Date: Tue, 04 Feb 97 14:14:54 EST From: ngltf@ngltf.org Subject: NGLTF Report Calls for Presidential Action ********************************************************************* National Gay and Lesbian Task Force PRESS RELEASE Contact: Tracey Conaty 202/332-6483 x3303 tconaty@ngltf.org Pager 1-800/757-6476 Helen Gonzales 202/332-6483 x3236 hgonzales@ngltf.org 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ********************************************************************* NGLTF RELEASES BLUEPRINT FOR SECOND CLINTON TERM; AGENDA CALLS FOR BOLD ACTION AND LEADERSHIP Washington, DC.. February 4, 1996 ..... In his upcoming State of the Union address, the President will set forth his agenda for the next year. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) today released a report calling for bolder action and leadership from a second Clinton Administration on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues. [Summary below.] The report "A Call for Presidential Action: A Blueprint on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues," urges the Administration to ensure that gays are woven into the fabric of our society as equal partners, once and for all. "We urge bolder action and leadership from the Administration to assure that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons are treated with fairness and compassion," said Kerry Lobel, Executive Director of NGLTF. While there are a number of issues addressed in the report, Lobel noted civil rights, family and youth issues are of highest priority for the Task Force. "The lack of legal recognition for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender relationships means parents can and do lose custody of their children because of their sexual orientation or gender identity," said Lobel. The report calls for White House action to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; increased government action in the face of increasing hate crimes against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people; protection for gay youth, who are at higher risks for suicide and violence; and ending the continuing witch hunts against gays in the military. "This Administration must address the attacks on our civil rights, on our youth and on our families," noted Helen Gonzales, NGLTF Public Policy Director and author of the report. "The President should set a high moral tone of fairness and justice for all Americans, both through his actions and his words," said Gonzales. For copies of the report, please contact Tracey Conaty at 202/332-6483 extension 3303. It is also available at Task Force Online, NGLTF 's web site at http:// www.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. ### REPORT SUMMARY FOLLOWS: A CALL FOR PRESIDENTIAL ACTION: A BLUEPRINT ON GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER ISSUES Overview and Highlights As the Clinton Administration's second term begins, it is important to set out objective markers by which we and the Administration can gauge progress over the next four years. This report identifies the challenges and opportunities on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues which this Administration will have to address. Specific actions are recommended and we strongly urge the Administration to exercise moral leadership in addressing these challenges. The issues and the actions we seek have one common theme: fairness. What we seek is a life where everyone is treated fairly, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. NGLTF, in concert with its national and local allies, works on these issues, with special priority focused on those related to our civil rights, families and youth. The report calls for: White House action to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; more targeted government action in the face of continuing hate crimes against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people; protection for gay youth, who are at higher risks for suicide and violence; and ending the continuing witch hunts against gays in the military.Listed below are some of the specific recommendations included in this report: Appointments ù Appoint qualified openly gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons within the Administration; ù Direct all federal agencies, including independent agencies which receive federal funds, to adopt, publicize and enforce non-discrimination policies which include sexual orientation and gender identity; Civil Rights ù Continue to strongly support legislation to end discrimination against the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities, including legislation prohibiting workplace discrimination; ù Stand up against proposals to scapegoat immigrants, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, and the poor; Health ù Fully fund AIDS research, prevention, health care and housing initiatives; ù Work with Congress to lift the ban on the use of federal funds for syringe availability programs; Families ù Oppose efforts to deny foster care, adoption or custody of children by gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender individuals; ù Oppose further efforts to stigmatize or deny recognition of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families; Youth ù Urge the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Education to address violence against youth, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth as a health and safety issue; ù Oppose efforts to ban public schools from providing factual information on homosexuality; Hate Crimes ù Provide sufficient funds for a federally-led effort to assist local communities in reducing hate crime violence; ù Speak out against hate crimes, including crimes based on actual or perceived sexual orientation; The Military ù Stop the questioning of orientation and the witch hunts of suspected gay service members; ù Stop the lesbian-baiting of women who rebuff men's sexual advances or who seek to report sexual harassment and abuse in the military. As the President noted in his Inaugural speech, "[t]he promise of America was born in the 18th century out of the bold conviction that we are all created equal." Unfortunately, for many Americans, including gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals, that promise has not yet been fulfilled. Over the next four years, however, the President will have the opportunity to help make this dream of equality more of a reality for all Americans, regardless of our race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. -end- _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .