New York, NY, June 22, 1995...The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has joined other groups in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reject "Amendment 2" to the Colorado Constitution. This amendment forbids the government from prohibiting discrimination against homosexuals.

The Colorado Supreme Court determined that "Amendment 2" was unconstitutional since it infringed on the fundamental right of homosexuals to participate in the political process on an equal basis with other citizens. The case, Evans v. Romer, will have a widely felt impact, since a number of states and cities have attempted to enact anti-homosexual provisions in the past year. Most recently, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has upheld the constitutionality of a Cincinnati voter-passed referendum which removes from local government all authority to act on behalf of homosexuals.

The amicus brief ADL has joined contends that Amendment 2 represents a violation of the separation of church and state because it promotes the views of those with religious objections to homosexuality. According to the brief, the Amendment "affirmatively promotes private discrimination in support of a particular religious belief to the detriment of contrary religious beliefs." Moreover, "Amendment 2 subjects gays to second class citizenship in Colorado society." The brief also urges the Court to affirm the Colorado Supreme Court's decision on the grounds it violates an individual's right to participate in the political process on an equal basis.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.