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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 18, 1997)
j u s t o u t ▼ July 1 8 , 1 8 9 7 7 3 SINCE 1979 one real estate company in the Portland Metro area has been practicing a teamwork philosophy. We believe that professional high- quality service can only be performed in an office atmosphere of cooperation and trust. One man’s pride is another’s shame To the Editor: I’d like to make a few comments about the Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans Pride Festival. On Friday night, June 2 0 ,1 walked down to W aterfront Park after work to enjoy the festivities. I had invited several co-workers to go along, and once I was there I was very glad that they were unable to join me. I would have been very em barrassed to have them hear what I heard coming from the stage. Isn’t this event supposed to be about our pride in what we are, who we are, and our accom plish ments? I w asn’t aware that the agenda was to be about what we do behind closed bedroom doors. The speaker on stage was making very explicit comments about gay sex, and I felt this was very inappropriate. Being the father of two young children, I’m also very glad I didn’t have them with me. My friends will tell you that I’m not a prude in any way, and do enjoy a good laugh over sexual humor. But I also feel that there is a time and place for such comments. I don’t recall ever attending any o f the other various events that are held at W aterfront Park each year and hearing the speak ers discuss heterosexual sex, so why should it be deemed appropriate for gay pride? I feel that this behavior only helps to fuel arguments that we are solely sexually motivated, and detracts from the idea that in most ways we lead lives very much like everyone else. Kevin W eiche Portland Photo exhibit makes for a learning experience To the Editor: In th e J u n e 6 is s u e o f Just Out, you covered the opening o f Leaving Silence: Q ueer Asian Oral History Exhibit. After the opening, Asian and Pacific Islander Lesbians and Gays, the group which hosted the exhibit, received a letter from local activist M argaret Deirdre O ’ Hartigan, point ing out that the only individual in the show whose photograph was not included was also the only transsexual in the exhibit. O ’ H artigan’s criticism centered around issues o f tokenism and the second-class status o f trans sexuals and transgendered people that she felt the lack of a photograph represented (and she did not want to hear excuses about how hard the creators o f the exhibit tried to find a trans person who was willing to be photographed). I cannot speak for decisions made by the exhibit’s creators and the interview subjects. However, I am one o f the organizers who brought the exhibit to Portland and one o f those who had seen the exhibit prior to bringing it here. First o f all, I appreciate O ’ H artigan’s w illing ness to share her concerns with APLG. I welcome feedback and dialogue about the exhibit both laudatory and critical. I think she has made some good points about transphobia in the exhibit. W hile I do not want to minimize the transphobia, I think this is an oppor tunity to explore further the different kinds of risks we face as people o f color. It is often difficult to “come out” as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans sexual or transgendered person. W hen one is o f a different race or from a different culture (e.g., someone from a relatively small, tight-knit mi nority and an extended family-based culture that values obedience to parents) than the majority of people in this country (e.g., “white,” European descent) it can be even more difficult and stress ful. Not only do we face the risk o f discrimination, rejection and harm from society, we also face the risk of rejection from our racial/cultural com m u nity. In a society where racism does exist and where we will never quite “blend in” (the hair and eyes usually give us away), the loss o f the connec tion to our own racial or cultural community can be very painful to contemplate or experience. Again, I am not trying to counter O ’ H artigan’s criticisms. I do think it is important that we continue to challenge ourselves and each other to develop more understanding and build relation ships. This exhibit was meant to be a learning experience, and I appreciate this chance to learn from each other. Leslie Griep Portland Why? W ORD-O F-M OUTH The most important advertising o f all! Bridgetown Kealty ■ *% \ a _ ■ !■ ■ ■ ■ * For Those Who ****** Superior Service 1000 NE Multnomah • Portland, OR 97232 21570 Willamette Drive • West Linn. OR 97068 503/287-9370 503/655-8015 e-mail: bridgetownl@solnlogic.com e-mail: bridgetown2@solnlogic.com You’ve found the perfect house... .is there anything you've overlooked? Oon’t let today's dream become tomorrow's nightmare. Call an expert. You'll sleep better tonight! Pest and Dry Rot & Whole House Inspections Department of Agriculture CPO1140492 Oregon State CC8 #110468 Landmark Home Inspection Tim A-tklneon RO. Box 4-701 Portland, Oregon 9 7 2 0 0 310-124-4- Voice 2 3 0 - 4 0 9 9 Fax T h e r e ’ s N o T i m e L ik e t h e P r e s e n t P lan fo r th e F uture . To TRANSITIONS What's stopping you from planning for your Theida Beads passes on Ricky Edward M eador, 52, better known as Theida Beads, passed away on June 27 at his home. He died o f liver failure. For the past five years, M eador worked as a bartender at Seafood M ama in Northwest Port land. He also made his mark in the Ricky Edward Meador, a k a Theida Beads working at the Silverado and the Family Zoo tavern. M eador made a second home in Hawaii, work ing for Hamburger M ary’s in Honolulu and in Lahaina, Maui. M eador was bom Sept. 23, 1944, in Quincy, 111. He left Illinois when he was drafted by the military. After a two-year tour in the Navy sta tioned in San Diego, Meador moved to Portland in 1971. Friends remember Meador as an avid traveler when pos sible and as an enthusiastic reader always. He is survived by his sis ters, Sherry Lindberg of Dal las, Texas, and Judy Butler of Orange, Calif., as well as sev eral nieces and nephews, ex te n d e d fa m ily an d m any friends. M eador’s ashes were scat tered at a July 13 memorial service at Rooster Rock State Park. In lieu of flowers, friends suggest donations in M eador’s nam e be m ade to C ascade AIDS Project, 620 SW Fifth Ave., Suite 300, Portland, OR 97204. 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? 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