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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1992)
j*Mt out T march 1 0 0 2 ▼ 1 3 Fierstein to speak at fund-raising dinner Tony award winner Harvey Fierstein, who wrote and directed ‘Torch Song Trilogy,” will be appearing in Portland later this month at a major fund-raiser for the Human Rights Campaign Fund. The HRCF is the largest national political organi zation committed to securing full civil rights for lesbians and gay men. “Our national headquarters in Washington, D.C., approached Harvey and told him what was happening here in Oregon,” explains Ron Meier, a member of the HRCF’s Portland chapter. “He said he wants to help our efforts to defeat the OCA however possible.” Fierstein will be the keynote speaker for the March 28 fund-raiser titled “Knockout.” It will mark the Portland chapter’s first major fund-raising effort. More than 500 guests are expected to attend the dinner and ca- sino/cabaret at Montgomery Park. Portland en tertainer Darcelle will be featured. U.S. Rep. Les AuCoin, state Rep. Gail Shibley and Portland Police Chief Tom Potter will be acknowledged for their contributions to Oregon’s gay and les bian community. The money raised will be used to fund political candidates throughout the nation who support lesbian and gay civil rights. The money will also be used to help fund the HRCF’s lobbying efforts. The group has formed an extensive constituent network that can be mobilized quickly when lawmakers are considering key legislation per taining to gay men's and lesbians’ civil rights. “The money we raise will go to our national headquarters and will be used for a series of HRCF activities,” explains Meier. “It won’t directly go to our fight here against the OCA... but it’s really important we realize that the HRCF supports national candidates who, if elected, could enact legislation granting us civil rights. They lobby on our behalf. They work on AIDS and other health issues and have fought to overturn the military ban against gays. The work they do may help to deter OCA-type groups in a broader sense. It’s really important we consider that.” Meier adds that the organization recently awarded the Campaign for a Hate Free Oregon a $1,500 matching gift for its efforts to defeat the OCA. ‘They don’t typically do such a thing,” he says. “This proves they’re concerned about the OCA and are willing to combat them directly.” For “Knockout” ticket information call (503) 452-5885. Inga Sorensen Harvey Fierstein Union has lots to be proud of Domestic partnership issues and gay civil rights topped the agenda at a recent gathering of the advisory council representing gay and lesbian public employees who are members of the Ameri can Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. This is the nation’s second-largest union. Portlander Mark Friedman, a parking patrol deputy for the city of Portland and member of AFSCME local 189, was named to the 12- member committee. He recently traveled to the nation’s capitol to discuss the concerns of lesbian and gay union members. “AFSCME has it written into its International Constitution that lesbians and gays cannot be discriminated against and that we must receive the same representation and treatment as other members,” says Friedman. “The union has been very open to hearing the concerns of lesbians and gays. This committee, which communicates di rectly with the president of the union, was formed to ensure our needs were addressed.” According to Friedman, this is the third time the committee has met since its formation acouple of years ago. He says the council is launching a visibility campaign to let union members know that the committee exists, better serving the gay and lesbian union members. “We discussed things like the union’s role in • typesetting • graphic design • computer services Nancy Vanderburgh 231-9105 Pick three and give us a call! Quick service Reasonable prices Great work TWENTY-THIRD AVENUE BOOKS 1015 N W 23rd A ven ue , Portland, O re g o n 97210, (503) 224-5097 Monday- Friday 9:30 am - 8 pm □ Saturday 10 am - 8 pm □ Sunday 11 am - 4 pm lobbying for federal lesbian and gay civil rights, further information about the Campaign for a which it supports. We talked about how to nego Hate Free Oregon, contact the state headquarters tiate for domestic partnership privileges in con at PO Box 3343, Portland, OR 97208. tracts,” he says. “A main goal now, however, is to let our members know we’re here for them,” he Enhancing the lives of says. Friedman says he’s very proud of his union. Local 189 was able to include an antidiscrimination oppressed peoples clause, including sexual orientation, prior to the The McKenzie River Gathering Foundation Portland City Council’s passage of a civil rights has approved $55,000 in grants to a host of grass ordinance banning such discrimination. He says roots organizations throughout Oregon. The AFSCME has also contributed to the Victory Lesbian Community Project received $2,200 for Fund, a political action committee which sup improving the organization’s accessibility to ports gay and lesbian candidates nationwide. women of color, older women, younger women, “We have a lot to be proud of, but I hope we and women with disabilities. The Coalition for can make it even better for lesbians and gays,” he Human Dignity was granted $2,500 for a project says. aimed at exposing gender-based bigotry and vio Inga Sorensen lence against women. The Oregon Minority AIDS Coalition, which provides culturally appropriate AIDS education to Oregon’s ethnic communities, Salem community unites to received $2,300 for its outreach project to HIV positive women. create a hate-free Oregon Several organizations received $2,500 grants. Salem area residents gathered to organize a They include the Oregon Human Rights Coali local chapter of the Campaign for a Hate Free tion; Sacred Earth Coalition; Sojourner Truth Oregon, educating fellow citizens against bigotry Theater; and Tateyah Topa. These organizations and hatred. Over 100 people, representing much are designed to enhance the lives of oppressed of the Salem community, attended Jan. 26. people. The prime motivation for forming the group is McKenzie River Gathering is a community to stop the Oregon Citizens Alliance’s (OCA) foundation that receives financial contributions initiative petition effort. This statewide initiative from donors throughout the state. The donors would amend the Oregon constitution to prohibit share MRG’s commitment to building a more any equal protection based on sexual preference. “just, equitable and environmentally sound” “It is important to note that this is not a group community. The grantmaking decisions are made of gay or lesbian activists, but a broad-based by a statewide committee of 14 volunteers who group of many individuals who want to make are active in the issues that MRG funds. Oregon hate-free,” said Steve Armstrong, who Inga Sorensen was encouraged by the fact that support was strong among heterosexuals as well as homosexu als. “I was impressed that we had so many people Another defeat for the OCA at this meeting. We expected 50 to 60 and ended The Oregon Citizens Alliance has no candi up with over a hundred,” said Phil Matthews, co- date to oppose Sen. Bob Packwood in the Repub chair of the Salem group. lican primary. • Supporters of the Campaign for a Hate Free Perry Atkinson, a Christian broadcaster from Oregon include a number of religious groups, Medford, was the last hope for the OCA. He including Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, the backed out of the running late in February. Jewish Federation of Portland, and the Metropoli "At this particular moment it doesn't look very tan Community Church. The Oregon Catholic promising" that the OCA will have a candidate it Bishops have spoken out against the OCA’s peti can back, according to Lon Mabon, executive tion effort as well. director of the group. "We had nobody else be “The primary goal is to defeat the OCA and let sides Perry we were trying to communicate with." the public know they don’t need to be afraid of The OCA has beeen looking for another can homosexuals,” said a concerned Dan Archer. didate since Joe Lutz dropped out of the race last The group meets every other Sunday at 7 pm month. at the Upper Deck Restaurant at 300 Liberty Street SE in Salem’s Pringle Park Plaza. 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