From: WAND_M@gold.colorado.edu
Subject: Webb takes boycott fight to New York
Followup-To: amend2-discuss@cs.colorado.edu
Originator: doherty@ucsu.Colorado.EDU
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 20:37:41 GMT

By Bill McBean
Denver Post Staff Writer
December 8, 1992

NEW YORK - Denver Mayor Wellington Webb took to the national airwaves again 
last night, arguing against a boycott of Colorado over the passage of Amendment 
2.

Webb spent more than an hour at CBS Radio on the Gil Gross Show, heard locally 
on KBOL in Boulder.

He debated John Andrews, former Republican candidate for governor of Colorado.  
Andrews, who favors the amendment that wiped out local laws protecting gays  
from discrimination, was interviewed by phone on the nationwide call-in  show.

Seven of the 11 people who phoned in supported Amendment 2.

A caller from Colorado Springs, who identified himself as John, said "I'm 
flabbergasted and disgusted he (Webb) would go on a national radio show acting 
like he's speaking for the rest of the state."

But Webb said he was speaking only for Denver.  And he said he was in New York 
City to promote tourism in addition to trying to curb the boycott that is 
threatening the state's economy, causing cancellation of major conventions that 
had been expected to pump millions of dollars into the state.

Webb's two-day Eastern trip that wraps up today initially was scheduled as an 
economic development trip to pitch the Colorado Rockies and Denver's new 
airport.  But as the boycott spread, the trip became at least half-dedicated to 
trying to stop the effort.

A 'knee-jerk' reaction
The mayor swapped the trademark running shoes that he used to walk Denver's 
neighborhoods in last year's mayoral campaign--and the shoes he wore with a 
suit for his appearance on Arsenio Hall's show last week--for black wing tips.

Before going on the radio, Webb said he sees a boycott of Colorado as a 
"knee-jerk" reaction to the problem caused by Amendment 2--potential 
discrimination against homosexuals.

The radical group Lesbian Avengers trailed the mayor throughout the day, 
yelling "Boycott Colorado - The hate state," and other slogans.

Outside the studio, about 50 protesters chanted in favor of the boycott.

Among them was gay New York City Councilman Tom Duane, who said he will ask New 
York Mayor David Dinkins tomorrow to prohibit travel to Colorado by city 
employees.  Two cities, Atlanta and Philadelphia, already have enacted similar 
resolutions.

Outlandish suggestion
But in a further step, Duane said he'll ask Dinkins to cancel all New York City 
contracts with Colorado companies.  And, he offered a somewhat outlandish 
suggestion for Webb, who repeatedly has reminded Amendment 2 foes nationally 
that residents of Denver rejected the amendment.

"He should lead a bAttle to get Denver to secede from the state of Colorado," 
Duane said.

The amendment, passed Nov. 3 by Colorado voters by about a 53 percent to 47 
percent,repealed local anti-bias laws that protect gays from discrimination and 
bans any future local or state law.  Denver, Aspen and Boulder had such 
civil-rights ordinances.

Webb also said he thinks Colorado has been used by the religious right as a 
national "test market", predicting that next year, more states will be faced 
with measures similar to Amendment 2.

Those who favor a boycott of Colorado could better spend their time, Webb 
added.  They "ought to be concerned with getting to the larger issue, the 
national issue."

For now, though, gays and their supporters clearly have focused the spotlight 
on Colorado.

Dinkins 'in a tough spot'
Today, Webb is scheduled to discuss the amendment with Dinkins over lunch.  
Dinkins, along with Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson, is urging the U.S. 
Conference of Mayors to cancel its annual meeting in Colorado Springs next 
summer as a way to protest amendment 2.

"He's (Dinkins) in a tough spot because he has an election coming up next 
year," Webb said.  "He's caught in a dilemma."

Denver taxpayers are paying Webb's air fare to New York, plus $150 a night each 
for Webb and his police bodyguard's hotel rooms.

Four New York City cops assigned yesterday to shadow the mayor during his visit 
will be paid by the New York department.

Also on the trip are Linda Fowler, chairwoman of the mayor's gay and lesbian 
task force, and four officials from the Greater Denver Chamber of Commerce.  
The chamber is paying the bills for those five.

After wrapping up this evening in New York, Webb heads for an economic-
development swing through Toronto before returning to Denver tomorrow 
night.



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