Date: Wed, 15 Oct 1997 06:31:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: CLGLPP@aol.com
Subject: *QL-ED*: Gay Rights Coalition forms in PA

The Center for Lesbian and Gay Law and Public Policy
News Release
                                                                             
October 6, 1997
                                                                         

COALITION FORMS FOR GAY RIGHTS IN PA

CENTER TO JOIN

State College, PA - Lesbian, gay and transgendered activists from across
Pennsylvania met in State College this weekend to discuss their battle for
state civil-rights legislation.  Discrimination based on sexual orientation
in employment, housing and public accommodations, as well as a variety of
other arenas, remains legal under Pennsylvania law.  The conference was
convened by the Philadelphia Lesbian and Gay Task Force.
	The Center for Lesbian and Gay Law and Public Policy agreed to help form a
coalition representative of the entire state.   "For the first time, the
community gathered the form a strong, working, state-wide coalition.  We have
put differences aside to work collectively for a statewide
anti-discrimination bill,"  said Andrew Park, Executive Director of the
Center.
	Attendees voted nearly unanimously that the coalition, not one singe group,
should make decisions about legislative language, what rights are included in
proposed legislation, strategy for seeking the legislation.  "Attendees at
the conference were clear about their desire to make decisions as a
community."  The Center supported the strong sentiment at the conference that
coalition members should work with other community groups when developing
strategy and legislative proposals. 
	A nomination committee, representative of various areas throughout the
state and approximate gender parity, was formed and will meet November 9 in
Harrisburg to continue the process of assembling a ‘core committee’ of the
coalition.  The chair of the Nomination Committee is Barbara DeTullio,
President, PA-NOW.
#  #  # 

_________________________________________
Andrew Park, Esq.
Executive Director
The Center for Lesbian and Gay Law and Public Policy
(215) 413-0509,  FAX (215) 592-1782