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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 11, 2011)
I nwnews OREGON'S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE NOVEMBER 11, 2011 GABY BEMBRIOGE BY RYAN J. PRADO BRO Announces It Will Not with additional community leadership for ad a winning path for marriage equality,” ex vice, as well as evaluating data from an online plained Kaplan. “I think taking time to make Move Forward with Gay Marriage Ballot Initiative in 2012 survey that garnered more than 1,000 respon sure all our ducks are in a row in Oregon Basic Rights Oregon announced Wednes day, November 9 that they would not move forward on a ballot initiative to legalize gay marriage in Oregon for the 2012 general elec tion. After months of speculation, online sur veys, town hall-style meetings and the recom mendation of an advisory group consisting of prominent Oregon equality advocates, BRO’s board of directors said that there was not enough of a majority to risk mounting a costly effort for marriage equality this time around. “We have considered the possibility of put ting this issue on the ballot for the 2012 elec tion,” read the statement. “However several factors, including the expense of waging a statewide political campaign in the midst of an economic crisis, led us to conclude that [we] are better off extending our education campaign and building momentum for a later election.” Over the previous three years, BRO has launched increasingly more visible ad cam paigns designed to educate potential voters on the plight of gay and lesbian couples de nied the right to marry in Oregon. Television ads aired in 2010-11 across the state, featur ing Oregon gay and lesbian couples relating their perspectives on marriage equality, met with positive feedback. But despite convening dents—a majority of whom told BRO not to move forward in 2012 unless there was a solid chance of victory—the organization’s next step became clear as an informal early No vember deadline loomed. “Today we recommit ourselves to this ef fort,” continued the statement. “We’re com mitted to opening a new dialogue with our friends, family and neighbors and, ultimately, winning the freedom to marry.” The announcement resonated community wide Wednesday. The Oregon Family Council said that though they are relieved BRO is postponing their efforts, the O FC’s work to defend Oregon’s Constitutional definition of marriage will continue soon enough. “[BRO has] made it clear...that a battle to change marriage is coming. Therefore we will remain vigilant in our efforts to educate Ore gonians about the importance of protecting marriage and the impact that redefining mar riage can have on society,” said OFC commu nications director Teresa Harke. Michael Kaplan—Cascade AIDS Project executive director and BRO advisory group member—said he fully supports the board’s decisicfti not to move forward. “BRO led an incredibly thorough and thoughtful process with a clear goal: ensuring makes good sense, and has me confident that with BRO’s leadership, we will get there.” For more on the decision , turn to p. 3 fo r in sight fr o m Basic Rights Oregon executive direc tor Jeana F razzini. Ben Cohen Announced as Special Guest for P C C ’s First Ever Lavender Career Panel Portland Community College’s Rock Creek Campus Career Resource Center, in partner ship with the new Queer Resource Center, will host its first ever Lavender Career Panel Monday, November 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The inaugural event will feature an esteemed panel of LGBTQ_ professionals and allies from all walks of life, including English rugby icon Ben Cohen. Cohen, who is among the first straight pro fessional athletes to focus his philanthropic work to help the LGBTQ_community via his StandUp Foundation, will anchor the panel, sharing personal stories to inspire impetus for success and satisfaction in attendees’careers. “Having Ben on the panel can facilitate a dialogue from an allied perspective, and that is equally as important for the success of the panel,” explains PCC career resource special ist Tamara Ryan. “As allies, we all have that ‘unique moment’ that inspired us to take ac tion, and my hope [is] that allied students will find their own reasons for a call to action by attending.” Other panelists include Q_ Center’s Paul Fukui, Beth Allen Law PC attorney Megan Gluth, PABA president Jill Nelson and more. 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