Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 2004)
t 1 mi I ih 15.2004 news Drive with Pride discrimination, especially .when it’s used for political purposes.” CALIFORNIA he Family Pride Coalition, a national nonprofit that works to secure equality for queer parents and their families, honored Rosie O ’Donnell and her spouse, Kelli, at its first awards dinner Oct. 2 in Los Angeles. T he couple were the recipients of the “Fam ily Tree” Award for their work in advancing the rights of gay and lesbian families. They are the parents of four children. In accepting the award, O ’Donnell spoke of her experience at the coalition’s annual Family Week event in Provincetown, Mass. “The first time we went, my son, who was 7 years old at the time, said it was the best week o f his entire life,” she said. “It was a life-alter ing experience for our whole family. We’re going every year, not just because our children dem and it, hut because it’s unbearably life-affirming.” MARYLAND n i a groundswell of support for families he? headed by sam e-sex couples, M ount ARKANSAS Rainier has became the fourth Maryland juris he Arkansas Supreme Court ruled Oct. 7 diction in six months to extend health care that a misleading “ marriage” initiative and bereavement coverage to same-sex and will remain on the ballot. opposite-sex domestic partners of employees. Although voters are led to believe that the The C ity C ouncil voted unanimously A m endm ent C on cernin g M arriage only Oct. 5 to follow the leads of Hyattsville, addresses same-sex marriage, it could deny College Park and Howard County. Other other types of relationship recognition, such as Maryland jurisdictions that offer equal bene civil unions or domestic partnerships. It also fits include Montgomery County and the raises questions about the status of common cities of Baltimore, Greenbelt, Rockville and law marriages and about certain rights single Takoma Park. people have. In addition, it would grant great “ I am thrilled that we have finally joined ly increased power to the Legislature concern three other cities in Prince G eorge’s County ing what the legal rights and obligations of in offering these important benefits, and marriage are. I hope that some of our employees take “We are disappointed that the court has ad van tage,” M ayor Bryan ruled that Proposed Amendment 3 will remain Knedler said. “ I think the on the ballot,” said Rita Sklar, American Civil county should follow the Liberties Union of Arkansas executive direc WISCONSIN lead o f its progressive resi tor. "A s Justice Jim Hannah pointed out in his aying that a Wisconsin doc dents and follow suit.” dissent, there is ‘simply a lack o f candor in the tor illegally discriminated Because same-sex couples popular name and ballot title.’ ” against his patient by refusing in Maryland are not recog to perform surgery when he nized as family by the state learned the man has HIV, or federal governm ents, fter a six-month delay, the American Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit in they not covered under the Civil Liberties U n io n s challenge to an state court Oct. 5 arguing the Family and Medical Leave Arkansas policy that prevents gay and lesbian doctor violated multiple feder A ct to take unpaid leave to people and anyone living in a household with al and state laws. Attorneys care for their sick partner, or a gay adult from being foster parents resumed also argue that the doctor for health care coverage Oct. 5 in the C ircuit failed to offer that a spouse may be eligible Court o f Pulaski County proper coun to receive. Furthermore, Judge William Morvant threw with a new expert witness seling ser even when health insurance out an amendment to the for the state. vices to the benefits are offered to Louisiana Constitution that “The state has put up patient when dom estic partners, the denies marriage rights and all nothing hut outdated, he told him employee taking advantage other legal protections to baseless myths to justify he tested of these benefits is taxed on same-sex couples denying A rkansas’ foster HIV-posi the benefits by both the children potential homes," tive, which is mandated by state and federal governments. said Rita Sklar, A C L U of state law. “Nine states and the District of Colum bia Arkansas executive direc Lambda represents Steve have a law, policy or union contract that tor. “There may he a new Spera, a 54-year-old who guarantees equal health care benefits for state witness taking the stand, sought relief for severe and employees, hut Maryland is not one of them ,” hut the state is going to he Dan Furmansky hopes the state of debilitating back pain from said Dan Furmansky, Equality Maryland singing the same old Maryland will grant domestic Milwaukee orthopedist executive director. “The time has come for song.” James Cain. For nearly two Prince G eorge’s County and the state of partner benefits to its employees The trial began in March Maryland to address the lack of access to years, Spera received care hut was cut short after the state’s only expert wit from Cain with a series of pain management dom estic partner benefits that adversely ness was killed in a car crash before he axild testi procedures hut with little success. impacts the lives o f so many hardworking and fy. After being given time to find another witness, committed employees.” C ain finally recommended spinal fusion the state chose George A. Rekers, a founder of the surgery, and Spera submitted to a blood test Family Research Council well known for his reli to enter the hospital as a patient for surgery. PENNSYLVANIA giously based, anti-gay views who admits to relying The hkxxl test showed that Spera has HIV, ollowing a decision by University of on the discredited research of anti-gay extremist and Cain informed Spera of his status and said Pittsburgh to provide domestic partner Paul Cameron and health coverage to its gay and lesbian employ he would not practices "conver perform the ees, the American Civil Liberties Union with sion therapy” that surgery. Spera drew Oct. 5 a legal challenge to the university’s attempts to “cure” had previously prior refusal to provide the benefits, ending a gay people. lengthy battle. tested negative The ACLU for HIV. “This lawsuit was always about equal treat first brought the "Doctors ment for lesbian and gay employees. Now that lawsuit against the have an ethical the university has agreed to provide equal A rkansas C h ild and legal oblig health benefits, we’ve woh,” attorney Chris Welfare Agency ation to treat tine Biancheria said. “The plaintiffs were never Review Board in people with in this for the money. They are very pleased 1999 on behalf of HIV. This doc with the outcome and are ready to put this behind them.” a group o f pros tor didn’t just treat our client pective foster par The A C L U originally brought suit against insensitively— Pitt in 1996 on behalf of seven current and ents, charging that he refused to former employees who were denied health the policy violates treat him at insurance for their domestic partners even the equal protec all,” attorney though the university provided such coverage tion guarantees of H. Alexander Robinson (left, with the National Black J o na t h a n to its married employees. the state and fed Justice Coalition board) helped compile a landmark G ivner said. After vigorously defending the lawsuit for eral constitutions. report on queer African American same-sex “Steve sudden more than eight years, the university Throughout the households ly learned that announced Sept. 2 that it would offer gay and case, the state has lesbian employees as well as unmarried hetero he has HIV, and he was given no resources or relied on unsupported negative stereotypes sexual employees in committed relationships referrals to deal with that life-altering news. about gay people to defend the ban. health insurance benefits for their domestic Instead, within five minutes of learning he has For example, it has claimed that queers are partners. j n HIV, he was discriminated against by his doc more likely to commit pedophilia, expose kids tor even though there’s no evidence at all that to domestic violence and spread HIV to foster Compiled by JlM R ad OSTA he posed a threat to himself or the doctor.” children. T I Visit us online at.: www.reyreece.com or schedule your appointment 503-256-3700 1-800-283-0592 REY REECE DEALERSHIPS VOLKSWAGEN-MITSUBISHI-USED 122nd & East Burnside www.reyreece.com Auto, Home, Life, Health & Business epb&b "Your Independent Insurance Agency" iiis u n in c c Klliott, Powell, B aden Sc Baker, Inc. A m S A F E C O :__!_____ : N r ___ M a rc B a k e r D o w n to w n P o rtla n d (5 0 3 ) 2 2 7 -1 7 7 1 w w w .e p b b .c o m F A g/utg/ß *c**ltf Smom 1979 ESCENTIAL <«*/<»«*« > cui? 710 NW 23rd Avon*« - S03.248 9748 3638 SI Hawthorn» . S03.236-7976
