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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 17, 2000)
navambfif 17.2QÛQ 24 Continued from Page 23 for Kroeker’s resignation. Some members also met with him in hopes of a last-minute apology or repudiation of his statements. They said they heard neither. After the two meetings, they remained unconvinced that Kroeker has changed his biased views about sexual minorities, women and chil dren— necessary, they think, for serving all the people of Portland— and moved forward with their letter. “Implications of his publicly stated anti-gay bias are terrible,” said Bonnie Tinker, Love Makes a Family executive director. She heads up the Police Chief Concerns Group. Terry Bean, a Portland businessman and member of the Human Rights Campaign, also met with Katz and signed off on the letter requesting Kroeker’s resignation. “1 don’t think he understands how his public comments hurt gay youth,” he said. “He does not acknowledge the damage that has already been done.” Katz told Just Out she understands what it is like to work side by side with those who do not like her. Almost every day of her career, she said she has interacted with people she knows are biased against Jews and women. She doesn’t think differing views necessarily preclude get ting work done and having good wishes for one another. But many insist that if the issue were about race, ethnicity or national origin, Katz would be incensed. “If he said those things about blacks, he’d be gone,” one high-profile lesbian commu nity leader said. Katz thinks she deserves some credit with the gay and lesbian community. She said she has worked on its behalf for 30 years. Katz said unless city employees show through their actions or words that their personal feel ings or religious beliefs are affecting their job in a negative way, she will support them. Tolerance works two ways, she said. making a clear apology for the comments. In fact, his response has been more upsetting to many than the tapes themselves. When asked by Just Out if he wanted to apol ogize to the gay and lesbian community, Kroek er skirted the issue and instead emphasized the inappropriateness of speaking about his person al religious views in a public capacity. Despite her support for the chief, the contro versy has bothered Katz. 3 .jtóláUU Finally, an apology ■ The m ayor's decision atz said laws provide all city employees with the right to their personal religious views. As police commissioner, she said her responsi bility is to determine whether Kroeker’s person al opinions are impairing his ability to perform his professional duties. After conducting a review, Katz said she felt strongly that he not only is doing a good job but that his ethics, morals and vision are exemplary, j “He is leading the bureau in a fair, respectful and inclusive manner." K S ound O ff n apology was made to the gay and lesbian community, but not by Kroeker. “I want to apologize for the concern, pain and fear caused by the taped comments made years ago by Chief Kroeker,” Katz said. “His taped comments in no way reflect my own per sonal beliefs.” Some have condemned Kroeker for not A y What do you plan to do about the police brutality in Portland?! “It’s been very tough,” she said. “It’s been very painful.” Katz said her first responsibility is to sexual minority police officers. “I want to make sure the gay, lesbian and transgendered officers feel safe.” After that, Katz said her responsibility is to help the community move on. We need some real communication about discrimination, she said, adding that now is a good time to start talk ing about what tolerance really means. But Katz warned that the discussion isn’t about getting together and yelling. Showing anger and calling for Kroeker’s resignation doesn’t heal, she said. Katz said the discussion must be far broader, including more people than the usual leaders and activists. And she said this dialogue will go on for a long period of time beyond just one meeting. The Police Accountability Campaign, led by Dave Mazza, editor of the Portland Alliance, has asked for the Kroeker to repudiate the state ments made in the tapes and apologize. “We believe that some of the statements he made in (503)823-4120 I ; k:vt>i!H>|Kwai<rvrf» ,-gf Auention: Murk V kroeker x m .....H Please do (he community ;t service and l*ti m il Forum w ill provide an opportunity to speak out ove Makes a Family will sponsor a commu nity forum about Mark Kroeker from 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 21 at Lutheran Inner City Min istries, 4219 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. The Portland police chief is unavailable and cannot attend. Organizers say the forum will be an opportu nity for gay, lesbian, bi and trans people to speak out and make their demands. For more informa tion send e-mail to lmfamily@teleport.com or call 503-909-1336. L Portland Police Chief Mark Kroeker also has been condemned for his handling of the May Day protests Any Questions? CallSam, Rafael or Dave at 503-223-5907
