isjustput MARCH 21, 2008
northwest
SSliuf Your Mouth
State Sen. Gary George roils equal rights activists with shocking comments
by Stephen Marc Beaudoin
regon
state
Sen.
Gary
O
George, R-Newberg, says he
doesn’t hate gays. He just
doesn’t want to hear a word
out of their mouths.
CREATE THE LIFE
YOU WANT TO LIVE
STACEY MILLS
Real Estate Broker
Principal Properties
Northeast Portland, said she was simply “dis
gusted” by his remarks, adding, “It’s a very
good thing he’s retiring from public office.”
Basic Rights Oregon used his comments as
ammunition in a fund-raising appeal via
e-mail.
After 12 years in the state Senate, George
has decided to retire when this legislative ses
George, along with state Rep. Kim
Thatcher, R-Keizer, is sponsoring a ballot
reputation for being on the fringes of legisla
sion ends (see sidebar). In his March 15 in
terview with the NewS'Register, he suggested
initiative to repeal the Oregon Equality Act,
tive influence have long been part of George’s
vitriolic reactions to the Just Out interview
which bans discrimination based on sexual
orientation and gender identity statewide.
In an exclusive March 21 interview with Just
Out that has rocked equal rights supporters
across the country, he implored gays to “ma
personal profile. Once described by the News-
from gay rights allies might make his repeal
Register as a legislator “not taken seriously in
case stronger.
George’s co-sponsored ballot initiative,
championing gun owners’ rights, targeting
in the draft stage, goes before the public in
late March. A total of 82,769 signatures
ture” while simultaneously recommending
the “political correctness” of perceived hate
are required by July 3 to bring the issue to
they return to the closeted atmosphere of the
voters this fall. A 2007 initiative attempt by
1950s and suggesting that the recent murders
crimes (he once proposed a bill marking Star
bucks store vandalism as a “hate crime”) and
gay rights foe Mary 1 in Shannon—also an ac
of queer youth Simmie Davis and Lawrence
carrying the banner for the special interests
tive figure behind the current initiatives—to
King were provoked by gays being “oppressive
of motorcyclists (George “looks great in his
toward straights.”
Chuck Wolfe, chief executive officer of
pony tail and leathers,” according to the Web
site EasyRider.com). Twice he was booted
force a public vote on the Oregon Equality
Act and Oregon Family Fairness Act failed
to secure the 55,179 verified signatures
the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which
from chairman positions in legislative.com
required to earn a spot on the ballot.
provides financial and campaign support to
mittees.
But inflammatory pronouncements and a
the Capitol,” his most substantive work in Sa
lem seems to have involved fixing potholes,
The failure of that initiative prompted a
out political candidates, described George’s
George’s inflammatory interview with Just
federal lawsuit, Lemons vs. Bradbury, by the
statements as “shocking” and “outrageous.”
Out came at a sensitive time for sexual minori
Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund against
After the interview landed on The Associ
ties, many still reeling from the “homosexuals
the Oregon secretary of state. That lawsuit
ated Press wire, the national blogosphere ex
are a greater threat than terrorists” comment
was decided Feb. 1 in favor of the state of
ploded with rallies for George’s resignation,
Oregon, allowing same-sex domestic partner
indignant rants on his perceived homophobia
racing across the Internet from Oklahoma
state Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City. She
and angry diatribes alternately describing him
has been unapologetic about her remarks.
But in yet another swing at equal rights in
as a “psycho” and “troglodyte.”
LIFESTYLE
Ripped Over Gay Rights Repeal Initiative.”
Out lesbian state Rep. Tina Kotek, D-North/
ships to proceed in earnest starting Feb. 4-
The extent to which George’s interview,
Oregon, the Alliance Defense Fund has filed
Closer to home, The McMinnville News-
and the outrage it caused, will either harm
an appeal to that decision, and the case will
Register blasted him on the front page of its
March 15 edition with the headline “George
him or help his cause remains to be seen. Less
be heard by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of
Appeals at a date to be determined. ©
than 24 hours after the interview appeared,
“My advice to the gay community W
“We all know the gay person
is shut up, just don’t talk about
w
that nobody notices—I think
it. If you walk around talking
that is where we need to head....
about what you do in the
I go back to the ’50s and ’60s. We had
bedroom, you should be on
^^^friends that were quote homosexual,
the pervert channel.”
—Gary George
and they kept to themselves.”
—Gary George
“The 6-foot-4 senator stands tall for
his constituents.... He cares about the little
guy and how government spends his money. As the
father of five children and as a grandfather, he understands the
need to bring hope and prosperity to our state, to continue his efforts
to make Oregon a better place to live...and bring a smile to his wife’s face.”
—Gary George’s Oregon Legislature Web site
By the Numbers
According to the most recent statewide count tallied by Basic Rights Oregon, as of March
18 more than 1,700 same-sex couples have registered as domestic partners.
Of those. 12 couples reside in Yamhill County, which Republican state Sen. Gary George
represents.