Greetings,

GLBTQ Pride season is almost here!

Bill Dickey, Carl Wolfson & Tom Barreto

Invite you to a special fundraising event with advocates and leaders for the GLBTQ Community

Rep. Mary Nolan
House Majority Leader

Rep. Tina Kotek
House Majority Whip

Tuesday, June 15
6:00 to 8:00 PM

To support the Oregon House Democrats

23Hoyt
529 NW 23rd Avenue, Portland

To RSVP Contact Andy Darkins at
503-239-8623 or andy@futurepac.org

About the Hosts…

Carl Wolfson is the host of KPOJ’s Carl and Christine Show, a Democratic activist and, according to Bill Dickey, “one of the most knowledgeable guys on the radio — and funny as hell.”

Bill Dickey has spent 20 years in the bar business and the last 15 years in the printing business as co-owner of Witham & Dickey, one of Portland’s premier print shops. Bill knows the dirt on everyone and can print it!

Tom Barreto is the Eye Doctor to the stars and Eye Candy for everyone else. Dr. Barreto owns Eyes on Broadway and has been a community leader for 25 years.

Rep. Mary Nolan was Basic Rights Oregon’s 2007 Equality Champion and serves as the Oregon House Majority Leader.

Rep. Tina Kotek, Portland’s very own Rachel Maddow, is the only openly gay member of the Oregon House and was instrumental in passing the Oregon Equality Act. Tina is the Majority Whip in the Oregon House.

If that is not enough there is more…….

Have you heard about Claudia Kyle? Claudia is a candidate running for House Representative in House District 19 and she openly identifies as lesbian. She’s running a tough smart campaign and needs our support. Claudia has been endorsed by the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Basic Rights PAC.Claudia is in Minnesota this evening at one of the most intense candidate training programs in the country which helps to elect LGBTQ candidates. However, she’ll be at this great event and you’ll have an opportunity to meet her.

Please RSVP today!

To RSVP Contact Andy Darkins at
503-239-8623 or andy@futurepac.org

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Buzz it up
• Buzz it up
• Tip on Hyves
• Share on Linkedin
• Mixx it up
• Share via MySpace
• Share on Orkut
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tumblr it
• Tweet about it
• Share on vkontakte
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

Posted by Debra Porta, Vice-Chair, Multnomah County GLBT Caucus.

On Friday, March 6, Basic Rights Oregon, in partnership with the Oregon Students Equal Rights Alliance (a statewide organization of college students representing LGBTQ students across Oregon) will be converging on the capitol in Salem, in support of equality, and specifically the Oregon Safe Schools Act.   This act will strengthen Oregon’s current anti-bullying laws for K-12 schools.  Why do we need this?  Well, let’s see:

Students of color – In 1999, African‐American students were most likely to be bullied in middle and high school. Between 1999 and 2001, bullying of all students of color increased more than 60%. And 24% of children ages 8‐11 report that race‐related bullying takes place at their school either occasionally or often.

Rural students – Rural students are 26% more likely to experience bullying than their urban counterparts.

Students with disabilities – Students with developmental, psychological and physical disabilities are at substantially higher risk of being bullied.

Harassment is listed as the number one reason why students drop out of school.

Gay and transgender students – Gay youth are three times more likely than straight students to drop out of school, to find themselves homeless, and to attempt suicide (and more likely to succeed)—and those numbers jump even more drastically for transgender youth and gay and transgender youth of color. Currently, only 15% of Oregon school districts advertise bullying policies protecting gay youth from bullying, and only 1% advertise bullying policies protecting transgender youth.

Pretty much anyone who has attended a K-12 school, or has a child who has, knows that these numbers have not improved, and in some cases are worse.

Current Oregon law has little to know “bite” when it comes to institutionalizing anti-harassment policies and procedures.  This law addresses that and is a simple way to help to ensure that our youth are educated and have the opportunities that this society claims to want for them.

Contact BRO to get connected to the Day of Action.  Contact your legislators and let them know how important protecting Oregon’s youth is to the future of our state..and to you.

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Buzz it up
• Buzz it up
• Tip on Hyves
• Share on Linkedin
• Mixx it up
• Share via MySpace
• Share on Orkut
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tumblr it
• Tweet about it
• Share on vkontakte
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

The video below was on the Ellen Degeneres Show.

Besides just being a wonderful story, it kind of makes a person think…….

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Buzz it up
• Buzz it up
• Tip on Hyves
• Share on Linkedin
• Mixx it up
• Share via MySpace
• Share on Orkut
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tumblr it
• Tweet about it
• Share on vkontakte
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

The race for Oregon’s U.S. Senator race may very well be the election that will give Barack Obama the 60th vote in the senate.

The race has been identified on a national level as a very tight race that may be decided by a few percentage points. That means every vote will count when the point spread is so tight.

Enter GLBT Oregonians. The Oregon Lavender Vote.

Estimates of Oregon’s GLBT electorate vary. However, the estimates from scholars and people who study such things range from a low of 3% to a high of 10% of the Oregon electorate.

