From: communications@pflag.org
 with SMTP (Apple Internet Mail Server 1.1.1); Thu, 24 Apr 1997 16:39:48 -0500
Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 16:41:07 -0500
Subject: PFLAG Members Host Ellen Screenings

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 24, 1997

CONTACT:
Shelley Golden, Sgolden@pflag.org
Rob Banaszak, Rbanaszak@pflag.org
202-638-4200

PFLAG MEMBERS HOST ELLEN SCREENINGS ACROSS COUNTY

Looking forward to finally having their families represented during prime
time, members of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
across the country plan to host screenings of the April 30 and May 7
"coming out" episodes of the popular sitcom Ellen. Screening hosts hope to
use this historical television event not only as a chance to celebrate, but
also as an opportunity to reach out to other straight Americans and destroy
the myths and misperceptions about gay, lesbian and bisexual people.

"Too often, our society is too quick to stereotype gay people," said PFLAG
National President Nancy McDonald.  "This is not surprising, since most of
us have no access to accurate information about homosexuality.  Now,
however, we can sit down with our neighbors, and talk about a television
character whose clever wit and hysterical antics we have all grown to love.
And we can discuss what it means when this character -- whom many of us
adopt into our families once a week -- comes out as a lesbian.  This is an
incredible opportunity for PFLAG members to broach a sensitive topic in a
way that can make others feel comfortable."

In addition to using this event to educate in their communities, PFLAG
members are celebrating for very personal reasons.

"Ever since the television industry acknowledged that all American families
did not mirror Ozzie and Harriet's TV family, it has made efforts to show
the diversity that makes up our communities," said McDonald.  "We have seen
sitcoms with divorced parents, adopted children, interracial relationships,
single dads and lower income families.  The time is definitely ripe for the
networks to use a sitcom to explore a journey made by thousands of real
life American families -- the journey to appreciation for family members
who come out as gay, lesbian or bisexual. We are grateful to the show's
producers and network for carrying this story line."

When the character, Ellen Morgan, comes out to herself and her friends in
the April 30th episode, and her family and her employer in subsequent
episodes, she will become the first leading gay or lesbian character on
television.  Although many television shows feature supporting gay and
lesbian characters, this landmark in television history is drawing
nationwide attention.  The Rev. Jerry Falwell, and other members of the
religious right, have asked the primary advertisers of Ellen to withdraw
their support, and several advertisers have decided to do so.  PFLAG
members will respond during their screenings by sending letters of
appreciation to the network, the show producers and those advertisers who
have chosen to continue their support of this historic moment.

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) promotes the
health and well-being of gay, lesbian and bisexual persons, their families
and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education,
to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination
and secure civil rights.  PFLAG provides opportunity for dialogue about
sexual orientation, and acts to create a society that is healthy, and
respectful of diversity.  Founded in 1981, PFLAG is now organized in 400
communities nationwide, with more than 68,000 household members.

The following is a list of PFLAG affiliates who plan to host screenings of
the April 30th or May 7th episodes, and who will be available for comment
during and following the programming.  Note: this list changes daily;
contact PFLAG for more information.

Alaska
PFLAG Fairbanks
107 Maple Drive (private home)
Fairbanks, AK
April 30, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Contact: Nancy Kailing, (907) 479-4944

Arizona
PFLAG Flagstaff
416 N. Sitgreaves St. (private home)
Flagstaff, AZ
April 30, 6 p.m.
Contact: Molly Lind, (520) 773-9441

California
PFLAG South Orange Country
708 Calle Bahia (private home)
San Clemente, CA
April 30, 7 p.m.
Contact: Ed Brophy, (714) 498-7971

Delaware
PFLAG Rehobeth/Sussex County
(call for details)
April 30
Contact: Meredith Hunter, (302) 856-3381

District of Columbia
PFLAG Washington D.C./Metro Area
6505 Barnaby St. NW
Chevy Chase
April 30, 8 p.m.
Contact: chapter office, (202) 638-3852

