From: imp@boulder.parcplace.com (Warner Losh)
Subject: Re: Consenting Adults
Keywords: gays, Atlanta
Organization: ParcPlace Boulder
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 20:59:25 GMT

In article <BzJ4xA.9x4@cscns.com> astroman@cscns.com (Samuel Bryant) writes:
>Why all the fuss about Amendment 2 in CO.

Because it legalizes discrimination based on sexual orientation in
Boulder, Denver and Aspen.  It also sends a message that homosexuals
are not wanted or respected here.

>CO is a very progressive state and the people are very tolerant of
>different views.

Unless you are a homosexual, in which case you had better just leave
the state.  Otherwise you can be openly discriminated against and
there is no legal recourse open for you.  Why else would amendment 2
have passed?

>[CO] passed a law which makes homosexuals and
>heterosexuals equal.. No special minority status for sexual preference. 

I think you have not read the amendment carefully enough.  It says
that homosexuals are denied these rights.  It also doesn't say that
heterosexuals are denied these rights.  The word "special" or the
phrase "special rights" is not in the amendment at all.  You have
swallowed the lies the CFV told to get the amendment passed.
Homosexuals and heterosexuals are not equal in Colorado.  If I were
gay, I could be fired for being gay in Boulder and there isn't thing
one I can do about it.  If I were straight and was fired for it, I
could sue under Boulder's ordinance that prohibits discrimination based
on sexual orientation.

Here's the cut down version of the amendment to prove my point:
	Neither the State of Colorado ... shall enact or enforce any
statute, .. whereby homosexual, lesbian or bisexual orientation,
conduct, practices or relationships shall constitute ... claim of
discrimination. ...

While a heterosexual is still protected in Boulder, Denver and Aspen,
a Homosexual is not.  That doesn't sound equal to me.

Warner

P.S.  Here's the entire thing, as it appeared in the Oct 20 weekend
edition of the Colorado Daily.  All typos are mine.  Reprinted w/o
permission.
-----------------
	I, Natalie Meyer, Secretary of State of the State of Colorado,
do hereby give notice that at the General Election to be held on the
Third day of November, 1992 there will be submitted to the registered
electors of the State of Colorado the question of amending the
constitution of said state.
	I, Natalie Meyer, do hereby certify that the following is a
true copy of the title text, summary, ballot title, and submission
clause of a certain proposed constitutional amendment.
	The title as designated and fixed by the Board at a rehearing
is as follows:
	AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE II OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION TO
PROHIBIT THE STATE OF COLORADO AND ANY OF ITS POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS
FROM ADOPTING OR ENFORCING ANY LAW OR POLICY WHICH PROVIDES THAT
HOMOSEXUAL, LESBIAN OR BISEXUAL ORIENTATION, CONDUCT OR RELATIONSHIPS
CONSTITUTES OR ENTITLES A PERSON TO CLAIM ANY MINORITY OR PROTECTED
STATUS, QUOTA PREFERENCES, OR DISCRIMINATION.
	The proposed initiative Amendment to the Constitution of the
State of Colorado (of which when fixed, shall be made or constituted a
part) is as follows:

PROPOSED INITIATIVE AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF
COLORADO:
Be it Enacted by the People of the State of Colorado:
	Article 2, of the Colorado Constitution is amended by the
addition of Section 30, which shall state as follows:
	NO PROTECTED STATUS BASED ON HOMOSEXUAL, LESBIAN OR BISEXUAL
ORIENTATION.	Neither the State of Colorado, through any of its
branches or departments, nor any of its agencies, political
subdivisions, municipalities, or school districts, shall enact, adopt
or enforce any statute, regulation, ordinance or policy whereby
homosexual, lesbian or bisexual orientation, conduct, practices or
relationships shall constitute or otherwise be the basis of, or
entitle any person or class of persons to have or claim any minority
status, quota preferences, protected status or claim of
discrimination.  This section of the Constitution shall be in all
respects self-enacuting.
	The summary prepared by the Board is as follows:
	This measure prohibits the state and its political
subdivisions, municipalities, and school districts from enacting,
adopting, or enforcing any law or policy which provides that
homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual orientation, conduct, practices, or
relationships are the basis of or entitle any person or class of
persons to have or to claim minority status, protected status, quota
preferences, or discrimination.
	The measure could require the expenditures of a minimum of
$41,000 by local governments to rescind existing ordinances in
conflict with the measure.  The measure may result in an indeterminate
increase in litigation costs and law enforcement costs for the state
and local governments.
	The ballot title and submission clause as designated and fixed
by the Board is as follows:

	SHALL THERE BE AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE II OF THE COLORADO
CONSTITUTION TO PROHIBIT THE STATE OFF COLORADO AND ANY OF ITS
POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS FROM ADOPTING OR ENFORCING ANY LAW OR POLICY
WHICH PROVIDES THAT HOMOSEXUAL, LESBIAN OR BISEXUAL ORIENTATION,
CONDUCT, OR RELATIONSHIPS CONSTITUTES OR ENTITLES A PERSON TO CLAIM ANY
MINORITY OR PROTECTED STATUS, QUOTA PREFERENCES, OR DISCRIMINATION?

	In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
the Great Seal of the State of Colorado, at the City of Denver,
Colorado this 14th day of September, 1992.
(SEAL)						Natalie Meyer
						Secretary of State
-----------------
-- 
Warner Losh		imp@boulder.parcplace.COM	ParcPlace Boulder
I've almost finished my brute force solution to subtlety.
Newsgroups: co.politics,co.general,boulder.general