From: RMVLUG_4@FLINT.MINES.COLORADO.EDU
Subject: To Boycott or Not To Boycott
Followup-To: co.politics.amend2.discuss
Originator: gina@rintintin.Colorado.EDU
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 20:00:16 GMT

From local BBS:

FROM: SHYGUY   Get out the vote!!  
TO:   ALL                          
SMRY: TO BOYCOTT, OR NOT TO BOYCOTT...

A number of stories and questions have arisen concerning the
boycotting of Colorado and its entities by outsiders, especially
as it relates to the NGLTF Creating Change Conference held in Los
Angeles during the past weekend.

As a person who was at the above mentioned conference, I thought
I'd give a report of what actually happened during the weekend,
as it relates to the subject of boycotts.

The Colorado contingent met for a total of about five hours
concerning the passage of Amendment 2 and its aftereffects.  The
first meeting was held on Friday night for almost three hours
with most of the attendees from Colorado, and most of the staff
of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, including outgoing
Executive Director Urvashi Vaid.  Reactions, feelings, and
perceptions started off the assembly, and each subsequent one as
well.  It quickly became apparent that people in Colorado, even
the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual communities, would have almost no
control as to whether an actual boycott would occur by other
groups or individuals.  The best we could hope for would be to
have a certain amount of input into these decisions, though it
also became apparent that input would be minimal, too.

If there was one word that described the events concerning the
passage of Amendment 2 in Colorado at the conference, it would be
'carpetbagging'.  Carpetbagging, or the intrusion of outsiders
into a local event or process, is something that has been quite
prevalent in this whole issue--before, during, and after the
election.  From LA activist Robin Tyler, who adamantly stated
that Aspen Gay Ski Week is definitely going to be held (never
mind that fact that she is promoting it, and several related
events, and has a financial interest in the activity), to outside
activists (acting as individuals and groups) who definitely
called for a boycott of everything remotely connected with
Colorado.

Those of us from Colorado tried to remind others that not
everyone in the state voted for Amendment 2, and that it is not
really fair to punish those who did support us.  We also
attempted to demonstrate, rather unsuccessfully, that it should
be those of us who actually live in the state to determine
whether or not a boycott occurred.  We also felt that it was not
up to us who were attending an out-of-state conference, but
rather the entire Gay and Lesbian communities in Colorado that
should have the greatest say in making decisions relating to a
boycott.

In the end, we settled on making a statement (apparently reported
by Associated Press) that no consensus had been reached as to an
'official' boycott of Colorado or its entities, but that there
were discussions in and outside of the state relating to a
boycott, and that a decision would be reached at a future point
in time.  Also mentioned in conjunction with that statement was a
positive idea that had been originally discussed as a boycott
alternative, a Queer "march" on Colorado Springs.  It was also
decided that the people of Colorado Springs should make the
definite decisions and planning concerning such an event.  We
stressed the importance of funding for our legal actions, and
encouraged the use of fundraisers by outside persons, instead of
boycotts.

As far as the involvement of national organizations is concerned,
the staff of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force made it
clear that they were sensitive to being labeled as carpetbaggers,
and would not act on anything concerning Colorado without the
express request of people in Colorado.  I believe that to be
true, but I wish the same could be said for other organizations
and individuals, who seem to be claiming an undue and unfair
amount of ownership on this issue.  Much as the rest of the state
feels overshadowed by Denver, it was my feeling that the rest of
the country was attempting to overshadow Colorado.

In any event, we received a tremendous amount of moral support
for our efforts in the aftermath of Amendment 2, by our fellow
brothers and sisters around the country, who were equally
distressed by the outcome, and want to do their share (albeit
occasionally misguided) to assist us in the future.  They are
ready and willing to help us, if we give them the cue.

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