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
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