1092 T «S
local news
National award
for
local
lesbian
The Advocate's Woman of the Year is Portland’s
own Donna Red Wing
by Marilyn Davis
D
onna Red Wing, executive director
of the Lesbian Community Project,
has recently been named Woman of
the Year by The Advocate magazine.
The award recognizes Red Wing for
her compassionate, good-humored dedication to
gay and lesbian political action and also cel­
ebrates the strength and spirit of Portland’s les­
bian and gay community.
Red Wing is pleased and excited by the award,
which among other things means a trip to Los
Angeles for a photo shoot. By the first of the year
her face will be on newstands all over the country.
And The Advocate has sent Helen Zia, the execu­
tive editor of Ms. magazine, to Portland to write
the cover story. “Someone asked me, ‘What are partner,” says Donna, “and she always will be, I
the perks of this award?’” laughs Red Wing. “I hope.”) In Massachusetts, Donna was director of
said ‘I get to spend two days with Helen Zia.’” the largest child sexual abuse prevention project
The award is fun, but Red Wing quickly turns in the state, but the day came when she felt too
serious and modest when she talks about her work tired to go to work anymore. “I reached the point
with the Lesbian Community Project “I see the where my understanding of man’s capacity for
work I do as part of the work everybody does. It’s evil just went beyond anything I could handle,”
not that special. I do work hard, extraordinarily she explains. So she decided to make a change.
Donna and Sumitra each wrote down their two
hard. But if I were a waitress, which I was for
many years. I’d work hard. If I were a farmer I’d favorite cities. They both chose Portland and
work hard. I only do work now that makes sense Santa Fe. Then, since they both like water, they
to me, and that’s a luxury in this world. I feel decided to come to Portland. To prepare for the
blessed. I get to do a job that makes a difference move, they subscribed to The Oregonian. The
not only in my life but in the life of my entire first issue that arrived carried the Lesbian Com­
community. That is a privilege, and I try to munity Project’s ad for adirector. Donna applied;
remember that when it’s 11 o’clock at night and two weeks later LCP flew her to Portland for an
interview, and they offered her the job. “Coming
I’m still in the office filing papers.”
Red W ing’s political activities began in to Portland was the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”
Worchester, Mass., when she was 14 years old.
RedWing is thrilled about The A dvocate award;
As she stood on the sidewalk watching a ban-the- she admits that it’s fun to be “Woman of the
bomb demonstration, a man she later knew as Year,” and she’s determined to enjoy i t But she’s
Abbie Hoffman grabbed her hand and pulled her quick to share her honor with the rest of Oregon’s
into the street. Later she was active in Students for lesbian and gay community. “I think the award is
a Democratic Society, and in the late ’60s she about Oregon. It’s about what all of us have done
lived in Oregon as part of the Maggie’s Farm collectively. I’m only one of the folks who
happen to beon the front lines. This sounds corny,
collective.
Red Wing returned to Portland in 1989, when and I hate to even say it, but the award really is
she moved here from Massachusetts with her about everyone who is fighting this battle against
partner, Sumitra Red Wing. (“She’s still my 9. That’s the only way I can accept it.”
“sometimes accomplished by breaking rules, chal­
lenging the powers that be and violating taboos.”
This is what Van Sant does in his art, Lindberg
said.
Van Sant called the award “quite an honor.”
ilm director G us Van Sant (My Own Private
Idaho , Drugstore Cowboy) has received the The shy and soft-spoken director said, “Until this
second annual Freedom of Expression Award year it didn’t occur to me as much about how
precious an artist’s freedom of expression is....
from the ACLU Foundation of Oregon at a recep­
tion Sept. 29 at the Portland Art Museum. Van this year-more than any other year-w e’ve come
Sant was honored as part of the ACLU’s ongoing up against political forces [the OCA] that chal­
Uncensored Celebration, which has included dis­ lenge that freedom of expression.”
“In trying to create my works,” he said, “I’ve
plays on book censorship in many Oregon librar­
always
just had a good time in doing whatever I
ies.
wanted
to do and never felt any pressure from the
Portland ACLU Associate Director Janet Arenz
said that Van Sant was chosen because “Gus has outside.”
He closed by saying, “I ’ll continue making my
chosen to deal with subjects that are sometimes
films,
and if there are any battles to be fought,
difficult to deal with, and he has given up com­
mercial goals in order to produce his work and we’ll fight them together.”
Van Sant has been directing Even Cowgirls
maintain artistic integrity.”
Get
the Blues in Portland and is set to direct
In presenting the award. City Commissioner
Mike Lindberg said, “Freedom of speech is a Warner Bros.’ major film about the late Harvey
powerful freedom, and the freedom to be a cre­ Milk, The Mayor o f Castro Street , next year in
ator. Freedom of speech is empowering, which is San Francisco.
David Batter son
why those in power often fear i t ”
Lindberg added that great artistic creativity is
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