HOW Mission Statement
               
The mission of Washington Citizens For Fairness is to affirm 
Washington State's tolerance and diversity. To educate and 
act against prejudice and discrimination . To form a coalition 
to fight attack on  the civil rights of targeted groups; whether 
lesbian, gay men and bisexuals, or any other people. To 
anticipate our opponents, to reach out to diverse 
communities, to take action and be a voice united, and to be 
a vehicle through which others may express their support 
and take action.

History
Late in 1992 concerned Lesbians , Gay men and supportive 
friends began meeting to discuss the anti-gay Measure 9 
sponsored by the Oregon Citizens Alliance and the threat by 
OCA leader Lon Mabon to bring his campaign to Washington 
state. They incorporated Washington Citizens for Fairness as 
a non -profit political committee in November of 1992 to 
organize against the threat. 

WCF started the Hands Off Washington Campaign to create 
a broad based coalition supporting equal rights for all people 
and to oppose any efforts to legislate discrimination in our 
state. HOW is setting up local affiliates, as well as 
professional, trade and special interest councils.  Early 
groups have been formed by booksellers, teachers, member 
of the deaf community, and in cities around the state.

Now we are organizing and education, prepatory to the 
actual "campaign   " we expect to begin in late "93 or early 
'94. Mabon is planning a three state  coordinated campaign 
with initiatives in  Oregon, Idaho and Washington on the 
1994 ballot. An opportunity exists now to organize without 
the pressures and distortion of a political campaign - to 
establish clear lines of communication between local groups 
and the central campaign office and have "one voice" with a 
consistent message across the state.

We need to pace ourselves, understanding where the effort 
is (education and organization)  and where it is going, so we 
don't lose people who expect a "campaign" now. To support 
education and organizing efforts on the state and local levels 
HOW is working to:
   *Provide volunteer orientations
   *establish Speakers Bureaus to provide speaker at events
   *Create and Compile Lists/Databases and create phone trees
   * Seek out Endorsements of organizations and individuals
   *Set up letter writing committees
   * Raise money for the campaigns
   * Register voters
WCF is endorsed by:  Gov. Mike Lowry, State Land 
Commissioner Jennifer Belcher, Rep. Cal Anderson, Rep. 
Gary Locke, Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, Spokane Mayor  
Sharon Bernard, Rev. Robert Jeffrey,  Seattle  city council, 
WA State Labor Council, WA state Human Rights 
Commission, American Jewish Committee, and the March on 
Washington.

POB  4828
Seattle, WA   98104
206-233-1932
Fax  206-233-1949