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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»
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Auention: Murk V kroeker
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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