From: Garland Tillery Date: Thu, 4 May 1995 07:49:51 -0400 (EDT) Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches 5300 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA. 90029 PRESS RELEASE MOTHER'S DAY, MAY 14, DECLARED A DAY OF PRAYER FOR SHARON BOTTOMS AND ALL GAY/LESBIAN PARENTS IN DANGER OF LOSING THEIR CHILDREN TO THE COURTS For Release: The week prior to or including May 14, 1995. Contact Persons: Dr. Mel White, National Minister of Justice On Friday, April 21, 1995, in a controversial 4 to 3 decision, the Virginia State Supreme Court removed 3 year old Tyler from the custody of his mother, Sharon Bottoms, and her lesbian life-partner, April Wade. "We are mourning the death of a family," says the woman's pastor, the Rev. Dwayne Johnson, senior minister of the MCC congregation in Richmond, Virginia. Across the nation, lesbian and gay parents were stunned and terrorized by the court's decision. "We declare Mother's Day, May 14, a national day of prayer for Sharon and April," said the Rev. Dr. Mel White, UFMCC's National Minister of Justice at a press conference in Virginia. "We invite people of all faiths to join us in prayer: -that the Supreme Court will return Tyler to his rightful home; -that never again will a lesbian or gay parent face the threat of losing a child through similar unjust court decisions; -that one day soon, our loving, committed relationships will be recognized with the same rights and responsibilities of heterosexual marriage; and -that the "Sodomy Laws" behind this unjust decision (that still declare our love "illegal" in 23 states) be struck down. "The Court had plenty of evidence to prove that lesbians and gay men make excellent parents," explains the Rev. Elder Troy Perry, founder of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (the only Christian denomination in America serving primarily the lesbian/gay community.) "We believe with all our hearts that God can change the minds and hearts of those four judges," he adds, "and we need your prayerful support to that end." America's entire lesbian/gay community was devastated by the Court's decision. Clergy and lay leaders of the 300 UFMCC congregations in America are asking all people of faith to respond to this outrage against the parents among us. "First," says Arlene Ackerman, Coordinator of the Mid-Atlantic District, "let prayers for justice go forth from every church and synagogue in this land on Mother's Day and in the days ahead. "Second," she adds, "in the next 30 days, we need letters from pastors, priests, rabbis and lay leaders asking the court to reconsider their decision." Sharon Bottom's lawyers plan to present a petition for a re-hearing to the Court within 30 days. If just 1 of the 4 justices in the majority agree that a mistake has been made, a new hearing will be scheduled. Letters, cards, petitions, personal stories and appeals, all asking the Judges to consider the evidence should be sent by May 17 "To the Justices of the Supreme Court of Virginia..." % UFMCC Headquarters, 5300 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA. 90029 On Friday, May 19, those letters will be presented en masse to the Justices by GLAAD/Richmond on behalf of the entire nation. For more information or for personal interviews, contact any of the names below: The Rev. Elder Troy Perry 213 464 5100 The Rev. Dr. Mel White 214-351-1901 RevMel@Aol.Com The Rev. Arlene Ackerman 717-293 9320 The Rev. Dwayne Johnson 804 353 9477 GLAAD/Richmond 804 233-8801 GLAADRCHMD@Aol.Com -- Avoir un ami c'est avoir un autre soi-meme; Garland Tillery quand l'un est absent l'autre le remplace; Virginia Beach, VA si l'un est riche l'autre ne manque de rien, si l'un est faible l'autre lui donne ses forces Silence=Mort Ciceron Action=Vie tillery@infi.net tillery@oasys.dt.navy.mil