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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 5, 1996)
just out ▼ J a n u a r y 5, 1996 ▼ 3 The finest imported coffee letters Conservatism does not mean extremism To the Editor: As I was reading about the Postal Primary in your Nov. 17 issue, I was pleased with your endorse ment o f Norma Paulus on the GOP side, whom l cast my vote for. However, I have a problem with the way Just Out continues to vilify and stereotype conservative Republicans as extremists, especially when your columnists make such statements as “She [Paulus] is a moderate and fair-minded Repub lican.” It is as if you are saying that the only good Republicans are those who are in the liberal-to- moderate wing o f the GOP and that conservatives are a bunch of closed-minded, right-wing extrem ists. These kinds of misconceptions are unjust and uncalled-for— plus, these underlying swipes at con servatives are offensive, demeaning and biased. It is obvious this publication has a very leftist slant, which has obviously been put ahead of objec tivity. Historically, we know the politics o f the gay community is rooted in liberalism, with its loyalty entrusted to the Democratic Party. According to your recent readers survey I am definitely in the minority, being bisexual, male and a registered Republican. But one thing I will not tolerate is being vilified and stereotyped as an extremist because my political philosophy happens to be conservative. I am not a Jesse Helms, Pat Buchanan or Bob Doman, nor am I a fan o f these individuals or anyone like them, and furthermore I am not fond of such orga nizations as the Christian Coalition and the Oregon Citizens Alliance. Your writers seem to always depict the majority o f Republicans as being extremists. Remember, both political parties— Democrat and Republican alike— have their share o f extremists. The point that I am try ing to make is conservative is not a bad word, and conservatism does not mean extremism. The gay community should stop treating it as such. To truly embrace diversity we must as a commu nity be willing and open to all points of view regardless o f whether we agree or disagree. We cannot afford this constant and relentless bickering and divisiveness to permeate the gay community. Let’s truly be tolerant, fair-minded and objective— whether you are liberal, moderate or, like myself, a conservative. There should be room for us all to co exist, regardless of our political beliefs. M.A. Williams Portland Proud of Chuck Carpenter To the Editor: I am tired of being part of the “gay community.” By the standards of the likes of Bob Doyle, I, too, might be considered homosexual rather than gay [“Letters,” Just Out, Dec. 1, 1995]. And, if it means that I must follow his definition of what it means to be gay, then I also must admit that I have a prefer ence for being considered homosexual as well. One of the human beings that I know well who I can truly say I’m proud of is Chuck Carpenter; although I appreciate the contributions and open ness o f many o f those who represent me on the Democratic side, I don’t think that there has been one individual who has done so much forgetting so many people to rethink their ideas about people such as yourself. You might be surprised if you took the time to talk to the man about the stands he has taken and the things that he has accomplished. Because of Chuck, special interest groups were not able to get the big bucks they wanted to “pro mote” Oregon internationally— in other words, $30 million was taken out of a bloated economic devel opment budget which actually served relatively few Oregonians. Because of Chuck, the legislature ap proved the north-south light rail. And because of Chuck, there happen to be many more Republicans in the House who are not only talking about but seem to have a better understanding of gay and lesbian issues. >' • I guess I am also “stupid enough to think that being able to walk into Gordon Smith’s office has some significance to the gay and lesbian community in this day and age.” And let me tell you why: It’s because Gordon Smith is Mormon, which is “not quite” Christian and looked down upon by many people; as a result, Smith has experienced a fair amount o f ridicule and discrimination in his day. Although politicians have many agendas, I believe that [Chuck] has gotten Gordon to look at least a bit more closely and to empathize with what it might be like to be gay or lesbian in our society. Chuck has not minced words with him on this. I also realize that people are neither good nor bad, that the world is not black or white, and that it will take many more Chucks— especially those who are the closeted mainstreamers— to get people to not only tolerate but to really appreciate those of us who happen to be attracted to those of the same gender. Although communities are often defined by similarities that people have in common, I would much rather choose my community by the character of individuals— the interests that they have or the ways in which they live and work in our environ ment— than by the gender that they happen to find erotic or make relationships with. By the way, there really is something that you should know about Chuck. Now that the dust has settled and many are realizing how important his place is in the scheme of things in the House, some are rethinking their outright rejection of his support of Gordon Smith, such as the Human Rights Cam paign, which has turned 180 degrees in asking him to again serve on its board. There is one more thing that I would like you to know— the last thing that I would claim to be is Republican, but when a person comes along with the integrity of a Chuck Carpenter, I learn to look deeper than a political party. beans, teas, chocolates, __ H1V+? and beverage brewing T h e se g ro u p s are a va ila b le fo r you: accessories. Since 1980 - ■- pi TH E BROADW AY COFFEE M ER C H A N T 1637 N.E. Broadway 284-9209 THE HAW THORNE COFFEE M ERCHANT 3562 S.E. Hawthorne 230-1222 Imagery Actualization Sex Addiction; Meditation Yoga; Aromatherapy Health Management N utrition Program Strong Feelings & Change Fundamentales De La Imageria Guiada O th e r Oro ups a lso available are I individual the rap y ap p o in tm en ts with Lusijah Marx, RN, PsyD G raham Harrim an, M A ••• ROJECT QUES a Healing Community 241-6448 Groups can be covered through Ryan White vouchere/grants for those who qualify . mm m HIV testin g Scott Thiemann Portland Way to go To the Editor: It really is too bad that After 8 felt they had to move their road sign in order to still help the community. Maybe they could have kept their place in Monroe along Highway 99 long enough to find out whether the locals would have left them alone after awhile. Besides that, I think it is great to see homo sexual-bisexual organizations participating in pro grams other than the stereotyped “homosexual” programs, while still keeping their pink triangles fastened firmly to their lapels. Way to go, guys! But Blanche, it's not half as scary as your Reineke M. Jerome Beaverton With hope for the future To the Editor: Metropolitan Human Rights Commission is outraged and shocked at the murders of two lesbian women in Medford. We offerour condolences to the family and community and reaffirm our commit ment to work even harder to ensure that the rights of all people are respected. The hostile climate in Oregon that makes such violence possible puts all of us in danger. We would like to repeat the words spoken at the service for Roxanna Kay Ellis and Michelle Abdill on Dec. lOin Portland: “With all our differences, we are one people. Together, we are stronger than fear or despair. Together, we are builders of the commu nity. Together, we shall overcome.” With hope for the future, the Metropolitan Human Rights Commission pledges to continue to foster mutual understanding and respect, to elim i nate bigotry, and to embrace and celebrate diver sity. Metropolitan Human Rights Commission Nadia Kahl, chair Every Tuesday • 6-8 pm at CAP, 620 SW 5th, 3rd Floor For info: call 223-5907 ext. 132 Volunteer Training for Peer Counselors Begins Mid-January For info contact Alan at 223-5907, ext. 107 or Dave at ext. 132.
