Just out., October 01, 2012, Page 31, Image 31

There is strength in having pockets of diversity
in our city.
JO: Portland has affirmative action policies to
encourage hiring women and ethnic minorities
as employees and contractors for the city. While
sexual and gender minorities are included in
Portland’s equal employment opportunity poli-
cies, they are not included in the affirmative ac-
tion policies. Should they be?
JS: My view would be informed by the facts. If
the facts suggest employment discrimination
and a track record of inequality of opportunity
within LGBT communities, then it seems that
with respect to groups that have received such
discrimination, we’ve passed rules to address
that discrimination. I am always open to facts
that say we have to apply those principles in
other areas.
JO: As mayor, would you commission any study
or do any proactive investigation to determine
whether sexual and gender minorities do un-
dergo employment discrimination?
JS: I think there’s a conversation that needs to
be had on what the ambit of the Office of Equity
will be in the administration of the next mayor,
and what should be the rank order of priority
in the tasks they take on. What I would look for
is hearing from the community indications of
whether we should spend public money on that
investigation. If it looks like there are indications
that we should, then we should.
JO: Have you ever known anyone who died of
AIDS?
JS: None that are public (grin). Well, maybe.
I don’t know … the first time was when I was
pretty young. I had fun.
JO: Why should LGBT Portlanders vote for Jef-
ferson Smith?
JS: At the deeper and broader level, I think I
will have the deepest commitment to getting the
city working better for more people. The team I
think we can put together will work pretty hard
to see the big picture; will work hard in engaging
the community in solving problems in our com-
munity and, will look ahead to the future of this
century, and better address modern challenges
and chances.
In a more specific sense, I have spent the last ten
years of my life strengthening progressive inter-
action and democracy. Communities can trust
not just what I say but what I have done. And not
just in context of this race or being a politician,
but as an advocate and as a human being.
I was marching in Portland’s Pride Parade well
before I ever needed a vote. LGBT equity along-
side economic equity are the civil right battles of
our generation. While a mayor is not in a perfect
position to resolve those battles, a mayor can
have an important spokesperson’s role and an
important podium and open microphone from
which to communicate community values. I rec-
ognize that, and I will use that opportunity as
best that I can, to advocate and convene for basic
justice, basic fairness, for as long as I participate
in the public process. g
jeffersonsmith.com
JS: yes, I have.
JO: Do you know people who are living with
HIv now?
JS: yes, I do.
JO: Do you see a role for the city in addressing
these health concerns, or is that outside the role
of city government?
JS: We have been involved in needle exchange
and condom distribution. Public education also,
I think. Every branch of government should
bear some responsibility to address prevention.
We should look at the tools that we have to see
how we can strengthen prevention.
JO: Have you ever worn drag?
JS: yes.
JO: Are there pictures?
October 2012
Kate
Brown
Continues from Pg. 28
Now, in 2012, Brown is running in a tight race
for re-election against a wealthy and well fund-
ed Republican opponent, Knute Buehler. A clear
sense of Buehler emerges when you learn that
he trumpets loudly for campaign spending lim-
its, yet flatly refused her challenge to jointly lim-
it campaign spending in their own race. Brown
offers one word for this: “hypocrisy.”
Brown warns that LGBT communities nation-
wide need to pay particular attention to Secre-
tary of State races. Conservatives are targeting
these races because these officials oversee state
elections. She says that “nationally, I am see-
ing huge efforts to suppress voting” through
excessive voter I.D. and registration laws being
pushed in response to claims of voter fraud, but
which have a “net impact of reducing access to
the ballot,” particularly for the poor. And, with
the likelihood of marriage equality appearing
on Oregon’s 2014 ballot, it is “very important to
maintain this seat in progressive hands.”
If Oregon re-elects Kate Brown in November,
she sees two key efforts ahead. First, recruit-
ing and growing new business in Oregon, by
opening an Office of Business Assistance, which
would “go to bat” within state government to
help businesses navigate regulations. She was
inspired to this by learning of an artisanal food
producer mired in red tape in California, which
is now likely moving to Oregon, thanks to com-
bined efforts from Oregon State University, the
Department of Agriculture, the Secretary of
State’s Business Oregon program, and the sweet
milk given by cows eating Oregon alfalfa. Sec-
ond, Brown says it is time for Oregon to finally,
seriously address campaign finance reform, in-
cluding any required amendments to Oregon’s
constitution, because — sad, but true — Oregon
has virtually no political spending limits what-
soever, yet. “I hope to be introducing campaign
finance legislation to the legislature. It would be
a challenging discussion, but I think it’s time has
come.”
The potential combination of Kate Brown serv-
ing as Secretary of State, with State Representa-
tive Tina Kotek leading a Democratic majority
in the Oregon House, promises positive, power-
ful change for Oregon, if Oregon voters organize
to make it happen.
Who will lead the changes in Oregon and Amer-
ica? Brown says LGBT people should “absolute-
ly” engage in political activism and seek political
careers, because “if you’re not at the table, that
means you’re on the menu.” Her advice on get-
ting there? “Follow your passion, whatever it
may be, and find your voice. Because your ability
to convey your vision and make a solid case for
it is critical.” Also, “find a way to make a living
as a back-up. But, be prepared to step through
the door when it opens, because you may only
get one shot.” That’s what Kate Brown got, when
being politically engaged led to her first politi-
cal appointment. She took it, and is still running
hard to make Oregon work better for everyone.
“If you see injustice in the world, you need to
speak out,” says Brown. “your vote is a critical
part of your voice.” g
KateBrownForOregon.com
JustOut.com
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