From: RMVLUG_4@FLINT.MINES.COLORADO.EDU (FRANK BERNDT)
Subject: Articles from The OUT FRONT
Followup-To: amend2-discuss@cs.colorado.edu
Originator: doherty@ucsu.Colorado.EDU
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 05:51:52 GMT

The OUT FRONT
Colorado's Gay Community Forum
12/09/92

Go Do It!
In his autobiography, Malcolm X states that while individual white people
may not be intentionally racist, the collective history of white people's
attitudes towards non-whites has been pretty offensive.  To say it another
way Q since about the time white people started leaving Europe and
exploring the rest of the world they attempted to enslave, eradicate,
conquer and colonize, among other things, almost every indigenous people
and culture they encountered.  And white people's collective actions
haven't gotten a whole lot better since.  Individuals can certainly refuse
to participate in this collective racism and when they do that, they and
the world benefit.
  Malcolm X goes on to say that when white people asked him what could they
do to make things better, he would tell them to go educate their white
friends and family who aren't as enlightened as they are in matters such as
racism.  Malcolm X felt that whites and non-whites at best could maintain
only a casual political relationship.  Not in contradiction to his
philosophy, Malcolm X did have close white friends.
  Now then, why can't we take this template so beautifully stated by
Malcolm X and lay it right on top of our situation today.  All it takes is
a few word changes.  It goes like this:  While individuals may not be
intentionally heterosexist, homophobic a**holes, the collective history of
straight peoples' attitudes towards non-straights throughout time has been
pretty f**cking offensive.  They have burned us at the stake as witches,
they have thrown us out of windows as college pranks, they have beaten and
killed us as a rite of passage, they have refused for years to acknowledge
the existence of AIDS, they passed Amendment 2, and their abominations go
on and on and on.  Queer-hating is systemic in our society Q it is rewarded
and encouraged within their sick hetro-gang mentality.  You know this is
true.  While some individual heterosexuals' actions have been exemplary,
their track record as a group really stinks.
  On the day after the election, I attended the community meeting and since
I haven't been around meetings for a while was a little shocked at how we
treated our elected officials.  As far as I know, they are all
heterosexual.  We jumped to our feet in thunderous applause when they
walked into the room, cheered their every word and acted like little puppy
dogs begging for their acceptance and that we were ever so grateful for the
few scraps they throw us from their table of hetero-privileged life.
  If these heteros were so offended by the passage of Amendment 2, why
weren't they doing television ads decrying it?  They all are very
influential people in the state of Colorado.  Someone might have listened
to them.  (I'm not sure heteros can listen, but let's assume they can.) 
why weren't they in their little home towns prior to the election educating
their home-town people about the travesties Amendment 2 would beget.  Why,
oh why, on one of the worst days of our collective history were these
straight people telling us that the passage of Amendment 2 was obscenity. 
We already know that folks!!  Lets not waste our time being told by
heterosexuals how wonderful they are when collectively they just tightened
the noose around our necks.  I just didn't want to hear the utterance of
any heterosexual at that time, no matter how well-intentioned they were. 
They voice of the lesbian attorney was a welcome relief.
  Wouldn't the time of these well-intentioned heterosexuals have been
better spent if they were down telling CFV their feelings and explaining to
CFV and the people who voted for the amendment the fight they were about to
face?  When some heterosexual tells me that, in their opinion, what is
needed is more education, my response must be, "Fine, that seems to make
some sense, go do it!"  I never bought the argument that the oppressed
should have the further burden of educating their oppressor.  It just
doesn't make sense.  There are heterosexuals out there that appear to be
alive, well and thinking.  We must force them to do the educating.
  We must make heterosexuals responsible for heterosexist behavior!

Kevin Barlow

P.S.
  Dear Guv:  You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?  If you
really think the passage of Amendment 2 is such an atrocity, commit an act
of civil disobedience and don't enact (or whatever it is you have to do)
the damn thing.  If you're not up to that how about going on TV when you do
the deed and say this is one of the darkest days in Colorado's history and
you are ashamed to be a citizen of this state (I am!).  If that isn't to
your liking, how about since lesbians and gays get nothing from the state
of Colorado, call a moratorium on lesbians and gays paying taxes until
hatred is abolished from the Colorado constitution.  It's up to you.  Talk
is cheap.  Actions speak louder than words!!


