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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE December 18, 1992

Editorial

Sending a stronger message

The growing national outrage over the passage of Amendment 2 in Colorado, which specifically targets gays to be less than equal in that state, is the most recent example of an activist's dilemma. The call to boycott has long been an American tradition, beginning at least with the Boston Tea Party, and a frequent tactic to protest an injustice and apply pressure to the offender in the most American of places--the wallet.

But these are no longer simple times. The "enemy" is not so clearly defined. The economic sluggishness and recession of the past decade created a wave of "buy American" patriotism. But now you can buy a Honda made by American workers, or buy a car from an American corporation that has 75% foreign parts. Which is the right choice?

Likewise, it's easy to say "Boycott Colorado" (now the name of an ad hoc group), but what does that really mean? Who is the enemy? A recent tactic was to call the state's tourism number (1-800-COLORADO) and, instead of asking about ski vacations, start talking about the injustice to gays at their phone expense. Those calls are terminated and, according to the tourism board, not tracked. But the tourism board is hardly the enemy. Their goal is to attract millions of visitors, not discrimi-

nate.

And what about a tourism boycott? The popular Aspen Lesbian and Gay Ski Week, scheduled to begin January 23, was immediately seized upon by the self-righteous as a target of a boycott. "Let's cancel our ski plans because Colorado isn't good to gays." Okay, but where were you planning to

spend your money? A gay travel agency? A gay bed and breakfast? All the gay bars in town? How are these businesses--our comrades in the struggle--going to survive such an economic impact, especially after the psychological blow of Amendment 2?

Then there are the tired troopers who announce a "general boycott" of everything Coloradan. All businesses, goods and symbols from Coors beer to the Denver Broncos are on this hit list. Like the automobile example above, it's very hard to isolate targets anymore. We have finally become the melting pot and in the process of a boycott we target ourselves.

The people the proponents hope to "save," those actually living in the state, are truly torn by the boycott prospect. They see both sides of the issue quite clearly-and they are in the middle. Those who take the time to hear gay Colorado's opinions will come to understand the dilemma of this "cut off your nose to spite your face" reaction. There is as much argument to "show up stronger and louder" at the ski week as there is to "let's deny them our money."

In the post-election shock of this defeat, people forget that the vote was close, a 53% majority. Activists also overlook the fact that Colorado Governor Roy Romer, Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, and Aspen Mayor John Bennett urged defeat of Amendment 2, and expressed outrage and marched in the streets with gays to decry the surprise passage. The state, and the cities of Denver, Aspen and Boulder, all have sexual orientation discrimination protection in place, which will be nullified by the Amendment in January. Yes, certain pockets of the state,

Yo, Akron-This one's for you!

The Akron lesbian and gay community is a-thrivin'. Where once there was nothing to hear there is now an organized community that is growing, changing and making an impact on its members.

The Chronicle would like to include Akron in its pages on a more regular basis. We would like to establish an Akron Bu-

reau.

We need your help. Clevelanders cannot report on your city like you can. If anyone in the Akron, Canton and Youngstown areas would like to help the Chronicle cover your community better, we need to hear from you. We need reporters, colum-

nists, ad reps, and circulation people. Some of these positions would be paid, others would be volunteer.

We have set up the first meeting here in Cleveland at our offices on Saturday, January 23 at 1:00 p.m. Once we arrange space in Akron, all further meetings will be there.

If you are interested in helping us establish our Akron connection, or have feedback for us, please attend this meeting. Call us first (1-621-5280) for directions and to tell us in what area you want to help.

The Chronicle has always been a community responsive newspaper and we want to continue this tradition in Akron and other surrounding communities.

Guest Opinion

It's

not so... but if it

by Sharon Gomes

She was beautiful and about to control me. I didn't care. In fact that's why I was there. She walked behind a table draped in purple silk, cluttered with objects. A plain cardboard box, a red candle, a book bound in leather, and a newspaper. She reached for the candle and the box fell to the stage floor. Self-consciously, her eyes dropped as she bent to pick it up. That's when she hooked me. I was emotionally involved now, sympathetic, wanting her to succeed, and I was convinced I heard an empty box fall.

We believe what we assume! Holding up the box would have only

notably Colorado Springs, are conservative and homophobic, but does that condemn everyone?

