From: UfmccHq@aol.com Date: Mon, 9 Feb 1998 18:47:45 EST Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Millennium March on Washington for Equal Rights NEWS RELEASE - For Immediate Release Human Rights Campaign 1101 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 CONTACT: David M. Smith Tel. (202) 216-1547 "Millennium March on Washington for Equal Rights" Announced by National Gay Organizations Washington~ The nation's largest gay and lesbian political organization and the nation's largest gay faith-based movement announced plans today to sponsor a march on Washington in the spring of the year 2000. The event will be produced by veteran march organizer Robin Tyler who brought the organizations together to formulate planning. The Human Rights Campaign and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches are exploring dates in spring 2000 for the "Millennium March on Washington for Equal Rights," the heads of both organizations said today. Several prominent organizations have signed on as endorsers, including the National Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum, the National Latino/a Lesbian and Gay Organization, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the National Youth Advocacy Coalition, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. Representatives from these organizations and others will be sought to participate on an organizing committee which will help facilitate the organization and presentation of the event. "This march will set a new tone for a new century," said Elizabeth Birch Executive director of the Human Rights Campaign. "Full equality under the law will be our achievement in the new millennium." "Together, we will solidify the gains we've made over the past decades and call upon our nation to live out its promise of ‘liberty and justice for all,'"said the Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. "This march will set the pace for social justice and human rights." The organizations are working closely with Tyler to produce the event. Tyler was an instrumental organizer/producer of the past three marches on Washington dating back to 1979. "Robin's depth of experience, community commitments and unstoppable energy uniquely qualify her to lead the organizing efforts for this historic event," said Birch and Perry. "This is an historic time in our movement. Although we have much greater visibility and a measure of cultural acceptance, we must not be lulled into a false sense of security," Tyler said. "This march will once again show the self esteem, strength and unwavering determination of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community." The last march was April 25, 1993 and attracted more than 1 million participants, according to the organizers. The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches is the world's largest and oldest predominantly gay Christian spirituality organization. Founded by Perry in 1968 with a commitment to social and spiritual justice and headquartered in West Hollywood, CA, UFMCC is composed of more than 300 local congregations in 15 countries. 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. ADDITIONAL MEDIA CONTACTS: Elizabeth Birch, Executive Director Human Rights Campaign (202) 628-4160 The Rev. Troy D. Perry, Moderator UFMCC (310) 360-8640 Robin Tyler, Millennium March Promoter (818) 893-4075 (END)