Date: Wed, 24 May 1995 12:08:56 -0400
Subject: NGLTF on Promise Keepers

NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE
PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Robin Kane, 202-332-6483, ext. 3311; rakngltf@aol.com


NGLTF EXPOSES DIVISIVE POLICIES OF "PROMISE KEEPERS"

"Rhetoric and Reality Of Promise Keepers Are Miles Apart"

Washington, DC -- May 24, 1995 -- The Colorado-based evangelical Christian
group Promise Keepers will sponsor a massive men-only rally on May 26 and 27
at RFK Stadium in Washington.  Promise Keepers have held such gatherings in
several locations throughout the country, attracting tens of thousands of men
at each event.

 The movement bills itself as an opportunity for Christian men to live their
lives by biblical values and to affirm their commitments to God, their
families and other men.  The methods by which to do this, however, are
distinctly anti-gay and anti-woman.

 Promise Keepers'  founder Bill McCartney is the former football coach at the
University of Colorado. He gained notoriety a decade ago for a battle with
the ACLU over leading his team in prayer before games.  In 1989, McCartney
publicly dismissed accusations that two of his players had perpetrated date
rape by saying, "rape by definition is a violent act.  And so I don't think
that's what we're talking about here, although that's what the charges are."
 Later that year, McCartney delivered a speech to the anti-abortion group
Operation Rescue and referred to abortion as "a second civil war."

 McCartney ignited further controversy in 1992 when he used the University of
Colorado as a platform to espouse his anti-gay views.  McCartney lent his
name and University of Colorado affiliation to the advisory board and
fundraising appeals of Colorado for Family Values, the group that sponsored
Amendment 2 -- a measure which would ban civil rights laws that protect gay,
lesbian and bisexual people from discrimination.  At that time, McCartney
said that "homosexuality is an abomination of Almighty God," that gay people
are "a group of people who don't reproduce, yet want to be compared  to
people who do reproduce," and that "a lifestyle [homosexuality] doesn't
entitle anyone to special rights."

 In defending his comments and activism, McCartney has said he has a
"responsibility" to denounce gay and lesbian people and to oppose civil
rights.  "It really isn't even a case of having a choice," he said.  "It's a
responsibility; it's inherent in the Christian faith.  I didn't do any more
than quote Scripture."  McCartney has also stated that he believes
homosexuality is "curable."

 The Promise Keepers' position statement on homosexuality reads,
"homosexuality violates God's creative design for a husband and a wife
and...is a sin."  Meanwhile, the Promise Keepers' guiding premise is for men
to reclaim the "leadership" of their family.  In one passage in the Seven
Promises of a Promise Keeper, one author explains how men must take back from
women the role of leading the family.  "Don't misunderstand what I'm saying
here.  I'm not suggesting that you ask for your role back, I'm urging you to
take it back...If you're going to lead, you must lead.  Be sensitive.
 Listen.  Treat the lady gently and lovingly. But lead!"

 "The rhetoric and reality of Promise Keepers are miles apart," said Kerry
Lobel, deputy director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF).

 "There's a real need for some men to feel more connected to family and
community.  The rhetoric of Promise Keepers fills that need," Lobel said.
 "However, the reality is that the organization scapegoats women and gay
people, blaming them for the collapse of family and community.  The
organization asserts that male superiority and anti-gay policies will solve
the alienation that some men feel in a changing world.  That's homophobia and
sexism, plain and simple."

 "Certainly, everyone would support men who want to become more involved with
family and community," said Sue Anderson, an NGLTF board member and executive
director of Equality Colorado (the organization that battled Amendment 2).
 "But in Colorado, we've seen Promise Keepers and Bill McCartney attack our
families and communities.   The hypocrisy of this movement is very dangerous.
 It draws people in who have certain emotional needs, and then exploits them
in divisive ways."


The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is a leading national membership
organization that has supported grassroots organizing since 1973.


[Editor's Note: Background articles about Promise Keepers and founder Bill
McCartney are available upon request.  Call Robin Kane, NGLTF Media Director
at 202-332-6483, ext. 3311]