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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 6, 2004)
aufluat 6.2004 ' r T T îT T ïïT n iT n e t v s S trong S tart No on 36 campaign kicks off to promising poll numbers by Meg Daly i s 1 i n g Coghlan thought she’d be swinging in her backyard ham- mock right about now. Instead she’s man aging the newly formed and high-energy cam paign to defeat Ballot Measure 36, which would amend the Ore gon Constitution to define legal marriage as only between one man and one woman. W hether it’s her Irish blood or her 10 years of experience as a cam paign organizer, she’s Supporters cheer at a campaign kickoff rally Aug. 3 got the fiery, progres sive know-how for the job. would strip them of a number of key rights such “H ie state constitution is not a place where as access to health care through a spouse’s work we should write unequal treatment for gays and place, joint parenting rights and next-of-kin sta lesbians,” says Coghlan, who ran the 1998 tus for emergency medical decisions. Democratic statewide coordinated campaign as While the No on Constitutional Amend well as a successful 2000 campaign to defeat ment 36 campaign will rely on principles of rea anti-tax measures by Bill Sizemore and Don son and justice in its efforts, the Defense of Mar McIntyre. riage Coalition seems inured to the Chicken Though Coghlan does not believe unequal Little approach. A recent fund-raising letter treatment of queers should be allowed anywhere, claimed: “The truth is, once marriage extends the campaign’s strategy is appeal to a broad range beyond one man and one woman, it will of voters by focusing on the become meaningless. Family relationships will constitutionality issue. “Even be transient. Children will be raised with a revolving drx>r of parents and stepparents.” if [Oregonians] disagree about same-sex marriage, we Meanwhile, fair-minded heterosexual par don’t put it in our constitu ents are standing up for their adult children’s tion,” she says. rights. “My husband and I never imagined that the state which we have lived in for 27 years When Coghlan heard the would protect the rights and responsibilities of news June 30 that the one of our children and deny them to our other Defense of Marriage Coali- Aisling Coghlan child,” said Elise Self, who has a lesbian daugh tion succeeded in placing the amendment on the November ballot, she told ter and a straight son. her boss, Portland City Commissioner Dan No on 36 urgently needs volunteers and Saltzman, that she had to go fight it, forgoing donations to get the word out about what’s at both her job and her planned summer sabbatical. stake and how citizens can help. The campaign Now Saltzman is part of a growing number of intends to raise $2 million to counter the community, religious and business leaders and Defense of Marriage Coalition’s projected $1.5 organizations opposing the discriminatory million. According to No on 36 house party coordi amendment. Others include Basic Rights Ore gon, Oregon Action, Planned Parenthrxxl, Ser nator Bill Klein, house parties will be a key ele vice Employees International Union Locals 49 ment of this grassnxits campaign, helping it and 503, Secretary of State Bill Bradbury, Gov. “reach a broad range of people. They’re also an Ted Kulongoski and former Gov. Barbara opportunity to educate voters on the issue and persuade them to vote no.” Roberts. Klein says he has parties Kxxked through “We believe it’s winnable,” Coghlan says. August and is seeking party-holders for this She has the numbers to prove it. According to a recent survey commissioned by the cam fall. JFI paign, 46 percent of those polled would vote no on the amendment, with 49 percent saying they Two upamnmg events will benefit the No ON C onstitutional A mendment 36 campaign. would support it. “An Intimate Conversation with Evan @ Coghlan is encouraged by these numbers. Equinox,’’ featuring Freedom to Marry executive “Undecideds are willing to listen to us on this,” she says. “They are really thoughtful about director Evan Wolfson, will be held from I to 3 p.m. Aug. 7 at 830 N. Shaver St. Brunch this issue.” She says that of the 10 or more states with tickets are $50. “The Official Wedding Reception similar amendments on their ballots, Oregon has for Equality in Oregon,” in honor of the 3,000'plus same-sex couples married in Multnomah County the best chance of defeating its anti-gay effort. Polling results were even more encouraging this year, will be held from 7:30 to 11 p.m. when it came to nondiscriminatory attitudes of Aug. 14 at 2119 N. Kerby St. General admission voters. About 78 percent favor protecting gays tickets are $50 a person, $80 for married couples. VIP tickets are $75 a person, $100 for married and lesbians from bias. couples. Children younger than 18 are free. To buy This bodes well for the 3,000-plus gay and lesbian couples who were married in Multno tickets, make a donation or volunteer, call mah County earlier this year. The amendment 971-244-1399 or visit www.notm36.com. Sometimes you just need a car. If you live in Portland or Vancouver, chances are that one of our sedans, minivans or pickups is parked near you. Flexcar lets you drive them like they were your own. The key difference? JOIN We pay insurance, parking, gas and maintenance. You pay a few bucks an hour. FLEXCAR, H E L P P R ID E N W Join today and you'll always have a car when you need one. Pride NW staff use Flexcar. for eacf) ne* Flexcar merrier *ho joins in response to fix's ad, Flexcar will donate 5 nows of free usage fa Pride NW. 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