June 26, 1994 - New York City International March on the United Nations to Affirm the Human Rights of Lesbian and Gay People 208 WEST 13th STREET - NEW YORK, NY 10011-7799 - (212) 439-1031 STRUCTURE I. Introduction. In 1994, the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion will be commemorated with a great variety of events organized around the world. Our task is two-fold: we will organize our community's first major international march and rally --- the International March on the United Nations to Affirm the Human Rights of Lesbian and Gay People; our second task is to gather, disseminate and publicize information about all the other events that will comprise the global celebration of Stonewall 25. What follows is the structure for the U.S. and international organization of Stonewall 25. However, the organization is only the framework --- ultimately, the success of Stonewall 25 depends upon the quality of local grass-roots organizing around the world. This structure aims at empowerment by mandating inclusion based on geography and constituency. National organizations are also included. the idea is for everyone in the community to be represented and to be encouraged to participate. A significant reason for the success of the 1987 March was the awareness of people throughout our national community that the March belonged to each one of us personally and not to some remote, self-selected body operating behind closed doors. The structure herein is a modified version of the structure developed for the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian & Gay Rights which, in turn, was a refined version of the structure for the 1979 March on Washington. The major difference between the present structure and that of the 1987 March reflects the international scope of Stonewall 25 (see II.B. and III.D.1.b.). Another modification was made in recognition of the connection between Stonewall 25 and the Pride celebrations (see III.D.1.c.). This structure is designed to enable the work to proceed efficiently, as it must, if this very complex project is to come off. Above all, however, the basic structure has a track record --- it works. II. International decision-making. The structure for a successful International March requires that empowerment through decision-making take place on the international level as well as within each nation. A. The name and demands of the march were decided at the 14th Annual Conference of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) meeting in Paris, France in July, 1992. Over 250 people, representing organizations from 30 countries, participated. B. The International Advisory Committee. 1. Comprised of 2 representatives from each participating nation. 2. Will generate an international slate of speakers for the Rally which will immediately follow the March. III. U.S. decision-making and overall project coordination and oversight. A. The U.S. Steering Committee. This body is responsible for implementing decisions made by the U.S. Planning Conference, the International Advisory Committee and ILGA Conferences. The U.S. Steering Committee provides leadership and functions as an organizing, decision-making and oversight body. It is the paramount U.S. structure. It is composed as follows: 1. Regional representatives. a. Regions with states, population and number of delegates. Delegations are based on 4 representatives per 20 million people. Where possible, an attempt is made to create regions as they are traditionally defined. Therefore, regions vary in size. Delegates should live in the region from which they are elected or in a neighboring region. There is a maximum of 1 delegate per state unless noted otherwise--- *. 1) Pacific: AK, CA*6, HI, OR, WA. Population: 39,122,000; Delegates: 8; States: 5. 2) Rockies: AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY. Population: 13,659,000; Delegates: 4; States: 8. 3) Prairie: IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD. Population: 17,660,000; Delegates: 4; States: 7. 4) South Central: OK, TX*3. Population: 20,133,000; Delegates: 4; States: 2. 5) South: AL, AR, GA, FL*3, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA. Population: 57,466,000; Delegates: 12; States: 11. 6) Midwest: IL*2, IN, OH *2, MI*2, WI. Population: 42,009,000; Delegates: 8; States: 5. 7) Mid-Atlantic: DC, DE, MD, PA*2, WV. Population: 19,729,000; Delegates: 4; States: 4. 8) Northeast: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ*2, NY*4, RI, VT. Population: 38,926,000; Delegates 8; States: 8. 9) Pacific Territories: American Samoa and Guam. Delegates: 2. 10) Caribbean Territories: Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Delagates: 2. b. Inclusion. Each delegation must have at least 5O% women and a minimum of 25% People of Color. Any delegation failing to meet these requirements will be denied the right to cast its votes unless there are mitigating circumstances as determined by the Steering Committee. Partial delegations may be franchised if carrying letters of support and acceptance from all non-attending members of that delegation. These numbers roughly reflect the proportion of women and People of Color in the U.S. and represent the requirements established for the 1987 March. However, at earlier meetings, a goal of 5O% representation of People of Color was established. *** In order to represent the many communities of People of Color, delegations including at least 50% People of Color are strongly encouraged. *** General proxies within a given delegation shall be allowed if supported by written authorization from the delegates whose proxy is being granted. Selecting delegates representing additional aspects of the diversity of our community is also encouraged. c. Selection Process. Regional meetings to select regional representatives are to be organized by the delegates selected at the U.S. Planning Conference. The process may vary according to the nature of the region. Some large regions may elect to divide into sub-regions of 4 or 8 delegates. Outreach must be broad-based and inclusive, meetings must be open, and the selection process must be democratic and fair with secret ballot. Stacking of meetings is not acceptable. In order to assure that the delegation elected is acceptable to the body, the selection will be confirmed in the following manner: there will be a confirmatory secret ballot in which each prospective delegate will be individually approved or disapproved by those voting at the regional meeting. d. Function. In addition to the work of the Steering Committee, regional delegates shall act as liaisons between the Steering Committee and local organizing committees. They may function as regional trouble-shooters. Delegates have no special authority over the regions they represent. Delegates must commit themselves to playing major roles in local/regional organizing. 2. National organizations. a. Lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/AIDS/leather. Each legitimate lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender/AIDS/leather national organization may be seated and have one vote. Legitimacy shall be determined by authenticity, size, scope, and the nature of the group's work. Determination shall be made by the U.S. Planning Meeting and afterwards by the U.S.Steering Committee. [FAX/OCR by Alan Batie: batie@agora.rain.com]