just out ▼ may 17. 1996 ▼ 13
Once and for all
A new video aims to dispel the myth that the jobs o f gay men
and lesbians are already protected by law
▼
by Inga Sorensen
s it legal to fire someone for simply being
gay or lesbian?
Pose that question to Oregonians and
the overwhelming majority will say that
gay men and lesbians are currently legally
protected from sexual orientation employment
discrimination—that’s according to Julie Davis,
executive director for Basic Rights Oregon, a
statewide organization whose primary goals in
clude combating anti-gay-rights initiatives and
securing basic rights for all Oregonians. The
group recently unveiled its “Fair Workplace”
video, which is designed to educate employers
and the general public about a tough legal reality:
People throughout Oregon can be fired from their
jobs, with no legal recourse, based solely on their
perceived sexual orientation.
“Eight out of 10 people don’t know that.
Black, white, male, female— across the board,
most Oregonians believe that gay men and lesbi
ans are already legally protected from employ
ment discrimination [based on sexual orienta
tion],” says Davis.
Legislation barring discrimination based on
sexual orientation in employment has been con
sidered by Oregon state lawmakers for two de
cades—to no avail. State and federal laws explic
itly protect other classes, such as those based on
race and gender, but fail to include sexual orien
tation.
“There is a great deal of ignorance surround
ing this issue, and the first thing we need to do to
fix the problem is educate people about the facts,”
says Davis.
The “Fair Workplace” video runs about 7
minutes and features legal specialists; representa
tives from business, labor and civil rights commu
nities; and gay and lesbian citizens who say they
have personally fallen victim to employment dis
crimination based on sexual orientation.
Former Oregon Attorney General Dave
Frohnmayer, retired Oregon Supreme Court Jus
tice Betty Roberts, and Portland attorney Charlie
Hinkle are among the legal experts who explain in
concise, layperson terms that Oregon law, while
protecting other specific classes of people, does
not explicitly include sexual orientation.
During past legislative sessions, some oppo
nents of protective legislation have argued that
gay men and lesbians are not discriminated against
in the workplace. To make their case they point to
a lack of adequate documentation. Increasingly,
however, gay men and lesbians who believe they
have been discriminated against are stepping forth.
One such person, who is included in the foot
age, is Janice Grounds, 39, a former Nordstrom
employee who worked for the corporation for
nearly a decade before quitting in 1993. Grounds,
Julie Davis
who now owns a coffee shop in Tigard, says she
left Nordstrom after she was denied 26 promo
tions. Grounds believes she smashed up against a
glass ceiling because she is a lesbian.
Grounds subsequently sued Nordstrom, but
on March 15 in Seattle, a King County Superior
Court jury voted 11-1 that she failed to prove
Nordstrom discriminated against her due to her
sexual orientation.
“We encourage people who think they may
have been fired for being gay or lesbian to give us
a call,” says Davis.
In the video, Alice Dale, executive director of
Oregon Public Employees Union, talks about how
the lack of legal protections for gay men and
lesbians has prompted her union to step up its
efforts to secure protections based on sexual orien
tation via the collective bargaining process. Bruce
Samson, senior vice president of public affairs for
Northwest Natural Gas, stresses his company’s
PHOTO BY UMXA KUCWER
philosophy of supporting employees who “do a
good job” regardless of sexual orientation.
“This is a very matter-of-fact video. We just
spell out the reality, plain and simple,” says Davis.
“We did that on purpose in order to avoid any
controversy about ‘promoting homosexuality.’
We kept a very narrow focus, which will hope
fully appeal to a broader spectrum of people.”
According to Davis, there is another version of
the video that is targeted toward a more activist,
“already on board” audience. She says that ver
sion will probably be used during house parties
and other Basic Rights Oregon events.
Davis says a handful of companies have al
ready expressed an interest in “Fair Workplace,”
including Bank of America, Nike and Nordstrom.
She adds that those interested in having the video
shown in their workplace should contact Basic
Rights Oregon at 222-6151.
A new voice for Oregon
Tom Bruggere shares our values and we
know that as a United States Senator he
will fight for all Oregonians, not just a few.
Tom supports the national Employment Non-Discrimination Act
■ supports domestic partnership benefits ■ will fight for the basic
civil rights of all Oregonians ■ believes in a strong public education
system ■ will protect a woman’s right to choose ■ will protect our
environment ■ believes in affirmative action and will fight to keep it
Tom Bruggere can beat Gordon Smith in
November. Please join us in supporting
Tom on Tuesday, May 21st
Terry Bean
Julie Davis
Rep. George Eighmey
Sid Galten
Rep. Avel Gordly
Toni Grabler
Lisa Maxfield
Barry Pack
Don Powell
Donna Red Wing
Gov. Barbara Roberts
Fred Ross
Jim Sampson
& Geof Beasley
Kristin Winemiller
Democrat