Date: Fri, 30 Sep 1994 14:32:02 -0400

[ Send all responses to veteran@agora.rdrop.com only. All responses to the
list or list owner will be returned! ]

For More Information, Call (503) 223-1373
Anders Winther (veteran@agora.rdrop.com)
Barbara Eichberger (barb@agora.rdrop.com)

 PORTLAND, OR, 29 September, 1994  Veterans for Human Rights (VfHR)
announced that it is calling on Oregon veterans of military service to
take a lead in defeating Ballot Measure 13 sponsored by the Oregon
Citizens Alliance (the "OCA"). In a letter mailed recently to the
leadership of all statewide veterans service organizations and
auxiliaries, VfHR co-chairs, Anders Winther and Barbara Eichberger, remind
their fellow veterans of the oath they swore--to protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States against all enemies. Winther stated
that, "Measure 13 is a threat to that sacred document and a threat to
democracy. It is a threat to the freedoms for which we as veterans served,
and many of us fought and others died, to protect."

 Eichberger believes "that it is consequential for veterans to know the
truth about the OCA's initiative: Measure 13 permanently legalizes
discrimination. Measure 13 takes away from gays and lesbians the rights we
all hold most sacred. It means that gay people can be fired from their
jobs, can be evicted from their homes, or can have their children taken
away from them--simply for who they are."

 "The issue is not whether you are gay or lesbian, or whether you like
gays or lesbians, but whether gays and lesbians should have the same
rights that we swore to protect," Winther said.

 Emphasizing the need "for everyone to stand up and defend everyone's
basic rights," Eichberger said, "it is important for the veterans
community to endorse the No on 13 Coalition and to do whatever they can to
defeat discrimination."

 VfHR extended an invitation to veterans organizations to meet with
representatives from their organization or from the No on 13 Coalition.
"Engaging in coversation is key to shifting an emotional reaction into one
that is rational. That conversation can be a basis for reconciliation and
healing within the veterans' community," Eichberger said.

 "Ultimately, people must live with their choices, "Winther said, adding,
"When you look in the mirror the day following the election, will you see
someone who fought for justice or will you see someone who let
discrimination take hold in Oregon?"

 VfHR, an endorsing organization of the No on 13 Coalition, is a
membership organization of predominately gay and lesbian veterans founded
in 1992, to provide grassroots support to lift the ban on military service
of lesbians and gay men. VfHR continues to advocate for the full
recognition and equal protection of gay and lesbian active, reserve and
veterans members of the armed forces. A patriotic organization, VfHR also
exists to challenge the isolation felt by many gay veterans and
servicemembers. Call  VfHR at 223-1373 or the No on 13 Coalition, at
222-6151.


######

Veterans for Human Rights
208 SW Stark Street, Suite 306
Portland, OR 97204