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