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Date:         Wed, 30 Sep 1992 18:28:00 EDT
From:         CMORRISO@SNYESCVA.BITNET
Subject: Here's another item on the initiative. Chris Morrison.

From:   BITNET%"ACTIV-L@MIZZOU1.BITNET"      "Activists Mailing List" 30-SEP-199
2 18:24:57.16
To:     Multiple recipients of list ACTIV-L <ACTIV-L@MIZZOU1.BITNET>
CC:
Subj:   NLNS: OCA'S 'ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR INITIATIVE'

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From:         "New Liberation News Service" <nlns@igc.apc.org>
Subject:      NLNS: OCA'S 'ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR INITIATIVE'
To:           Multiple recipients of list ACTIV-L <ACTIV-L@MIZZOU1.BITNET>

/* Written  6:18 pm  Sep 29, 1992 by nlns in cdp:nlns.news */
/* ---------- "NLNS Packet 3.2 *** 9/28/92" ---------- */

The OCA's Abnormal Behaviors Initiative
from a Campaign for a Hate Free Oregon release The Oregon Witness

(NLNS)--The Oregon Citizens Alliance (OCA), a far right political
group, has proposed an amendment to the Oregon constitution that
would legalize discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The
effects of the initiative would reach into our schools, libraries,
work places and daily lives.
        The OCA's initiative would invalidate existing laws, including
Oregon's Hate Crimes law which has penalties for intimidation on
the basis of sexual orientation, and Portland's Civil Rights ordinance
which protects against discimination in housing, public
accommodations, and employment.
        If this initiative passes, it would be the first time in United
States history that a constitution has been amended to take rights
away.

WHAT DOES IT SAY?
        The measure has three primary requirements:
        --The state cannot "recognize" phrases such as sexual
orientation;
        --State and local governments cannot "promote, encourage or
facilitate" homosexuality;
        --Public schools, colleges and universities must teach that
homosexuality is "abnormal, wrong, unnatural, and perverse" and
should be "discouraged and avoided."

WHAT WOULD IT MEAN FOR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES?
        The initiative has two parts that would affect government.
First, all levels of government--state, regional and local--including
all their departments, agencies and other entities cannot use their
facilities or money to "promote, encourage homosexuality." This
language legalizes discrimination.
        Any government agency could deny services to any individual or
group thought to promote, encourage or facilitate homosexuality. Use
of facilities such as parks or meeting rooms could be denied solely
on the basis of sexual orientation.
        Second, every agency at all levels of governemnt--state,
regional and local--would be required to play an active role in
setting a standard for Oregon's youth that says homosexuality is
abnormal, unnatural and perverse and should be avoided. This means
that all agencies from highway construction, to fire departments to
sewage treatment would be required to spend public funds to teach
children about the "evils" of homosexuality.

GOVERNMENT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
        The OCA is comprehensive, covering every agency in every
level of government. It forbids government from using any public
funds or facilities to "promote, encourage or facilitate
homosexuality." The initiative also defines homosexuality as
"abnormal, unnatural and perverse." The combined effect of these
two components of the measure would be far-reaching, affecting
dozens of government programs and services. A few are listed below:

Public Facilities
        Groups and associations of all types would have their purposes
and agendas scrutinized to determine if their meeting may
"facilitate" homosexuality. If so, these associations would be
prohibited from meeting on public property.
        Permits for use of city, county or state parks could not be
granted to any group that is perceived to "promote, encourage or
faciliate" homosexuality. This would include Ecumenical Ministries
of Oregon, labor unions, the Oregon Bar Association and dozens of
other groups that have taken positions against discrimination on the
basis of sexual orientation.

Public Libraries
        Libraries would be required to remove from their shelves any
book, magazine or art that has any positive reference to
homosexuality. Books like the Pulitzer Prize-winning "The Color
Purple" would be banned. All new library acquisitions would have to
meet a constitutionally mandated standard of morality.

Public Television
        Oregon Public Broadcasting would have to censor any program
that appeared to "promote, encourage or facilitate" homosexuality. In
addition, the agency would be required to take an active role in
teaching Oregon's youth that homosexuality is perverse and should be
avoided.

