j u s t o u t ▼ July 2 1 . 1 9 9 9 ▼ 7
/Vera fsaceoit
Portiomd's AfterKatiw Realtor-
Gay gene can be altered
Chandler Burr, author of the forthcoming book
The Gay Gene, will speak at the General Confer
ence of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan
Community Churches to be held in Atlanta, July
23-30. Burr will discuss the search for the “gay
gene” and experiments currently being conducted
to alter that gene. Burr is a journalist who special
izes in reporting on neurobiological research. He
has been following recent efforts to devise a
means of genetic alteration that would allow pro
spective parents to change the sexual orientation
of their children in utero.
The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan
Community Churches is a worldwide Christian
denomination that primarily serves the sexual
minority community. This year’s general confer
ence is will draw some 2,000 delegates.
Latino/a organization
revamps board, awards
grants
To keep pace with its rapid growth, the Na
tional Latino/a Lesbian and Gay Organization
voted during its national conference to change the
structure of its governing board, according to a
press release. The new structure should facilitate
strategic planning and allow the organization to
establish more secure and stable funding.
Meanwhile, Letitia Gomez, LLEGO execu
tive director for the past two years, has withdrawn
her resignation and
has agreed to con
tinue in that position.
LLEGO has also
selected 10 recipients
for its Technical As
sistance Training on
AIDS Project grants.
This year’s grantees
are AGUILAS of San
Francisco; ALLGO
of A ustin, Texas;
ALMA of Chicago;
Bienestar of Los An
geles; Entre Amigos
of Anaheim, Calif.; Entre Hermanos of Seattle;
Fundación SIDA of San Juan, Puerto Rico; Puerto
Rico CONCRA of San Juan, Las Salamandras de
Ambiente of Miami; and Lesbianas Latinas de
Dallas (Texas).
The training project works to strengthen the
organizational capacity and infrastructure of
Latina/o lesbian and gay social, cultural and com
munity-based organizations. The program pro
vides technical assistance and training to develop
and implement effective and culturally relevant
HIV/STD prevention programs directed to les
bian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people.
Gay and lesbian
religious groups active
Integrity, the Episcopal gay and lesbian group,
held its National Convention in Atlanta in June.
The convention motto was “Go Forth for God.” In
addition to worship services and a business meet
ing, Integrity hosted a black tie banquet at which
the Louie Crew Award for outstanding contribu
tions to Integrity was awarded to Mark Graham of
Atlanta.
In related news, the Episcopal Diocese of New
York elected a sexual-minority-positive woman,
the Rev. Catherine S. Roskam, as bishop suffragan.
Bishop-elect Roskam is a longtime Integrity mem
ber. Her election is expected to be confirmed in
December. The diocese also approved three pro-
gay and -lesbian measures, according to a press
release. The first was in support of blessing same-
sex unions and allowing gay men and lesbians—
whether celibate or not—to become Episcopal
1 have chosen to take a more human approach as a Realtor.
I build my business on a referral basis and firmly believe
that the satisfaction of my client is far more important than
my financial gain. I communicate clearly and openly, and
I’m always honest with my clients. I’ll gladly climb a nearby
tree to check on a roof or get a bit dirty investigating a crawl
space or an attic. 1 work mainly in Portland’s popular inner
.Southeast and Northeast neighborhoods and specialize in
older homes with character, Whether you’re thinking of
buying or selling, please do gyve me a call.
priests. The second resolution directs the trustees
of the diocese to formally request that each com
pany in its investment portfolio prohibit employ
ment discrimination based on sexual orientation or
marital status. The final resolution urged the New
York state Legislature to outlaw discrimination
based on sexual orientation.
