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ortland residents will elect four new
directors to the city’s seven-member
hoard of education May 20.
W ith multiple priorities com pet
ing for lim ited resources, sexual
m inority interests— such as anti-bullying
efforts, safe-sex education and the encourage
m ent o f Gay Straight Alliances— may become
truant issues. Regardless, queer voters have good
reason to take notice of the people vying for
these positions: Two years ago, hoard member
Derry Jackson created an uproar when he called
homosexuality a “behavior” and attem pted to
reinstate military recruiters in high schools.
To learn more about the candidates, Just
Out invited them to briefly describe their expe
rience with, or position on, issues of concern to
gay, lesbian, hi, trans and questioning youth
and educators. Two candidates did not respond:
John Lekas, a friend o f anti-gay shock jock Lars
Larson, and James Laidler.
Z one 1
Jim Davis: 1 am the only proven progressive
in this race. I sponsored the Amazon Dragon
Boat team. I supported the first “safe sex” pro
gram in schools as hoard member and was cru
cified by M abon-ites. For too many the military
is their only out, hut I will make “opt out" info
available. N ot interested in schools? Would
you rather he robbed by an Enron exec with an
MBA or a high school dropout with a gun?
Jim H anna: Children want to learn and con
tribute and have a right to recognition and
acceptance. I’ll work to create safe, efficient
schools that promote trust and bonding, allowing
all students and school employees to experience
R ole C all
Candidates for Portland's school board speak out on queer issues
by Timothy Krause
success. Safe schools will emerge when policies
are based on positive human relations. We can
change attitudes and policies of organizations
such as the military and Boy Scouts by exposing
their discriminatory practices to others through
constructive engagement rather than exclusion.
John Liljegren: I have had no involvement in
[sexual minority] issues. Under my plan to decen
tralize authority to boards of directors at each
school, decisions about these issues would be
made by those boards, not dictated by the district
board. If I were making the decision, I would sup
port use of campuses by military recruiters and the
Boy Scouts. Generally, I’d want to keep sexuality
issues out of K-12 educational programs.
Eamon Molloy: I support programs that
address discriminatory behaviors such as bullying
and sexual harassment and that promote safe
schools. Safer-sex education is vital for every high Is there another D erry Jackson among the
school student. I don’t condone the use of cam latest crop of school board candidates?
puses by any group that discriminates. However,
also consider the ability of candidates to suc
the N o Child Left Behind Act forces the district
cessfully carry this agenda forward through
to allow military recruiters into the schools or lose
their public service leadership experience and
federal Rinding. I am a former Boy Scout but
expertise in providing policy oversight of large,
haven’t enrolled my sons because of its policies.
complex organizations like Portland Public
Douglas M organ: I have always opposed all
Schtx)ls.
discriminatory policies and practices based on
Terry O lson: As a teacher, I helped devel
gender and sexual preferences. 1 have done this
op integrated curricular projects on the themes
through my membership in the A C LU and the
of tolerance and respect for others. I am a
H um an Rights Campaign. In addition to my
staunch supporter of sex education in the
formal position on these issues, I hope you will
schools and the formation of Gay Straight
A member of the community
that you can trust
Alliances. Since current military policy vio
lates the civil rights of a substantial segment of
our society, I would support a resolution re
affirming the district’s opposition to military
recruiting in the schools.
R on Stull: Kids have the right to a good,
quality education no m atter their race, gender,
religion or sexual orientation. A ny effort to
breach this right cannot be tolerated. Providing
a safe place to receive an education by address
ing bullying or discriminating tactics is a prior
ity for all of us, no t just those serving on a
school board. I would be on the side of uphold
ing the law for access to any organization that
is protected.
Z one 2
M artin G onzalez: Since 1987, I have
worked for A m erican Friends Service C om m it
tee, which has a long history of advocating for
the rights of LGBT people. I organized to
defeat anti-gay ballot measures in Oregon. I
strongly support the Safe Schools C oalition’s
mission: where every family can belong, where
every educator can teach and where every child
can learn, regardless of gender identity or sexu
al orientation. C ount on me to address the con
cerns of LGBT community.
Rion Lyle: I am 20 years old and probably
know more about what is actually going on in
Portland Public Schools than any of my oppo
nents. I am also very experienced with solving
issues facing LG BTQ youth. I am running to
ensure all students have an empowering envi
ronm ent that fosters understanding, accep-
G
mtinued on Page 2 1
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