Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2001)
(une 1.2001 » jM ft M *| 5 ru iìT T T W ^ iin e w s ociote Broke* ltW e ^ rk e t! ' M ,eot * 1 0 0 0 e V t t a e o c e d ^ e r ’ M te n liv e y > te net Richard B. Schneider A ttorney A t L aw A promising experimental H IV therapy is the latest weapon in the battle against A ID S C ourt U rged to U phold D omestic P artner B enefits ambda Legal Defense and Education Fund is urging the Washington Supreme Court to reject a conservative taxpayer’s assault on Van couver’s domestic partner benefits plan and to leave in place the city’s family benefits plan for unmarried city employees. Arguments were heard in the case May 31. “V ancouver recognizes that providing equal insurance benefits to unmarried city employees is simply the fair thing to do,” Lambda senior staff attorney Jennifer C . Pizer said. “Vancouver and its residents benefit when all city employees can rest assured that their families have basic insurance coverage, because peace o f mind improves morale and effectiveness in the workplace.” Lambda and the A m erican C ivil Liberties U nion argue that home rule cities like Van couver, under W ashington law, have substan tial power to govern themselves; they filed a brief outlining why Vancouver, as an employ er, is well-served by its partner benefits plan. T h e brief points out that there is no conflict between this local law and state law, in that W ashington law protects people in unmarried relationships in various ways. Additionally, the brief refutes the argument that the local law creates confusion between the limited, taxable partner benefits offered to unmarried city workers and the comprehensive legal recognition provided by W ashington’s mar riage laws. In 1998, Vancouver extended its family ben efits plan to unmarried, gay and nongay, city employees. T he conservative Virginia-based Northstar Legal Center sued in 1999 on behalf of a local resident, Roni Heinsma, contending that the city cannot extend health benefits or any other protection to unmarried employees in committed relationships because doing so pur portedly would conflict with Washington state marriage law. In June 2000, the trial court rejected these arguments and ruled definitively in the city’s favor, pointing out that Vancouver has not tried to regulate family relationships in general as the marriage laws do but instead simply is ensuring reasonable compensation for its own employees. Heinsma then appealed. Shortly after receiving the Lambda/ACLU brief, the Court o f Appeals, on its own m otion, asked the W ashington Supreme Court to accept review o f the case. Lambda has helped cities and counties around the country defend domestic partner benefits for unmarried employees, defeating attacks in areas such as A tlanta; Chicago; New York; Santa Barbara, Calif.; Pima County, Ariz.; and Broward County, Fla. L G roup W ill L aunch S tudy on HIV T reatment he Research and Education Group is seeking volunteer participants in a new research study for Interleukin-2, a promising experimental HIV therapy. Evaluation of Subcutaneous Proleukin in a Randomized International Trial, or ESPRIT, will enroll 4,000 subjects from around the world. Interleukin-2 is a naturally occurring protein made by human white blood cells. A synthetic version is used as HIV treatment. Dramatic increases in CD 4 cell counts are seen in most patients who take the treatment. The research is seeking an answer to the question: Does a rise in CD4 cells caused by this treatment translate into clinical benefits and a longer life for HIV-positive patients? T he study is set to run for five years. The Research and Education Group, a pub lic nonprofit organization, is composed of physi cians and health care professionals committed to providing access to community-based AIDS clinical trials of new and investigational drugs and the study of promising HIV therapies. T is well versed in the special estate planning needs of the GLBT com m unity and can help you with care and professionalism. FREE REPORT! “Gay & Lesbian Couples Face Special Challenges In Estate Planning** What Every Gay And Lesbian Couple Should Know About Estate Planning. Call today for your free copy. 503.2 4 1.12 15 www.rbsllc.com Law Offices of Richard B. Schneider. LLC 2455 N W Marshall St., Suite 11 • Portland, OR 97210 For more information call 503*229-8428 or 800-875-8428 or visit the Internet site U A V w .r e g .o r g . R esearch L eads to N ew W orkshops for C ouples Seattle-based organization is offering new relationship workshops for gay and lesbian couples. T he Gottman Institute based the sum mer workshops on a 12-year study of gay and les bian couples by doctors at University of Wash ington and University of California at Berkeley. T h eir research indicates gay and lesbian relationships have strengths that straight couples do not. T h e workshops are designed to help couples build on those strengths and recognize the differences unique to gay and lesbian relationships. The research also found that gay and lesbian couples experience about the same satisfaction as straight couples, tend to be more upbeat in dealing with conflict and use fewer controlling, hostile-emotion tactics. According to the study, lesbian couples express both positive and nega tive emotions more than gay men. The two-day workshop, “Honoring Gay and Lesbian Relationships,” will be held at Seattle Center— June 16 and 17 for lesbians, July 14 and 15 for gay men. Tuition is $350 a couple. A For more inform ation call 206-523-9042 or 888-523-9042 or visit the Internet site w uAv.gottm an.com . The/ Potter ^Houses M CntitHe# 3830 SE 62nd Ave. • Portland, OR 97206 • (5 0 3 ) 7 7 5 -5 0 2 4 www.pottershouseministries.org e-mail: familylifecenter@pottershouseministries.org bodiesinbalance of Portland, inc. P H A T C Q therapeutic Private 8c semi private lessons Small group m at classes Teacher training center 503/248-4483 • 852 SW 21st www.bodleslnbalance.cltysearch.conn Continued on Page 6
