HISTORIC NEW JERSEY GAY COUPLE TO SPEAK AT MUHLENBERG COLLEGE
Couple successful in legally overturning state policy barring joint adoptions by gay couples, Stand up and speak out, in the name of their children and children everywhere.

ALLENTOWN, PA - 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 Muhlenberg College.

This presentation is the highlight of BGLAD (Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian Allies for Diversity) Week, a weeklong series of events, sponsored by Rainbow Space and Muhlenberg College. These events are scheduled to foster awareness and educate the public of the many issues facing the bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender community at the college, local and national levels.

Jon and Michael's keynote address 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.

With the right for gay and lesbian citizens to participate in foster care and adoption being challenged in over twelve states right now, they believe visibility of their family and of families like theirs is a solution to bridging the gap between ignorance and understanding.

Jon states, "What people don't understand, they are fearful of. Our family poses no threat to anyone, it only provides a loving nurturing home for our children." "By sharing our lives with others, we hope to expose and identify the links we have in common with our fellow man rather than solely focus on the issues that are used to divide us," added Michael.

WHERE: MUHLENBERG COLLEGE - SEEGERS UNION
2400 Chew Street, Allentown, PA 18104-5586
WHEN: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1999 at 7:30 PM
CONTACT: Kelly Cannon, Rainbow Space Advisor at Muhlenberg College (610) 821-3602 or at rainbow@munlenberg.edu

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 the Lehigh Valley contact Liz Bradbury of PA-GALA (Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Alliance for Political action at (610) 432-5449

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).