Finally, a coalition of 10 lesbian and gay reli
gious groups filed a joint friend of the court brief in
Romer vs. Evans, the Colorado Amendment 2 case
now pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. The
groups are Affirmation (Methodist), Axios USA
Inc. (Orthodox and Eastern), The Brethren/Men-
nonite Council for Lesbian and Gay Concerns,
Dignity/US A (Roman Catholic), Evangelicals Con
cerned Inc. (ecumenical), Integrity Inc. (Episco
pal), Lutherans Concemed/North America, Pres
byterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns, The
United Church Coalition for Lesbian/Gay Con
cerns (United Church of Christ), and the World
Congress of Gay and Lesbian Jewish Organiza
tions.
Nora Isacson
TheProdentialifc?
Performance Group
On«, Inc. REALTORS*
(503)256-1234 VM/pgr 948-5610
B IA N C H I
C A N N O N D A LE
It
does m ake
a difference!
O ur 12 Month
Service Policy saves
J
you
time, money
.and grief.
Transsexuals disrupt health
symposium panel
Citing the lack of inclusiveness on a transgender
health panel at the National Lesbian and Gay
Health Conference, activists seized control of the
podium and opened participation to all transsexu
als and transgendered people who wished to join
them, according to a press release. Several audi
ence members accepted the invitation, and the
revamped panel proceeded with its presentation.
Spearheading the takeover were Portlanders
Rachel Koteles and Margaret Deirdre O’Hartigan,
and Christine Tayleur of Transgender Nation San
Francisco. Speaking in an interview, Koteles said,
“The reception to our protest by those health pro
fessionals in attendance was gratifying. It leads us
to hope similar action will not be necessary at next
year’s conference in Seattle—but that presumes
conference organizers will recognize that respon
sibility for formulating and articulating trans
people’s health needs rests primarily with our
selves and is not the prerogative of non-trans
people.”
♦
VV
A H aven B y
T h e S ea
Six spacious oceanfroni units on a bluff above the
beach, with easy beach access. The hot tub in the yard
overlooks the surf and miles o f sandy beach. Join us for
a beautiful and restful stay. Gift certificates available
Your hosts, M arilee Haase & Sandy Pfaff
Lincoln City (503) 994-5007 • 1-800-866-9925
■■■ ■ IV /
Bikes
FUN!
F o t r r ^ _
9 2 5 SW lo th
DOWNTOWN
2 2 7 -3 5 3 5
D IA M O N D B A C K
91 5 STATI ST
LAKK OSWEGO
A36-3521
♦
SC O T T
See W hat W e Can Do For You.
Before W e Even Do It.
Lesbian Naval Reserve
officer gets to stay
Navy Lt. Zoe Dunning can remain in the Naval
Reserve, despite her public declaration two years
ago that she is a lesbian. The Reuter news service
reports that Navy Secretary John Dalton upheld
the decision of the three-member Navy board of
inquiry which recommended that Dunning not be
discharged after investigating her case last Decem
ber.
The board of inquiry’s decision marks the first
time a U.S. military tribunal has decided in favor of
an openly gay or lesbian servicemember facing
discharge for homosexuality.
Believing President Clinton’s promise to lift
the ban on lesbians and gay men in the military,
Dunning announced her lesbianism at a rally in
January 1993. A military tribunal recommended
her discharge that same year.
Facing strong opposition to lifting the ban,
Clinton devised the infamous “don’t ask, don’t
tell” policy. Under this policy personnel cannot be
asked about their sexual orientation. They can,
however, be dismissed for openly acknowledging
that they are gay or lesbian unless they can prove
that does not mean they will engage in homosexual
conduct.
The Navy agreed to reconsider Dunning’s case
in light of the new policy. The board agreed with
Dunning’s contention that simply stating that she
was a lesbian did not violate the “don’t ask, don’t
tell” policy.
Compiled by Kristine Chatwood
See yourself the way you always wanted to look;
with just a little more hair, or with a 11333994
f"
'
Exclusively
now at the Hair Club For Men, treat yourself to a
private session with our acclaimed photo imaging expert.
Call to see the "new" you at no charge!
“We specialize in non-surgical
solutions to hair loss."
598-8899 or 1-800-888-4236
15895 SW 72nd Ave. Bldg. B Suite 220 Tigard