Many Americans would be surprised to learn that women make less money than men for doing the same jobs.  For those who accept this disparity, a common defense is the argument that men--by the nature of their upbringings--have additional skills that are denied those growing up girls.  However, a 2008 study--referenced in the New York Times and Time magazine-- debunks this contention by illustrating that transgender individuals who were raised male but transition to female on average lose one third of their salary; even when they stay in the exact same job or field.

Central City Concern, with a $33 million annual budget and 23 buildings, is the city's biggest nonprofit landlord in downtown Portland. Some of the nonprofit's tenants, however, say their landlord has let apartment buildings fall into disrepair and disregarded tenants'demands for action or even a chance to speak to Central City Concern's board about the problem.

Host Stephanie Potter interviews radio commentator and author Jim Hightower, who is the keynote speaker at the 2009 Annual ACLU dinner on  Saturday March 14th. They discuss civil rights, civil liberties, populism, and how populism can make a difference. They also talk about Hightower's book "Swim Against the Current."  As Hightower puts it, he has spent “three decades battling the Powers That Be on behalf of the Powers That Ought To Be.” For more information about Jim Hightower, visit his website at http://www.jimhightower.com/.

The ACLU dinner is at the Downtown Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront at 1401 SW Naito Parkway.