Just out., October 02, 2009, Page 13, Image 13

OREGON S GAY/LESBIAN/BI/TRANS NEWSMAGAZINE
OCTOBER 2 . 2009
NORTHWEST NEWS
be passed this Congress is indeed dependent
on momentum.
“There are lots and lots of items that
are competing for legislative air time,” said
Blumenauer, noting health care and climate
change legislation as heavy contenders. “But
I think we’ve got specific things moving for­
ward, from hate crimes to Don’t Ask Don’t
Tell. I suspect that the administration will
work for this to create some space in the
legislative agenda to take the ones that are
most likely to move.
“I am not yet writing off this session of
Congress,” he added. “I’d like to do more
listening and talking, but it’s just a mat­
ter of time, and I really do believe that we
have watched political attitudes towards
fundamental civil liberties protection based
on sexual orientation really strengthen, gain
momentum.”
Says Rep. Earl Blu m e n a u r about
The congressman noted that people
repealing the 1996 Defense of Marriage
Actr "I am not yet writing off this session
under the age of 35 have “wondered what
of Congress; I'd like to do more listening
all the shouting was about” with regard to
and talking, but it's ju st a matter of time,
the issue of discrimination based on sexual
and I really do believe that we have
watched political attitudes towards
orientation.
fundam ental civil liberties protection
“[Those under 35] don’t share that dis­
based on sexual orientation really
criminatory bent. They have too many gay
strengthen, gain momentum."
and lesbian friends, the media, their own
lifestyle and preferences,” continued Blume­ crimination,” he said. “As an organization
nauer. “Our goal is to have a full-court press that promotes social change towards social
to engage people, to work at the grassroots justice, Congressman Blumenauer’s change
level, and to make clear the broad base of of position is exactly the kind of welcome
support and the airtight, ironclad rationale change we at Equity Foundation strive
for the policy changes, so that it happens for. I hope other fair-minded members of
sooner rather than later.”
Congress on both sides of the political aisle
Rep. Blumenauer said the response to follow in his footsteps.”
news of his co-sponsorship of RMA has
Rep. Blumenauer pointed out that it will
been “overwhelmingly positive,” particularly take time to clarify and address all aspects of
concerning the congressman’s willingness to the push to get RMA through Congress.
admit he was wrong.
“We are going to be spending quite a bit
“His comments show that he has learned of time here this fall. So there’s going to be
that the old strategy will not work,” said Ca­ an opportunity for the sort of informal dis­
mille White-Avian, co-founder of Portland cussion that I think is going to help clarify
Equal Rights Coalition. “Hopefully Rep. and move forward,” explained Blumenauer.
Blumenauer can help other people see that “This is something that is going to be a
there is no reason to hold back these rights personal decision for a lot of people. I think
any longer.”
this fall is going to be a great time to be
Kevin L. Easton, executive director for able to have those quiet conversations; it’s a
Equity Foundation, echoed the supportive great time for what’s happening back home
to coalesce with what’s happening here in
sentiments.
“It is never too late to change one’s mind Washington, and we’ll know a lot more in a
and vote in line with equality and non-dis- couple of months.” J K
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