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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 2, 1999)
aprii 2. 1999 * J u s t M at. y rTT?ÌTl news Q ueer K ids at C apitol The nationwide local-activism project Equality Begins at Home does just that— (or all ages by Inga Sorensen I t was totally cool. And a success. So say organizers of what was likely Oregon’s first statewide conference orches trated by and for queer youth. 1 * i ® I m - W \ is right, and it’s the close bonds that we can form in such a short amount of time.” In Oregon, queer youth could be greatly impacted if a proposed ballot initiative success fully makes its way onto next year’s general elec tion ballot and gains voter approval. The mea sure— filed by the ever-tenacious Oregon Citi zens Alliance— seeks to block public schools in the state from discussing homosexuality and bisexuality “ in a manner which encourages, pro motes or sanctions such behaviors.” The event, held March 20 and 21 at Willamette University in Salem, was part of Equality Begins at Home, a national campaign for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans equality that was coordinated by the National Gay and Les bian Task Force and was organized by the Feder ation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Statewide Political Organizations. n other area news, an Equality Begins in For Equality Begins at Home, which took place est Grove effort was launched March 22 in late March, has been hailed as the first coor when members of the Coalition for Human Dig dinated political campaign of queer rights nity asked the Forest Grove City Council to actions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia notify the public that Forest Grove offers and Puerto Rico. domestic partnership benefits to lesbian and gay In Oregon, roughly 150 youths from Port employees. land; Vancouver, Wash.; Eugene; Salem; Ash Referring to the Tanner vs. Oregon Health land; Coos Bay; McMinnville; Astoria; Mon mouth; and Klamath Falls participated in the two-day youth conference, which received backing from Basic Rights Oregon. According to Nerissa Ediza, BRO’s volunteer coordinator, many young people said this was the first confer ence that “truly focused on youth.” Ediza, 25, adds that only a small handful of adults— defined as anyone older than 21— attended, and most of them were service providers and youth-group leaders. “Those adults were busy behind the scene chopping vegetables for lunch and patrolling the grounds as security,” she tells Just Out. Youth-led workshops abounded; especially well-attended were the workshops on bisexuality and trans issues. The opening ceremonies included speeches by youths from around the state and a special performance about same-sex domestic violence by the Portland theater group Hip Chicks and Activists. There was also a dance and open mike. Ediza says most of the youths from the conference attended a March 21 rally on the steps of the state Capitol, About 3 00 demonstrators gathered in Salem March 21 which overall drew an estimated 300 demonstrators who cheered at the Sciences University ruling, coalition spokesman speeches and danced during a performance by Mitch Gould says, “In December 1998, the Ore the Portland Taiko Drummers. gon Court of Appeals ruled that government “It truly is a wonderful thing that youth and agencies can no longer refuse to offer benefits to adults could unite to put on such an amazing domestic partners. For the first time since our conference,” says Zarah Walker, 17, a Portland state was founded, this means equal pay and youth organizer. "I will never forget the people benefits for equal work.” I’ve met or the things I’ve learned, not only over He continues: “We were glad to learn that the weekend, but throughout the entire plan the city has recently notified its employees ning of the conference.” about this legal decision, and now the city has A Salem youth— who is unnamed to protect an opportunity to educate our citizens, too. Tan confidentiality— sent an e-mail to BRO saying: ner sends a priceless message not just to govern “I just wanted to say thank you to everyone ment institutions but also to American citizens involved in organizing the conference, and a that democracy really is for everyone." huge thank you for bringing it to Salem. For that reason, Gould says, the coalition is “And I also wanted you to know that I wear asking the city to place an advertisement in a small rainbow chain around my neck. I wear local newspapers stating that it is in full compli this every day, and when 1 first got it, it was to ance with the Tanner ruling, and to initiate staff symbolize the fact that I’m gay. Gay pride is great training on homophobic harassment. to talk about, but until [the conference], I didn’t In a separate but related request, the coali actually know what the words gay pride meant. tion is asking city officials to issue a proclama It’s the family that each and every one of us has tion stating that Forest Grove is a hate-free in each other, and the organizations we each zone. belong to. It’s taking a stand to do what we think im w i .01 Lt 1 r ka S æ J I twentieth annwersary Pictured , left to right: Top row: Dal»nah Betron. Charis Palim i; Karen Hi Ising. Scott Bottami. Gerry Federico. 2nd row: Jim Bean. Gars Sadicir. Michael McLaughlin, Kirsten Jenkins. Third row: George M a n in. Kathleen Ira 4th row: .lave Kraus, .lax Pevney, Kathy Tysingei : Tunic Brown. Carolyn Men Murray. John Terrill. 5th row: Terri Hunt. Lonnie Reents. Chris Manly. Tracy Thomas. Jefferx Ander son. Hollx McCollum, Matt Bahr Portland B r id c e t o W N minte m rete 503 287 9370 • West Linn 503 655 8015 w w w .b rid g e to w n re a lty .c o m Total Business Printing Forms, Newsletters, Brochures Complete Corporate Identity Printing Letterhead, Envelopes, Business Cards ^ P rin t D e sig n J M a il • Full C o lo r Printing • High Volume Copying Custom Binding and Finishing • Graphic Design and Layout • Electronic Files & Digital Output • Mailing Services PRINTING Lloyd District/Convention Center (■ 424 N.E. Broadway www.pippdx.com ^ I Q / / / j U J - Z O I " O O O O F a x 5 0 3 - 2 4 9 - 14 4 0