For Immediate Release: August 25, 1993
GLAAD/USA
Contacts: Carl Lange, GLAAD/Atlanta, 404-876-1398
          Jon Greaves, Cobb Citizens Coalition, 404-434-7826, pager
404-703-8619

Atlanta, August 25--The United Chapters of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Against
Defamation, in cooperation with the Cobb Citizens Coalition launched today
a national economic campaign in response to the Cobb County Board of
Commissioners attack on lesbians, gays, and the Arts.

On August 10th, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners declared "gay
lifestyle units" incompatible with Cobb County and last night, after 
an attempt to censor the arts community on this issue, eliminated all
government funding of the arts.

"We have acted as citizens and asked our government to rescind this
resolution that attacks the rights of all citizens," stated Cobb
Citizens Coalition spokesperson Jon Greaves.  "Instead, in an
continuing attempt to deny the existence of lesbians and gays
as equal citizens the Commission first attempted to censor the
Arts and then when unsuccessful killed all County funding of the Arts.

"These actions of discrimination and attempt at censorship will not 
go unchallenged.  We are calling on the business community to respond
to this outrage with responsibility," Carl Lange, Executive Director
of GLAAD/Atlanta.

We are now targeting corporations in Cobb and those who do business
in Cobb and asking the following:
        1.  If you have planned or are planning a convention or business
meeting in Cobb County move it elsewhere.
        2.  If you are considering locating a business in Cobb County,
understand that your business will be locating in an area which has
demonstrated an intolerance of diversity.
        3.  Make a public statement calling on the County Commissioners
to rescind their resolution and replace it with "respect for the 
dignity and equality of all Cobb County citizens."
        4.  Make public your company's stance on non-discrimination based
sexual orientation so that all your employees can work without fear of
being fired for who they are.
        5.  All citizens, when they do business in Cobb County, to ask
those businesses where they stand on the County Commissioners' resolution.

"We recognize that this action was taken by members of the Cobb County
Commission and does not represent the majority of Cobb County businesses
and individuals. The air of fear and intolerance in Cobb does not
represent American values.  In their act, they have isolated themselves
from the South and the Nation." Carl Lange.
****Jessea Greenman  <crsdept@nature.berkeley.edu>****
"If you keep on doing what you always did,then
you will just get what you always got." Urvashi Vaid