FEBRUARY 17, 2006 JUStjOUt 19 ^^ÿillamette Financial Group, LLC NBC-KSL TV, UTAH “The Supreme Court has made it crystal clear that, when it comes to their sex lives, consenting adults are free to do what­ ever they please in pri­ vate,” said Joann Bell, executive director of the ACLU of Oklahoma. “According to the police report, [the Rev. Lonnie Latham] did nothing more Charles Merrill, a North Carolina artist and tax resister, enjoys a sunny than invite another man day in Venice, Italy. to his hotel room for con­ organized and protested an anti-gay resolution in sensual sex. It is not a crime merely to invite Rutherford County, N.C., which caught the atten­ someone to have completely lawful sex. If it were tion of national media. otherwise, every bar in the state may as well shut its doors.” ■■»«»■■I Latham was arrested Jan. 3 on the misdemeanor Florida Marriage Ban Effort Fails charge of “Offering to Engage in an Act of Florida4Marriage.org collected only 455,000 of Lewdness.” According to the police report, he the 611,009 petition signatures needed to place a approached a male plainclothes police officer and invited the officer back to his hotel room for oral marriage definition amendment on a statewide bal­ lot this year, The Orlando Sentinel reported Feb. 3. sex. It is not alleged that Latham offered money in The effort was backed by the state Republican exchange for the sex act. Party. Florida law already states that marriage is a Latham's arrest, which generated a significant contract between one man and one woman; the •amount of media attention, forced him to resign petition effort would have allowed voters to add from his position as a board member of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. discriminatory language to the state constitution. Floreid Walker 3529 NE Broadway f™ Portland, OR 97232 503.445.9390 ext.101 floreid@wfgadvisors.com Greg Look 3550 Liberty Rd. S*™ Salem, OR 97302 503.566.7266 ext.114 greg(o> wfgad vise )rs.c< >m Call one of us today for more information! www.wfgadvisors.com Southeast 1402 Â SE 39th (39th & Hawthorne) • 503-236-8036 Northeast 2224 NE Alberta • 503-249-6571 www.healthypetsnw.com IOWA Lawsuit Seeks Marriage Equality Six gay and lesbian cou­ ples have filed suit for pro­ tection of their marriage rights in Iowa’s first battle to bring gay marriage to the Midwest. Polk County lawyers filed their first official response to the couples’ lawsuit Feb. 6, a written “answer” that formally con­ A youth displays legislative trading cards designed by members of the tests the couples’ legal Gay Straight Alliance during a meeting at the Utah Capitol. claims but takes no posi­ tion on same-sex marriage, according to The Des UTAH Moines Register. Bill Would Ban Gay Straight The lawsuit was brought by Lambda Legal and Alliances in Schools is probably six months away from a decision. The Republican state Sen. Chris Buttars has intro­ duced a hill to ban clubs that “involve human sex­ decision will certainly be appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court after that. uality,” with an intent to eliminate Gay Straight Alliances in schools throughout Utah, according to VERMONT a report Feb. 3 in The Salt Lake Tribune. Governor Doesn't Want to Revisit The Utah Progressive Network held a mock Gay Marriage Issue GSA meeting Jan. 27 in the state Capitol cafeteria Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas said Feb. 6 he would hoping to lure legislators. Three attended the oppose a bill introduced Feb. 1 in the House of student-led meeting. Representatives that would extend full marriage A similar but more aggressive measure also rights to gay couples. might be introduced - that likely will require In 2000 Vermont was the first state to pass civ­ parental notification, including a possible parental il unions for same-sex couples. Douglas said he is rating system for clubs. GSA members said they not in favor of revisiting the issue. will fight the legislation. “All of you remember the experience we had about five years ago here which was very, very divi­ OKLAHOMA sive, and I don’t want to go through that again. ACLU: Dismiss Soliciting Charges I think most Vermonters would say, as I would, that Against Baptist Minister we ought to leave the law the way it is and not try The American Civil Liberties Union filed a to change it at this point,” Douglas said, according friend-of-the-court brief Feb. 1 urging an toGay365.com. © Oklahoma court to dismiss charges against a Southern Baptist minister who was arrested for soliciting private sex with another male. ♦ Retirement ♦ Life Insurance ♦ College Planning ♦ Long - Term Care ♦ Sustainable Investing Compiled by SARAH DOUGHER -.* - Psychic ave you been feeling SAI), DEPRESSED, LONELY, STRESSED? Are you tired of searching for answers? Do you feel surrounded by bad luck? In need of help? Why be feeling that way when I can help guide you to your true path of happiness. I helped guide many people to their true meaning of life, and I hope that you will give me the same chance to guide you also. 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