Opposing Legalization of Discrimination Against Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexuals 1992 Resolution of Immediate Witness

WHEREAS the Unitarian Universalist Association affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person and calls for justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; and

WHEREAS Coloradans for Family Values have collected enough signatures and Oregon Citizens' Alliance is collecting signatures to place on the Colorado and Oregon ballots proposed amendments to the state constitutions which would legalize discrimination against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals in those states, based solely on sexual orientation; and

WHEREAS three Colorado cities—Denver, Boulder, and Aspen—and Portland, Oregon, currently have in force ordinances prohibiting discrimination against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals which would all be invalidated if these amendments pass; and

WHEREAS an anti-gay and lesbian ordinance has already been adopted in Springfield, Oregon, and ballot initiatives have already been introduced by the voters in several cities including Irvine, Riverside, and Concord, California; Tampa, Florida; and Corvallis, Oregon; and the list continues to grow; and

WHEREAS the right-wing umbrella organization called Traditional Values Coalition which is behind these ballot initiatives in Colorado and Oregon continues to add new chapters that ignite hatred against gay, lesbian, and bisexual people and it is uncertain what city, state, or province will be targeted next; and

WHEREAS Coloradans opposed to that amendment have formed an organization called EPOColorado, the Equal Protection Campaign (Box 300476, Denver 80203, phone 303-839-5540) and Oregonians opposed to the amendment have formed the Campaign for a Hate-Free Oregon (Box 3343, Portland 97208-3343, phone 503-232-4501);

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the delegates of the 1992 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association are outraged at the hate campaigns going on in these states and at the possibility of legalization of discrimination based on sexual orientation if these constitutional amendments and ordinances pass;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1992 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association strongly urges all Unitarian Universalist Congregations to inform their members of the ballot initiatives in Colorado, Oregon, and other jurisdictions this November; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the 1992 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges all Unitarian Universalists to support EPOColorado and the Campaign for a Hate-Free Oregon with financial contributions and by writing letters to friends and relatives living in those states, encouraging them to vote against the amendments.