Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 6, 2002)
aaplam baf fi, 2002 » p f Ê rTT!77TWnT3neu;s Invest a little time and I 'll take it from there. S ee Y ou in C ourt Everyone knows they need a financial plan for the future, but it's hard to find time to do it. That's where I can help. Since 1987, I ’ve helped guide couples, domestic partners, families and businessmen and women towards their goals o f prosperity and comfort. All it takes to start is a phone call. Lesbian cop alleges sexual harassment, files for damages by R o b ert R ak etty L esbian cop Liani Reyna filed a 10- page complaint July 24 in U.S. Dis trict Court seeking damages from the city of Port land, the Portland Police Bureau and C h ief Mark Kroeker for years of sexual harassment and discrimina tion. In February 1999 she was the first and only woman ever appointed to an elite tactical force called the Special Emer gency Response Team. Reyna is requesting rein statem ent to the position. She also is asking the court for lost wages, compensatory damages for emotional dis tress, punitive damages and attorney’s fees, according to papers filed hy Stephen L. Brischetto, a Portland-area employment lawyer. The complaint details bizarre hazing rituals conduct ed during SERT training ses sions at Camp Rilea. Reyna says she was exposed to a cul ture of masculinity that Police Chief Mark Kroeker (marching June 16 during Portland included constant crude Pride 2002) is being sued by a lesbian officer behavior and sexually explicit references. The incidents were documented in a from the team in November 2000 and filed a journal she kept. complaint that led to an internal investigation. The team cheer was required learning for all As a result of Reyna’s whistle-blowing, she new inductees: “Rah, SER T team! Where every received a written reprimand for her part in the man’s a tiger, a big fucking tiger, a big fucking skits, a fact she cites in her lawsuit. A total of 20 tiger with a dick this big.” current and former SERT members were disci A s a new SE R T member, Reyna was plined for inappropriate conduct. expected to make coffee, set up targets on the The way the bureau sees it, the “complainant firing range, clean up the range, pick up the willingly participated in all Camp Rilea activi “brass" and perform other menial tasks. She ties and was not required to do anything,” also was required to work Deputy City Attorney overtime without pay Stephanie Harper said. during the days she Many fear the case will drove the van used to discourage officers and carry equipment. bureau staff from report In May 2000 Reyna ing inappropriate actions allegedly was called to a that might reveal corrup meeting in which a tion or mismanagement. sergeant told her that The legal action many team members taken by Reyna comes view her "like they do less than two months their wives” and that after an independent “because you are a inquiry by the Oregon woman, the men can’t Bureau of Labor and talk to you the way they Industries concluded do to each other. Some guys are afraid they will May 31. Investigators found that she indeed hurt your feelings and make you cry.” was subjected to a hostile work environment The team also had a ritual in which a “birthday based on her sex and that the skits were dis idol” was passed around to each other, then dis criminatory. played prominently on a member’s birthday. The Apparently this is not the first time the opaque statue depicts two men performing oral sex. bureau knew of the inappropriate conduct In September 2000 Reyna says she was among its officers. A 1999 city memo to several higher-ranking officials, including lieutenants required to attend a series of sexually oriented skits. One depicted two men performing oral and captains who supervised SERT, reveals that sex. Another had men wearing “whore” dresses, bureau staff were instructed to “remind them of wigs and makeup. During this skit, a sergeant the responsibility that each leader has to set the allegedly made the comment, "1 don’t want you tone for appropriate workplace behavior.” fucking queens coming near me!" Reyna has worked for the Portland Police In addition, during a skit in which a group of Bureau since 1993. She now serves as an officer in the North Precinct. j n men wore G-strings and performed a striptease, a sergeant allegedly said, “ I see the overall theme is faggotry." R obert R aketty is a staff writer Eventually, Reyna had enough. She resigned for the Seattle Gay News. WADDELL «SrREED Financial Services Investing. With a plan! For a personal financial plan, call: W ADDELL & REED Member s,pc 500 N.E. Multnomah, Suite 278, Portland, O R 97232 FLOREID WALKER Senior Financial Advisor vowvo.waddelLcom email' floreidwalkeri^xvradxnsoricom 503.238.6036 ext 109 REALTY, IN C Buying or selling your home is an important choice. Let Celia & Terri guide you through the process! CELIA LYON ( 503 ) 260-6231 TERRI POPEJOY ( 503 ) 330-0400 Bella Casa Realty Inc. 1523 S E A nkeny • Portland, O R 9 7 2 1 4 5 0 3 -2 3 1 -S E L L (7 3 5 5 ) “‘Building Bbcks for Jour future ” The complaint details bizarre hazing rituals conducted during SERT training sessions at Camp Rilea. Reyna says she was exposed to a culture of masculinity that included constant crude behavior and sexually explicit references. Downtown Portland Portland Airport 503.284.9929 901 SW Yamhill 5 0 3.223.9510 www. thortalmothergoos*. com 503.6 2 0 .2 2 4 3 15
