From: Hrccomm@aol.com
Date: Tue, 26 Nov 1996 15:41:43 -0500
Subject: Come Out For The Holidays

________________________________________________________

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
Monday, Nov. 25, 1996
                                
                   COME OUT FOR THE HOLIDAYS
                                
This month's Human Rights Campaign Action Alert Column is a
little different than usual.  You won't be asked to call Congress
or write a letter to some public official you have never met.
(That kind of political action is extremely important, so don't
worry -- you will be urged to do that again next month).

     Instead, at this family-oriented time of year, a more
personal action by each of us who is lesbian, gay or bisexual can
go a long way.

     When you go home for the holidays, take your next step in
coming out to your friends and family.  It can be a small step,
if need be.  Telling the truth about who we are -- even to just
one more friend or relative -- can start to break down walls of
silence and isolation that may have taken years to build up. 
Furthermore, polls show that Americans who are aware of the gay
people they already know are much more supportive of ending
discrimination. Sinister anti-gay myths and stereotypes don't
hold up nearly as well when we are candid with our friends and
families. Most people do not want to see their loved ones treated
unfairly, and are shocked to learn that the discrimination we
face is still legal throughout much of the country.

     Coming out is one of the most important things we can do to
make a difference, both personally and politically.  In its
ongoing campaign to foster the values of openness and honesty
about being gay or lesbian, HRC's National Coming Out Project has
published a Resource Guide to Coming Out.  It provides
information to help people come out to themselves and others, and
includes a listing of organizations and books for further
assistance.

     Copies of HRC's Resource Guide to Coming Out can be obtained
by calling HRC's National Coming Out Project at (800) 866-6263,
or sending an email to ncop@hrcusa.org. The Guide can also be
accessed through HRC's Website at:  

http://www.hrcusa.org/whowhat/whatwedo/ncop/resource

     Don't let another holiday season go by without taking your
next step in coming out -- because honesty truly is the best
policy.

                              - 30-