Date: Thu, 30 Jun 94 03:27:40 GMT
From: Mattias Duyves <duyves@fsw-extern.fsw.ruu.nl>

    During EuroPride Amsterdam 1994 the organizers gave visitors of the
    several events the chance to sign a petition-book, asking the
    European Parliament for a full-grown european directive equal treatment
    of all sexual orientations.
    The petition has been handed to Euro Parliament Member Nel van DIJK by
    Franco Grelini, from ARCIGAY from Bologna (Italy). This took place
    during the closing manifestation of EUROPRIDE on saturday june 25th.
    During three days, 3000 people signed the petition which has been
    formulated only a split-second before the opening of Europride. The
    formulation of the petition by Europride was the result of some
    criticsms by the alternative local counter-organization Euro-shame, 
    critizing Europride for its apolitical self-image. Ironically, the
    petition has not been signed by Euro-shame.
    Now the petition is in the hands of the EuroParliament Member Nel van
    Dijk. It is a good idea for other local organizers of gay events in
    Europe to give their audiences a chance to sign the petition as well
    and send the reactions to Nel van DIJK, Member of the European
    Parliament, BRUSSELS. This will do as an address!
    Thank you! Mattias Duyves

Press Statement EUROPRIDE: "PETITION" AMSTERDAM 15-25 Juni '94

EUROPRIDE joins a United Europe which has respect for sexual orientations,
equal rights and a diversity of cultural expressions. The event EUROPRIDE -
AMSTERDAM 1994 introduces you to the benefits that gay and lesbian life has
to offer Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Europe.

EUROPRIDE speaks culturally but also politically to Europe. Sadly enough, we
have to face a growing Europe that is without respect for sexual orien-
tations and equal rights:

The Dutch law still neglects equal parenting rights for homosexual and
heterosexual households.
The English Government forbids a positive picturing of gay and lesbian
lifestyles in public.
In Brussels neofascist deputees turn against the protection of women, gays
and minorities.
In Italy sounds are heard from the neofascist coalition-partner to send gays
to concentration-camps.
In Eastern Europe fascists, fundamentalists, communists and nationalists
threaten the lifestyles of gays and lesbians.

The situation in Eastern and Western Europe is threatening the integration
of gaylesbian life throughout Europe.

Non-commitment is not the answer. "Silence = Death".
EUROPRIDE demands the European Union for clear action. Now!
EUROPRIDE pressures for quick development of a fullgrown European Anti-
Discrimination Directive.

A European Directive Equal Treatment should protect the one Europe-with-
respect from another Europe-without-respect:

Against governments who forbid girlfriends to kiss in public.
Against governments who believe that boy-friends belong in concentration-
camps.
Against countries who treat gay and lesbian parents and children unequal
compared to heterosexual families.

EUROPRIDE aks from the European Union that sexual orientations and equal
rights are not to be reduced by political borders!
Equal treatment of sexual orientations is a source of Europe's cultural
identity in the making.

Visitors to the EUROPRIDE - AMSTERDAM 1994 Event are invited to sign the
EUROPRIDE-petition for the European Union for accelerated realisation of a
European Directive Equal Treatment of Sexual Orientations. The vistors can
sign the petition-book in the Europride reception at De Balie in Amsterdam .
The recently just marginally accepted resolution-Claudia Roth is simply the
very first, fragile start on a long way full of political resistance.

The petition-book will be handed over to Europarlamentarian Nel van DIJK at
the closing event of EUROPRIDE, Saturday 25 June at the Mueseumplein in
Amsterdam.
                                      END OF PRESS STATEMENT 
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