Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1989)
Legislative report Lawmakers , by omission , give nod to fagbashing; omnibus gay rights bill introduced in Senate racial hatred to the aggravated murder statute. When Rep. Kevin Mannix (D-Salem) asked Dwyer (endorsed by the Right to Privacy PAC) he success of Ballot Measure 8 last if he would object to adding murder based on November has created a dismal atmos phere in the legislative assembly for even the the sexual orientation of the victim, Dwyer said “ Yes,' ’ he would object because he wants the most basic proposals to protect sexual bill to become law and it wouldn’t have the minorities, let alone to guarantee gays and votes to pass if it included sexual orientation. lesbians equal treatment. A classic example His response was met with agreeing laughter was the public hearing on February 8 before the from several of the Committee members. Dave McTeague quickly responded that he, for one, would welcome the addition of murder based on sexual orientation to the aggravated murder bill. No one on the Committee seemed to share M cTeague’s courage, however. Nice to know. Unfortunately, the next bill before the Com mittee, House Bill 2364, fared little better. Introduced at the request of Multnomah County District Attorney Michael Schrunk, the mea sure would make it a crime to victimize persons based on their sexual orientation. Schrunk cited a number of examples of “ fag-bashing” which have occurred in every part of Multnomah County and urged the Committee members to condemn such activity, stating that such action would mark a civilized society. “ No citizen should have to fear walking down the street,” he said. The intimidation statute was threatened with a veto by then-Govemor Vic Atiyeh when it was first enacted in 1981 if gays and lesbians were to be protected. Faced with that threat the Legisla ture confined protection from destruction of Criminal Law Subcommittee of the House property and physical harm to racial, religious Judiciary Committee. Reps. Bill Dwyer and national origin purposes. It appears that (D-Springfield) and Dave McTeague many people still think that sexual minorities (D-Milwaukie) testified in favor of their are fair game. One criminal, when arrested and proposal (HB 2432) to add murder based on BY FRED NEAL and RICK KELSO T LEGISLATIVE R E P O R T prosecuted for assault, told the court. “ I didn’t think it was a crime to beat up faggots.” Now. several Judiciary members are politi cally afraid to say it’s a crime to beat up gays. Led by Rep. Manix. they are looking for some generic term to condemn intimidation based on any form of “ hatred prejudice.” This, in spite of the fact that blacks. Jews and gays are the obvious and constant victims of harassment and violence, not Republicans. Skinheads or Chris tian bigots. Unless these legislators can be persuaded that doing double-flip somersaults away from the problem of “ fag-bashing” is simply condoning the hatred and violence of such activity, the intimidation law will be amended to the point of meaningless whitewash. Committee action is expected soon on the bill and it is most important that every one of us who has been accosted, threatened, robbed, beat up, harassed, nearly run over or received any other form of assault because of our perceived sexual orientation let every House of Representatives member know about it. Tell them they must not stand by in silence and let bigotry and violence reign freely. There will be no Weimar Republic in Oregon Speaking of Nazis, everyone should know that Lon Mabon and the Oregon Citizens Alliance are down in Salem in full force this session. They have a full-time lobbyist, Craig Demo, who represents the Oregon Association of Evangelicals. The gay and lesbian com munity does not have a counterpart. That’s why it is so critical for each of us to speak out and let our elected officials know what we want. If you ever felt like writing a letter, now is the time. The Subcommittee on Crime and Corrections members are: Chair Tim Mason, and Reps. Ray Baum. Judy Bauman. Tom Brian, Ted Calouri, Peter Courtney, Kevin Manix. and Randy Mil ler. Write or phone them in Salem, Now\ On the Senate side, the Senate Judicary Com mittee has introduced an omnibus gay rights bill, 631. at the request of the Oregon Lesbian and Gay Alliance (OLGA). Committee Chair person Joyce Cohen assures Lucy that a hearing will be held. Stay tuned. Next month: AIDS tests for everyone, and their mothers? Direct any inquiries to: Right to Privacy PAC, P.O. Box 8325, Portland, Oregon 97207. • M a te ria l sought for lesbian lists b o o k o you have a favorite bit of lesbian trivia? An idea for a list that would be of special interest to lesbians? Dell Richards is collecting material for Lesbian Lists, a book to be issued this fall by Alyson Publications, and would welcome ideas, information, and lists for inclusion. Correspondence may be sent to her at P.O. Box 163120, Sacramento, Calif. 95816. • D Susan ROGERS Kate GASPAR LMT LMT REIKI • SW EDISH MASSAGE 295-3433 • Pittock Block downtown QUESTION: F e a tu re d S a le s p e rs o n : As a prisoner of conscience at Oregon State Hospital, I’d like to know: Why can’t there be 1 ward in the hospital that is devoted to health? > “With your support, I ’ll work hard to keep ' P.C.C. accessible, affordable, and relevant ; to our lives.” ' D A N S A LTZM A N * Please Vote by March 28th ' ; 244-1316 ; ► Paid tor by tha Friends of Dan Saltzman Committee, Robert Graaning, Jr. Traasurar . -------------- ---- * * * * ^ * ^ * * < é « » > * à < No smoking, no constant temptations to eat junk foods & no life of idleness which mandates that a person then become a career ward of the state. Robert R. Martyr 48-C 2600 Center Street NE Salem, OR 97310 LOOKING TO BUY OR SELL A HOME? CALL BRAD SAWYER, LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALES ASSOCIATE. This “San Francisco style” building in the Southwest hills has 3 living areas and a treed view. Offered at $89,000-terms. Bridgetown Realty 1431 NE Weidler Portland 97232 287-9370 Kathy Tysinger has been in sales since 1977 including insurance, finance, and business brokerage. She has been a successful realtor in Portland for 3 years. Kathy is committed to fulfilling her client’s needs throughout the process of selling or buying a home or business. Crystals & G em s Ritual Accessories Incenses & Oils A strology C om pu ter Srvcs L e n d in g Library CRONE MAGIC 643-7646 bu s . 297-7825 res . _ F e a tu re d P ro p e rty : BRAD SAWYER W THE SUNSET GROUP, INC. remtors GRAND OPENING 249-0444 12-7 MON.-SAT. 1405 NE BROADWAY PORTLAND, OR 97232 OF A NEW SISTER SHOP IN MARCH CRONE'S CAULDRON LEBANON. OREGON 451-5134 justout • 11 • March 1989