Progressive Oregon high school prevents trans bathroom angst; newspaper runs trans positive story on front page

Trans student Scott Morrison says school unisex bathroom a godsend (Photo: oregonlive.com)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — After an ugly week for trans people in the news, particularly, in newspapers, imagine my surprise when I picked up from my doorstep our local paper and seeing a trans positive story on the front page — we’re not talking about a small tombstone piece, but real estate approaching half of the front page with a photo above the fold.

The story in The Oregonian: Portland’s Grant High School creates unisex restrooms for transgender students to use after school administrators became concerned about their safety and needs.

Yes, it’s simple as that. $500 to change some locks. Potential problem fixed. Next issue please.

Why can’t other schools be as progressive as the Portland Public Schools? Need a model? Here’s one.

Thumbs up to the school counselors, administrators, Portland’s TransActive and anyone else that had a hand in this.

As for The Oregonian, whoa, what can I say? Pronoun usage, terminology, facts — you got most everything right. Here’s another model for mainstream reporting on trans people and trans issues that others ought to follow. (The Daily Mail, et. al., I’m looking at you.)

Grant High’s transgender students get unisex bathroom option | OregonLive.com.

Trans student Scott Morrison says school unisex bathroom a godsend (Photo: oregonlive.com)

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Filed under: Media, Positive PR, Policy, Administrative, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, bathroom, Grant High School, oregon, portland, scott morrison, The Oregonian, transactive, unisex

Plug pulled on “Just Out” magazine a second time — transgender column “In Transit” ends

“Just Out” logos throughout the years

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Portland, Oregon’s long running LGBT magazine Just Out has ceased publication a second time. The February, 2013 edition was the final issue.

Publishers Jonathan Kipp and Eddie Glenn pulled the plug after 9 issues when it became apparent that advertising revenue was not going to reach the level needed to make it a viable operation.

Kipp and Glenn bought the magazine shortly after previous owner Marty Davis shut it down a year ago. It was hoped that a makeover would keep the magazine in print, but economic factors did not allow this to happen.

Yours truly had a monthly column in the publication which I wrote about transgender topics with a local slant. I’d like to thank Kipp and Glenn for that opportunity. Of course, my writings will continue to appear in The Guerrilla Angel Report, The Huffington Post, Wipe Out Transphobia and the numerous other media outlets that republish my work.

I am not privy to information whether the magazine will someday resurface. My guess is as good as yours.

Articles I wrote for Just Out: In Transit.

“Just Out” logos throughout the years

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Filed under: Media, Positive PR, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, eddie glenn, guerrilla angel report, in transit, jonathan kipp, just out, lgbt, magazine, marty davis, oregon, portland

State files charges against ‘phone message leaving’ bar owner for transgender discrimination

Bar owner leaves phone message for trans patrons telling them to stay away (Photo: KATU-TV)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT –This case is widely known for bar owner Chris Penner’s leaving a phone message for transgender regulars of his bar in Portland, Oregon, then known as the P-club, telling them not to come back because they’re scaring customers away.

In October, Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian stated that their investigation turned up compelling evidence of discrimination and suggested that Penner work out some sort of agreement with the state civil rights division to resolve the issue. Since Penner did not come to an agreement, Avakian went ahead and filed formal charges against Penner under the 2007 Oregon Equality Act. The next step is a hearing on March 19th.

Avakian: “[The 2007 act] changed the way Oregon respected the rights of gays, lesbians and transgender people. It was a strong statement that Oregon would not stand for discrimination. That doesn’t just mean in Portland in the P Club. It means in every business in the state, in every government body. In this particular case, it was clear that that standard was being violated. The T Girls were not being treated with fairness. They were being blatantly discriminated against because they were transgendered.” . . .

“But The P Club will get a chance to put on their defense, and we will aggressively prosecute the case. Not only do we have the new law, but we have a position, the labor commissioner position, and an agency that’s in charge of making sure that this law has teeth, that when someone is treated unfairly, the law stands up to protect them.”

