National Gay & Lesbian Task Force Fight the Right Update Where Anti-Gay Initiatives Stand July 22, 1993 The following is a list of the states where religious right activists have initiated anti-gay petition drives, an appraisal of the progress made in each state, and contact information for activists and/or organizers mobilized to fight the initiatives. Please use this list as a resource and a means to evaluate where situations stand AT THE MOMENT. Bear in mind that the volatility of the issue produces rapid changes. For up-to-the minute news, contact the individual organizations listed or call us at the NGLTF Fight the Right Project Office at 503-221-0115. If you have more current information than what is listed here, please update us! Faxes can be sent to 503-228-1965 (attn: NGLTF) or e-mail us via America Online at NGLTF-PDX. ARIZONA: Arizonans for Traditional Values have officially merged with Lou Sheldon's Traditional Values Coalition (from California). Arizona's process for getting initiatives on the ballot differs markedly from that in most states with the initiative petition process; there is no requirement that petition language be approved by the Secretary of State prior to initiating a petition drive. At this time, no petitions are being circulated. According to activists from the Arizona Human Rights Fund, the anti-gay forces are garnering little support from any political figures in the state. Congressional representatives contacted by gay rights supporters seem to be universally against the idea of a statewide anti-gay initiative. The Arizona Human Rights Fund: P.O. Box 25044, Phoenix, AZ 85002 (602)530-1660 FLORIDA: The American Family Political Association, headed by David Caton, has begun circulating petitions for their 1994 anti-gay ballot initiative. Activists have expressed concern that the petitions being circulated contain different language from what was originally approved by the State of Florida, and some petitions allegedly have anti-gay rhetoric printed on them. The State of Florida and independent attorneys are investigating these charges. According to the Miami Herald (7/14/93), the AFPA raised over $25,000 in a three-month period this spring toward their anti-gay initiative. The Human Rights Task Force, 1222 S. Dale Mabry, Tampa, FL 33629; 813-273-8769 IDAHO: The Idaho Citizens' Alliance, led by former Oregon Citizens' Alliance activist Kelly Walton, has begun to circulate their petitions for their 1994 statewide initiative. Idaho for Human Dignity (the political action committee mobilized to fight the ICA's efforts) and the Idaho ACLU have presented arguments before the State Supreme Court, challenging the legitimacy and objectivity of the ballot title. IHD claims that the title is confusing, and that it uses language taken directly from the ICA's petition that does not accurately state the effects of the measure. In addition, IHD and the ACLU are asking that in the event the Supreme Court finds the title invalid, that all signatures gathered on petitions with the misleading title be nullified. A ruling on this case is expected in late July or early August. IHD has scheduled a series of organizing conferences across the state to train activists to counter ICA rhetoric and coordinate a successful campaign in the event sufficient signatures are gathered to place the proposal on the ballot. Idaho for Human Dignity, P.O. Box 797, Boise, ID 83701; 208-344-4295 MICHIGAN: George Matousek and the Michigan Family Values Committee have begun collecting signatures on their petitions to amend the state constitution so that "homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual orientation, conduct, practices, or relationships" can not "be the basis of or entitle any person or class of persons to have or claim any minority status, quota preferences, protected status or claim of discrimination." The Michigan Campaign for Human Dignity is opposing the measure. MCHD, P.O. Box 28363, Lansing, MI 48909-8363; (517) 887-2605 MISSOURI: The first proposed anti-gay constitutional amendment submitted by the Amendment Coalition was rejected by the Missouri Attorney General. The petition form failed to meet legal requirements specifying in which counties signatures would be gathered, and did not specify when the amendment, if approved by voters, would take effect. The text of the initiative is otherwise similar to Colorado's successful (but as yet not implemented) Amendment 2. Kerry Messer, Amendment Coalition director, has vowed to reword and resubmit the petition language. Once an approved petition is created, the Coalition will have until July 8, 1994 to collect about 130,000 signatures. Missouri has no specific anti-discrimination laws protecting gays and lesbians. Cities with anti-discrimination ordinances include Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, and Festus. If the Amendment Coalition's campaign succeeds, these ordinances will be invalid. Activists are in the process of forming a statewide political action committee to counter the Amendment Coalition's efforts. In the interim, the Missouri Task Force for Gay & Lesbian Concerns can field questions. MOTF, 1-800-576-5128. Those with computer network access can get information from the following e-mail address: mediaqueen@aol.com OREGON: The Oregon Citizens' Alliance's 1994 statewide initiative has been named "The Minority Status and Child Protection Act." Unlike most states' efforts, the OCA's initiative is not modelled after Colorado's successful Amendment 2. Instead, their proposal decrees that "minority status shall not apply to homosexuality," and "affirmative action, quotas, special class status or special classifications shall not be established on the basis of homosexuality." The OCA is expected to begin gathering signatures later this summer, pending approval of petition language by the state Attorney General. Meanwhile, the OCA continues to promote a series of anti-gay county and city ordinances. Following passage of six such ordinances on 6/29/93, the Oregon House of Representatives passed HB 3500, which, if signed into law, might bar implementation of anti-gay measures. Attorneys have expressed concern, however, that HB3500 might also invalidate anti-discrimination ordinances that include sexual orientation in Portland, Ashland, and Corvallis. The OCA has vowed to institute recall petition drives against 14 legislators who supported HB 3500. The Support our Communities Political Action Committee (SOC-PAC) is coordinating statewide and local efforts against the OCA. SOC-PAC may be reached at 503-222-6151. ***** Washington, Ohio, Maine, Kentucky...no direct petition or other statewide activity at this time. (Remember, this could change at any time. Check at NGLTF FTR for the latest.) NGLTF:FTR posts regular updates on America Online (keyword NGLTF; ngltf_ftr@aol.com), and will issue another update in early August. NATIONAL GAY & LESBIAN TASK FORCE 7/23/93