A Blinding Flash of the Obvious Named “Best of the Fest” at Breckenridge Film Festival

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 2, 2006

Contact: Drew Courtney or Josh Glasstetter at People For the American Way Foundation

Email: [email protected]

Phone Number: 202-467-4999

A Blinding Flash of the Obvious: A Film About Fairness And How It Was Won was named “Best of the Fest” in the GLBT category at the upcoming Breckenridge Film Festival. The film, produced by People For the American Way Foundation (PFAWF) as part of its Focus on Fairness campaign, tells the story of the nation’s only pro-gay ballot victory in 2004. That November, the voters of Cincinnati voted decisively to repeal an eleven-year-old amendment to the city charter that discriminated against gays and lesbians.

“Being awarded this honor is extremely exciting,” said Rev. Steven Baines, Director of Interfaith Outreach at PFAWF and producer of the film. “The campaign to bring fairness to Cincinnati was a tremendously heartening experience. It’s wonderful that that experience could be captured in this film.”

Citizens to Restore Fairness (CRF), the Cincinnati group that led the effort to repeal the discriminatory charter provision approved by voters in 1993, built a successful campaign by seeking and getting active participation of elected officials as well as leaders in the African American, business, and religious communities.

“The good news from Cincinnati was a beacon in the darkness of Election Day 2004 for supporters of fairness and equality,” said PFAWF President Ralph G. Neas. “The fairness campaign proved that success is never out of reach, and it should serve as a model for people everywhere who are working to make their communities and their country more fair. I’m proud that our organization can help to spread that message.”

A Blinding Flash of the Obvious: A Film About Fairness and How It Was Won will appear at film festivals and screenings across the country. The film will also be distributed nationwide at training sessions and through pro-fairness organizations. More information is available at www.FocusOnFairness.com.