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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 15, 2011)
north west news OREGON S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE APRIL 15. 2011 ► BY RYAN J. PR ADO Merkley, Kirk, Harkin and Collins Reintroduce ENDA to Senate was quoted as saying, “I don’t wanna talk about it on TV. I’m not going to go into any kind of a confrontational thing on TV, because the On Thursday, April 14, Senators Jeff M erk parade isn’t confrontational.” ley (D-Ore.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Tom Harkin She also explained that the board felt that (D-Iowa) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) intro SOPride’s entry didn’t “quite fit” the family duced to the Senate the Employment Non- affair, adding, “There’s a parade for them in- Discrimination Act (ENDA) to prohibit job Ashland.” discrimination based on sexual orientation and Just Out made several attempts to contact gender identity. The announcement follows the the Pear Blossom board, as well as Mann-Self, réintroduction of ENDA in the House by but was unable to obtain any response to ques openly gay Congressman Barney Frank (D- tions pertaining to the reasoning behind their I Mass.) on April 6, albeit it with 92 fewer co initial refusal to allow SOPride to participate in sponsors than the measure gathered before the the parade. DuQuenne was not given a reason close of the 111th Congress last year. either. SOPride was eventually granted entry to ENDA would prohibit employers, employ your sexual orientation or gender identity.” Ashland-based nonprofit organization re the parade after M ann-Self met with the ex ment agencies, labor organizations and joint Currently, it remains legal in 29 states to ported to KOBI Channel 5 News in Medford ecutive board of Pear Blossom. labor-management committees from firing, fire or refuse to hire someone for being lesbian, a generally positive experience marching in “I think they probably looked at the part refusing to hire or discriminating against gay or bisexual, while transgender workers can the parade. where it’s probably not legal to deny people those employed or seeking employment on be denied or refused jobs in 37 states. On April 5, KOBI News reported that the into a community event,” says DuQuenne. the basis o f their perceived or actual sexual Just O ut willfollow the progress o f E N D A in Pear Blossom board had denied SOPride en “They probably went and thought about some orientation or gender identity. Such protec the House and Senate as information becomes try to march in the annual parade. The organi o f the ramifications and changed their mind.” tions are already in place prohibiting discrimi available. zation was encouraged to instead obtain a D uQ uenne reports that M ann-Self has nation based on race, religion, gender, national booth for the festival— though there were no apologized to SOPride and D uQ uenne for origin, age and disability. more booths to be had. Soon after, SOPride the initial denial o f the organization’s wishes Southern Oregon Pride “The right to work hard and earn a living is president Gina D uQ uenne’s protests prom pt to march in the parade, and that they’ve ac Finds Positivity in Pear a fundamental right,” said Sen. Merkley via ed the Medford City A ttorney’s office to in cepted the apology and are “moving forward.” Blossom Parade After Initial press release. “It is essential to the success of a vestigate the matter, and locals to voice their D uQ uenne says she has still received no writ family. It is essential to the pursuit o f happi Denial of Entry outrage. ten or verbal apology from the board itself as ness. It is part o f equality under the law. The Following Southern Oregon Pride’s initial During a news report about the parade, and o f press time. test o f whether you can get and hold a job denial of entry into M edford’s Pear Blossom the Pear Blossom board’s denial o f SO Pride’s “I think it would be very smart on behalf of should be whether you can do the job, not Festival Parade— held Saturday, April 10— the application, festival director Darcy M ann-Self Pear Blossom to give a written apology,” says Jeff M erkley is m ad as hell, and he's not going to take it anym ore! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY Bernard Gasch, M D B eata R yd z ik , M D cutting edge treatments for skin, hair & nail problems Board Certified in Dermatology Erik Zenger, PA-C Laser Treatments Body Shaping Corrective Filler Call for a Complimentary Consultation 503 - 297-3440 COVERED B lind s I D raperies I Sh u tte rs & More 9427 SW Barnes Rd, Suite 495 (Portklfd) 1200 NE 48th Ave„ Suite 1100 (H illsW o ) A m a n d a S to v e r ownei www centerdermlaser.com ents 5 0 3 . 4 7 5 .3 4 4 6 Center For Derm atology A N D LASER SU RGE R Y w w w .A m a n d a S to v e r.G o tch a C o v e re d .co m D ianne Applegate Modern Family Dental Care 23 Years Experience Comprehensive Dental Care Low Radiation Digital X-Rays 54 Years of Experience and... 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