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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1988)
EAGLE The practice of pride THE EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATION FOR GAYS AND LESBIANS (of U.S. WEST® COMPANIES) PRESENTS Pride is the greatest gift we can share with one another more difficult to discern. I have seen it in the mirror. When I was a sophomore in high school a rumor began to circulate about two girls ome mornings I’m just not able to make it “ doing it” in the locker room. Although all the way through The Oregonian. The realms of granola and gay bashers, burnt toast tantalized and intrigued, I joined in the viciousness. Both girls eventually left school. and T.J. Bailey don’t mix. I haven’t got the My friends seemed triumphant. I kept my own stomach for it that early. sense of shame about the incident very private. We’re all aware of these folks. They are When I was ready to come out at 19,1 made sure always “ out there” somewhere. On occasion, I was far away. they are close at hand, picketing our gatherings. Most of us experience internalized homo Sometimes, walking past them, I recall the phobia in less dramatic ways. Raised in a Medusa myth and am momentarily frightened society with profound prejudices against that if I look into their horrible hate-contorted lesbians and gay men, we can only minimize, not avoid, its effects. Our struggle for civil rights, for simple human dignity. must always 4 v > - t y .M :» v A e « V A V é V .e » v .* > y A * > V è V > * » be waged on two fronts. We must confront our enemies both within and without. Pride is the antidote to internalized homophobia. It is one of our most potent strategies. Pride speaks the truth. In response to all the lies claiming that homosexuals are unnatural, perverted, sick and depraved, pride says, “ We have always been a part of the human com munity. We are happy, productive and loving.” Pride honors our lives in their entirety. We are lesbian and gay and workers and parents and ♦ V a M J í V a M V A M .♦ V A f é W .♦ AV- artists and citizens. Our lives can’t be parcelled faces, I will turn to stone. Nonetheless, I always into two categories, acceptable and non- look — I want to recognize the face of my acceptable. A neighbor of mine once said about enemy. me, “ She has a right to live here, but she’d There is another face to the enemy that is better not flaunt her lifestyle or bring strange people around.” Over time this man learned that being a lesbian and being a good neighbor is not a contradiction in terms. Pride is the greatest gift we can share with one another. In simple and concrete ways we can practice pride in our relationships and in our community: 1. Assume the best. Ascribe good intentions. C yw i y Solutions to problems are much easier to find if we remember we’re all on the same side. 2. Be generous with praise, sparing with criticism. Rules of thumb: praise what you want to reinforce and ignore what you want to change; give two positives to every negative; praise someone every day. 3. Enhancing self-esteem in ourselves and PEUGEOT • PANASONIC others should be the ultimate goal of every FAGGIN (From Italy) interaction. If a basic purpose in all our relation ships was to make people feel better about O P E N TUESDAY-SUNDAY themselves, we’d be “ Rightfully Proud” in no 230-7723 time. 4. Building community takes all of us, 2025 SE Hawthorne Blvd. including the people we’re mad at and those we disagree with. It means letting go of prejudice, developing sensitivity and welcoming diversity. BY C A T H Y S I E M E N S S ACADEM Y AWARD WINNER BEST DOCUMENTARY THETMESQE HARVEY MILK WHEN YOU'RE READY FOR SOMETHING irrir TER. Call Gullivers PACIFIC NW BELL MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM “CRUISE & TRAVEL AGENTS 99 735 S.W. Stark Wednesday, June 15th 7:30 pm 230-8007 502 SE Morrison FREE Coventry W orks YOUR COMPLETE HOME ELECTRONICS STORE GET PROTECTION Car alarms starting at $199 installed L ife tim e W arranty WHAT HAVE YOU DONE LATELY TO STOP THE SPREAD OF AIDS! W M -F 7 3 SONY SPORTS WALKMAN* AM/FM STEREO CASSETTE PLAYER • • • • • Heavy duty, water-resistant design A M /FM stereo tuner Stereo cassette player Auto reverse Dolby* B noise reduction If we were to measure the “ Lesbian and Gay Year” from June to June, now would be a perfect time to make resolutions. Let’s resolve to practice pride this year one day at a time. • FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM Protection Today for Tomorrow’s Success Also T.V/s, STEREOS, CAMCORDERS NORTHWEST SONY ONLY W IT H 1414 N.w. GLISAN • 224-9400 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK M-F 9-7 SAT 9-6 SUN 12-6 Just Out • 14 • June IV88 O R E G O N ’S LARGEST ds°"y„ Partnerships • Corporations • Real Property Foreclosures • Audit Representation • Litigation Bankruptcies • Personal Injury • Divorce Traffic • Criminal • Business Consultation P. HERBERT SCHMIDT A T T O R N E Y A N D C O U N S E L O R AT LAW P.O. Box 991, Lake Oswego, OR 97034 (503) 635-1505 (TREE INITIAL CONSULTATION)