Charles F. Hinkle Collection, 1966-2009

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Hinkle, Charles
Title
Charles F. Hinkle Collection
Dates
1966-2009 (inclusive)
Quantity
3 cubic feet, (7 document cases)
Collection Number
Mss 2988-18
Summary
Papers of an Oregon civil rights attorney and activist for lesbian and gay rights. Most of the materials relate to Oregon anti-gay ballot measures and political campaigns in the 1990s and include speeches, research materials, audio recordings, and videotapes.
Repository
Oregon Historical Society Research Library
1200 SW Park Avenue
Portland, OR
97205
Telephone: 503-306-5240
Fax: 503-219-2040
libreference@ohs.org
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Charles F. ("Charlie") Hinkle is a lawyer with extensive experience in media law, constitutional and civil rights law, public records, election law, and appellate practice. He has been a lead counsel in many landmark decisions construing the Oregon constitution in the areas of religious liberty, open courts, commercial speech, election law, and property rights. He taught constitutional law and First Amendment courses at Lewis and Clark College Law School for many years, and was an instructor in English at Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia (1966-1967). He is also an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. Beginning in the 1970s, Hinkle wrote and spoke regularly in support of anti-discrimination policies and against bigotry and intolerance. During the 1990s, he publicly opposed Oregon's Ballot Measure 9 and various other state and local intiatives promoted by the conservative Oregon Citizens Alliance (OCA) and opposed by gay and lesbian rights activists.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Materials relate to Charles Hinkle's political activies, primarily in the early 1990s in opposition to Oregon anti-gay ballot measures proposed by the Oregon Citizens' Alliance. Included are drafts and final copies of public speeches, research & debate materials, personal and legal correspondence, newspaper opinion pieces and editorials, legislative briefs and drafts, and an oral history interview with Mr. Hinkle describing his efforts recorded in 2009. Audio materials include 1992 recordings of radio interviews with Portland stations KXL and Z100 re: Ballot Measure 9, and a recording of legislative testimony re: HB 3500 in 1993. Video materials include a recording of a 1992 City Club debate between Mr. Hinkle and Scott Lively of the Oregon Citizens Alliance.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

The Oregon Historical Society owns the materials in the Research Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Charles F. Hinkle papers, Mss 2988-18, Oregon Historical Society Davies Family Research Library

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The materials are aranged in three series:

  • Sereis A: Ballot measure 9
  • Series B: House Bill 3500
  • Series C: Other measures and initiatives
  • Series D: Oregon Citizens' Alliance initiatives
  • Series E: General materials

Custodial History

Materials were collected by the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest and donated by them to the Oregon Historical Society.

Acquisition Information

Acquired March 2013, Library Accession 27870

Separated Materials

The following materials have been separated to the Sound Recording collections of the Oregon Historical Society Research Library:

  • Interview with Charles Hinkle for radio station KXL (3 cassette tapes, SR 11446)
  • Z100 Radio, "Measure Nine" (2 cassette tapes, SR 11447)
  • Oregon Senate Judiciary Committee testimony on HB 3500, 1993 July 27 (2 cassette tapes, SR 11448)

The following VHS videotapes have been separated to the Moving Image collection of the Oregon Historical Society (with designated Moving Image numbers):

  • McNeill/Lehrer report, 1992 October 23 (MI 07469)
  • Town Hall, 1992 October 25-1992 November 1 (MI 07468)
  • Portland City Club, Charles Hinkle debating Scott Lively, "The OCA initiative," 1992 Sept. 25 (MI 07467)
  • KATU forum on Oregon measure 9, with Charles Hickle as one of the speakers, circa 1992 (MI 07466)
  • The City Nightclub, a documentary by Gregory Franklin (MI 07465)

