STONEWALL 25

A GLOBAL CELEBRATION OF LESBIAN/GAY PRIDE AND PROTEST

STONEWALL 25, INC. -- 208 West 13th Street, New York, New York
10011-7799


INFORMATION UPDATE -- August 1993


WHAT IS STONEWALL 25?

In its broadest sense, Stonewall 25 is a period of time centered on
June 1994 when the Lesbian/Gay movement around the world will
commemorate the Stonewall riots in 1969. In the United States, this
is also the thirtieth anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964;
the current Lesbian/Gay Rights bill is an amendment to that act which
has languished before Congress since 1974.

As an organizing tool, Stonewall 25 is an opportunity for many
different groups around the world to plan events and actions specific
to the needs and interests of their local communities while joining
with other groups and the central organizing efforts to attract media
attention to the overall strength and diversity of our broader
Lesbian/Gay community. On Sunday, June 26, 1994, over a million of us
are expected to converge in New York City for the first great
International Human and Civil Rights March of the Lesbian/Gay
movement. In addition, Gay Games IV, the 16th Annual Conference of
the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), and numerous
other athletic, cultural, educational, political and
religious/spiritual events will take place in New York around the
same date.


ILGA AND STONEWALL 25

In 1994, the 16th Annual Conference of ILGA will be a featured event
during the celebration in New York. The host committee has
tentatively scheduled it for 3-9 July 1994 and planning is well under
way.

In addition, Stonewall 25 is committed to making the Human and Civil
Rights March and Rally truly international events, both in actual
participation and in their planning. With this in mind, a first
Stonewall 25 presentation was made at the 12th Annual Conference of
ILGA in Stockholm and Stonewall 25 provided support to the 13th
Annual Conference during the difficulties with the Guadalajara
authorities.

The expense and difficulty of international organizing preclude
asking the Lesbian/Gay communities outside the United States to
assist heavily in the actual logistics of the March and Rally. In
contrast, an international forum is the perfect place to decide such
issues as appropriate political demands and the language which bests
describes the current desires and needs of our community in a
worldwide context.

To ensure that the demands of the March are truly international,
Stonewall 25 has asked the support of ILGA by allowing us to schedule
workshops during the upcoming 14th Annual Conference in Paris and
again at the 15th Annual Conference in Barcelona. At these meetings,
we would present the recommendations of the United States organizers
of Stonewall 25 and accept a final determination from the
international perspective on certain important issues.

We will ask those present to review our existing name and statement
of purpose, such as whether to include the term "Bisexual". In
addition, the United States planning meeting has urged these meetings
to adopt a platform based on the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and to recommend ways to focus the March or another major
event on the United Nations.

Stonewall 25 hopes that volunteers will form a International Advisory
Committee to provide ongoing support for Stonewall 25 activities both
in New York and as parallel events are scheduled around the world.

HOW IS STONEWALL 25 BEING ORGANIZED?

Planning for Stonewall 25 began in 1985, with a presentation at the
conference of the International Association of Lesbian/Gay Pride
Coordinators (IALGPC) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Subsequent forums
have taken place in Vancouver, British Columbia (1989) where IALGPC
members voted to shift the dates of all other Pride events in 1994 so
as not to conflict with the International March in New York on June
26; at the ILGA conference in Stockholm, Sweden (1990) and at the
National Gay/Lesbian Task Force's Creating Change conference in
Minneapolis, Minnesota (1990).

In February 1991, over fifty organizations sent representatives to a
Stonewall 25 Planning Group held in New York. This meeting drafted a
statement of purpose for Stonewall 25 and elected an Interim
Administrative Committee to carry out all the necessary tasks of
Stonewall 25 through July 1991. This committee consisted of
twenty-nine individuals, including fifteen women and fifteen
self-identified people of color; all of them were from New York to
make meeting face-to-face possible. This group prepared a series of
formal structure proposals for a second Stonewall 25 Planning Group
scheduled for Guadalajara, Mexico in July 1991; last minute
intervention by homophobic local officials caused the cancellation of
this important international forum for decision-making.

In November 1991, an United States planning meeting was held in
Alexandria, Virginia. This meeting established the basic structure
for the Stonewall 25 organization and authorized a caucus in Los
Angeles to set up a US conference committee.

The main organizers of Stonewall 25 will be an United States Steering
Committee and the New York Office. The Steering Committee will focus
on outreach and mobilization of people coming to New York and the New
York Office will handle tasks such as communications, fundraising,
housing, merchandising and New York City logistics. We are working
with the Gay Games IV committee, the New York City government and
other event organizers to make sure that resources are available
equally to everyone.

The New York Office is currently setting up committees to handle its
assigned task; the Steering Committee will be established at a United
States Conference in Dallas or Houston during Rev. Martin Luther
King, Jr. weekend 16-17 January 1993.

