From: klotz@lclark.edu (Gretchen Klotz)
Newsgroups: soc.motss
Subject: Re: Fear of Success (was Re: Oregon poll)
Date: 9 Oct 92 20:45:07 GMT
Article-I.D.: lclark.1992Oct9.204507.8082
Organization: Lewis & Clark College, Portland OR

In article <1992Oct9.185358.3450@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> jmp8p@fermi.clas.Virginia.EDU (Jeannine Marie Pinto) writes:
>
>Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think all too much emphasis has been put on
>the status of Measure 9.  

You're wrong.  OR:9 and CO:2 are test cases for other right-wing hate
groups across the country.  If either of them wins, it will open the
floodgates.  Your state could be next...  And here in Oregon, we will wait
to see what else they will do to us, and which other groups will be added
on their "no special rights" list.  Please refer to books on the rise of
Hitler and Nazism.  The parallels will shock you.

>As I see it, it's not likely to pass. 

Again, THAT'S A RUMOR UNTIL ALL THE VOTES ARE COUNTED.  Please trust us on
this one - we thought so in '88, and we were wrong then.  We cannot afford
to take victory for granted.  And even if we win, it's only the battle,
not the war. 

>But
>that doesn't mean there's no reason for concern.  

I'm glad you're concerned.  Some of us here are terrified.  Some of us
here are dead.

>If what I've seen
>here on the network and in the news is any indication, the campaign
>itself has provided the rally-cry for gay bashers. 

That is true.  In fact, people have already died here as a result of a
feeling of confidence among neo-Nazis (and others) that Measure 9 will
pass.  The neo-Nazis are already threatening an increase of violence if it
passes. 

>Even if Measure 9 
>goes "down in flames" on November 3, the anti-gay cause has probably 
>been strengthed by this campaign. It's probably brought people together 
>who share a hatred of difference, increased the ranks of organizations 
>like OCA, empowered some who felt alone and helpless.  The KKK
>operates on the assumption that any publicity, even "negative"
>publicity, reaches some people who are open to their message. That's
>probably true with OCA and related organizations as well.  The trouble
>of Measure 9 may not go away when Measure 9 itself does.

We know that all too well here in Oregon.  If you've been reading
carefully, you will have noticed that this is their 3rd statewide campaign
here.  I am already asking myself what I can do to replace the hate and
fear in the OCA with love and kindness, no matter what happens with
Measure 9.  I don't intend to fight on their terms for the rest of my
life. 

Measure 9 has also strengthened our side.  We have won some new friends
and supporters, and older friends have spoken out for the first time.  It
is affirming to see how many people understand this as a basic human
rights issue, and are taking the risk to support us when they might remain
silent because they're not homosexual. 

>I hope, of course, that I'm wrong.

Alas, you are right on this one.  I invite you to Oregon to see for
yourself that things are extremely serious *now*.  You can talk to the
people who have had their property vandalized, who have been run off the
road, who have been taunted and insulted, who have been attacked
physically.  Unfortunately, you cannot talk to those who have been killed.

Jeannine, please take this seriously.  If nothing else, lend us your
psychic support.  Do not minimize our struggle.

- Gretchen
-- 
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"Love is like the Universe, No reason to exist, But here it is!"
			     - Linda Waterfall, "Love Out of Nowhere"