We came out voting
Ballot Measure 9 smashed by Oregon voters
by David Batterson
B
allot M easure 9, the Oregon Citizens
Alliance’s proposed gay-bashing amend­
ment to the Oregon Constitution, has gone
down to defeat with 57 percent voting against it
and 43 percent voting for it.
No on 9 Campaign Director Peggy Norman,
speaking at the campaign’s packed election-night
victory party in Northwest Portland, said that
even with the victory, “we can’t slack off on the
OCA. W e’re also going to have to look at the kind
of tactics the OCA used in general to see what
more organizing we want to do." Norman spoke
of a real possibility of lawsuits against the OCA
for its “ Yes on 9" advertisements, which often
contained completely false information.
Ellen Lowe of the No on 9 campaign and
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon said Tuesday
night, “I feel relieved, but I also have in the back
of my mind that the OCA is still around and part
of a national movement.”
Asked what’s next for those who fought the
OCA and Measure 9, Lowe said, "First of all, we
must make sure that nationally everybody knows
what happened here so that they can watch out
that it doesn’t happen to them. Secondly, we must
continue to alert Oregonians of the agenda of the
OCA. I also think we need to watch City Council
and school board races.”
Lowe was asked what lessons the defeat of
Measure 9 taught the gay and lesbian community
and all other Oregonians who helped the cam ­
paign. She said, “One o f the things we have
learned is that we are ‘one’ com m unity-regard­
less of our sexual orientation.”
Lon Mabon, chairman of the OCA, said, “We
will come back, without question.” Asked how
they would draft a future anti-gay measure, Mabon
said, “We would probably take out the words
Rally in downtown Portland heard final pleas to defeat Ballot Measure 9.
‘abnormal and perverse.’” Mabon said they
wouldn’t make reference to pedophilia in future
campaigns.
Lowe responded to Mabon saying, “Even if
they put it in sheep’s clothing, it’s still a wolf.”
KATU-TV political reporter Mark Haas said that
if the language of Measure 9 “had been watered
down, it could have passed.”
Mabon was pleased that over 500,000 Orego­
nians backed Measure 9.
Immediate reaction came from Portland com­
munity leaders and other key players in the battle
against Measure 9. Attorney Owen Blank, board
chairman of the Portland Metropolitan Chamber
of Commerce, said T uesday that the vote outcome
“sends the message that w e’re not the type of state
that will tolerate this type of measure.”
BarbaraTillman, coordinator of Educators for
Equity, a group of members of the Portland Asso­
ciation of Teachers, said, “We are thrilled that
Oregonians are against discrimination, and we
are cognizant of the work that is left to do. That
work includes securing union contractual rights
for protection against discrimination regarding
sexual orientation.
“We want to support the growth of equity
groups around the state,’’Tillman said, “and work
with progressive educators to create tolerance for
all differences.”
Rabbi Emanuel Rose of Temple Beth Israel
told the cheering crowd of about 1,500 election-
night celebrants that the Oregon portrayed in
some news reports “is not the real state of Or­
egon.” He also offered this warning: “We know
that there are forces in our society-and this is not
a paranoid statement-organizing all over this
country, in towns and villages.
“They are going for school boards or any
position as ‘stealth candidates.’ They try not to let
everybody know what their real agenda is. This is
now our agenda-for the next four years-to see to
it that we are able to identify these people and
expose them because the American people are
good people, and we will not put up with it,” Rose
said to loud cheers.
Jim Bocci, public relations director of the
Portland/O regon V isitors Association, said,
“W e’re relieved. We will be contacting the na­
tional media and convention planners to let them
know Oregon is a wonderful place to visit.” The
tourism promotion group had vigorously opposed
Measure 9, fearing a huge economic backlash
from conventions and tourism if the measure
passed.
Perhaps some of the most eloquent thoughts
were expressed through words written on a long
paper scroll at the No on 9 victory party. A sign
above said “Express Yourself,” and there were
cups of crayons provided.