Meanwhile local Pride committees and grassroots Stonewall 25
committees around the world have started the process of reaching out
and diversifying our efforts. Groups and individuals from Africa,
Australia, Europe, Japan, North and South America have expressed
interest in Stonewall 25.

ARE THERE MANY DIFFERENT STONEWALL 25 COMMITTEES?

The IALGPC has over eighty member organizations, many of whom have
agreed to serve as the local organizing arms of Stonewall 25. In
1994, the nearly two hundred annual Lesbian/Gay pride events
worldwide will fulfill the most important function of Stonewall 25 --
to educate, organize and inspire people where they live. Many of
these same committees are also working to ensure the success of the
events in New York. In addition, national organizations have already
designated persons to serve as liaisons to Stonewall 25. In other
areas, individuals have seized the initiative and set up independent
Stonewall 25 committees. More local organizing groups are needed, and
anyone wishing to work on Stonewall 25 can contact one of the
addresses included at the end of this document to find out what
groups in your local area may already be doing.

The importance of organizing in a manner that stresses local
initiative while expressing our commitment to including the full
range of the Lesbian/Gay community in the decision-making is a
principal focus for Stonewall 25. In response, we have adopted
guidelines which we urge all Stonewall 25-identified groups to adopt.
The fundamental principle is inclusion based on 'building out, not
up.'

WHAT ARE THE STONEWALL 25 GUIDELINES?

Stonewall 25 must reflect the diversity of our communities. Stonewall
25 meetings are open to everyone, inclusive in outreach, and with a
collective decision-making process based on consensus. Each Stonewall
25 entity is asked to include 50% or more women, 50% or more
self-identified people of color and appropriate representation by
bisexuals and individuals with physical disabilities whenever making
decisions. We realize that people of color is an American concept of
recent origin and ask that this guideline be implemented in the sense
which it is offered; that half of any decision-making body should be
composed of people who are traditionally excluded from the power
structure of the societies in which they live.

It is important to organize Stonewall 25 based on the tasks which
need to be accomplished. People working on similar aspects of
Stonewall 25 need to be in communication with each other. Therefore,
each group, whether a local committee or an oversight body
representing some larger area, will select members from the beginning
based on each person's ability and willingness to work on a
particular function. Suggested functions are: communications,
fundraising, housing, merchandise, local events, and
national/international outreach. These function-based roles will
replace traditional titles and represent willingness to work on a
necessary task rather than authority over any particular area.

WHAT IS STONEWALL 25, INC.?

One of the specific tasks assigned to the Interim Administrative
committee was to incorporate and seek tax-exempt status for the
central organizing body of Stonewall 25. Stonewall, Inc. is a
non-profit corporation registered in New York state; our federal tax
identification number is 13-3636130. We have filed for designation as
a 501(c)3 organization with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and
are currently awaiting a determination by the IRS.

The three incorporating officers/directors for Stonewall 25, Inc.
were selected at the Planning Group meeting in February: Rev. Pat
Bumgardner, Joe Franco and Lester Pierce.

Legal counsel for Stonewall 25, Inc. is Elizabeth Salen of Brooklyn,
NY. Stonewall 25, Inc. maintains an account at Amalgamated Bank of
New York (Account number 310 31464), where our banker is Lillian
Brady.

The anticipated purposes of Stonewall 25, Inc. are to coordinate
planning of the International March and an accompanying Rally in New
York and to support Stonewall 25 activities of other groups as a
central communications link and through the promotion of a Global
Media Calendar. Stonewall 25 will feature strong elements of both
celebration and protest. Our lawyer is examining the need to set up a
second 501(c)4 corporation to carry out some of these tasks.

WHAT IS THE GLOBAL MEDIA CALENDAR?

In October 1991, the IALGPC met in Boston and created the core of a
Global Media Calendar of Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual identified events
worldwide in 1992, 1993 and 1994. Other human and civil rights events
including a Lesbian/Gay component, such as the 1992 celebration of
500 years of survival by indigenous cultures in the Americas will
also be included. By assembling a list of over a thousand events,
Stonewall 25 seeks to be inclusive of as many different actions,
conferences and events being organized by as broad a spectrum of
groups around the world as possible. The goal is to ensure local
autonomy and the ability for different groups to create events which
serve the particular needs and demands of our various
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual communities while stressing to the media the
vast strength and diversity of our movement.

In this manner Stonewall 25, Inc. can concentrate on organizing the
March and Rally while remaining supportive of a full range of
activities being organized by groups both in New York and worldwide.

The first draft of the Global Media Calendar was published in January
1992 and we will continue to add new events through 1994; groups or
individuals having events to be listed should send details and a
telephone contact (and fax number, where possible) to Stonewall 25,
Inc. in New York. Or call 212 439-1031 and leave details. Stonewall
25 strongly requests that groups not schedule events outside New York
for the weekend of Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26, 1994 so
that as many people as possible will be able to participate in the
International March.


