Date: Mon, 16 Mar 98 20:43:30 -0400 From: NGLTF Subject: NGLTF Convenes Second GLBT Policy Roundtable ************************************************************************* NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Tracey Conaty, Field Organizer 202/332-6483 x3303 pager 800/757-6476 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ************************************************************************* NGLTF POLICY INSTITUTE CONVENES SECOND SEMI-ANNUAL NATIONAL GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER ROUNDTABLE WASHINGTON, DC - March 16, 1998 -- The leaders of 39 national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) community-based organizations or associations engaged in national policy work met in Washington, D.C. on March 12-13, 1998 at the second bi-annual meeting of GLBT activists. The goal of the National Policy Roundtable is to foster dialogue among those national GLBT organizations engaged in public policy advocacy at the national level. The Roundtable meets every six months and provides a forum for policy-oriented and strategic discussions. The meeting opened with a series of substantive briefings in three critical areas: congressional action on GLBT issues, updates on HIV policy, and updates on legal and court cases past and pending. Presentations to the Roundtable were made by Winnie Stachelberg, Political Director, Human Rights Campaign; Chai Feldblum, Director, Federal Legislation Clinic, Georgetown University Law Center; Amy Anderson, AIDS Action Council; Kate Kendell, Executive Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights; and Kevin Cathcart, Executive Director, Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund. Briefings were followed by a two-hour presentation from organizers of two actions currently in the planning stages: a national march on Washington (called for Spring 2000) and a nationally coordinated series of state actions (set for the Spring 1999). The March on Washington presentations were made by representatives from several of the leading organizations which have called for this National action: Elizabeth Birch, Executive Director Human Rights Campaign; Martin Ornelas Quintero, Executive Director, National Latino Lesbian & Gay Organization; Reverend Darlene Garner, United Federation of Metropolitan Community Churches; veteran producer and activist Robin Tyler; and Nicole Ramirez Murray. The proposal for nationally coordinated state actions in all states (and Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands) was presented by: Dianne Hardy Garcia, Co-Chair of the Federation of LGBT Statewide Political Organizations, who is the Executive Director of the Lesbian and Gay Rights Lobby (TX); and Paula Ettelbrick, Co-Chair of the Federation of LGBT Statewide Political Organizations, who is Legislative Counsel for the Empire State Pride Agenda (NY). In a fruitful discussion following the presentations, Roundtable members offered input on timing, funding, planning and synergies between the two initiatives. Participants concur that a highlight of the Roundtable was a briefing on options, opportunities and concrete strategies to advance awareness of our communityıs issues within Federal agencies and the executive branch. A panel of insiders, advocates, lobbyists and political veterans offered insights they had gained from different vantage points. The presenters included: Matt Coles, Executive Director of the Lesbian & Gay Rights Project of the ACLU; Paul Richard, an assistant to one of the commissioners at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and Tim Westmoreland, of the Federal Legislation Clinic at Georgetown Law Center. "This forum presents leaders of the GLBT national organizations with the rare opportunity to brief each other on substantive matters of public policy and to discuss strategy," said Urvashi Vaid, Director of the NGLTF Policy Institute. "Each participant brings a valuable perspective, impressive skills, and unique organizational experience to each discussion. Through our briefings and debates, we hope that participants return home rich with concrete information, tools and broader perspectives that enhance the work they do every day." A list of the participants along with contact information is below. -30- National Policy Roundtable National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute