,... ì '- .
Dragging out the
Aunt Jemima Affair
There were quite a few new faces reflected
in the mirrors of Dahl and Penne’s back room
on Wednesday, October 12. What brought
them there was this year’s most talked-about
drag feature, Aunt Jemima (AJ.). When a
community meeting was called several
weeks previous to this to rally workers for
Lesbian and Gay Pride (LGP) ’84, the subject
of the AJ incident kept popping up. It had
brought to the foreground the issues of
racism in the lesbian/gay community and
the function of the monitors. It was decided to
devote an entire meeting to these issues
when people who felt strongly that AJ had a
right to remain at the LGP ’83 March and
Rally could counter with their opinions.
It was not surprising that sympathizers with
the cause of AJ were not heavily represented;
only one of the fifty or so people in attend
ance was vocal in
seem willin
the problem.
The basic
fold: (1) each person
to confront as a matter of course the racist
statements and acts one witness, (2) monitors
at LGP functions are vital in administering the
policy of being sensitive to racism, sexism,
ageism, etc. and should be empowered to act
on defusing potentially incendiary situations,
and (3) the LGP ’83 Steering Committee
should draw up a letter commenting on the
significance of the AJ incident and recom
mend a policy for the ’84 steering Commit
tee. This policy letter will be published in
Portland’s gay and lesbian periodicals. Those
who feel troubled with the direction that this
matter is taking must ivo rk w ith not talk at
those who will be organizing LGP ’84.
— Dennis Peterson
A lm anac, “further research has now estab
lished that the former Alberta Lucille, as Dr.
Alan Hart, wrote and published five books,
four novels, and a popular account of radia
tion treatment a type of medicine in which
s/he had specialized.”
According to Katz's new book Dr. Hart was
hounded from job after job, and eventually
settled in Connecticut, and that Hart’s widow
was still living there.
Hart’s novels were mainly concerned with
the medical profession and contained
episodes of veiled homosexuality. Also of
concern in the novels was the bigotry and
gossip directed towards some of the char
acters because of their personalities.
Hart’s novels are: Doctor M allory ( 1935),
The U ndaunted (1936), In the Lives o f Men
( 1937), Dr. Finlay Sees It Through ( 1942).
A Woman’s Place
The Lu cille Hart D inner was named for
the only Lesbian from Oregon mentioned in
Jonathan Katz’s Gay Am erican History. She
was, in fact, the only Oregon gay person
mentioned in the book.
In Katz's most recent book. Gay/Lesbian
munity to discuss issues concerning the
future of the bookstore. The collective has felt
for some time that a move would be benefi
cial for the bookstore since the current space
is inadequate, with books busting out the
seams, and there is a need to be more visible
& accessible to a ll women.
Only fifteen people attended the meeting,
but those in attendance had deep concerns.
The lack of people indicated to the collective
that the community, as a whole was not con
cerned about the direction of the bookstore
and in fact were giving them full rein to un
dertake whatever action deemed necessary
and in the best interest of the bookstore.
Those in attendance were in agreement
that a “move” would be beneficial as long as
expenses were kept in line with projected
receipts. All were also aware of the high
amount of burnout experienced by volunteers
in the bookstore. A suggestion was made to
seek objective consultation to help restructure
the Bookstore. One of the points brought up
relating to burnout was the lack of apprecia
tion for the hard work volunteers do.
Although the Bookstore is currently finan
cially stable, funds are needed to initiate a
move, and help the Bookstore reach more
women. A decision was made to implement a
membership drive which would enable
friends of the Bookstore to purchase $25.00
iibdt would entitle them to
jood for one year on most
needs your support?
help?
are in the Bookstore, thank
the voTuF$T5CT5TC>r their dedication and hard
work.
2) Stop at the Bookstore First this holiday
season.
3) Purchase a sustaining membership
card for yourself or a friend.
4) Donate your time and volunteer.
Deborah Betron,
Broker
Bridgetown Realty
Congratulates the
“ Just O ut” crew
on their 1st Issue
L l
Candy Carr
Sales Assoc.
I
Donna Holzinger
Sales Assoc.
Sue Davis
Sales Assoc.
S ee Our Classified Section for an
Invitation to an Exclusive O pen H ou se
for Our Com m unity
Bridgetown Realty 775-1875
4
Just Out. Oct 28 Nov. 11.1983