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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 19, 2005)
august 19. 2005 - jUSt OMt|13 nTTTïTïïTOTlnews A G q WIRELESS N ew H uman R ights C ampaign P resence Portland designated as an "Emerging Community" While Supplies Last by Sarah Dougher espite the fact that one of the The Emerging Community Committee has founders of the Human Rights several volunteer-led programs: Federal Club, Campaign, Terry Bean, makes his for donors who give at least $100 each month; home in Portland, and that the general membership; diversity; and politics. The first HRC-endorsed candidate was subcommittees meet every third Monday and from Eugene, the organization has kept pretty looking for new volunteers to help are a always low profile in the Beaver State. out with planning and events. Beginning in late 2004, HRC began holding Volunteering with HRC involves educating an every-second-Tuesday event called Salon Q the public, mobilizing community activism, that draws queers—primarily men—from a fair expanding the voice and visibility of the sexual ly homogenous strata together for drinks and flirting at Portland watering hole Aura. This summer, HRC had a strong pres ence at Portland Pride and recruited volun teers to help with what it is calling its “Emerging Community” model in Portland. HRC’s Portland Emerging Community works, as the Web site reports, “to support the missions and goals of HRC and to pro vide local leadership and advocacy for HRC objectives.” Under the direction of local board lead ership, the HRC Portland Emerging Com munity is responsible for the presence and Josh Wagner is one of the Emerging Community local activities of HRC. co-chairs in Portland. HRC works primarily on queer issues on the national level; for instance, candidates minorities community and working with others for federal office will get the thumbs up or down, and various initiatives in the House and Senate nationwide to bolster the efforts to end hate and will be undertaken. So what, then, is the role of discrimination. HRC in local politics? HRC has had an active base in Oregon for a B ackground long time, and the activism of this group has HRC is the nation’s largest national gay, les ebbed and flowed. In revitalizing the HRC bian, bisexual and transgender advocacy organi members of Oregon, of which there are thou zation. It envisions an America where queers are sands, Emerging Community co-chairwoman ensured of their basic equal rights and can be CM Hall notes, “People want a way to opt in open, honest and safe at home, at work and in and make a difference, and it is another chance the community. HRC has close to 600,000 for them to work for their own equality.” members, according to its Web site. The connections between Basic Rights Ore Founded in 1980, HRC lobbies Congress, gon and HRC are strong. During the No on 36 provides campaign support to fair-minded can campaign, HRC sent three staffers to work with didates and works to educate the public on a wide array of topics affecting queer U.S. citizens, including workplace, family, dis crimination and health issues. The HRC Foundation, an HRC-affiliated organiza tion, engages in extensive research and provides education and programming. More than 500,000 people partici pate in HRC’s Online Action Center, through which they receive updates and stay informed about upcoming votes in Congress and in state legislatures across the country. Participants have used the center to send more than 1 million A few of the thousands of Oregonians who are active e-mails and faxes to their state and feder with HRC celebrate Portland Pride 2005. al elected officials to hold them account BRO in its organizing efforts. Additionally, dur able and demonstrate constituent support for ing the fight for Senate Bill 1000, HRC sup queer equality. HRC also identifies, organizes ported BRO by sending out staffers three differ and mobilizes political volunteers and congres ent times to support the lobbying efforts. sional district coordinators to meet face to face with elected officials, organize voter registration In addition to supporting the mission and goals of HRC, the Portland Emerging Commu drives, turn out the vote on Election Day and nity hopes to provide funding for HRC pro organize rallies, news conferences and town hall meetings. in grammatic goals and provide local leadership and advocacy for HRC objectives. The Emerg The H uman R k ihts C ampak in Portland ing Community’s goals include supporting the Federal Club Garden Party, hosted by Paul political and financial goals of HRC, creating a Cofer, Scott Cooley and Kevin Reedy, will take strong HRC presence in the Portland communi ty, expanding the number of volunteers doing place from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 27 at 10719 S.W. 11 th Drive. RSVP by Aug. 20 at HRC activities and improving communication pdxfedclul&comcast.net. For more information and building relationships among the area’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight com about involvement with the HRC in Portland, contact Todd Canon at 503-228'4489. munity leaders and organizations. D Hollywood Store 3004 NE Broadway Portland, OR 97232 503-280-4448 by Fred Meyer ‘ Buy one for $19.99 get up to 3 additional phones J L - | FREE! » . .. Ä . Audiovox 89IQ The $19.99* area! 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