The OUT FRONT
Denvers' Gay community Forum
July 14, 1993  -  Volume XVIII, Number 8


| UTAH OFFERS BOYCOTT-FRIENDLY GAY SKI WEEK |

The land of the honey bee is making plans to offer a boycott-friendly  
alternative to Aspen's Gay Ski Week. Park City, Utah, tourism officials met  
recently to discuss plans for hosting a 1994 Gay Ski Week Jan. 15-22. 

California promoter David Merrell noted that while Utah is conservative, it is
not as conservative as some may think. He explains that Aspen left some gays  
feeling uncomfortable this year due to pressure from Amendment 2. He proposed  
Utah as a safe and comfortable alternative. 

Aspen resident and Ski Week organizer Terry White feels that Utah's efforts  
are a slap in the face. White stated that Gay Ski Week has opposed the boycott
and has supported efforts to reverse Amendment 2. 

Organizers for Aspen's ski week are still planning on holding the 17th annual  
Gay Ski Week next year regardless of Utah's plans. Aspen officials also noted  
that they own the copyright to the name and suggest that Utah find another  
title for their event. 

White respects efforts to offer a friendly alternative to Colorado, but  
questions why organizers have settled in the highly-religious state of Utah.  
Utah, saturated by the Mormons, who by church doctrine ex-communicate lesbians
and gays, also maintains strict sodomy laws. Colorado overturned its sodomy  
law years ago. 

By comparison, Aspen officials said attendance was down this year by about  
500. 2,500 people attended Aspen Gay Ski Week in 1992.