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Census '90
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S UBS CRI P TI ONS
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every month. W hat could be better?
ational gay and lesbian activists in
Washington are aggressively encour
aging gay and lesbian couples to make sure
their relationships are counted in the 1990
census.
For the first time, the Census Bureau has
added the category of “unmarried partner” to
the relationship section of its questionnaire,
reportedly to Fmd out how many unmarried
heterosexuals live together.
But activists have pointed out that two
males or two females living in the same
household who check the “unmarried partner”
box will clearly show up as a gay couple, and
Census officials have agreed to publish those
statistics.
“For those of us working in the lesbian and
gay families arena, this information could
prove vital to the success of our efforts in the
future,” said National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force Lesbian and Gay Families Project
director Ivy Young.
“Public and private industry programs are
affected by census data; social and economic
policy is guided by that same data; legislative
agendas are set, initiatives launched and
priorities determined by the numbers
gathered,” Young said. “If we choose to
deliberately absent ourselves from this
process, if we elect to disappear, what
advantage do we gain?”
Young acknowledged that some gay and
lesbian couples will be concerned about
government intrusion into their privacy, but
said “our community must be persuaded to
put aside the fear of being exposed.”
Census data is confidential and, barring
some dramatic change in government policy,
could not be utilized to expose, track or
identify homosexuals.
Some gay leaders have called for a gay
boycott of the census, arguing that the lack of
education by the Census Bureau coupled with
confidentiality concerns will lead to a gross
undercount and a skewed statistical profile.
However, a recent poll by the Washington
Blade, a gay newspaper, found that 75 per
cent of gay couples surveyed said they would
record their relationship on the census form.
“Granted, [the Blade] survey was
conducted in a major metropolitan area with a
history of gay visibility,” Young said.
“Similar results may not emerge from some
small town or hamlet. But then again, they
might.”
Questions regarding the census may be
directed to Young at 202-332-6483 or the
Census Bureau at 202-340-1570.
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Longtime JO
staffer resigns
Portland, O R 97215
Name
Address
City, State, Zip
just out ▼ 8 ▼ April 1990
E
T
T
To the Editor:
I am deeply grateful for my years at Just
Out I love the paper and I have undying
respect for the blood, sweat and tears that Jay
Brown and Renée LaChance have put into it
to keep it alive all these years. I see Just Out
as a successful means of communicating
lesbian and gay culture within our
communities and to the world at large. I
appreciate the dedication and hard work of all
First arrest in
Laurelhurst
bashings
A
16-year-old boy arrested last month has
become the first person formally charged
in connection with a series of gay-bashing
incidents in Laurelhurst Park, according to
police.
Timothy Shuell was charged with robbery,
assault and intimidation, all in the first degree,
in connection with a November 18 incident.
He was released March 7 on conditions of
“close supervision” — meaning he must call
Juvenile Court four times a day, attend school
and obey all laws. Also, a court counselor will
make unannounced visits to his home.
A pre-trial conference, which is closed to
the public, is scheduled for April 5. The
maximum penalty for a juvenile on those
charges would be commitment to the
MacLaren School, a detention facility, until
the age of 21, according to Shuell’s court
counselor, Bill Fogarty.
The incident in which Shuell is charged
was typical of the gay-bashings that have
occurred in or near the park during recent
months, according to police. Detective Lloyd
Higgins said that the victim, a man, was in his
car when a woman stepped in front of the
vehicle and refused to move. When the man
got out of his car, he was attacked by three
men who beat him and took his wallet.
A law passed by the Oregon Legislature
during the 1989 session made it a crime to
threaten or harass gay men and lesbians. The
law added “sexual orientation” to a statue
banning intimidation on the basis of a
person’s race, color, religion or national
origin.
Police spokesman David Simpson said that
a lack of information from victims is making
it difficult for police to pursue the gay
bashing incidents in Laurelhurst Park. “One of
the big problems we’re having is that they’re
not getting reported — I’m sure for a variety
of reasons,” he said. “It’s late at night that
most of the stuff occurs, and victims can’t
always get a good look at their attackers.”
— Anndee Hochman
E
R
S
the people with whom I have been associated
during my involvement with the newspaper
and through it — my connection to the lesbian
and gay communities of Oregon.
It is with great difficulty and sorrow that I
now find it necessary to discontinue my
association with the paper. This is my loss. I
trust that the newspaper will continue to
flourish and grow. I hope the readership will
do what they can to see Just Out through a
period of intense and much-needed change.
Ann Hinds
Portland