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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 1986)
Roseburg's GALA receives MRG grant by B illy Russo Last winter i leafed through a copy of the Oregon Guide to Foundations looking for Oregon-based trusts that m ight be willing to help finance our work here. Am ong the hundred-odd grantmakers, I gleaned a hand ful that looked hopeful. Focusing on their funding history, I chose groups that funded the less traditional organizations. I wrote brief letters on GALA stationery to fourteen or so groups, asking for applications. Only two groups responded with applica tions: the Fred Meyer Charitable Trust and the McKenzie River Gathering (MRG). MRG was in the m idst of their funding cycle, and said that I could apply in the fall. Dealing with the Meyer trust was a long, Roseburg Report drawnout process which proved not to be fruitful. It took all sum m er for them to decide not to fund us. And I believe that the long delay indicates that they must have at least entertained the notion of funding GALA This fall I filled out the four page applica tion that MRG sent us. The instructions clearly stated that they will accept no attachments; however, newsletters and leaflets were optional. Responses had to be limited to the space provided and had to be submitted in fifteen copies. MRG’s funding criteria specifies that they are particularly interested in projects that create social change, that have limited access to traditional funding sources, and that are actively involved in outreach to those not well represented. The following m onth I received notice that GALA was am ong 34 organizations consider ed finalists. We were am ong 20 groups in vited to com e to Eugene in December to make a presentation to their grantmaking com m ittee. The presentations were billed as “ an opportunity to find out about social change work going on throughout Oregon.” The presentation took place at the Emerald Baptist Church. In the letter that inform ed us that we were am ong the preliminary finalists, it was explained that we would make a ten m inute presentation to the fourteen member grantm aking committee. In turn the com m it tee would ask questions for ten minutes. Prospective grantees were also allowed to ask questions. The first presentation was by the host of the Blue Plate Special, a half hour talk show aired Monday through Friday on KLCC in Eugene. He talked about the im portant role his program plays in discussing social changes in such areas as awareness about Central American issues. He also talked in length about a recent interview he did with Aaron Fricke, author of Reflections o f a Rock Lobster. The presentations went on all day. Groups representing native Americans, blacks, Central America, prison projects, anti-nuke, wom en's rights, anti-pollution, lesbian/gay concerns and anti-choice were all there m ak ing a pitch for money. By the tim e New Clear News made their presentation early in the afternoon, everyone seemed sedated by the slow pace and the predictability of the afternoon. After the ten m inute explanation, one of the grantors in quired into New Clear News' affiliation with the anti-choice m ovem ent The man making the presentation tried to play that down. I could see outrage on the faces of some of those present and everyone around the room focused on the discussion. The only other homophile group there was Lesbian Comm unity Organizing Project They asked for money to explore ways to provide better networking within the lesbian com m unity. I made a brief presentation asking for money to purchase a letter quality printer for production of our m onthly newsletter, The Gay O i Tilmes. Besides myself, a G A IA co president, Jesse Cordor, our Recorder, Wes Luttrell, and Doug Beal, an at-large Board m em ber were also present Jesse also said a few words about our com munity, and the fourteen grantmakers and prospective grantees asked questions about our com m it m ent to social change. A week later we received notice that GALA was being funded for the full am ount re quested. The official notification listed their decision pertaining to all the groups. And every organization received funding except the anti-choice affiliate, New Clear News. The McKenzie River Gathering Foundation has been funding non-traditional social change projects in Oregon for ten years. They have made over 900 grants and loans totalling $1.3 million. Their administrative costs average 20 percent of their income which is the lowest ration in the U.S.A. today. Age no barrier to alienation Dear Dr. Ray, I am 50 years old, but unless I’m looking in the m irro r I’m convinced that I’m m uch younger. I enjoy the com pany of men in their 30s and I find them m uch more interesting physically than people my own age. The only thing I miss in a serious relationship with a younger person is a mental and emotional m aturity that seems only to com e with age. I am a relationship-oriented person. I will soon begin the search for a relationship that I hope will be m y last Should I look for som e one m y own age who will share my problems of getting older, or just follow my heart? In a Dilemma Dear Dilemma, Many people in their forties and on into their eighties share your feeling: despite the physical type or age m ay be well worth the effort in its long term rewards. Your letter im plies an urgency and finality in ou r “ search” for a relationship. Can you learn anything from your previous relation ships? Have your relationships tended to be with m en who were "less m ature” ? This may have nothing to do with age. But if you find that you always seem to attract the same type o f man, you may need to re-examine just what it is you are looking for in a relationship. At any rate, you are m ore likely to be suc cessful you take your time. D on't put your life on hold until Mr. Right com es along. Enjoy your friends and the activities that give plea sure and m eaning to your life. Best o f luck to you! Dr. Ray Have a problem ? Meed advice? Write to “ Dr. Ray" in care of Just Out, PO Box 15117, Portland, OR 97215. Include a stamped, self- addressed envelope if you wish to receive a personal reply. Dr. Raymond Berger, an individual, couple and fam ily counselor, is author of the book Gay and Gray: The Older Homosexual Mein. To schedule an appointm ent with Dr. Berger call (503) 292-2735. ANCINA CLINIC C hiropractic and N a tu ro p a tic H e a lth ca re reality of their age they feel like a much younger person inside. Don't be disconcerted by this feeling. Instead, focus on the pleasure o f feeling and acting young and energetic. In matters of love your only choice is to “ follow your heart" You can’t force your feelings of attraction and shouldn't try to. And there are gay men in their thirties who are well seasoned by life and interested in consider ing an older partner. O n the other hand, if a relationship is of central importance to you, as you say, then you know that sexual attraction is only one part o f a long-term relationship. In fa c t for m ost couples, after the first few months or years of intense physical attraction, it is other factors that keep the pair together. W hat are your standards for the type of man that you will consider as a potential part ner? Can you relax your standards? Can you open yourself up to exploring a relationship with someone older than 40? Consider that every relationship is a series of compromises. C om prom ising your desire for a particular B ruce D. C h a s e r, D .C. D.K. W on, N.D., D .C. 40 YEARS IN PRACTICE A n o n -p re s s u re he alin g e n v iro n m e n t in w h ic h th e p a tie n t is e n c o u ra g e d to p a rtic ip a te in the re s to ra tio n an d m a in te n a n c e o f th e ir health. W e tre a t c h ild re n , g e ria tric p a tie n ts , an d p e o p le o f any life style o r p e rs u a s io n . 3343 S .E . H aw thorne Portland, O R 23 5 -5 4 8 4 THE FASHION AVINISTE Y Unique clothing for the fashion conscious. Robin Chavis has b e co m e associated w ith RealtvGroup C? JnCy Caterers 223-8690 i 1902 X.W 24th • Portland. < Hvtfon 97210 U niqu e F ood P r e se n ta tio n s Box Lunches • Dinners Picnics Inside or ( hit Parties • Private or Business Fine Wine Select» ms • Tastimis Just Out. Feoruorv, 1986 as Sales A ssociate Ki()7NE4lSt A ve. Portland. OR 97232 1-7 Mon.-Fri. 12-6 Sat. 2510 SE Clinton, Portland, O R 284 77ÖÖ "lust around the corner from the Clinton St. Theater!’ 17