Date: Mon, 28 Jul 1997 18:23:54 -0500 From: glaad@glaad.org (GLAAD) Subject: GLAADLINES 7.28.97 GLAADLINES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 1997 News, Tips and Breaking Stories about the Gay & Lesbian Community contact: Don Romesburg (415) 861-2244 romesburg@glaad.org http://www.glaad.org AFTER CUNANAN, FIVE SERIAL MURDERERS OF GAY PEOPLE STILL AT LARGE: While the threat of Andrew Cunanan is gone, many wonder if law enforcement will now step up their efforts to find five serial killers of gay men and transgender people still at large in the U.S.. According to a 1994 report released by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), a group committed to ending hate crimes against the lesbian and gay community, five serial murderers who have targeted primarily gay men and transgender people still remain at large. In Atlanta at least six male-to-female transgender people have been shot dead since 1987. Since 1991 six gay men have been murdered and dismembered in the New York area. In Denver, four gay men have been stabbed to death, while in Virginia, nine African-American male-to-female transgender people have been found dead. In total, these five serial killers have been linked to the deaths of at least 35 people. "While law enforcement and the media debate whether Cunanan was a 'serial' or 'spree' killer," said Jeffrey Montgomery of the NCAVP, "the deaths of at least 35 people at the hands of other murderers remain unsolved. We hope the lesson learned from the past few weeks is that law enforcement needs to work hand-in-hand with the community to put an end to anti-gay bias crimes." For more information, contact Jeffrey Montgomery (NCAVP) at (313) 537-3323. HAWAII FIRST, VERMONT SECOND?: On July 22, the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) with the Vermont Freedom to Marry Task Force (VFMTF) filed a case challenging the denial of marriage rights to same-sex couples. The suit, filed on behalf of three couples was specifically chosen by GLAD because Vermont's constitution contains strong equal protection wording similar to Hawaii's and because Vermont's populace is generally tolerant. In a joint statement, lawyers Susan Murray and Beth Robinson (VFMTF) stated "the refusal to allow our clients to marry violates both state marriage laws and the state Constitution, which require that all citizens and families have the same access to the legal protections and obligations of civil marriage." For more information, contact Mary Bonuato, Civil Rights Director at GLAD (617) 426-1350 or Susan Murray and Beth Robinson (Lancock, Sperry and Wool) at (802) 388-6356. BAPTIST BOYCOTT A BUST AS BUSINESSES VALUE INCLUSIVENESS: The Southern Baptist Convention's attempted boycott appears to have failed as Disney reports record attendance and record third quarter earnings up 18%. Meanwhile, corporate America continues to recognize the need for fair-mindedness and the embracing of its gay and lesbian employees, as Wells Fargo Bank, Union Bank, J.P. Morgan and Visa have all recently announced domestic partner policies for employees. The floundering boycott was recently joined by the Concerned Women of America (CWA) which likens Disney to Hitler. "The leadership of both the Southern Baptists Convention and Concerned Women of America represent the radical fringe and are out of touch with people of faith, the business world and the rest of America," said Liz Tracey, associate communications director of GLAAD. For more information, contact Liz Tracey (GLAAD) at (212) 807-1700, via e-mail at tracey@glaad.org, or by pager (800) 946-4646, pin# 1423527. FEDERATION OF STATE GROUPS FOUNDED: According to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), an "important chapter in the movement for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality was marked" about two weeks ago, as the official launching of the Federation of Statewide Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Political Organizations took place. The Federation's purpose is to "bolster the efforts of these statewide groups through a network that will foster strategizing across state lines, building stronger state organizations and developing good working relationships between state and national groups." The Federation has developed as the NGLTF released a study indicating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equal right advancements and challenges were overwhelmingly taking place at state and local levels. For more information, contact Mark F. Johnson (NGLTF Media Director) at (202) 332-6483, pgr. (800) 757-6476. GLAAD CONGRATULATES DEGENERES AND OTHER EMMY NOMINEES: GLAAD congratulates GLAAD Media Award nominees for also receiving Emmy nominations. Ellen DeGeneres received a Emmy nomination for lead actress in a comedy series, David Duchovny received one for the same guest star appearance on the Larry Sanders Show, which received 16 nominations and Roma Downer of Touched By An Angel received a nomination for lead in a dramatic series. Ellen, the Larry Sanders Show, and Touched By An Angel were also among GLAAD Media Award nominees this last year. "It's encouraging to see that the same shows and performers who embrace acceptance of gay men and lesbians are widely recognized for producing quality programming for America. In fact, almost all of the shows nominated for Emmys this year have or have had characters who are lesbian, gay or bisexual," said GLAAD Entertainment Media Director Chastity Bono. For more information, contact Liz Tracey (GLAAD Associate Communcations Director) at (212) 807-1700, via e-mail at tracey@glaad.org, or by pager (800) 946-4646, pin# 1423527. 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.