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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
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Historical Note

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.

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Content Description

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.

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Use of the Collection

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

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Administrative Information

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)

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Series A: Ballot Measure 9

    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2
    • Description: Ballot Measure 9: Newspaper/OCA Family Journal

      Assorted press from a wide range of local and national newspapers and magazines re: Ballot Measure 9.

      Dates: 1991-1992
      Container: Box/Folder 7/1
    • Description: Canadian Law

      A letter to Hinkle (and supporting research) from the Coalition for Lesbian & Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO).

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 1/3
    • Description: Child Abuse Studies

      Research materials.

      Dates: 1991-1992
      Container: Box/Folder 1/4
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 1/5
    • Description: Future Focus Chapter on Diversity

      Hinkle's notes and draft of a statement regarding a City of Portland diversity task force.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 1/6
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 1/7
    • Description: Lesbian Community Project Violence Documentation

      "The Homophobic Violence Reporting Line and Documentation Project (July - Dec 1991 Report)".

      Dates: 1991
      Container: Box/Folder 1/8
    • Description: Marion County Circuit Court

      ACLU suit filed for relief against Ballot Measure 9

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 1/9
    • Description: 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.)

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 1/10
    • Description: Medical/Psychological Research

      Research in preparation for Hinkle's September 1992 debate against Scott Lively of the Oregon Citizens Alliance.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 1/11-1/12
    • Description: Merrick v. Board of Education (1992)
      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 1/13
    • Description: National Press

      Articles and op-eds re: Ballot Measure 9 from assorted sources including the New York Times and The New Yorker.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 2/1
    • Description: No On 9: Business Community

      Materials include corporate fundraising and media materials in support of the No On 9 campaign.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 2/2
    • Description: No On 9: Positions & Editorials
      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 2/3
    • Description: No On 9: Promotional Materials

      Handouts and flyers published by the No On 9 campaign.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 2/4
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 2/5
    • Description: OCA Initiative Petition

      Assorted materials, for and against the OCA initiative petition that became Ballot Measure 9.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 2/6
    • Description: Opposition Mail

      Assorted correspondence, primarily in objection to Hinkle's positions in the September 1992 debate against Scott Lively of the Oregon Citizens Alliance.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 2/7
    • Description: Oregon Speak Out Project

      Speaker's Packet from the Oregon Speak Out Project which assisted those speaking publicly in opposition to Ballot Measure 9.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 2/8
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 2/9
    • Description: Speech: Bend Community College

      Drafts of a speech Hinkle gave at Bend Community College, in opposition to Ballot Measure 9.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 2/10
    • Description: Speeches by David Allen, Scott Nichols, and Bonnie Tinker

      Drafts of speeches presented at the University of Portland.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 2/11
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 2/12
    • Description: Voters Pamphlet Falsehoods

      Hinkle's correspondence with Secretary of State's office alleging misleading OCA voter materials.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 2/13
    • Description: Voters Pamphlet Position Statements

      Materials relating to the preparation and wording of Ballot Measure 9 in voter education materials.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 2/14
  • Series B: House Bill 3500

    • Description: 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.)

      Dates: 1993
      Container: Box/Folder 3/1
    • Description: HB3500: Correspondence

      Assorted correspondence from & to Charles Hinkle re: HB 3500.

      Dates: 1992-1993
      Container: Box/Folder 3/2
    • Description: HB3500: Drafts, Amendments, Testimony
      Dates: 1993
      Container: Box/Folder 3/3
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 3/4
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1993-1994
      Container: Box/Folder 3/5-3/6
  • Series C: Other measures & initiatives

    • Description: Estacada Measure 3-1

      Materials related to an Oregon Citizens Alliance-sponsored local measure identical in substance to the defeated Ballot Measure 9.

      Dates: 1993-1995
      Container: Box/Folder 4/1
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1993-1994
      Container: Box/Folder 4/2
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1992-1996
      Container: Box/Folder 4/3-4/4
    • Description: Local OR City Charters
      Dates: 1993
      Container: Box/Folder 4/5
    • Description: Local OR Measures: Correspondence
      Dates: 1993
      Container: Box/Folder 4/6
    • Description: Measures/Initiatives: 1988 Voters Pamphlet
      Dates: 1988
      Container: Box/Folder 7/3
    • Description: Riverside, CA: Failure to Put Initiative on Ballot
      Dates: 1993
      Container: Box/Folder 4/7
    • Description: Rose v. Keisling (1996) Guaranty Clause
      Dates: 1996
      Container: Box/Folder 4/8
  • Oregon Citizens Alliance (OCA) Initiatives

    • Description: OCA Contributors

      Publication titled "RightGuide to the Other Side: Contributors to the Oregon Citizens Alliance and its Companion PACs 1988-1994 Primary Part II"

      Dates: 1988-1994
      Container: Box/Folder 5/1
    • Description: OCA Initiatives: Articles & Press

      Assorted articles from a variety of local and national sources.

