Portland rally to support House bill
that would stop gay discrimination
Bv Shawn Wirt/.
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A rally will be held in
Portland tonight in support of a
House bill introduced Friday
that, if passed, will prohibit
discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation.
“Essentially we’re talking
about an omnibus bill that
relates to discrimination in
housing, employment and
public accommodations.’’ said
Dave Fidanque, associate direc
tor of the American Civil Liber
ties Union of Oregon.
The ACHJ and several
religious, feminist and gay ac
tivist organizations are sponsors
of the proposal. “We have spent
a great deal of time over the last
few months trying to build a
broad base of support," Fidan
que said.
Current state law prohibits
discrimination on the basis of
sex. race, religion, national
origin, age and marital status.
“What we're talking about is
adding the phrase sexual orien
tation to that list.“ Fidanque
said.
Homosexuals are the “one
minority group in our society
against whom there is a groat
deal of discrimination that is
not protected by state laws.”
Fidanque said. The bill is an ef
fort at extending the civil rights
protections other groups in
society already have, he said.
Discrimination in reaction to
the AIDS virus, which is most
prevalent in homosexual men,
has in some ways pushed the
need for the bill. Fidanque said.
People with physical or men
tal handicaps already are pro
tected against discrimination by
law. and last year Labor and In
dustries Commissioner Mary
Wendy Roberts determined that
AIDS victims fall under tin;
category of physically han
dicapped. Fidanque said.
“The problem is that it’s very
subtle discrimination," Fidan
que said. For example, he said,
many times someone only
suspected of being gay is fired.
“I could tell you story after
story about what has happened
to people concerning medical
care and housing.” said I.isa
“Tora” Shulman. a member of
the University Clay and Lesbian
Alliance and the AC1LII Com
mission on (lav and Lesbian
Rights.
The commission is a
statewide organization “trying
to help get the nuts-and-bolts
grass roots together,” Fidanque
said. The commission hopes to
raise $10,000 to hire a lobbyist
for this issue specifically, and
Fidanque expects pledges of up
to $5,000 after tonight's rally,
he said.
"Many people feel that they
can't come into this office
because they’re afraid their
career would he in danger."
Shulman said. As an example of
discrimination she cited a rental
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agency employe** who told a
friend that they didn't rent to
"dykes."
"YVe aren’t unrealistic in
thinking that we can legislate
feelings." Shulman said. Fidan
(jue added. "We expect the op
ponents will be there as they
have in the past.”
However, both are hopeful
that the legislation will be suc
cessful. "For the first time in
eight years we have a governor
who would not veto it and in
fact would support it. That’s the
critical thing.” Fidanque said.
The rally will he held at tin*
Portland Metropolitan Com
munity Church at the corner of
N.K. 24th and Broadway.
Secretary of State Barbara
Roberts will address tin* crowd.
()pt*n ' pm It) Ulpm
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