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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 18, 2011)
OREGON'S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE 4 nw news (in brief) Marriage Equality Legislation Introduced in Washington State House and Senate Valentine’s Day proved to be a fitting back- drop for the introduction of State Bill 5793 to Washington state’s legislature, as Democratic Senator Ed Murray (43rd District) introduced a new marriage equality bill in the Senate. Demo cratic State Representative Jim Moeller (49th District) introduced a companion bill on Tues day, February 15. As of press time, 15 senators had backed the measure in the Senate, while 43 representatives had sponsored the House version. Both Moeller and Murray—who make up one-third of openly gay members of the state legislature—expressed their confidence in the bill being passed, stemming from the progress made in Washington over the past decade to ward gay equality. “We’ve made tremendous progress since 1998,” Murray said in a statement. “Gay and lesbian families in Washington now enjoy the same state spousal rights that their married straight friends enjoy—except for the name ‘marriage.’ The recognition that their loving, lifelong commitment is no different from the loving, lifelong commitment of straight couples is the final step to achieving full equality. I be lieve the legislature and the public are both ready to take that final step.” Ty Stober, vice chair of Equal Rights Washing ton, said, cautiously, that because members of the FEBRUARY 18. 20)1 JLJK Pride NW Expands 2011 Festival Offerings LGBTQcaucus are now in significant leadership roles in the legislature, “we think they’re in a posi tion to potentially move [SB 5793] forward.” The legislation protects religious freedom and the rights of clergy and religious institutions to determine for whom to perform marriage cere monies and which marriages to recognize for their religious purposes. The option for a couple to seek a domestic partnership is maintained. W hether the legislation will be signed into law should it reach the desk of Governor Chris Gregoire remains unclear; she has stated her support of civil unions that grant the same rights as a marriage, but believes that “marriage” is church domain. “It has not gotten that far where it had to be an open discussion,” explained Stober. “There’s definitely a question for us about 2012 and the next governor’s race. That’s really when this will become a key issue. If we can’t move forward on marriage equality by 2012, that 2012 governor’s race is going to become very important for us." J u st O ut willfollow this story as it develops. —Ryan J. Prado tire week of events across [the] city that engages a variety of cultural institutions” to celebrate Summer may still feel far away, but Pride LGBTQculture, Santillo said. Northwest is already busy planning a Portland While many of these collaborations are still Pride celebration that is bigger and better than in the works, Santillo confirmed that Pride NW ever, inspired by the theme for Pride 2011: will co-sponsor Triangle Productions’queer mu “Make It Happen.” sical Zanna Don't. “As part of our continuing goal of expanding In other Pride NW news, the board has ap the meaning and value of Pride, we’re adding proved a budget to provide financial and other some additional features this year,” said Mark support to community projects that uphold the Santillo, secretary and outreach Pride NW aims of arts, voice, “W h a t w e ’re trying to visibility, empowerment and coordinator for Pride NW. This year, Pride-sponsored do is exp an d Pride ... celebration. Santillo said a list events will span the entire week of this year’s recipients would to an entire w e e k of preceding the waterfront festi be announced soon. val, which will kick off Friday e v e n ts .” Although the board lost night with a dance party. The two members since last year— — MARK SANTILLO, PRIDE NW party will take place early in Vice President Hank Ren- the evening so as not to conflict with the plethora frow and Entertainment Coordinator Ejiria of late-night events and will include a roster of Walker— Santillo said the remaining members prominent local DJs, as well as food and alcohol. are focused on organizing the upcoming festival The community stage will be reworked to cre and will tend to board development after the ate a pavilion with a covered stage and rows of June 17-19 events. seating for people to enjoy acoustic music, spo Still, Santillo said the board welcomes com ken word and community programming. The munity members to get involved by volunteering festival will also include a college fair featuring to help with committees or simply showing up LGBTQTriendly colleges and universities and to share their perspectives at the monthly open an expanded travel expo with more providers. meetings, held every first Monday at Q_Center. In addition to the weekend’s festivities, Port land Pride will feature a week’s worth of events For more on Pride 2011: Make It Happen, visit leading up to the festival and parade. pridenw.org. “W hat we’re trying to do is expand Pride from just being Saturday and Sunday to an en —Erin Rook H hunt 6 Gather Treasures For The Home 6 Soul Super Cute Saltbox Sellwood Classic Beauty 215 N E 79th 7629 SE 1 3th Ave. 3 bedroom, 1.1 bath. New wood floors, dining room, newly refinished living room. New Marmoleum in kitchen, new fresh paint colors. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. Hardwoods, tile, built-ins, both living room and dining room. 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