Date: Tue, 13 Oct 98 16:08:57 -0400 From: NGLTF Subject: NGLTF on Supreme Court and Cincinnati ************************************************ NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Tracey Conaty, Communications Director tconaty@ngltf.org 202-332-6483 x3303 800-757-6476 pager 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org *********************************************** SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS HOMOPHOBIC BALLOT INITIATIVE WASHINGTON, DC---October 13, 1998--- Today the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling upholding a 1993 anti-gay ballot initiative in Cincinnati. The Court refused to hear the case Equality Foundation of Greater Cincinnati v. Cincinnati, thereby allowing homophobic Issue 3 to take effect. Cincinnati's ballot measure Issue 3 amended the cityıs charter to prohibit civil rights laws banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. It was approved by voters in 1993 after a divisive campaign. When the Court struck down a similar Colorado provision in Romer v. Evans, it sent the Issue 3 case back to the Sixth Circuit for reconsideration. The Sixth Circuit disregarded the Romer decision and upheld Issue 3. Today, the Court refused to hear an appeal to that decision, allowing the discriminatory measure to take effect. The following statement is attributable to Kerry Lobel, executive director of NGLTF: "Today the U. S. Supreme Court allowed equality to take a back seat to homophobia. It is unconscionable that the Court would allow this ruling to stand and refuse to act on behalf of all Americans. We extend our deepest sympathies to our allies in Cincinnati. For decades, they have worked hard to create a community to extend opportunities to all of Cincinnati's citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation. Standing together, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people and their allies spoke out eloquently and passionately about fairness and their vision for justice. We have confidence that they will work hard to bring justice to their community. We stand ready to assist them in passing new laws that will repeal Issue 3. All Americans deserve to live free from violence and discrimination. We will ultimately defeat the right-wing's broad anti-democratic agenda that seeks to deny basic rights for GLBT people." -30- _____________________________________________________________________ Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have a question regarding this post, please direct it to the contact at the top of this message. If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to . You may also unsubscribe by visiting http://www.ngltf.org.