Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 1999)
J u s t M it ' January 22. 1999 iiU K iiin e w s WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT? One of life’s crudest lessons is the paradox that whenever we get what we think we want, it turns out to be not quite enough.This is as much the case for adults as it is for little children blessed to receive the current hottest toy. Like the child we experience a quick fix which soon fades, leaving us with an inward craving for something more. A lasting state of contentment eludes us even should we stumble onto the “perfect lover’’ of our dreams. A s we mature, we eventually realize that our happiness is not wholly dependent on our outward circumstances.There is an intangi ble spiritual reality which, whether we are aware of it or not, is the very ground of our being. W hen Jesus said,“Seek first the Kingdom of God,” he was addressing this dimension of our lives. Failure to con nect intimately with this ultimate Truth cripples us and we are doomed to an endless repetitive cycle of grasping for whatever might seem to satisfy that inner hunger. Religion has traditionally sought to guide us toward the satisfac tion of our inner longing, however, religiosity can be a pitfall in our attempt to find the Kingdom of God; dogma, ascetic practice and rigid moralism actually hindering our quest. Still, we do not grow an inner spiritual life in a vacuum and some type of practice is needed to guide us. It is often helpful to learn from others who are also seeking. Interested in joining other gay men in a discussion group focus ing on what life is really about? Call 493-8505 for information. A message from the Atiawim Community. Serious Bring the dub home. Your Fitness Portland Delta Park 286-1292 Beaverton Town Square 644-0615 Clackamas Ross Center 659-4055 N O RTHW EST a m + OAA , - A A 1 - 800 - 659-0421 T he F inal C hapter Mourners grieve (or a pioneering Eugene lesbian activist, community leader, bookseller and friend by T im Jo y ce “If you believe in free speech, support inde andles flicker on a filing cabinet pendent bookstores and small presses...” Har near the front of M other Kali’s baugh would often begin when folks asked— or Books. A black-and-white photo didn’t, for that matter. is nearly lost in colorful flower Working countless volunteer hours during arrangements. In the image, a nearly woman smiles softly, lovingly hugging a dog. two decades at M other Kali’s, her pas She is Izzie Harbaugh, a woman whose pres sionate fights went beyond gay issues: She cru ence here is sorely missed. T he 71-year-old’s saded for breast cancer, pushed for the environ unexpected death has saddened many and left a m ent, campaigned for free speech by promoting small bookstores, and even helped the homeless huge void in the Eugene community. young people who often lingered in front of her "It was a gasping emptiness,” says a woman named Sandy who is the volunteer this after small shop. Harbaugh suffered a sudden stroke on Jan. 12 noon behind the counter at the bookstore. “It’s and was rushed to the hospital. But that was not like somebody punched me.” where her last chapter would be written. The gray outside feels darker than a normal Harbaugh’s partner, Lorraine Ironplow, says January afternoon in Oregon. A steady stream of it was a series of miracles that enabled her and people entering off busy East 13th Avenue wear some good friends to bring Harbaugh across the somber faces as they share tearful embraces. street from Sacred Heart Hospital to M other Don’t let the shelves full of books and the Kali’s that warm winter night. cash register fool you. This shop nestled near the Shadows flickered in the bookstore. Amidst University of Oregon is more than a book candles and soft music, Harbaugh was surround store— and Izzie Harbaugh is the reason why. ed by people she loved. In the calm, in the place W ith her leadership, the store has served the community as a referral center, a cultural and political forum, a resource center for health and survival issues, and a safe and sus taining gathering place for women. “W hen my partner and I moved to Eugene, Izzie was really the first person we m et here,” Sandy says when describ ing the couple’s first visit to M other Kali’s. She remembers H arbaugh’s smile and soft, easy voice. A spontaneous memorial bloomed at M other Kali’s in Eugene “She was such a resource for us, she was like our mom. I don’t where she had given so much of herself, Har think she knew how important she was to our baugh passed away. lives, because she helped out so many people,” “Sometimes I think of Izzie as M other Kali,” Sandy says with a deep sigh. “I wish I’d told her.” says Joyce Thomas, who sits on the floor behind Elizabeth A nne “Izzie” Harbaugh was bom in the counter sorting through odds and ends to be 1927. Her third teen-age attem pt at running taken care of with the sudden passing. “Every away from her birthplace near the mountains of thing in this bookstore feels like a part of her." southern Pennsylvania landed Harbaugh in a In the rear of the shop is a small reading area. Pittsburgh steel mill during World War II. “It sure feels different here,” comments a From an Army social worker during the young woman sitting on the couch. Korean War, to a telephone operator, to even A n easel stands at the center of the nook, being homeless for a time, Harbaugh’s resume is words written in different colors all share a sim a long list of varied experience. Her travels ilar grief. brought her to the West Coast, where she “Thank you for your fiery determination, protested against the Vietnam War and eventu dedication, and love for all women," an ally earned a college degree in psychology. It was unsigned author writes. “There are no words for a computer programming job at the University how much you will be missed.” of Oregon that brought Harbaugh to the Eugene Patrons talk to one another, many with tis area in 1971. sues in hand. As they reminisce, smiles meld T he ardent feminist helped found the with tears. national organization Old Lesbians Organizing Harbaugh’s spirit permeates this place, and for Change, and she always fought for the gay her message to us all could be one she posted for and lesbian community. Harbaugh promoted herself. There is a small clipping, stuck with yel the New Community Meeting, a group facilitat lowing cellophane tape to the inside rim of the ing dialogues between the Eugene lesbian and front counter. It’s in a spot near the cash register gay community and conservative C hristian where no customer could see it. In small print, groups. there are only six words: “U nited we will fight Her overall efforts won her a Harvey Milk and win.” Award and a Pride Alliance Award, honors bestowed on citizens who have shown dedica ■ A CELEBRATION AND REMEMBRANCE o f Izzie tion to lesbian and gay rights. Harbaugh’s life is scheduled fo r Jan . 23 from I to W hen Harbaugh began managing M other 3 p.m . at the W heeler Pavilion at the Lane County Kali’s in 1981, she began a chapter of her life for Fairgrounds in Eugene. The event is open to the which she will be remembered by many people. public. C PHOTO BY TIM JOYCE 10