lust news
Estill Deitz in House race
‘ ‘People have to get involved, they have to vote. They have to
support the candidates who support them! ’
BY
K A MI L A
A L - N A J J A R
pathetic is a word that describes much of
the population in the United States,
including many in the gay and lesbian com­
munity. But the gay community cannot afford
to let other people make determinations that
may or may not be in our best interest.
Dr. Estill Deitz, a Democratic Party candi­
date for the District 20 legislative seat, said that
the gay community could wield a tremendous
amount of political power if more people voted.
“ People have to get involved, they have to
vote. They have to support the candidates that
support them,’ ’ he said. Deitz, a medical doctor
and 31-year Portland resident, has been an ac­
tive member of Parents and Friends of Lesbians
and Gays on local and national levels for the
past eight years and now is pursuing his
lifelong interest in politics.
“ One of the things that made me want to run
was the feeling that the government seems to be
getting further and further away from the
people, and I’m very people-oriented. I have
worked with people all my life, and I am hoping
to turn the tide and bring people back to being
more interested in people and people problems,’ ’
explained Deitz.
Although this is the first time Deitz has run
for a government office, he feels that he is well
qualified for the job.
“ I think that by virture of living here for
more than 30 years, I have a good grasp on local
and state problems,” he said.
In the May Democratic primary, Deitz will
be running against Roger Doherty. Republican
incumbent John Minnis is unopposed. Deitz
describes himself as more “ middle of the road”
than Minnis, a Portland policeman.
Minnis is anti-choice on the issue of abortion
and opposes gay rights legislation. In 1987 he
moved his chair and turned his back to the
Portland Gay Men’s Chorus while they sang at
the opening of the legislative session. Later in
the session he voiced the only objection to a
moment of silence in memory of Ben Linder, a
Portland resident who was murdered in a contra
ambush in Nicaragua in April 1987. He also
voted against the basic school appropriation bill
that would have given more badly needed fund­
ing to public schools.
Deitz is a strong supporter of human rights.
A
Photo by Kamila Al-Najjar
“ Over the last few years there has been a steady
chipping away at what we already have
achieved, and I would like very much to reverse
that in some way,” he said.
Deitz also favors more financial support to
schools.
“ Iam very concerned about our schools and
the quality of education. Children are the
future. The quality of education we give to
children will determine the future of the country
and of Oregon. I’m also very concerned
because of the instability of the financial base
for education in Oregon at the present time,”
Deitz stated.
“ I think property tax has been beaten to
death. We have to come up with different modes
to help finance the schools. One of the things I
would like to do is to have the state increase its
percentage of basic support. About ten years
ago state support reached a high of 40 percent,
then it started dropping off, and now it’s at 27
percent,” he said.
Deitz is out campaigning and knocking on
people’s doors to determine what their concerns
are. He said that because he does not have his
eyes on the White House, he feels more at ease
voting for what is right, rather than voting for
what will get him elected.
District 20 is located in an area bounded
roughly by Sandy Boulevard, Division Street,
122nd Avenue and 202nd Avenue.
Volunteers to do a variety of tasks are needed
for Deitz’s campaign; call 252-6401 to
volunteer.
•
Benefit for Mary Rose
performers will be Mary Rose, Musica Femina,
Kate Sullivan, Nan Collie, Sally Cohen, Sister
Tomatoe, B.J. Castleman, Susan Arrow and the
wo and a half years ago, Mary Rose, a folk
Quivers, and Frodo and Edna.
musician, awoke in the middle of the night
A spaghetti dinner will be served at 6:30 pm;
and found a stranger in her living room. This
the concert begins at 8 pm. The charge for the
person beat her face and left her blind in
combined
concert and dinner is $8; concert or
one eye.
dinner only is $5.
In addition to the hospitalization after the
assault, further surgery was needed. Mary Rose
The benefit will take place at
had no health insurance, but many donations
Metropolitan Community Church, 1644 NE
helped to pay the bulk of her medical expenses.
24th Ave. Tickets can be purchased at
To finish off the last $3,500 of her bill there
A Woman’s Place Bookstore and at the door. A
will be an extravaganza benefit concert on
portion of the proceeds will be donated to MCC
April 30 featuring an array of talented musi­
and the MCC women’s retreat.
cians who are donating their efforts. Among the
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