From: NGLTF@aol.com Date: Thu, 30 May 1996 18:38:36 -0400 Subject: STOP DOMA! ************************************ PRESS RELEASE National Gay and Lesbian Task Force 2320 17th St. NW; Washington, DC 20009 Contact: Tracey Conaty (202) 332-6483 ext. 3303 tconaty@ngltf.org or Kerry Lobel (202) 332-6483 ext. 3307 klobel@ngltf.org ************************************ SAME GENDER MARRIAGE BAN BILL PASSES HOUSE COMMITTEE NGLTF LAUNCHES TELEGRAM ACTION AGAINST THE BILL Washington, D.C., May 30, 1996....The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) encourages all fair-minded Americans to contact Congress and the President right away and urge them to oppose the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). In response to today's vote by the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution in favor of the bill, the Task Force announced the launching of a Western Union hotline that will allow people across the country to send telegrams to their elected officials in Congress and the President urging them to stop DOMA. NGLTF charged Senator Dole, Rep. Gingrich and Right-wing factions within the Republican Party with stirring up and feeding anti-gay sentiment for political gain and vowed to pull out all the stops to undermine their efforts. "DOMA manipulates and exploits people's fears and ignorance about gay people and gay families - pure and simple," stated NGLTF executive director Melinda Paras. "The legacy of the Republican-led 104th Congress is sure to be one of divisiveness and intolerance. The gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities will not be silent as Right-wing extremists and their congressional supporters seek to attack and undermine millions of American families, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families," added Paras. "We will not stand by and be used as scapegoats in this election year." Responding to President Clinton's stated intention to sign DOMA should it pass Congress, Paras said "We deplore the President's opposition to same-sex marriage and we have told him so. At the same time, the gay and lesbian electorate is too sophisticated to take the bait of the Right. We will continue to pressure the President to oppose DOMA." In a letter to the President last week, Paras complained to Clinton that by endorsing DOMA he had "given support and momentum to the efforts and agenda" of Right-wing extremists. The Republican leadership has clearly put DOMA on the fast track. The legislation was introduced less than a month ago, was heard in committee one week after its introduction, and is likely to be voted on the House floor in the near future. "NGLTF is mobilizing people throughout the country to derail this fast moving train. We are encouraging people to lobby and send telegrams to their Senators, Representatives and the President urging them to stop this bill," stated Tracey Conaty, NGLTF Field Organizer. "It's time to crank up the volume," added Conaty. The Task Force urges fair-minded people throughout the nation to participate in this telegram action. Individuals may send a telegram to their Representative, their Senators, and the President by calling 1-800-651-1482 for a total cost of $9.95. The telegram to the President follows: Dear Mr. President: Please reconsider your decision to sign the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which Congress is now considering. This legislation was introduced only recently in Congress, at the request of right-wing political extremists who had already been fighting this battle in the states. Now the House and Senate Republican leadership seem to have this bill on a fast track. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender family issues, such as marriage, adoption and custody are here to stay because they speak to the aspirations of same-gender couples, just as they do for all committed couples. Most importantly, however, they reflect the real circumstances of lesbian and gay family lives. Passage of DOMA will not change that fact and the right-wing extremists know that. As you have noted, this legislation is not just about same-gender marriage. It is clearly just one piece of a larger agenda to attack and undermine millions of American families, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families, who do not meet the narrow definition of family put forth by a small group of political extremists. Discrimination is wrong. Whatever your views on marriage, I urge you to stand up for the principles of tolerance, compassion and fairness - - just as you have on other occasions - - by vetoing this legislation if it is adopted by Congress. Your leadership on this issue can stop the campaign by right-wing extremists to divide the American people. ###