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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 21, 1999)
*>f J may 21.1999 » Ju st b u t, 5 FTÎTTTïïTTÎTI news to death his live-in lover John Stagno in their Crown Heights apartment. T he deadly fight came after Pickett told Stagno he was leaving rather than taking any more abuse. Aidala stat ed that Stagno charged at Pickett with either a bottle or a knife, and that Pickett stabbed Stag no in the chest in self-defense. The fight and subsequent death were the result of a 10-month abusive relationship that saw Stagno take over every aspect of Pickett’s life, Aidala said. TE X A S s part of a custody ruling in a divorce case, a lesbian m other in W ichita Falls was told by a judge that the local M etropolitan Com m u nity C hurch is not an acceptable church for her and her daughter to attend. The mother is fighting the ruling with the backing of Universal Fellowship of Metropolit- ian Community Churches and the National C enter for Lesbian Rights. According to a May 6 UFM CC press release, a notice of intent to appeal has been filed in the Texas court system. T he conflict stems from a legal opinion w ritten by Judge Keith N elson of the 78th Judicial District. Nelson wrote: “T h e primary issue is where the child would attend Sunday school and ch u rch .... T he in ten t was for m ainline churches to be utilized in the reli gious training of the daughter.... T h e M etro politan C om m unity C hurch does not fall w ithin this category.” Said the Rev. Troy D. Perry, m oderator of the more than 300 M C C congregations: “First, the governm ent has no legal right telling any family which churches are acceptable and which are not. Moreover, the U.S. C onstitu tion, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Yearbook o f American and Canadian Churches com piled and published by th e N ational C ouncil of C hurches all recognize M etropoli tan Com m unity C hurch as a church.” filMORTGAGE O ne • Speed 15-20 day closings • Personal service your home or office • Good or bad credit • Jumbo loans available • Sett-employed • 0% down programs 503 - 697-8182 A C ory G rau n itz Senior Loan Officer An innovative marketer and Buyer’s Agent who listens to your needs T he m other said she tried to comply with the judge’s ruling. “We never felt comfortable in those places. My heart almost broke when my daughter begged me to take her back to the M CC church,” she added. Marvin Salles A s s o c ia te B r o k e r tel. 320-1271 ■ Compiled by K r ist in e C h a t w o o d 3ohn4L£coti “These flags have been the people’s voice, announcing presence, pride, love for families and neighbors, and the history of their her itage and culture. T he rainbow flag is no dif inda Robertson wants to show the citizens ferent.” of Myrtle Beach, S.C., her true colors, but T he council took no action. the city says the rainbow flag flying outside her C ity spokesperson Mark Kruea, m ean restaurant and bar violates a recently changed while, defends the measure, arguing Myrtle city ordinance. Beach is a tourism-driven community that Robertson was cited in April for flying a restricts signage, flags and banners in order to rainbow flag in an area where many flags, ban keep the community from looking cluttered. ners and “wind-activated devices” are prohib He says the city does not find the meaning of ited. U.S. flags; flags of other nations; state, city and county flags; church flags; and regis the rainbow flag objectionable. If Robertson works with city code enforce tered corporate flags are allowed, however. m ent officials, he suggests, she might be able to T he rainbow flag has flown since Rainbow find an acceptable way to show her pride. House Bistro, which caters to a mostly lesbian ‘In all likelihood she could find and gay clientele, opened in March some other way she could make 1998. Rainbow flags, the same statement,” Kruea In September, a city ordi says. nance was changed. Now, in first flown in 1978 Two other gay-owned the zoning area where and now recognized by the establishm ents in the R obertson’s business is city were also notified in located, only amusement International Congress writing that they are in parks with more than five violation of the city’s o f Flag Makers, acres of property are ordinance, according to allowed to display flags are an important part a report in The Sun News, and banners. a Myrtle Beach newspaper. R obertson says she is o f gay and lesbian Sim ilar incidents have about two blocks away from happened elsewhere. Several history. an amusement park that displays years ago, an Arlington, Texas, pet more banners than she can count. store owner was cited for flying a rainbow Rainbow flags, first flown in 1978 and flag, even though a nearby car dealer flew a now recognized by the International Congress number of flags and banners. The flag no of Flag Makers, are an important part of gay longer flies, but rainbow patterns wrap poles and lesbian history, Robertson says. “It speaks just like the American flag or a outside the store and the rainbow colors are more visible than ever. state or international flag,” she explains. “Yes, But Robertson still flies her flag. She could I own a business, but this is not a business be sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $500 issue. This is a personal issue.” for every day she violates the ordinance. She Robertson recently appeared before the City Council to ask for a change in the ordi says she believes there will be a huge outcry in the community if officials try to take action nance. She told councilors she believes the measure is an unconstitutional restriction of against her. Yet she adds: “1 guess if they come to get her First A m endm ent right to free speech. me, I have no choice.” “Since the beginning of time, groups have identified themselves by the colors and marks ■ Reported by GlP PIASTER of their flags,” she told council members. E-mail: marvin@spiritone.com www.johnlscott.com/home/marvins/mdex2.htm B anner B an • 20 veal's marketing & negotiating experience • Multi-million dollar producer L Mo time clocks. Mo traffic reports. Mo children. Mo plans. Just you and a relaxing evening In your HotSpring portable spa. Life couldn't be better. If you're ready to experience relaxation like never before, visit Oregon HotSpring Spas. 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