Date: Sat, 30 Jul 1994 14:16:48 EDT [ Send all responses to RAKNGLTF@aol.com only. All responses to the list or list owner will be returned! ] NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE NEWS RELEASE contact: David M. Smith 202-332-6483 ext. 3309 pager 800-757-7736 Robin Kane: 202-332-6483 ext 3311 NGLTF COMMENDS DECISION TO PULL OLYMPICS FROM ANTI-GAY COBB COUNTY Washington, DC -- (July 29, 1994) -- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) applauds today's decision by the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG) to move the 1996 Olympic volleyball games from Cobb County, Georgia. Last year, the Cobb County Commission passed a resolution condemning the "gay lifestyle" as incompatible with the community's standards and has refused to rescind the measure despite mounting opposition to the resolution. Gay and lesbian residents of Cobb County formed the Olympics Out of Cobb Coalition with the goal of removing the prestigious Olympic games from the county in the wake of the County Commissioners' continued support for the anti-gay resolution. "We commend the Olympic committee for taking this principled stand and agreeing that Cobb County does not deserve the honor of hosting the Olympic games," said Peri Jude Radecic, NGLTF Executive Director. "It would have been an international disgrace to host the multi-cultural Olympics in a county where bigotry and prejudice are proclaimed through anti-gay resolutions." "This decision is a victory for Atlanta, ACOG, and all those who believe in human rights and dignity," said Pat Hussain, NGLTF board member and principal organizer of the Olympics Out of Cobb Coalition. Leaders of the Olympics Out of Cobb Coalition had met several times with officials of ACOG, requesting for months that the Olympics to be removed from Cobb. ACOG officials had stated previously that they hoped for a compromise to be reached between gay activists and Cobb County Commissioners. However, the Commissioners repeatedly refused to rescind the resolution, and also defeated a so-called "compromise" resolution offered last month. This week, Cobb County Commissioner Bill Byrne said, "I resent the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games using the media to pressure us...We can withdraw the proposal and tell ACOG to find another place." "Prejudice has won over reason among the Cobb County Commissioners," Radecic said. "Most communities in this country would embrace the historic opportunity to host the Olympic Games. Instead, Cobb County Commissioners have proclaimed that their number one priority is anti-gay prejudice. Their entrenched bigotry is irrational and certainly does not benefit any of the citizens of Cobb, gay or straight." "This battle is another example of the destructive effect of anti-gay prejudice," Radecic said.