HISTORIC NEW JERSEY GAY COUPLE
TO SPEAK AT INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Couple successful in legally overturning NJ State policy barring joint adoptions by gay couples, Continue to stand up and speak out for the best interests of their children and children everywhere.

TERRE HAUTE, IN - Jon and Michael Galluccio, the New Jersey couple who made history by successfully contesting a New Jersey State policy barring joint adoptions by unmarried couples in December of 1997, and by jointly adopting their son, Adam, will be bring their personal story to the students, faculty and guests of ISU.

Their timely presentation entitled "Building A Family: A Human Right" is sponsored by ISU's Union Board Forums. This event is scheduled to foster awareness of the many issues facing the bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender community at the college, local and national levels when building a family.

Jon and Michael's presentation will cover intimate and personal accounts of their lifetime journey. Together for over 16 years, Jon (35) and Michael (36) weave their story from childhood to the present. With a focus on equality for all, they share stories including coming out in college as Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity brothers, religion, discrimination in the workplace and most importantly fatherhood and their legal battle to obtain it.

The right for gay and lesbian citizens to participate in foster care and adoption is being challenged in Indiana as well as twelve other states. They believe visibility of their family and of families like theirs is a solution to bridging the gap between misconception and the truth about gay parents.

Jon states, "Plain and simple, Rep. Charles "Woody" Burton (R-Greenwood) is dead wrong about families like ours. Our family poses no threat to anyone, it only provides a loving nurturing home for our children." "By sharing our lives and the lives of our children with the people of Indiana, we hope to expose and identify the multitude of things we have in common rather than solely focus on the one issue that is used politically to divide us," added Michael.

WHERE: INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY - HULMAN MEMORIAL STUDENT UNION Terre Haute, Indiana 47809

WHEN: THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1999 at 7:30 PM

CONTACT: Sarah Hadley at ISU: (812) 237-3827
Jon and Michael Galluccio will be available before and after their presentation for questions or photos. They may also be reached prior to the event at (201) 679-4645 or family@galluccio.com

For more information on The Galluccio Family try www.galluccio.com. Family photo available upon request.
For information on GLBT issues in Indiana contact Sean Lemieux of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union Project for Equal Rights at (317) 635-4059 ext.227

Since the unprecedented ruling in New Jersey, Jon and Michael continue building their family, which now includes three children. Their son Adam (3) and two foster daughters, Madison (2) and Rosa (16) whom they hope to adopt as well. They continue their educational work with groups including The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF).