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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (March 11, 2004)
LAURANCE HEADLEY GRETCHEN MILLER AND SARAH HENDRICKSON WEDDED BLISS On March 6, after 24 years of together- ness, Eugeneans Dr. Sarah S. Hendrickson and attorney Gretchen Miller made history as they tied the knot, along with 13-year couple Tim Smith and Kent Kullby, at the Eugene Hilton. Approximately 150 guests witnessed the legal matrimony, as Unitarian Universalist Church of Eugene minister Carolyn Colbert officiated. The couples received their wedding li- censes from Multonomah County officials, who declared same-sex marriages legal on March 3, then decided to marry quickly. In a way, says Miller, “having only 48 hours to plan a wedding made things so much easier.” Instead of running from bakery to bakery doing cake tastings, she says, it was more like, “Go down to Sweet Life and see what they can have by tomorrow.” Instead of presents, Hendrickson and Miller asked guests to make donations to the ACLU and Basic Rights Oregon, “who are going to defend us if the marriage is chal- lenged,” says Miller, adding, “We anticipate there will be any number of challenges.” Indeed, the Defense of Marriage Coalition, hastily formed to block same-sex marriages, requested a restraining order last week to prevent more licenses from being given out in Multnomah County and to inval- idate the ones already given. But on Monday, March 8, Multnomah County Presiding Judge Dale Koch denied the request. “Judge Koch’s decision confirmed what we have always known — same sex mar- riages do not harm anyone,” says Basic Rights Oregon Executive Director Roey Thorpe. “In fact, we believe that same-sex marriage strengthens families and the Oregon community.” As of Monday evening, Multnomah County has issued more than 1,600 marriage licenses to same-sex couples. But conservative groups are also after Attorney General Hardy Myers to invalidate the licenses. A statement released March 3 by Myers says he is looking into the legality of the licenses and his office said he may have a decision by the end of this week. Meanwhile, many Eugeneans are hoping Lane County commissioners will follow Multnomah County’s lead. But the majority of Lane County commissioners are awaiting Myer’s decision before announcing where they stand on the issue. Bobby Green says his position is “unsure because the attorney gen- eral of the state of Oregon hasn’t issued his opinion.” Anna Morrison says, “This is not BY PAUL NEEVEL SANDY ALDRIDGE & DALE LUGENBEHL “We felt we were work- ing to support our house,” says Dale Lugenbehl, describing life in San Diego, where he taught philosophy and Sandy Aldridge taught sociology at separate colleges. “We wanted time for other things.” And so, in 1994, Lugenbehl and Aldridge quit their jobs and settled on eight acres near Cottage Grove. After five months in a tiny trailer, they moved into the house they were building. Already vegans and avid gardeners, the couple planted fruit trees and started gardens the following spring. “We realized what a wonderful place for grow- ing this is,” says Aldridge. “We now grow 80 percent of our food.” The couple estimates total annual living expenses of $8,000, including $225 for food. “If you don’t need a lot of stuff, you’ll have more time,” Lugenbehl observes. Each teaches a light schedule of classes at LCC. Together they speak on voluntary simplicity and the environmental im- pact of food choices. Last weekend they addressed the annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference at UO. Spring term they offer a noncredit course titled “Your Money or Your Life.” (Details at 942-0583.) “You will hardly ever meet folks who walk their talk like Sandy and Dale,” says friend Julie Rogers. 8 MARCH 11, 2004 an issue in front of the board at this time. We have directed our legal staff to investigate legal issues and are awaiting state Attorney General Hardy Myers’ interpretation.” Bill Dwyer says, “I don’t expect there will be a vote. It is not on the agenda. Personally, I will wait until all litigation is completed before I will vote to allow same sex marriages. Until that time I am a ‘No’!” Don Hampton did not respond to EW’s request for comment, and Pete Sorenson was not available for comment by press time. — Aria Seligmann TO PRINT OR NOT TO PRINT The decision of Oregon daily newspapers such as The Register-Guard and The Oregonian to print or not to print gay mar- riage and civil union announcements is one more facet of the current civil rights battle over granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Advocates of liberalized marriage laws say printing photos and short stories on newlywed gays and lesbians puts a human face on an issue that those opposed to same-sex marriage would pre- fer existed solely in the legal arena. Multnomah County Commission Chairwoman Diane Linn directed the county to begin issu- ing same-sex mar- riage licenses March 3, and since then the county has granted more than 1,600 li- censes to gay and les- bian couples. Therese Bottomly of The Oregonian says the paper accepts all marriage announce- ments. “They are paid advertisements. We don’t turn them down.” The Register-Guard did not return calls for this article. In “Newspapers take notice of Gay marriage an- nouncements” (2/28/04), R-G reporters Zandra Rolon, Lori Rogers and Tom Honig wrote, “The Register Guard publishes wed- ding announcements for couples who hold a marriage license recognized as a legal docu- ment in Lane County.” According to the arti- cle, the paper’s policy is currently being re- viewed. Nearly 230 American newspapers run same-sex union announcements or say they would if asked by a local resident. The New York Times has been running same-sex union announcements for more than a year. The Santa Cruz Sentinel was featured in the R-G for printing gay and lesbian marriage ads. There is nothing legally restricting news- papers from running same-sex marriage or civil union announcements, according to David Fidanque, executive director of ACLU Oregon. Fidanque thinks newspapers should run the ads because “It’s the right thing to do.” He feels it’s important to recognize that “families are taking many different forms today. We should celebrate those couples that are deeply committed. In the end this will strengthen marriage, not weaken it.” — Kate Storm CARRIGAN DROPS OUT Progressive candidate Michael Carrigan decided this week to drop out of the Ward 7 City Council race. He says dropping out was a “difficult deci- sion,” as people he knows and trusted encouraged him to challenge Scott Meisner, while others asked him to drop out and support Andrea Ortiz. “After serious soul searching and serious discussion with Andrea, I’ve decided only one candidate should take on Meisner. That should be Andrea,” says Carrigan, adding that Ortiz is a strong progressive and a strong sup- porter of the environment. Carrigan says what matters is get- ting a progressive elected instead of Meisner, and the race is about that. “I’m mak- ing the best decision for Ward 7 and Eugene as a whole,” he says, adding, “I’m planning on putting in a lot of time and energy in get- ting Andrea elected.” — AS SPRAYING MAY HAVE UNINTENDED IMPACT This spring, ODA will spray 183 acres of land in the Crest Drive area of Eugene with the natural insecticide Btk to eradicate a sus-
