From: Date: Wed, 12 Oct 1994 13:57:27 -0400 Subject: NGLTF Applauds Amendment 2 Decision ************************************************* National Gay and Lesbian Task Force NEWS RELEASE Contact: Gregory Fisher (202) 332-6483 ext. 3309 (800) 757-7736 pager Beth Barrett (202) 332-6483 ext. 3215 2320 17th Street NW Washington, DC 200009 ************************************************* NGLTF APPLAUDS AMENDMENT 2 DECISION Colorado Supreme Court Affirms That Rights Can Not Be Voted Away Washington, D.C. -- October 11, 1994 -- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) praised today's Colorado Supreme Court decision against Colorado Amendment 2. In a 6-1 vote, the court found that "states have no compelling interest in amending their constitution in ways that violate fundamental federal rights." Colorado voters passed the amendment, which would have banned all state laws protecting gay and lesbian civil rights, in November 1992. "Today's court ruling is a high point in the rising tide of legal victories against a barrage of anti-gay attacks from the Religious Right," said NGLTF Executive Director Peri Jude Radecic. "This decision sends a clear message to those who would try to preserve their 'special right' to discriminate -- our rights can not be voted away." However, today's victory is only one of many battlefronts for the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community. Both Oregon and Idaho face similar anti-gay statewide initiatives this November. In addition, the Religious Right continues to build its political power for a broader agenda through school board elections and local initiatives. "As we celebrate today's victory in Colorado, we can not lose sight of the great threat that the Far Right poses to lesbian, gay and bisexual Americans, and to all those who value freedom and civil liberties," Radecic said. - end -