JUNE 16. 2006
jUStlOUt
outstanding
just askin;
Dixon Gets It Done
In the most recent election cycle, the gubernatorial
candidates spoke about adopting a state sales tax.
At a recent Just Out Gay Skate Night, we asked what
you thought about this proposal.
--------------------- ----------------------------- !------------ < 7>
rom the military to the law to politics,
Frank Dixon has seen and done it all. His
most recent task as a Basic Rights Oregon
board member is to act as liaison between
the board and the organization during its
search for a new executive director.
Dixon’s history in gay activism was sparked in
the ’70s, when he was an openly gay man on active
duty at Fort Polk, La.
“I had a difficult choice to make when 1 realized
I was either bi or gay and would have to lead a dou
ble life. So I left [the military]. 1 had a sense even Frank Dixon will assume a lead role at Basic
Rights Oregon during its search for a new
at that time that there was outright discrimination
executive director.
and bars to people with a different sexual orienta
tion to pursuing a career in the military.
during his time as co-chairman. “We planned for
“My military experience has given me a very
the next likely ballot measure we’d have to fight.
acute understanding to how we’re not treated as full
But we looked at it so that, at the end of the ballot
American citizens,” said Dixon. “We have a sub process, we’d have a statewide organization in place
status, and it’s something 1 wake up with every day.”
with a solid staff, good board and excellent execu
Dixon graduated from Northwestern School of tive director either way.”
Law at Lewis & Clark College in 1979 and has
With Thorpe’s departure from BRO, Dixon said
been in Portland ever since. As a trial attorney, he
he’s not going to assume every duty she now per
represented Rich Watson, a naval ROTC assistant forms. “We’ll certainly be relieved when we do find
professor who came out and was discharged under
an executive director who will be charged with mov
“don’t ask, don’t tell.” Though the case was heard
ing forward the shared vision of the board and the
in a Seattle district court and San Francisco’s 9th
organization, which is to eliminate discrimination
Circuit Court of Appeals, it ended with an un based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”
satisfactory outcome in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Dixon, who moonlights as a farmer on his
According to Dixon, Roey Thorpe came
great-grandfather’s land in Kansas, has been in a
knocking at his door in 2001 looking for more
committed relationship with real estate broker Dan
voices to be added to BRO’s board of directors.
Volkner for 25 years.
—Malka (Jeffen
Dixon recalls many successes of the BRO board
M elanie P arker
Contract Specialist
N ate S mith
Human Resources
“I think it’s
necessary because
they’re losing out on
a lot of money from
people who come
over here and
purchase things.”
“1 think it’s probably
a good idea as long
as the proceeds go to
education and as
long as it’s on non-
essential items.”
A mber V alentine
Artist and Designer
T ony le T igre
Amateur Provocateur
“1 feel like we already
pay enough taxes,
and the government
doesn’t spend it
right.”
“I think there should
be a 50 percent sales
tax so we don’t have
problems funding
our schools. But I
don’t think it’ll pass
since they’ve tried
eight or nine times.”
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