Date: Thu, 30 Jul 1998 09:41:58 -0500 From: PFLAG Communications Subject: PFLAG Joins HRC on Northwest Equality Tour PFLAG JOINS HRC ON NORTHWEST EQUALITY TOUR PFLAG West Field Associate Ron Schlittler will be joining the Human Rights Campaign's Northwest Equality Tour, visiting 25 cities in Oregon, Idaho and Washington between July 31 and August 16, 1998. HRC and PFLAG staff will be teaming up with local organizations and activists (including many PFLAG-ers!) for November's election rallies, forums and social events as they register voters and talk about issues that affect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Americans. Ron also plans to meet with local PFLAG chapter leaders and members to discuss their needs and goals as a part of PFLAG's committment to finding ways of improving support to the field. Activities will include rallies, barbecues and interfaith church potlucks. All events are free and open to the public (dates & locations of tour stops listed below). The tour will be led by Candance Gingrich, associate manager of HRC's National Coming Out Project (and lesbian sister of House Speaker Newt Gingrich), PFLAG Mom Betty DeGeneres, HRC's National Coming Out spokesperson, and Donna Red Wing, HRC's national field director (and Advocate Magazine's Woman of the Year in 1992). Right now, it is perfectly legal in Oregon, Idaho, Washington and 37 other states to fire a person because of their real or perceived sexual orientation. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people are also denied the rights and repsonsibilities of civil marriage, live with the threat of having their children taken away from them, and are increasingly the victims of malicious hate crimes. G/L/B/T people will not have the same rights as other citizens in this country unless equal rights legislation is passed at the local, state and national level. WHEN & WHERE: Friday, July 31 - Portland, OR Saturday, August 1 - Vancouver, WA; Lincoln City, OR; Corvallis, OR Sunday, August 2 - Eugene, OR; Medford, OR Monday, August 3 - Ashland, OR; Bend, OR Tuesday, August 4 - Boise, ID Wednesday, August 5 -LaGrande, OR; Pendleton, OR Thursday, August 6 - Walla Walla, WA; Tri-cities, WA Friday, August 7 - Lewiston, ID; Moscow, ID; Couer d'Alene, ID Saturday, August 8 - Couer d'Alene, ID; Spokane, WA Sunday, August 9 - Spokane, WA; Wenatchee, WA Monday, August 10 - Everett, WA; Bellingham, WA Wednesday, August 12 - Seattle, WA; Auburn, WA; Kent, WA Thursday, August 13 - Seattle, WA Friday, August 14 - Tacoma, WA; Olympia, WA Saturday, August 15 - Salem, OR; Vancouver, WA Sunday, August 16 - Portland, OR CONTACT: Heather Wright, PFLAG 202.638.4200 x213 Johnathon Zucker, HRC Equality Tour Coordinator 202.638.4160 Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian and bisexual persons, their families & friends through support, education and advocacy. PFLAG provides an opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. PFLAG affiliates are located in more than 400 communities in the U.S. and abroad. 1101 14th St. NW, Suite 1030 - Washington, DC 20005 - ph: (202)638-4200 email: info@pflag.org - http://www.pflag.org