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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 21, 2006)
MARTY DAVIS northwest Rally for Equality Queer community sees parallels between civil rights movements by Jaymee R. Cuti inmigration rights on the national agenda made it to Portland this month with a rally that drew hundreds to Terry Schrunk Plaza. The rally consisted primarily of students Ml who walked out of school or arrived with MARTY DAVIS Courthouse Square on March 4 and downtown April 14- “This has become our gay marriage issue,” said Ramón Ramírez, president of Northwest Treeplanters and Farmworkers United (PCUN), their families at noon April 10. The demonstration the state’s farmworkers union. “In order for us to was largely organized by students with the help of defend queer rights, we have to understand the local immigrants rights groups. Participants gath nature of the oppression. It’s the same thing for Hundreds rallied at Terry Schrunk Plaza in support ered at the park through word of mouth, chanting immigrants, understanding the complexity of the “¡Sí, se puede!,” a rally cry adopted from César issues that we’re facing.” David Martinez, policy and constituent rela Chavez’s United Farm Workers union meaning, The local protests are related to a national tions manager for Multnomah County “Yes, we can!” movement to resist House Bill 4437, dubbed the Commissioner Maria Rojo de Steffey, also sees Participants were opposed by two lone protesters, Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal overlap in the movements. who hung toward the back of the muddy park toting Immigration Control Act, which would make “There are a lot of parallels when a communi signs that read, “No” and “Illegals Go Home.” being in the country illegally a felony, criminalize ty is disenfranchised, when it’s scapegoated. You Some members of the sexual minorities people who help illegal immigrants and build a look at a lot of messages that are out there: un community helped spread the word and stood with 700-mile fence along the U.S.-Mexico border. The documented workers affecting the economy, Latino immigrants in their fight for civil rights. bill passed in the House on Dec. 16. resources, issues within the schools. You look at “It was beautiful to see our young people Sexual minority Latinos see many similarities attacks that the queer community has been facing, engaged in realizing that they have the constitu between the queer and immigrant rights move not just from gay marriage but from equal benefits tional right to assemble and exercise free speech,” ments and have been building solidarity for more to protections within the workplace. You look at said Melanie Davis, a Latina lesbian who recruited than a decade. the same rationale that these groups are attacked the broader activist community to the rally. “It was “In general, our communities have been based on stereotypes, misinformation and fear,” nice to see the parents and grandparents and great- silenced,” said Davis, an advertising executive with said Martinez, a gay Latino. grandparents out for support. It was great to see the Portland’s El Hispanic News. She equates immigra Ruben Rivera is a Portland-based immigration small children chanting and recognizing their tion issues to “don’t ask, don’t tell” policies faced by rights attorney and board member of Immigration future and the American dream.” the queer community. “We shouldn’t be policing Equality, a national gay and lesbian immigrant rights group. He explained some of the obstacles The rally followed an immigration rights march our own friends, families and business colleagues.” attended by tens of thousands April 10 at the Some activists see a need for all minority groups faced by undocumented sexual minority Latinos. Oregon Capitol in Salem. That demonstration was to unite to overcome a common enemy. “Immigration Equality is one of the many The Rev. Steve Witte is executive director of organizations that has advocated for same-sex supported and attended by members of Basic Rights couples and binational couples because currently Oregon. Similar rallies drew thousands to Pioneer rhe Oregon Farm Worker Ministry, an education and advocacy group. “We connect people of immigration law does not allow a same-sex partner to be sponsored by a same-sex partner,” said Rivera, faith with the farmworkers’ struggle for justice who is gay and Latino. “The queer community also and educate communities of conscience to the faces specific obstacles with people who are HIV fact that every day, our life is touched by a positive coming into the U.S.” farmworker.” Rivera said, “The government does not recog Witte, who is gay, spoke at the April 10 ral nize our families for immigration purposes and does ly and recently testified before the Senate not recognize our relationships.” Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C., for Ramirez has long seen the connection between a more humane immigration bill. “It’s the same Latino immigrants and queers. In 2005, he was narrow-minded people that are in power that keep both communities down. Instead of allow honored with BRO’s Fighting Spirit Award. “A lot of the folks you are talking about, ing groups like the religious right to splinter us members of the queer community, are hardworking into different communities, I would love to see Melanie Davis, a Latina lesbian, helped spread word people. They have families, they pay taxes, they more interaction in the two communities.” about the rally to the activist community. (g Southeast 1402 A SE 39th (39th & Hawthorne) • 503-236-8036 AV**?* A Northeast 2224 NE Alberta « 503-249-6571 www.healthypetsnw.com Mb-'’"' > of immigrant rights. contribute to the makeup of the community," he said. Ramirez could have just as easily been describ ing undocumented workers. PCUN and BRO formed a coalition through fighting discriminatory ballot measures aimed at their respective communities. During the Measure 36 campaign, PCUN members canvassed Spanish-language anti-discrimination material throughout Oregon’s Latino neighborhoods. “We’re looking to follow the lead of our coali tion partners and support in any way we can by providing resources, education and organizing activities,” said Rebekah Kassell, a spokeswoman for BRO. Ramirez admits that despite coalition-building efforts between the two minority groups, more work needs to be done. “It’s still an emerging rela tionship with the queer community. The Latino community, for the most part, is homophobic, so we have a lot of work to do in education and why it’s important to be for the rights of all people, including queers.” According to Ramirez, the agenda is set from the top, and he makes a point to speak about queer equality at every public event he attends. “I’m in a position to influence people, and I feel like it’s my responsibility to show leadership in supporting our gay, lesbian and transgender brothers and sisters. That’s what allies are there for, right.7” Ramirez said. “I’m going to defend queer rights 'til the day 1 die." 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