Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 1997)
ju st o u t ▼ fsb ru a ry 2 1 , 1 9 0 7 ▼ 5 pretending to be something I w asn’t, choosing one part o f m yself or the other, and never feeling whole. It meant being in a closet. Rem ember how that feels? I hope that Just Out , which has been pleasantly accepting o f bisexual and transgender people in the past few years, isn’t going to close those closet doors again. Bisexuality is the queerest thing around, girl. In the bisexual heart, anything goes. And I hope Renée is permanently vaccinated against being surprised by love, because believe me, it can happen. Sallie Tisdale Portland Why waste energy? To the Editor: With all the real issues in the world and the gay and lesbian community, why waste energy on whether JoAnn Loulan is a lesbian or not? It seems to me with all the real attacks on us, eating our own is really stupid. If the gay and lesbian community wants tolerance and acceptance from others, we also need to extend it. I was appalled by your wish that her relation ship not last. I was appalled that acceptance of her decision appears to be such an afterthought o f your editorial. You are clearly unwilling to accept Loulan as a person who needs to decide what is right for herself. I am glad that you are not my friend. But then I expect no better from your newspa per, which rarely reports on anything important to the Portland gay and lesbian community. Mary Anne Joyce Portland Offended by anti-male remarks To the Editor: I was amazed at your [Feb. 7] editorial; I thought maybe I was reading a “stereotypical” heterosexual response to the discovery that a loved one is gay. You actually felt “shock, sadness and disbelief’to discover that JoAnn Loulan had fallen in love with a man. You then go on to say that you hope “her new relationship w on’t last forever and that she’ll again fall in love with a woman.” As a man I am offended by your anti-male remarks. One can clearly sense your belief that to love a woman is a far more beautiful, tasteful experience, and that to love a man is neither. How sad that a high-profile mem ber o f our community can blatantly display such heterophobic and sex ist attitudes— and at the same time pretend to be a champion o f tolerance and justice. I think that before you begin to give advice to anyone on whom they should love, perhaps you should ex amine your own shortcomings and biases. I do compliment you and your paper on the fine job you have done throughout the years. However, we must all be reminded from time to time when we have succumbed to our own intol erance and bigotry. I would ask that you remem ber that many o f your readers are male (and also perhaps heterosexual). I understand it was not your intention to de grade or offend a large percentage o f your read ers. I only ask that in the future you consider the points o f view o f all your readers, including-your male readers. Shawn Perkins Vancouver Surprising times To the Editor: Thank you for printing in the same issue that you hope that [JoAnn Loulan’s] new relationship [with a man] w on’t last forever, that Eartha Kitt wishes that gay men "would switch,” and that Eartha’s interviewer, Daniel Vaillancourt (who identifies him self as gay), suggests "m aybe some o f them wish they could switch too!” I have no answers for everybody as to who is really what and what it all means, but I have enjoyed finding out my own answers. I gained a lot in my search from the support o f others— so I am glad to see you encouraging your readers to do the same. T here ’ s N o T ime L ike the P resent To P lan for the F uture . What’s stopping you from planning for your financial future right now? No time? All it takes is one hour to get started. Too Confusing? I’ll explain all the options clearly, in language you can understand No huge pool of cash avail able? You don’t need thousands of dollars to PRID£ Mentorship Project Ever wish you knew an adult who really had a clue? For Multnomah County gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans or questioning youth For more information contact: Phoenix Rising Foundation Vanessa A. Usui at (503) 244-2292, or (503) 223-8299, pager 527-7665 start. As little as 150 a month can provide big returns. Make today the day you stop making excuses. Call Floreid Walker and make an T appointment instead. Travel the w orld, but call us first. FLOREID WALKER (503) 238-6036 87-6626 03) 291-7713 waddell.com Trevor Blake Portland Support Oregon ENDA To the Editor: It is unconscionable for a transsexual, who has legal protection under Oregon law from em ploy ment discrimination, to oppose a bill that would give the same legal protection to gay men, lesbi ans and bisexuals. I would encourage all trans sexuals, gay men, lesbians and bisexuals to come together to support the 1997 ENDA bill that has been introduced in the Oregon Legislature. O ur collective communities are too small for factionalized fighting. If we are to achieve equal rights in Oregon, we must all support one another. In unity there is strength. As an action item, please come to the next meeting o f the M etropolitan Human Rights Commission and ask them to sup port the ENDA bill. JoAnna E. McNamara Lake Oswego Keep your laws off my body To the Editor: It took decades for government to recognize medical opinion that transsexual women such as m yself were bom with a correctable birth defect. Even the State o f Georgia— that bastion of liberal politics— issued me a new birth certificate ac knowledging that after my surgery I was indeed female. Now Rep. George Eighmey has drafted legis lation that would “grant” me civil rights protec tion so long as I proclaim m yself to be a male. Well, thanks but no thanks, George. I am a woman, and I am not about to have you force a sex change on me to comply with your notions o f political correctness. Lon Mabon wants the State o f Oregon to refuse to recognize changes o f sex. George has written the bill. Wadddl f' We Appreciate Our Just Out Supporters! 1939 SE Hawthorne Blvd. 500 NE M ultnom ah, Suite 278 Portland, OR 97232 Portland, O regon No time clocks. Mo traffic reports. Mo children. Mo plans. Just you and a relaxing evening in your HotSpring portable spa. Portland If you're ready to experience relaxation like never before, visit Oregon HotSpring Spas. You'll find 14 different models of HotSpring and Tiger River spas and more options, accessories and ideas than anywhere else. You won't, however, have a choice when it comes to quality. HotSpring spas are the best you can buy. Our service records prove it. Research and testing by leading consumer m aga zines prove it. And our cus tomers prove it. In fact, quality is one of the reasons HotSpring spa. Come in and see how easy it is to escape from reality in the privacy of your own backyard. REPORT HOMOPHORIC VIOLENCE Quality Is Not Optional. Life couldn't be better. spas are America's best selling Rachel S. Koteles 232-5944 1 - 800 - 232-5944 Reed PORTLAND: (503) 253 3551 BEAVERTON: (503) 643 5002 SALEM: (503) 363 4000 BEND: (541) 388 0905 Things Are.