qPDX.com – Queer news, views and events for Portland

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Lord knows its tough enough getting a job in this town without having to worry about transitioning or gender issues. (Even gay issues are still tough despite that most employers are fairly queer friendly they’re certainly not required to be and benefits are still just not equal and we all know that.) Even if you’re not trans if you’ve been following Max’s L Word plight you might have some concept of the difficulties of transitioning on the job. And he works in computers, probably one of the less volatile environments. (Remember Damon Woodock, the PDX cop?)

March 10th the Q Center will host a Transgender Employment Conference, which will hopefully lend advice and support for trans folks dealing with work-related issues.

The purpose of this conference is to establish dialogue in the Trans and GLBT Community about employment issues, offer networking opportunities, and educate others that a change in gender does not mean a change in skills or worth in the marketplace.

Saturday, March 10th – 10am to 2pm, Q Center (69 SE Taylor). For more information, call (503) 381-9478.

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Courtesy Basic Rights Oregon:

Today, the Oregon Legislature introduced two historic bills that would enact basic fairness for GLBT Oregonians and their families. The legislation is based on the recommendations of The Governor’s Task Force on Equality–a diverse committee of business, clergy and civil rights advocates from across Oregon. The Task Force invested seven months in assessing current Oregon law, analyzing applicable legal precedent, and listening to public testimony at open meetings across the state. Based on this process, the Task Force recommended that the legislature and Governor take action on both anti-discrimination and relationship recognition this session.

The first of these bills is HB 2007, titled "The Oregon Family Fairness Act". House Bill 2007 would create a new Oregon law to legally recognize the committed relationships of same-sex couples and their families. This legislation would confer on same-sex couples certain legal protections, rights and responsibilities similar to those generally afforded to opposite couples through marriage.

Upon introduction of HB 2007, our newly elected, fair-minded Speaker of the House, Jeff Merkley said, "The Oregon Equality Act and The Oregon Family Fairness Act are essential to ending discrimination against LGBT Oregonians. Both of these issues will be considered by the Oregon House this session and I will do everything I can to see that we pass these fundamental human rights."

The second is SB 2, titled "The Oregon Equality Act". Senate Bill 2 would amend Oregon’s existing non-discrimination laws to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in such situations as housing, employment and public accommodation.

"No Oregonian should suffer from discrimination and I am excited to work on this landmark legislation in the Senate. The time for this is long overdue," remarked Senate Majority Leader Kate Brown, who last session was a chief sponsor for Senate Bill 1000.
Basic Rights Oregon is thrilled to be able to give this legislation our full and unequivocal support. This is a very exciting day for our community and for our state, and we applaud Governor Kulongoski and the House and Senate leadership for recognizing the importance of extending basic fairness to all Oregonians.

So now what?
Now is the time to move into action. While we have a lot of support in Salem, those who oppose the Basic Fairness Package will be hard at work trying to stop this legislation from passing. We can take nothing for granted. It will take hard work by lawmakers and advocates alike to make this legislation a reality in Oregon… so your legislators need to hear from you!

Join Basic Rights Oregon and hundreds of pro-equality members of the community as we converge on the Capitol in Salem on March 7th. The day’s activities will include lobbying visits with our elected officials, and a rally on the steps of the Capitol.

Breaking news… We also just learned that Christine Chavez, granddaughter of Cesar Chavez, has eagerly agreed to be a keynote speaker at the rally! Christine is flying up from Los Angeles just to attend this event – you won’t want to miss it!

So sign up now for Lobby Day on March 7th. The more people we have on the steps of the capitol–the clearer the message that IT IS TIME for basic fairness. Remember, alone our voice may be heard, but together our voices will resonate.

Magnify your voice! Click here to register now for Lobby Day.

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Today the Portland Commish has filed suit over same-sex partnership rights. I was fairly surprised to see this bit of news pop up a few minutes ago. Who knew this was in the works? It looks as if Basic Rights wasn’t involved, or at least it’s implied by this news post, because it mentions that they have their own agenda coming up. It’s great to see new challenges to current law and the unfair state of things come up but I do wonder sometimes that there is a lack of communication between the many individuals and organizations in Oregon that work for gay rights. Hey, I would’t go through Basic Rights all the time either; they’ve got their own set of continually revolving leadership problems. But still, it’d be nice to know what’s coming.

