National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association to Examine "The Gay Factor" in Upcoming Elections

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:

Chip Lewis, 202-332-9521

National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association to Examine "The Gay Factor" in Upcoming Elections

NLGJA and National Press Club to Present "Newsmaker" Event on Oct. 25, 2006

WASHINGTON - The Washington, DC Chapter of the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) and the National Press Club will present "The Gay Factor: How Marriage Amendments and the Foley Fallout will Affect the Election," a mediabriefing at the National Press Club on Oct. 25 at 10:00 AM.

"Gay issues were already playing a role in the 2006 elections before the scandal around former Congressman Mark Foley erupted," said Matthew Berger, NLGJA Washington, DC Chapter President. "Now it's at the forefront. This briefing will examine the role the same-sex marriage amendments in six states and the Foley fallout will have on voters this November."

Panelists will include Jonathan Rauch, author of "Gay Marriage: Why it is Good for Gays, Good for Straights and Good for America;" Maggie Gallagher, President of the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy and a co-author of "The Case for Marriage;" and Bob Benenson, Politics Editor for Congressional Quarterly. The panel will be moderated by Geneva Overholser of the Missouri School of Journalism Washington Bureau.

NLGJA is an organization of journalists, media professionals, educators and students who work within the news industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBT issues. NLGJA opposes all forms of workplace bias and provides professional development to its members.