\A a
just out ▼ no vom bo r 1092 ▼ 3
Howie Baggadonutz presents
letters
Support from another front
To the Editor:
For the past few months I have been reading-
with increasing anxiety-of the progress of the
Oregon Citizens Alliance and the growing public
support for Ballot Measure 9. Having survived a
few campaigns myself, I wanted to tell all of you
how much I respect your determination in the face
of this challenge.
I don’t need to emphasize to any of you the
threat posed by Ballot Measure 9. It is an appall
ing attempt to abridge constitutionally protected
freedoms. What I do intend to highlight is how
important your defense of freedom in Oregon is to
lesbians and gay men everywhere.
I have been involved in politics and grassroots
organizing efforts for most of my adult life. There
are frequently times when frustrations can over
whelm the best of us. We cannot afford, however,
to let our frustrations defeat us.
When I need special inspiration-to make one
more telephone call, to stay one more hour distrib
uting leaflets, to knock on one more door-I think
of others whose lives and security are held in the
balance. I suspect many of you, like myself,
derive a unique power from the memories of those
friends no longer around to share our victories.
Please know that while Ballot Measure 9 has
attracted national media attention, your struggle
against homophobia and hate has also gathered
national admiration and respect.
Gerry E. Studds, Congressman
District 10, Mass.
A mouse that roared
To the Editor
A warm thank-you to everyone who showed
up and went ballistic in Portland’s Coming-Out-
Day Rally. Speaking in front of God and Every
body was the scariest thing I have ever done in my
life. For 20-some years, I have been a mouse—to
my family, my friends, my colleagues. Last night
I roared. It felt so good that I will continue to roar
in ways large and small until I die. Bless you all.
Beth Hamon
Portland
A challenge
To the Editor:
In the October issue of Just Out there were two
letters (“Everything’sImportant”by Don Minnerly
of Portland and “Locked Out” by Jack Sharp of
Salem) that made reference to an editor’s note in
the September issue that said: “...supports, ac
cepts and joyfully embraces every ‘fringe’ ele
ment of the gay, lesbian and bisexual and queer-
as-a-three-dollar-bill community." Both letters
are so very true.
Jack Sharp’s letter hits the nail on the head. I
am also in prison and belong to that “fringe” part
of our community in prison. Is it because we are
not seen that we are not heard?
Here are a few things from this side of the
forgotten. Due to who and what we are, the
Department of Corrections’ deliberate and
homophobic discrimination-we are labeled (red-
tagged), separated (not allowed to be in two-man
cells) and denied access to areas of the prison.
T ra n sse x u a l l.eslnan
T h e a tre A rtist
K A T E K O K V S I I I V in
When I read about the pink triangle [7 uj / Out,
October] I made one and placed it on my shirt I
was told by the guard, “Remove that and throw it
away.” I was then told, “You are not to make any
more, and if you do you will be sent to segrega
tion.”
We go through this type of discrimination
daily. Even though we are just a “fringe” element
of the gay, lesbian, bisexual andqueer-as-a-three-
dollar-bill community. I challenge you. Just Out,
to come to prison for a day. Meet some of us and
tell the story from this side.
I hope and pray that Measure 9 goes down 10-1.
“The Opposite Sex is ...Neither!”
a provocative exploration ot gender
Serving Portland & Salem
Since 1981
Jennifer L. Arends, Owner
Trained, Supervised,
Bonded & Insured Personnel
Specializing in Buildings 1-50,000 sq. f t
"W E DO IT R IG H T!"
Fri. & Sat., Nov. 20, 21 • 8pm
Echo Theatre • 1515 SE 37th
Advance tix $10 (plus service charge) at
Fred Meyer Fastixx, Ladds Editions;
$ 12 door
Randell W. Brown
Salem
• Clinics
• Medical Buildings
• Professional Offices
- Free W ritte n Estimates -
Reference« Available
295-7702
P.O. Box 871 Portland O R 97207
Bashing? Not!
To the Editor:
I guess the gay and lesbian community news
papers can’t think two steps ahead when it comes
to politics. Instead of supporting a gay man-the
only out-front gay [man] running for office-the
lesbian and gay press bashes him. The fact that he
is a Republican seems to stop the thinking process
altogether.
But really, folks, state and national politics
involve a iwo-party system. Anyone who thinks
the gay and lesbian community can get ahead
legislatively without the understanding and sup
port of both parties is simply not thinking strate
gically.
The argument is that Jerry Keene can’t change
the Republican party. Bullshit. He already has,
and to a perceptible extent. He can’t do a com
plete job on the party, any more than Barney
Frank can on the Democrat party, but the process
has to start because visibility in both parties is the
only way to bring the understanding we need.
C le a n in g Se rvice
M e tro
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \
DAVID W. OWENS, PC & ASSOCIATES
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
David William Owens
lennifer F. Kimble
Business Counsel & Litigation
Real Estate Home Purchase Reviews
Divorce, Custody & Modifications
Cohabitation Agreements and Review
Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
Bankruptcy & Debt Collection
Discrimination/Civil
Rights
W ills, Powers of Attorney & Probate
Serving the community since 1975
621 S W M orrison, Ste. 1410 • Portland, Ore. 97205 • (503) 224-3100
VS
.................................................. S B
......
Lee Coleman
Portland
Editor’s note: In the political arena, Oregon
is not isolated from the nation. The national
Republican p leaf orm is the most repressive, op
pressive, life-stealing platform to date. While we
acknowledge the intense work and healing that
needs to begin within the Republican Party, we
disagree with the assertion that representatives of
the party, gay or straight, should be elected to
public office. People in government positions
need to draw on their political partiesfor strength
and support. Just because a person is honest
about his or her sexual orientation doesn't cut it
anymore. For years gay men and lesbians have
been boxed into a single issue politic, fighting for
our right to live and love. That narrow vision is a
dead-end street. We are on this planet with a lot
o f other people. A broad, inclusive base is the
only sustainable politic. The Democrats certainly
aren't perfect, but they are at least on the path.
P S. Lee, it's the height o f irresponsibility to
call the piece Just Out did on the District 11 race
"bashing.” You owe every beaten, battered and
terrified queer in this state an apology. We are all
feeling the real bashings o f our real enemies and
we are hurting from it. Disagreement does not
constitute bashing.
-S
G? f your life were a painting: wouldn’t you want the best frame for it?
If your house should be more than a roof over your head: shouldn't it be
the frame for your life?
You are an artist, everyday is a new stroke in your masterpiece. We are artists
too, and our art is providing you with the frame you deserve.
You don’t have to compromise the colors and the textures of your life. You can
choose exactly what you want from our full palette of expertise and skills.
We believe that “having it all” is a matter of imagination, style and technique.
*
Cathy Siemens, GRI
Sales Associate
Bridgetown Realty
Enthusiastic signage
To the Editor:
Having been so moved by what the future
implications are for Ballot Measure 9 and how its
passing may affect all people, I thought it most
appropriate to send my message in my own hand.
Enclosed is a photo of my rear-window sign.
I only hope the enthusiastic gestures I have seen
translate into “no” votes when it counts.
Adrian Kalil
Portland
1000 N.E. Multnomah
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 287-9370
Ernesto Garcia
Interiors / Architectural Remodeling
Oregon Plaza Building
825 N.E. 20th, Suite F
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 232-3779
#