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.
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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
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