I’ve been closely following this case and you can read all the details here: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/?s=chris+penner

Quote source: The Oregonian

Bar owner leaves phone message for trans patrons telling them to stay away (Photo: KATU-TV)

Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian files formal charges against P Club for discrimination against transgender customers | OregonLive.com.

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Policy, Administrative, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, 2007 Oregon Equality Act, Brad Avakian, chris penner, oregon, Oregon Labor Commissioner, P Club, portland

Lawsuit prompts state of Oregon to provide sex reassignment surgery insurance coverage for state employees

Tara Borelli of Lambda Legal (Photo: Lambda Legal)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — An out-of-court settlement to a discrimination lawsuit filed by a transgender Oregon Court of Appeals clerk has resulted in sex reassignment surgery insurance coverage for all state employees.  In addition, the state will pay Alec Esquival $36,000.

Esquival, a trans man, filed the lawsuit against the state and public employees benefits board after he was denied a doctor-recommended hysterectomy. Although a hysterectomy is a covered benefit, he was denied coverage because it was for the purpose of transitioning.

Esquival’s attorney Tara Borelli (of Lambda Legal): “When the state refused to provide him with coverage for the same medical procedure that co-workers could access, Alec was compensated less based on his gender identity. Oregon has now corrected that inequity.”

Oddly enough, a 2007 state law bans private insurance companies from gender or sexuality discrimination, seemingly allowing the public employees benefits board a loophole of some sort. With the settlement, that ambiguity is gone.

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Sources: Statesman Journal, AP

Tara Borelli of Lambda Legal (Photo: Lambda Legal)

More: http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/01/oregon_state_employee_benefits.html

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Filed under: Judicial, Courts, SRS, Sex Reassignment Surgery, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Alec Esquival, insurance, oregon, Tara Borelli

Trans-Mayor

(Photo: Just Out)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — [I wrote this for Just Out.] On Election Day 2012, a transgender Oregonian drew national attention for the second time by winning a fifth term as Mayor of Silverton, Oregon. Stu Rasmussen first drew media attention in 2008 by being the first transgender person elected mayor in the United States.

[Read the entire article on the Just Out site here: http://www.justout.com/columns/voices/in-transit/trans-mayor/ ]

Stu was born and grew up in Silverton. She was hired by Tektronics right out of college, eventually ending up as a staff engineer for the Television Products Division. Later, she started a cable television company with a partner bringing service into Silverton and Mt. Angel. After a while she sold that company and moved on to a number of other engineering ventures as well as running the Palace Theatre in Silverton. She also dabbled in local politics and along the way changed her gender and decided to shoot for the mayor’s chair after serving three 4-year terms on the city council. Although national media came to town following her victory, Stu says it was “no big deal” in Silverton.

A visit to Stu Rasmussen’s campaign website reveals that this no ordinary trans woman. The site states: “If you just stumbled on this site you may be asking yourself ‘Is this guy for real?’ or ‘Is that really a guy?’” No beating around the bush here.

Stu kept her first name after she changed gender. Pronoun references to Stu in the local media appear to use both forms. This had me wondering a bit so I checked in with Stu and asked her about this and a couple of other things.

Just Out: Any pronoun preference?

Stu Rasmussen: I avoid ‘pronoun angst’ by personally not caring whether I’m referred to in male or female terms. I grew up here [Silverton] as a guy and have transitioned to something ‘in-between’ where either is correct – so either pronoun works fine.

JO: Has being trans presented opportunities for you (and for the city of Silverton) you might not have had otherwise?

Stu: The publicity after the 2008 election has resulted in a small bump in tourism — we should probably have capitalized on it early on but the Chamber of Commerce was in the other political camp. That may change.

JO: How do you view Portland as Mayor of Silverton?

