From charlie.burr at state.or.us Wed Aug 14 08:46:22 2013 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2013 15:46:22 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: Same-sex couple files formal civil rights complaint against Gresham bakery Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072612AD810BA@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image003.png at 01CE98CA.C70B10D0] Press Release For Immediate Release August 14, 2013 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788 Same-sex couple files formal civil rights complaint with BOLI against Gresham bakery "We are committed to a fair, through investigation," says Labor Commissioner Avakian Portland, OR-A same-sex couple has filed an anti-discrimination complaint with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) against a Gresham bakery, Sweet Cakes by Melissa, for allegedly refusing service based on sexual orientation. BOLI will conduct an investigation to determine if the business violated the Oregon Equality Act of 2007 protecting the rights of gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender Oregonians in employment, housing and public places. Under Oregon law, Oregonians cannot be denied service based on sexual orientation. The law provides an exemption for religious organizations and schools, but does not allow private business owners to discriminate based on sexual orientation, just as they cannot legally deny service based on race, sex, age, veteran status, disability or religion. "We are committed to a fair and thorough investigation to determine whether there's substantial evidence of unlawful discrimination," said Avakian. "For businesses seeking to navigate Oregon's equality law, we can be a resource for them. We can answer emails or phone calls within 24-hours to help them understand what the rules are so that they can avoid potential violations in the first place." BOLI investigations are statutorily required to conclude within a year. If investigators find substantial evidence, the bureau may bring formal charges if parties cannot reach a settlement through conciliation. The case then moves to the Administrative Prosecution Unit, responsible for processing the contested civil rights division cases pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) and BOLI contested case hearing rules. In December 2012, the Administrative Prosecution Unit began double-setting cases for hearing, similar to a circuit court docketing, to enable parties to achieve settlements or final dispositions more quickly. Later this summer, the bureau expects a ruling in the Portland P Club case involving the same civil rights public accommodations law. In that case, the potential violation stems from allegations of a North Portland bar refusing service to patrons based on gender identity. The bureau has also previously used the statute to pursue public accommodations violations such as a black customer being denied service by a fast food restaurant, a disabled Oregonian denied access night club based on physical disability, and black patrons being refused service to an Oregon lounge. BOLI protects all Oregonians from unlawful discrimination, investigating allegations of civil rights violations in workplaces, career schools, housing and public accommodations. The labor commissioner can issue cease and desist orders, award both economic and non-economic damages and assess civil penalties for violations of civil rights law. Copies of the complaint are available upon request. For more information about BOLI's efforts to protect workplaces and support Oregon employers, visit http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 1045 Portland, OR 97232-2180 (971) 673-0788 wk. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.png Type: image/png Size: 3391 bytes Desc: image003.png URL: From charlie.burr at state.or.us Mon Aug 26 12:14:58 2013 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2013 19:14:58 +0000 Subject: NEWS ADVISORY: Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian will visit NW Youth Corps habitat restoration project Tuesday, Aug. 27th at noon Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072612AD84EDE@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image001.png at 01CEA250.037844A0] NEWS ADVISORY For News Planning August 27, 2013 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788 office, (503) 913-5407 cell. Avakian will visit NW Youth Corps habitat restoration project Crews of at-risk youth protect natural areas while learning teamwork and project skills MILWAUKIE?Oregon Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian will visit Northwest Youth Corps? stream restoration project in the Johnson Creek Watershed this Tuesday performed by a crew of 10 underserved and at-risk youth ranging from age 16 to 19. The Northwest Youth Corps project offers hands-on learning and job training for young people as they contribute to the region?s natural areas and wild places. The tour will offer excellent visuals of habitat restoration as Commissioner Avakian praises the program and stresses the importance of providing opportunities for young Oregonians to make a difference in their communities. What: NW Youth Corps habitat restoration visit When: Tuesday, Aug. 27 at noon Where: Start at Eastmoreland Racquet Club (near Tennis Courts) 3015 SE Berkeley Place, Portland? (Note: Meet at SE