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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 16, 2002)
anoint ifi. ?on? much of a chance to promote civil rights for the sexual minorities community. All my actions have been as a voter and citizen. I have strongly opposed all of the Oregon Citizens Alliance mea sures on the statewide ballot. 1 support civil unions for gay couples and would like to see them recog nized just like marriage in our state and county. Portland, as the largest city in the state of ♦ Oregon, must set the example for the rest of the state when it comes to the equality of all people, particularly minority groups. It is impor tant that the staff of the city commissioners reflect the entire community. It would be criti cal for me to have someone that represents the sexual minorities community on my staff as a city commissioner. I am not sure what the city can do to pre- ♦ serve the Burnside Triangle’s identity. I think the mast important thing to do would be to listen to the businesses in the area and sup port their needs as much as the city can. I wish I had a better answer since what I wrote sounds a hit lame, hut that is it. The comments Chief Kroeker made as an ■>- officer in Los Angeles make it clear to me that he was not the person to hire as police chief of our city. Considering the anti-gay comments he has made in the past, he needs to he particu larly vocal in his public and private efforts to end anti-gay discrimination within the police ranks. He has not been vocal on this issue, and that is not acceptable. 2 4 just is. The vessel that hosts my spirit has little to do with the spirit. Looks, physical chal lenges, pigmentation, sex and age have noth ing to do with the spirit. We are here on this planet to love, be loved and create love. G en uine, true and honest love is always a blessing and a positive energy to the people as well as the planet itself. W ho we love and involve our self with is, and shall always be, a mystery left to the individual. No one ever has the right to another per son’s pride. Any person taking another per son’s pride lacks his/her own. You do not have to take something you already have. Those individuals that choose to victimize another show a total disrespect to the ladies and gen tlemen who, when they hear the word “help,” courageously run toward the sound to help and not away to hide. They bring down humanity. I think of community like a thick soup. Each carrot, celery, onion and potato has a fla vor of its own hut is only soup when it comes together blending, yet still preserving, each individual quality. My mother honored me and all of human ity by not allowing degradation of people in any way. Less negative energy in the universe is a good goal for all of us to work toward. Remember, love’s gift is fairness. homosexual, heterosexual or no-sexual and my response has always been “no response." I am black and I have dealt with racism continually for more than 50 years now. My battles have all to do with race and racism. My efforts and sacri fices have put into place the civil rights laws that offer protection to homosexuals, bisexuals and all others. 1 am a most “accessible” person. I concen- * trate on equity as opposed to equality. Equity is more about justice. As city commis sioner, I will dialogue with various persons and communities. I will be open to suggestions and ideas aimed at enhancing involvement in this city. I expect to represent those of us who have heretofore been ignored, misrepresented and poorly represented. 1 am not familiar with the Burnside Trian- ♦ gle; therefore, I need considerably more information to answer this question. If I do become city commissioner, I ask that you— the readers— contact me concerning same and the “needs” you perceive. No and no. The Portland Police Bureau ♦ has a serious problem in "most” communi ties. As for Chief Mark Kroeker and the gay community, walking in a parade does not change the nature of our police state. Bringing on a new police chief will not necessarily bring about change. Accountability with conse quences and more is needed if our police are to become partners to our communities. 19 2 3 4 C lifford W alker Through my work as president of the ♦ Portland-Mutare Sister C ity Associa tion and our Africa A ID S Response program, we have been very successful in raising awareness about those affected by HIV/A1DS, including sexual minorities, par ticularly among communities o f color. As a longtime community activist, African Am er ican and parent, I have championed civil rights causes for many years. As an elected official, it will be my ♦ responsibility to ensure that Portland’s policies reflect equality for all citizens, including sexual m inorities. T h is would apply to all areas o f city policy, including contracting. In all honesty, while not as knowledge- ♦ able about the issues surrounding the Burnside Triangle, I would be open to learn ing more and discussing the issue. There are many contentious issues to ♦ discuss and resolve regarding the Port land Police Bureau, including racial profiling, homeless policies and, as your question indi cates, anti-gay discrimination in the police ranks. As an elected representative, 1 would work to ensure that the stated policy of our police will be to root out discrimination. That would start with both currently employed offi cers and those in training. There is no place in the 21st century for homophobia, especially not within the police, whose goal is to serve and protect. JF1 1 2 3 4 S haron N ässet believe I am a spirit having a human experi- ence. My spirit has no beginning or end, it 1 L ulu R. S troud -J ohnson W ayne T rosino | I, personally, have never seen sexual pref i ♦ erence as an issue. I’ve been asked if 1 am Refused to respond. D avid W. O wens P.C. L is t e n e r & ASSOCIATES N e g o tia to r serving the community since 1975 A ttorn eys at L aw David W. O w en s Brady M. 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