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Drive with Ppide
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A committed community activist takes on new role...
but only for a little while by T.K. Mantese
Schedule your appointment
today with:
L
esbian. Feminist. Musician. Activist.
Auto mechanic. These are just a few
words to describe Kristan Aspen.
the discussion, though I understand not every
body is ready to do that,” she adds.
“We really didn’t consider anyone else,” LCP
board member Sally Cohn says.
The board felt pressed for time, and Aspen’s
Bundled up in long sleeves and an
capabilities and commitment are proven. She
insulated vest, Aspen reclines on a
was LCP’s temporary administrator in the early
donated couch in the Lesbian Community Pro
1990s and has been involved in the lesbian
ject’s spacious, chilly office to talk about her
community for 30 years.
most recent incarnation: LCP interim staff orga
Plunging into work, Aspen and the board
nizer.
have identified three major ideas to create dia
Aspen, 51, graduated from Oberlin College
logue among the various voices of the LCP com
in 1970. Fluent in Spanish, she spent her junior
munity.
year in Colombia and, after graduation, six
First, beginning Jan. 30, LCP will hold an
weeks doing manual farm labor in Cuba. While
open house at its East Burnside Street office
traveling with a Venceremos Brigade solidarity
every other Sunday.
delegation to Cuba, Aspen met lesbians for the
"W e want to invite people to come by—
first time.
individuals, groups— everyone is welcome,”
During her time in Cuba, Aspen hung out
Aspen says.
with one lesbian in particular who was
The informal after
unabashedly candid
noon gathering is from
about her sexuality.
4 to 6 p.m.
As if a light bulb had
Also in the works is
been turned on, Aspen
the reinstitution of the
says, her sexual nature
lesbian forum, hut with
suddenly became clear
a new name.
to her.
Explaining
the
In
1971 Aspen
forum’s fresh title,
moved to Portland.
Aspen says the organi
She has been active in
zation is “working hard
the women’s commu
not to accentuate the
nity ever since. In the
differences” among all
early 1970s, she taught
who are identified with
women auto mechanic
LCP.
skills at the First U ni
Each forum will
tarian
Church
in
focus on a different
downtown Portland.
topic; the first, on dis
They worked on their
abilities and accessibil
cars in the church
ity, is scheduled for
parking lot.
Feb. 18.
“It was very daring
T he third item
i hen,” she laughs.
"Part o f my role here will be to try to
LCP will tackle is the
Aspen was part of
development o f a
keep the lines o f communication open or
the collective house
venue for dialogue in
hold that founded the
re-establish them if they've,been closed."
the same vein as Pride
Portland
Feminist
Northwest’s Conversa
Women’s Health C lin
tions Project. Aspen wants to establish a safe,
ic and Bradley-Angle
comfortable place for folks to explore feelings
House (then known as Prescott House), which
and share experiences with one other.
assists women escaping violence.
“I would like to see a conversation between
She most recently served for five years on the
those who identify as feminists and those who
board of Pride Northwest, the force behind
don’t, and see how far apart we are,” she
Portland’s pride parade and festival.
explains.
According to Norm Costa, Pride North
The part-time staff organizer position suits
west’s vice chair, Aspen donated countless hours
Aspen just fine. Her lifestyle demands multiple
and her own money to the group and its cause.
small jobs that are compatible with her work as
“Kristan is still a valued advisor to Pride,” he
a musician. She and her partner of 20 years,
says.
Janna MacAuslan. form the flute-guitar duo
Though Aspen is no longer involved with
Musica Femina, which toured nationally from
the nitty-gritty details of the parade and festival,
1984 to 1996 and has released two CDs.
she will continue to devote time to Pride North
T he interim position expires in three
west’s 3-year-old Conversations Project, which
months. The board plans to hire a permanent
is designed to generate dialogue among various
staff organizer by April.
constituencies within the broader sexual
minorities community.
■ L esbian C om m unity P ro ject welcomes all to
Though Aspen has loftier goals, much of her
call and share their ideas, or to drop in. The office is
time at LCP will he occupied with the ordinary:
located at 1001 E. Burnside St. m Portland;
managing the office, supporting the board and
approximate hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and
committees, maintaining an activities calendar,
Thursday from 9 a.m . to 2 p .m ., and Monday and
and organizing and supporting volunteer recruit
Friday from noon to 5 p.m . Space is available to
ment and development.
small groups during and after office hours. For more
Following two years of turmoil and dissen
information, call (503) 233-39/3, or visit the
sion within LCP, Aspen sees the transition con
Internet site at w ww.europa.com /~lcppdx.
tinuing with opportunities for more change.
“Part of my role here will he to try to keep
T.K. MANTESE is a Portland-based free-lance
the lines of communication open or re-establish
writer and proofreader.
them if they’ve been closed," Aspen says.
“I am interested in hearing from all sides of
A
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IDENTITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION
A PROBLEM FOR YOU?
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