Fight the Right Action Kit Discrimination Costs -- The Boycott Strategy ----- by Terry Schleder, Director, Boycott Colorado, Inc. ----- The Colorado Boycott is a powerful grassroots movement that is working to fight the religious right and stop the spread of anti-gay & lesbian ballot initiatives across the United States. On November 3, 1992, Colorado became the first state to legalize discrimination against gays, lesbians & bisexuals at the ballot box. Colorado's Amendment 2 is part of a nationwide attack by the religious right on civil rights everywhere. At least ten states will face petition drives in fall 1993 which, if sufficient signatures are gathered, will thrust those states into the divisive and expensive struggles that cost Colorado and Oregon millions of dollars and great political divisions in 1992. Since the passage of Amendment 2, hate crimes against gay men and lesbians have jumped by more than 400%. Five gay men have been stabbed. Lesbians wearing "No on 2" buttons have been physically attacked. Colorado Springs is headquarters to more than 55 religious right organizations. Many gay activists have left the state. There has even been an Amendment 2-related suicide. In the seven months since Amendment 2's passage, the Colorado Boycott has garnered national attention and support. As of June 1993, more than 60 companies have canceled conventions or meetings in Colorado, and more than 110 groups have called for a boycott of Colorado to protest Amendment 2. Some 20 U.S. municipalities have severed ties with Colorado because of the anti-gay initiative. New York City has divested its stock holdings in any Colorado companies, and canceled a contract for new municipal buses. Ziff-Davis Publishing had planned to relocate their operations to Colorado; in the wake of Amendment 2, they reconsidered, costing the state $1 billion dollars in revenue over a five-year period had they chosen to operate in the state. Good snow and papal visits notwithstanding, the Colorado Boycott is resulting in long-term fiscal consequences for the state that voted against civil rights. What does this mean for other states, particularly those targeted for initiatives by the religious right? The Colorado example serves as a warning to voters, businesses, and political leaders in the other 49 states, attesting to the strength of the determination of activists and citizens to oppose discrimination and "ballot-box bigotry." Conservative Governor John Engler of Michigan has stated for the record, "I believe a Colorado-type amendment would have a negative impact if adopted in Michigan. Such an Amendment could lead to tourists and convention planners boycotting our state, which would obviously have an adverse effect on our economy. Michigan does not need an amendment of this nature" (letter to a constituent dated 2/16/93). Boycott Colorado, Inc. stands prepared to fight the battle over Amendment 2 until its eventual repeal. We are unwilling to support a state that sees fit to deny civil rights and protections to any of its citizens. We are dedicated to promoting the effectiveness of the boycott nationally to prevent the spread of any "Amendment 2-style" initiatives that may be attempted in other states. The following page lists boycott endorsers as of 6/7/93. In addition to this list, more than 62 businesses report conventions or business cancelled in Colorado, andmore than 100 New York City restaurants will not serve products from the state. Updates on the boycott, or information that activists can use to discuss the economic impact of anti-gay and lesbian legislation may be obtained through Boycott Colorado's toll-free line, 1-800-4-BOYCOTT. ----- Official Boycott Colorado Endorsements "I believe a colorado-type amendment would have a negative impact if adopted in michigan. such an amendment could lead to tourists and convention planners boycotting our state, which would obviously have an adverse effect on our economy. Michigan does not need an amendment of this nature." -- Governor John Engler, State of Michigan >> National Gay & Lesbian Task Force >> United Methodist Church (11 states) >> American Friends Service Committee >> NAACP of Albuquerque, NM >> American Jewish Congress >> The New York Times >> Western NC AIDS Project >> Ken's Travel Bureau >> David Nelson Design >> Rainbow Grocery (San Francisco) >> Minnesota Coalition Against Domestic Violence >> DFL Feminist Caucus >> Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party >> Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault >> Democratic Club, Hayward, CA >> Arriba! Ski Club >> Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays >> National Network of Gay & Lesbian Officials >> National Association of Community Health Centers >> American Civil Liberties Union (national) >> ACLU of Southern Californiia >> ACLU of North Carolina >> ACLU of New York State >> ACLU of Washington State >> Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts >> National Organization for Women (NOW) >> American Public Health Association >> Americans for Democratic Action >> The Greens/Green Party USA >> Ground Zero (Colorado Springs) >> The Village Voice >> The Knowledge Bowl >> American Sociological Association >> Dorothy M. Lewis, Assistant Dean, Harvard University >> Columbia University Student Association of International and Public Affairs >> New York University Law School >> County of Santa Clara, CA >> County of Broward, FL >> County of Multnomah, OR (Portland) >> County of Montgomery, MD >> City of San Francisco >> City of Minneapolis >> City of Berkeley, CA >> City of Baltimore, MD >> City of Atlanta >> City of Chicago >> City of Detroit >> City of Medford, OR >> City of New York >> City of Los Angeles >> City of Austin, TX >> City of Seattle >> City of Boston >> City of Philadelphia >> City of Laguna Beach, CA >> City of Madison, WI >> City of San Jose, CA >> City of Ann Arbor, MI >> City of Providence, RI >> City of Newton, MA >> City of Ypsilanti, MI >> National League of Cities >> Robin Tyler Productions >> Barbra Streisand >> Whoopie Goldberg >> Jonathan Demme >> Joan Rivers >> Armistead Maupin >> Liza Minnelli >> The Kennedy Family >> Ed Saxon >> John Landis >> Nora Ephron >> Michael Tolken >> Sally Kirkland >> Madonna >> Angie Dickinson >> Dee Long >> Julie Harris >> Kathy Najimy >> Anna Quindlen >> Delbert McClinton >> La Gente Unida >> Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination/USA/LA/San Fran. Bay >> Gay & Lesbian Community Center (CO) >> Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund >> The Gay Games IV >> ACT UP >> Triangle Foundation, Inc. >> Human Rights Campaign Fund >> AIDS, Medicine, & Miracles >> Mountain AIDS Coalition >> The Advocate >> Lesbian News >> Lesbians in Colorado >> The March on Washington >> Rev. Troy Perry, MCC >> California Association of Pride >> Military & Police Club, International >> New Mexico Association of Persons Living with AIDS >> Gala Choruses >> Law & Society Association >> Southern Christian Leadership Conference ----- To request the complete Fight the Right Action Kit, call NGLTF at 202-332-6483, TTY 202-332-6219. .