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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 1986)
Gay radio. Yes! Queersville, No! To the Editor, et al.: Oh. great! So we get a radio show on KBOO. So it will be called Queersuille. How sickening. The name alone is enough to dis grace our com munity, yet gay men and wo men are putting their time, talent and en thusiasm into this project W hy do I protest?, you may ask. The an swer is quite simple. Queer is a word which has been used by the hom ophobic masses in an attempt to degrade gay people and lower our self-esteem. I personally have heard the word used negatively for the past 25 years. W hether it has been directed at me when I was m inding m y own business, or in the coffee room as people snicker about the AIDS crisis, I have not heard the word used en masse in a positive or constructed manner. I know, I have been told “ It s just not meant the same when it’s used am ong US." Here is where I tend to hold a different opinion. Granted, there may be an implied difference in meaning, yet this difference is not con veyed to outsiders’ when they over-hear gay people using terms they know we consider derogatory. Calling each other "faggot," “ queer," "girl," or any other of the various endearing’ terms may be acceptable within a bar, but in general usage should be avoided. Untuned ears do not hear the implied endear ment, just the ugly, abusive words. So, we go on the air with the word “ queer” in the title. Those untuned ears will only hear “ queer," with only a limited sector of the listening public picking up the cam p hum or and possible endearment Yes, I am outraged. We do not live in a hum ourous world where spoofs on ser ious matters are easily under stood. We are living in a world populated with religious fanatics, right-to-lifers, and arm chair moralists — all opposed to the very existence of gay men and women. Why else have the right to lifers begun protesting out side bath houses in New York? Who do you think their next target will be after the abortion issues has been dealt with? If you don t think W E are the next target I suggest you recon sider. Gay people are on the moralists' agenda. I am mad because the gay com m unity refuses to grow up. My spouse and I refuse to be active in a com m unity which cannot and will not see the writing on the wall. We have fought hard to get where we are. And where we are is out in the open. We do not deny who or what we are. We refuse to be the silent sufferers. When a derogatory remark is made about gay people in our presence, it is im mediately refuted — be it in public or in the work-place. We refuse to allow any discri m inatory practices to go unchallenged. Our standards are high — not out of arrogance or feelings of superiority, but out of pride for ourselves, for what we are. Unfortunately, m ost gay people don’t agree with our tactics, for they are risky. Nor do m ost gay people want to share our views that unless we be com e responsible for our com munity, there may be a bleak future for gay men and women. I do not wish to see the dim m est visions for our future come true. We have been perse cuted for too long. This desire, however, can only be realized if all gay people see the need for responsible action. Airing a program called Queersuille is not responsible. The name im plies that we do not take ourselves seri- MEXICO “THE TRAVEL BARGAIN FOR ’86” All packages include round trip air and 7 nights hotel PUERTO VALLARTA - RAMADA...............*457 MAZATLAN - LOS PALMAS..........................*402 IXTAPA - CASTEL PALMAR........................*551 ACAPULCO - CASABLANCA........................*553 CANCÚN - CLUB CARIBE..............................*619 ppd0 PPdo PPdo PPdo PPdo (O ther hotels and combination cities available) Restrictions apply ously. How is it possible for us to call foul when we send signals that abusive, deroga tory, hom ophobic phrases are accepted, tolerated, and yes, even encouraged within the gay community? Radio program m ing for the gay com m unity — YES. Queersuille — NO. Surely there must be a more responsible and positive name to be found; a name which emphasizes the pride and dignity of gay men and women in our city. Sincerely, John Leonard An open letter to Gov. Vic Atiyeh Dear Gov. Atiyeh: The Mid-Oregon AIDS/Health/Educational Support Services, Inc. (MASS, Inc.) has dis cussed among members of its Board of Di rectors the above referenced budget pro posal and officially recommends that it be rejected for the following considerations: Except for approximately $55,000 ear marked for public service and educational contracts, the bulk of this nearly $375,000 package appears to be related to the employ m ent of three individuals and the implemen tation of a program of testing persons for AIDS virus antibodies, with concomitant "counseling." The m ajor flav' in the proposed program is its refusal to guarantee anonymity to all persons tested. In spite of the fact that states having comparatively large numbers of AIDS cases (such as California) incorporate anonym ity as an essential part of their pro grams, Ms. Gebbie feels that “ Providing anonym ity for AIDS related services would give substance to the claim that government agencies are giving special privileges to gay men and drug users." Such a statement hints that she may be more concerned over politi cal proprieties than public health. AIDS is currently not a disease free of so cial stigma. Bisexual males and heterosexual relatives often have even stronger concerns about anonymity than do gay males and drug users. In addition, the practical fear of loss of employm ent, insurance or insurability, and com m unity rejection will cause many persons to avoid being tested, in spite of laws guaranteeing total confidentiality. The fear of econom ically devastating plagues and witch- hunting for scapegoats often overrides rational considerations of promised assur ances. Refusal to incorporate total anonymity in a public AIDS virus testing program legis lates against anyone having fears, for what- ANIMAL MEDICAL CLINIC ever reason, whether or not those fears are justified. MASS, Inc. feels that any pro gram m aking use of public tax dollars should be available without obstacle to a ll the people, and perhaps especially to those whose fears are the greatest From an econom ic viewpoint, a restruc tured approach with respect to employment o f personnel ($118,000 of the budget) might well be considered. C om m unity service vol unteer agencies already have the trust of the persons they serve. Contracts between them and the Health D e p t could make use of exist ing networks and assure wider coverage to target populations, as well as provide pro gram s to protect anonym ity for persons liv ing in small towns. In short, MASS Inc. agrees with the spirit of providing funding for needed services, but feels that such service as Ms. Gebbie pro poses would be wasteful and ineffective. Sincerley, Carl H. Berggren, M A President, MASS Inc. Elves Against AIDS To the Editor: The Elves Against AIDS would like to thank . all the folks who donated to the Cascade AIDS Network on Saturday night, December 21. With their help the elves raised $306.91; this money will be split am ongst CAP, CHESS and the Chester Brinker Fund. We would also like to thank the bars and restaurants that participated with us this year. We appreciate your extra-special holiday spirit! Have a happy, healthy ’86, Howard Bierbaum for The Elues Against AIDS Windfire depends on you To the J u s t O u t Staff, Thank you so m uch for all you have done for Windfire. These kids do n’t get a lot of support from the gay com m unity. Few, if any, get support from family. Most o f these young people get support either from Windfire or fro m friends they have m et at Windfire. Be cause of the fact we have no funds or income, W indfire depends on people, and organiza tions like yourself to keep on going. These young men and women will be re placing us in this com m unity in years to com e. It's im portant that they get positive input when they are young. Thanks again, Mark Pan "A Pet Care Center With Hours For Working Pet Owners. DOGS - CATS - EXOTICS DR. RANDY TESA R D.V.M. Account Representative VISTA TRAVEL SERVICE 224-5000 In Oregon 1-800-24.S-.VS57 222-1254 1411 SW 14th PORTLAND 7:30 AM-10 PM Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30 Sat. and Sun 200 SYV Market Portland, Oregon New Hillsboro Location - 5289 NE Elam Young Pkwy D-700 4 In Memorium Francis R. Scobee Michael J. Smith Sharon Christa McAuliffe Judith A. Resnik Ronald E. McNair Ellison S. Onizuka Weekend Hour We Make House Calls • Close In Downtown • Ample Covered Parking Gregory B. Jarvis Just Out. February. 1986