Date: Thu, 9 Jun 94 09:26:53 EDT
From: driscoll@wadsworth.ph.albany.edu (Jeff Driscoll)

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Tuesday June 14, 1994   1994 Empire State Pride Agenda Lobby Day
--->Albany, NY
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Hello all,

For those of you around here this summer, I thought you might like to know
about some of the political activity occuring in Albany that affects us:
The NY State Senate Bill S.1890, The Sexual Orientation Non-discrimination
Bill.

Now some background info from their literature and the agenda for Tuesday:

The Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Bill was passed by the State
Assembly for the second consecutive year on March 23, 1994. In 1993, after
months of lobbying and constituent pressure, the State Senate Majority met
behind closed-doors to discuss the bill. They decided not to allow the bill
to the Senate floor for a public debate and vote, effectively blocking the
democratic process. The State Senate Majority will meet again this year and
hold another behind closed doors conference to decide the fate of the bill.

The bill adds the words "sexual orientation" to the existing state law -no
new law is created. It will also provide legal recourse to lesbians and gay
men who are discriminated against in employment, housing, public
accommodations, education, and credit.

June 14th, 1994

9:30    -Registration and Check-in Begins--Legislative Office Building
        Hearing Room B, 2nd floor

10:30-11:30
        -Legislative Briefing, Legislative Office Building
        Hearing Room B, 2nd floor

Noon-12:30
        -Outdoor Rally
        West Capital Park (the park in front of the Capital where all the
street        vendors and state workers eat).*********At least try to make
it to this. Bring your friends, gay, straight, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender, whatever!).**************

12:30-3:00
        -Individual lobby visits to State Senators
        (Each person will be a part of a team to visit 3-4 area Senators)

1:00-3:00
        -Group Stragegy meetings on follow-up and organizing in senate
districts back home.

3:00    -Debriefing sessions on individual sessions.

3:30    -Planning Meeting for Statewide Organizing Conference--The Jim
Perry Leadership Institute.

4:30    -Buses depart Albany (for those coming in from out of town).

You can get involved too! This is the first time I will be lobbying or even
speaking to a state senator. If you don't feel up to that level of
committment, then please try to show up for the rally at noon. There will
be speakers and lunch (there is no plan for any active protest at this
rally so you don't have to worry about being hauled off to jail!).  The
Religious Wrong brought over 1000 people to lobby *against* the bill in
March. The Empire State Pride Agenda is expecting around 300 people.
Numbers speak in politics.

If you want more info or to register, call the Empire State Pride Agenda
office in Albany at:518-433-0134.  The woman running the show from there is
Sherri Savione. I can probably answer some basic questions if you email me.

On Tuesday, I'll be helping set-up in West-Capital park and then I'll be at
a table on the Concourse Level of the Empire State Plaza (the indoor level
with all the art). Stop by and say hi if you show up.

Jeff Driscoll