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Tuesday
April 27
Couples marry in Oregon, sue in Washington
by Jim R adosta
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he American Civil Liberties Union
filed a lawsuit April 1 against the
state of Washington challenging
the denial of marriage rights to
same-sex couples.
The case was filed in Thurston County Superi
or Court on behalf of 11 couples from across the
state who wish to marry in Washington or to have
their marriage recognized under Washington law.
Two of the couples were married in Portland.
Celia Castle, who has been a firefighter for 25
years, and Brenda Bauer, an attorney and director
of contracting services for the city of Seattle, are
the parents of two girls, ages 8 and 11. The cou
ple have been together 16 years. Although they
were married March 16 in Portland, Bauer would
not be treated as Castles survivor under Wash
ington law if she were to die in the line of duty.
Police officer Judy Fleissner and attorney Chris
Gamache were married March 19 in Portland.
The Seattle couple, who have been together for
14 years, are the parents of a 7-year-old boy and a
4-year-old girl. Fleissner was not able to use fami
ly leave like other officers when their daughter
was bom, and Gamache would not be considered
her spouse if she were to die in the line of duty.
“Same-sex couples who have formed families
are being discriminated against solely because of
their gender,” said Kathleen Taylor, A C LU of
Washington executive director. “The state of
Washington has long acknowledged that gay and
lesbian couples are suitable to be parents. We
must no longer deny them the ability to marry.”
The suit seeks a court ruling that the state
laws regarding marriage shall apply without
regard to gender, thus providing gay and lesbian
couples the same legal rights and benefits now
available to opposite-sex couples. The suit also
asks the court to recognize same-sex marriages
lawfully formed in other jurisdictions.
Vancouver Clergy Support
Same-Sex Marriage
he Revs. Richard Jaech and Barbara Baech
of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in
Vancouver, Wash., are among the more than
160 religious leaders from across the state who
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have denounced the proposed constitutional
amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage.
They are members of an ad hoc coalition,
representing a wide spectrum of faiths, that
came together after being galvanized by political
efforts to legalize discrimination. Representa
tives gathered March 23 at Plymouth Congrega
tional Church in Seattle to call on local, state
and national leaders to extend the right to
marry to queers.
The coalition opposes any legislation limit
ing the civil rights of gay and lesbian couples to
join together in marriage. Religious leaders
who have signed on to the statement hail from
a range of faith traditions: Jewish, Buddhist
and Christian, including Episcopal, Presbyter
ian, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Unitarian
Universalist, United Church of Christ and
other denominations.
Phelps Counterprotests Planned
hen the Rev. Fred Phelps comes to town
April 17 to 19 to demonstrate against
same-sex marriage, he’ll be greeted by a number
of counterprotesters.
The anti-gay preacher is traveling to Oregon
from Topeka, Kan., where he leads Westboro
Baptist Church and operates the Web site
GodHatesFags.com. He achieved infamy for
picketing the 1998 funeral of Matthew Shepard,
who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime.
Phelps is scheduled to picket from 11 to
11:30 a.m. April 18 at Portland State Universi
ty, Southwest Sixth Avenue and College Street.
A group of silent protesters will meet at 10 a.m.
between Shattuck and Neuberger halls to pre
pare for his arrival. The plan is to make a ring
around Phelps and his followers, hold up sheets
and block them from view. A similar counter
protest was staged when Phelps protested at the
trial of Shepard’s murderers.
The next day, a group called Queer Revolu
tion will confront Phelps when he pickets from
9:15 to 9:45 a.m. April 19 outside Portland City
Hall, 1220 S.W. Fifth Ave. The idea is to create
a street party with music and piñatas to take all
focus off the notorious bigot. JT1
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PHOTO BY
ULTNOMAH COUNT* COMMISSIOW r
usti KTIItM » ,
Rick Christman (left) of Save Portland Now and John Belgarde of the Oregon Christian Coalition
stage the “Recall Rally for Answers 2004” April 12 outside the Multnomah Building. The bad
news: They claim to have collected about half of the necessary signatures to recall Multnomah
County Chair Diane Linn and Commissioner Lisa Naito. The good news: Fewer than a dozen
supporters showed up for the alleged rally.