ju s t o u t ▼ o c to b o r 18, 1 0 9 0 ▼ 3 tiers T here ’ s N o T ime L ike the P resent To P lan for the F uture . Take one summer off, and look what happens gress to represent us. Is that really what we want? To me, it sounds a lot like cutting o ff our nose to spite our face. To the Editor: As a prominent country western dance instruc­ tor in our community for eight years, imagine my surprise and hurt upon seeing an extensive, in- depth feature article on country western dancing in Portland that failed to mention my name! Over the years I have consistently brought fun, affordable, weekly or biweekly dancing and lessons to our community at venues such as Cafe Mocha, Metropolitan Community Church, and, for the past three years, a rented space in South­ east (St. David’s Parish Hall, the second and fourth Fridays o f the month). In addition, this summer I was the line dance instructor at Portland’s own Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration. I did take [the rest o f the] summer off, which may account for my omission from the article, but I would like the community to know about the dancing alternative I provide to the smoky bar scene. (Please see Just Out's calendar o f events for more information.) It is mostly women who attend, but everyone is welcome. Thank you for bringing to light this wonder­ ful, healthy activity. Matt Marrington Coverage rarely seen explain all the options clearly, in language you To the Editor: I’d like to thank all the people at Just Out for the beautifully sensitive rendering o f the trans­ sexual experience in the Oct. 4 issue; the effort expended by Ten Ventura and Linda Kliewer has resulted in the best newspaper portrayal o f trans­ sexuals which I have yet seen. I would also like to thank you for running this coverage at this particularly crucial point in time: The Metropolitan Human Rights Commission has just presented its report on discrimination experienced by transsexuals in Portland, and is making its recommendation to the City Council regarding our inclusion. The total effect is one o f understanding and support for a minority which rarely sees such from society at large. Just Out's focusing atten­ tion on our struggles and issues should go a long way toward changing this situation for the better. can understand. No huge pool of cash avail­ Cindy Zrinyi Margaret Deirdre O ’Hartigan Portland Portland Political facts of life Save the Supreme Court To the Editor: I was dismayed by John Balker’s letter sug­ gesting that we reject our political friends who don’t support us 100 percent o f the time [Just Out, Sept. 20,1996]. I know it can be frustrating to vote for someone whose record on lesbian and gay issues is not perfect. But we live in the real world, not a perfect world. Most o f our political allies don’t have perfect voting records. We should accept that as a political fact o f life, and realize how disastrous the alternatives are. Certainly Bill Clinton’s record is not perfect. But we should bear in mind that a vote for Bob Dole is a vote for all o f the Supreme Court appointments he would make during his tenure. A Dole presidency would virtually guarantee that the balance o f power in the Supreme Court would swing from moderate to radical right. Is that really what we want? Elizabeth Furse has always been a friend o f the lesbian and gay community, and she still is. She didn’t vote our way on the “marriage” bill. She doesn’t have a 100 percent voting record. But her opponent, Bill Witt, is a right-wing radical who would vote against us every time. If we don’t vote for Furse we will send a proven enemy to Con­ To the Editor: Will Bob Dole or Bill Clinton be making supreme and lower court appointments over the next four years? That’s really what the November election boils down to. From the Dred Scott decision to the internment o f Japanese Americans in 1942, w e’ve witnessed how the courts can affect minority peoples. Yet most o f us greatly underestimate the importance o f this issue. Read the ravings o f Anton Scalia if you really want to get a chill up your spine, and imagine him joined by a couple o f Clarence Thomases or Robert Borks. It could happen! The Christian Coalition is perfectly willing to support Dole. Their price: judgeships. They’ve patiently built an enormously successful grass­ roots movement that is brick by brick, stone by stone laying the foundation for theocracy. Ralph Reed and Pat Robertson aren’t stupid! They know that without the judiciary in their pocket they cannot succeed. Reagan and Bush started packing the courts with ideologues, and we must not let Dole finish the job. What’s stopping you from planning for your Portland ^ cw m an financial future right now? No time? All it takes is one hour to get started. Too Confusing? I’ll ■V* Different Kind A O f Real Estate Professional No hype. No bull. No pressure. Just the facts, honest advice, clear communica­ tions and steady direction to make your home selling or buy ing process as quick, profitable and problem-free as possible. Selling or purchasing a home, you can count on Zach. He’ll never put you in the doghouse! able? You don’t need thousands of dollars to start. As little as $50 a month can G3 323-2323 provide big returns. Make today the day you stop making excuses. Call Floreid Walker and make an T -T ..T ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ appointment instead. Monthly im p o rt Group* For Parents, Mxitri A Children (Meets second Monday of morth) FLOREID WALKER (503) 238-6036 87-6626 3) 291-7713 waddell.com The Parent Teacher Panel Dialogue for Educators Opening Hearts l M M i Speaker Em powerm ent Workshops A FAMILY *lo «e Makes a F » * y * m A A A 14 A Public Voice for Lesbian and Gay Families Widdell & Reed FINANCIAL ««V R IES We A ppreciate O u r Just O ut S u p p o rters! 500 N’E M ultnom ah, Suite 278 Portland, OR 972 52 Weekly Tak Radio Program K K E Y 1150 A M » 7 - 9 a m . Wed. 5 0 3 /2 2 8 -3 8 9 2 Fax: 503/228-3970 PO Box 11694 Portland, OR 97211 a a a a a a a a a a A A A Ì4 Rose City Gay Freedom Band Fall '96 Rose City Swing Led by Steve Ostenson Saturday, Nov. 9 at 8:00pm 618 SE Alder (PPAA) $10/Ticket O Doug Norseth Portland ROSE CITY GAY FREEDOM BAND Rose City Gay Freedom Band Conducted by Bob Mensel Sunday, Nov 24 at 7:00pm APPALLED BY THE NIGHT VISITORS First United Meth. Church SW 18 & Jefferson lickets: $7 advance at In Other Words Bookstore $7 door or $6 door w 2 non-perish food items for Esther's Pantry dba Oregon AIDS Food Bank Call (503) 790-2170 for more info!