J0 J u s t M a t’ may 7. 1999
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F raming P erceptions
S imply the B est —
B arrington H eights
A queer-inclusive traveling exhibit shares
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1
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Complete automotive service
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and light trucks.
itS message One photO at a time
by Michael Barrett
Some say if students are made aware that
he recent shootings at Columbine
others may feel unaccepted or rejected in some
High School in Littleton, Colo.,
sent shock waves across the coun­ way, another Colum bine may be averted. Fur­
thermore, the potential for bullying or other
try. The tragedy has grabbed the
forms
of discrimination by students and parents
attention of parents of all back­
sexual minority families could be dimin­
grounds, including those in the sexual against
minori­
ished.
ties community.
T he photo exhibit embraces this line of
It was a major topic of discussion at an April
thinking
by presenting sexual minority families
29 meeting at Roosevelt High School in North
Portland, following a photo and text exhibit fea­ as part of the fabric of humanity. They laugh
together, play together and endure hardships
turing sexual minority families.
Portland parent Dan Sapon-Borson orga­ together— just like other families.
T he exhibit, Tinker and others say, can
nized the roundtable discussion to assess the suc­
bridge the supposed differences and bring people
cess of the exhibit, which displays photographs
of sexual minority families and their biogra­ together. For children of gay and lesbian parents,
it may help deconstruct feelings of isolation,
phies.
The traveling exhibit, a feature at Roo­ because the youths see there are families like
sevelt’s Health Fair ’99 on
April 28 and 29, is spon­
sored by Love Makes a
Family, the Portland-
based support organiza­
tion for sexual minority
parents and their chil­
dren.
Intended to highlight
the existence of such fam­
ilies, the exhibit’s goal is
to generate a comfortable
school atmosphere for the
children of gay and les­
bian parents and to unify
their families in a support
network.
Sarah Friedel, student
services specialist at Roo­
sevelt, reports an enthusi­ T he Love Makes a Family exhibit on display in the state Capitol
astic response from staff
and students who viewed the exhibit. She says
theirs in their own community. It may also help
students viewed the exhibit with “courtesy and
relieve fears of ostracism if their peers have seen
restraint," and notes there was a lack of hostili­
the same positive portrayal of sexual minority
ty or even negative comments.
families.
Sapon-Borson surmises the Columbine mas­
Straight parents, meanwhile, may see a mir­
sacre may have influenced Roosevelt students to
ror of their own families in the photographs and
view the exhibit without apparent condemna­ texts of the exhibit. As parents themselves, they
tion or prejudice.
might recognize the commonalities of all fami­
In fact, he and others suggest that, in light of lies; the exhibit merely points them out.
the Columbine killings, students may become
The positive response to the photo exhibit at
more aware of the potential consequences of Rix>sevelt had many roundtable participants
bullying— and may be less likely to harass fellow
considering future strategies for promoting the
students who Itxik or act differently.
message that love makes a family, including the
That would be a positive development for creation of more gay-straight alliances in the
the children of gay and lesbian parents as well as school district to further develop networks
queer and questioning youths in the schools.
among parents and students based on their com­
Bonnie Tinker, executive director of Love
mon interests.
Makes a Family, says Columbine has brought
“W e’ve crossed the first threshold of fear,
certain societal themes to the surface. She sug­ maybe it’s time to be a little more active," says
gests that being a minority is not necessarily
Tinker.
dependent on some tangible factor such as skin
color or sexual orientation, hut could also
■ For more information about the photo exhibit, call
include minority identities such as "loners.”
Love Makes a Family at (503) 228-3892.
T
ASE Certified Mechanics
M overs
£7s discrim ination due to gen der id e n tity
o r sexual orien tation a problem fo r you?
The City of Portland is fighting this discrimination.
Help is available to resolve conflicts or problems at work, in housing, or
public accommodation. Confidential consultation and mediation services
are free of charge. For more information call:
MEDIATION PILOT PROGRAM 274-9886 or T T Y 1-800-735-2900
and
S hakers M oving
he Lesbian Community Project has relo­
cated to an office and community orga­
nizing space at 1001 E. Burnside St. in Port­
land. An open house and party is slated for
May 15 from 2 to 9 p.m.
The space is 1,000-plus square feet— inti­
mate enough for small gatherings and large
enough for big meetings. There is also a mez­
zanine office and a 600-square-foot basement.
T
T he mailing address is 1001 E. Burnside
St., Portland, O R 97232. T he new phone
number is (503) 233-3913, and the new fax
number is (503) 233-3882.
hoenix Rising Foundation’s counseling
services have moved to 525 N.E. Oregon
St. in Portland. T he agency’s phone number,
(503) 223-8299, remains the same.
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