northwest Just Say Yes Campaign launches to uphold gay civil rights by Julie Sabatier ot 10 days after Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed laws recognizing same-sex couples and prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orien­ tation, his secretary of state approved referendums on both bills for circulation. An ad hoc group calling itself Defense of , Marriage and Family, AGAIN! is circulating peti­ tions in an attempt to gather the 55,179 signatures required to refer the Oregon Family Fairness Act, House Bill 2007, and the Oregon Equality Act, Senate Bill 2, to the November 2008 ballot. “I’m just confident that those 57 legislators and the governor were not speaking for the majority of Oregonians. Oregonians are not confused on the • issue,” said former Republican state Sen. Marylin . Shannon of Salem, who calls herself an “agent” for the three chief petitioners. Shannon says she and the three chief petitioners oppose the Oregon Family Fairness Act, which would grant same-sex couples the rights of marriage under state law, because it contradicts the will of the major­ ity of Oregon voters who passed Measure 36, which changed the state constitution in 2004 to define mar­ riage as between “one man and one woman.” “I just know Oregonians do not support Portland’s liberal values, and we consider marriage between one man and one woman,” she said. Asked why the group is against the Oregon N Equality Act, she explained: “1 think that this is extending special rights to homosexuals, bisexuals, transvestites and the gender identity people who haven’t decided if they’re a man or a woman.... The homosexuals on average make more than the rest of us, and now they’re going to have more. They’re not underprivileged.” Jack Brown Jr. of Grants Pass, chairman of the Constitution Party, was the first to file referendums on HB 2007 and SB 2, but he quickly withdrew his application once the second group filed its applica­ tion. “It’s a big effort, and 1 figured if someone else wanted to head it up, that’s fine with me,” he said. According to Shannon, the chief petitioners for the referendums—Janice Bentson of Keizer, Aleksandr Voronko of Salem and Carolyn Wendell of Stayton—are simply concerned citizens, not affil­ iated with any group, party or so-called “coalition.” “We’re not connected to Defense of Marriage,” she said. “Other groups are wanting to get involved and be on the bandwagon and all that stuff, but the chief petitioners are not connected to any group.” Although Brown says he’s been circulating petitions, he acknowledges that neither he nor the Constitution Party are officially involved with the core group of petitioners. “There’s no one really in charge of anything. It’s kind of confusing at times," he said. Shannon denied that her group has received any Ik about it funding thus far. “The only thing we’ve spent money on is printing—$400 on printing and that’s it. Several of us wrote $100 checks," she said. According to rhe secretary of state Web site, the group will A referendum has been filed in protest of the gey civil rights pay petitioners, but Shannon package signed May 9 by Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski. says that’s just to safeguard against any possible compensation petitioners might bigger, bolder and, I think, smarter than any receive from other groups circulating the forms. campaign that has ever been run before. What’s at She says that her group has access to a list of stake here is like nothing we’ve ever had at stake people who signed petitions in support of before," said interim communications director Measure 36 but that it might not have the money Melissa Chemaik, noting that this is the first time to do a direct mail campaign. BRO would be urging people to vote a “yes” on “There isn’t any plan right now. We’re just trying a ballot measure. to get people involved and circulate them,” she said. Last month, BRO launched a “Pledge to Defend Although Shannon’s group won’t know for sure Equality” campaign. The pledge, available at the until the fall if the referendum will have enough BRO Web site, states that supporters will refuse to valid signatures to qualify for the 2008 ballot, Basic sign “anti-equality” petitions and, should the refer­ Rights Oregon is taking action now to defend the endums make it to the ballot, that they will vote newly acquired rights. The state’s largest nonprofit “yes” to retain the laws signed by Kulongoski in May. gay rights organization is teaming with some of “We are in the early stages,” said Chemaik. “We Oregon’s biggest corporate players, including Nike do feel really fortunate that we have such a long and the Portland Business Alliance, along with lead time, but it doesn’t mean that we’re going to rest. ” ® smaller church and community groups, to launch a massive education and outreach campaign. “The campaign is going to, in many ways, look J ulie S abatier is a Portland freelance writer and radio producer. the way a campaign looks, but in many ways be Great Healthcare Happy People! • • • / » Bridge City... Your Clinic That Cares! F amily Hy Appointment nt doser. Wart ta stapwarryiifabartlNW ta discuss yairHVstatis? Uatin ta take tte stress art rttaltin with frícate ate fuiihaMllviif with IIV? Wart marc litimacy aid passiaa aid less warryiuyaur sex life? 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