Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 4, 2003)
July 4. 2003 * J m M M A jg HTïï!77TÏÏ7n^neu;sbne/s T o w n H all F ocuses o n Q ueer L egal R ig h ts he Human Rights Campaign and Basic Rights Oregon are joining forces to present “Fighting for Fairness," a town hall meeting about queer legal rights, from 6 to 9 p.m. July 10 at M etropolitan Com m unity C hurch of Port land, 2400 N.E. Broadway. The event will kick off with a sixrial hour fea turing host Sam Adams, Mayor Vera Katz’s chief of staff. This will he followed by one hour of pre sentations and one hour of questions and answers m oderated by S enate D em ocratic Leader Kate Brown of Portland. Panelists will include Dan Furmansky, H R C ’s Western senior field organizer; Roey Thorpe, BRO executive direc tor; and attorneys Carl Kiss, Richard Schneider and Ruben Rivera, who will discuss em ploy m ent, financial and immigration issues, respectively. Inform a tion also will be avail able from event co sponsors M CC, the Les bian Community Proj ect, the Lesbian and Lisa Bennett Gay Immigration Rights Task Force, the National C enter for Lesbian Rights and Love Sees No Borders. Lisa Bennett, H RC FamilyNet deputy direc tor, plans on explaining how families can pro tect themselves using current laws as well as how they can get involved and effect positive change. She also will discuss the implications of O ntario’s approval of same-sex marriages and the U.S. Supreme Court s decision overturning the 13 remaining state laws banning sodomy. “1 think that that was absolutely a sea change in our environm ent and that we’ll really see more and more people emboldened to claim the rest of their rights that are indeed their rights,” Bennett told Just Out. “There’s a certain level of optimism that people feel now, and it’s an incredible moment to seize that." S enat e H ears G ay R ig h t s B ill he state Senate Rules Com m ittee heard testimony June 19 regarding a bill that would ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. A total of 15 people testified, including Beaverton Mayor Rob Drake and Oregon Libor Commissioner Dan Gardner. O ther testimony served to document the widespread discrimina tion that still exists against people who are gay, lesbian, bi and trans throughout the state. Senate Bill 786 adds sexual orientation and gender identity to Oregon’s civil rights laws and covers the areas of employment, housing, public accommodation, education and public programs. Several municipalities— including Portland, Multnomah County, Salem and Eugene— have similar legislation, but folks who live or work else where are not protected by existing law. “Many people believe that this kind of dis crimination is already illegal,” said Roey Thorpe, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, which introduced the bill. “So they think we’re asking for something special or above and beyond everyone else. In fact, discrimination is not only rampant, but it’s legal in most of the cities in our state.” T L t O M z S TJO Not all of the testimony was positive, however. Lon and Bonnie Mahon of the Oregon Citizens Alliance and New Covenant Min istries International—a religious nonprofit corpora tion formed last year—sent a letter urging senators “to promote gtxxl over evil” by voting against the bill. “It is a known fact that the homosexuals, bisexu als, transgendered and transsexual individuals do not fit the criteria for a protected class status pro vided by the courts and civil rights authorities,” they wrote. "They have not suffered a history of discrimination evidenced by lack of ability to obtain economic income, ade quate education or cultur Miss Gay Latina Oregon Mizz Monique Moore was nowhere to be al opportunity.... They found on Poder Latino de Oregon’s float at Portland Pride 2003 have not exhibited obvi tion from Portland’s queer Latino community ous, immutable or distinguishing characteristics because she doesn’t speak Spanish. such as race, color, gender or national origin that A week after the pageant, Moore performed define them as a discrete group.... They have not during Latino Dance Night at C.C. Slaughters. clearly demonstrated political powerlessness.’’ She claims that the disc jockey intentionally played the wrong music and that the master of ceremonies derided her, mocking how she could L a t i n a C laims B ias say only “hola” and “adios" in Spanish. A m o n g P o r t l a n d P oder She says she again was scorned at the Pride parade June 15, when a seat on the Latino float ince winning the title of Miss Gay Latina Oregon in late May, Mizz Monique Moore C ontinued on Page 10 says she has experienced recurring discrimina S JW IM IÄ T e Mention this ad and get a 10% discount. “SAME DAY SERVICE ON MOST REPAIRS” Repairs of All Makes & Models Am erican • European • Imports Cars • Trucks • RVs We Fix It Right the First Time From Oil Changes to Overhaul, Fred's Auto Works Does It All Close to Downtown • Free Local Rides All Makes & Models "Fred's Auto Works... Why Doesn’t Yours?” Services Include: • Maintenance • DEO • Tune-ups - Poor Engine Performance • Brakes • Clutch • All Electrical Problems • Carburetors & Fuel Infection • Pre Purchase Inspection • Alternators & Starters (Repaired. Rebuilt or Exchanged) O M aK es Love f a titi * F u ll al B tg h t s o rc g °n s t > ta n u n ity C o i " 1^ l e d pr o Bas»c Te*pïï* O 5 ? ► , 0 ° 0 F « e n e fs ° re8 ° n 926 SE Morrison, Portland • http://aandgautomollva.uawaatdax.com oO Q When you buy or sell a home with me, you'll know your dollars are helping support a greater cause. I contribute at least 10% of my earnings to community and environmental organizations. M illy n n Jam es L a s e r S u r g ery N ow A v a ila b le ! Companion Pet Clinics M F ri 8a m • 6p m S A T 8 a m • 5pm W est L inn Sun 11am-4pm Portland \ Salem \ Vancouver W EST L in n 19343 Willamette Drive • (503) C l a c k a m a s 16317 SE 82nd Drtve • (503) T igard 13500 S W Pacific Hwy • (503) B ea v er to n 14292 sw Alien Bivd • (503) 82 nd A v e N E 3150 NE 82nd Ave • (503) 635-3115 657-0225 670-9707 641-0151 546-1044 ( 5 0 3 .3 3 0 .H O M E (4663) 1 . 8 0 0 . 8 2 5 . 9 9 4 8 R&MA( equity group w w w . r t it I l y n n . c < j r t i 1 r n . u l : t i t i l l ynt Vc/ * . i o ! c c^t i i