PFLAG National
Trumpets
1603 17th St. NW
Washington, D.C.
May 7, 8 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Contact: Shelley Golden, (202) 638-4200

Hawaii
PFLAG Oahu
Hula's Bar and Lei Stand
2103 Kuhio Ave.
Honolulu, HI
April 30, 8 p.m.
Contact: Carolyn Golojuch, (808) 672-9050

Indiana
PFLAG Northwest Indiana, with Triangle of Friends (Purdue - Calumet) and
Northwest Indiana Alliance ( Indiana Univ. - Northwest Indiana)
April 30, 8 - 10 p.m.
Contact: (219) 878-9790 or (219) 845-2195

Kentucky
PFLAG Louisville
(call for details)
Louisville, KY
April 30
Contact: Carita Wagner, (502) 329-0229

Michigan
PFLAG Ann Arbor
1587 S. Congress #32 (private home)
Ypsilanti, MI
April 30
Contact: 313-484-4614

PFLAG Detroit
Doug's Body Shop
Ferndale, MI
May 7, 8 p.m.
Contact: Karen Fenwick, (810) 540-7066

PFLAG Downriver
23083 Arsenal Rd. (private home)
Brownstown Twp., MI
April 30, 7:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Michael and Janice Neubecker, (313) 783-2950

PFLAG Marquette/Upper Pennisula
332 E. Arch St. (private home)
Marquette, MI
April 30, 8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Contact: Susan Belanger, (906) 228-9530

Minnesota
PFLAG St. Paul/Minneapolis and Metropolitan Community Church
(call for details)
April 30
Contact: Karen Irvin, (612) 649-3600

Mississippi
PFLAG Jackson
(call for details)
April 30, 6 p.m.
Contact: Linda or Paul Northrop, (601) 371-0676

Missouri
PFLAG Kansas City
716 W. Red Bridge Road (private home)
Kansas City, MI
May 7, 7 p.m.
Contact:  Helen Cohen, (816) 942-8747

Nevada
PFLAG Reno/Northern Nevada
Visions Night Club (340 Kietzke Ln.)
Reno, NV
April 30, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Contact: Holly Wilson, (702) 358-5159

New York
PFLAG Rochester with First Unitarian Church
First Unitarian Church (220 Winton Road South)
Rochester, NY
May 7, 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Contact: Maxine McDonald, (315) 524-8891

Ohio
PFLAG Columbus
921 Lynbrook Rd. (private home)
Columbus, OH
April 30, 7 p.m.
Contact: Martha and Phil Broadt, (614) 846-0665

PFLAG Toledo
2109 Scottwood Ave. (private home)
Toledo, OH
April 30, 8 p.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Contact: Di and Pam Allen-Thompson, 419-241-7614

Texas
PFLAG Dallas
4320 Forest Bend, off of Midway Rd., south of LBJ (private home)
Dallas, TX
May 7, 7 p.m.
Contact: Pat Stone, (972) 503-2210

PFLAG Denton
(call for details)
May 7
Contact: Kathy Massey, (817) 387-1491

PFLAG Houston
Birraporetti's (West Gray)
April 30, 7 - 10 p.m.
Contact: Kyle Young (713) 520-7237

PFLAG Galveston
Hotel Galvez, East Parlor
April 30
Contact: Janet Cohen, (409) 744-3200

Virginia
PFLAG Roanoke/Roanoke Valley
The Park
 615 Salem Ave. SW
Roanoke, VA
April 30
Contact:  Mary Boenke (540) 890-3957

Wisconsin
PFLAG Madison
1112 Grant Street (private home)
Madison, WI
April 30, 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Contact: Joann and Joe Elder, (608) 255-0533


        Note to members and media: while PFLAG encourages positive coverage
of affiliate meetings and activities, special media arrangements may need
to be made to ensure the confidentiality of some PFLAG members. Please
contact the people listed above for more information and before publicizing
personal addresses.

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