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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 19, 2004)
19.2004 14 TîTTTÏÏTnTlneios Portland General Electric presents NEW FRONTIERS IN DIVERSITY D IV E R S IT Y SU M M IT 2 0 0 4 Learn how to build a stronger, more competitive organization F or B etter or F or W orse Anti-gay forces mobilize as Oregon becomes the same-sex marriage mecca of the United States by Jim R adosta ready to face the challenges of the 21st century at PGE's Diversity Summit 2004. It's an opportunity for anyone interested in diversity worldwide leaders in diversity issues, network with the region's top organizations, and learn from outstanding keynote speakers. Keynote Speakers W ednesday A p ril 28 Madame Jehan Sadat, world-renowned peace and civil-rights activist and widow of the late Egyptian President Anwar Sadat O re g o n C o n ve n tio n C enter 8 a.m . - 5 p.m . Judy Shepard, champion of hate-crime legislation in memory of her slain son Matthew Shepard For more details and to register, visit PortlandGeneralxom/DiversitySummit Mark Williams, author of the highly acclaimed book 10 Lenses: Your Guide to Living and Working in a Multicultural World ' S ' Portland General Etectrk THANKS 1+ TO OUR SPONSORS: Providern «- j Health System A caring difference you can faal T R Iß n M E T f RÛCIFIC POW ER b A illW y t NW Natural 1 1 C oW iFfC rjprsr Standard Insurance Company Legacy Health System Port of Portland Hewlett-Packard Company Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon Po rtland G eneral.com /D iversitySum m it 0>> -O • 4 * *P cn ■ii p r o hO —H O o CL CD O W • e i f T3 S ft, if) f <0 CD ca. ¿P cd =- o o ° w 3 3 S = o ;■</} to _cr> e a r CD •n § vi ' S =r (O “ CD « a. S'? CD 3 £ V> IN cn Q- o 0 1 >5. s? « . V ■ S'! f W 5 • ^ a e | ~ 3. § 5 « A «a S S? I n defiance of an order from Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Multnomah County will continue issuing marriage licenses to same- sex couples. County Chair Diane Linn made the announcement March 15 after analyzing a legal opinion issued March 12 by Oregon Attorney Gen eral Hardy Myers. He concluded that the denial of marriage licenses to same-sex couples is probably unconstitutional but that this determination should be made by the Oregon Supreme Court. “Withholding from same-sex couples the legal rights, benefits and obligations that— under current law— are automatically granted to married couples of the opposite sex likely violates Article I, Section 20 of the Oregon Constitution,” Myers wrote. “But because of the uncertainties...it would be unwise to change current state practices until, and unless, a deci sion by the Supreme Court makes.clear what, if any, changes are required.” Oregon Citizens Alliance chairman Lon In light of this recommendation, Kulongoski Mabon showed up at a Christian Coalition directed all state agencies to adhere to current prayer rally March 13 state statutes, which do not recognize same-sex marriages. However, he asked Myers to identify gon tradition, and we should preserve it in how the issue can most quickly reach the the way we treat each other.” Supreme Court for final resolution. “We have 36 counties, 14 regional govern Committee Considers Charter Change ments, 238 cities and more than 1,000 special service districts in Oregon,” Kulongoski said. o far the backlash is making little headway. “We must have a uniform code of laws within Multnomah County Judge Dale Koch the state, or the state will become unlivable.” denied a request for a preliminary injunction Kulongoski, who had been considered an ally sought by a conservative lobby group March 8. of the sexual minorities community, may be The next day the Multnomah County Charter burning bridges with his words. Basic Rights Review Committee met to consider referring an Oregon was “disappointed” that he encouraged initiative to the ballot that would change the coun counties to continue engaging in marriage dis ty charter to ban same-sex marriage. The proposal is crimination, while Commissioner Lisa Naito being pushed by Lonnie Roberts, who is outraged criticized his “convoluted, bureaucratic gibber that he was not invited to participate in the deci ish” and said he “took the politically expedient sion to issue licenses to gay and lesbian couples. course and cowers behind a state statute” that Dozens of people crammed into the Brent violates people’s constitutional rights. wood Darlington Community Center to testify Linn interpreted Myers’ opinion as further for and against the proposal. Queer rights sup support of the conclusions reached by Mult porters clearly outnumbered those in opposition. nomah County Attorney Agnes Sowle, Stoel Naito reiterated that the county acted appro Rives lawyer and constitutional expert Charles priately in upholding the rights of same-sex cou Hinkle and Oregon legislative counsel Greg ples seeking to obtain marriage licenses. She Chaimov. They agree that the Oregon Bill of added that the charter amendment wouldn’t Rights forbids discrimination against protected make any difference in the long run. classes and that, based on a 1998 Oregon Court “Because this is a matter about rights and of Appeals decision, this status applies to gay privileges as granted by the Oregon Constitu and lesbian couples. tion, it is my firm belief that even if the amend “T h e attorney general’s opinion offers no ment proposed this evening somehow gains assurance whatsoever that Multnomah C oun approval of this committee, makes it on to the ty will not he sued successfully by any same-sex November ballot and is approved by voters, it couple who is denied a license while it waits for would he worthless,” Naito said. “T he state con the issue to get to the Supreme Court,” Linn stitution trumps any county charter amend said. “In fact, if anything, the risk is greater ment. If opponents of same-sex marriage want than previously with what is now the fourth to discriminate and not extend privileges equal opinion that states that denial of licenses is ly to all Oregonians, they will have to change likely unconstitutional.” the state constitution.” House Democratic Leader Jeff Merkley The meeting already has led to one significant expressed support March 12 for Kulongoski’s change: Lloyd Culbertson resigned as committee decision. He asked both sides to remain calm as chairman March 12. The group’s next gathering the legal process drags on. will he held from 6 to 8 p.m. March 23 at the “I support the governor's call for a deliber Multnomah Building, 501 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd. ate and thoughtful conversation among O re gonians on this im portant and complex Faith-Off issue,” Merkley said. “Both before and after the eventual decision by the state Supreme eanwhile, the faith community weighed Court on this matter, we must maintain a in on same-sex marriage at two drastically civil and respectful dialogue. T his is the Ore- S M PHOTOS BY MARTY DAVIS issues in today's workplace. Register online to attend classes with
