10

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

42022

February 6, 2004

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Luken

Continued from page 1

millions of dollars, of that there can be no denial," the speech continued. "The repeal of Article 12 is about more than money, though. It stands as a symbol that Cincinnati is willing to tolerate discrimination for one class of our citizens."

Luken went on to refer to the 1993 campaign for Article 12 as "an expensive and slick campaign that, I think, misled voters about what was at issue. What is at issue now, as then, is discrimination, pure and simple." Article 12 was used as an argument in a challenge to the city's gay-inclusive hate crime ordinance, passed in February 2003 following the New Year's Eve murder of a young gay man, Gregory Beauchamp.

A Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas judge dismissed the suit against the city on December 22, 2003, ruling that, since none of the plaintiffs were being charged under the hate crime measure, they did not have standing to challenge it.

"I ask you and every Cincinnatian to join me today and sign yourself up for the campaign that is coming in November, to repeal Article 12," Luken continued.

Cincinnati activists were thrilled with Luken's speech, which they believe is the culmination of a decade of lobbying and organizing against the measure.

"We are very pleased with the mayor's endorsement of the repeal effort," said Justin D. Turner, the campaign manager for Citizens to Restore Fairness, the group that organized

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the petition drive to put the issue back before the voters.

CRF has collected enough signatures to put a repeal question of the ballot, but is 'waiting until the submission period opens for November's election to turn them in. They are now canvassing the city to identify supportive voters.

"By calling for the repeal of Article 12, Mayor Luken joins a broad coalition of business, religious and community leaders who feel Cincinnati will be a much more inclusive place when we treat all our citizens fairly," Turner continued. "So far, over 10,000 people have committed to voting yes to repeal Article 12. Our coalition is working hard to reach out to every Cincinnati voter."

"We continue to go door-to-door having open and honest conversations with voters about the need to repeal Article 12."

Updates on the repeal effort and information on upcoming CRF events are available on the group's web site, www.citizens torestore fairness.org.

The co-chairs of Stonewall Cincinnati, the city's primary LGBT human rights organization, released a statement lauding the mayor for his support of the repeal effort.

"The important work of CRF will be aided by this stance, and puts those considering candidacy for mayor next year on notice that their position on equal rights for all citizens... will be a litmus test for electability," said co-chair John Schlagetter.

"Mayor Luken's unqualified support is a watershed event, significant for its courage in the face of silence on the issue from too many elected officials, and even open hostility from others," co-chair Terry Payne concurred.

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