MEDIA ADVISORY FEBRUARY 10, 1998
NATIONAL PHOTO EXHIBIT:
LOVE MAKES A FAMILY: LIVING IN LESBIAN AND GAY FAMILIES
AT STATE CAPITOL, FEBRUARY 10 - 14

The national touring photo exhibit "Love Makes A Family: Living in Lesbian and Gay Families" is on display in the 1st floor rotunda area of the Iowa State Capitol through Saturday, February 14, 1998, when it will move to Plymouth Congregational Church, 42nd Street and Ingersol Ave., Des Moines, through March 1, 1998. The public is invited to view the exhibit at either location.

In this exhibit, photographs depict a variety of families of all races with gay or lesbian moms, dads, grandparents, and/or teenagers. Text from interviews done with family members accom-panies each photograph. Together, the words and the images show the strength, support, and love within these families.

"At a time when our families are devalued and under constant attack by others, this exhibit helps open eyes to the worth of all of Iowa's Families," said Bill Crews, Director of the All Iowa Families project. "Families with gay and lesbian members in Iowa are hard working, law abiding, tax paying citizens who deserve the support and protection other families receive."

"Many gay and lesbian families must struggle not only with the obstacles all families face, but must do so without any societal support and in fact must do so with many people openly hostile to the concept of equality under the law for our families," Crews added.

Studies around the country consistently show children raised by lesbian or gay parents are just as healthy and well adjusted as those raised by other parents. The recent Minnesota Family Strength Project found that gay and lesbian families tended to score most consistently as the healthiest and strongest of family structures.

The exhibit is on display at the capitol with the hopes of educating legislators and the public on the need to value and strengthen ALL Iowa families not just those who fit the image of the individual legislator's family or his or her religious ideal of a family.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT BILL CREWS 515.482.3672 Bill will be available at the Capitol on Thursday Feb. 12, which is National Freedom to Marry Day, for interviews.

TO BRING THE EXHIBIT TO YOUR COMMUNITY, SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY, PRIDE FEST, CONFERENCE, PLACE of WORSHIP, WORKPLACE, etc., please email Family Diversity Projects at famphoto@aol.com

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