"Ending discrimination based on sexual orientation is a family issue, and we are so grateful Betty DeGeneres will be driving that message home," said HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch. "She'll be encouraging gay people to come out and be honest, while also urging our fair-minded friends and family members to come out for equal rights."

As 1997-98 spokesperson, DeGeneres will appear in television and print public service announcements, and will speak throughout the country to promote honesty and openness about being gay or, as in her case, having a gay family member and supporting equal rights for gay people.

"As long as our gay sons and daughters face discrimination and are excluded from the basic protection of our laws, I will urge all American families to come out for fairness," said DeGeneres. "I am thrilled at this wonderful opportunity to talk with gay and straight Americans about the importance of coming out, because honesty truly is the best policy."

HRC's public education campaign featuring Betty DeGeneres will kick off in time for National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11, the observance 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 is an ongoing campaign to encourage and assist gay people to be honest about their lives; provide guidance to campus groups and individuals dealing with coming out; and sponsor National Coming Out Day events.

The selection of DeGeneres marks the first time the Human Rights Campaign has named a heterosexual to serve as a National Coming Out Project spokesperson. In past years, public figures chosen for that role were gay, and included Amanda Bearse of Fox-TV's "Married ... With Children," Candace Gingrich, Chastity Bono, Dan Butler of NBC's "Frasier" and Sean Sasser, formerly of MTV.

"The fact that Betty is a concerned mom underscores the point that ending discrimination based on sexual orientation is not just of interest to gay people," said Birch. "It's a family issue that all Americans have a stake in."

DeGeneres' daughter, Ellen, made history last April when she and the character she plays on her ABC sitcom "Ellen" both came out of the closet, becoming the first lead actor and character on network television to honestly acknowledge being gay.

During that April 30 coming out episode of "Ellen," HRC aired a ground-breaking television ad on 35 ABC affiliates throughout the country, spotlighting the fact that job discrimination based on sexual orientation remains legal in most states.

Birch emphasized the importance of coming out as a key element in the struggle for equal rights for gay Americans. Polls consistently show that Americans who say they know gay people are much more supportive of ending discrimination based on sexual orientation.

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian and gay political organization, with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that lesbian and gay Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.