Gays in the military, same-gender marriage, employment non-discrimination, hate crimes and other issues have already made headlines and attracted the opposition or support of presidential candidates. But perhaps no event will capture the controversy more than the 1996 Republican National Convention this August, when thousands of activists from around the nation converge in San Diego to make their voices heard and challenge attacks from religious political extremists threatening to dominate the Convention.
LGBT VOICES '96 (Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Voters Organized In Coalition for the Elections) is an ad hoc group formed to coordinate local political, educational and cultural activities at the Republican Convention. L/G/B/T VOICES '96 will work in coalition with other groups at the convention to challenge the scapegoating of gays, people of color, immigrants, and others for the country's economic and social woes, and respond to attacks on affirmative action, abortion rights and welfare. Events now being planned include rallies, protests, town meetings, cultural events, and much more. Never before has the g/l/b/t community organized a campaign of this magnitude in response to a national political convention, says L/G/B/T VOICES '96 organizers.
L/G/B/T VOICES '96 will hold a rally featuring local and national figures to kick off its convention campaign.
WHAT: A community rally and media event to kick off VOICES '96 GOP Convention efforts and announce platform issues, convention plans, other activities.
WHERE AND WHEN: Tuesday, April 16, 7p.m.-to-8:30 p.m., outdoors at the San Diego Lesbian and Gay Men's Community Center, 3916 Normal St., in the Hillcrest neighborhood.
WHO: The rally will feature Chris Kehoe, openly lesbian San Diego city council member; Melinda Paras, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Maria Mendez, March For Social and Economic Justice; Alex Garner and Russell Roybal, gay youth activists; Daniel Zingale , Human Rights Campaign, and David Tochi, San Diego Log Cabin Club. The event will be emceed by Brenda Schumacher and Tony Valenzuela, co-chairs of L/G/B/T VOICES '96. San Diego's Finest Freedom Dixieland Band will perform.
L/G/B/T VOICES '96 is a progressive effort committed to organizing gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people at the Republican Convention and to building coalitions with other communities working for social change. L/G/B/T VOICES '96 is convened by San Diegans working with national gay and lesbian movement activists. For more information call Brenda Schumacher at (619)298-4916 in San Diego.
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