From: glaadla1@aol.com Date: Fri, 08 Apr 94 02:53:29 EDT Subject:
Cobb County continued

April 7, 1994

Billy Payne President Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games P.O.
Box 1996 Atlanta, GA 30301-1996 Facsimile 404-224-1998

Dear Mr. Payne

I am writing on behalf of the united chapters of the Gay & Lesbian
Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD/USA), a national organization
which fights for fair, accurate, and inclusive representations of
lesbians and gay men.  GLAAD/USA is asking the Atlanta Committee
for the Olympic Games (ACOG)  to remove the 1996 Volleyball Olympic
venue from Cobb County.

Last year the Cobb County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution
stating that "gay lifestyles are incompatible with community
standards."  In the 1930's similar resolutions and laws were passed
in Germany resulting in the extermination of millions of Jews,
homosexuals and others who did not fit "community standards."
Despite those resolutions, the 1936 Olympic Committee chose to
remain "apolitical" and hold the Games in Germany.  Intentionally
or otherwise, they served to legitimize those German authorities'
actions.

Today ACOG is faced with similar circumstances.  Cobb County has
stated clearly that it does not welcome gays and lesbians.  Cobb's
government has served to legitimize the increased hate-crime
activities of the numerous anti-gay , racist, and anti-Semitic
organizations based in Cobb as documented in "The Shadow of Hatred,
Hate Group Activity in Cobb County" - Neighbors Network.  By holding
the Games in Cobb, ACOG will be accountable for the same.

GLAAD/USA would like to here from you as soon as possible regarding
this issue.  We are currently informing our national membership of
this situation and as "one of the most highly respected media
sources concerning gay and lesbian issues" GLAAD/USA will be
contacting numerous national and international television, radio,
and print journalists in regards to this matter.  We hope to be
able to say that the 1996 Olympic Games will respect the human
dignity of all citizens.

Sincerely,

Carl Lange Executive Director GLAAD/Atlanta