Date: Wed, 18 Jun 97 10:57:26 EDT From: "communications" Subject: HRC Lauds Bill to End Military's Triple Standard of Conduct ________________________________________________________ NEWS from the Human Rights Campaign 1101 14th Street NW Washington, DC 20005 email: hrc@hrc.org WWW: http://www.hrc.org ________________________________________________________ FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, June 17, 1997 HRC APPLAUDS LEGISLATION TO DECRIMINALIZE CONSENSUAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY BETWEEN ADULTS IN MILITARY Bill Would End Triple Standard WASHINGTON -- A bill introduced by Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., to decriminalize consensual sexual activity between adults in the military is an important step toward fairness for all members of the armed services, according to the Human Rights Campaign. The bill, which Frank dubbed the Anti-Hypocrisy Act of 1997, was crafted in response to the recent adultery cases of Lt. Kelly Flinn, Maj. Gen. John Longhouser and Gen. Joseph Ralston. "These cases starkly illustrate what is really a triple standard for private behavior between two consenting adults in the armed forces," said Winnie Stachelberg, HRC's legislative director. "The military tried to treat these adulterous situations differently, which the American public saw as hypocrisy. But under current military law, any private sexual behavior by a lesbian or gay member of the armed services is illegal. This bill would treat all such private behavior equally." Frank's bill would reform the Uniform Code of Military Justice so that no one could be prosecuted for consensual sexual behavior between adults that has no impact on military order and discipline. The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian and gay political organization, with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that lesbian and gay Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community. - 30 -