The OUT FRONT
Colorado's Gay Community Forum
12/09/92

Deadheads Speak Out Against Anti-Gay Measure
Outraged by the recent passage of the anti-gay ballot measure, Amendment 2,
fans of the Grateful Dead unveiled a billboard that urges Colorado
residents to "undo 2" and makes the statement that it "ain't no time to
hate."
  The billboard, located near the McNichols Arena, where the Grateful Dead
held a two-day concert last week, was the result of a grassroots campaign
by the people across the country who believe that Amendment 2 represents a
threat to the civil rights of all people and that it should be rescinded.
  "It's important that people speak out against this type of affront to
human rights," said David Gans, host of the nationally syndicated Grateful
Dead Hour and one of the project's many supporters.  "So we were saying, as
the song says, 'Look, it "ain't no time to hate'."
  "We want to make it very clear to the people of Colorado that we are here
spending our tourist money, but we do not support this measure," Gans
added.
  Besides showing that concern over Amendment 2 reaches beyond the Colorado
borders, the billboard is also intended to send a message of solidarity to
the potential victims of Amendment 2 and remind them that they are not
alone in their fight against discrimination.
  Despite a well-organized campaign against it and opposition from most of
the state's political leaders, including Governor Roy Romer, the measure
was passed by voters in November by a margin of 53-47 percent.
  "What this law is all about is forbidding people to be themselves," Gans
said.  "You can get by as long as you pretend that you're not gay.
  "Our point is that people should not be punished for who they are."

The OUT FRONT
Colorado's Gay Community Forum
12/09/92

Boycott Colorado
By Sam Gallegos
"I've never done anything like this before."
  Robert Briggs-Daniels admits that he never thought he would be such a
visible player in what has become such a trend that it is currently
sweeping the country. That trend is a boycott of Colorado over the passage
of Amendment 2, and Briggs-Daniels, winner of Out Front's 1992 "Why I want
to be on the cover" contest, finds himself as one of the loudest voices for
something that is not sitting well with everyone who opposed the
amendment.
  Leading the fight against a boycott are Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and
Colorado Governor Roy Romer, both of whom have been appearing on every
television show they can to pitch both Denver and Colorado as great places
to spend money.  Boycotting Colorado is like blaming the victim, they
argue. Webb has also cited the civil rights struggle of the 1960s, saying
that civil rights for African Americans were not attained by boycotting the
places where those people lived. In fact, there were boycotts organized
against southern states though none drew much national attention or
response.
  Leading the fight for a boycott is Boycott Colorado, an incorporated,
non-profit group of newcomers to the world of politics who came together
shortly after the November 3 election. "Remember, the most important thing
you can do to fight Amendment No. 2 is to boycott Colorado, the first state
to legalize discrimination," says the voice-mail message for all who call.

  Since the election, several organizations and well-known people have
joined the call for a boycott, though their actions were not necessarily a
direct result of a request from Boycott Colorado. 
  Author Armistead Maupin was the first to call for a ban on travel to
Colorado. On the day Boycott Colorado announced its formation, Barbra
Streisand coincidentally announced her intentions to boycott, which she
later reversed via a prepared statement read by Chris Everett. 
  A host of organizations have since announced plans to take their
conventions and tourist dollars elsewhere. Currently, the U.S. Conference
of Mayors, at the request of New York City Mayor David Dinkins and Atlanta
Mayor Maynard Jackson, is considering not coming to Colorado Springs next
June. Many more are expected to also scrap plans for visiting the Rocky
Mountains of Colorado.
  While the first-string players on both sides have been named, what
remains a mystery is just how other individuals and groups stand on a
boycott. Many who have been visible as gay community "leaders" in the past
have avoided taking sides, at least publicly. 
  Tony Ogden, who is currently heading up Equality Colorado, and who lead
the successful effort to include sexual orientation in Denver's anti-
discrimination laws, told a Denver Post reporter that "it was best for
[Equality Colorado] to take a neutral position." Sue Anderson, outgoing
director of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Colorado, also refused
to take sides, but conceded that "people are outraged, and when they are
outraged, there's not a lot that out-of-state people can do except
boycott."
  Many of those fence sitters have proposed a compromise by calling for a
boycott with a limited scope, whereby only those counties that passed
Amendment 2, like El Paso county, will be targeted for a boycott.  
  That idea, however, does not sit well with Briggs-Daniels. "To try to
target individual counties is unrealistic. [Amendment 2] wasn't passed by
counties, it was passed by the state, and the state is responsible for the
victimization of gays and lesbian in the state of Colorado." Briggs-Daniels
concedes that there will be some economic casualties because of a boycott,
but he sees that as a necessary evil, calling those opposed to a boycott,
persons more concerned about their pocket books than civil rights."
  Should Boycott Colorado be successful in helping overturn Amendment 2,
something that would be hard to prove even if it is eventually overturned
by the voters, they have no plans of closing down.  According to Briggs-
Daniels, Boycott Colorado will continue to call for a boycott until
Colorado has included "gays, lesbians and bisexuals" in the state civil
rights code and/or until the state constitution is amended to include
guaranteed rights. 
  Sometime this month, Boycott Colorado will be moving into a small one-
room office at the Grant Avenue Methodist Church in the Broadway Terrace
area.  Briggs-Daniels himself is looking at reducing his hours at his
regular job so he can devote more time to the cause.
	"I have to work on this boycott to show that bigotry doesn't pay."
According to Briggs-Daniels, efforts are already underway in ten states  Q
Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Utah,
and Washington Q to get a measure similar to Amendment 2 on the 1994
ballots in those states.

