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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 6, 1995)
4 ▼ O ctobe r 0, 1999 ▼ Just o u t G&M Automotive PDX Automotive 6006 E Burnside, Portland 231-6486 5934 NE Halsey, Portland 282-3315 letters Queer youth usually overlooked “Mechanics with a Conscience" CERTIFIED MECHANICS Free ride to M A X Complete automotive service of foreign and domestic cars and light trucks Gerard Lillie To d d Connelly HIV testing To the Editor: I wanted to express my amazement and appre ciation for the article "School is Hell.” It was a pleasant surprise to open up to page 17 and find a picture of a friendly, familiar face. As both a young adult and a youth (I am age 20), I found the article both refreshing and informative. It is a comfort to know that sexual minority youth have resources currently available, as well as more community awareness/support systems being made ready for this oftentimes overlooked group. If more of our adult community would take an interest in our youth, in offering some support or guidance, we would quickly witness the effects that a little caring and kindness can bring. How many times do we face opposition or discrimina tion in our daily lives, from our families or loved ones? How often do we see a youth on the street and take a moment to speak to him or her? I would venture to say that at least 70 percent to 85 percent of all the homeless youth are sexual minority youth. They are on the streets for facing the same issues that we each have faced at some point or another, as well as all of the other complicated issues you face in adolescence. These youth are people, and these people have voices! We can only help empower ourselves and our community by listening to, recognizing and strengthening our youth. Tracey L. McCoy Portland Strange that we attack our allies To the Editor: I read the article concerning M argaret O’Hartigan’s outrage [“Mixed signals?” Just Out, , Sept. 1,1995] at the [perceived bias of] the Unitar ian Universalist Association and Beacon Press [against] transgender people. I was upset. The UUA was one of the first churches to support lesbian/gay/bisexual and transgender rights. The UUA is one of the few churches that ordain transgender people. The Metropolitan Community Church, the Quakers and the UUA are the few churches that perform commitment ceremonies forlesbigay andtransgenderpeople. YetO’Hartigan attacks this organization because of some books— some that are out of print? What ever happened to freedom of the press? Beacon Press publishes many books of different opinions. Why doesn’t O ’Hartigan go after other religions that have hate in their doctrine and have no intention to change? I always think it is so strange that we attack our allies (although O’Hartigan might not think the UUA and Beacon Press are her allies). I am proud of the UUA. No person or institution is perfect. But as the Rev. Meg Ryan was quoted as saying, change takes time, and the UUA is working on more information on transgender issues. I am the president of the board at Eastrose Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Gresham. I am also an open lesbian. Taking a stand against the Oregon Citizens Alliance and other hate groups; opening our church for a World AIDS Day service; being a member of the Portland-area Welcoming Congre gation organization; marching in the lesbian and gay parade; announcing any events of interest to lesbigay and transgender people from the pulpit; using the words “lesbian” and “gay” in areas of w orship service; w elcom ing lesbigay and transgender people to our services; and offering our church for union ceremonies are just some ways that Eastrose UU is open and supportive of the lesbigay community. Anyone interested in a liberal faith religion, a faith of values not of com mon belief, should look at Unitarian Universalism. Sue Matranga-Watson Portland TRANSITION But Blanch it's not half as scary as your sister Jane is! Talented musician dies Speak To Your Brothers Drop-in HIV Testing for Gay & Bi Men Every Tuesday • 6-8 , a t CAP, 620 SW 5th 3rd Floor For info: call 223-5907 ext. 132 Confidential and Anonymous • Results in One Week No Appointment Needed • $15 Donation Appreciated It's something we all need to do. Composer and concert pianist Terry Allen Snowden died Sept. 10 from AIDS complications. He was 48. Snowden, who returned to Portland this sum mer after two years teaching and performing in Spain, was active for many years in the Metropoli tan Community Church. Snowden loved church music. He performed with the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, and his compositions were performed lo cally by Virtuosi della Rosa and the Concord Choir, and as accompaniment for dancer Joe Morales. Bom in Baltimore, Md., on Oct. 2, 1946, Snowden was a 1972 graduate of the Peabody Conservatory of Music. He later became the first African American faculty member of the Peabody Institute. Survivors are his parents, Arthur and Claudine, and brothers, Vincent and Roland, all of Balti more. The family suggests that remembrances be contributions to Our House of Portland, 2727 SE Alder St., Portland, 97214. Compiled by Inga Sorensen TWENTY-THIRD AVENUE BOOKS 1015 NW 23rd A venue, Portland, O regon 97210, ( 503) 224-5097 Monday-Friday 9 :3 0 - 8 pm □ Saturday 10 am * 8 pm □ Sunday 11 am - 4 pm