Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Colorado vote enrages homosexuals Date: Sat, 7 Nov 92 19:23:58 EST Message-ID: \SE A;NATION \SS (WS) \HD Colorado vote enrages homosexuals \BY John Sanko and Gary Massaro \CR DENVER ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS \DT DENVER DENVER - Gov. Roy Romer's office is being flooded with calls by supporters of a new state constitutional ban on anti-discrimination laws that protect homosexuals. Nearly 2,000 calls poured into Mr. Romer's office in the wake of Tuesday's balloting. He also was deluged with questions about the issue Thursday during an appearance on KOA radio. "My position is that it's the law, and I will respect that and will abide by it until it's changed," Mr. Romer said after his talk-show appearance. "But I feel that it is wrong to ban our ability to outlaw discrimination." Supporters of Amendment 2 obviously weren't as convinced, particularly after a front-page photo in the Rocky Mountain News Thursday showed Mr. Romer and Denver Mayor Wellington Webb carrying "No on 2" signs in a protest outside the capitol. Amendment 2, which passed 53-47, changes the state constitution to prohibit state and local laws from granting protected status to homosexuals. Meanwhile, state tourism officials were answering phone calls from angry opponents of the measure. Colorado Tourism Board spokeswoman Deborah Milo Cornelius said her office received "a steady stream of calls from individuals and people representing groups that would normally come to Colorado, expressing disappointment, letting us know they won't include Colorado in plans for future vacations." [Some homosexual groups already are boycotting the state's tourism industry. A homosexual physicians' group said it would move its convention scheduled next August for Denver, the Associated Press reported. ["It's inconceivable to us to spend our money in a state that endorses discrimination against us," said Benjamin Schatz, executive director of the American Association of Physicians for Human Rights. [Fred Kohn, president of the International Gay Travel Association, said he has already begun discouraging clients from visiting the state. Mr. Kohn said his association includes agencies that handle $1 billion in annual travel spending. [Aspen's annual Gay Ski Week, which fills hotels and restaurants with more than 3,000 skiers, also is in jeopardy. ["I do not want to be punitive to the Aspen community, but I think the state of Colorado has to understand that they cannot get away with this kind of discrimination," said Los Angeles travel agent Robin Tyler, who helps publicize the ski weekend. [Will Perkins, a founder of Colorado for Family Values, which sponsored Amendment 2, said calls for boycotts are "a preposterous threat." [He also played down threatened lawsuits, saying the measure was deemed constitutional by lawyers and the state attorney general. ["There was no problem of constitutionality in it," he said. "Our objectives have never been to discriminate. Our position is that sexual orientation is not an acceptable criteria for special rights." [Homosexuals and lesbians held candlelight vigils and rallies this week to protest the vote, and said they would keep fighting. ["We're finding our voice. We're finding our feet. We will battle on," said Sue Anderson, head of the Colorado Gay and Lesbian Community Center.] Tom Cvar, Pueblo's director of public works, voted for Amendment 2 to head off what he perceives is a trend "toward giving homosexuals special rights, protected status." "I don't believe it was a hate amendment," said Mr. Cvar, who donated $50 to pass the amendment. Harold King of Denver said he knew exactly why he voted yes on Amendment 2. "Why don't you ever mention what the gays want? They want equal rights with minorities," Mr. King said. "They shouldn't have any more or any less rights than I do." Mr. Romer, meanwhile, called for a meeting Monday with representatives of business, tourism and the homosexual community to discuss "an affirmative program" so all sides understand each other better. "I don't favor special rights," Mr. Romer said. "I just don't want us to discriminate against somebody for being gay or lesbian. I think we must find a way to tolerate this kind of diversity. "I'm not going to ignore this law. I will abide by it. But I think it is wrong." * Distributed by Scripps Howard. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM