Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 15, 2001)
tune 15. 2001 * rTÎTTTTmnews NATIONAL he shift in control of the U.S. Senate will create an enviionment more favorable for issues important to the queer community and to progressive allies, according to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Vermont Sen. Jim Jeffords’ decision to with draw from the Republican Party, become an Independent and vote with the Democrats on organizational matters effectively gives the party a 51-49 majority. They officially took control of the chamber June 6, and South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle was named majority leader. “1 had serious, substantive reservations about that budget and the decisions it sets in place for today and the future,” Jeffords said. “Looking ahead, 1 can see more and more instances where I will disagree with the president on very fundamen tal issues: the issues of choice, the direction of the judiciary, tax and spending decisions, missile defense, energy and the environment, and a host of other issues, large and small.” Because of the shift, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., replaced Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, which votes on Presi dent Bush’s judicial nominations. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., became chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Commit tee, which considers a number of issues important to the queer community, including nondiscrimina tion laws, school safety and H1V/A1DS programs. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., replaced Sen. Jesse Helms as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. The North Carolina Republican is one of the senators who held up the nomination of James Hormel to be ambassador to Luxem bourg during the Clinton administration. “The new composition of the Senate will serve as a brake on Bush’s more radical proposals,” said Tim McFeeley, NGLTF political director. “It will mean that Bush’s nominees, particularly for the judiciary, will receive more careful scrutiny. It will mean that pro-GLBT measures, like the pro posed hate crimes law, safe schools legislation, bans on discrimination and pro-GLBT immigra tion measures could stand a better chance of at least being aired for debate. All in all, this change will make the U.S. Senate more com passionate and less conservative.” -5- ervicemembers Legal De fense Network hailed the recommendation of a commis sion reviewing the Uniform Code of Military Justice to repeal the military sodomy statute, also known as Arti cle 125. Calling military sodomy prosecu tions “arbitrary, even vindictive,” the Cox Commission recommended Congress repeal the statute and replace it with one governing sexual abuse similar to laws adopted by many states and in Title 18 of the U.S. Code. The commission published its findings May 30 in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the uniform code. The report is the first comprehensive review of the code since its enactment. “The commission is appropriately urg ing Congress to step into the present and do right by our men and women in uni form,” said C. Dixon Osburn, SLDN exec utive director. “The military’s sodomy law is antiquated and should be repealed.” SLDN submitted comments to the commission urging it to recommend repeal President Bush doesn’t believe in “politicizing of Article 125. Legal director Sharra E. people’s sexual orientation” Greer represented SLDN at a public hear custom established in 1999 by Bill Clinton. ing held by the commission March 13. “Just as it is wrong for President Bush to “Article 125 is a throwback to English common exclude gays and lesbians from equal employ law that has long since been abandoned by the ment and hate crimes laws, it is disheartening to militaries of the original NATO countries, think that he would turn down an opportunity including Great Britain, on whose law ours to recognize the community’s impressive role in relies,” she said. our nation,” said Terry McAuliffe, Democratic The commission’s recommendations have National Committee chairman. “This is the been forwarded to Defense Secretary Donald type of divisive politics and discrimination that Rumsfeld, who has ordered a comprehensive review of Pentagon personnel policies. The is detrimental to the progress of our country.” report also will be shared with the chairman and Bush thinks all people should be treated with dignity and respect but doesn’t believe in ranking members of the Senate and House “politicizing people’s sexual orientation," Committees on Armed Services and to the according to White House spokesman Scott Code Committee on Military Justice. McClellan. Since he became president in Janu -5* ary he has signed proclamations designating resident Bush is under fire for refusing to honor Continued on Page 22 Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, breaking the The Portland Police Bureau Joins in the Gay Pride Celebration Currently Hiring Lateral and Entry Police Officers PALM SPRINGS A private resort for gays and lesbians, their families, and their friends. Children of all ages are always welcome. Minimum Requirements ■ Have an Associates Degree, 60 semester or 90 quarter hours from an accredited college or university ■ Be at least 21 years of age ■ Be a U.S. Citizen within 1 year from date of hire ■ Have no felony convictions ■ Lateral applicants must also have two years continuous experience with current city, county or state agency 800-843-6908 760-318-8400 viola@violasresort.com www.violasresort.com Call 1-888-735-4259 to request an application *• 1200 S. Palm Canyon Dr. Palm Springs, CA 92264 or visit our website at www.portlandpolicebureau.com SUMMER SPECIAL The City of Portland is an Equal Opportunity Employer June, July, August Pay for 2 nights 3rd night is FREE! 21
