j u s t o u t T Ju ly 1. 1 9 9 3 T 3
letters
No one called
To the Editor:
My recent trip to Washington, D.C. for the
March on Washington was very empowering.
When I got back home, I wrote 71 letters, to every
representative and senator involved in the Armed
Services, to lift the ban in the military. Granted,
I own a computer and it only took me three hours
total. The reason I’m writing is to express my
shock and dismay at my community, the gay and
lesbian community.
In your recent issue, you printed Klamath
Falls representative Del Parks’s phone number
(378-8878). He is responsible for keeping SB 34
in the House Judiciary Committee. You stated he
will not let the bill onto the House floor for a vote.
I called and took issue with a member of his staff.
To my horror, he informed me his office has
received over 600 calls supporting the
representative’s decision. I can’t believe there
are not at least 600 gays and lesbians in this state
who know how toread and care if their civil rights
are decimated. Where is our community? It took
only five minutes to call and express my outrage.
Surely our civil rights are worth the time! During
the last year, we barely upheld our pitiful status as
second-class citizens with the defeat of Measure
9. Now we have a chance to become equal
citizens, and what do we do? Nothing! Now is the
time to get off our duffs and work like hell, so we
won’t have to raise another two million dollars to
save our asses from die OCA. Please, wake up
and let’s do this together.
Keith King
Portland
Politics is politics is
journalism?
bill. Delicate and often uneasy negotiations may
now blow up in our face.
Further, I am a firm believer in a “Never say
die until sine die." Publishing unscientific poll
results on a bill not enroute to the House floor only
encourages opponents to declare premature vic­
tor. The concept of SB 34 may yet be voted on this
legislative session; I am working to see it is; The
Oregonian's poll doesn’t help in the slightest.
Because of my concerns, I told The Oregonian
reporter I wouldn’t reply to the poll. Two days
later, another Oregonian reporter asked me di­
rectly, “If SB 34 were up for a floor vote today,
would you support it?” My response: “Duh.” I
was then listed (correctly) as a supporter of SB 34.
If you want to know where a legislator stands
on an issue—any issue—ask that legislator. If
you want a third-party opinion, ask me; I’ll be
happy to share mine. You can reach any of us in
Salem, toll-free, by calling 1-800-327-7389.
Gail R. Shibley
State Representative
District 12
Pondering change
To the Editor:
I applaud your sensitive, perceptive article on
new Oregon House member George Eighmey. It
is an outstanding piece of journalism. It’s a shame
you felt compelled to sensationalize it with the
headline “New Queer in the House.”
I know that some gay activists promote the
dubious theory that by embracing the derogatory
word “queer” we can somehow defuse it and
make it less spiteful. But that gay-bashing word
is still offensive to many mainstream lesbians and
gays. And when we call ourselves “queers” in our
gay publications it bewilders our straight friends,
and it brings amused, contemptuous smirks to the
faces of our enemies.
We should also bear in mind that insulting
words such as “queer” are also offensive to most
straight Americans [s/c]. These words are con­
crete examples of the bigotry that is focused on
lesbians and gay men. When we appear to em­
brace these words we are depriving ourselves of a
valuable weapon in our fight against bigotry.
Finally, what is it about the word “queer” that
makes it somehow acceptable to you, whereas the
other gay-bashing words are apparently unac­
ceptable? I mean, when the next lesbian or gay
man is elected to the Legislature, your headline
won’t read “Another Pervert in the House,” will
it? And you wouldn’t seriously consider chang­
ing your publication’s name to “The Faggot Fo­
rum” or “The Pansy Press,” would you?
I rest my case.
To the Editor:
You have likely read or heard about the re­
sponse from The Oregonian's poll identifying
supposed supporters and opponents of SB 34,
banning discrimination in housing, employment
and public accommodation on the basis of sexual
orientation. I have heard from many in our
community about which House members were
listed where, with emotions ranging from surprise
to confusion to anger.
A short time ago, an Oregonian reporter asked
my opinion on the initial idea of conducting such
a poll. I told the reporter I objected to the effort for
two reasons: policy and politics.
