From: Date: Thu, 06 Oct 94 11:13:24 EDT Subject: Defamation Incident at ASAE Conv Association Executives Human Rights Caucus Post Office Box 60001, Chicago, IL 60660 - Phone: 312.743.6554 - FAX: 312.338.4842 - Internet: AEHRC@AOL.com NEWS RELEASE AEHRC Seeks Apologies For Presentation At CAE Reunion Breakfast Chicago, IL (September 23, 1994) - The Association Executives Human Rights Caucus (AEHRC) has called for an apology to be made for some of the content of the keynote presentation at the recent CAE Reunion Breakfast held in San Francisco during the 74th ASAE Annual Meeting and Expo, August 29, 1994. The speaker, Dr. Jack Llewellyn, offended gay and lesbian CAE's in attendance at the Reunion Breakfast by the homophobic overtones in his presentation and by incorporating negative stereotypes about gays and lesbians. According to one CAE in attendance, Dr. Llewellyn told a story about painting the locker room of a visiting sports team pink, and then minced across the stage to imitate what he implied to be the newly-acquired effeminacy of the opposing team. He also made a joke about hugging a naked man. In letters to ASAE and Ritz-Carlton Hotels, the sponsor for the CAE Reunion Breakfast, AEHRC has called on Dr. Llewellyn and all parties to the event to issue a formal public apology to the gay and lesbian members of the association management community. In addition, efforts are underway to require that all future speakers and other talent which is booked for any ASAE function be cautioned against making any remarks or gestures which defame any group of members. A deadline of October 15th has been set for receipt of the apologies which will be included in coverage of the incident in the next issue of the AEHRC newsletter, The Mullican Report. In a unrelated matter, the California Region of Marriott Hotels has issued an apology for a sentence in a brochure distributed in mid-May which has been interpreted as offensive to the gay and lesbian association management community. Catherine Boire, Director of Public Relations for the California Region, in a letter to meeting planners, apologized for the inclusion of the statement in the brochure. She asked that all copies of the offending brochure be returned to Marriott in a postage paid envelope provided by her office. A revised version of the brochure has been prepared and distributed to all those on the original distribution list. For a copy of the 32 page brochure, "Just About The Only Thing You Can't Do In California Is See The Atlantic Ocean", call Ms. Boire at 714-979-2333, extension 672. AEHRC has commended Marriott for taking this action and notes that it is consistent with Marriott's long standing history of non-discrimination toward its employees and customers. The Association Executives Human Rights Caucus exists to deter discrimination against association management industry professionals based on sexual orientation. For more information on the work of AEHRC, contact: Jim Yeaman, CAE, Executive Director Post Office Box 60001 Chicago, IL 60660-0001 Telephone: 312-743-6554 FAX: 312-338-4842 Internet: AEHRC@aol.com # # #