🚀 go-pugleaf

The following is being posted to several library groups, under the
reasoning that its subject matter transcends the various subdisciplines
within librarianship.

On November 3rd, the voters of the State of Colorado approved
Proposition 2, an amendment to the state constitution, which in essence
prohibits governmental bodies within the state from extending legal
protection from discrimination to gay, lesbian, and bisexual people.  As
a gay man and a librarian, I am concerned with this vote, particularly
in view of the fact that ALA Midwinter is scheduled for Denver in
January, and ALA Annual is set for Denver in 1998.

I am concerned, on a personal level,  that I may be denied services and
legal protection if I travel there, and I assuredly do not wish to spend
money in a state that is so dismissive of my rights.  If the Midwinter
Convention is held, I will feel unwelcome at the very least.

On a professional level, I am concerned that ALA not passively accept
this state of affairs, that it continue to speak out strongly for the
human rights of all people. The Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the
Social Responsibilities Round Table are in touch with ALA leadership on
the issue in devising such a response.  But I am not reassured by the
fact that there has been no comment on this topic on any of the three
library discussion groups to which I subscribe.

In view of the fact that ALA will be one of the first conventions to
visit the state after this amendment goes into effect January 4th, and,
frankly, in view of the surprising level of protest that occurred within
the profession after American Libraries ran a cover picture of gay and
lesbian librarians in July, I would like to request discussion of the
position of gay, lesbian, and bisexual librarians, specifically
soliciting the opinion of nongay librarians.

Are gays, lesbians, and bisexuals welcome as members of the library
profession?  If so,  does ALA have a responsibility to speak out for the
civil rights of its members, if not all Americans?  Does ALA have a
responsibility to respond to the Colorado amendment specifically, or
does the constitution of Colorado have any bearing on our convention?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments.

Dave Strickler, Reference Librarian
University of Southern California