>From the Associated Press - Reproduced without
permission 12/22/93.

SURVEY: 9 of 105 LAWMAKERS SUPPORT
ANTI-GAY INITIATIVE

IDAHO FALLS -- A statewide survey of Idaho's
105 legislators shows only nine support a ballot
initiative to limit gay rights.

According to a statewide survey conducted this
month by the Idaho Falls Post Register, 60 leg-
islators said they oppose or are leaning
against an anti-gay initiative sponsored by
the Burley-based Idaho Citizens Alliance.

The Legislature could play a key role in Idaho's
anti gay-rights debate.  If voters approve the
ICA initiative in November, 1994, it will be
up to the 1995 Legislature to put it into law.

Several bills could be introduced during the
1994 legislative session to address or carry
out portions of the ICA initiative.

While a majority of lawmakers indicated they
strongly oppose the ICA initiative, more than
a quarter remain undecided.

The paper said all nine legislators supporting
the anti-gay initiative are Republicans.  They
include Sen. Rex Furness, Rigby; Rep. JoAn Wood,
Rigby; and Rep. Michael Johnson, Rexburg.

Others are Sen. Jerry Thorne, Nampa; Sen. Denton
Darrington, Delco; Sen. Dennis Hansen, Soda
Springs; Rep. Ron Crane, Caldwell; Rep. Robert
Schaefer, Nampa; and Rep. Dan Mader, Lewiston.

Sixty legislators, 31 Democrats and 29 Republi-
cans, said they opposed the initiative, and
29 GOP lawmakers said they were undecided.

Four legislators refused to state a position,
Sen. Roger Madsen, R-Boise; Rep. Dorothy
Reynolds, R-Caldwell; Rep. Dolores Crow,
R-Nampa; and Rep. Sylvia McKeeth, R-Boise.
A fifth, Rep. Bill Taylor, R-Nampa, refused
to participate in the Post Register's
survey.

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