From: Heather Wright Subject: PFLAG News: World AIDS Day 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ to unsubscribe from PFLAG's Email Alert List, send an email, subject line "unsubscribe" to info@pflag.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~