Date: Tue, 18 Jan 1994 00:26:42 EST From: Jeff Herwatt Subject: 1994 Interim Working Platform - Gay and Lesbian Americans Gay & Lesbian Americans 1994 INTERIM WORKING PLATFORM =========================================================================== For Immediate Release: In its first year Gay and Lesbian Americans shall prioritize and address issues specific to gays and lesbians. Because of limited resources, our platform must be strategic, proactive, and focused. To be effective, out grassroots advocacy network must rally behind a small and clearly defined agenda. Issues shall be chosen based on common interests of GLA members and in gaining progress for results in the future battles. GLA will be lobbying elected officials, planning fax and letter writing campaigns, building coalitions, and doing educational and direct actions rallies on the following issues: National Issues Federal Gay and Lesbian Civil-rights Bill - This legislation (HR 431) would establish legal protection for all people, regardless of sexual orientation, in employment, housing, public accommodations, and education. GLA will advocate for introduction leg islation in Congress, solicit co-sponsors, press for hearing, and plan/coordinate/and execute political and informational rally to draw public attention to the issue. Manhattan-style project for the intense AIDS-cure research. Congressional bill HR3310 introduced by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D) of New York has answered the call to find a cure for AIDS. HR3310 would establish an intensive, coordinated, AIDS research initiative. HR 3310, also know as the "AIDS Cure Act" is the blueprint of the research agenda needed to unlock the answers of AIDS and find a cure. GLA will press for hearings on this bill, solicit co-sponsors, and coordinate with other AIDS activists to plan and stage informational and political rallies to inform the public about this bill. State and Local Issues Sodomy Law Repeal - Currently, 23 states and the US Military criminalize the sexual choices of consenting adults. GLA chapters will work to appeal these laws, through locally coordinated efforts. State and local gay and lesbian civil-rights bills - This legislation would establish legal protection for all people, regardless of sexual orientation, in employment, housing, public accommodations, and education. Individual GLA chapters will be empowered to determine other issues, that are relevant on a local level.