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.
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