Just out., January 21, 1994, Page 3, Image 3

just out T January 21, 1904 ▼ 3
T
letters
Get those projects done
To the Editor:
Look out! Here comes Son on Nine, hulking
his way over the horizon, casting a long shadow
over 1994. Oh sigh, not again!
The media polishes up its Oregon Citizens
Alliance headline typeface in hopes of increased
sales with news of the second State War of 1994.
Human Dignity groups reach for the mega-
stress vitamin bottles while dusting off “No on
Nine” buttons and bumper stickers.
Queers recheck the locks on their doors and
gate posts.
But wait! Perhaps there is another way to send
the spawn of Lon packing. What if we take the
money and commitment of time planned to fight
Son of Nine and do the project we really would
rather be doing in our community. Like for ex­
ample, rejuvenating a sagging library system, di­
versity work in school, health care issues, you
know, all the things we say we want to do.
I suggest our local fight-the-right groups take
the time to make a budget based on considered
money for a 1994 campaign. The budget would
include both dollar amounts and estimated volun­
teer time. Then apply the budget to a desired
project instead of mopping up drool from the
OCA.
Sky
Applegate Valley, Southern Oregon
Three strikes, yer out
To the Editor:
I would like to challenge your decision to
publish the article “Further adventures in Chorus
Land” (Jan. 7, 1994) on three grounds:
First the writer, Dr. Tantalus, leaves no clue
anywhere in the article that he cither has the
background or expertise to be writing about music
in the first place. Unsavory delivery aside, there is
a fundamental lack of basic musical vocabulary
and insight in his writing that one would reason­
ably expect from a music reporter.
Secondly, I challenge your policy of allowing
a review to be printed under an assumed name. It
is fundamental to the role of a music critic to foster
the arts in the community about which he writes.
Allowing a reviewer to publish under an alias
relieves him of this responsibility. His anonymous
diatribe of narcissistic editorializing is nothing
more than guerrilla journalism and ultimately re­
flects poorly on both Just Out and your judgement
as an editor/joumalist.
Lastly, what’s your point anyway? Aren’t the
external pressures on the lesbian and gay commu­
nity enough already? Why must any of us be
subjected to such ridicule and harassment? I
contend that in 1994 we have neither the time nor
the resources to stop and seriously question whether
the more virulent enemy is attacking from within.
Bob Mensel
Portland
Editor’s Note: Dr. Tantalus, aka Jim Van Dyke,
has been writing music reviews fo r Just Out for
eight years. Reviewers have an obligation to accu­
rately represent a performance, how ever painful
that may be.
Masons revisited
To the Editor:
Janna MacAuslan’s letter in a recent issue of
Just Out concerning the evils of Masonry de­
mands a response.
Her thesis that Masons indulge in ritual abuse
of animals and children is the same kind of thesis
that Lon Mabon utilizes in damning gays and
lesbians— and is worthy of the same consider­
ation.
It is obvious that MacAuslan has not done her
homework on the organization of Masonry and its
appendent bodies, and is unaware of the history of
Masonry or its part in the founding and growth of
the United States. Neither has she availed herself
of the mass of information on Masonry which is
available in public libraries or in a number of
books relating to the history, philosophies and
goals of Masonry. She seems to prefer instead
sensational publications of dubious truth and opin­
ions of biased individuals.
A principle requirement for admission into
Masonic membership is that the applicant believe
in the existence of a Supreme Being (i.e.—God,
Allah, etc.) and in the immortality of the soul.
Thus, men of many religious creeds may qualify
for Masonic membership, be they Christian, Mus­
lim, Hindu, Jew, Buddhist, or one of the Native
American religions.
It is true that Masonry can be characterized as
sexist since it admits only men to membership. It
may also have members who arc homophobic or
who are pedophiles—just as in any large group
taken at random. It is not the function of Masonry
to support or defend any individual or group
whose behavior is anti social. However many of
its members work for tolerance of others and
diversity.
Perhaps the most definitive study of the Ma­
sonic Fraternity by a non-Masonic organization
has been the recent work of the Southern Baptist
Convention. In 1992, amidst cries of satanism,
anti-Christian and perversion condemning Ma­
sonry, thcSouthern Baptistconvcntion determined
to make an in-depth study whether the Fraternity
of Freemasonry was compatible with Baptist faith
and practice. The report cited several elements of
concern but in summation reported that Masonry
was a matter of individual conscience and was in
fact compatible with Baptist faith and practice.
The convention adopted an abridged report and
the Southern Baptist church is making this report
available to the public for a nominal fee.
C. Robert Keeney
Past Master, Unity Masonic Lodge No. 189
Portland
Work 503/287-9370
Home 503/287-1523
Bridgetown Realty
I want and appreciate
pour business!
1
Kathy Tysinger
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Member, Portland
Million Dollar Club
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REPORT HOMOPHOBIC VIOLENCE
WE SELL THE PAST.
T re a su re s of trash rescued from
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tu rn e d o u r back on o u r second
hand roots. We still Iniv & se
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used doors, old tubs, hardware
TRANSITIONS
A sister follows a brother
Longtime Portland performer Misty Waters
Shanklin, known by many simply as Misty Waters
died on Dec. 15 of complications due to AIDS. She
was 36 years old.
Bom as Sullivan Johnson, he served honorably
in the United States Marines for three years. Later
in life he underwent the physical transformation to
become a woman.
As Misty Waters, Johnson was crowned Miss
Oregon and Princess XI d uring her career as a stage
entertainer. Her brother, Woody Johnson, also
known as Lady Elaine Peacock, died in October of
complications from AIDS.
In 1988, the two siblings formed the Audria M.
Edwards Scholarship Fund in honor of their mother,
who was a founding member and former president
of the Portland chapter of Parents, Families and
Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
"Audria was so proud of all her children,”
remembered Ann Shepherd, another founding
member of the Portland P-FLAG. “Misty was so
darling...shc was so gentle. Both Peacock and
Misty were brought up with love and gentleness
and they showed it. They both called me ’mom’
after their mother died.”
Misty Waters was a beloved performer in the
gay and lesbian community. When she performed
at the 1993 Gay and Lesbian Pride, for example,
she captured the heart of one boy who rushed to the
stage to dance with her.
Waters is survived by five sisters and her father,
Sullivan Johnson. Donations in Waters name can
be made to: the Audria M. Edwards Scholarship
Fund, in care of The Equity Foundation, PO Box
5696, Portland. OR 97228.
REJUVENATION
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