PRESS ADVISORY
CONTACT: MELINDA SHELTON, 767; JULIE BANKS, 775
WHO: LPGA golfer Muffin Spencer-Devlin, who recently came out publicly as a lesbian
WHAT: Will receive a "Woman of Courage" award from NOW President Patricia Ireland and Action Vice President Rosemary Dempsey
WHEN: Friday, March 29, at the NOW Equality PAC fund-raiser,"Party with a Purpose," at 9 p.m., featuring Cable Ace Award-winning comedian Suzanne Westenhoefer and the band Halcyon
WHERE: at the Wyndham Palm Springs Ballroom, Palm Springs, Calif.
"Muffin Spencer-Devlin demonstrated immense courage in publicly coming out," said NOW President Patricia Ireland. "By speaking out proudly about her personal life, Ms. Spencer-Devlin moves us closer to the day when no woman in sports need fear media or sponsorship backlash to assertions, whether true or not, that she is a lesbian."
"Former CBS golf commentator Ben Wright severely wronged professional women golfers last year with his caustic comments against lesbians, and Muffin Spencer-Devlin bravely stood her ground," said NOW Action Vice President Rosemary Dempsey. "She's a true leader in this sport and a great role model for all athletes, especially women and girls."
Proceeds from the NOW Equality PAC fund-raiser will be used to elect progressive, feminist candidates to state and local positions and fund ballot measure campaigns. The event is part of NOW's 1996 Equality Countdown Campaign, which includes the April 14 Fight the Right March in San Francisco. For more information, contact Melinda Shelton or Julie Banks at the NOW Press Office, (202)628-8669, Ext. 767/775.