From: nlns@igc.apc.org (New Liberation News Service)
Newsgroups: alt.activism
Subject: NLNS: OCA'S 'ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR INITIATIVE'
Date: 30 Sep 92 18:56:26 GMT
Organization: The Ohio State University Department of Computer and Information Science

/* 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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