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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 16, 2007)
MARTY DAVIS Report Card Just Out polls lawmakers to gauge support in Salem by Jack Turteltaub ust Out informally polled a range of law recommendations of the governor’s Task Force on I of Multnomah and Clackamas makers to gauge support in Salem. Some Equality. She has also been a strong, consistent counties. She is serving her legislators indicated their support for the supporter of gay rights for her urban district. third term in the House. hills hut declined our interview requests. Rosenbaum stated: “1 have spent my political Just Out also contacted the office of life, even before I was an elected official, fighting believes strongly in separation state Rep. Karen Minnis, who sealed her negative for LGBT rights. 1 worked to defeat Measure 36 and of church and state and that reputation with the gay community when she sat on the campaigns to defeat all the (Oregon religious extremists have, in single-handedly stopped a comprehensive hill from Citizens Alliance] ballot measures." the past, blocked the rights Tomei said that she being voted on the floor of the House in 2005. She How> important are these bills to Rosenbaum? due to nonheterosexual cou did not respond to our inquiry to affirm that she She responded, “Anti-discrimination and civil ples. She added, "Civil rights continues to oppose (or has changed her mind union legislation will be a top priority for me” in and responsibilities should not about) legalizing gay rights in Oregon. the 2007 session. be dictated by religious beliefs, Rosenbaum vividly remembered the 2005 battle Sen. Kate Brown but rather by civil law.” over SB 1000. “My colleagues and 1 in the House of Tomei also acknowledges Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown, D-Portland, Representatives attempted every parliamentary legitimate religious concerns, whose district includes parts of the city’s east side option available to have (the bill] brought to the noting, “Many of the people and Milwaukie, has been a strong supporter of queer House flixir for a vote.” She noted, “In this legislative who voted against gay marriage did so because they rights for many years. “I’ve been working on this for session, Speaker Jeff Merkley [D-Portland] has been favored civil unions, which don’t carry the same Kotek is eager to point out the importance of 16 years; this is a lifetime fight,” Brown said. openly supportive of civil religious connotations." She believes SB 1000 the bills to the economy and business. By increas would’ve passed in 2005 if a vote had been allowed ing fairness and equality, Oregon would be a better on the House floor. place to live and work if the hills pass. As a conse She’s cautiously optimistic. “I’m certainly hope discrimination for GLBT Oregonians.” ful that this will be the year. But SB 2 and HB 2007 will only pass because of community support.” unions and anti She is hopeful about the bills’ chances. “The current makeup of the Legislature affords us the She urges constituents to stay involved. “I think opportunity to make this a reality.” the bills are fair. I think there is a critical mass here, Rosenbaum is unwavering, regardless of threats [but) it is absolutely critical that the people who of backlash. “No political risk would be worth care about these bills stay involved.” abandoning such an important cause as equality. House Democrats gather for a huddle on the House floor. same-sex couples in my district.” Tomei’s personal position is unequivocal. She sup quence, more people will want to live and raise ports both bills. “Gay and lesbian families should families here. Businesses may choose to locate here have the same rights as any heterosexual families. to take advantage of the benefits conferred to their They should also carry the same responsibilities.” sexual minority employees. Rep. Tina Kotek Rep. Brad Witt She points out that both bills are “finely tuned.” While I doubt that 100 percent of my constituents A strong religious exemption is included to protect will agree with my support for civil unions and anti Rep. Tina Kotek, D-Portland, a member of the Rep. Brad Witt, D-Clatskame, has been a sawmill freedoms guaranteed in the Oregon and U.S. discrimination, I am lucky to represent a district in queer community, is dealing with her first term and worker and union organizer as well as a lobbyist for 24 Constitutions. which my support is shared by a majority of my the recent death of her mother. She was elected in years. He has been secretary-treasurer of the Oregon constituents.” 2006 to her House seat representing parts of North American Federation of Libor and Congress of and Northeast Portland. She has had to be a quick Industrial Organizations and works for the United study in legislative folkways and procedures, but her Fixxl and Commercial Workers Union Local 555. If these bills become law, Brown said, “1 would feel humbled and grateful.” The bisexual lawmaker attributes many factors to her hopeful disposition. Rep. Peter Buckley “1 think the dynamic changed with the leadership Rep. Peter Buckley, D-Ashland, responded to our inquiries, saying he strongly supports the measures. going Democratic.” Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski also made fair Buckley’s district includes Talent and Phoenix. work as a legislative advocate has given her some advanced preparation for the job. Witt strongly supports equality for Oregon’s gay citizens. “1 was a supporter of SB 1000 and Kotek shared her perspective on the bills, stating have always been a supporter of equal rights. ness and equality an issue in his campaign, and Buckley said, if the hills pass, “it will be a great that she feels both are enjoying lots of support. Those of us in organized labor have long believed there has been bipartisan support. “Ben Westlund day for our state. Civil rights are civil rights. There “1 think this may be the year. The world is changing. that the measure of a person is the work that they (a Republican-tumed-Democrat from Tumalo) and is no right that 1 enjoy as a straight male that a gay Democrats in Oregon campaigned on fairness and perform.” Frank Morse [R-Albany] have taken leadership male, a lesbian or anyone else should not be able to equality.” She’s pleased that the session is off to roles.” enjoy.” The lawmaker added, “I’ve been a consistent a great start. “1 feel gixid about our priorities.” supporter of gay rights atflong as 1 can remember.” Witt believes civil unions are important “so that society recognizes the importance of all families and Kotek also appreciates how carefully the hills are so that families may enjoy the full legal protection Buckley believes his constituency will back him written. She notes that HB 2007 is “a response to the offered under Oregon law.” To those who oppose Rosenbaum, up, too. “This will come as no surprise to the peo post-Measure 36 world. It is a completely different equality for sexual minorities, he said, “Oregonians D-Portland, represents a district that overlaps parts ple in my district. I was very clear on my support statute than the marriage statute.” She said, “The traditionally have a high level of intolerance for of Southeast and Northeast Portland. She is serv during my campaign for the Legislature in 2004.” next step will be equal protection under the law.” intolerance.” Rep. Diane Rosenbaum In the House, Rep. Diane ing her fifth term. Rosenbaum is the speaker pro tempore. As chair Rep. Carolyn Tomei Kotek feels that'SB 2 is also a strong bill and Witt doesn’t take this fight for granted. For contains provisions for specific protections, such as both bills to pass, he says, “The chances would be significantly improved by a grassroots lobbying effort.” © woman of the House Ethics, Elections and Rules Rep. Carolyn Tomei, D-Milwaukie, represents a discrimination against students. 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