r
City of Portland adds
domestic partner health
care coverage
Gay men, lesbians and unmarried heterosexu
als who work for the city of Portland will be able
to extend their health care coverage to their part
ners, city officials decided last week. Members of
the Portland City Council voted June 8 on a new
contract for city workers that offers health ben
efits to unmarried domestic partners, regardless
of their sexual orientation.
The vote was part of negotiated labor agree
ments with two of seven union groups, and similar
agreements with the other five employee bargain
ing units are expected within the next two months.
Gail Johnson, employee relations manager for the
city, said that similar provisions will be provided
by the City Council for nonunion employees.
The new contracts mark the first time that
unmarried domestic partners of city employees
have been eligible for medical, dental, vision and
life insurance benefits. Multnomah County ap
proved a similar benefit plan in 1992, and the city
of Seattle started such coverage in 1991.
To qualify under the Portland plan, domestic
partners must have lived together for at least one
year, must not be married to anyone, must be
responsible for each others’ welfare and must
have a close, personal relationship.
“We have broadened the definition of family,”
said City Commissioner Mike Lindberg. ‘This is
actually pro-family. We should be doing everything
we can to support families and keep them together.”
Portland man wins $10,000
in race-relations case
In a recent final order, Labor Commissioner
Mary Wendy Roberts ruled that the management
of Northwest Fitness and Supply discriminated
against an African American employee. The man,
Marquis M. McNeil, said the company’s manag
ers discriminated against him, and finally fired
him, because of his race. Roberts upheld McNeil’s
complaints of discrimination, but found he was
fired for reasons unrelated to race. The commis
sioner ordered Northwest Fitness and Supply to
pay McNeil $10,000 in damages for mental and
emotional distress.
Testimony in the case showed that a racially
biased atmosphere existed at the Sandy Boule
vard store, fostered by suggestions from manag
ers that African Americans were shoplifters, the
manager’s refusal to hire more African American
employees, and their refusal to place ads in The
Skanner, a local African American newspaper. In
her opinion, Roberts wrote that McNeil endured
frequent and repeated suggestions that people of
his race were untrustworthy.
Northwest Fitness and Supply has until July
26 to appeal the decision.
Local AIDS group gets
$75,000 grant
The Research and Education Group, a com
munity-based public research consortium, has
received $75,000 from the American Foundation
for AIDS Research and the Kresge Foundation.
The money will be used to expand the local
organization’s communication and data manage
ment capabilities. The Research and Education
Group, orginally founded as The Oregon AIDS
Task Force, has evolved over 10 years to its
current role as the largest community-based re
search program in the northwestern United States.
The Research and Education Group was one
of 21 community-based AIDS research centers
around the country to receive funding as part of a
$1.3 million grant program designed by the two
foundations. The American Foundation for AIDS
Research is the nation’s leading nonprofit organi
zation dedicated to funding AIDS-related research,
prevention and public policy.
ju st out ▼ Juno 17. 1004 ▼ 13
4
;
The
Crimson
Phoenix
''(KP '
^______
' 'O U '" '
STRIVING TO ENSURE
A PLEASANT AND
PROFITABLE
TRANSACTION!
A Sexuality Bookstore for Lovers
A
CONDOM OF THE MONTH:
15% off all Sheik Condoms
BOOK OF THE MONTH
The Encyclopedia of Erotic
Wisdom
by Rufus C. Camphausen
$19.95
HERB OF THE MONTH
Sexy Smokes, herbal
aphrodisiac cigarettes
JUST IN!
Pheromone Perfumes and
Incense for same sex attraction
"We honor diversity"
Mon.-Thur. 11 to 7pm
Patrick Lanagan, Sales Associate
Fri. & Sat. 11 to 11pm • Closed Sunday
Call for class schedule.
Pre-registration required.
A B E X F F I T
1876 SW 5th Ave.
Portland, OR 97201
503-228-0129
Visa and Mastercard accepted
263$ N E. Broodway
503/284-8666
503/786-4907 Res.
503/320-4020 Mobile
Fabric of Life benefit set
Oregon’s most significant fund-raising event
to benefit people with AIDS is set for June 23 at
Saks Fifth Avenue. The evening will include an
opportunity to see the work of Portland’s best
interior designers, enjoy a delightful variety of
musical entertainment and a fashion show, and
sample outstanding food and wine.
The event, “Fabric of Life,” will benefit the
Brinker Fund, the HIV Day Center, Our House of
Portland, Esther’s Pantry, Friends of People with
AIDS and the Catholic Charities AIDS Ministry.
All of these organizations offer help and support
to people living with AIDS and HIV.
Hosted by Paul Linnman, the event will include
festivities both inside and outside the store. Inside,
patrons will enjoy performances by local jazz
musician Michael Harrison and the Tapestry String
Quartet. A silent auction will feature collectibles
and designer furniture, and participants will have a
chance to see works in progress by local designers.
Tickets are $ 125 for Gold Patrons and $75 for
patrons. The event runs from 7 pm to 10 pm at
Saks, 850 SW Fifth Ave. More information is
available by calling Saks at 226-3200.
m
ON BROADWAY
2300 NE BROADWAY • PORTLAND
284-2300
THOMAS M. BARRETO, O.D.
• Eye examinations
• Contact lenses
• Contemporary eyewear
Scholarships available
The Pride of the Rose Scholarship Fund has
applications available in June and July for the 1994-
95 school year. Now in its 15th year, the Pride of the
Rose Scholarship Fund has donated more than
$30,000 to 32 gay men, lesbians and children of gay
men and lesbians. Applications are available through
the Equity Foundation, PO Box 5696, Portland, OR
97228. A fund-raising event for the scholarship
fund is set for Monday, June 20, at La Luna.
Compiled by Martha Allen
REPORT H0M0PH0RIC VIOLENCE
Portland. Oregon 97732
"See what you've
been missing"
HE J