From: CommNews@aol.com Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 09:19:46 -0400 Subject: Community News Makes History Media Advisory (aprox. 730 words) Gay Paper Makes History On Saturday, April 13, 1996, Community News, one of Florida's largest lesbian & gay newspapers entered a float in the Springtime Tallahassee Parade. Entitled "Rights of Spring" the float celebrated Love, Life and Liberty for all people. The Community News float was the first openly lesbian/gay themed float in Springtime history. "While some people have called to complain about our participation in an event that has Andrew Jackson as its mascot, most people have reacted positively," said Ian Granick, publisher of Community News. "We certainly have no love of Jackson and would prefer if he were not part of the parade but I think the level of visibility we achieved for both the Community News and the lesbian/gay community far out weighs the negative association." Andrew Jackson was at one time a Florida Regional Governor and an American President. He is attributed for the deaths and displacement of many Native Americans and other people of color. Early in the day on Wednesday (April 10, 1996), after an article about Community News' participation ran in the Tallahassee Democrat, a local newspaper, several area church groups reacted. One private Christian high school went so far as to pull their student marching band out of the Springtime Festival in protest to the gay and lesbian presence. In a letter to the Springtime Committee, they said that they were concerned about "a lowering of community standards." Granick offered this: "I am quite dismayed. The message we are promoting with this float is Love, Life and Liberty for all people. Exactly which community standard does that violate? Obviously, these individuals are confused about who gays and lesbians are. This is why we are placing a float in the parade-to raise community awareness." As far as the marching band withdrawal, says Granick, "I think it is quite unfortunate for the young people involved. They have obviously worked very hard to prepare for this day. To have an authority figure come in and make such a severe decision based only on his confusion and his prejudice causes me great concern. Its very poor role modeling." Thursday morning (April 11, 1996) Community News issued a statement welcoming students from North Florida Christian School's marching band to join them under the Community News banner. "These young people have done a lot of work to prepare for this day," said Granick. "It is a shame to see such talent go to waste over fear and bigotry. If the students want to march in the parade, they can march with us." In a statement faxed to the Community News, the school declined the invitation "due to our moral and religious conflicts." "We feel your offer undermines our administration's position of authority by suggesting we would not stand behind their decision," said the statement, signed by the student-body president, senior class president and student-body chaplain. Students were prohibited from attending. Despite the brewing controversy, which received national attention (CNN covered the story, an article was sent out over the AP wire service and people tuning into talk shows across the southern United States were able to comment on the situation) and threats of boycotts and protests, the parade went smoothly. The float, which was decked out in live greenery, hundreds of white and purple balloons and rainbow flags sailed down "main street" unmolested. A 15 member walking contingent, wearing Community News t-shirts with the slogan "Oh my God! It's a Queer Paper!" printed on the back, handed out mardi gras beads and copies of Community News to spectators. According to city officials and local press accounts, approximately, 150,000 people were in attendance. "It was flawless," said Christy Evans, who was in charged of costuming and decorations. "We had 14 blocks of standing ovations." "It was very encouraging," agreed Granick. "I think we really accomplished something here today." When asked by a reporter how he would explain the presence of a gay and lesbian float to his children, spectator and parent Chris Card pointed to a pack of men wearing "Saturday Night Live" coneheads and said" "It's harder to explain people like this. The coneheads are a little harder to explain. " Community News, is headquartered in Tallahassee, Florida and is read monthly by 15,000 people in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. For more info, call Ian Granick at (904) 671-7982 or (904) 222-6506. or e-mail at CommNews@aol.com Three black and white photos are being sent to you as seperate e-mail packages. We will have color photos available this evening. Call or e-mail us if you want them sent.