Colorado Boycott and Amendment 2
The American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR) recently withdrew from a planned fund-raising event in Aspen. This action was taken as a protest over the recent passage of Amendment 2 by the voters of Colorado, and in no way should be interpreted as a reproach to the enlightened and progressive community of Aspen.
AmFAR could not continue business as usual in Colorado. Amendment 2 represents the kind of officially sanctioned homophobia which has fueled this plague we know as AIDS. HIV may be the cause of AIDS, but the virus is aided and abetted by denial, hatred and extremists who seek to pit Americans one against the other. Discrimination against gay and lesbian people has slowed funding for AIDS research, hindered education for prevention efforts, restricted access to care and in many other ways helped AIDS become the threat it is today. Homophobia is a co-factor of AIDS.
Aspen has a long history of tolerance and leadership in the area of human rights. We are well aware of the city’s caring and compassionate citizens and its early support of lesbian and gay rights and the fight against AIDS. The people of Aspen resoundingly defeated Amendment 2. For these reasons, we deeply regret the fact that Aspen and local businesses may suffer economic loss because of the actions of irresponsible Colorado voters.
MERVYN F. SILVERMAN MD
President, AmFAR
Los Angeles
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