AFA Calls for Kolbe’s Arrest on Sodomy Charges
The Data Lounge,
August 1, 2000
NEW YORK—One of the country’s most prominent conservative
groups has called for the arrest of openly gay Republican Congressman, Rep. Jim Kolbe,who
is slated to speak Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention, on sodomy charges.
The American Civil Liberties Union’s Lesbian and Gay Rights Project said Monday
the American Family Association has begun circulating an action alert demanding the arrest
of the Congressman when he returns home to Arizona.
GOP convention delegates and the AFA member base began receiving a document entitled
"Arrest Mr. Kolbe" several days ago. The notice contains a sample letter
addressed to the Chairman of the Republican Party, which demands formal charges be brought
against the Republican Congressman.
"Mr. Kolbe as a self-described homosexual means nothing except to say that he
engages in sodomy. Did you know that in Arizona, sodomy is against the law? Mr. Kolbe
should be arrested when he returns to his home state for violating state law. Would you
agree that all lawmakers should insist that all laws be enforced?"
The ACLU said the threats issued by the American Family Association should make crystal
clear the dangers representing by not working forcefully to repeal state sodomy laws
across the country.
The ACLU notes the American Family Association, based in Mississippi, meets regularly
with Republican majority leadership in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives
and has played an active role in keeping anti-gay language in the Republican Party’s
current platform.
"Time and time again when we file lawsuits challenging sodomy laws, conservative
groups argue that these laws are not enforced and do not present any real danger—but that they should remain on the books to send a moral message," said Michael Adams
of the ACLU’s Lesbian and Gay Rights Project.
"By issuing this callous alert, the right wing has demonstrated the very real
danger of sodomy laws—that they can be used to try to intimidate and silence
lesbian and gay Americans," said Adams.
"If a Republican member of Congress is not safe from such attacks, then who
is?"
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