Date: Fri, 13 Jun 97 19:03:35 EST From: "NGLTF" Subject: NGLTF Tunes Out Change at Christian Coalition NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE OFFICIAL STATEMENT Contact: Mark F. Johnson, Media Director 202/332-6483 x3314 mfjohnson@ngltf.org 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- NGLTF TUNES OUT CHANGE AT CHRISTIAN COALITION Washington, DC---June 13, 1997---Although the Christian Coalition has announced the selection of two new top headliners, members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community should be prepared for reruns of the same old show said the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Donald Hodel, former Interior and Energy Department secretary in the Reagan Administration, has been named Christian Coalition President and Randy Tate, a former one-term member of Congress, has become the Coalition's new executive director, replacing Ralph Reed. Tate drew a perfect rating for his votes from the Christian Coalition while he was in office. He scored no points with gays in part because of his vote for the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act and his refusal to support a measure to repeal the discharge of service members with HIV. "It's a different cast of characters," said Kerry Lobel, Task Force executive director, "but we expect the script to be the same. After all," Lobel added, "Pat Robertson still holds the remote control." "The Christian Coalition has used its platform to demonize the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community," Lobel noted. "I urge Hodel and Tate to turn away from their anti-gay record and come out with a new message. It would certainly help their ratings with millions of Americans who have tuned them out," added Lobel. -30- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is the oldest national gay and lesbian group and is a progressive organization that has supported grassroots organizing and pioneered in national advocacy since 1973. Since its inception, NGLTF has been at the forefront of virtually every major initiative for lesbian and gay rights. In all its efforts, NGLTF helps to strengthen the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement at the state level while connecting these activities to a national vision for change. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .