Date: Tue, 22 Apr 97 16:55:50 EST From: "NGLTF" Subject: Media Advisory: Mt. Holyoke College Contact: Mark F. Johnson, Media Director mfjohnson@ngltf.org 202/332-6483 x3314 800/757-6476 Pager 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ngltf@ngltf.org ************************************************************** Washington, DC--April 22, 1997----Some students at Mt. Holyoke college have taken over a campus building which they have held since last weekend. They have vowed to remain there until a list of demands is met, according to a student spokesperson. However, college administrators promised over the weekend to arrest students if they do not evacuate the building. Among the demands being made by the students is the establishment of a cultural space for lesbian students at Mt. Holyoke college. According to Meghan Freed, a spokesperson for the group, the African-American student population has a safe-space as well as the Latina population. "Why can't the gay students have one too?," she asked. If the cultural space is established at the Massachusetts school, one of the original "seven sisters," it will take its place among other schools like Smith college which has recently agreed to establish a safe zone for lesbian students to meet, according to an alumni source. Freed said that as many as 23 students are involved in the sit-in. The group is also asking for the establishment of a safe-space for Asian-American students. For more information about the Mt. Holyoke College sit-in contact Meghan Freed at 413-538-2580, 413-493-5853, or by email at mefreed@mtholyoke.edu. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is the oldest national gay and lesbian group and 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 .