From: NGLTF@aol.com Date: Fri, 5 Apr 1996 12:44:11 -0500 Subject: Clock Ticking on Amendment 2 Decision ************************************ PRESS RELEASE National Gay and Lesbian Task Force 2320 17th St. NW; Washington, DC 20009 Contact: Tracey Conaty (202) 332-6483 tconaty@ngltf.org ************************************ SUPREME COURT TO RULE ON ANTI-GAY COLORADO AMENDMENT 2 Washington, D.C., April 2, 1996...With the clock ticking toward a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Colorado's controversial anti-gay Amendment 2 are fewer and fewer, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) is gearing up for what may be one of the most important decisions by the high court this year. Court watchers say only about 14 potential announcement days remain during the current session for the Supreme Court. The days include April 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, and 29; May 13, 20 and 28; and June 3, 10, 17, and 24. NGLTF will have an immediate response for the court's ruling. Reporters may call Kerry Lobel, NGLTF deputy director, at (202)332-6483, ext. 3307, (pager number 1-800-SKYPAGE, p.i.n. #9200158) for a response. In addition, the Task Force will participate in a response action on the steps of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., immediately after the announcement (contact NGLTF for details). Equality Colorado, a statewide gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender political group can be reached for comment on the ruling at (303) 839-1361. Ground Zero, a grassroots gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender organization based in Colorado Springs will also be responding to the ruling. Ground Zero's number is (719) 635-6086. NGLTF, in conjunction with these Colorado groups and others, has launched the "Supreme Response: A National Day of Action" in anticipation of the ruling. NGLTF is calling on communities nationwide to turn out for either a celebration or demonstration in their local communities after the court announces its decision. NGLTF has distributed more than 250 "Supreme Response" Action Kits. Some of the communities where actions are planned are Denver and Colorado Springs, CO; Indianapolis and Evansville, IN; San Diego, CA; Philadelphia, PA; Madison, WI; Norfolk, VA; and New York City. (Colorado activists will gather the day the decision is released, and communities in the rest of the country plan to gather the day after the announcement.) Last October, the Task Force helped organize similar actions around the country to coincide with hearings on the case, Romer v. Evans. Some 36 communities, including Las Vegas, Nevada., St. Louis, Missouri, and Salem, Oregon held candlelight vigils, rallies and town meetings. Amendment 2, which has never gone into effect, would block current and future laws banning discrimination for lesbians, gays and bisexuals. NGLTF is the nation's oldest organization working for equality for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. It has supported grassroots organizing and pioneered in national advocacy since 1973. ###