Release Date: March 6, 1995 Contact: Dawn Rankin-Phelps (804)543-2460 Homosexual Minister on Day Twenty-One of Fast in Virginia Beach Jail Today, the Rev. Dr. James Melville "Mel" White entered day twenty-one of his fast of prayer and protest. He is the former ghostwriter for Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Billy Graham, Ollie North and other leaders of the so-called religious right. Dr. White now serves as the Minister of Justice of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, a 32,000 member denomination for gays and lesbians. On Wednesday, February 15, White was arrested for trespassing at the CBN compound after making a second attempt to set an appointment with Pat Robertson, founder and CEO of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN). Daily since Dr. White was arrested twenty days ago, delegates from Bearing Witness have attempted to arrange a meeting for White with Robertson while supporters line the sidewalk along Indian River Road in solidarity with the delegation and White's mission. Bearing Witness is a coalition of religious leaders and community organizations who support White's belief that gays and lesbians are being physically, emotionally and spiritually damaged by some religious rhetoric and untruth. Bearing Witness is supporting White's efforts to get Pat Robertson to do two things: to acknowledge that anti-gay rhetoric, such as used on the 700 Club, results in violence against the gay community and to denounce those acts of violence. Today over 20 people braved the cold rain to show their support of the delegation by lining the sidewalk along Indian River Road in silent vigil while the delegation walked to the Studio Headquarters Building. The Bearing Witness delegation was led by Rev. Arlene Ackerman, District Coordinator (Mid Atlantic District) of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, who drove six hours to be with the delegation. Rev. Ackerman, who noted that the security guard who met the delegates was very quiet, smiling and friendly, but nervous, said this about today's visit, "I find going over there to be so powerful. Continuing to do this every day is vitally important. What we are doing here matters. We can't underestimate the power of this small delegation. We will make a difference and a change. It matters!" Bearing Witness returns daily at noon, or 3 pm on Sundays, to attempt to set up the proposed meeting between White and Robertson. Meanwhile, Dr. White remains in solitary confinement in the Virginia Beach City Jail until his March 28th court date. White states that he will continue to fast until Robertson agrees to the meeting to discuss the suffering of God's gay and lesbian children. "Until Pat agrees to meet with us, I must continue to fast." ###