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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (March 1, 1988)
-I Latin American Lesbian Conference One of the issues discussed was whether the North American Latina groups should be allowed to vote in the organization scents of Beauty they didn’t appreciate our concerns in the United States, such as racism and the language barrier. We don’t really fit in here, but to them n an effort to support Latinas, Latin America we were just too Americanized.” and lesbians internationally through Dodier said she was startled by the concerns improving communications, three Portland about North American Latinas. “ So often we women attended the first Latin American and are considered different here; so it was sad Caribbean Feminist Lesbian Conference in when we went there and we were still considered Cuernavaca. Mexico, last October. different.” she said. Adriana Cardenas, Jean Dodier and Cindy Rodriguez gathered with more than 300 other The North American hispanic groups were, lesbians to discuss an effective means for in the end. allowed a voting member in the networking Latina lesbian groups. The week- organization. “ Hispanics in the United States do have a lot in common with other hispanics,” Cardenas commented, “ especially with the human rights struggles.” One goal Cardenas wants to strive toward is to provide more educational programs on how Chicanos are viewed in the United States. “ We don’t want to control or dominate, but we do have a lot more resources available to us. It’s just a matter of being sensitive and not coming across as the ‘rich white sisters.’ ” Aside from the organizational problems, Cardenas felt the most rewarding aspects were the workshops. She was also amazed that this 6 V 4 .V .6 6 W . 6 • V A # é was the first time that some women were able to witch medicine, lesbian mothers, sexuality talk about being lesbian. roles, martial arts, and Latina art and culture. In Mexico, male and female roles are strictly Cardenas, who recently joined the Lesbian defined. Cardenas said women have a definite Community Project board, said that the primary secondary role and that gays do undergo harass purpose of the conference was to begin net ment by the government. She described an inci working Latina groups, decide who the groups dent in which the military broke into a lesbian would include, and set standards for an interna bar in Peru. They called the women names and tional organization. arrested everyone. The military, however, Cardenas said that of the estimated 300 Latin waited until the news media came on the scene American women, most were from Central and to film the entire arrest. The film was aired South America and the Caribbean. Of the 50 twice on news channels. women representing the North American Cardenas said the reason for the harassment hispanic groups, almost half were from the is not that gays and lesbians present a political Pacific Northwest. 12 from the East Coast, six threat, but rather just homophobia. “ They don't from Texas and another 15 from other states. have the freedoms to fight this — they don’t In Cuernavaca, the women were told that the have a voice,” she said. conference was known by the community as a According to Cardenas, there was a good “ Christian” women’s conference because of blend of economic diversity and varied back strong homophobia. grounds of women at the conference. She said The conference was the first of its kind, and the availability of financial assistance for organizational problems caused much of the women traveling to the conference allowed programming to be slowed down. Cardenas indigent women to attend. said that when political networking was being The conference helped Cardenas to become discussed, many of the lesbian subgroups spent re-connected to a culture she has missed since the time arguing amongst themselves. “ There she moved to Oregon from Texas. Hispanic wasn't a coordinator, and everyone wanted to groups in Texas are more prominent than in say something,” she said. Oregon. She estimates that about two-thirds of One of the issues discussed was whether or the population in Texas is hispanic. not to allow the North American Latina groups Also, Cardenas said that the gathering in to be voting members in the forming organiza Cuernavaca of U. S. groups has enabled them to tion. Cardenas said that a small minority of the network here as well. She said a Los Angeles women felt threatened by the United States group invited them down for a “ Women’s becoming too dominant. Retreat” last December, which she attended. “ They were concerned about control and The next international Latina conference is with us having more money,” Cardenas said. set for 1989 in Peru. “ They wondered about bringing this into the Cardenas and the others have a 140-slide pre network.” sentation about their trip and are available to She added. “ I can understand their concerns any groups seeking to hear more about the work to a certain extent. However, we responded that being done for Latina groups internationally. • BY I 'IS'OokfJlOp—' Resources for Growth and Inspiration & Specializing in Books for S elf Arouse the senses Transformation & Spiritual teachings of East and with over 100 perfume oils Custom Scented Bubbles, lotions, potions, oils for your Massage, Bath, Body & Soul West & Unique Selection of Crystals, Jewelry, Imports and Gifts & New Age Music & Formerly Uncommon Scents Meditation Supplies Visit Us at Yamhill Marketplace on 2nd Floor 1338 N. 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