Date: Fri, 21 Mar 97 18:19:36 EST From: "Phil Attey" Subject: A personal message from Elizabeth Birch Dear HRC Member or Supporter: Coming out is the single most important action any of us can take to further the civil rights of lesbians, gays and bisexuals. I recently attended the taping of the coming out episode of the ABC sitcom "Ellen", scheduled to air on Wednesday, April 30. This very moving, positive and special show will make an incredible difference in raising the visibility and awareness of lesbian and gay people. In one night as many as 30 million people will be watching, learning, laughing, discussing and appreciating the difficult but important steps lesbian and gay people take in coming out. I want to celebrate this milestone with you, and utilize this opportunity to educate and reach out to millions of Americans to add their voices to the call for lesbian and gay equality. HRC will communicate a vital message about the need for employment protection for lesbians and gays with a paid television commercial, in major media markets, during the show. In addition, we hope to educate our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers about the important work of the Human Rights Campaign with hundreds of "Ellen Coming Out Day" house parties, in homes like yours, nationwide. The HRC commercial spotlights the fact that a person can be fired from their job in 41 states because of their sexual orientation. The ad shows a woman who has lost her job because she is a lesbian. After one co-worker, distraught over the injustice of her co-worker being fired, asks what she can do, the viewer is told to call the Human Rights Campaign at an 800 number to find out how they can help eliminate job discrimination. Like me, I know you'll be sharing this historic lesbian/gay television event with your friends, family, and neighbors. I invite you to celebrate this important event by hosting a small HRC house party, where you and your friends and family can enjoy the show (at the same time you can educate them about the important work of the Human Rights Campaign). We will assist you in putting together a great house party for 5-15 guests. We've put together a fun HRC "Ellen Coming Out Day" house party kit that includes invitations, party tips, a fun Ellen trivia game for guests to play, HRC membership/donation forms, and a video copy of the HRC commercial with a special taped message from me in honor of this occasion. The HRC kit is sure to make your party a hit! For those holding a successful house party, which encourages guests to join HRC, we'll send a special "Ellen" gift! Visit our Online Action Center, http://www.hrc.org, or call HRC, (202)628-4160, today to host your "Ellen Coming Out Day" house party. Start calling your guests now and ask them to save the date! Also, please recruit others from your circle of friends to host a house party. We'd like to use this opportunity to reach out to fair-minded Americans with as many house parties in your community as possible. Ask these potential hosts to call HRC and request a house party kit too. All request for kits should be in by April 2. Thank you for your commitment to HRC. I hope you're as enthusiastic about this project as I am! Sincerely, Elizabeth Birch http://www.hrc.org