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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2001)
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After a year of study and several pub lic hearings, Moellers City Councilor Jim Moeller says conservative critics’ concerns are groundless community coordi Employment Opportunity Commission or t*e nating committee this summer recommended Housing and Urban Development Department. the establishment of the Vancouver/Clark “We believe this is a very moderate ap Ciiunty Human Rights Commission. T he City proach,” comments Moeller, noting that inves Council gave its nod in a 5-1 vote July 16, and tigation and enforcement measures still would county commissioners passed the measure he handled by the state office. unanimously July 24- He says the commission has the support of Almust immediately, critics of the ordinance petitioned the City Council to reconsider. By the police guild, the chamber of commerce, collecting the minimum 2,948 signatures from social services agencies and others. Still, he doesn’t underestimate his conservative oppo registered Vancouver voters, the opposition nents who perceive an “agenda.” forced the council either to rescind its vote or In a letter to the editor of the Sprmghill place the decision on the Nov. 6 ballot as a ref Review, for example, referendum supporter erendum. The council voted 6-1 during its Jeanne Schaefer asserts that the ordinance was Sept. 4 meeting to send the matter to the public. formed to provide legal protections for gay men Moeller remains firm about the need for the and lesbians. “This ordinance is not about equal commission. The committee proposing the ordi rights hut is another incremental step toward nance documented more than 450 local inci special rights for a specific group using other dents of discrimination or harassment in 2000, minorities as a thinly veiled shield,” she writes. with more likely unreported. Moeller responds: “The implication is that Race is a substantial issue, hut supporters also there is also some ‘gay agenda.’ Sexual orienta indicate a need to challenge discrimination and tion currently is not protected in Washington harassment based on other factors, such as gen state from discrimination in housing, employ der, age and disability. “We’re now seeing not just ment or public accommodation, and since the an issue of race hut an issue of culture,” says Moeller, a 46-year-old chemical dependency local HRC will be based on state and federal laws, their concerns in this area arc groundless counselor for Kaiser Permancnte. and appear overtly bigoted.” The basic goal of the commission would he Reports from council meetings suggest some to eliminate and prevent discrimination in work, housing, public accomrruxlation, credit Vancouver residents also fear that their right to free speech will he restricted and that education and insurance. materials will he ¿imply propaganda. The proposal provides for a full-time staff person and nine commissioners appointed In response to the referendum, a “Yes on Human Rights” campaign has been established. through a public process. The city and county each would provide $50,000 in annual funding, Supported by public donations, volunteers will and the commission would he subject to an disseminate information about how the commis annual public review. sion would function and the scope of its activity. “Regardless of the outcome in November, The primary objection to the agency is that the community has begun the discussion of it is seen as a duplication of services provided by the Washington State Human Rights Commis- harassment and discrimination,” Moeller says. “It needs to happen, and it will continue to hap sion. But the local entity’s mission centers on pen. If it doesn’t go forward with this commis education, information, mediation and refer sion, it will go forward in another way.” JH ral— services its state counterpart does not pro vide, according to Moeller. The Y es on H uman R ights camfxiijrn can he For example, upon request, the commission contacted at 4human'iightd0)home.com or could provide diversity education and training 11500 N.E. 76th St., A-3//5, Vancouver. WA programs targeted to the community. It could 98662. The W ashington S tate H uman R ights become a clearinghouse of reliable data specifi C ommission can he reached at 360-753-6770 or cally about Vancouver and Clark County. Medi 800-233-3247. To reach refererulum leaders, call ation would he a focal point, addressing issues Joannie Schrader at 360-896-6075 or Karen Schaffer before pursuing formal litigation, potentially saving taxpayers from costly lawsuits. The office at 360-885-7700. could refer cases not only to the state hut also to TIMOTHY K rause is a water and editor in Portland. appropriate federal agencies, such as the Equal ^ ^
