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Democratic Convention to Hear Elizabeth Birch Speak

First Leader of a National Gay Organization to Appear

Al Gore's Superior Record on Gay Issues to be Hailed

Compiled By GayToday

HRC's Elizabeth Birch

Los Angeles, California-- Elizabeth Birch, the Human Rights Campaign's Executive Director, will make history this evening as the first leader of a gay organization to speak at a national political convention.

The appearance of Birch in prime time at the Democratic National Convention highlights residential nominee Al Gore's commitment to diversity and his superior record on gay and lesbian issues, according to HRC officials.

Other openly gay and lesbian speakers include: Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc.; Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.; Juanita Owens, San Francisco school board member and candidate for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; Gloria Nieto, Democratic Committeewoman at-large from New Mexico, Executive Director of People of Color AIDS Foundation, in addition, she serves on the steering committee of the Coalition of Equality in New Mexico and on the board of the National Stonewall Democratic Federation; and Andy Tobias, National Treasurer for the Democratic National Committee.

Elizabeth Birch said: "This is an unprecedented opportunity to bring our issues into focus for the entire nation and show we are a vital part of the American family. This history making moment is a testament to Al Gore's commitment to our issues and shows the stark differences between the two candidates."

Birch's speech will focus on "healing the American family" and the Gore campaign's vision of inclusion for all people in this family. Birch will challenge America to embrace equality for all people, including gay and lesbian Americans.

She will also discuss how Gore's record demonstrates forward thinking leadership on gay and lesbian issues, while George W. Bush remains silent and mired in the past.

"Al Gore and Joe Lieberman have taken strong, courageous positions on behalf of equality," said Birch.

"The Democratic platform they support is a work of art in democracy, unambiguously supporting inclusion for every American. Unlike Bush and Cheney, they have never run for cover of silence."

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Human Rights Campaign

Democratic National Committee

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On nearly every issue, Gore is in agreement with the Human Rights Campaign. Gore supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would ban workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation. He is an outspoken supporter of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. He supports ending the ban against gay and lesbian service members that has led to increased discharges and violence. While in the administration, Gore has worked to end the AIDS epidemic both at home and abroad.

Meanwhile, on gay and lesbian issues Bush has either been silent or hostile, almost always siding with Bob Jones III, Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, says HRC. Bush opposes protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation. He supports a law that would ban gay people from adopting children.

Bush helped defeat a hate crime bill in Texas--even after the family of James Byrd Jr. - a Jasper, Texas man who was chained to the back of a truck and dragged to death--urged him to support the bill. He supports the continuation of the failed 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. On HIV/AIDS issues he has been virtually silent, hardly mentioning the topic, despite the fact that AIDS is a major problem affecting the lives of thousands of Texas residents.