FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   CONTACT:  Rex Rivers 316-269-0913 or
November 16, 1993                                 Phyllis Wisneski
                                                  316-684-4227


    FAR RIGHT MISLEADS VOTERS WITH "SPECIAL RIGHTS" STRATEGY IN THREE CITIES

Wichita, KS (=KS) The cities of Cincinnati, Lewiston and Portsmouth have
succumbed to anti-gay initiatives from the far religious right wing and so
will the entire state of Kansas if they are allowed to continue, says a
state-wide coalition.  Equality Kansas, a group formed to stop the
encroachment of the religious right wing into politics warns that a state
referendum aimed at denying equal protection to gay men and lesbians is just
the beginning of the agenda for religious fundamentalists.

"These people want control," said Doug Glaze of Equality Kansas.  "They want
to control every aspect of our lives and force their beliefs on all of us.
They want our government controlled by fundamentalist Christian,
Bible-thumping, religious dogma."

Part of the strategy of the religious right wing is to assault the civil
liberties of gay men, lesbians and bisexuals.  By falsely stating that these
people are asking for "special rights" they stir up unfounded fears of
privilege and quotas.  These tactics have worked recently in three U.S.
cities.

In Cincinnati, Ohio, voters approved 61% to 31% a measure which invalidated
the city's ordinance banning discrimination against gay men, lesbians and
bisexuals and prohibits the city council from enacting future civil rights
protections.

In Lewiston, Maine, voters approved 70% to 30% a measure which repeals that
city's ordinance banning discrimination based on sexual orientation.

In Portmouth, New Hampsire, voters turned down 60% to 40% a referendum to
gauge public support for instituting an ordinance banning discrimination
based on sexual orientation.

"Equality Kansas stands firm to oppose the far religious right wing and their
lies," said Sue Ledbetter, Equality Kansas' Legislative Co-Chair.  "Whether
it be their efforts to deny civil rights to gays and lesbians, or to deny a
woman the right to control her body, we will expose their religious dogma for
what it is."

Those interested in finding out more about Equality Kansas are encouraged to
contact the organization at:  Equality Kansas; Post Office Box 116; Topeka,
KS 66601-0016, or call 316-269-0913 in Wichita, 913-587-0016 in Manhattan.