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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 16, 2011)
J*LA SEPTEMBER 16 , 2 Oil 4 M a n c J O ra ft e d S o lid W o o d r u rn itu re nwnews • WWW.JUSTOUT.COM BY RYAN J. PRADO Solid Mak^anij Oregon GOP Removes (Some) Anti-Gay Language from 2012 Party Platform 12x12x52 Tall 5ruslied Liojuer finish m SE P o rtla n d at 3384 \ S E M itw aukie 503 . 239.5064 Portlander Mitch Gould's Walt Whitman Animated'" character - the most beloved figure in Cay History chantiques.com http :/ / u 9 'tv v * I t w lliiv O M ,! !» Providing ethical, careful and energetic handling of all your home financing needs. CAPITAL 133 SW 2nd Ave. Suite 410 Portland, OR 97204 LENDING 503.445.9525 NMLS #09445/275710 ^ Colleen U l l C C I l Weed »TCCU Email: colleen@capitalMlending.com Fax: 503.523.2588 The Phone: Office: 503.445.9525 Cell: 503.780.1561 frimdimistore,Mon. newseasonsmarket.com the repeal of Measure 36 and the Defense of Marriage Act. “There seems to have been some feeling that the ground shook or that there’s some paradigm shift here.There’s some perception out there that the Republican Party is not anti-gay,” Calvo told Just Out. “That’s really hard to reconcile.” To further the contrast, Calvo pointed out LGBTQ. rights have received unani mous support at recent Democratic Party platform conventions. Despite vigorous de bate on other action items, Calvo said that since 2006, no one has stood in opposition to including LGBTQ_rights. Still, she applauded Alameida’s effort, even as she expressed skepticism about the spin. “I’m glad that [Alameida’s] really trying to move this party and I hope that he con tinues to do this,” Calvo said. “But I don’t think this is cause for celebration, this is cause for suspicion.” The Oregon Republican Party voted by a slim majority to remove some anti-gay lan guage from its 2012 party platform follow ing a push from younger delegates and a heated debate, The Oregonian first reported September 12. According to one proponent of the change, 26-year-old Xavier Alameida, the following language was removed from the platform’s “family” section: “We concur with the Oregon Constitu tion that marriage is between one man and one woman. We do not consider ‘same-sex marriage’ to be ‘marriage’ nor ‘civil unions’ to have any equivalency nor right to legal standing. Nor do we believe ‘same-sex mar riage’or ‘civil unions’worthy of legal stand ing for adoption or parenting purposes.” That portion of the party’s platform now — E rin R ook reads: “We believe marriage is between one man and one woman,” which Alameida said BRO Heating Up for Ignite! is merely a reflection of the state’s current Fundraiser Gala constitution. Despite that hard-won change to the bul With a new venue, new format and a new let points, the preface to the section still es pocket-friendly admission price, Basic tablishes the heterosexual “traditional fami Rights Oregon’s annual fundraising gala is ly” as “ordained by God” and “the optimum gaining substantial pre-event buzz. “Ignite— The Basic Rights Oregon Event” will be held Friday, October 7 at the Portland Art Museum’s 9,000- PARU MHUA«» square-foot Kridel Grand Ballroom MO«. *»OU' IHt ORf (1219 SW Park Ave.), and will in clude dinner, dancing and live en 2011 Or»9°n R.pubW»nP*',V','*tt0™' tertainment. All proceeds go di rectly to BRO’s mission to educate gon Republican of our soc.ety A f by God our Creator «.d of onc man and on« Oregonians about marriage equali 1 y .. ___..../I through the mam»» ___u.wtri-n into ty, and to advance trans and racial justice. “We wanted to make the event for raising children into responsible, self- affordable and accessible to the whole com sufficient, productive citizens.” munity as well as accommodate the increas “I’d like to think that’s progress,” Alamei ing number of people who want to attend da told Just Out. “I’d also like to point out each year,” explains Juan Martinez, BRO’s that the Democratic Platform of Oregon development director. makes zero mention to gays, lesbians, mar Ticket prices have been cut in half from riage or equal rights at all. Not even any the 2010 gala to $75 for the main “Ignite” mention to civil unions. In that regard, we’re event, but Martinez promises that the event right in line with the Dems, except stating highlights won’t be downsized. that we define marriage.” Prior to the main event, which begins at Not so fast, said Laura Calvo, treasurer 7:30 p.m., a smaller, seated dinner will be for the Democratic Party of Oregon. held for BRO’s corporate partners and ma While there is no explicit mention of jor donors. Following that, hostess and LGBTQ_ rights in the first portion of the Portland drag dynamo Bolivia Carmichaels DPO platform, Calvo pointed out that the takes the reins through an entertainment party’s legislative agenda and the included lineup set to feature folk songstress Laura action items are a direct extension of the Gibson, beats from DJ Lunch Lady, and party platform, despite being presented on many more speakers and entertainers to be line as a separate document. announced as the event nears. Kate Kendell, And those items make clear the DPO’s executive director for the National Center support of LGBTQ^ rights including the for Lesbian Rights, has been confirmed as a passage of non-discrimination legislation special guest speaker. that is inclusive of sexual orientation and While details are still being finalized, in gender identity, full marriage equality and cluding food and drink menus, Martinez
