GAY AND LESBIAN ATHEISTS AND HUMANISTS
The Freethought Alternative
P.O. Box 34635, Washington, DC 20043-4635
www.galah.org

HAIDER AUDIENCE CONDEMNED

December 21, 2000
Contact person: Tom Klem
tomonroad@yahoo.com
www.galah.org

Gay and Lesbian Atheists and Humanists (GALAH) condemns the decision by Vatican leader John Paul II to grant an audience to the Austrian fascist Joerg Haider.

The decision by the Vatican head of state to try to legitimize someone notorious for his homophobia, racism, anti-Semitism, and admiration for Adolph Hitler is abhorrent. Wojtyla's action raises serious questions as to whether he really is interested in rectifying past actions of the Roman Catholic Church. This papal audience is in stark contrast with humanist values and creates a more hostile environment for people targeted by Haider's bigotry.

Wojtyla cannot provide political cover for himself by handing Haider a written anti-racist message. "By giving an audience to Haider, this pontiff is sending a racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, and fascist message to the entire world," said GALAH Vice-Chair Tom Klem.

However, GALAH recognizes that Wojtyla's actions in no way reflect the views of the majority of the world's Roman Catholics. The majority of the courageous protesters in Rome have been Roman Catholic. GALAH only asks when the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church will become as enlightened as the majority of the adherents of that faith?

Gay and Lesbian Atheists and Humanists GALAH is an organization with four main goals:

1. Support equal rights for lesbians, gays, transgenders, and bisexuals.

2. Educate people about atheism and humanism.

3. Support separation of church and state.

4. Provide freethinkers with opportunities to get to know each other.

In the fourteenth year of its existence, GALAH has a membership from over 20 states and the District of Columbia. GALAH has a monthly newsletter which, among other things, includes information on atheism and humanism, updates on the Religious Right, information about letter-writing campaigns to counter the fundamentalists, and other features. To find out more about GALAH, write to P.O. Box 34635, Washington, DC 20043-4635, email klem0@ibm.net or take a look at the GALAH web page at www.galah.org.

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