Posted on 03/29/2005 12:54:42 PM PST by crazyhorse691
Mayor Tom Potter, who marched in uniform as Portland police chief in the city's gay rights parade, has high-stepped into another controversial battle to back gay rights.
Potter turned down a request to provide a letter supporting the Mrs. Oregon America pageant because its contestants must be married to a man. The rules also require contestants to be natural born females.
In a statement, Potter said city policy requires it not to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. The pageant's rule "fails to recognize the other loving relationships in our community," his statement said.
Libby Crawford, the pageant's executive director, said no lesbian has entered the contest. But she drafted the rules last year in the wake of Multnomah County's decision to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Oregon voters in November approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
"I didn't want to deal with my pageant becoming a stage," she said. "I've seen it happen in some pageants where someone's political agenda came out at a pageant. It can ruin your system."
In a Jan. 11 e-mail to the mayor's office, Crawford asked Potter for a letter to put in the pageant's program "acknowledging your support of the Mrs. Oregon America Program."
On Friday, one of Potter's staff assistants e-mailed a response:
"We reviewed your request and will have to decline issuing your pageant a letter," the response said. " . . . The city of Portland does not discriminate based on sexual orientation and recognizes everyone equally."
After getting Potter's response, Crawford forwarded the e-mail to Portland talk show host Lars Larson, who took up Crawford's cause on Monday's radio show on KXL.
Backers of Oregon's Measure 36, the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, jeered Potter's decision.
"In order to be a Mrs., you must be married to a Mr.," said Tim Nashif, spokesman for the Portland-based Defense of Marriage Coalition. Potter is "just trying to make a political statement, and it doesn't apply."
But a Portland-based gay rights group celebrated Potter's move.
"It's always refreshing when community leaders are willing to take a principled position on an issue of justice and fairness for everyone," said Rebekah Kassell, communications director for Basic Rights Oregon.
The decision to not provide the letter marks Potter's latest stand for gay rights.
After becoming police chief in 1990, Potter endured internal critics when he marched in uniform in gay rights parades in part to support his lesbian daughter, Katie, also a Portland officer.
In 1994, after he retired from the Police Bureau, Potter was being considered to head the Clinton administration's new federal community policing program. But he withdrew after Justice Department officials expressed concern about his advocacy for gays and lesbians.
The Mrs. Oregon America pageant is June 25 at Clackamas High School. To review the eligibility requirements, visit www.mrsoregon.net.
Ryan Frank: 503-221-8564; ryanfrank@news.oregonian.com
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Shrieking stupidity at its apogee! :( One can only wonder where it'll all end...
(Spits on ground)
Somebody in Portland loves his pet pig, and you betcha' the Mayor supports that relationship to the hilt.
Did he also put his foot down during the Miss HIV pageant? Somehow, I don't think so.
There should be no confusion on this, a basic issue. Marriage has and should remain between one man and one woman.
"Marriage has and should remain between one man and one woman."
The good people of Oregon spoke to this issue in the last election.
The amendment to the state constitution to ban gay marriage passed by a good margin.
Government promotion of homosexual activity and slighting the freedoms of those with traditional religious and moral beliefs -- this is the intolerant face of the American Left.
My inner sensitivities are deeply offended by this bare-faced open display of hetero-phobia and I demand an apology!
Yes, and I'm very proud of all of you. Now if you can just keep a judge from overturning it......
Is Portland in the running to replace San Francisco as Gay City, USA?
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I see a real dilemma in the making here. What if a shemale enters the pageant? Since she's a "he" would that mean she/he can dress and look like a male? And what if a heshe shows up and wants to enter? Does that mean faux females in sparkly spandex thongs and Mae West makeup as contestants?
"Now if you can just keep a judge from overturning it...."
LOL!
Ain't THAT the truth. ;o)
This country is beginning to look like a bizarre episode of the 'Simpsons'.
Bill K
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