L
E
Teenagers deserve
choice, not
condemnation
To the Editor:
Ms. Jacobsen of Community Advocates
letter to the editor decrying the article on the
North American Man/Boy Love Association
(NAMBLA) makes one wonder just what she is
advocating. She writes of 8-year-old children,
but is oblivious to or chooses to totally ignore
the real issue which is teenagers. The law treats
teenage sex with people over 18 in almost the
same manner it treats sex with people under 12.
T
T
As manager of The City Nightclub, Portland's
only all-age gay nightclub. 1 have met thousands
o f teenagers and their biggest complaint is that
not enough people over the age of 21 come to
the club. 1 am not prepared to argue here whether
the reason is biological or cultural, but most gay
teenagers are most sexually attracted to people
in their 20s, 30s and older.
Teenagers are sexually active individuals and
should be allowed the sex partners of their
choice without the condemnation of the law or
Ms. Jacobsen.
Lanny Swerdlow
Portland
E
R
S
Prestige Limousines'
owner responds
To the Editor:
Several gay business contacts have brought
to my attention the most unfortunate article you
chose to run in your October issue. Fortunately,
the concern of these people that the article was
true, has been quelled. 1 have, however, re
ceived one phone message via my answering
service, and one letter with no return address —
which have stated that because o f your article
they will not do business with Prestige Limou
sines and will encourage others not to, as well.
You have damaged me forever. These two
people and who knows how many more took
your article as fact
My main interest at this time is to keep from
fracturing my neighborhood and polarizing the
people in it. While legally pursuing this matter
with your paper might well result in indemnifi
cation for me, it surely would be detrimental to
the main interest.
Having read your paper for the first time, two
things struck me right away. The clean, aesthetic
format — and that it appears directed to the gay
community. It is odd that a professionally done
paper for a community who (of all groups)
should know the sting of despotic treatment
would publish such an unfair article.
Gregory Casteel
Prestige Limousines
Portland
In memoriam
K enneth E dw ard Allison
Bicycle Repair Collective
1949-1987
4 4 3 8 S.E. B elm o n t S treet • Portland, O re g o n • 233-0564
estlessness and change prom pt me to move on, or perhaps travel fo r a while. My
alienation from the American system is complete. / have taken the plunge into the
sea o f possibilities and would like to hear from other swimmers. No capitalists or
political conservatives need reply. My interests are collectivity, photography, revolution
and gut level relationships. Also dance, theatre, Kung Fu and punk rock. I am driven,
crazed by my need to live an intense, creative life. I do not want a fantasy lover. I do not
want refuge fro m the w orld— I want to change it. Work and change are my watchwords.
I stand open and uncertain. [I] Would like to hear fro m others like me. No promises.
No guarantees.
■ Candor Smoothstone
R
Winter Overhaul Special $45
— w h ere your bicycle is a m o n g frien d s—
m
(R F D , Spring 1978)
him self during this time as “ . . . a post
s is the manner of actors and writers and
liberation gay baby with a positive self-image.’ ’
other people of imagination, Kenneth
assumed several names and identities during the While working on RFD, A Journal of Gay
Culture and Liberation, Ken assumed the name
tumultuous decades of the 1960s and 1970s.
and identity o f Candor Smoothstone. Candor
As Kenneth Allison he was the son of Earl
was a member of the commune at Wolf Creek.
and Irene Allison, respected citizens of
During the winter o f 1978 Candor Smoothstone
Klamath Falls, Oregon. He was the brother of
returned
to Klamath Falls and produced issue
Sharon and Saundra and Leon and Kelly. Ken
#15 o f RFD. The focus of this issue was on the
was an avid swimmer. He served as lifeguard at
adventure of being gay in a small town.
the Municipal Swimming pool in Klamath Falls
During the 1980s Ken focused his energy on
and taught lifesaving to many students. Later,
his significant acting talents. As Martin Xero he
during numerous summers and periodic rest and
acted in numerous productions o f Theatre
recuperation visits he lived with his parents and
Rhinoceros in San Francisco.
worked on the family farm doing irrigation and
Kenneth Edward Allison was the first gay
harvesting.
rights lobbyist to the Oregon legislature and
During 1972-1973 Ken worked on Break
organized a gay organization on the Southern
down , an alternative weekly newspaper in
Oregon College campus. Ken died of AIDS on
Klamath Falls. Ken was instrumental in bring
September 11, 1987, in Portland, Oregon.
ing out the issue of gay rights in the paper. This
led to the establishment o f the first gay organi
Richard L. Pastega •
zations in Klamath Falls. Ken later described
A
ITEMS"
DOWNTOWN LUNCH
SPECIAL
IN C L U D E S A CUP O F FRESHLY
MADE SOUP, 1/2 TUNA SANDWICH
WITH SPROUTS, TOMATO & WHOLE
WHEAT BREAD — AND A HANDFUL
O F O R E G O N -M A D E T O R T IL L A
CHIPS. TOO!
•uftSgK
(D O W N TO W N LOCATION ONLY)
AVAILABLE MON-FRI
11 AM-3:30 PM
524 SW 5TH
(BETW EEN WASHINGTON & ALDER
Ï5S &
OUR PROMISE
Rug for Rug, Quality for Quality
WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD!
Just O ui • 3 • November. 1987