.une 17. 2005 'jUSt OUtg
Rb M J ! M 4-4 Jnews briefs
C asual E legance F or L ess
McNeil paraded rhe club’s value tor diversity
as shaping rhe policy change, yet Oregon’s same-
sex couples must travel out of state to obtain the
necessary documents tor eligibility. The only states
issuing the documents required by the MAC are
Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont.
For more information visit www.themac.com.
—JRC
G rant E xpands C linic S ervices
A forum will tackle the issue ot whether pre
vention and care services are meeting HIV
needs in Southwest Washington, it will also dis
cuss current trends and looming changes in
Medicare, particularly for those who get rheir
prescription drugs from Medicaid.
The Washington State Governor's Advisory
Council on H1V/A1DS is meeting from 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m. June 21. The public forum is at the
Educational Services District 112, 2500 N.E.
65th Ave. in Vancouver.
The change, contusing to many, begins
Jan. 1, 2006, when Medicaid patients eligible for
Medicare will lose their drug coverage and
obtain prescription drugs instead through the
new Medicare prescription drug program. State
officials will share the latest information on how
that change will affect people with HIV, espe
cially those who get drugs through the AIDS
Drug Assistance Program.
The panelists include HIV care providers
and consumers.
For more information call 360-236-3444.
—JRC
A Portland safety net clinic will better serve
its clients thanks to a federal grant totaling
$450.000.
Outside In, which specializes in meeting the
medical needs of homeless youth, can now
expand services in Portland. It turns away 10 to
15 people daily who don’t have health insurance
or the means to pay for medical care.
“Outside In is committed to helping home
less youth attain healthy, productive lives and
ultimately self-sufficiency. Medical care is an
important step in helping them achieve that
goal,” said Kathy Oliver, executive director of
Outside In.
Oliver notes that in a state where health care
services have been cut dramatically, landing
such a significant grant is of tremendous benefit
to the community.
The grant will expand Outside In’s medical
capacity by approximately 50 percent, allowing
for 7,000 additional annual clinic visits. It will
also fund a medical van to serve people for
whom the clinic is not easily accessible. The
vehicle will be fully equipped with two exam
rooms, a lab area and a pharmacy and will be
linked to the agency’s electronic medical record
system.
“We can actually take medical care to people
rather than them having to come into rhe
agency, which is not easily accessible for some
people," Oliver said.
For more information v*sit www.outsidein.org.
—JRC
S exual M inorities A ffirmed
by L utheran G roup
D emocratic P arty A nnounces
F ormation of GLBT C aucus
HIV F orum in W ashington S tate
Sexual minority Lutherans were given
approval and acceptance last month as the Ore
gon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America joined the Reconciling in Christ
roster of Lutherans Concemed/North America.
At its annual meeting held from May 27 to
29 in Corvallis, Oregon became the 22nd of the
65 synods in the American Lutheran organiza
tion to openly and affirmatively welcome people
of all sexual orientations.
Emily Eastwood, executive director of
Lutherans Concemed/North America and the
Reconciling in Christ program, called the
change “gcxxl news indeed.”
“As a gay person and a lifelong Lutheran, the
sea of green cards approving the RIC resolution
was simply overwhelming. Tears and smiles
came easily for those of us who have felt exclud
ed by our church because of who we love,” she
said. “The welcoming resolution passed by the
Oregon Synod sends a strong message to the
community and to the wider church that people
of all sexual orientations and gender identities
are claimed by the synod as part of the body of
Christ.”
The Oregon Synod voted by a large majority
to affirm that the rich diversity of Christians
includes sexual orientation and to extend wel
come to people of all sexual orientations and
gender identities. It also voted to “expect and
encourage people of all sexual orientations and
gender identities to share tn the sacramental
and general life of the synod, congregations and
organizations.”
.
Approval of the Reconciling in Christ reso
lution followed requests that this August’s
Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America give its pastors
discretion to perform services of blessing for
same-gender couples, and calling on the Luther
an body to provide resources for clergy in their
work to counsel and support such couples.
The Reconciling in Christ roster lists more
than 330 Lutheran congregations, synods and
organizations in the United States and Canada
that publicly welcome people ot all sexual ori
entations and gender identities.
—JRC i
The Democratic Party of Oregon announced
June 8 the formation of a new Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual and Transgender Caucus. The State
Central Committee, composed of elected offi-
I cials and party members, approved the forma
tion of rhe GLBT Caucus at its quarterly meet
ing in Pendleton.
•
The caucus will have its coming-out party on
the weekend of June 18 by participating in Port
land Pride and conducting its first organization
al meeting to elect officers.
The fight over equality for gays and lesbians
has reached a historic moment in Oregon with
this month’s debate concerning Senate Bill
1073—which would allow civil unions for same-
sex couples—leading to a likely Senate floor
vote.
The Democratic Party of Oregon reports
that it is committed to continuing support for
the queer community’s quest tor equality under
rhe law. Given the Bush administration’s assault
on civil liberties, as well as rhe public positions
of Oregon Republican Party chairman and 2006
gubernatorial candidate Kevin Mannix, the
Democrats believe the rights of the sexual
minorities community must be defended vigi
lantly and will continue to lead on advancing
pro-equality legislation.
The Democrats are committed to advancing
a public agenda that includes nondiscrimination
in employment, housing and other public
accommodations. In addition, the party favors
allowing committed couples to be afforded all
the same rights, responsibilities and legal pro
tections afforded to married couples, regardless
of sexual orientation or gender identity.
According to a statement, the GBLT Caucus
will:
• Participate in policy decisions and outreach
programs to maximize support of the Democrat
ic Party and its endorsed candidates.
• Recruit and support queer candidates for elec
tive office.
• Recruit and support queer candidates for party
leadership positions at the state and local levels.
• Recruit and support queer candidates tor the
Continued on Page 11
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