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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 1988)
just briefs Working Toward a Just Society EMILY SIMON LCP names new director awea Mockabee, a board member of the Lesbian Community Project since it was launched in 1987, will become the group’s executive director on September 1. Mockabee has been involved in civil rights, women’s rights and lesbian rights work since 1968. In a statement in the voting pamphlet for LCP members issued during the group’s first election, Mockabee noted her work with the Black Panther free-breakfast program, the San Francisco Women’s Health Collective, the San Francisco Women’s Center, the clerical workers' union at San Francisco State College and the Valley Lesbians in Salem. She said she is looking forward to the job of leading the state’s largest lesbian organization. “ LCP is one of the greatest things happening for lesbians in the country,” she said. Cathy Siemens, one of LCP’s founders, will leave the post of executive director to work full time as deputy campaign manager of Oregonians for Fairness. J ©TRI-MET Tri-Met adamant, ads banned permanently ing edge of efforts to expand public awareness or encourage acceptability of controversial social issues.” That letter, Koberstein said, evaded the central question of the controversy — whether gay men can be pictured in mass advertising. “ Tri-Met continues to sidestep this issue,” he said. Koberstein said he is inviting gay men and representatives of local mass-media outlets to talk about that sensitive question. Staff from Tri-Met, Transit Ads, The Oregonian and the major local television stations, as well as gay men, will be called to a “ focus group” late in September to discuss how mass media can be used to speak to gay men about AIDS. In the meantime, the posters hang on the walls of a few progressive social-service agencies and bob above the heads of protesters at periodic demonstrations against Tri-Met. Their impact now goes beyond the actual mes sage; whether or not they teach something about AIDS, they have touched both the gay com munity’s anger and its vulnerability. For many, the ads are a sort of totem — a graphic reminder that gay-positive images still remain squarely outside the mainstream. To carry a "We can live. Together.” sign brings a little tingle of proud disobedience, like the feeling of reading a banned book. “ It’s questionable whether the present ad can still be effective as an AIDS-prevention ad,” Koberstein said last month, “ whether that specific ad being used again would be effective, or whether people on both sides would be blinded to the message because of the contro versy.” AIDS research foundation formed at OHSU he controversial Cascade AIDS Project posters removed from Tri-Met buses in foundation for HIV/AIDS research has July still don’t have a ticket to ride — and they been established at Oregon Health probably won't in the future, according to CAP Sciences University, where officials hope it will director Tom Koberstein. help boost the state onto the map for national The ads, the first AIDS-education messages recognition and funding of AIDS research. targeted for gay men through a mass-media The foundation, the first of its kind in Oregon outlet in Oregon, showed two men in an specifically targeted for AIDS research and affectionate embrace and the words, “ We can education, will fund projects in patient manage live. Together.’ ’ After a July 3 column appeared ment and other areas, but will not offer direct in The Oregonian criticizing the ads for services to clients, according to James D. applauding homosexuality rather than warning Simons of OHSU. against AIDS, Transit Ads Inc., which handles Simons said the foundation will help fill a advertising on Tri-Met vehicles, ordered them funding gap that has plagued Oregon because taken down. relatively few people in the state have AIDS Soon after that, Koberstein met with officials compared to places such as New York and of Tri-Met and Transit Ads. Two initial meet California. ings were productive, Koberstein said. “ We’ve had minimal funds in the state “ At least we got agreement from [Tri-Met primarily due to our numbers,” Simons said. and Transit Ads] that it’s critical that gay 4 ‘This will enable us to do some independent men be targeted for AIDS prevention through research projects on our own.” He added that mass-advertising outlets.” people who wanted to make memorial gifts for But an August letter from Tri-Met to people AIDS research previously had to send their who complained about the posters’ removal money out of state; now they can donate to a made it clear that the company, although it may foundation whose research will affect those believe AIDS-education messages to gay men close to home. are important, doesn’t want to be the one Donations may be sent to the OHSU HIV/ bearing the news. AIDS Foundation, Suite 306, 2121 SW Broad The company is in the business o f mass way, Portland, OR 97201. T transit, the letter said, and “ it is therefore not appropriate to expect Tri-Met to be at the lead SIMON, KRAMER G FITHIAN-DARRETT Attorneys • • • • • • • • Felony on d M isdem eonor Defense AIDS Issues Consum er Problems W orkplace Concerns Disobiliry/Sociol Security A doption ond Fam ily Low Sliding scale Evening appointm ents 50Ó SW 6rh, Suite 510 Portland. OR 97204 (5 0 3 ) 2 4 3 -2 7 3 3 Enchanted Blue Wave Ltd. “A Magical Oceanfront Retreat" A Bed and Breakfast For Women Ocean View Rooms ■ Outdoor Spa Fitness and Game Rooms P.O. Box 147 (206) 642-4900 Seaview, WA 98644 A — Anndee Hochman HAL JONES AUTOMOTIVE JOY ENTERPRISES NO SPECIAL RIGHT TO DISCRIMINATE We at Hal Jones Automotive support the campaign to defeat the funda mentalists’ initiative which would legalize discrimination against lesbians and gay men. 5111 NE Fremont Portland, OR 97213 288-1130 GULLIVER’S VOYAGES 3rd ANNUAL CRUISE FAIR Prizes O riginal “ C ruising — A ffordable L uxury ” Com e talk with representatives o f 14 o f the World's Best Cruise Lines Watch their m ovie Shop their discounts — — Sept. 2 5 , Sunday, Noon-6 pm Columbia River Red Lion The West Coasts Largest Cruise Fair The Thinking Woman’s Magazine Mark your calendar! C ity /S ta te ___________________ Zip______ Mail check to: InlJN ISO N M agazine P.O . Box 48 Salem , OR 97.308 $2.00 in advance/$3.00 at the door 502 SE Morrison Portland, OR PHONE: 230-8008 just <>«/ • ♦• September 1988