From: OpenProces@aol.com Date: Tue, 2 Jun 1998 02:00:09 EDT Subject: PRESS RELEASE-Activists Call for an Open Process re: Millenium Rally PRESS RELEASE: AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR AN OPEN PROCESS Special note to reporters: An invitation-only, closed meeting is scheduled for June 9th in DC between rally organizers and a select group of executive directors to discuss the Millennium rally. Members of the Ad Hoc Committee plan on attending with or without invitations. For information on location contact: Steve Ault at 718.399.7964 (phone and fax), or Ad Hoc committee for an Open Process (e-mail) OpenProces@aol.com Activists Call for an Open Process Regarding Decision-Making on National Events HRC and UFMCC's Exclusionary Organizing Tactics are Condemned by past March Organizers, other National Activists Activists from across the country have issued a call for an "inclusive and open process" for deciding whether a national gay rally in D.C. should be held in the year 2000. The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Ministries (UFMCC)" the lead organizers for the proposed Millennium gathering " have been sharply criticized for using heavy-handed and exclusionary tactics to try and gather support for an event many consider a poorly-timed, strategically-flawed diversion of resources. The newly formed Ad Hoc committee for an Open Process has issued a one-page proposal demanding that rally organizers use inclusive, democratic decision- making and organizing processes for deciding whether or not a national rally should be held. The Ad Hoc committee's proposal explains why democratic and inclusive processes are unique organizing tools that helped build a larger, stronger and more unified movement. In contrast to the way the past three marches were organized, the Millennium rally organizers have, behind closed doors, hurried every major decision regarding the proposed event, including the very crucial decision of whether or not to hold a national event in Washington, D.C. in 2000. Despite admitting that their process is flawed, they still have refused to hold even one public meeting; no inclusive Millennium rally organizing structure exists; and a 14-page Millennium rally organizing proposal drafted in February remains secret. Without any public input, the organizers have also decided a theme - `Faith and Family; a date - April 30, 2000; a title - `Millennium March for Equality'; logistics - (a rally, no march); a platform - (no demands); a merchandising plan - T-Shirts, etc.; an official travel agency; and 10,000 rooms booked in Washington. The controversy over the Millennium rally embodies two very different political visions. One which is corporate, and exclusionary and one which is grassroots-based and inclusive. Many have also criticized Millennium rally organizers for ignoring the concerns of the majority of the community who do not possess racial, class or gender privilege. Opening up the decision making process around the question of a national march in 2000 is only one step in building a movement that is committed to achieving freedom and justice for all. The Ad Hoc committee for an Open Process, a cross section of activists who have been most vocal in demanding a democratic and inclusive process for deciding whether to hold a national event is issuing the following statement to demand that organizers of the proposed event open the process. Proposal to the June Meeting from the Ad Hoc Committee for an Open Process The Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender people of the USA have organized three national marches on Washington, in 1979, 1987 and in 1993. These marches raised the visibility and advanced the issues of our communities. But the real importance and success of these mobilizations can be measured by the effect they had on our own communities. Grassroots organizing raised issues locally, spawned lasting coalitions and turned many of us into activists. On state and regional levels, new links were forged. Nationally, constituency organizing resulted in the emergence of national organizations and networks. The marches on Washington have been unique organizing tools that helped build a larger, stronger and more unified movement. Each march was very different as were the times during which they were organized. However, each one was run democratically with mass, grassroots involvement, and each followed a similar organizing scenario. A committee (which dissolved after its work was done) organized a national meeting to which representatives of all lesbian and gay (and later expanded to include bisexual and transgendered) organizations--local, state and regional as well as national--were welcomed. Organizational representatives voted, but otherwise, all in attendance were invited to participate in these open meetings. Here, the primary decision whether to have the event was made first, followed by deliberations on the name of the event, the politics, structure, leadership, and the organizing strategy. Then, throughout the country, open, democratically run meetings selected delegates, with mandates to include women and people of color, to a national steering committee, the highest decision- making body. Constituencies were also represented in the national steering committee and every national organization in our community was invited to join. Many of these meetings were at times contentious and chaotic. But in the end the decisions were accepted because the process was fair and inclusive. People from all over the country were motivated to commit their time, energy, and resources to build the marches because they realized that they were both heard and represented. And finally, when the big day arrived, we reveled in and were empowered by our accomplishment. The marches on Washington strengthened our movement largely because they were democratically run grassroots efforts on a massive scale. They have become an essential part of our proud history and a model to other movements for social change. Now, as a fourth march on Washington is being proposed, we must summon the legacy of the previous three--for the process by which this discussion proceeds will define not only the nature of any event that may follow, but more importantly, that of the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered movement itself. Therefore, we, the Ad Hoc Committee for an Open Process, propose: 1. that the June Meeting issue a call for an organizing and strategy conference to include discussion and a decision on the proposed march on Washington and other proposals brought forth, with nothing about the proposed march on Washington presented as a fait accompli; 2. that all lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgendered organizations be invited to send two voting representatives to the meeting; 3. that attendance and participation (except for voting) be open to all. We are calling for an open process to engage our movement in a serious, national discussion on whether or not we want to go to Washington--what's the purpose, when do we want to go, what would we be calling for, and how do we insure the maximum, most diverse participation in any planning process? Signed (as of 6/1/98): Steve Ault Tommi Avicolli Mecca Columnist - S.F. Frontline Leslie Cagan-coordinator, New York City, 1987 March on Washington Mandy Carter Field Program Consultant National Black Lesbian & Gay Leadership Forum; 1987 March on Washington - State Coordinator, North Carolina; 1993 March on Washington - National Steering Committee; Coordinator, People of Color Lobby Days Melanie Clemans Long Island's Campus Leadership Network (CLN) (network of L.I. glbt campus groups based in LI, NY); OUT IN LI (a 20-something plus social and issues group) Marla Erlien Bromfield St. Educational Foundation; Gay Community News; Boston Organizer, 1987 March on Washington Jaime Grant Washington, D.C. Eileen Hansen Billy Hileman Co-Chair, 1993 MOW Sue Hyde Cambridge, MA John O'Brien Stonewall Veteran Diana Onley-Campbell Washington, D.C. Alana Samuels OUT IN LI (a 20-something plus social and issues group based in LI, NY); Long Island's Campus Leadership Network (CLN) (network of L.I. glbt campus groups) Barbara Smith Black feminist writer and activist, member of the Feminist Action Network of Albany, New York. One of the eight major speakers at the 1987 March on Washington Nadine Smith Co-Chair, 1993 MOW, Executive Director of Human Rights Task Force Howard Wallace National Steering Committee, Pride at Work Christine Williams National Queer Student Coalition UNC-Chapel Hill Paul Harris Playwright and syndicated columnist David Hencke Ohio -AIDS/HIV law activist Robin White Independent Public Radio Producer San Francisco