NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE

FLASH POINTS

A Tip Sheet for Reporters Covering Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Issues

Contact: Robin Kane, 202-332-6483, ext. 3311; 800-757-7736 pager;
rakngltf@aol.com

FEBRUARY 21, 1995

Virginia Beach, VA -- Rev. Mel White Enters Day Eight of Fast, Day Seven of
Incarceration After Arrest at CBN While Seeking Meeting with Pat Robertson

 Issue: Rev. Mel White, a former ghostwriter for Pat Robertson, is today in
his eighth day of an ongoing fast following his arrest February 15 at Pat
Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) headquarters.  Rev. White,
who is openly gay, has been attempting to meet with his former boss Robertson
for more than 20 months to discuss Robertson's extensive use of anti-gay
rhetoric on the 700 Club and in Christian Coalition policy statements and
fundraising appeals.  Rev. White is currently with the Universal Fellowship
of Metropolitan Community Churches, which minister predominately to gay,
lesbian and bisexual people.
 During this, his third attempt to meet with Robertson,  White was joined by
a coalition of a dozen clergy.  White seeks a meeting to make two requests of
Robertson: 1) acknowledge the growing number of hate crimes against gay and
lesbian people and 2) condemn those hate crimes and the people who incite or
commit them.  White and his delegation first went to the CBN campus on
Valentine's Day, but were turned away. On February 15, White and his
delegation returned and were met by CBN security forces. His delegation left
the campus, while White remained and was arrested.  He is currently in the
Virginia Beach jail under $2500 bond, which he has refused.  He has vowed to
fast until Robertson agrees to meet with him.
 Bearing Witness, a coalition of religious leaders and community groups, has
delivered a daily bouquet of flowers from Rev. White to Pat Robertson at CBN
since White's incarceration.  White's supporters have lined the street
outside CBN, urging Robertson to meet with White.  Yesterday, a group of
anti-gay protesters also appeared, organized by local Radical Right spokesman
Donald Spitzer, who has publicly supported murder and violence against
doctors who perform abortions.  One protester held a sign that read, "Pat,
Just Say No to the Homo."
 "Rev. White's arrest and imprisonment reveals that Pat Robertson is
threatened by the truth, the truth about gay and lesbian people, the truth as
told to him by fellow people of faith," said NGLTF's Robert Bray.  "When
faced with a true coalition of Christians who support tolerance and justice
for all, Robertson cowers behind a wall of security to protect his fortress
of bigotry."

 Local contact:  Dawn Rankin-Phelps, Bearing Witness coalition of religious
leaders and community organizations supporting Rev. White, (804) 543-2460;
Pat Robertson, CBN founder, (804) 523-7000; (804) 579-7012.

 NGLTF contact: Robin Kane, NGLTF Public Information Director, (202)
332-6483, ext. 3311; 800-757-7736 pager; rakngltf@aol.com or Robert Bray,
NGLTF field organizer, at (415)552-6448; rfbngltf@aol.com.