From: NGLTF@aol.com Date: Fri, 19 Apr 1996 11:52:22 -0400 Subject: SUPREME RESPONSE NETWORK READY ************************************ 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 Karen Bullock-Jordan ext. ext. 3206 karenbj@ngltf.org ************************************ ACTIVISTS GEAR UP FOR SUPREME COURT'S AMENDMENT 2 DECISION COMMUNITIES READY TO "CELEBRATE OR DEMONSTRATE" Washington, D.C., April 19, 1996... Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender activists across the country are gearing up in anticipation of the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on the controversial Colorado Amendment 2 case. Activists in cities and towns across the country will be "coming out" the day after the decision to educate and celebrate or demonstrate as part of the Supreme Response National Day of Action. Supreme Response: A National Day of Action is being organized by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in conjunction with Equality Colorado, Ground Zero, and other Colorado-based gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (g/l/b/t) organizations. Already, activists and organizations in over 30 locales, from San Diego, Californiato Paducah, Kentucky to Richmond, Virginia, are mobilizing their communities to turn out for what may be one of the most important court decisions in the history of the g/l/b/t movement. "The gay community is on the edge of its collective seat and ready to act," said Karen Bullock-Jordan, NGLTF field organizer and Supreme Response coordinator. "People understand that this decision could have monumental ramifications for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people everywhere--not just in Colorado--as well as all people working for social justice. The court's decision could determine whether the civil rights of a minority can be held hostage to the prejudice of a majority," added Bullock-Jordan. It remains unknown when the court will release its decision, though the days are dwindling. Court watchers say only 11 potential announcement days remain during the current session for the Supreme Court. The days include April 22, 23, 24, and 29; May 13, 20 and 28; and June 3, 10, 17, and 24. In the meantime, NGLTF continues to work with local activists preparing Supreme Response events and urges g/l/b/t people throughout the country to organize a Supreme Response in their community if there is not one already planned. Attached is a partial list of local organizations that will be participating in A Supreme Response Day of Action. More organizations are confirming their participation every day. If your community is not listed--and is planning an action--please contact NGLTF to become part of the Supreme Response Network. NGLTF will be contacting the Supreme Response Action Network and informing them of the decision and providing them analysis of it as soon as the decision is released. NGLTF will also be distributing information on local Supreme Response events and local contact names and numbers to media across the country. People interested in mobilizing their community for a "Supreme Response" should contact NGLTF for a free "Supreme Response Action Kit" by calling or emailing Field Organizer Karen-Bullock-Jordan at (202) 332-6483 ext. 3206 or karenbj@ngltf.org. 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. SUPREME RESPONSE: A NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION SUPREME RESPONSE ACTION NETWORK ALABAMA Gay & Lesbian Alliance of Alabama ARKANSAS Arkansas Women's Project and Arkansas Gay & Lesbian Task Force ARIZONA Phoenix Arizonans for Fairness Tucson Tucson Lesbian & Gay Alliance CALIFORNIA Los Angeles American Civil Liberties Union--CA Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center San Anselmo Spectrum San Diego LGBT Voices '96 San Francisco National Center for Lesbian Rights COLORADO All actions in Colorado will happen the day the Court releases its decision. For more information contact Equality Colorado (303) 839--5540 or Ground Zero (719) 635-6086 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA National Gay & Lesbian Task Force IOWA Sioux City Community Alliance ILLINOIS Chicago Illinois Federation for Human Rights INDIANA Evansville Tri-State Alliance Indianapolis LGBT Fairness Justice Inc KENTUCKY The Kentucky Fairness Alliance Henderson Louisville Lexington Paducah Richmond MICHIGAN Detroit area Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center and Triangle Foundation MINNESOTA Minneapolis Gay & Lesbian Community Action Council MISSOURI St. Louis PREP Education Fund, Inc. Kansas City Human Rights Project MONTANA Helena PRIDE! Inc NEW YORK New York City Gay Male SM Activists OHIO Cincinnati Stonewall Cincinnati OREGON Portland Basic Rights Oregon PENNSYLVANIA Philadelphia Grassroots Queers Philadelphia Lesbian & Gay Task Force TEXAS Austin Austin Latino/a Lesbian & Gay Organization and Lesbian and Gay Rights Lobby of Texas TEXAS Dallas Dallas Gay/Lesbian Alliance San Antonio San Antonio Lesbian and Gay Media Project and Esperanza Peace & Justice Center VIRGINIA Norfolk Richmond Virginians for Justice WASHINGTON Seattle Hands Off Washington WISCONSIN Madison University Ten Percent Society ###