Then again, I know very little about the legal system so perhaps in that respect surprise attacks are key. In my own less political realm this says to me that he could indeed be Portland’s most eligible (gay) bachelor. Not only that, but judging my the suit, he’s all about being fair and amicable in a breakup. So go for it boys.

PS This gives me yet another opportunity to bring up my soapbox speech on the gay tax. Yay me.

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Looks like Lon Mabon ain’t outta the woods yet. The Oregon Court of Appeals on today sided with a gay-rights activist who accused the former head of the Oregon Citizens Alliance of fraudulently transferring assets to avoid paying a judgement she won against the group in 1992. I do get frustrated when judgements are made and wealthy groups or individuals dodge them my crying poor. Let’s hope the OCA’s attempt at dodging the legal system will result in their bankruptcy.

Below is the complete Oregonian news post:

Court sides with gay-rights activist against Lon Mabon

The Oregon Court of Appeals on Wednesday sided with a gay-rights activist who accused the former head of the Oregon Citizens Alliance of fraudulently transferring assets to avoid paying a judgement she won against the group in 1992.

Catherine Stauffer filed suit in 2003 against former board members of the OCA, which has sponsored several ballot measures seeking to curtail the rights of gays and lesbians.

A jury in 1992 awarded Stauffer $31,500 after an OCA member forcibly removed her from a campaign event.

Stauffer has settled with some former OCA members, but not Lon Mabon, who founded the now-defunct organization, and his wife, Bonnie.

The Court of Appeals rejected the Mabon’s claim that the judge violated their rights during the trial when he dismissed their legal arguments after they resisted providing information to the plaintiff.

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There seems so much yo are not allowed to do in this country once you’d served a little stint in prison, like get any aid for college, or other things that might eventually benefit the society you’ve been returned to. But it seems Mabon, fresh from prison blues, can do plenty of damage.

This info comes courtesty BRO:

For all you who thought Lon Mabon had shuffled away with his tail between his legs and with what little was left of his dignity – we’re sad to report that you were mistaken. Fresh out of jail, Lon Mabon is back on the scene and in the beginning stages of yet another hateful anti-GLBT rampage.

Here is the latest information. Mabon and his dwindling list of cohorts gathered last weekend for an "Oregon Citizens Alliance" Convention and are working on at least two initiatives for the 2008 ballot. Neither one of them has been approved for circulation (signature gathering) yet, but we expect this to happen in the not-so-distant future.

The first of the two measures – currently numbered IP 22 – would have far-reaching consequences placing unprecedented limits on free speech in Oregon.

The second – IP 23 – is déjà vu all over again: a reprise of 2000’s Measure 9.

In 2000, Ballot Measure 9 would have amended state statutes relating to public school instruction regarding homosexuality and bisexuality. The failed measure would have prohibited public schools from providing instruction on behaviors relating to homosexuality and bisexuality in a manner that "encourages, promotes or sanctions such behaviors". For purposes of the measure, "public schools" include public elementary schools, public secondary schools, community colleges, state colleges and state universities, and all state and local institutions that provide education for patients or inmates.

Now Mabon has a new "Measure 9," which is nearly the same as above but he has included the transgender community as a target as well.

The draft ballot title of this new proposed initiative, the so-called "Student Protection Act 2008", reads: "Prohibits Instruction At Public Schools (Including Colleges, Universities) That ‘Approves,’ ‘Endorses’ Homosexual, Bisexual, Transgendered Behavior".

The full measure text and all relevant information on the two proposed initiatives can be found here:
# IP 22: "Public Decency Act": Amends Constitution, Makes Oregon Constitutional Guarantee Of Free Expression Of Opinion Inapplicable To Conduct Or Personal Behavior
# IP 23: "Student Protection Act 2008" […]