From a policy perspective, publicized polling
precludes both open debate and private delibera­
tions. SB 34 has not had a hear ingin our chamber;
members have no idea whether, should there be a
hearing and subsequent work session, there will Elton Carlsdale
be substantive amendments offered and/or ac­ Salem
cepted; some members have not invested the time^
or thought to form solid opinions about the issues
raised in the bill.
In addition, I strongly disagree with any effort TRANSITIONS
approaching advocacy journalism by the fourth
estate. To list the names of House members, with
their Capitol phone numbers (not even bothering
to state their district number or location), is inex­
cusable. Though not a professional journalist, I
William E.
know news media take great pride in their objec­
tivity and appropriately go to great lengths to
Borenon
safeguard it. For any journalist or journalistic
A memorial ser­
publication to gain or retain credibility, objectiv­
vice will be held for
ity is—and should be—sacrosanct.
William E. Boren on
Politically, listing the names of those support­
July 25, at 6 pm, at
ing, opposed, undecided and refusing to answer
the Potter’s House,
The Oregonian's poll on SB 34 does no good and,
3830 SE 62nd S t. (be-
potentially, a great deal of harm. It hurts our
tween Powell and
efforts to make progress in ensuring equal oppor­
Foster). All who have
tunity for gay and lesbian Oregonians by forcing
been touched by his
some members into one camp or the other—
loving spirit are
without effecting any law. It also throws a huge
asked to attend.
wrench into one-on-one discussions about the
Some things you might
want to know about 47
year old Vancouver Furniture
1. We Give You A 12 Month Written
Lowest
Price
Guarantee
Even though some chain stores buy by the carload and truckload, just
as we do, the savings don't always get passed on to customers. We
don't believe in that way of doing business. At Vancouver Furniture
you get a written lowest price guarantee. If the identical item is
offered for less in the next 12 months somewhere else or even at our
own store, we refund the difference or credit it to your account.
2. You
Get
Free
Delivery,
Portland
to
Longview
If you purchase anything at $499 or more, we'll deliver it to your home
free of charge. Vancouver Furniture has six large delivery trucks and
a serv ice van on the road every week.
3. We Are The Only Union Furniture Store Of
Any
Size
From
Seattle
to
Medford
Vancouver Furniture has employed union sales people and ware-
house/drivers for over 45 years. We are proud of our professional,
dedicated staff.
4. Our
Vancouver
Furniture
Is
Community
Active
company has always believed in community service. Some time
ago we decided to focus more on problems of hunger and poverty. In
the past few years we have given over 3,000 new and used mattresses
to needy families. Our annual Peanut Butter & Johnny Limbo street
dance has generated over 32,000 cans of food the last five concerts.
This past year we donated 28 new twin mattress sets to the YWCA
Safe Choice shelter for women and children who arc victims of
domestic violence.
5. We Keep Our Promises
Expect courtesy, respect and service from us. We participate in the
Portland Better Business Bureau Care Program.
6. Brands
You
Can
Depend
On
Expect to find Simmons, Simmons Beautyrest, Sealy and
Bob)
Posturepedic mattresses, every size, luxury level and firmness.
We also carry Lane, La-Z-Boy, Douglas, Stratoloungcr, Kincaid,
GuildCraft, Pulaski, Hippopotamus,
Amana, Maytag, Frigidaire, Toshiba,
Mitsubishi, Magic Chef and more.
7. What
About
Oregon?
People from more than 85 differ­
ent communities in Oregon cross
the river to buy from us...from
Cascade Locks to Astoria. Reason?
Good taste need not be expensive.
At Vancouver Furniture we simply
sell for less.
\
'Injustice anywhere is a threat
to justice everywhere Martin lather King, Jr.
Not actors. The
Mortensen
brothers are really
drivers.
Audio TV
Vidro Aiint i.ukr
(inltr
IX iV V N T O W N
9to9
W e S imply S ell F or L ess !
>a
Vancouver
Furniture
A Lot O f Portland Stores Sell Great F urniture ¡j!¡ySeven
Downtown Vancouver • Eleventh St. & Broadway & C St.
( 206 ) 695-3391
230-1400