Date: Wed, 28 Oct 1998 15:03:21 -0500 From: PFLAG Communications Subject: PFLAG Press Release - Protecting Hawaii's Constitution PFLAG PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact: Janice Hughes 202-638-4200 x225 (W, DC) Carolyn Golojuch 808-672-9050 (Hawaii) Family Group Stands with Hawaiians, Residents Who Support Protecting the Constitution "No one's civil rights as an American should be subjected to popular vote. That is simply un American. "We want all Hawaiians and residents who are working against this constitutional amendment, or who are undecided how to vote, to know that thousands of parents and devoutly religious people like myself - who are proud of our gay children and family members - are united in the hope that voters will let justice overcome prejudice, faith replace fear, and love of equality become unconditional. I urge a 'No' vote." - (Rev.) Paul Beeman, PFLAG President and Father of a Gay Son and Lesbian Daughter "As the mother of two sons, one gay and one straight, I want what every mother wants for her children - the right to liberty, equality and the pursuit of happiness. "It grieves me to see that some Hawaiians and residents are prepared to amend their constitution to diminish the civil rights of some of our children. It is particularly tragic in a state which has been a model of acceptance of diversity." - Kirsten Kingdon, PFLAG Executive Director "As parents, we are strongly committed to the goal that one day our gay and lesbian children will be permitted the basic human right to marry the person they choose. "But we also recognize that the struggle in Hawaii is about an even bigger question: Do we want to establish the alarming precedent of letting the legislature open up the Bill of Rights in the Hawaiian Constitution, the guarantee of equal opportunity and protection for all Hawaiian citizens, to decide who is worthy of which rights? "We respectfully encourage the people of Hawaii to vote 'NO'". - Carolyn Golojuch, National Board Member & PFLAG Oahu President NOTE: PFLAG has chapters on Oahu, Maui, and in Hilo, on the island of Hawaii. Chapters are also in formation in Kaui and in Kona. For more local information, contact Golojuch at 808-672-9050. (Rev.) Beeman is available at 360-866-2141 and Kingdon, 202-638-4200 x211. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is a family organization which promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons and their families and friends. Through support, education and advocacy to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights, PFLAG acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. PFLAG affiliates are located in more than 425 communities across the U.S., including several in Hawaii, and has additional chapters in other countries. 1101 14th Street (NW) Suite 1030 Washington, DC 202-638-4200 www.pflag.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To be removed from the PFLAG Action Alert email list, send an email to info@pflag.org, subject line "unsubscribe". ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~