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Eugene Local Measure 51

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  • Comment: The majority of the references are from the same source, and are generally not reliable. Willbb234Talk (please {{ping}} me in replies) 10:37, 3 March 2020 (UTC)

Eugene Local Measure 51

Eugene Local Measure 51 was a “referendum petition - measure repealing Ordinance no. 18080, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation”.[1]. The petition, created and campaigned for by VOICE (Volunteer Organization in Community Enactments), gathered enough signatures to force a referendum vote. The measure passed with 22,898 for and 13,427 against[1]. The passage of this bill gained some national attention, with famous anti-gay activist Anita Bryant writing a letter of congratulation to the city of Eugene[2]. It is the earliest example of 35 ballot measures intended to limit gay rights in Oregon.[3]

Ordinance no. 18080

On October 24, 1977, the Eugene City Council heard the proposition of Ordinance no. 18080, an amendment to the Eugene Human Rights Ordinance. The bill would add sexual orientation to the list of classes protected against discrimination, specifically in the areas of housing, public accommodation, and employment. The Eugene Human Rights Council approved the ordinance[4].

George Russel, the president of the Human Rights Council, told the city council that proposal wouldn’t endorse any non-majority sexual behavior. He also specifically stated that it wouldn’t outlaw any prejudices it would only help protect citizens' constitutional rights. Other proponents of the bill shared personal experiences of discrimination as evidence for why the resolution was needed. To add scientific evidence, psychological papers were presented which stated that homosexuals were “not criminally oriented, nor child molesters, nor actively recruiting others to their way of life, nor are they more perverse or immoral than heterosexuals.” The opposition argued that allowing homosexual behavior would erode the morality of the Eugene community. People also feared that homosexuals were attempting to infiltrate the school system and that the passage of this ordinance would increase the amount of child molestation cases[4].

During closed discussion between the council members, more concerns were brought up. Council Member Williams suggested adding an amendment to the ordinance that would allow sexual orientation to be considered when employing people to work with children, specifically between the ages of 12 and 15. This was due to a concern that having homosexual role models during formative years would influence children to become gay. Other members disagreed stating that the concerns were based on unreasonable fears, rather than any evidence[4].

The vote for adding the amendment failed, but the main measure passed with a non-unanimous vote, requiring second hearing[4]. Before the second hearing, VOICE started gathering signatures for petitions to trigger a referendum[5]. November 28, 1977, Measure 18080 was passed[6]. As the Register-Guard put it the next day, “that wasn’t the last the community will hear of the issue.[7]”

Measure 51

A plan for repeal for Ordinance no.18080 began only 14 hours after it was passed at the November 28, 1997 City Council meeting[7][8]. VOICE led a rigorous campaign against the ordinance. Enough signatures were gathered, and it was added to the Primary Election Ballot as Local Bill Measure 51. By repealing Ordinance no. 18080, it would once again legalize discrimination upon the basis of sexual orientation in regards to housing, jobs, and public accommodations.

ECHR (Eugene Citizens for Human Rights) was the biggest opponent of the measure. They argued that the LGBT community needed protection against and a guarantee they won’t be discriminated against for their sexual orientation. However, VOICE argued that the ordinance gave the LGBT community unfair privileges and would encourage inappropriate public conduct[9].

Organizers used door-to-door canvassing to educate likely opponents of Measure 51 on gay visibility.[10]

A public debate was meant to be held at Junction City Highschool, which was well known for hosting fair debates on controversial subjects. However, the debate was cancelled due to complaints from parents[11]

The vote happened on May 23, 1978. Eugene’s mayor, Mayor Gus Keller, read the results of the vote: 22,898 for the repeal, and 13,427 against.[1]

VOICE campaign organization leader Lynn Greene after the win, was quoted saying “The idea that this is a human right’s issue is a facade and people recognized that.”.[9] Anita Bryant, famous anti-gay activist, sent a telegram to Larry Dean, congratulating VOICE on their victory[2]

St. Paul and Wichita also held referendums on LGBT rights in 1978.[12] Though these were local measures, the discussion was a national one. Supporters of all three referenda created a Tri-Cities Defense Fund to fundraise jointly.[13] After Measure 51 passed, activists in San Francisco held a protest against it.[14]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Eugene Election History". eugene-or.gov. 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2020-02-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ a b "Bryant sends her congratulations to anti-gay victors". Eugene Register Guard. 1998-05-24. Retrieved 2020-02-28.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Nicola, George (April 10, 2013). "Oregon Anti-Gay Ballot Measures". GLAPN. Retrieved March 3, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ a b c d Henry, Charles (1977-10-24). "10/24/1977 Meeting". coeapp.eugene-or.gov. Retrieved 2020-02-28. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ Henry, Charles (1977-10-26). "10/26/1977 Meeting". coeapps.eugene-or.gov. Retrieved 2020-02-28. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Henry, Charles (1977-11-28). "11/28/1977 Meeting". coeapps.eugene-or.gov. Retrieved 2020-02-28. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= requires |archive-url= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ a b Nelson, Don (1977-11-29). "Gay opponents seeks signatures". news.google.com. Retrieved 2020-02-28. {{cite web}}: Check |archive-url= value (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ Charles, Henry (1977-10-28). "10/26/1977 Meeting". coeapp.eugene-gov.org. Retrieved 2020-03-02. {{cite web}}: Check |archive-url= value (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ a b Nelson, Don (1979-05-24). "Defeat leaves gay rights backers undeterred". Eugene Register-Guard. Retrieved 2020-03-02.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ Stone, Amy (2012). Gay rights at the ballot box. University of Minnesota Press. p. 52. ISBN 9780816675487.
  11. ^ Thoele, Mike (1978-05-23). "High school probably won't hear gay debate". Eugene Register-Guard. Retrieved 2020-03-02.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ Stone, Amy (2012). Gay rights at the ballot box. University of Minnesota Press. p. 43. ISBN 9780816675487.
  13. ^ Stone, Amy (2012). Gay rights at the ballot box. University of Minnesota Press. p. 60. ISBN 9780816675487.
  14. ^ Shilts, Randy (2008). The mayor of Castro Street. St. Martin's Griffin. p. 220. ISBN 9780312560850.
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