Date: 9 Jul 1993 11:40:19 -0700 From: "Mills Mike" Subject: Boulder Queer Activism/Culture Update Boulder Queer Activism/Culture Update A lot is going on in the Boulder/Denver metro area this summer around queer activism. With masses of Christofascists arriving for Bill McCartney's Promise Keepers conference and the visit of Pope John Paul II, we have a lot to protest. We also have a lot of positive happenings, including a friendly town meeting with local police and criminal justice officials, gathering signatures for the Equal Protection Amendment, and queer culture blossoming up where you least expect it. Here is a complete list: ============== THIS WEEKEND: Saturday, July 10: Collect signatures to put the Equal Protection Amendment on the 1994 Colorado ballot. This measure, drafted by Daniel Brewer-Ward of People for a Stronger Colorado, will not only erase Amendment 2 from the Colorado Constitution (something even the courts can't do), but it will also prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation (and a number of other factors) statewide. Even if Amendment 2 is overturned by the courts, it will still be legal to fire and evict people because of their sexual orientation outside of the city limits of Denver, Boulder, Aspen, Telluride, and Crested Butte. The Equal Protection Amendment will insure basic civil rights throughout Colorado. We will be on the Pearl Street Mall Saturday afternoon. Call Mike Mills or Vincent Cawley at 494-9378. Sunday, July 11 - Sunday, August 29: SUNDAYS IN THE PARK WITH QUEERS. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Transgendering people will gather in Chatauqua Park for a picnic, Frisbee, and fun in the sun every Sunday from July 11 to August 29th this summer at 3-6PM. The park is located on 9th Street and Baseline Road. Bring a snack, sodas, Frisbees, friends, partners, lovers, dogs, etc. Look for the lavender balloon in the northeast corner of the park. For more info call Karl Kruszynski 447-1366. ================ LESBIGAY DISCRIMINATION: DEAD OR ALIVE? July 14, Wednesday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. UMC 235, CU-Boulder campus Presented by Karen Raforth, Ph.D and Don Johnson, Ed.D Counseling and Career Services: A Multicultural Center We will be exploring discrimination against gay and lesbian people by looking at several video clips from documentaries. Videos will include The Gay Agenda, Just Because of Who We Are, and several other excerpts. This presentation is free and open to all. Feel free to bring your lunch, beverages will be provided. Sponsored by CU-B Employee Assistance Program: Summer Staff Workshops. Call 492-6766 for more information or to let us know you will be attending (and to be sure we have plenty of refreshments). =============== Next Thursday, July 15th QTown 4: A community workshop for the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender communities of Boulder -- with local Criminal Justice officials AN IMPORTANT MEETING next Thursday, July 15th, 7-10 pm at CU Boulder Duane Physics Building, Room G020 (south of CU's Folsom Field) In attendance: Boulder Mayor Leslie Durgin Boulder Police Chief Tom Koby Boulder County Sheriff George Epp University of Colorado Police Chief Jim Fadenrecht and others Tonight's Special Focus: Public Safety, Hate Crimes, and Criminal Justice Sensitivity The purpose of this meeting is to enhance the lines of communication between Boulder's Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender Communities and local criminal justice officials. To help promote an atmosphere of mutual respect, open dialogue, and a greater sense of security and confidence. For more information call the Boulder City Manager's Office: 441-3090 Sponsored by the University of Colorado Police Department A project of the Boulder Queer Collective ============= Sunday, July 18th March for Peace and Justice (1PM?) Starts from Naropa Sponsored by Colorado Dance Festival, Naropa, etc. In attendance: Allen Ginsburg and other out-of-state celebrities Contact: ?? Sorry, I'm relying on memory for this one... ============= Friday, July 30th PROMISE KEEPERS PROTEST: Once again this summer, the State of Colorado's highest-paid homophobe, CU football coach Bill McCartney, has invited his 50,000 "Red-Hot For Jesus" friends to "Learn to Walk in Christian Masculinity." What this conference is really about is more like learning to walk the goose-step. Historically, the "Promise Keepers" conference has focused on teaching heterosexual men to keep their PRIVILEGES, rather than their promises. The exclusively male confab concentrates heavily on keeping men at the head of their households, and pacifying uppity wives so that they stay in their place. Last year there were a few classes for wives, on how to serve their men well. This year there are classes for gay men on reforming their ways. (In case you've been in less hostile climes for the past 2 years, Bill McCarney is a Member of the Board of Directors of Colorado for Family Values, a group which focuses on legalizing discrimination against gay, lesbian, and bisexual Coloradans. In November they succeeded in passing Amendment 2.) A MASSIVE PROTEST is scheduled for the open of the conference on Friday, July 30th. Protesters will meet at Scott Carpenter Park (30th & Marine, across from NOAA) at 5PM, and march down the Boulder Creek Path to Folsom Field, where the bigots will be gathering. Fliers for the rally will be available on July 24th. Contact me by e-mail (mills@spot.colorado.edu) if you are interested in helping to distribute these. July 26th 7PM: POSTER MAKING SESSION for the protest. At the Clubhouse of the Arborwood Condominiums, O'Neal Circle (off of 30th, north of Valmont). Contact David Young at 545-9336. ================ Saturday July 24th OPERATION PAPAL SMEAR Planning for protests of the visit of Pope John Paul II to Denver in August. Meet at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Colorado on 1245 Colfax Avenue in Denver. Call 937-1598 for more info. ================ That's all I've got... queerness, Mike