WHY AN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS MARCH?

The Stonewall riots in 1969 sparked the birth of a new brand of
Lesbian/Gay activism not only in the United States but around the
world. Indeed, the use of "Gay" to identify not only a sexual
orientation but a means of self-identity and a political movement
began in many ways at Stonewall. Today, there are many groups
worldwide which use the Stonewall name to indicate a commitment to a
Lesbian/Gay agenda.

Many Lesbians and Gays are oppressed politically, socially and
economically for reasons that have nothing to do with their
homosexuality. Outside the United States, especially, Lesbians and
Gay men identify themselves as human rights activists who happen to
focus on Lesbian/Gay issues. In many places, the concept of a
'Lesbian/Gay right' makes no sense in the context of the social and
sexual definitions of the society.

In English-speaking countries, the term Civil Rights is central to
the principles of representative government. In the United States,
Stonewall 25 honors the great debt that Lesbian/Gay people owe to the
African American struggle for Civil Rights upon which our own is
largely modeled.

Women and people of color attending the February Planning Group,
where the statement of purpose for Stonewall 25 was drafted, took the
lead in demanding that Stonewall 25 be recognized as a Human and
Civil Rights event.

New York City is known as a international city. It is the host to the
United Nations and a center of worldwide arts and commerce. Lesbians
and Gays in the United States have already staged two highly
successful Marches on Washington in 1979 and 1987 to further our
national agenda. A third National March on Washington for Lesbian/Gay
Rights is being planned for April 25, 1993 to address specific
domestic, political goals. This national focus in 1993 will serve as
a perfect movement building tool as we attempt to identify issues of
global concern for 1994 and beyond.

Recently, the Lesbian/Gay movement has achieved significant successes
in the international arena including the adoption of Lesbian/Gay
liberation as a goal of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa,
this year's gathering of Lesbian/Gay activists in the former Soviet
Union, official recognition by the Department of Public Information
at the United Nations and breakthroughs within Amnesty International
on the status of Lesbian/Gay prisoners. The Stonewall 25 events are
an important organizing tool as we prove that by working together we
are making progress that was barely dreamed of a few years ago.


WHAT ABOUT AIDS AND HEALTH-RELATED ISSUES?

In May, 1991, the Bush administration betrayed the decision of its
own top public health official Secretary of Health and Human Services
Louis Sullivan and reversed his decision to remove HIV infection from
the list of excludable conditions maintained by the Immigration and
Naturalization Service. Stonewall 25 has taken a leading role in
fighting this reversal, working with over forty other organizations
including ACT UP, AIDS Action Council, Gay Men's Health Crisis and
the National Gay/Lesbian Task F2orce. During May and June, we
collected thousands of public comment cards and petitions to the
Centers for Disease Control and the Justice Department denouncing
this political manipulation of a medical issue.

Every major national and international health organization including
the International AIDS Society and the International Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies have denounced the use of HIV-status to bar
admission to and legalization in the United States as criminal,
unnecessary and counterproductive. This is especially true since the
largest number of people affected by this policy are already living
in the United States, became infected while here and are now being
scared away from medical care by fear of deportation. Shifting United
States policy on admitting visitors with HIV/AIDS, or even openly
declared Lesbians and Gays, could tremendously impact the ability of
people from around the world to attend the March and other events
held in the United States.

Stonewall 25 is currently seeking new ways to attack these
restrictive policies and is committed to its reversal prior to the
events scheduled for 1994. In addition, we will list major AIDS and
health-related actions on the Global Media Calendar. Several
independent groups including the ACT UP Network are working on ideas
for an appropriate large-scale manifestation that could be scheduled
in New York to coincide with the Stonewall 25 celebrations. At least
five of the men working on the New York office for Stonewall 25 are
openly living with HIV infection.


ARE THE GAY GAMES IN NEW YORK?

Along with the International March and Rally, the largest events
scheduled for New York in 1994 are the Gay Games IV/Unity '94. The
most complex of all our organizing efforts, the Games are expected to
attract over 15,000 athletes and artists, as well as 60,000
spectators from over 40 nations. Running from June 25 through July 4,
the Games are the largest amateur sports events scheduled anywhere in
the world for 1994 and many of the events will be sanctioned by
national and international governing bodies for these sports.

Recently, the New York City government has released an economic
impact study that shows that Gay Games IV alone will generate over
$129 million in business, comparable to the Democratic National
Convention in 1992. Anyone who would like more information on Gay
Games IV, can contact them at 135 West 20th Street, 4th Floor, New
York, NY 10011 or call 212 633-9494.


WHAT OTHER EVENTS ARE TAKING PLACE IN NEW YORK?

