Date: Tue, 23 Jul 1996 12:22:17 -0700
From: glaad@glaad.org (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)
Subject: Media Advisory:  Mel White Addresses Cobb County Commission

MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 23, 1996

Media Contact: Alan Klein (212) 807-1700
klein@glaad.org
Cobb Citizens Coalition: Noel Lytle, pager (404) 632-1442


WHO:    GAY MINISTER ADDRESSES COBB COUNTY COMMISSION ON ANTI-GAY
RESOLUTION'S THIRD ANNIVERSARY

WHAT:   Openly gay minister Mel White, former ghostwriter for Billy Graham,
Pat Robertson, Oliver North and Jerry Falwell, will attempt to address the
Cobb County Commission at tonight's regularly scheduled meeting during the
public comment session.

Today marks the 3rd anniversary of Cobb County's anti-gay resolution, which
drew national attention to the suburban Atlanta community.  The resolution
galvanized the gay and lesbian community prompting the Atlanta Committee
for the Olympic Games to relocate all Olympic events out of Cobb County.
For the last three years, scores of citizens have addressed the Council.
Last year's anniversary speaker was Candace Gingrich.

Mel White is currently Minister of Justice for the Universal Fellowship of
Metropolitan Community Churches, the nation's largest lesbian and gay
Christian denomination.  His best-selling book, Stranger at the Gate: To be
Gay and Christian in America, recounts his struggle to reconcile his faith
with his sexual orientation, following 30 years in the evangelical movement
and enduring exorcism, electric shock and so-called conversion therapy.

WHEN:
+       TONIGHT - JULY 23, 1996 at 7:00 PM

WHERE:  Cobb County Commissioner's Meeting Room, 100 Cherokee Street,
Marietta, GA.

WHY:    The event is sponsored by the Cobb Citizens Coalition, Inc., which
promotes understanding, tolerance and acceptance of all people.  The group
recognizes diversity as a strength for the community and its mission is to
end discrimination based on sexual orientation.

GLAAD, an event co-sponsor, is the nation's lesbian and gay news bureau and
the only national lesbian and gay media watchdog organization. GLAAD
promotes fair, accurate, and inclusive representation as a means of
challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.

-30-

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Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
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VISIT THE GLAAD WEB SITE AT http://www.glaad.org!

GLAAD promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation as a means of
challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.
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