Just out., August 16, 2002, Page 18, Image 18

■ august 16. ?Q0?
18
C ommish D ish
Continued from Page 1 7
ilar benefits as heteros. Also, 1 will LEAD and
he outspoken on all issues of equality. Addi­
including a community center, streetscape
tionally, I’ll introduce legislation pushing for
improvements, tourism guides, partnerships
the availability of low-cost drugs for people
with small businesses and a commemorative fea­
with AIDS.
ture on the theme of G L B T history in the city.
Affordable housing for people with
Much more can he done to support sexual
I # A ID S, income-responsive housing for
minonties employed hy the bureau. The
their providers, and rent and taxation struc­
Sexual Minorities Roundtable, established in
tures that reward existing businesses and resi­
1998, is underutilized as a resource for trou-
dencies with grandfather clauses are all ways
bleshixuing and education at the PPB. Most
we can ensure the Triangle retains its unique
police officers are dedicated professionals who
culture. Gay-centric arts groups should he
deserve our support. That said, the January 2002
encouraged to locate in the Triangle, signage
incident involving anti-homosexual epithets— ' should he employed with the help of city funds,
which the bureau acted on after an anonymous
and a business incubator program should be
complaint in early February— cannot he tolerated.
explored. Also, through a new arts/
i culture/tourism office, the city should market
the area regionally and nationally. A note of
caution: Any actions the city engages in to hol­
ster the Triangle must not discriminate against
other groups.
Any chief who’d come in and order anti-
* tattoo, anti-hair-coloring, anti-piercing
and anti-long-hair dress codes as one of his first
actions can he accurately viewed as out of
touch with Portland culture. The “Thin Blue
Line" pressuring gtxxl officers to he silent about
violations among fellow employees is more
than troublesome.
4
& n
\
? ■ f
R
andy
L
J.P. Moss
eonard
As president of the Portland Firefighters
« Association, I ended all our contributions
to the United Way in 1994 because of their sup­
port to organizations that discriminate against
gays and lesbians. I was an outspoken advocate
on the floor of the state Senate against the so-
called “Defense of Marriage A ct.”
1 will introduce an ordinance to discontin-
* ue the city’s participation with any charita­
ble organization that asstKiates with any group
that discriminates against gays and lesbians. As I
have done during my nine-year career in the Leg­
islature, 1 will actively reemit gays and lesbians to
serve on my personal staff. I will also make sure
any bureau I am assigned actively recruit gays and
lesbians and that all existing employees treat gays
and lesbians with the respect they deserve.
1 would hope we could reach an era that no
* one district or neighborhtxxl need he set
aside for people of different sexual orientations,
race or religious belief to feel comfortable in our
city. Having said that, I realize that is a goal we
must work toward together that requires a lot of
education and struggle on all of our parts. I will do
whatever I can as a city commissioner, in concert
with the gay community, to proactively protect
the Burnside Triangle as a district that reflects the
culture and security of the gay community.
1 believe the bureau needs to not just say
♦ the right things, it is also important to live
in a way that reflects tolerance and diversity. I do
not believe Kroeker has been effective in con­
vincing rank-and-file officers that he rebukes his
former, taped comments regarding his condem­
nation of gays and lesbians. I do not believe we
have reached a level of “no tolerance" in the
bureau of anti-gay remarks or actions.
I
2
3
C
h r is t ia n
G
unther
My work in the arts positions me among a
♦ large gay population that I’ve worked hard
to keep working and as well compensated as
possible. And I’ve donated my time to the pro­
motion of Pride events and A ID S benefit con­
certs on both coasts and have argued publicly
for no-strings-attached gay marriage rights for
years. Not incidentally, unlike Serena Cruz, I’d
NEVER support legislation that funds the
United Way so long as they, in turn, fund the
anti-gay Boy Scouts. Never.
L ew H u m ble
1 will work to extend marriage rights to
* gays with the extension of full benefits to
gay partners of workers who are entitled to sim­
Refused to respond.
I
2
4
wet
dreams
Q ince I have yet to hold official political
w office, I cannot directly answer many of the
questions you have posed to me. Let me instead
clearly state my focus of attention and thoughts
regarding your readers’ general concerns.
First, I clearly believe that a city’s value is
directly related to the diversity of its people. A
city has the responsibility to nurture and sup­
port this diversity. I also believe strongly in the
rights of all people, regardless of their sexual
orientation.
- More specifically, my campaign platform is
focused on providing jobs— an issue that is
central to all Portlanders, gay or not. I want to
ensure that quality jobs are available to all who
want them. I submit to you that issues regard­
ing freedom of expression and equality are
directly related to the economic health of the
city. Portland’s gay culture cannot meet its full
potential unless individuals in the community
have the security of knowing they have quali­
ty career options and income security.
As an entrepreneur and owner of multiple
Portland businesses, 1 believe I am uniquely
qualified to bring jobs to Portland. While this
topic has gotten political attention during the
campaign, it is no accident that Oregon has the
highest unemployment rate in the country and
that businesses are leaving Portland for other
cities. Portland needs a representative that takes
this issue seriously; one that has the ideas, expe­
rience and dedicated focus to make it happen. I
am that person.
J
on
I
M
yers
I am afraid that as a board member of a
♦ neighborhood association I have not had
u sa
tro u b led by
V
every sleeping beauty
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