Stu: I like Portland (it’s really ‘a small town with a lot of people’) and visit at least once a week just so I can appreciate what we have here when I return. I describe Silverton as ‘40 miles and 40 years’ from Portland. Our downtown is a time capsule of when I grew up in the 50s and 60s and is a great spot for day trips from the Portland area. A weekend spent at the Oregon Garden Resort here and wandering in Silverton’s business district is a great opportunity to re-charge one’s personal batteries.

JO: Any advice for Portland’s next mayor?

Stu: Avoid trysting with a teenager.

JO: People who know you comment about what a great guy you are. These comments are made by people who live, lived or just drove through Silverton. Most politicians would love this kind of feedback. What’s your secret?

Stu: I’m just being ‘me’.

via Trans-Mayor.

(Photo: Just Out)

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Filed under: Media, Positive PR, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, mayor, oregon, portland, pronoun angst, silverton, Stu Rasmussen

Oregon trans woman elected to the Democratic National Committee

Laura Calvo (Photo: Portland Mercury)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Oregon’s Laura Calvo, a Democrat Party activist and former sheriff deputy is the first transgender person elected to Democratic National Committee. Another trans woman, AnmBarbra Casbar Siperstein, the first one to serve on the committee, was appointed.

Democratic Party of Oregon’s Meredith Wood Smith: “Everyone who’s worked with Laura Calvo knows what I know – she’s a superstar. We couldn’t be prouder to have her represent the Democratic Party of Oregon as a member of the Democratic National Committee.”

There is very little information beyond this, however, I did find a picture of her for this piece.

Contact info for the Oregon Democrat Party:

http://www.dpo.org/party

Laura Calvo (Photo: Portland Mercury)

Oregon democrat is first transgender woman elected to the Democratic National Committee | Statesman Journal | statesmanjournal.com.

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Filed under: Media, Positive PR, Politics, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, AnmBarbra Casbar Siperstein, democrat, Democratic National Committee, Laura Calvo, Meredith Wood Smith, oregon

State of Oregon tells insurance companies no more transgender discrimination

(Photo: cdc.gov)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — In December, 2012, the Oregon Insurance Division announced sweeping new protections for transgender Oregonians. This is an apparent follow-up to a 2007 law that bans discrimination against LGBT people. Private insurers will find loopholes to deny benefits/coverage for trans people throughly tightened.

The division’s bulletin states that denying trans people coverage would constitute gender identity discrimination. One Oregon LGBT publication (PQ Monthly) summed up a number of no-nos, including refusal to renew or cancellation of a policy, the setting of different rates,  “pre-existing conditions” disqualification, and the denial of GI related mental health services. A Think Progress report expands on this just a bit more and includes PQ Monthly’s summary in full: http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/01/07/1405281/oregon-insurance-companies-can-no-longer-discriminate-against-transgender-people/

I had info on this earlier but the source was iffy. With the new sources, it does appear the division’s bulletin benefits trans people in powerfully positive way.

I’m also posting the entire bulletin in the comments section below.

To file a complaint: http://www.cbs.state.or.us/ins/consumer/tomake.html

(Photo: cdc.gov)

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Policy, Administrative, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, insurance, oregon, Oregon Insurance Division

Oregon’s governor declares December as Transgender Youth Awareness Month

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber (Photo: couve.com)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber proclaimed December 2012 as Transgender Youth Awareness Month. The governor also gave nod to Portland Oregon’s transgender youth organization, TransActive. I previously wrote about the great work that organization is doing for trans kids: http://www.justout.com/columns/voices/in-transit/in-transit-a-sobering-number/.

Here’s an excerpt from the governor’s proclamation:

“Whereas: Transgender and gender nonconforming children and youth are among the least understood, most marginalized and underserved populations of Oregonians despite constituting at least one percent of all children and youth; and

Whereas: Transgender children who receive the love and support of their families, friends, neighbors, communities, schools and culture have every opportunity to thrive and be successful; and

Whereas: Transgender adolescents deserve access to pediatric medical care and healthcare coverage that affords them the opportunity to experience physical puberty in a way that is congruent with their gender identity.

