Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1998 14:16:17 -0700 From: Eros Publishing Subject: Press Release MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release Contact: Rick Garcia July 23, 1998 773-244-3371 Nadine Smith 813-417-1456 Roger Leishman 312-201-9740 RED LOBSTER DROPS CHALLENGE TO GAY RIGHTS LAW CHICAGO Following meetings with gay rights activists in Chicago, the Red Lobster Restaurant chain dropped its challenge to the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance, affirmed that it does not tolerate discrimination based on sexual orientation and apologized to the lesbian and gay community. "We welcome Red Lobster's withdrawal of their legal challenge to the human rights ordinance and their statement that they support it 'fully and without qualification' ," said Rick Garcia, director of the Illinois Federation For Human Rights. "We are pleased with Red Lobster's affirmation that they will not tolerate discrimination based on sexual orientation." On July 17 and again on July 22, Red Lobster officials met in Chicago with representatives of the Federation and Roger Leishman, director of the gay and lesbian rights project of the ACLU Illinois and new co-chair of the Federation of Statewide LGBT Political Organizations. In addition, Nadine Smith of Equality Florida worked closely with the Chicago activists in planning strategy. "We are pleased to see Red Lobster withdraw their inappropriate and unsupported legal challenge to the ordinance," said Leishman. "The quick and positive resolution to this situation demonstrates the importance and power of state and local groups working together," said Smith. #30# Joint Statement of Rick Garcia, director Illinois Federation For Human Rights Nadine Smith, executive director Equality Florida Roger Leishman, co-chair Federation of Statewide LGBT Political Organizations We welcome the withdrawal of Red Lobster's legal challenge to the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance and the company's affirmation that it "supports fully and without qualification both the spirit and letter of the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance". Red Lobster responded quickly and responsibly to our concerns and company representatives worked diligently to resolve the issues we raised. We are pleased that Red Lobster has issued a strong statement that the company maintains a strict zero-tolerance stance against discrimination of any kind and, specifically, will not tolerate discrimination based on sexual orientation. We accept Red Lobster's apology and we look forward to future constructive relationships. We will continue to encourage and educate the business community on creating fair workplaces for all employees. qnews Mark Thompson Mark.Thompson@vwr-inc.com http://www.vwr-inc.com http://www.wolfenet.com/~aubrey/aubrey.htm