      Dates: 1991-1995
      Container: Box/Folder 5/2
    • Description: OCA Initiatives: Ballot Title Documentation

      Materials related to the Attorney General's title assigned to a 1993 ballot initiative.

      Dates: 1993
      Container: Box/Folder 5/3
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1992
      Container: Box/Folder 5/4
    • Description: OCA Initiatives: Eugene Ordinance

      ACLU letter in support of revisions to the City of Eugene's Human Rights Code.

      Dates: 1994
      Container: Box/Folder 5/5
    • Description: OCA Initiatives: Other States

      Materials relating to anti-discrimination legislation in the states of Florida, Idaho, and Washington.

      Dates: 1993-1994
      Container: Box/Folder 5/6
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1977-2007
      Container: Box/Folder 5/7
    • Description: OCA Initiatives: Supportive Organizations

      Materials from a variety of organizations opposed to the OCA.

      Dates: 1992-1993
      Container: Box/Folder 5/8
    • Description: OCA Oregonian Boycott

      Open letter from Lon Mabon, Chairman of the Oregon Citizens Alliance to businesses advertising in the Oregonian.

      Dates: 1991
      Container: Box/Folder 5/9
    • Description: OCA Promotional Materials

      Assorted publications and flyers published and/or distributed by the Oregon Citizens Alliance.

      Dates: 1988-1992
      Container: Box/Folder 5/10
  • General materials

    • Description: Assorted Clippings 1977-1992

      Assorted articles from a variety of local and national sources.

      Dates: 1977-1992
      Container: Box/Folder 3/7
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1993
      Container: Box/Folder 3/8
    • Description: Gays In the News (assorted)

      Assorted articles from a variety of local and national publications.

      Dates: 1976-1978
      Container: Box/Folder 7/2
    • Description: Homosexuals & Employment

      Assorted correspondence and publications.

      Dates: 1970-1979
      Container: Box/Folder 3/9
    • Description: Homosexuality & the Law (assorted)

      Assorted materials, includes 1968 publication "The Challenge and Progress of Homosexual Law Reform".

      Dates: 1968-1986
      Container: Box/Folder 3/10
    • Description: 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)

      Dates: 1966-1969
      Container: Box/Folder 3/11
    • Description: 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)

      Dates: 1970-1992
      Container: Box/Folder 3/12
    • Description: LC397: Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (1995)

      Assorted materials relating to Legislative Counsel Act 397.

      Dates: 1994
      Container: Box/Folder 6/1
    • Description: A Legislative Guide to Gay Rights

      Published by the Portland Town Council

      Dates: 1976
      Container: Box/Folder 6/2
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 1993
      Container: Box/Folder 6/3
    • Description: MHRC Report on Sexual Minority Youth

      Published by the Metropolitan Human Rights Commission

      Dates: 1997
      Container: Box/Folder 6/4
    • Description: Opinion Pieces

      Draft and published versions of an opnion piece Hinkle wrote for Willamette Week in 1977.

      Dates: 1977
      Container: Box/Folder 6/5
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 2009
      Container: Box/Folder 6/6
    • Description: 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.

      Dates: 2009
      Container: Box/Folder 6/7
    • Description: OSPIRG Report: Homosexuality & Employment Discrimination

      Published by Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group. Authors Sharon White and Wendy Pedersen.

      Dates: 1975
      Container: Box/Folder 6/8
    • Description: SB34 & SB35

      Draft of Hinkle's testimony in support of anti-discrimination legislation.

      Dates: 1993
      Container: Box/Folder 6/9
    • Description: SB603

      Drafts of Hinkle's testimony in relation to various anti-discrimination bills before the legislature.

      Dates: 1977-1983
      Container: Box/Folder 6/10
    • Description: Task Force on Sexual Preference Reports

      Preliminary and Final Reports, published by the State of Oregon, Department of Human Resources.

      Dates: 1977
      Container: Box/Folder 6/11
    • Description: UCC Lobbying (1975-1979)

      Materials re: homosexuality and the church published by the United Church of Christ.

      Dates: 1975-1979
      Container: Box/Folder 7/4

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
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