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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 18, 2001)
may 18.2001 *_ ¡m at M t 23 news RE/MAX (Jfwe With Pride sprinkled her personal opinions throughout: “W hen did the biblical commandment ‘Honor thy father and thy mother’ become a threat to chil drens emotional well-being?’ “This story is based on unidentified sources and rumors,” Garry said. “The school’s statements that gay concerns were only one part of its decision are brushed aside in favor of gay-baiting conjecture.” ❖ he first lawsuit in the n a tion challenging anti-gay policies in university housing went before New York state’s highest court April 24, as the Court of Appeals in Albany heard arguments in the American Civil Liberties U nion’s law suit against Yeshiva University. Like many universities nationwide, Yeshiva offers subsidized housing for graduate students and their spouses. Also like many universities, Yeshiva requires that students be married to have access to this housing, thus excluding lesbian and gay cou ples—who pay hundreds of dollars a month in extra rent and commuting costs to live off-campus. “Under policies like Yeshiva’s, 100 percent of straight couples have access to this housing, but 0 percent of gay couples do,” said Matt Coles, ACLU Lesbian and Gay Rights Project director. “U nder any reasonable definition, that’s discrimination.” The ACLU alleges that Yeshiva’s housing policy violates New York City law barring dis crimination based on sexual orientation as well P roperties ! Schedule your appointment | today with: L is a C o s t e llo 503-256-3700 REY REECE DEALERSHIPS ISUZU-VOLKSWAGEN-USED T 122nd & East Burnside www.reyreece.com vdublisac(q)hotmail.eom ifying that the state’s nondiscrimination laws protect trans people as well. The legislation cod ifies federal and state court decisions that have held that it is impennissible to discriminate against individuals simply based on traditional notions of masculinity and femininity. “This is a tremendously important piece of legislation that updates Rhode Island law to make it consistent with our modem understanding of sex discrimination prohibitions,” said Jennifer Levi, staff attorney at Gay and Lesbian Advo cates and Defenders, which was instrumental in helping draft the language of the bill. “Unfortu nately, because of some poorly reasoned old cases, there is a misperception that transgender people are excluded from sex discrimination laws. This bill clarifies that no such exclusion exists.” ARIZONA ov. Jane Hull ^ signed legisla tion May 8 repealing the state’s century- old sex laws. The bill, sponsored by openly gay Rep. Steve May, repeals laws th at make cohabitation, sodomy and nonpro- creational sex acts illegal. “Keeping archaic laws on the books does not promote high moral standards,” Hull wrote in a one- page letter explaining her decision. “Instead, it teaches the lesson Like many universities nationwide, Yeshiva’s housing policy discriminates that laws are made to against same-sex couples be broken.” Hull received almost 1,000 calls urging a as state law prohibiting marital status discrimi nation. Because Yeshiva is not a religious insti veto, a spokesman said. The Arizona Human tution (with the exception of certain programs), Rights Fund, the state’s gay and lesbian civil attorneys for the university have not made any rights organization, issued action alerts urging claims that the anti-gay housing policy has any members to ask her to sign the bill. thing to do with religion. In addition to the direct impact the case will TEXAS ov. Rick Perry signed the James Byrd Jr. have in New York, Coles said the lawsuit is H ate Crimes A ct into law May 11. T he spurring efforts to change similar policies nationwide. Comprehensive data do not exist, passage of this legislation means that, for the but the ACLU estimates about half of the uni first time in U.S. history, a majority of the 50 versities that offer couples housing discriminate states have hate crimes laws covering sexual against same-sex couples. Campus groups orientation. “This is a historic moment for gay and les actively are working to change policies at U ni versity of California in Berkeley, University of bian Texans— it is the first time we’ve been legally recognized and protected by Texas law," Texas in Austin, University of Kansas in said Dianne Hardy-Garcia, Lesbian Gay Rights Lawrence, Iowa State University in Ames, Ohio University in Athens, University of Kentucky Lobby of Texas executive director. “It took years of continuous work, but at last the pendulum of in Lexington and elsewhere. justice swings our way.” i n G RHODE ISLAND y a 46-41 margin, the Rhode Island House of Representatives passed a bill May 1 clar- B S ignature Compiled by Copy Editor J im R a d o s t a , who can be reached at jim@justout .com. Mention This Ad & Receive "B eing from out ol state <i/id a first time buyer, I w as at an extrem e disadvantage during my search for a home. 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