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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 1, 1990)
Being a lesbian is not about whom / sleep with, nor does it restrict whom I love BY J U L I E B A U M L E R ure, I have a latent heterosexual streak, but the fact remains there is more to being a lesbian than who you have sex with or even who you love. I am a lesbian — that defines my culture, my community, my politics, my world view. Being a lesbian for me is not about whom I sleep with, nor does it restrict whom I love. There are men I love dearly. And as a friend said, like all women I am capable of having sex with a man. Though it may be blasphemous to say so, as a lesbian 1 could probably have a more fulfilling sex life with any one of the men I care for than the woman I was raised to be probably would have had with her husband. This is the case because a) my friendships with men are mutually giving, something I was not raised to expect or demand from a husband (which I was raised to see as the only possible role for a male friend), b) the brain is the most important sexual organ and much of good sex for me takes place on an emotional level, c) I acknowledge myself as a sexual being — something I was not raised to do, d) though it may not be politically correct or expedient to admit it, I am not part of the 3 percent of the S O B I T U H aro ld F ra n k lin M oore (1945 - 1989) Portland native Harold Moore died December 1, 1989 of complications resulting from AIDS. Bom August 6, 1945, he attended Gresham High School and studied journalism at Portland Community College. While there, he was voted student body president and was also the editor of the school paper, The Bridge. After residing in various parts of the country, he returned to Portland in 1988 and worked as a staff reporter for Just Out as well as being the media coordinator for the Names Project when the quilt was displayed here. In July of 1988 he interviewed indepen dent presidential candidate Lenora Fulani for Just Out. In depth conversations led to a mutual respect that resulted in his nomination 12 CONDOM VARIETY PACK from The Rubber Tree R etu rn this coupon v i t h nam e, address & $ 3 .0 0 ch eck or m o n e y o rd e r to: Z P G -Seattle, Dept JO 4 4 2 6 B urke A w V S e a ttle , V A 981 OS t e l: ( 2 0 6) 6 3 3 - 4 7 5 0 ^ 1 ^ Or Send 45c SASE for Mail Order Brochure of Condoms . Lubricants, Spermicides, Books, cards A more | j a non-profit ser v ice s ince 1975) | human population that is exclusively and completely homosexual. I am “merely” predominantly lesbian, though the distinction is rarely worth making. We all know heterosexuals with unacknowledged latent homosexual stripes, so I don’t see why I should have to act on mine if they won’t — although I try not to repress my latent streak because I find I ’m happier when I don’t. I make rude comments about men’s bodies with my straight female friends. I read harlequin romances (actually they’re less inane and no more hetcrosexist than most TV shows). I recently told a straight male friend that I’d go out with a guy if he would. He hasn’t taken me up on it, but I think he’s considering. Acknowledging my latent streak means allowing that while homosexuality is innately superior for me, it doesn’t mean that it is for everyone. It means not jumping on every latent (homosexual) action or comment the heterosexuals around me make; although when they jump on every latent (heterosexual) action or comment I make, I do reciprocate. And it means trying not to let societal prejudices keep me from existing as a sexual being (as my straight friends seem to do) rather than a label. ▼ _____________________ j j p | W F w / ' ' Labels______________ 1 ________ C oventry Cycle (1 m Works I - Healing & Education Center for Women • • • H IV + E n erg y T h e ra p y Monday afternoons & evenings ANCIENT GODDESS TEACHINGS Women only P E U G E O T • P A N A S O N IC PRIVATE HEALING PRACTICE For Men & Women, Specializing in Abuse & Addictions O P E N TUESDAY-SUNDAY MACY BRADER & BONNIE K0VALEFF 2 3 0 -7 7 2 3 P .O .B o x 1402 S an d y , OR 9 7 0 5 5 622-4439 F A G G I N (F r o m Ita ly ) 2 0 2 5 SE H a w th o rn e B lv d . 1 4 3 1 N .E . B r o a d w a y P o rtla n d , O R 9 7 2 3 2 (5 0 3 ) 2 8 4 - 1 1 1 0 A F e m in i s t B o o k s to r e & M o re Animals & Feminism M eet a n im al rights activist a n d fem in ist a u th o r T h e re sa C o rrig an , T h u rsd ay . J a n u a r y 18 a t 7 :3 0 p m . C orrigan e d ite d With a Fly 's Eye, W hale 's Wit an d W om an s Heart. FEMINIST BOOKS □ MUSIC □ POSTERS T-SHIRTS □ CALENDARS MAIL ORDER AVAILABLE A R I E S as the New Alliance Party vice presidential candidate in Oregon. Moore was also a staff reporter for The National Alliance, New York City. He is survived by his sister, Vivian Patterson-Steel and her husband Mike, and also by his lover, Gary Hampton and many caring friends. Because you were the first to pick me out o f the crowd and shine your light into the dark, lonely place where l had been. Because you slowed down enough to move to the farm and enjoy things that were lasting. Because you left me a big sister and friends that I can love always. Because you still seem to be there anytime I need you. I will love and remember you all o f my life. GJI. Colton, Oregon Christmas, 1989 13 UNPARALLELE MUSCULAR 3731 S E Hawthorne Portland, Oregon 97214 (503)232-1010 IT'S FASTA WITHPR,AWAL> Q uick ! tail rA£rAA/0KK¿! fresh pasta and sauces salads— prepared foods cheeses fine oils and vinegars great values in imported and domestic wines • • • • • Crystals & Gems Ritual Accessories Incenses 8c Oils Astrology Computer Srvcs Lending Library MEN oar $10.00 (A. RES MO SALES TAX PRin VOW NAM t AOOKSS t SIGN THAI YOU AK ova 21 YEARS Of M E ON A SEPARATE P K I OF PUKR ENCLOSE $2.00 SMPPMG $1.00 FOR EA04 MOTIONAL SMPPED10 Y0M AOORESS ONLY MAKE O f a OR M0KY ORDER PAYARLE 10 HR STUDIO, MX 441 DEPT. J . VEHCE, CA W 2f4 CRONE MAGIC 249-0444 12-7 MON.-SAT. 1405 NE BROADWAY PORTLAND. OR 97232 Workshop Series "Elements of Ritual” Jan. 13.27. Feb 10th 10:30 a - 12:30 p Sponsored by Sisterspirlt FFI 287-3379 Using Our Herbal Allies in Alcohol A Drug Abuse Recovery* Jan. 2 0 — 10:30 a - 12:30 p led by Ariel W aterw om on just out T 11 T January 1990
