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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 7, 1995)
14 ▼ aprii 7. U M » ▼ Just out Emily Simon 620 SW Fifth Ave., Ste. 1204 Portland, Oregon 97204 ( 503 ) 241-1553 (503) 241-2587 FAX »...t.*.»...*.»-.I»-«-«-. con tact A ndré at CAP to register: 223-6339 ext. 135 K . i i ' . Em phasizing representation of the accused in all misdemeanor, felony, traffic and DUII actions in state, federal, juvenile courts and administrative actions A 4 . ! > . m a Physie)ifian.d-SiHrgeon Obstetrics andCyneçology - .-/ '«IL y r / ] ] l\ V - i llâp.N.w/ipnd, Suite 520 Portland,-'Oregon 9 72 10 J L .-. •** V \ • “ I f Y ou C an ’ t G et A L oan F rom U s , Y ou C an ’ t G et A L oan i0 )e fian effe aficonventional ancfnonconueniionalfoans. ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ u First Time Home Buyers Programs Self-Employed Borrowers Bankruptcies & Foreclosures Complicated Borrowers Investment Properties ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Manufactured Housing/land Credit Problems Debt Consolidation 3% Down Programs Pre-approvals for Purchase ’re y o u rfu lls e ro /c e m orí y aye company. G a f f to d a y f o r a f r e e (fu afiftcation o ver i/ie p h o n e 503/ 636-2066 Pager 503/870-1666 Christine C. Hall Mortgage Broker C mcaoc iNvttTwrr. I nc . local news Worth the turmoil A gay man is “thrilled” when CSD reverses its decision to disqualify him from applying to become a foster parent T by Inga Sorensen along smoothly when he received a letter, dated rian Copsey’s iife has turned upside Aug. 9, from fo ster care c e rtifie r Dean down in recent months. His family Nunnemaker. In the letter, Nunnemaker said he won’t talk to him, and he’s been ha had learned from an acquaintance that Copsey is rassed so much that he’s moved from his Grants Pass home to a coastal town gay- wrote: “I spoke with my supervi where he hopes he can live in peace. Despite Nunnemaker the sor today and she felt, due to community stan emotional turbulence, Copsey says it has all been dards, we could not support placement of children worth it. in your home. She also said that we would be Copsey, you may recall, is the 53-year-old putting you at risk for potential allegations, and retired Merrill Lynch executive who was seeking that we couldn’t withhold this information from to become a foster parent when he received a letter the children’s biological parents. If I had known from Oregon’s Children’s Services Division tell this information beforehand, I would have dis ing him he was unfit for the job because he is gay. cussed this with you Several weeks ago, then and let you know Copsey’s attorney our position.” filed a law suit In regard to the against CSD alleg decision, CSD spokes ing the agency vio wom an Karen Lee lated his client’s con said in February: stitutional right to “There is no adminis equal protection un trative rule that says a der the law. In re person cannot be a fos sponse, Copsey says ter parent simply be CSD has agreed to cause of his or her consider his applica sexual orientation. tion to become a fos The reasons someone can be disqualified from ter parent without making his sexual orientation a consideration include things like the applicant has factor. a criminal record or there’s evidence of sexual “I’m thrilled. It never should have been an abuse. Gays and lesbians can certainly become issue in the first place. I hope my painful experi foster parents.” ence helps prevent gay men and lesbians from “I think the letter made all the difference as to being discriminated against in the future,” says why things worked out OK,” says Copsey. “Here Copsey, who sought no monetary damages. “The issue for me was that gay men and lesbians should was tangible proof that they were discriminating not be denied the same exact rights that hetero against me simply because I’m gay.” sexuals receive, simply because of who we are.” Springfield attorney Robert Ackerman filed a Copsey’s troubling journey began last sum lawsuit on Copsey’s behalf in federal court in mer when he decided to pursue becoming a foster Eugene saying his client’s constitutional rights parent and approached the Josephine County CSD had been violated. Ackerman, too, has called branch. He went through the initial steps of the CSD’s correspondence a “smoking gun letter.” process: filling out application forms, undergoing CSD officials did not comment on the appar a criminal background check, and supplying ref ent reversal of the agency’s decision. erences. The next step required that he take a Copsey, who was featured on the front page of series of pre-placement parenting classes designed a newspaper in southern Oregon, says his family to ensure that potential foster parents have the will no longer speak to him because of the case. skills to meet the special needs of the children He claims he has received harassing phone calls, placed in their homes. (Copsey had years of which have prompted him to leave Grants Pass. parenting experience, raising not only his own “It was really hard at first,” he says. “I began son but five of his sister’s children, as well.) to wonder if I should have said anything. Now I According to Copsey, everything was moving am glad I did. It was the right thing to do.” B In regard to the decision , CSD spokeswoman Karen Lee said in February: “There is no administrative rule that says a person cannot be a foster parent simply because o f his or her sexual orientation. Veterans’ plates now available Goose Lake Ranch hosts Equestrian Playday Veterans for Human Rights, a nonprofit mili tary veterans group that advocates for gay and lesbian veterans and military personnel, says the state Department of Motor Vehicles has approved its request for recognition license plates. In order to gain such approval, VHR had to prove the group exists for the purpose of support ing or recognizing veterans and that it was “not an organization established primarily to influence political causes or issues other than those directly to veterans’ benefits.” VHR members say oftentimes gay and lesbian veterans do not realize that they, just as any veteran, are welcome to and deserve the services of the Veterans Administra tion. The plate, which is now available to all Oregon drivers, displays the name of the group. For more information about the plate or VHR, call 223-1373. The Gay, Lesbian, Family and Friends Eques trian Playday and Camp-out will be held May 12 to 14 in Bend at the Goose Lake Ranch. The ranch is owned by Steve Jones and C. Ray Gould, who have held this event on their land just east of Bend for the past four years. The two expect 400 people to attend this year. Equestrian events will include trail rides, barrel racing, pole bending, and an obstacle course. A bicycle rodeo will also be held. The weekend cost of $50 includes campsite, horse space, events, some meals, live entertain ment, and awards. Registration deadline is April 29. For more information, call 388-3680. Compiled by Inga Sorensen