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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 21, 2007)
I8.,just|out st.riLMfiuui.aw northwest Bias Crimes Explained Bias crime detectives team up to tackle this tough topic by Julie Sabatier H. D wayne R ealty T rust D avis , Broker AS YOUR AGENT I WILL: • Listen to you • Communicate throughout the process • Be present through closing and beyond ^»^. crouf ^ xu ? Cell 503/319-4.057 Office 5O3/294-IIOI Email hddavis@realtytrust.com www.realtytrust.com/hdwaynedavis Let’s talk about your needs and create a strategy for your future. WE HELP PROPERTY OWNERS... RIVER VIEWS One bdrm, one bath unit with large open floor plan. Private deck overlooking the Tualatin river. Dock access, garage, laundry, nice kitchen with r I J i gas range. Includes utilities. Accessible. No pets. ó $ 1,095 per month - first two weeks free! • •• LIKE NOBODY'S BUSINESS 503.922.0600 CHECK OUT THE JUST OUT PHOTO GALLERY, BABYCAKES. WWW.JUSTOUT.COM HIRING A MOTIVATED SALES REPRESENTATIVE! If you are ready for a dynamic career in health services sales & marketing with a company that honors who you are, we want to talk to you! Please forward your resume to HR@signaturehospice.com or call 800-936-4756 HOSPICE 40% SALE “Seil” Classic Handnuik Persian Rugs 923 NW 14th Avenue Portland, Oregon (503) 227-7847 www.heritagekxims.net SIZES: 3x5- lOx 13 & runners Save up to 40% and more on fine authentic handmade traditional, tribal & Gabbeh rugs. Truly, one of a kind. Ithough Portland is widely considered partnership and nondiscrimination laws. a safe city for sexual minorities, local “I’d be a little more diligent and a little more crime statistics show that almost half of vigilant, but I don’t really think it’s going to be this the 33 reported Bias crimes in 2007 were witch hunt,” said Grose. based on sexual orientation or gender. He stressed the importance of reporting a crime, “It’s going to he the gays that are far more even if you suspect the police might not be able to persecuted in these things,” said former Portland follow up. “This person who does this is going to bias crimes detective Brian Grose. “And the sever get holder and bolder, and [you] may he saving ity of the crimes against gay people are typically someone from being actually killed someday,” he a lot worse.” explained. - Grose, who is 44 and straight, is part of Basic Michaels and Grose emphasized that although Rights Oregon’s 50 Voices for Equality project. He alcohol often plays a factor in bias crimes, it should says most of the reported crimes are assaults of some not prevent a victim from reporting an attack. “We need them to call in and tell us those things are kind, ranging from verbal threats to physical violence, vandalism and theft. happening, and just because you’re drunk doesn’t In July, Grose passed the task of investigating mean somebixly has the right to come and do these crimes to detective Michele Michaels, 41, something," said Michaels. who is a lesbian. Both were quick to point out that a detective’s sexual orientation has little to do with how he or she does the job. “For the most part, it’s investigating a case as though it’s a case,” said Grose. “And they pick people for the bias crimes position based on their investigative skill and whether or not they ‘get it’ and whether or not they believe in it.” Michaels joined the Portland force six years ago after leaving a career in teaching that brought her to such varied locations as an English-language school in Guam, where she taught literature, and Clackamas Community College, where she taught writing and English. She said her experi ence as ah ethnic minority in Guam might he one of the reasons she “gets it.” Part of what makes bias crimes work nuanced is figuring out what constitutes a bias crime. The main focus is on the intentions of the attacker, meaning if some one is attacked because someone else makes an assumption about his or her sex ual orientation, it’s a bias crime regardless Detective Michele Michaels encourages readers to of the victim’s actual orientation. report hate crimes to the Portland Police Bureau. State law considers an assault to he a bias crime if it is based on the victim’s race, .color, reli As real estate on Southwest Stark Street and gion, national origin or sexual orientation. But the Old Town shifts and bars catering to straight and Portland Police Bureau’s policy and priKedure hand- gay clientele move closer in proximity, the crowd Kx>k has a much broader definition of bias, adding pouring out onto the streets at closing time is more gender identity, marital status, political affiliation or mixed. Grose predicts this could lead to a rise in beliefs, labor organizing, physical or mental handi alcohol-related bias crimes. cap, economic or social status, age or citizenship. “1 don’t see it skyrocketing, but it could Michaels explained that while bias crimes have definitely go up,” he said. “Anytime you mix those to he prosecuted according to state law, the bureau’s two crowds, it’s just a matter of time." wider lens can he helpful when legislators kxik at Michaels is aware of the many factors that expanding the statute. The Legislature held hear could increase bias crimes in the sexual minorities ings in 2005 to address adding “gender identity" to community. She says she is excited to take on the the Oregon hate crimes statute. Grose testified at responsibilities of her new role and hopes she can the hearing in favor of the change, hut the propos make a difference. al went nowhere in the Republican-controlled “The more we do, the more it becomes a part of Legislature. When Senate Bill 2 goes into effect our social structure that it’s not OK,” she said. Jan. 1, 2008, genderqueer and transgender people “And the more that we get across that it’s not OK, the better off we all are." © will be protected under a new definition of “sexual orientation.” The O ffice of N eighborhood I nvolvement and According to Grose and Michaels, Portlanders might see a rise in bias crimes based on sexual the P ortland P olice B ureau offer a free personal orientation and gender identity in the coming safety training for sexual minorities 7 pm. Oct. 9 at months as politics heats up around domestic Q Center, 69 S.E. Taylor St.
