From: NGLTF@aol.com Date: Thu, 28 Mar 1996 18:35:00 -0500 Subject: NGLTF Marriage Update ************************************ PRESS RELEASE National Gay and Lesbian Task Force 2320 17th St. NW; Washington, DC 20009 Contact: Robert Bray (415) 552-6448 rbray@ngltf.org or Tracey Conaty (202) 332-6483 tconaty@ngltf.org ************************************ NGLTF ANTI-MARRIAGE UPDATE COLORADO GOVERNOR VETOES BILL COLORADO EXTREMIST GROUP CITES NGLTF "STRATEGIES" Washington, D.C., March 28, 1996...Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people of Colorado and across the nation savored an important victory this week when Colorado Governor Roy Romer vetoed an anti-marriage measure. On Monday, March 26, Romer vetoed legislation that would have prohibited the recognition of legal, same-gender marriages granted in other states. The anti-gay extremist group Focus on the Family cited the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's (NGLTF) marriage organizing efforts in relation to Romer's veto. The Colorado-based, national group, in its March Family Issues Alert encourages readers to "find out how the NGLTF is strategizing to defeat bans on same-sex marriage in your state" by accessing NGLTF's web site. They then include the Task Force's web site address (www:http://www.ngltf.org). NGLTF, working in partnership with Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund's Marriage Project and other members of the National Freedom to Marry Coalition (NFTMC), is assisting local activists throughout the country in fighting off these anti-gay attacks. Melinda Paras, NGLTF executive director, in a letter to Romer, applauded his "courage and leadership in standing up to the religious extremists, who have coordinated a campaign against gay and lesbian families in over 25 states." NGLTF, in conjunction with Colorado activists and NFTMC, urges people of conscience, both within and outside Colorado, to contact Colorado Governor Roy Romer and thank him for his leadership. Romer can be reached by phone at (303) 866-2471 or fax at (303) 866-2003. Currently, same-gender marriage is not legal anywhere in the United States. The Colorado bill, and measures like it, have been introduced throughout the country this year by radical right legislators. Right wing groups, in anticipation of the possible legalization of same-gender marriage in Hawaii sometime next year, have launched an all out assault on the right to marry. According to NGLTF, with information provided by Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, 16 states currently face legislation intended to ban same-gender marriage. Those states are AL, AK, AZ, CA, FL, GA, HI, IL, KS, KY, MI, MO, OK, SC, TN, and WI. Arizona and Kansas were added to last week's list, and along with Colorado, anti-marriage legislation was stopped last week in Iowa. This brings the total number of states with anti-marriage legislation withdrawn or defeated to 11. Along with CO and IA, they are MD, ME, MS, NM, RI, VA, WA, WV, and WY. Three states have passed laws explicitly outlawing recognition of same-gender marriage (Idaho, South Dakota, and Utah). Activists interested in obtaining a copy of the map (free) or NGLTF's marriage organizing manual, To Have and To Hold ($10), should contact Tracey Conaty or Robert Bray at the numbers listed above. Those interested in obtaining talking points on same-gender marriage and other materials should contact Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund at (212) 995-8585. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is a progressive organization that has supported grassroots organizing and pioneered in national advocacy since 1973. Since its inception, NGLTF has been at the forefront of virtually every major initiative for lesbian and gay rights. In all its efforts, NGLTF helps to strengthen the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement at the state level while connecting these activities to a national vision for change. ###