Berkley Place not the playground) Northwest Youth Corps was created in 1984 to offer teenagers an education-based, work experience modeled after the historic Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. The public/private partnership ? funded in part by grants from Nike, Wells Fargo and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation ? will support crews as they complete a total of 7,650 hours of paid conservation projects through a five-week program. Activities will improve habitat and recreational trails throughout the region. In addition to removing invasive species and improving natural areas, students will learn important professional skills such as team building, work ethic and project development. ### About BOLI The mission of the Bureau of Labor and Industries is to protect employment rights, advance employment opportunities, and provide for equal access to housing and public accommodations free from discrimination. Charlie Burr Communications Director Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 1045 Portland, OR 97232-2180 (971) 673-0788 wk. (503) 913-5407 cell. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.png Type: image/png Size: 8354 bytes Desc: image001.png URL: From charlie.burr at state.or.us Fri Aug 30 08:04:37 2013 From: charlie.burr at state.or.us (Burr, Charlie) Date: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 15:04:37 +0000 Subject: NEWS RELEASE: BOLI Final Order: P Club discrimination violated Oregon law Message-ID: <6376A41CAD6C3E4F8A65385BDA4072612AD86019@D5DAG1B.D5.USA.NET> [cid:image003.png at 01CEA557.94F512F0] Press Release For Immediate Release August 30, 2013 CONTACT: Charlie Burr, (971) 673-0788 work, (503) 913-5407 cell. BOLI Final Order: P Club discrimination violated Oregon law Charges represent first commissioner's complaint filed under landmark 2007 civil rights law Portland, OR-A North Portland bar has been found in violation of the Oregon Equality Act of 2007 for unlawful discrimination. Under Oregon law, Oregonians may not be denied full and equal service based on sexual orientation. The law provides an exemption for religious organizations and schools, but does not allow private business owners to discriminate based on sexual orientation, just as they cannot legally deny service based on race, sex, age, disability or religion. Last year, investigators with the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) found substantial evidence of unlawful discrimination, including phone messages from bar owner Chris Penner asking a group of transgender patrons to stop visiting the establishment because he didn't want the P Club known as a "tranny bar" or "gay bar". The BOLI Final Order will direct the respondent to compensate 11 members of the T Girls with amounts ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 per aggrieved person for emotional, mental and physical anguish as a result of their treatment. "Oregonians deserve to be treated fairly under the law," said Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian. "For businesses seeking to understand the law, we can help them navigate the Oregon Equality Act and other existing state and federal protections. Our technical assistance for business program can field their questions and help them avoid potential violations in the first place." The charges are the first commissioner's complaint filed under the landmark 2007 Oregon Equality Act. Oregon law authorizes the Labor Commissioner to file a complaint on behalf of the state when he has reason to believe that violations of civil rights law are occurring in a place of public accommodation. Since 2007, Oregonians have filed 11 complaints of unlawful discrimination in public places under the 2007 equality law. After the agency's investigations, BOLI found no substantial evidence in five of the complaints. Parties negotiated settlements in three cases, with one case (Sweet Cakes) still being reviewed by BOLI investigators. In total, the agency has received 182 Oregon Equality Act employment, housing and public accommodations complaints, finding no substantial evidence in 103 of the investigations. The P Club Final Order cites the standard of what constitutes a denial of service from an earlier BOLI discrimination case in which a black woman was found to have been denied full and equal access to a place of public accommodation (In the Matter of The Pub, 6 BOLI 270 (1987)). BOLI protects all Oregonians from unlawful discrimination, investigating allegations of civil rights violations in workplaces, career schools, housing and public accommodations, and enforces compliance with state laws relating to wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. The labor commissioner can issue cease and desist orders, award both economic and non-economic damages and assess civil penalties for violations of civil rights law. For more information about BOLI's efforts to protect workplaces and the civil rights of all Oregonians, visit http://www.oregon.gov/BOLI. A copy of the Blachana (dba Twilight Room Annex aka The P Club) BOLI Final Order is available upon request. ### Charlie Burr Communications Director Bureau of Labor and Industries 800 NE Oregon St., Ste. 1045 Portland, OR 97232-2180 (971) 673-0788 wk. (503) 913-5407 cell. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image003.png Type: image/png Size: 7699 bytes Desc: image003.png URL: