Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 3, 2002)
may 3. 2002 L'h j ;* i ; ivi 4-1 mews T acom a T rans R P ro tects e s id e n t s T he City Council in Tacoma, Wash., voted 8-1 on April 23 to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It now joins more than 40 municipalities, the District of Columbia and two states, Minnesota and Rhode Island, with laws protecting trans citizens from discrimination. “We fully support and appreciate the G L B T leaders and organizations...who have done outstanding work in educating their elected officials on what it means to he a transgender person in America today,” said Seth Kilboum , Human Rights Campaign national field director. “T h at education is the basis for [Tacoma] taking action and is the key to future progress on eliminating all forms of discrimination.” T h o rpe P D iv e r s it y resen ts S e s s io n i ow much of your success depends on I I knowing who your co-workers are?” Roey Thorpe, Basic Rights Oregon execu tive director, posed that question April 30 dur ing Diversity Summit 2002. “If I can’t walk in Monday morning and talk about how I spent the weekend moving in with my partner, and what a big deal that was, then my fellow employees and employer won’t get my best ideas. If I have to lie about what 1 did, it’s espe cially damaging.” Speaking to nearly 100 people during a ses sion on “Effective Strategies for Sexual O rien tation Differences in the Workplace,” Thorpe challenged the audience to understand how honesty contributes to the success of employ ees and their organizations. Her talk was one of several at the summit, which was presented by Portland General Electric and drew 1,000 attendees to the Oregon Convention Center. Thorpe also illustrated th e value of respectful and appropriate marketing to the sexual minorities community. “Subaru sales have shot through the roof since their ads have featured couples of the same gender,” she said. “We knew they were marketing to us, and it worked.” Although many Oregon employers have worked to rid the workplace of homophobia, Thorpe believes many are still guilty of hetero- sexism— unseen, institutionalized bias that man ifests itself in many ways. “An example is giving free movie tickets to employees and their spouses, leaving us wondering just who can get tickets.” When asked about the cost of offering health benefits to domestic partners, Thorpe had some interesting statistics: Studies indicate domestic partners add about 1 percent to the overall cost of health insurance. Typically, only 2 percent to 5 percent of employees enroll domestic partners. And the fear that HIV/AIDS health care will drive up costs is unwarranted, Thorpe said. The average lifetime cost for HIV/AIDS health care is $119,000. “T hat’s comparable to typical cancer care," she said. “Compare that figure to the cost of a premature baby, which can come in at $1 mil lion or more.” t h e O C f f ic e r s h a rg ed he Portland Police Bureau inquiry into an alleged hate crime committed by two off- duty officers has come to a head. Grant Bailey, 26, plead guilty April 30 to third-degree assault and likely will receive 18 months in jail during sentencing July 31. Craig Hampton, 24, has been indicted on second- degree assault charges and faces a 70-month mandatory minimum sentence. A witness report initially indicated the offi cers uséd anti-gay epithets while beating a straight man Jan. 24 near Stephano’s, a down town club adjacent to Portland’s queer district. Detectives concluded, however, that bias was not a factor in the incident. The officers were not placed on administra tive leave until March 8, and Chief Mark Kroeker has ordered an internal investigation to determine whether supervisors hindered prose cution. “The actions and inactions of the police clearly resulted in a cover-up,” a grand jury wrote in a letter to Multnomah County District Attorney Michael D. Schrunk released May 1. BU T I ’D G E T r o o f RIG H T c a n ON w a i t THAT SOAP DISH. T PHOTO BY H e L o ves L .A . I P ortland Police C hief Mark I Kroeker revealed April 22 that he has thrown his hat in the ring for the top position at the Los Angeles Police Department, where he worked for 32 years before com ing to Oregon. He is certain to face a great deal of grilling from sexual minorities in the City of Angels about the anti-gay remarks he t made 10 years ago. Just Out asked Kroeker, “How will you address the concerns of the gay and lesbian community in L.A.?” He said he will be “honest and forthright” and “just move for ward” in building trust. Ironically, Kroeker’s competí- j tion includes a gay man, LAPD Deputy C h ief Dave Kalish. Former Commissioner Dean Hansell, who serves on the Los Angeles Cay and Lesbian C enter board, said the 27- year veteran would bring a great deal of credibility and knowledge to the job. “I certainly will apply,” Kalish told the Gay.com/PlanetOut.com Network. “I think there’s great Portland Police Chief Mark Kroeker announces his candidacy for LAPD chief April 22 Continued on Page 1 1 There’s only one place for house parts, lighting, furniture and architectural salvage. And all of it REJUVENATION’ impeccably crafted. Drop by 1100 SE Grand Ave. Monday-Saturday 9-6:30, Sunday 11-5,503.238.1900 p o i t i a h p o ■ « o o n GOT BMW? Will You Be Shut Out When Your Partner NeedsYou? Richard B. Schneider A ttorney A r L aw is well versed in the special estate planning needs o f the GLBT com m unity and can help vou with care and professionalism . We enthusiastically maintain your B M W so you can be a driving enthusiast SERVICE • REPAIR • PROFESSIONAL FREE REPORT! 503 . 232.5545 “Gay & Lesbian Couples Face Special 2242 N Williams (Near Broadway & 1-5) Portland • 97227 www.thebmwshop.biz Challenges In Estate Planning .” What Every Gay And Lesbian Couple Should Know About Estate Planning. Call today for your free copy. 503 . 241.1215 www.rbsllc.com Law Offices of Richard B. Schneider. LLC 2455 M W M arshall St., Suite 11 • Portland, O R 97210 Até ta PA CIFIC MOTORSPORTS OF PO RTLAN D