The OUT FRONT
Colorado's Gay Community Forum
12/09/92

Anti-Boycott Move Growing Rapidly
CLIP Takes Stand
Mayor Webb and Linda Fowler Travel to New York to DISCOURAGE BOYCOTT
By Jim McNulty
Mary Celeste Attorney and members of the Colorado Legal Initiative Project
(CLIP) said, "organizations calling for a boycott of Colorado are only
making our [CLIP'S] efforts more difficult."  CLIP voted December 3 to
oppose the boycott.
  Celeste noted three of the main reasons CLIP is against the boycott.  1. 
CLIP worked long and hard to get the cities of Denver, Boulder and Aspen to
join the law suit challenging the amendment.  
  2.  Those are the cities that have ordinances protecting lesbian and gays
already and voted 2 down, yet they stand to be hurt the hardest by a
boycott.  
  3.  A radical boycott of Colorado could affect the climate around the
final legal decision on Amendment 2.
  Celeste noted that economic pressure due to a boycott used to change the
vote in one year is an uphill battle.  "It's like spanking the baby to stop
it from crying," Celeste said.  What would make things worse is if the
community does not do its homework (grass roots education of all
Coloradans) and Amendment 2 passes a second time the ramifications for
CLIP's law suit could be devastating.
  Another purpose Boycott Colorado is also claiming to serve is making
other states that might try to pass a similar anti-gay resolution sit up
and think twice.  Celeste says, part of CLIP's function is to go in and
help the states legally beat the Amendment before it has a chance to pass. 
Celeste said she is "tired of all these people screaming boycott and doing
nothing to help support the legal effort to overturn Amendment 2."
  Mayor Webb had Linda Fowler, chairperson of the Mayor's Gay and Lesbian
Advisory Committee, join him on a trip to New York City this week. 
Although the original purpose of the trip was to promote the new Denver
Airport and Denver's rejuvenated economy, the Mayor knew the subject of
Amendment 2 would certainly be a major issue.  Fowler who, like the mayor,
is against the boycott will have a very busy schedule.  She and the Mayor
will be interviewed by the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, ABC Radio,
Time Magazine, Newsweek, CNBC T.V., and the Gill Gross radio talk show on
KBCO-FM.
  The following day will include a meeting with the Travel and Tourism
Board as well as an interview by Black Elegance, lunch with New York Mayor
Dinkins, and finally a meeting with the New York Times Editorial Board.
  Yet another group has joined the anti-boycott movement.  The Colorado Gay
Rodeo Association has also come out and said, "most areas the boycott would
touch seem only to affect the portions of the state that have already voted
no on 2."  The Rodeo Association plans to work with all entities interested
on grass roots education regarding Amendment 2.
  Fowler said, "I do not believe the boycott is widely supported by many
groups at all.  People have been quiet until now but are just starting to
speak out against it [the boycott]."
  It is rumored that the Colorado Tavern Guild and the Colorado Gay Rodeo
Association, in conjunction with a major beer distributor, will host a
cocktail party in Aspen during the Aspen Ski Week to welcome the out-of-
state visitors and encourage them to continue to visit our state and
support our gay businesses as well as cities and counties that have
supported us.

