slieak Dilli
Capitol steps with posters. The last two days I
created a banner with Minnis’ photo billed as
“Obstructionist at Large.” The very last day 1 sat
there with that propped up against the building
and a “Governor: Can You Help Us Get Civil
Rights” sign in my hands.
The governor and two likely security agents
walked by my peaceful protest but did not stop
to talk. A couple of Salem residents checked on
me every couple of hours. I had six interactions
with the press because of the banner, and Lane
County Commissioner Peter Sorenson spoke on
the Capitol steps to a few of us in favor of this
legislation.
The Democrats fumbled the ball here and
there this session—notably Senate President
Peter Courtney having daily “open caucuses”
with the media, which also let the Republicans
know the Democrats’ pre-huddle plays and posi
tions on bills. Of course, the Republicans did
not also have open caucuses, thus having a clear
advantage. We lost a great opportunity. This ses
sion we had Democratic Senate majority, a sup
portive governor and reportedly enough House
ayes if Minnis had allowed a vote. Who knows
who will hold these seats two years from now.
Future ballot measure? Keep in mind we are
a “minority” asking for a majority of people to
vote for our civil rights. It would be an expen
sive and risky proposition of which today I don’t
think I would personally invest much time and
money. I still wonder if combining civil unions
and anti-discrimination in one bill was best. It
was usually referred to as “the civil unions bill”
even by representatives, having the anti
discrimination part of it obscured. If they had
been separated, maybe at least anti-discrimina
tion would have been passed. I would have the
same feelings about any future ballot measure.
To supportive senators, thank you so much
for the hard work, passionate floor speeches and
Senate passage of SB 1000. Thanks also to sup
portive House reps. Without singling any
Democrats out, you have got to play a wiser
game, be as tough and as sly as the Republicans,
take clear and steadfast positions on the issues,
yet not lose sight of doing the people’s work.
A tall order, perhaps, but you’ve got to do it or
Dems will be beaten every session unless you
have control of both houses. Only if/when
Republicans start playing nicer, then perhaps
you shall, too. Please understand this!
To the governor, since you had previously
made your supportive position well-known, at
least in the last session days you could have
strongly repeated that position and kept the ses-
JJ
sion going until HB 3508 was voted on. If
there’s anything you can do while still in office,
please help us get civil rights.
To fellow GLBTs, you have to show the state
you want civil unions and anti-discrimination
more than I think we did. Do not get easily dis
couraged along the way nor wait for one activist
group to tell you to pick up the phone or he pre
sent in the Capitol Building. Do it on your own
initiative, too.
And lastly, Portlanders, get Karen Minnis
out of there! Rally in Minnis’ district about her
obstructionism on SB 1000, HB 3508 as well as
other bills...unless that would just end up help
ing the queen in 2006. At least centuries ago,
the guillotine was an option for Royalty Gone
Wild.
but 1 do wear one on TV
'
Ed McMahon
is
W illiam S tark
Eugene
.
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“¡S?-2
9.
cess in business or traveling
together—all in a legally
secured atmosphere. Would the
outcry from critical groups have
been as loud if two typical gay
men who look like your next-
d(x»r neighbor were shown fully clothed, riding
motorcycles together, camping or with their
dogs, cats, birds or children.7 Even sitting togeth
er on the couch at the end of rhe day, sharing a
glass of wine or a laugh over a hx)k at Powell’s.7
What about two elderly men embracing.7 There
are plenty of middle-aged and older gay couples,
but the public never hears about them. NohxJy
sees them.
If PlanetOut’s Creative Services didn’t run
this one by a straight focus group before going
ahead with the project, it should have consid
ered doing so.
k
What do you think about the
Qay.com ads depicting two naked
men wrapped in an American flag?
he Gay.com billboard is visually arresting.
But it’s obviously directed first at potential
subscribers to Gay.com and secondly at the pub
lic at large. It elicits an emotional response, all
right. But by choosing to use the image of two
naked, young hard bodies (such as those seen in
ads for phone personals and bathhouses) and the
suggestive slogan “Come Together,” it fails to
make its case that “gay people deserve to love, to
be together and to enjoy all the ideals and priv
ileges that the American flag represents.”
The ideals and privileges that the American
flag represents do not begin and end with sex.
They can also include recognition of a couple’s
right to shared interests, caring for and raising
children, building a home, mutual support, suc
T
I ■
M ichael T aylor
Portland
When you buy or sell a home with me, you'll know your dollars
are helping support a greater cause. I contribute at least 10% of
my earnings to community and environmental organizations.
Millynn James
Broker, Graduate Realtor Institute
ABR: Accredited Buyer's Representative
503.330.HOME (4663)
1.800.82S.9948
equity group
www. 11 a 111 y I in. c < > i 1i
I n 1.111: 11 111 lyi i r
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