; an li ary 7,2000 ' J u s t a n t
COMMENTARY
The IN publication for the
by
M arty D a \ is
OUT population
F ounded 1983 • J ay B rown and R enée L a C hance
Voi.
17 N o .
5 January
7, 2 0 0 0
FEATURE
WORLDS APART: A gay man’s journey from
Kenya to the United States, from prejudice and
fear to acceptance and pride
pp 2 3 - 2 7
NEWS
NORTHWEST • Decade-old mystery solved by
discovery of body in Southeast Portland;
controversial former club owner Lanny
Swerdlow ponders his alleged infamy;
new organization focuses on youths affected
by HIV; gay couple lays foundation for the
future; monthly column the Queer Profit
pp 7 - 1 3
NATIONAL • First state to ban slavery takes
biggest leap yet toward gay marriage;
Millennium March plows ahead despite
criticism; Virginia court to consider
constitutionality of sodomy law
pp 1 5 - 1 9
WORLD • Ireland bans employment
discrimination based on sexual orientation;
Latvian queers picket EU conference
PP 2 0 -2 1
ENTERTAINMENT
GROUPS. Three Radical Faeries talk about their
spiritual paths
p 35
ROOKS* Reviews of new fiction; interview with
Portland author Jody Seay
pp 3 7 -3 9
Some initiative and desire can spark and inspire
nless you celebrated the end of 1999 in far too hearty a
manner, you are by now aware that the world indeed did
not end with the arrival of Jan. 1, 2000.
I suspect that for some this news was met with minor
disappointment. After all, it does mean that we’re left to
face the daunting and dismal task of yet another round of resolutions for
the new year. O ut of the other closet come the perennial old favorites:
lose weight (yada, yada, yada); exercise more (at least once this year); be
nicer to so-and-so; start this, stop th a t...
A nd, of course, let’s not forget to promptly get around to that little ol’
time management situation that one or two of us have got going on. For
my part, I do solemnly swear to return all phone calls and e-mails in a
prompt, professional and courteous manner...eventually.
O ne serious goal that 1 am setting for myself, regardless of the time of
year, is to remember to acknowledge the achievements, large and small,
of friends, co-workers and members of my community.
1 can think of no better place to start than to applaud the efforts of the
organizers of Millennium Magic, the Lesbian Dance of the Century.
Known as the Mischief Makers, Sparky Lindsay, Erika Silver, Cindy
Zrinyi and Pam M onette saw a need for a lesbian dance venue on New
Year’s Eve and set about making something happen. A nd happen it did.
For those not in attendance, the dance can only be described as an over
whelming success.
A ttendance was estimated at close to 400 women, and the organizers
believe there will be sufficient money available to donate funds to
Bradley-Angle House, the Portland Lesbian Choir and Love Makes a
Family.
W hile the evening itself was festive, safe and delightfully fun, the real
success lies in the way that the event was organized and planned.
REFLECTIONS
15
This dance came about as the result of collaboration between commu
nity members who saw a need and an opportunity; between sponsors who
agreed to provide financial assistance; and, finally, among community
members who came out in force to show that gay men and lesbians can
and will support community events.
Erika, Sparky, Cindy and Pam are not professional organizers. They
had no group or organization providing financial backing. They personal
ly took responsibility for the event. Cost coverage was assured through
obtaining sponsors who ultimately picked up many of the expenses for the
evening. The support of the sponsors assured the financial success of the
event; the financial success of the sponsors depends on the support of the
community. This is one of the ways in which gay men, lesbians and our
partners in business ensure economic viability. We all work together. T he
driving force is people like the Mischief Makers who step forward and
become our community leaders— they lead by example.
Sponsors gamer good will, gain exposure and increase their business
base. Event attendees have a great time, increase pride and awareness of
community, and learn who they need to support with their lavender dol
lars.
So here’s what we all need to consider as part of our goals for the new
year: Step up and volunteer for projects. If you see a void where something
should be happening, then work to make it happen. Be a supportive and
contributing member of our community. We need activities and events
through which we can come together and talk, laugh, dance and cele
brate. It doesn’t seem to happen enough anymore, and we shouldn’t have
to wait for the next millennium for an outstanding social event.
Dust off the exerciser, skip the candy bar for lunch, walk the dog in the
rain and donate some of your time back to your community.
O h, yeah, and have a happy new year!
years ago in
F IL M S . Missed it in the theater? Spend the wet
winter catching up with these video rentals
pp 4 0 - 4 2
DIVERSIONS. Get Bruce Vilanch’s latest
project; a show of support for Esther’s Pantry
p 43
COLUMNS
M Y QUEER L IF E * Who wants to be
a homosexual?
P 45
AMAZON TRAIL • Confessions of a cat collector
p 40
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noun A M MANAGING ami • Marty Davis
NEWS EM ID I • Inga Sorensen
B in n U N M D V T
tmm • Oriana Green
Catherine Sameh, Kahunya Wario,
Rex Wockner, Pat Young
A M EH ttM G M KC TH I • Meg Grace
COPY EM IR I • Christopher D. C uttone
AM HTM M G IEPM 1EN1AIIVE * Larry Lewis
C M V IM H IM B • Kronda Adair, Christopher D.
Cuttone, Katy Davidson, Michael Thomas Ford,
Lee Lynch, T.K. Mantese, Christopher
McQuain, Gip Plaster, Bob Roehr,
P M N K IM N N K C 1M I * C hristopher D. C uttone
A IT N H C IN I • Rupert Kinnard
P M N K IM N • O riana G reen
PM HKTW M ASSISTANTS • Thomas Christian,
Katy Davidson
W HCE MANAGER • Katy Davidson
MSIWNfflM • jerilyn Adams, Kathy Bethel,
Curtis Henderson, David Higbee, Lark Jarvis,
Marie Price, M eridith Schwartz, Ruth Traut,
David Wardell, Larry Williams
3