Date: Thu, 03 Jun 1999 07:49:11 -0700 From: Clare Howell Subject: IYF-Gender Activists Lobby Congress MEDIA ADVISORY - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Editor: Clare Howell, clare@gpac.org GENDER ACTIVISTS LOBBY CONGRESS =============================== [Washington, DC: 2 Jun 99] THE MOVEMENT TO END gender-based oppression includes not only transgendered people, but gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and straight people -- all who face discrimination because of the way they express gender. This was GenderPAC's message in meetings with national gay and lesbian organizations last week in Washington. And it fueled activists' efforts to broaden the scope of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA) and the Employment Non- Discrimination Act (ENDA) to include explicit protection for gender expression. Ninety gender activists from across the country gathered May 23-25. The first day ended with a meeting including, among others, GenderPAC, PFLAG, NGLTF, HRC, and NOW. The following two days were devoted to visiting Congressmembers. Groups of 2-3 activists called on each of their states' representatives and senators, handing out educational packets and talking to legislative assistants and Congressmembers. Said Dana Priesing, a Washington, DC attorney who helped frame the issues for the event, "Lobby Day participants this year included heterosexual women, intersexed persons, people of color, survivors of hate crimes, lesbian women, transexuals, gay men, transgendered persons, even radically non-identified people. "This was a very diverse group. You might ask what they all have in common? First, they are all multi-dimensional people disadvantaged by a culture that disciplines and marginalizes those who live outside its two-dimensional gender roles. Second, they all are highly creative, extra- ordinarily courageous, and committed to building a more just and equitable society. If you are not yet supporting their efforts, you should be." GenderPAC welcomes comments of attendees and others interested in Lobby Day on the Gpac website: www.gpac.org ### Subscriptions. Please contact: Subscribe@Gpac.org For prior releases, check the GenderPAC website at: http://www.gpac.org (c) 1999 InYourFace GenderPAC's online news-only service for gender activism.