From: WAND_M@gold.colorado.edu
Subject: Amendment 2: The backlash
Followup-To: amend2-discuss@cs.colorado.edu
Originator: doherty@ucsu.Colorado.EDU
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 02:49:34 GMT

>From the Gazette Telegraph, Colorado Springs
December 13, 1992

(Following are quotes gathered by the GT):

"This protest stuff is a bunch of baloney.  They're not going to make me change 
my mind with all the boycott, hate stuff. I don't think many people will pay 
attention to that talk--just get tired of it.  I voted yes, and I would do it 
again."  Arnold Quintana, 47, self-employed carpet layer, Capulin.

"Both sides are going way overboard.  The campaign was all about hate.  I know 
this town, and they are so uptight about people who are different.  Will 
Perkins and those guys just played that up for their own cause."  Evan Swank, 
20, UCCS student, Colorado Springs.



What Callers Said

Here is a sample of the about 350 calls the Gazette Telegraph received when it 
asked readers how they felt about the response to Amendment 2.  Some comments 
have been edited for space reasons.  (Comment written by the GT.)

"All you gays are dead wrong.  You keep complaining that your basic rights have 
been taken away.  Let's look at that.  You still have the right to free speech, 
to peaceably assemble, to petition the government, to bear arms and to be safe 
in your own home.  You can say what you want to say, do what you want to do, 
feel how you want to feel.  You have all the rights that the Bill of Rights 
state...So shut up, sit down, and be thankful for the rights that you do have." 
 Todd Skinner, Colorado Springs

"Those who threaten to boycott us are either homosexual or those who condone 
their filthy sexual practices.  We welcome their boycott. Keep Colorado clean." 
 C. Johnson, Colorado Springs

"The backlash is a very sad thing for Colorado.  My adopted home state is 
bleeding now because of discrimination.  Any man or woman can now be falsely 
accused of being gay, lose their job, their home and their reputation.  
(Colorado for Family Values) and Will Perkins are in hiding now that they have 
done their worst.  This is how Hitler started.  First one group and then 
another and another, then no one was left.  I wonder who they are going to go 
after next--someone who disagrees with their religious persuasion?  Somebody, 
I'm sure."  Robert Seltzer, Colorado Springs.

"I believe the Constitution guarantees equal rights for everybody but does not 
guarantee special rights for anybody.  The backlash has really galvanized my 
opinion against gays...If they overturn Amendment 2, I will leave, take my 
business, take my family out of Colorado, and I will see to it that all 
gay-owned businesses in this state and especially in Colorado Springs will be 
boycotted by me, my friends, and I will start an organized drive to boycott any 
gay-owned or gay-frequented business."  Eryk Nelson, Colorado Springs

"We will have better control of AIDS in this state due to the fact that there 
will be less (sic) homosexuals and lesbians...And that in itself will bring in 
more tourists, which (sic) will need hotels, motels, etc,. which will replace 
all the lost revenues that are expected due to the boycotting.  People need a 
safe, healthy place to live and to vacation.  Hopefully all gays and lesbians 
will move to a place where they are wanted and appreciated, like California 
and New York..."  Thelma Gallegos, Colorado Springs

"It's basically a piece of hate legislation.  It is discrimination.  I voted 
against it.  It's not about special rights.  It's about basically pointing 
fingers and singling out a group... The only kind of people that is going to 
attract is skinheads."  Anne Lewis, Colorado Springs

"I've been deeply hurt by the distortion of Amendment 2.  I know that Colorado 
for Family Values is not driven by fear, bigotry or hate, because I personally 
know most of the leadership.  They do have a deep concern over the spreading 
emotional and medical damage caused by homosexual behavior.  Many El Paso 
County residents are involved in assisting those trapped in this lifestyle to 
cope and pursue a path toward recovery, instead of continued doubt, turmoil and 
premature death.  I interpret the vote as a plea to those risking their life 
and the lives of others.  We don't raise our voice in defiance or anger, but in 
restraint, empathy and assistance.  Colorado is not a 'hate' state, but the 
first state to take a stand of tough love toward preserving society."  Charles 
Friedenstein, Colorado Springs

	(I'm having my lunch.  That's all I can stomach for now.  The rest 
	later.)

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