Date: Sat, 18 Jan 97 20:28:52 EST From: ngltf@ngltf.org Subject: Leaders Meet with VP Gore ********************************************************************* National Gay and Lesbian Task Force PRESS RELEASE Contact: Tracey Conaty 202/332-6483 x3303 tconaty@ngltf.org pager 1/800-757-6476 Kerry Lobel 202/332-6483 x3307 klobel@ngltf.org 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ********************************************************************* LESBIAN AND GAY LEADERS MEET WITH VICE PRESIDENT GORE; GORE PLEDGES CONTINUED ADVOCACY FOR LGBT COMMUNITY IN 2ND TERM Washington, D.C. January 17, 1997....Just days prior to the 53rd Presidential inauguration, Vice President Al Gore pledged to continue to advocate on behalf of the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (lgbt) community in the Administration's second term. The commitment occurred in a meeting with gay and lesbian leaders at the Vice President's office Attending the meeting was Roberta Achtenburg, Department of Housing and Urban Development; Elizabeth Birch, Human Rights Campaign; Keith Boykin, Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum; Kerry Lobel, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Martin Ornelas-Quintero, Latino/a Lesbian and Gay Organization; Jeff Soref, gay democratic activist; and Jeff Trammel, Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund. Kerry Lobel, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) executive director, characterized the meeting as "important, positive and promising." Medicaid, needle exchange programs, expected attacks on lgbt families by anti-gay legislators were the main topics of discussion. The appointment of openly lgbt staff to the Administration was also discussed. The group thanked Gore, who lobbied Senators last year to vote for the pro-gay Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Medicaid was a big issue at the meeting. Lobel told Gore that proposed per capita caps "could be devastating to people with AIDS." She strongly urged the Vice-President to support increased funding of Medicaid, emphasizing to the Vice President that 90 percent of children and 50 percent of adults with AIDS depend on Medicaid for life-prolonging treatment. Lobel reminded the Vice President that without Medicaid funding, the new generation of promising AIDS drugs are out of reach for most people. The group also urged Gore to support needle exchange programs as a way to prevent HIV infection. Concerned about increased attacks on lgbt families, the group also told the Vice President to expect gay and lesbian family issues to be a hot button issue during the Administration's second term. Leaders explained to Gore that along with anti-gay marriage bills, lgbt families are being attacked by the Far Right in the form of bills banning adoption and foster parenting by gays and the prohibition of schools from providing factual, positive information on homosexuality. "Vice President Gore was warm and receptive to us and our issues," stated Lobel. "He made a commitment to monitor both the Medicaid and needle exchange issues. Our job during this next term is to ensure not only that the Clinton/ Gore Administration keeps informed about these critical issues, but that they proactively work to save the lives of people with AIDS and stop the vicious and hate-filled attacks against our community," added Lobel. 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. ### _________________________________________ 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 .