS Action,
will be held on July 14 at the Democratic Convention in New York City.  Contact
Gay Men's Health Crisis, for more information and to sign onto UFAA's AIDS
platform, (212)807-6664.

	--	ACT UP/NY and Queer Nation/Houston are discussing direct action plans at the
conventions.  Queer Nation/Houston, for example, is considering actions around
domestic partnership and military discrimination at the Republican Convention. 
NGLTF will coordinate a GOP convention action around hate crimes.

	--	The Log Cabin Republican Clubs have agreed to work with potential openly gay
Republican delegates and coordinate "insider" activities in Houston.  Contact
Leonard Green, Capital Area Lob Cabin Club, (202)546-8139.

	--	A "get out the vote" campaign was called for by representatives of ACT UP/DC
and Radical Faeries.  Plans include a video, information campaign and Pride
event registration.  Contact: Tim McCarthy, (703)635-1636.

Outreach to groups not represented at the April 4 meeting and working on the
elections is also planned.

For more information contact Paul Cooper at HRCF, (202)628-4160, or Robert Bray,
NGLTF, (202)332-6483.  Ron.DeVrou@f70.n109.z1.fidonet.org

#################################################################################

(End of NGLTF Press Releases)