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! Check out our Super
nation’s
largest calling
Value Pack: Leather case, a car
charger, lifetime repair, lifetime
battery
exchange,
lifetime
replacement on accessories,
25% off all accessory purchases,
and lifetime data transfer!!!
Ask store for details!
Add Additional
Lines for
>
www. gowi reless. net
VefTTOnw/re/ess
Friendly, Knowledgeable, Convenient.
* Limited to stock on hand. No rain checks. Restrictions apply.
See store for details.
CASH FOR COOL CLOTHES • RED LIGHT • CASH FOR COOL CLOTHES
COMING SOON TO
Y^SELINE ALLEY!
WEST SIDE
RED LIGHT
H 11 SW STARK