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-------------- June 18.2004 •
m m n T m in ew s
fter failing to collect enough sig
natures to qualify for the ballot,
the Oregon Christian Coalition
has abandoned its attempt to
recall Multnomah County Chair
Multnomah County commissioners can rest easy— (or the time being
Diane Linn and Commissioners Maria
Rojo Radosta
de
by Jim
Steffey, Lisa Naito and Serena Cruz. The or
ganization targeted the commissioners after they
decided March 3 to end discrimination in the
not have to allow petitioners to gather
issuance of marriage licenses.
signatures outside its stores.
The coalition missed the June 7 deadline to
submit the 37,000 signatures needed to place
Study Finds Anti-Gay Measures
the recall on the ballot. According to The Asso
Psychologically Harmful
ciated Press, executive director John Belgarde
said about 35,000 signatures were gathered.
\ \ 1
slate wa*ts to see whether
But the commissioners shouldn’t breathe easy
an anti-gay measure will qualify for
just yet. The coalition is promising to attempt
the fall ballot, a new report shows that
another signature effort later this year to place a
these campaigns may carry significant
recall on the fall ballot. In addition, Naito faces a
negative psychological and social conse
runoff in November in order to retain her seat.
quences. Research released June 3 by the
Pride Northwest will honor the commission
Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic
ers with a special Champions of Pride Award at
Studies finds that referenda on same-sex
6:25 p.m. June 19 in Waterfront Park.
marriage can affect the lives of both queer
and heterosexual people in several ways.
B R O Issues Action Alert
According to Glenda Russell, author
of the report and acting executive direc-
.
,
tor of the institute, “These elections ere- •>ohn
Oregon Christian Coalition executive
he Defense of Marriage Coalition— which
ate htgh levels of psychological and director, rallies against same-sex marriage March 13
has until July 2 to collect more than
A
R ecall E ffort F ails
100,000 signatures to qualify a constitutional
amendment banning same-sex marriage for the
fall ballot— has been sending petitioners to
Wal-Marts across the state, according to a
June 10 action alert from Basic Rights Oregon.
The nonprofit organization is encouraging
supporters to call their local store, corporate
headquarters (800-W A L -M A R T ) and the
W al-M art
C haritable
Foundation
(800-530-9925) and tell them to put a stop to
this practice. BRO notes that Wal-Mart does I
social stress for many I.G BT individuals in Pioneer Courthouse Square
as well as for the children of lesbian and gay “These research findings indicate that states
families.” Studies have demonstrated that these may pay a heavy social price for putting the
elections can lead to increased anxiety, depres- rights of any group up for a vote,” said Lee Bad-
sion, alienation and isolation in queers.
gett, the institute’s research director.
Earlier ballot measures on same-sex marriage
In addition, political science research indicates
and other gay-related issues frequently resulted
that voting on rights for minority groups tends to
in divided communities, with hostile rhetoric a increase prejudices that divide members of the corn-
mainstay of such campaigns. The political fight
munity. These elections also allow majority rule to
often reinvigorated old stereotypes and led to
make decisions that have a significant effect on the
deep divisions within families and communities. I day-to-day lives of people who are in the minority.
Ju st
The report, The Dangers o f a Same-Sex Mar
riage Referendum for Community and Individual
Well-Being, compiles and analyzes results of
roughly 30 studies and accounts of referenda on
gay issues in eight states. Data were drawn from
a variety of sources including surveys, inter
views, analyses of campaign materials, mental
health indices and other research strategies.
Call for Submissions
new project is under way to capture the
stories of empowerment and personal
transformation that resulted from the history
making 3,000-plus same-sex marriages in Mult
nomah County earlier this year.
Buoyed by a Sea o f Love, Powered by Winds
o f Justice is being compiled by Roey Thorpe of
Basic Rights Oregon, the Rev. Tara Wilkins of
the Community of Welcoming Congregations
and Holly Pruett, a longtime community
organizer and writer. They hope to hear from
members o f the sexual minorities community
whose relationships finally were legally vali
dated, their families and the officiants who
wed them.
Submissions should be 1,500 words or less.
Writers should include their complete name,
age, race/ethnicity (to help ensure a diverse col
lection), address, phone number, e-mail address
and photograph.
Stories become the property of the editors.
They will try to use every entry depending on
the number of responses.
Send submissions by June 30 to book®
welcomingcongregations.org. If electronic
submission is a barrier, or you would prefer to
share your story orally, e-m ail tara®
welcomingcongregations.org. jR
A
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