Basic Rights Education Fund Launches Statewide Public Education Campaign: 50 Voices for Equality

From Faith Leaders and Elected Officials to Parents and Business Leaders, Fifty Straight Oregonians Speak Out About Fairness for Gays and Lesbians



(Portland, Oregon) Today, Basic Rights Education Fund, the 501(c)(3) arm of Basic Rights Oregon, launched a large-scale statewide education campaign, entitled "50 Voices For Equality." The project highlights 50 diverse community leaders from across the state, showcasing Oregon's broad support for equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Oregonians and their families. Participants in the project are particularly passionate about protecting Oregon's two new basic fairness laws, which create Domestic Partnerships for same-sex couples and banning discrimination in employment, housing public accommodation and other areas.

These 50 heterosexual Oregonians believe that fairness is a basic Oregon value. They believe that our new laws, ending discrimination against both individuals and families based on sexual orientation and gender identity, have made Oregon a fairer place to live and work.

"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. "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. If our new laws were to be overturned, many families would be shut out from the ability to best care for those they love. That's just not the Oregon way."

The Fifty Voices for Equality website at www.50VoicesForEquality.com features biographies and statements of support for fairness in Oregon, as well as photos of the 50 Voices. Each of the Voices will engage in educational activities in their communities throughout 2007 and 2008. The campaign will include other educational components, to be launched in the coming months in combination with other campaigns.

The voices come from diverse perspectives, and include leading businesspeople, parents and grandparents, faith leaders, elected officials, community activists and public safety officers. Voices are geographically diverse as well, hailing from Bend, Philomath, Otis, Woodburn, Portland, Eugene, Baker City, Salem, Warm Springs, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Lincoln City, Ashland, Corvallis, Troutdale, Lake Oswego, The Dalles, Coos Bay, and Keizer.

Rabbi Maurice Harris of Eugene explains, "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 continued, "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. This is why I am proud to be a part of the 50 Voices for Equality Campaign."

Keith and Antoinette Edwards were inspired to join the 50 Voices project in order to promote equality for Oregonians like their adult 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. Keith adds, "It means to be respected and treated as an equal - and to treat people with that same respect."

To view a short promotional video about the 50 voices For Equality campaign, please click here.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 1:14 PM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.