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.
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Hala Gores, P.C.
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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
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