Date: Fri, 8 Jul 1994 09:24:05 -0400 From: PMDAtropos GROUND ZERO: Contact Frank Whitworth 719-635-6086 voice, 719-635-6106 fax DATE: July 7, 1994 National Grassroots Solidarity Events Encouraged to Support Rev. Dr. Mel White's Seven Day Fast Ground Zero* and UFMCC** encourage lesbian/gay rights groups and supporters around the country to hold solidarity vigils corresponding with the conclusion of the seven-day "fast for understanding" by the Rev. Dr. Mel White at the FOCUS ON THE FAMILY Colorado Springs headquarters. Dr. White is publicly fasting to call upon the Religious Right to stop their attacks on gay and lesbian people. Details of the event have been previously distributed. If you need copies, contact Ground Zero (above). Everything listed below is a SUGGESTION -- customize to your needs: WHEN: Saturday, July 16, 12 NOON Mountain Time --other events simultaneous-- 2 p.m. Eastern, 1 p.m. Central, 11 a.m. Pacific 9 a.m. -- if your willing -- in Alaska & Hawaii WHERE: Near local offices of FOCUS ON THE FAMILY (local chapters have "stealth" names), Christian Coalition, other Radical Right locales WHAT: Suggested: A 1/2 hour vigil. Format: Brief summary of Dr. White's fast and purpose -- stress the national threats against gay & lesbian people -- the anti-gay legislation in up to 35 states Music maybe ... Romanski & Phillips "Love Is All It Takes to Make a Family" WHO: Suggest leaders of the vigils would be MCC ministers, other supportive clergy, local human rights reps., local lesbian/gay rights organizations WHY: To commerorate the completion of Dr. White's fast -- to call upon the Religious Right to stop it's campaign of hate and persecution of gay and lesbian people. HOW: We know that this is short notice, but believe you can pull it off! Listed below are some suggested steps to plan your local event: 1. Notify Ground Zero that you are participating*** 2. Identify a vigil coordinator & speaker (we can provide sample speeches) 3. Choose a site (Religious Right symbolic location) 4. Notify the local media with a press release (we can provide samples) 5. Activate your phone trees, email, friends, invite supportive clergy, human rights activists, and others * GROUND ZERO: A gay & lesbian advocacy group that operates in the "Vatican of Fundamentalism" -- Colorado Springs! ** UFMCC: Universial Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. Leadership supports this event. Phone 213-464-5100 for more information. NOTE: Local media kits, sample speeches, informational back- grounders will be available via Internet or fax on Saturday, afternoon, July 9. National press will be notified of your local event. --END-- -- Robert Shaffer rshaffer@hpbs114.boi.hp.com