Subject: PFLAG News: World AIDS Day
From: Heather Wright <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 10:18:36 -0500

For Immediate Release: November 29, 1999			
Contact: Eric Ferrero, 202-638-4200 x212

PFLAG Hails Efforts to Curb AIDS Among African Americans;
Group Urges All Families to 'Stand Together in This Fight' 
  
	National and local leaders gathering Wednesday, Dec. 1, in Los
Angeles for an unprecedented Town Hall Meeting on AIDS in African-American
communities have the "steadfast, unwavering, unequivocal support" of
thousands of families nationwide, according to Kirsten Kingdon, National
Executive Director of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
(PFLAG).

	"From across our differences - whether they are related to race,
age, sexual orientation, national origin, religion or anything else that too
often divides our nation - we come together to support this historic
opportunity for dialogue and action," Kingdon said. 

	The Town Hall Meeting, convened by the Congressional Black Caucus
and a host of other groups, will take place on World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, from
noon to 4 p.m. in Los Angeles.  Black Entertainment Television (BET) will
simulcast the Town Hall Meeting live.

	In addition to general sessions, the event will include several
panel discussions.  Washington, DC, area PFLAG Dad William Beale is among
the panelists.  Beale formed the Dwayne S. Brown Foundation in honor of his
gay son, who died of AIDS-related complications.  In recent months, Beale
and other local families have worked with PFLAG Washington, DC/Metro Area,
to launch "For Those We Love," a support group for African-American families
and friends of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.

	AIDS is now the leading cause of death for African-American men and
women between the ages of 25 and 44.  Although African Americans make up
approximately 13 percent of nation's population, they accounted for 57
percent of all new HIV infections in 1998.  While African Americans are
disproportionately represented among HIV/AIDS cases, they are also
under-served - a situation Kingdon called a "cruel paradox, which requires
concern and action from all of us."

	"We have a fight on our hands, and it's not just a fight for
African-American communities - we all have an obligation and a
responsibility to support affected communities, educate ourselves and
others, and advocate for an end to this disease," Kingdon said.  "When the
world sees William Beale in Los Angeles Wednesday, they will see one father
speaking from his heart.  What they cannot see - but can clearly be felt -
is the loving presence of thousands of other families standing with him,
ready and willing to help our friends and neighbors beat this devastating
health crisis."

###

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) promotes the
health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons,
their families & friends through support, education, and advocacy. Serving
nearly 77,000 members & supporters, PFLAG affiliates are located in 425+
communities in the U.S. 

Register today for PFLAG's national conference, "PFLAG: Family Voices for
Equality" in Washington, D.C, April 28-30, 2000. . . . Just before the
Millennium March on Washington for Equality . . . . Dozens of workshops . .
. Information-sharing . . . . Events with celebrity PFLAG families . . . .
Lobby Day on Capitol Hill  . . . . Go to: http://www.pflag.org/confreg.html.
Regular registration rate expires Dec. 31, 1999.
                   
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