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.