Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 16, 2001)
novemDar 16. 20Û1» L'In ; ì rividi mews The ruling marks a historic step in W ash ington, but Lambda Legal Defense and Edu cation Fund expressed concern for Vasquez. His case was sent back to the trial court for further exam ination of his relationship with Schwerzler. Vasquez now must suffer the indignity of “proving” his relationship through a trial while still deeply grieving the loss of his part ner. Jennifer C . Pizer, senior staff attorney in Lam bda’s Western Regional Office, noted that tragedies like an unexpected death show why marriage is essential for lesbian and gay couples. “This decision affirms that lesbians and gay men form committed, serious relationships with or without marriage, just like heterosexuals,” she said. “It rightly judges all unmarried couples with the same standards. However, Frank Vasquez would not be in the sad, painful posi tion of having to prove the nearly 30 years of love and commitment he and his partner shared if they could have married. We will continue to fight for that right.” Vasquez shared a home and business with Schwerzler. He died in 1995 without a will, and two years later his relatives sued to take all of the men’s assets, including their home in Puyallup. Applying a long-standing state equitable rule, a trial court upheld Vasquez’s claim to the property, valued about $230,000, that the two had acquired jointly during their relationship. An appellate court reversed that ruling. $5,000 to hire a part-time field organizer who will help coordinate legislative efforts includ ing civil rights and safe schools bills. The non profit organization was formed in 1998 to pro tect the rights of gay, lesbian, bi and trans peo ple in the state through lobbying in the Legis lature and political contacts in the state and local governments. “The Equality Fund grants have become an essential component in the struggle for equality and shows H R C ’s dedication to achieving success at the state level,” says Seth Kilbourn, national field director. “Unlike most of the grants that tend to be available to organizations, the Equality Fund grants can be used directly for lobbying purposes. This means that G L B T groups can spend more time working to directly impact the decisions o f lawmakers.” They'll tune your engine. They'll fix your car. And as an added bonus, they'll save the planet. Y outh S upport G roup G ets to the P oint riple Point— a support group offering education, support and advocacy to gay, lesbian, bi and trans and questioning youth in southwest W ashington— is getting the word out about its weekly meetings. The gatherings previously were held in downtown Vancouver at Cascade AIDS Proj ect, but funding was cut, so now they are being sponsored by the Children’s Home Society until a permanent home is found. The group meets T P D X A u to m o tive Is a c e rtifie d E co -L o flk a l B usiness. open 24 hours TOYS NOVELTIES LOTIONS (503)282-3315 PDXI3H A U T O M O T I V E Mechanics With A Conscience (and x-ra y vision) Oraaon ttfUftod DEO rap.Ir MSty. 5 DAY m m section -4SE Gerard Lillie • 5934 N.E. Halsey LARGE SELECTION OF DVD'S ONDER $ 2 0 North Portland Voyeur Glass atAIUK Triple Point co-facilitator John Furze (right) chats with teens during a recent meeting “Many unmarried people, gay and straight alike, procrastinate about doing a will because none of us likes to think about death," Seattle attorney Suzanne Thomas explained. “It’s a tremendous victory that Frank will have the chance to prove his case at trial, but it won’t be pleasant. We all wish Bob had just gotten that will prepared.” N o state in the United States offers same-sex couples the option of civil marriage, but in Feb ruary legislators introduced a pair of bills that would bring civil unions to same-sex couples in Washington. A civil union bill also is pending in California. Civil unions, like those in Ver mont, would greatly expand legal protections, rights, and responsibilities for lesbian and gay families. from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays in the Youth House basement at 1112 Columbia St. John Furze co-facilitates Triple Point with intern Jennifer Parks, who is pursuing a mas ter’s degree in social work at Portland State University. He says five to eight people be tween 13 and 21 years old-usually show up for the meetings. “We’re deal ing with harass ment at school, counseling ser vices, standing up to school offi cials about their rights,” Furze says. “T he youth com e in with different issues each week.” M eetings also feature speakers from orga nizations including Bridge 13 and Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. The group also discusses a number of issues such as body image and relationship prob lems, and Furze says the results have been positive. 'We're dealing with harassment at school, counseling services, standing up to school officials about their rights" — John Furze W ashington N onprofit R eceives $5,000 G rant T he Fluman Rights Cam paign announced Oct. 31 it has awarded 23 Equality Fund grants totaling $104,000 to lesbian, gay, bi and trans lobby groups across the nation. The money should help these organizations fur ther advance equality at the state level, H R C says. W ashington’s Fairness Lobby received Continued on Page 1 1 Veterinary Hospital PORTLAND 237 S.E. MLK BLVD 503 239-1678 - We are committed to providing loving, compassionate medical care for your pet. Mon-Fri 7am-7pm Sat 8am-5pm (503) 285-0462 3000 N. Lombard 2330 S E. 82ND AVE 503 777-6033 - SALEM 3473 SILVERTON RD N.E. 503 370-7080 -
