Date: Wed, 22 Dec 93 13:40:33 EST
From: caffrey@aol.com
Subject: Atlanta billboard speaks out.

Billboard Targets Cobb Anti-Gay Ordinance

(December 3, 1993) ATLANTA--Visitors to Atlanta will now see a "welcome sign"
of a different kind, with a very powerful message.  The Atlanta-based human
rights group OUTFRONT is responsible for a strategically placed billboard
that reads "WELCOME TO ATLANTA.  HATE STOPS HERE."  The billboard is located
Downtown at Spring Street and Alexander (next to the "Fly Delta" billboard)
and is visible from I-75.

"We thought it was a great way to call attention to the disgraceful situation
in Cobb County, while highlighting the fact that Atlanta is a very
progressive and friendly place to live," says Rich Zeglovitch, a member of
OUTFRONT and chairman of the billboard's fund-raising committee.  Talk of
similar ordinances has surfaced in Fulton County and Macon.

The billboard was funded by donations from people angered by the recently
passed resolution in Cobb County which condemned the "gay lifestyle" and
withdrew all funding for the arts.

"Some people gave $25.00, some $250.00," says Zeglovitch, "all wanted to do
something to take a stand against discrimination."

Zeglovitch says OUTFRONT volunteers worked for more than a month to find a
suitable location for the billboard, then raised $4,000.00 to pay for it.

"We had hoped to put the sign on I-75 just inside Cobb County," says
Zeglovitch, "but the space just wasn't available,  We wanted people to have
to look at it during rush hour, to remind them of just how wrong the
commission is."

Another obstacle was finding a billboard company willing to run the message.

"A major national company turned us down," says Zeglovitch.  "We were told
the issue was just too hot.  It seemed hypocritical.  They'll run messages
about vasectomies, but not about victims.  Let's face it, if you're Gay or
Lesbian and live in Cobb County, you're a victim of some very misguided
politicians."

The first "HATE STOPS HERE" billboard will stay up 30 days.  The group hopes
to raise money to keep the billboard up through the Super Bowl  in late
January.

OUTFRONT is a non-profit, public interest group dedicated to ensuring the
civil liberties of Gay and Lesbian Americans.  As a volunteer organization,
all services are contributed and 100 percent of all funding is used for
public education, through paid advertising.
(End Press Release)


OUTFRONT needs to raise around $4000.00 by the end of the month in order to
keep the billboard up through the Super Bowl in January.  Because of prior
arrangements the current space is unavailable, however a spot at the Georgia
Dome where the Super Bowl will be held has been secured.  This increases the
chance of national exposure.  I'm not a member of OUTFRONT, and I don't live
in Georgia, but I'm sending in my "pennies" because I believe that if the
story is carried nationwide, it helps gays and lesbians everywhere in
America.  (Supposedly the N. Y. Times is going to do a story on the
billboard.)  Even if the sign only gets local coverage,  your contributions
help make a "stand".  Tax deductable donations can be sent to the following
address:

OUTFRONT
PO Box 12369
Atlanta, GA 30355

You can call Lenn Sisson (404) 943-0435 for more information.
Also you can e-mail me at caffrey@aol.com or caffrey@delphi.com and I'll
answer any questions the best I can, however I'm leavin today for the
holidays and will not be back till Monday.  Also I'm rather new to
"interneting" so if please feel free to post the press release and address to
any relevant usenet groups, information sites, etc..

Paul McCants