State Licensing
        State licensing agencies would be allowed to discriminate
against any person who is perceived to either be homosexual or who
wants to run a business that may cater to homosexuals. Businesses,
restaurants and bars would be scrutinized to determine whether
they promote, encourage or facilitate homosexuality or have a
business clientele deemed "abnormal, wrong, unnatural and
perverse." If so, business and liquor licenses would be revoked and
new licenses not granted.

State Boards
        State licensing boards would have to revoke or refuse to grant
licenses to practice such professions as doctor, lawyer, accountant,
chiropractor, nurse, barber, hairdresser, naturopath, physical
therapist and so on, if an applicant is determined by law to be
abnormal, wrong, unnatural or perverse on the grounds of sexual
orientation, or perceived sexual orientation, or if that applicant
appears to "facilitate" homosexuality.

Tax Deductible Contributions
        Charitable contributions to social, religious, educational, or
civic groups deductible from state income taxes could be disallowed
on state returns if that group is deemed to "encourage, promote or
facilitate" homosexuality.

Counseling
        Students from high school to college who seek counseling and
advice in coming to terms with issues of sexuality would not be
provided with the support and assistance they need. Instead, they
would be taught to perceive themselves as abnormal, wrong,
unnatural and perverse. This would likely result in low self-esteem,
self-hatred, and an even higher suicide rate among lesbian and gay
youth.

Child Custody
        During child custody battles, a court would be required to take
away custody or parental rights from any parent who is, or who is
perceived to be, homosexual.


WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR SCHOOLS?
        The initiative would apply to colleges, universities and all
public schools (K-12), in Oregon. It would require teachers at all
grade levels to tell their students that homosexuality is "abnormal,
wrong, unnatural and perverse" and that these "behaviors" should be
discouraged and avoided. Teachers would required to "assist in
setting a standard for Oregon's youth" that conforms to the OCA's
standard of moral behavior.
        The OCA initiative would require Oregon colleges, universities
and public schools to teach things that would not be taught anywhere
else in the United States.
        University professors would not be allowed to assign any text
book or reading materials that showed homosexuality in a positive
light. College level psychology or sociology classes could not use
text books or sexuality if they do not discourage homosexuality,
even though the American Psychiatric Association has a 19-year-old
position deploring discrimination against homosexuals.
        Medical schools would be required to teach students that
homosexuality is perverse "behavior," even though new medical
evidence suggests that sexual orientation is not a learned behavior,
but is genetic.
        Schools and universities--including their libraries--would be
required to review books, magazines, videotapes, records, tapes,
works of art, and photographs to determine whether to ban them or
censor them if they provide a positive reference to homosexuality.
        Every professor, teacher, speaker, performer, artist, or writer
who wishes to teach, speak or perform at a public school, college or
university will need to ensure officials that he or she does not
"promote, encourage or facilitate" homosexuality.
HOW WOULD IT AFFECT PORTLAND, OREGON'S CIVIL RIGHTS
ORDINANCE?
        The OCA's statewide initiative would overturn Portland's civil
rights ordinance. The Portland City Council unanimously passed an
ordinance on Oct. 3, 1991 that bans discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation and source of income in housing, employment and
public accommodations. The ordinance is similar to civil rights
protection in more than 30 other cities across the United States.
        The decade old annual Portland Gay Pride Parade would no
longer be allowed. Gay and lesbian organizations or individuals
would not be allowed to use City facilities such as meeting rooms or
parks.

WHAT CAN I DO TO KEEP THIS INITIATIVE FROM PASSING?
        There are many opportunities for involvement in this Campaign
to oppose the OCA's initiative.
        For more information and to find out how you can get involved,
call the Campaign for a Hate Free Oregon office: (503) 232-4501, or
write us at: PO Box 3343, Portland, Oregon 97208-3343



        The Oregon Witness is the journal of the Coalition for Human
Dignity. They can be reached at: CHD, Box 40344, Portland, OR 97240;
(503) 232-5070.


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