National Gay and Lesbian Task Force FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: David M. Smith, (202) 332-6483 ext. 3309 or pager (800) 757-7736, or Robin Kane, ext. 3311 NGLTF REJECTS COORS "PROGRESSIVE RECORD" Colorado Beer Maker Continues to Fund Extremist Right Wing Political Gay Bashing Washington, D.C. -- (April 6, 1994) -- Officials at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) today said that "progressive" employment policies of the Coors Brewing Company are a s moke screen that diverts attention from the company's long history of funding extreme right wing activity targeted against people of color, women, labor, and gay Americans. "Make no mistake," said David M. Smith, NGLTF Director of Public Information, "Members of the Coors family contribute millions of dollars and political direction to far right wing organizations that form the foundat ion of the current wave of political gay bashing that is sweeping the nation." Coors Brewin g Company issued a press release on March 17, 1994, citing NGLTF's evaluation of progressive employment practices of major corporations with regard to sexual orientation. The press release boasted of meeting criteria established by NGLTF in 4 out of 5 areas. "While we are supportive of the gay and lesbian employee group working for change from within the company," said Smith, "It is important to note that the Coors' press release failed to mention the anti-union, anti-gay, anti-civil rig hts agenda of the Coors family that profits from each sale of a Coors product." Coors products inclu de Coors Beer, Killian's Red, Coors Cutter (non-alcoholic) and Zima, a new clear malt beverage. "In effect, a percentage of every dollar spent on a Coors product, goes directly to radical organiza tions that are attacking this country's gay population," said Smith. According the San Francisco Bay Times, a leading gay publication, the Coors family is one of the half-dozen leading donors and agenda-setters for the political Far Right in the United States. In 1973, Joseph Coors, son of Coors founder Adolph Coors, and Paul Weyrich co-founded the Heritage Foundation, one of the most influential ul tra-right-wing think tanks in the world. Weyrich's latest enterprise is a cable television network espousing ultra-right wing propaganda called National Empowerment Television. Jeffrey Coors, Jose ph's son, currently is Chairman of the Free Congress Foundation, a vociferous anti-gay lobbying grou p. Coors Brewing Company executives say the company is separate and distinct from the Coors Foundation, the legal entity that actually makes the donations to the anti-gay political groups. However, both the company and the foundation have Coors family members on the respective boards of directors, and the foundation is funded by Coors family members who receive their income from the company. " NGLTF believes it is outright deceit for Coors to claim a 'progressive record' on its employment practices when it continues to be a major source of funding and guidance for groups that actively op pose these same progressive policies on a national level." said Smith. - 30 - 1734 14th Street, NW Washington, DC 20009 (202) 332-6483 (202) 332-0207 fax (202) 332-6219 TTY