A 3 percentage point margin in favor of Jeff Merkley on election night may very well be the winning deciding factor.

Jeff Merkley in the U.S. Senate will mean a big difference in Supreme Court Justice appointments as the senate must approve those appointments. Which means that two pro-equality Oregon senators will be voting on those appointments.

Jeff Merkely in the U.S. Senate could possibly make the 60 vote margin needed to prevent killing important legislation needed to put our country back on track.

Oregon GLBT voters will possibly hold the key to winning a very tight race where every vote counts as precious.

Gordon Smith knows this and that’s why he is desperately airing an ad that says he supports gay rights in one market.

But then Smith shows his true colors by simultaneously running an ad in another market smearing Constitution Party candidate Dave Brownlow for supporting gay marriage. (Something which Brownlow does not support)

By trying to smear Brownlow as a gay marriage supporter, Smith loses all credibility as a supporter of gay rights. In fact it’s another Smith blatant betrayal of all the GLBT people who have supported him in the past. It’s an out right insult to use the issue of gay rights and gay marriage to pander votes in a win-at-all-costs campaign. Gordon Smith can’t be for and against gay rights in different markets and not pay dearly for such a two-faced position.

If the Oregon LGBT electorate is only 3% as some suggest, it would be nothing short of sweet justice to see Mr. Smith lose this election by that 3% margin and have to return to running his frozen pea plant in the middle of nowhere eastern Oregon.

Make sure you cast your ballot.

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Buzz it up
• Buzz it up
• Tip on Hyves
• Share on Linkedin
• Mixx it up
• Share via MySpace
• Share on Orkut
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tumblr it
• Tweet about it
• Share on vkontakte
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

National Stonewall Democrats PAC is running a contest on Act Blue.  Let’s put Jeff Merkely over the top!

This is a great way to help out.

Leverage your $5 contribution into a $1000!

Make a financial contribution between now and 12pm on Thursday, October 30th to one or more of your favorite campaigns below and Stonewall Democrats will make a PAC contribution to these campaigns based on the total amount raised and number of individuals who contribute per candidate through this page.

• $1000 PAC check to the campaign with the highest amount of money raised on this page
• $1000 PAC check to the campaign with the highest number of individual contributors on this page
• $500 PAC check to the campaign with the second highest amount of money raised on this page
• $500 PAC check to the campaign with the second highest number of individual contributors on this page
• $250 PAC checks to all other campaigns

Polling closes on Thursday, October 30th at 12pm. Winning campaigns will be given notification of expected PAC contribution amount by 5pm on Thursday, October 30th. Checks will be cut same day. Making your financial contribution to Democratic candidates and progressive ballot initiative campaigns through Stonewall Democrats ActBlue partnership allows us to track LGBT dollars raised for pro-equality candidates and ballot initiatives.

GO TO ACT BLUE GIVE $5 TODAY!

HELP JEFF MERKLEY WIN IN A BIG WAY!

DON’T DELAY!

MAKE SMITH GO AWAY!

MAIL YOUR BALLOT TODAY!

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Buzz it up
• Buzz it up
• Tip on Hyves
• Share on Linkedin
• Mixx it up
• Share via MySpace
• Share on Orkut
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tumblr it
• Tweet about it
• Share on vkontakte
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

Whatever you are doing,don’t delay

GO VOTE!

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Buzz it up
• Buzz it up
• Tip on Hyves
• Share on Linkedin
• Mixx it up
• Share via MySpace
• Share on Orkut
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tumblr it
• Tweet about it
• Share on vkontakte
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

National Stonewall Democrats endorsed Jeff Merkley and have targeted his race as a national priority for support.

The following email went out today in a follow up mail piece sent to thousands of households across the nation.

A nationwide phone bank is underway to further support these identified key races across the country.

National Stonewall Democrats were a critical factor in defeating the likes of virulently anti-gay Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum who also compared same-sex marriages with polygamy among other things. Does that sound familiar?

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Buzz it up
• Buzz it up
• Tip on Hyves
• Share on Linkedin
• Mixx it up
• Share via MySpace
• Share on Orkut
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tumblr it
• Tweet about it
• Share on vkontakte
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

Jeff Merkley, Oregon’s U.S. Senate democratic candidate,  earned the endorsement of National Stonewall Democrats.

National Stonewall Democrats is a grassroots network connecting LGBT Democratic activists from Seattle, Washington to Austin, Texas to Little Rock, Arkansas to Atlanta, Georgia. With more than 90 chapters across the country, Stonewall is a grassroots force for social change within our movement and within our party. Our members do the hard work of calling voters, putting together campaign mailings, going door-to-door for our fair-minded candidates and having tough conversations with Democratic party officials about why our families need and deserve more support from our party and its elected officials.

