Date: Thu, 19 Jun 97 20:09:58 EST From: "NGLTF" Subject: GTown Conf Out of Sync NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Mark F. Johnson, Media Director mfjohnson@ngltf.org 202/332-6483 x3314 pager 1-800/757-6476 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ................................................................. ANTI-GAY CONFERENCE AT GEORGETOWN OUT OF HARMONY WITH U.S. MAINSTREAM SAYS NGLTF Washington, DC---June 19, 1997---The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force said today that plans to hold a conference on Homosexuality and American Life were misguided, misleading and out of step with prevailing American social and political thinking. The conference, sponsored by the American Public Philosophy Institute, will be held June 19-21, 1997 on the campus of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Topics of the three-day session include "Therapeutic and Pastoral Responses to Homosexuality," "The Morality of Homosexual Acts," and "The Campaign to Legitimize Homosexuality." Robert Knight of the Family Research Council, Anthony Falzarano, from Transformation Ex-Gay Ministries and Joseph Nicolosi, executive director of the National Association for the Research and Treatment of Homosexuality are featured speakers. "This group is using the facilities of one of the nation's leading universities to recycle old and unsubstantiated notions based on fear and ignorance," observed Kerry Lobel, Task Force executive Director."It's very obvious that there's an agenda here that does not include unbiased and open discussion about these issues," she commented. "The viewpoint that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people need to be changed in order to save society is miles away from where this nation is moving," said Lobel. "New Hampshire and Maine have just recently passed comprehensive civil rights laws that ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, joining nine others states that already had such laws," she added. "Now, one out of four Americans lives where discrimination based on sexual orientation is outlawed." Lobel pointed out that "a balanced discussion about homosexuality in America would have brought a different roster of speakers to the conference agenda." Instead, she said, that participants should come prepared to hear a discussion far from the mainstream of American thinking. "Those who sing the same old tune will once again be out of harmony with most of America." 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. -30- _________________________________________ 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 .