Date: Sun, 14 Aug 94 16:40:04 EDT From: DavidN1327@aol.com NEWS RELEASE For immediate release Sunday, August 14, 1994 Contact: Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats Post Office Box 11311 Salt Lake City, Utah 84147-0311 (801)461-5058 metropolitan Salt Lake City telephone number (800)864-0310 national toll-free telephone number Internet: glud@aol.com Tear sheet requested a000 rp ^BC-Gay,224< David Mixner fights gay political "under-representation" SALT LAKE CITY - Shortly before President Bill Clinton announced his support of a new "don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue" policy about gays in the military, his openly gay college friend and campaign advisor David Mixner told The Washington Blade that the president was "good, but far from perfect on gay and AIDS issues." The Los Angeles-based political consultant was expressing a widespread opinion about how many bisexual, gay and lesbian people viewed President Clinton more critically after his election than they did during his 1992 presidential campaign when he promised to lift the ban against gays in the military completely, among other things. "I find him to still be very popular in the gay and lesbian community, but people are no longer willing to give blind faith. It is now more of an alliance than a fan club," Mixner said. That alliance is what gave one of Mixner's groups, Coalition '93, the chance to encourage the appointment of more than 22 openly gay or lesbian staffers to the Clinton administration including Roberta Achtenberg as the assistant secretary for fair housing at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. But the government appointment of openly bisexual, gay and lesbian people is only part of the fight for Mixner. As a director of the Washington, D.C.-based Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, he hopes to take the success of electing a supportive president and appointing administration staffers to the ballot boxes of every state. "Gay men and lesbians are the most under-represented group in electoral politics," Mixner complains. Other Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund leaders point out that of the 497,155 elected officials serving in the United States, only 70 are openly bisexual, gay or lesbian including two U.S. representatives and 12 state legislators. The Fund contributes much-needed money to the campaigns of openly bisexual, gay and lesbian people. Mixner has agreed to be the keynote speaker at the Gay and Lesbian Utah Democrats 1994 Celebration which is planned for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8 at the John W. Gallivan Utah Center at 36 East 200 South in Salt Lake City. He plans to speak about "We're Our Own Best Hope - Coming Out In Politics." "It's appropriate that one of America's most successful gay politicians will be joining us to celebrate our most successful year," GLUD Chair Michael Aaron said. "David Mixner works effectively and tirelessly to define bisexual, gay and lesbian politics inside and outside the Clinton White House, and as a director of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund." The celebration is the group's fourth-annual reception and awards dinner, and is a National Coming Out Day event. The black-tie-optional celebration has attracted many elected and appointed public officials and candidates since the first such event in 1990. "We're very pleased to be offering again one of the few formal events in Utah that brings together bisexual, gay and lesbian people and public officials in a pleasant environment," GLUD Founder David Nelson said. "Our celebrations have become known by many as one of the most enjoyable evenings of the year." Tickets are available for $30 per person and $55 per couple. Tickets are also available to GLUD members for $25 each. Ticket information is available by calling (801)461-5058 or (800)864-0310. Seating is limited.