Date: Mon, 9 Jan 1995 10:15:00 -0500 From: Babngltf@aol.com ************************************************* National Gay and Lesbian Task Force NEWS RELEASE Contact: Robin Kane (202) 332-6483 ext. 3311 (800) 757-7736 pager Beth Barrett (202) 332-6483 ext. 3215 2320 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20009 ************************************************* NGLTF JOINS WITH RAINBOW COALITION IN NATIONAL LEADERSHIP MEETING Organizations To Create Strategies for New Political Era in Washington Washington, D.C. -- January 9, 1995 -- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) joined dozens of other organizations today in a National Leadership Meeting to assess the new political terrain of the Republican-controlled 104th Congress. NGLTF is a co-convener of this week's meeting, titled "Defending the Family." The three-day strategy session in Washington, DC was organized by the National Rainbow Coalition and is being led by the Rev. Jesse Jackson. NGLTF Executive Director Melinda Paras delivered the following address in an opening press conference held today. "This conservative Republican-controlled Congress does not bode well for gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans. We are deeply disturbed by the rise of the Radical Right to positions of power within the 104th Congress, allowing our opponents unprecedented opportunity to attack the rights and dignity of gay people. The new Republican leadership, through the House's Contract with America, has made a commitment to lower taxes and increase defense spending while simultaneously reducing the deficit. This is only possible through significant cutbacks in numerous government-funded social programs, including many that are critical to the gay, lesbian and bisexual community. NGLTF is especially concerned about possibly reduced funding for the Ryan White CARE Act, Social Security Insurance and other health services. In addition to our concerns about potential funding cuts for these programs, NGLTF is wary of probable attacks on our community with the increased ranks of conservative Republicans in Congress. Many Radical Right "pet projects" that have been defeated in the past may now receive a positive hearing. These include Sen. Jesse Helms' "AIDS Control Act," initiatives to prohibit effective sex education and HIV prevention for youth, efforts to bar truthful discussion of gay issues within public schools and measures to prohibit any positive assistance to gay youth through school counselors. The Contract with America never specifically mentions gay issues -- but gay people have learned to read between the lines of policies such as "The Family Reinforcement Act." House Speaker Newt Gingrich made it clear who he considers family when he stated, "it is madness to pretend that families are anything other than heterosexual couples. " He made this statement while also professing "tolerance" toward gay people. There is no tolerance in denying our right to love and form families. There is no tolerance in attacks on our health and our dignity. Many of the new "family friendly" leaders in Congress have not been friendly toward gay and lesbian families. We look forward to working with others at this National Leadership Meeting to ensure that the leaders of the 104th Congress do not forget the rest of America as they attempt to implement their Contract. We also look for leadership from Republicans of conscience to steer their party away from policies that attack the families of those gathered here today." The Human Rights Campaign Fund and the National Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum are also representing gay and lesbian issues at this week's event. Other organizations serving as co-conveners of the meeting include the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Urban League, National Organization for Women, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and many labor unions. --end--