FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 5, 2000 CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 CANDACE GINGRICH TO SPEAK AT DRAKE APRIL 12 Candace Gingrich, a leading advocate for gay, lesbian and bisexual equal rights as well as the half-sister of former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, will speak at Drake University on Wednesday, April 12. Her speech, which will focus on activism, tolerance and the current and future state of the gay rights movement, will start at 8 p.m. in Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main, 26th Street and University Avenue. The event is free and open to the public as part of Drake's seventh annual Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Pride Week, April 10-14. Gingrich is manager of the National Coming Out Project for the Human Rights Campaign and a best-selling author in the gay and lesbian community. In her 1996 autobiography, "The Accidental Activist," Gingrich shares her insights along with the passion and wit that have made her one of the most popular lesbian speakers in America. Pride Week, which is sponsored by the Bisexual, Gay & Lesbian Alliance at Drake, begins Monday, April 10, with a panel discussion at 7 p.m. in Bulldog Theater in Olmsted Center, 29th Street and University Avenue. Other Pride Week events are: The Dating Game for gay and bisexual couples, 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 11, Bulldog Theater, Olmsted Center. A Drag Show, 8 p.m. Thursday, April 13, ballroom of Morehouse Residence Hall, 28th Street and University Avenue. Admission is $1 per person. A Gay Mock Wedding, 3 p.m. Friday, April 14, Bulldog Theater in Olmsted Center. For more information, call the Drake Student Life Center at (515) 271-3711.