Subject: POM Update Wk of 1/19/96
From: [email-masked]
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 14:04:48 -0500

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays

Project Open Mind
Weekly Update
January 19, 1996

FOR EXTERNAL USE

General

The Houston PFLAG chapter is taking the lead in organizing a community
response to the murder of Fred Mangione on January 4th.  They are planning a
community meeting followed by a press conference.  Working with coalition
organizations, the chapter leaders will use Project Open Mind to help
orchestrate renewed efforts for hate crimes legislation.  As a result of the
chapter's media relations efforts, KPRC, the NBC affiliate has given coverage
to these events.

In Tulsa, Kelly Kirby, PFLAG Board member, and his partner, Ric Kirby were
also recent victims of anti-gay vandalism.  Their cars were spray painted
with gay slurs and a bullseye marked "faggot target practice" was nailed to
their front door.  In another incident, a gay man had a swastika and "you
will die" painted on his front door and his car windows were smashed.  Again,
as a result of the chapter's media relations efforts, KJRH, the NBC
affliliate, has run a story on these hate crimes and the exclusion of sexual
orientation in the Oklahoma hate crimes bill.  

Also in Tulsa, Bill Hinkle, chapter co-president, has received a letter of
support from the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Community Association at Oklahoma
State University for Project Open Mind and the college ads that were placed.

GLAAD/National Capital Area has chosen PFLAG as a recipient of a 1996 Media
Award for "Award Achievement in Public Service/Advertising" for our two
television commercials "Innocent" and "Bashing".  The award will be given out
at their annual banquet March 13, 1996.  We are honored to receive this
award.

Support

o Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX)

MEDIA COVERAGE

12/7 - Windy City Times - Chicago g/l paper - Marvin Liebman's column
12/20 - Niagara Gazette - Niagara Falls newspaper - news story, interview
with  PFLAG parents Tony and Jane Benfante
1/9 - Tulsa World -Tulsa, OK newpaper - Op-ed piece by Pat Padgett, Tulsa
Board  Member
1/10 - KWGS - Tulsa NPR affiliate - interview with Nancy McDonald, PFLAG
 National Vice President and Bill Hinkle, Tulsa chapter co-president
1/11 - Niagara Gazette - Op-Ed piece by Tony Benfante
1/12 - Tulsa World - Letters to the Editor - supportive letter from Carolyn
Wood
1/15 - WFNX - Lynn, MA radio station - "One in Ten" - interview with Judith
 Nardacci, PFLAG Board member, Regional Director and parent

1/19 - Tulsa World - Letters to the Editor - supportive response to Pat
Padgett's Op  Ed piece

 Action Items

o Expressions of sympathy and support to Fred Mangione's partner, Kenny
 Stern and their mothers, Angelina Mangione and Julia Stern can be sent to:

 PO Box 800110
 Houston, TX  77080-0110

o Thank you's to Cong. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX), for her efforts following the
 murder of Fred Mangione:
 1520 - LHOB
 Washington, DC 20515
 202/225-3816
 Fax: 202/225-3317 (no email currently available)

This concludes the weekly update.  Jeffrey Garrett, Project Open Mind
Campaign Manager,([email-masked])