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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 1999)
news f f ¥ f if ¥ Domestic Violence Myth #1 NE 64“ @ Sandy 619 White House (503) 280-8080 Domestic violence occurs only among LG BTpeople who hang out at bars, are poor, or are people o f color. Domestic violence doesn’t discrimi nate. Abusers & victims come from all walks of life, all ethnic groups, all income levels, & all educational levels. If you are in an abusive or violent relationship, there is help. Call us. ¥ ¥ (541)758-3000 ommunity O utrcacK lnc- Confidential domestic violence counseling and advocacy for the Mid-Willamette Valley. p T h , s ad was funded by a grant from Pride Fo und ation Motherlode ** CD Release Concert! Saturday, Jan. 23 8 p.m. NW Neighborhood Cultural Center . NW 18th/Everett, Portland R eserved se a t tick ets $14 adv/$17 door F red M eyer F astixx (224-8499) A rtich oke M usic (232-8845) I t ’s M y P leasu re (2 8 0 -8 0 8 0 ) Join us to celebrate the debut of our brand new CD, Circle on the Sand! U ou /ia o e tf ie s u p e r /u m a n p o w e r to a o s o r o s tr e s s , c o n v e r t it to steam am t return i t hack to a i / e r e it cam e )n>m G ay G allows Wyoming prosecutors' approach to M atthew Shepard murder case ignites death penalty debate within queer community by Bob Roehr utting anyone to death for the mur der of Matthew Shepard is just as barbaric as tying the victim to a fence and leaving him to die in sub zero temperatures,” says activist Michael Petrelis of Queer Watch. The group has called upon national gay and lesbian organizations to condemn the death penalty in general and in particular its applica tion in the Matthew Shepard case. Queer Watch argues the punishment fails to deter crime and is applied unfairly against racial, eco nomic and social minorities. Prosecutors in Wyoming are seeking the death penalty against Russell Henderson and Aaron McKinney, both 21, who are charged with first-degree murder, kid napping and aggravated robbery in connection with Shepard s death. The two are accused of beating and robbing Shepard on Oct. 7 and tying him to a fence out side Laramie. Shepard, 21, died five days after the attack. Testimony at a November hearing indi cated Shepard may have been targeted because he was gay. “Putting someone to death really doesn’t solve the problem,” says Tracy Conaty, spokes woman for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, a queer group based in W ashington, D.C. She echoes the sentiment that the death penalty “is applied disproportionately against poor people and people of color in this country.” Canary adds NGLTF is in the process of establishing opposition to the death penalty in a formal policy statement, and says the organiza tion does not condone the call for the death penalty in the Shepard case. At the other end of debate is Log Cabin Republicans, a national gay and lesbian G O P group. Executive Director Rich Tafel believes the death penalty does have a deterrent effect, though he concedes “there are good arguments on both sides." Tafel argues that, if convicted, Shepard’s attackers should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. He says, “To do anything less would send the message that gays don’t deserve the fullest pro tection of the law.” David Sm ith, spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, says his organization does not have a position on the death penalty because it is not central to H R C ’s purpose. H RC is calling for “the people who commit ted this crime to receive equal justice.” The victim’s sexual orientation should “not be factored into whatever punishm ent is meted out,” says Smith adding, “It would be a horrible miscarriage of justice if th e punishm ent was somewhat lesser because the victim was gay, or black, or a woman or His panic.” Beatrice Dohm, legal director of the Lambda Legal Defense and Educa tion Fund, says the death penalty hasn’t come up much for Lambda attor neys, but adds that, in light of the Shepard case, senior staff is considering whether the group should formulate a position on the issue. D ohm notes Lambda works closely with other civil rights groups that are opposed to the death penalty. “But it isn’t at the core of our work,” she says. Longtime gay activist Vic Basile is personal ly opposed to the death penalty, but the former HRC executive director says: “It is stupid to take positions on issues that are not directly related to the gay community. It takes them off focus, it loses people on either side of the issue.” He adds, “If you look at any constituency group that has been successful, they don’t go all over the map on taking positions on things. They only have so much political capital to spend, and you spend it where you think it can make a difference. Frankly, I don’t think it makes any difference w hether HRC comes out against the death penalty; it isn’t going to change anything." "Putting anyone to death for the murder of Matthew Shepard is just as barbaric as tying the victim to a fence and leaving him to die in subzero temperatures." — activist Michael Petrelis of Queer Watch y o k SoLsri ce! M ystic Moon 3 1 2^5 E B u r n s i d e G i jtts ■' 4 Sg M C all 5 0 3 - 6 4 3 * 5 0 0 2 for more information about our spas and the exceptional level of service that accompanies each one. life has rew ards. We've got one of them. Oregon HotSpring Spas .**• > ,, ■ ' v S i f e H as r e w a r d s . 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