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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 17, 1996)
4 ▼ m a y 17, 1 9 9 0 ▼ ju s t o u t Network HIV Therapy Services letters tyeda Vacation? ▼ RSVP Cruises ▼ Club RSVP ▼ Atlantis ▼ Olivia rn M P ^ lj Individual, Couples, Group, Family Therapy & Medication “Female condom” may be impractical To the Editor: I’ve recently read in Just Out that the “female condom” may by useful for men engaging in anal sex, specifically as a way for the “bottom” to be empowered in choosing to have safer sex. How ever, my understanding of the construction of this device causes me to be skeptical. There is a rubber ring at the bottom of the condom which hangs outside the body, and an additional rubber ring on the inside which at taches to a woman’s cervix (similar to a dia phragm). Men, of course, do not have anything for the inner ring to hold on to, making slippage— not to mention discomfort—more likely. Also, although I know women who have tried the “female condom,” I do not know any who speak highly of its virtues. Conceptually, it is an idea whose time has come; but doesn’t it seem a bit impractical? A prophylactic device that is difficult to use or uncomfortable to wear will never empower any one. U l t ím a t e T ravels Ryan White Funding Available Accepting M edicaid / O regon H ealth Plan, MecBcare, Private Insurance and Private Pay 1220-88661 For information call or 800/446-41 17 Fax: 220-0744 243-6970 62 1 S W Morrison, Suite 43S Portland, Oregon 9720S IS YOUR PET PART OF THE FAMILY? Tender, loving care for the furry and feathered members of your family! Christopher D. Cuttone Portland Where is the support? Dr. Patricia E . Huff, D.V.M . and Associates 2 5 1 9 E. BURNSIDE, PORTLAND To the editor; I recently attended the film opening of Intima cies, a documentary by Nikila Cole— a bold por trait of Michael Kearns and his stage play Intima cies. I [was interested] to see this film dealing with an out actor in Hollywood [who is] HIV positive, and the issues of homophobia that en sue. I thought this was a great opportunity, con sidering Michael Kearns and Nikila Cole would be attending this screening to introduce the film and lead a discussion afterwards. I went assuming the theater would be filled. To my shock, bewil derment and surprise, it was about half full. This was not the first [time that such a thing] has happened: going to what I perceive as an important event in our community and the com munity at large, and being shocked at the lack of attendance. It begins to pose some very deep questions about why this is happening in our community. For the last 16 years it has been the queer community who has risen to the AIDS epidemic, to be the caretakers and political activ ists in the forefront of this crisis. What is happen ing now, that there is so little interest in what the artist in our community is doing in continuing to put out there, in such creative ways, in-your-face issues that still need to be addressed concerning C A LL 233-5001 m , , 4 ^ OUR LIVES, OUR HOMES, Sfiív ■ ■ í is OUR NEIGHBORS. r o M T Ü A N i> Ì I 1 SPEAK TO YOUR Find support and build friendships with other gay and bi men. “ o ^X-lMvvOX.: 0 : i i-. WvjmJM**«'*’' s?* m I w <* #*■•■<*■*** l fmt facilitator, or t,c cipate i j ^ S “Y W 5 K ft I it:? « j f a m Ri*¿3 Call 223-5907 MntMMrihMMR........ r»«ii 4 h« ask for Doug at ext. 145 i ....... .....J T START MEETING YOUR NEIGHBO TODAY. PAC endorsements are prey to the wealthy To the Editor: Just as the media give coverage only to those candidates who have the backing of wealthy spe cial interest groups, so are political action com mittees using similar methods. PACs fail to inter view all candidates; they approve candidates who have already gathered benefits from the biased media coverage of well-funded candidates. It’s very ironic that PACs are using the same system of supporting candidates that many special inter est groups complain about. The PACs should interview all candidates. If and when they choose to endorse one, they should mention those candidates whose ideas they feel also represent their interests well. Otherwise, as in the current system of PAC endorsement, the members and supporters of PACs are left with the impression that non-endorsed candidates are against the values and issues that these groups support. These PACs decide, by the decision of a few leaders, who their members should vote for. This way of covering the political process is undemo cratic and unfair to both candidates and voters. I propose that all candidates’ positions should be described and discussed in PAC newsletters and periodicals, so that all members have a chance to decide for themselves where their vote should go. Anna Nevenich Portland A warm heart u r n I t, A N O T.*1? pkum .^X jpH U ùSl Victoria Kauffman Portland TRANSITION Join an ongoing group in your own neighborhood. ^ AIDS and homophobia? I begin to ask myself what is happening when there is not support for those that are brave enough and bold enough to come out and deal with these issues in the mainstream media. Is it internalized homophobia? Are sickness and death from AIDS blasé? Is it, “Who wants to see another perfor mance about AIDS”? Do we not want to deal with sex, death, race, class, really? Do we not want to look at it? Michael Kearns’ performance of Intimacies is powerful, personal and universal, speaking the unspoken, bringing the audience to relate on some level to all his characters. This film is to be seen, and at this date distributors won’t touch it. Homophobia is strong in Hollywood and in the media. We need to continue to support those that challenge the status quo. We need to support our artists. We need to support those that are out in the mainstream challenging homophobia. f » ^ rM Andrew E. Slavin was bom in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1954. He grew up there and in Jacksonville, Fla. Despite a lifelong battle with dyslexia, he earned a bachelor’s degree in psy chology from Roger Will iams College and a mas ters in social work from the University of Arkan sas. He worked as a psy chotherapist for many years in Seattle, Juneau and Portland. Clients and colleagues will remember Andy for his phenomenal insight and genuine con cern. His friends will re member Andy for his Andrew E. Slavin warm heart. Andy died in Denver, Colo., sometime in late March, apparently very peacefully, from undeter mined causes. His lover discovered his body on April 3 upon returning from a vacation. Andy is survived by his lover of 14 years, Thomas B lickle; his m other, Patricia Slavin; his sister, Nancy Slavin, and his close friends Nancy A llred, Phil ip Campbell and Rose mary Sweeney. Tom scat tered his ashes into the Pa cific Ocean. At Andy’s re quest, there will be no me morial service.