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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 2, 1994)
Jumi out ▼ dm cumbur 2. 1004 ▼ 3 letters SERIOUS IN JU R Y & DEATH C LA IM S resulting from: Don’t be complacent To the Editor: Now that the election is over 1 have heard some comments that there’s no need to hurry, no necessity to rush—after all, Measure 13 was defeated. Wasn’t it? Sure. The local metropolitan newspaper put the percentages at 51 to 49, and that is just a tad too close. Already Lon Mabon has prepared and submitted his next measure— you might well feel sorry for this poor individual, as he so desperately needs this type of conflict on a continuing basis. After all, his organization thus siphons money and expenses to him and selected family mem bers. However, by his constant refrain and con stant return, Lon Mabon is siphoning off time, energy and even resources that might well be better spent [on] matters of far more import: keeping kids in school, reducing illiteracy and violence, working on health care problems, etc. This man and his organization certainly are not sitting back and sipping some iced tea. Why should anyone grant this person an 18-month head start? Why should anyone grant this person such a lead by being complacent? Although Portland seems not to respond fa vorably to the messages sent by Mabon and the OCA, the statewide returns indicate that there is more to Oregon than just Portland. What can be done? I don’t have all the answers, however, I would suspect that there is less of a need to preach to the converted. There is more of a need to stretch beyond just Portland, Salem and Eugene: There might well be a manner in which groups can initiate communication with establishments in all of the towns, in all of the locales in Oregon. Is there a method of letting people consider that the OCA wishes to impose upon what happens be hind one’s closed doors? Is there a method of letting them know that the OCA is asking for more government intrusion into our lives? Is there a method of letting people know that it is all right to express the idea that one is willing to say no to the OCA? Surely there must be people and organiza tions within the reach of this newspaper that are not willing to sit back, now that the election is over, and grant Lon Mabon an 18-month head start, and then try and play catch-up in the last few months. This last election, and the close percent ages, indicate that such might well be folly and grant the OCA a statewide victory. Dennis M. McDonnell Beaverton Nov. 4 edition of Just Out which contained inac curate information about Right To Privacy. RTP’s endorsement of Measure 16, the Death with Dig nity initiative, did not, as the writer stated, destroy all chances for an anti-Measure 13 statement from the Catholic bishops. As we all know, the bishops said Oct. 26 that they did not support Measure 13. The writer also stated that RTP’s support of Measure 16 was a “non-gay issue.” As a result of AIDS, dealing with death is an issue of vital importance to the gay community. At a time when the most recent state figures show that HI V/AIDS cases in Oregon remain nearly 75 percent limited to homosexuals, any discussion of AIDS in Or egon is significant to our community. In addition, HIV/AIDS issues constitutes one of the four cri teria Right To Privacy considers when making endorsements. With so many people in our com munity grappling with the terrible and final stages of this disease, the tantamount principle of choice is something we believe the dying individual should retain. On this topic, a majority of voters in Oregon concurred. Our first and foremost mission is to advocate full civil rights, human rights, and social equity for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals by endorsing candidates and campaigns that further the goals of the organization: equal protection under the law based on sexual orientation, gender equity issues, reproductive rights, and HIV/AIDS issues. Can didates who stand behind these issues receive our support, be they Republican or Democrat. RTP did dually endorse both of the Republican gay male candidates—unlike The Oregonian, Just Out and Willamette Week which endorsed only the Democratic candidates in those races. When it came to our vital criteria issues, RTP’s board of directors believed both candidates. Republican and Democrat, when each said they would re spond to our concerns. Both Democrats and Republicans contribute their dollars to Right To Privacy’s mission. As a result, this political year alone, RTP has been able to contribute $34,500 directly to anti-OCA ef forts. RTP has also contributed $78,250 directly to help elect gay- and lesbian-friendly legislators. Oregon retains the distinction of having the great est number of openly lesbian, gay and bisexual state representatives. The work of Right To Pri vacy and its supporters makes a difference. As we move into the halfway mark of the decade, there are many victories to celebrate in the gay and lesbian community. For all that you have done, individually and collectively, know that your efforts are making a noticeable and lasting imprint in the human rights movement. Greg Jackson Editor's note: There are many groups com Executive director. Right To Privacy mitted to continuing the education necessary’ to defeat the Oregon Citizens Alliance. The Rural Organizing Project continues its efforts: the No on 13 coalition will be staying intact under a new name; People o f Faith Against Bigotry continues its outreach to religious communities; The Or- \ To the Editor: egon Speak Out Project will talk to any group In spite of what your film critic said about who will listen; plus, there are over 25 other Priscilla Queen o f the Desert, I saw the film and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was not only highly groups dedicated to the struggle. entertaining, but it was, in my opinion, quite educational in its treatment of the relationships among the characters, the sensitivity in the inter action between one of the men and his son, and the depiction of harassment vs. acceptance as they traveled through the Australian outback. To the Editor: From my experience in performing with and In the aftermath of the election, I would like befriending some female impersonators, I found to thank everyone who supported Right To Privacy’s efforts in helping elect gay- and les this motion picture to be an excellent account of how these guys are: fun, flamboyant, artistic, bian-friendly politicians to the Oregon Legisla creative, sensitive and outrageous, all at the same ture. With a conservative mood sweeping the time. country, Oregon rode the swell as well; the Before this film leaves the theaters I suggest current makeup of the statehouse means we will everyone see it, or, as I am going to do, wait until be fortunate to see any progress on civil rights it comes out on video and have a “Priscilla Party.” issues in the next session. Even so, at such a crucial time in our movement, it is vital that we Kathy Bambeck continue the work. 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