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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 1992)
letters For our community To the Editor: Metropolitan Community Church and People o f Faith Against Bigotry are planning places o f support for those who don’t wish to watch elec tion night returns alone and want to be in an alcohol- and drug-free environment. The church will remain open throughout the night as a place to gather. Counselors will be available or on call. Additionally, MCC, in conjunction with other organizations, is planning a rally for midnight, after the results are in. It is felt by many that we need to be together for a time that night. Special guests and political leaders will address the gath ering. Call MCC at 281-8868 or Phoenix Rising at 223-8299 the week prior to the Nov. 3 election for more information. Sallee M. Huber President, NLA/Portland Everything’s important Rev. Gary L Wilson Portland It’s not me! To the Editor: A major Portland newspaper ran an article on domestic-partner medical coverage that included a quote from an individual with the same first and last name as mine. This activist has been getting more vocal in the last year expressing his views against gays and minorities. I would like to clarify that Gregory M. Lathrop, D.V.M., is not in any way associated with or related to the Greg Lathrop that spoke at the County Board o f Commissioners meeting on the union contract that included domestic-partner medical coverage. The confusion and phoned-in accusations to my veterinary practice are misdirected. Please don’t confuse the statements and actions of a political activist with another individual o f the same name. Gregory W. Lathrop, D.V.M. Portland W e’re We let the real “perverts” (the OCA) win in 1988 by allowing them to divide and conquer, that must not happen again! Remember, we’re all perverts in the eyes o f our enemies; w e’re all subject to discrimination, imprisonment or death- some o f us are simply more obvious than others as targets, and we have only our leather, courage and integrity as protection. In closing, I thank Just Out for the moral and professional courage in answering the letter in question by expressing the papers’ support o f all elements o f our diverse community. Honoring diversity must be more than a token slogan, or else we’re ultimately no different than the OCA. Thank you, all queer To the Editor: I was most concerned to read in the September 1992 issue of Just Out the example o f leather bashing and self-oppression from Naomi Martin. Even if relative newcomers to the Portland community don’t realize it, leather men and women have always been among Portland’s most dedicated leaders and volunteers. It would be impossible to list them all, but I can easily list just an example of the many areas in which leather and SM people have been founders and leaders: the Lesbian Community Project, Portland Town Council, the Cascade AIDS Project, 12-step re covery programs. Parents and Friends o f Lesbi ans and Gays and the Imperial Court. As part of the community, we are members of your sports teams, choirs and bands; we are your supportive business people and advertisers, your writers and the people you call on for entertain ment and performance art. If this is familiar to gay and lesbian rights literature, it’s because the same principles apply-the right to be a valid, recog nized part of the larger community, even if not everyone likes us personally! Already, between the efforts o f many indi viduals and groups, I know o f over $15,000 that the leather and SM community has helped raise to fight the OCA. Examine the program o f the very same Lesbian and Gay Pride parade and rally that you objected to seeing us included in—you’ll find that the Portland chapter of the National Leather Association was one of the first groups to raise and contribute money when the parade and rally was in danger o f not happening because o f lack of funds! Is this the group that Ms. Martin claims ♦‘does not contribute” or that one picture “is bad enough” of? To the E ditor I am pleased to see that you are instituting an editorial policy change as stated in your editor’s note to Naomi M artin’s letter in your last issue. You say that Just Out “supports, accepts and joyfully embraces every ’fringe’ element of the gay, lesbian and bisexual and queer-as-a-three- dollar-bill community.” This will be a much- needed change and may even win back some of the men readers. I look forward to seeing reporting on every aspect and element o f our community because every single part is just as important as any other part. We may not agree with every “fringe ele ment,” but we must support everyone’s right to lead our lives as we see fit without censure, either directly or in the form of underreporting. Don Minnerly Portland Locked out To the Editor: In your September issue of Just Out, you stated that Just Out supports, accepts and joyfully embraces every “fringe element of the gay, les bian, bisexual and queer-as-a-thrfee-dollar-bill community.” I ’m part of that community, and in the last 12 months that I ’ve been receiving Just Out, I ’ve not seen the fringe element o f the community that / belong to. I ’m speaking of the gay, lesbian and bisexual community o f the prisoners o f O regon’s prison system. I ’ve not noticed any articles per taining to us here in Oregon’s prison system. The incarcerated gays, lesbians and bisexuals are pretty much a forgotten community. Just Out staff might consider gaining authorization to enter Oregon’s prison system sometime and doing an article on a few from their cells. After all, we are in reality your next-door neighbors before incarceration. Are we to remain forgotten while incarcerated? Come on. Just Out. Show us your stuff. Jack Sharp Salem From Wisconsin To the Editor: I just read an article about Measure 9 and the incredible Oregon Citizens Alliance in the Aug. 20,1992, issue o f Wisconsin Light. Thank you for the work you are doing around the state. At least our message is getting out to a lot of people. Let’s hope they hear it. Best o f luck. P.S. I am sending $10 directly to the Cam paign for a Hate Free Oregon. Polly E. Heninger Madison, Wisconsin r ' EQ U ITY FOUNDATION fxK all ua ! ou can invest in Equity today - either through your I workplace campaign or by making a direct gift to Equity Foundation. Let us help you put your money to work supporting charitable causes you believe in and want to support. Equity Foundation is making a real difference in our community. Equity is here, not just for the crisis, but for the long term. Join us! Y r You can g iv e to F q u itv F o u n d a tio n at vour workplace: Com bined Federal Cam paign, #8082 M ultnomah C ountv Cam paign City of Portland Cam paign M etropolitan Serv ice District Cam paign Donor O ption Plan of the United Wav Also ask about our planned giving program. Equity Foundation • P.O. Box 56% • Portland, Oregon 97228 • 503.220.0628
