Date: Thu, 18 Jul 96 10:21:12 EST From: "Phil Attey" Subject: HRC Testimony Before The DNC Platform Committee ________________________________________________________ NEWS from the Human Rights Campaign 1101 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20005 email: communications@hrcusa.org WWW: http://www.hrcusa.org ________________________________________________________ To: Journalists From: David M. Smith Date: Wednesday, July 17, 1996 Re: Op Ed submission The following is the complete testimony of HRC Political Director Daniel Zingale, addressing the July 10 platform committee meeting of the Democratic National Committee, held in Kansas City, Mo. We hope you will consider publishing it, perhaps as a feature or opinion piece. Thanks. ******************************************************************** TESTIMONY DANIEL ZINGALE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE PLATFORM COMMITTEE MEETING KANSAS CITY, MO JULY 10, 1996 MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE PLATFORM COMMITTEE. Thank you for this opportunity to speak on behalf of the Human Rights Campaign, and for those gay and lesbian Americans, our friends, families and supporters who join us in our vision for America. We envision an America where gay and lesbian people are ensured of their basic equal rights. That fundamental notion of equality is what I would like to discuss briefly here today. America is united as a nation by a simple but profound creed: That all people are created equal. They are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights. Among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These are the founding values of our nation. They are simple words that speak profound truths. They provide clear direction for us as a society, and for you as the platform committee of a great political party -- a party whose best tradition has been to stand up for those Americans who have been unjustly excluded from the promise of equality. In their wisdom, our Founders knew that to secure this democracy for posterity, to establish justice and ensure domestic tranquility, that all people must be assured of their basic, equal rights. Each American is to be considered of equal worth as a human being, and should each be treated fairly, by our government, by our laws, and by each other. Today, more than 200 years after the signing of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, we are still coming to grips with the difficult challenges that accompany our rich human diversity. Today, gay and lesbian Americans, along with our families, friends and supporters, are still waiting to see the promise of equality kept. Because today, in America, people are fired from their jobs, subjected to witch hunts in the military, told by the government whom they can and cannot marry, and even physically attacked merely for being lesbian or gay. Others have paid a price for standing up for what is right, and speaking out against this kind of discrimination. Clearly, this is contrary to our nation's fundamental principles, and is out of step with the tenor of our times. But incredibly, it is still perfectly legal under federal law. So we would ask the platform committee to make a simple but profound statement: that gay and lesbian people should be accorded the same rights and responsibilities as any other American. Our country's laws, public policies and public institutions should treat everyone equally, regardless of their sexual orientation. Gay and lesbian Americans simply want to do their jobs, pay their taxes and contribute to their communities, without living in danger of discrimination and violence. From you, and from our country's laws and public institutions, we simply ask for equality -- nothing more and nothing less. Please put the Democratic Party on the record in favor of full equality for gay and lesbian Americans, and call for an end to discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Another issue of concern to all Americans is the continuing epidemic of HIV disease and AIDS. AIDS is the leading killer of all Americans aged 25 to 44. This is no time to retreat in our national battle against this disease. The federal government should continue to play a leading role in research for a cure, and should provide maximum support to communities struggling with the enormous costs of care for men, women and children with HIV and AIDS. Until we find a cure, prevention remains the most important weapon, and government has a role to play in supporting realistic prevention strategies aimed at populations at risk. Since people with AIDS who cannot work are in danger of losing their family homes, the federal government should continue to ensure housing opportunities for people with AIDS and their families. Thank you. Daniel Zingale is political director of the Human Rights Campaign, the largest national lesbian and gay political organization.