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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2007)
J^UStOUtjUNE },2QQ7 out ingoili out national CALIFORNIA Judge Rules for Same-Sex Adoptive Parents Mon Thins 4pm • 1 2om Fri 3pni Close Amazingly Great Breakfast And Lunch PUBLIC HOUSE & BREWERY COMING SOON 10 H£ 51" ST. & SANDY BLVD! 1801 NE Broadway Mon-Frl 6 am to 2:30 pm Sat-Sun 7 am to 3 pm Michael and Rich Butler, a couple in San Jose, Calif., successfully resolved their landmark discrimination suit May 21 against the operators of the for-profit Web sites Adoption.com and ParentProfiles.com. “This case was about ensuring that these businesses stop discriminating against same-sex couples in California by excluding them from offering loving, stable homes to children,” said Michael Butler, a plaintiff in the case. In 2004, the Butlers filed a lawsuit after the defendants refused to post their profile online solely because they are a same-sex couple. The defendants’ Web sites charge fees for posting pro files of potential adoptive parents. Using the sites, birth parents can search those profiles to choose potential adoptive parents for their children. San Francisco federal district court judge Phyllis J. Hamilton issued a decision March 30 holding that California law applies to the defendants and permitting the Butlers to take their case to trial. According to the settlement, the sites have agreed to either comply with state nondiscrimination law or cease providing their services to Californians. City in Kansas Might Register Domestic Partners Lawrence might soon become the first city in Kansas to register same-sex partners for domestic partnership benefits. State law prohibits gay cou ples from marrying. The registry, which could be operational by Aug. 1, would allow unmarried couples to file paperwork at the City Clerk’s Office that will recognize their domestic partnership. The registry will require both partners to be 18 or older and “live together in a relationship of indefinite duration with a mutual commitment in which the partners share the necessities of life and are financially interdependent.” An undetermined registration fee will cover the administrative costs of the program. The domestic partnership registry, proposed by Kansas Equality Coalition members, would serve as proof of relationship status required by some compa- nies offering domestic partnership health benefits. The opposing vote was cast by City Commissioner Mike Amyx, who said he preferred to defer judgment to the state. Opponents, including some members of the state Legislature, said the registry would create a loophole around the same-sex marriage ban. A legal opinion from the attorney general said the city’s registry would not violate the constitutional amendment. NEBRASKA Nebraska Defeats Gay Civil Rights Bill The Nebraska Legislature continued its 14-year tradition of voting down gay civil rights legislation May 23 when the Senate voted 24-15 to kill a bill that would add sexual orientation to the state’s existing nondiscrimination statute. The bill had been introduced by state Sen. Ernie Chambers, D-Omaha. . Opposing state Sens. Tony Fulton, R-Lincoln, and Tom Carlson, R-Holdrege, claimed the bills would give gays “special rights” and wouldn’t be an issue if their sexuality was kept “in the closet.” Lawmakers attempted to pass a similar bill in the previous session, but it was defeated in commit tee. Another civil rights bill that would ban discrimination against sexual minorities in hiring situations was defeated in 2005. Fourteen years ago, state Sen. Tim Hall of Omaha introduced the first proposal to provide job protections to gays and lesbians. NEW YORK AIDS Walk Breaks Records The 22nd annual AIDS Walk New York was the largest and most successful fund-raiser of its kind May 20, setting records for both participation and fund raising. Organizers announced that 45,000 walkers helped raise a grand total of $6,857,527. “None of us walks alone, and the success of AIDS Walk is a testament to our ability to work, walk and succeed together,” said Marjorie J. Hill, chief executive officer of Gay Men’s Health Crisis. “AIDS Walk is proof that New Yorkers care very deeply about AIDS here in New York City, the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic in the U.S.” AIDS Walk opening ceremonies featured the —» J WWW.UIIHNe9IBKKHI.C0Mk (503) 287-4750 About 45,000 AIDS Walk New York participants set records for fund raising and participation.
