News
2007-07-13
Oregon campaign
highlights straight support for LGBT rights
The Basic Rights
Education Fund, a division of Basic Rights Oregon, has
announced the launch of a statewide campaign to raise
The Basic Rights
Education Fund, a division of Basic Rights Oregon, has
announced the launch of a statewide campaign to raise
awareness of straight support for LGBT rights,
according to a press release distributed Thursday.
Titled "50 Voices for Equality," the campaign features
50 heterosexual Oregonians who support new state laws
that address discrimination based on sexual orientation and
gender identity.
"The '50 Voices
for Equality' represent the broad cross-section of
Oregonians who believe that every Oregon family should be
able to realize their hopes and dreams, keep loved
ones safe and secure, and live and work free from the
sting of discrimination," said John Hummel, executive
director of Basic Rights Oregon, in the press release. "The
goal of this campaign is to help Oregonians understand that
fairness affects us all. That's why it is critical we
stand together and speak out."
Participants in
the campaign hail from a variety of backgrounds,
including businesspeople, faith leaders, elected officials,
community activists, and public safety officers. These
voices come from across the state as well,
representing a range of geographic diversity.
Rabbi Maurice
Harris of Eugene explains of his participation in the press
release, "The world around us is in such an uncertain,
unstable state and there is a huge amount of social
anxiety. In times like these people hang on tightly to
what they find comfortable and familiar." He
continues, "I wish I could find the right words to help the
people in our society who feel frightened by equality
to stop feeling frightened and see that they have
nothing to worry about. If we can find a way to speak
gently to those fears, maybe we can find a way to change
their minds."
Keith and
Antoinette Edwards were inspired to join the campaign by
their gay son. "Our son is treated differently by two
birthrights of which he had no choosing, being black
and being gay. Above all, equality reminds us of our
common humanity," says Antoinette in the press
release. Adds Keith: "It means to be respected and treated
as an equal—and to treat people with that same
respect." (The Advocate)
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