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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 2005)
DECEMBER 2.2005 Richard Voss, GRi abr Principal Broker / Owner Peninsula Realty 6110 N Lombard St Portland. OR 97203 Business (503) 286-5826 Cell (503) 804-9424 Introducing Ted Wheeler Meet the incumbent's challenger for Multnomah County chair •Full Service Real Estate Office • On Site Real Estate School •Full Service Property Management Se habla Español • Notary Services • Fax Machine Services •In office Closings •On site Mortgage Broker t=J See aai ^e(fi MMted ad ett northwest ci-iae richard vosstc century21 com www century2 lpeninsula.com Each office is independently owned and operated by Jaymee R. Cuti MARTY DAVIS 14 JUStjOUt ixth-generation Oregonian Ted Wheeler, S who is running for Multnomah County chair, says it would be a tragedy if this race split gays, lesbians, bisexuals and trans gender people. He says both he and his opponent, incumbent Diane Unn, believe in equal access for queer people and support same-sex marriage. ‘‘As an elected leader, I’m going to stand up for all citizens, including LGBT people, not just at the county but at the state level,” said Wheeler. He stresses the importance of this election to queers because the county is one of the biggest providers of human serv ices and makes many decisions relevant to the sexual minority population. For example, $3.5 million of the county’s budget is earmarked for HIV/AIDS services through its health department, and $5 million is spent on sexually trans mitted disease prevention. “I want to do my best to keep these programs run ning. When leadership is lacking, all programs are Ted Wheeler stands for equal rights with his campaign manager, Barbara Wilier, who is a lesbian. threatened," said Wheeler. -C He references the importance of clarifying poli H cies surrounding visitation, inheritance, housing, 602 SE 38th Ave. Portland, OR 97214 503.231.39i2 Wed - Sat. PAUL MITCHELL employment and child support in same-sex relation ships among other issues germane to the queer fight for civil rights. “There needs to be a clear and unequivocal policy of equality on those issues and others,” he said. it positive people to better hiv If you are positive and HIV-positive, you are just the type of person we need for our research study. The 20-year quest for new HIV/AIDS treatments continues on behalf of the 930,000 Americans living with HIV and the 40,000 additional Americans who are infected each year. You may qualify to participate in a clinical research study to test the safety and effectiveness of two newly FDA-approved, combination once- daily HIV medications in combination with another FDA-approved HIV drug if you: equal rights for sexual minorities. “There’s no question in my mind. I know that he will step up to do the right thing,” she said. he will happily return to that position if his skills are not needed as county chair. He has worked to grow and manage a Portland financial services company, Copper Mountain Trust, The commissioner is hosting a meeting 5:30 p.m. into the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. Dec. 7 at No Fish Go Fish, 3952 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Managing a budget of $6 billion—more than six times to introduce queers to Wheeler. the size of Multnomah County’s annual budget—has Despite the risk Wheeler’s challenger took to offer Despite self-proclaimed gay-friendliness, Wheeler helped prepare Wheeler to lead. The company was same-sex marriage in Multnomah County, facing death lacks accomplishments and participation in queer counted among the top 50 companies in Oregon to threats and a recall campaign, Wheeler has already specific causes. Wheeler himself points out a difference work two years ago when it merged with Union Bank. racked up endorsements from prominent queers and between what he has done for queers and what he plans According to the former human resources manag gay rights supporters. to do. His most measurable accomplishment fighting for er at Copper Mountain Trust, the company offered Most notable on that list are Commissioners Lisa queer rights is within the Boy Scouts, an organization domestic partnership benefits and had a nondiscrim Naito and Maria Rojo de Steffey, who also played a that rejects gay participation. Wheeler, who is an Eagle ination clause in place, including sexual orientation. hand in the county’s decision to grant same-sex mar Scout, says he has repeatedly pushed both local and riage licenses. national leaders to be more inclusive to gays. He is also “I think Ted can bring credibility back to this a past supporter of Cascade AIDS Project. “1 would like to encourage local businesses to offer domestic partnership benefits,” Wheeler said. Among Wheeler’s work with local nonprofits, he organization. He has good business experience, and Wheeler says he is running for public office volunteers for Portland Ambassadors, an organization he also has done social service volunteer work most because of a leadership vacuum and reportedly low aiming to attract new jobs and keep existing jobs in of his adult life," said Rojo. “I truly don’t believe Diane morale among county workers. Oregon; helped lead an effort by philanthropic leaders I Linn | has offered the kind of leadership that we need in this &>unty.” “I want to bring common sense, accountability and to create a statewide nonprofit association; and has leadership to the chair’s office,” he said. This includes been an executive committee member for the Cascade a transparent and easy-to-follow budget, closer bonds Pacific Council, the group that oversees the Boy Scouts between the nonprofit and business sectors, a collab of Oregon and southwest Washington. He was a citizen’s orative relationship with all county commissioners, representative appointed by Mayor Tom Potter to help environmental responsibility, a holistic look at public craft Portland’s $ 1.8 billion city budget and plans to use safety with sensitivity to mental health care and elevat that process as a model to create the county’s budget. ed attention to queer youth. • are at least 18 years of age • are infected with HIV • have never taken medication to treat your HIV • are willing and able to understand and provide written informed consent All study-related office visits, medical exams, and study medications are provided at no cost to qualified participants. teer rescuer with Portland Mountain Rescue. He are the dollars we spend to keep the mentally ill out of founded the Walk for the Wildwood Trail, the largest jail,” he said. annual fund-raiser supporting Friends of Forest Park. As the child of a recovering alcoholic, Wheeler is Wheeler attended Portland Public Schools and tuned in to the plight of homeless kids and under graduated from Stanford University with a degree in stands the relationship between being homosexual and economics. He also earned a master of business homelessness, as approximately 30 percent of home administration degree from Columbia University and a less youth identify as queer. master of public policy degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government. I know the consequences of not reaching out to kids After his formal education, Wheeler wrote a book who are affected by drug and alcohol issues,” said called Governments That Work: Innovations in State Wheeler, who has volunteered at the Goose Hollow and Local Government and was invited to teach local government courses at Northeast University. © Family Shelter for the past six years. “If we reach out Ted Wheeler demonstrates his Eagle Scout prowess while challenging the Boy Scouts on their homophobic policies. Wheeler is an outdoor enthusiast and active volun “The best dollars we can spend on public safety “I grew up in an alcoholic household. That’s why For more information, please contact Lisa at FflkVkvo Crcete. CU fvî - ô 5O3-+5Q.oyLS ext. 30 Rojo says she is confident that Wheeler supports to them at an early age, it saves both them and the county costs in the long run.” Wheeler works as a business consultant and says For more information about T ed W heeler visit www.wbeelerforcountycbair.com.