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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 19, 2002)
l ' [ i j ; ì ì ; ivj »ny in, w 4-1 mews Lon Mabon protégé Jeremy Bowen defends his imprisoned hero during a downtown rally March 29 C ommittee D iscontinued G ay B ash T everal dozen queers and allies attended a party July 8 at 3 Friends Coffeehouse to cel ebrate the Oregon Citizens Alliance’s failure to qualify the Student Protection Act II for the fall ballot. Basic Rights Oregon, which was pre pared to mount a campaign against the anti-gay measure, now will be able to focus on proactive efforts. Executive director Roey Thorpe briefly dis cussed the organization’s legislative agenda, which might include a measure to prohibit dis crimination statewide on the basis of sexual ori entation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations. She also said several attorneys have been looking at Ore gon statutes to find discriminatory language that should be corrected. until judges take an oath that matches the state constitution word for word. he Committee for Constitutional Courts, The com m ittee’s alleged purpose was to “to oppose corruption in the Oregon courts,” which was formed to raise money for Lon but it soon was revealed to be nothing more Mabon s legal defense, has been discontinued by than a front for collecting attorney fees at the Oregon Elections Division. taxpayer expense. Director Jeremy Bowen Coincidentally, the decision was handed promised donors they down July 5— the same would be eligible for a day signatures were due $50 state tax credit— for the Student Protec a statute that only tion Act 11. The Oregon applies to political Citizens Alliance fell action com m ittees “considerably” short of supporting or oppos its goal and decided ing a candidate, mea against submitting peti sure or party. tions for the measure, A formal complaint which would have pro was filed June 21 by hibited public school Basic Rights Oregon instruction that ap board member Ellen proves, promotes or Lowe. Most of the endorses homosexual or research was conduct bisexual behaviors. ed by M. Dennis The committee was Moore, whose Special created Feb. 21, the day Righteousness C om after Mabon was jailed mittee uses satire to for refusing to partici fight the O CA . pate in lesbian photog Bowen lashed out rapher Catherine Stauf at the Elections Divi fer’s lawsuit seeking sion in an irate state money owed to her for a ment July 9. He 1991 assault. He claims Basic Rights Oregon board member Ellen accused Secretary of he can’t get a fair trial Lowe congratulates supporters July 8 m E ugene P ublic H earing P lanned T he Eugene Human Rights Commission is seeking review from the community on updates to the city code, including the exten sion of gender identity protections, the creation of a municipal domestic partnership registry and the clarification of confusing language. It will hold a hearing about the proposed changes 7 p.m. July 30 in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 777 Pearl St. Written public comments will be accepted in person, by mail or by e-mail until 5 p.m. Aug. 6. The commission will decide on its council rec ommendation Aug. 29. Questions should be directed to Greg Rikhoff and Holly LeMasurier at 541-682-5177 or hrc@ ci.eugene.or.us. For more information visit the Inter net site wwiu.ci. eugene. or. us/hrc-erac/hrcsite/code. S S ave the D ate B asic Rights Oregon already is planning its Annual Dinner, which will be held Sept. 13 at the Hilton Portland. Cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7. The fund-raiser gives donors a chance to dine alongside candidates, elected officials and fair-minded friends and allies. “Festive attire” is encouraged. For more information call 503-222-6151. *[7 PHOTO BY % _ State Bill Bradbury— a Democrat who will face Mabon, the Oregon Constitution Party nomi nee, in this fall’s U.S. Senate race— of playing partisan politics. “Oregon’s secretary of state has decreed that no organization representing Christian principles will be allowed to operate un m olested,” Bowen said. “We are being attacked because we stood side by side with a man of principle. The secretary of state’s office has shown it is a partisan operation run by a man with political aspirations. Bill Bradbury is rolling over for his liberal constituency in hopes of locking up the left-wing vote for his Senate run. But we will not be intimidated. For too long, conservative Christians have been quiet in the face of bigoted attacks, but we answer to a higher power.” Not surprisingly, Bowen refuses to go away. He vowed to continue his fight against the “charlatans” who don’t obey the constitution— with or without the tax credit. “This complaint was brought by a longtime left-wing activist with ties to militant homo sexuals,” Bowen said. “We will not be silenced by a straw man for the pervert lobby. Our Sav ior died a horrible death on the cross. He gave his life with no complaints. He is our role model; do you really think 50 bucks makes a difference to us?” |—t Jordana Sardo C ourt H ands F reedom S ocialists a V ictory T he Oregon Court of Appeals unanimously struck down June 12 a state law that pre vents political parties from appearing on the bal lot if they share a single word in their names with an already recognized party. The suit was brought by Jordana Sardo, a lesbian who tried to run as a Freedom Socialist candidate for the state House in 2000. This was the second victory for the party. In 2001, a Multnomah County Circuit Court judge Continued on Page 8
