Date:         Tue, 19 Jul 1994 10:31:10 EDT
From: BoiseBear@AOL.COM

Personal aside: Finally this ultra conservative Idaho
Senator comes out!
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Reprinted from the [Boise] Idaho Statesman,
July 19, 1994.
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CRAIG:  ANTI-GAY INITIATIVE ISN'T NEEDED
IN IDAHO

By Marianne Flagg
The Idaho Statesman

Sen. Larry Craig has joined his Idaho congressional
colleagues in opposing the anti-gay initiative, saying it's
unnecessary.

"Most Idahoans and I agree a particular citizen or group
should not receive special treatment under the law," Craig
said in a statement released Monday.  "However, I fear
this initiative would not deliver the intended result, and may
create more confusion over 'special rights' than it clears up.

"I believe Idaho law is both adequate and correct in that it
does NOT contain any special protections for alternative
sexual preferences.  Nor does any such provision seem
imminent."

The initiative will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot as Proposition
1.  If passed, it would ban state laws prohibiting discrimination
based on sexual orientation.

Democratic Rep. Larry LaRocco opposed the measure as soon
as it was announced in early 1993, followed by Republican Sen.
Dirk Kepthorne.  Rep. Mike Crapo stated his opposition last
month.

Initiative proponent Kelly Walton, chairman of the Idaho
Citizens Alliance, said the Craig announcement was only
"another speed bump in the process."

Brian Bergquist, a gay leader fighting the initiative, cheered
Craig's statement.  "We're real encouraged.  It could have
gone the other way.  He's a pretty conservative senator."

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Submitted by Robert Shaffer
BoiseBear@aol.com
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