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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 2002)
ocloòflf ta. 2002 The most scathing accusa tion was that Smith co-spon sored an Oregon Christian Coali tion activist training in July 2001 in Portland. BRO provided Just Out with docum en tation listing his name right alongside the leaders of the state’s anti-gay movement: the Oregon Citizens State Sen. Avel Gordly is one of several Democrats who have endorsed Smith Alliance, the T he N egatives Constitution Party, Concerned Women for America and Mahon attorney Frank Patrick. lthough Smith, a Mormon from eastern “We feel used. Will Gordon Smith he there Oregon, has expressed his support on when we need him? Only if it’s convenient and some queer issues, he still does not believe in full it it fits his image du jour," Thorpe said. “Pro-gay equality for the sexual minorities community. Oregonians aren’t stupid. We know when we’re He supports the extension of certain benefits to being played for fools.” same-sex couples— inheritance, hospital visita Thorpe rattled off a handful of other dis tion and wrongful death claims— that automat appointing actions taken by Smith: ically are granted to married straight people. • He refused to speak out against the O C A ’s “To me, that’s about freedom of association, anti-gay Student Protection Act in 2000 and its freedom of contract,” he said. “1 have tried to be watered-down sequel this year, which failed to very honest with the gay community— the one qualify for the fall ballot. area where I’m not there is on gay marriage.” • He voted for the Helms Amendment, When asked whether the governments unequal which forces public schools to let the Boy treatment of queers could he a factor that leads peo Scouts of America use their facilities despite its ple to commit hate crimes, Smith responded: “1 anti-gay policies. wish we could legislate benevolent hearts, hut you • He supported the appointment of U.S. can’t. In the end, 1 think we can set a good exam Attorney General John Ashcroft, who some say ple in our law that we should he tolerant.” lied during his confirmation hearing about his During a rally held Oct. 3 in response to the opposition to Hormel’s nomination. Judy Shepard ad, Basic Rights Oregon executive The day of the rally, H RC defended its director Roey Thorpe outlined a series of flaws in endorsement of Smith, explaining its criteria Smith’s record. Her organization, which normally favor “incumbency, and when a senator supports does not take sides in federal races, has endorsed our issues, we will support him or her.” It also Bradbury. released a short statement from Judy Shepard. “ 1 have leant my support to Sen. Smith because he has stood by me in my efforts to pass meaningful hate crimes legislation that includes ad dressing violence against gay and les bian citizens,” she said. “Sen. Smith is more than entitled to highlight his efforts to pass this legislation in his re-election effort.” Even Bradbury admitted the Judy Former Gov. Barbara Roberts, a onetime H R C board member, leads a Shepard spot is “a “ 100 Women for Bradbury” rally Sept. 19 in downtown Portland good ad.” He spoke with queer community leaders, activists licans believe that that’s all the G L B T com and journalists during an Oct. 1 conference munity deserves. A nd Democrats believe that call arranged by the N ational Stonewall all o f you deserve a whole lot more,” Bradbury Democrats. said. “We view discrimination based on sexual “Let’s give some credit where credit’s due, orientation as equal to discrimination based on and that is that Gordon Smith is the only any other factor.” Republican who spoke out on...M atthew The gloves really came off Oct. 16, when Shepard,” Bradbury said. “But that’s really Bradbury slammed his opponent for comparing about as far as the credit should go. T hat’s homosexuality to adultery. Smith made the what he has focused on, and the reality is there comment to the Statesman Journal editorial are a whole lot of other issues that are impor board in response to a question about the Local tant to the G L B T community which he is a Law Enforcement Act. disaster on!” “The next time that issue comes to the Bradbury explained why this race is so cru floor, I’m going to have a veto-proof majority,” cial to the future of U.S. politics. He said that he said. “If Christ can save a woman’s life Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., caught in the act of adultery— without endors considers Oregon to be the state that could ing her lifestyle, but saving her life— why can’t decide who controls the chamber. we do that.7” “Gordon Smith would like you to believe Bradbury demanded an explanation. “Smith’s that he’s a friend to the gay and lesbian com quote...undermines his claim that he supports munity because he supports the Employment the gay and lesbian community,” he said. Nondiscrimination A ct and because he sup Bean spoke to the senator Oct. 17 and found ports hate crimes legislation— and that’s great. out the quote was taken out of context: “He told The only problem with that is that the Repub me that it was in response to a reporter’s ques tion, ‘How would you respond to the reli gious right, who are so upset about your gay rights ad and your gay rights record?’ As opposed to never talk ing to the Christian Coalition, they are exactly who he should be speaking to to change hearts and minds. It’s my feeling he was trying to relate to them in biblical terms that they could understand." ’ j n Dozens demonstrate Oct. 3 outside Smith’s Portland office in response to the Judy Shepard ad; center, Angela Harris expresses her outrage A Best * j s" '“ ' m 5 Marble 8 Granite G R AN ITE BLOW OUT! 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