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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 1988)
Fundamentalists disturbed, obsessed To the Editor: Ordinarily I make every effort to distance myself from the external workings of funda mentalist Christians and their cohorts, but the letter of Andrew Shaffer (July) struck a raw nerve within me which mandates a response. The rationalization of Shaffer truly epitomizes the phrase “ I have seen the enemy and he is us.” On March 23, 1988, the Baltimore City Council held hearings on Bill 187, which would add “ sexual orientation” to the existing civil rights bill of Baltimore, Maryland. I sat in the City Hall chambers and listened to over 130 Christians(?) describe gay and lesbian people as “ perverts,” an “ abomination to God” and “ sick depraved people who need to be quaran tined for their own good.” Area ministers openly admitted that they were indeed very frightened of the “ militant homosexual political agenda and that gays should be discriminated against at all costs!” Christians used their belief in the Bible (not God) to justify slavery in the United States. The Bible was the basis for the destruction of South American culture, and the raping of our own Native People. Polynesians also fell victim to well-meaning fundamentalist Christianization. It is not the opinions of these “ basically decent and loving people” that scare me, but their well-defined goals of total Christian domi nation through force and political action, or the complete annihilation of anyone who stands in their way. If Shaffer or anyone else does not believe that fundamentalists are very disturbed and obsessed people then I have just one last thing to say. Jerry Falwell and Ollie North! Bill Urban Baltimore, Maryland P.S. Incidentally, Bill 187 passed the [Balti more] City Council bill by a 12-7 vote. One councilmember’s life was threatened — a threat so serious that he entered the chambers, cast his “ yes” vote and left under the tightest security ever accorded a councilmember. Queers United Against Closets To the Editor: On June 18, 1988,1 took a little walk through downtown Portland with about four thousand other Queers. We strutted and yelled, bathed in sunlight and our Gay Pride. We laughed and cried and fed our faces, feeling strong. Then a small wisp of a Dyke stood up and gave a speech. Her words cut through our amused denial like a razor. “Nothing has changed,” she reminded us. “The homophobes still want to send us to camp, as in concentration. And they would just love to include us in their arts and crafts as lamp shades." We hadn’t been stirred by the daily doses of homophobia, so cleverly directed against us, in a “ now you see it, now you don’t” way. Then Fred saw the tacky sign at the Lloyd Center and got mad enough to write letters and call people. Plans were made. Speeches were written and we all heard the clarion call for solidarity! Our main purpose: the eradication o f homophobia. Go to the source, hit homophobia where it lives! Our feet hit the bricks, at Hinson, The Oregonian. Tri-Met and Pioneer Courthouse Square. The sound of “QUAC” -ing was heard throughout the land. “Queers United Against Closets.” QUAC street theater! Having fun and being united in a single purpose, our “ queemess.” Then, some people said we were bigots because we wanted to keep this theme. They said we were prejudiced because we didn't run out and include in QUAC all the other “ causes" in the world. We looked at these people and said. “ Wait a minute!” We looked at ail the diverse groups out there who stand for what they feel is important and asked ourselves, “ Are we any different?” And the answer came back “ No, we’re not any different!” We’re just as involved, just as dedicated. If you want to catch our act, or better yet, be part of it, cal 1 QU AC at 287-7624. Shan Leslie Portland Bishop's ignorance shows To the Editor: Thanks for printing the brief excerpt from Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong’s very timely book. Living in Sin? A bishop rethinks human sexuality (“ Voice in the wilderness,” July). It’s probably worthwhile reading for any of us who, by living in this society, are subject to values and laws based on what are purported to be “ Christian” teachings. But it seems worth taking the time to correct one erroneous malignment. You quote him, “ heterosexual prejudice against homosexuals must take its place alongside witchcraft. slavery, and other ignorant beliefs and oppres sive institutions that we have abandoned’’ (emphasis mine). I am not well-educated regarding witchcraft, but the only oppression I know of in connection with it is Christian oppression of witches and witchcraft. As for ignorant beliefs, witchcraft — or wicca, as it is also known — is more closely connected to observable reality and to one’s immediate natural environment (use of medicinal herbs, ritual observing of the changes of the seasons) while the Christian religion is based more on the translations of ancient w riters who. allegedly, were channeling wisdom from an omniscient deity. 1 applaud the bishop’s attempt to enlighten the interpreters and followers of Christian doctrine in regard to sexuality. However, it’s probably time for him, at least, to end his com plicity in the disparaging of the long-oppressed (but still living and currently revitalized) wiccan crafts and their practitioners. Everett Jaros Portland Z100 homophobic To the Editor: On Wednesday, June 15, Z100 radio disc- jockey Chet Buchanan shaved off his mustache. That’s not exactly earth-shattering news. How ever, during the usual DJ banter between songs, Buchanan talked about shaving it off and said he felt embarrassed. His fellow DJ said it looked fine and asked Buchanan to describe how he felt. He replied, “ Well. .. can we say queer on the air?” They both laughed, then Buchanan’s partner made a brief remark about expecting complaints. When we called to complain, Buchanan was very patronizing and attempted to laugh the whole thing off. We were struck by the length to which he went to justify his homophobia. His attitude was also sexist; we were not taken seriously because we are women. Buchanan laughed when he said, “ I knew I’d get in trou ble for this.” He laughed when he said, “ You have to admit, I could have done a lot worse.” We are not interested in waiting until Buchanan does “ a lot worse.” The time to stop homophobia is when it starts. Christine V. Mitchell Sue Docstoder Don’t buy a spa with your clothes on. 7th Annual Lucille Hart Dinner 6:30 p.m. Saturday, October 1,1988 Hilton Hotel, Portland, Oregon $75 per ticket When you're shopping for a car, kicking tires is no substitute for a thorough test drive. By the same token, sitting hilly clothed in an empty spa is no substitute for a thorough “ test soak." Especially when you could experience the heavenly feeling of a Hot Spring Spa. The churning water is hot and soothing. And the high-density insulation will keep it that way. Even in a blizzard. Notice the comfortable seating and how easy it is to move about. Feel the powerful hydrojets relieve stress throughout your body. And enjoy the vigorous massage of our exclusive Jetstream ^ on your aching feet and calves. Finally, test our revolutionary Moto-Massage*, the exclusive hydro-therapeutic jet that gives a non-stop, gentle backrub. When it's all said and done, we think you’ll find you just can’t buy a better dressed spa. Bring in this ad for a free gift with spa purchase. Paid for by the Right to Privacy PAC just out • 1 • September 1988