Portland battles to gain protection of gays’ rights PORTLAND (AP) — Tho City Council faces strong opposi tion from u conservative group in its efforts to pass an ordi nance protecting the rights of homosexuals seeking jobs or housing. The proposed ordinance was written by City Commissioner Mike Lindberg A draft already has been signed by Mayor Bud Clark and the other three com missioners on the City Council ''It’s very clear," Lindberg said Monday. "Wo think peo ple should be judged on their performance and their charac ter, not their sexual orienta tion." He said the measure was written after city attorneys studied civil rights ordinances passed in more than 100 IJ.S. cities to protect homosexuals from discrimination. Portland also needs the ordinance be cause hate crimes against gays and lesbians have increased, Lindberg said. The ordinance is opposed by the Oregon Citizens Alliance, led by Lon Mahon The alliance has proposed amending the Or egon Constitution to declare that homosexuality is abnormal behavior. "We oppose any ofTort, no matter at what level, whether it's city council or state, to en shrine homosexual Ixihavior into protected status,” Mahon said Monday. He claims the majority of Or egonians oppose homosexual behavior. "There should be no special protection for behavior of any kind," Mabon said. "Tho par ticular behavior we're opposing is considered immoral tiv most people, I believe " Lindberg said the ordinance lias tho solid support of tho council and tie is confident it will tie approved "The Oregon Citizens Alli ance creates more divisiveness in the state, and 1 think gener ates more bigotry, at a lime when we really need to respect the rights of every individual," Lindlierg said If the ordinance is approved, Portland would join 11)7 other cities across the nation that protect the rights of gay men and lesbians. The ordinance would "pro hibit discrimination in housing, employment and public accom modations on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, marital stat us. familial status, national ori gin, age, mental or physical dis ability, sexual orientation or source of income and provide for enforcement " Lindlierg said some landlords have used source of income as an excuse to refuse housing to tho poor. Hut Emily Cedarleaf, execu tive director of the Multi Hous ing Council of Oregon, said the main issue is the city's lack of affordable housing for the poor, not discrimination Siie said tier group will op pose the source of income pro vision, which Lindlierg said Monday may be amended At least three hearings have been scheduled on the [im posed city ordinance, begin ning tins week TONIGHT THE KILLING FIELD PERFORMING LIVE SHOW AT 10.00 mk ajptA&M UMIQUE EXPERIEHCE IM CHILDCARE As a parent or workstudy student you can be <1 part of a nurturing, loving environment for our children Open doors and let the childrens great powers of growth develop naturally while providing a conti nuity of childcare between the center and the home TOGETHER WE CAM MAKE A DIFFERENCE For more information call AMAZON CO OP CHILD CENTER 2207 01 Patterson Street Eugene. OR 97405 (503) 485-6554 __ First United Methodist Church I tth and Olivo 14^-6704 Worship o 00 10 (HI t I (Ml f oik S«*fvu «• t K t dVtc»n.tl Studf n! brunt h lf.nli.tton.il'it i* Quarterly retreats and other social recreation ac tivities HRST ^1 UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Pastors: \\ illiam () Walker Peter Shumar l lilted Methodist ( amptis ministry VNesley ( entei l.'iti him aid RESUMES (iivf your resume a professional look, l)\ having it typeset at I filer I’erlei I (iraphir s. Suite MMI I MU 146-4 181 9-5 Mon-Fri IBM PS/2 Collegiate Tour Join us. • • I'iiii. food, and I n*rhirs. Ml on IBM. Sec hm\ thr IBM IVrsonal Svstrm/2' Srlrrlrd \radrmir Solution* wor k lor\oii. \*k about s|trrial student pliers and allot dahlr loan |>a\ men!*.’ I )oii I miss tlir IBM I'S/2 ( ollr