The
February 15, 2012
Portland Observer Black History Month
IN S ID E
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Page 3
FredMeyer
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B lack H istory E dition
Week ¡n Review
page 2
Gov. Chris
Gregoire looks
towards family
members in the
audience in
Olympia, Wash.
Monday shortly
before signing
legislation legaliz­
ing gay marriage
in the state. (AP
photo)
C areers .
E ducation
pages 6-7
S ports
pages 11
Equal Rights Victory
M E T IRLO'
Same-sex
marriage bill
signed into law
page 13
ENIEKIAINMENl
pages 14-17
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pages 18-19
Gov. Chris Gregoire handed gay
rights advocates a major victory
Monday, signing into law a mea­
sure that legalizes same-sex mar­
riage in Washington state, making it
the seventh in the nation to allow
gay and lesbian couples to wed.
Gregoire signed the bill sur­
rounded by gay rights supporters.
“I’m proud our same-sex couples
will no longer be treated as separate
but equal," she said.
The law takes effect June 7, but
opponents on multiple fronts al­
ready are preparing to fight.
Opponents planned to fileachal­
lenge that could put the law on hold
pending the outcome of a Novem­
ber vote. Separately, an initiative
was filed at the beginning of the
Washington Legislature that oppo­
nents of gay marriage say could
lead to the new law being over­
turned.
Sen. Ed Murray, a Seattle Demo­
crat who is gay and has sponsored
gay rights legislation for years, told
the cheering crowd at Monday’s
signing ceremony: "My friends,
welcome to the other side of the
rainbow. No matter what the future
holds, nothing will take this moment
away from us."
As the Dem ocratic governor
signed the leg islatio n , a man
shouted, "Do not betray Christ!"
How ever, his voice was over­
whelmed by gay-marriage support­
ers who cheered and spoke loudly
during his outburst.
Washington has had domestic
partnership laws since 2007, and in
2009 passed an "everything but
marriage" expansion o f that law,
which was ultimately upheld by
voters after a referendum chai lenge.
Same-sex marriage also has the
backing of several prominent Pa­
cific Northwest businesses, includ­
ing Microsoft Corp., Nike Inc. and
Starbucks Corp.
Tuition-Free Magnet Expands
Jefferson Middle
College has
new partners
H ealth
pages 20-21
C lassifieds
page 22
C alendar
page 23
F ood
page 24
The renaissance at Jefferson
High School in north Portland got a
major boost with the addition of
three more members to the school’s
Middle College for Advanced Stud­
ies scholarship partnership.
Oregon State University, Port­
land State University, and Warner
Pacific College are joining the Uni­
versity of Oregon in offering robust
scholarship opportunities to gradu­
ates of the innovative program.
The three institutions officially
announced their scholarships at a
news conference last week on the
Jefferson campus. Prospective Stu­
dents and their parents are invited
Education leaders celebrate the expansion o f scholarships for gradu­
ates o f the Jefferson High School Middle College program. Pictured
(from left) are PSU Director o f Student Aid Phillip Rodgers, Warner
Pacific President Andrea Cook, PCC President Preston Pulliams, OSU
President Edward Ray and Portland Superintendent Carole Smith.
to learn more about the Middle Col­ Wednesday, Feb. 22 in the Jefferson
lege program at two upcoming com­ cafeteria.
munity information nights, at 6:30
continued
on page 7
p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15 and