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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (April 1, 1987)
R M edia watch targets violence on KPDX-TV To the Editor: The Portland Chapter of the National Organization for Women is sponsoring a write-in campaign during the month of April protesting KPDX’s policy of show ing films containing R-rated scenes of vio lence towards women (rape, torture, murder) during prime time, when children will he watching. Recently KPDX showed Deathwish II, a very violent film containing a ten-minute gang rape scene which included not only multiple sexual assaults on a young wo man, but also a brutal beating, and the victim’s grisly death when she attempted to escape by jumping through a w indow, and landed on a picket fence. The station does not have any policy for editing films, and because it is not network affiliated, it does not have to conform to the standards of the National Association of Broadcasters. KPDX asserts that its warning that the material may be offensive is adequate to protect audiences for whom these scenes might be traumatic. NOW feels that it is unreasonable to expect a parent or adult will be able to supervise children’s television viewing habits at all times. The Portland Chapter of NOW is urging those concerned about this practice to write to KPDX during the month of April and ask them to either move the films which contain R-rated scenes of violence towards women to later time slots, or to edit their prime time films in accordance with network standards. steps like those the store Headlines took in San Francisco, offering four or so different types of condoms at cost? At from 90 to 130 per condom, the cost certainly seems justified, given the possible alternative. Sincerely, Alan Nicholson Avila Beach, CA Sincerely, Portland NOW Media Watch Committee Condom complaints misplaced? I find your commentary on condoms in the February issue a bit misplaced. Despite whatever guarantees the manufacturers deem to give or not give, the important thing here is that studies have shown that condoms can be a block to the transmis sion of HIV. True, we are not given a recommendation for use of condoms for anal sex nor a promise that we will escape infection if we use them, but likewise, neither are women given a 100% guarantee that they can avoid pregnancy through their use. In spite of lack of assured safety, until proved otherwise, their use should be advocated. If money is a problem, why can’t some gay-oriented store or organization take TWO WEEKS ESCORTED FROM PORTLAND BY ROGER BULLIS DEPARTING SEPTEMBER 1st RETURNING SEPTEMBER 15th 4 DAYS IN HONG KONG 11 DAYS IN REPUBLIC OF CHINA (Guangzhou, Guilin, Shanghai, Xian, Beijing) TOUR INCLUDES ALL TRANSPORTATION, MOST MEALS, ACCOMMODATIONS, SIGHT SEEING, TAXES, + VISA APPLICATION FEE. Starved for the metaphysical To the Editor: I am very sorry to have missed your issue on Spirituality: Altaring Sensations. I am a lesbian and several years ago finally found a philosophy and way of life that made sense to me — metaphysics. My life became very exciting and worthwhile when I started exploring spirituality and consciousness. What I find difficult is meeting other gays and lesbians of like mind — I know you must be out there. At times I feel like I’m starving to meet and talk with gays, male and female, who are into metaphysics and personal growth. I would love to see some articles on what is going on with gay people and metaphysics in the Portland area. Ju st O ut 4 224-3580 a shower while wearing a raincoat. It’s very easy to make excuses when one doesn’t want to live up to one’s own personal and social responsibilities. In 1987 there is no excuse for any sexually active male not to use a condom, unless he has been in an exclusive monogamous re lationship for the past 10 years. Anything less is inviting death. Behavioral changes are not easy to make. Changing sexual behavior, in my experience, has been the most difficult change of all. At the same time it has forced me to look closely at some very important issues in my life. Through the process I’ve encountered untold personal growth, frustration, and excitement as well as a sense of self-worth, affirmation and pride. Pride in myself for having safe- fun, for changing risky activities and pride in my community for taking responsible actions to halt — or at least slow down — the spread of AIDS and for being a good role model for the rest of our society. When I see the heterosexual hysteria over AIDS I can see we HAVE come a long way in a very short time. Safer-sex has nothing to do with being politically correct, keeping commitments alive (it’ll just keep you and your partner alive), sex as a lifestyle or social and/or sexual represssion. It’s all quite simple when you think about it. I forgot my con dom, couldn’t you just die? B. Huson Portland Sincerely, David Diehnel Portland Quite simply, safe-sex will keep you and your partner alive Couple seeks help on custody battle To the Editor: Maybe because it’s Monday and I’m a little dense. After reading your editorial several times I’m still not sure what the author is trying to say. Even in his vague ness I am compelled to respond. I’m just not sure what to respond to. I don’t know where your writer is from or what cave he’s been hiding in for the past several years, but I’m more than a little bored with the assertion that Safcr- Sex means no sex. I’m surprised he didn't say that sex with a condom was like taking Uncommon Scents. . . A complete line of bath, beauty and skin care products. GROUP LIMITED TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS (lilTOIIChTirow«l) S Yam hill M arket Place and 5th St. Public Market, Eugene Uncommon Scents To the Editor: We are a lesbian couple involved in a child custody suit. We live in a small rural town and so were surprised, and of course extremely grateful when the judge granted us ‘Temporary Custody” at the prelimi nary injunction. Our attorney feels we have a good chance to win permanent custody as well. The major problem we are faced with at this point is managing to keep up with the spiraling legal fees, and the fees for the psychologist who has been ordered by the court to participate, at our expense. To date, we have exhausted our finances in paying these bills which have already ex ceeded $4,000.00! So out of our desperation, we are reach ing out to you, to all our friends every where, and to those who are sympathetic with our struggle. We need your help. We have no other resources nor alternatives available to us. Please help by sending any amount of money, or money pulling power, and/or positive energy and/or encouraging letter > to. F. K ing.PO . Box235,Sutherlin.OR 97479. In Sisterhood we are strong. We thank you. each of you. We thank you sincerely from the bottom of our hearts. Sincerely, F. King Sutherlin. OR