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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 19, 2001)
out October 1 9 ,2ÛQ1 » Injured? ...Call me Just Does the fear of HIV transmission warrant the American Red Cross ban on blood donations from sexually active gay men, or are they all being painted with the same brush? Proudly serving our community since 1989 in personal injury claims including: I do not believe a gay person’s blood poses any more risk than any nongay person’s blood. I do believe that all donations should be screened and that any person whose blood rests positive for HIV should be contacted and given options N EXT ISSU E: If the election were for treatment. held today, who would you support How many people do you think lie about then- sexual status and donate blood? Perhaps the in the U S . Senate race: incumbent American Red Cross should ban oil people who Qordon Smitfi or Secretary of State are sexually active, as HIV/A1DS is not lim it«! to Bill Bradbury? Respond at one specific group of people. Just my $0.02 worth ( www.justout.com. (Don’t forget to include your nam e , city and daytime telephone number.) § § M jji|M B D avid M oore Portland Continued from Page 4 said the statute does extend to sexual orienta tion, and for the state government to tell people the contrary is not only wrong, it’s short-sighted. T h at’s doubly true when coupled with the rest of the discussion on this Web site, which says that because of Tanner, “BO LI’s Civil Rights Division is no longer rejecting claims of sexual orientation discrimination from employees throughout Oregon.” T h at confuses me, and I’m a lawyer. Imagine how it sounds to an employee trying to deal with a discrim ination situation at work. If you look behind the language, what BOLI means is that it still will not use its informal procedures to resolve claims of dis crimination by private employers on the basis of sexual orientation. Instead, when an employee complains to BOLI, the agency declines to investigate but issues what is called a “right to sue” letter. That means that the employee has complied with the statute by seeking help hut that BOLI just said, “ If you’ve got a problem, take ’em to court." From every point of view that’s too bad. It’s a missed opportunity for BOLI to educate employers in the law. It raises the cost to employees and employers, who both must face the hazard and uncertainty of a court proceeding instead of a speedy mediation. And finally, it discriminates against employees who have such claims— it treats those discriminated against on the basis of sex ual orientation differently from how it treats others complaining of discrimination. And by an interpretation of Tanner, that kind of dis crimination by a state agency is not just regret table, it’s unconstitutional. As an elected official, I want to spread the word about these issues. T h a t’s not just because I believe people should have their chance without being burdened by prejudice. It’s because I believe all of us are richer and happier when our society lives up to both aspects of the great human revolution of our time. P ete S orenson IÙTVI M & M BALLOON CO. Creative Balloon Imagery. Hala Gores, P.C. Attorney at Law |Free Consulta-| tion No Fee Unless Vou Recover 503/ 295 -1 9 40 12th Floor 621 SW Morrison Portland PORTLAND M AREA M , Integrity Experience oR esn lts Let M & M Balloon Co. help make your event everything you imagine. www.prop 5 hoo.com * 503,283.2160 Lane County Commissioner The gift that keeps on giving To the E ditor : F ull gratitude and recognition are overdue for all those who contributed to the Loni Okaruru vigil at Pioneer Courthouse Square. They include, of course, Basic Rights Oregon, the Coalition Against Hate Crimes, the West County Coalition for Human Dignity, Pride Northwest, Rainbows and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Thanks, too, to Just Out for your outstanding coverage [“ Burning the C andle at Both Ends,” Sept. 21]. We stand together for the safety and digni ty of our community and against hatred and bigotry. A s evidenced by the broad support and great attendance at this event, our com munity really cares for trans people and for each other. These contributors have made it possible for us to share some hope during these troubled times. This is a precious gift. Creating beautiful homes for all families L ori B uckwalter It’s Time, Oregon! Executive Director Justl Welcomes letters to the eitor Letters must be accompanied by a phone number for verification purposes. Anonymous letters and letters without sufficient contact information will not be published. A fu rn itu re and accessories store 9652 B r a v e r t on - H i I Is d a le lira v rrto n , OK 9 7 0 0 5 S W 503 646-8949 Hwy Beaverton HIBsdale Hw y 7
