Date: Wed, 12 Oct 1994 13:57:27 -0400
Sender: Babngltf@aol.com

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National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
NEWS RELEASE

Contact:  Gregory Fisher (202) 332-6483 ext. 3309
                                         (800) 757-7736 pager
               Beth Barrett       (202) 332-6483 ext. 3215

2320 17th Street NW   Washington, DC   200009
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NGLTF APPLAUDS AMENDMENT 2 DECISION

Colorado Supreme Court Affirms That 
Rights Can Not Be Voted Away

 Washington, D.C. -- October 11, 1994 -- The National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force (NGLTF) praised today's Colorado Supreme Court decision against
Colorado Amendment 2.  In a 6-1 vote, the court found that "states have no
compelling interest in amending their constitution in ways that violate
fundamental federal rights."  Colorado voters passed the amendment, which
would have banned all state laws protecting gay and lesbian civil rights, in
November 1992. 

 "Today's court ruling is a high point in the rising tide of legal victories
against a barrage of anti-gay attacks from the Religious Right," said NGLTF
Executive Director Peri Jude Radecic.  "This decision sends a clear message
to those who would try to preserve their 'special right' to discriminate --
our rights can not be voted away."

 However, today's victory is only one of many battlefronts for the lesbian,
gay, and bisexual community.  Both Oregon and Idaho face similar anti-gay
statewide initiatives this November.  In addition, the Religious Right
continues to build its political power for a broader agenda through school
board elections and local initiatives.

 "As we celebrate today's victory in Colorado, we can not lose sight of the
great threat that the Far Right poses to lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans,
and to all those who value freedom and civil liberties," Radecic said.



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