From: victoryf@aol.com Date: Thu, 14 Apr 94 14:27:03 EDT ************************************************************************ PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS ************************************************************************ Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund 1012 14th Street, NW Suite 707 Washington, DC 20005 voice: (202) 842-8679 fax: (202) 289-3863 email: victoryf@aol.com Victory Fund Members Contribute $200,000 to Openly Gay and Lesbian Candidates Victory Fund Will Surpass its 1993 Totals WASHINGTON, DC (12 April 1994) Members of the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund have contributed more than $200,000 directly to the campaigns ofopenly lesbian and gay candidates in 1994 races, according to executive director William Waybourn. Only four months into the new year, the Victory Fund is only $2,000 away from surpassing its 1993 record of $202,883. "This is a tribute to both the dedication of our members and the quality of our candidates," Waybourn said. "We are proud of our ability to raise money for our own." In order to receive Victory Fund recommendation, candidates must be openly gay or lesbian; support federal gay and lesbian civil rights legislation and similar state and local anti-discrimination laws; advocate aggressive public policies and campaign positions relevant to gay and lesbian health and wellness, AIDS research, education and treatment, and women's reproductive freedom; and demonstrate electoral viability. The last criteria is the most difficult, as candidates must document all aspects of their campaign strategy, including qualifications and personal history, budgeting, fundraising, targeting, direct mail, staffing, volunteer recruitment and deployment, endorsement, previous voting patterns, demographics and opposition research. "Our candidate screening process is particularly extensive for good reason," Waybourn said. "Viability helps determine winnability, and we're looking for qualified openly gay and lesbian candidates who, but for the lack of money, could win their races." Nineteen-ninety-four is proving to be a banner year for the Victory Fund. Besides surpassing it's 1993 record of contributing $200,000 directly to recommended candidates, Waybourn predicts that the national donor network will support at least 20 candidates this year, a 60 percent increase over its 1993 total. [For more information please contact Colleen Donnelly at the Victory Fund.]