Date: Tue, 15 Oct 96 19:47:37 EST
From: ngltf@ngltf.org
Subject: NGLTF TO CLINTON: "STOP GAYBAITING"

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National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
PRESS RELEASE

Contact:
Robert Bray  415/552-6448   rbray@ngltf.org
        pager 800/757-6476
Tracey Conaty 202/332-6483 x3303 tconaty@ngltf.org

2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
http://www.ngltf.org
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CLINTON APPEAL TO CHRISTIAN RIGHT OUTRAGES GAYS;
"STOP GAYBAITING TO GET CONSERVATIVE VOTES," SAYS NGLTF

Washington, D.C. October 15, 1996...The Clinton campaign, in a move that has
offended many in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community,
released a 60 second radio ad highlighting the President's support of the
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).  The ad, targeted to Christian radio stations,
also promotes Clinton's opposition to late-term abortions.  

    The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force called the ad "offensive,
unfortunate, and damaging to the LGBT community." The Task Force released the
following statement on this move by the Clinton campaign.  The statement is
attributable to executive director Melinda Paras.

Despite President Clinton's large lead in the polls, his campaign has chosen to
release an ad that promotes homophobia.  This radio ad is divisive, unfortunate
and damaging to the LGBT community.  

Indeed, this latest move by the Clinton campaign plays into the worst fears of
our community -- that the Clinton Administration is a fair weather friend.  How
painful and ironic that thePresident himself said that he wants to "stop this
election from degenerating into an attempt to pit one group of Americans against
another." Although the President signed DOMA, he at least issued strong words
against discrimination, violence, or intimidation on sexual orientation along
with his signature. When will there be an ad by the Clinton campaign touting the
President's ostensible opposition to anti-gay discrimination and violence? 

Unfortunately, DOMA and this ad only fuel the flames of homophobia. Indeed, just
this month a gay church in Montana was vandalized just after its pastor was
prominently featured in the local media publicly criticizing DOMA and announcing
her intention to continue to perform same-gender commitment ceremonies at her
church. Stop gaybaiting and scapegoating to get conservative votes.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is a progressive organization that has
supported grassroots organizing and pioneered in national advocacy since 1973. 
Since its inception, NGLTF has been at the forefront of virtually every major
initiative for lesbian and gay rights.  In all its efforts, NGLTF helps to
strengthen the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement at the state
level while connecting these activities to a national vision for change.

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