Oregon State Bar rejects military ads due to bias against gays, others

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The Oregon State Bar board has voted to ban the Oregon National Guard from advertising in the bar magazine because of the military's controversial policy on homosexuals.

In an 11-3 vote Friday in Klamath Falls, the board turned against a recommendation from its advisory committee that would have allowed the Oregon State Bar Bulletin to resume accepting recruitment ads from the Guard.

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In the month leading to Friday's vote, bar board members received about 100 e-mails and letters on the issue, Cook said. All but one or two supported banning the military advertising, she said.

"The military does and can discriminate based on sexual orientation," Cook said, "but we are not bound by the laws and rules of the military."

She said Friday's vote should not be interpreted as anti-military.

"The bar supports our troops and their efforts," Cook said.

In the month leading to Friday's vote, bar board members received about 100 e-mails and letters on the issue, Cook said. All but one or two supported banning the military advertising, she said.

"The military does and can discriminate based on sexual orientation," Cook said, "but we are not bound by the laws and rules of the military."

She said Friday's vote should not be interpreted as anti-military.

"The bar supports our troops and their efforts," Cook said.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1124621824170500.xml&coll=7