NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE
NEWS RELEASE
 
contact: Robin Kane, (202) 332-6483 ext 3311


JOB DISCRIMINATION BILL, HEALTH CARE REFORM
NEED ACTION NOW

Contact Senators To Oppose Helms

 Washington, D.C. -- August 5, 1994 -- The National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force (NGLTF)  is calling on our community to take aggressive action in the
month of August before and during the summer recess of Congress to advocate
for health care reform and passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act
(ENDA),  two issues that dramatically impact the lives of lesbians, gay men,
and bisexuals. Constituents must also demand that their Senators stand up and
oppose Sen. Jesse Helms' campaign of political gay bashing.

 NGLTF has produced an August Congressional Action Kit that will offer
information on ENDA, health care reform proposals, and a listing of Senators'
votes on recent anti-gay amendments offered by Sen. Helms. The Action Kit
will guide people through the process of calling legislators immediately and
meeting with legislators' district offices during the August recess. The kit
will include methods to communicate messages effectively and influence votes
on gay-related issues.

 "We need phone calls immediately from our community as health care reform
hits the Senate and House this month. We also need constituents to set up
appointments with legislators in their home districts during the summer
recess," said Peri Jude Radecic, NGLTF's Executive Director. "It is vital
that our community's voice be heard, forcefully and immediately, by members
of Congress."

 In addition to communicating pro-active messages about ENDA and health care
reform, constituents must communicate their outrage at the recent deluge of
anti-gay amendments offered by Sen. Helms. He is expected to introduce more
anti-gay amendments in the upcoming weeks before the August recess and to
continue in September. 

 "Make sure your Senators know that you are watching how they vote on Helms'
anti-gay amendments," Radecic said. "Urge them to vote 'no' each and every
time he uses the United States Senate as a platform for political gay
bashing."

 "While we have made substantial progress in Congress this year," said
Radecic, "we must convince our elected officials in Washington that there
will be a political price to pay at the ballot box if they do not support
simple non-discrimination measures and support blatantly homophobic
amendments by Jesse Helms."

 To receive the August Congressional Action Kit or to receive more
information on these two vital issues affecting gay men, lesbians, and
bisexuals, call (202) 332-6483, ext. 3327 or e-mail babngltf@aol.com.

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