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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 18, 1994)
ju st o u t ▼ n o w m b a r 18, 1 9 9 4 ▼ 13 The Pfet Set The Pet Set The Pet Set The Pet Set THE 2 PET I SET 2 The personal becomes political ? 0 y c+ 5? < * W JP r* , A Portland man claims the OCA caused him distress and files a lawsuit if 0 ▼ ft ? ft by Inga Sorensen d H. DuBois describes himself as a several harassing calls because that information “wreck.” He says he has trouble sleep was made public. In response, he filed a lawsuit ing at night and has sought counsel in Washington County. That trial is slated to ing to soothe his anxiety. He blames begin Dec. 13. the Oregon Citizens Alliance for his Meanwhile, according to the latest lawsuit, unease—as well as for the break-up of he the and Mabons his and the Yes on 13 Committee inten partner, Scott Gilbert. tionally sought to inflict “severe emotional dis “I thought this nightmare was finally over,” tress” by publishing the information and did so says the 31-year-old North Portland resident. “willfully, wrongfully and maliciously.” “But then it happened again.” Kimble says the literature was dropped door DuBois was referring to OCA literature that to door and was passed out in front of a shopping was recently distributed throughout Clackamas center. County by the Yes on 13 Committee. The litera According to the suit, the OCA material: ture, which was designed to show that “activists “publicly alleges” DuBois is gay and living with in state government are pushing through homo HIV; “falsely suggests that the children in issue sexual goals as fast as possible,” made reference are endangered” because of DuBois’ alleged to a custody case Gilbert has been involved in sexual orientation and HIV status; and, “falsely during the past few years. An excerpt from the suggests that the children in issue are endangered flier reads: “Oregon judges are giving custody of by being parented by two homosexual men.” young children to homosexual men with HIV The lawsuit maintains DuBois has been de disease. (Source: Clackams [sic] County Court famed and subjected to “hatred, contempt, ridi Records regarding the cule, diminished esteem, case of the custody of [and] loss of respect, three young children goodw ill and c o n fi given to Scott Gilbert, dence.” It also says his openly living with his privacy has been in boyfriend, Ed DuBois, vaded, because prior to by Judge Raym ond the literature’s publica Bagley. Shelly Gilbert tion (with the exception is a capable Mom who of the Cornelius OCA is still trying to get her flier) DuBois’ sexual ori children back after two entation and HIV status years in court).” had been private infor DuBois says he and mation. Gilbert, who was awar “ I am out to my ded joint custody of his friends and family, but ” three children follow I ’ ve never been involved ing a 1992 divorce, in political campaigns or ended their relationship many months ago. anything like that. I’m an incredibly private per DuBois says he has not seen the children since son,” says DuBois. “That’s one of the reasons this and has filed a $2.3 million lawsuit against the is all such a shock to me: You try to live your life Yes on 13 Committee and the OCA’s Lon and quietly and then, all of a sudden, your name is all Bonnie Mabon. The suit, which was filed last over the place.” He adds, “There is no doubt that month in Clackamas County Circuit Court, con the pressure caused by all of this contributed to tends DuBois has been defamed and his privacy the ending of my relationship with Scott. It was so hard on both of us, and I feel like my life has invaded. turned upside down.” “The OCA can’t continue making allegations about private citizens,” says DuBois’ attorney Though DuBois says he is an “incredibly Jennifer Kimble, of the Portland firm David W. private person,” a June 23, 1991, Oregonian article about Portland’s annual lesbian and gay Owens P.C. & Associates. ‘T h at’s why our suit asks for $1 million in punitive damages. They pride event says: “Holding the lead banner for the have to learn that they can’t make allegations that parade were Scott Gilbert, James Tompkins and Ed DuBois, who all said they comfortably an can ruin people’s lives and freely walk away.” nounced their sexuality years ago.” More than a year ago, Gilbert and DuBois became the focus of another OCA flier, which “Just because you march in a gay pride parade was distributed in Cornelius during that city’s doesn’t mean that you are no longer a private anti-gay and -lesbian initiative campaign. That person,” says Kimble, adding DuBois’ personal issues are not a matter of “legitimate public literature also alleged Gilbert and DuBois were interest [and] are not newsworthy.” gay lovers who both had HIV. It listed both men’s Our calls to OCA headquarters were not re place of employment, and their home and work turned. telephone numbers. DuBois says he received rt ÿn E “The OCA can *t continue making allegations about private citizens. That’s why our suit asks for $1 million in punitive damages. They have to learn that they can *t make allegations that can ruin people’s lives and freely walk away. JP r+ & « w (X 8:30-6 Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30 Sat. 0 ft SP ; rt r+ ÿ g • Dog and Cat Grooming ^ V (5 • Pet Supplies ÿ <» X. 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