Date: Tue, 06 May 97 13:21:37 EST From: "Betsy Gressler" Subject: NH Passes Civil Rights Bill ******************************************************************************* NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Mark F. Johnson, Media Director 202/332-6483 x3314 pager 1-800-757-6476 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ******************************************************************************* NEW HAMPSHIRE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL PASSES LEGISLATURE; GOVERNOR COMMITTED TO SIGNING MEASURE INTO LAW State Will Become Tenth to Ban Discrimination Against Gays Washington, DC---May 6, 1997---- The New Hampshire Senate today approved a civil rights measure to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The bill passed the House on May 1, and Governor Jeanne Shaheen (D) has pledged to sign the bill. When it becomes law, New Hampshire will become the tenth state to ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The last state to do so, Rhode Island, signed their measure into law on May 20, 1995. The other eight states are Wisconsin (1982); Massachusetts (1989); Connecticut and Hawaii (1991); California, New Jersey, and Vermont (1992); Minnesota (1993). The following statement is attributable to Kerry Lobel, Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF): "The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force commends the New Hampshire legislature for recognizing that discrimination is wrong. Today's vote sends a signal that New Hampshire values and respects all its citizens. We applaud Governor Shaheen for her commitment to fairness and pledge to sign the bill. It is encouraging and inspiring that New Hampshire has passed this measure of fairness while lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people in other states are being attacked by divisive legislation in record numbers. The success of local activists in New Hampshire points to the importance of coming out and organizing on the state and local level." For more information about the bill, contact Mo Baxley of the New Hampshire Coalition to End Discrimination at 603/224-1686, or visit their web page at http://www.members.aol.com/caglr. 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. -30- _________________________________________ 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