Date: Tue 28 Mar 1995 11:37 ET
From: 07930004%TAONODE@VMCMS.CSUOHIO.EDU (K.JOB               )

Greetings My Sisters AND BROTHERS!

I am forwarding this to you all as I received it last night by fax from DC.  I
made a commitment to Berrita Renee Parker, Mellonee Rheams and Warren Williams
to circulate the word via this medium, so here I am to do the work!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Warren M. Williams or Mellonee Rheams, Directors of Public Relations
(301) 961-1155 or 1-(800)-206-4101

FIFTH ANNUAL BLACK LESBIAN AND GAY PRIDE WEEKEND
WASHINGTON, D.C.

"VISIBILITY, the Key to PRIDE '95"

Black Lesbian and Gay Pride, Inc., (BLGP) would like to announce its 5th
Annual BLGP Weekend, May 26-29,1995, Washington, D.C.  BLGP, Inc. is a
not-for-profit volunteer organization that raises funds for local HIV/AIDS
community based organizations (CBO's) serving African-Americans in the
metropolitan area.

This year we will celebrate our 5th anniversary and our theme "Visibility, the
Key to PRIDE '95" reaffirms BLGP's commitment to the fight against this
devastating enemy killing our sisters and brothers.  Our mission is to assist
local HIV/AIDS organizations in the metropolitan area with financial support
channeled directly into the African-American community.  BLGP, Inc. has
accomplished this in the past four years by awarding grants to some of the
following local CBO's;Inner City AIDS Network (ICAN), IMPACT-D.C., Dwayne S.
Brown Foundation, Us Helping Us and Best Friends.

Under the leadership of this year's Coordinators, Joe Peete and Berrita Renee
Parker, both seasoned community organizers, plans are being developed to
include the following activities:

FRIDAY, MAY 26th

Black Pride Kick-off party
THE EDGE, 57 "L" Street, S.E.
(DC's newest club attracting over 1,000 people on Friday nights)

The Anniversary Ball
TRACKS NIGHTCLUB, 1111 "L" Street, S.E.
(Come join us under the big outdoor tent for a night of glamour, high heels,
divas "walkin' the catwalk", and lots, lots more!)

SATURDAY, MAY 27th

Art & Film Cultural Festival
The Embassy Row Hotel, 2015 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
(An afternoon of films, health seminars, and dramatic presentations)

SUNDAY, MAY 28th

Prayer Breakfast - Inner-Light Unity Fellowship
The Embassy Row Hotel, 2015 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
(A spiritual celebration hosted by Inner-Light Unity Fellowship)

BLACK LESBIAN AND GAY PRIDE DAY - Outdoor Festival at Banneker Field
(Special live performance by nationally known Columbia Records recording
artist Ms. Allison Williams, known for songs "Just Call My Name" and "Can't
Have My Man"; also, local performances by male and female illusionists,
vocalists, instrumentalists and dance troupes)

The Coordinators, along with the Steering Committee, are working very hard to
put on the best celebration ever, with a commitment to minimize cost and
maximize the amount of funds available for the HIV/AIDS organizations after
the event.

The Executive Committee has been strengthened with new members this year and
has two major focuses for 1995. 1) To finalize BLGP, Inc. policies and
procedures, to ensure financial management and accountability, as well as a
fll description of all operating committees.  2) To raise over $30,000 before
the Memorial Day weekend to produce the Black Lesbian & Gay Pride Day '95.
festival.

BLGP, Inc. maintains its responsibility to the community and pledges to
continue to raise monies and assist underfunded organizations as they contnue
in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

For more information on (BLGP) events, advertising, vending space,
entertainment, and hotel accomodations, please call the PRIDE LINE at (301)
961-1155 or 1-(800)-206-4101.

My Sisters, this is the text in its entirety minus the cover page!

Wishes for your success in all areas of positive endeavor.

Absolutely!

Karen Job Wills (Cleveland, OH)