In analyzing the election results, most voters were confused by the amendment's wording and many voted to approve it when they meant the opposite. Does a complex ballot and confusing wording mean we should scratch Colorado off the gayapproved list as a lost cause?

The editorial board of the Chronicle is divided, too, but some recommendation is warranted. A wholesale, indiscriminate boycott and avoidance of Colorado is a negative approach that rarely produces any result beyond hard feelings. We suggest that something be done, but in a specific, pro-active manner.

the facing page

You'll find a letter on that proposes to move next April's March on Washington to Colorado so we can display a show of force. While the idea is fascinating and would make a resounding impression, it's a lot of wishful thinking. The logistics of the March are already overwhelming the ad hoc groups rising to the occasion. To change course with only four months to go is an invitation to--no, a guarantee of--disaster. The only message we would get across is the fact that we can't get organized. And we must!

The solution to the Colorado problem is to let your voice be heard, up front and personal; not the anonymous, invisible decision to boycott a product. Below are the people who need to hear from you. Colorado politicians who want tourists to keep visiting. And gay activists who need moral and financial support as they return to the battle.

Go to the Ski Week. When you visit

Addresses of gay-supportive Colorado groups

Aspen Lesbian and Gay Community Box 3143

Aspen, CO 81612 303-925-9249

Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Colorado Drawer E

Denver, CO 80218

303-831-6268

Colorado Legal Initiative Project

P.O. Box 44447

Denver, CO 80201

303-830-2100

Governor Roy Romer 136 State Capitol Denver, CO 80203 303-866-2471

but if it was so ...

made me skeptical, but now she could pull anything from it and I would believe in her magic. This is the hallmark of a gifted illusionist. Unfortunately, as an automobile is not intended to be a weapon, yet it kills, so the power to create illusion through innuendo and supposition can also destroy.

Last month, three lesbians in our community, knowingly acted irresponsibly, and owe their victims nothing less than a public apology. It began with an article in the December issue of What She Wants, titled "A Rap from the Racism Group" by Jeannine Petti, which should never have been printed. In it she speculates whether the Metronome bar's new membership policy is racially motivated.

In Petti's article, she asks a string of

so..

rhetorical questions, never having spoken to a representative of the bar. Free association is a valid method used in the creation of initial ideas, not for journalistic writing itself. I want to know which woman in the WSW collective made the decision to print this destructive piece. Not requiring the writer to ask the Metronome owners about the policy before submitting it for publication was completely irresponsible. In addition to Petti and the WSW editor, Kim Taylor must also be held accountable. Though I believe that her intention was to act responsibly by interviewing Sue Ballard, co-owner of the Metronome, she completely negated her good intentions by using the toxic if-it-isn't-true, but-what-if-itis-true format. She did a great job of mak-

gay people's

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Vol. 8, Issue 2

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The Gay People's Chronicle is dedicated to providing a space in the northeast Ohio lesbian-gay community for all of its members to communicate and be involved with each other. This means that every Chronicle, to the best of its ability, will be equally dedicated to both men's and women's issues, as well as issues that affect the entire community. This balance will provide lesbians and gay men with a forum to air grievances and express joys.

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Colorado, make a statement. Tell everyone you can, from the taxi driver and the desk clerk at the hotel to the newspapers and radio stations, and the governor's office, that you are gay, you are very disappointed about the influence of a few virulent, bigoted people, and that you expect something to be done to guarantee equal protection to everyone.

Our presence can only be appreciated if we show it, not withdraw it. After all, how many people don't notice us--or don't want to notice us--now?

The other side

Coloradans for Family Values

P.O. Box 190

Colorado Springs, CO 80901 719-577-4916

Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Drawer B

Colorado Springs, CO 80901

719-635-1551

Estes Park Chamber of Commerce

P.O. Box 3050

Estes Park, CO 80517 303-586-4431

ing the point that, if it isn't true, putting speculation in print only plants the seeds of gossip and serves no journalistic purpose. However, by spending an entire paragraph on "but what if it is true..." she contradicted herself, stepped out of responsible journalism and into what-ifing, and promoted the very gossip she intended to squelch. She did exactly what Petti did. She knocked the box off the table and all the people who are now sure they read facts are going to be difficult to persuade that it was all just smoke.

I saw it on her face last night. Her usual smile was a little smaller. Her sexy voice a little softer. I didn't know what to say so my

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