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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 6, 1999)
fT ìT ^ ÌT ln e w s will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year, told lawmakers one of their three chil dren is a lesbian. Jimmy, a veteran of World War II, Korea and Vietnam, noted how editorials in The Oregonian and Eugene Register-Guard opposed HJR29, say ing the Tanner decision was a pure application of the constitutional requirement that all citizens receive equal treatment under the law. “T h at’s all Norma and I ask for our children, equal treatment under the law, not for two of them but all three of our children,” he said, adding, “[HJR29] would promote conflicts simi lar to those occurring during ballot measures 9 and 13.” The bill, nonetheless, was approved by a 5-4 vote. Rep. Randall Edwards, a Portland Democ rat, pushed an alternative measure (via a minor ity report) that eliminated M annix’s language that the state “must” define marriage as being between one man and one woman, substituting the word may. The minority report also nixed Mannix’s provision that same-sex couples be denied benefits. G O P Reps. Lane Shetterly of Dallas and Max Williams of Tigard announced that they planned to vote for Edwards’ version, not Man nix’s, when it came to the floor. O n June 10, HJR 29 did come to the floor. Instead of passing the minority report in place the majority report, Republicans motioned to table HJR 29, effectively killing it. HJR 4, however, was revived and eventual ly cleared the House. In the Senate, HJR4 made it to the floor, but was sent back to committee because, says BR O ’s Harris, it didn’t have enough votes to pass. According to Harris, volunteers contact ed more than 300 constituents in more than 11 key Senate districts, and hundreds of people across the state contacted their senators and representatives regarding the anti gay bills. She adds that dozens of constituents visited their legislators in person throughout the ses sion, including PFLAG parents and many mem bers of the business community. O n July 23, a watered down version of HJR4 was sent to the floor and defeated in a 16-13 vote. “It was over,” says Harris. “We made it through without any kind of anti-gay bill.” She adds: “PFLAGers were there up until the final hour, watching the vote on the Senate floor.” W hich brings us back to Tanner. Despite their frenzied efforts, Mannix et al. were unable to dent it. “It’s the law of the land,” says Harris. W ith the session now kaput, gay rights activists say they plan to make sure Tanner has the bite to go with its bark. Dave Fidanque, A CLU Oregon’s executive director, says: “T h e next big step is to make sure [the state’s civil rights division] is enforcing the law.” He wants to see the state begin accepting complaints pertaining to sexual orientation dis crimination right away. Adds Harris: “W e’ve been so focused on the Legislature the past several months defending Tanner. Now that that’s done, we need to make sure it isn’t being ignored.” Total Business Printing Forms, Newsletters, Brochures Complete Corporate Identity Printing Letterhead, Envelopes, Business Cards P rin t D e s ig n • Full C o lo r Printing • High Volume Copying Custom Binding and Finishing • Graphic Design and Layout J M a il • Electronic Files & Digital Output • Mailing Services PRINTING Lloyd District/Convention C enter 424 N.E. Broadway www.pippdx.com ^ j I U J - X O C i Æ Æ Æ I -O O O O Fax 503-249-1440 SUM M ER S A L E U p to $ 1 0 0 O ff! WINDOW COVERINGS *50 off any purchase over $600 * 1 0 0 0 « any purchase over $900 Now. you can afford some real window coverings. Budget Blinds makes it easy to dress up your home and get dressed in your home with a $100 discount on any purchase of $900 or more. This offer is good on every style of window covering and every brand we carry. 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Eighmey, a political junkie with close ties to some of his old colleagues, says he was offering his own opinions and insights on the political process. “I’m a very open person— just because I share my thoughts doesn’t mean I’m criticizing oth - F ers,” he says. Still, Eighmey’s e-mails caught the eye of at least one person, and in July Eighmey wrote, in part: “I just completed a telephone conversation with Maura Roche, lobbyist for BRO, during which she expressed her disappointment in my failure to contact her prior to putting out infor mation on positions I thought BR O was taking concerning HJR4. “It also appears that certain of my e-mail messages have been interpreted in such a way that it appeared I questioned the integrity, honesty and capabilities of Maura Roche. I wish to correct this misinterpretation and to apologize publicly to Maura for permitting such impressions to be made. “At all times Maura has worked in the best interest of our community.... We must work together to defeat HJR4 and all anti-gay legislation. I refuse to allow myself to be an obstacle in reaching our goal." Jean Harris, B R O ’s executive director, declined to comment on the matter. T h e suggestion has been made that Eighmey remains bitter over Harris’ public endorsement of his opponent in a race for a Multnomah County Commission seat last year. (His opponent won.) Eighmey tells Just Out that’s simply not so: 'T h a t’s over. It’s done.” ■ Reported by I n g a S o r e n s e n p m P K - ."i Contact Christi 1 today ( 5 0 3 6 4 4 -4 6 0 0 ) . com 5 Saturn of Beaverton A D ifferent K ind ATLR N .I Corner of Canyon Road and SW 139th Ave. of C ompany . A D ifferent K ind of C ar . With an Eagle Eye for the Best Home Loans, We can find the right one for You! 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