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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 2, 2000)
10 * junflZ 2Û0Û r T ïïn r n ïïT n T ïn e iv s KAREN M. SWEIGERT, MD Phone O b stetrics and Gynecology Fa x 5 0 3 2 7 4 -9 9 3 6 5 0 3 2 7 4 -2 6 6 0 Q/AO a AL' U PO A t a Lesbian Community Project membership meeting, the group reworks its statement of purpose, elects new board by K aty D avidson 1130 N.W. 22nd, Suite 320, Portland, OR 97210 Your fresh flower professionals JACKSON’S FLOWERS 3804 N. E. Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR 97232 282-0657 • 1 (800) 303-0657 FS Tflltft . t i t P Ì 0 L \ w w w .Ja c k s o n s F lo w e r s .c o m M ay 13-21 M o ^ H e a r ts ™ © ? -e»- / - i V. Ç A V i N Î ’S ¿X on Limited Edition T he N ext S tage “the only shop that comes to you" 4235 SK Woodstock Bl\d. • Portland. OK 97206 n May 20, the day before the Les bian Community Project held its first membership meeting since 1998, transgendered speaker Leslie Feinberg gave the group and dozens of visitors something to chew on: “Some people say we should put aside our differences,” she proclaimed. “I say, ‘No.’ Lets bring our differences to a common table.” Twenty-four hours later, a diverse collection of LCP members assembled around the tables of Portland’s Bijou Cafe, munching on popcorn and cookies. Feinberg may not have realized how literally her plea would he taken. Before the meeting began, member Janna MacAuslan plucked her acoustic guitar while women of every age, appearance and self-defini tion mingled— it was clear this was not the same LCP that met under tense conditions a few years prior. 503 774-3531 - ; W a n t M e r e G a y a n d Lesbian News?] "•"Visit www.justout.com-.... for updates on news from across the nation and the world (updated Northwest events also listed) Ralph m Like a garden Studie? • w ant a kitchen where cooking ts a jo y ? • need, a house with a soul? r * T Desifl-n That Fits ___ __ ^ Kermeth. MohoLt - S U b e rt — b u ild in g design ___________ Z o¿o se sa lm o n ~ pox Z3Z-^<ód<¡> 2 0 0 ) N t 4 2 n d A venue P o rtla n d , O R 7721} 2 Blocks North o f Sandy ( 503 ) 249-1888 (800) 843-6793 LCP member Janna MacAuslan offered a bit of Columbia County’s Premier Real Estate Resource. Country living only 20 minutes from downtown Portland. 3 ohn C.Scoff R I A L C • T A T t □ f=> L T T *" *.. www.coiumDiacountynome.com www.johnlscott.com jenniferpugsley@johnlscott.com 503-543-3751 (o) 503-313-8130 (c) In 1997, the long-standing Portland organi zation struggled with a $25,000 debt; in 1998, it faced a dilemma involving the inclusion of all types of women— lesbian, gay, straight, bi, trans— in the LCP “statement of purpose.” Before October of that year (as reported in Just Out, Nov. 6, 1998), LCP’s statement of pur pose began: “The Lesbian Community Project is committed to the individual and collective well being of lesbians.” After that edgy membership meeting, the new mission statement (which was never for mally adopted) said LCP was “dedicated to building a world in which all human beings experience full justice, equity, democracy and liberation in all spheres of life." Many members expressed concern that this new statement was too broad and allowed room for straight people, even men, to participate in the organization. Others argued that LCP’s devotion to the lesbian cause was implicit, no matter how it was defined. For this year’s meeting, the board decided to vote on reinstating the original mission, acknowledging that “there is not universal sup port for this working statement.” The action was not received with much controversy, hut it did relight a few burners under women who felt strongly about issues around inclusivity. “1 came to this meeting because 1 heard it was going to be a move away from trans issues,” one member said. Nerissa Ediza, a queer youth activist employed at Basic Rights Oregon, was also attracted to the discussion of semantics. She noted how the original statement of purpose excludes her because she identifies as bisexual, not lesbian. Later in the meeting, musical performer Donna Luckett said, “When I got away from LCP, it was when 1 thought people were trying to define me.” A common argument was that there are plenty of organi zations for sexual minorities in Portland, including bisexual and trans groups. A few women in attendance said LCP is the only organization in town that should he dedicated solely to lesbians. A t the end of the meeting, the members voted on whether to return to the original state ment or modify it again. So as to keep self-identified lesbians satisfied, but at the same time be more inclusive, some mem bers suggested the statement should continue to use the word lesbian while adding “self- identifying women who love women" at the end. By a significant margin, however, the members voted for the original statement of purpose. Since the mid-’80s, LCP has held a seat among Port land’s most respected commu nity organizations. During its tenure, it has sponsored events like Women in the Woods— a entertainment weekend-long camping trip for lesbians, hosted many dances, and brought several prominent speakers, such as Feinberg, to Portland. Over the past two years, LCP has undergone quite a personnel shuffle. Staff organizer Deke Law resigned in late October 1999 to move to Hawaii. Following her departure, then-acting hoard chair Catherine Sameh began to pull together a hiring committee to fill Law’s shoes. In January of this year, Kristan Aspen began a three-month interim position as staff organizer. Aspen will now step down from her position until after Labor Day. Sam eh has also announced that she wants to devote more time to her managerial position at In Other Words, a nonprofit women’s bookstore. “LCP would not be here if Kristan Aspen had not stepped in," said board member Ama zon Knightly at the May 21 meeting. Following suit, much of the rest of the meet-
