LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Barney Speaks Frankly on Enda |
Barney Frankly on ENDA, an award-winning short film now being distributed nationwide as a Public Service Announcement (PSA), has appeared at gay and lesbian film festivals from Honolulu to Tucson to Hartford, on public access TV in major markets, and in various other venue. The Barney Frankly on ENDA Film and Video Project is continuing its wide distribution of the piece. Narrated by former U.S. Rep. Pat Schroeder (D-Colo.) and featuring openly gay Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), the 3-minute PSA addresses the Employment Non- Discrimination Act (ENDA), which was originally defeated in Congress by a single vote in the fall of 1996. Rep. Frank asks gay men and lesbians, as well as supporters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, to contact Congressional representatives and urge them to fight for the passage of ENDA. The legislation is designed to protect people from discrimination in the workplace based on their sexual orientationa basic civil liberty which is as-yet-lacking on a federal level. Bill Corey, Co-Producer of the PSA, said, "We strongly urge anyone with the ability to help disseminate this critical information to do so." Copies of the PSA are being distributed free of charge by the not-for-profit Barney Frankly on ENDA Film and Video Project. "The exigency of the distribution of this piece cannot be understated. On November 3, Americans will elect new leaders across the country, and it is critical that we as a nation and community fight to ensure just representation of our peoples. The time is upon us to act responsibly and fight to establish basic, equal rights for all Americans. Passing ENDA would provide just such a guarantee." In the PSA, Rep. Frank notes that conservative organizations such as the National Rifle Association (NRA) have had a history of effectively organizing community members in lobbying and other political efforts. Rep. Frank says, "The key will be, do the gay men and lesbians, and the people who love us and care for us, care more about ending bigotry than the bigots care about perpetuating it. If you ask the average Member of Congress today, he or she has heard more from the bigots who want to perpetuate the bigotry, than from those of us who want to oppose it." Shortened real time audio and video versions of the PSA, as well as information on ordering free videotapes and flyers, are on-line at: http://members.aol.com/barneyenda. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 8, No. 14, October 16, 1998. |