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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 21, 2000)
4uty2t. 2000 ' 13 A ct O ne Basic Rights Oregon launches a campaign against the Oregon Citizens Alliance's latest initiative by Jo n a th a n mm, Kipp S A . »e B*okrr A sso ci fter a six-year abscence from the ballot, the Oregon Citizens A l liance has returned with another anti-gay initiative for Oregoni ans to ponder. Although state election officials haven’t yet confirmed the “Student Protection A ct” will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot, gay activists insist it will be there. Many thought the O C A was defunct after losing two efforts to codify its anti-homosexual beliefs in the early ’90s and failing even to get on the ballot in 1996 and ’98. But the alliance is not only back, it is said to be more sophisticated and better funded— and this time, it has brought along some serious help. Although Balboa and Sullivan say the initia tive’s passage would have severe consequences * ln n o ^ d B u v e t ’s ^ e n t for sexual minorities, their biggest concern at « U*Pe distene* n tW e this point is for children. The Student Protec M t e tion A ct would put kids in danger, they say. 3 2 0 -U , Mabon and the O C A want to rid schools of HIV and AIDS education, and the Student Pro tection Act would accomplish that. Voter ap proval of the act, Sullivan says, would censor criti cal information kids need to keep themselves safe. Voters with whom her team has talked also are concerned about schoolchildren learning the values of respect and fairness. Opponents of the Student Protection Act say it selects one group of Oregonians and singles them out for harassment, discrimina- | tion and hatred. Sulli- > van thinks voters want I their schools to reinforce o values, all right— values § of respect and compas- * sion, not harassment and fear. Oregonians like their autonomy, she says. But the O C A ’s initiative calls for a statewide mandate that essentially Martial Arts Institute takes control away from SE 43rd & Hawthorne local parents, teachers and school boards. If the act becomes law, special interests will have the right to tell voters what should and should not be taught to their chil dren. Sullivan says al lowing one special inter est to impose its values on Oregon’s kids will open the door for any special interest group to • Fast 15 to 20 day • Instant approval at do the same. closings your home or office According to BRO, what voters are worried • Good or bad credit • 0% down programs about in schools is not the promotion of homo • Apply online at www.CH-Mortgage.com sexuality but lack of funding, overcrowding, lack of parental involvement and violence. Schools need stable financing, and parents know that, Sullivan says. The O C A ’s measure threatens Phone: (503) 294-0044 to cut state funding for schools that violate its Fax: (503) 294-7115 prohibitions. Cell: (503) 577-1981 T h e secretary of state’s office should be 5125 S.W. MACADAM • SUITE 145 EQUAL HOUSING PORTLAND, OR 97219 making an announcement about the initia LENDER tive’s future any day now, Sullivan says. BRO Email: Cgraunitz@CH-Mortgage.cor Loan Officer has budgeted $1.1 million to defeat the mea sure, but it might take more. " I’m not convinced $1.1 (million] will win this campaign," Sullivan says. “There are so many initiatives to compete with.” Organizers plan to raise most of the money in the coming weeks. “W e’re going to raise the Latest In Gay Travel, Fiction tk More lion’s share right here in Oregon," Balboa says. Although Balboa and Sullivan say they have an excellent staff already in line and vol unteers regularly calling to help, they fear the average Oregonian isn’t yet aware of the O C A ’s intent. “For the most part, people are unaware that this is happening,” Sullivan says. Happy Texas, Boys Don't Cry A More W hether by door-to-door canvassers or via media blitz, it is only a matter of time until Oregon’s residents, straight and gay, learn about what is ahead. But for those who are a part of the pending political battle, the race 2544 NE Broadway Ph 331.1125 Rmnt * SUM M l ttM latest ttttes! already has started. “W e’re going to fight this tooth and nail until November," Balboa says. One With Heart . 231-1999 CH M ORTGAGE Jaime Balboa (left) and Kathleen Sullivan The Student Protection A ct received more than enough signatures— 83,281 were submit ted, according to the O C A — by the July 7 dead line to procure a spot on November’s ballot. Jaime Balboa, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, the state’s largest gay political or ganization, isn’t waiting around for the secretary of state’s office to authenticate the signatures. “He got it,” Balboa says of O C A leader Lon Mabon. Balboa says Mabon turns in the clean est petitions of any group in Oregon and expects less than 10 percent of the signatures to be dis qualified. The alliance’s petitions exceeded the required 66,786 signatures by about 24 percent. The O C A has joined forces with the Oregon Christian Coalition and is receiving support from the Family Research Council, a Washing ton, D.C.-based Christian organization, to pass the Student Protection A ct in November. The council believes “homosexuality is un healthy, immoral and destructive to individuals, families and societies.” The group calls for com passion, rather than bigotry, to support healthy healing for homosexuals who want to change their sexual orientation, according to its litera ture. The council is said to have extraordinary financial resources, although figures are not available on its Internet site. ‘ Balboa and campaign manager Kathleen Sullivan spoke to Just Out about the seriousness of the O C A ’s latest effort. Their somber de meanor revealed as much about their concern as did their articulate presentation. Gai-Pied * Great Discounts On Our W ebsite: www.gaipied.com ^ I
