L E T T Summit Athletic Club halted To the Editor, Over two years ago I had a vision of a change I wanted to see happen in the Portland gay and lesbian community; that of offering a healthy alternative to our lifestyle. I did my survey work, wrote several business plans, did the research that was intriguingly fun, and the vision started to become real to me. I ate, slept, and lived Summit Athletic Club. All I could imagine was its success. All I could visualize was the opening, the operation and the community's involvement in the process. I never imagined I would have to write this letter telling you that at this time the progress of Summit has halted. It’s been hard for me as well as all those involved to let go of this dream. I suppose the biggest thing I’d like people to remember about this whole process with Summit is that it wasn’t just another gay and lesbian project that didn’t work. Let’s give ourselves more credit than that It was simply the effort of a dream that preceded its reality. This happens in the straight community time and again, but they don’t attribute their losses to being straight. What I’m trying to say is that I’d like to see more personal esteem over what we do in the community and less focus on what doesn’t happen. The gay and lesbian community in Portland has come a long way in the last decade. Let’s celebrate that fact and keep the momentum. Mickey E. Lee Portland Mother's day gift to P/FLAG To the Editor, Unless you are an ingrate of a child (like me) who habitually forgets to honor the woman who raised you, you are beginning to contemplate Mother’s Day with that sense of vague indecision. What’s the dutiful gay son or daughter to send? For some of you. May 13 will be a melancholy day to remember a woman who lives on in the warmth of your love. For others E R S it will be a bitter time to recall the parents who rejected them for being gay. For most of us, the eternal debate over whether to send the tasteful card or overpriced bouquet will rage once again. To all you tormented souls in the throes of Mother’s Day madness: Why not give a donation in your mother’s name to P-FLAG, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. While P-Flag counsels and supports the families who are still struggling to come to terms with their child’s orientation, it also serves as a rallying point for mothers and fathers who actively work in our behalf. P-Flag parents are there for us 365 days a year. This May 13, let’s show our love and affection for our mothers by supporting this brave and loyal army of parents in the battle for gay and lesbian civil rights. And let your Mom know that you did; it’ll make her proud. Drew Siegal Sacramento, CA State has gay foster parents To the Editor: The April issue of Just Out carried an article with the heading “State OKs foster parent status for lesbian couple.” Since many readers might think this was the first time Oregon Children’s Service Division (CSD) has certified lesbians as foster parents, I think Just Out readers need to know that in fact there are many lesbian and gay male foster parents in Oregon and there have been for years. CSD would not be able to say how many because they don’t keep any separate statistics. Just Out readers who are interested in contributing to children’s welfare by becoming foster parents should therefore apply to the Children’s Services Division confident that they will be treated with respect. Women with Women and Children has at least a dozen households with foster children of all ages. Holly Hart Portland C IR C L E H E A L T H C A R E C L I N I C H E A L I N G A R T S . ACUPUNCTURE • CHIROPRACTIC • MASSAGE • COUNSELING • NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE jAN C O RW IN , D.C. C HIRO PRACTIC PHYSICIAN BRO O KE W IN TE R , L.Ac. LIC ENSED A C U P U N C TU R IS T KIP M. H A RD , D.C. C HIRO PRA C TIC PHYSICIAN VALERIE M. LYON, M .S., L.M .T. MASSAGE & BO D Y C EN TER ED TH ER A PY SU ZA N N E SCOPES, N .D . N A TURO PA TH IC PHYSICIAN KA THY PETERS, L.M .T. ‘LIC EN SED MASSAGE TECHNIC IAN lS)ur House Is W)rth A Million. I have just passed the magic million- dollars-in-sales mark. To me it means I’ve passed a milestone, a point of professional growth. To you it means that when you hire me to sell your home, you will have a million dollars worth of expe­ rience and knowledge working for you. By working together, we can realize the full potential of your investment. So when you’re ready to sell your house, call me. After • all, who couldn’t use an extra million. Cathy Siemens Bridgetown Realty (503) 287-9370 316 N.E. 28TH ST., PORTLAND, OR 97232 (503)230-0812 (503)238-0135(home) just oui T 3 ▼ May 1990