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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2002)
fehruary 15, 2002 » 7 L’h lib riv i 4-1 m e w s council Feb. 12 requesting that it comply with the law. “Initially, the city and the fund were told that the problem could not be corrected with- out a citywide vote or a lawsuit,” he said. C it y C o u n c i l O K s B e n e f it E x t e n s i o n he Portland City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Feb. 13 extending Portland Fire and Police Disability and Retire ment Fund benefits to members’ same-sex domestic partners. Katie Potter, the les bian cop who spearhead ed the effort, said after ward that she was feeling “very emotional but very happy.” She told the council that if she or her partner, a fellow police officer, was killed in the line of duty, the survivor would be emotionally and financially devastated. “Money isn’t the only issue at hand, nor is it the most important,” Potter said tearfully. “We know that we are all created equal, but we are not treated equally.... Please tell our daughter that her parents are as deserving as Lesbian cop Katie Potter has triumphed in her effort for equality other parents.” The city’s action was based on 1998’s Tan “Once they were shown how to do the right ner vs. Oregon Health Sciences University thing, they willingly embraced it.” Kiss told Just Out he especially was impressed decision, which said government is constitu tionally required to recognize domestic part with Mayor Vera Katz’s support. “I think it’s nerships. Carl Kiss, the attorney who handled wonderful to live in a city that doesn’t hide the case, presented this option to the fund’s problems but seeks to correct them,” he said. Commissioner Charlie Hales noted the fact trustees board, which sent a memo to the T that the vote occurred without controversy, protest or finger-pointing. “I think that’s a cause for even greater celebration,” he said. Katz, who has been pushing gay-positive leg islation since 1973, said she always is taken aback when people praise her brav- ery in supporting basic equality. “1 ® can’t understand it—it’s the right thing to do.” 1 P ortland W ill P l a y H o s t to C o nference c reating C hange— the pre em inent grassroots, skills- building conference of the sexual minorities m ovem ent— will be coming to Portland in November. Almost 2,500 people— activists, organizers, students, elected and appointed officials, community leaders and allies— are expected to attend. Sponsored by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Founda tion, Creating Change consists of eight daylong preconference insti tutes, four plenary sessions, more than 150 workshops, seminars, caucuses and networking sessions. Last year’s gathering was held Nov. 7 to 11 in Milwaukee. People who are interested in volunteering or serving on the host committee are invited to learn more about the Creating Change confer ence from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 27. The informa tional community meeting will take place at First Unitarian Church, 10U S.W. 12th Ave. For more information contact Sue Hyde at 617-492-6393 or shyde@ngltf.org. G ood G overnm ent I n it ia t iv e G oes B ad ay businessman Robert Ball’s Good Gov ernment Initiative, which garnered enough signatures to qualify for the May ballot, has hit a snag that threatens to derail the Port land City Charter amendment. Under the measure, the majority7 of council members would be elected by district. Ball says this would shift departmental responsibility to experienced managers hired by the mayor and create a system of checks and balances. But 40,000 people didn’t realize they were signing a flawed petition: It contains a date error that would shut down the council for 2004- As a courtesy to these voters, Mayor Vera Katz has submitted a corrected version for consideration. Dozens of people—including Basic Rights Oregon board member Frank Dixon and gay Portland Police Bureau Capt. Mike Garvey, both initiative supporters—testified before the council Feb. 13. Opinions overall were mixed on whether the revision would be fair or would set a dangerous precedent. According to Ball, the council consistently corrects its own ballot measures before they are presented to voters. A final decision will be made during the week of Feb. 18 to 22. G For more information visit the Internet site www.portlandgoodgov.org. Continued on Page 9 Who can you turn in times like these? Mention this ad and get a 10% discount. “SAM E DAY S E R V IC E O N M O S T R EPAIRS” There is no question the markets are more volatile these days. 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