======================================
People For the American Way Action Fund Press Release
June 5, 1997--Immediate Release
CONTACT: David Elliot, Dave Cour,
Christopher Gould, Delisa Saunders (202) 467-4999
======================================

PEOPLE FOR THE AMERICAN WAY ACTION FUND CONDEMNS ANTI-GAY FLIER IN MICHIGAN SCHOOL DISTRICT

People For the American Way Action Fund strongly condemns an anti-gay flier posted on the streets of Wayne County, Mich., that used slurs to attack Patricia Brown, president of the Wayne-Westland School Board. Brown is up for re-election June 9.

Brown has encountered opposition from religious conservatives and endured hateful personal assaults such as this because her school board unanimously approved a policy protecting students and staff from harassment based on their sexual orientation. Such hate and intolerance are an affront to the democratic principles this country was built on. They are not the American way.

"It is unfortunate, if predictable, that the people responsible for posting an offensive flier attacking Patricia Brown did so anonymously," said PFAWAF President Carole Shields. "Instead of openly airing their complaints against the school board's policy of protecting students' civil rights, these individuals launched a personal, offensive attack on an individual -- not because of anything she did, but simply because of who she is.

"Sadly, the authors of the flier are also wrong when they complain that they cannot discriminate against gay men and lesbians. Such bigotry is still quite legal in most states, and is one reason vile attacks such as this one can occur.

"At People For the American Way Action Fund, we believe this anti-gay incident shouldn't be seen in isolation. Intolerance fosters more extreme intolerance, and it therefore comes as no surprise to us that the Wayne-Westland School District is now being challenged by Religious Right opponents over a policy that seeks simply to protect gay students and employees from discrimination and harassment. This incident proves the need for that policy."

People For the American Way Action Fund has fought acts of intolerance and hate across the United States for 17 years. This month PFAW is publishing the 1997 edition of Hostile Climate, a state-by-state report on anti-gay activity. PFAW also publishes Attacks on the Freedom to Learn Online, a bimonthly newsletter on censorship in the nation's schools and libraries, and this fall will release a report on the Religious Right's attack on public education.

======================================
People For the American Way Action Fund | 202 467 4999
Fax: 202 293 2672 | 2000 M Street NW Suite 400, Washington DC 20036
| http://pfaw.org