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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 6, 2002)
decampar fi. W nTïTîT 7 ?TW?^newsbriefs C ourt T reats S ame -S ex B reakup as D ivorce A shland C enter C onsiders M ove A T Yakima (W ash.) County Superior Court he A bdill-E llis Lam bda Com m unity judge has ruled that two women ending a C en ter in A shland— which has been 10-year relationship must divide their assets sharing temporary quarters with a church for equally, a decision that amounts to a divorce more than a year— is considering a radical in a state that does not recognize same-sex move. In the latest issue of the nonprofit’s marriage. newsletter, m en’s program coordinator Mark Judge Heather Van Nuys said the relation M acDougall writes that the time has come ship between Yakima physician Julia Robertson to consider relocating outside the “nice com and Seattle nurse Linda Gormley was “suffi fort zone” o f the progressive southern O re ciently marriagelike to provide equitable relief.” gon city. Gormley considered the ruling a personal victo “ Besides Phoenix or Talent, how about a ry and a major accomplishment for same-sex storefront in downtown M edford within couples everywhere. walking distance for the growing number of “Before, we had minimal legal protections,” students attending Rogue Community C o l said Gormley, who sued Robertson after the lege?” he suggests. “A bold and controversial couple ended their relationship in 1998. “Hope spot may be the catalyst for new energy for fully, now that changes.” our center as well as the catalyst for greater Van Nuys, who issued the written ruling G L B T respect outside the comfort of Nov. 1, called the couple’s relationship an “inti A shland.” mate domestic partnership,” allowing both MacDougall says the facility was forced to women the same property rights given to a hus move into the basement of First Congregationa1 band and wife in a divorce. While the women United Church of Christ in order to get out of never entered into a marriage contract, “they debt. He admits the center has gone through did engage in activities directly affecting their some rough growing pains during the past six careers, assets and debts, including pooling years but hopes the community’s financial sup resources, commingling funds [and] becoming port will help keep it alive. jointly liable on debts,” she wrote. The two women shared a home titled in For more information visit the Internet site Robertsons name. Gormley was responsible for www.abdellis.org. her share of debts owed on joint credit accounts but had no claim to the house. Van Nuys said it would be unfair for entral regon Robertson “ to retain all the property, the ets rganized home, the equity and the improvements and be responsible for only half o f the jointly held he Lesbian Network of Central Oregon is credit cards she m aintained during the growing in membership numbers and relationship.” expanding its range of activities. Gormley received cash for her share of the It is holding monthly potlucks and dances house, and the two split common debts. Other and occasional drumming circles; if the inter property, including furniture and cars, was divid est is there, it also might begin a cancer sup ed between them. port group. All lesbian, bi and trans women Robertsons lawyer, Bryan Myre, said he are encouraged to join the network’s e-mail was unsure whether his client would appeal. If list so they can be notified about upcoming an appellate court were to uphold the deci events. sion, it would set precedent in courts For gay and bi men in Central Oregon, an statewide. active group holds monthly dinners, an annual In May, the state Suprem e C ourt in the barbecue and holiday parties. Interested people case of Vasquez v. Hawthorne ruled that a are encouraged to find out about the activities Seattle man’s 30-year same-sex relationship and get information and referrals for profession al services. was enough like a marriage to grant him a share o f his deceased partner’s estate. But that precedent never before had been applied For more information call the Lesbian Network of in the breakup o f a same-sex couple, Myre Central Oregon at 541-317-8457 or the Gay said. Rural Information line at 541-312-8881 or State Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, a gay mem 888-429-6368. JF1 ber of the Legislature, told the Yakima Herald- Republic that Van Nuys’ ruling was “fairly enor Compiled by JlM RADOSTA and SARAH LEIMERT mous for Washington state.” C G ‘Proudly serving our community since 1979 ... Deborah Betron Principal Broker ...and continuously committed to represent your best interest in every stage of the buying or selling process. (jive us a ca((...ive’re alw ays looking jo r one more satisfied customer. R R ìdgetow M O 03 Confluence Chorus Tiomc Jor the Tfoiiifa^s Saturday, D e ce m b e r 7th at 8 p .m . Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem. 5090 Center St., NE. Salem Tickets S unda y, D e ce m be r 8th at 4 p .m . $ 10 co n ce rt $25 season Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis, 2945 NW Circle Blvd.. 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