The OUT FRONT
Colorado's Gay Community Forum
12/09/92

Aspen Mayor, Stars Denounce Amendment 2
The Aspen community, headed by Mayor John Bennett; tennis great Chris
Evert; Andy Mill, long-time resident; Merv Addelson, John Oates, and other
community leaders gathered forces to denounce the passage of Amendment 2 to
the Colorado Constitution and declare Aspen's intention to lead the fight
to overturn this legislation.
  In addition, statements in support  of Aspen's position were read form
Barbara Streisand; long time Aspenites, Cher, Reggie Jackson, Marvin Davis,
Robert Wagner, and Jill St. John.  All condemned the discriminatory
amendment but encouraged support for the community of Aspen in its efforts
to turn the tide in Colorado.
  "There are many citizens in Colorado who did not vote for the amendment. 
I support the organizations and people who are challenging its validity,"
writes Barbara Streisand.
  "In a boycott of Aspen, you are actually steering business away from a
town that supports human rights for all.  Aspen wants to take the lead in
Colorado to overturn this amendment and for that, the community needs your
support," writes Cher.

The OUT FRONT
Colorado's Gay Community Forum
12/09/92


Labor Union Women Cancel Colorado Convention Over Anti-Gay Referendum
The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), a national organization of trade
unionists 
who advocate women's rights, have notified Colorado Governor Roy Romer that it
is 
moving its 1993 convention from Denver because of a referendum approved in the 
November 3 election which permits discrimination against gays and lesbians in
the 
state.
  In a letter sent to Governor Romer, Joyce D. Miller, CLUW president, stated
that since 
the organization is opposed to policies which discriminate on the basis of race,
religion, 
national origin, or sexual orientation, "it would be contrary to our beliefs to
hold an 
event . . . in a state that advocates such discrimination."


The OUT FRONT
Colorado's Gay Community Forum
12/09/92

ACLU Wins Benefits For Gay Life Partners
For the first time in Colorado Q and perhaps in the nation Q a trial court
judge has awarded a lesbian employee sick leave benefits to care for her
gay life partner.  In yesterday's decision, District Court Judge Richard T.
Spriggs reinstated an earlier ruling by a Denver Career Service Board
hearing officer.  That ruling had awarded Mary K. Ross, an employee of the
City of Denver, three days sick leave to care for her gay life partner,
Jeannie DiClementi, who had suffered severe head injuries in an accident. 
The Denver Career Service rules allow employees to use sick leave to
provide care for members of their immediate families.
  Ross's supervisor had denied her sick leave request based on the Career
Service Board's definition of "immediate family," a definition that
excluded gay life partners.
  In yesterday's decision, the Court held that the Denver Career Service
Board had adopted an unreasonable narrow definition of "immediate family"
in the administration of its family sick leave benefit.  In addition, Judge
Spriggs found that the Board's rule barring discrimination based on sexual
orientation also barred enforcement of a definition of "immediate family"
that excluded gay life partners from family sick leave benefits.
  "This case was a matter of principle and not money," said Ms. Ross. 
"It's about standing up for what you believe in.  If we had waited for
somebody else to do it," she continued, "it never would have happened. 
I've learned that lesbians and gays have to stand up for their rights
instead of waiting for someone to do it for them."