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series A:  Ballot Measure 9Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
1992 City Club Debate (& Response)
The City Club of Portland invited Charles F. Hinkle to debate Scott Lively of the Oregon Citizens Alliance (OCA) on September 25, 1992. Materials include drafts of Hinkle's opening remarks, correspondence with the City Club, notes in preparation for the debate, and correspondence sent to Hinkle by people who had witnessed or listened to the debate.
1992
1/2
Assorted Press
A variety of clippings related to Ballot Measure 9 and the organized opposition to the measure, including position statements from a variety of churches and businesses.
1992
7/1
Ballot Measure 9: Newspaper/OCA Family Journal
Assorted press from a wide range of local and national newspapers and magazines re: Ballot Measure 9.
1991-1992
1/3
Canadian Law
A letter to Hinkle (and supporting research) from the Coalition for Lesbian & Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO).
1992
1/4
Child Abuse Studies
Research materials.
1991-1992
1/5
Editorials & Position statements
Includes letters to Sen. Mark O. Hatfield, and a series of editorials from the editorial board of The Oregonian condemning Ballot Measure 9 and the efforts of the OCA.
1992
1/6
Future Focus Chapter on Diversity
Hinkle's notes and draft of a statement regarding a City of Portland diversity task force.
1992
1/7
Judith Reisman Research
Research debunking the works of authors (Judith Reisman, Paul Cameron, et al.) who are quoted in materials published by the Oregon Christian Association in their campaign in support of Ballot Measure 9.
1992
1/8
Lesbian Community Project Violence Documentation
"The Homophobic Violence Reporting Line and Documentation Project (July - Dec 1991 Report)".
1991
1/9
Marion County Circuit Court
ACLU suit filed for relief against Ballot Measure 9
1992
1/10
Materials Discrediting Paul Cameron
Extensive documentation invalidating the work of Paul Cameron (Cameron's research was often used in materials published by the Oregon Citizens Alliance.)
1992
1/11-1/12
Medical/Psychological Research
Research in preparation for Hinkle's September 1992 debate against Scott Lively of the Oregon Citizens Alliance.
1992
1/13
Merrick v. Board of Education (1992)
1992
2/1
National Press
Articles and op-eds re: Ballot Measure 9 from assorted sources including the New York Times and The New Yorker.
1992
2/2
No On 9: Business Community
Materials include corporate fundraising and media materials in support of the No On 9 campaign.
1992
2/3
No On 9: Positions & Editorials
1992
2/4
No On 9: Promotional Materials
Handouts and flyers published by the No On 9 campaign.
1992
2/5
No On 9: Rally
Agenda for a No On 9 rally held on October 4, 1992 and drafts of Hinkle's speech at the rally.
1992
2/6
OCA Initiative Petition
Assorted materials, for and against the OCA initiative petition that became Ballot Measure 9.
1992
2/7
Opposition Mail
Assorted correspondence, primarily in objection to Hinkle's positions in the September 1992 debate against Scott Lively of the Oregon Citizens Alliance.
1992
2/8
Oregon Speak Out Project
Speaker's Packet from the Oregon Speak Out Project which assisted those speaking publicly in opposition to Ballot Measure 9.
1992
2/9
Project 10 - Portland Ordinance
Materials distributed by the OCA in response to a city tolerance & diversity initiative and Hinkle's notes in preparation of a response to the OCA materials.
1992
2/10
Speech: Bend Community College
Drafts of a speech Hinkle gave at Bend Community College, in opposition to Ballot Measure 9.
1992
2/11
Speeches by David Allen, Scott Nichols, and Bonnie Tinker
Drafts of speeches presented at the University of Portland.
1992
2/12
Springfield Charter Amendment 1992
Drafts of an ACLU complaint against the City of Springfield for an OCA-sponsored city charter amendment that prevented "sexual orientation" being added to non-discrimination ordinances.
1992
2/13
Voters Pamphlet Falsehoods
Hinkle's correspondence with Secretary of State's office alleging misleading OCA voter materials.
1992
2/14
Voters Pamphlet Position Statements
Materials relating to the preparation and wording of Ballot Measure 9 in voter education materials.
1992

Series B:  House Bill 3500Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/1
HB3500 (1993)
Draft of House Bill 3500 brought before the 67th Oregon Legislative Assembly, in an attempt to prevent groups like the Oregon Citizens Alliance from bringing Ballot 9-like measures in individual Oregon towns over time (Ballot 9 was a statewide intiative, defeated in November 1992.)
1993
3/2
HB3500: Correspondence
Assorted correspondence from & to Charles Hinkle re: HB 3500.
1992-1993
3/3
HB3500: Drafts, Amendments, Testimony
1993
3/4
HB3500: Piazza Brief, 1992; Baker/Allen Suit 1992
The Piazza brief involved complaintants who sought to have their church-sanctioned lesbian marriage viewed as equal under the laws of the State of Oregon; the Baker/Allen suit involved a challenge to putting Ballot Measure 9 on the slate of measures voted on in 1992.
1992
3/5-3/6
HB3500: "Son of 9" and Subsequent Local Measures
Materials related to Oregon Citizens Alliance efforts to legislate Ballot 9-like measures in Oregon municipalities, despite the defeat of the statewide Ballot Measure 9 in November 1992.
1993-1994

Series C:  Other measures & initiativesReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
4/1
Estacada Measure 3-1
Materials related to an Oregon Citizens Alliance-sponsored local measure identical in substance to the defeated Ballot Measure 9.
1993-1995
4/2
Idaho Initiative Challenge
Materials related to Charles Hinkle acting as ACLU consulting attorney in a case challenging an Idaho state initiative, similar to Oregon's Ballot Measure 9.
1993-1994
4/3-4/4
Initiative & Referendum Procedures
Materials related generally to the process of legislation by referendum or initiatives. Includes publications and recommendations of The City Club of Portland.
1992-1996
4/5
Local OR City Charters
1993
4/6
Local OR Measures: Correspondence
1993
7/3
Measures/Initiatives: 1988 Voters Pamphlet
1988
4/7
Riverside, CA: Failure to Put Initiative on Ballot
1993
4/8
Rose v. Keisling (1996) Guaranty Clause
1996

