Subj: April 1993 93-04-23 00:40:40 EDT From: NGLTF ACTIVIST ALERT April 1993 NGLTF Policy Institute 1734 14th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20009-4309 (202) 332-6483; FAX (202) 332-0207; TTY (202) 332-6219 The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute produces this monthly newsletter to inform activists around the country about current crises, upcoming events and issues on which activists can have an impact. We urge you to use the ACTIVIST ALERT as a tool to take action in support of gay and lesbian freedom. FIGHT THE RIGHT UPDATE Activists in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Michigan, California and Florida are facing petition-gathering campaigns for Colorado-style initiatives. Other states, including Maine, may be targeted soon. Groups battling these initiatives need donations, volunteers and support. OREGON-- 32 municipal and county anti-gay amendments on the 1993 ballot, with a statewide initiative slated for 1994. Contact Support Our Communities Political Action Committee, Debra Betron, (503) 287-9370. IDAHO--Statewide ballot for 1994. The state attorney general issued a review of the anti-gay initiative petition that indicated concern that parts of the law would violate the U.S. Constitution. Contact Idaho for Human Dignity, P.O. Box 797, Boise, ID 83701; (208) 336-5160. WASHINGTON--Statewide ballot for 1994 elections. Contact Washington Citizens for Fairness, P.O. Box 4828, Seattle, WA 98102; (206) 233-1932. MICHIGAN--Statewide initiative for 1994. Michigan Organization for Human Rights, P.O. Box 2738, Lansing, MI 48909; (517) 887-2605. CALIFORNIA--Statewide initiative for 1994. Task Force to Oppose the California Anti-Gay Ballot Initiative, c/o Mike Hudson of People for the American Way, 330 Washington Blvd., Suite 703, Marina del Rey, CA 90292; (310) 823-2860. FLORIDA--Statewide measure for 1994 ballot. Floridians Respect Everyone's Equality, 317 1/2 Park Ave., Tallahassee, FL 32301; (904) 561-6336; Human Rights Task Force, 1222 S. Dale Mabry, #652, Tampa, FL 33629; (813) 273-8769. MAINE--Local referendum in Lewiston, ME slated for November 1993 as a test for a probable statewide initiative in 1994. Equal Protection Lewiston, P.O. Box 7804, Lewiston, ME 04243-7804; (207) 784-5818. TENNESSEE--Knox County passed a resolution in opposition to a federal gay and lesbian civil rights bill. The Tennessee Christian Coalition intends to advocate similar legislation in each county in the state. Contact the Social Justice Committee, James Talent, c/o MCC/Knoxville, P.O. Box 2343, Knoxville, TN 37901; (615) 521-6546. BE A LOCAL MEDIA ACTIVIST A one-minute radio public service announcement (PSA) is available for distribution to activists around the country. The gay and lesbian sensitivity ad, produced by Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance (GLAA) and Gay and Lesbian Education Fund in Washington, D.C., highlights discrimination and stigmatization often faced by gay people, including gays in the military. The PSA is on a tape ready for radio station use. Activists should urge local radio stations to air the piece. To get a tape, contact GLAA at (202) 667-5139. FIGHT THE RIGHT TOWN HALL As the Right Wing mobilizes its forces to launch anti-gay campaigns around the country, gay and lesbian activists are preparing for tough battles. NGLTF will sponsor a Fight the Right Town Meeting during the weekend of the March on Washington as a forum for activists to share information and strategies. NGLTF Fight the Right Campaign organizer Scot Nakagawa will facilitate the forum. Scheduled speakers are: Suzanne Pharr of the Arkansas Women's Project and Mab Segrest, author and board member of the North Carolina Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Equality. Representatives of Lambda Legal Defense and the Center for Constitutional Rights will also participate, and speakers from Political Research Associates and the Center for Democratic Renewal are tentatively scheduled. Activists currently facing initiatives or expecting to battle a measure should bring materials and information. Attend the Fight the Right Town Meeting on Saturday, April 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the ballroom of the Washington Hilton. No reservations are necessary and there is no fee, but arrive early since seating may be limited. Copyright 1993 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force