Date: Mon, 19 Aug 1996 15:16:52 -0700 From: glaad@glaad.org (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Subject: GLAADlines 08.19.96 GLAADLINES contact: Don Romesburg (415) 861-2244 romesburg@glaad.org http://www. glaad.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 19, 1996 News, Tips, and Breaking Stories about the Gay & Lesbian Community CLINTON SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION ACT: In his first formal statement since the Republican National Convention, President Clinton told a group of gay activists "I'm proud to be the first president to endorse a civil rights bill that specifically includes gay and lesbian Americans. I support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, because I believe in the fundamental values of fairness and equality-values at the very heart and soul of the creed that unites us as a nation." The speech, delivered by videotape on August 17, was heard by more than 600 attendees last weekend (August 16-18) at the first-ever national lesbian and gay political convention in Chicago: OutVote '96, sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Speakers also included Candace Gingrich, Clinton advisor George Stephanopoulos, U.S. Representatives Steve Gunderson (R-Wis.), Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-Ill.) and Juanita Millender McDonald (D-Calif.). For more information contact HRC Communications Director David Smith at (202) 628-4160 or (800) 386-5996. MORE MICKEY MOUSE MANEUVERS: Following in the footsteps of the Southern Baptists, the Assemblies of God recently called on its 1.4 million members to boycott Disney for what it perceived as "abandoning the commitment to strong moral values." In its August 14 decision, the General Presbytery cited both Growing Up Gay, a book about being young and gay published by Disney-owned Hyperion Press, and Priest, a film distributed by Disney-owned Miramax about a conservative gay Irish Catholic priest's struggle to accept himself. Disney has yet to comment, though spokespeople for Disney have noted that since the Southern Baptists' June call to boycott, demand for its products and attendance at its theme parks has continued to rise. For more information contact Alan Klein, GLAAD's National Communications Director, at (212) 807-1700 or e-mail at klein@glaad.org. GAY AWARDS ARE MUSIC TO OUR EARS: On August 8, Holly Woodlawn announced the First Annual Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards (GLAMA) nominees at Luna Park in Los Angeles. Among those in the running are Melissa Etheridge, kd lang and Extra Fancy. The standout, however, was Michael Callen's posthumously released album Legacy which pulled in 9 nominations in 6 categories, including Male Artist, Album of the Year and Original Out Song. "There are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered recording artists that have been waiting for a night like this for their entire careers," said GLAMA Executive Producer Michael Mitchell. "This announcement marks the first time that this body of artists has been formally recognized, let alone honored." The awards will be presented at a formal ceremony on October 6 at New York City's Webster Hall. For more information contact Craig Karpel, Randy Jones or Paula Mallino (Boneau/Bryan-Brown) at (212) 575-3030. GAY "SMITHSONIAN" FINDS A SAFE HOME: The largest gay and lesbian archival collection in the world has found a home at the University of Southern California(USC). USC donated the space to the International Gay & Lesbian Archives (IGLA) to ensure a permanent and accessible residence for the collection. Over the past decade, the over two million items of lesbian and gay memorabilia, books, periodicals, buttons, posters and other museum artifacts have been spread across six different locations, including private homes. The new USC site will also house a museum, video and CD-ROM rooms, lecture and theater space. For more information contact IGLA Media Director Jeanne Cordova at (213) 469-4454. THE DOCTOR IS OUT: The Gay & Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) Symposium, an annual conference of lesbian, gay and bisexual physicians and medical students, will take place August 22-24 in Montreal. The three-day meeting will feature a host of presentations on cutting-edge lesbian, gay and bisexual health issues, including the latest in lesbian health research, the Vancouver International AIDS Conference, and health care for lesbian and gay seniors. In addition, the event will recognize GLMA Achievement Awards winners. The award honors individuals for their commitment to improving the quality of lesbian, gay and/or HIV-related health services or healthcare workers. For more information contact Steve Taravella (GLMA) at (415) 255-4547. 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. 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