Many organizations are planning annual conferences or other
activities in New York for the end of June or the first part of July.
By hosting these events and opening their homes and hearts to people
from around the world, these organizations will enable many more
individuals to come to New York while ensuring themselves a role in
history's largest Lesbian/Gay celebration. Some of these events are
still tentatively scheduled, others are already far along in the
planning:

International Lesbian and Gay Association -- 16th Annual Conference.
3-9 July, 1994. ILGA has over 270 members in more than 40 countries
and holding its conference in New York will ensure the presence of
the leadership of Lesbian/Gay organizations from around the world.
212 620-7310 or +32 2 502-2471

Black Lesbian/Gay Leadership Forum -- National Black Gay/Lesbian
Conference & Institutes. 213 666-5495

Gay/Lesbian Association of Choruses -- GALA Festival. 303-832-1526

Gay/Lesbian History on Stamps Clubs -- Annual Conference.

Gay/Lesbian Parents Coalition International -- Annual Conference. 202
583-8029

Girth & Mirth -- Eastern Regional Convergence. 718 921-4783

International Bisexual Conference -- 212 459-4784 or 718 499-5517

International Leather Conference -- 212 727-9878 or 312 787-5357

Lesbian/Gay Bands of America -- Joint concert of over 500 musicians
on June 30. 718 768-8151 or 713 522-4282

National Lesbian/Gay Health Foundation -- 16th Annual Health
Conference and HIV/AIDS Forum -- 212 740-7320

New Festival, Inc. -- New York International Festival of Lesbian/Gay
Films -- 212 807-1820

Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches -- History's
largest Worship Service for Lesbians and Gays of Faith on Saturday,
June 25. 212 242-1212 or 213 464-5100


In addition to these events by specific organizations, Stonewall 25
anticipates several other large-scale events in New York including:
actions focused on the United Nations, an acknowledgement celebration
honoring women and African American activists upon whom our work
rests, a major health-related demonstration and New York's
traditional community-based open air dance with fireworks on Sunday
evening, June 26.


WHERE CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT STONEWALL 25?

As of December 31, 1991, this document is available in English,
French, German, Russian and Spanish. Translators of Arabic, Chinese,
Japanese and other languages are needed.

The electronic edition of the Stonewall 25 Global Media Calendar of
Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Events 1993-1994 is now available. Stonewall 25
will also send out a copy of Universal Declaration of Human Rights in
any of the official languages of the United Nations upon request.
Stonewall 25, Inc. maintains a mailing list of interested groups and
individuals which forms the basis of regular press release/newsletter
mailings at six-week intervals. This list is shared with other groups
and we will carry updates on the activities of any group working on
Stonewall 25 which sends us information for distribution:


STONEWALL 25, INC.

208 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011-7799

212 439-1031


Here are a few of the other Stonewall 25-related groups. If no
organization in your region is listed, it does not mean that
Stonewall 25 planning isn't taking place in your area. Contact your
local Lesbian/Gay Pride committee or Stonewall 25, Inc. for
suggestions on how you can become involved or create a Stonewall 25
activity of your own and let us know about it.

Stonewall 25/Los Angeles: POB 3416, Los Angeles, CA 90028; 213
463-3928

Stonewall 25/Denver: PO Drawer E, Denver, CO 80218

Stonewall 25/Labor Network: 217 Haven Avenue, #3C, New York, NY
10033; 212 923-8690

The Stonewall Group: 2 Greycoat Place, Westminster, London SW1P 1SB;
071 222-9007

Stonewall 25/North Carolina: 2009 Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC 27701;
919 419-8482

Stonewall 25/Pittsburgh: POB 10285, Pittsburgh, PA 15232; 412 422-5425

Stonewall 25/South Florida: POB 2048, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33303; 800
771-GAYS

International Association of Lesbian/Gay Pride Coordinators:

746 14th Street, #1, San Francisco, CA 94114; 415 861-0779.

International Lesbian/Gay Association -- Information Secretariat:

c/o Antenne Rose & FWH, 81 rue March‚-au-charbon, B1000 Bruxelles 1,
Belgium; +32 2 502-2471


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Stonewall 25 information is being electronically distributed to your
local BBS by The Backroom BBS, NY (718) 951-8256 for Stonewall 25,
Inc.  All copyrights reserved by Stonewall 25, Inc. There are no
restrictions to re-publication as long as the spirit of this file
remains intact.

STONEWALL 25 : A Global Celebration of Lesbian/Gay Pride and Protest.
Two Million in New York City, June 26th, 1994.

For more information, please contact your local Stonewall 25 committee,
local Pride/March committee or regional representative. If you have
dates of events and would like it posted in the Global Calendar, please
contact STONEWALL 25 in New York (212) 439-1031 or The Backroom BBS
directly.