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by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Launches "Celebrating Our Families" Tour

The NGLTF has launched a tour entitled "Celebrating Our Families: The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Families Tour." The fifteen city tour which started in Toledo, OH in Mar. portrays family issues in the struggle for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender civil rights.

Kerry Lobel, Director of the Task Force, stated, "Anticipating the forthcoming Hawaii marriage ruling, we must be prepared.

Therefore, in a pro-active manner, we will continue our quest for equality-on all fronts. More than ever before, we will focus on the areas of parenting, custody, adoption and foster care, domestic partnership, and schools. We will continue to work for the day when our families will be afforded the same rights and sense of security which our friends and neighbors enjoy."

Hostile attacks against GLBT families have escalated in state legislatures across the country. Of these bills, well over half (66%) relate to family issues. Twenty states have introduced anti-Gay family measures this year. Kansas and Oregon have initiated strong attacks against GLBT families.

At each stop, the Tour will feature Kerry Lobel and other representatives from the Task Force as well as local organizers and activists on GLBT family issues. The Task Force will also supply various organizing materials and fact sheets.

The Tour has visited Toledo, OH; Boston, MA; Charleston, WV; Providence, RI and Philadelphia, PA. On May 18, the Tour will return to Ohio starting with Cincinnati and moving on to Columbus.

Other Tour sites include Lexington, KY on May 20; Evansville, IN on May 21; New York, NY on May 27; Indianapolis, IN on June 11; Cleveland, OH-TBA; Wilmington, DE-TBA; Oakland, CA-TBA; and Alameda, CA-TBA.

Organizations interested in co-hosting the Tour and Families Town Forum should contact Tracey Conaty at 202.332.6483 ext. 3303. This would be a wonderful addition to the New Orleans Pride activities or the new location of LGCCNO in the Fall.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has worked to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people at the local, state and national level since its inception in 1973. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society.

Visit the web site at www.ngltf.org/press/families.html.

Rainbow Express At Pensacola's
Memorial Weekend 98'

The largest beach party in the South for Gays and Lesbians will be held Memorial Weekend, May 22 - 26, at Pensacola beach where more than 50,000 Gays are expected.

The scantly clad boys & girls glistening in the hot weekend sun smelling like cocoa oil, show off their creative skills transforming Pensacola beach into a wonderful & colorful tent city that would bring tears of delight to any stylish queen's eyes!!

DeltaDyke Productions, along with wonderful sponsors, have worked very hard to make this year's event even more user friendly, by renting two buses-the Rainbow Express-for transportation to the beach from pickup/drop off points in the downtown p'cola area. There, you will transfer to one of the three trolleys at Casino beach, which will take you anywhere on the beach you would like to go & the price is right-FREE !!!

You will be able to go from the beach, hotels & bars with no worry of getting stuck in traffic or sand or having to pay a fortune for a tow or giving the State of Florida money for a DUI ticket.

The Rainbow Express will run from 7am to 6pm & from 8pm to 4am. The 3 trolleys will stay on the beach while the buses run back & forth from Pensacola hotels, bars & businesses. During the day & at night you will be able to party worry-free because the Rainbow Express will continue to run to the bars & parties at night as well.

You will be able to bring your beach gear on the buses/trolleys. For those of you who want to set up tents early in the am, you can drive your cars to the beach; unload, then park your car at the Casino beach parking lot & hop the trolley back down. You will feel secure knowing your car is in a safe place and close enough should you need it-without the hassle you have had in the past.

The Rainbow Express will be flying pride flags & have A/C so you won't sweat unless you feel your temp rising by the hot men or women next to you!! There will be portapots & dumpsters in parking lots along the Gulf Island National Seashore parking lots.

Jerry Eubanks of the National Seashore & his staff have done a great job on rebuilding the beach (after several natural disasters). While in Pensacola please visit the sponsors of the Rainbow Express & let them know how you feel about this new service. Enjoy your Memorial weekend & remember please play safe& have fun!!!!

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