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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1989)
Trashing leaders hurts community To the community: I am deeply concerned about the immediate reaction that followed the passage of Ballot Measure 8. Ballot Measure 8 was a dreadful aversion to our fundamental human rights. However, is it not ironic the approach that a few members in our community employed in diffusing intense feelings of anger, bitterness and hatred? These same individuals used one of our precious leaders, Cathy Siemens, as a scapegoat in the same manner that the heterosexual, white, male community has used lesbians and gay men as scapegoats. My frustration is not directed at the few irrational people who withheld their criticism until the election was over. (Obviously if they were truly interested in offering input, these people would have spoken up sooner in a more constructive way.) Actually I would rather address the entire community, especially the lesbians. We cannot afford to trash our leaders in such a haphazard manner. More importantly, we cannot idly sit by and watch others trash our leaders. Cathy Siemens is a human being with legitimate feelings. She is not indestructible merely because she is a strong leader. She must have been affected by our hcsitance to reaffirm her tremendous efforts in conducting a campaign which was vital to our survival in the work force. Although the majority of us did not agree with the verbal harassment that Cathy received, our immediate reaction was silence. If we value Cathy’s dedication to a doctrine that includes us all, then maybe we should tell her. There might not be a next time. Amy Baker Eugene Portland best for gays, lesbians To the Editor: I too agree with Cindy Cumfer that we don’t thank each other enough and are too free with our criticism. I repent. Thank you to all the hard-working activists in our community. I may not agree with everyone’s viewpoint, but I appreciate your efforts to make our community visible and acceptable. Because of the activeness of our community, I think Portland is probably the best place in America for a gay man or lesbian to be. We do have a real viable community. Ann D. Valentine Portland Readers respond to JO appeal First the good news. Readers of Just Out have responded to our fundraising campaign with notes of appreciation and contributions to the tune of $1,400, as of press time. The bad news is, that’s only five percent of our goal. We feel good about the amount we’ve raised so far. We feel even better about the messages included with some of the checks — notes from readers who appreciate Just Out and value its place in the community. Here’s what some readers had to say: ▼ "It’s awfully nice to know there's a gay! lesbian community out there and that there is a voice for us ▼ "I’m glad that l can help give back some o f what you have given me.” ▼ "It 's difficult to envision a new month without Just Out....Your style and approach are unique and irreplaceable." ▼ "Just Out provides a valuable service to the community. A service such as yours is vitally needed in these uncertain times. May you be with us for years to come. ” ▼ 7 would really miss Just Out if you ceased....Your paper is a real asset to me and I'm sure to many others." If any of those sentiments match yours, make yourself one of the 3,000 for Ten. Think about all the ways you rely on the newspaper — for events, group announce ments, news and entertainment, debate and gay-positive advertising. Things you can’t get anywhere else in town. Even though we say we’re free, publishing Just Out costs money — more money, over the last six years, than we’ve taken in. We’ve been operating at a deficit, and we don't want to continue that way. We want Just Out to be a vibrant voice for the gay and lesbian community. Publishing Just Out isn’t the same as publishing an ordinary newspaper. Other newspapers can charge for copies; they don’t worry about homophobia keeping readers from asking a clerk for the latest issue. Other newspapers don’t cope with potential advertisers shunning their pages because they’re afraid of the readership. If you can’t afford to give money, there are other ways to help. Just Out depends on a corps of volunteers to write, edit and produce each month’s issue. We need people to help keep the office running smoothly by answering phones, filing photographs and articles, mailing subscribers’ copies and distributing papers around town. If you’d like to devote a few hours to help keep your community’s voice loud and clear, give us a call at 236-1252. Just Out depends on its readers. Not just to read, but to respond. To write letters, submit articles, notice advertisers, offer ideas, get involved. Now, at a fragile time in the newspaper’s evolution, we need you more than ever. Help us pay for the past. Help Just Out stay out in the future. Thank you. OREGON Dedicated to Your Satisfaction. P O R TLA N D ___ 253-3551 B E A V E R T O N ___ 643-5002 1904 NE H2nd Avenue Near 1 84 A 205 10.367 S W C anyon Road N ear H w y 26 & 217 just out T 3 T October 1969