pppp*
ju st o u t ▼ Jan u ary 2 1 , 1 0 9 4 ▼ 11
f local news
Effective, quality healthcare.
W ashington faces
two discrim inatory
m easures
Lawmakers and activists speak out against two anti-civil-
rights measures filed in Washington this month one
sponsored by an offshoot of the OCA
,
ÿ r /s /t À / / / Y A f s '/y ts '// r //r YJrst/ts'
815 SW Second, Suite 410 • Portland
T
by Pamela Lyons
he Oregon Citizens Alliance has
The act sponsored by CAW denies custodial
spread its message across the Colum and adoption rights for sexual minority parents.
bia River. Many Washington State Gay and lesbian parents who have children in a
lawmakers and activists have been heterosexual marriage automatically lose their
taking a strong stand against the custodial rights upon divorce. If a straight parent
OCA’s sister organization, the Citizens Alliance is an unquali fied parent, children would be placed
of Washington, and two anti-gay-rights measures with the next closest relative or in a foster parent
situation instead of living with the gay or lesbian
that are slated for next November’s ballot.
“None of us can sit on the sidelines and be biological parent.
The act also would establish that gender is
silent. For me there is one simple truth — gay and
determined
at conception. Medical sex changes
lesbian Americans have tolerated discrimination
for too long,” said Sen. Patty Murry (D-Wash.) in would not be recognized.
a written statement read at a Wednesday, Jan. 12,
Same-gender marriages and domestic part
press conference held in Vancouver by Washing nerships, even if recognized in another state,
would not be legal in Washington.
ton Citizens for Fairness.
The “Equal Rights, Not Special Rights” act
The press conference was one of eight held
around the state the day after CAW Filed its doesn’t cover custody issues. Like the CAW act,
measure, titled the “Minority Status and Child it prohibits schools from “promoting” same-sex
orientation and denies spousal benefits for do
Protection Act,” with the state.
Another discriminatory measure, tilled the mestic partners in same-sex relationships.
Out of concern that voters will perceive the
“Equal Rights, not Special Rights Act,” was also
filed with the state on Jan. 11. That measure is “Equal Rights, Not Special Rights” act as being
sponsored by a Tacoma group, the Washington less harsh and therefore vote for it as a compro
Committee for Equal Rights, Not Special Rights. mise, the Washington civil-rights group will em
Charlie Brydon, president of Washington Citi phasize that both measures will have the same net
zens for Fairness, said in a written statement that effect of discrimination, McDadc said.
Sponsors of both measures have until July 8 to
the campaign against these measures is already
gather
at least 181,667 signatures to qualify for
organized and going forward.
“Those who will be fighting this radical effort the November ballot.
Eight Washington State legislators signed a
will be one of the largest and broadest political
coalitions ever formed in Washington,” he said. statement denouncing the measures, saying that
they arc unconsti
“We will keep our
tutional and jeop
state a place where
Washington
Citizens
for
Fairness
ardize the civil
Washingtonians of
rights of all citi
diverse back
zens.
grounds can live
“Let us be
and work together
spared a bitter, di
with mutual re
visive
and expen
spect.”
sive initiative
The statewide
campaign
which
board of Washing
will accomplish
ton Citizens for
Washington
nothing,’’said
the
Fairness met in
Tlie Hand? Of! tt.i.-' i
i, D
*
statement, which
Vancouver on Sat
was read at the
urday, Jan. 15, to
press conference.
continue campaign
The Washing
planning and
ton offshoot of the
strategizing.
OCA
filed its
Christina
Dodds, a co-chair of the Vancouver branch of measure after a leadership change earlier this
Washington Citizens for Fairness, said the cam month. Former CAW head Robert Larimer of
paign against the measures will focus on educa Vancouvcr resigned on Jan. 6 over tactical differ
ences with Lon Mabon, director of the OCA and
tion and tolerance.
“There will be occasions in which mud will be head of the United States Citizens Alliance, an
slung, and we don’t want to participate in this, umbrella organization for state anti-gay groups.
Mabon said he asked Larimer to resign be
she said. “We intend to run a proactive cam
cause he was unwilling to take on the confronta
paign.”
“It is essential that we stand together against tional tactics that the OCA favors.
"We are the 82nd Airborne; we arc the Ma
discrimination and guarantee that everyone has
rines,”
Mabon told The Oregonian about the
equal opportunities and rights in the state, said
Washington Gov. Mike Lowry in his “State of the leadership change. "We arc always looking for
the boundary and then pushing it. The people who
State” address on Tuesday, Jan. 11.
While each measure is worded differently, hit the beaches always suffer the most casualties,
each would have the effect of denying sexual but we accept that’s our role in the culture war.”
Nationwide, similar measures arc expected to
minority populations protection from discrimina
tion. said Diane McDadc, a member of Washing be on ballots in at least eight slates in November,
including Idaho, Oregon and possibly Nevada.
ton Citizens for Fairness.
T
Just In
Different T) rummer
19 9 4 Tours
-
SCANDINAVIA
SLOVENIA
C O STA R IC A
& GUATEMALA
W EST AFRICA
SO UTH AFRICA
AUSTRIA, BUDAPEST
&. PRAGUE
ZIMBABWE &
BOTSW ANA
ITALY
NEW GUINEA
TURKEY
ASIA
ISRAEL
EGYPT
ECUADOR &.
GALAPAGOS
KENYA
NEPAL
KOREA &
H O NG KONG
FEB 10-17
FEB 18-27
MAR 11-20
MAR 11-20
MAR 19-26
APR 2-MAY 9
MAY 20-29
JUN 10-23
JUN 24-JUL 4
JUN 26-JUL 9
JUL 22-31
AUG 5-21
SEP 30- O C T 9
O C T 7-16
O C T 21-30
NO V 6-20
NO V 17-27
DEC 2-11
CALL FOR INFORMATION -
ITINERARY AND SPECIAL
FEATURES. TOURS ARE
OPERATED ON A PRIVATE
BASIS WITH DRIVER AND
GUIDE THROUGHOUT.
We sp e a k F ren ch ,
G erm an, J a p a n e se an d
th e Q u een 's E n g lis h
“WHAT ONE DOESN’T KNOW
THE OTHER ONE DOES”
PARKING VALIDATED
all / a sm A raUo iub)*t to ehaago ■ tomo nttrkU a u apply
2
HANDS
P.O. Box 4828
Seattle, WA 98104
A H aven B y
T he S ea
#
Six spacious oceanfront units on
a blu ff above the beach, with easy
beach access. T he hot tub in the
yard overlooks the surf and miles
o f sandy walking beach. Join us
for a beautiful and restful stay.
Two nights for one
Sunday - Thursday now through
Feb. 28
Your hosts,
M arilee Haase
& Sandy Pfaff
LINCOLN CITY
( 503 ) 994-5007
TRAVEL SERVICE
One SW Columbia, Suite 1010
Pordand, OR 97258
(503) 227-3639
FAX (503) 227-0602
1-800-248-0624