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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 3, 1996)
jus« ou t ▼ m ay 3 . 1 9 0 « ▼ 13 cal news Turning the tables Survey in, survey out: Avel Gordly is quizzing potential endorsers on their commitment to change ▼ by Inga Sorensen A vel Gordly thinks it’s important for people to move outside their circles of comfort. “It’s been my observation during the past 20 years as a community activist and organizer, that whenever there is a rally to action, only the affected community shows up. Time and time again we have to scramble to see where our allies are. I want to see us really start walking the talk,” says Gordly, a state representa tive who is running for the Oregon Senate for District 10, which covers portions of Multnomah County. Gordly, a liberal Democrat, announced her Senate bid several months ago, due in part to her concerns that too many policy-m akers have a “ lim ited v isio n ” be cau se— sim ply put— people representing di verse backgrounds and ex periences don ’ t have a seat at the legislative table. The 48-year-old law maker, who lives in North east Portland, has launched her own enter prising project to find out if potential endorsers are walking the human rights talk themselves. In essence, Gordly is turning the tables and put ting the question to the questioner by sending Avel Gordly questionnaires to nearly two dozen organizations that have surveyed Gordly about her position on various matters. “Each of the organizations that has requested me to fill out a survey is getting the same letter,” says Gordly. Among the groups Gordly sent questionnaires to: the Oregon Public Employees Union, the Port land Association of Teachers, Oregon Right to Life, the League of Women Voters, the Oregon League of Conservation Voters, the Oregon Edu cation Association, Oregon NARAL, the Port land Rainbow Coalition, and Right to Privacy. Gordly asked organizations to describe steps they have taken “to include people of color and other often underrepresented groups into [their membership]” and decision-making process. She asked organizations if they opposed the anti-gay, anti-immigration, and anti-affirmative action initiatives being circulated, and whether they supported an initiative to increase the mini mum wage in Oregon. Additionally, Gordly asked environmental groups “what steps [they] have taken to address the issue of environmental justice; specifically, challenging policies that lead to the polluting of areas where there are high concentrations of people of color and poor families?” When Just Out spoke with Gordly, she had only received a handful of responses. “Right to Privacy said they were glad that I was doing this,” says Gordly, who adds that the project was designed to provoke thought. “I only received one response so far that kind of surprised me.” That response, she says, came from Lisa Horowitz, executive di rector of Oregon NARAL, an organization that promotes and strives to protect abortion rights and women’s reproduc tive freedom. “She wrote that she was disappointed that there wasn’t a question about c h o ic e,” says Gordly. “I was surprised and a little offended because it seemed to highlight this old tension between white women with a certain agenda and women of color who are feminist and doing good work, but may not necessarily be focused on [choice],” she says. “I certainly respect Avel’s decision to turn the tables, as it’s been characterized,” says Horowitz, “but frankly, I am disappointed there wasn’t a question about choice. She asks about the mini mum wage, immigration, affirmative action and gay rights, but nothing about choice.” The Oregon Citizens Alliance is pushing two initiatives, one which would restrict the rights of gay men and lesbians, and another that would limit women’s reproductive freedom. Both are aimed for the November ballot. “I looked at the questionnaire and quite hon estly thought something was missing,” says Horowitz, adding that Oregon NARAL has not endorsed Gordly in the May 21 primary because the candidate, who is unopposed, did not com plete NARAL’s required questionnaire. Horowitz says she and Gordly had planned to get together to further discuss the issue, but the meeting has been delayed due to the recent death of state Sen. Bill McCoy. Last session, Gordly, who is a longtime hu man rights advocate, promoted the Racial and Ethnic Justice Act of 1995, which was based on the recommendations of a state Supreme Court Task Force report that essentially found there are two systems of justice in Oregon—one for white people and a less equitable one for people of color. She has represented House District 19 since 1991 and is the chief sponsor of the initiative designed to increase the minimum wage. says Davis, “but I’m hopeful they’ll be there.” Representatives from the American Civil Lib erties Union of Oregon, Basic Rights Oregon and other organizations are expected to speak at the rally. “It will likely be unclear what the ruling means Human rights advocates in Oregon are plan to Oregon, and we’ll have people on hand who ning a response to the pending U.S. Supreme should be able to offer some clarity,” says Davis. Court ruling on Amendment 2, the controversial “Whatever the decision, I think the [Oregon Citi anti-gay-rights initiative approved by Colorado zens Alliance] will still be able to circulate its voters in 1992. Only a handful of potential an petitions to place an anti-gay-rights initiative on nouncement days re the ballot.” main during the Su The Washington, Only a handful o f potential preme Court’s session. D.C.-based National announcement days remain Those days are: May Gay and Lesbian Task 13, 20, 28 and June 3, Force, in conjunction during the Supreme Court's 10, 17 or 24. with some Colorado session. Those days are: “At this point I human rights organi think many people be zations and others, has May 13, 20, 28 and lieve the decision is launched the “ Su going to be a muddied preme Response: A June 3, 10, 17 or 24. one,” says Julie Davis, National Day of Ac executive director for Basic Rights Oregon, a tion” in anticipation of the ruling. statewide organization whose primary goals in NGLTF is encouraging people nationwide to clude combating anti-gay-rights initiatives and turn out for either a celebration or demonstration securing basic rights for all Oregonians. in their local communities after the decision is “We’re planning a rally in response to the announced. ruling, whatever it may be,” she says. The group Some of the communities where actions are has also set up an Action Alert Hotline, which planned include Denver and Colorado Springs; includes updated information about the rally and San Diego; New York City; Philadelphia; India other Basic Rights Oregon activities. napolis; Seattle; Madison, Wis.; and Norfolk, Va. According to Davis, Basic Rights Oregon is Amendment 2, which has never taken effect sponsoring a rally slated for the Sunday following due to court challenges, would dismantle existing the high court’s decision. The gathering will be held laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual at 1 pm at Pioneer Courthouse Square in Portland. orientation, and bar future measures from taking She says she has contacted the offices of Gov. John effect. Kitzhaber and state Attorney General Ted In 1992 and 1994 the OCA unsuccessfully Kulongoski to request their presence at the rally. pushed two similar measures, and it is promoting ‘The governor has really taken the lead on this another anti-gay initiative poised for the Novem in terms of instructing the attorney general to pull ber ballot. together the amicus brief,” says Davis. Inga Sorensen Several months ago Oregon officials filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in opposition to Amendment 2. The Action Alert Hotline may he reached by “Because we’re not exactly sure when the calling 233-3324; to become a Basic Rights rally will be, we haven’t gotten an answer yet,” Oregon volunteer, call 222-6151. Celebrate or demonstrate: Oregon joins in Supreme Response activities