From: "PFAW Press" <presslst@pfaw.org>

To: "PFAW Press" <presslst@pfaw.org>

Subject: People For the American Way Foundation Responds to AFA's Anti-Ga

Date sent: Mon, 12 Jan 1998 16:10:49 +0000

Send reply to: pfaw@pfaw.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 8, 1997

CONTACT: Will Heyniger, Delisa Saunders

(202) 467-4999

People For the American Way Foundation

Responds to AFA's Anti-Gay Bigotry

People For the American Way Foundation researchers today intercepted a

listserv email from the American Family Association to its online

supporters, commending the Cayman Islands for its decision to ban a

gay cruise ship from docking at its port. People For the American Way

Foundation President Carole Shields Friday issued the following

statement in response to the AFA's attack on gays and lesbians:

"The American Family Association's outrageous statement commending

the Cayman Islands' government for practicing bigotry exposes the

hateful core of Religious Right efforts to vilify gays and lesbians.

We hear over and over again from the right wing that they object to

`special rights' for gays and lesbians. What we have here is a case

of unbridled hatred that has nothing to do with any campaign for

civil rights legislation or any other legal consideration. The AFA's

attack comes at a time when Religious Right organizations are working

in overdrive to raise money by bashing gays and lesbians. Instead, we

should all be working together to build an American community that has

respect for all of its members, including gays and lesbians. I hope

every American who believes in compassion and justice will reject the

AFA's support for bigotry."

The following is the AFA's statement regarding the Cayman Island's

decision:

AFA APPLAUDS CAYMAN ISLANDS FOR UPHOLDING STANDARDS OF APPROPRIATE

BEHAVIOR BY TURNING AWAY SHIP WITH HOMOSEXUAL PASSENGERS

"American Family Association encourages subscribers to the AFA ACTION

ALERT to contact the government of the Cayman Islands at the

following address and offer support for their courageous stand

upholding a standard of appropriate behavior for their Islands by

turning away a ship with homosexual passengers.

"Attn. Ms. Angela Martin Hon. Thomas C. Jefferson Minister of

Tourism, Commerce and Transportation Government Administration

Building Grand Cayman Cayman Islands Telephone: 345/949-0623 Fax:

345/949-4053 Email: cscayman@candw.ky mailto:cscayman@candw.ky

"The brave decision to deny the Grand Cayman stop was made by Mr.

Thomas C. Jefferson who is Minister of Tourism, Commerce and

Transportation for the Cayman Islands.

"Homosexual rights activist groups are crying discrimination and

calling for a boycott of the Cayman Islands. Please take a moment and

thank Honorable Thomas C. Jefferson for his responsible stand."

People For the American Way Foundation is a 300,000-member

organization dedicated to defending civil rights; promoting the

democratic values of religious freedom, free speech and respect for

diversity; and developing a culture of opportunity and tolerance for

individual difference.

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People For the American Way Foundation

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Washington DC 20036

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