The charter amendment, on the books since Issue 3 passed in 1993, prohibits “any claim of minority or protected status, quota preference or other preferential treatment” for gays and lesbians.

        “I would say the consensus of those involved is that this year is not doable,” said Councilman David Crowley, a gay-rights supporter.

        “We don't have the time, the money or the field staff,” he said. “We have the enthusiasm and the motivation, but that doesn't win elections.”

        The consensus follows a yearlong report from the National Conference for Community and Justice, which was studying the economic impact of Issue 3 and building support for its repeal. The group's director, Chip Herrod, is expected to release the results of that report soon.

        The anti-Issue 3 forces believe attitudes have changed in Cincinnati in the past nine years, in part because of growing acceptance nationally and in part because of the changing demographics of the city.

        Even Mayor Charlie Luken, who often refused to give a mayoral proclamation for Gay Pride Day in the 1980s, has gradually softened his stance and said he would support the repeal of Issue 3 if gay rights groups could get it on the ballot.

        But Issue 3's foes also worry that if they try a repeal effort and lose, they may ruin their chances for another nine years.

        The conventional wisdom is that an anti-Issue 3 campaign would fare better in an even-numbered year, when turnout is higher.

        That means Cincinnati voters probably won't see a ballot issue again until November 2004.

        And the pro-Issue 3 forces aren't likely to roll over.

        Former Councilman Phil Heimlich, now a candidate for Hamilton County Commissioner, says claims the city's tourism industry has lost $63.7 million because of Issue 3 are misleading.

        He said that figure, by the Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau, doesn't consider the events which replaced conventions that canceled because of a boycott led by Stonewall Cincinnati. And he said the size of the Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center was a far bigger factor in the loss of convention business.

        Radio, radio: What's next, a telethon?

        Radio station WDBZ (1230 AM) has started a public service campaign in an effort to raise money for the plaintiff's lawyers in Bomani Tyehimba vs. City of Cincinnati — the racial profiling lawsuit that led to the so-called collaborative agreement on police-community relations.

        City Council has refused to pay the $600,000 tab for lawyers Al Gerhardstein, Scott Greenwood and Ken Lawson, and efforts at private funding have come up about $300,000 short.

        “I'm sure (station owner) Ross Love realized that the community isn't going to be running to the bank in droves, because most of my callers say the city should pay,” said WDBZ program director and morning host Lincoln Ware. “And the powers that be downtown don't want to pay because the Black United Front's involved.”

        City Hall reporter Gregory Korte can be reached at 768-8391 or gkorte@enquirer.com

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