Law forbidding anti-gay ordinances upheld SALIM |AP) A judge Tuesday upheld a state law that forbids cities and counties from enacting anti-gay rights ordinances, including measures alreadv approved by voters in 11 cities and five counties The Oregon Legislature s dm ision to pass a state law in l‘i«) i prohibiting loi a! anti ga\ rights measures from going into effm t is < on stitiitioii.il and valid Marion (anility Circuit fudge Albin Norblad ruled The issue of homosexual rights is sui h a substantive soi lal issue that the Legislature may pre-empt" local entities. Norblad said in his opinion, citing a 1'17H Oregon Supreme Quirt ruling. That ruling allows state lawmakers to dominate decision-making on issues that have a "statewide substantive, social or eco nomic or other regulators objective Homosexual rights is one of the major pol k v issues facing Oregonians. Norblad said "There is no doubt hut that the Legislature has the right to, and did, pre-empt tins area. The judge's ruling stems from a lawsuit tiled In tlie Oregon Citizens Alliance chal lenging the constitutionality of the law I he OCA argued that the law infringed upon people's rights under the Oregon Ccmstitu turn to initiate laws ()( At hairman Lon Mahon said he would rppeal Norhlad's ruling to the Oregon ( uurt of Appeals We will challenge it and do whatever is nuiessary to defend the citizens' rights. Mahon said The OCA sponsored the anti-gav rights ordinances that already have passed in cities and counties around the state. In nearly The issue of homosexual rights is such a substantive social issue that the Legislature may pre-empt’ local entities’ Albm Norblad ManCounty o'd/it judge every case. tov at courts have overturned the* ordinances or officials have refused to colon e them bei ause of the state law The ()( A also is gathering signatures to put on the General I hi tion ballot in Novem ber a statewide constitutional amendment barring anti-disc riminntion laws for homo sesuals It is I revised version of an Of A measure defeated by voters in touj Gav rights activists praised Norblad s rul ing "Nobodv's riglits should he put up lor a popular vote I think the judge's ruling is a reiteration of that point. ' said In 1 in Dav is e\e< utive director of Support Our ( ammu nities. the group that lias led the opposition to the ( X S measures I),iv IS said the judge S ruling sends a mes sage that "if a loc al municipalitv is mterler mg with the rights of individuals then (In state should intervene Hut Steve Barber. .1 Sweet Home lot ksmith w ho voted for that city 's anti gay rights ordi nance last (all. was dismayed by the judge's ruling. I don't think it's fair. barber said "As far as I'm < om emed. the judge is doming us our rights as i itizens of Oregon "If they art' going to do that for the gav rights issue. thou there might bo other issues ill the future that judges will overrule Where is this going to stop'' Norblad's ruling does not prevent voters from continuing to cast ballots on the ijues turn of protei tion from <1im riminntion for homosexuals Several more local elections on similar measures are scheduled this spring The (K A lawsuit is the onlv direi t dull lenge so far to the state law. w ith the ruling taking prei edence over Un.nl court rulings, said attorney Charles Hinkle who argued (or the state law on behalf of the Amerit an < av il 1 alierties t nion ot t Iregotl In a related i ase. Can tut Judge 1 A Mer ryman of |a< k.son County recently ruled that the state law is unconstitutional!) broad In doing so hi* upheld a loi al anti gav rights initiative passed bv Medford voters Norhlad re jet. ted arguments In foes of the state law who argued that it the law i an tor hid anti gav rights ordinam i">. it also would prohibit lm al pro homosexual law s Portland Corvallis and Ashland have ofdiuam ex ensuring some rights for homo sexuals 1 he l egislature has authority, Norhlad said, to tell local governments they could either do nothing or do it the wav the l.egis latum directs Hinkle said the dot isiou means "cities i an protect people las ause of sexual orientation but can t single people out bused on sexual orientation fur disapproval Woman files claim at Ul MOSCOW. Idaho (AP) — Thu state of Idaho and the University of Idaho were responsible for a student's three-story ftdl that left her paralyzed, attorneys for the woman said in a claim. The claim, received Monday at the Secretary of State's office, is the first step toward filing a lawsuit lor damages against the stale It i ontonds the state and university are respon sible for damages suffered h\ Kejeiui Coghlan. her par ents and two brothers I'he i Inim contends each bus been damaged "in sums in excess of 5500,000," but does not give a s|ss ifir amount. The claim does not olalxirnte on how the state and univer sity were responsible for the fall lust August. Coghlan was paralyzed from the waist down when she fell from n sorority'* third floor fire escape after being served alcoholic (lev erages at two fraternities. COMMUNITY UPDATE • The United Way needs volunteers fur the following positions: nature guide for Mount I’isgah Arboretum, nine hours per week; telephone crisis volunteer for Sexual Assault Support Services, four hours per week; child care volunteer for Housing Authority and Community Ser vices Agency of Lane County, two hours per week; board member for Line County AIDS Hospice Services, 12 hours per month; agent v data specialist for United Way Vol unteer Connection. 10 hours per month For more infor mation. call the Volunteer Conner tion, OKI >1000 • Fret* income tax help is available Saturday at \a! lev River Center from 10 a.m. to p m The Oregon Depart ment of Revenue will assist people near the Nutcracker booth • Clergy anil (.aits Concerned has st heduled a dessert auction Saturday to honor Him k History Month Sharon Cary-Smith of Portland will speak afxiut Afrii an Amur ican activism following the auction llie event begins at 7 p m at f irst United Methodist Church Pick evils Ixm efit (1AU and the African American Self-Awareness Insti tute for more information, call 485-1755. • fntry forms are available for the first "gARfhage exhibit, an art show that focuses on rvcyt ting People are invited to enter a si ulpturo. wall hanging or other cre ations made from ns ycled items fntries will !*• displayed at Valley River ('.enter in Mart h 1’he exhibit is sponsored by the St Vim imt de (’mil Society Kntry forms are avail able at ValUiy Kivnr (>nter ( aistomer Servii e and nil St Vincent (In Paul stores Deadline is March *t • Workout Oregon. a two-hour aerobic workout chul Icng© between lot al health ( luhs, will heuelit the Mils cular Dystrophy As six iation I’artii ipants t an win a trip to the Oregon Coast or a Pn* or 7 t«F Climber from Fugene Athletii The event is si hndulud Suturday from 1 in to t ID p.m at Oakwav Spa, Oregon West Fitness. South side Fitness & Aerobics. ( add s Ilyin, better bodies. Fmer ald Valley Resort. f’ucifii Nautilus and lazzeri ize For more information, call fiHti-2751. The Hot i I { Mocha Mmitim! .Just think »t it ( otlcc hot i h(H olatr raspberry and whipped cream Now just drink it' )$J75 Regularly $2.00 Offrr npifo i H *M FALL CREEK It A K EHY & Cafe 881 East 13th Avenue next to the UO Bookstore Open Mon-Fn 7 30 7, Sat 8-6. Sun 10-4 484-1662 l iijjliona ( hoatltiH Imlllt s i< IIctnt-Slui/M'd ( iikr\, loo Gat raaults. Advartiaa in tha. ODE Spring Quarter Registration starts February 21! • Uncertain how the recent changes in general requirements apply to you? • Need help choosing courses? • Concerned about finding the right major? • Other academic concerns? Avoid the rush! Schedule your appointment or drop in for advising now. Office of Academic Advising and Student Services 164 Oregon Hall • 346-3211 Appointments or drop-in hours: S:30 - 4:30 Mon. -Fri.