"A new generation of leaders in our movement is emerging, and we have a responsibility to help them prepare for the challenges ahead," said HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch. "Young Americans are an increasingly powerful force working to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, and conferences like these help open up the movement so they can make an even bigger difference for all of us."

Information about the conferences can be found through HRC's website on a special page (http://www.hrc.org/hrc/youth/yconf.html) that links to each of the conference sites, or by calling HRC's National Coming Out Project toll-free at (800) 866-6263.

Hundreds of students from throughout the country are expected to participate in the conferences, which are scheduled as follows:

Northeast: Fourth Annual Northeastern Regional Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Student Leadership Conference, to be held at the University of Southern Maine in Portland, Feb. 20-22, 1998.

Southeast: Seventh Annual Southeastern Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered College Conference, to be held at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Feb. 13-15, 1998.

West: University of California Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Association Ninth Annual Conference, to be held at the University of California in Santa Cruz, Feb. 6-8, 1998.

HRC is providing promotional and conference planning assistance to the events' organizers. HRC leaders will also deliver keynote addresses at each of the events -- with Birch speaking at the Western conference, HRC National Field Director Donna Red Wing addressing the Northeastern event and HRC Legislative Director Winnie Stachelberg delivering remarks at the Southeastern conference.

The Human Rights Campaign's National Coming Out Project is an ongoing program to empower lesbian and gay Americans to help end discrimination by being honest about their orientation, while encouraging straight Americans to come out as supporters of equal rights for gay people. National Coming Out Day, observed every Oct. 11, was created in 1988 to recognize the importance of coming out and to honor the anniversary of the 1987 march on Washington for lesbian and gay equal rights. HRC's National Coming Out Project provides guidance to campus groups and individuals dealing with coming out; and sponsors National Coming Out Day events.