The OUT FRONT
Colorado's Gay Community Forum
12/09/92

Denver Inherits Internationally Known Artist Ready to Use Talent to Help
Overturn Amendment 2
By Jim McNulty
Artist Alex Echo's work can be found in the White House, the Carter Center,
and Madonna's house just to mention a few of its many prestigious
locations.  Warner Brothers, Tri-Star Pictures and Sony are just a few of
his corporate commissions.
  Alex enjoys using his talent to make significant contributions to human
causes and has helped raise well over $250,000 to benefit AIDS care
organizations and literacy programs.
  Echo is one of the painters in Absolute Vodka's prestigious "Absolute
Artists of the Nineties," a portfolio comprised of a group of 30 artists
from around the world whose works are shown in national magazines and
traveling exhibitions at a cost of $300,000 and have been displayed for
over a year in a prime Sunset Strip location.  Each day as many as 45,000
people saw his billboards.  One of his colorful 1500 square foot billboards
carried the words "Love Life, Live Safe" and was later dismantled,
separated into hundreds of art pieces, and auctioned off for the benefit of
the AIDS project of Los Angeles.
  The latest billboard was in response to the L.A. riots.  Echo coordinated
a multi-cultural collaborative art project with artists representing five
segments of Los Angeles Community:  African-American, Caucasian, Japanese,
Korean and Latino.  Each of the five artists created one portion of the 25'
x 60' three dimensional design on a white back ground giving it the look of
a gallery wall.  Black lettering proclaims:  "Have Hope, Help Heal."  Actor
Dudley Moore presided at the unveiling ceremony on October 28.
  Echo's art was recently featured at more than ten exhibitions in the
Japanese cities of Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Sikoku and Kyusha.  The highest
price piece went for approximately $32,000.
  The 34 year old self-taught artist has explored careers in poetry and
architecture, but committed himself fully to painting in the 1980's. 
Commissioned to paint works for a one-man show at age 25, he knew he was on
the right track when the painting virtually sold out.
  Echo's art is characterized by color patterns, simple elements and codes,
or what has become known as "pattern painting."  An Echo composition might
begin with an ingredient as simple as a tulip.  Different images are added,
individually layered and combined so that the designs intermingle, the
result is imagery that is at once complex and elementary.
  Echo's heros include Keith Harring, artist and designer of the National
Coming Out Day poster, and Robert Mapplethorpe.  Both have died of AIDS. 
He refers to Amendment 2 as "mean spirited legislation" and says, "I'm
opposed to the religious right trying to force its values on every issue;
this is just another nail in the coffin for civil rights, there is no room
for divisiveness in this country or anywhere else."
  Echo arrived in Denver from California just about five months ago from
Malibu.  He has already made a commitment to use his talent to raise money
specifically for the Colorado Legal Initiatives Project (CLIP), the
organization that has filed suit to overturn Amendment 2 and represent
victims of Amendment 2 in court.  Echo said, "The repeal of Amendment 2 is
an issue that should be the concern of every single human being that values
civil rights Q human rights."
  Echo's immediate project is to aid the "CLIP 10K" which is being
sponsored by Out Front and Jim McNulty.  Out Front is donating a full page
space in 1993's first issue to recognize the individuals, businesses, and
organizations that contribute the this $10,000 fund raising effort.
  Echo will design a "CLIP 10K" certificate suitable for framing and
individually sign each one to be presented to donors who contribute $100.00
or more to Out Fronts CLIP 10K fund raiser.  In addition, Echo will present
one of his 18 x 24 originals to the donor giving the highest amount over
$500.00 (a $3,500 value) to the CLIP 10K.  Other major fundraisers for
CLIP, aided by Echo, are in the works, one of which will be the designing
of a Valentine's card to be sold nationally with proceeds benefiting CLIP. 
Echo designed a Christmas card for a similar fundraiser which netted over
$130,000 for AIDS Project L.A.  Another project in the works is a major art
auction to be held in the spring or summer of '93.  Including work from
nationally, internationally-known artists as well as sketches and paintings
from political and other celebrities.  Details will be announced at a later
date.
  To participate in Out Front's CLIP 10K fundraiser and be listed in the
January '93 issue full-page ad, a minimum of $50 must be contributed per
listing.  To receive a CLIP 10K certificate designed and individually
signed by artist Alex Echo, as well as being listed in the full page ad as
a participant, a minimum of a $100.00 donation is required.  To compete for
the 18 x 24 Echo original, a minimum of $500 must be donated.  The highest
donor will be presented with the original.
  All checks must be made payable to CLIP and mailed to Out Front, 244
Washington Street, Denver, CO 80203  Attn: Jim McNulty.  It is important
that your check be mailed directly to Out Front to insure that you are
listed in the January ad and receive a signed certificate.
  Echo was born in Grand Junction, spent a good part of his childhood in
Denver, and says, "I think I'm back for the duration, considering all the
pets I've been adopting." 

The OUT FRONT
Colorado's Gay Community Forum
12/09/92

Proud Grandfather Says it All!
I have been compelled to write to Out Front  for two reasons.  Firstly, the
obvious, my total disappointment at the passage of Amendment 2.  Secondly,
to say to you folks at Out Front, that your last issue was pure, excellent
journalism.  One of the best issues I have read in my nine years in
Denver.
  As for Amendment 2, I have this to say to CFV Q I am the parent of two
fine children, ages 19 & 17.  Also, I am a loving & caring grandfather. 
How dare these people ever insinuate that we, in the gay community, are
incapable of having and/or rearing a family.  My children have never
indulged in alcohol, drugs or gangs.  I am very proud of my family & they
likewise of me.  Out of a family of 14 children, we have two gay sons, one
gay daughter and four gay cousins.
  We can only hope that this blatant disregard for "real family values"
ceases immediately.  
  Let me say this though.  I am very proud to be a contributing member of
the Denver gay community.  Seeing our community band together has been
truly overwhelming for my family, my lover and myself.

Robert Baca-Bower  
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