Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 2005)
October 21.2005 ’ jUSt OUt21 nrnrüiiTinews Maine Won’t Discriminate is working to defeat Proposition 1, a ballot initiative that would strip Maine of employment protections recently signed into law by Democratic Gov. John Balducci. Two groups opposed to Maines new gay rights law are finding it difficult to raise funds for their campaign to reverse it. Maine Won’t Discriminate has raised more than twice as much money. No Nonsense in November is fighting a con stitutional amendment that would bar marriage equality and civil unions in Texas. The measure has been placed on the November ballot. With turnout in off-year elections traditionally low, progressive activists are hoping to drive large numbers of voters to the polls specifically to vote against the amendment. The Vote Against the Amendment Cam paign, a project of the National Gay and Les bian Task Force, announced Oct. 12 the release of seven broadcast commercials in opposition to the proposal. The seven television spots, which begin airing Oct. 13, feature several Houston gay and lesbian families talking about their love and the need for, and importance of, marriage equality. While many television ads have aired in opposition to state anti-marriage constitu tional amendments during the past few years, this new series marks the first time same-sex couples have spoken directly about why mar riage matters. According to rhe U.S. Census Bureau, 9,784 same-sex couples live in rhe Houston metropol itan area and 42,912 same-sex couples live in the state of Texas. Houston ranks 44th our of the 331 metropolitan areas nationwide as hav ing the greatest number of same-sex couples. The Vote Against the Amendment Cam paign and NGLTF are working in partnership with the coalition of state and local groups in Texas that are part of the No Nonsense in November campaign. “Our opponents have vastly greater resources at their disposal and are relying on myths and fear-mongering to hurt Texas families. We appreciate the work of the task force to show rhe fmrh about who we are,” said Glen Maxey, No Nonsense in November campaign manager. NEW HAMPSHIRE C ommission E ndorses M arriage A mendment A New Hampshire commission recommend ed Oct. 5 that the state adopt a constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between one man and. one woman. State Sen. Jack Barnes, R-Raymond, proposed rhe motion and has likely added fodder to next year’s election cycle in rhe state, where the amendment is expected to be a major topic of debate. G overnor H as N o T ime for A nti -G ay A mendment Investing with your Best Interest at Heart toward gays Oct. 8 when it voted against leg islation prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation for private and public employees. Not only did County Commission er Kathy Castor fail to garner support for her proposal, bur future votes concerning work place protection of gays will require votes from five of rhe seven commissioners to be placed on a referendum ballot. MASSACHUSETTS O ut - of -S taters G et T heir D ay in C ourt Gay & Lesbian Advocates (Sc Defender argued Oct. 6 before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court that the liberty and equality provisions of the constitution protect everyone within the state’s borders—including same-sex couples from other stares who go there to marry. In Cote-Whitacre vs. Department of Pub lic Health, attorney Michele Granda repre sents eight couples from Maine, New Hamp shire, Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut and Vermont who came to Massachusetts to marry in 2004 but were told by Republican Gov. Mitt Romney’s administration that their marriages would not be valid—in violation of the spirit and the letter of the 2003 Goodridge decision. NEW YORK J udge : P artner C an ’ t S ue for M alpractice A New York court has ruled that the part ner of a gay man who died in a hospital cannot sue for malpractice even though rhe couple had entered into a civil union in Vermont. “Any contrary decision, no matter how cir cumscribed, will be taken as judicial impri matur of same-sex marriages,” the court said in a 3-2 decision. Life & Disability Insurance* Estate Planning Strategies College Savings Plans IRAs, Roth IRAs, Rollovers Tax Advantaged Investments Long Term Care insurance* WADDELL www.waddell.com anneseelye@wradvisors.com 700 Northeast Mullnomoh Street • Suri ■ 503-2387056 FAX « Toll Fra» 888-892 Injured? ...Call me Free Consultation No Fee Unless You Recover Hala Gores, P.C Attorney at Law 503/295-1940 I2ch Floor, 621 SW Morrison Portland PORTI INDAJU ' Bl'MNI SS ASSOC IA I ION Integrity, Experience ^Results Proudly serving our community since 1989 in personal injury claims including: • Auto & Motorcyle Accidents • Bicycle & Pedestrian Accidents • Medical Malpractice • Wrongful Death • Defective Products • Insurance Claims You Deserve Full Compensation for: • Pain & Suffering • Medical Expenses • Lost Earnings • Property Damage • Car Rental P enn S tate W omen ’ s H oops C oach A ccused of B ias Pennsylvania State University said Oct. 12 it will investigate allegations that its longtime women’s basketball coach, Rene Portland, dis criminated against players she thought to be les bians. Jennifer Harris, a player who has since transferred to another school, accused Portland of repeatedly threatening to kick her off the team if she found out she was a lesbian. WASHINGTON J udge W eighs R eleasing M ayor ’ s G ay . com F iles C ounty C ommission V otes A gainst G ay W orker P rotections Florida’s Hillsborough County Commission did little to shed its reputation for hostility Compiled by S arah D ougher FLORIDA Comprehensive Financial Planning PENNSYLVANIA Embattled Spokane, Wash., Mayor Jim West is fighting media requests for access to possibly thousands of photo files found on his city-owrted computer, many of which are Internet cache files depicting men he chat ted with on Gay.com. His lawyer described the data as “infor mation on your computer you didn’t put there.... There are hundreds of people’s identities at stake here.” JH New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch, a Democrat, announ ced Oct. 6 that he opposes a proposed state constitutional amendment to pre clude Iggal marriage for gays and lesbians. He said, “Our rime is better spent focusing on the real challenges facing New Hampshire and working to unite people, not divide them.” Initial consultation with no charge or obligation i<ed of throwing away money in rent? It's not too late? There are still affordable homes and condos in the Portland area. K —Call or e-mail me today for a '■omplimentary First Time ^Buyer's Consultation. Let me help you celebrate sb your first home! ■pW- F41 * . A GRISSOM BP lisagrissom@cbseal.com KTrn Cointoi bm . h • B arbara S ue S eal tunes www.cbseal.com/lisagrissom LB W 503-699-3844 F ax 503-626-5137 503-648-7325 '2^25 SW MiujKAN WAV. SUITE 100. B.AVEFU OR 9700^
