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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 19, 2002)
^ ________________________________________________________ :________ __________________________________________________________________________ un m. WW? » 1 — >|13 r T ïïiîT ïïw T f ln e iv s F ree at L ast Continued from Page 1 Attorney Frank Patrick talks to the media during a rally M arch 2 9 outside the Justice Center (Chief Justice Wallace P. Carson Jr.] put out the word that everybody should take the right oath— then that in itself was an admission that he had had an improper oath when he said that he had a proper one. “Then in further study we found out that the corrected oath wasn’t even the proper oath, and so we challenged that again. T h at’s what brought us to the impasse o f me going to the deposition— that the order that he signed wasn’t a valid order because he didn’t have the proper oath— and that’s what I challenged.” When asked whether he thinks all deci sions made by “impostor” judges should be tossed out— or just this decision— Mahon was evasive. “I think that that’s an issue that has to be decided by the courts themselves on the scope of the reality of it,” he said. “1 can only deal with the judges that are in my case, and we’ve researched those. The last we checked, every judge in the Circuit Court of Multnomah County does not have the proper oath. I think they need to have the proper oath. Regardless of the merits of the underlying case we’re involved in, 1 think every judge needs to have the proper oath, and I think most citizens would agree.” Insiders say Mahon is using his incarceration as an excuse to energize the anti-gay movement throughout the state. However, he claimed the idea never crossed his mind. “I haven’t given it any thought,” he said. “I had hoped my incarceration would bring the focus of the citizenry on the oath and the fact that the judges need to be following the consti tution, as we’re supposed to be following the law. 1 don’t really see a connection politically between challenging that aspect of it and fight ing the homosexual political agenda.” Just Out then pointed out to Mabon the pres ence of the man who arguably is the state’s sec ond most powerful anti-gay leader: Lou Beres, Oregon Christian Coalition executive director and co-petitioner of the Student Protection G o o d N ew s , B a d N ew s OCA tosses two measures while shifting anti-gay campaign into high gear by Jim Radosta n unforeseen benefit o f Cather ine Stauffer’s lawsuit cam e to light upon Lon Mahon’s release from jail earlier this month. T he Oregon Citizens A lliance chairman admitted his incarceration has set back the anti-gay organization’s latest initia tive efforts. “It has thrown a major monkey wrench into our collecting signatures,” Mabon told the Ore gonian. “We’re way, way behind. It’s going to take a herculean effort to make it.” Mabon said he is abandoning the Divine Life Sovereignty Amendment, which would have banned abortion and physician-aided dying, and A is “leaning against” an initiative to change the oath of office taken by judges. However, he still plans to pursue the Student Protection A ct II, which would prohibit public school instruction that approves, promotes or endorses homosexu al or bisexual behaviors. In fact, Mabon revealed he and the Oregon Christian Coalition are enlisting the help iff churches statewide. “That’s about the only way an organization like ours is going to get on the ballot,” he said. Signatures are due July 5. If they are verified, that would leave only four months for gay rights activists to put together an opposition campaign before Election Day on Nov. 5. JH Act II, a measure that might appear on the fall ballot. He continued to deny any connection between the Stauffer case and his relentless opposition to equal rights. "But he’s a friend,” Mabon said of Beres. “He’s not here because of the political battle that we’re doing with the homosexual agenda.” Mabon also was asked about the Committee for Constitutional Courts, a Clackamas-based organization run by Jeremy Bowen, president of the youth group O C A Underground, who recently wrote a fund-raising letter that says, in part: “Every day our friend is behind bars is another day of torment for his family and victo ry for forces of evil. Your contribution will only go to Lon’s defense.” Mabon responded: “To be honest with you I haven’t even read the letter yet. I’ve been kind of indisposed for the last 42 days, and so I’ve still got some things to catch up on. But I’ll look at it. I didn’t write the letter, obviously.” The couple’s attorney, Frank Patrick, called the press conference off as soon as Just Out brought up the committee’s anti-gay rhetoric. “You’re well beyond the issue at this point,” he fumed as he stormed out of the courthouse. j n W ithout a tra v e l a g en t yo u ’re on yo ur own.® ■five GLBT C o m m u n ity a Personal, Business Fjpasons Why Preview o f the Benefits ” Here’s What You’ll Find Out: • C o n v e n ie n t o n e - s to p sh o p p in g Sunday, April 21 '02 C e d a r H ills R e c r e a tio n C e n te r South of Hwy. 26 (exit 68) at Cedar Hills 8lvd. 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