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Bias Crimes Explained
Bias crime detectives team up to tackle this tough topic
by Julie Sabatier
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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.