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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 1, 1988)
Get patriotic, but don’t get too patriotic actively recruiting and training gay police officers? Gay cops would give the city a very visible he best part about the Fourth of July is and accessible liaison between local government that it reminds me that the United States is and one of the largest gay populations on the a country bom of vocal dissent and revolution. West Coast. In San Francisco, openly gay cops Enduring things are forged in fiery furnaces. who are regular members of the police force But in 1988, one of the most corrupt and have made significant contributions to the entire oppressive U.S. governments in history con community, gay and straight. tinues a vicious attack on freedom of speech and expression. In recent weeks, the press reported what many of us have taken for granted: the FBI Publisher fired for rejecting has been vigorously investigating opponents of the administration’s Central American policies. gay ads Remember, if you can, back to 1970 when then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover employed he publisher of the Dayton (Ohio) Daily U.S. Army agents and local police forces to News was fired on June 8 for refusing to run classified ads placed by local gay and lesbian groups. Publisher Dennis Shere cited his “ Christian principles” as his reason for turning down the ads which promoted legal and political services for the gay community. A spokesman for Cox Newspapers, which owns the Daily News, was quoted as saying, “ Personal feelings, religious or otherwise, can not be allowed to override our obligation to treat • • • Between the L in e s. . . people fairly. . . . As newspaper people, it’s our job to defend freedom of expression for all people, even when we do not condone their lifestyle or philosophy.” The issue had been inflamed by Shere’s in sistence that his rejection of the ads was based B Y J A C K R I L E Y on the same reasoning for disallowing advertisements for escort services and massage parlors. photograph, harass, infiltrate and intimidate One of the ads Shere rejected read: those who peacefully took to the streets to call “ Serenity, Inc., legal and political advocates to for an end to fighting in Indochina. the gay and lesbian community. For more infor I remember a local police photographer mation . . . ” and the Serenity phone number crouched on the roof of our town library with a was included. camera and a 200mm lens. He was quietly Gay activists picketed the newspaper build snapping mug shots of every person attending a ing and called for a boycott by subscribers and peaceful anti-war rally on the town square lawn advertisers. Shere said there were only a hand below. I wonder what happened to those ful of circulation cancellations and no advertis photos, and what evil use they served in later ing repercussions. years. The battle to keep this government from Sad commentary on the times silencing its critics will go on a long time. Despite the celebrations and hoopla, the free ears ago when I edited a weekly news doms we rejoice are under constant threat from paper in a small coastal city in Washing those who disagree with our personal beliefs ton, I suggested to the publisher that we and lifestyles. increase the type size in our obituary column so our elderly readers could follow the passings of their friends without using a magnifying Gay bar gets new “ leash” on life glass. lossies. The very name conjures images of Now, many years and major situations later, I a tacky tourist bar with phony South find myself reading the obituaries. But I’m still Seas decor, if you want to use that word in its young and my eyesight is still pretty good. most liberal sense. AIDS has changed my daily newspaper menu, For a while it was a fun bar where parties sadly enough. People I know are dying of often featured free food and good times. But all AIDS, but regrettably I haven’t gotten to know that gave way in recent years to increasingly them well enough to recognize their obits. seedy outsiders who dealt in drugs, littered Fear keeps many of us from revealing our restroom floors with spent syringes, and picked real names and occupations. So we read the pockets with considerable skill. obits looking for clues to someone we may have But the new proprietors, with the blessings of known, but didn’t really know. • Mayor Clark, changed the decor to tacky Western, cranked up some boot scootin’ music and are attempting to mellow the clientele. But not without a price. One of the conditions which will allow the Silverado (“ Silver Dildo” or “ Dildorado” as some local wags now call it) to keep its liquor license calls for periodic checks from OLCC enforcement agents, police and “ other agencies.” I’m not so certain I wouldn't rather have a drug dealer occupying the bar stool next to me on Saturday night. T T r EXPLO RE W o m e n s lull .nul new m o o n ritual gatherings W o m e n s i railed jewelry instruments £< p out hes ^ « C \ \ nie selci tion ot bo ohs "N k. Sac red sm udging'herb s An abun danc e ol c restais HEALING CRYSTALS 8215 SE 13th Ave (503)234-2224 Q DON’T WAIT! Whether buying or selling, this time o f year gives you your best opportunity to gain from your real estate investment! Call m e today for a no-obligation market analysis, or a preview of available homes! SUSAN J. WILL Sales Associate 635-6211 “. the REALTOR you tell your friends about" Y F It’s time to recruit a gay cop he Portland Police Bureau is opening up a number of new positions this summer and officials have promised to actively recruit and train women and minorities. Given this city’s large gay and lesbian popu lation, why shouldn't we press the city into T just out • 5 • July 1988