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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1995)
just out ▼ docombor 15. 1905 T 13 local news Wari On the move M ay your personal Holidays be joyful, with a New Ljear full of blessings. 1996 could bring big changes for state Reps . Avel Gordly and Kate Brown by Inga Sorensen K ate Brown could soon be breaking new ground. women. Measures that passed include a bill that allows judges the discretion of creating (in restraining orders) a larger “safe zone” to protect domestic violence victims; a bill that prohibits insurance companies from treating pregnancy as a pre-exist ing condition in order to refuse coverage for mater nity care or to underwrite a family; and legislation that prohibits the use of gender in setting health insurance rates. Brown also introduced House Bill 3459, which would have prohibited discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations and real estate transactions. Not surprisingly, the bill was killed. Another person making noises about a run for the post is state Rep. Kevin Mannix, a conservative Democrat from Salem. Mannix, you may recall, The 35-year-old Portland attor ney, who has served in the Oregon House of Representatives since 1991, says she will likely run for attorney general. Brown, a liberal Democrat, also happens to be openly bi sexual. If successful, she would become the first out bisexual in the nation elected to statewide office. “It’s going to be interesting— and it will be a tough race,” says Brown, who is widely respected for her intellect and bridge-building abilities by legislative colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Brown says she began pondering a run after Oregon Attorney General Ted Kulongoski an nounced several weeks back that he would not seek re-election to another four-year term. His current term expires in January 1997. His successor will be Brown began elected during the Novem ber 19% election. pondering a run “Let’s face it,” says after Oregon Brown, a petite figure that stands not much taller than Attorney 5 feet, “people are not used General Ted to seeing a small figure— and a female one—in such Kulongoski a powerful position. As for announced the bisexual issue, well if I’m asked about it, I’m go several weeks ing to hit it head on.” back that he Brown is a graduate of the University of Colorado would not seek at Boulder and the North re-election to western School of Law at Lewis & Clark College. another four- She has specialized in fam year term. Kate Brown ily law since 1985. In 1991 she was ap introduced a bill last session that would have barred pointed to represent House unmarried women from receiving donor insemina District 13, which covers tion. He also unsuccessfully promoted legislation portions of Multnomah County. She served in the that would have required the state to “favor” hetero House again in 1993 and 1995. Before her appoint sexual marriages above all other relationships. He is ment to the House seat, Brown was a lobbyist for the anti-choice and known for his lock-’em-up-and- Women’s Rights Coalition. She is staunchly pro- throw-away-the-key stance towards criminals. choice and pro-gay and -lesbian rights. In other political news, state Rep. Avel Gordly Brown says as attorney general she would focus has announced her candidacy for the Senate seat in attention on issues of sex abuse and domestic vio District 10, which is held by Ron Cease. lence, areas of particular concern to her. She names Cease, a Democrat, announced a few weeks ago racial and economic justice issues—as well as de that he will not seek re-election in 19%. partmental consolidation and governmental effi G ordly, a liberal D em ocrat, says that ciency—as her other areas of interest. policymakers have a “limited vision” because— The attorney general controls and supervises all simply put—people representing diverse back court actions and legal proceedings in which the grounds and experiences don’t have a seat at the state of Oregon is a party or has an interest. legislative table. The attorney general also has full control of the “I would like the opportunity to continue to work legal business of all state departments, boards and on behalf of Oregonians, particularly those who commissions that require the services of legal coun have the least access to the legislative process,” says sel. He or she prepares ballot titles for measures to the 48-year-old Gordly, who is African American. be voted on by Oregonians and appoints assistant “We absolutely need more women and more people attorneys general to act as counsel for various state of color to have an active role in government. If we governmental entities. did, I think you’d see more funding going towards The attorney general and Department of Justice Head Start than prison construction.” also represent the state’s interests in all civil and Last session Gordly, who is a longtime human criminal cases before state and federal courts; con rights advocate, promoted the Racial and Ethnic sumer protection issues; and the establishment and Justice Act of 1995, which was based on the recom enforcement of child support obligations for fami mendations of a state Supreme Court task force lies who receive public assistance. report that essentially found there are two systems of Brown, who lives in Southeast Portland, served justice in Oregon— one for white people and a less as the co-chair of the House Judiciary Committee equitable one for people of color. during the 1995 session—even though Republicans Gordly has represented House District 19 since controlled the House; it was a sure sign that leader 1991 and is the chief sponsor of a minimum-wage ship respected her, despite Brown’s often differing measure that will be on the November 19% views on social and economic matters. ballot. 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