Date: Wed, 22 Jul 98 21:19:43 -0400 From: NGLTF Subject: First Natl Religious Response to Attacks on GLBT Community ********************************************************* NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS CONFERENCE ADVISORY Contact: Betsy Gressler, Deputy Political Director bgressler@ngltf.org 202/332-6483 x3306 800/757-6476 pager http://www.ngltf.org 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 ********************************************************* PRESS CONFERENCE ADVISORY July 23, 1998 FIRST NATIONAL RELIGIOUS RESPONSE TO ATTACKS AGAINST THE GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY "The current attacks on homosexuality are not about faith, truth or healing. They are attempts to reshape the nation into a narrow fundamentalist image, and our public officials are falling prey to this manipulation." -- Reverend Dr. Mel White, Metropolitan Community Church (former ghostwriter for Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson) "People of faith have mobilized nationwide to stand for equal treatment of of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. We refuse to be erased from the religious landscape of this country." -- Laura Montgomery-Rutt, National Organizer, Equal Partners In Faith WASHINGTON, DC.-- July 23, 1998---Pro-gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) religious leaders will hold their first national news conference to respond to the recent escalation of homophobia by the christian right. The press conference will be held on Friday, July 24, 1998 at 10 am, at the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10 Thomas Circle, in the Franklin Room. "These ad campaigns are not isolated events. They are part of a coordinated strategy to lobby political leaders and stop progress toward equal rights," said Urvashi Vaid, Director of the Policy Institute of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Speakers at the press conference will include Rev. Mel White, Metropolitan Community Church; Dr. Marjorie Hill, Unity Fellowship Church; Rev. Rainey Cheeks, Inner Light Unity Fellowship; Rev. Meg Riley, Unitarian Universalist Association; and Lee Walzer, World Congress of Gay & Lesbian Jewish Organizations. Other faith leaders will be available for questions. The unprecedented national Religious Leadership Roundtable is co-convened by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Equal Partners In Faith. The Roundtable gathers representives of over 30 national faith based organizations who support equality for GLBT people, including, among others: Unitarian Universalist Association of America, American Friends Service Committee, Dignity USA, World Congress of Gay & lesbian Jewish Organizations, Reconciling Congregations Program, Disciples Justice Action Network, Methodist Federation for Social Justice, the Interfaith Alliance, Unity Fellowship Church, New Ways Ministry, Integrity, Affirmation, Lutherans Concerned, More Light Presbyterians, Metropolitan Community Church, and the AIDS National Interfaith Network. -30- _____________________________________________________________________ Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. 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 .