Now, Therefore: I, John A. Kitzhaber, M.D., Governor of the State of Oregon, hereby proclaim December 2012 to be Transgender Youth Awareness Month in Oregon and encourage all Oregonians to join in this observance.”

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Governor Kitzhaber is now serving his third term as Oregon’s governor after 8 years out of office. My congrats to the voters of Oregon for returning someone whose top priorities include transgender kids.

A pdf of the actual proclamation: http://www.transactiveonline.org/Silent%20Auction/Transgender%20Awareness%20Month%202012.pdf

More about TransActive: http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/preventing-transgender-teen-suicide-means-working-with-trans-kids-long-before-they-hit-puberty/

President Obama campaigns for Gov. Kitzhaber in 2010 (Photo: KATU-TV)

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Filed under: Media, Positive PR, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, governor, John Kitzhaber, Obama, oregon, proclamation, transactive, Transgender Youth Awareness Month

Courtney O’Donnell: A Sobering Number

Jenn Burleton (Photo: Just Out/Horace Long)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT: (I wrote this for Just Out.) The number of transgender kids, or rather, children with gender expression not conforming to society’s “set rules,” is said to number 3,200 in the Portland area. That’s a pretty big number of kids having to deal with very adult issues — something even adult trans people have difficulty dealing with.

[You can also read this entire article on the Just Out site: In Transit: A Sobering Number.]

Throw in bullying, social peer pressure, and clueless parents into the mix and it is not surprising that by the time they are teens, 80 percent of those who think their bodies don’t match their minds gender-wise consider suicide. A sobering number.

No parent can possibly be expected to deal with their child’s gender expression or gender identity questions on their own. Likewise, educators, social workers and caseworkers are not always ahead of the curve on all things transgender either.

The key to suicide prevention according to Portland’s TransActive, one of the few transgender youth nonprofit organizations in the country, is reaching the kids before puberty. The group’s Executive Director, Jenn Burleton, says they exist primarily to improve the quality of life of transgender and gender nonconforming children. She says parents sometimes can notice a potential trans child as early as 18 months.

TransActive offers options and steps for kids and their parents that not only ease the struggle, but gets the kids off the, sadly, well-trodden path that leads to a second sobering number; over 40 percent of all transgender people attempt suicide.

“TransActive provides a comprehensive array of in-house counseling, case management and medical referral services, educational workshops, training and professional speakers, child and family advocacy and support to transgender and gender non-conforming children and youth, their families, allies, community organizations and helping professionals,” their website says.

I’m seeing their weekly group meetings of transgender kids as one of the highlights of the programs offered. Just knowing there are other trans kids like them out there having the exact same struggles is a huge self esteem boost. They will come to realize the “problem” isn’t them at all, but rather society’s ignorance.

TransActive also has similar group meetings for parents, siblings and others at a loss for what to do. Counseling is offered to help them make the adjustments needed to support their child’s or sibling’s gender expression. The training and workshop programs for those in the community working with trans people are invaluable as well.

Burleton has spoken out about the consequences for children who are bullied and are victims of prejudice. Kids have rights, she says, and mentions the Oregon Safe Schools Act, which says every child in the state can express their gender however they want.

TransActive is currently reaching 70 families, leaving some 3,100 Portland area kids possibly without much guidance. Hopefully, Portlanders with trans kids will take advantage of the wealth of resources we have for them in our own backyard.

via In Transit: A Sobering Number.

Jenn Burleton (Photo: Just Out/Horace Long)

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Associated with Wipe Out Transphobia: http://www.wipeouttransphobia.com/

Filed under: Other Health, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Jenn Burleton, kids, oregon, Oregon Safe Schools Act, portland, transactive

Bizarre Oregon for-hire killing of partner by cop may have transgender rejection roots

Deborah Benton, Lynn Benton

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — While I’ve been following the story, I haven’t reported on it even though one of the parties involved is transgender. It then appeared to be more of a common domestic dispute with the transgender spouse being perhaps, the aggressor — not something out of the ordinary. However, a month after the murder, a third party was arrested for the killing and the investigation slogged along for over a year.