Oregon Citizens Alliance (OCA) InitiativesReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
5/1
OCA Contributors
Publication titled "RightGuide to the Other Side: Contributors to the Oregon Citizens Alliance and its Companion PACs 1988-1994 Primary Part II"
1988-1994
5/2
OCA Initiatives: Articles & Press
Assorted articles from a variety of local and national sources.
1991-1995
5/3
OCA Initiatives: Ballot Title Documentation
Materials related to the Attorney General's title assigned to a 1993 ballot initiative.
1993
5/4
OCA Initiatives: Building a Hate-Free Oregon Summit
Includes a Directory of Participants and Interested Citizens from an anti-bigotry summit on December 4, 1992.
1992
5/5
OCA Initiatives: Eugene Ordinance
ACLU letter in support of revisions to the City of Eugene's Human Rights Code.
1994
5/6
OCA Initiatives: Other States
Materials relating to anti-discrimination legislation in the states of Florida, Idaho, and Washington.
1993-1994
5/7
OCA Initiatives: SB2 & SB500
Draft of Charles Hinkle's testimony in support of anti-discrimination legislation in 2007; also includes his responses to similar legislative efforts in 1977, 1983, and 1997. Also includes the 1996 Taskforce on Equality Report to the Governor.
1977-2007
5/8
OCA Initiatives: Supportive Organizations
Materials from a variety of organizations opposed to the OCA.
1992-1993
5/9
OCA Oregonian Boycott
Open letter from Lon Mabon, Chairman of the Oregon Citizens Alliance to businesses advertising in the Oregonian.
1991
5/10
OCA Promotional Materials
Assorted publications and flyers published and/or distributed by the Oregon Citizens Alliance.
1988-1992

General materialsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/7
Assorted Clippings 1977-1992
Assorted articles from a variety of local and national sources.
1977-1992
3/8
The Church & Human Sexuality: A Lutheran Perspective (1993)
A publication of the Department for Studies, Division for Church in Society, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
1993
7/2
Gays In the News (assorted)
Assorted articles from a variety of local and national publications.
1976-1978
3/9
Homosexuals & Employment
Assorted correspondence and publications.
1970-1979
3/10
Homosexuality & the Law (assorted)
Assorted materials, includes 1968 publication "The Challenge and Progress of Homosexual Law Reform".
1968-1986
3/11
Homosexuality & Mental Health
3 publications included:
  • Homosexuality is Not A Disease (1966)
  • Homosexuality & the Sickness Theory (1969)
  • National Institute of Mental Health's Task Force on Homosexuality (1969)
1966-1969
3/12
Homosexuality & Religions
Assorted materials, including:
  • The Homosexual Problem...Theirs or Ours (Executive Council of the Episcopal Church; 1970)
  • Statements by Churches and Church Committees on Homosexuality (Society for Individual Rights; 1971)
  • Human Sexuality and the Needs of Gay and Bisexual Persons (United Church of Christ; 1969)
  • Homosexuality: What the Bible Does...and Does Not Say (Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches; 1977)
1970-1992
6/1
LC397: Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (1995)
Assorted materials relating to Legislative Counsel Act 397.
1994
6/2
A Legislative Guide to Gay Rights
Published by the Portland Town Council
1976
6/3
Magnuson, Roger: Are Gay Rights Right?
A photocopy of the Magnuson book (published in 1990), forwarded to Charles Hinkle with a note from Jim Shurtliff pointing out the author's arguments as used by the OCA during the Ballot Measure 9 campaign. Also included are photocopies of the book jackets of several other titles approaching similar topics.
1993
6/4
MHRC Report on Sexual Minority Youth
Published by the Metropolitan Human Rights Commission
1997
6/5
Opinion Pieces
Draft and published versions of an opnion piece Hinkle wrote for Willamette Week in 1977.
1977
6/6
Oral History: Feb 10, 2009
Transcript of an oral history interview with Charles Hinkle, conducted on February 10, 2009 by PSU students Michael Lamore & Michelle Brown. The interview covers Hinkle's involvement in gay rights causes between 1972-1988.
2009
6/7
Oral History: May 13, 2009
Transcript of an oral history interview with Charles Hinkle, conducted on May 13, 2009 by PSU students Nishant Evan, Nathan Guynn, and Michael Pratt. The interview covers Hinkle's opposition to Ballot Measure 9 (1992) and the struggles that followed over the next 20 years.
2009
6/8
OSPIRG Report: Homosexuality & Employment Discrimination
Published by Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group. Authors Sharon White and Wendy Pedersen.
1975
6/9
SB34 & SB35
Draft of Hinkle's testimony in support of anti-discrimination legislation.
1993
6/10
SB603
Drafts of Hinkle's testimony in relation to various anti-discrimination bills before the legislature.
1977-1983
6/11
Task Force on Sexual Preference Reports
Preliminary and Final Reports, published by the State of Oregon, Department of Human Resources.
1977
7/4
UCC Lobbying (1975-1979)
Materials re: homosexuality and the church published by the United Church of Christ.
1975-1979

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Gay liberation movement--Oregon
  • Gay rights--Oregon
  • Gays--Oregon
  • Lesbians--Oregon

Personal Names

  • Hinkle, Charles--Archives

Corporate Names

  • Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest
  • Oregon Citizens Alliance

Geographical Names

  • Oregon--Politics and government