Date: Tue, 21 Feb 1995 10:29:56 -0500 (EST) From: David Casti Subject: ACTION ALERT: Antigay Hearings on Capital Hill Hi folks, It is unlikely that these hearings can be prevented. However, we can pressure Gingrich and other congressional representatives to see that these hearings are fair and balanced -- and include representation from groups such as PFLAG and MCC as well as Lou Sheldon and "Doctor" Dobson. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- David Casti Pager: (800) 980-6227 Information Scientist http://www.casti.com/casti/David.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by: mamurphy@igc2.igc.apc.org Dear Friends, Here is an issue that needs our attention. If you do send a letter, make a phone call or send an E-mail message on this issue please let us know. We need to know whether our efforts are effective. Please write to Representative Newt Gingrich at the address shown in the folowing sample letter or send him an E-mail message at: Georgia6@HR.House.Gov At a recent town meeting in Kennesaw, Georgia Newt Gingrich confirmed that he has told Radical Right leader Lou Sheldon that he will probably hold hearings on the "Gay Agenda" and gay-related school curricula sometime later this year. The Radical Right agenda on the hearings is being pressed by the Rev. Lou Sheldon, who is known for advocating the confinement of HIV positive persons in concentration camps. He has mobilized boycotts and campaigns against any positive portrayals of lesbinas gays or bisexuals in the media. He was also behind legislation that saught to prohibit federal funding to schools that have gay positive programs. The Radical Right will likely use the hearings to promote negative images of lesbians gays and bisexuals and to advance legislation to single out gay youth for discrimination in public schools. We need to write to Newt Gingrich urging him to assure that any hearings, if held, will be fair and balanced. He should assure that credible proponents of a positive outlook towards lesbians, gays and bisexuals are given equal time to present their case. Remind him of his promise to stand against persecution and to make it clear in his discussion of the hearings that they are not meant simply to be a media event in support of bigotry. The following is a sample letter for your use. Please note: you should personalize the sample letter with your own concerns or stories. Words in parentheses in the sample letter indicate a choice and should not be copied in your letter. SAMPLE LETTER The Hon. Newt Gingrich The US House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Gingrich: I am writing to express my concern about your promise to the Rev. Lou Sheldon to hold hearings on the "Gay Agenda." Rev. Sheldon has advocated confining HIV positive persons in Concentration Camps (Insert some personal statement of why you think any hearings on gays must be fair and balanced. If you are comfortable doing so, tell of some bad experience that you have had or that a gay, lesbian or bisexual friend has had at the hands of bigots. This can lead in to why he has to be so careful to have a balanced hearing.) The radical right represented by the Rev. Sheldon has fomented boycotts of any media that dare portray lesbians gays and bisexuals in a positive light. He has also attempted to subvert the educational process of our youth by supporting legislative attempts to deny federal funding to any schools with gay positive programs. I encourage you to advocate tolerance and not to be swayed from that stance by extremists. If you do hold hearings on gays you must assure that credible repreesentatives of the lesbian, gay and bisexual community are given every opportunity to present their side of the story. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter. Yours truly, (Your Name) Please do let us know of any letters or messages you send or calls that you make in response to this action alert. Love, Boyce Hinman LAMBDA LETTERS