In 1992 a majority of Colorado voters passed Amendment 2 denying gays and lesbians in that state the right to claim discrimination in jobs, housing and public accommodations. Gay rights activists challenged the Amendment in the courts and called for a national boycott of Colorado businesses. This documentary focuses on the leaders and shakers behind Amendment 2 in Colorado Springs — just an hours drive south of Denver — ground zero for the battle between the religious right and the gay rights movement. Epicenter of a new holy war. Moyers interviews the movers and shakers in the effort to pass Amendment Two — pastors, a car dealer, a newspaper editor. He also interviews a pastor who has welcomed gays into his congregation and citizen activists who have organized to challenge the legality of the amendment and motivations of its promoters.
Colorado Springs has a church on almost every corner and 5 Christian radio stations, then during the 1980s several dozen Christian ministries set up shop in this community. The most powerful, Focus on the Family, makes some $90 million annually selling books and magazines and their leader, James Dobson, hosts a daily radio show focusing on parenting advice and political analysis. Focus on the Family played a key role in promoting the opposition to gay rights.
The local newspaper, The Gazette Telegraph, took a conservative position on its editorial pages and their cartoonist, Chuck Lacey, lampooned the gay rights movement frequently.
“I’m kind of drawing a line for myself and other people to tolerate, but not accept (homosexual) behavior.”
Dan Griswold, the editorial page editor , wrote 20 editorials in favor of Amendment Two. “Christian people oppose a government that forces them to accept this lifestyle.” Reporters at the paper, who continue to cover the conflict, speak with Moyers in a more balanced manne
Ted Haggard, a charismatic preacher of New Life Church, which boasts of 4,000 congregants leads what he calls “a family ministry.” He tells Moyers: “Demonic forcesare bent on taking over. Human beings love to be sexual. But it’s not God’s best to be homosexual, or to be a slave to alcohol, greed or anger. Those things keep us from being God’s best. The issue is morality vs. immorality and homosexuality is immoral.”
Will Perkins, a local car dealer, was chairman of Colorado for Family Values, a public action committee to promote Amendment 2. He also launched a 1 million fund drive to promote similar efforts around the country. His team distributed an inflammatory video tape called “The Gay Agenda” to churches. By 1994 a dozen other states had similar amendments on the ballot.
Will Perkins: “They’re saying, ‘because of what we do in the bedroom, we want rights in all these other areas.’”
Another founder of Colorado for Family Values is Reverend Bernie Kyper of Village 7 Presbyterian Church. He believes the bible is God’s inerrant word. He tells Moyers: “The scriptures teach us that homosexual lifestyle is unacceptable.”
Amy Devine who founded The Citizens Project to respond to the Amendment 2 effort tells Moyers “Amendment 2 is about the authority of God vs. the authority of man. We have recorded speeches by Kevin Tebedo who works with Will Perkins at Colorado for Family Values. Tebedo talks about Jesus as the King of Kings, Lord of Lords as if Biblical law should become America’s law. They’re a dangerous group.”
Bruce Leffler, a board member of the Citizens Project, feels less safe after the passing of Amendment 2. “We’re being victimized by that behavior. Hate crimes and anti-homosexual violence and murder are up.”
Betty Lynn McAffey, electrician and activist, also warns of the dangers behind the effort to pass the amendment. “The soul purpose of distributing the video, The Gay Agenda, is to fan the flames of hate.” Betty Lynn and her partner, Lynn Boudreau – a former nun – are members of First Congregational Church where Jim White is pastor. White embraced their membership in the church and their desire to honor their union and lost members and money as a response. Says White: “The great principles of the Bible are for forgiveness and acceptance.”
Moyers asks McAffey: Why join the church that seems to want to vilify you?
McAffey: One thing I was uncomfortable with about Christianity was the notion that it was the only way. But as I look at it I find it is a window to God, a mirror to humanity, it’s very exciting to read the Bible and discover this.
In a final scene we listen in as a small group of people of faith — brought together by The Citizens Project — tries to discuss their differences, their prejudices and the road to resolution of this conflict. It is a very long and tenuous project.