Laura Calvo, a member of National Stonewall Democrats board of directors and interim President of the Democratic Party of Oregon GLBT Caucus, said it was her honor to announce the endorsement of Jeff Merkley. Calvo said, “Jeff Merkley has been unequivocal in his support of equality for our entire community and every American family.  I think it’s very important to acknowledge Jeff’s significant contributions and leadership in regards to the issues of fair employment opportunities, having the equal right to provide for our families as every other American family has the right to do without question and for all Americans to be treated with dignity. In addition, Jeff Merkley has been an effective voice in the legislature in many other areas. From improving the Oregon economy, to ending predatory pay-day loan practices, to being one of the most effective advocates for public safety and protecting the rights of victims of crime, Jeff Merkley has been an effective leader. ”

Continuing, Calvo also said, ” Jeff Merkely’s record on the issues of what really matters to working Oregoninans is exemplary. To attempt to discredit that record with gutter generated attack ads is a mixture of twisted ethics and desparation unbecoming any sitting elected representative of the people of Oregon, especially a U.S. Senator. All too often GLBT Americans are the victims of violent crime or subjected to abusive slurs and vulgar rumors simply for being who we are. We are pretty good at recognizing smears and twisted outright lies for what they represent.  We’ve spent too many years of our lives fighting those kinds of vulgar attacks.  When confronted with sleazy attacks and lies we only go to work and fight that much harder to expose the truth. Oregon voters resent lies and aren’t fooled by sleezy campaign smears.”

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Buzz it up
• Buzz it up
• Tip on Hyves
• Share on Linkedin
• Mixx it up
• Share via MySpace
• Share on Orkut
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tumblr it
• Tweet about it
• Share on vkontakte
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

Anyone who has recently stayed awake long enough to hear the weather report, or better yet enjoy some Letterman, has undoubtedly had to endure the mind-numbingly insulting political ads put out by the Gordon Smith campaign, aimed at undermining the record and character of Jeff Merkley.  I know I have.  Evidently Governor Roberts has, as well.  And she is NOT happy, nor are the droves of new volunteers and contributors that the campaign has picked up in the last couple of weeks, who are absolutely disgusted by the Smith campaign.

Today, Merkley’s campaign held a press conference to respond to the spate of Smith ads, and in particular, the one around the statute of limitations, which assumes that we are dumb enough to believe that Jeff Merkley favors the rights of rapists, over those of victims.  As Governor Roberts says, in her wonderfully blunt way, “these ads are simply lies”.

Another gentleman who spoke (I didn’t catch his name) hit the nail on the head, when he grouped Smith and McCain together in their tactics and in how little they seem capable of, or willing to discuss actual issues, like Iraq, healthcare, or the shaky economy that gets more so every day.

Now I realize that these scare tactics may still work on a few voters. However, what Smith, and the GOP in general, fail to notice is that their methods no longer frighten, but rather offend, most voters these days, and that those numbers grow more and more every day.  Jeff Merkley and Governor Roberts have been very clear in their faith that Oregonians are sharp enough to see through the smokescreens that Smith is attempting (and by all accounts failing) to put up.  I would have to agree.  I have yet to meet ANYONE who has fallen for Smith’s lines (and lies).  It is only Smith and his campaign, who fail to realize that political slime being, as an effective campaign tactic, is on its last legs.

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Buzz it up
• Buzz it up
• Tip on Hyves
• Share on Linkedin
• Mixx it up
• Share via MySpace
• Share on Orkut
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tumblr it
• Tweet about it
• Share on vkontakte
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later

The Multnomah Democrats’ GLBT Caucus adopted a tagline that exemplifies the purpose of the caucus: “Informing the Democratic Party about GLBT issues; informing the GLBT community about Democratic issues.”

Over the past few months we have strived to accomplish these goals.  Many candidates and/or their campaign staff have addressed the caucus meetings including Democratic US Senate Candidate Jeff Merkley, Portland City Commissioner Candidate Amanda Fritz (non-partisan), and Democratic House District Candidates Nick Kahl (49) and Greg Matthews (50). These successful meetings (especially when Jeff Merkley attended the meeting) gave the GLBT community direct access to the candidates to ask them questions pertaining to GLBT issues.  In so doing, the candidates were educated about GLBT issues and the GLBT community became informed about Democratic issues.

During the three months leading to the general election, the Multnomah Democrats’ GLBT Caucus has used its meeting time to directly volunteer for targeted campaigns.  Michael Bidwell, Treasurer for the Multnomah Democrats’ GLBT Caucus said, “Volunteering for campaigns as a caucus serves not only to help progressive candidates get into office, but reminds candidates of the issues the GLBT community faces every day”.  So far, the Caucus has volunteered as a group for Nick Kahl and Jeff Merkley.  We will volunteer for Greg Matthews on October 7 from 7:30-9:00 pm.  There will be something for everyone: envelope stuffing, phoning, etc.

To become involved and/or to attend the October 7 meeting with Greg Matthews, please contact Joey Kerns at Multnomah.chair(at)stonewalloregon(dot)org.

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• Buzz it up
• Buzz it up
• Tip on Hyves
• Share on Linkedin
• Mixx it up
• Share via MySpace
• Share on Orkut
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tumblr it
• Tweet about it
• Share on vkontakte
• Subscribe to the comments on this post
• Tell a friend
• Print for later