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.
Portland
I would also like to respond to a letter in the
Auto accidents
M edical M alpractice
■ I n safe I*rod acts
■
■
Free Consultation
No Attorney Fee Unless You Recover
295-1940
621 SVY Morrison, #1218
H a la («ores
A ttorney at Law
I AM COMMITTED TO MAXIMIZING YOUR RECOVERY
G&M
Automotive
PDX
Automotive
6006 E Burnside, Portland
231-8486
5934 NE Halsey, Portland
282-3315
“Mechanics with a Conscience”
CERTIFIED MECHANICS
Complete automotive
service of foreign and
domestic cars and
light trucks
Free ride to MAX
Gerard Lillie
Todd Connelly
■■■■
Excellent account of
female impersonators
Many victories to
celebrate
© T ravel A gents
PP I nternational .
917 SW Washington St. Portland
(503) 223-1100
(800) 357-3194
1Serving Our Community...
...By Meeting Your Needs
We are G r o w i n g ! Position Available: FlJLL TIME AGENT
Requires 3 years experience in Corporate and Leisure. Knowledge
of System 1 a plus. Friendly working environment. Pursue your
career by joining a winning team serving our community. (This
position is bring advertised exclusively in Just Out).