From: nyt%nyxfer%igc.apc.org@MIZZOU1.missouri.edu (NY Transfer News)
Newsgroups: misc.activism.progressive
Subject: Ballot initiatives spawn anti-gay violence /ww
Date: 16 Oct 92 20:36:07 GMT
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Organization: The NY Transfer News Service
Originator: daemon@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Resent-From: "Rich Winkel" <MATHRICH@MIZZOU1.missouri.edu>

Ballot initiatives spawn anti-gay violence

BY KAZ SUSAT

Initiatives on the state ballots in Oregon and Colorado that
would bar any civil rights protection for lesbian, gay and
bisexual people are spreading bigotry and violence throughout
those states.

Sue Anderson of the Hate Crimes Reporting Office of the City of
Denver told Workers World that three gay men were murdered there
in September in suspected gay bashings. On Sept. 17 in Salem,
Ore., a Black lesbian and a white disabled gay man were
firebombed and killed by racist, anti-gay bigots. There have been
many other reports of violence and harassment.

In Oregon, lesbian, gay and bisexual organizations fighting
Measure 9 have been under attack. The headquarters of "No on 9"
in Portland was trashed this summer and its mailing lists, files,
computers and other office equipment stolen. In September, the
political action group OUTPAC in Eugene was burglarized and its
mailing lists taken.

THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR TERROR

Following the attack on their headquarters, Peggy Norman, manager
of the "No on 9" campaign, said, "We hold the Oregon Citizens
Alliance personally responsible for spreading a climate of hate
in which these crimes can flourish." The OCA is a descendant of
the so-called Moral Majority.

During the week of Oct. 5, three pro^-gay churches were looted
and their membership rosters stolen. In addition, the St.
Matthew's Roman Catholic Church in Portland was vandalized after
parish priest Rev. Jim Galluzzo spoke at a community forum
against Measure 9. Slogans such as "Catholics love gays," "Vote
yes on 9" and "Kill faggots" were spray-painted on the church.

In spite of these terrorist attacks, lesbian, gay and bisexual
people in Oregon and Colorado are fighting back.

Opposition to Amendment 2 in Colorado is being organized by Equal
Protection Campaign Colorado (EPOC). EPOC grew out of a
successful 1991 campaign to defend a Denver civil rights
ordinance which includes protection for lesbians and gay men. If
Amendment 2 passes, it will nullify that ordinance as well as
similar ones in Boulder and Aspen.

Many local politicians and religious leaders have spoken against
Amendment 2, including Gov. Roy Romer. Numerous labor unions have
come out against bigotry as well. "We teach basic civil rights to
our students and therefore must protect the Colorado Constitution
from being amended to legally deny civil rights to any," says a
statement released by the Denver Classroom Teachers Association.

Celebrities including tennis star Martina Navratilova have been
raising funds for EPOC radio and TV ads to counter the bigots'
message. Denver lesbian activist Keri Heben told Workers World,
"People are afraid, but we have been going to the bars, educating
people about the amendment and registering voters."

MURDERS STIR OUTRAGE

In Oregon, outrage over the firebombing of Hattie Cohen and Brian
Mock has further inspired resistance. Over 250 people attended a
candlelight vigil in Salem at the site of the murders. In Eugene
a press conference was held with a wide coalition of groups,
including the NAACP, Clergy and Laity Concerned, the African
American Community Coalition and the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual
Alliance of the Associated Students of the University of Oregon.

In Portland over 10,000 people rallied on Oct. 4 against Measure
9, the Oregon Citizens Alliance and the climate of bigotry they
have inflamed. The rally was the largest demonstration ever held
in Portland, according to Jocelyn Somers, spokesperson for
Campaign for a Hate-Free Oregon.

Several Queer Nation chapters have called for a demonstration
Oct. 16 in Wilsonville at the headquarters of the OCA. Queer
Nation/Seattle plans to car caravan down, stopping in Salem to
lay a wreath at the site of the firebombing. ACT-UP/Columbia has
called for a demonstration at Pioneer Square on Oct. 17. On Oct.
18, the City of Portland "Family Day," the "No on 9" campaign is
mobilizing under the slogan "Hate is not a family value."
Activists have called for lesbian, gay and bisexual families and
supporters to attend the official ceremonies and sign the family
register.

(Copyright Workers World Service: Permission to reprint granted
if source is cited. For more info contact Workers World, 46 W. 21
St., New York, NY 10010; "workers" on PeaceNet; on Internet:
"workers@mcimail.com".

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