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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2002)
» august lfi.2002 16 C ommish D ish Just Out osks City Council candidates about queer issues Photos by Marty Davis total of 16 candidates are vying for the Portland City Council seat vacated by Com- / 1 missioner Charlie Hales. A special election will be held Sept. 17; if nobody receives more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two will face each other in a runoff Nov. 5. Voters still have until ,A<. J l Aug. 27 to register, and ballots will he mailed Aug. 30. Just Out asked the candidates about their views on issues of importance to the sexual minorities community. All hut two responded. -THE QUESTIONS- J osh A 1. What have you done to promote civil rights for the sexual minorities community? 2. What will you do as city commissioner in the ongoing quest for equality? 3. What can the city do to help preserve the Burnside Triangle’s identity as Portland’s gay culture district? 4 . Do you agree with the direction in which the Portland Police Bureau is headed? Has Chief Mark Kroeker been effective in fighting anti'gay discrimination within the ranks? lpert I have promoted the civil rights for the sex ual minorities community by fighting on the front lines. As a lobbyist for Basic Rights Oregon in the 1999 and 2001 legislative ses sions, 1 advocated for the basic civil rights of all citizens. In 1999, this included a tireless fight to defeat House Joint Resolution 29, a hill that would have not only added a conservative defi nition of marriage into our constitution hut would have overturned the Tanner decision, which gives benefits to domestic partners of state workers. In 2001, I worked to pass a safe schtxils hill to promote diversity in our schools and to protect student clubs. I also worked with city commissioners to pass a citywide tolerance policy in Portland. As a city commissioner, I will work to *** make our city inclusive, providing for points of view from all comers. The basic rights of all citizens must never he in question, and I will ensure that every decision that I make will he based in fairness, equality and courtesy. Basic rights are non-negotiahle. While a policy adviser to Commissioner * Charlie Hales, I worked with Jacob Brostoff and other Burnside Triangle advocates to declare the Triangle a gay cultural district in the city’s West End Plan. As your commissioner, I will work to build the Triangle into a truly great district for all— one that celebrates diver sity, champions equality and fosters awareness. 1 believe that Chief Kroeker has worked * hard to understand what makes Portland different from other cities hut that he has not disseminated this down through the ranks of the Portland Police Bureau. Minority oppression still continues to he a problem that the city must be vigilant in stopping, whether in the police bureau or any other city bureau. 4 • • • Evenings / Weekends 503 . 780.1561 Toll Free 1 . 877 . 826.9900 Email colleen w(6>mtgad vocates.com w w w .m tgadvocates.com 2 4 Ric I • New purchase • 100% equity loans • Pre-qualification by phone or fax • Refinance/cash out • Pre-approved loans • Residential, commercial & investment property • Appointm ents at your convenience O ffic e 503 . 297.9900 educated and encouraged me to become more involved. 1 believe it is most important that we bring the G L B T community together to achieve the goal of equality. As an openly gay city com missioner, 1 would offer my voice to ensure all citizens are viewed and valued equally. Involve ment and education are essential for everyone’s equality. We must encourage everyone to he heard for the rights of all. One voice can make a difference, hut a chorus of voices surely will make all the difference. ■'! I do support the designation of the Bum- J * side Triangle as a gay culture district. How ever, I would call upon the G L BT community and the city to improve the area, support exist ing businesses and encourage new businesses to locate in the area. Currently the area is limited in what it offers. 1 am troubled by the current condition of #our police bureau. T he respect once B errong building in a positive direction seems to he fad ing. Chief Kroeker does not seem to inspire a As a gay man, I try to make the effort, ♦ each day, to encourage equality for positive change for the future of the police bureau. If we are to he searching for a new chief everyone. W hat I have found to he of the best of police in the near future, I would insist that value for me is to he open and honest with we hire within the bureau. Someone who anyone who is curious or misinformed. My knows the city and the people. We will never volunteer work with the city of Portlands find someone to please all the people, hut at Metropolitan Human Rights Center, Cascade least we can find someone who respects all the A ID S Project, two local hospices and a vari people. ety of other events within the community has "I'm available when you are!" S co tt B ow m er To he honest, I have never done anything ♦ to promote civil rights for the sexual minorities community, hut at the same time, 1 have never thought about taking away any civil rights nor would I ever permit civil rights he taken away. My strongest conviction is for the right of every person to live in safety, to have freedom, to live without fear and to have equal opportunities in all areas of life. 1 will ensure equality, safety, freedom and ♦ equal opportunity is never taken. 1 do not believe in preserving the Burnside ♦ Triangle’s identity. I think it is always a better idea for “any” type of culture to become a part of the community and not tend to isolate itself. This decreases the ability for people to stereotype. My main reason for not believing in the preservation of the Triangle, though, is not that it is the “gay" area but that the entire West End needs an overhaul to become much more inviting to a broader range of people, especially at night. I am intimately familiar with the area, as my church is right on the edge, and 1 also work at the Julia West House for “Operation Nightwatch” on Southwest 13th and Alder. 1 think the Portland Police Bureau is ♦ doing about all that can be expected with their current demographics. I am an advocate for a more diverse bureau in terms of age, race, gender, education and experience. It is unfortu nate that the bureau still has not reinstated their new hire educational goals hack to having a bachelor’s degree, considering the economy and much larger ptxil of prospective candidates applying for positions. It is also unfortunate that the bureau is not welcoming to “second career” individuals who can bring experience, increased awareness and sensitivity to all responsibilities. I 2 3 4 style your smile Colleen Weed A A A MORTGAGE Advocates 9900 S.W. Wilshire Street • Portland, Oregon 97225 N O B H I L L 5 0 3 . 2 4 8 . 1 9 7 0 / 2 2 5 0 . n w fla n d e rs s tre e t . suite 1 1 2 :C:'
