Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 22:01:39 -0700 From: Clare Howell Subject: 4th National Lobby Day 23-25 May GENDERPAC MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4TH NATIONAL LOBBY DAY 23-25 MAY ================================ GenderPAC, the national advocacy group dedicated to pursing "gender, affectional, and racial equality," will hold its 4th National Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. from Sunday, May 23rd, to Tuesday, May 25th 1999. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and the Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA) are edging closer to critical votes. The next five years may see tremendous advances in this and other legislation that would benefit all in the LGBT communities. Unless we make our voices known, Congress will fail to include coverage for gender-different people in these bills. Votes for inclusion carry great personal political risk to Congressional representatives who operate with a critical lack of knowledge of issues surrounding gender- difference. We need to redouble our efforts to educate our representatives. The last three Lobby Days have each drawn nearly a hundred grassroots activists to Capitol Hill on a variety of issues. This year those who attend will continue to protest, educate, and advocate for all those who identify or express gender differently, especially those who cannot speak for themselves. GenderPAC invites those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, straight, transgender, and other sexual minorities to join us in Washington where we will proclaim that "We Exist". Groups or individuals wanting to sign up or receive information can e-mail Carrie@gpac.org or LobbyDay@gpac.org. The event is free, and starts with an in-service lobbying training session Sunday evening, May 23rd. Details about lodging and trans- portation follow, or can be accessed at GenderPAC's website: http//www.gpac.org WHO: Lobby Day is open to everyone interested in "gender, affectional, and racial equality," and is sponsored by GenderPAC, Transgender Education Association (TGEA), the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), Bi-Net USA, It's Time America, the International Foundation for Gender Education (IFGE), the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), FTM International, the Intersex Society of North America (ISNA), Transgender Officers Protect & Serve (TOPS), and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF). WHAT: Two days of lobbying our Congressional representatives on issues relating to gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered people, and other sexual minorities. We will focus our efforts around the issues of employment discrimination and violence/hate crimes. WHEN: Sunday evening, May 23rd. An intensive workshop, beginning at 7:30 PM, on national policy (what our national queer groups are doing and why) plus skills training sessions like "Getting you story in the news," "How to lobby, 101," "Press releases that work," plus free information kits to hand out on Capitol Hill. Monday and Tuesday, May 24th and 25th. Two days of lobbying, educating, and advocacy on Capitol Hill. No experience necessary. Most calls are made with groups of people from a common tri-state area. WHERE: The Holiday Inn on the Hill, 415 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. This location is a 10-minute walk from the Capitol building, and a similar distance from Union Station, the local Amtrak and subway-to-airport hub, not to mention pubs, parks, museums, monuments, restaurants, a multiplex theater, and shopping. The phone number for reservations is (800)638-1116. The local phone number is (202)638-1616. The GenderPAC block of rooms will be released on April 22nd. This is a busy time of year in Washington, so we urge you not to delay. COST: Everything except rooms and associated hotel charges is free. Just be there! The Metro is only $1.10 per trip. The rate for a single or double occupancy room is $99.00 per night (plus local hotel tax). A triple or quadruple occupancy room is $129.00 per night (plus tax). Some limited scholarships are available for those who are students or un/underemployed. We are using the same system we have in the past. You are responsible for calling and booking your own room, or doubling, tripling, or quadrupling up with others. If you need to find someone to share a room, you are welcome to use the feedback section of the GenderPAC website (www.gpac.org) to make your needs known. Make sure to mention to hotel staff that you are with the GenderPAC group and want the group rate. OTHER LODGING: The Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill (202-737-1234) is directly across the street from the Holiday Inn. The Phoenix Park Hotel (202-638-6900) is around the block. In addition, individuals from the Transgender Education Association (TGEA), a local Washington, D.C. support group, have offered to put up attendees who cannot afford hotel rooms. Thank you, TGEA! In addition, Members of TGEA have offered to retrieve attendees from local airports and return them there following the event. Those who wish to take advantage of TGEA's offers should contact Tamlyn Boswell at tamlyn3@netscape.net HOW: To register, fill out the form below and send it to: Carrie@gpac.org or LobbyDay@gpac.org Or send the same information by mail to: GenderPAC, Attn: Carrie Davis, 274 W. 11th St. #4R, New York, NY 10014. For questions, please call (212)645-1753. 1. Home state: 2. Name (Confidential) 3. Address (Confidential) Street City/State/Zip Phone Email (if available) 4. Your senators (2) 5. Your representative (1) 6. I would like to donate $30 to help someone who needs a scholarship attend Lobby Day _________. Further contacts for National Lobby Day include: GenderPAC--Riki Wilchins and Carrie Davis (212)645-1753; National Gay & Lesbian Task Force--Betsey Gressler (202) 332-6483x3306; It's Time America--Jessica Xavier (301) 949-3822; BiNet USA--Stephanie Berger (510)601-1806; Transgender Officers Protect & Serve--Tony Barreto-Neto (813)752-9226; International Foundation for Gender Education--Nancy Cain (781)894-8340; Intersex Society of North America--Cherly Chase (415)575-3885; FTM International--Jamison Green (510)658-0474; National Center for Lesbian Rights--Shannon Minter (415)392-6257; and, National Coalition for Sexual Freedom--Susan Wright (718)383-3318. ### Subscriptions. Please contact: Subscribe@gpac.org (c) 1999 GenderPAC