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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2003)
22 J“** ' august IS. 2003 : va i in :F in news have brought a child into the world with the expectation that they will raise it together, and who have jointly petitioned for adoption, , should he on notice that if they separate the same rules concerning custody and visitation as apply to all other parents will apply to them.” Visit us online at: www. r eyr eece .com or schedule your appointment 5 0 3 - 2 5 6 -3 7 0 0 NATIONAL RE_Y REECE DEALERSHIPS VOLKSWAGEN-MITSUBISHI-USED 122nd & East Burnside www.reyreece.com V isualize T oup fnn&r uesCLatu • Personal Image Design • Hair & Wig Styling • Specializing in Trans-Formation • Professional Makeup • Exp with feature film & TV • Friendly Private Salon (MPISTIflAS Cwatione 503 2 8 6 -7 0 0 0 Gay Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, successfully pushed trans-inclusive nondiscrimination legislation in California C A L IFO R N IA emocratic Gov. Gray Davis signed a mea sure Aug. 2 adding gender identity, appear ance and behavior to the state laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and housing. This makes California the fourth state in the nation to prohibit such discrimination in hous ing and the workplace. Assembly Rill 196, introduced by Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, also includes language that permits employees to dress consistent with their gender identity— a first-of-its-kind provision in a statewide nondiscrimination law. It becomes effective Jan. 1,2004. Minnesota, New Mexico and Rhtxle Island have statutes that explicitly prohibit discrimina tion based on gender identity. Courts and administrative agencies in five additional states— Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York— and the District of Columbia have interpreted either their sex or disability discrimination statutes to protect trans people in some circumstances. “Let me put this in context of the day. The radical right has declared war on social progress— the pope, the president and the attorney general," said Leno, who is gay. “Every victory we can claim is resistance to the controlling regressive forces.” -2* he California Supreme Court affirmed Aug. 4 the validity of second-parent adop tions, which pennit both partners in a same-sex or other unmarried couple to establish a legal relationship with their children. The 6-1 niling in Sharon S. vs. Superior Court soundly reversed a lower court decision, which found that state statutes did not permit second-parent adoptions. In an October 2001 decision that sent shock waves throughout the state, the California Court of Appeal appeared to call into question the legitimacy of these long-standing adoptions. Even as modified a month later, the decision still created confusion in an area affecting thousands of children. “This is a great victory for gay parents every where,” said Jennifer Pizer, Limhda Legal senior staff attorney. “By affirming second-parent adop tion, the California Supreme Quirt remedied an appalling lower court decision that ignored the best interests of children and created confusion where California families need clarity and stability." Writing for the majority, Justice Kathryn Werdegar held that “second-parent adoptions offer the possibility of obtaining the security and advantages of two parents for some of Califor nia’s neediest children." She also stressed the importance of providing legal protections and stability for children Kim to same-sex and other unmarried couples: “Unmarried couples who T 602 SE 38th Ave. Portland, OR 97214 503.231.3922 Wed - Sat PRUL MITCHELL D ignified pet services Crcmalion A Memorials For Your Companion • Unique CnemOtion Utns • Jewedjiy • Personalized Caskets • Gltanite Monuments • Hooks 6 Litexatune «976 SW Tualatin Sherwood Road Tualatin OR 97062 Phone ( 50.1) 8 8 5 -2 2 11 www.DignifiedPetScrvices.cont (A Division of CascoJc Funeral Directors. Inc) implement HIV prevention programs for gay and hi men, particularly within communities of color. "The AIDS epidemic in the United States is far from over,” said Harold Jaffe, director of the C D C ’s National Center for HIV, ST D and TB prevention. “While effective treatments are cru ¥ arents, Families il. and Friends of Lesbians and Gays announced July 30 1 that Dick and Jane Gephardt have be come members, i The Democratic congressman from Missouri and his wife have long K'en openly supportive and accepting of their lesbian daugh ter, Chrissy. According to PFLAC, Gephardt | . has taken every op portunity to speak positively of Chrissy to the media and at U .S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., has made his lesbian daughter, Chrissy, political events. He an official part of his presidential campaign has made his daugh ter an official part of his presidential campaign and cial in our fight against HIV, preventing infec acknowledges her partner, Amy, on his Web site. tion in the first place is still the only true pro “It is with great pleasure that we welcome tection against the serious and fatal conse Dick and Jane Gephardt into the PFLAG fami quences of this disease." ly,” s;)id Sam Thoron, PFLAC national presi Past estimates have indicated that up to one- dent. “Their family values are clearly aligned third of those infected with HIV do not know with PFLAGs mission.” their status. The C D C did caution that the Gephardt already has begun to play an active study might reflect increases in HIV testing as role as a PFLAG member. He will speak at the well as potential increases in new infections. NEW J E R S E Y B y a 55 percent to 41 percent margin, likely voters in New Jersey say gay couples should he able to marry, according to a tele phone survey of 803 likely voters conducted July 15 to 19. It comes as a lawsuit to let New Jersey gay couples marry, filed last year by Lambda Legal, makes its way through state courts. “Like all other parents, we want to dance at our children’s weddings, including those of our lesbian and gay children,” said Clarice Zieja, president of the Bergen Qninty chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians Marcye, Kasey and Karen Nicholson-McFadden are among and Gays, which commissioned the plaintiffs seeking marriage equality in New Jersey the survey. “It’s really wonderful to organization’s Great Lakes Regional Conference know that the people of New Jersey agree." in mid-October and help carry the message of acceptance, love and equality. NEW H A M P SH IR E “It’s clear that the Gephardts understand the he New Hampshire Board of Dental Exam importance of fairness and inclusion for all," said iners has revoked the license of a dentist in David Tseng, PFLAG executive director. “We part for refusing to treat a lesbian. kxik forward to working with them to build a According to published reports, the dentist just society where everyone can live in harmony confronted the woman in his waiting room after with his or her own self and others.” she identified a woman as her partner on her “get acquainted” card. In the presence of others, «8* he said he would refuse to treat her, condemned he Centers for Disease Control and Pre- I same-sex marriage as against his beliefs and vention has released findings indicating asked if she had AIDS. The dentist will he able HIV infections among gay and hi men rose 7.1 to regain his license only after he demonstrates percent from 2001 to 2002. HIV diagnoses for to a psychiatrist that he can practice dentistry in gay and hi men have increased by 17.7 percent a professional manner. since the lowest point in 1999. The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association With nearly half of new infections occurring praised the disciplinary action July 23. Accord in gay and hi men, HIV is disproportionately ing to GLM A Kiard member and dentist Stuart affecting the sexual minorities community. In its Martin, while this is encouraging, it points to strategic plan, the C D C recognizes that homo larger issues. phobia adversely affects prevention efforts. Qin- “First, New Hampshire is certainly one of the sequently, it identifies the need to develop and more sympathetic states. I suspect the scenario T
