Date: Fri, 18 Nov 1994 19:22:41 -0500 From: Babngltf@aol.com ***************************************************** National Gay and Lesbian Task Force NEWS RELEASE Contact: Beth Barrett (202) 332-6483 ext. 3215 2320 17th Street NW Washington, DC 200009 ************************************************* IN WAKE OF ELECTIONS, GAYS GATHER TO SAVOR VICTORIES, REGROUP AFTER DEFEATS NATIONAL "CREATING CHANGE" CONFERENCE ATTRACTS OVER A THOUSAND GAY, LESBIAN ACTIVISTS TO DALLAS Washington, D.C. -- November 18, 1994 -- Coming from the far corners of the country just two days after national elections that changed the face of politics in America, leading gay, lesbian and bisexual activists gathered in Dallas, Texas, November 11 - 13, to plan for a future that portends dramatic challenges for the gay community. More than 1,000 people from 47 states, including Alaska and Hawaii, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, and Canada arrived in the Lone Star State for the 7th Annual Creating Change conference, sponsored by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute (NGLTF). The conference featured more than 80 workshops, plenaries and caucuses, and attracted a virtual "who's who" of the gay, lesbian and bisexual community. The conference included four Fight the Right organizing intensives, a People of Color organizing institute as well as workshops on a variety of topics ranging from bisexuality to workplace organizing. Facing conference participants was the news of a conservative Republican take-over of the US Congress, something that hasn't happened before in the time of the modern gay movement. Activists feared hostile AIDS and other measures from the Senate and House and voiced concern about the prospects of passing favorable legislation. Still, conferees expressed optimism that key victories in the last elections marked a turn in public opinion on anti-gay initiatives. Anti-gay ballot initiatives in Idaho and Oregon were defeated by popular vote. The measures would have repealed existing gay rights laws and prohibited the passage of such laws in the future. However, such a measure passed in Alachua County, Florida, tempering the enthusiasm of activists - as did the loss of key gay supporters such as Texas Governor Ann Richards and New York Governor Mario Cuomo. Regardless, conference attendees seemed to remain resilient at their options for political gains in the future. Plenary speakers and workshop presenters exhorted activist to "gear up and get back to basics." Many pointed out that a record of at least 24 openly gay and lesbian candidates won their bids for US Congress, state and municipal office. "The history of the gay, lesbian, bisexual civil rights movement is one of many victories and, unfortunately, many defeats," said Peri Jude Radecic, NGLTF executive director. "The 1994 elections are no exception." Radecic challenged conference attendees to strengthen rural and suburban gay groups and redouble efforts to end discrimination based on sexual orientation. "Closing the gap between the appearance of democracy and the presence of justice will be daunting," she said. The four plenary speakers echoed the sentiment of conference director Sue Hyde, whose post-election rallying cry became, "Don't Agonize, Organize!" "We've got to stop moaning about Newt and Bob and the other boys," and get on with the gay movement, said opening plenary speaker Glen Maxey, the first openly gay elected official in the State of Texas. Maxey won his reelection bid this year by 69% of the vote. Plenary speaker Mel White, author of Stranger at the Gate: Being Gay and Christian in America, noted the need for a campaign of honesty. "We have to tell the truth about them [the Radical Right]; we have to tell the truth about ourselves," White said, "The truth will be victorious and justice will prevail." In her plenary address, Letitia Gomez, Executive Director of the National Latino/a Lesbian and Gay Organization (LLEGO) highlighted the connection between anti-new immigrant sentiment, particularly Proposition 187 in California, with anti-gay and lesbian attacks. Phill Wilson, Director of Public Policy at AIDS Project Los Angeles, addressed the need for a new dialogue between the many communities used as scapegoats by the Radical Right. Creating Change also made time to celebrate queer culture and recognize activist achievements. The gay accapella group Sons and Lovers and lesbian comic Kate Clinton brought down a full house at the Saturday night concert gala. At the closing brunch, NGLTF presented nine Community Service Awards to individuals and organizations deserving of special recognition for their work to support the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community. (For more information on the prestigious Community Service awards, see the accompanying release.) NGLTF is the nation's oldest gay, lesbian and bisexual civil rights lobbying, education and organizing group. Founded in 1973, NGLTF works to end discrimination and hate violence based on sexual orientation and HIV status. NGLTF sponsors Creating Change, an annual organizing and skills building conference for gay, lesbian and bisexual activists. Detroit, Michigan will host Creating Change 1995 on November 10-12, 1995. -end-