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SEPTEMBER 16 , 2 Oil
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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
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Oregon GOP Removes
(Some) Anti-Gay Language
from 2012 Party Platform
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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-
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(1219 SW Park Ave.), and will in
clude dinner, dancing and live en
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tertainment. All proceeds go di
rectly to BRO’s mission to educate
gon Republican
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Oregonians about marriage equali
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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