Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1993 16:51:11 -0500

Aside: Gay related issues have appeared on the front pages of "The
Idaho Statesman," the Boise newspaper almost every day this past week.
     
News from the Colorado courts as well the announcements by two Idaho
state legislators support of anti-gay policies have made the front
pages.
     
Reprinted without permission.
     
     
Sunday, December 12, 1993
     
'MAVERICK' SENATOR PUSHES FOR DEBATE ON ANTI-GAY INITIATIVE
     
By Julie Bailey
The Idaho Statesman
     
People use phrases like "maverick conservative," "independent," and most
recently, "rogue elephant" to describe Ucon [Idaho] Sen. Stan Hawkins.
     
On Thursday, Hawkins reinforced that long-standing reputation by taking
on an issue that his party [Republican] has avoided: the anti-gay
initiative.
     
Hawkins endorsed the state-wide initiative proposed by the Idaho
Citizens Alliance and said he plans to propose legislation that would
deny gays and lesbians specific status as a minority.
     
Those who have worked with him say they're not surprised Hawkins would
try to force a debate on the potentially divisive issue. This is
vintage Stan Hawkins.
     
-- more --
     
Thursday, December 16, 1993
     
LANCE CALLS FOR GAY DEBATE
     
By Julie Bailey
The Idaho Statesman
     
It will be difficult for the 1994 Legislature to avoid tangling with the
issue of gay rights.
     
Meridian State Rep. Al Lance is the second Republican law maker in as
many weeks to say publicly that sexual preference shouldn't be grounds
for minority status, and the Legislature should debate the issue.
     
...
     
The two men appear to have a similar concept in mind, but Lance said he
will wait and see what Hawkins proposes before taking any action.
Hawkins has not yet drafted a bill.
     
House Speaker Mike Simpson said a bill from Majority Caucus Chairman
Lance would probably carry more political clout than an identical bill
from Hawkins, who is considered a maverick within the party.
     
...
     
[Lance is also a candidate for Idaho Attorney General]
     
Jill Kuratis, spokeswoman for Don't Sign On, the initiative's chief
opposition, said it's "horrifying" that an attorney general candidate
would be proposing such legislation.
     
     
     
 -30-