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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 3, 2003)
October 3 . 2003 » J u s t at«« 25 news iVura Vida Ray priests, the Globe reporters often—hut not always—directly refuted those claims,” she points out. “Independent social science research is quite clear that gay men are not more likely to commit child sexual abuse than nongay men.” More subtle or indirect conflations of homo- sexuality and child sexual abuse occurred more frequently and were rarely challenged within articles. As an example, Russell notes an article that cites several incidents of priests abusing children yet begins with a description of a sexu- al encounter between two adult men. Placing stories of the scandal alongside descriptions of other inappropriate behaviors and emphasizing the victims’ sex also help create a misleading association between homosexuality and abuse, according to the report. to rescind an inclusive parenting policy adopted at last year’s meeting, The existing statement calls on the group to "establish policy and he supportive of legis- lation which promotes a safe and nurturing environment, including psychological and legal security, for all children, including those of adoptive parents, regardless of the parents’ sexual orientation.” Kenneth Haller, Gay and Lesbian Medical Association president, is asking family physicians to contact their state chapter delegates to express their support for the 2002 position statement supporting equal protections for same-sex parents and their kids. “The A AFP’s current policy is firmly based in evidence-based medicine,” he said. “We urge all family physicians who are members of the academy to contact their representatives and let them know how important this policy is for all families.” Haller added that nonphysicians can make their voices heard, too. “If your health care provider is a family physician, let her or him know how vital this policy is to our lives and to the health of our children, and ask them to contact their AAFP delegates. When our health is at stake, it is more important than ever for all of us to share the realities of our lives as LGBT persons.” Haller concluded: “In February 2002, the {American Academy of Pediatrics) passed a similar resolution supporting families headed by same-sex parents. The following Sept. 20, resolutions were introduced to overturn the policy__ All were decisively defeated. I am confident that my colleagues at the AAFP will likewise place science and justice above ignorance and bigotry.” n the latest skirmish concerning President Bush’s scheme for government-funded reli gion, the American Civil Liberties Union urged a House panel Sept. 25 to adopt a measure to preserve civil rights protec tions and prohibit tax dollars from being diverted to fund reli gious activities. U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., offered the amendment during Lynn Woolsey the House Education and Workforce Committee’s consideration of legislation that would reauthorize the Commu nity Services Block Grant Act through 2009. “The Woolsey amendment, if adopted, would help bring the block grant program into compliance with the Consti tution,” said Christopher E. Anders, an ACLU attorney. “ It mirrors the parameters established by the Supreme Court to ensure that taxpayer dollars do not fund religious discrimination or religious activities. Without the Woolsey amendment, the blcx'k grant program would be open to groups who violate the civil rights of religious minorities and inhibit their access to vital federal ser vices.” While the language of the hlixk grant act states that no funds may he used for “inher ently religious activities,” the measure fails to clarify what would fall under that purview. Alan Van Capelle The ACLU said similar guide N EW YORK lines used in other federal activities have led ov. George Pataki signed a bill Sept. 23 to programs being implemented that were later found to he unconstitutional. For exam addressing bias crime on college and uni ple, one faith-based organization that versity campuses in the state. “The governor’s signature to this hill received federal funds used Bible stories in its means New York’s colleges and universities vocational training programs. Religious organizations can participate in will he safer for all students, including gay and federal programs if they are operated in a sec- lesbian students,” said Alan Van Capelle, ular manner and if civil rights protections are Empire State Pride Agenda executive direc upheld. But the current bill allows govern tor. “We thank Gov. Pataki for signing this ment-funded religious groups to discriminate bill into law, and we thank both chambers of against employees in federally funded pro the Legislature for sending it to him with grams, which the ACLU said is clearly their unanimous support.” The measure—which the Senate passed unconstitutional. June 19 after the Assembly passed an identi cal version of the bill June 16—calls for both bsolution was intnxluced Sept. 29 at public and private colleges and universities to the American Academy of Family Physi inform every incoming student about bias cians’ Congress of Delegates in New Orleans crime and the policies in place regarding bias I A A pure life experience crime. It also requires institutions to file with the state education department their plan to educate students on this matter. In the bill, bias-related crimes are defined as those recognized under the Hate Crimes Act of 2000, which protects people who are targeted because of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, age, disabil ity and sexual orientation. The measure also allows colleges to go further than state law in the types of bias crimes addressed, which could include attacks based on gender identi ty and expression. Creating an d Maintaining Outdoor Spaces With an Organic Tfair * Landscapes * gardens * ‘Uardscapcs * Containers * Water Systems ‘Annie Wroblewski 503-807-9178 licenstd/bonJed/uifured LCB #14373 Nizah Morris Roslyn Wilkins egon Camera a Everything Photographic P E N N S Y L V A N IA lawsuit was filed Sept. 16 in U.S. District Court in connection with the December 2002 death of Nizah Morris, a popular Philadelphia entertainer and member of the trans and African American communities. On the evening of Dec. 21, she attended a Christmas party at the Key West Bar and Grille in Center City. After she became ttxs intoxicated to make her own way home, con cerned citizens called 911 to obtain medical assistance. An ambulance was en route when Philadelphia police officer Elizabeth Skala arrived on the scene. She called off the ambu lance and drove Morris to a Kxation where, minutes later, Morris was fatally wounded by a blow to the head. Morris was eventually transported to Jefferson Hospital, where she died on Christmas Eve. “This lawsuit raises compelling issues about procedures used by city police and para medics that may violate citizens’ constitu tional rights," said attorney Paul Messing, who represents Roslyn Wilkins, Morris’ mother and the administrator of the estate. “The complaint alleges conduct by city employees that increased the danger to Ms. Morris and ultimately led to her death. Separately, the bar placed Ms. Morris in dan ger by continu ing jo serve her once she was intoxicated. As a result of the conduct of all defendants, and their willful dis regard of Ms. Morris’ safety, the complaint alleges that all of the defen dants are re sponsible for her death.” Lee Carpen- Lee Carpenter ter, staff attor ney at the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights, added: “Although the damages suffered by Ms. Morris’ family are staggering, this case is not about money. It is about using every means at our disposal to finally obtain answers to ques tions about how and why Nizah died." JH A Compiled by Neu/s Editor J im RAIXTSTA, who can be reached at jim@jusuiut .com. V V We have a know ledgeable, friendly staff helping you find the right cam era, binoculars, or photographic accessories. A ‘fam ily’ owned and operated business since 199*. M2 SVMU ub Arctic (141)713-2(13 Semis. 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