From: BoiseBear@aol.com
Date: Sat, 09 Jul 94 10:28:04 EDT

Reprinted from the [Boise] Idaho Statesman,
Saturday, July 9, 1994.
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GROUP FEARS RISE IN HATE CRIMES

Gay, lesbian outreach group urges Idahoans
to oppose violence

The Associated Press

Hat crimes against homosexuals could increase in
Idaho as it debates the anti-gay initiative, a gay and
lesbian outreach group said Friday.

The Anti-Violence Project called upon Idahoans to
oppose violence against homosexuals.  The group
said hate crimes increased in other states during their
debates over anti-gay initiatives.

The Idaho Citizens Alliance on Wednesday submitted
enough signatures to put its anti-gay initiative on the
November ballot.

"One act of violence is one act too many and must not
be tolerated," said Teddi Stearns, Anti-Violence Project
director.

Since the federal government's Hate Crime Statistics
Act was enacted in 1990, almost 200 cases have been
reported in Idaho.

"As the majority of hate crimes go unreported, the
actual number of incidences occuring is unknown,"
Stearns said.

"During the anti-gay ballot initiative struggles in Oregon
and Colorado in 1992, violence against gays, lesbians,
and bisexuals more than tripled," she said.

Stearns noted [Idaho] Governor Cecil Andrus proclaimed
July 8-15 as Anti-Violence Week, stating everyone is
entitled to "live in peace, security, safety and freedom
from fear."

The project called for other human rights groups to band
together against the anti-gay effort, and educate Idahoans
about hate.

It also plans work with the Legislature to extend the malicious
harassment law to include victims of hate crimes due to
gender, physical disabilities or sexual orientation.

The project maintains a 24-hour reporting hotline so
victims can talk to a trained volunteer.  The number is
208-344-4295.
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Submitted by Robert Shaffer
BoiseBear@aol.com
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