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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Contact:  Kelly McHughe 804-233-8801
JUNE 30, 1994

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation/Richmond OUTpost Responds to
Virginia Governor's Homophobic Remarks

Richmond, Virginia - In his remarks during  the radio call in show "Ask
Governor Allen" broadcast via the Virginia News Network on Tuesday June 28,
Virginia governor George Allen asserted his position that gay and lesbian
parenting is "unnatural" and contrary to the best interest of children.  The
governor went on to state his general aversion to gay and lesbian people in
general, and that he is concerned about his child "even seeing the news of
some of these things here, thinking that, this is acceptable behavior.  I
don't think this is acceptable behavior...and as a matter of government
policy I don't think we should condone that sort of behavior."

Allen also remarked that "It's against the criminal law in Virginia, that
homosexual acts are illegal, and I think should stay illegal."

The Richmond OUTpost of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
deplores these homophobic remarks on the part of Governor Allen.  Kelly
McHughe, coordinator for GLAAD/Richmond OutPost responded "It is very sad
that in an era when people are trying to educate themselves about gays and
lesbians someone like Governor Allen can refuse to acknowledge our equal
rights as citizens of this state."  McHughe continued "I also find it
objectionable that the Governor sees himself as fit to pass moral judgment on
Virginia's gay and lesbian citizens when his own personal ethics are so base
as to use his position to harass an already oppressed minority."

The Richmond OUTpost of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
is dedicated to confronting public expressions of homophobia and heterosexism
and to providing more fair, accurate, and diverse representations of lesbian
and gay men's lives.  The Richmond OUTpost is part of a national network of
GLAAD chapters and OUTposts.

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