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
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