|
Many PrideFest America symposia address aspects
of these topics:
1. Politics: The Gay Vote.
How has the gay vote grown into a formidable high-turnout
constituency? What is the expected impact of the
gay vote in future elections?
2. Politics: Gays and the
Republican Party. How has this relationship developed
over the ten years, and where is it headed?
3. Corporate Sponsors: Beer,
Banks and Baby Bell. How does the growth of major
corporate sponsorships of PrideFest America reflect
on strides made by the gay community?
4. Corporate Sponsors: PrideFest
America Sponsors. Which major corporations and
groups are sponsoring PrideFest America and why?
5. Hate Crimes: Federal Hate
Legislation. What happened to including homosexuals
in this bill, and what did PrideFest America say
about it?
6. Hate Crimes: State Hate
Crime Legislation. Which states have hate crime
laws protecting homosexuals?
7. Hate Crimes: State Reaction
to Hate Crimes. How have state governments reacted
to hate crime murders in their states? Perhaps
compare this response with responses to other
egregious acts of violence (Columbine massacre,
for example).
8. Youth Issues: Teen Suicide.
How many gay teenagers see no other alternative
to being gay except suicide? Reporters could examine
the harassment of gay teens and draw from the
PFA National Youth Panel.
9. Teens: Teen Involvement.
What are gay and gay-friendly teenagers doing
to raise awareness and tolerance of gay issues?
10. Gay Marriage: Vermont
Supreme Court Decision. What does this decision
mean to same-sex couples in Vermont, and what
is the status of this ruling? What does it mean
outside of Vermont?
11. Gay Marriage: State Laws.
How many states have laws prohibiting same-sex
marriage? What's next in these states?
12. Civil Rights: Growing
Minority. What is the status of the campaign to
uphold and protect the civil rights of GLBT Americans?
How does the movement for GLBT citizens' civil
rights compare with the civil rights movement
of the '60s.
13. Gay Parenting: Adoption.
How difficult is it for gay couples to adopt,
and what are common obstacles in the process?
14. Gay Parenting: Lesbian
Motherhood. Do lesbian mothers-to-be receive the
same level of personal care and treatment from
their doctors as their straight counterparts?
15. Parenting: Straight Parents,
Gay Kids. What commonly happens when the child
of straight parents comes out? How many families
deal with this issue, and what are some common
experiences?
16. Religion: Gayness and
the Church. Where do major religions stand on
gay issues like gay marriage, and what controversies
have developed from these stances? An interesting
angle might be to highlight clergy taking on the
church.
17. Religion: Gayness and
the Bible. What does the Bible really say about
being gay?
18. Religion: Tolerance. Which
religions or denominations tolerate homosexuality?
19. Workplace: Same-Sex Partner
Benefits. What percentage of states offer benefits
to the same-sex partners of state employees? What
percentage of private sector companies offer benefits
to same-sex partners of employees? Is the Fortune
500 more progressive than the 50 state governments,
for instance?
20. Workplace: Protection
from Discrimination. Which states offer legal
protection from discrimination against homosexuals
in the workplace?
21. Workplace: Being Gay at
Work. Can you be fired for being gay or lesbian?
22. Gays in the Military:
Don't Ask, Don't Tell. What is the future of this
policy, and what role will it play in the upcoming
federal elections?
23. America and the World:
How does the U.S. rate in terms of legal acceptance,
protection and tolerance of homosexuals compared
with its peers in the Western industrialized world?
24. History of PrideFest America:
What is PrideFest America, where did it come from,
how has it grown, and who is behind it?
Back to Press
Room
|
