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íTufiTíH UTvunews
ave you ever heard about love at
second sight? Scott Clark and
Daniel Cadigan know all about
that.
The two men, both natives of
Montana, once crossed paths at a debate contest
as they competed for their separate high school
teams. Years later, Clark found himself in Port­
land and looking for companionship, so he sub­
mitted a personal ad to a local newspaper.
“Share life adventures” was the ad’s headline,
says Clark, grinning from ear to ear.
Cadigan answered the ad, and the men got
together soon after. It took little time for the two
30-year-olds to discover they actually had met
years earlier. Less than three days later, both
Clark and Cadigan knew love— and more— was
in the air: They were life partners.
Now several years later, love is still in the air
between the two men. Sharing a turkey sand­
wich during their lunch hour on a balmy August
afternoon, their romance and deep friendship
are palpable.
They have busy careers, a home with a large
garden and a dog named Max. They talk of dear
friends in their new home of Portland and help
support each other as they work through family
relationships unraveled in Montana.
And some say gay men don’t have commit­
ted relationships.
Just short of their fifth anniversary, the men
will take the first step in formalizing their part­
nership the second week of September. But it
won’t he the commitment ceremony some might
expect. The couple will he surrounded by friends,
all right—sharing a champagne toast, eating wed­
ding cake and taking a turn on the dance fltxir
together—hut a couple of hundred strangers are
expected to celebrate right along with them.
he Oregon Gay and Lesbian Law Associa­
tion will hold a “1,000 Years of Commit­
m ent” celebration ceremony and reception
Sept. 9. The event will be at Portland City
Hall’s first floor public area. Donations will he
requested to benefit the No on 9 Campaign.
The celebration is being held to commemo­
rate the Multnomah County domestic partner­
ship registry. The registry, like the event, is open
to all domestic partners regardless of sexual
orientation.
Couples can register at the special ceremony
on the second floor of City Hall. The $60 fee
must he paid in cash. All supporters of the reg­
istry are invited to the celebration as well.
“We expect about 50 couples will participate
in the ceremony, representing over 1,000 years
worth of committed relationships,” says George
Eighmey, Oregon Gay and Lesbian Law Associ­
ation hoard member.
Co-chairwoman Kristine Burr adds: “The
T
R egistration D rive
Domestic partners will celebrate
' 1,000 Years of Commitment7 at City Hall by Jonathan Kipp
September U2ÛÛÛ » just out 13
will have little to no effect on their lives, the
couple say.
But the gesture has great meaning to Allen
on another level. “I’ll have a sense of satisfaction
for the community.”
She says the registry will provide important
evidence in the future that gay and lesbian peo­
ple have committed and long-term relation­
ships. The women hope to marry one day.
Allen never thought she would see marriage
for gays and lesbians in her lifetime. “I do now,"
she explains.
Cadigan and Clark aren’t so optimistic. They
would like to have the same legal rights as mar­
ried people though.
But Clark says he doubts marriage will be an
option for him and his partner during his life­
time. “It is too emotionally charged for the
majority of people,” he says.
Despite that, they are determined to seek out
the positive side of being able to publicly state
they are a committed couple. They say they
couldn’t have done that in Montana. “I think
we are making progress,” Cadigan says.
Beth Allen and Jennie Eisenbraun
perception that gay and lesbian couples don’t
stay together in long-term relationships just isn’t
true. The ceremony will demonstrate the
longevity of our relationships.”
Portland Mayor Vera Katz and County Chair
Beverly Stein both will attend the celebration
and address the partygoers.
Donations already are coming in for the
party. Flowers, cakes, food and beverages are
among the gifts from Portland businesses.
The association’s costs will he minimal as a
result, Cadigan says. One member of the organi­
zation, who wishes to remain anonymous,
donated the fee for the use of City Hall.
1%. ] ot all the county’s domestic partners, gay
< or straight, will be able to attend the cere­
mony. Some will register in a more private way.
One of the first couples to register will he Beth
Allen and her partner, Jennie Eisenbraun.
Allen was one of four lawyers who started
the dialogue and planning to bring the idea of a
registry before Portland politicians. She and
Eisenbraun plan to register Sept. 1, when Mult­
nomah County will launch the registry.
The couple both served three years in the
THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
FALL 2000
Army in California before
meeting and falling in love.
Six months later, they head­
ed north to start their new
life together.
The couple had little in
those days, they say. “We did
the lesbian U-Haul thing,”
Allen jokes.
But they had each other
Scott Clark and Daniel Cadigan
and dreams of better jobs,
Allen predicts more efforts in Portland’s
more education and a home of their own.
future toward gaining full legal rights afforded to
Today, 13 years later, sitting atop a cabin
cruiser named after their favorite coming-out married people. She isn’t happy that such small
novel, they seem more like newlyweds than old steps have to be taken but says it is the way to
married people. They spend time on their boat to bring about important change.
In the meantime, Allen is willing to wait and
relax and to escape the hectic pace of their lives.
They sip a beer or two and snack on Eisen- just enjoy her life with the woman she lives with
braun’s famous smoked salmon, caught on the and loves. “Our life is pretty good. More of the
couple’s 14-acre spread east of Portland. The duo same is OK,” she says, glancing over to Eisen­
say they want to spend more time together and are braun with a grin that only someone who loved
simplifying their lives so they can do that. “We her fully could appreciate.
enjoy each other’s company,” Eisenbraun says.
Urged on by close friends, the women cele­ ■ To RSVP or for more information, call the
brated their 10th anniversary with a commit­ O regon G ay a n d L esbian L aw A ssociation
ment ceremony. So registering their relationship message line at (503) 296-2192.
Cascade AID S Project an d Swan House present:
^n-Home Caregiver and Volunteer Training
Saturday, September 9th
9:30am-4:30pm
Metropolitan United Church of Christ
Milwaukie, OR
Applications are now being accepted for the Chinese,
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Our mission: To provide children with a
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For further information,
call (503) 226-2496
the
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
025 S.W. Sherman Street
Portland, Oregon 97201
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contact Rose a t CAP'S
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