The Big Easy: Bad Decision?

I read just now that there is a little bit of debate beginning among the American Political Science Association, one if not "the" professional organization for political sciences folks, over the choice for their 2012 national convention. New Orleans is where it is scheduled to be held. Apparently, the problem is regarding that state’s “defense of marriage” amendment that was adopted in 2004, the same year as Kentucky’s. Some members of the association reportedly are saying that attending could put them and their partners at certain risks such as if an attendee has a health problem and has to go to the hospital while there, his or her partner’s power to make decisions could be denied.

Proponents of the association convening in New Orleans argue that the city needs support as it continues to rebound from Hurricane Katrina. Also, some argue that New Orleans has historically been very tolerant towards the lgbt community; I’d agree, I’ve never heard someone among the lgbt community discuss a bad time in the big easy, but the above mentioned risks made me pause. Christopher Fettweis, faculty member at Tulane University, says he supports gay rights, but given New Orleans historical tolerance feels that this is “A bizarre place to choose to make a stand on the issue”.

There are already talks of boycotting, such as being done by the political-science department at Chapman University.

The association’s governing council will meet in June to discuss this matter. The contract for the conference was negociated in 2003, but did leave a loophole to withdraw if the City of New Orleans "enacts or enforces" laws that violate civil rights, including on the basis of sexual orientation (according to the Chronicle of Higher Education). The association is seeking input from its members on this matter. If you have feelings on this, you should contact a political-science faculty member at one of your nearest University. They (the member) can comment online at www.apsanet.org. If you don’t know anyone in a position like that, post feedback on here and I’ll share with someone I know.

So, what do you think? Good reason to take a stand? Could this hit Kentucky one day? Could some national association wish to gather in the Bluegrass State and it fall apart because of our “Anti-Marriage Amendment”?

~Jody