March 12th & 13th, 1998 Attendees: + Amy Andersen, Director of Governmental Affairs - AIDS Action Council, 202-986-1300. + Nancy Buermeyer, Public Policy Staff - Human Rights Campaign, 202-628-4160. + Elizabeth Birch, Executive Director - Human Rights Campaign, 202-628-4160. + Brian Bond, Executive Director - Gay And Lesbian Victory Fund, 202-842-8679. + Gary Bowen, Coordinator-In-Chief - American Boyz, 410-392-3640. + Richard D. Burns, Esq., Co-Chair - National Association of GLBT Community Centers, 212-620-7310. + Rea Carey, Executive Director - National Youth Advocacy Coalition, 202-319-7596. + Jim Carroll, Interim Executive Director - Parents, Families & Friends of Gays and Lesbians, 202-638-4200. + Mandy Carter, National Field Director - National Black L&G Leadership Forum, 919-688-7500. + Kevin M. Cathcart, Executive Director - Lambda Legal Defense And Education Fund, 212-809-8585. + Cheryl Chase, Executive Director - Intersex Society Of North America, 415-575-3885. + Matt Coles, Executive Director - ACLU Lesbian & Gay Rights Project, 212-549-2500. + Ray Drew, Executive Director - G&L Parents Coalition International, 619-296-0199. + Phyllis Frye, Executive Director (outgoing) - ICTLEP- Transgender Law Conference, 607-547-4118. + Paula Ettelbrick, Co-Chair - Federation of Statewide GLBT Political Organizations, 212-627-0305. + Joan Garry, Executive Director - Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, 212-807-1700. + Dianne Hardy-Garcia, Co-Chair- National Federation of Statewide GLBT Political Organizations, 512-474-5475. + Jubi Headley, Executive Director - National Black L&G Leadership Forum, 202-483-6786. + Rebecca Isaacs, Political Director- National Gay & Lesbian Task Force, 202-332-6483 x3308. + Sky Johnson, Director of Policy - L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center, 213-860-7358. + Kevin Jennings, Executive Director - Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, 212-727-0135. + Kate Kendell, Executive Director - National Center For Lesbian Rights, 415-392-6257. + Deb Kolodny, National Coordinator - BiNet USA, 301-565-0719. + Sydney Levy, Program Director - Int'l G&L Human Rights Commission, 415-255-8680. + Yosenio V. Lewis, Vice President - FTM International, Inc. 415-553-5897. + Kerry Lobel, Executive Director - National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 202-332-6483 x3307. + Dilia Loe, Co-Chair - National Association of Community Centers, 305-563-9500. + Jeffrey Montgomery, Co-Chair - National Assoc. of Anti-Violence Projects, 313-537-3323. Tonye Barreto Neto, Executive Director - Transgendered Officers-Protect & Serve, 813-752-9226. + Ann Northrop, ACT UP / NY, 212-727-8674. + Lester Olmsted-Rose, Co-Chair - National Assoc. of Anti-Violence Projects, 415-777-5500. + Dixon Osburn, Co-Director - Service Members Legal Defense Network, 202-328-3244. + Ron Owen, Executive Committee - BiNet USA, 800-964-4624. + Marj Plumb, Director of Public Policy - Gay & Lesbian Medical Association, 415-255-4547. + Tina Podlodowski, Co-Chair - International Association of GLBT Elected Officials, 206-684-8808. + Dana Priesing, Esq., Congressional Advocacy Coordinator - Gender PAC, 202-347-3024. + Gina Reiss, Executive Committee - Federation of Statewide GLBT Political Organizations, 732-296-9787. + Arlene Sandoval, Director of Programs - National Latina/o LGBT Organization (LLEGO), 202-466-8240. + Ben Schatz, Executive Director - Gay And Lesbian Medical Association, 415-255-4547. + Winnie Stachelberg, Political Director - Human Rights Campaign, 202-628-4160. + Sharon Stuart, Executive Director (incoming) ICTLEP - Transgender Law Conference, 603-547-4118. + Rich Tafel, Executive Director - National Log Cabin Republican Clubs, 202-347-5306. + Urvashi Vaid, Policy Institute Director - National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 212-697-5449. + Riki Anne Wilchins, Executive Director - Gender PAC, 212-645-1753. + Susan Wright, National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, 718-383-3318. + Jessica Xavier, National Director - It's Time America! 301-564-4200. _____________________________________________________________________ The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has worked to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level since its inception in 1973. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .