From: Hrccomm@aol.com
Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 17:10:31 -0500
Subject: HRC RELEASE:  House Invocation by Anti-Gay Extremist Sparks Outrage

_________________________________________________________________

NEWS from the
Human Rights Campaign

1101 14th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
email:  communications@hrcusa.org
WWW:    http://www.hrcusa.org
_________________________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 2, 1995

          HOUSE INVOCATION BY ANTI-GAY EXTREMIST SPARKS OUTRAGE
 
Washington -- Rev. Lou Sheldon, an extremist  preacher who has
called for the quarantining of men, women and children with AIDS,
delivered this morning's invocation on the floor of the U.S.
House of Representatives.  Sheldon, of the far-right Traditional
Values Coalition, delivered the short prayer at the request of
Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.).

"It is outrageous that those in control of this Congress would
allow that man, whose every waking breath is spent attacking
lesbian and gay people in this country, to lead the House in
prayer. Sheldon has created a cottage industry out of political
gay-bashing and hate, and it is insulting to every fair-minded
American," said Elizabeth Birch, executive director of the Human
Rights Campaign.

"May we become sensitive to those with whom we work....Give us
strength to help the helpless and love the hurting ones," said
Sheldon, who in the past has called for the quarantine of men,
women, and children with AIDS in "cities of refuge."

Sheldon opened by saying "we greet you in the name of Jesus
Christ."

"After all he has done to divide the country with fear and
discrimination, Americans of all faiths and political stripes
should be outraged that an extremist like Lou Sheldon was invited
give the House prayer," said Birch.

Sheldon has been at the forefront of advocating for Congressional
hearings to attack local school efforts protecting young people
from AIDS, hate violence, and suicide.

Sheldon's invocation comes a day after Congress overturned the
District of Columbia's domestic partnership ordinance, action
which the Human Rights Campaign was condemning as "blatantly
anti-gay" at a press conference on Capitol Hill while Sheldon
gave the invocation.

The Human Rights Campaign, the country's largest national lesbian
and gay political organization, envisions an America where
lesbian and gay people are ensured of their basic equal rights --
and can be open, honest, and safe at home, at work, and in the
community.

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