Many Older Queer Adults Face Abuse Yet Rarely Report It, Study Says

Via Shutterstock
ADVOCATE: Research into Oregon's LGB older adult population also found a majority of them have experienced discrimination in the last year.

A survey conducted by Oregon’s Human Services Department has found that most older lesbian, gay, or bisexual people in the state have reported experiencing discrimination and many also reported experiencing elder abuse.

The agency found that LGB older adults experienced higher rates of poverty, suicidal thoughts, and overall economic instability. Respondents described issues getting appropriate health care and social services, such as food or transport assistance, partly because of their identity. Older LGB people in the state also reported feeling isolated from others.

“We still fall under all the things that happen to older adults,” said Mary Rita Hurley, the 62-year-old lesbian cofounder of the advocacy organization LGBTQ Aging Coalition, told The Salem Reporter. “Then on top of that, particularly depending on how old the older LGBTQ person is, there is still an amazing amount of stigma out there. We still have people in the closet.” » | Alex Cooper | Friday, November 26, 2021

Hundreds Clash in Portland as Proud Boys Rally Descends into Violence

THE GUARDIAN: Running street battle ends in gunfight after ‘Summer of love’ protest in a parking lot of a former Kmart store

Far-right extremists and anti-fascist counter protesters clashed on Sunday in Portland, Oregon. Photograph: Nathan Howard/Getty Images
THE GUARDIAN: Running street battle ends in gunfight after ‘Summer of love’ protest in a parking lot of a former Kmart store

A rightwing protest in Portland on Sunday has culminated in a gunfight, when antifascist demonstrators returned fire at a man who shot at them with a handgun in a downtown street.

The firefight took place in the heart of downtown Portland, soon after 6pm. As antifascists followed a man at a distance who they were trying to eject from the area, he took cover behind an electrical substation box, produced a handgun and opened fire. He fired at least two shots before an antifascist returned fire with their own handgun. At least seven shots were fired.

Portland police bureau confirmed that a man had been arrested over the shooting but did not have any information on any injuries.

The incident came after a day of protest descended into running clashes involving hundreds of protesters and counter protesters. » | Jason Wilson in Portland, Oregon | Monday, August 23, 2021

Chris Hedges 2017 - Stop Fascism - Chris Hedges in Portland | Part 1 (August 18, 2017)

President Obama's Visit to the Killing Ground in Oregon

Oct. 09, 2015 - 7:16 - 'The O'Reilly Factor': Bill O'Reilly's Talking Points 10/9

Oregon: Protesters in Roseburg Declare 'Obama Free Zone,' Display Guns on Hips, Support Sheriff

Read the Oregonian/OregonLive article here | Rebecca Woolington | Friday, October 9, 2015

Obama: Our Thoughts and Prayers Are Not Enough

Oct. 01, 2015 - 12:32 - President makes statement on Oregon shooting, calls for 'common sense' gun laws

Three US States Poised to Legalise Cannabis and Defy 'War on Drugs'

THE OBSERVER: Washington, Oregon and Colorado set to allow recreational use

Three US states are set to legalise recreational cannabis use this week in votes that could have major implications for the country's war on drugs.

Alongside their choice for president, residents of Washington, Oregon and Colorado – a swing state – will be asked on Tuesday whether they want to decriminalise cannabis.

If the measures are passed, adults over 21 would be able to possess, distribute and use small amounts. Cannabis for authorised medical use is already permitted and regulated by each state, even though it is against federal law.

Support is particularly strong in Washington and Colorado, but a "yes" vote in any of the states would be interpreted by the Department of Justice as an act of defiance against the federal government's war on drugs – the national law enforcement programme that spends $44bn a year struggling to stem the tide of illegal drugs in the US.

In June 2011, however, the Global Commission on Drug Policy declared that the war on drugs had failed.

In a swing state such as Colorado, putting the liberal measure on the ballot could even help to keep the battleground state – narrowly won for Barack Obama in 2008 – on the president's side. Obama has taken a soft line on medical cannabis use. » | Joanna Walters | Saturday, November 03, 2012

My comment:

Absurd! For a country such as the USA which takes such a harsh line on smoking cigarettes, this is a ridiculous move. Cigarettes, whilst they may not be harmless, are certainly not in the same health-risk league as drugs, soft or hard. This is a retrograde step too far. The US will yet come to rue the day they legalised drugs. The Americans are going bonkers! – © Mark