Release Date: March 9, 1995 Contact: Dawn Rankin-Phelps (804)543-2460 Pat Robertson Meets with Dr. Mel White in Jail "Robertson said he was meeting with me out of compassion for my parents for their son," White explained. "That's okay by me. Thousands of other parents now have hope that Robertson will care about their gay and lesbian children too." On the 23rd day of his prison fast, Dr. Mel White finally got his meeting with CBN founder, Pat Robertson. White, 15 pounds lighter, bearded and gaunt, met with Robertson and his spokesman, Gene Kapp, in a visitors cell at the Virginia Beach Correctional Facility. The meeting arranged by Virginia Beach City Sheriff, Frank Drew, was "Brief, cordial and specific," said White. "I asked Pat to acknowledge and condemn publicly the hate crimes against gays and lesbians specifically and to meet with a delegation from PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) to hear the human side of this tragic story." After his surprise visit, Robertson dropped the trespassing charge against White, who was escorted from the city jail by Sheriff Drew. White paid no fine and posted no bail. "I'm free to come back to visit Robertson again," White said grinning, "and will be back," he promised. "This is a victory for everyone. Before today, Pat has never agreed to meet with gay or lesbian Christians. I'm hoping this is the beginning of a constructive dialogue between us." Bearing Witness, the interfaith group of gays, lesbians and their allies who organized to support White's fast and to maintain the daily vigil at CBN, will monitor Pat's 700 Club broadcasts, his print material and his fund raising letters. "We are going to be sure that Pat acknowledges and condemns the hate crimes against God's gay and lesbian children," said Dawn Rankin-Phelps, a Bearing Witness organizer. "And we're already putting together the PFLAG delegation that will meet with Pat to discuss with him the rise of hate crimes against gays and lesbians in this country and how the false rhetoric leads to these crimes." During his 23 days in isolation, White and the Bearing Witness team received over 12,000 letters, cards, telegrams of support. "There is no way of knowing how many faxes and letters Pat received urging him to meet with us," said Ms. Rankin-Phelps, "but it must have made a difference. Pat went to jail to visit Mel," she said exuberantly. "No one but Mel actually believed he would do it." Today, following a brief press conference, White lead Bearing Witness supporters numbering over 100 across Indian River Road to CBN property where he presented security with a dozen white roses and a card of thanks for Pat Robertson. They were met by Donald Spitz and his group of counterprotestors who bore signs of protest. After the presentation, White led the delegation peacefully back across the road and enjoyed lunch with the crowd. For information or interviews with Dr. Mel White, members of the Bearing Witness team, call (804) 543-2460 or (804) 480-8612. After Sunday, March 12, contact Dr. White through the Cathedral of Hope MCC, Dallas, Texas (214) 351-1901 or the UFMCC office in Los Angeles (213) 464-5100. Members of Bearing Witness will continue to be available at (804) 543-2460. ###