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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 13, 2008)
_______________________________________________________________________________________JUNE 13, 2008 JUStOUt I 17 Gorge-ousSpaGetaway In defense of the shelter’s actions, Mc Farland reportedly argued that because it received federal mon ey under the Violence Against Women Act, it could only provide housing for women. “The Violence Against Women Act was amended in 2005,” BOL1 re- sponded. “The act (now) states, ‘Nothing in this title shall be construed to prohibit male victims of do mestic violence, dat ing violence, sexual assault and stalking from receiving bene fits and services under this title.’ ” Seattle lawyer Spenser Bergstedt, author of 1997’s Lee (Lisa) lacuzzi, who identifies as bi-gendered, shed light on Bradley- TransLegalities, who Angle House's failure to accommodate transgender people. reviewed the deci sion, says: “The de termination of B0L1 is that a [Portland] shelter he identified?” Burgess says. “The sole purpose cannot limit its services to only those who identify around self-identification is so that we address as female. Doing so violates Multnomah County them properly, as they see themselves and as they and city of Portland ordinances.” want to he perceived.” Being forced to accept men may be the outcome The shelter’s open admission policy was al that Bradley-Angle administrators fear most. ready in place when Burgess joined the center in After declining multiple interview requests, 2006. She says she embraced it: “1 thought that McFarland wrote in a June 2 e-mail to Just Out: was the right thing to do, and staff thought it was “We are committed to diversity and to providing, the right thing to do.” appropriate services for all individuals who are Recognizing its staff limitations, the center victims of domestic violence. At this time, we took a proactive approach, bringing in Portland’s are unable to comment on the specific facts of TransActive Education & Advocacy for training this matter, especially given that the allegations and relying on co-case management for additional against Bradley-Angle House may impact a larger support. The center has had clients self-identify as scope than just our organization—and could af transgender and has had no problem integrating fect the county’s provision of domestic violence trans individuals into the co-ed shelter. services. However, we again reiterate that there “We can’t do everything, but we do think that is no merit to Lee/Lisa lacuzzi’s allegations that we have a strong enough and healthy enough Bradley-Angle House discriminated against him/ understanding to be able to provide a...shelter her in any way.” environment that will allow for an appropriate BOLI submitted the issue to formal concili stay and will respect the individuals that come in ation process, where Ellis says he’s hopeful that {from] our community.” Bradley-Angle’s policies can be examined and A cautiously optimistic Weedman offers: revamped. “Hopefully people can look at this 1B0LI deter “There [are] shelters who have done different mination! as not a bad thing. [It’s] an opportu things,” acknowledges Weedman. “For example, nity to look at the system and put policies into Outside In—in their shelters, they ask you how you place and create places that are safe for trans identify and where you’d feel most comfortable.” gender individuals.” Sarah McDowell, director of programs and With resources like the NGLTF report and services at Portland’s Rafael House, says her agen nearby examples like Monika’s House, support ers say there’s the potential for Bradley-Angle to cy doesn’t even ask about gender on intake forms. Still, she admits, “We have, as of yet, not had to rectify its women-centric heritage with a trans fully address [the transgender] issue.” positive future and reclaim its mantle as a cutting- For a local example of how shelters can be edge, queer-friendly shelter. This is Ellis’ hope as well. “1 see this as a real trans-inclusive, one need look no further than opportunity to have an interesting, complicated Washington County’s Monika’s House. “Our policy is to serve any adult or child vic and nuanced conversation. Let’s work together to make sure it doesn’t (happen again). Let’s make tim or survivor of domestic violence,” says Donna Portland the place we all want it to be.” © Burgess, executive director of the Domestic Vio lence Resource Center, which runs Monika’s. “Gender identification...is really not an issue.” Its intake forms ask, “How do you want to Trans author J acob A nderson -M inshall writ« the weekly column “TransNation." 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