From: WAND_M@gold.colorado.edu
Subject: Mayor takes aim at boycott
Followup-To: amend2-discuss@cs.colorado.edu
Originator: doherty@ucsu.Colorado.EDU
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 12 Dec 1992 05:38:56 GMT

By Bill McBean, Denver Post Staff Writer
December 7, 1992

NEW YORK - Denver Mayor Wellington Webb arrives in New York today to try to 
slow down the movement to boycott Colorado.

Webb, business leaders and a member of Denver's gay community will make 16 
stops in New York to speak against the bocyott, which was spurred by the 
passage of Amendment 2 in the November election.

The constitutional amendment, approved by 53 percent of Colorado voters, 
overturned gay rights laws in Denver, Boulder and Aspen.  It also prohibits the 
state or any community from enacting laws that would protect gays from 
discrimination in employment, housing or public accommmodations.

Along with discussions of the amendent, which Denver is trying to overturn in 
court, Webg and the others hope to promote Colorado tourism.

Even though the mayor was an outspoken opponent of Amendment 2, he can expect a 
frosty reception from some quarters.

For instance, at the main protest during Webb's visit, a group called the 
Lesbian Avengers plans a ceremonial burning of a Colorado Rockies T-shirt.

Lesbian Avengers consists of about 300 women.  It was formed last summer to 
counteract violence against gays.

After two gays were killed in a firebombing in Oregon last summer, the Avengers 
held a rally where several members performed the old circus trick of eating 
fire.

"To reclaim the fire that killed these people," said Avenger Anne D'Adesky, "we 
consumed the fire."

Last month, during a demonstration at Rockefeller Plaza, the Avengers read 
Amendment 2 aloud from cardboard placards, then burned the placards.

The Avengers' primary complaint about Webb is his insistence that a boycott of 
Colorado is wrong because it will hurt Denver, Aspen and Boulder--the 
communities that had ordinances protecting gay rights.

"I find that argument very annoying," said Avenger spokeswoman Ann Northrup, a 
1966 graduate of the Kent School for Girls in Denver.  She added an economic 
boycott is the only method that will exert enough pressure to get Amendment 2 
reversed.

D'Adesky agrees.  "In the past, we've been so invisible," she said.  "And it 
hasn't given us any protection at all."

The Avengers' premise is that violence against gays is part of an ortanized 
effort by the religious right that includes hate against Jews, ethnic 
minorities and, through anti-abortion efforts, women.

The biggest protest during Webb's stay will occur on West 57th Street tonight 
while the mayor appears on a national CBS radio call-in show.  The Avengers 
have asked their allies in the New York gay community--Act Up and Queer 
Nation--to join them in the protest rally.

In addition, they have posted notices all over the city that say, "Boycott 
Colorado: The Hate State."

The Avengers will be on hand for Webb's lunch tomorrow with New York Mayor 
David Dinkins.  They also will make surprise appearances at other times.

"We plan to let him know we're around continually while he is here," Northrup 
said.  "We're trying to become present in these stories he's generating.  But 
we're not against the man.  We're not trying to threaten him."

Northrup said the protests will include loud whistles, signs, and possibly 
bullhorns.


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