A sampling of the multicolored messages fol­
lows. ‘T h e future of our civilization lies in
recognizing the strength that our differences bring
to humanity.” Another message read, “Thank
you OCA for bringing the gay community even
closer together. It’s just what we needed.”
A message from Mark Boyce said, “Came out
at work to all my friends. Thanks Lon.” “WE
ROCKED! ” said another. “We shall be free!” and
“It’s the dawn of a new day” were two other
expressions.
One message expressed gratitude, saying,
“Thanks for all the brave souls who really put
themselves on the line to defeat 9.”
UUe came out voting in Oregon
by Renée LaChance and Ariel Waterwoman
here is a light at the end of the lesbian and
gay civil-liberties tunnel with the number
of pro-active, gay-positive candidates
elected statewide Nov. 3.
One low point in this election is losing Les
AuCoin as a public servant in Oregon. Let's hope
Packwood remembers his campaign promises
concerning the federal civil rights bill for lesbians
and gays.
Elizabeth Fursc, one o f our all time favorites,
inched out Tony Meeker for the 1st Congres­
sional District seat. It is an impressive victory for
a first-time candidate.
Ron Wyden, Peter DeFazio, and Mike Kopetski
all hung on to their U.S. Congressional scats. But
unfortunately, so did Rep. Bob Smith. Smith did
oppose Ballot Measure 9 in his campaign. Time
will prove the substance of that gesture.
Lesbians and gay men now have a friend in
T
each of the state’s executive offices. As expected,
Phil Keisling was retained as secretary of state.
Jim Hill was elected as state treasurer in a tight
race against David Chen. Hill is the first person of
color elected to a statewide position in Oregon.
Ted Kulongoski was elected as our new state
attorney general. He is a welcome legal force in
the light of the projected upcoming battles with
the Oregon Citizens Alliance.
Arch-homophobe Larry Campbell was re­
elected in District 43 and will continue to be the
house speaker; he will hold 80 percent of the
power in the Legislature. He decides what com­
mittee assignments legislators get and what bills
will make it to the floor for a vote. Oregonians
elected several Tom McCall-ish Republicans to
help counter Campbell: Ted Calouri, Mary Alice
Ford and Jim Peterson. Openly gay Republican
JerTy Keene lost his bid in DisL 11 to longtime gay
supporter Tom Mason.
Gail Shibley won 78 percent of her constitu­
ents’ votes in District 12. Avel Gordley found the
time to win her race in District 19 and help defeat
Ballot Measure 9. Kate Brown kept the District 13
seat she was appointed to last session. Beverly
Stein retained her seat by defeating her opponent
by a five-to-one margin. Frank Shields beat down
Mike Wiley, an OCA candidate, by a two-to-one
margin in District 16. Margaret Carter ran unop­
posed in District 18; so we can count on hearing
her strong voice in the future. Cynthia Wooten
won handily in District 41.
The City of Portland has a lot to look forward
to with the election of Vera Katz as mayor. Things
got a little testy between her and Blumenauer in
the final weeks of the campaign. They were both
exceptional candidates, and it’s great to have
them both serving the City of Portland now.
Chuck Dimond lost his bid for a Portland City
Commisioner seat to Charlie Hales. This was
Dimond’s first bid for public office, and we hope
to see him running for office again soon. That was
another race that had two good candidates run­
ning.
Dan Saltzman edged out Marc Abrams for
Multnomah County Commissioner. Abrams was
another first-time candidate who would be a wel­
come sight in future elections. Saltzman should
do a very good job as commissioner.
In Corvallis, City Councilor Prudence Miles
lost her seat. Miles was that city’s first openly
lesbian elected official.
Over all, the lesbian and gay vote had a great
impact on our state, and the new blood will be
good for Oregon. We can look forward to some
pro-active legislation in the coming years.