AAI PRESS RELEASE: January, 15 2004
[for immediate distribution as news report, letter or commentary]

Ann Druyan Joins Stars of Freethought
to Focus on the Real Family

Author-producer Ann Druyan will receive the prestigious Richard Dawkins award as one of the world's outstanding atheists at the AAI convention, April 9-11 in Colorado Springs. Druyan, perhaps best known for her collaboration with her late husband Carl Sagan in such works as the Cosmos television series and the movie Contact, is highly accomplished in her own right, as the founder of Cosmos Studios and sole author of many articles and the novel Famous Broken Heart. She is director of the New York Children's Health Fund, which provides mobile pediatric care to homeless and disadvantaged children, and is vice chair of the board of directors for the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws.

She joins on the program those previously announced, comedienne Julia Sweeney, biologist Massimo Pigliucci, and activist Ed Buckner. More recently added are founders of the Bright movement Mynga Futrell and Paul Geisert, Internet Infidels Public Relations Director Clark Adams and anthropologist David Eller. Likely but not confirmed at press time are Bengali writer Taslima Nasrin and to present the award, the world's most renowned atheist, Richard Dawkins.

The theme Focus on the Real Family, refers to one of many religious organizations based in Colorado Springs, Focus on the Family. In their version of the family, homosexuals can be "cured," "the rod and reproof give wisdom," to the difficult child, as the Old Testament explains, and bringing an unwanted child into the world is preferable to abortion. Though not every talk will concentrate on family issues, many will. In keeping with the theme, there are programs for all ages.

Cost for the weekend is $175, including all five meals, for registrations received before February 15, After that it is $185.  Full-time students under 25 get the program free, but if they want to take meals with the group, they must pay $75. The hotel is offering single or double occupancy rooms for a special rate of $59 per night. If this newsletter does not have a registration form, your group should have one. You may register by credit card on line at atheistalliance.org.


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