From: RAKNGLTF@aol.com
Date: Mon, 19 Jun 1995 17:57:30 -0400
Subject: NGLTF Statement on Supreme Court Ruling

THE NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE
PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Robin Kane, 202-332-6483, ext. 3311; rkane@ngltf.org

NGLTF STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT RULING
INVOLVING BOSTON'S ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE


Washington, DC -- June 19, 1995 -- The following statement is attributable to
Kerry Lobel, deputy director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
(NGLTF). It is made in response to today's U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the
case of gay, lesbian and bisexual marchers in Boston's annual St. Patrick's
Day Parade.

 It's certainly disappointing that gay men, lesbians and bisexuals can be
banned from marching in this annual event due to the bigotry of the group
sponsoring the parade.  The parade sponsor's anti-gay policy is a clear
attempt to send us all back into the closet.

 It's time for the city of Boston to hold a publicly-sponsored parade so that
all Bostonians, including those who are gay, can participate openly in this
annual festival.  A celebration such as St. Patrick's Day in Boston should
not be held hostage to the bigotry of its sponsors -- it should be open to
all.

 Today's ruling discusses the rights of private parade organizers, and their
ability to limit the messages delivered during the parade.  The ruling does
not make sweeping statements about gay, lesbian and bisexual civil rights
issues.  Therefore, it is not an indication of how the court will rule in the
case of Colorado's Amendment 2.  The Court ruled today about the rights of
private parade sponsors, while Amendment 2 is about the fundamental right of
gay men, lesbians and bisexuals to participate in the democratic process.


--end--

[NGLTF is a leading national civil rights organization that has supported
grassroots organizing since 1973.]