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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 20, 1997)
just out T june 2 0. 1997 ▼ 19 Not ready for ENDA It doesn’t look as though three will be a charm for Oregon ENDA, an employment nondiscrimi nation bill that has been introduced this session in a trio of slightly varying versions. The most recent rendition, Senate Bill 1217, introduced a couple of weeks ago, appears to be one vote short of majority support, prompting leadership to all but kill the measure. “We’re not ready to give up until the gavel falls,” says Barry Pack, executive director of Right to Pride, a statewide gay, lesbian and bi sexual rights group that has lobbied for ENDA throughout the quickly winding-down session. “But I have to admit things aren’t looking good,” concedes Pack. SB 1217, which would bar employment dis HB3719 crossed over to the Senate, where it was assigned to Livability. Pack had thought RTP could gather the 16 votes for that version if some adjustments were made to the bill. Leadership, however, refused to allow any amendments to "social issues” bills, forcing the birth of SB 1217, which is basically the same as its predecessors minus changes pertaining to a reli gious exemption and attorneys fees—adjustments designed to entice. As of press time, it wasn’t enough. “But it’s not over until it’s over,” says Pack, though clearly bowing to the notion that ENDA’s passage is a long shot. He adds, “I think we have to take a moment to reflect on how far we did come this session. Our two-thirds vote in the House was historic—and if it hadn’t been for Senate leader ship always changing the rules, well, there’s a good chance things would be different.” Crossing our fingers... Dick Levy Associate Broker & Nancy Tamarin Sales Associate bounded in 1911, Rose City Veterinary SALES • LEA S IN G INVESTMENTS (503) 2 2 2 - 3 8 0 7 Hospital is Portl and ? oldest pet Hospital. 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Sat. 9-6, Sun11-5 36009 NE 31st Ave, La Center, WA PHOTO BY LINDA KUEWER The frenzied push toward ad journment—coupled with law makers’ struggle over big budget ary matters—could land the Or egon Defense of Marriage Act in a legislative dumpster, too. “That’s certainly what we’re hoping for,” says Pack. DOMA, a k a Senate Bill 577, sponsored by state Sen. Marylin Shannon (R-Brooks), defines mar riage as the union between a man and woman. It also says same- gender marriages performed else where will not be recognized in Oregon. In late May, DOMA flew through the Senate by a 20-7 vote. Nineteen Republicans and one Chuck Carpenter makes a final plea fo r ENDA on the House floor Democrat, Mae Yih of Albany, approved the bill. in April; the bill passed by a 40-20 vote The measure now sits in the crimination in some cases on the basis of sexual House Judiciary Committee, chaired by the less- orientation, is cosponsored by state Sens. Kate than-gay-friendly John Minnis (R-Wood Village). Brown (D-Portland) and Jeannette Hamby, (R- It seemed as though DOMA was on the fast Hillsboro). track toward passage, but Pack says legislators According to RTP, “things aren’t looking are so wrapped up in other issues that DOMA may good” because the group can’t prove to leadership ultimately fall by the wayside. it has the necessary 16 votes in the 30-member, “Just hope time runs out,” he says. GOP-dominated Senate. “It’s a very fluid situation. If it could get to the floor we may have the votes,” says Pack, adding that RTP believed it had the backing “but some House Bill 2569, sponsored by state Rep. Ron arm twisting changed that.” Sunseri (R-Gresham), passed the Senate on June He specifically points to Sen. Tom Hartung, a 12 by a 26-4 vote. The bi 11 was earlier approved by Portland-area Republican, who Pack says previ a 25-23 House vote. ously signaled support for ENDA but has since That measure initially barred school adminis wavered. “And I’m not sure why,” Pack says. trators from administering tests, surveys, psycho To get Hartung on the ENDA bandwagon, logical or psychiatric exams, or evaluations that Pack says RTP is trying to rally influential con address, among other things, sexual behaviors, stituents in District 3, which covers portions of orientation or attitudes unless parental/guardian Portland, Beaverton and Hillsboro, to press the consent is obtained. lawmaker to back the bill. The bill was amended, however, to remove Matthew Lowe, a senator’s aide, says Hartung sexual “orientation,” though it still includes the has received “a few” calls asking him to support phrase "sexual behavior and attitudes.” the bill. In its original form, Pack worried HB2569 SB 1217, meanwhile, has been assigned to the could negatively impact queer youth who might, not-so-ENDA-friendly Senate Livability Com for example, seek school counseling services. mittee, inhabited in part by anti-gay rights Repub However the bill, which now heads to Gov. licans Eileen Qutub of Beaverton and Bob Kintigh Kitzhaber, also stipulates that school districts of Springfield. make “instructional materials that are part of any Livability is the same spot House Bill 3719, program available for inspection by the parents or the previous version of ENDA, landed. SB 1217 guardians of any student.” basically models HB3719, which cleared the Re Those materials “may include teachers’ manu publican-controlled House on April 29 by a 40-20 als, films, tapes or other supplementary material vote. that will be used in connection with any survey, (HB3719 in turn mirrored HB2734, the first analysis or evaluation as part of any program.” introduced ENDA, which had languished in the House Judiciary Committee.) Reported by Inga Sorensen Commercial Real Estate Professionals f How you 'Hfeet. ) It’s a test for parents r * Oregon HotSpring Spas JA e one fr ie n d s recom m en d |L . -..V ........ 7 l* a v«rton 643 - 500 2 ........................ . 7l*nd 338-0903 . ... WÊÊÊÊÊÊâÊà .......... 7i>rtta n fi 233 - 333 / tSa tarn 363-4000