http://www.aclu.org/court/aba.html In fact, the proponents of Amendment 2 played upon popular myths equating gay men with child molesters to fuel their campaign. Their campaign literature urged voters to say "no to sexual perversion with children -- vote YES! on Amendment 2!" Pla. Tr. Exh. 22 at 2. CFV repeatedly and spuriously represented that "pedophilia (the sexual molestation of children) is actually an accepted part of the homosexual community!" and that: Though only 2% of the population, homosexuals commit between 1/3 and 1/2 of all recorded child molestations. Homosexual teachers commit as many as 4/5 of all pupil molestations. They are 12 times as likely as heterosexual teachers to molest children. "Gays" are 18 times more likely to incorporate children into their sexual practices as heterosexuals. Pla. Tr. Exh. 22 at 2; Pla. Tr. Exh. 21 at 2. The trial court soundly rejected these assertions: If the ... [asserted state] interest relates to protecting children physically from pedophiles, the testimony of plaintiffs' witness Dr. Carole Jenny is more persuasive than anything presented by defendants. Dr. Jenny practices at Denver's Children's Hospital and made a study of persons who sexually abused children who were brought to that hospital. She indicated that pedophiles are predominantly heterosexuals, not homosexuals. Pet. App. C-13. Thus, if the purported state interest in protecting children has any relevance to this case, it is in exposing the fear- and prejudice-based appeals used by supporters of Amendment 2 to provoke a visceral, negative reaction. But "mere negative attitudes," "`private biases'" and "vague, undifferentiated fears" cannot justify government's disparate treatment of different groups of citizens. Cleburne, 473 U.S. at 448, 449. To the extent that fearmongering with regard to pedophilia and other false notions about gay people led to the enactment of Amendment 2--and the history of that measure leaves no doubt that such biased views played a significant role--that basis for the classification is constitutionally illegitimate. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html <A HREF="http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
