In yesterday's election, with approximately 30% of registered voters voting, thecity of Portsmouth defeated a non-binding referendum which asked the voters if 
they supported passage of an equal rights ordinance similar to the one defeated
by the City Council on JUne 8, 1993.  1,934 (40.&%) of those voting voted yes
(a vote for equal rights) and 2,814 (59.3%) voted no.

THe equal rights ordinance defeated in June would have prohibited the city from entering into or maintaining a contractual relationship with any business
which did not sign a statement that they would not discriminate on the basis of
sexual orientation.  The ordinance specifically addressed credit, employment,
housing and public accomodation.  The council defeated the ordinance by a vote of 5-4 after a bitter and emotional 3 1/2 hour public hearing.  The city council,again by a vote of 5-4 voted at its August 2 meeting to put the question to the
voters as a non-binding referendum question in spite of the fast that NO ONE
asked for or wanted a referendum.

THe Open Door City Coalition, a grass roots organization which sponsored the 
ordinance, is pleased withthe 40% favorable vote although disappointed with a low voter turnout which affected our chances for a stronger shoe of support.

More troublesome, however, is the outcome of the city council election.  With
all 9 positions up for election, the conservatives increased their total number
of seats to 6.  We lost one of our key supporters.  THe voters appeared to 
support those opposed to the ordinance and withdraw support from those who
supported it.  Ass't Mayor Jim Splaine, who introduced the ordinance in May,
came in eighth and was replaced as Ass't Mayor (this title goes to the 2nd 
 highest vote recipient; the Mayor is the top recipient).  All of our 
supporters but one lost votes because of their support of the ordinance.  The 
new and conservative composition of the council will make passage of an 
ordinance difficult.

In addition to the many local people who supported us, we would also like to 
acknowledge and thank Sue Hyde, New England Field Coordinator for National
Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and Hans Johnson, People for the American Way, for 
support and assistance.

The New Hampshire Coalition to End Discrimination, a state-wide organization,
is working hard to prepare for the introduction in the legislature this winter
of an amendment to the State CIvil Rights statute to include sexual orienation.
They art holding a rally on November 10 - I will post more on this tomorrow.


Excuse the typing errors - it was a very late night!

Peace.

Eric Weinholf
Coordinator of Student Programs
Well, let me start again by spelling my name correctly!!!

Eric Weinhold
Coordinator of Student Programs
Center for International Perspectives
University of New Hampshire