However, now there has been a rapid series of developments that suggest the trans person may have hired a hitman to kill his cis spouse because she wasn’t adapting well to her spouse’s gender change.

Quick background: Lesbian couple consist of a Gladstone, Oregon police sergeant Lynne Benton with partner beautician Deborah Higbee Benton. Later, Lynne undergoes gender change and changes legal name to Lynn Edwards Benton in 2009. There are relationship difficulties but they marry anyway in 2010. In 2011 Deborah is murdered and police arrest Susan Ellen Campbell for the murder. Later, Benton loses his cop job for supposedly unrelated matters and becomes a Greyhound bus driver.

Last week however, Lynn was indicted for plotting to murder Deborah. On Friday Susan Ellen Campbell pleaded guilty for the actual murder. Campbell’s son, Jason Jay Jaynes, was also indicted last week — suspected of participation in the plotting of the murder apparently before the Bentons got married.

Only now it appears that Deborah was killed in part for being unable to deal with Lynn changing his gender from a female to a male.  Some media outlets are jumping the gun — perhaps in an attempt to exploit the topic blaming it all on Lynn’s “sex change.” But, not all the fact are in. We have not heard from Lynn Benton. He has not been convicted of a crime yet.

After slugging along for over a year, this story is starting to develop quickly so perhaps in a week or so we may know more.

Gladstone is a suburb of Portland, Oregon.

Stay tuned.

The deceased Deborah Benton, former Sgt. Lynn Benton

For more background on this story and other links:  Accomplice pleads guilty in Gladstone beautician’s murder, agrees to testify against ex-cop, own son | OregonLive.com.

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Filed under: Deaths, Murder, Law Enforcement, Police, Other Health, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Deborah Higbee Benton, Gladstone, Lynn Edwards Benton, lynne benton, murder-for-hire, oregon

First openly transgender mayor in the U.S., Stu Rasmussen, re-elected to fifth term

Silverton, Oregon Mayor Stu Rasmussen

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Silverton, Oregon voters re-elected Mayor Stu Rasmussen, for a reported 5th term on Tuesday. Rasmussen previously gained national attention as the first openly transgender mayor in the United States.

While I’m not quite sure which pronoun Rasmussen prefers we use, but I’ve a hunch it doesn’t matter to Silverton’s mayor.

From Rasmussen’s campaign website:

Really?

If you just stumbled on this site you may be asking yourself “Is this guy for real?” or “Is that guy for real”?

I’m Stu Rasmussen. I own and operate several small businesses in Silverton, Oregon (population 9,588). I have also served 24 years as an elected official in local government, as City Councilor, Mayor and member of the Silver Falls Library board. I completed my third 4-year term on the Silverton City Council in 2008 and ran for Mayor at that time. When I won, it was ‘no big deal’ here in Silverton, but for some reason that election attracted a lot of attention elsewhere.

I just happen to be transgendered – something I didn’t even know the word for until I discovered it on the Internet. . .”

http://www.sturasmussen.com/realityCheck.htm

Congrats to Stu!

Silverton, Oregon Mayor Stu Rasmussen

Silverton, Oregon Mayor Stu Rasmussen (Photo: McClaran)

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Filed under: Media, Positive PR, Politics, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Mayor Stu Rasmussen, oregon, silverton

State investigation of bar that booted trans patrons: ‘substantial evidence of discrimination’

Booted patron Susan Miller talks to news media (Photo: KPTV-TV)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — Oregon State Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian: “Blocking the entire group [of transgender patrons] from visiting the P Club in reaction to rumors that the establishment ‘is a tranny bar’ is an overreaction, is unfair, and is on its face unlawful discrimination.”

I’ve been covering this story about this Portland, Oregon bar owner who booted a group of regular transgender patrons from the P-Club by leaving a message on one of the patron’s phone. That message ended up being evidence in a state civil rights investigation into the bar owner, Chris Penner’s actions against them.

