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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1992)
just out ▼ august 1002 ▼ 3 letters Sort of a love letter : . --.'¿i>•*&-... : K a ren M .D . , Physician and-Surgeon Obstetncs'airdxGynecology I was given the sweet opportunity fo r fu ll expansion o f my politics and friendships ▼ t the National Gay and Lesbian Task But my time ran out, and I left with concerns Force conference in November, Scot about the kind o f isolation and alienation people Nakagawa and Donna Red Wing were feeling, reflective o f similar feelings of showed me the OCA video, and I was people around the country. I guess I want tp say struck immediately by the escalation to everyone clearly that these feelings can lead to in the assault by the Christian Right against people our destruction. The only hope we have for of color, women, lesbians and gay men, indeed, making change is through making authentic con against the Bill of Rights and democracy itself. nections. Consequently, I hope that everyone, in When I offered to come to Oregon to work on the whatever way possible, gets involved in the cam campaign to counter this attack, Scot and Donna paign to defeat the OCA initiative. This means worked together through the Coalition for Human * knocking on the door of Campaign for a Hate Free Dignity and the Lesbian Community Project to Oregon, and if no one has had time to put out the raise funds to pay my base salary for six months. welcome mat that day, then just walk on in and get Then they gave me the freedom to do whatever I busy. CHFO belongs to our community; we must saw necessary to create a climate of activism and make it what we want it to be. Our freedom to change. have whole lives, our freedom to participate fully Thus began six months of incredible joy to me. in society is at risk; we have to get over ourselves I want to thank Oregonians for receiving me and eliminate the barriers to creating a victory for with-literally-open arms, loving affection, toler justice for all of us. ance for my Southern ways, hospitality, support My life has been enriched by my time in and respect. I was given the sweet opportunity for Oregon. Here in Little Rock, I am filled with full expansion of my politics and friendships. I memories of beaches and mountains and of the grew in ways that exceeded my imagination. That beautiful faces o f the friends I made there. I wish is no small g ift I could call everyone by name in my thanksgiv On July 4 I returned South to resume my ing, but there are too many. However, I do want responsibilities at home and at the W omen’s especially to thank the Coalition for Human Dig Project It was particularly difficult to leave at a nity and the Lesbian Community Project for mak time when biased violence was on the rise in ing my work possible, and Holly Pruett and Holly Portland, with break-ins, vandalism, death threats Duncan for providing me a loving home. As for and an intensifying climate of violence. Activists the rest of you, I will thank you in person when I always leave even the best work wishing they return in September to work with you through could have done more. As I drove through spec election day and the following days of celebration tacular scenery on the long trip South, I kept of freedom. thinking, “If only I had had just a few more weeks, maybe I could have helped construct the bridges Suzanne Pharr necessary for people working together in unity.” Little Rock, Ark. ^ lin ic Suite 520 I*òrtland/Ore$bn 97210 A Shop around To the Editor: Last week I spoke with the local county clerk and learned that I was able to see Oregon Citizens Alliance petitions that were submitted to her for signature verification. In the course of our con versation I found that I could buy copies of the petitions from the secretary o f state’s Elections Division for 15 cents per page. I am buying the copies of the petitions for this county and will use them as a sort o f shopping guide. I plan to share them with my friends. I recommend that other people around the state purchase copies for their local use. Skip Cockerum Tillamook Sexy: Not! To the Editor: Someone out there thinks this is a turn-on; big hunks with tattooed swastikas posing for porno graphic consumption. If you’ve ever fancied having a “No Comment” section, such as the one in Ms., then this could certainly find a home there. Am I missing the joke, or does this offend you all as well? Michael Ambrosino Portland Honest accountability To the Editor: Lesbian and Gay Pride 1992 would like to thank the gay and lesbian community and our supporters for making this year’s event such an outstanding success. Not only were we the top news story on all four local stations and on the front page of The Oregonian(\), but we also made national news on CNN Sunday morning. This could not have happened without the over 9,000 people who attended the event. Special thanks must also go to Janna MacAuslen and Kristin Aspen of Alternative Sound, Howie B aggadonutz and Carol Steinel, Jude Watson and our security and volunteers for all o f their hard work. We also feel it necessary to respond to a letter printed in the July issue o f The Lavender Network written by Jordana Sardo, Radical Women and six co-signers, contesting the $45 fee for sales-booth space. We agree with the letter writers that it is “crucial” for all people to participate in the event as fully as they are able. That is why our fees are based as they are. Groups and individuals can be involved for costs ranging from nothing to over $500, depending on how they choose. This is a way for us to make sure that everyone can join us in one way or another. Those groups wishing to have a booth but who lack the financial means have always been welcome either to share space with another organization or to work-share. Both of these options were offered to Radical Women, who informed us that they did not have the re sources for either one. To date they are the only vendor to disagree with the cost or to not have paid their fee in full. If your organization found these fees to be excessive, please contact us so that we can take these things into consideration for 1993. As you can see from the 1992 financial report, this event is expensive to produce. We too are a “small group on a shoestring budget.” Before depositing the money brought in on the day of the event (merchandisesales and donations), we were The Coffee Merchants ♦ The finest imported coffee beans, teas, chocolates, and beverage brewing accessories TASTE THE NAPA VALLEY 4 Days, 3 Nights Round trip air exconomy car hotelAaxes from $493 ppdo RSVP CRUISES ♦ THE BROADWAY COFFEE MERCHANT 1637 N E Broadway • 2iK-9209 ♦ THE HAWTHORNE COFFEE MERCHANT Space still available for June, French-Canada 1992 Cruises Available as low as $795 ppdo 3562 S E Etawthome • 230-1222 FUN . SUN • WOMEN ♦ THE HILLSDALE COFFEE MERCHANT Hillsdale Shopping Center • 244-4522 7 Night Women’s ThanksgivingCruise to Mexico From $995 ppdo plus air For more information call Michael Scott WE F L A U N T IT SO Y O U P O N T H AVE T O just out VISTA TRAVEL SERVICE, . nc 200 S W Market St., Lobby level Portland, OR 97201 (5 0 3 ) 2 2 4 -5 0 0 0 FAX (503) 299-6831 USA 800-245-5557 Parking validated walk for A ID S Sunday September 13 y 1992 waterfront park, Portland, Oregon for more information call from all walks of life 2 2 3 -W A L K walk proceeds support the education and social service programs of: Cascade A ID S Project, A ID S Forum , Friends of PW A’s, Our House of Portland, Outside In, Phoenix Rising sponsors: Z100 • US West Foundation • Cascade AID S Project • Epitope • US Bank • K G W -TV Channel 8
