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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 19, 1995)
ju st o u t T m ay 19, 1 9 9 3 ▼ 13 local news M ay -J une White House no-show? Merry-Lee Rae Jay and Janet Fine Cloisonné Jewelry O'Rourke Exotic Hardwood Boxes Oregon lawmakers may be unable to accept an invitation to meet with officials of the Clinton administration ▼ by Inga Sorensen regon’s four openly lesbian and gay sioned gay and lesbian electorate that is frustrated state legislators have been invited to with his handling of sexual minority rights mat the White House to meet with senior ters—particularly the issue of lesbians and gay Clinton administration officials on men in the military. (The administration continues June 13. Expect the contingent to be a to challenge court rulings that say it’s unconstitu no-show, however, due to a scheduling tional conflict to bar openly gay and lesbian service mem that will likely keep lawmakers in Salem. bers). “There’s a good chance we’ll still be in session, “I can see how people might think this meeting which is unfortunate, because I think it would be is a bunch of bull, but I guess if l were Clinton’s great to meet with other gay and lesbian public advisor, I’d probably tell him not to attend, too, at officials,” says George Eighmey, one of those least if he wants to get re-elected,” says Shibley, invited to the meeting. “But it’s disappointing that who worked on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide to the president won’t be there. It makes you wonder Oregon U.S. Rep. Jim Weaver in the early 1980s. if he’s serious about this.” “I know he has disappointed a lot of people, but Kathleen DeBold of the Victory Fund, a na he’s better than a President Dole or a President tional organization that raises funds to assist se Wilson.” lected gay and lesbian candidates in getting elected She adds: “If I am able to go, I would emphasize to public office, says 85 gay and lesbian elected that the administration has to show that there are officials have been invited to Washington, D.C., some benefits to being a ‘Friend of Bill.’ If Bill is including Oregon state constantly taking his sup Reps. Gail Shibley and Organizers say the gather porters for granted and will George Eighmey, both ing to compromise with Democrats from Port ing will mark the first time in those who are philosophi land, Rep. C ynthia cally opposed to him on hu U.S. history that the White man rights issues, then he’ll Wooten (D-Eugene), and Republican state Rep. continue to be stuck between House has scheduled a Chuck Carpenter of Port the proverbial dock and ship. land. You have to make tough meeting specifically with gay choices sometimes. You Organizers say the gathering will mark the and lesbian elected officials. can’t have it both ways.” first time in U.S. history Terry Bean, an Oregon that the White House has scheduled a meeting resident and Victory Fund co-founder says, “I specifically with gay and lesbian elected officials, think the whole military fiasco really tainted many though neither President Bill Clinton nor Vice people’s views about Clinton, but the fact remains that he has done more for us than any other presi President Al Gore are expected to participate. dent in history. He continues to fight for AIDS “This is going to be a working meeting—not a funding. He has quietly outlawed discrimination photo op. Administration officials will be sitting based on sexual orientation in federal agencies. down with gay and lesbian officials to discuss There are now more than two dozen openly gay substantive matters like reauthorization of the Ryan and lesbian staffers working for the president. It’s White CARE Act, gay marriages and domestic unprecedented.” Bean also says he was among partnerships, hate crimes, and other matters criti several gay and lesbian activists who recently met cal to our community,” says DeBold, who could with Gore and his wife, Tipper, at the vice not name any senior administration officials who president’s home in Washington, D.C. are expected to attend the gathering. “We’re still working on that. I know people would like to meet According to DeBold, gay and lesbian elected with [Health and Human Services Secretary] Donna officials will also conduct a coordinated series of Shalala and [Attorney General] Janet Reno, but I congressional visits to meet with key legislators. don’t know if that’s possible.” “Our federal lawmakers need to see the faces of The fact that no high profile administration gay men and lesbians,” she says. “I think it really helps, too, if they see gay men and lesbians who official has thus far committed to attend has some questioning whether Clinton is simply trying to have been elected—by popular vote—to serve their constituents.” score some badly needed points with a disillu O Portland observes international AIDS event Portland will join more than 230 cities in 40 nations in observance of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial and Mobilization on May 21. This year marks the 12th anniversary of the w orld’s largest annual community-based AIDS event. The vigil is designed as a remembrance to those who have died of AIDS complications and to show support for those living with HIV and AIDS. The Portland observance will be hosted by the Community AIDS Network. It will be held at 7:30 pm at the First Congregational Church, 1126 SW The Real G o o se 901 SW Yamhill • Portland, O R • 97205 ( 503 ) 223-9510 BRIAN MARKI FRAMING 21 YEARS EXPERIENCE AND SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY Oversize work our specialty 2236 NE Broadway, Portland 503-249-5659 LOOK GREAT! - SPECIAL- 2 FREE TANS Park Ave. For further information, call Gary Mclnnis at the HIV Day Center at 223-3444. Out on Broadway hosts stroll on the strip Gay and lesbian-owned businesses along North east Broadway in Portland have formed a new business association called Out on Broadway. The group is hosting The Broadway Stroll on May 2 1 from II am to 5 pm. More than 25 businesses located on Broadway between 7th and 33rd avenues plan to participate in the event, which is designed to support all businesses on that strip. One of the goals of Out on Broadway is to promote the diverse businesses located along North east Broadway to the gay and lesbian communi ties. Compiled by ln%a Sorensen With This Ad NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY! A Full Service Salon BROADWAY HAIR & TAN % 3016 N.E. BROADWAY 288-5189 REPORT HOMOPHOBIC VIOLENCE