From: ACTUPwash@aol.com
Date: Tue, 29 Jul 1997 12:25:51 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Is AOL teaming with Christian Coalition???

ACT UP Washington
------------media advisory-----------------
Gay & AIDS activists condemn AOL's planned Online Summit with Christian
Coalition
Participation of Christian Coalition and Partnership for Drug Free America
signal shift toward right
for immediate release       July 30, 1997
contact Steve Michael at 202.547.9404
(Washington, DC, July 30, 1997)  In an article by Art Bronsky in today's
issue of Communications Daily, America OnLine chairman Steve Case announced
that he is calling a summit in Washington this October to reach an agreement
on "content issues" with right-wing pro-censorship organizations.   Among the
groups invited are the Christian Coalition, Enough is Enough and the
Partnership for a Drug Free America. 

 It also seems that Case has not invited progressive Gay and Lesbian civil
rights organizations or AIDS activists to the summit for balance.

 "This summit could spell the end for free speech on the internet.  The head
of the world's largest online service is planning to cut deals with the likes
Pat Robertson.  We call on Steve Case to stand up for the First Amedment.
 Hundreds of thousands of Gay men, Lesbians and people with AIDS are
currently AOL members.  To marginalize an entire community by cutting deals
with our sworn enemies is unacceptable.," states Steve Michael of ACT UP
Washington.

 Case has also indicated that he is entering discussions with the Partnership
for a Drug Free America.  "That is completly unacceptable.  The Partnership
is a leader in the fight to maintain the current funding ban on needle
exchange programs and has conducted a campaign of lies against AIDS activists
that are fighting to preserve the doctor-patient relationship.  Steve Case is
sleeping with the enemy in the war on AIDS.  We will not let his pursuit of
the almight dollar stand in the way of sound AIDS policy," concludes Michael.

 ACT UP Washington is calling on all those who use America OnLine to inform
Steve Case that making deals with groups like the Christian Coalition is bad
business.  The Summit is scheduled for October 15th and 16th.  DC based Gay,
Lesbian, Bi-sexual and Transgendered AOL "members" are already making
planning for attending any meeting between the online industry and
right-wingers.  

For more information contact ACT UP Washington at 202.547.9404.  ACT UP
Washington can also be reached via AOL at ACTUPwash@aol.com.  Michael can be
reached at URBANQUEER@aol.com.Case can be reached at SteveCase@aol.com.

note to editors--- fax copy of Communications Daily article available to
media upon request