Date: Mon, 06 Apr 1998 23:55:12 +0100
From: jgh <jgh@intonet.co.uk>
Subject: Equality Alliance

		*** Equality Alliance ***

Action for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Human Rights


	'EQUALITY ALLIANCE' LAUNCHED ON 4TH April


	OVER 70 ORGANISATIONS VOTED IN UNANIMOUS SUPPORT
	OF A NEW NATIONAL COORDINATED OFFENSIVE
	FOR LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER HUMAN RIGHTS

	MAINSTREAM HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS JOIN FORCES TO END DISCRIMINATION

	Over 70 organisations relaunched the 'Campaign for Equality Standing Forum'
as the 'EQUALITY ALLIANCE' on Saturday 4th April at the Conway Hall, London.

	In an unprecedented turning point in the history of gay politics this decade,
over 70 national gay rights and international human rights organisations
have voted unanimously to coordinate their efforts and work together
in a new national offensive.  This historic moment marks a turning point
in the renewed anger at the unwillingness of the 'new' Labour Government
to repeal discriminatory laws.

	Organisations continue to join the alliance on a daily basis.
The EQUALITY ALLIANCE, now including Amnesty International (World-wide + UK),
Trade Unions and existing fora such as Scotland's Equality Network and the
Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association, together with the majority of
established national gay rights organisations, charities and trusts
now collectively represents over 6.1 million people.

	The EQUALITY ALLIANCE has 3 clear aims and objectives:
1. to apply maximum pressure on Government bodies and other institutions
	to end discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people;
2. to coordinate campaigning;
3. to increase intergroup communication.

	The EQUALITY ALLIANCE will initially focus the following high-priority issues:
· Human Rights Bill;
· Age of Consent and Sexual Offences;
· Section 28 and the Pride March;
· Employment Rights, Homophobic Hate Crimes and the Crime and Disorder Bill.

	A working group has been tasked to implement the agreed coordination structure,
which will facilitate proactive coordination and rapid response mobilisation
of groups and individuals as necessary.

	The EQUALITY ALLIANCE will no longer tolerate lesbian, gay, bisexual,
and transgender people being treated as second- and third-class citizens
in our modern society.  The Government and all members of political parties,
and institutions can therefore expect to be fought at every opportunity:
in Parliament, in court and on the streets by a new coordinated and powerful
movement.

	The EQUALITY ALLIANCE is therefore requesting a meeting with senior MP's
of all political parties in order to end discrimination on the grounds of
Sexual Orientation.

	Any organisation or individual can join the EQUALITY ALLIANCE
and help end the injustice and discrimination that we all face on a daily basis.

CONTACT THE EQUALITY ALLIANCE NOW -- 0171-231 5183.

For further information and a complete list of organisations within the
EQUALITY ALLIANCE please contact Ian Farmer, coordinator:

0171-231 5183 (home)
0171-446 7107 (office - press use only)

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Please feel free to disseminate this message in furtherance of equality.

This message has been circulated via the OutRage! mailing list;
and a copy of this message is on:
        http://www.OutRage.cygnet.co.uk/EquAll.htm
(OutRage! are just one of the many organisations supporting the Alliance.)

Thanks to a generous offer, the EQUALITY ALLIANCE
hope shortly to have a dedicated web site.

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