R
Ballot Measure 8
presents
"opportunity" for
community
To the Editor:
I am glad that Ballot Measure 8 passed. Its
passage has provoked anger, stirred-up
otherwise dormant activism, made us confront
bigotry, opened closet doors, and brought us
closer together. I am glad it passed.
Earlier, I was equally as devastated as many
of you when the outcome of the Ballot measure
was announced. I felt ashamed that such a
measure could possibly pass in Oregon. How
could there exist such bigotry, especially in
people who preach “ love” ? 1 wanted to move
away, but on second thoughts, 1 realized that
my negative feelings and reactions only
reinforced their victory.
We should turn this perceived “ crisis” into
an opportunity . . . an opportunity to bring
national attention on bigotry; an opportunity to
educate the people about homosexuality; an
opportunty to gain visibility; an opportunity to
unify our efforts and aspirations. This is our
platform towards more concrete, long-term
achievements.
I have a few ideas of what we can do locally.
1) create an umbrella gay and lesbian
organization that will coordinate various
activities of the local gay and lesbian groups as
well as network with other regional and national
gay and lesbian organizations.
2) have frequent or routine public display of
affection, much like the recent shop and shock
affair at the Lloyd Center, at major shopping
malls or busy public areas.
3) organize the largest gay rally ever in
Portland next year, or if that’s not possible, in
1990. I am not thinking of 5,000 gays and
lesbians marching through downtown, but
50,000-1- gays and lesbians in the rally and later
caravanning to other parts of the State. Since
the passage of Ballot Measure 8 has national
implications, I think it is likely that we could
readily solicit the help of key influential gay and
lesbian leaders in other areas (like in San
Francisco, L.A ., Seattle or even New York) to
mobilize their people to come to Portland to
demonstrate our pride, our strength and our
goal to eradicate bigotry. It will be our Portland
“ open-house” week to all gays and lesbians
from around the country. In conjunction with
the rally, it would be good if we can also have a
national conference on gay and lesbian issues
in Portland.
4) encourage our friends, and friends of
friends, to relocate to Portland. We need gay
businesses and we need gays and lesbians of all
levels of professions to relocate here. OCA did
not want Portland to be another San Francisco.
Why not? S.F. is a beautiful city with beautiful
people. Portland is a beautiful city too, and we
need more beautiful people. Let’s develop a
10-year plan to change Portland into another
San Francisco!
5) be ourselves. I am new to the gay culture.
The many gay men and lesbians I came to know
are such sensitive, caring and gentle people. Let
the people around u s. know us
Lastly, I would like to thank the OCA for
providing us with this opportunity to educate
the nation.
No OFF successor
group
To the Editor:
This is in response to one paragraph of the
letter from the OFF Steering Committee in the
December issue of Just Out.
That letter makes reference to the fact that
some donors and volunteers of the No on 8
campaign have received “ unauthorized” tele
phone calls from a new group, and apologizes
for any “ inconvenience” thereby resulting.
In my capacity as office manager of the No
on 8 campaign, I created a database printout of
telephone numbers for, among other purposes,
volunteer recruitment. After the campaign
S
defeat. I felt it reasonable and appropriate to use
the same list to help alert lesbians, gay men. and
heterosexual civil libertarians to grass-roots
community organizing designed to chart our
strategies in responding to the loss. The Noon 8
campaign director was informed of, and con
curred with, my decision to notify campaign
volunteers and donors of upcoming community
meetings. There was no claim made as to any
“ successor group” to OFF.
Far from being “ inconvenient,” I believe it is
urgent that we face the reality of Measure 8 ’s
passage, and swiftly build broad-based
community coalitions so that we may respond
effectively.
Carl Goodman
Portland
È
Coyote
Portland
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