Date: Wed, 4 Nov 1998 14:42:31 -0700
From: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation <glaad@glaad.org>
Subject: GLAAD CONTINUES TO WORK FOR EQUAL MARRIAGE RIGHTS IN THE FACE OF
 VOTES IN HAWAII AND ALASKA

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
 Jennifer Einhorn, Director of Communications
phone: (212) 807-1700 x14
e-mail: einhorn@glaad.org

GLAAD CONTINUES TO WORK FOR EQUAL MARRIAGE RIGHTS IN THE FACE OF VOTES IN
HAWAII AND ALASKA

"While GLAAD is disappointed by yesterday's outcomes, we remain undeterred
by those who wish to deny our families and community such a basic and
fundamental civil right as marriage. We will continue to work toward the
day when no American's right to love another is subject to a vote."

-Joan M. Garry, GLAAD Executive Director


NEW YORK, NY, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1998 - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation (GLAAD) today is disappointed but undeterred by
yesterday's vote in Hawaii, which approved an unprecedented constitutional
amendment aimed at impeding the right to civil marriage for lesbian and gay
couples.  Voters in Alaska approved a similar measure.

GLAAD Executive Director Joan M. Garry said, "GLAAD understands how
powerful the impact of education and images is upon the American public.
GLAAD has been working with journalists and providing them with direct
access to those who will be most affected by the freedom to marry: Children
of lesbians and gay men, lesbian and gay parents, clergy, and couples. That
Hawaii and Alaska ratified these amendments speaks to the power of old
myths and harbored fear about the lives of lesbians and gay men.  And that
is precisely what we are trying to undo."

In both Hawaii and Alaska, voters were asked to decide whether or not to
ratify constitutional amendments impeding equal marriage rights for all
people, regardless of their sexual orientation or identity. A superior
court in Alaska and the Hawaii supreme court have both ruled in favor of
the freedom to marry in the past.  Yesterday's votes were intended to
undermine that litigation.

Garry continued: "This is an issue about 'real' people falling in love;
'real' people spending their lives together ... real people period.
Ultimately, we have faith that most Americans will agree that the freedom
to marry is not only a wonderful thing, but an absolute and undeniable
right."

To obtain contact information for individuals from across the country who
can share personal, compelling and poignant stories on the importance of
Freedom To Marry, please contact Wonbo Woo, GLAAD Communications Associate
at (212) 807-1700 x24 or by e-mail at: woo@glaad.org

GLAAD is the nation's lesbian and gay media advocacy organization. GLAAD
promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation of individuals and
events in all media as a means of combating homophobia and all forms of
discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.

-30-

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Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
glaad@glaad.org

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The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is a national
organization that promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation of
individuals and events in the media as a means of combatting homophobia and
challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity.
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"GLAAD" and "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation" are registered
trademarks of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Inc.