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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 20, 2007)
APRII 20. 2007 bill The lUSt.OUt 17 now moves to both cham bers for floor votes. Although the bill Better Sleep for Less (360) 260-2222 appears to have a solid chance of passing, We carry the largest selection of Simmons and Tempurpedic in the N.W. Republican Gov. M. Free (Same or Next day) Delivery - We pay the sales tax! Jodi Rell has threat ened a veto. ITe take PRIDE in our prices and PRIDE in our service! According to state Next to Ross Dress for Less - Across the street from Vancouver Mall 4708-B NE Thurston Way, Vancouver, WA 98662 (360) 260-2222 Rep. Michael Lawlor, D-East Haven, co- chairman of the com mittee, it is difficult to • - Amy Sorrell, a journalism teacher from Indiana, might be fired for a student editorial about intolerance toward gays. speculate how the governor will vote, with the decision, acknowledging the measures defeat. opinions on same-sex marriage evolving rapidly. A House vote was the last hurdle it needed to Bring in this ad and receive a FREE umbrella! clear before being placed on the 2008 ballot. INDIANA Hearing Set for Journalism Teacher WcxxJlan Junior-Senior High School journalism However, the General Assembly still could pass the amendment next year, and voters could still vote in 2008. teacher Amy Sorrell’s future will be discussed at an April 28 hearing she requested. The educator was placed on paid leave by the Gay Rights Bills Prove Victorious district last month after a student’s opinion piece The Maryland House of Delegates passed legis ran in the school newspaper, questioning those who lation requiring health insurance companies to are intolerant of gays. She was informed that the write policies inclusive of domestic partners and board would consider terminating her contract at children up to the age of 25, at the request of an its May 1 meeting for alleged insubordination, employer. neglect of duty, substantial inability to perform teaching duties and other reasons. The 122-18 vote t<x>k place April 10. The bill has Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley’s desk for signing. porters a chance to speak. When they tried to The legislation was proposed by Equality address the school board at a meeting in March, Maryland after hearing reports from same-sex they were silenced by board president Stephen couples that their employers were amenable to Terry, because he said the board may have to deter offering domestic partner benefits but that they mine whether to fire Sorrell as a district employee. were unable to purchase such a policy from their Association representative for East Allen County insurance companies. This was one of several bills benefiting the Schools, asked for more details regarding the alle sexual gations and had yet to receive them April 10. Legislation also passed that authorized insurers minorities community this issuing policies of group life insurance to extend during the hearing, he will present the administra coverage to domestic partners of the member who tion’s evidence and arguments for terminating is covered. council. For Pride Package details please call 503-236-1253 Find out how you can receive a FREE WEB SITE BUSINESS DIRECTORY AD with the purchase of a Pride Package. CityGuys want you to session. The school’s attorney, Tim McCaulay, said that Sorrell. The board has also secured separate legal PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS OR EVENT TO THE LARGEST GLBT READERSHIP IN THE STATE. already passed in the Senate and now moves to The hearing, Sorrell said, would allow her sup jack Groch, the Indiana State Teachers PRIDE IS COMING! GET TESTED! A third bill passed allowing gays and lesbians to sue for compensatory damages in discrimination The board does not expect a decision to be cases. Previously, Maryland law only allowed made at the April 28 hearing but will likely sched litigants to bring claims of employment discrimina ule a closed session before the May 1 meeting to tion to federal courts, denying access to state courts discuss the matter. for gay Marylanders who are not protected from discrimination under federal law. Marriage Ban Dies in Committee An attempt to ban same-sex marriage in the An Indiana House committee voted down state was defeated in committee. Same-sex couples a proposed same-sex marriage ban April 3, to the are awaiting a ruling on same-sex marriage from the glee of gay rights supporters and large companies state’s highest court. that opposed the ban. Strategists suggest the move likely killed the initiative in the 2007 legislative session. Civil Unions Inch Toward Reality “This truly is significant,” said John Joanette, A crowd of approximately 400 people attended a lobbyist for Indiana Equality. “This was all about a Senate hearing April 10 in Concord, N.H., that doing what’s right for the state of Indiana and the lasted for five hours. people of Indiana." The House Rules and Legislative Procedures Committee voted the measure down in a 5-5 vote. A majority was needed to pass out of committee. The hearing focused on House Bill 437, a civil en’s wellnes 928 SW Stark St. House. by state Reps. Jim Splaine, Though some of the ban's opponents, such as D-Portsmouth, and Dana Hilliard, D-Somersworth, state Rep. Terri J. Austin, D-Anderson, agree that the bill would allow same-sex couples to form legal marriage should remain between one man and one ly binding partnerships with all of the rights and woman, they say the bill’s phrasing might weaken responsibilities of marriage. If the bill passes, New chances for domestic partnership legislation to pass Hampshire would be the first state to offer gay in the future. unions without court intervention. 503.445.7699 cityguys@cascadeaids.org CityGuys a program of Cascade AIDS l^ro/act in partnership with >CAI= org State Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Wheatfield, the measure’s author, voiced disappointed with t union bill that passed by a 243-129 vote in the Sponsored Compiled by J aymee R. CUTI M tree rapid HlV testing llüü eiu screening by men, L LLLlrLL ■ j^LLLL I Tuesdays 5:30- OkJSlLE
