October 1.2004 - J U l t O U t 21
flT nïïüm
CALIFORNIA
Alston & Bird say the ballot language is decep
ov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed several tive and unconstitutional. Two Democratic
into law in late September that will state legislators, Sen. David Adelman and Rep.
have a significant impact on
Tyrone Brooks, are plaintiffs
the states queer residents.
in the lawsuit.
The
Omnibus
Hate
Earlier this year, the Legis
Crimes Act of 2004 defines a
lature approved an amend
hate crime as one that
ment to the state’s constitu
includes crimes against indi
tion that would prohibit
viduals based on their sexual
same-sex couples from marry
ing, may prohibit civil unions
orientation or gender identi
ty. It also broadens the defin
and seeks to limit the courts
jurisdiction
on
matters
ition to include crimes
involving same-sex couples.
against individuals based on
their association with people
The Legislature’s approval put
who are gay or trans, and pro
the measure on the November
vides tools designed to reduce
ballot.
these crimes.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs
The legislation was spon
argue that the required
sored hy lesbian state Sen.
process for amending the
Sheila Kuehl, a Democrat.
state’s constitution was not
followed.
“While every hate crime
“This amendment is con
represents a personal tragedy
for the victim, hate crimes
stitutionally flawed, period,”
also are an attempt to intimi- California state Sen. Sheila Kuehl attorney Jack Senterfitt said.
date a larger group or com- sponsored a hate crimes bill that
“Not only does it combine
munity of people,” she noted, was recently signed into law
four different subjects, in vio
Several queer organiza
lation of the Georgia Consti
tions, including Equality California and Log tution, the clearly deceptive language voters will
Cabin Republicans of California, supported see on the ballot creates the misperception that
the hill.
its only purpose is to define marriage. Further
Schwarzenegger also signed a “clean needle” more separate and apart from the lawsuit, Lamb
hill that authorizes cities and counties to permit da Legal believes that a group’s civil rights
pharmacies to sell up to 10 clean syringes with shouldn’t he put to a popular vote.”
out a prescription. The Human Rights Cam
paign credited Schwarzenegger with “putting
VIRGINIA
science first,” saying the legislation will help
uthor and activist Wayne Besen accused
curb the number of new HIV and hepatitis A The Vir-
infections.
ginian-Pilot of
The governor also signed a hill that requires suppressing
insurance companies to provide coverage for a l l e g a t i o n s
that an HIV
registered domestic partners in the state.
positive, ex
gay
leader
OKLAHOMA
ambda Legal has filed a federal lawsuit seek allegedly had
sex
ing to strike down a law it says could leave unsafe
children of same-sex couples orphans.
with several
Passed at the end of the state’s legislative ses men in the
sion earlier this year, the law says Oklahoma V i r g i n i a
Beach area.
“shall not recognize an adoption by more than
Besen said
one individual of the same sex from any other
state or foreign jurisdiction.” Lambda says the editors at the
law could he interpreted to nullify adoption of n e w s p a p e r ,
re Author Wayne Besen says
children by same-sex couples from other states which
cently ran a The Virginian-Pilot suppressed
when they are in Oklahoma.
“What we are talking about here are Okla story about allegations about ex-gay leader
homa legislators who disapprove of gay people the local ex- Michael Johnston
and lashed out hy passing a law that punishes gay ministry, told him in August 2003 they
children for having gay or lesbian parent,” attor weren’t interested in “covering the topic" of
the allegations against nationally known ex
ney Brian Chase said.
Lambda is representing same-sex couples gay Michael Johnston. He said the paper also
who adopted children while living in other did not respond to calls from an attorney rep
states and later moved to Oklahoma with their resenting a man who feared he might have
been exposed to HIV
children or who want to visit
because he had sex with
the state with their family.
Johnston.
The group is arguing that the
“The ‘Virginian-Puppet’
law is unconstitutional based
needs
to decide if they are a
on the 14th Amendment
legitimate newspaper or a
guaranteeing equal protec
discredited
church bulletin,”
tion and the Full Faith and
said Besen, author of Any
Credit clause in the U.S.
thing But Straight: Unmasking
Constitution.
the Scarulals and Lies Behind
the
Ex-Gay Myth. “This
G E O R G IA
tabloid systematically sup
lawsuit filed Sept. 16 in
pressed
and censored hard
/ J Fulton County’s Superi
news while promoting a soft
or Court is asking that a pro
story
that was tantamount
posed constitutional amend
to free advertising for the
ment to ban same-sex mar
ex-gay
ministries. ” j n
riage he removed from the
Georgia state Rep. Tyrone Brooks
ballot.
Lambda Legal, the Ameri- is one of the plaintiffs challenging Compiled hy News Editor M.L.
can Civil Liberties Union of a ballot measure that would ban
MADISON, who can be reached
Georgia and the law firm of same-sex marriage
at michelle@justout.com.
RUG
Gallery
W onderfu! ftuns.
Wonderful Prices'
1220 SE Grand (503)282-4400
TAMARA J
W h o le C o m m u n ic a tio n rM
Business Briefs/Seminars
s/ S
Hourly, V I Day, Full Day
Private Coaching
Presentations, Imuge. Confidence Building
Keynotes
Consultation
Breakfast, Luntheon, Dinner Speoker
Communication, Cuslomer/Employee Relations
w w w . w h o l e r o m m u n i r a t i o n . i o n i • 503. 639.1629
Jamara J Hufford Wong
FREE MASSAGE
& TREATMENT
If you have been injured in a car accident
within the last 6 months
SX & N
Gentle Chiropractic Care
& Massage
ZU & N
3703 SE 39th Avenue
www.Dharma-Rain.Org
Located at 39th & Powell
We Handle Insurance Billing
5 0 3 6 5 9 -2 8 4 4
-
Don’t Miss the Rate Train!
Your Schedule is My S chedule
•
•
•
•
L
Free Consultations
Interest Only
N o Down Payment Options
First Time Home Buyers
Russell Leggroan • cell: 503-750-3350 • Lrussell5@msn.com
503-722-3842 • 888-635-5446
415 17th Street, Suite 5, Oregon City, OR 97045
M e too
J ohn T hompson D esigner
COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR DESIGN
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
503-331-9157 • tjelizabeth lernen .com
St. Stephen’s E I piscopal
T H E DO W N TO W N
Gay & Lesbian Couples Welcome
PARISH#
Sunday Services • 7:45 and 10:00 am
Sunday School & Childcare at 10:00 am
Rev. Lawrence Falkowski, Ph.D. rector
1432 S W 13th Avenue • Portland. Oregon 97201
(503) 223-6424
Raines G-lobe Travel
Person to Person Travel Planning
International Specialists
.
Vacation Packages • Cruises • Tours • Group Travel
Downtown Salem Since 1948
129 Commercial NE • 503-399-1800 • 800-971-7210
iu