Date: Sun, 23 Apr 1995 23:22:24 -0700 (PDT) From: Richard Isaac Subject: BIGOT BUSTERS (General Info, 1995) (fwd) The gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities in Washington State are bracing for the second onslaught in as many years from the Radical Right, which filed two anti-gay initiatives to the Legislature on March 8 in Olympia. These initiatives are different from Initiatives 608/610 last year, in that (should they gather the necessary 181,667 valid signatures by 31 Dec 1995) they will either be PASSED INTO LAW by the Legislature or PUT ON THE 1996 BALLOT for a popular vote. These are the ONLY options provided for in the Washington Constitution. The Governor may NOT veto them. The ONLY WAY to keep them from becoming law or going on the 1996 ballot is IF THEY FAIL TO GATHER ENOUGH SIGNATURES. This tactic, embodied in BIGOT BUSTERS, was successful last year in preventing I-608/610 from qualifying for the ballot. BIGOT BUSTERS has a proven record of success. It is even more urgent that we repeat this victory this year! BIGOT BUSTERS works like this: A hotline is set up and sightings of signature-gathering are reported to this line. The dispatcher sends out trained teams of Bigot Busters to those sites (after the sightings have been confirmed) to leaflet and talk to passersby, conducting on-the-spot voter education in the hopes that having heard both sides of the issue and the true effects of the anti-gay initiatives, voters will decline to sign them, and the initiatives will fail to qualify for the ballot. Of course, much more is involved, including lots of behind-the-scenes work, including media relations, outreach/networking, and fundraising. There is plenty to do for those not interested in talking face to face with voters, and much of it can be done from one's own home. BIGOT BUSTERS (Seattle) is eager to see such organizations form across Washington, and is very willing to provide assistance and training to those wishing to form such a group. For more information, or to donate time or money, contact : BIGOT BUSTERS 1202 E Pike #1110 Seattle WA 98122 Seattle area hotline: 206 767 2457