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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 1993)
6 ▼ n o v t m b t r 1, 1993 ▼ ju s« ou t letters Hospital is open to all visitors, and I would urge anyone with any interest—MacAuslan espe Silent exodus makes Thanks cially—to make such a visit post-haste. To the Editor: It’s especially deplorable that, as a lesbian, a statement Just a note to tell you how much we enjoyed apparently lacks the common sense your Sept. 15 cover story on the challenges and to MacAuslan To ihe Editor: realize that the absurd and unsubstantiated I just had the best time in church. The nefari contributions of lesbian and gay physicians. Grant Menzies’ piece was both topical and allegations that her own sexual orientation invites ous Lon [Mabon] of OCA fame, was addressing a funky little church called the Oldtime Gospel insightful. It presented the myriad issues facing is exactly parallel to her diatribe against Masons lesbian and gay physicians remarkably well— and their charitable works. Lighthouse in McMinnville. I appeal to all clear-thinking individuals—gay The Yamhill County Coalition for Human especially the increasingly visible role they play and straight alike—to reject this far-fetched, hurt Dignity was joined by the West Valley Human in our movement. The American Association of Rights Coalition in staging a demonstration at the Physicians for Human Rights was delighted to ful mud-slinging out of hand. hold its annual symposium in Portland; thanks for church. After what seemed like an eternity of hymns, giving us such a wonderful written record of the Rolf D. Glcrum Portland accompanied by pastor Norman Johnson on elec event! tric guitar, finally ceased (hallelujiah!), Lon be Steve Taravella gan his dull Lonologue. Meanwhile, we subversives began to don the San Francisco TRANSITIONS pink felt triangles we had stashed in our pockets. As more and more of the triangles were debuted, Accusations are ludicrous you could see these little beads of sweat start to form on what is becoming Lon’s chrome dome. To the Editor: I am a straight, white Republican male, who A much-loved and well- Then the appointed person gave the signal and we all stood up, then filed out of the church. The best was very active in the No on Nine campaign, and respected AIDS part was that we out numbered them by two to who continues to be anti-OCA and pro-gay rights. one. The expressions of shock and dismay at our I also have been a Mason and a Shriner for about specialist passes 35 years. display was priceless. James D. Simons, 34, a clinical nurse special Janna MacAuslan’s ludicrous accusations in As we exited this bastion of bigotry, we were greeted by about 30 more of us with picket signs your last issue cry out for an answer, but they are ist in infectious diseases, died of complications out on the highway. Pastor Johnson and brother so outrageous and ridiculous that it’s almost be related to AIDS on Sept. 25, in his Southwest “Tex” were all a twitter running around trying to yond my capacity to put it into words. Portland home. Masonry has been the victim of unwarranted get us off the church property. I guess we spoiled He was bom in Kansas City, Kan., on Jan. 6, and undocumented criticism for more than a cen 1959. He graduated from Harmon High School in their little propaganda party. The moral of the story is this: if a church in tury, from many different sources—Catholics, 1977 and Avila College in 1982, receiving nu your area is sponsoring a nazi, a fascist or just Southern Baptists, Mormons, Nazis, Ku Klux merous community service awards before mov plain old Lon, grab a bunch of friends and go. Klan’s, ad infinitum. We can deal with their ing to Portland in 1983. He took graduate studies After what I witnessed I’ve realized there is criticism, because we know that these accusations at the University of Missouri atKC and Lewis and nothing we can say to those people that will are false. Clark College. But I must draw the line at MacAuslan’s claim change their minds, but our silent exodus made a Simons was employed as an Instructor of dignified, powerful statement. You could see it that Shriner’s Hospitals are being used by “upper- Medicine and Assistant Director of HIV/AIDS written all over their faces. level Masons as a cover for children maimed, Programs at Oregon Health Sciences University injured and abused in their rituals.” I am abso School of Medicine from 1988 until he retired in Greg LcBlanc lutely stunned that any person could even begin to 1992 due to illness. He also was adjunct faculty subscribe to such rubbish. Our local Shriner’s for the OHSU and Eastern Oregon State College Roselodge COMMUNITY ALERT Schools of Nursing. He had previously worked as a field nurse and coordinator for Kaiser Permanent Home Health/Hospice for five years. He was a nationally recognized speaker and champion of HIV/AIDS issues. He had served as Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Cascade AIDS Project in 1989. He was a member of the original group that conceived and developed the HIV Day Center now operated by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. He was founding president of the Cascade Chapter of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care and he served as Secretary of the International Society of AIDS Education in 1992. He served as an advisor to the Oregon Nurse’s Association and numerous community- based organizations related to HIV/AIDS. He was was elected to the Oregon Nurses Association’s Cabinet of Health Policy in 1992. In addition, in 1992 he was appointed by Gov. Barbara Roberts to serve on the Public Health Advisory Board. He was active in numerous nursing, AIDS and public health organizations. With his partner, he was a major supporter of the Right to Privacy, the Human Rights Campaign Fund, the Victory Fund and other gay and human rights organizations. Over the years, Simons also worked as a professional musician throughout the Midwest and in Portland. He performed in countless clubs, restaurants, theaters and churches from the age of 10 until his death. He is survived by his partner, Rocky Blumhagen of Portland, mother and step-father, Jo-Anne and Josef Meditz of Kansas City, Kan., and sister Janice of Tucson, Ariz. In addition, Simons leaves many valued peers, colleagues and friends. A memorial service was held Wednesday, Sept. 29, in the private garden of David Hopkins and Rick Young. Simons had requested dona tions to the OHSU AIDS Research Foundation in c/o Dr. Mark Loveless, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, and the Right to Privacy Political Action Committee. Holladay Market at Lloyd Center needs to hear that you’d appreciate finding Just out there. 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