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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 7, 1994)
f r » * o » t ▼ Jan u ary 7. 1094 7 13 Measure 9. Death with Dignity Act Also in March, Junction City will vote for a second time on an OCA-sponsored measure. slated for Nov. ballot The measure originally passed by one vote last A petition to legalize physician-assisted sui June, but a judge threw out those results after two cide for people with terminal diseases in Oregon people admitted they voted for it even though has been filed with the Secretary of State’s they lived outside the city. office. Organizers hope to have the “Death with Dignity Act” on the Nov. 1994 ballot. If passed, the measure would allow adults in Oregon civil rights Oregon with a terminal illness to make a written request for medication “for the purpose of end agenda set ing his or her life in a humane and dignified Labor Commissioner Mary Wendy Roberts manner.” accepted recommendations for an Oregon civil Two witnesses must sign the written form, rights agenda from the Oregon Council on Civil attesting to the patient’s sound mind and the Rights. absence of duress or undue influence. The mea Civil rights for lesbians and gay men is in sure includes safeguards against misuse, with cluded in the council’s report of the most press requirements that the physician refer the patient ing issues in Oregon. The council, chaired by for mental health counseling if appropriate and Rodney Page of Ecumenical Ministries, pointed that two doctors confirm the terminal-disease to stopping hate crimes, respect for cultural diagnosis. differences, enforcement of civil rights laws, services for English-as- a-second-language learn ers and ending discrimination in schools as im OCA pushes local measures portant areas. To meet these goals, the council recommended for 1994 elections action in four areas: develop outreach programs; The Oregon Citizens Alliance turned in create human rights organizations throughout enough signatures last month to put a discrimi the state; initiate legislation or policies that pro natory measure on the Marion County ballot for tect the civil rights of all Oregonians; and im the March 22 election.The measure is similar to prove the ease of enforcing civil rights and those passed in 15 Oregon cities and counties reporting violations. “This report clearly illustrates that there is since Measure 9 was defeated in the Nov. 1992 much work to be done in the pursuit of justice election. and equality in our stale,” Page said. Roberts and Page set a statewide conference to develop an action plan for April 7. The report stems from the council’s April 1992 “Civil Rights 2000” conference and a se ries of public hearings held around the state from Nov. 1992 through Feb. 1993. Members of the council were appointed by Roberts and are rec ognized leaders and advocates who represent a broad range of civil and human rights concerns. Pen Ka ....V ~ X -V " _ ' v V • iciàn ai Obstetricsaivd'Gy.necology J 520 Portland,/Oregon -97210 l.V ' Out of The Closet and Onto The Phone Call With Pride. Switch to CommunitySpirit Telephone Long Distance Today. C ommunity S pirit IT'S A F A M I L Y T H I N G Make The Switch Today 1-800-546-0709 When you switch to CommunitySpirit a portion of your long distance hill will go to the lesbian, gay or HIV-related organization you choose. You can support your community while enjoying the finest service and savings available: • Call anywhere in the world • Simple Dial I service • 24-hour operator services • Free calling card to use when travelling • 100% digital fiber optic network for ultimate clarity • PLUS savings of up to 25% vs. AT&T, MCI, or Sprint CommunitySpirit Long Distance Service Dedicated to the Lesbian & Gay Community MEDIA Medford anti-gay rights measure upheld Meanwhile, anti-gay groups in Multnomah County and Gresham are gathering signatures to attempt to put discriminatory measures on the ballots. A measure was filed in Multnomah County on Dec. 10. The sponsor, Paul deParrie, said the measure is an independent effort and not affili ated with the OCA. DeParrie is an anti-abortion activist and the editor of a pro-life publication. Petitioners have to collect about 14,000 signa tures to put the measure on the ballot. The Multnomah County Commission will challenge the measure in court. In Gresham, the OCA is gathering the 1,260 signatures they need to put a measure on the May 17 ballot. If they succeed, Gresham will be the largest city in Oregon to hold an election on an OCA-sponsored discriminatory measure since A Jackson County judge upheld Medford’s discriminatory measure last month, saying that House Bill 3500, which prohibits the passage of discriminatory laws based on sexual orientation, is too broad. The decision came one week after another Jackson County judge imposed a permanent injunction against the county’s discriminatory measure, saying it violated the house bill. In the Dec. 22 ruling on the Medford case. Judge L.A. Mcrryman said that HB 3500 is “overbroad” in scope because it does not invali date all laws regarding sexual “preference.” He said, for example, that pedophilia is a “prefer ence” that is still prohibited despite the house bill. Mcrryman also ruled that the discriminatory measure does not violate the State or Federal Constitution. The American Civil Liberties Union, which argued the case against the measure, said it will appeal the decision. Charles Hinkle, coordinating attorney with the ACLU, said the judge’s ruling was unusual because his reasonings were never brought up in court. Before the trial, Medford city attorney Eugene Hart conceded to Mcrryman in a written statement that HB 3500 invalidated the measure. “(The ACLU attorney] argues that the measure is invalid under Oregon Laws. I do not believe that I can make any respectable legal argument to the contrary,” the statement said. Mcrryman disregarded the statement and formed his own legal conclusions, Hinkle said. Attorney Phil Arnold argued the case for the ACLU. Compiled by Pamela Lyons A sk about our W in te r W o rksh o p and Free D em o Schedule D o w n to w n Store: 902 S W Yamhill Portland, O R 97205 503.223.3724 B eaverton Store: 2710 Cedar Hills Blvd. {at Walker Rd} 503.646.9347 Store H o u rs: Monday- Sat ur day 9:00-6:30. Sunday 12:00-5:00
