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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 19, 1995)
local news Em ily Simon 620 SW Fifth Ave., Ste. 1204 Portland, Oregon 97204 (503) 241-1553 (503) 241-2587 FAX Jackson steps deem Emphasizing representation of the accused in all misdemeanor, felony, traffic and DUII actions in state, federal, juvenile courts and administrative actions Right To Privacy reassesses its priorities as Greg Jackson moves on ▼ See Vue by Inga Sorensen Lodging— where mountain meets the sea 95590 Highway 101 6.2 miles south of Yachats, Oregon 97498 (503) 547-3227 h i i TA BOR FLORI 5 T Contem porary and Distinctive Designs gift ideas • cut flowers • plants • silks • balloon creations •parties • all occasions 256-2920 3 7819 S.E. Stark TUeflofa ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ Beach Access Kitchenettes Secluded Quiet Affordable P ets Welcome O n The Long Beach Peninsula 3 1/2 houns from (Seattle • 2 1/2 hours from Portland P O Box 385 O cean Park, WA 98640 V V (206) 665-4000 OO FULL LINE - FULL SERVICE IAMS fssr* PRECISE Nutrition. €ducotlon. Maintenance. 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' ê ft reg Jackson hopes he’s done what he set out to do. “I wanted to help make gay and lesbian lives more visible so people could really see us for who we are, as opposed to what groups like the Oregon Citi zens Alliance say we are,” says Jackson, who resigned May 8 from his post as executive direc tor of Right To Privacy, Oregon’s largest gay, lesbian and bisexual rights organization. “1 think I’ve been able to do that,” says the 37- year-old former tele vision news producer, who headed up RTP for 14 months before deciding to “pursue other interests.” “I think I’ve taken the organization as far as I could, and it’s now time for some one else to take over,” says Jackson, who is widely known for his amiable disposition. “When I moved here in 1987, there were very few media sto ries about gay men and lesbians. Even in 1992 nearly all of the sto ries about gay people cast us purely in a political light. I’ve always felt it was Creg Jackson important that people see that we’re not only political entities, but that we’re also people with children and families and jobs and everyday hardships—just like them.” He adds: “Being a former member of the media I think I was able to approach reporters and editors and really talk with them about gay issues. Developing that kind of relationship is very im portant.” Right To Privacy consists of a political action committee, which raises and contributes money to pro-sexual minority candidates and ballot ini tiatives, and an educational/lobbying arm, known as Right To Privacy Inc. The organization has a large all-volunteer board of directors. “Last year we contributed more than $ 100,000 to gay-friendly state legislative candidates. I’m very proud of that,” says Jackson. “And even though it’s been a very tough legislative session, I think our lobbyists have done a good job creat ing relationships with lawmakers across the state.” RTP co-chair Lisa Maxfield says: “Greg has that very steady, upbeat presence that is so impor tant, yet he’s very diligent. W e’re very sorry to seem him go, though I’m hoping he will come back to the organization in a different capacity.” Maxfield applauds Jackson for giving Right To Privacy a “consistent and credible voice.” She credits him for his work with the Portland Police Bureau’s Sexual Minority Roundtable, a regular fo rum where sexual minori ties and police discuss is sues. Last fall, the group entered into the nation’s only partnership agreement between police and sexual minorities, and RTP was one of the organizations to sign on to the cooperative working relationship agree ment. “Greg has also helped us become more of a state wide organization,” she says. “For many years our sole event was the Lucille Hart Dinner, which is held in Portland. Now RTP is hosting events in Bend, Newport, Eugene and Ashland. Greg has really helped us connect with grass-roots groups like the Rural Organizing Project and the Lesbian Community Project. We need to have that kind of strong network in place.” Prior to becoming RTP’s executive director, Jackson co-chaired the organization’s Lucille Hart Dinner, both in 1991 and 1992. As for RTP, Maxfield says the board will spend the upcoming weeks reassessing its goals and priorities. “Our biggest priorities are raising money so we can get pro-gay candidates elected and our lobbying campaign. That will remain the case,” she says. “As for everything else, we’ll be taking a closer look at that.” Dog walk will benefit those living with AIDS further information, contact Corey Baker at 245-7428. The Friends of People with AIDS Foundation will hold its second annual “Best Friends Walk for Friends,” a benefit dog walk, on July 29 at Laurelhurst Park, Southeast 39th Avenue, in Port land. Proceeds from the event will be used to help those living with AIDS with theireveryday n e e d s- clothing, household furnishings, medications— and for emergency travel and housing expenses for the purpose of bringing families together for a final visit and farewell. Organizers, who say last year’s benefit raised about $5,000, expect 1,000 people to participate in this year’s event. A pledge sheet for the dog walk can be obtained in Portland at: The Pet Set, 1411 SW 14th Ave.; Jelly Bean, 721 SW 10th Ave.; and Man’s Best Friend. 3445 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Registration begins at 9 am and the walk starts at 10 am. For Drag creations sought The Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest is seeking gowns and dresses from Portland’s community of female impersonators for a special exhibit of drag clothing to be shown at the 1995 Gay and Lesbian Pride Festival in June. “Portland has a long history of being a center for female impersonation on the West Coast,” says GLAPN spokesman Thomas Cook, adding that the first documented drag parties in Portland date back to 1912. “In addition to this tradition, Portland’s gay community is generally credited with having the first court on the West Coast, which was begun in 1958.” Interested parties should call the group at 284-1872. •it . e I t Compiled by Inga Sorensen 1 : . 1 < r . N , I . I • 'I