The Denver Post
March 21, 1993, pg. 1C
By Bill McBean, Staff Writer
The Colorado Bar Association did another turnabout yesterday by voting to hold
its annual convention in Colorado Springs, even though some members of the
group claim that Mayor Bob Isaac made a slur against gays.
By a vote of 38-32, the bar association's board of governors reversed an
earlier decision to yank the October convention from the Broadmoor Hotel.
In that vote last month, the association said it was abandoning Colorado
Springs because Isaac refused to write a welcoming letter that made specific
reference to gays. Isaac offered a general letter that welcomed everyone in
the group.
When officers of the association met with Isaac, they quoted the mayor as
saying, "You mean I have to invite the queers?" Isaac denied making the
statement.
Wylie Daniel, president of the bar association,said yesterday that the board of
governors thought the purported statement could be overlooked. He said
numerous letters from the business community "made it clear that all members
would be welcome in Colorado Springs."
The association had wanted a specific pledge from Isaac concerning gays because
Colorado Springs is the home of Colorado for Family Values, the group that
sponsored Amendment 2.
The constitutional measure, approved by Colorado voters in November but
subsequently blocked by a Denver judge, would erase laws protecting gays from
discrimination.
Isaac yesterday stood by his decision not to write a letter specifically
including a wlecome for gays.
"I'm glad they're coming," Isaac said of bar association members. "They're all
welcome."
Themayor had received hometown support for his decision not to pick out any
setment of the group for a special welcome.
A spate of letters from the Colorado Springs business community wasn't enough
for University of Denver law school professor Harold Rosenberg to believe the
convention should be restored to the Broadmoor.
"At some point or another, when there's any kind of discrimination, you've got
to do the right thing," said Rosenberg, one of those who voted against holding
the convention in Colorado Springs.
"The political environment of Colorado Springs is reflected by the mayor and
the silence of the city council."
Rosenberg criticized the association for being historically slow to act when
its membership was discriminated against. For instance, the association con-
tinued holding its meetings at the Denver Athletic Club for years, even though
the club didn't admit women.
Daniel said the association intends to make civil rights the focal point of the
convention, which will run Oct. 6-10.
When the bar announced it was moving its convention because of the dispute with
Isaac, about 5 members resigned, said spokeswoman Diane Hartman.
Now, bar members who are disgruntled about returning the convention to Colorado
Springs may boycott it, Rosenberg said.
Normally, 500 to 600 lawyers and their spouses attend.
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