Smoke has yet to clear in recent Oregon elections

Anti-gay referenda sponsored by the Oregon Citizens Alliance passed September 21 in Jackson County and the cities of Creswell, Molalla, Medford, Lebanon, Estacada and Sweet Home. Most were approved by wide margins, according to final but unofficial results.

However, a state law that took effect August 3 will block enforcement of any of the measures, at least until a court challenge by the alliance is settled.

The question of whether local elections should have proceeded despite the state law is under consideration by the Oregon Court of Appeals in a suit brought by the ACLU against election officials in Oregon City, Molalla and Estacada. The ACLU contends the law, which prevents local governments from enacting anti-gay rights measures, should have forced cancellation of anti-gay rights initiative elections in those three cities. A circuit judge ruled that measures already on the ballot should be put to a vote despite the law passed by the 1993 legislature.

The ACLU appealed the case to the Oregon Court of Appeals, but it was heard too late to apply to Sept. 21 elections in Molalla and Estacada, which passed the measures.

A similar measure is scheduled to be voted on November 9 in Oregon City.

ACLU attorney Charles F. Hinkle said the Legislature prohibited cities from enacting such laws, and that means no voting.

But Deputy Attorney General Thomas A. Balmer, who argued on behalf of elections officials, said the legislature did not mean to interfere with the right to vote or to exercise the initiative process. He said it meant only to send the message that if such a law passed, it cannot be enforced.

Junction City passed a similar OCAbacked charter amendment in June by one vote. But a Lane County Circuit judge threw out the results September 22 when it was discovered that two votes were illegal, made by people who were not official residents. A March 22 date was set for another election.

The measures are reworded versions of Measure 9, a statewide OCA initiative that was rejected by 57 percent of the voters last year. The OCA is sponsoring the local initiatives only in areas where Measure 9 won a majority of the vote. The group is also gathering signatures to put a toned-down version of Measure 9 back on the November 1994 ballot statewide.

Graham regrets 'God's punishment' remark

The Rev. Billy Graham said he does not believe that AIDS is God's punishment for people's sins, and he regrets having made the comment during a sermon in Columbus September 26.

"I remember saying it, and I immediately regretted it and almost went back and clarified the statement," Graham said during a telephone interview he initiated with the Plain Dealer to clarify his beliefs.

Graham's remarks were made during the closing service of his crusade in Columbus.

During the sermon to about 44,300 people in Cooper Stadium, Graham warned about incurring the disfavor of God because of their sins. He listed sins of drunkenness, sexual immorality and any act of disobeying God..

"Is AIDS a judgment of God?" Graham asked his audience. "I could not say for sure, but I think so."

Speaking from his home in Montreat, N.C., Graham said he never intended to make that statement.

"I don't believe that, and I don't know why I said it," he told the newspaper.

He said he was tired during the final service and forgot to retract or clarify the remarks.

"What I was trying to do in the sermon was to say that the Lord wants us to have a spiritual renewal and revival in this country," he said. "All of us, including myself, need to repent of our sins."

Graham, 74, an evangelist for nearly a half-century, said: "I do believe that God stands in judgment of all sins, whether jealousy, idolatry, adultery, sexual relations outside of marriage and murder."

But, he said, "AIDS is a disease that affects people and is not part of that judgment. To say God has judged people with AIDS would be very wrong and very cruel. I would like to say that I am very sorry for what I said."

Graham said he had met with many people who have AIDS.

"I have put my arms around them and personally told them I love them," he said.

Graham said he had learned from criticism he received for the remarks in newspaper editorials.

"When there is constructive criticism, I take it to heart and try to learn from it. I am almost 75 years of age but I am still learning," he said.

Graham plans a crusade in Cleveland next spring.

HATE CRIME UPDATE

Compiled by the Maryann Finegan Project of the Lesbian-Gay Community Center

The following hate crimes against gays and lesbians were reported to the Project in early October:

September 28

Gay male, 40 years old, verbally harassed by teens and others in his neighborhood. Victim looking to move.

October 3

Near West Side male couple verbally harassed by neighbors. Homophobic insults, offensive gestures, following and staring at victims by two male and two female perpetrators has lasted for several months. Female perpetrators have hosted loud, latenight parties; when victims asked and later called police to restore calm, male residents were served with "cease and desist order. Female perpetrators also passed a petition to other tenants fo for the victims to be evicted. Victims feel forced to move. Police re-

sponse professional, sensitive and courte-

ous.

October 5

Gay male in mid-twenties approached for sex outside of West Side bar. Victim went with perpetrator to secluded area of parking lot where victim noticed two other males. First perpetrator grabbed victim, while second perpetrator came out of dimly lit area and hit victim on head with soda bottle. Victim was able to fight off the two or three assailants, who fled on foot. Victim did not seek medical treatment; police were not called. Perpetrators were all white males in mid to late teens, medium build, around 5'7"-5'8". One blond, one brown hair, one not seen well enough for good description. All described as being clean-cut.

To report hate crimes, call the Project at the Center, 522-1999 or 781-6736.

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OCTOBER 15, 1993

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