EDITORIAL: A Frightening Thought

Colorado voters approved anColorado voters approved anamendment that would haveColorado voters approved anamendment that would havedenied homosexuals protectionColorado voters approved anamendment that would havedenied homosexuals protectionfrom discrimination-luckily,Colorado voters approved anamendment that would havedenied homosexuals protectionfrom discrimination-luckily,the amendment was crushed.Colorado voters approved anamendment that would havedenied homosexuals protectionfrom discrimination-luckily,the amendment was crushed.______________________________ Luckily, six of the nine judges ruled to void what was known as Amendment 2. In 1992, Colorado's voters approved the amendment, but it -- thankfully -- never took effect because of immediate opposition. While it is, therefore, likely that voiding the amendment will maintain status quo rather than causing radical change, it is frightening that such an amendment was approved by voters and nearly enacted. If accepted, Amendment 2 could have encouraged other states that have considered similar provisions to put them into effect, spreading effects of discrimination around the country. This incident indicates that in the United States -- where political correctness and acceptance are familiar terms -- people still cling to prejudices and blind judgements. A majority of Colorado voters were willing to deny homosexuals the possibility of equal protection from discrimination in public colleges and other agencies. But people should not be denied an education on the basis of sexual preference. Sexuality is not a valid admissions criterion. It is shocking and absurd that people would vote to prohibit government agencies from creating legislation to protect homosexuals from something that should not even exist.