Ballot Losses in Three States

Continued from page 1

ployment and services and by businesses with city contracts,
advocates placed a non—binding referendum on the ballot. If
passed, it would have urged the City Council to pass such a
measure. The referendum received the support of 41% of the
voters in Portsmouth, a disappointment for the largest and
gayest city in the relatively liberal New Hampshire Seacoast
area.

The series of defeats leaves activists re—evaluating strategies for next
year’s expected onslaught of Colorado-style anti-gay ballot measures.
The public appears to be buying the right wing strategy of portraying
civil rights measures as supporting “special rights” for lesbians and gay
men, or turning it into a debateon whether or not people “approve” of
homosexuality. While opinion polls consistently indicate that the public
disapproves of discrimination, such support rarely survives the well-
organized onslaught of distorted and hate-filled anti-gay campaigns.

“The intiatives show that we’ve got a lot of work to do. It’s clear
that our message is not moving the public,”’said Gregory King
of the Human Rights Campaign Fund. National organizations
and leaders are increasingly concerned that possible losses in a
series of high—profile statewide votes next year would sig-
nificantly hamper the effort to enact national and local civil
rights measures. Citing the rise in anti-gay violence in Oregon
and Colorado, many fear that these campaigns will create an
even more hostile social environment for lesbians and gay men.

These elections will drain millions of dollars and demand an incredible
expenditure of time and energy from the lesbian and gay communities
across the country. Among the states likely to hold votes next year are
Arizona, Colorado (again), Florida, Idaho, Maine, Michigan, Montant,
Oregon (again), and Washington state. In addition, voters in Kentucky
may vote on a measure to reinstate the state sodomy law recently struck
down by the courts, and California voters may face a constitutional
amendment banning same sex marriage. V

  

 
  
  
    
    

December 1993
FRESH WHOLESOME ORGA4,

ENTERTAINING?
meet your
menu needs...

Naturally
at the Coop

and not for
members only

274 North Winooski Ave.
Burlington 863-3659
M—S 9:30-7:30
Sunday 12 to 5

SCIOO:| '|VNOlJ.N3I\NOO "9 3|

802-773-8990
(FAX) 802-775-6655

ABV SALES, INC.

ADULT MERCHANDISE - WHOLESALE / RETAIL
VIDEOS_:NOVl3_TI ESLPRI VATE BOOTHS_._MAG5

156 WEST ST.
RUTLAND. VERMONT 05701

 

Therapeutic Massage
V

Pamela Gale
Certlfled Massage Therapist

802-864-0903

Member VT Massage Guild V ‘
Graduate Florida School of Massage

Gtft Certificates/Sliding Fee Scale

Burlington, VT

 

  
  

 

9»
59 Passion‘,-.

éilbearls. . .

 

Wed., Dec. 1 Country & Western
Learn to Line

$3200 includes
one well drink

Dance & Two Step 8:30 - 10:30
Friday, Dec. 3 Women ’s Dance $6.00 5-9 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 8 Country & Western Details-Dec. 1
Sun., Dec. 12 Buffet Brunch 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 15 Country & Western Details-Dec. 1
Thur., Dec. 16 Christmas Party 6-9 PM

Buffet—Bring Ornament

for a free well drink
Thur., Dec. 16 Also our Juice Bar $3.00 10 p.m.

(All other Thursdays—Dance bar—No Cover)

Wed., Dec. 22 Country & Western Details-Dec. 1
Sat., Dec 25 Christmas Night No Cover
DJ Dancing Open at 8:00PM
Fri., Dec. 31 New Year’s Ball ’94 $10.00 Cover
Buffet—Champagne— 8:00 PM
Party Favors

Friday and Saturday Door Cover Policy
Before 9:00 Free - 9:00 - 10:00 $1.00 At‘ er 10:00 $3.00
Opening at 8:00 Sat., Sun., Monday & at :00 Tues. - Fn'.

Pearls - 135 Pearl Street ~ Burlington, Vermont 863-2343