Homosexual advocates push American Political Science Association to boycott New Orleans due to DOMA
David Glen reports in The Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription required):
In the latest dispute over civil rights and the obligations of scholarly groups, the American Political Science Association is facing calls to relocate its 2012 convention, scheduled to be held in New Orleans. Lesbian and gay members of the association say that a “defense of marriage” amendment…
Michael Brintnall, Executive Director of the APSA has issued this memorandum discussing the controversy and APSA policies. It provides in part:
. . . - APSA has a signed contract with the Marriott and Sheraton Hotels to hold our meeting in New Orleans in 2012. New Orleans was selected as part of a Council-approved rotation to go to all regions of the country. This contract was signed in 2003, one year before Louisiana adopted a constitutional amendment against gay marriage.
- The contract includes language asserting long-standing APSA policy that if the city establishes or enforces laws that violate civil rights of APSA members we may terminate the contract, including with respect to sexual orientation and marital status. This language was adopted many years ago at the request of the Gay and Lesbian Caucus.
- The Committee on the Status of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and the Transgendered in the Profession has asked this year that this principle be extended to state policy – specifically to states with Constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. Twenty-six states have such Constitutional provisions. The Committee’s documentation noted that 19 other states have statutory restrictions limiting marriage to one man and one woman, including many states in which APSA regular holds its meetings. (Only Massachusetts issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples and the remaining states allow different kinds of civil unions.) The LGBT committee themselves did not extend their petition to the states with statutory restrictions . . .
More information, including the text of Louisiana marriage laws, is available on Doma Watch.