It was yesterday that Avakian announced his findings. The state is to announce formal charges at a later date and set a hearing for Penner. Penner’s attorney Jonathan Radmacher has indicated that they don’t agree with the findings and that the investigation didn’t interview their witnesses.

I wrote this after the state jumped into the investigation:  http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/09/24/bar-under-state-investigation-for-booting-group-of-transgender-patrons-changes-name-format

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This is one of the messages Penner left for a member of the group that prompted the investigation: “I’ve done some investigating why my sales are declining and there’s two things I keep hearing: People think that a) we’re a tranny bar or b) we’re a gay bar. We are neither. People are not coming in because they just don’t want to be there on a Friday night now.”

You can read more details on the whole incident here:  http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/state-investigates-bar-after-owner-tells-transgender-patrons-told-not-to-return/

Bureau of Labor and Industries finds ‘substantial evidence of discrimination’ at North Portland P Club | OregonLive.com.

Booted P-Club patron Susan Miller talks to news media (Photo: KPTV-TV)

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Brad Avakian, chris penner, oregon, Oregon State Labor Commission, P Club, portland

Bar under state investigation for booting group of transgender patrons changes name, format

Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian (Photo: KATU-TV)

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — A Portland, Oregon bar under state investigation for booting out a group of trans people who met at the bar for 2 years, changed the 50-year old name of the club — the Portsmouth Club, also known as the P-Club to the Twilight Room Annex.

In the booting incident, the owner, Chris Penner, saying he was concerned about the tran group’s presence driving patrons away, left a phone message for the group telling them not to come to his bar anymore. You can read about that incident in this article I wrote in August:  http://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/state-investigates-bar-after-owner-tells-transgender-patrons-told-not-to-return/

Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian himself filed the complaint against the bar and the investigation is on going. An anti-trans discrimination law been in existence in the city of Portland since 2001, state-wide since 2007. One of the reasons the commissioner filed the complaint himself was because he said “there may be barriers to the individuals filing the complaint themselves” because some were still in the closet.

Beth Allen, lawyer for the trans group: “You can’t just kick people out of bar because they’re an unpopular class of people. I think he thought because perhaps some of his patrons have a negative view of transgender individuals, that gave him the right to kick them out. . . .”

Bar owner Chris Penner on the voice message he left for the group that prompted the investigation: “I put my foot in my mouth. … I’m not a lawyer. I was trying to explain.”

But Penner still thinks he did the right thing. He recently stated: “Most [people in the group booted out of the bar] are in-the-closet, straight men, but they’re using the women’s restrooms, they feel they have a right to use those restrooms because on Friday nights, they are women.”

As everyone awaits the outcome of the state investigation, Penner says he’s making changes to ensure the place makes money and the name change was part of that.

Stay tuned.

Portland club changes name, labor bureau investigates its treatment of crossdressers | OregonLive.com.

Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian  files complaint against the bar on behalf of transgender group (Photo: KATU-TV)

Bar owner Chris Penner (Photo: KATU-TV)

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Filed under: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transgender, Transsexual, Trans, Beth Allen, Brad Avakian, chris penner, oregon, Oregon Labor Commissioner, P Club, portland, Portsmouth Club, Twilight Room Annex.

Oregon GOP removes anti-LGBT language from party platform.

State GOP Party marginalized by Oregon voters.

THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT — They’re not doing this because they’ve a change of heart, but rather, voters forced their hand. No Republican holds a state-wide office, and the Governor’s office has been in the hands of the Democrats since the mid ’80s.

With the old guard out of state office and others simply unelectable, the GOP is trying to soften its image to attract younger business owners who are turned off by current party prejudices.
This isn’t a watershed moment, but an interesting contrast to what is going on in the rest of the country — Tea Party supporters swaying the GOP further towards the right. Oregon has shown that when Democrats turn out to vote, the Tea Party and other extremists are rightfully marginalized.

Filed under: Politics, gop, oregon, republican, Tea Party