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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 6, 1998)
W hat ’ s M ore I mportant : W here Y ou I nvest O r W here Y o u G et Y our I nvestment A dvice . G rowing P ains For the first time in 16 years, a great number of taxpayers can ben efit directly from the major Taxpayer Reform Act of 1997. It’s important to start planning now to take full advantage of these new opportunities. I’m committed to help ing individuals, domestic partners, couples and families understand their financial options. Lesbian Community Project membership gives thumbs up to changes, though not w ithout a struggle by Inga Sorensen ^umwi||MMNft^ fre frustration was palpable. “As lesbians we are being invis- ibilized by our own organiza- I tions.... 1 would like to see more affirmation of lesbians,” said one of the nearly 100 attendees at the Lesbian C om munity Project’s annual membership meeting, held on a chilly mid-October evening. T he woman was far from alone with respect to her sentim ent. “W hat is so hard about stating this is an orga nization primarily for women and for lesbians?” asked another. “C an a man be a lesbian.7” belted a different voice. M oments earlier, things seemed a tad more settled as LCP board members and staff stepped up to the podium to share the positive news: T he $35,000 debt that nearly wiped out the group two years back has itself been wiped clean; a growing spectmm of people are turning out for LCP forums, as well as sharing their ideas about how the organization ject is committed to the individual and collec tive wellbeing of lesbians.” T he new version starts like this: “T he Les bian Community Project is dedicated to build ing a world in which all hum an beings experi ence full justice, equity, democracy and libera tion in all spheres of life.” Unlike its predecessor, it states LCP operates “with an open and evolving definition of lesbian community, which includes those who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, questioning or other.” During a “clarification time” immediately preceding the vote, some asked, “W hat does ‘other’ mean.7” Some felt it m eant men could conceivably take over LCP— a notion that was rebuffed by others who said it simply wouldn’t happen. O th ers said they felt LCP— which they thought was a lesbian organization by and for lesbians— was being diluted. T he board assured attendees that was not their intent. Board FLORF.ID WALKER (5(B) 23*6036 1-800-487-6626 Voicemail : ( 503) 291-7 7 13 http: 'www.waddell.com Waddell & Reed H N W IA I I am a) alive, b) well, and c) still showing homes and educating buyers and sellers. Let's meet in person to discuss the process 8i prequalify you at no charge. My RMLS computer search locates the right home for you anywhere in the Portland metro area. ftty retcxentcHt Fred and I are “ruff & ready" for today's hectic market. Let me show you how it's done— with 19 years of experience. Sue Standard Davis, GRI Proposed change: Associate Broker A rticle II. P u rp o se The Lesbian Community Project is dedicated to building a world in which all human beings experience full justice, equity, democracy and liberation in all spheres of life. We are committed to being a multi-racial, multi- generational, cross-class. ft The namt of thia organization is tha Lasbian Coamunity Projact (also Referred sm \M h 'ftyave 6ee*t yrt& ztttf exa,p enateci. 4133 SE Division St.. Portland. OR 97202 503 233-4363 - S U E S T A N D A R D DAVI S , w / u F R E D ” sstandardda vis@msn.com harain as LCP). h n iilt U __ * u r p o » « SW ED ISH A. Tha Lasbian Community Projact is MASSAGE • PO LA RITY • SPO R TS MASSAGE committed to tha individual and collactiva wellbeing of Lasbians. We ara working to Annu»' build a supportiva Lasbian Community that: (1) is inclusiva and rich in diversity; Nieot'nQ East-West College of the Healing Arts (2) Can move forward in arsas of Agreement, whila A Professional School of M assage & Bodywork acknowledging diffarances; and 3) Can davaloo can he more responsive; neighbor hood-oriented and anti-racist work, as well as work with youth, is getting off the ground; and the LCP softball tournam ent, a popular contest held each sum mer, continues to be a big draw. Heck, just looking at the number of folks who turned out for the membership meeting was a sign of something, noted LCP staff organizer Deke Law. "N o one would ever come to the annual meeting,” Law told those who came out for this particular gathering, which was held Oct. 16 at the M etropolitan Community C hurch of Port land. “Look at all of you here.” “I believe this is the first time we’ve had a quorum,” chirped Liz Dueker, LCP board chair. A n article in the Sept. 18 issue o f Just O ut explained how the Portland-based LCP, a mem bership organization that had for 10-plus years bolstered the lesbian community via social and support activities, was, according to some sources, being pumped with a new energy fueled by a desire to make LCP a viable, responsive entity inclusive of many voices— lesbian, gay, straight, bisexual, trans. A t that point, the board was still crafting a reworked mission statem ent and changes to the bylaws, which were slated to be presented at the membership meeting. As promised, the mission statem ent got a tune up and was served up to members for a vote— th a t’s when some sparks started to fly. LCP’s past “statem ent of purpose” began with the words: “T he Lesbian Community Pro member C atherine Sam eh added she believes LCP’s focus on lesbians is “implicit”. Dueker, meanwhile, told the crowd the board felt it was important for those who are committed to LCP to be “accurately portrayed,” hence the listing of lesbian, bisexual, transgen der, transsexual, queer, questioning or other. Despite some edginess and discomfort, there appeared to be lots of support for the shifts. O ne woman explained how she had gone to an LCP event in the early days and felt totally unwelcome. She told the board she appreciates the direction in which the organization is mov ing, and, for the first time, is feeling like she real ly belongs. A nother attendee asked naysayers, “W hat are you so afraid of?” In the end, all of the proposed changes were approved by members at the meeting. Among them, the board was approved by an 84-7 vote to serve a two-year term. T he revamped mission statement was approved 66- 21, with one abstention, and members voted 73- 10, with five abstentions, that “all board mem bers will be committed to LCP’s anti-racist work. Reflecting this commitment, the board will strive to be at least 50 percent community members of color.” Men, who previously were limited to n o n voting membership, will now be able to vote. Dueker says: ‘T h e re ’s a lot of emotion around change. Change is hard, but basically we’re con tinuing the work we’ve always done, which is work for social change in a multi-issue way." Training for Excellence Oregon's Only American Massage Therapy Association/COMTA- Approved Massage Curriculum A Referral Brochure is available for Licensed M assage Therapists in the Portland area • Day or Night Classes:!; • Convenient Financing * Bookstore and Cafe * Student Clinic Massage Enro lling now fo r programs that begin January 4, 199 9 & April 5, 1 9 9 9 4531 SE Belmont Street. Portland, Oregon 97215-1635 503-231-1500.1-800-635-9141 503-232-4087 fax « www.ewcha.com