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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 7, 2006)
XIL1A FAYE JULY 7.2006jUStOUt 11 Equality on Task Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s Taskforce on Equality met June 30 in Portland. It engaged in its ongoing charge: to make recommendations about how to proceed in ensuring pro tection against discrimina tion based on sexual orien tation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations and other opportunities. The current focus is the education of committee members on the condition of local, state and federal law and precedents in the courts through the testimo ny of expert witnesses. Experts David Hicks, attorney Tiffany Harris and Marcia Ohlemiller of the Bureau of Labor and Industries presented case studies of harassment, the scope of current statutes providing protections across the state and the absence of comprehensive state or fed eral standards. The meeting Freedom Patriot Riders arrive in Clackamas to shield family was at times a free-flowing members from the threat of God Hates Fags protesters at the conversation. Most task funeral of fallen soldier Robert L. Jones. force members actively when members picketed and provoked attendees of requested information and clarification from the the 1998 funeral for Matthew Shepard in Laramie, experts and colleagues present. Wyo. Since then, as an ongoing church activity, Considered were Li vs. Oregon, Knight vs. the group has traveled to make confrontational Superior Court, a California Court of Appeals appearances at the funerals of military personnel opinion and the Tanner vs. Oregon Health Sciences University cases. throughout the country. The experts on hand concluded that 1998’s Not even Sweden is safe from condemnation. The group has constructed a memorial to celebrate Tanner decision did not address equal protection Swedish nationals killed by the tsunami that for the queer community, a common misconcep devastated Southeast Asia in 2004. “Pray for tion, but only to the plaintiffs, employees of Sweden’s annihilation," states one report, as OHSU. While being a step forward, it did not Swedes passed provisions outlawing harassment bring the statewide issue to the court. Up for discussion was the false dichotomy now based on sexual orientation. But the Westboro church has not gone advanced by political conservatives surrounding “immutability.” The question posed is whether unchallenged. A group of motorcyclists calling themselves the rights and protections can only be legally ensured Patriot Guard Riders formed to protect mourners if sexual orientation is an "immutable” or from disruption. The nonpartisan organization, unchangeable state, like race or gender. Discussion which publicly will make no statement regarding moved to gender and how it is no longer God Hates Fags, came into being as the harassment immutable through surgical reassignment. More became publicized. Patriot Guard Riders only arrive importantly, the state already provides protections to classes of people who are defined purely by when invited and act to shield mourners from any personal choice—smokers, juvenile offenders, protest. Nationwide membership now tops 43,000, with an average of 1,500 new members joining divorcées, pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers—thus nullifying the nature vs. nurture monthly. Hundreds of bikers from the Patriot Guard debate from a legal perspective. Also presented was a federal government arrived waving U.S. flags at both funerals for Jones on June 29 in Clackamas and 'Ricker on July 1 in accounting office report from July 9, 2002, demon Redmond. Bikers at both events expressed strating that in states that had implemented civil repulsion at the disrespect shown by the Westboro unions and civil rights legislation, no prohibitive financial burden was recorded. church members’ previous behavior. The task force’s next meeting is Aug. 3 in “There’s a time and a place for everything. Common sense and reason call for respect. They Salem. A location has yet to be announced. Meeting minutes are available at www.oregon.gov/ could do that in any public space," said Patriot taskforce_on_equa 1 i ty. © Guard Rider Linda “Epic-woman” Snyder. “We’re just hoping that Americans will become more concerned with who died than with whatever Paris Compiled by J aymee R. C uti , M alka G effen and G abriel P ettyjohn Hilton’s up to.” On a first name basis with you and your car. SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY ADVOCACY SERVICES To navigate the social security system sucessfully, choose a partner who knows the system and cares about you! NO fees until benefits are paid to you. JOELLEN SHANNON german^rrmula inc. 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