PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 28, 2002

ROANOKE 7 To March in New York Heritage Pride Parade

CONTACT: Eddie R. Ratliff, Executive Director
540-985-9400

Roanoke7, the anti-hate group founded in the wake of the Backstreet Cafe
shootings to support the survivors and preserve the memory of Danny Overstreet,
will March Against Hate on June 30th in the New York City Heritage Pride
Parade.

"The Roanoke community was forced to confront the issue of hate immediately
after the Backstreet shootings in a way not many communities have" says
Eddie Ratliff, executive director of the non-profit group.  The Nightline
series "A Matter of Choice" took the controversy and debate beyond Roanoke
to a national audience.  Because important elements pertaining to civil
rights and the hate crime issue were overshadowed by religious fervor in
the live town hall meeting, Roanoke 7 will continue to try to steer the
focus back to human rights and equality.

"Religious opposition and the constant badgering of minorities by those
wishing to impose their morality on others, is a root cause of hate and
encourages violence against gays and lesbians everywhere," says Ratliff.
 "We do not know whether sexuality is determined genetically, biologically,
environmentally, or a by combination of one of more of these factors.
A growing body of evidence suggests each of these may play some role. 

The real question should not have been Is it a matter of choice but rather,
why does it matter? "

For far too long, these issues have been framed in the debate over religion
and morality. The facts are one can be moral without being religious and
religious without being moral.  Our hope was that the Nightline series would
move us a step beyond that to an honest look at prejudice and discrimination.
 It is regrettable that so much of the series potential to educate was diluted
by such a narrow focus.  Religion is still no excuse for discrimination
and hiding behind a divinity degree and collar to promote intolerance and
bigotry is shameful.

The March Against Hate will allow hundreds of thousands of people to meet
some of the people of Roanoke that participated in the Nightline series
or were part of the Backstreet Cafe tragedy and the effort to make something
good come from it.   Most importantly, we will march in remembrance of Danny
Overstreet and call attention to the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act
(LLEEA), known as the Hate Crime Bill pending in the United States Senate
and being hamstrung in the Congress by right-wing opposition.

We invite the Roanoke community to join the march.  For those outside Roanoke,
we encourage you to march with us as allies in the struggle against hate.
The cost of accommodations for Saturday and Sunday night in NYC is less
than $300.   If you would like to be part of our group or sponsor the march,
please contact us at projects@roanoke7.com or call 540-985-9400.  The

deadline for your participation is June 12th.

Respectfully,
Eddie R. Ratliff


Roanoke7 (R7) is a not for profit organization that educates and advocates
for stronger, safer communities through anti-hate programs that advance
understanding of diversity and minorities. Out to Change (OTC) is a diversity
project of Roanoke7. R7 has filed for IRS 501(c)(3), tax exempt status.
To unsubscribe to R7 E-News, reply to this address with the word "Remove"
in the subject line. On the web at http://www.roanoke7.com