Date: Wed, 14 Aug 1996 15:49:59 -0700 From: glaad@glaad.org (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Subject: Special GOP GLAADlines 08.14.96 GLAADLINES contact: Don Romesburg (415) 861-2244 romesburg@glaad.org http://www. glaad.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 14, 1996 BREAKING GOP CONVENTION NEWS ABOUT THE LESBIAN AND GAY COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVE MEDIA ABUZZ WITH RUMOR OF KEMP'S HOMOSEXUALITY: Articles in both the San Francisco Independent and LGNY (Lesbian and Gay New York) reported this week that Jack Kemp is rumored to be gay. The rumor originally stemmed from a 1967 New York Times article exposing a "homosexual ring" in California Governor Ronald Reagan's administration. It resurfaced during a 1986 NBC "Today Show" interview in which he was asked if he has ever had a homosexual experience. LGNY reporter Andy Humm explained that "when someone being hailed as supposedly tolerant and committed to civil rights is in reality someone who shuts the door in faces of gay people on every single issue, it becomes relevant if he is homosexual. It's something he's going to have to address." For more information contact Andy Humm (LGNY) at (212) 691-1100 x16 or Zoran Basich (S.F. Independent) at (415) 826-1100. LESBIAN AND GAY PRESS GET THE REAL SCOOP-AND PATAKI SPEAKS: In the face of a mainstream media coverage blackout on lesbian, gay and AIDS issues at the GOP Convention, the lesbian and gay media are asking the tough questions. The Republican National Convention is providing the gay media with unprecedented access to many conservative politicos who would not normally grant interviews to gay media. For example, according to Gay Cable Network, Governor George Pataki (R-NY) revealed that he does not support portions of the Republican platform that discriminate against lesbians and gay men. In the interview he told GCN that the party needs to be more inclusive of gay and lesbian people. For more information contact Lou Maletta at Gay Cable Network at (212) 727-8850. SIGNS OF FEAR AND LOATHING IN SAN DIEGO: Anti-gay vandals spray painted the epithet "faggots" across a Gay and Lesbian Families of America (GLFA) billboard in San Diego on August 11. The billboard, one of eleven designated to provide a positive image of lesbians and gay men, reads "Millions Can't Share In The American Dream Just Because They're Gay." Vandals crossed out the word "gay" and replaced it with the anti-gay graffiti. According to Brad Diskin of GLFA, "At the very least, we had expected tolerance in San Diego. The vandalism is one example of exactly why this campaign is needed. Gays and lesbians across the country should stand up and take notice and continue this effort nationwide." The billboard is located on Interstate 5 just north of National in San Diego. The GLFA campaign is sponsored by the local chapter of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the Human Rights Campaign. For more information contact Alan Klein, GLAAD's communications director at (619) 595-7949 (through 8/15/96) or at GLAAD at (212) 807-1700 x11. TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL -TO HATE: In an impassioned response to Jack Kemp's statement against lesbian and gay teachers, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Teachers Network (GLSTN) blasted the future vice-presidential nominee. On August 11 Kemp was quoted in The New York Times as saying, "I believe in civil liberties for homosexuals. I guess I'd have to say I'd draw the line at letting them teach in the schools." In addition to extending an invitation to Kemp to meet with the organization, GLSTN Executive Director Kevin Jennings said, "It seems the former Congressman has a basic problem with logic here when he advocates civil liberties and discrimination simultaneously." For more information contact Kevin Jennings (GLSTN) at (212) 727-0135. PROGRESSIVE RALLY TO UNITE DIVERSE COALITION: On August 15, gay, AIDS, immigrant-rights, labor and pro-choice and other progressive activists will gather together in San Diego to protest the Republican platform in the Voices for Justice Coalition Rally & Candlelight March. The rally, beginning at 6:40 PM at the Protest Site (4th Avenue and K Street), will feature a number of speakers, including Chicano Federation Vice Chair David Valladolid and Melinda Paras, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. The candlelight vigil will follow. For more information contact VOICES Co-Chairs Brenda Schumacher or Tony Valenzuela at (619) 296-1179 or the VOICES Media Center at (619) 595-7949. To report events that merit media coverage, or news stories breaking in your area, please contact us. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is the nation's lesbian & gay news bureau and the only national lesbian & gay multimedia watchdog organization. GLAAD promotes fair, accurate, and inclusive representation as a means of challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. To subscribe contact Don Romesburg at (415) 861-2244 or at romesburg@glaad.org. "GLAAD" and "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation" are trademarks of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Inc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) glaad@glaad.org VISIT THE GLAAD WEB SITE AT http://www.glaad.org! GLAAD promotes fair, accurate and inclusive representation as a means of challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "GLAAD" and "Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation" are trademarks of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Inc.